Kmom NEEDS LOTS OF HELP PLEASE - Pre-Planning Pre-Review Preview Mardi Gras August 7, 2021 - Join me if you dare

[KmomChicago]

3 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

BINGO ( and loved it)! 

 

 

 

 

Tom

 

Okay I gotta understand what I'm seeing.  Do they scrape that marrow out and do some stuff to it to make it even tastier before returning it to the bone?  I mean, besides the obvious onion and parsley or whatever that is. Why's it look like white lumps in yellow stuff? And then over back on the meat side, that looks like caviar and butter pats or something on top, and I have no idea what black dust below???????  I'm in uncharted waters here! Heeeeeeeellllllppp!

[TheGrandSnackoneer]

Elderflower liqueur is pretty sweet. The flavour is sort of if you mixed pear and a very light floral smell? It's definitely not potpourri or rose water level. There used to be a great pear and elderflower cider from Sweden that I loved but they stopped selling it in Canada. Hopefully someone can drop in with a better description?

 

Our tastes must be similar because I had the bone marrow appetizer too. That's a hard melted cheese on top. The shallots and parsley are dressed in a light vinaigrette to help cut through some serious richness. It was a very heavy feeling dish especially because the crisp bread on the side didn't do much of anything but the Polaris number-I-have-no-clue really helped out here. The little squares on the tartare are hollow little crispy puffs. No clue what the black dust underneath was. These two aren't a pairing I'm used to seeing but it was good.

[KmomChicago]

6 hours ago, TheGrandSnackoneer said:

Elderflower liqueur is pretty sweet. The flavour is sort of if you mixed pear and a very light floral smell? It's definitely not potpourri or rose water level. There used to be a great pear and elderflower cider from Sweden that I loved but they stopped selling it in Canada. Hopefully someone can drop in with a better description?

 

Our tastes must be similar because I had the bone marrow appetizer too. That's a hard melted cheese on top. The shallots and parsley are dressed in a light vinaigrette to help cut through some serious richness. It was a very heavy feeling dish especially because the crisp bread on the side didn't do much of anything but the Polaris number-I-have-no-clue really helped out here. The little squares on the tartare are hollow little crispy puffs. No clue what the black dust underneath was. These two aren't a pairing I'm used to seeing but it was good.

 

Interesting, great info and yes I am going to have to do this. Like the Wagyu, something I am unlikely to encounter again or choose if dining in a pricey land based steak house. Also your description of your liqueur of choice passes muster, as it were, though drop in comments are welcomed as well.

 

This meal is going to be a lot for me. I'll get one of the salads as well as this fatty, beefy richness overload, but likely forego any side. Normally we hit Guy's or the Lido buffet for the embarkation lunch, but I think I will try to steer my bunch to Fresh Creations if they have it running at Serenity. We gotta indulge right away, but with such a dinner on the horizon, maybe I can sell them on the bennies of a fancy salad bar to kick things off.    https://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/explore/dining/menus/fresh-creations-menu.pdf

[KmomChicago]

In my review after (possibly partly during, depending on internet and inclination), I'll talk about the teenager and any O2 experience.  In spite of having been on Disney Cruise Line back in my childless days, I failed to ever bring said offspring on to experience their admittedly amazing kids' clubs. This is prolly one I will look back on and SMH with regret. They're only little once folks! Once ya hit double digits there's no going back.

 

Now it hasn't been all deprivation here in the Kmom vacation realm. This kid has visited WDW about once every 3 years since birth, among plenty of other trips large and small.

 

Cruises just simply never came up in serious conversation over the years.  One day when kiddo was around age 10.7, sometime in autumn of 2016, the first cruise was requested and we quickly found a perfect option for the upcoming spring break aboard Carnival Triumph, 5 nights from New Orleans to Progreso and Cozumel, with ample weekend drive time on either end.

 

With our only child 11 years old on this maiden voyage, I was glad to get one cruise in to enjoy what I consider the "little kids" activity center, i.e. Camp Ocean. By our second Carnival cruise in January 2018, we had graduated to Circle C. That four night voyage was light on minors as somehow our winter break that year unusually extended a week past New Year's allowing us a rare shoulder/off season sailing for cheap. Still our kiddo found a little tribe to hang out with, which was all that was needed.

