kona_wahine

First cruise sail away party they played the black eyed peas I Gotta a Feeling. So excited, wind whipping my hair. Every time I hear that song now it takes me back to that moment. Also, won almost $900 on one of the first nights, different cruise. (First after covid) it payed for all our on island stuff, drinks, we splurged on things we wouldn’t have done, bought. 

We splurged on the pass on our Panorama cruise this past February. I got up and walked the track and then we hit the thermal spa every morning. It was a nice way to start the day. The heated beds are nice but people would kinda hog them, put towels on them and go to something else. I don’t get it but wasn’t about to make a fuss. I really liked the steam rooms. 

Been to Belize 2 times and both times we did excursions from the ship to small islands for snorkeling. Rendezvous Caye and I don’t remember the others name. Very cool experience if you are in to that. Costa Maya 2x, once to a beach club and once to the ruins. Really liked the ruins. I would pick Belize myself unless you haven’t been to ruins. They were cool. My opinion for what it’s worth. 

We are on the Oct 28th cruise, and our first visit to NYC. Can’t wait to experience it all. Coming on Thursday so we can have at least one day in the city. 

The only up sell I’ve taken is an inside casino offer room on deck 1 to Lido for $54. It was definitely worth it. 

The lasagna at the Italian restaurant was very good! It wasn’t crowded, February, so nice lunch there. 

How does the $25 casino money work? Is it automatically added to your S&S card?

Questions, as both hubby and I turn platinum on our next cruise. I assume we both get the 3 bags of laundry? So 6 total? And the “chocolate delight” (which I know some people have a problem with) we both get one, so can order at separate times? TIA

1 hour ago, taglovestocruise said:

The 18 % goes into the pool, waiter gets almost nothing. A $2 tip they get to keep, even though most bartenders pool their extra tips during the night.

That does nothing to convince me. 🤣 I have a feeling that with all the drinking going on 18% is enough. I do tip in casino when I have free drinks. Enough that they keep bringing me drinks. 😜

6 hours ago, coffeeboy77 said:

I agree with this sentiment.  We should not be pre paying a gratuity far in advance of the meal and service being delivered - and despite this, the bill prompts for an additional gratuity…crazy.  I have alway prepaid my gratuities and have never once considered removing them.  However, I may have to rethink this.  Gratuities have gone up a lot lately, with additional gratuities now being requested by the bars and restaurants.   It may be better to tip cash for great service instead.  I have never done this as I never wanted to leave out the behind the scenes staff, but I am considering this and will have to trust the employer to compensate them fairly.  Also, some say the additional gratuities are never expected…I used to believe this as well, but after four cruises in the past year I’m beginning to wonder.

That wasn’t what I meant at all. I will always prepay for steward and food, I was talking more about the extra charge at the premium restaurants and the drinks. I generally give extra to steward as they work their behinds off. Last cruise we asked once for ice and never ran out for a week! I just don’t like tipping 18% on, say, $10 drink (($1.80 tip) then adding another $2. That’s a 38% tip then. 

I am probably in the minority, but it bothers me they add a gratuity and then say you can also add more when the check comes. I feel like I have to at that point and always do. Same thing with drinks. Idk, just rubs me the wrong way. 🤷‍♀️ makes me wonder what I wind up actually tipping….30%? 35%? Hmmmmm….. I might do some calculations in the morning. 

Look forward to your report and especially pictures of the ship. 

2 hours ago, steveknj said:

 

Actually once you throw in the booze and service charge it's over $100.   I guess I'm just cheap.  Or maybe it's because I've been sailing NCL over the last year and they usually give us 2 specialty restaurants as part of their standard fare (provided you don't go the "guaranteed cabin" route.  So perhaps I've lost touch of the prices.  If that's what it's going to cost for a specialty restaurant, we'll probably stick to the main dining room and perhaps eat somewhere nice on one of the islands. 

our trip on the Venezia 12 day is taxes and fees only so I think we can splurge on the dinner. 😉🤣. We went to Alaska on NCL last year…nothing is free OR cheap! Ya we had 2 specialty dinner and free drinks, but the price of the cruise was WAY more than Carnival. I know Alaska is expensive anyway, but I’ve researched them since and Carnival just always wins out. It was a great cruise, and carnival is behind on the food aspect, but price wise I can cruise more on carnival. 

Got our reservation! 

It will be almost $100 for the 2 of us, but doing it instead of the usual steakhouse. My hubby says “$100 for spaghetti?” 🤣 I showed him a picture of the steak, which looks pretty good. I really want to because it’s the Italian ship. 12 day cruise so something a little different. 

I tried making reservations this morning and “something went wrong” keeps popping up. Not sure if it’s too many people trying to reserve or it’s just basically not working. 

I had the cheapest wifi plan last year and while cruising was able to FaceTime thru FB messenger with my husband everyday. I have Verizon and used it while in ports. Both worked very well the whole cruise. 

As long as it continues to sell out the price will keep going up. 

Got the chocolate one for my birthday in February , way better then lido cakes 

I know the feeling! Our next cruise both luggage tags say PRIORITY also! 

We were on the Feb18 cruise and were late. We didn’t get off until about 10:45, so many people carrying off their luggage. I was glad we had a 4:00 flight! 

3 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

Remember to order your Chocolate Delight from Room Service, get your bottle of water from the bar, Platinum gift from Pixel, cocktail last Brunch day I think and go to the Platinum/Diamond party.  You can each bring a guest if you wish (like the kids).  I think that's it but I'm sure someone will chime in with what I've forgotten.😄

Does each person get the chocolate delight? Both of us turn on our next cruise, so I can order one and DH can get his later in the cruise? Or is it per room? 

I loved that free chair I sat in last time I was there. 🤣

We turn on ours also. The check in date shows at 16 for us, not 14. 

59 minutes ago, ryanpatricksmom said:

I wish that they would have a full loop that extends around the promenade decks on Carnival ships.  One of my favorite features on Disney  is that you have access to walk around the entire ship on the promenade deck.  It's a pain in the neck to walk on the upper decks when it gets crowded.  There used to be a way to walk around the Sunshine on the promenade when she was the Destiny but I don't think that you can even do that any longer.

The Dream deck 5 is like that. One of my fav features.