nancychic

Following. Please. 

Here's my thoughts- I resisted on the Cheers package because, like many, I thought it would be hard to "break even". Not only is it not hard to break even (and not be drunk 24/7), it's fun! It's fun to try new drinks and not feel like you HAVE to drink it because it costs a ridiculous amount of money. We fell in love with the Chocolate Mocha Getaway and even had it for breakfast! I would have never tried it because mocha translate to coffee to me and I don't like coffee- but it was nothing like coffee. It's a milkshake basically without the extra calories of ice cream.

But speaking of coffee- my BF loves those specialty coffees- and those prices??!! No worries anymore. They're included so he can have his every day without breaking the bank.

I'm a cold caffeine person- Diet Coke is my poison- now I don't have to shlepp in all those can drinks- I just order it whenever I want. Free.

Someone mentioned the water available for free on the ship- yes, it's true, and it's not bad. I'm not a bottled water snob but it's great knowing I can get a bottled water to take to my lounger or have available and not have to wait for a refill. I used to be one of those that brought an empty bottle and filled it at the restaurants - ugh, yes. Took forever and clogged up the line. No worries now. AND get to take a few off the ship now and no extra charge for that.

We love the MDR- basking in someone waiting on us hand/foot and NOT being rushed? Heaven. Now we can relax with wine, before, during, and after, if we want. Again, not worrying if we don't like the wine/port that we got because we paid "so much" for it.

I buy the Cheers because it's just another way to make my cruise fun- and not have to worry about a surprise bill at the end.

My only issue is that I have to spread my family out over three cabins to get the Cheers people all in one cabin. That's stupid- we are all still going to hang out together- what does cabin occupancy have to do with anything? We're not buying the drinks in our room! If people are going to cheat- it has nothing to do with who they're rooming with. My friends and family would still buy the package if we were in with people that don't want it regardless.

I realize that there are plenty of people that don't appreciate the package- I'm just giving my opinion that I have had it on my last three cruises and every one that I went with thought it was the better way to cruise, albeit for a few, not the "best deal" they still said they would choose it again for the fun of trying new things and being able to order a drink (alcohol, coffee, milk shake, soda, or bottled water) whenever they wanted and not have to fret over it (or try to bargain with themselves about the cost). You want it- GET IT- and go back to relaxing and having fun.

As an aside, I went on another cruise with some gambler friends of mine and decided not to get the Cheers expecting that I would "win/qualify" for the "Drinks on Us" card. Which I did- almost $500 later- you do the math. LOL And that card is only good WHILE you're sitting gambling- I couldn't even go to Casino bar to get a drink.

I realize that the Cheers package seems like a lot of money to fork out but now the Cheers is an auto budget into my trip cost in the one less thing to worry about category. CHEERS! Or as we say- CLANK!

Sharon just called to confirm that I received my email from her and mentioned that there is a US number to call her: 203-681-8665.

You may want to call her direct to set up reservation- she's very sweet.

I called Sharon at 345-916-5027 (no sure how much it cost to call) and she booked me immediately over the phone after email and website no response.

Got my tour for Dec 6 with 7 people no problem. CC info given but no charge unless we no show. 3 hour trip with rays, reef, and starfish for $45 pp and kids $35. Can't wait.

Can't speak for the Breeze, we haven't sailed on it.

However, we were able to attend spin classes offered on the Valor and Sunshine in the past.

 

Sign up is in the fitness room on embarkation day.

If you have a spa cabin they are generally included ... otherwise $10 per class. They usually offer 2 on 7 day or longer cruises (don't know about shorter cruises, we don't cruise shorter).

Sign up is 1st come, 1st serve. When it's full ... it's full.

Thanks so much- can we bring our own cycling shoes? I have spd and bf has Look.

Going on the Breeze this weekend.

Are spin classes still held? Cost? Time? Do they have clip ins?

Thanks in advance-

This might be better picture of the menu itself.

This is the menu from Magic last month

FYI- just to clarify- you can only get drinks while playing.

