LSmith82463

We've been on about ten or so Carnival cruises - last being January 2016. We liked to be served our meals and were disappointed that the DR is only open for brunch on sea days and not for breakfast and lunch. Is this still the case? We just got off the MSC Divinia and their DR is open for all meals when at sea & breakfast when in port including disembarkation day.

 

Would like to go back to Carnival but this could be a deal breaker.

 

We find that we eat less than we would at the buffet.

The MDR opens a little later on sea days but it serves breakfast and lunch items and nothing prevents you from coming when it opens for breakfast and coming back later for lunch. We love the brunch on sea days.

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I don't want to jinx it for you. We've taken a cruise around new years from GAL for several years. Usually the first day out and back into GAL is "inside" weather. We've had great luck at the ports! Always beach weather. As you probably know, fog is the biggest issue in GAL. Make sure that you don't have an early flight home. It seems like we get stuck with a fogged-in port every 3 years or so. May make you a couple of hours late into port. Worst case was about noon.

We live 20 miles from the port so weather won't be an issue getting to port or home. Just wondering about the sea days. Thanks.

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Does anyone have any suggestions for a hotel room with a balcony overlooking the streets in the French Quarter? We are a family of 4 and I was hoping for $225 or less. We will be there 1/3-1/4/17.

Not going to happen. You won't get that kind of room for less than $300 and up any time of year.

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My 8 yo son and I are going on Valor Dec. 28 out of Galveston to Cozumel and Progresso, 5-day cruise. I was wondering what kind of weather we can expect? I know Galveston could be 40 to 80, cold to warm but what about after we get out in Gulf or into Mexico? Any thoughts?

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My son and I just sailed on the Valor in November. We were in 2208. I really liked it. Seas were calm and we rarely felt much motion. It is not an upper/lower. It has two twins. One is supposedly a convertible sofa but the beds were made up when we got to the cabin. There is good space for a Cat 1A. I wouldn't hesitate to book the same cabin again.

Thanks! Very helpful!

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I usually try to go to the casino and get a free lanyard and have my S&S Card punched. But I want to buy something where I wouldn't have to have the card punched, maybe a plastic holder. Any suggestions to buy on Amazon?

I am one cruise behind my wife so my 8 year old son and I are going on a cruise Dec 28-Jan2 on Carnival Valor (was Liberty) out of Galveston. He's been on a cruise before and loved it. He loved Camp Carnival on the Magic on spring break 2015 and loves to swim. We won a ship on a stick for winning the family bean bag toss on that cruise. Any tips/advice for dad traveling alone with 8year old son. My wife has to stay home and work and is looking forward to the peace and quiet.

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My son and I are booked in room 2208 on the Valor on 12/28/16. This is almost at the front of the ship from the deck plans. I think it is an upper/lower or I hope it is as my son loved sleeping on the upper berth on our last cruise. Any pros/cons about noise or movement of the ship? I think this is the lowest deck we've sailed and have been mid ship or rear on other cruises. Any advice appreciated!

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Done know about YTD. We were on early dining. But you had to leave after the Comedy show and get in line.

My husband does not drink alcohol and I will probably only have 3 or 4 drinks for the duration of the cruise. Can I just charge those few drinks to the room? A beverage package would cost me way more than I would use.

Yes you can charge them to your sign and sail account. There are plenty of red drink options including coffee,tea. Lemonade and juice.

Have you considered NCL Getaway out of Miami?

One would think if he were considering NCL he would post on that board and not the Carnival board. DUH

Oh please. Another Carnival complainers. And the things you complain about are just ludicrous. I know many chefs who will completely disagree with your comments about the flat iron steak for starters. Casino match play? You're really going to complain about a cruise excuse of the casino? If you're on for the casino skip the cruise and go to Vegas or Atlantic City to a real casino. And the now very tired free drink v. Free water debate. Please give that a rest. As many people who are upset over that change, there are just as many who are happy because they don't like the water on ship and that is less they have to bring or buy. And prices? Pretty simple, if you find cheaper cruise and like the other cruise line as well as Carnival by all means go for the lower price. That's simple economics and one of the great features of the free market. If Carnival does not remain competitive price wise they will lose business and eventually go out of business.

For me, Carnival represents a good value for my money and an excellent cruise experience and in cases of the cruises I have taken also gave me the best price. Your mileage may vary and that is why there are other cruise lines for you to sail. Not everyone is swayed by a free drink or even bothers with the casino.

Okay, thanks. Should be adding them during her next dry dock. Read that it would be this year. Hope you enjoyed your cruise.

