chocolate melting cake

We've been on several, all handled differently. February, 2024 was one of the quickest. We gathered in the comedy club while they took our S&S cards, handed us new ones, sent us into a deserted ship to have a free picture taken and relaxed for a couple of hours.

From Carnival's site Guests graduating into a new level during a cruise will receive the benefits of the new level they are graduating into from the beginning of the cruise (e.g. those graduating to Gold on the 3rd day of a 5-day cruise will receive Gold benefits for the entire duration of their cruise). Please note that ‘debarkation day’ is not considered a ‘cruise day’, therefore, points are not earned for that day.

We've done Alaska several times---most recently on the Miracle (sister ship to Spirit). Here is a "slideshow" of that cruise---just click on a picture to make it larger. 2022 Alaskan Cruise

Though not required you might be wise to bring a signed, notarized paper to the effect that you are allowed to bring the child to a doctor (along with being allowed to bring her in and out of the country). We've had our children sign and notarize the sample one below for each time we brought our grandchildren with us. We have never needed to show it to anyone---but just feel more secure in having it. Many doctors will not treat a child unless the parent approves.

We've done several B2B cruises, but never went off the ship in between. Unless someone knows for sure, I'd wait till I was onboard the first cruise for a day or two and then ask at the service desk---that way you'd get it straight from the horse's mouth!

We've been on several "Valentine cruises". I can only recall them having a flower for the women and a special desert each time.

Here is one we've used several times when bringing our granddaughters. We have NEVER been asked for proof either by Carnival or port officers, but felt it worthwhile to have "in case".

I know it's all in my head----but we often passed by the cabin Winston Churchill always used for his many transatlantic trips on the Queen Mary, and every time we did I smelled cigar smoke! I asked my wife if she detected Winston's "cigar aroma"----she looked askance at me said no.

I don't know if this affects you, Butterbean 1000, but--although the other CCL brands will not match your status, if you have over 100 shares of CCL stock they will give OBC equivalent to Carnival.

We started this breakfast when taking our first granddaughter on a cruise (in Aug. we'll take our 3rd), we enjoyed it so much that we book it early with or without the kids! As the others stated, just keep checking and you can call customer service once on the ship. Here is an "album" showing what the breakfast is like. The menu pictured has changed slightly (the steak is no longer a filet), but is mostly the same. The "Suess" shirts we're wearing are ones I made on my home's computer printer.Whether or not you get a reservation you will have a ball on the cruise--enjoy. Just click on SUESS BREAKFAST below, the breakfast pix are numbers 174-189. SUESS BREAKFAST

Agreed, Jimbo, but usually at that time the officers outnumbered the Diamond guests. On most cruises today it's more than just a handful of Diamonds.

I'm glad it worked out for you----but isn't Texas in Central time? If so you could have set your alarm for 11:00 p.m., since the bookings begin midnight EST.

Darned if I can remember----it was early 2010's and I had thought it was a Carnival cruise.

Actually, several years ago we were on a cruise when I spotted a couple in "formal wear". My wife and I lined up in back of them for pictures, she refused to let me take their picture, even though I explained I admired the man's jacket and wanted to get one like it. I was surprised two weeks later when the couple posted their picture on another social media group. I SWEAR this is what they wore----so if you're looking for an alternate dress El Pitman?

If you have 100+ shares of Carnival stock and have been getting OBC on Princess, you can claim it on Carnival also.

Reading that statement I thought that YOU might be interested in seeing what the transition was like back in 2012. We were onboard the Carnival Spirit as she sailed from Hawaii to Australia for the first time, the Australian television stations were right on it (you'll notice the news helicopters flying around the ship as we arrived). I've been following your wonderful review with interest----here's what it was like "back in the day". Feel free to skip the first 96 pix (prep for the cruise) and #378 on (after the cruise). Thanks once again for your review. Just click on Our cruise to Australia, and click on the picture if you want to make it larger. Our cruise to Australia

Couldn't agree more! Since retiring I've bought 3 tuxes on Ebay from rental stores. A grey with black velvet lapels and pockets, a "Yankee pinstriped", and a "southwestern style. My wife gets really upset because----two were $25 the other $35---and the owners altered them to my inseam and cuff size included! By the way, yes, the bow ties (Amazon) do have neon lighting! I've walked into dinner several times to applause and laughter. A great way to enjoy retirement!

I'm no expert----but I'm fairly certain each person is allowed to bring onboard----Wine or champagne, the allowable limit of one 750 ml bottle per adult (18 years of age or older) and ALSO Non-alcoholic beverages 12 cans/cartons per person. This has to be carried on the ship, it can not be placed in luggage that is delivered to your room. No bottles, glass or plastic is allowed. So between the two of you, 2 bottles of wine and 24 cans of soda.

Naturally I HAVE to have my namesake---------but in the past on every cruise, and occasionally on a Journey cruise lately they have had a very good Beef Wellington.

We've taken many cruises and I started making tees long ago. It's easy--just get "iron-on" sheets, design what you want on the tee, print it on your home printer (do not use laser printers as the plastic could melt and jam them up!) and iron them on. The only drawback is they're only good for about 10 washings. What people seem to enjoy at the P&D party is when we wear the tee that I add a "patch" to for each cruise. Here are some pix of the shirts---including the front and back of what I made for our 3 grandchildren for the Suess breakfast. Enjoy your cruise!

Couldn't find the Big Bird drink-----but this guy mixes a PURRRFECT Martini!

As others stated, when boarding just open the hallway door (using lots of muscle---they are heavy!) then put your carry-on in your cabin. Make certain you find a room steward and inform her/him otherwise they might think the luggage was left by the former occupant and send it to "lost and found". By the way I see you're from West Haven, I taught there for 37 years. Enjoy your cruises!

Two of the four cruises I mention are B2B-------a 6 day (which Carnival allows $50 OBC for) and an 8 day (($100 OBC). I had stated in my email that the combined trip would be 14 days----would they be kind enough to give me $250 (never hurts to be polite). They did assign $100 for the first and $150 for the second, a gain of $100 OBC!

We have 4 cruises coming up within the next 10 months. I emailed the needed information to Carnival and within a week all 4 had On Board Credit applied. Below is the info (I don't have a FAX number-but the email works well. We can now accept shareholder proof via email at shareholders@carnival.com for those with over 100 shares looking for their extra onboard credits. After the reservation has been made, the shareholder must provide their legal name, reservation number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc shares (for example: photocopy of shareholder proxy card, a dividend tax voucher or a current brokerage or nominee statement with the brokerage account number blacked out) at the time of deposit. Again, please remember to omit/cross out your account # prior to emailing their proof. •$50 on board credit per stateroom on any cruise of 6 days or less •$100 on board credit per stateroom on any cruise of 7 to 13 days •$250 on board credit per stateroom on any cruise of 14 days or longer

It even occurs at the end of a B2B!