Mardi Gras / Live / Solo / Nov-27-Dec-04-2021...

[DandytheCop]

On 12/4/2021 at 7:15 PM, sid_9169 said:

 
 

Thanks for another great review SID!!  Glad to see you home and looks like watching Georgia football. You have had some great suggestions in regards to a semi-live or post-cruise reviewing.  It’s would be nice to keep reading your reviews. There really are only 7 people I follow and read their reviews entirely. You my friend are one and the first live review I found. I’ve followed you and your journeys ever sense. 

[ray98]

21 hours ago, TN Roz said:

Welcome home, Sid! We are actually driving from our home here in Maryville, TN to Port Canaveral on Friday. It's been a while since we have made this drive and will be traveling 75 South. If we leave home at 5, should hit Atlanta between 8:30 and 9. Do you think the traffic would be better if we leave an hour later? Also, your pinion on staying on 75 or doing the bypass.

ATL traffic will be a disaster from 6:30 - 10:00 going either way.  You will hit the backup on 75S 10 miles north of the perimeter and it will be solid through downtown.  I would wait until rush hour is over.

[sid_9169]

2 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I've been away from this forum recently, only popping in every now and then.  But sooner than later we are headed off on our own next cruise, on Mardi Gras, same itinerary, so I've decided to dedicate some time to look at other people's recent experiences.  This was a great thread to read, and I only really hopped and skipped through it so far.

 

I don't recall seeing it explicitly, but I imagine the second elegant night was night 6, the second-last sea day, as per the usual Carnival pattern?

 

I'm not sure how we're going to fit in all the various restaurants we want to enjoy while also enjoying the MDR (we like most of the offerings at the MDR).  We have a reservation for Chibang one night, but I certainly want to hit most of the other places.  We have some OBC to consume, we were going to use it towards a couple of excursions (booking once we get on board), and probably the auto-grats, but there should be some leftover for a specialty restaurant or two...

 

We pre-purchased Cheers.  We'll exercise it well...

 

Thanks again for a great thread!

If you've got some extra money to blow on food, I would definitely recommend Emeril's. I never made it to the MDR for dinner the entire cruise, as the other choices appeared so much more enticing...

[Jamman54]

7 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

If you've got some extra money to blow on food, I would definitely recommend Emeril's. I never made it to the MDR for dinner the entire cruise, as the other choices appeared so much more enticing...

That's our plan in April as well. 👍

[SNJCruisers]

3 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I've been away from this forum recently, only popping in every now and then.  But sooner than later we are headed off on our own next cruise, on Mardi Gras, same itinerary, so I've decided to dedicate some time to look at other people's recent experiences.  This was a great thread to read, and I only really hopped and skipped through it so far.

 

I don't recall seeing it explicitly, but I imagine the second elegant night was night 6, the second-last sea day, as per the usual Carnival pattern?

 

I'm not sure how we're going to fit in all the various restaurants we want to enjoy while also enjoying the MDR (we like most of the offerings at the MDR).  We have a reservation for Chibang one night, but I certainly want to hit most of the other places.  We have some OBC to consume, we were going to use it towards a couple of excursions (booking once we get on board), and probably the auto-grats, but there should be some leftover for a specialty restaurant or two...

 

We pre-purchased Cheers.  We'll exercise it well...

 

Thanks again for a great thread!

Your reservation at Chibang might not be any good.  Reservations were cut off after a few days of the announcement.  Chibang is now included and is an extension of the MDR as well as Cucina and Pig n Anchor.  The only specialty options are Rudi's Sea grill, the steakhouse and teppenyaki.

[ninjacat123]

53 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

If you've got some extra money to blow on food, I would definitely recommend Emeril's. I never made it to the MDR for dinner the entire cruise, as the other choices appeared so much more enticing...

I agree!! I wish we would have spent more money at Emeril's rather than dinner at MDR.  So tasty!  The other is Big Chicken.  Awesome sandwich both lunch and bfast.  Teppanyaki was a lot of fun and comparable to a Benihana's.  ChiBang had a great vibe but the food was meh.  I think I was too full to truly enjoy Rudi's, but the service was great and the food was pretty.  Don't miss the gelato station on Lido.  It's kinda hidden.  Have fun on your cruise everyone who is sailing on MG!

