cruisingguy007

Myself and a lot of parents already do this, there is a splash area near the slides. You can usually get drink service too (especially if you tip) and there are chairs around to lounge in. I also use the showers to cool down and get wet, helps when it's blazing out. Most ships have showers in multiple locations. An adult area like this sounds like a great idea actually.

Right up until someone chums in it, then not so much. Plus a pain for the crew to clean/sanitize. Some folks have trouble walking to the bars, no need to make it easier with a slide lol. That said, pneumatic tubes to get cans of beer shot to the cabin, that I can dig! 😁

This is the gamble: ship delays, customs delays, baggage delays, a couple of freeway accidents or a major accident with lane shutdowns, airport screening delays/lines etc. All real possibilities with so many moving parts.

You could certainly be off by that time, your real problem is anticipating traffic, two hours could turn into four if something goes bad. If you were going to LB/LA airports I'd say you'd be fine, driving two hours away with LA/IE traffic? Not so much. Too risky IMO. You could do it but I'd carry off your own bags, tip a porter to get you through customs quicker with smile and go and leave a bit earlier just to be safe. This will also act as insurance if the ship has any delays as well.

Drink package is worth it on shorter cruises!

That's odd, it's always worked perfectly on our cruises, when the table says it's ready, we walk right up, flash the table and are escorted to the table by staff. The only delay I've encountered are the folks who don't understand how to use the app properly and show up and crowd the door before their table is ready. For some reason, Ludacris's "Move B, get out the way" always pops into my head about that time lol.

Alcohol is dirt cheap, especially if you have tax offsets and such that the cruise lines do. Some folks that live in states that artificially tax alcohol higher or have state run stores can forget that. Some even think they are "getting over" by maxing out at 15 drinks on their packages lol. Booze is super cheap, doesn't really expire and has huge markup potential; many restaurants make way more on booze than their food sales. Operationally, it takes the same amount of effort as ProgRock pointed out, loading, dishes, staff etc, so I certainly see that point being valid if you measure not by procurement/serving coats, but as total revenue generation in relation to said costs. Corn syrup, artificial flavoring agents, food coloring and water sales are also profitable as well but don't command the same profit margins (generally).

Yes to both questions.

Two folks doing the job of seven and getting burnout explains a lot. Kinda crazy when getting covid is the only way to get a break from grueling hours/conditions, sometimes we forget that while we're shoveling food and drinks down and having a ball on board.

You should watch this Youtube video by a crew member, it may help to fully understand what is going on and the challenges that the staff are dealing with. It's worth watching all the way through and paying close attention around the 10:15 marker, speaks volumes on why we are seeing/experiencing some of what we are currently on cruises.

I'm still waiting on the seafood tower to make a return, they also didn't have oysters on the last cruise which was disappointing. A seafood tower on the balcony with a bucket of beers would be amazing!

I did try the Funderstruck burger at Guy's and it was pretty dang tasty, probably a stoners dream lol. Toss some chili on the fries and some other tasty toppings and it can be paradise. 😁

There are some great YouTube videos out there on them, I was going to post a link but decided not to because some have travel agent info at the end and I know they don't like that around here but the ships look fantastic! Yes, it's vista class but the design is vibrant and completely different than current offerings of the same class.

There has to be a happy medium somewhere, I certainly don't want to go on a cruise where we are all just fading on the gas there and back while packing our own food and eating instant noodles on board lol. I can see both angles and I don't view any use of an included amenity as wrong in any way. I also don't like the term "free", included is the correct term. I can also appreciate those who have been watching their included options shrink and aren't happy/excited about it. Interesting debate and certainly entertaining in the least lol. Enjoying the banter!

Touché!

Concur, though I do understand the frustrations of those who are cruising with folks who absolutely can't/don't drink alcohol, not even a drop, it's kinda irritating that people have abused a courtesy but I certainly understand why they have the policy in place. It is what it is.

Fancy! 😃

OP did state that they have DOU all over, they definitely should be able to buy just for the other that doesn't. I believe you're right about it needing to be purchased on board. Several other posters have mentioned this on previous threads.

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While that may be true and I'm certainly a Carnival Fan boi, a Greyhound trip is not something I would consider lol. Your positivity and ability to see the silver lining is refreshing though lol, I'll give you that.

Price went up, used to be $7 a person but now $10 for adults and $8 for kids.

I think folks are already hip to this, when I was on Miracle, I pushed the elevator button and when the door opened there was a bunch of ladies (like five or six) in there with those plates and domed covers stacked three/four high lol. It looked like they were room service employees delivering food, accept for their pajama attire that gave them away as passengers; I've never seen such a thing on past cruises. It was crazy, I waited for the next elevator and was thinking to myself "what the heck?" 🤣.

Wow! That's a long cruise! Good luck on your covid test and hope you have a great cruise!

My favorite cruise drink is my first drink onboard!

It's crazy that people have to even think of these things while on a cruise. I did try a few of the pay items from room service on my last Panorama trip and they were pretty decent and the service was very fast so that was nice. The late night food options are certainly an issue that folks are passionate about, hopefully, Carnival is paying attention. Another option is eating a burger or something from the deli in the early evening and then pushing dinner back later, at the back end of dinner service. It limits your show options but is something that is an option.