TravelBluebird

Yes, there have been a few cutbacks—lobster cheese & mac presentation, the stuffed lobster is smaller. That said, it’s still one of my favorite meals at sea. Night we were there last month, the lobster tail was spot on, and my husband who is a real foodie thought the chef did an incredible job of getting the flavor right in the lobster bisque. I absolutely adore their Cioppino—it’s practically big enough for an entree, but it’s the soup course, so you leave the restaurant well fed. And the key lime pie presentation is delightful. For us, it was worth it. Do I wish it were still $38 so a better value? Absolutely. But I feel that way every week when I look at my grocery bill too thanks to inflation.

We did Teppanyaki the last night recently on Mardi Gras, and it was great; no difference from any other visit. We liked booking the specialty restaurant the last night—it gave us something to look forward to! We packed up in the late afternoon, so had a nice, carefree last evening.

Yes; it really is only easy walking distance to Teminal 3–the Terminals are very spread out.

It’s across the street from the Terminal 3 parking garage and just down the street maybe a half block. So, it was easy for us but we pack light and our luggage wheels. Definitely under a quarter mile.

I’ve taken the Carnival Mardi Gras 2x on the Eastern Caribbean route—smooth as glass both times; I had someone who suffers from severe motion sickness on one of the trips—she took Bonine as a preventative just in case, but had no problems. The larger the ship, generally, the smoother the trip. I think overall Eastern Caribbean is smoother than Western Caribbean. That said (big caveat) rough seas can unexpectedly happen for any ship. Right now there are several ships in the Eastern Caribbean that have hit very rough seas, including a couple of ships that couldn’t even port in Nassau this week. So you truly never know. Also if you do a very large ship, if they don’t like crowds and can afford it, try to book something like a Havana room that gives you access to a less-crowded area, or at least a suite which gives you a bit more room to “escape” to if the crowds become too much.

Once an influencer becomes “special and important” their cruise content no longer is as useful, in my opinion. The best content for me is when the vlogger or blogger is a ‘real” person with no special treatment or anything to “ease their way.” I think people like my LIVE! threads here and (I hope) my videos because I’m just a regular gal facing the same stuff they do when cruising, good and bad. You know that toilet paper thing would probably do well on TikTok 😂. But don’t ask me; I hate Tik Tok. It worries me that people’s attention spans are that short these days.

Hi everyone; my latest video has a ton of Port Canaveral information—flying vs driving, hotels, transportation, food. Biggest cruise port in the world now by passenger count, and I remember my first time there—a little overwhelming! Hope my video can help; I’ve included some money-saving tips.

Al great suggestions! We love Fishlips and Grills, just because we love to watch the ships go by…starts the vacation early! Also good to get there early for seats; can get very crowded with long waits.

I agree that Suite Guests should get priority at Guest Services.

No, it’s there: In addition, guests in suite accommodations will receive: Priority luggage First Access to stateroom A high level of service provided by our most highly-rated stateroom attendants Two complimentary in-suite large bottles of water One complimentary bag of laundry

Welcome! I’ve cruised both NCL and Carnival (plus many other cruise lines) and I really do love Carnival. Like you, we are retired (well, my husband is!) but young at heart. I have not, however, been on the Horizon. Some balconies on Carnival do overlook walkways (my recent balcony on the Mardi Grad did) but the vast majority on most ships do not; especially on a high-up floor, you will pretty much be looking at mostly ocean. For the most part, the regular balcony rooms have the same amount of privacy as an NCL balcony does. I can’t speak to the interior rooms as I have not sailed in one. Overall, I have actually enjoyed the food on Carnival more than on my NCL cruises (unless in the Haven), and I really love the wide range of activities//live music on Carnival ships—they truly are “the fun ships” with the deck parties, etc. What other questions do you have?

Maybe not, but betting the farm on the younger customers SHOULD include wanting to keep them around, and whether or not you believe it, loyalty programs help that happen. It costs lots of money to acquire each new customer; KEEPING them once acquired is important. Carnival can’t get very far with “one and done” newbies alone. For me personally, Marriott, United Airlines, Carnival…brands I started using while young with decent loyalty programs have made me use//stay with those brands through my entire life—if I have a choice between a Marriott or Hilton, same price, I’ll always choose the Marriott. Maybe its bribery to YOU but to me I appreciate it when a company gives some appreciation for the $$ and time I’ve spent with them over the years.

