Kay S

My first post-pause cruise was a zoo and a half in the MDR. Lost reservations, long lines to be seated, understandably frustrated serving staff. The next cruise is my first with CC, and if I can convince DH it is worth it, the next (and final) Princess cruise will be CC, too.

This show has been around for awhile and is very popular.

Out of Los Angeles, round trip?

There is never a formal night on a 4 night cruise.

Has anyone done the breakfast yet? It's Oct. 15...

If you have been informed that you embark from that pier, there will be signs at the entrance to the port telling you where to go.

LOL. I liked it, but I would get shocked looks from the tablemates when I ordered it.

It's so sad that Carnival Corp keeps selling off the small ships.

Have there been any recent reports of this fine being enforced?

The casino is still smoking. I didn't notice any smoke in the IC, but maybe it was the time of day. They took a portion of the casino to add the IC, and the casino was pretty small to begin with. The passage through the ship is on the aisle closest to the wall, so the ICC sits between the aisle and the casino. It's not like some ships where you must walk through the casino (on that deck) when passing through. Of course, this was a Panama Canal trip and not Australia.

It might depend on the specific cruise, but plan on the first sea day.

DH loved those things but he didn't find it on a drink menu last cruise. Did you ask for it specifically?

We are booked on the Sky in June 2023, but there is a similar itinerary on the Island at about the same time. I have never sailed the Island because of all the things mentioned here, but I really don't like the huge ships, and I'm reconsidering the options now. I really love the Coral (which I've sailed multiple times) and never minded the limited dining venues. Does the Island still have Explorer's Lounge?

It's one of those "you can't get there from here" things. 🙂 It was always my favorite on the older ships, but that was in the olden days of TD and immediate seating.

We sail Nov 14. We have received no bidding offer. We have a CC mini suite, which is what we want. I have been checking to see they don't "upgrade" us (even though I checked "no upgrade"). I picked the cabin in the location I wanted. This bidding thing is too much like gambling for me. I book the cabin I want in the category I want in the location I want and the uncertainty of not knowing for sure would drive me nuts. Getting a "better" cabin for a few bucks less would not make it worth it to me. (DH is a gambler, but I win in this minor marital argument. 🙂)

Maybe I missed it, but which old Carnival ship scared you?

I don't miss DH "reminding" me we have to go to muster drill when I would rather sit on the balcony with the drink I just got from the Piazza bar and listen to the surrounding passengers commenting on the size of their balconies. It's a different chorus now from the days of Grand ships and Caribe balconies. 🙂

IMO, LAX is hell on earth. You might want to check if you can get transportation to John Wayne from the dock in San Pedro. The shuttles who hang around there looking for fares tend to go to LAX. If it were me, I would arrange a taxi or Uber in advance.

Princess used to do lamb well. My roast lamb earlier this year was fatty and full of gristle, very disappointing. I think they are buying a lower quality meat nowadays. I don't dislike the cold soups, but I can't bring myself to call it soup when I drink it through a straw. 🙂

I doubt it. There are liability issues. You can thank the insurance people.

This is me. I haven't done a post-shutdown on Carnival yet, but I'm working on it. Maybe I will finally do the brunch?🙂

Not happy about the elevators... Interesting about the salads at IC. I wonder if that's just this ship or fleet-wide. Again, thanks so much for doing this.

Grandma's Coq Au Vin.

And to think someone (hint: executive) says that old money is "tainted" and taking it is a buzz kill. The idea that any cruise line would refuse money is beyond laughable.

What is your deal breaker?