swscruiser

Our numbers changed when we renewed

What ship are you on? You may be docking at the Poland Ave wharf, which is not walkable to the French Quarter Garden District or Downtown area,

We have sailed the Conquest twice. The first time several years ago and the service throughout the ship was awful. decided to give it another shot a year later, service was just as bad if not worse. Not going to give the Conquest a third try. Personally, I think it is an issue of poor management on this ship and not an individual poor employee,

A cruise day without Makers is day without Sunshine

Our Bank has a daily limit on cash drawn but no limit on purchases as long as there is money in the account.

Also Drinks over $10 are not included. And, your are not just charged the difference you are charged the full price

We very rarely take short weekend cruises so we have no experience on the" Party Cruises" . We prefer Carnivals Steakhouse to any other lines upcharge dining venues. We also find the staff friendlier on Carnival. There is a difference in cliental between lines but not that much difference between Carnival and RC with large differences between Carnival and Holland, Princess and Celebrity. In our opinion all cruise lines ships are more refined than Carnival. Having said all of this this is how we decide which cruise line we use for 2 with $ difference total . Lowest Price always. RC would have to be less expensive for us to cruise them and not on older ship (either line). Of the other lines we would pay more for Princess and Celebrity up to $400, Holland we might pay more but would depend on time of year as the age of their cliental varies depending on the time of year.

If you drink this way, then your using 2 of your 15 drinks for every drink, so you are now down to 7 of your "drinks with an extra shot" over the course of a day. Why not get a good strong drink at the Alchemy Bar or tip the bartender to use high end ingredients in a long island?

 

To each their own, but to get a fruity drink and then just add an extra shot of rum to make it stronger reduces the value of the program, IMHO. But if you're content with enjoying 7 of these drinks over the course of the day.....

We start with Long Island teas on every cruise. Carnival's as recently as Oct 2016 have been made with Bacardi, Beefeater, Jose, and Absolut without asking for premium but could upgraded to ultra premium at no charge. If they had been made with regular bar pour brands then I would definitely ask to premiumize the drink

Congrats Have a great Cruise

Wow. You are just okay with pretty much anything Carnival does aren't you?

 

$180.00 is real money to a lot of people.

 

And the percentage increase... plus now tip on top... is way over reasonable. 26% increase PLUS the tip now not being inclusive.

 

Carnival was always a Big Bang for the buck cruise... and I have done 24 of them... but they are getting out of hand and people like you just say...'Oh, it's all perfectly fiiiiiiinnnnne.'

 

 

I have cruised A LOT

Still a good big bang for the buck cruise. The CT was never a part of the cruise price so its basically like a shore excursion. Carnival can choose whatever price they want to charge and your free to partake or not. You still have the same cruise experience as before.

I just reserved 9 of my wedding guests for the Vista Chef's table and the Maitre d's confirmation e-mail said it was $95 + 15% tip! I am shocked by this increase and it is now not worth it to me. The Chefs table experience is great, but I'd rather spend a thousand dollars on a fun group excursion.

The CT is just like an excursion. You do not have to do either one. For some the $95 plus tip for a 11 course meal with wine and a tour of the working Galley is worth every penny, others not so much. Everyone gets to choose the way they want to spend their money

Nice review, thanks for posting. Does anyone know what time the casino opens on sail away day? Does it open while still cruising down the Mississippi?

Thanks

Opens within an hour of sailing

One other thing. Whatever mixed dink you enjoy such as margaritas or bloody marys you can upgrade to a premium spirit like Patron or Grey Goose for free. Makes a much better tasting drink.

That being said, our bar bill is normally around $200 for both of us on a 7 day.

Then Cheers is not for you

Last month was the only time in FLL that the cab driver tried to scam us on the fare, He did not turn the meter on when we left the airport asked him and he said it was a flat fee of $35. Told him it wasn't and when we got to the port we could discuss it with the police at the port. He immediately asked how much we usually paid I told him $15.00 plus tip he said OK that's what I'll charge you when I gave him $15.and no tip at the port he asked about the tip and I said if you hadn't tried to cheat me you would have gotten a tip. He was not a happy camper but too bad so sad

I calculated about the same if we were to get it. Just not worth it.

We wouldn't and couldn't drink that much (alcoholic or not) during a day. If someone else can, more power to them.

We'd have to pee like a racehorse if we had 15 drinks a day.

Plus consider any drinks you get while in port. Often times much cheaper.

 

That being said, I WISH there was a shareable couple's package that could be purchased.

Your breakeven point is not 15 drinks a day that is the max you can purchase. if your drinking mixed drinks the break even point is around 5 drinks a day

Our experience at Three Amigos was not good. Mediocre food and really bad margaritas

Hilton Has a local shuttle, but no shuttle to port. Not sure any hotels is Houston area have a port shuttle as its around 45min away

I am currently booked at the Monteleone pre cruise and also. post cruise although I also have reservations at the Royal Sonesta post cruise and would like your opinion which hotel should we stay at post cruise and why? Thank you.

Have stayed at both. Noise was not a problem at the Royal Sonesta and my wife is a light sleeper. We prefer the Monteleone still very convenient to Bourbon and to us just a much cooler hotel more ambience especially with the carousel bar. Also, service seemed a little better at the Monteleone, We now only stay at the Monteleone.

We really like Rainbow Palace. 4 Star Chinese white tablecloth restaurant. Grand Marnier with Sesame Seed Scallops are incredible. Have had specials of Seared Lamb Chops or Veal Chop are also excellent. My Wife always gets the Rice flour encrusted N Y Strip. Also excellent More normal Fare like Stir Fry and won Ton Soup

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can i ask why ?? have you stayed at both ??

Have stayed at both. As others have said the Ambiance style and amenities are completely different. Like going to the pool bar and having a drink at the Hilton. Rooms are larger at the Hilton and beds are more comfortable. also there is a water taxi stop on the property.

I'd pick the Hilton marina in a heartbeat

Just play 4-5 spins on a slot machine and your good to go

We were on her 2 weeks ago I know there was 1 if not 2 Let it ride tables

Just off Regal and the only Vodka that was over the AIBP was Stoli Elite