Edited December 6, 2021 by ninjacat123

[DeanDeeDee]

Glad you arrived home safe and sound. Thanks for sharing your Mardi Gras cruise; I really enjoyed following along.

[ProgRockCruiser]

1 hour ago, SNJCruisers said:

Your reservation at Chibang might not be any good.  Reservations were cut off after a few days of the announcement.  Chibang is now included and is an extension of the MDR as well as Cucina and Pig n Anchor.  The only specialty options are Rudi's Sea grill, the steakhouse and teppenyaki.

My cruise planner says the reservation is still there.  I won't lose sleep over it either way, it was a no-cost reservation.

[sid_9169]

My first day back at work wasn't the worst day ever... I spent most of the day doing some errands for the owners'  mother, whom I affectionately refer to as "mom"... This was preferable to doing the regular stuff back at work, and included lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse, that may or may not have involved at least one Don Julio margarita...

 

These bug bites from Roatan are getting worse before they get better. There are a couple that itch so bad, that I scratched it until blood came out. The adventure that ensued getting the bug bites? Totally worth it... 

 

 

 

 

[Jamman54]

10 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

My first day back at work wasn't the worst day ever... I spent most of the day doing some errands for the owners'  mother, whom I affectionately refer to as "mom"... This was preferable to doing the regular stuff back at work, and included lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse, that may or may not have involved at least one Don Julio margarita...

 

These bug bites from Roatan are getting worse before they get better. There are a couple that itch so bad, that I scratched it until blood came out. The adventure that ensued getting the bug bites? Totally worth it... 

 

 

 

 

Be careful they don't get infected. That would not be good. 🤔

[samiam0403]

1 hour ago, sid_9169 said:

My first day back at work wasn't the worst day ever... I spent most of the day doing some errands for the owners'  mother, whom I affectionately refer to as "mom"... This was preferable to doing the regular stuff back at work, and included lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse, that may or may not have involved at least one Don Julio margarita...

 

These bug bites from Roatan are getting worse before they get better. There are a couple that itch so bad, that I scratched it until blood came out. The adventure that ensued getting the bug bites? Totally worth it... 

 

 

 

 

 

Definitely sand flies. Roatan is notorious for them. I've never had a problem with them, but some people do. I went to a dive resort once with my mom and sister-in-law, and they were covered in those red, itchy bites from the knees down, and I had one or two red spots. Mind didn't itch at all, but they were miserable. Maybe some have an allergy to them and some don't? Sounds like you're one of the unlucky ones there.

Edited December 7, 2021 by samiam0403

[#55worktoplay]

Sid, great review I fell behind but finished it off. 
 

I think you did a fabulous job and you did not let anyone down it was perfect.

 

Did the thought ever cross your mind that you likely just needed some rest and downtime. You have had a pretty stressful time with the hunt for somewhere to live and then finding your home for life.   I am sure when you are ready to cruise again you will will back to making the best of it and the Cheers package. 

[doctork]

Sid, thank you so much for the time and energy that you put into your review so that we can have a virtual cruise right along with you.

 

I think #55workto play makes a good point.  You may need a vacation to recover from your vacation!  Anyway, thank you for a great review, now I can't wait to cruise on Mardi Gras (and I had always thought I wouldn't like Carnival!)

[sid_9169]

[catgags]

Sid 

Thanks for the wonderful review and pics! 

I love your style!! You are one funny dude!!

I hope you get you cruising mojo back soon!!

Cheers

Cat

[beachbum6264]

For those bites - try "After Bite", best stuff we've found for sand fleas, no see ums or any kind of nasty annoying biting/stinging insect. 

Loved your reviews... all of them. 

(long time reader, first time posting)

[tlcm]

On 12/4/2021 at 7:59 PM, SNJCruisers said:

Well, since you laid the gauntlet down, I have been known to need a seat belt extender on certain flights, but I have never crashed on a cruise at 700 pm or for 12 hours. 

Sid_1969 I have never needed a seat belt extender, but I'm "fluffy".  When you make derogatory comments about fat people it always surprises me.  I love reading your posts and feel like you're a chill guy-this fat shaming seems beneath you. I'm glad you're home safe and I hope you get your mojo back ASAP.

