vacationlover16

How often (if at all) does the Mobile parking garage fill up? We have a cruise scheduled the week of Thanksgiving and it seems the ship is sold out as it doesn't show up on Carnival's site any longer for booking. I have read the garage has 500 spots. Does it fill up regularly and passengers have to use the offsite lot? We really want to embark once we can go straight to our rooms but don't want to end up not in the parking garage. We are also looking at using a local resident and parking on his property for half the cost of parking at the garage.  If we are likely to end up offsite anyway, we would go with him. TIA!

4 hours ago, Organized Chaos said:

@happy cruzer I was a little thrown off when you mentioned other lines requiring photos. That's why I wasn't sure if you were talking about online check-in. Do other lines require uploading a photo ID during their online check-in?

Yes, we cruised Royal last October and Disney this past March and both required us to upload a photo (head shot in front of a blank wall) but it couldn't be your passport or state issued ID.  It was our first time on DCL but have been on Royal before and they didn't require in the past. We haven't been on Carnival since 2018 and will be back on in November so glad to know I don't have to upload photos again. It was cumbersome in my opinion because the photos were on my phone so that meant I had to do the check in on the phone instead of the computer.

35 minutes ago, willdra said:

Thank you so much and hopefully I didn’t cause any additional damage😜!  Praying your recovery is speedy and easy! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

I did have to stifle several giggles, cackles and teehees!

3 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

Hope you heal well!

Thank you! I had two C-sections in my early 30's and definitely feel like this recovery is very different now that I am in my early 40's, ha! It is coming along but not as quickly as I would like. But I am blessed with a wonderful husband, children, family and friends who have taken good care of me during this time!

I am at home on leave due to a hernia surgery and your review was most entertaining as usual. Thank you for taking the time to share and for the phenomenal photos! Cant wait until your next review. Glad you all had a great trip and traveling grace!

9 hours ago, jkloni said:

What are the whiskey prices onboard?  I've tried searching for menus that included whiskey like Jack Daniels and Coke (Pepsi)  or Bulleit and ginger to know how much those would cost.  Anyone have that info?

Here is another link  in the event you can't find what you need on the other one. 

https://profcruise.com/carnival-bar-menus-and-drink-prices-2023/

11 hours ago, TreyB said:

It would be $9.50. You won’t get charged for a mixer. I drink vodka and soda with a cranberry splash and that’s the cost. 

Wonderful, this is very helpful!

12 hours ago, ray98 said:

A basic mixed drink will have no cost over the spirit price + the 18% gratuity.  For example, a rum and coke is the same price as a shot of rum.

Awesome, this is exactly what I needed to know! Thank you!

1 minute ago, Purvis1231 said:

Then just like us, Cheers does not seem cost-effective for you. Enjoy. 

Thanks, we are looking forward to getting back on Carnival!

10 minutes ago, Purvis1231 said:

Remember there is also an 18% service charge on all drinks. If you plan on having a few drinks every day then Cheers make sense when you include the non-alcoholic extras.

Thanks. Yes, I am aware. Just wanted to compare the base alcoholic drink prices. While I drink coffee, we did Disney in March and Royal last October and I didn't drink any on either ship. I am not a big soda drinker and we will get 4 liters of water (husband and I are gold and it will be our children's second cruise on Carnival) when we first board plus we can get water on lido. So, I don't normally consider the extras simply because I don't normally purchase enough of those for it to make a big difference when considering the cost.

23 minutes ago, Riles34 said:

Just remember anyone 21 and old in your cabin must buy cheers as well. I think it is so worth it as you are drinking the higher end booze without having to pay for it. I was drinking Patron which was $19 a shot where if you got the same drink it would be $19 plus gratuities and whatever mixer. I believe Titos and tonic was about $11.50?! And you break even around 5-7 drinks depending on what you are drinking. I calculated that my bill would have been over $1200 if I paid per drink (granted I wouldn't have drank that much without cheers) instead I paid $282 as a solo cruiser.

 

Alchemy bar is great! I told them to make me something with patron that wasn't a marg or had sour mix, the lady nailed some kind of blackberry drink! So thats fun and worth the price alone. It was a $15 drink that I didn't have to worry about.

