Bowman1

We have never gambled on a Carnival Ship

How much do you need to play before you start receiving Casino Fare Offers (I looked on the Carnival Players Club site but it did not say)

While chapter 11 bankruptcy may happen, I do not see one of the 3 major lines going out of business (it is just a matter of weathering the storm)

If the pause in sailings continues long term, the cruise lines will probably look to diversify into cargo transport or other marine markets as necessary to generate revenue 

1 hour ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 

Everyone's tolerance for change (both permanent and temporary) will be put to the test, especially in the first few cruises.  All I can say is that those that liked the way cruises were, oh, three or four months ago might not want to be the first ones onboard when cruising resumes.

This is one of the prime reasons that we rebooked our cancelled cruise in 2021

Once the restart happens, the first couple sailings will probably be a little rough as Carnival figures out what does and does not work

About every other day or so, John Heald has been posting Carnival Specialty Drink Recipes  

So far, we have made the watermelon martini and cucumber sunrise (we have limited liquor on-hand and some of the recipes just have too many ingredients)

Just curious what people have made and what is your favorite?

Mine is the Watermelon Martinis - it is also my favorite on-board as well

Funship Freddy Doll at the Dr Seuss Breakfast on Paradise in Jan 2020

We live in FL and were looking at rebooking our cancelled Panorama sailing on either the Breeze or Panorama for July 4 (both incredible deals)

Ultimately, we went with a date in 2021 for 2 reasons:

1) We figured there was a 50/50 or less chance the July 4 sailing would go off (we did not want the hassle of having to rebook)

2) Given all of the scrutiny on the cruise lines, we did not want to be one of the first passengers to step on-board

We are not afraid of getting sick, but we do want to see passenger feedback about the on-board experience once sailings do resume. 

How has nobody mentioned the Cruise Director’s Morning Show - we never miss them

42 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

I'm not buying this blame it on the governor of Florida thing. The time frame they are referencing (early march) nothing was closed. I was on the Santa Monica pier on March 8th. Everything was normal other than a few people taking extra precautions with masks and whatnot in the airport and on planes. California ordered their beaches closed the same week Florida did.

I was on the Santa Monica Pier on Mar 15 (the day after our Panorama Cruise was cancelled) and it was packed.  In fact, there were two people dressed up as Sesame Street characters encouraging people to take pictures with them.

As a Floridian, I am satisfied with Gov DeSantis’ response (I am a Democrat BTW and did not vote for him)

DeSantis reacted when the rest of the country reacted (starting the week of Mar 14)

My personal feeling is that the Super Bowl on February 2 was the start of the issues in Florida (the worst outbreak in the state is currently the Miami Metro Area)

It had to be the Legend, since the Paradise was docked in downtown Tampa when I was there at 5 PM on Friday

1 hour ago, Cruzaholic41 said:

According to some of my Coastie contacts here in Miami, this is just the start of it. Apparently Carnival Corp is in hot water from several COVID related incidents. It’ll be interesting to see what comes out in the news in the coming weeks. 

I read the article and based on the March 8 sail date compared to the March 14 cut-off, I do not see any type of homicide or culpability charges sticking against Ruby Princess or her crew

i agree that civil and class action suits against Carnival Corp are coming - those will probably progress to some sort of settlement 

On 4/5/2020 at 5:29 PM, geckoaz said:

3FJB3

C6FM5 - 3/15/98

Well . . . this thread is truly misleading 

I was hoping for some wild stories, like:

COVID-19 was created by Christine Duffy to take-out NCL and gain CCL market share

Or

Coronavirus is a CDC fabrication created to force Carnival to eliminate communal tubs of butter

😀

One of my favorites that has yet to be address - We want a table for 2, how do I email the matre di

I have a mature X year old, can I bring him/her to the adult only comedy? (John Heald in particular loves this question)😀

20 minutes ago, bahacca said:

Going to our hot tub in the back yard. (I realize I am super lucky to have one. But still not the same as being on a ship!)

Have not heard of a location on the Vista called the “Backyard” - is this some sort of new exclusive area like The Haven on NCL?

Festive Snowman from a stewards cart on the Paradise Jan 2020

I am hoping that Carnival changes up some of their ports of call

Also, I would not be surprised if buffet set-ups are changed to more pre-plated and less self serve options - especially on the hot food

Mar 14 on the Panorama - BRING ON THE OBC!!!!!!

On 3/4/2020 at 7:39 AM, crewsweeper said:

While I agree that a French Press makes excellent coffee if done right, for a cruise ship the clean up is a bit much.  You can dump the grounds into the waste basket in your cabin, assuming you hit the plastic liner.  But rinsing it our or using paper towels/napkins to get all the grounds out is just messy.  You can stand in line at the coffee shack, or grab a couple of cups off the Lido quicker than you can make a cup off the French Press and do the clean up.

True - cleanup is a bit of a challenge

I always use my French press in the lido, so I scoop the grounds into a bowl that one of the stewards disposes of

i then wash out the press in my cabin bathroom using dish soap and a scrub sponge that I bring from home - allowing the press to dry on a towel placed on a shelf in the main cabin

I use a French press daily at home, so for me, the time difference on a ship is negligible.
 

I have also brought a Melitta Pour Over on cruises in the past - much easier to use enship, but only makes one cup at a time.

1 hour ago, wardamnweagle said:

I guess something else to add to the list. I mentioned bringing my French press and was reminded we are flying, so probably not gonna happen. 

I have flown multiple times with my French Press - never broken one from air travel.  Just make sure it is wrapped in a towel and place it in your carry on
 

best to pack it in the original box if you still have it

I prefer strong black coffee, so I bring my own craft roast and a 32 oz French press - 5 minutes in lido and I have my own fresh brew (I will be sailing Panorama on Mar 14 for anyone who wants to share a cup😀)

I find the Lido and MDR coffee to be fine, just not very strong 

We live in Florida and have sailed Carnival from 4 of the 5 major cruise ports (we have never sailed from Jacksonville)

IMO, Port Canaveral has the best layout and is the most efficient port in the state

We sailed Breeze in Mar 2019 and Liberty in Nov 2019 from PC.  In both cases, from the time that we were dropped at the port until the time that we walked into the Ship's Atrium was 15 minutes tops (boarded at 1:30 PM for Breeze and 11:45 AM for Liberty).

In both cases, luggage was delivered between 3 to 4 PM, but if you are concerned, you can always carry on an outfit and iron it in the self serve laundry

I just noticed that on the Liberty

Jul 31 cruise leaves Nassau at 7 AM on Sunday, but the Aug 7 cruise leaves Nassau at 7 PM on Saturday 

We did the Liberty 3 day in November 2019 - I got up early on Sunday and it was exciting to see the pier stagerrers trying to make it back to the ship at 6:30 AM after being out all night In Nassau 

19 hours ago, Butterbean1000 said:

Same here. The hubs has 7 days to platinum.  He says he's content to just ride my coat tail for now.  😁

I am in the same situation - my wife is crossing over when we sail the Panorama in March and I will be 3 days short

We just need to book another  cruise and hope Carnival does not change the VIFP levels before I can sail

We did it on Sunshine in 2016 - a definite must at least once for any serious cruiser