Brkintx

We were on this sailing! Substantial movement, more than I recall on my previous Radiance sailing. I do wish they'd change the pre-set itinerary for this ship as it always visits the same two ports on shorter cruises... I get why they stop there, but one trip to Ensenada (over a lifetime) is enough... Especially knowing they could run just a bit further south on the peninsula where there's something worth visiting instead of zig-zagging around on the sea day... (my opinion anyway)

I have strong opinions on illicit drug use, but honestly those opinions aren’t the issue in play for me. Wanna toke up on board? Do it in the smoking area. Smoking pot (or anything else) on your balcony could actually kill people (fire started from a stray floating bit of ash actually has).

Note that while you can order multiple appetizers and multiple sides, even multiple deserts… unlike the MDR, ordering multiple mains in the steakhouse would result in an additional charge.

Not sure on your sailing, but CdeCap is open and taking reservations on my Vista Aug 13 sailing… as is Chef’s table. Might be worth checking. Last official communication I got from CCL on topic said ‘thru July 31’ so I suppose an extension email would be coming any time now if one is coming..

Also, if your play is sufficient… the hosts can express all manner of discretion for waiving charges on your folio…

Yep. IMO at least. The information is correct on the website, included in the checkin process, and any misinformation is not Carnival’s responsibility.

Note that in both cases mentioned (Texas and New York) departing ships... The Casino drinks program (either DoU or DoUE, whichever comes with your offer), the T&C says it does not start until day two at 6 a.m. In practice, however, it most often starts when the casino opens (which is when the ship hits international waters and New York law no longer controls. So while YMMV, generally you're fine about an hour or two after departure. Prior to that, drinks you order will be billed to your S&S account in either port.

To be blunt... I think if you are used to eating in the MDR, going to the steakhouse will change your entire perspective of eating on a Carnival ship. Everything is cooked to order in the steakhouse. In the MDR, they have to feed so many, nearly all at once, that everything is prepped and pre-cooked, then held just below the ready to serve threshold until it's time to finish and send out hundreds of plates at once - like the buffet but on separate plates instead of a bin. Even if you were to directly compare the upcharge steak in the MDR to the steakhouse... the rest of your meal is prepared to order from the salad to the main course. Yes, the service is better also, but honestly that is just because there are fewer tables per staff team. Now that CdCap is reopened, between that and the steakhouse, I typically won't eat dinner in the MDR but one time per cruise.

They've never failed to send me a disapproval email. I still ask on every cruise just in case (they're casino bookings, so expectations are low).

Nothing in your linked article indicates that testing is no longer required by Carnival. The article mentions CDC actions and the reopen of kids clubs on Carnival ships... As of now... Carnival DOES still require testing. From the Carnival protocols website, just now: " Carnival welcomes the CDC’s decision to replace its current public health protocols with a new set of guidelines for health operations on cruise ships. We will review these once they’re available, but there are no immediate changes to Carnival’s COVID-19 protocols. While planning an upcoming cruise, guests should continue to follow this page, as well as any pre-cruise communications from Carnival. "

Not sure when he'll make the decision, but you can also leave the reservation as "TBA" (book for 2 but not enter his info) until the online checkin process. If he'll know by then, you can either delete the TBA with a quick call or add his name to continue the online check in.

At the kiosk, after you log in, and manage account, click add funds. Options include CC, Cash, and Carnival Gift Card (choice obvious). Then it asks for the GC number and pin. Then enter and it provides you with the balance. Click to apply the entire (or partial) amount to your S&S account. Done with card 1. Repeat for other cards. When you have more than a couple, the screen will show them by last four and dollar amount. In this case you have to scroll the screen to the bottom to find the add funds button. The screen scrolls like a computer or android phone and not like an apple phone (where you scroll the view instead of the content). The trick isn't really a trick, it's learning where the navigation buttons are. My description above makes it seem simple, but the buttons to select aren't the most obvious and can blend in.

I choose YTD. Admittedly, I have little experience in the MDR comparatively. At most, I eat dinner in the MDR one or two times per sailing. Generally it's only once. Going to a specialty one time (where food is cooked to order) does a lot to create perspective for the bulk assembly line experience in the MDRs. All but one of the ships I have sailed on had a completely separate dining room for YTD vs. fixed time, so the tabling / etc. As for downsides, the wait for a table that some experience would be a factor. Nowadays, every booking I have is an ocean suite, and my experience is that the app handles the prioritization well and I don't really wait for a table. I add myself to the list, and start heading to the YTD dining room. Almost without fail, before I arrive, I've been notified that my table is ready. I've walked past dozens and dozens of people waiting outside the YTD dining room, so I know this is a thing even if I have not experienced it. Another downside is the wait once seated. While still not a 'prepared to order' experience... it can appear to be. E.g., at times this means your salad will take a few extra minutes as your order is aligned with the production tempo in the galley, such as when they're currently rushing to serve desert to 450 guests in the Early dining MDR. I can also see where a larger group would be more difficult to accommodate. As I'm walked through the restaurant to my table I have taken note at how few large tables there are in the YTD MDR vs. the fixed MDR. (I cannot confirm this is an actual thing, however, as I've not tried to take a group in for dinner...)

At risk of being scolded for replying to my own post - AARP lifted their max # of cards per month for Carnival from 5 to 25. Still offering $500 cards as well.

Thanks for that bit of info - it's hard to keep track of something the interwebs don't seem so concerned about... 😉