Cotton

Ugh, what an unappealing 'joke' thread.:D

I don't remember which lounge they used for the tea on Conquest. It will be announced in the Capers.

There's never a charge for this. Go and enjoy.:)

Hmmm. Did somebody forget to take their meds?;)

:D .....because, Leo, everybody is different. Upbringing, lifestyles, etc. - we're all different.:D

Going on Dawn June 16. Do they offer lobster everynight or just in specialty resturants

Lobster is offered only on one night of the cruise - formal night. I haven't been on the Dawn, but my sisters have - recently - and that's what they told me.

They both think the lobster tails are a little better on Carnival, but ... simply a matter of taste. I'm sure you'll enjoy yours just as well.:)

I enjoy the strawberry bisque, but have asked for it as dessert instead of at the start of the meal.

I like the gazpacho, pepperpot, and vicchyssoise.

The gumbo is definitely not one of my faves.....since I'm a retired chef from N.O., and it doesn't taste anything like what I was raised on.:D

I am a newbie and taking my first cruise in 10 days:D , so I was wondering if all the Carnival ships have the same menu. We are on the Liberty!!

The menu is the same on all Carnival ships.

Yes! In 1987, the Festivale was my very first cruise ship, and I was awestruck! My two sisters and I flew from N.O. to San Juan and boarded the ship, and had two half days to explore San Juan before and after the cruise. One of the best vacations I've even taken.

I have plenty of photos, but have no clue as to how to post them here...sorry.

It's amazing the differences there are in the ships from those years and now. So many fun things that aren't even done anymore. My memories of that cruise are wonderful.:)

I'll even eat it a Red Lobster :eek:

Nothing wrong w/Reb Lobster.:) I get my lobster fix there about once a month (or at one of our casinos). They've alive and I choose my own, and I've always found they were cooked perfectly.

Simple. If you don't care for lobster as served on ships, just don't order it.

There are probably many, many folks who have never had an opportunity to try lobster, or have it very seldom. It's not available everywhere, you know.

I love a good Maine lobster, but when on a ship, that's not what you get - so you go w/the flow, or order other entrees. No brainer.

Even though the lobsters aren't the best I've eaten, they are good for what they are (I've never had a tough one), and you can have as many as you choose to eat...at least that's the way it is on Carnival. A coupla lobster tails and prime rib makes a pretty nice meal.

To each his/her own.:)

I don't think being a past guest has anything to do with the coupon books. I've been PG many times, and never had one in my cabin.

I've seen one that another passenger had. It's just a comeon...It's like buy one, get one free. One is 10 percent off items in the gift shop. One is half price drink when you buy a full price drink. Another is half price off golf lesson. etc etc etc

Certainly no biggie if you don't have the coupon book.;)

I am going on Carnival Fascination. I was wondering, if you don't plan to use the diningroom at all, do you still have to pay the tips for the waiter, etc. The tips are supposed to be automatic I understand but we don't plan on using the diningroom at all so why should we pay tips for it?

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On Carnival ships, the dining room personnel also works on the Lido Deck at the buffet, deli, etc. when they aren't in the dining room.

SO - your assigned waiters WILL be serving you somewhere on the ship, if not specifically in the dining room. Don't remove your tips, as that would be unfair to them.:rolleyes:

The tips are added to our account and will have to be paid by credit card at the end of the cruise. My question is pre-paying $10/person/day for our group will be $280 for 7 days. I don't think that is too much to ask for the service we will receive, but if we were not required to pre-pay, I don't think I would tip $40 on any given day.

 

You have not pre-paid your tips. Please go back to the top of this thread and re-read reply #3 - it explains. You can have them reduced or removed if you choose. (Hopefully, most folks don't do this!):rolleyes:

 

We don't plan on getting many room service orders and if the room stewart gets tips everytime we see him, how much can that be a day?

 

Your cabin steward does not deliver room sevice orders. Personnel from room service do this. A token amount of $1-2 for each delivery is sufficient.

 

My sons are teenagers and won't be expected to tip (just the parents right?)

 

Each passenger on a cruise should tip! Exception, children under the age of two years.

 

I'm just worried that with the $280 already added to the bill, we might feel bad about not tipping when we should, which would end up costing another couple hundred dollars that we didn't plan on. Double tipping seems excessive. I might feel different once the cruise is over, but the reason this is our first cruise was financial.

 

You just have the wrong information. The very few dollars you would need to tip over and beyond the automatic tips on your account would add up to very little.....nowhere near $200. More like $20.

Cotton: I need your help. (hey she is a chef!!!)

 

Hey LHP - The original "Senate Bean Soup" was brought to Washington by Louisiana Senator Allen Ellender - many, many moons ago. It was a big hit, obviously, and was named the official senate soup...served every Thursday.

The recipe you have sounds similar to what I use. What they meant was to saute all the veggies with the ham/bacon, (I sometimes add cajun sausage)... whatever you're using. When the veggies are soft, just dump all in the skillet into the beans.

