IntrepidFromDC

I see tablecloths!

I agree the camera doesn't pick up the spooky, voodooey vibe after dark but seeing it in person is a creepy but cool experience, I thought. Hard to say but some of the shacks, signs, etc... you can almost smell the voodoo in the air. Thanks for sharing all of them.

Thanks for sharing these, though they miss the later (better) part of the sailaway, on the serpentine delta. Nice sunset in the first one!

I'd like to see one of these time-lapse sail-aways from NOLA, Manhattan and Venice.

Maybe notsomuch, let's start the bidding for two tix at $9,450...

I got the survey you describe and don't even have a future cruise booked. I responded, I can't imagine they'd make offers based on how much I say I'm going to gamble, but rather continue tracking how much gambling I actually do. Wondering about the purpose as well.

Another vote for Jack's Shack. Although Jack and Topher are no longer running the show and excavating to China, it is still a chill vibe with authentic Caribbean music and a superior beach, seemingly a world apart from the madness just a couple football fields away from the Carnival fun.

I agree - the experience is very nicely done on CT. I only did it once, and at that time I think it was $50? $70? I remember thinking Steakhouse had better quality food, although the CT was the "real deal" when it comes to the experience. Enjoyed them teaching us how to make the Melting Cake too. As for beets, I've never tasted dirt. But I would rather risk a spoon of dirt in my mouth than a bite of beets. Evil food.

😄😅😂🤣 Totally agree! Seuss Parade with the kids chanting "Dr. Seuss is on the loose!" all seriously marching, etc. is always a highlight of my cruise!

You can either take the Cinque Terre train or hike over small mountains to and from the villages. I've done both and both are great experiences.

your limo driver on vacay too?

pecan log, with nougat, mmmmm...

Oops! I read her reply but somehow skipped right over Shaq's! Don't claw my eyes out!

Mine too, the live music there has been consistently great all three cruises, especially the Washboard Band.

Looking forward to joining you on your first live from my favorite ship! Agree with others above about the better food experience on Mardi Gras - didn't see anyone mention Big Chicken, it's another great new addition to Carnival. Don't sleep on shawarma! And if you're a non-smoking gambler you will love the casino with the floor to ceiling window views of the ocean. I've been on Mardi Gras three times and still haven't ridden Bolt even though I planned to each time - that's how much there is to do (and eat!)

The plot thickens

Agreed! All aboard the next cruise to Iran and North Korea, a journeys cruise!

These trips will be no cruising. Training around Italy, flying around Asia. Excited about both but lots going on at home right now so I'm not as focused on planning as I'd like to be. If you do a LIVE on TripAdvisor while in Japan I'll be sure to follow!

I had a "Jones Fracture" in February and had to choose between canceling the Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia trip or the cruise. I asked my doctor and he said "which one will you be doing more walking/hobbling?" Right now it looks like Italy in July, when the Cinque Terre blue trails open back up from repair. Then south Asia next late winter. Hope to hear about Japan!

I'll be interested to see how this affects demand for Carnival out of Manhattan. My best casino offers the past year plus have been out of Manhattan. From Baltimore to Manhattan it's only 2 hours, 15 minutes on the fast train, and about 3 hours on the slower Regional - and the train station (34th St) is less than 20 blocks from pier 88 (48th and 12th I think). The last few times I didn't even hail a taxi, just walked.

Dredge the Potomac River and give us a cruise port in DC! 😁 🏴‍☠️ 🍻

Just to add anecdotal confirmation, both my "turn platinum" and "turn diamond" cruises were cruises that I hit the milestone on embarkation day and both times I had the fancy new card and massively improved VIFP benefits day 1. My diamond day was just a couple cruises ago, so this is fairly recent experience (2023). It's exciting, load them up with laundry and watch in amazement as everything comes back GI Joe and Barbie sized!

I'm not sure I'd be trying to avoid the kids. Who's going to warn you when Dr. Seuss is on the loose???