BellaSweet

31 minutes ago, xbatt8 said:

Just depends on you. If you get involved in the many activities on board, then chances are that you will see, and likely meet the Cruise Director. But if you don’t go to the deck parties, shows in the theaters, or activities in the atrium, your only exposure will probably be the announcements over the intercom...

 

CDs won’t make or break a cruise for me, but some are more fun, more engaging, more hands on than others. Some, such as Lee Mason and Mike Pack have a Facebook page where you can follow them. Lee Mason also has a YouTube channel where he regularly posts videos from his sailings. On that channel, he also videos tours of his ship, posts self help videos for new cruisers, and lots of other information. Many of them also do a morning talk show which you can see on your cabin TV or see in person.

 

On your next cruise, make it a point to go join in some of the deck and atrium parties, or go see the welcome aboard show, or just ask a fun squad member to meet the CD. They are generally very friendly and accommodating. 

 

Bob

Thank you for posting your experience with them. We really haven't gone to many shows and such.. We usually hit up the late comedy shows. 

I'm not a big cruiser..we have our 3rd one scheduled for June 30th. For the past 2 cruises, I've gone the entire cruise and didn't know who the cruise director was. I keep seeing people here posting about how so-and-so is such a great cruise director..and they just loved him/her. Or asking who's the director on which ships..  It seems like some of them have fan clubs. I've had no reason to interact with them, I just don't understand what I'm missing? Should I seek him/her out? What is their purpose?

Thanks..

I really don't care if my room is "ready" or not when I board. ONE reason I purchase FTTF so I can drop off my bags, greet our steward and go grab a drink without lugging our carry-ons around. Its not like I board the ship and want to shower and nap. 

I just look at our room stewards as being human..the debark/embark day is a hard day for them. If they need a lil extra time to get my room ready, who cares? FTTF is more than having my room ready..its priority help at GS, quick through the lines, etc.

I keep getting them for our upcoming cruise..I've gotten 3-4 so far. Obscured balcony to a regular. They come via email.

5 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

 

 

“ The summer-long weekly entertainment event runs from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on Monday evenings from July 1 through August 26 on the North Lawn at Dockyard, featuring live acts, DJs, entertainment, arts and crafts, and food. “

 

http://www.royalgazette.com/local-business/article/20190509/vendors-sought-for-destination-dockyard

 

 

Oh this sounds nice.. Thank you for posting it.

I like the speed of everything..I'm on vacation, I don't want to be standing around in lines. 

Ugh, I just scheduled a treatment for our upcoming cruise. I've never gone to the spa and thought it would be fun as a first wedding anniversary present to myself. I guess I'll just see what happens.. I will make sure to print out my receipt to take with me.

On 1/23/2019 at 10:06 AM, ShakyBeef said:

 

I quite literally take my own wine glass to the dining room and everywhere else onboard when I am drinking wine:

 

 

I bring one of my Riedel Pinot Noir glasses from home because the wine smells and tastes sooooo much better from it than from the cheap, clunky glasses used onboard.  I've gotten quite spoiled by these glasses and it is worth the trouble of packing it and cleaning it and keeping track of it for me.  I order a glass of Pinot Noir at the bar (or a bottle for the table when in the MDR) and pour it into my own glass, leaving the glass it was served in at the bar.

LOVE my Riedel glasses.. They were one of my favorite wedding gifts. I actually have started making my dirty martinis in them because I love a super thin glass.

Just get him a pair of khakis from Target and a button-up. Thats what my hubby wears..he only wears them for an hour or 2 for dinner and then back to shorts and a tee :)

We'll be driving down from Harrisburg end of June..we'll leave here around 8. That gives us enough time to grab breakfast, get lost in Little Italy and get to the parking lot for 11:30ish. If they're running behind, just take a trip over to Fells Point and have a beer :)

Its very sad that you couldn't go on your honeymoon but this is 100% personal responsibility. And not just yours, your husband too. I got married in May and we left the day after for our week-long honeymoon. We were both exhausted and overwhelmed. At one point, I got lost in the airport and had to text my husband for help  lol    I can't tell you how many times I checked our bags to make sure we had our documents, flight info, IDs...and he did the same for me. Plus, my matron of honor also sent me a text the following morning "Do you have your IDs, check-in info..?" because she knows how stressful a wedding is. 

This is nobodys fault(definitely not Carnival) but your own. You've owned up to that and have apologized. Don't try to get anything out of this with a sad tale. Chalk it up as a learning experience and move on..and start saving money to pay your Mom back.