 

Also, tip the bartender cash ($1-$2 each drink) and if you want something on the rocks they typically give a little more. And if you do buy it, buy it pre cruise as you will save a bunch of $$$. Plus it includes bottled water, soda, specialty coffee, etc so you don't have to drink lemonade and iced tea all cruise.

 

You only live once!

Thank you! If the Tito's and tonic is on par with the price of cocktails it does make it easier to lean towards purchasing it. I wasn't sure if they simply charged for the liquor or if they charged anything additional for the one mixer like tonic or soda.

17 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

Here is the drink calculator link:

'Drink Package Calculator' 

https://cruisespotlight.com/drink-package-calculator/

Thank you. I had looked at a similar one prior to posting. But in looking at carnival menus, the price for liquor only is different than cocktails so I didn't find that the calculators actually answer my actual question.

We haven't been on Carnival since 2018 and have a cruise coming up in November. I have found menus and drink prices online but was wondering how they charge for a liquor and one mixer. For example, I found that Tito's is $9.50. So, if I ordered a Tito's and tonic, how much would the drink be? Trying to determine if Cheers is worth it or if I should just pay as I go.  I don't really drink fruity drinks any longer and of course those are more expensive so trying to see what break even would be for me with Cheers. I do drink wine too and have been able to see some of the wine is more expensive but of course would be able to carry wine on. We've not cruised with an Alchemy Bar before so that adds another layer if they are able to make drinks that don't skew sweet but aren't basic. Thanks in advance!

1 minute ago, Ourusualbeach said:

If your kids are under 21 (18 for European sailings) then the only room that they could be put in on their own ahead of time is 8185.  If booking 8187 then you will have to put an adult in the room and change things on board

The cabins are already booked & technically my husband is booked with my son in the interior & my daughter is booked with me in the balcony. I just wanted to confirm the door placement. Thanks!

Wonderful, thank you so much!

Where exactly is the door on Quantum for this cabin? Is it where the dash is? My husband and I are booked in 8186 so I want to be sure the door for the kid’s room is on the same hallway. Thanks!

On 2/16/2023 at 1:05 AM, Jamman54 said:

I believe that Soul Play is adult oriented, but I'll ask Patti about that later. At Alchemy there is no waiter service, so if you are sitting in the outer seats you have to belly up to the bar. 😎

Thank you! This is very helpful!

On 2/16/2023 at 1:56 PM, sportscruiser said:

Just saw this and does look like Spirit is the only ship that currently offers Soul Play; says it for all ages but also says there IS an additional cost??

Thank you!! 

Soul Play does look fun. Can kids attend? My son would love this. Also, at Alchemy can you get drinks at the exterior seats or do you have to be at the actual bar to get drinks? We hadn't been on Carnival since 2018 and never on a ship with an Alchemy bar. That area looks pretty spacious compared to pictures of some of the other ships.

10 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

Here are a couple more pictures of Miami taken from up on Deck 11…..

 

 

 

 

Patti goes down to Deck 10 forward and checks out Camp Ocean…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

Looks awesome! Can't wait for my kiddos, niece and nephews to explore in November!

13 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

We wish! Thanks for the kind words. I'm sure you can find great reviews on all the boards. Have you ever thought of trying one? It is a lot of work but it's a great way of re-living your cruise long after it's over. Have a great cruise on the Magic! 😎

I did a quick review of my solo Disney trip in the Patreon group I belong to on a social media site. in January. Even that little bit was a lot, ha. But I have considered reaching out to do some reviews for some cruise podcasts I listen too. I might think about reviewing our DCL cruise on here upon our return. 😀

35 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Where did you hear that?  Disney uses the same pier as Carnival, the Erato Terminal.

I didn't hear it anywhere. I read it on their website. It is on their page when you put in your dates to reserve a spot. It states they only shuttle for Carnival, Royal and NCL. Anyone else can park there but have to find their own transportation to the port.

Could you and Patti jump on Disney Magic before 3/27 and whip out a review?? Yes, that's great!! Just kidding but it would be awesome to have someone reviewing ships like you two do on all of the boards!

12 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Perhaps but the lots that control access and have security 24/7 and security cameras are  your best bet.

Well it doesn't look like Fulton shuttles to the DCL pier per their website so I don't think that option is going to work for us.

13 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

All of the breakins were reported in the Whale Lot.

I was reading from other sources break-ins were happening all over the city including garages and street parking outside of cruise parking.