Host CMLA

5 hours ago, mkcurran said:

 

 

Thanks for sharing me!  I appreciate you.

15 minutes ago, wrcjr98 said:

Woooo!  I'm along for the ride!  Can't wait!!

I've always wanted to learn to crochet.  My mom crocheted beautiful afghans.  I never wanted to learn when she was around.  Now I want to learn!  

I take books on cruises - (you're reading the wrong books if you're falling asleep!!)  lol  

 

I've already messed up my crochet plan.  I started on my project Saturday night and after about 10 rows I realized how big it was going to be.  I didn't want to bring such a big thing with me that was only going to get bigger so I changed my plan.  I brought along a project I'm working on for Christmas. I'm crocheting pine needles and pine cones for decor for my mantle.  

I learned to crochet about 10 years ago watching youtube videos.  You can do it!

32 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Where is this pic from?

 

Ack!  I was in such a rush, I didn't say.  This is the Captain's Lounge where you wait to board.  This area is for suite, platinum and diamond people.  It's a pretty big area.  

46 minutes ago, wrcjr98 said:

Oh you have to give the fries another try!  They are so good when they are hot and fresh!  

 

Glad you both liked the chicken!  Have a great week!!

I will try them again on another day.  😉 

We just had the Big Chicken!   I had the tenders. My son had a sandwich. I like the chicken. My fries were cold and chewy. 😞 I’ll try again on a regular day. But the chicken strips were very good. Yay big chicken!  
 

Thanks for all the great feedback. 

We made it to Miami on time with perfect weather. Maybe not perfect for me. Perfect for an outdoor person. It’s warm. And kinda humid. What are ya gonna do?

We deplaned and got to baggage claim. Luggage came quick. I was set to call up an Uber but my son said, but there are taxis right there, no waiting. Ok. Let’s take a taxi. No. We should not have taken a taxi. An Uber was going to be about $32. The taxi was $55!  On top of the ride cost, there’s a 30% added fee for larger vehicles. It was a good ride and fast but I’d wait for an Uber next time. Live and learn. 
 

Back on May 24 when check in opened I went to check in right at midnight so I could get the earliest arrival appointment. With our flight landing at 846 am I didn’t want to have to kill time before going to the port. You can check in and get your arrival appt then do the rest of the check in later. Fast forward to today and we land on time, get our bags, get to the port and it’s 932 am. Great timing.

Previous cruisers are still leaving. We find the entrance and follow the priority line to check in then up the escalator to the Captains Lounge to wait to board. We’re platinum and in a suite but the suite is the higher level. They gave us a Priority G tag which is the first group to board around 1045 am. Bonus is our room is available to us as soon as we board. Nice. Drop off the carry ons etc. 

We’re here. We’ve taken the picture in front of the backdrop and I got my first sale info. Photos are 20% off today. 
 

See you on board soon. 

Quite the exciting morning in Knoxville. We got to the airport about 75 minutes before our flight and it was insane. This is why I have always flown in or driven the day before. The stress of hoping we make it thru security in time was awful. We did make it through and to the gate and walked right on the plane. Too close for comfort for me. 
 

We’re on the plane. Taking off in about 10 minutes. Let’s go Miami!

22 minutes ago, ItsADryHumor said:

My daughter loves to crochet! She taught herself. I always bring books- that’s my go-to on a cruise. 

I taught myself watching youtube videos about a decade ago.  It's so addictive.  I used to bring books but then I'd nap a lot.  I'd fall asleep reading.  

9 minutes ago, cruises42 said:

We had an aft wrap excel suite and didn't have a coffee maker. Are you sure you get one?

 

I would not bet the farm on it!  I read it on some site but now I don't see it on the Carnival deck plan thing.  Maybe not?  I have had coffee makers in the room on NCL but I don't think I have on Carnival.  I very well could have made it up in my head for all I know.  😉 

20 minutes ago, ShellieB said:

My husband and I are going to be on this cruise with you! We're flew into Miami yesterday from Las Vegas. Congrats on the upgrade offer! We did one too for a spa balcony. Fingers crossed it won't be too crowded. 

"See you" tomorrow!

What kind of special perks do you get with a spa balcony?  Almost 50 cruises and I've never used the spa.  🤷‍♀️ 

Exciting!  What did you do in Miami?  So far our flight tomorrow morning is on time.  The plane arrives at midnight tonight from Miami. I slept in today.  I think I'll end up staying up all night because I'm anxious.  I've never flown in on cruise day.  🫣

38 minutes ago, we b cruzin said:

Following…my next door neighbor (and 35 members of her family) will be on this cruise with you!!! 