Can't pop by the casino bar and grab a drink before you hit the slots. Must be at a machine/table.

I found the servers to be pretty prompt but especially when they saw I was tipping $1/drink.

I practically drowned in the Chocolate Mocha all week! LOL

Immediately upon entrance to the cruise terminal there is a special VIP pathway "to the fun".

You take the escalator to second floor and people will direct you to the metal detectors (just like at airport). Be sure to tell them that you have your (allowable) bottle of wine (each) in carry on and away you go. Next stop is VIP room where you sit and wait to be called to desk. They have cookies and flavored water (sometimes) and will call up to check you in. Show your passport and they will hand you your S&S card (which is already in the VIP room). Boom- done. On to the ship.

Congrats on VIP- those special lines are addicting! Have FUN!!

After you unpack, keep your suitcases open and stack them inside each other under the bed.

Works great as a pull-out drawer to throw souvenirs and extra shoes into to keep all of this stuff out of the way.

I use one side as dirty clothes storage. Then I make sure to take advantage of the laundry special (mid week) that allows you to fill up a bag for $15. Always remember to roll your clothes and you can get a bunch more into the bag. Don't forget to itemize what you put in there. It comes back clean and folded the next day. Who wants to come home from vacay and do a bunch of laundry? UGH.

I wish I had known that no matter what spa treatment you get, there is always a sales pitch at the end.

 

 

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Not for the Thermal Spa- no attendant helps you except to check you in and give you a key.

Best spa option ever!!

I hadn't heard about this before. Did the staff at check-in tell you this was a new rule?

Yes, we were hoping to get on board as platinum at 11 am. They took us upstairs to wait with Diamond guests but said we had to wait until noon. I asked about this since we really wanted to hide from our family and surprise them- the guy in charge then announced that this had gone into effect on Feb 1st at Port Canaveral.

We made it on board without being seen but we were sweating it.

By 11:30 almost all the seats upstairs for VIP were full. People were not happy about no advance notice.

Chef's Table...is there a cost to dine? Is it through advance reservation? Thanks.

The cost on the Magic was $95/person (now) and is the same on the advance reservation I just did for the Breeze in April.

My Carnival agent sent email to get me on the list for Steakhouse and Chef Table but you can do it through website too.

Right outside the Casino by the internet cafe

No- sign and sail still received at check in. How can you get checked onto the ship if your SnS is already on board?

Order your first drink and they ask for your portfolio number which will show that you have cheers and they will place sticker on your card.

You can (and should) order prior to cruising. It's easy. Go to "manage your cruise". Choose salon and spa services. Schedule spa visit. On left hand side are choices: pick relaxation area. Choose for one or two people. Much cheaper than paying once on board.

I agree- great deal and addicting.

I usually went at night and rarely more than 5 people in the whole place. Most times, I was the only one. Wish that it went longer hours actually.

The Oriental steam room is a must for keeping my sinuses happy and the mineral pool is great too but expect a workout trying to stay in one place on the loungers installed in the pool with the Jacuzzi going. LOL

The spa showers are much bigger than the ones in your cabin so I found that when I'm in a cabin with more than one person, it's awesome to go to the spa to get dressed. Rarely are people there at dinner time. Lots of room for makeup and primping too. No bumping into others trying to all use the bathroom.

Hey, what time were you done with it all? We would have our young kids in the kids club and wondering.

Pretty close to 9 pm.

I was on this same cruise and I didn't find the staff rude at all.

I was in the casino a lot. Very smokey. I didn't notice in the atrium but I did at the computers on the other entrance. Plus it was really cold at the poker tables so dress warm if you play that. Slot area wasn't as cold for some reason.

Didn't do the BBQ place- both times we went the lines were long.

I thought the steak house was great and the Italian place so-so. We got comped at both places through the casino and was glad I didn't pay at the Italian place. Ditto about the bad singing.

My steward was great but really seemed to appreciate only having to clean once a day.

