richfret

Any one have copies of the Conquest FUN TIMES for the Exotic Eastern 8 day Cruise (St Maarten, St Kitts, San Juan and Grand Turk). Could you please share them with us? Need them for planning our cruise.

Had cabin 2474 on the Magic which is a window cabin on Deck 2 as far back as you can go on the ship. Surprisingly when the ship was traveling at close to 20 knots, there was little vibration. When in port, however, the vibration was extreme as they used the thrusters to maneuver the ship in tight quarters. Note also that this usually took place in the very early hours of the morning as they entered the port. The good news is that you didn't have to be worried about being late for an excursion. You will be up hours before you would need to go.

I have decided that all my future cruises will be booked mid ship.

Just got back from a Magic cruise. NO TABLE CLOTHS! ................... NO PROBLEM! We survived. We talked at the table. We ate our food. We even talked about the lack of table cloths. Then we laughed and continued our cruise. Then formal night came along with the table clothes. We talked at the table. We ate our food. We commented about there being table cloths. Then we laughed and continued our cruise. Conclusion made. It really doesn't matter. With that said, I am running to my cabin as the flak begins.

What did you think of the new Guy Fieri venue?

I'm embarrassed to ask this but is Guy Fieri the guy who decorated and designed the interiors of the ship? Because yes, they were gaudy and a bit much. On the other hand, it really doesn't matter to me since when on a cruise, I just keep running from place to place to get in all the activities. Have sailed 12 of the Carnival ships so you can see, I am a cruise junkie!

Planning my next cruise for 2017 (Have done 19 with Carnival) and was really surprised by high pricing for the Vista. I know it is a new ship with lot of goodies but it was still a shock. The difference in pricing (for 2 cruisers) for a mid February, 2017 8 day cruise was $631 when I compare the Vista and the Conquest. There was a $860 difference when I compared balconies and the choices were really limited on the Vista. We cruised the Breeze when it was new but pricing was nothing like this. Oh well, I guess I will sail the Conquest and then head to the Casino with the $631 to pay for the cruise.

Picture invites were sent out last night.

Finally got the pictures loaded and they are now ready for viewing. There are about 250 and they are on Snapfish. Many were taken during 3 Mayan excursions and one at a fancy resort. Also pictures taken on the ship. Just send me an E-mail and I will send you an invite for viewing. You don't have to join any thing if you don't want to. My E-mail is:

richffret@gmail.com

Have 250 pictures taken during the cruise and also the FUN TIMES and I was going to down load them to PICASA which I have used for years. Came to learn that they no longer offer that service for new pictures. Am now looking for a good replacement site.

Just curious. Are you originally from the north? I see you used the word supper and I grew up with that word:)

Am a native of Michigan and always use the "Supper" word. Not only that but I only drink "pop" and not "tonic" and I enter the house at the "Living Room" and not the "Parlor". Of course, there is always the "basement" and not the "cellar". On and on it goes.

Thanks for the review Rich.

 

IIRC we sailed with you on the Dream.

I recognize your Cruise Critic name and yes we did sail together but not on the Dream. I have never sailed that ship. Must of been on one of the ships that sail from Miami or Ft Lauderdale.

This was cruise 19 for me and all my cruises have been with Carnival so you can see I am a Carnival fan. I was traveling alone and had booked Cabin 2474 (Window cabin) at the very rear (Aft) of Deck 2. Had no vibration problems with the cabin except when leaving or entering a port. If you have any worries about getting up in time for an excursion, that will not be a problem with this cabin because you will be up at 6:30 am to greet the sun rise. Surprisingly though, even going 21 knots on the open sea was not a problem with vibration.

The ship is in good shape and I have no major problems to report. The cabin was very clean and the upkeep service was very good. Some people have reported odors in the rear passageway of deck 2 and I agree although I did not experience that in the cabin. Late in the cruise, there was a ceiling leak (water) in that passageway and maybe that had some thing to do with the odor. The rugs in Deck 2 do show some aging and I was surprised they had not been replaced during the overhaul a few weeks ago.

