kwokpot

While are agree with some of what you said, especially about doing research, the cruise most certainly was designed with a certain demographic and/or a consumer looking for specific type of vacation experience. If you read about how the cruiseline came about it was specifically targeted for a younger demographic that never previously would have considered taking a cruise vacation. In fact the name of the Cruiseline, Virgin Voyages, was changed from it's original name Virgin Cruises so as not to be identified with a traditional cruiseline company. I'm attaching an article about something entirely different, Marriott Hotel's Moxy brand, but it speaks to exactly what Virgin Voyages is trying to achieve with it's business model. https://globetrender.com/2018/02/09/moxy-hotels-fun-hunters/

I was on the Pride in June for my 25th cruise and my sail and sail card didn't reflect it nor was there any kind of recognition at all.

There's ZERO party atmosphere on Carnival's Europe cruises.

What other information are you looking for that you haven't yet read? I was on three different itineraries for a total of 31consecutive days.

Experienced cruiser here (97 cruises and counting) currently on the Scarlet Lady for the first time. Here are some thoughts. The ship's design and programming is targeted for the 21-40 age group or the young at heart. I'm a very young almost 61 and enjoy the atmosphere. For comparison Celebrity's Edge Class ships are our favorite cruiseship experience. We are enjoying our time in the Scarlet Lady but Celebrity Edge Class still remains our favorite cruiseships. RESIST the urge to when you first get on the ship to continually comment either to yourself or traveling companion about how different it is to all other cruiseships. Cabins are too basic. The decor is reminiscent of a collage dorm room. No excuse not to have real closet doors; there's plenty of room for them and the sheer curtain doesn't make it any easier to access the interior. Bathroom in our XL terrace is the best thing about the cabin. The food is outstanding. Period. Literally every food venue the plating, preparation, and food quality has been outstanding and I might put it ahead of Celebrity's Edge Class ships. The Wake, both inside and out, is the best part of the ship, IMO. If you enjoy going to raves, music festivals, dance clubs etc, you'll enjoy the music programming in many of the venues. The Scarlet Night pool party is the best deck party of any cruiseline. Bimini Beach Club was a very nice place.

That was the reason why I asked if the poster was making a joke or it was something that was actually written somewhere. I realized the statement made no sense.

Actually the way the quote reads you get Retreat access only if you're both Sapphire and above and sailing in a suite category.

Did you just make this up?

I'm sorry but I can't agree with that statement. Royal,Celebrity,NCL, Princess and MSC does a much better job in Europe than Carnival.

Through a third party Cruise Casino Hosting company called URcomped.com

Just got a figure of about 1100 for the current cruise.

Last night you were able to able gamble with your own cash or from the onboard ATM. The slot machines were not busy at all but the table games were. Supposedly there were hundreds of customers on a gambling cruise that weren't in the system and had issues. Yes, we were given a red tassel for the bracelet signifying free drinks at the casino bar. You don't have to be actively playing to get a drink.

Posting from the ship. Morning of Day 2. Some initial thoughts. The food has been outstanding. Different and beautiful plating but most importantly fresh ingredients and well prepared. I had the Sea Bass last night for dinner at Extra Virgin and it wasn't overcooked with an excellent crispy skin. My husband had the bucatini carbonara and that was also well prepared as any higher end land based Italian restaurant. We were able to get complementary coffee at dinner and TBH it seemed and tasted to be an Americano. We did make it very clear we were looking for a no fee coffee option. This morning we had breakfast at Razzle Dazzle and again the food was excellent. Acai Fruit bowl was beautiful, fresh, and tasty. The frittata was yummy and husband's waffle was very good as well. Coffee was ok this morning, no extra fee but could have been stronger. After breakfast we sat outside at the wake; we're docked right downtown Key West. I think the whole Wake area, both inside and out, is our favorite area on the ship. We went to get some more coffee at the Gallery. The included brewed coffee is good and strong. We are on a casino comped and yes if you're booked through a cruise casino hosting company there are free drinks in the casino. Unfortunately the ship is having major IT issues in the casino and we weren't able to get cash from our onboard accounts. The issue wasn't resolved last night so no gambling yesterday! We'll see about the casino tonight.

I've never had it closed by the Captain when we left the window down overnight.

Last time I was on the Apex in December the onboard cost of the Thermal suite daypass was double that, which is why it pays to buy it pre-cruise.

Celebrity Beyond? We're on the repo from NJ to FL. If so bring a costume!

Yes that was on board. If you're interested in the thermal suite you're much better off buying a whole cruise pass before embarkation.

Always the jogging track for that.

That perk is not available on any Edge Class ship. Additionally the Captains Club tier Spa discount doesn't apply to thermal suite passes. The daily thermal suite pass is way too expensive at around $80/pp if I remember correctly.

Thanks! Our Lyft to the airport is in 30 mins! Scarlet Lady here we come!

I would have to agree with you 100%. Sailed twice Pre pandemic on the Edge and always able to get a seat in the Grand Plaza during happy hour.

As had been discussed although Carnival has not explicitly stated this both Chibang and Cucina are defacto MDRs on Excel Class ships. The fact that they have fixed menus doesn't change the fact that without the table capacity of those two restaurants Excel Class ships cannot accommodate all guests for dinner within the main dining hours in the two existing MDRs. The fact that Cucina and Chibang on the MardiGras was not included in the temporary halt for dinner service was a clear indication of the need for those dining rooms to service Your time dining guests.

Here is some of the verbiage for an Elite Cruise Offer. Note it says how many sailings it's good for. Quote ELITE CRUISES: FREE BALCONY ROOM + $500 FUNPLAY® CREDIT + DRINKS ON US! INCLUDED EVERYWHERE ON BOARD THE SHIP FOR YOU AND A TRAVEL COMPANION (F3E) Contact Carnival Cruise Line® to book your cruise and request Rate Code F3E . Free Balcony Room and $500 FunPlay credit is available only on select Elite Cruises listed at carnival.com/offers. You must book your cruise by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on September 21, 2022. Offer subject to availability and valid for new bookings only made by the VIFP Club Member named in this offer communication. Offer is capacity controlled and offered cabin category may not be available on select ships. Space is extremely limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Offer available on a maximum of three (3) sailings :

My husband is Sapphire with BCC but we are only Elite Plus with Captain's Club. With a total of 97 cruises we certainly could have been Zenith but we cruise different lines and only recently started staying in Suite level cabins. My husband definitely gambles the cost of our cruise cabins and sometimes more depending if he's enjoying the casino.

I assume you mean a B2B? Yes it's possible and it all depends on what the Casino rate code is and how many uses it allows. We recently completed a B2B2B on the Pride in Europe, all cssino comped. We could have stayed on longer but didn't want to. Again, it all depends on what rate codes you have, how many cruises that rate code allows, and whether the consecutive cruises you want are applicable to those particular cruises.