John&John

Yes a taxi driver will take you to the cable car entrance. However you need to understand that many of our streets are one way and he is going to deviate the road to get you there. Cost should not be much more, you need only to ask the driver the cost.

DO NOT try to enter the old town from the north gate (Buza gate). You will climb down far too many small steps to reach the Stradun, our main promenade. From the cable car, walk down the steps to the road, turn left and walk to the Ploce entrance. Easy stroll into the old town.

Enjoy your time here.

Thank you very much for for sharing your knowledge and your kind advice.

I understand that a taxi from the cruise port to Pile Gate costs 10€. Is it possible to take the taxi from the port directly to the cable car entrance and if so, do you know the cost?

Would it also be walkable from the cable car back to Pile Gate or would it be better to enter the city at the North Gate?

Thanks

I've only ever heard of one entertainer being let go because he wasn't generating enough revenue (and I still think it was a BS excuse). As long as they have a body to put at the piano who shows up when they are supposed to and doesn't get caught breaking the rules, it's considered a job well done.

 

Frankly, it seems that if Gerry Cahill has his way there would be no more live music on the ships (a fact that will become more obvious as the Funship 2.0 upgrades go into effect on more ships.) I like to joke that in an effort to cut costs, Gerry wanted to get rid of the lobster tails, but marketing nixed that. So he tried to get rid of shrimp cocktails and a revolt on John Heald's facebook page ensued. So he cut the cocktail pianist instead. If he could have just gotten those lobster tails, the Calypso duo might have been saved! LOL (in a very sad way).

 

On a happier note for us piano bar fans, it seems that piano bar is one of the safer jobs on the ship. Thank goodness for that dedicated room with a big ol' piano installed right in the middle of it!

 

And we do have plenty of talent out there, Brad Alexander, Ron Pass, Greg Gallello (if he returns), Barry Miller, Russell Villarin, Michael Smith, Rob Crucilla. And among the newer (to Carnival) folks, Dave Filsinger, Marty Gast, Adam Saxe, "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter, Pollyanna Jones, Seth Gibson and Frank Glenn have all garnered really great reviews.

 

And I know I'm missing some, so chin up! Keep talking about the piano bars loud and long to anyone at Carnival who will listen. I think the more people talk about them and the more often we remind Carnival on public forums like John Heald's Facebook page, the safer (and hopefully better) the piano bars will be!

 

Happy cruising!

 

Laura

The shrimp cocktail revolt didn't bring back the daily shrimp cocktail :(

I've only seen a couple of reviews on him, during his summer on the Magic:

 

8/15/2011 from Jolimont:

 

"Definitely not the guy on the Magic last month. He was ok for a few minutes, but I've heard much MUCH better. "

8/15/2011 from LucyIntheSkywithDiamonds:

Re: Jim on carnival magic

"I went in a few times, but the atmosphere was too sleepy for me!"

 

I heard from another musician on the ship that the piano bar was pretty quiet.

 

HOWEVER, keep in mind that piano bars on European cruises are a much different affair than the Caribbean or Mexican Riviera. The cruise is more port intensive, the demographics tend to be older which equals a quieter nightlife. Plus from what I understand Jim is a nice guy, with a more old school, laid back style.

 

I always say not to let other people form your opinions for you. Give him a chance. His style may suit you better than you think.

 

Happy Cruising,

 

Laura

Thanks Laura - I also know that Ron Pass is a hard act to follow!

I found him to be an excellent spy ..... (the original Mission Impossible)

 

sorry, I couldn't resist.... :o

Don't give away our age! Wasn't that Greg Morris or did you mean someone else?

Anyone have any opinions of Jim Morris?

Thanks, I tried to search but with the piano bar entertainer list it is impossible.

Yum - your lobster claw is larger than the cruise ship lobster tail!!

The shrimp that accompany it are almost as large!

Agreed on the wine.....not pairings by any means. Wine in abundance yes, but not a focal point. My boyfriend ended up getting Blue Moon.

For the price of $75 (on top of the food that you've paid for already in the dining room) there should be wine pairings and some higher quality wine.

They served Black Opal wine which I can buy for about $7 on sale - not exactly part of a fine dining experience.

