AQW

I have had Mongolian Wok every day I've been on a ship that offers it. I will wait in a line of any length in order to get MWok instead of buffet food. It is SO fresh and delicious!

There are always three proteins available, and they rotate. I have never seen a day when chicken was not available. Usually it's chicken, beef, and some kind of seafood... occasionally pork replaces beef. The seafood options range from salmon to calamari to mussels and I don't remember what else.

You can't go wrong putting your own bowl together... pick the veggies you like and enjoy! The three sauces, from mild to hot, are black bean, thai BBQ, and szechwan. I'm not a spicehound, so I usually opt for half black bean, half thai BBQ (it's a yummy mix!).

My favorite: rice noodles, tons of bean sprouts and snap peas, plus broccoli, onion, cauliflower, mushrooms, and spinach. YUM. I don't like carrots or peas in mine (personal preference).

And now I'm ready to jump on a ship and have MWok. Hmmmmm, the Inspiration is in port 20 miles from here right now.... ;)

I would consider the Mongolian Wok to be a "can't miss" eating experience - the lines can be long, but the food is fresh and delicious and it's totally worth it to me. I had it for lunch all four days on my Inspiration cruise last week... yummy!

For me, it comes down to one thing. If it slows someone else up who was in line before me, I wait. If I can get in and out without making someone wait, then why would somebody be upset at me?

Exactly.

If there is a line of people bottlenecked at the bacon and all I need is a hard-boiled egg that's three pans down in a wide-open gap, I have zero qualms about stepping up, getting the egg, and walking away. It doesn't inconvenience anyone else.

If my actions are going to directly impact anyone, I ask politely ("Excuse me, I forgot to get a spoon, may I reach in here?").

I'm interested in how your cruise goes, if you can keep us informed. We're boarding the Inspiration on Monday.

We're boarding Monday as well... take good care of the ship you guys! :)

These are my family's key cruise rules:

1. BUDDY SYSTEM: Always be with another person from our group, unless you are at a ship-sponsored event like Camp Carnival. No roaming around alone.

2. CABINS ARE FOR FAMILIES: Do not go into anyone’s cabin, and do not let anyone else into our cabin, ever. Even with the door open.

3. HANDS TO YOURSELF, FEET ON FLOOR: No roughhousing or horseplay. No running. No climbing on anything, ever. It’s a small ship in a big ocean and a long way to the nearest hospital.

4. RESPECT AND COURTESY: Maintain situational awareness, use common sense, and be courteous at all times. Hold doors open for people behind you. Allow elevators to empty before getting on them. Sanitize hands before eating. Watch where you walk; do not cut people off. Moderate your voice. Be pleasant and be kind.

5. EMERGENCY = MUSTER: In a shipwide emergency, go immediately to our muster station. Do not go back to the cabin for a life jacket, and do not try to find us… we will find you.

I print a small copy of just the bolded words, laminate and hole-punch it, and put it on their lanyards with their sail & sign card. No excuse for "forgetting" the rules. ;)

What wonderful ages for a cruise!

My #1 tip is to make the key rules explicit before you go. This is what our list looks like:

1. BUDDY SYSTEM: Always be with another person from our group, unless you are at a ship-sponsored event like Camp Carnival. No roaming around alone.

2. CABINS ARE FOR FAMILIES: Do not go into anyone’s cabin, and do not let anyone else into our cabin, ever. Even with the door open.

3. HANDS TO YOURSELF, FEET ON FLOOR: No roughhousing or horseplay. No running. No climbing on anything, ever. It’s a small ship in a big ocean and a long way to the nearest hospital.

4. RESPECT AND COURTESY: Maintain situational awareness, use common sense, and be courteous at all times. Hold doors open for people behind you. Allow elevators to empty before getting on them. Sanitize hands before eating. Watch where you walk; do not cut people off. Moderate your voice. Be pleasant and be kind.

5. EMERGENCY = MUSTER: In a shipwide emergency, go immediately to our muster station. Do not go back to the cabin for a life jacket, and do not try to find us… we will find you.

*******************************

I actually printed out a list of just the bolded words, laminated and hole-punched it, then hung it on their lanyards with their sail & sign card. No excuse for "forgetting" the rules. ;)

With that said... let them have fun! I agree with allowing extra privileges (later bedtime, otherwise verboten snacks, etc.) as long as they are holding up their end of the bargain by following the rules.

Other thoughts:

- They may or may not like the kids' clubs. Let them choose whether or not to go. Pick up a schedule of the week's activities on the first day and highlight the ones they want to be sure not to miss out on. My son would be in Camp Carnival 24/7 if it was allowed; my daughter likes to spend most of her time with me but always has certain activities she wants to attend in Camp Carnival.

- There will be photographers set up all over the place on formal night... TAKE PICTURES! You don't have to buy any if you don't want, but it's a great opportunity to get family pics taken with no hassle and no up-front fee. My 12yo son hates doing pictures, so I make a deal with him on longer cruises... if I get a Christmas card-worthy pic on the first formal night, he doesn't have to take pics or even dress up for the second. ;)

NO QUESTION I would cancel QoS for this Pride sailing... the QoS will always be around, but this Pride repo itinerary is fantastic. As Tapi aptly pointed out, it would normally require multiple sailings to visit all these great ports - getting them all in a single sailing is going to be a blast.

Anyone booking the Pride repo, come join us on the Roll Call!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1981547

There are prices available on carnivals website. I priced a 4K french door interior for my family of 4. $3299 with tax. I felt that is reasonable for a 2 week cruise. I could pay that much for a 7 day RCCL inside teeny tiny cabin.

