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No balcony, but still looking forward to my first aft cabin.

1. Value - what you receive for the price paid

2. Dining is exceptional; better than HAL and on par if not better than Princess

3. Carnival knows how to provide FUN for their guests - pool parties, karaoke with a live band, and the family comedy shows

Bottom line is - we enjoy the food, we have tons of fun, and we get a great value for our money. I can only compare Carnival to HAL and Princess and for me and my family, we prefer Carnival.

Grady - Thanks for a great pictorial review. Learned a lot, but am most excited about the front bridge view accessible from the Verandah deck. 19 more days to go!

Thanks for a great pictorial review. Learned a lot, but am most excited about the front bridge view accessible from the Verandah deck. 19 more days to go!

This will be our 6th cruise and we've never had an aft cabin before. We are on the Upper level, sandwiched between staterooms above and below us. What should we expect as far as movement of the ship on the open seas and/or engine/thruster noise typically associated with that category of cabin on this type of ship?

Here's a photo of the BBQ/Salad buffet in the covered pavilion on HMC:

I had the very same experience and also reported it here. We paid ...10.00 I think for a broken chair and umbrella and ordered a bucket of beer. After 20 mins our beer arrived and was hot....we took it to the bar to request cold beer. It was hard to get Jack's attention because he was busy with his " buddies" and finally his wife got us some cold beer, even though it wasn't our brands...(our brands weren't cold yet....at 2:00 pm)

Over all, the beer was overpriced as were the broken chairs and we won't be back......and yes, we are going back to Grand Turk in a month. We will stop at the bar before Jack's this time. Free chairs and cheaper beer.... I'll be sure to report on that bar when I return.

I am so glad someone else affirms this. I couldn't believe all the hoopla about Jack's on the internet. I await your report on Grand Turk after you cruise.

This was my experience with Jack's Shack. Please don't flame me. I know many folks love Jacks, but this is my honest, candid review of my experience. The free shot of rum coupon is a joke. It should say "free 'sip' of some cheap rum". And, btw, it is a very easy and nice walk to reach it.

My review:

After reading all the reviews here and on Trip Adviser, my wife and I decided to fore-go Margaritaville and venture down to Jack's Shack. What a BIG disappointment. Where do I start? First, no one greeted us and made us feel welcome. There were some locals sitting at the bar and gabbing with all the help. Finally, a young gal came over to us to see what we wanted to order/drink. We told her we had read fantastic reviews about the jerk chicken. She replied "It won't be ready for another hour". Are you kidding me? Our ship pulls into port at 12 noon and we walk over by 12:30 and they just fired up the BBQ? You'd think that they would have lunch ready to go by noon when a ship full of people pulls up at that time. So, we decided to wait as we had nothing else to do. She took our order for a diet coke and deserted us for the next 45 minutes. We finally placed our order for the chicken and by 2:00 were eating lunch. Chicken tasted great, but was chopped up very differently and most pieces had bone splinters sticking out from them. The whole time there, we felt like we were intruding on their little party as not one worker ever engaged us in any type of conversation. Now, I don't need to have my hand held and ego stroked, but if your business is dependent on cruise ship tourists, you would think that Jack's staff would go out of their way a bit to make the tourists feel welcomed and try to show some interest in them and appreciate them walking past many other food and beverage stands to go to them. The only redeeming part of the visit was watching their cute dog, Topher. digging his head in the sand time and time again. I can not recommend this place. In fact, a few other competitors have opened up on the sand nearby and we should have tried one of them, but had read nothing but great things about Jack's. After spending 3 hours of being bored and ignored, we headed back to the ship and decided to stop by Margaritaville. It was lively, colorful, full of people, good music playing, great swimming pool and lots and lots of folks having a good time. Should have gone there instead. Final HIT or MISS review:

1. Location = MISS

2. Atmosphere = MISS

3. Friendliness = MISS

4. Customer Service = MISS

5. Food = HIT

6. Topher the Dog = HIT

7. Overall = MISS

Please be sure that floatie is safe. If it tips over, it might trap baby underneath. Can't take your eyes off for even one second.

