sparks1093

A backpack with meds and documents and a few other things (including any allowed beverages if we are bringing them). All other bags get checked.

Yes and I'm also aware that it's wasted time since the US doesn't apply unused time to the new passport. It's not a huge deal but renewing it too early sticks in my craw. There's no stress at all, just something that needs to be done.

Just remind them that they need to be alert at all times to what is going on around them, but I agree that you've covered as many of the bases as you can. (I also reminded mine that wherever they went they were on video.)

Some people do dress up to match the theme, others don't. We went to the White Party on Mardi Gras so DW could do some dancing but neither of us wore white. The only one you list that I would have a hard time discerning what would be worn is the Backyard Bash, but since I am normally wearing shorts and a t-shirt onboard and that is what I'd be wearing for a Backyard Bash I'd probably look like I dressed for the event.

Probably not but all you lose by trying is the time you spend on hold.

At least at the luggage carousel one has the opportunity to find a place to sit and wait. 🙂 As to the OP our son recently applied for a passport for our last cruise (as did one of the families traveling with us) and they all received them in 30 days or less. As for renewals, we both need to renew ours later this year and we shall see. From what I've been reading I expect they will be processed quickly (which won't matter too much since we'll be sending them in with ample time).

I sailed on an aircraft carrier when I was in the Navy and swore I would never set to sea with that many people again. Well, we make our plans and hear God laughing. I never felt like we were sailing with almost 7,000 people (which is something like 3 times the number of folks living in my village). I suppose it would have been obvious during disembarkation but we had a shore excursion/airport transfer so even then it didn't feel crowded. I think you are absolutely correct- you will have a lot of time to enjoy all of the features on this beautiful ship.

Here you go @Mary229, these six threads should give you a fair idea of what it's like on Carnival now. They certainly aren't what they were 20 years ago, but they were making some changes before COVID and many post-COVID because of their debt load, etc. We've sailed Carnival since 2012 and yes, there have been changes but what hasn't changed is that Carnival still gives us a good return on our vacation dollar (which is all that is really important to us). Happy reading! https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2977838-no-more-made-to-order-omelette/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2881202-cut-backs-i-noticed-on-breeze/#comment-63960570 https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2962809-ccl-still-charging-for-3rd-or-more-entrees/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2933484-is-carnival-cruising-better-or-worse-since-the-restart/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2926808-should-we-give-carnival-another-try/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2923854-haven%E2%80%99t-cruises-in-years/#comment-65011986

I haven't seen such a thread, but they have added a new feature at the top of the forum that allows you to filter the threads you want to see (I know that you can select the particular cruise ship but my coffee deprived brain can't recall any others) so you can only see threads related to Mardi Gras. You could start your own thread but you will receive a good number of posts from folks who will decry all of the changes and cut backs that have happened in the past 20 years. I will try to find a couple of those threads for you and post them in this thread to help save you time.

While there is no requirement to bring the extra documentation it can't hurt to bring it, the check in folks typically just check the first and middle name and the DOB and make sure those match on the ID (which has been attested to by a check in agent and yes, I am extrapolating based on a limited sample size but the requirements are the same regardless of which person is checking you in).

Had them on Mardi Gras a couple of weeks ago. 🙂

Of course it can, which is why the main stream lines offer all of the add ons. Passengers then decide which items they want. A fare that includes specialty dining, for example, would do nothing for us because that's not something we pay for anyway so having it included in the fare would not be an enticement.

This was us, once. The excursion we were on was running late in returning to the ship and as we were on the way back I could hear the ship calling the bus driver on the radio. When we pulled up they wanted us to run to get on the ship, but I'm in no shape to do that so I didn't. They pulled the gangway up after we all boarded.

Go up to Pig and Anchor/Parched Pig and get an Old Fashioned made with Blanton's. I'm not a big whiskey drinker but I really enjoyed it. (It's $18 if you don't have Cheers.) I also got some Hennessy/Hennessy Pure White on the rocks to sip during shows that was pretty good.

Not sure who the "they" is, but we've never had an issue with our neighbors coming over for a short break, it's an oral declaration made at the border is not a secure way of running things so now folks need to present a secure form of documentation proving their citizenship (usually passport, but other forms exist). The fact remains that there are no provisions in US law to deny entry to a US citizen, whether they have documentation or not. Many US citizens are in a good number of databases and it is fairly easy for this to be confirmed in secondary inspection.