SkyMaster

There are limited activities available during the port days, but the best thing is that the pools are all empty, and available, as are the hot tubs etc. No chair hogs and it's a time for relaxing. The buffet is open, as are some of the specialty restaurants. No big screen movie, but there usually is some other activities, like trivia, etc. Bottom line, the ship is yours to rest, relax, and enjoy.

"SKY"

The DOC is correct. No need to get reservations for the shows on Carnival. I'm just off "Magic", and they had pretty good shows aboard, with the exception that the volume for them was REALLY LOUD! Hope you enjoy your "Magic" cruise.

"SKY"

It was good to meet you Ken, maybe we will run into you again sometime. Probably the only reason that I didn't notice the Fun Times discrepancies/errors was because I didn't really look at the information all that much. I relaxed, and slept, a lot on this cruise and believe it or not I am still tired! LOL

GREAT meeting you as well. In reading over what I posted, it sounds like I did nothing but complain,,,,sorry 'bout that. I did, indeed have a fun time aboard, regardless of the problems I experienced. Many of the discrepancies in the Fun Times had to do with Karaoke scheduling, and being unable to attend some of the shows because of the volume of the music. :eek: Hope to see you, and yours again on another fantastic Carnival Fun Ship.

"SKY"

Ken

I too, thank you for posting. I agree with about 98% of your comments. Lots and lots of people aboard. The Guys Burgers were indeed VERY dry, and I wound up eating only about half of mine. I was disappointed in the entertainment. Shows, and ALL music was VERY LOUD, and LOUD to the point that I had to walk out on the 88 keys show. I found the FUN TIMES to be sadly lacking in accurate information. Noticed lots of things that started late, and other events that weren't noted in the FUN TIMES. The Reverend Dr. E is far better than many of the CD's, but enough is enough of the goofy laugh. His accents, and comments at the life boat drill made it entertaining,,,indeed. Service in the dining room was extremely slow, but I found most of the food to be quite good,,,,,once you got it. LOL Cabin service excellent, and without any complaints at all. I boarded very quickly, without wait at all, and disembarked by 7 A.M. by carrying my own luggage. Also, being "Diamond" helps in that respect.

Hope to see y'all on another FUN CRUISE.

"SKY"

Ken

The pic is nice. Too bad you didn't get it.

HA! The story of my life. LOL

Hi Carol! Sounds like your cruise was pretty much like mine. I was disappointed in the entertainment, (WAY TOO LOUD), and the Fun Times noted activities that either didn't happen, or happened late. Then there was the activities that happened, but weren't noted in the Fun Times? (I don't know what's up with that ship, and their scheduling?) Entertainment Director "Calvin", most likely has a lot to do with it. I was told at the first Veterans Meeting, that there would be a much nicer one later in the week. Never happened? I was told on Thursday, that there would be more Karaoke on Friday. Nothing noted in the Fun Times,,,,,but it happened. Over all, food and service were just so-so. Cabin steward was the highlight of the cruise, and he and his crew did an excellent job. I did relax a lot, and took life easy for seven days. Would I sail "Magic" again? Only if "the price is right". I'm gettin' ready for "Paradise" in January. (One of my personal favorite ships.)

"SKY"

Oh yea,,,I didn't get my photo of the "Diamond" get together????? Guess they don't like me. LOL

Congrats! I too, am dancing, but a bit faster than you are. TWO DAYS until the beautiful "Magic".

"SKY"

I too, would select BREEZE. No problem.

"SKY"

Good advise from the others above. I too, cruise SOLO quite a lot, and many times the highlight of the evening is dining with my new friends at a BIG table, with other SOLO sailors. No "funny stuff" but just folks who might enjoy going to the show, the comedy club, karaoke or the piano bar with their new friends. I too, rarely leave the ship, but enjoy the serenity deck, with a good book, my I-pod or whatever. Bottom line,,,relax, and enjoy the relaxation.

"SKY"

FOUR DAYS, until embarkation on the beautiful "Magic".

"SKY"

My first choice would also be "Magic", with "Miracle" second, and absolute LAST would be "Sunshine". Magic has far more choices in dining, and more activities, but Miracle is less crowded, and you get to know the staff more. Bottom line, you won't go wrong as long as you avoid "Sunshine". Just my opinion.....

"SKY"

Blue is first cruise

Red is cruise #2 - 24

Gold is cruise #25 - 74

Platinum is cruise #75 - 199

Diamond is cruise #200 and up.

"SKY"

Well, they've ruined the Steakhouse for me now as well. No "Escargot", and No "Cheesecake". Not worth the money anymore.

"SKY"

I've owned the stock for many years, and have NEVER been denied the benefit. Another GREAT thing to keep in mind, is that the benefit is also good on any of the other CCL owned lines. I've used my stock benefit several times on Princess. ;p

"SKY"

I've found that meeting with the Maitre'd on embarkation day works the best. You can try e-mailing him, and then go to the dining room to meet with the Maitre'd on embarkation day to check the type of table you've been assigned, (check when, and which dining room, with the guest services desk, or the Fun Times) and if it's not what you want, just request the change, then and there. That's always worked for me, and by the way, I agree with you 100%. A big table is the way to go. I've met some GREAT folks that way. :cool:

"SKY"

When Carnival first started offering the "Flat Iron", I gave it a shot, but found it to be a bit tough, however lately, I've ordered it and it was really quite good. No problems, and I don't hesitate to recommend it.

"SKY"

Expect to be disappointed when that four days goes by so quickly. You'll have an outstanding time, but it is, in fact, way too short.

"SKY"

I too, greatly prefer Spirit, or even Conquest class ships. I'm not, however, holding my breath, waiting for Carnival to build any new ships that size, even though I know many, many people who would celebrate it if they did. The problem is, that almost all of those people, including me, will still sail Carnival ships, even though they are BIG, and filled with people.

"SKY"

They call that eastern caribbean, its usually a tad cheapeer than western.

 

Ive just done that route to death, so wanted western.

I think that Coz, Grand Cayman and Jamaica are considered Western, and YES it is usually cheaper than the Eastern, or Southern routes. I'm like you, in that I've done that route over, and over. I prefer Southern myself.

"SKY"

I too, have noticed higher than usual prices of late. The only good prices are cruises out of San Juan, and that's true, for not only Carnival, but the majority of other lines who cruise out of that port as well. Guess I'll just keep watching,,,,and perhaps the prices will drop eventually.

"SKY"

I don't know if the terminal is noted on the paperwork, or not, but the terminals are all right next to each other, and you'll without a doubt, see the ship from the street. Should be no problem.

"SKY"

I too, would recommend a 4 or 5 day cruise, out of Tampa, or perhaps Port Canaveral. Three day cruises just aren't long enough to get a real feel of cruising. Everything is rushed, and there is very little opportunity to relax, and enjoy the cruise. There are some excellent short cruises, if you are just a bit selective. Good luck, and perhaps I'll see you aboard one of these days.

"SKY"

I too, prefer Miracle of the three mentioned. Just a less stressful trip, with far fewer people to line up behind. LOL

"SKY"

I've stayed in those porthole cabins in the bow a couple of times, and they're O.K., except that they are NOISY! As noted, the thrusters make a lot of noise. When going into a port where they drop the anchor, it's VERY noisy in those cabins, and when underway the waves hitting the bow can raise you right out of the bed! I usually opt for a cabin mid ship, or even in the stern because of that.

"SKY"

Less people dress up.

DITTO. Far fewer folks bother to get dressed up on the last formal evening. Frankly, I've often wondered why they have the second formal evening. Still fun, but just a bit different.

"SKY"