happy cruzin

John Heald replied to a question asked on Facebook and he said that they were on the Dream class ships as well as the Liberty, Glory, Conquest, Sunshine and Imagination and Fantasy.

Hmm.....drat!

I was hoping one of the nine was the Miracle - I'm ready for some true musical entertainment! :o

Wait a sec. We're just off the Breeze, and yes, there was a full band with male and female singers, and they seemed to have a huge repertoire, but I didn't know this represented an improvement!? We've always seen one full band, and thought Carnival was providing that as the absolute bare minimum. Are you telling me that there were ships with NO live music other than the awful atrium duo, solo guitar guy, and the DJ???? I would have hated to experience that. So if I'm reading correctly, it sounds like the new improvement is a "slightly better band" including both, yes BOTH, a male AND female singer. WOW, Carnival is really loosening their purse strings to please us!

Pretty much.... :(

It's been scaled back to a "bare minimum" - VERY few real performers. Shows in the main lounge use a muisc track - instead of live musicians. WHich is why so many of us hope this is a REAL improvement to what most ships have now.

I think the most important thing is they are moving in the right direction. While some of the nay sayers (you don't have to go very far to find them) will throw some mud, it is most def. an improvement. Do they still ahve room to improve? sure. But you have to walk before you run.

Agreed!

BTW, everything that was posted on 1/19 was lost from this thread. That’s unfortunate because there was a lot posted. Anyway, I’ll try to repeat one comment that I made to help further explain why the reduction of menu choices is not a good thing.

 

First as a refresher:

Appetizer = 39% reduction in choices

Entrées = 29% reduction of choices

Deserts = 53% reduction of choices

Soups = 62% reduction of choices

 

If the menu had MY three most favorite foods and only MY three most favorite foods then I would love the menu. Now chances are there wouldn’t be too many other people who would love the menu. But hey “screw em” because after all I love the menu. But here is the problem with that. If nobody else even likes the menu then people would stop going. And before too long then the company would shut down because people stopped going. So now even though I loved the menu I can’t get the menu anymore because the company shut down because people stopped going.

 

Therefore more choices are a good thing. Reduced choices are not a good thing. There are still some VERY good choices on the new menus. But there were two nights in particular where none of the choices were good enough (much less very good) to draw us to the MDR. But if there would have been just a couple of more choices then maybe those choices would have been good enough to draw us to the MDR. And as far as the Lido buffet goes, it’s not really much different than say Old Country Buffet. Which we really try to avoid.

 

Now if they don’t want to re-add some choices back to the new menu then I have a real simple solution. Just keep Guy’s Burger Joint and Blue Iguana Cantina open until 9 PM. I just might skip the MDR more often to eat dinner at these two places!

I don't disagree with you.

But your "logic" here definitely reminds me of the conversation I had with John Heald on fb when the "new" Chef's Table menu was put on to the Breeze. :o I was disappointed and expressed concern that the quality and options served didn't hold a candle to the original menu that we enjoyed on the Miracle.

He repeatedly pointed to the fact that the Chef's Table had "great interest" and they were basically turning people away. I kept asking what about those who see the decline in the quality and choices (Chilean Sea Bass and Filet cooked to order changed to Cornish Game Hen and Waygu short rib) between the original and updated menu and therefore don't choose to do it again?

It was obvious that he wasn't concerned as long as it was still a "sell out" on most ships. I feel like this is the same thing. As long a people are still going to the MDR - it will be considered a "brilliant success". It doesn't seem to matter that the guests may not enjoy the meal - like they used to.

Quite disappointing..... :(

Anyone able to confirm who is (or will be) on the Miracle in February??

Looks like "Frankie Golden" might be....but I can't seem to find out for sure. :cool:

Yes-sign and sail. A menu is posted on line with the steakhouse info.

Link to the menu is also in post #21.

I assume that when you say given a bill at the end of the meal that it is taken from your S&S card right? We will be on the Liberty in Sept for our 28th anniversary. Was thinking about doing steakhouse the last night on board (9/20/14). Can anybody give me an idea of the menu served in steakhouse. This will be our 4th cruise but first one with a steakhouse as fantasy class ships don't have them.

Also does anyone know which nights are elegant nights on an 8 day cruise Eastern Carib. on the Liberty?

Yes....very similar to giving your credit card - at the end of the meal - at a land restaurant. The "charge" then shows on your S&S account. ;)

I assume that when you say given a bill at the end of the meal that it is taken from your S&S card right? We will be on the Liberty in Sept for our 28th anniversary. Was thinking about doing steakhouse the last night on board (9/20/14). Can anybody give me an idea of the menu served in steakhouse. This will be our 4th cruise but first one with a steakhouse as fantasy class ships don't have them.