 

Now we are 15 and it's time for O2.   We don't have any further cruises booked right now and we are in the early phases of planning Kmom's last two bucket list trips before I get Too. Old. That's UK in summer 2022, and this other deal where I want to fly to Portland, experience its trademark weirdness, drive down to Crater Lake and take the little boat to Wizard Island, then keep going to northern California to see the Redwoods. Family is all onboard with it, so that's likely summer 2023. After that the teen will turn 18 and graduate and WHO KNOWS WHAT IT ALL LOOKS LIKE AFTER THAT? So I have to assume like the other kid's clubs, O2 will be a one and done for us and I am sure it will be a hit. In any case, photos and opinions to follow.

[kdr69]

On 6/24/2021 at 1:43 PM, KmomChicago said:

I feel the need to get this out there too:

 

• Party of 3, Premium inside cabin, price before adding gratuities and vacation protection.  

yikes!!

[kdr69]

On 7/5/2021 at 7:44 AM, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

We usually book cruises with fully refundable deposits

Good to know they are out there i personally have yet to see an offer from Carnival without a non refundable deposit.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Just now, kdr69 said:

Good to know they are out there i personally have yet to see an offer from Carnival without a non refundable deposit.

We often go for the military rate (fully refundable, and usually near the lowest pp rates offered).

 

For our 8/7 MG sailing, however, I "bit" for a casino promo (not refundable) which gets us some FREEPLAY in the casino, free drinks while playing, etc.  It was worth "the gamble"!  🙂

 

Tom

[kdr69]

1 minute ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

We often go for the military rate (fully refundable, and usually near the lowest pp rates offered).

 

For our 8/7 MG sailing, however, I "bit" for a casino promo (not refundable) which gets us some FREEPLAY in the casino, free drinks while playing, etc.  It was worth "the gamble"!  🙂

 

Tom

ahh the military rate...I should really try that some day lol.  On a side note glad to hear you two are doing ok and wish you both a speedy recovery!!

[ShaniBell]

15 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Yay! I am excited to hear more about your, Shani's and the offspring's experiences aboard. We are all going to have just the BEST. TIME. Are you doing a cabin crawl with your roll call? I would certainly think your fancy schmancy digs would be in high demand for that.  I will be showing off my premium interior down in Steerage so's I can get invited into Tom and Cheryl's presidential suite. 🙂

 

We are signed up for a crawl being coordinated through one of the FB groups we are in.  I think there are 100 people expected to traipse through our fancy schmancy digs.  EEK!

 

I am prone to sea sicknesses so a windowed cabin is a must for me, balcony is preferable.  The suite was a once in a life time splurge and something we are unlikely to do ever again.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

51 minutes ago, ShaniBell said:

 

We are signed up for a crawl being coordinated through one of the FB groups we are in.  I think there are 100 people expected to traipse through our fancy schmancy digs.  EEK!

 

I am prone to sea sicknesses so a windowed cabin is a must for me, balcony is preferable.  The suite was a once in a life time splurge and something we are unlikely to do ever again.

 

What deck did you guys book? We were in one of the aft deck 15 suites (8/7/21) until the presidential opened up. Deck 15 would be my go to on the back if given an option, if only for a bit more distance from the activities below and the increased overhead coverage - for shade and less rain exposure!

 

I was able to get a deck 15 corner for the Celebration (ABC) cruise in 2023. It seems so far away at this point, but I'm sure it will be here in no time!

 

100 people cabin crawl -- EEEK !!  Many more and the ship might start listing!!
 

Tom

[KmomChicago]

3 hours ago, kdr69 said:

yikes!!

We don’t qualify for casino deals or anything other than VIFP. Considering my mom and I tried to hit a budget of $100pp per day in the 1980’s, this still seems reasonable for a brand new flagship. The room size should be the same as an outside cabin and as the interior portion of a balcony for several hundred less$$.

[IntrepidFromDC]

3 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

For our 8/7 MG sailing, however, I "bit" for a casino promo (not refundable) which gets us some FREEPLAY in the casino, free drinks while playing, etc.  It was worth "the gamble"!  🙂

 

Tom

Carnival thanks you in advance for doing your part to contribute toward balance sheet improvement.  May all of our contributions eventually help CCL reinstate dividend payments.

[ShaniBell]

11 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

What deck did you guys book? We were in one of the aft deck 15 suites (8/7/21) until the presidential opened up. Deck 15 would be my go to on the back if given an option, if only for a bit more distance from the activities below and the increased overhead coverage - for shade and less rain exposure!

 

 

'

We grabbed the only Excel Aft Suite that was available when we booked a couple of weks ago which is on 9.  It is overlooking the aft pool area on 8 and pretty much directly over Pig and Anchor which could be problematic but I bring a white noise machine when traveling so I think we'll manage.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

6 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Carnival thanks you in advance for doing your part to contribute toward balance sheet improvement.  May all of our contributions eventually help CCL reinstate dividend payments.

