1313steve

I don't drink. How much champagne at the initial welcome and wine with dinner is served? Basically, is it a significant amount towards the overall $75 price? Do they either make price accommodations for those who don't partake in the adult libations or, if not, offer reasonable non-alcoholic options (other than the already complimentary onboard beverages)?

There's a glass or champagne at the initial welcome and then if you drink wine, your glass is never empty during the dinner. It's not a wine pairing dinner, but they do offer a choice of red or white. I had both during our dinner, based on the particular dish being served.

No, they don't make "accommodations" if you don't drink, but they'll serve you whatever beverage you want. Just ask.

I think if you put 5 people in a single room you'd be sailing on the Carnival Misery! Trying to share a single bathroom among 5 would be difficult at best.

I'd agree with the other posters, get a second room!!!

It's not a fabulous meal, but it is a very good one, and considering the upcharge is less than what you would pay for just the entrée (steak)alone in a land based prime steakhouse, it's a good value.

Go the first night of your cruise, and you get a free bottle of wine. That really makes it a good value!

yes, they're happy to do it. Or you can take it back to your cabin.

At our last CT, the chef told us that changing the menus was a long process because not only do they use the same menu on all of the ships, they also use the same suppliers. Whatever they decide on has to be available in all the different markets.

 

He also told us that the lobster tails for the majority of the cruise lines all come from the same supplier, thought that was interesting.

No surprise there. I look at the dining operation of Carnival (or any cruise line) just like a large chain restaurant. They all have standards, and deals cut with major suppliers to supply them at as many locations as possible.

We did it on Glory last month and really enjoyed it. I'm not sure I'd do it again with the same menu.

I do like the idea of each ship having a customized menu (or at least partially), but one thing to keep in mind is the culinary skills of the head chef on each of these ships. During our CT, Chef Singh talked about his training and background, and while he has some culinary experience, the majority of his training and job history was in management, inventory and cost control, logistics, etc. etc. etc. It sounded to me like his role was more of an operational role than a culinary role.

I'd be willing to bet that the chef's on the other ships have similar backgrounds. More management, less cooking and creating. Having the menus created by corporate and being identical on each ship makes it another management/operations job for the head chef on the ship, which may be a role they are better suited for.

I don't know if its been mentioned - But putting your Card in your pocket along with Mobile Phone or in your Phone case will demagnetize your Card .

 

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It's highly unlikely that your phone demagnetized your card. More than likely the cause was a slight scratch or even a bend in your card. That's much, much, much more likely to ruin it than having it next to your phone. If your cell phone was in a case that had a magnet, that can increase the changes, but they are still low.

I hate carrying a wallet, and many times when I'm headed out, I'll take a credit card, my drivers license, my iPhone and and put them all together in my front pocket. Been doing this for years, never had a problem with a card not working.

Great thread about people's habit, germophobes and people's odd behavior and rituals.

Others have posted some good ideas about what they do to ease their mind about germs, albeit most of them don't do anything more than make us think we are avoiding germs, etc.

The bottom line is our bodies do a great job of keeping us from being bothered by little (and sometimes big) sanitation issues. It's not perfect and sometimes it can't fight things off, but I can promise you it does a lot better job we think.

Oh by the way, that computer keyboard you're using to type your post ............... it's really dirty and full of germs, too !! :D

To get back to the question the OP asked.................

We use a towel wedged in between the door and the jamb on the hinge side of the door. Keeps the door about halfway open. Works fine.

When GF and I (we've been together 5 months) went last month she offered to pay "her half". I told her she could pay for her half of the cabin. I put the entire cost of the cabin on my credit card, she wrote me a check for half of that. Then I secretly upgraded us from a balcony to a suite and paid for that.

I did the online check-in and attached my credit card to both of our S&S cards. She never spent another dime from the time we sailed until the time we got back. That's the way I wanted it, because I'm old fashioned and I believe the guy should pay. (Chivalry is NOT dead).

But that doesn't work for everybody, so like others have suggested, talk about it and come up with what works for you. Communication is the most important part of a relationship!

I will be glad when they finally allow tourists in Cuba and then that can be added in as a port. I would really like to go there when it is first opened up before it becomes commercialized and like another Cozumel. Due to it's location it would be a perfect port for most of the Caribbean itineraries.

Cuba is already pretty commercialized. Remember, the rest of the world goes to Cuba. It's only Americans that are (legally) prohibited from going to Cuba, although quite a few Americans go anyway.

If you do the online check-in on the Carnival website before your cruise, you can give them all the credit card info then, and not have to do anything when you get ready to board. You can either have both of your sign and sail cards bill to one credit card, or you can have each S&S card bill to a different card. It's really easy to do as part of the online pre check-in process!

Enjoy your first cruise!

As others have said, it's up to you whether it's a good value. My GF and I were on the Glory last month and had an ocean suite. I've always had balcony cabins, but I can't imagine not getting an OS from now on. The tub with the glass doors vs. the small shower with a curtain was a really nice difference (no more wet bathroom floor after a shower).

The other huge difference that my GF really liked was the vanity/dressing area. That area, with it's adjacent closet gave her a nice little private area to get dressed and ready, especially when we were headed out to dinner (we actually do dress for dinner!!!).

I'm not loyal to Carnival, but since getting off the Glory, the layout of the ocean suite is something that's now an important part of picking our next cruise. Based on my initial research, it seems like Carnival's ocean suites are just about the only ones that have that dressing area, regardless of cruise line.

The layout of the ocean suite has now made Carnival my preferred cruise line. Isn't it interesting how some things are important to some and mean nothing to others! :)

Booking engine, goccl, and john heald

And you consider those reliable sources???????? LOL

Thanks for the info!:)

No, you're in a $2100 suite for $2100. If they sold it to you for $2100, that's all it's worth. But is sure feels good to think about it the other way. We've all done it!

