CruizinSusan70

Could not agree more about the Edge. It was the last ship we sailed before Covid and the Apex was the first we sailed this past January. Have 18 days booked on a B2B on the Beyond next November which we're looking forward to. It'll be our longest time at sea.

You will be fine. The problem is that some people that have only sailed on Carnival are having trouble adjusting to the size of the ship and the number of people on the ship. The MG at 180 K tons is 35% larger than the Vista Class ships. If you've sailed on the larger ships in the RCI fleet, then you'll have no problem with the Mardi Gras. There is a YouTube video from Danny at Harr Travel that is a good comprehensive review of the ship. After seeing that video your apprehension should be eliminated.

Many of them are free, you only have to pay port charges, just like everyone else.

Why cancel your Mardi Gras cruise for a cruise on it's sister ship, the Celebration? If there was something that you read about the Mardi Gras that turned the two of you off, isn't there a good chance that you won't like the Celebration for the same reason?

How about the first of six ships with the introduction of the Prima from the Prima Class on NCL. Smaller than their Breakaway and Breakaway Plus Class ships (142.5 K tons) with only 3100 passengers. No floating mall like RCI or MSC. Carnival is trying to play catch up to their competition and they are finally coming out with mega ships with the 3 in the Excel Class, while NCL is going the opposite way and so is RCI with the Icon Class.

No problems whatsoever. Did a B2B with 6000 and 5700 over Labor Day. Did a previous B2B in February and currently have 19 days on the Celebration booked for 2023 and 14 on her for 2024.

Have to disagree with you. Did the Horizon in 2018 & 2019 and the Mardi Gras four times in 2022, and the last two times with 6000 and 5700 passengers. Didn't stand in too many lines at all. Currently have 5 reservations on the Celebration. If the lines were so bad on our last six cruises, we would put Carnival in our rear view mirror.

Ever hear of the casino?

RCI is breaking ground on a new state of the art building there for embarking or you could sail on the new NCL Prima when she finally settles there next fall.

Did 14 days on the MG in February and another 14 over Labor Day that had 6000 and 5700 people on it. Never had to wait long for a drink at all, just need to flexible. There are multiple bars to get drinks at during the day and if you like a certain bar at night, even the popular ones like Fortune Teller or the Alchemy, you might have to wait a few minutes for seats to open up, but once they do, you're gold.

It's 100 shares minimum needed. For a cruise that is 6 days or less, you'll get 50.00. For a cruise that is 7-13 days, you'll get 100.00. For a cruise that is 14+ days you'll get 250.00. Now, on Carnival only if you're doing a B2B that totals 14 days, whether it be 7/7, 6/8 or 8/6, you'll also get the 250.00. On two B2B's this year on the Mardi Gras we got 100 in OBC for the first week, then 150 in OBC for week two. This unique benefit is only on Carnival. On our 7/7 B2B on Princess we got 100/100.

You're quite welcome.

The smoke from the casino was the only bad thing about the ship. Liked it so much I cruised on it twice and my DH did it three times, the first was a six day he did solo. The Howl at the Moon was fantastic and we spent each night they were active there, enjoying many Coronas and shots of Fireball.

No, don't have the full time wifi. The only time we get it is when it's included on Celebrity or part of the Princess Plus package. We turn off the phones when cruising on Carnival and the limited minutes on NCL is further spread out because it's 11 days. We decided to invest in Vibe and specialty dining. With the increased cost with dining on NCL, it would be better to purchase 7 nights to go with our 4 included since the per night charge is cheaper the more nights you purchase. We'll do dinner in the Hudson MDR come Feb/Mar on our B2B.

https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/whiskey-sour Whatever you drink is not a whiskey sour. A whiskey sour is not carbonated at all.

If it was too tart all you needed to do was ask. The Alchemy has simple syrup.

Don't forget the Escape. It's a BA plus ship that has Howl at the Moon. It's also slightly older than the Joy, Bliss & Encore, but newer than the Epic, BA or GA. It could be at the right sweet spot price wise instead of the sticker shock of the Prima or Viva.

But many of the bars will make you a frozen daiquiri and use the sugary box mix. Get it at the Alchemy Bar and they can put a smidgen of simple syrup to balance the tartness and not make it too sweet and it'll be shaken over ice and served in it's proper glass.

I think your math does not compute. Where did you get 284? After factoring out the 203 for grats, that leaves you 81 for coffee/soda package and wifi? Does not add up. Using the 100 per day for plus, after pulling out the tips, it's 70 per day. If you're paying 46 per day for coffee/soda package, that leaves you with 24 per day. If you get WiFi for 5, which seems low, that's 19 per day for alcohol for two people. So you're saving 19 a day to be a teetotaler or spend it to have whatever the two of you want, like some Bailey's in your coffee. Just want to be sure your math is correct.

There is no soda in a whiskey sour since it's a non-carbonated beverage. The sour portion should be a mix from a carton that would not be sugar light. The Serenity Bar would be the best daytime location for "light" drinks. At night time, the Alchemy should be able to concoct something for you.

Have to disagree Gary. The Haven guest is not entitled to the entire ship. They are entitled to stay in their ship within a ship area and get priority reservations and a roped off area in the theater. The contention comes into play regarding a perk that you as a past guest of the Haven was not even aware of and that is the crux of the thread regarding Haven guests getting priority entrance into Syd's. I fully realize that this is dependent upon the concierge on each ship and of course they will promote it in order to get additional gratuities from Haven guests. The situation is what it is and we will deal with the consequences when we sail on NCL 4 times between now and March on the Prima with Syd's and the Encore with the Cavern Club.

I have no vitriol against Haven guests, with the exception if someone laughs at us while standing in line which was mentioned in another thread about an incident on the Prima recently. The ship within a ship concept pertains to the Haven area. Haven clients deserve the peripheral perks as well such as early specialty dining reservations, priority embarkation, etc. But, having 20 Haven guests bypass the line at Syd's and occupy 20 out of 50 seats or having 40% of the small venue dedicated to Haven guests is what crosses the line to me.

Just to give you a heads up, the passes are substantially higher than what they were in the past and prices vary. A seven day could be 229 pp

That varies by ship. On the Escape, you can wear shorts in taste, savor and also the Manhattan room. Le Bistro and 1 other specialty require long pants for men.

Enjoy your 14 nights on the 9 year old Breakaway next month. We'll be spending 11 nights on the flagship of the fleet and away from your elitist attitude.