I don't think I have 35 people in my family and if I did I'm not sure I like them enough to cruise with them.  😅

Just now, WhiteOptima said:

I started packing containers and plastic bags.  If we went to Steakhouse we always bring dessert back and it won’t fit in the fridge on the plate.  Plus the cookies they give us.  I rather put in my bag or container and get rid of the plate and cover. I may or may not grab some cheese and fruit for the room from the buffet😜.

Yes!  If we get cookies or some other treat or if we grab a few from the buffet or get them with room service.  You never know and I need it in something.  

Any crafters here?  I crochet.  I crochet like it's my job.  If it could be my job, I would do it as a job.  I bring my crochet stuff on cruises.  That's what I like to do while I sit on the balcony or find a quiet couch somewhere to people watch.  On this trip I'm taking a Thanksgiving holiday table runner that I want for this Fall.  However much of this that I finish is indicative of how lucky I get in the casino.  If I barely touch it, I'm winning and playing more.  If it's gotten a lot of work, uh oh.  The luck is not on my side.  

What do other non planners do on your cruise?  

1 hour ago, pe4all said:

Great start to your review.  Our cruise styles are very similar. Since we have been to most of the port a number of times we usually stay on the ship, or get off just to shop for less than an hour - then right back onboard.  I also like the slots.   I don't get suite offers, but do get  $100 balcony offers all the time, plus dou all over, and free play.  Looking forward to reading the rest of your adventures on Celebration.

I will tell you that to get the suite offers you have to play for a very long time.  That doesn't mean give them a lot of money.  I don't give them a lot of money but I play for hours and hours and usually end up with 15000 to 20000 points on my card by the end of the week.  The thing I do is I don't play to win necessarily.  I'd like to win but I like the playing part.  I like the possibility of winning the big jackpot.  If I win $500, I'll continue to play it and I usually lose it.  That might seem odd to others but by continuing to play I do have the chance to win big but I'm also getting points and that's when the cruise offers come.  So if I have a set amount I'm willing to lose for the week and I play and I win along the way but never keep any of the winnings, I'm still only spending what I agreed to bring and stay within but I've gained the perks from the cruise line.  I'm getting the value back in another form which is valuable to me.  

I also bet between $5 and $10 per spin usually which is more than a lot of people play and I only play machines with jackpots.  I never play the machines with pots and what not that may or may not trigger some bonus.  I play machines with a set amount you win when you do this or that. Or a set bonus that starts when you get this or that.  

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

You got me hooked, along for the ride.  Good preamble.  Having done a lot of “live” reviews, I find the more frequent or close in time that I give my thoughts on it, the easier it is.  Just giving some unsolicited advice.  The second thing is do not be worried about you think what your cruise style is, it will bore others, because everyone is different.  If it works, sometimes, especially with live cruise reviews, a picture is literally worth 500 words.  Even if taking it, is to remind you what you made an impression on you or want to say something about.

 

All that said, what sends it home for me is that while there is some cost to do them (we are semi retired and have a travel business, so we need to be online), doing them enhances the experience, while doig the review and after.  Enough from me, on with your cruise. 

Thanks for the encouragement!  I pre purchased the premium internet.  I don't have to have it but I like being in touch especially when I cruise without my husband and other son.  They like to hear from us.  Or they just say they do and they're livin large while I'm gone.  😉  

I will take all of your suggestions.  I do like to take pictures so I'll make sure to do that.  And since I don't do a lot of activities, I can and will probably post as the day goes along.  This will be a new cruise activity for me.  I love reading other people's LIVE threads but I can't usually relate.  I don't need bar menus or to know when trivia is, etc.  Tell me what slot machine is hot!  LOL. 

Today is June 8 and we're flying out in the morning.  It's just the two of us and we're trying to get by with one large suitcase and one smaller carry on size.  So far everything fits in the bags.  As a cruiser that's been around a cruise ship or two, these are the must haves that I bring.  Your list may vary and that's alright.  To each their own.  

Our suite has a coffee maker.  I'm a coffee junkie so I bring extra coffee and I bring liquid coffee flavoring.  I do like having cream for my coffee so I bring a small lidded cup and on the first day I'll fill it with cream in the buffet and keep it in the fridge all week for coffee.  I also bring tea bags and decaf coffee just in case.  

I'm also bringing a 6 pack of starbucks double shot espresso drinks in the can.  You're allowed to bring unopened canned drinks onboard.  I've done it before.  I show them at check in with no problem.  

