DryCreek

3 hours ago, bingomamma19 said:

So, i assume you wash your hands when going to pump gas, going into any store and have to open the door with the handle that everyone has touched, going to the grocery store etc.   You do realize that real life brings germs galore .     

 

I dont worry about if other passengers wash their hands before going to the dining room as they will not be touching my plate, glass or utensils.    The buffet you can easily avoid that by washing your hands AFTER you get your food and are ready to eat, as you can not know if every single person has washed their hands.

 

 

Uhmmm, maybe not always a safe assumption.

Please see my post about the "backwards ladies".

8 hours ago, WorkerBee74 said:

 

Because there are handwashing stations at the entrance to the buffet?  Maybe we've been on different ships, but I've seen people outright refuse to wash them and go strutting past everyone else like they are someone special.

This brings to mind what I witnessed last week on the Vista.

I dubbed them "the backwards ladies".

I noticed the two (middle-aged) women casually strolling around the buffets in the Lido area.  They each had one of the platter-sized plates loosely clutched to their chests.  They strolled around some more, and finding nothing to entice them, they replaced both plates on the stacks of clean plates.  Now, to reinforce the "backwards part", they each also liberally dosed with the hand sanitizer and walked away rubbing their hands and doing an overall excellent job of getting every nook and cranny.  Up to the wrist even.  Yes, I was sober.....

8 hours ago, Joe817 said:

Unobtanium! Hahahahahahahahahha. Love your wit D.C. ! You wouldn't happen to be sailing on the Freedom on Sept. 13 would you? I'd be happy to buy you a beer...maybe 2 or 3. Lol.

I like the itineraries for the Freedom.  I have been longing to visit Key West, and the DW has had a hankerin' to see the Bahamas.  We just finished a 7-day Western Caribbean on the Vista.  That may have inadvertently thrown a monkey wrench in the plans to sail the Freedom in a couple of years.  As I recall, I haven't seen any cove balconies on her.  My wife has flatly stated that is the only way she'd ever cruise again.  She really, and I mean really, enjoyed the privacy and ambiance of the cove.

1 hour ago, xDisconnections said:

The trend is moving towards Titanium for a loyalty program tier name 😉 

True, for the upper end.

Titanium is going to be just below Unobtanium, but directly above Rhodium.

The Tanzanium and Cubic Zirconia are just newly proposed intermediate levels.

I heard from a baggage porter last week that they are going to offer a Tanzanite level next.  And maybe a Cubic Zirconia one too, but that's still all up in the air for now.

6 minutes ago, Galveston Cruiser said:

The Port of Galveston charges a fee to all TNC's (Transportation Network Companies) .  This includes taxis, Uber (Lyft), limo's, buses and shuttles.  Some will show the fee as a separate line item; others will build into price.  Either way, they all have to pay the fee.

That makes sense.  Airports do the same thing.

19 hours ago, kcjefff said:

You might double check the rates. With the shuttle fee, you’re at $85. With the current $10 off code I’m at $77. So pretty close normally with no shuttle wait. Thanks though. 

I am curious as to what you are referring to as a "shuttle fee".  I don't recall seeing that as a separate charge - but plenty of taxes and stuff.

After it was all said and done my overall charge was $86.87.  There was no wait.  Their shuttle pulled up right as we located their stand.  Luck of the draw?  Maybe.  I was just relating our experience with them.  In the past we parked at EZ Cruise.  It was a short walk, and affordable (for outside parking).  I never received a response from them after three queries, so the wife said try someone else.  When I told her we could get covered parking for her beloved Chrysler 300 at or below open-lot rates, she jumped on that.  Happy wife, happy life.