Just take a deep breath and start preparing. Take some books, some things to do..plan ahead. Make a spa appointment or 2.

I think travelling alone is overwhelming at first for anyone..  I was 18 when I got on my first flight and travelled alone. I was terrified..but I handled it and had a really great time. And I can't tell you how proud of myself I was. I learned a lot about myself.

You can do it. 

Super excited to read this. I love your reviews..we're on the Pride(2nd time) in June for our Bermuda trip. It will be the first time for us to go to Bermuda.

I've always believed that if you can't afford the gratuities, then don't cruise. I cant imagine anyone complaining about $1 per day raise.

From Carnival:

Quote

 

Dear Carnival Guest,

Effective with all cruises departing on or after December 1, 2018, the recommended onboard gratuities will be as follows:

• Standard staterooms: $13.99, per person, per day
   
• Suites: $15.99, per person, per day

The recommended gratuities are automatically added to your onboard Sail & Sign® account as a convenience. However, while on board, you are free to adjust gratuities at your discretion. No adjustments will be made after the cruise.

Guests who have booked directly with Carnival may visit our website to pre-pay their gratuities online prior to December 1, 2018, at the current rates ($12.95 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $13.95 per person, per day for suites).  Should you decide to do so, follow these simple instructions:

 

• Visit Carnival.com and access "Your Cruise Manager"
   
• Click on "Cruise Details" 
   
• "Add" under "Prepaid Gratuities" 

 

100% of the gratuities go towards our shipboard team members.  They work hard to provide exceptional and friendly service, so we hope you will agree that this minor increase is well deserved.

We welcome our guests showing appreciation for the crew's efforts and the entire team looks forward to having you aboard for a fun and memorable cruise!

 

This is 100% fine by me..those people work so hard.

I love this idea.. During our last cruise, 95% of our drinks were from the Alchemy..its where we hung out. I love little bites like that..a little higher class than the regular fare.

I love how everyone here knows the full story of this fella's history and is expressing their opinion on someone they know absolutely nothing about.

I've never really seen much bad behavior.. The worst is when we were at guest services after boarding..and seeing how horrible those workers are treated. We waited in line, listening to the screaming..and when it was our turn, politely stated our issue..was super kind to them(just like I always am with people in customer service)..and ended up with enough free drink coupons to last our whole trip. Didn't even ask for them..the lady just handed them to us for being patient and understanding.

I don't think Carnival deserves the bad reputation it sometimes gets. Its sometimes like..the guests think "I am on vacation! I paid an arm and a leg for this $1500 cruise*eyeroll* and I deserve everything! I'm the only one that matters!" Its sad. I don't understand why more people can't think "I'm on vacation!! I'm going to enjoy every minute and appreciate it!"

There isn't much to do around BWI but if you go to Inner Harbor before you head to the cruise terminal, you'll find lots to do. There's lots of restaurants, shops.. The National Aquarium is there but you only have 2 hours.

I'd personally check out Fell's Point. Its a small neighborhood right next to Inner Harbor..old cobblestone/brick streets, lots of shops, bars and bakeries. Its great! Its about 15 minutes from the terminal.

The increase is really reasonable for a 5 course meal.

I just had a 14oz NY Strip the other day.. It was $46..included 2 sides.

I'll gladly pay the Carnival price..our last meal at the steakhouse was great. We'll probably eat there more than once on our upcoming cruise.

We lived at the Alchemy Bar during our last cruise.. We never even got a drink at any other bar. Yes, they get busy..but I never waited more than 10 minutes for a drink. There are many people who don't realize that you can't get a beer there..I lost count at how many times our bartender had to say "We don't serve beer. This is a cocktail bar only" to patrons.

I never ordered anything off the menu. I just had would tell them what I like(gin, spicy, floral) and they'd make something for me. My DH would just order the best old fashioned ever :)

Any Spirit Class ship, but particularly the Pride. Going on her again next month. Can't beat the layout on these ships. :cool:

I remember reading your one review before our first Pride trip and it was wonderful! We loved sailing on her and are doing it again in June. Its super convenient to drive down there from Harrisburg.

I love hearing everyone's stories..thank you! Everyone has such varying opinions, its nice to hear them all.

Carnival Magic.

I've read such great things about Magic..its at the top of my list.

Haven't seen one of these in a while..

What is your ALL time favorite Carnival ship? And you can only pick ONE!

I'm looking for a new ship..I just paid off my upcoming cruise and I feel naked if I'm not making payments on a cruise!:'):') :')