I bring a small portable flat fan that plugs in to the wall.  It's probably 8 x 10 size.  I got it on amazon.  I'm a woman of a certain age going through menopause and I get hot at night.  I like to have air blowing on me.  I also like the noise so I have this fan that I use for all travel.  

I usually bring a medium size tupperware container and I bring a few freezer bags.  My son likes to order pizza to the room but he doesn't eat all if it at one go.  I don't like food sitting out in the fridge.  That's a big no for me.  Food should be put away in something.  That's one of my weird mom things I guess.  So any food that he gets thst he doesn't finish, I like him to put it in something in the fridge hence the container and bags I bring.  You never know when you'll need it.  

I also bring a handheld rechargeable fan that fits in my purse for those pesky hot flashes that hit at any time.  It helps.  I used to be embarrassed using it but when one comes on, I don't care how it looks!

Speaking of purses, I have a small cross body purse that I bring for cruises versus carrying a regular purse.  I like to have some stuff with me and I need a purse.  

I bring a travel first aid kit that has one of everything.  Tweezers, nail clippers, cuticle clippers, tums, aspirin, sea sick meds, bandaids, anti bac ointment, gauze.  I like to be prepared.  

Lastly, if I can't get to a bank before the cruise, I make sure to hit the casino cage when it opens and I get a bunch of dollar bills for tips.  I exchange about $40 for ones and use that for tipping.  I know I can add it to the bill thing I sign but I'd rather give cash.  

There are probably other things that I'll think of as I finish up packing today.  

My larger extended family was booked on the Mardi Grad for 4th of July week in a Presidential Suite.  Those are very expensive but sometimes you can use a promotion to your advantage.  Because I gamble, I get casino offers that are usually $100 PP suites.  That's a great price but understand they more than get their money's worth out of me because I do gamble and gambling isn't successful because of winners.  The losers support the gambling industry.  Getting a $100 PP suite offer gets me on the ship.  Then they make the real money from me.  

I used a $100 PP casino offer to then upgrade to the Presidential suite for y family of 4 for about $7,000 for the week.  That's about half off the regular rate.  Great deal.  We booked it over a year out and I paid it off every month.  Final payment was coming up in March and I was laid off from my job.  Oh no.  That's not good.  Seven grand is a lot of money that my family can use so we canceled that cruise before final payment and only lost the $200 deposit.  Sad to give up that suite but you gotta do what you gotta do.  

With me unemployed we weren't going to take any vacation this summer but my youngest son asked if there was any cruise I could find for us that we could afford.  That's how I came to this Celebration cruise.  I still had casino offers of $100 PP for an oceanview suite.  I called up my PVP and booked me and my son into a standard oceanview suite with port fees, taxes, and gratuities for about $600.  Not bad for 6 days.  

We're also Platinum cruisers having done many Carnival cruises so we do get the perks that come with that meaning I don't have to buy FTTF, etc.  The casino promotion was $100 PP in an oceanview suite, $200 in free play in the casino, $200 in OBC and drinks for me and my companion anywhere on the ship.  I don't drink so I try to have a fancy coffee drink every now and again or get bottled water.  My son is under 21 so he can't take advantage of the free drinks.  To use that feature of the casino promotion, you have to be 21.  That's the situation we were in in March when I booked this cruise.  

We had airfare credit with American because of the canceled July cruise.  I found flights to Miami for us.  As a rule I fly to the port the day before.  That's what most of us do right?  For this cruise I decided to not do that because I could get a non stop flight out of Knoxville to Miami at 630 am tomorrow morning arriving into Miami at 845 AM.  Plus I'm only spending about $600 for this cruise.  I have the travel protection.  Worst case scenario we'd be out $600 if we missed the ship.  That's a risk I was willing to take.  I know it's indeed a big risk.  

Two weeks ago, when it was time to check in for the cruise, I got a call from the upgrade department.  I have no idea how that's decided or why I was called.  I'm not special.  I don't have any connections.  I don't know someone that knows someone that can get me a deal.  The nice lady offered me an upsell from my regular oceanview suite to a corner forward excel suite on deck 10 for $1500.  Now I love a deal.  I love feeling special when I travel.  I love added benefits.  I love that the suite has a separate sleeping area for my son.  it has a big balcony.  It comes with access to Loft 19.  It comes with the bubbles package for my son.  As a cruiser that does indeed spend a lot of time in the cabin, I think a better cabin is worth it sometimes.  