What I do with beans though is let them swell overnight, then pour out that water, rinse well, and bring the beans to a boil. When they're about half cooked, then add the veggies and meat.

To serve, I always put a tablespoon of cooked rice in the bowl before adding the soup. .

TN - We can better reply to your questions if you say which cruiseline or ship you will be on.:)

Carnival, for instance - You can prepay when you pay for your cruise. If you do not prepay, the automatic tips will be the first entry on your Sail & Sign account. This way you can adjust them if you need to. Prepaying is a done deal, no adjusting.

The only extra tipping you really need to do is whenever you order room service. No charge for what you order, but it's nice to give the delivery person $1-2. (Your cabin steward doesn't deliver room service.)

Extra tips over what is suggested is strictly up to you. Automatic 15% is added to every beverage you purchase, so no need to tip extra there. If you feel someone has gone above and beyond their duties, feel free to tip, but not necessary.

What most folks do, from reading these boards (especially Carnival board), is either prepay or leave all auto tips on their account, and tip a little extra to cabin steward and/or waiters in dining rooom at the end of the cruise.

Some do think a $20 on the first day gives them better service throughout the cruise. I've never done this, as it seems more like a 'bribe' to me - and many others feel the same way. The steward will do his job and anything else you ask of him/her... regardless of that early tip. Funny thing is - the folks who insist it gives them better service haven't tried it any other way (like not tipping first day)...so they really have no clue if their service is better or normal.:rolleyes:

RealDeal - Carnival's image has changed MUCH since the earlier days of cruising. I saw very few families and children on my earlier cruises (late 80s). Now, there are many more families with children on board. However, I don't personally see that many, as I cruise in early September to avoid kiddies of all ages.:D

BRoberts - I was chef in a 4-star and a 5-star restaurant in New Orleans, and I have to say that although Carnival's food is not in those categories, they are probably 2 to 3-star, which is not a bad rating at all...considering that most restaurants in the U.S. have no rating. LOL Most everything I've tried has been very good to excellent. Only a few things met with disfavor from me, namely the gumbo.:)

Hard question to answer, as everybody's taste buds are different.

Out of Princess, RCCL, and Carnival, I definitely appreciate Carnival's cuisine more. I'm a retired chef, F&B director, and caterer, and I'm a bit picky about food. Carnival has consistently been there with quality, taste, and presentation. The food was just fine on the other lines, but nowhere near Carnival's.

But then again - that's MY opinion.:D

My friend loves her coffees!

Me, too. Just remind your friend that she can have complimentary espresso and/or cappuccino with every meal in the formal dining room. I enjoy them at b'fast, lunch, and dinner - even a double espresso w/dessert after dinner. (Yes, I stay wired.):D

Of course you won't get any 'looks'. If your DD acts like a little lady (and I'm sure she will by your description), no problem. I hope you both enjoy your tea time together.

Only once did I see a mom and her four little hooligans at Tea Time, and they were all in swimming suits. They kept running around the pianist, laughing and hitting the piano keys as they ran around.:rolleyes: The mom sat in a corner and enjoyed her tea.:eek: After about ten minutes, the pianist finally asked her to restrain her children. The lady left in a huff - probably straight to the purser to complain. Geez.

I often feel strange having "tea" in shorts, but folks wear what they have on at the time like shorts, capris. I mean, this isn't a dressy affair, but swimwear was totally inappropriate.

Every Carnival ship has Tea Time on sea day afternoons.

Just perfect! Thx, dear.:)

It is a popular comment made by many cruisers......

J

:confused: Hmmm. I've been on these boards for four years, and this is the FIRST time I've seen a comment like that.

Loud anything bothers me. I never even have the car radio on. So - I think if music on a cruise were a problem, I most definitely would have noticed it. Never heard music in an elevator on a cruise ship, either. I go to the aft pools, and if I hear any music, it's very faint and unobtrusive.

I'm a retired chef and self-declared "foodie". I LOVE food!:D

When traveling, I try to check out as many different type restaurants as I can, and I look forward to experiencing the various taste sensations. I do 'disect' a really good dish, and will attempt to duplicate it once I'm back home.

Sampling the cuisine of different countries, islands, nationalities is just part of the great adventure when I'm on vacation.

Thinking about the Food Network - I love watching Rachel Ray's "$40 a Day" show. I'm very much like her in seeking out the best and least expensive restaurants, and order the most interesting item on the menus.

I've had only one 1A cabin (inside) - never again, because I find I'm more claustrophobic than I thought.:p BUT - it had two beds on the floor and a pull down from the wall.

I now book either 1As with porthole or OV. I TRY for the porthole(s), because it's so nice to have a view without paying more. (Single supplements are bad enough already.):D

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:) Your "http" signature line is so huge and long, causing your entire post to run 'way off the board. Could you perhaps alter so we are able to read your posts w/o scrolling so much? I've asked this before, but you probably never saw it. Please? I enjoy reading your posts, but it's really aggrevating having to scroll. Thx.:)