ninjacat123

Hey @kpwhalen830 sorry to hear your time on Freedom wasn't what you hoped for. I checked our Embarkation on Freedom this past January and we started at the terminal at 10:50 (we had 10-10:30 check in, we were late) and in our rooms by 11:32. Did you happen to see the magician Yarmin in MDR? He was wonderful!! Drinks at Alchemy were always busy. Our dinner at Steakhouse was the best we have ever had! We had excellent MDR waitstaff at our late dining seating. I like having a set time and so far have been fortunate with great service. The elevators were hit and miss with being busy but we usually took the stairs. If my 85 year old mom was along we would have needed to use the elevators so I understand your frustration with a 5 year old in tow. Good luck on your future cruises!!

I usually dress up for Elegant Night so we can take pics before dinner. Then if we were going to Cucina, that's what I would wear. If we were going to comedy or a show after dinner, we would probably stop off at our room and change into casual clothes. If you're not doing pics then I guess you would wear whatever you would usually wear to a restaurant for dinner. Have a great cruise!!

That's not good for people who can't use stairs. I hope Carnival fixed that pronto!

I participate in a Holiday Cookie Exchange with my book club and I made chocolate cookies using canned shredded beets. They won most original cookie. I walked away with a fistful of dollars. I still thought there was an essence of dirt but some people like dirt, if it's mixed up with enough chocolate😉

I was allowed to buy 2 bottles at 50% off our first night at the Steakhouse. I tried to buy more but that was it. About ten years ago, I was allowed to buy 5 bottles at 50% off. Doesn't hurt to ask...

For your Sign and Sail account?

Yes, our tap water smells like a pool sometimes. Oh well, at least we have easy access to clean water. So many people around the world don't.

With CHEERS I find I order "lighter" drinks like an Aperol Spritz or a Mimosa. Without CHEERS, I'm trying to get more "bang for my buck" with my drink order. Even though the cost is similar to a cocktail that has more "punch" I don't feel so woozy at the end of the day. CHEERS is worth it to me👍

I have never sailed out of Tampa. I should look into cruises out of Tampa👍

Make sure your waitstaff and Maître D know that you are celebrating your special anniversary. We were presented with a small heart shaped cake with "Happy Anniversary" on it. If you used a PVP or a TA make sure they know in case they can add something to your cruise (chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, bottle of sparkling wine). You could order through your Cruise Manager, Happy Anniversary room decorations and a cake already set up in your stateroom when you embark. Look under Gifts and Stateroom Décor. If you like sparkling wine, bring a bottle per legal adult at embarkation. You can't bring fresh flowers on board but you can order a bouquet for your room. I really love my Carnival Spa robe that I bought and brought home (get a fresh one wrapped in plastic) nice souvenir and romantic. My DH and I had a short Dreams photo session and those 3 black and white pics are framed and hung above our bed. If I think of more stuff, I'll post it. Happy anniversary😍

Only beets taste like dirt. With or without ketchup or mayo.😉🤣

All look very yummy! Wish I was closer to Chicago😻

Here is one menu with wine in one of our best restaurants The Fig Tree in Charlotte, NC.

In the United States? Please list a couple. Thanks.

Sounds so awesome!! Please keep us posted on how it goes😁

We take our DDs every so often now (21 & 23) but it’s getting more like me and DH moving forward on cruises. It’s hard not bringing them along😔

My Apple Watch says I burn 14 calories dragging my carry on up to my stateroom. 👍😁

From what I understand, fresh juices are NOT included in CHEERS. Before you order, ask if it's included in the CHEERS program. Have a great cruise!!

Awesome report!! Glad your wife recovered and was able to take part on the cruise. So many funny comments/observations: Our daughter grudgingly dropped us off, talking about how a cowoker's dad paid his daughter for a ride to the airport. Big spender here…I think I almost qualified for a free glass of tap water…not quite at the iced tap water yet though. I don’t need to pay that much to know I’m old! (I hear you!!) Come see the movie version Thanks for taking the time to write this up!! Love Magic and it was fun seeing it through your eyes!😺 So when's the next cruise?😉

I guess worse case scenario is try to bring on a bottle from a port and if they take it away then you know your parameters. I know I wouldn't want to buy CHEERS for that long of a cruise and if it's port-intensive then you're buying drinks off ship. I hope OP gets the info they need👍

So you two don't gamble but you got this RU4 promo. Nice!!

Love the tumblers!!🤣

Good to know! I sent an email to my PVP as well so we shall see! Thanks again!

FYI, you can't use Carnival gift cards for Australian Carnival cruises. I have used them for Europe, Bermuda and Caribbean. I get the digital ecards and save them in my Apple Wallet. BTW, congrats on your pending nuptials!!🥰