We came *thisclose* to booking 4K, but I just couldn't resist when I found out the four-person bowling alley balcony cabin was available. Guess I'll be working a little overtime this year. ;)

Would love to grab up the BOWLING ALLEY again, but I am sure that will cost an arm and leg.

If you're thinking of 6232... too late. :o

You should come visit us though! :p

What is a bowling alley balcony? Is this the aft extendeds next to the aft wraps? If so are they only on some decks?

They are balconies that are longer (and sometimes wider) than standard balconies. You can do a search on this forum to find room numbers for them on Spirit-class ships.

I don't know which cabin the other poster was referencing, but I booked 6232. Here is a photo of what the 180 square foot balcony looks like:

Yessssssssssssssssssss. :D

Just a l'il tip - there is a page on that "social network" on this cruise. There are prices mentioned and one can book with reduced deposits and get $100 OBC per cabin.

 

I just booked 2 cabins and am very excited.

Thanks, just joined the page. See you on board! :D

where did you book i cant find it online

It's not yet listed online; if you want to book now you have to do it by phone. :)

Wow. Thanks for the fast reply! Did they still have the $50 deposit?

Sadly, no. $400pp for deposit on this one; $1600 total for my family of four.

I can't seem to find this cruise searching Carnival website. I've tried by date, ship and port.

It's not listed on the website yet. Until they get it listed, you have to call if you want to book. :)

I've used my luggage on seven cruises and countless other trips including air travel over the past three years... it's in near-perfect condition. I adore it.

Just booked - can't wait! Five ports I haven't yet visited... this is fantastic. I agree GT or HMC would have been a nice little addition at the end, but I'm satisfied with the itinerary overall.

I just booked - $4519 for four people in an 8J. Approx $80/night per person for an extended balcony cabin. Started with an 8C at $4279; decided the extra ~$4/day per person was worth it to try out a larger balcony. :)

It's not on the website yet, but you can book by calling.

I am ALL OVER this one! We've repo-ed through the Canal twice now but never had an actual port stop there... thrilled for the chance to do some exploring! I've also never been to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, or to Aruba, Curacao, or St. Maarten. Add in the fact that I love Tampa as an embarkation port and we are all in! :D

The poster had just said, in the post you quoted, that there are no upcharge venues.

Yes, and I was surprised by that, which I why I posted the follow-up to specifically ask about the steakhouse. :rolleyes:

ETA: A quick forum search indicates there is no steakhouse on the Inspiration... guess that explains why I never saw one!

Regarding venues that have an upcharge... I can't think of a single one on the Carnival Inspiration.

Is there no steakhouse on Inspiration? I've sailed her many times but I'm not a steakhouse person, so I never noticed one way or the other. Other than that, the only food I can think of that you pay extra for is treats from the specialty cafe/coffee shop, or candy you buy from the candy store.

Definitely don't miss the Mongolian Wok - best food on the ship, IMO. It's outside near the Lido pool and will be open for lunch only, generally around noon-2:30pm. Made-to-order omelettes every morning are also very tasty.

Lots of fun activities on board; the Fun Times newsletter they leave in your cabin each night will have a complete list so be sure to look through it and find things that interest you! We love all the various trivia during the day, and karaoke at night (especially "Superstar Live" which is essentially karaoke backed by a live band).

Not sure if Jeff Bronson will still be your CD by then; we sailed Inspiration a couple of weeks ago and had him. He's okay - not bad, but nothing special.

Check in if there are any specific questions you have; there are tons of us on this forum who have sailed Inspiration. :)

Anyone sail with Dave Filsinger now on the Glory?

Very pleasant guy, enjoyed his playing, wasn't a fan of his singing style. Can't speak to crowd interaction because I could only stay for the first ~45min the three nights I went... not a lot of people there (yet).

Off the subject of the cruise for a second.. it sounds weird but works put vicks on the bottom or your feet then put socks on it will stop the coughing within a half hour and help you sleep soundly.

Thanks for thinking of me! I had to go with zero meds or interventions for 12 hours to prep for pulmonary testing, otherwise I would've been a Vicksed-up fool. ;) Using thieves' oil mixed in a carrier oil the same way, on the soles of the feet, is also very beneficial.

Back on the cruise topic: I credit Vicks-on-the-feet for getting me over a nasty cold on a 2009 Mexican Riviera cruise... and there's no "do not drink alcohol while using this" warning for Vicks! :D

So glad I found your review to read as I'm coughing up a lung at 4am, waiting for my 7:30am doctor's appt... you made the time pass quickly! :) A few observations, in no particular order:

- You are adorable. ADORABLE. I loved every pic with your smiling face in it - and you have such a cute style. I particularly loved your anniversary dress (and btw, Happy Anniversary!)

- Your hubby and my hubby must be long-lost brothers. From the goofy faces to the sports bar love to having to touch everything to, of course, "not being sleep" while snoring... I felt like I was reading a review about my DH! (Mine would never be caught dead in a UNC shirt, though, if he knows what's good for him... said the Duke-fan wife...) ;)

- My platinum cruise was a 14-night Panama Canal transit, so my hubby had to endure two full weeks of my obnoxiousness... tell your DH he got off easy! ;)

- We are doing a Liberty B2B next March/April on the same Eastern/Western itineraries you're sailing, so I greatly appreciate all the tips you shared and I'm hoping for more when you return from your upcoming Western cruise - have a wonderful time!

Loved every bit of your review; thank you for taking the time! :D

Dave gets lots of great comments over on the FB "Carnival Cruise Lines Piano Bar-Barians" group, I can't post the link here, but if you are on FB you can search for it. He's got a lot of fans who couldn't wait to find out what ship he was on next.

Thank you so much Laura; I joined the group and found a wealth of helpful information. Appreciated!