[sid_9169]

It's been brought to my attention that I may have crossed the line on at least a few different occasions during this "review"... It certainly wasn't my intention to offend or denigrate anyone, and if I have, then I sincerely apologise... I guess that with this being my final story, I wanted to "go out with a bang", but in doing so, I may have irreparably damaged my brand... Like I said in the beginning, I have a lot of things back here at home to work on, not the least of which is just trying to be a better person... 

[sid_9169]

My dad is convinced that the sores on my legs are where blowflies have laid their eggs under my skin... Hopefully, that turns out not to be the case...

[crewsweeper]

1 hour ago, sid_9169 said:

My dad is convinced that the sores on my legs are where blowflies have laid their eggs under my skin... Hopefully, that turns out not to be the case...

No these are sand flies and they like to bite.  On the West Bay side, resorts will sweep and attempt to reduce the population.  DEET works well too. But guessing the" divey spots"  on the east side are less inclined to attack them.  They do go away eventually. Cortisone 10 and aloe help.

[meatball_nyc]

Whenever the wind is coming from the bay side, it always brings the flies. Sometimes they bite so hard you bleed. Ugh. Hate those flies. 

 

Sid, thanks again for the review. It was honest (as usual) and I really enjoyed following along. Have a good day!

 

 

[Houst]

Nice Job Sid,

I think it might not be you. When I got home from sailing on the Mardi Gras I kind of felt the same way. It was just Blah. The ship is fantastic beautiful etc. To me it just didn't feel like a normal cruise and I for sure didn't feel like I usually do all sad when I get home.  Part of my problem I think was there were so many food options that I only went to the MDR once. I usually eat there at least 5 times. I think I really prefer the Carnival Horizon.

Anyway great job Sid. 

[RoperDK]

1 hour ago, Houst said:

Nice Job Sid,

I think it might not be you. When I got home from sailing on the Mardi Gras I kind of felt the same way. It was just Blah. The ship is fantastic beautiful etc. To me it just didn't feel like a normal cruise and I for sure didn't feel like I usually do all sad when I get home.  Part of my problem I think was there were so many food options that I only went to the MDR once. I usually eat there at least 5 times. I think I really prefer the Carnival Horizon.

Anyway great job Sid. 

This!!!!  I enjoyed your review and appreciated your time and effort. We were on the Halloween cruise and just felt that things were off.  We are giving it a go and sailing again on Mardi Gras mid-January.  Was it post-covid high expectations?  Was it such a new layout that we didn't hit our stride and need a follow up?  Was it another #@%# damn casino cruise that we had to fight to find an open slot or table game to actually enjoy one of our favorite pastimes?  Was it the food cutbacks?  It really did have a lesser experience than on the pay Cucina and JiJis. Was it the uneven drink quality experiences.  I drink a cosmo (I know, I am old).  It is a simple drink. Carnival has excelled at it for many years.  What the heck happened?  It is NOT a syrupy sweet drink!  It is tart and strong.  A lot of the drinks were way too sweet.  The ship is beautiful.  The food options are amazing.  The Hup App is a great improvment.  We will spend a lot of time at Emeril's next cruise.  Hoping for a better experience on our 26th Carnival cruise. 

[balcony bound]

On 12/8/2021 at 9:08 AM, sid_9169 said:

It's been brought to my attention that I may have crossed the line on at least a few different occasions during this "review"... It certainly wasn't my intention to offend or denigrate anyone, and if I have, then I sincerely apologise... I guess that with this being my final story, I wanted to "go out with a bang", but in doing so, I may have irreparably damaged my brand... Like I said in the beginning, I have a lot of things back here at home to work on, not the least of which is just trying to be a better person... 

you didn’t cross any of my lines Sid, appreciate the time you sacrifice to do your reviews.  I could never do it. 
I’m on the MG now and shockingly understand your cruise funk firsthand.  Pretty sure I’ll cancel my next MG cruise in April when I get home.  Either it’s not the same or I’m not the same. I do know this ship is too big for me. 
Sorry for that ramble. Thanks again. 

[crewsweeper]

A bit late on this thread but had to get a PCR test to return to work 3-5 days after return and just got my results back....NEGATIVE.👍😁

 

Haven't heard of any positive COVIDs from this cruise unlike the  NCL Breakaway which was in port with us in Cozumel and Roatan.

 

anyone else hearing different?   If no COVID cases on a ship that was at 80% capacity that's good news.