The food was OK although not spectacular. Suppers during the formal nights were much better than the other supper meals. LIDO deck food was the regular fare and I was surprised that there were few lines. I do have to complain, however, that breakfast food (eggs, toast, pancakes, etc.) were cold to eat and had been prepared hours ago. That is probably why there were few lines. Preparing the eggs in the omelet station resolves that problem. Desserts were spectacular and plentiful. Had the ice crème daily. People are sure messy around that station and the staff was constantly cleaning it. Coffee and tea was always available and the hot chocolate was exceptional. Tried Guy Burgers once and it seemed like it was better on previous cruises but that could have been a fluke. Food grading is very subjective so you may not agree with me. I am one of those guys who will eat any thing once it is served.

The entertainment was very, very good and I was pleased. You could not ask more from the dancers. The Magic does not have all the computer fanfare that the other ships have and that is a plus. It's more of the old fashion shows that we use to enjoy on previous cruises. The Magic still has the largest number of real live band members and that is another plus.

This cruise was a special cruise for the previous slot winners of the last 6 months. All the winners were invited to come back for a grand finale show down of $100,000 to be held during this cruise. I got the ticket as a transfer since the original party could not attend and I was really excited to participate. There were 620 players and the first 220 could attend the second round. Would you believe I came in 606? There were only 14 players who did worse than I did. I think the electrical cord on my machine may needed to have been plugged in. Then they had a second tournament for $10,000 and I tried it along with a second free entry. Darn cord! Could not get to Round 2 in either of those contests also. So much for the Slot Tournaments! Also tried all the Bingo games with the same results. This time it was not the cord although the Bingo computer program broke down during the last 2 days so we had to play in manual mode. I like the current line out Bingo cards much better than the punch out cards of the past.

Getting on the ship was relatively quick although getting off was another story. I am VIP so usually am on and off with the first groups. Getting off was not as organized as I remember in Miami. I think that will change as they do more cruises in Port Canaveral.

Did several Mayan excursions and one resort type. Enjoyed them all. Some thing you will always remember. The only problem with Xunantunich and Chichen Itza is that they are 8 hours excursions with a 2 hour bus trip up and back. Not much to see during the traveling except for short brush for 100 miles of so. In addition, those box lunches are just as they say "Box lunches". Once you are there, however, you will be amazed.

All and all, I enjoyed the cruise very much and now beginning the process to purchase my 2017 Carnival cruise. Even bought five $100 Carnival gift cards today that became available on the AARP web site. That should make for a good down payment and I save 10 percent as I did with the completed cruise.

Am now working on the 250 pictures taken and will put them on PICASA when completed.

After reading about this, I dashed down to my local Publix to purchase a gift card since I sail on Saturday. I bought the $150 gift card and paid $100 in cash and the remaining $35 and the groceries (needs to be over $50.00) on a charge.

Did have one problem, however, They are still not set up for handling this type transaction using a chip charge card. It took several minutes and several attempts before it went through. Had several people in the line behind me leave for other registers. The cashier (and Store Manager) did get it through, however, and I ended up with 4 receipts before it all ended.

Note I am not complaining and was happy to get the discount. Just thought I would mention it if you are contemplating doing this transaction. Might mention also that their is a deadline to this offer.

TRUMPSTER - Have a question for you. I am cruising on the Magic on 5/7/2016 and will be driving to the port on the same day. Did you happen to notice how far the covered parking terminal is from the ship? The cost is double ($120) for a 7 day cruise but I can get off first (VIFP) and would not have to wait for a shuttle and their timing. It's 4 hours of driving to Fort Myers and I didn't want to add additional timing to it.

Never spent time in the casino, but was always curious about the slot machines.. are they hard to pick up how to play?

Just put in your money in the machine for each bet or make a lump sum payment using your charge. Then pull the handle or press a button. Do this as long as you like until your money is gone. Every once in awhile, the machine will feel sorry for you and send you a token amount to keep you interested.

Actually, the 5/7 event on the Magic is a special tournament for past 2015 slot winners. You can still join for a $500 entry fee! ........................... I thought you might say that.

I was in the slot tournament on the Breeze in 2015. The first round was the first sea day. I did not make it past that round so am unsure how many more rounds they played.

 

I will be playing in this one too and hoping I see what happens after round 1.

Any idea how many are playing in the tournament?