Thank You for parking with Falstaff Cruise Parking!
Receipt Number: FAL2XXXX

Your Cruise:
Carnival Vista  |  2/15/2020   |  7 days
Your Services:
Covered Parking: 1 Vehicle

Your Total: $86.87

Terms & Conditions:
• Parking shall be at Falstaff Cruise Parking at 3402 Church St, Galveston, Texas.
• Shuttle service is included with the price of parking.
• Your credit card has been charged.
• Reservation is not transferable.
• No refund in the event of failure to utilize parking on day reserved.
• Falstaff Cruise Parking is not responsible for damage to vehicle or contents while on premises.
• Please arrive at the lot before 3pm.
• Cancellations made after cutoff are not eligible for refunds.
• A 7.00% service fee per order will be charged during booking.
• Cancellations must be made before Wednesday, February 12, 2020 11:59 PM Central Time.
• A $25.00 cancellation fee per order will be charged during cancellation.
• To cancel your order, click here.

5 hours ago, kcjefff said:

Has anyone parked in the official Port of Galveston garage vs uncovered parking? Not so concerned about the car being covered, but I wonder if it is more convenient. I remember thinking that the shuttle to/from the lots was not as quick as walking.

We used Falstaff Parking for our seven-day cruise last week.

I recommend them, highly.  Indoor parking for less than the port's outdoor lot.  Friendly drivers, timely pickup.  What more could one ask for?

Well, a Pina Colada, but I don't think that is wise just before a long drive home.

Well, just returned from a nice, relaxing cruise on the Vista.

The CD was "Schwartz", who many seem to rave about.

Every time the three note chime would sound my wife would stop and listen.  It didn't take long for her to realize that none of his lengthy announcements were important - in the least.  Essentially, it seems that their job is to read the Fun Times schedule to you.  Over, and over.  Especially when it involves one of the "Special Sales!", and they were frequent.

Woohoo,

will be onboard this coming Saturday!

On 2/11/2020 at 1:55 PM, grandmarnnurse said:

Yes, it is one of the vegetarian choices, not that I’m a vegetarian, but I heard great comments about this, and it was pretty good. It is the pumpkin cheese pie. My daughter ordered it, as well. 

How much vegetarian is actually in the pie?

The last "vegetarian" dish I had I couldn't find any.  Even thinly-sliced and quick seared vegetarian is better than no vegetarian at all being included in the dish.

1 minute ago, Joe817 said:

I hope you have a GREAT cruise!!

We plant to!  Thanks!

Plus, I am on the advance team for scouting out the super-duper-secret rendezvous location for the flotilla meetup.

I just hope that I don't slip up and let the cat out of the bag and blab about all of their other surprises like the mini-subs and inflatable private islands they are planning to debut....

22 hours ago, scpirate said:

Too late the cheerleaders already have a hit put on you.

They'll get their chance to toss me overboard this weekend.

Vista baby!

Packed and ready for the drive down tomorrow morning.

11 hours ago, Stick93 said:

I was just about ready to book and sign up?? 

Sorry I knew it was a joke - I like your enthusiasm and  cynicism . 

I was going to present a far more elaborate story at first, but then thought that nobody would believe it anyway.

The ships will all gather at a secret rendezvous point at the middle of the GOM, guided only by the full moon.  When suddenly, the fireworks go off to reveal a whole flotilla of Carnival Ships!  To punctuate the thrill of the fireworks, each ship begins showing off the newly developed (and kept secret) horns!  Each one will bellow out a Carnival tune made popular in their commercials.  The larger ships all start out with "Ain't We Got Fun!", and finish it up with "Bang A Drum".  The older Fantasy class ships will end the show with the ever popular "Hoooooonnnnnkkkkk".

Suddenly, the whirring blades of a helicopter approach, and the ships spotlights all converge on the center of the circle, where a large raft with a painted target is floating.  After a grand announcement simulcast from John Heald, the door to the chopper opens and a skydiver emerges.  It is none other than that lovable Carnival Chief Fun Officer - Shaq!  As he wafts down to the raft, a specially prepared skiff goes out to meet him, after which he is escorted to each ship where he hands out free one-night Cheers gift cards to all the good boys and girls on board!

Or something like that.

2 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

 

I'm no expert on these types of things. Amongst other concerns, I would venture to guess that boarding another cruise ship is some sort of violation of law.

It was a joke.

But wouldn't it be great if true?