LAX to Ft. Lauderdale = redeye flight arrived at 5:30am and had to kick it in the airport for five hours. No fun, but saved a ton of $$ on hotel and airfare.

Burbank to Seattle (twice) = morning flight day of departure. No problems or issues.

Three cruises within same day driving distance = no problems.

I have been looking for info on staying the night before our 1/20 departure. One of the ideas that had some appeal (we are history buffs) was the option of staying on the Queen Mary. The added inducement of parking included was enough for me to inquire. This is the information I received;

Good Evening,

 

The rate for that night starts at $149 for an interior cabin with two twin sized beds, interior cabins do not have any windows. This rate includes the 4 day parking of $17 a night, the total coming out to 175.37 for the entire stay plus parking. Based on the room type, rates do increase in price, but $149 is the starting rate.

Not much of a deal as it turns out...

I'm sure it's pricey, but staying on the Queen Mary is a very special experience. DW and I stayed there years ago and in addition to the uniqueness of staying in an ocean liners stateroom as it was 70 years ago, as a QM hotel guest, you are allowed access to many parts of the ship which are not allowed to the general public. In addition to all the museum stuff, just walking around the promenade deck and standing underneath the life boats is 'Titanic-esque'.

And, you can't get any closer to the embarkation station for Carnival. No need to worry about transportation to the dock.

I wonder if this will make the major news media or if they only focus on the negative news about Carnival.

We went there and will not go back. Just sayin.

 

Food took over an hour, locals seemed to waltz in and get their food and ours was still "frozen" according to the cook.

 

$20 for a chair and an umbrella? Dumb of us. Service was rude, food was very average once we finally got it and as soon as we did, we left.

 

We love local beach bars, the more local the better. This one was one of the most disappointing we've ever been to. We were pretty jazzed reading all the reviews....boy were disappointed.

Finally, someone who agrees with me. This was our same experience back in March 2011 and when I wrote about it then, got flamed to death. Here is my honest assessment of Jack's Shack:

After reading all the reviews here and on Trip Adviser, my wife and I decided to fore-go Margaritaville and venture down to Jack's Shack. What a BIG disappointment. Where do I start? First, no one greeted us and made us feel welcome. There were some locals sitting at the bar and gabbing with all the help. Finally, a young gal came over to us to see what we wanted to order/drink. We told her we had read fantastic reviews about the jerk chicken. She replied "It won't be ready for another hour". Are you kidding me? Our ship pulls into port at 12 noon and we walk over by 12:30 and they just fired up the BBQ. You'd think that they would have lunch ready to go by noon when a ship full of people pulls up at that time. So, we decided to wait as we had nothing else to do. She took our order for a diet coke and deserted us for the next 45 minutes. We finally placed our order for the chicken and by 2:00 were eating lunch. Chicken tasted great, but was chopped up very differently and most pieces had bone splinters sticking out from them. The whole time there, we felt like we were intruding on their little party as not one worker ever engaged us in any type of conversation. Now, I don't need to have my hand held and ego stroked, but if your business is dependent on cruise ship tourists, you would think that Jack's staff would go out of their way a bit to make the tourists feel welcomed and try to show some interest in them and appreciate them walking past many other food and beverage stands to go to them. The only redeeming part of the visit was watching their cute dog, Topher. digging his head in the sand time and time again. I can not recommend this place. In fact, a few other competitors have opened up on the sand nearby and we should have tried one of them, but had read nothing but great things about Jack's. After spending 3 hours of being bored and ignored, we headed back to the ship and decided to stop by Margaritaville. It was lively, colorful, full of people, good music playing, great swimming pool and lots and lots of folks having a good time. Should have gone there instead. Final HIT or MISS review:

1. Location = MISS

2. Atmosphere = MISS

3. Friendliness = MISS

4. Customer Service = MISS

5. Food = HIT

6. Topher the Dog = HIT

7. Overall = MISS

Just this title alone should evoke some sort of response from those of you who have tasted this decadent delight of caloric overload. Any thoughts?