I can tell you this. We sailed the Tropical in December, 2000 about a couple weeks before it was announced that it had been sold. It was a mess. You could tell that nothing major was being done to the ship. Now don't get me wrong, I am not a Carnival basher and have 18 cruise emblems on my hat and all my cruises have been with Carnival. Since then, my philosophy has been "Bigger and newer" is the way to go. That's the safe way to go and it has worked every time since my Tropical sailing.

Going to try again. I think I am the only one signed up for the tournament. This is going to be an easy $50,000.

Any one know the particulars about the $100,000 Slot Tournament being held on the 5/7/2016 Magic cruise. I am entered and am curious. Do they determine the 50 finalists on the first sea day and then hold the final event on the last sea day? I know the transfer date has been passed so it is too late for that.

How many contestants do you think will play? 300 to 500? Those would be good odds. It costs $500 to enter if you were not a winner of a slot contest during the last 6 months so that narrows the field a bit.

In any event I am ready.

Carnival is known for constant change-the last time we cruised they had taken away decent tea and served Lipton, not Bigalow or Twinings. Even at tea time. I read last month that if you want a decent tea, at tea, you actually have to pay for it. So of course I will bring my own box of tea.

 

But then last week I read a review that said you only get service from your steward once a day, and you have to tell him when you want it. So if I want fresh towels I guess I will have to figure out if I want to shower at night, or in the morning?

 

Is this true, or a comment from one of those bogus Carnival haters?

 

I cruised in January and will cruise in September-what else has changed in the last few months?

OK, so much for the reductions. On the other hand, my first cruise was on the Sensation in 1995 and 18 cruises later, on the Breeze in January. There certainly are many positive differences between the 2 ships and none have been mentioned. It's like the Ford Model T and a current model. I think I rather have the current model.

As for tea, I am trying coffee.

Hi! We also live in Fort Myers and are sailing on Magic departing June 18th for the Western Caribbean itinerary. When is your cruise?

 

I've looked at the parking situation too and looks like we will be paying the $120 to park. Hubby likes the convenience of the car being close and not having to wait on shuttles.

Doing the 5/7/2016 Casino Tournament cruise. Looks like I will choose the closest parking ($120) although I would be upset if they changed the return location as some one has already mentioned. Then to wait for a shuttle. Yikes. On the other hand, I plan to win the $50,000 first place tournament prize so a lousy extra $60 parking fee and a shuttle would not matter.

Will be driving to Port Canaveral from Fort Myers and was wondering if any one knows about the parking situation when cruising the Carnival Magic. Although I have sailed Carnival 18 times, this will be the first cruise from Port Canaveral. It seems like I have 2 basic choices. Park in the fenced, no roof area a few blocks from the ship and take the shuttle. Cost is about $62.65 for the week. The other choice is the Parking Garage which is roofed at pier CT8 for $120.00 for the week. Looks like it is walking distance to the ship from the car although I am not positive about this. I am surprised that Carnival does not provide more data regarding parking for the cruise. If any one has any experience with Port Canaveral parking, would be interested in your comments.

88 views but no replies so am giving it another try.

If any one has participated in the tournament or has been on one of those cruises, could you please advise what to expect. Does it become a spectator sport for the whole ship or is it very low keyed. Is it a one shot attempt for the highest 50 scores or do you have to quality and then have a final round of 50 players. Am now listed for the event and was curious. Also was curious how many actually registered to play in the previous events.

I believe there were about 320 participants in last years finals for the slots.

Only 320 participants! That's odds of 1 in 6.4. Holy cow, I think I will start planning how I will spend the money. ........................ Then again, maybe I had better wait.

If you are playing in the tournament, I was wondering what you think your chances are of winning one of the 50 prizes ranging from $50,000 to the lowest prize of $150. I figure if there are 1,000 participants, then the odds are 1 in 20 (1,000/50). That's not bad if you compare it to the state lotteries. Don't get any ideas, however, if you have not already won a seat because the cost is $500 to now buy an entry. If I am wrong and there are 500 entries then the odds would be even better or 1 in 10.

To be eligible for a seat, you would have to have won either first or second place during slot tournaments held on the Carnival ships for 6 months which will end this month or buy the $500 ticket. You also have to purchase a discounted cruise on the Carnival Magic which will sail May 7, 2016. The final grand tournament will be held at the end of that cruise.

Was any else reviewing the odds? Have I missed some thing?