RoperDK

I do know there is a smoking area on deck 8 just forward of Bar De La Rosa. That is near the center elevator bank location on the starboard side. We had a balcony cabin on deck 15 directly above the area. We got an occasional whiff of smoke smell even up there. The area was quite lively both day and night. I definitely wouldn't want to have a lower deck balcony above that area.

Not sure about prices going down after final payment at this point in time. I think ships are sailing pretty full. As for casino offers, I have found they only have a limited number of cabins available for casino bookings. Once those cabins are gone, the offer still looks available, but you won't be able to book using the offer. In other words, there won't be any discount available for your cabin type. You might get your extras (DOU and Freeplay) though. Good luck.

I've never been on Hal, so don't have info on that. Princess doesn't have coffee in cabin for mini-suites like Royal does. I don't remember seeing one in our friend's full suite, either. Curious to hear about your MSC cruise. We almost booked the yacht club on their new ship out of Port Canaveral but chickened out. We are going on our first Celebrity cruise next year and with Royal's tier match we will start out as Elite. Nice perk!

Never understood why Carnival didn't include a coffee maker in their suites like other lines do. There aren't that many suites and there's plenty of room. Probably didn't want the cabin stewards to have to keep them clean and resupplied. Too bad.

Here are some pics of our bump out suite (OT) on deck 15. We loved it. Great views out to sea. You can be seen from and see into a lot of balconies. We occasionally visited with balcony neighbors, but most people just mind their own business. I like that the balcony was fully covered which doesn't happen on deck 9. The balcony was as deep as the overhang. We booked this same cabin on MG for this month.

Does Java Blue offer grab and go salads and sandwiches during dinner? How late are they open and are the offerings good? Thought it might be an option if we want to skip dinner, but have something in the cabin for a late snack.

Lol, we might do a Sky Suite but the RS is not on our radar.

That is a great perk on Royal for gamblers. We ended up getting Cheers because drink service in the casino while at the slots is iffy. Much better for table players as they can request a server from the pit. Royal is usually more expensive, but with easy casino drinks and getting 4 drinks per day per person for being Diamond, we don't need the drink package.

I hear ya and understand where you are coming from, but this is a tough crowd.

Is there any benefit to priority boarding for Premier cruises? Do they give you a handout with events or will that be in the cabin? We are on the MG Premier in 2 weeks and we are Platinum and in a Suite. I figured I'd just hang out in the suite area before boarding unless there is something special for Premier.

I don't get it either. Why let slot players access cash for free, but not table players? Does Carnival have a level of gambler where they waive the fee? On Royal they waive the fee when you are Prime and that level isn't really that hard to achieve.

Blue cheese stuffed olives are amazing!

I can answer this after my MG cruise in 2 weeks. I doubt that people overall have huge problems. I just think that they wish things were like they were back in the good old days (pre covid). Airlines, hotels, restaurants, cruises and everything else is different and sometimes it seems a bit much. If you cruise on Carnival, you should expect a Carnival "Fun", but value experience. It is very different from Royal Suite class or the Celebrity Retreat. I do expect mostly good service and food, especially in the lunch venues. BTW...I like strong drinks and hope that I get some!

Lol, I'm still upset about the bacon. 🤣 Now I hear that Guy's doesn't have sautéed mushrooms anymore. Oh the humanity!!!

Fair enough. I know that only once a day is offered now. Period. Before the pandemic twice a day was an approved service. Post pandemic, staffing is so short that twice a day isn't even offered, so no one can add to the steward's burden. I am on MG in 2 weeks and am curious to see how it goes in all areas because I've heard so many stories of short staffing. I am easy to please and have a positive outlook, so I imagine I will be just fine.

This was pre pandemic when twice a day was offered. No need to shame me for asking for extra services not offered to everyone. I've only cruised Carnival once post restart and although only once per day was offered, my wonderful cabin steward brought me ice for my knee twice a day. He did receive a generous tip for going above and beyond. I've cruised on other lines several times since the restart and they still offered twice a day. Their cabin stewards weren't stretched so thin.

I use wifi calling on Royal all the time. I was looking forward to it on our upcoming MG cruise. I have been told that Carnival blocks wifi calling. If that is true, then What's App and messenger would be an option.

Technically, this is true. Our last cruises prior to the shutdown we received twice a day servicing. We were always asked if we wanted morning or evening service however with no mention of twice a day. Since we are frequent Carnival cruisers, we knew we could ask for both. Inexperienced cruisers didn't know they could ask for both.

Just because someone is at the guest services line, doesn't mean they are removing tips.

Whether a true perception or not, all of the add ons and extra costs on paid packages and specialty dining meal upgrade costs have kept us from cruising again with NCL. We contemplate it, but always decide against it. It's a fine line these cruise lines are walking when they increase pricing and cut back on services. Loyalists may stay, but others will seek a home elsewhere.

Lol, the gamblers refer to them as their "$1000 plate of cookies". Not all casino offer cruisers actually get those cookies. You have to hit a certain spending level to get any comped extras.

That is even more than Royal. Amazing!

Lol, that is not his job. I can figure it out. Perhaps I will have a sympathetic cabin steward again and they will bring me my ice and receive a wonderful tip at the end of the cruise.

Well, at least my cruise is this January.

Unfortunately, I've been stuck in that loop before. The cabin steward said to call room service and room service said to call the cabin steward. We can always pop up to lido and grab a few glasses of ice for my icebag.