Anyone know if there are native american type woven or beaded jackets/fleeces available anywhere in the 3 stopover towns when we dock, my DW loves brightly coloured ornamental decorated NA type clothing,

We found a great mom and pop clothing/gift store in Juneau called Northern Lights Clothing Co. They are located on Franklin St just a few doors north of the Red Dog Saloon (local restaurant/pub right in the center of town across from the cruise ship docks). They have clothing and souvenirs a cut above all the corporate gift and trinket shops. I think they will have clothing like your wife is looking for.

This post has me even more excited for my trip next month!!

 

Are Ulu knives available all over Alaska? We won't be traveling to Anchorage.

 

I'm taking notes...

They are EVERWHERE. They seem to be a featured item of nearly every gift shop. There are varying qualities from cheap Chinese knock offs (I wouldn't recommend) to very expensive and ornate sets made by Alaskans. I bought one in the middle (made in Alaska); cost about $35 or $40 with my discount coupon which you will find all over the place.

Bought an ULU knife set - one of the good ones made in Alaska not the Chinese replica - but hardly ever use it. Still looks nice, though. Also bought a nice reversible heavy jacket; fleece on one side, nylon on the other. Not many days I can wear it here in So. Cal as it keeps you VERY warm. Best item I bought was some fish rub from the TAKU store in Juneau. Wish I had bought more. Used it up and enjoyed it more that the Ulu or the jacket.

We just got off the Splendor yesterday and I believe the game is rigged so that it won't allow a winner until more money has been put in than is given out, way more! So, it's really not a game of skill as it is portrayed to be and thus is a rip-off in my opinion. I'm pretty good at games like this and I came millimeters close on my 20 attempts and as one man watching me said, the machine continued to move even after I released the ball. We do know first hand of a $1000 winner and a cash/iPad winner so it will pay out eventually, but only after a tidy profit is first guaranteed.

I have only seen this on some RCCL ships. The original poster meant that all of the elevators have an insert in the carpet that is changed every day that shows the day of the week. I once heard a Cruise Director make a joke that every day of the week the carpet insert has the day of the week. He asked the audience, "Do you know what it says on the last day?" and everyone responded, "Sunday!" (since that was the last day of our particular cruise)...but he replied that on the last day, it says "Get off the ship!" I thought that was priceless.

No one's gotten my tongue-in-cheek joke yet!

Here's another way to do it - not sure if CCL does this (RCCL does) but on the last 2 cruises we were on, every day they changed a sign in the floor (really articulate, aren't I?) - it was like a stone inlaid in the elevator - that had the day of the week on it. So, we'd take a pic of that. :D

Do they change it on every floor?

frugaltravel wrote:

In any case, I know what you mean about a couple of companies getting more attention than others. But some of that is deserved.

While Harv's and Marv's and Orca Enterprises get all the headlines, there are other whale watching companies that offer just as fabulous an experience. H&M and OE were both booked up by the time I got around to booking an excursion, so with a little research, I found June Whale Watch and took this excursion on June 13. We had a fabulous time which included a shuttle bus ride to the bay, two + hours on the water, and a drop-off and pick-up at the Mendenhall Glacier for $120 a person. The boat was a small, 28 person jet boat which the ride in itself was an experience, and in addition to the comfortable, heated enclosed seating area, had an open bow and stern for plenty of outdoor viewing. And, there is a bathroom on-board. The on-board guide was very informative and there was not one issue at all with this excursion. Oh, and did I say we saw lots and lots of whales?; even saw some bubble-net feeding.

If you want to check them out, go to www juneauwhalewatch dot com for all the info.

We didn't ask our ships photographer to take our picture, she volunteered! DW and I were in waist deep water at Half Moon Cay taking each others pictures when the ships photographer offered to take a photo of both of us in one shot with our own camera. She then took a couple with her camera hoping to entice us to buy one later. I would have never imposed on her to take our photo with our own camera as I know how the game is played but she was very nice and offered on her own.

We also had many fellow passengers volunteer to take our photo at other stops along the way and everyone was happy to do so. We usually reciprocated with them.

We were on the Sapphire Princess last year and saw many folks trying to take a picture of their picture, but the crew was on top of it and didn't allow it to happen.

I have read through all the posts here and I have a question that I didn't see an answer for.

 

What do people prop up the clamshells with for air circulation. I have read that it is recommended to bring something to prop it up about 12 inches, but am wondering what that would be.