I'm not really sure who you'd be tipping at the Chef's Table. The chefs' salaries are not based on gratuities, unlike waiters, stewards, and bar servers.

If Carnival says the gratuity is included that's good enough for me.

The $75 fee per person is a lot of money on top of the food you've already paid for (main dining room) and the wine is, well let's say, cheap wine.

Black Opal is a $7 bottle and less when on sale. Assuming you drink a whole bottle :eek:, is the food portion worth $68? Depends on what you like.

Now, if they did wine pairings it might be worth it. At least Princess does wine pairings.

I was in 6393 first and took some pictures. I was in 8357 later and didnt take pictures ...because it was the same. Both cabins were wider than a regular inside and had the desk and refrig etc along the side instead of cut up into two pieces behind the bathroom and closet.

 

 

 

If you are familiar with inside cabins .. you can see these are wider than insides.

Thanks Fire!

Here's a photo I took of 8357 at the end of our cruise.

Anyone have the layout of 8357 on the Freedom?

How the hell you do that, I know us North Carolinians are known for running shine, but I couldn't get a single bottle on the Freedom in March, need some lessons. lol

 

Tim

That photo is from almost 2 1/2 years ago. You could smuggle anything then!

It is supposed to be OK to bring on the 1.5 L for two people but it has been posted on the boards that some people have had it confiscated. Hopefully the info has been filtered down to the security people at the port.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Each person over 21 miss allowed one 750 ml bottle of wine in carry on luggage.

It doesn't say 750 ml per person...

Why shouldnt they be 1As?? All the lower ones on Riveria and Main have a twin and a convertible sofa, not upper and lower on Conquest class ... so should they have to change all the 1As to higher catgories, and not have any for singles?

No, they shouldn't change them from 1A - I was just wondering why...

Are all of the 1A's on Conquest class ships all lower beds?

Does anyone know if 6393, 8357, and 7345 have 2 lowers on the Freedom?

I noticed that many of these now have 2 lower beds, but why are they still 1A?

Thanks!

http://www.carnival.com/cms/Funville/times/FunvilleTimes_JAN2010_Email_LandingPage.aspx?cid=Em_funvilletimes_jan2010_prospect_3030

 

 

 

 

 

Secret recipe revealed — start cookin’!

· 1/2 cup half and half · 1/2 cup heavy cream · 4 cloves fresh garlic (peeled) · 1/2 cup leeks (chopped) · 1/2 cup onions (chopped) · 1 cup pumpkin purée · 3 tbsp. olive oil · 1 quart chicken stock · Salt and pepper to taste Directions: Roast onions, leeks and garlic with olive oil in a pre-heated oven at 300° F for about 30 minutes; remove and purée. Bring the chicken stock, pumpkin purée and puréed vegetables to a boil. Simmer for 45 minutes. Add half and half and simmer for 30 more minutes; season with salt

and pepper. Finish with

heavy cream. Yields 5 servings

or 1 quart.

 

 

Thanks for sharing this. I'm surprised to see the pumpkin ingredient is not necessarily roasted. :rolleyes:

I know when they make this on the ship (even though it has cream and half and half) it doesn't have any calories. "Only cruise calories" and they don't count! :D

Thanks MrPete. I saw that on the Carnival website, but had read elsewhere that it is not always enforced that men wear jackets.

 

I will pack the jacket just in case, and deal with the hubby if he grumbles, lol.

 

sandcat

Men only are required to wear jackets if you go to the steakhouse on one of the two "Cruise Elegant Evenings."

Now you would have to know which nights are the elegant evenings.

$30 pp charge includes tip, per Carnival. Must do? No

 

Good Steak not Great, service is better than MDR. Great for a change of pace.

The steaks are supposed to be USDA Prime, so I would have expected them to be at least very good, if not excellent, especially since they are called a steakhouse now...

Thanks for all of the feedback. I will probably skip the steakhouse this upcoming cruise as we will be a group of 5. Plus there's one cheapskate in our group who wouldn't want to do it :rolleyes:.

Sounds like it might work out better with just 2.

I've never had the opportunity to take advantage of the steakhouse (or supper club) on any of my cruises.

Please let me know if this is a must do! ;)

Thanks!

Anyone know anything about Valley Church Beach? Does it have any restroom facilities, food, etc?

Thanks! :)