LOL - I've had some pretty brutal lessons at the hand of Lady Luck. For public consumption, I'll just leave it at that...

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

4 minutes ago, ShaniBell said:

'

We grabbed the only Excel Aft Suite that was available when we booked a couple of weks ago which is on 9.  It is overlooking the aft pool area on 8 and pretty much directly over Pig and Anchor which could be problematic but I bring a white noise machine when traveling so I think we'll manage.

 

Yep - we don't leave home (trips) without one! 👍 - BTW, I'd continue to check daily for cancellations if you aren't already doing that.

[KmomChicago]

2 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Yep - we don't leave home (trips) without one! 👍 - BTW, I'd continue to check daily for cancellations if you aren't already doing that.

Squishy foam earplugs do the trick for me.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

3 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

Squishy foam earplugs do the trick for me.

 

I add those to the mix as well (I've started to value sleep more and more with the passage of time)!

Tom

[ShaniBell]

28 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

 I'd continue to check daily for cancellations if you aren't already doing that.

 

I check but so far I haven't found anything in that category (or better) that will fit all three of us.  There was a corner excel this morning but it's at the front of the ship, only sleeps two and does not have the balcony to die for that we currently have.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 minute ago, ShaniBell said:

 

I check but so far I haven't found anything in that category (or better) that will fit all three of us.  There was a corner excel this morning but it's at the front of the ship, only sleeps two and does not have the balcony to die for that we currently have.

 

Agreed - I'd definitely go for an aft over a forward corner on this ship. That's what we started with - forward, then an aft opened up, then "back to the front" above the bridge. Quite the journey, and they haven't even thrown the ropes yet! (well, for passengers)

 

Tom

[KmomChicago]

3 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Agreed - I'd definitely go for an aft over a forward corner on this ship. That's what we started with - forward, then an aft opened up, then "back to the front" above the bridge. Quite the journey, and they haven't even thrown the ropes yet! (well, for passengers)

 

Tom

 

Tom I need your help. I paid for 5 people at the steakhouse and here's how it shows 1 guests! *****?

 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

55 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Tom I need your help. I paid for 5 people at the steakhouse and here's how it shows 1 guests! *****?

 

That's odd for sure.

 

Your CC shows the full charge amount? And what about the email confirmation?

 

You could always go in and cancel the reservation, and rebook it if there's any question - though you risk then not having the 5:30 option at this late date. When did you book it?

 

Tom

[KmomChicago]

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

That's odd for sure.

 

Your CC shows the full charge amount? And what about the email confirmation?

 

You could always go in and cancel the reservation, and rebook it if there's any question - though you risk then not having the 5:30 option at this late date. When did you book it?

 

Tom

The purchase shows I have paid the full amount. 

Edited July 18, 2021 by KmomChicago

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

21 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

The purchase shows I have paid the full amount. 

 

I think you'll be OK. But, I'd try calling Carnival. Here's the number I'd start with (and if they can't help you, they can likely direct you to someone who can):

 

To see everything we offer or to purchase a gift online, visit www.carnival.com/Funshops. Gift orders may be placed online 24/7 at the above website, or by calling The Fun Shops department at 1-800-522-7648, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-10:00pm ET and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm ET.

 

Tom

[i00762]

15 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

The purchase shows I have paid the full amount. 

I had the same thing happen for all of the reservation I had already booked for my cruises (we travel with my dad & stepmom) and always do the steakhouse the first night to get the 50% off on bottles of wine.  All of these were booked before Carnival added the "your cruise companions" section to the booking & order details page in the cruise manager.  Pretty sure it has to do with the whole COVID social distancing/social group idea.  I went to make a steakhouse reservation after this section had been added and I could only book for myself and my wife.  Dad had to make his own reservation.  I haven't had a chance to call Carnival to find out what happened.  If you do call, please let us know what you find out.  I'll report back once I've had a chance to call.

[SonoranDevil]

On 7/16/2021 at 5:28 PM, KmomChicago said:

 

Yay! I am excited to hear more about your, Shani's and the offspring's experiences aboard. We are all going to have just the BEST. TIME. Are you doing a cabin crawl with your roll call? I would certainly think your fancy schmancy digs would be in high demand for that.  I will be showing off my premium interior down in Steerage so's I can get invited into Tom and Cheryl's presidential suite. 🙂

Yes, we're on the cabin crawl for our sailing.  We'll also get a peek at the Presidential Suite on our tour.  I've never done a cabin crawl before, so this will be interesting.