We just disagree about this. You see it as a bribe. I see it as recognition for customer loyalty, which is meaningful to me and to many others. And I disagree that the new cruiser spends more or is more valuable to Carnival. As a “new cruiser” when young I spent very little money on either my room or onboard, and with 2 weeks of vacation a year, couldn’t cruise very often. Now? I have tons of time to take multiple cruises each year, and I also tend to cruise in suites and other more expensive rooms, buy a ton of specialty dining, etc. Once Carnival ropes in those new cruisers, it’s worth their while to give them multiple reasons to stay long term, and a good loyalty program is one of those reasons.

Lots of those new customers come from existing customers. Couple I cruised with last month on Carnival have already booked 2 more Carnival cruises—brand new to cruising AND Carnival. Next year I’m bringing along 3 additional rooms of brand new cruisers on the Jubilee—all in suites. All of those first time cruisers picked Carnival because of me and MY loyalty. When the time comes that I “age out” of Carnival and want something a little quieter, Carnival should give me reason to “stay in the fold” with Princess or HAL. For instance, I have lots of miles through United’s frequent flyer program…when I fly to Japan, I’ll often pick ANA airlines but never JAL. Why? Because my United frequent flyer status transfers to ANA. It’s just good business sense.

I’ll give a full report on the Terrazza area on the Venezia in my LIVE! from the Transatlantic! We’re staying in a Terrazza Cabana room. We aren’t really pool people, but are excited there are hot tubs as I’m assuming it might be a little chilly as we head towards Halifax during the Atlantic crossing part, and I’m also happy to have extra outdoor area of my own with a lounger//hammock.

Yes, we were on Mardi Gras 2 weeks ago and my husband had Pig and Anchor lunch on embarkation day.

\ Another vote for the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale! Lots of restaurants in walking distance, and nice pool area too.

If I want to stay near the port I’m a big fan of TownePlace Suites and Springhill Suites. If I’m in a Cocoa Beach mood, I love the Courtyard Cocoa Beach. But then, I have lots of Marriott loyalty points, so your results may vary.

On the Carnival Mardi Gras, Rudi Seagrill’s management handled the Chef’s Table scheduling. i only know this because they overbooked the night we were supposed to do it, so we were sent there to try to straighten it out.

Do you remember when they had a few menu selections based on each port of call? I loved the variety that brought to the menu, and I really miss it. Some of my best Carnival MDR meals were from those port of call selections.

I think this is most accurate. I’m new to vlogging but have been a “content creator” for many years - writing and photography. I actually think videotaping with my iPhone is less intrusive than me and my Nikon, a tripod, and several lenses. That said, I’m not the sort to do a huge photo shoot while on the ship. I mostly prefer to shoot B-Roll and experience the ship, and then put my video content together when I’m at home in my “studio.” I may shoot some “live” content on an upcoming TA, but there’s a lot of sea days. Plus I’m not going to shoot anywhere that makes me a nuisance to my fellow cruisers.

Definitely this; I am glad you have travel insurance and are talking to the insurance companies; don’t let them take forever to decide who is responsible. My condolences to you. I completely understand the horrible, sad situation you are in. My mother in law was on an Antarctica cruise with her sister in law, and the day after they disembarked, her sister in law had a heart attack and passed in Argentina. First call my MIL made was to me;I’ll never forget that call. Thankfully there was insurance that paid for//helped with repatriation of the remains, and they were traveling with a small ship//group that was able and willing to provide assistance, but it is such a difficult thing to navigate and go through.

The Carnival Splendor has a retractable roof like the Venezia, and I sailed it out of NY once. I think a roof like that is a must for NY ships…we sailed the Splendor from NY in April, hit a storm, and the first morning on the ship there was about 6” of snow! The weird thing about sailing from NY for me is that my local small airport has direct flights to NY but not to most Florida ports. Something to think about, especially if I can get a cheaper flight. Plus I have family in NY that can join me!

Earlier today it said sold out, so it seems to be right on the edge.

Actually, everything but interior is sold out (I know this because a friend was interested in booking the cruise, but won’t sail in an interior).