Also does anyone know which nights are elegant nights on an 8 day cruise Eastern Carib. on the Liberty?

Here 'ya go!

https://secure.carnival.com/~/media/CCLUS/Images/pdf/Steakhousemenupdf.ashx

I didn't realize the bacon comes in patty form. I thought it would just contain loose strips of bacon.

Guy calls it the "pig patty" - because it is a patty of bacon.

Zydecocruiser to the rescue again. Here is his photo of a Pig Patty Burger!

It certainly takes the pre-cruise excitement up a notch. :)

Good....I really hope you have the BEST time - ever!! :) ;) :D

Have never sailed Carnival but I keep hearing about how much people love these cove balconies so we've decided to try one.

 

If you have been on all 3 ships, which do you prefer and why? Which one has the best waterpark (for a 16 year old AND the parents, we're just bigger 16 year olds, lol).

 

Do any of these ships have a promenade with parades and parties?

We have sailed all 3 - and enjoyed them ALL!

Out of these choices, I think our favorite is still the Breeze - it is the most "complete" since it has the 2.0 upgrades. Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana, Bonsai, Sea Day Brunch, etc - in addition to the Red Frog pub that is on the Magic.

The lanai space was redesigned for the Magic - so it flows better than the Dream. They added more food options on the Magic and even more to the Breeze - which helps with crowd control especially on sea days.

We MUCH prefer the décor of the Breeze. No neon - very open and relaxing - resort like right down to the uniforms worn by the crew.

OP, your original post does not list the current 9 ships that have the "enhanced shipboard bands", which is what some posters, including myself, want to know about; not the Carnival LIVE Concert Series. I have already looked and seen the full schedule for the concert series and as it does not pertain to our cruise this year I, among others, are more interested in these "enhanced shipboard bands" which may actually benefit us....

Exactly! :)

Some of the ships I saw listed were: Ecstasy, Fantasy, Imagination, Fascination, Sensation, Paradise, Breeze.....mostly older ships with the exception of the Breeze. The dates start in April and go into December of this year.

Go to Carnival's website and/or John Heald's blog for all of the information re the bands, schedule, etc. People here waste so much time asking and reasking the same questions instead of going straight to the source. Believe it or not, cc is not THE authority on all things Carnival.

 

 

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I believe you are both referring to the concerts.

This thread was - originally - about the upgrade to the "house bands" on the ships. Todays announcement referred to NINE ships that already have the "enhanced" house bands - which is different than the ships that will host the concerts. :cool:

Thanks so much to everyone that replied!!! I really appreciate all the great information! I booked cabin 6452, my first aft wrap and it's solo. :D

CONGRATS - can't wait to hear what you think!!!

****Warning**** - once you go with the aft wrap....it's really hard to book anything else! ;)

I am curious about this too. I was going to do it on the Splendor 14 months ago but it was way overpriced. I have no idea why they charge so much money for a tour of the ship you are already on. I will be looking for info about it when I board the sunshine on Feb 2.

Supply and demand!

There are a limited number of slots - and lots of interest....so Carnival can charge a premium just due to the interest.

Thanks guys!! We might wait until we are on board to make the reservations until we decide for sure what night. If we make a reservation now, can we change it? Or cancel it?

With a group of 9 - I would make a reservation now.

You could always cancel or modify it once on board. But - at least you'd know you had a day and time booked that will work for the group!

Yep - it's been all over the NCL boards! :o

I'm sure Carnival was less than thrilled to have his name announced today - since the NCL incident is still "news". But...hey, that's they way things go - sometimes! :cool:

What are the nine ships that currently have the live bands? Is there a schedule for the other ships?

What are the 9 ships that supposedly have this "enhancement"?

 

thanks

My question...as well!

Aft wraps are the best. It would be a no brainier for me.

Me too...but I do understand the dilemma! ;) :D

I have a courtesy hold on it. :)

VERY smart! Gives you time to make an informed decision.... ;)

Yes, head to twitter and follow #carnivallive. Or @carnival.

 

I want more details. Is it free? Is it well known performances for a fee?

Doubtful - from what's already been discussed. :cool:

Hmmm.....interesting - guess I will have to wait for the details!

Wow, did someone not take their happy pill this morning?

I was wondering the same thing....

:/

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CCL is offering this as a perk for red members on certain cruises for a limited time.

Huh...who knew??!!!?!?! Thanks ;)

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Here is a link to my fb photos from our aft wrap (6501) on the Breeze. You do not have to have a fb log in to see them.

Not your exact cabin - but maybe these will help! I think the balconies get a little smaller as the decks go up - because of the slant of the back of the ship. But this should give you a pretty good idea. ;)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4656712093167.2160859.1154291247&type=1&l=1b13ed822e