I have gotten another job so spending the money isn't as big of a barrier as it would have been if I hadn't found another job.  The real decision was, is it worth it to me.  The answer was yes.  I took the upsell offer.  Having said that, I'm still only into this for just over $2,000 and I'm willing to accept that for a 6 night cruise with my son for us to make memories to last a lifetime.  

I should add in here that the reason I worked so hard to find a cruise to take him on is because he just finished his sophomore year of high school at a fancy magnet STEM school that's ranked in the stratosphere for STEM schools in the whole country and he has a 4.0 GPA after 2 years.  He works unbelievably hard to get those grades.  It doesn't come easy to him.  I'm beyond proud of him and I wanted to celebrate him.  Honestly, I have no idea where his brains come from.  I question if he's even my son! HA. So this is a cruise for he and I to celebrate him.  He'll also be 16 next month and that's a pretty big birthday.  

I think that's all the basics of the room, how we came to get the room and why we're cruising.  🙂 

Hello!  My soon to be 16 year old son and I are cruising on the Carnival Celebration on June 9.  I've never done a LIVE from thread because, quite honestly, I'm not a very exciting cruiser.  I am not the cruiser that's researched everything.  I don't get up early and participate in classes and demonstrations and go to shows.  We rarely get off the ship in ports.  I'm a gambler.  I like to cruise and look at the water and have someone take care of me and I like to play slot machines.  That's the cruiser I am.  No spa treatments. I don't drink usually.  I stay up late and I sleep in.  It's not unusual for us to wake up and make it out of the room in time for lunch.  Everybody cruises differently.  That's how we cruise.  

Maybe there are other cruisers like me that would be interested in the same stuff I am?  Maybe not?  Hard to say but I'm going to give it a shot.  If no one reads along, I'm not out anything, right? 

So get ready for the least exciting most laid back non planned very casual 6 days on the Carnival Celebration!  

4 hours ago, wrcjr98 said:

Woooo!  One more day!  

Well, It wasn't mentioned, but, be sure to swing by Java Blue - their latte's are great (and I have to get the oat milk ones!)  Worth the wait in the line in my opinion!  And the crew in there are super nice!!  I hope you have the best week!  

We're so excited!  You mentioned Java Blue.  I have free drinks anywhere on the ship with the casino promotion I booked and my son has the bubbles program.  Can both of those be used at Java Blue?  I do love a coffee drink!

11 minutes ago, wrcjr98 said:

Hey - you get to try the chicken tomorrow, right?!!

Sunday!  We leave Sunday. 

27 minutes ago, vacruisin said:

I agree with most posters; I am a chicken sandwichaholic and I LOVE those from Shaqs!  However, I also agree with most posters about those dry arse breakfast biscuits!  Stay away! lol

I don’t even like biscuits!  I’m the only person from Louisiana to not like biscuits.  

4 hours ago, wrcjr98 said:

Somebody mentioned that they wished Shaq's had a spicy sandwich - when we were on the Celebration in May, they had a sandwich called the "Uncle Jerome", that had "Nashville Hot" chicken on it, that my husband liked, that he said was kind of spicy.  Not sure if it was limited, or on all ships.  

My son likes spicy.  I'll look for this.  Thanks!

1 hour ago, weezal said:

you can also request dark or white (default) meat
https://www.carnival.com/-/media/images/explore/dining/menus/big-chicken-menu.pdf

Shut the front door!  I didn't even notice that on the menu.  This is sounding better and better!  Thanks. 

18 minutes ago, starstruck05 said:

The only thing I don't like a Big Chicken is the pickles. I went and got pickles from Guy's and then my Chicken Sandwich when I was on the Mardi Gras. Side note Shaq opened a Big Chicken in one of the Casinos in Baton Rouge. I plan to visit when I go for work next month. 

🖤 your fleur d' leis and the Saints.  I'm a LA girl originally from Houma.  I have family in Baton Rouge.  Good to know where I can get it if I get addicted. 

46 minutes ago, staceyglow said:

😆  Honestly, seeing as you are a CC host, you know as well as anyone that when you ask for an opinion on anything, three things will happen. every time:

1. 1,  Some people will like it 
2. 2.  Some people will dislike it
3. 3.  Some people will think it's okay

And since you don't know these people well enough to value their judgement, you are right back where you started.  😀

 

Having been with Cruise Critic for over 20 years, I've learned that the members here always have the best information.  🙂 I like to hear all the feedback.  We'd go to Big Chicken no matter what but I like engaging members and hearing how they feel.