I'm not 100% certain of this but I read somewhere that the Magic had been scheduled for a drydock in March but that has been cancelled. Looking forward to our cruise in 2 weeks. I haven't heard grew at things about Guys from people who have been on 2.0 ships and eh at the Magic doesn't have in 2.0 upgrades isn't high priority for us.

Does the Magic have 2.0 upgrades? Considering sailing her maybe next year out of PC!

Magic does not have 2.0 upgrades. No Guys Burgers or Alchemy Bar. Does have Red Frog Pub. Not sure of all the 2.0 upgrades.

Can't speak about Tracy Arm but we cruised Glacier Bay last year and it is magnificent. We missed Skagway due to the Miracle' propulsion problems but had a good time in Sitka instead. Also missed Victoria. But got 25% off our next cruise which were using for Key West and Bahamas over spring break in 2 weeks!

Anybody know the email for the Magic steakhouse? Masteakhouse@carnival.com didn't work.

Thanks!

How do you make chefs table reservations? Can that be done online?

The time on the boarding pass doesn't actually change, in my experience. But if you don't have the small circle (maybe the size of a quarter, it's little!) that is the logo in the top right corner, then you should call.

 

 

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OK I see it. Didn't notice before. Thank you!

I'd say check tomorrow. Then call the TA and figure it all out, if necessary.

 

The luggage tags won't say "priority" they'll say "F2F" and the FTTF logo is in the upper right of boarding pass. VERY easy to miss, as the word "priority" isn't actually there, it's just a circle and if you print in black and white...Eesh. I had an "opinion" about this at check in!

The luggage tag is pink and has FTF on it. But nothing on boarding pass and boarding pass say embarkation of12:30pm and it read 11am when I booked FTTF.

I purchased a FTTF for our 3/15 cruise to Key West and the Bahamas on the Magic. When I purchased, our room was not assigned. So I waited to print out my cruise documents. This morning our room still wasn't assigned but later today it was. So I went and printed out my documents. But FTTF is not listed on our boarding pass. It is listed under the "Purchased Services" page under excursions. Also, it looks like our baggage tags are not marked priority. We booked our cruise with a travel agent. Do we just wait and tomorrow or soon the documents will be correct or do we need to contact our TA or Carnival? Thanks! This is my 2nd cruise and we didn't do FTTF on our other cruise.

We are going on the Miracle in April and are thinking about making reservations. Has anyone eaten at the Steakhouse recently and how was it. Also, do you still get a free bottle of wine on first night sailing?

We ate in the Miracle steakhouse May 2014 on the last night of our Alaskan cruise. Well worth the $35 up charge. We brought a bottle of wine and paid the $15 corkage fee. The food and service was impeccable. I would rate it in my top 3-5 dining experiences in my life and that includes a NY Steakhouse, Gary Danko's in Frisco, and a Brazilian steakhouse in Georgetown outside DC. Yes I understand they do offered free wine first cruise night.

Disregard.

The tea on ships is not very good (especially if you are a Southerner) as it is not brewed. Bring some tea bags and then order hot water, you can make your own brewed tea!

 

 

 

Your suitcases will store under your bed to save room.

 

 

 

Be sure to ask your steward for an ice bucket and to keep it filled.

 

 

 

You can either ask your steward to empty your mini fridge or you can empty it yourself and put in the closet (make sure the steward knows). However, it is more of a chiller than a fridge!

 

 

 

Book your own excursion, but remember to plan to be back to the ship at least an hour earlier! There is no guarantee they will wait for you if you are not on a Carnival excursion.

 

 

 

Buy a lanyard or a clip and clear plastic case for your S&S card at an Office Supply store before you leave.

 

 

 

Use a rolling duffle bag for your carry on allowance of water/soda's. It will be easier to transport and when it is empty at the end of the cruise you will have an extra bag for souveniers or dirty clothes!

 

 

 

Do not put medications, electronics, etc in your checked luggage. Put it all in your carry on and include your swimsuit so you don't have to wait for your luggage to arrive.

No need to buy a lanyard. Go to the casino they will punch your sign and sail card and give you a lanyard.

So, I am finally cruising again after last years fiasco. Did Carnival give anyone trouble when they asked for their 25% off from their next cruise?

 

 

 

I guess I have to call Guest Services tomorrow to make sure they deducted the 25% but I don't know how stern I will have to be to get it. I cannot find the paper that states we get the 25% off.

 

 

 

Did you get your 25% off for those that cruised last Spring Break on the Magic out of Galveston?

 

 

 

Thanks for any information.

 

Donna

My advice is use a travel agent and let them deal with Carnival. We got a 25% discount due to a port change because of the Miracle's propulsion problem in Alaska last March. Couldn't find the letter or email. Called Cruise Mom and had a cruise booked with our discount in less than 24 hours.