8 hours ago, Stick93 said:

Source??

None.

I just made it up so that the event would sound at least somewhat exciting.

OK, so a group of ships stop in the middle of the GOM. Where's the excitement in that?  You can routinely spot other cruise vessels while underway.

9 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

Many reports have stated they expect this virus to die down once it gets warmer (sounds like the flu, doesn’t it) Corona virus does not like sun, heat or humidity. Unfortunately, being quarantined on a ship, breathing the same air, has infected more. Had they taken them off the ship, and quarantined in different locations, I bet you wouldn’t have all the cases you do.

Hence the decision to not cancel our cruise departing to the Sunny Caribbean this coming Saturday!

I hear that they will be running ziplines from the taller ships to the shorter ships!  I guess Vista class to Fantasy Class?

Then, they use one of the lifeboats to return you to your "home" ship.

At night, just before sailaway, they are supposed to have fireworks that will rival those at the Magic Kingdom.

1 minute ago, tandemcruzr said:

We have been in Cove balconies on the Dream, Magic, Breeze and Vista. Never had the door closed on us. Fingers crossed for our Mardi Gras next year.  🙂

I think that we should have smooth sailing on the Vista this coming Saturday into the whole next week.  At least that's what the weather sites are saying.  Our last cruise (10 years ago) got a little choppy on the return.  My wife and I did just fine.  The ship was pretty much deserted.  They closed off the upper-outer decks and stacked up all of the loungers and tied them down. 

1 minute ago, tandemcruzr said:

This is correct. Nothing covers the window -- just the cabin door to the balcony.

Ahh, that's what I thought.  So it's more like being downgraded to an Ocean View room instead of an Inside Room as someone erroneously mentioned earlier.

38 minutes ago, Aplmac said:

One steel door to cover the balcony-access door....

and another steel door to cover the big, sealed picture-window?

 

Is that what I'm seeing in his pics above?

 

I like the three big strong hinges. No messing about.

I didn't think that they also closed off the window too.

I will know more after this coming Saturday though.

On 1/31/2020 at 9:45 PM, E@syPe@zy said:

I don't like that as well as Cafe DuMonde.  I've tried several, but keep coming back to CDM.  

Where do you get your Seattle's Best Post Alley?  I used to order a case of the the Cafe DuMonde, but now I order 6 cans at a time from Amazon.

I get it at a Texas based grocery store.  H.E.B.

It's $4.65 for the 13 ounce bag.

Thanks to all of you have replied.

I will probably be fine with what's offered, I just didn't want to be unpleasantly surprised with something like Nescafe in the wee early hours of the morning

11 hours ago, pacruise804 said:

In my experience any past cruiser gets 1 complimentary 1L bottle (which often comes later on embarkation day - make sure you don't use the ones with price on them).  You and your wife should receive two bottles combined.

 

Here are the details from Carnival:

EW YOUR OFFERS

Well, that's great.  I will be looking forward to that.  We are still going to order the 12 pack of water though.  While neither of us are very picky about drinking tap water (we have a well here), both of our doctors sternly warned us about using an unknown quality water source in our nasal rinse bottles.

19 hours ago, E@syPe@zy said:

I drink New Orleans dark roast coffee at home and I can make do with their coffee.  If I get it from the buffet area, I like to get a small amount of the machine ice cream first and then add my coffee.  It's a nice treat.  The worst coffee I've had on a cruise was the sludge they served on NCL years ago.  I had to pinch my nose to drink that.  Also, I ask for coffee when I first sit down in the MDR also.  I like a nice tall glass of ice water and my coffee with dinner.  I believe they prefer to serve coffee with dessert, but they never the less take care of me.  

Community Coffee Special Dark Roast?

I like that one.  It was my morning go-to for awhile.  Then, I discovered Seattle's Best Post Alley.  In a pour-over it's heaven.  I keep a bag in my desk at work, in the freezer at home, and a bag in the motor home too.

If I'm feeling lazy, then I like the Keurig Barista Prima Italian Dark Roast (Decaf too!).