Based on some of the posts following mine, I think my comment was misunderstood. I wasn't trying to "diminish" anybody's excitement, nor do I live in the "Bitter Barn".

It just struck me as being the same thing as when they tell me at the store that I "saved X dollars because I used my store loyalty card", when in reality I didn't save, I just spent less. There's a difference!

Sorry if I rained on anybody's parade. LOL!! :D

Regardless of the price, you got a great value, you're happy with it, and you'll have a great time. Now go enjoy your cruise!!!!!!

So ny wife calls me and asks if Carnival has called me, I told her no why???

 

She tells me she just got a call and offered a suite for $500 total with no extra taxes...

 

So needless to say we are now in a $3400 suite for right at $2100!

 

We cruise on the 17th, and I can't wait as we've never had a suite .

 

 

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No, you're in a $2100 suite for $2100. If they sold it to you for $2100, that's all it's worth. But is sure feels good to think about it the other way. We've all done it!

Sherry-

Yes, we had a great time. Thanks for asking!

I did ask about your waiters and was told "I'm pretty sure they got off the ship in Boston". Sorry. :(

From Carnival's web site;.. (FYI, if you give them all your CC info for your sign and sail card by checking in online before you sail, they won't do anything to your card until embarkation day.)

How is my credit card charged?

During embarkation, when your credit card is swiped, an initial hold of $100 (for cruises 5 days or less) or $200 (for cruises 6 days or more). Then, throughout the voyage incremental holds will be obtained as needed. You should know, this will reduce the amount of available credit on the credit card or restrict the availability of cash in the checking/debit account. Authorization hold releases to your account is entirely up to your issuing bank.

All charges will be automatically billed at the end of the voyage. On the final morning of the cruise, a statement detailing all purchases made with your Sail & Sign card will be delivered to your stateroom. If you made a cash deposit and there is an overpayment at the end of the cruise, you can cash-out at the onboard Sail & Sign Kiosk or with the Guest Services team – otherwise, you will receive the overpayment in the form of a refund check mailed directly to the address on file within 7 days of your cruise.

Cash Deposit:

U.S. Currency and Traveler's Checks may be used to open your Sail & Sign Account. Once on board, please visit our Guest Services Desk who will gladly assist you in opening your account. Throughout the cruise, as you approach the deposit limit, our Guest Services Desk will notify you that additional money must be deposited.

"Recommended" deposits per sailing duration:

2-4 day cruises: $100 USD deposit pp

5-8 day cruises: $200 USD deposit pp

9+ day cruises: $350 USD deposit pp

I just signed up for the Chef's Table on my up coming cruise. It is $75 per person but we decided to do it because we had never seen one bad review of the chef's table. most things get mixed reviews but the chef's table, everyone seems to walk away rather impressed.

If you decide to go for it, this is how it's done.......Email

groupeventplanning@carnival.com

Give them your booking number, room number, and let them know how many people that you want to reserve places for at the chef's table. They will get back with you in a couple of days. I received one email that told me that I would be notified if they were able to accommodate us, then I got another email from Steak House confirming my reservation. The turn around was three days. I hope this helped. Enjoy your cruise!

 

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Or you can just directly email the Steakhouse manager on the ship you'll be going on. The email address is xxsteakhouse@carnival.com. Just substitute the two letter code for your ship where the XX is.

We got ours under the door on Fascination in June. Would definitely not like it if they discontinue with these. I have found errors (overcharges) on prior cruises, and IMO, CCL needs to continue printing and delivering the statements.

I check ours on the TV every couple of days. I'm a "looks close" kind of guy and don't spend much time analyzing it, but your thought process may vary! :D

Got one in our mailbox on the Glory last week.

And we were on the Glory two weeks ago and did NOT get one! Fine by me though, the less paper the better!

Can they accommodate vegetarians? No seafood.

We did it on the Glory a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure they can accommodate your vegetarian needs, but do understand it's somewhat of a "foodie" experience and I'm not sure how much of the great tastes you'll miss since you don't eat meat or seafood.

I would disagree with others here and I'd say go ahead and email the steakhouse manager NOW and get booked. I emailed the steakhouse manager three days before we sailed and had an email confirmation the next morning. Just one less thing you'll have to worry about when you get on board!

Years ago, I used to sell in ground swimming pools. When I would pull up to the home for the first visit, typically is was a very nice home, in a very nice neighborhood. Cars were nice, house was decorated beautifully, etc. etc. All the appearances of wealth.

I was often shocked how many of these people couldn't qualify for a pool loan for even the most basic pool, not to mention the one they wanted with all the whistles and bells. Most of them had good credit, but had horrible debt to income ratios. In other words, they had no extra cash and were using it just to pay the bills for what they already had.

I'm sure there is some of that in the "high end" cruise market, too. People seem like they have money, but they are in debt up to their eyes.

On the other hand, I have several friends where both spouses have jobs that pay in excess of $200K, have no kids, have nice houses and cars, and travel in high style very regularly. As others's have said, it's about priorities!

No lanyard for me. I've always got a pocket. In the case of my GF, I'm her lanyard. I've always got my card, so she doesn't even carry one with her.

We were on the Glory last week in 7322, which is an Ocean Suite. It was my GF's first cruise and I really think she liked having the extra little dressing area that the suite had to do her hair and makeup and have her private little area to get ready.

She kept her clothes in the closet adjacent to the dressing area. After she got out of the shower she could do get completely ready without having to leave that area, while I got ready in the main part of the cabin. It was nice for both of us to have our own spots to get ready.

With that said, I'd say go for an ocean suite if you can swing it!