MSR took a while but I don't like to be rushed so I didn't notice much difference there. I thought the food was good there but for some reason the Onion Soup was really watery. I was with a group of seven diverse eaters and they all seemed happy.

If you want Serenity loungers be sure to get there early. It filled fast and stayed full both sea days.

We liked St Thomas the best too- just grabbed a tour off the ship and had a blast. PR did the Bacardi tour though the ship- it was fun and informative. DR did the "Give Back" excursion though the ship- total ripoff- felt like the "orphanage" (the girls aren't orphans at all. GRR) was a big shake down for money and gifts. EXTREMELY disappointed in this- not as portrayed in the least. GT did the VIP private house though the ship- was nice- but 60 ppl isn't "private" to me and food/drinks were nothing special.

I agree about America Rocks show- awesome! Flick was a bummer with tech difficulties- I would try again for sure. All in all, the shows have really stepped it up in my opinion.

No comedy for us either.

Highly recommend the Chef's Table. I've done 20 cruises and this is a foodie dream. You're seated in the middle of the action in the galley and the whole dinner is an orchestrated extravaganza. Let them know if you don't like a particular food and they will accommodate you. My friends don't like veal or lamb and they were substituted for steak and shrimp. Eight courses of totally unique food and wine/champagne included. This is NOT American Table- be prepared for sensational presentation of food not normally seen on a cruise ship. Just incredible and so delicious. Definitely the highlight of the cruise.

I won the Blackjack tourney and am playing in the Grand Final cruise on the Breeze in April- first thing I booked after my cabin was to do the Chef Dinner again.

Magic looks great.

We had a balcony suite which was nice but nothing spectacular. Jacuzzi bath didn't work and not sure if it ever got fixed. Not that much bigger in cabin although the balcony having a lounger in addition to the two chairs was nice.

Don't look to get on the ship until close to noon. We were trying to get on as close to 11 as possible because we were surprising the family and having to wait until noon (as a Platinum) was torture. Luckily, the traffic delayed the family and we pulled off the surprise. Apparently, this new rule went into effect Feb 1st in Port Canaveral- not sure if it's fleet wide or not.

Be aware- I was just on the Magic a few weeks ago and always like to get on ASAP as Platinum. My check in time was 11-11:30 am. We got there at 11:05 am and were checked right in at the VIP lounge.

The took all the Platinum and Diamond upstairs to wait outside the doors at 11:20 am and we weren't allowed to start boarding until 11:50 am. They said this started as of Feb 1st

I just got back from the Magic last Sunday. We did ours Wed- which was Puerto Rico stop- back on ship by 4 pm and waiting to go into galley at 6:15pm.

I absolutely thought it was the best thing ever. And I'm quite the opposite- I LOVED being in the galley, in the middle of things, watching them meticulously prepare every dish was part of the experience of the whole thing.

Start with champagne and appetizers in side kitchen- presentation was breath-taking as was how well-orchestrated the service was form start to finish. Then to the table to be fawned over and captivated for the next three hours- table side magic show included!

Only bring kids (or adults) if they are NOT picky eaters. We had lamb and veal which turned some people off- they were served filet and shrimp at those courses.

We even had cotton candy wrapped katamata olives- it's a foodie dream date.

Got the tour of the galley so wear sensible non-slick shoes. Even got to see how to make the melting cake. Comes with professional photo too and the chef will autograph the photo and menu.

Loved it so much that I signed up for it again on the Breeze April 2nd. Can't wait!

Unfortunately can't get the menu to load. GRR

I just got off the Magic last Sunday. We did CT on Wednesday night at 6:15pm. This was Puerto Rico day and back on ship at 4 pm.

If you're a foodie- any day is good for CT- it was simply incredible!

Loved it so much that I'm doing it next month on the cruise I "won" from winning the Magic Blackjack tourney. Breeze this time. Can't wait!

Wear non-slippery shoes/ low heels as you will tour the galley.

I can't find the menu pdf on the Breeze CCL site either

If I pre-purchase Cheers package on website, will it start on day 1? I was told that it started day 2 only.