LaRue1975

It’s definitely happening on the Firenze. Last week I ordered the colossal shrimp with the Yukon mashed potatoes. Instead of a generous portion in a separate dish I had a literal smear of the potatoes next to my shrimp. It couldn’t have been more than two tablespoons. The shrimp weren’t exactly colossal either. I think I am done with the Steakhouse. IL Viaggio however is fabulous. If you are ever on one of the Italian ships book it, you can thank me later.

Just a bump up for any that enjoyed my second review. 😎

One more thing. I have noticed that members post links to their previous reviews. I do have one as this is my second review. I can’t seem to post a link to it so I’ll make a comment to bump it back up in case anyone would like to read it too. The hubby and I celebrated our 48th Anniversary on the Celebration in May. It was a fabulous B2B in an extended balcony the first week and Exel Aft Suite the second. Happy Sailing!

I have few final thoughts to share to wrap up my review. I enjoyed our cruise director Tyler, he is now close to the top of my list. His Rock & Glow Party was as good as Deon’s but in a different way. Deon puts on one heck of a show and is more of an entertainer while Tyler is better at pulling the crowd in to be the show themselves. He is the most genuine, normal guy cruise director I have sailed with and not a hint of the fake enthusiasm that I absolutely cannot stand. It’s a big thumbs up for Tyler! I agree with the recent post about the lack of production shows, I was surprised there were only two. I saw Color My World for the first time and enjoyed it, the female lead was excellent. I missed the other one because we had too much fun in Cabo, lol! They should have a minimum of three production shows on a 7 day cruise. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Mexican Riviera ports this cruise, guess I finally booked the right excursions. I am doing the 8 day in March and am looking forward to it more now. The food was overall very good. The MDR was on par with my recent cruises and other than the first Elegant Night the service was excellent and fast. IL Viaggio is right up there with Rudi’s Sea Grill and actually a little better because of Lewis. La Strada and El Mercado are good additions to the quick food, it’s nice to get some variety there. I never ate at the buffet but I know I would not like the way it is set up with one long buffet line. I did jump in to grab a croissant a couple of times and I could tell the people filling their plates were annoyed. I also got a bowl of clam chowder from the Seafood Shack that was excellent. I think I am done with the Steakhouse, there is not enough on the menu I like. One thing I love is the Yukon mashed potatoes but this time I literally got a smear of them next to my shrimp, not more than two tablespoons, WTH? Both my friends were very satisfied with the filets they ordered from the Steakhouse in the MDR and their meals in Steakhouse. I wish I would have taken a pic of the potato smear, lol! I think I covered everything else well in the live review. This is probably my only one. I stayed up super late too many nights writing it and there is no way I can do it when I’m sailing with my hubby. He already complains enough about me having my nose in my IPad all the time! 😜 Thank you to all who followed along, we had a wonderful cruise! ❤️🛳️❤️

Oh my gosh, you are going to have so much fun! I have been cruising with some really good casino offers that I probably don’t deserve so in a way Carnival is compensating me, lol! Have a wonderful cruise and tell the boys at Frizzante Bar hi for me and go to IL Viaggio for dinner. Lewis will take good care of you and the food is divine!

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the ride! 😎🛳️😎

I had fun doing it, thank you! Have a great cruise, it will be here before you know!

Aw, Drazen and Suri, they are the best! They are all leaving in November along with Lewis from IL Viaggio. Lewis will be on the Radiance next and there is a good chance he’ll be there for our Hawaii cruise in February. 🤞🤞 Yes, the Rincon is our Happy Place too! We were at Faria for my birthday last month and will back for Thanksgiving Week. We are heading to Lake Casitas on Wednesday for a group campout and the KOA in Santa Paula for our annual Family Halloween celebration next month. You know, there is a lot wrong with our beautiful state but if you can make it work there is no better place to live. Especially right here in Ventura County. Even the Long Beach terminal is great once you finally get in! 😜

I would like to know myself, lol! The buffet was busy so I was breezing through snapping the pics. I noticed the machine and thought, what the heck is that and snapped the pic. I planned to come back and check it out later because I was truly curious but forgot. I guess I’ll have to book the Firenze again and find out! 😜

The Firenze is absolutely stunning and a great addition to the Carnival fleet. I am sure you going to enjoy your time on her. ❤️🛳️❤️

You are already onboard and it was very rude of you to kick us off! 😜 Have a wonderful time!

I think it’s hard for people to understand what a ridiculous situation it is arriving by car in Long Beach. The first couple of times I thought it was fixable but now I have totally given up and just get there early. Then relax in the terminal and read the Facebook posts! 😜

Pro tip, if you arrive before 9 or shortly after you won’t have a long wait in line to get into the garage. 9:30 or later it could be 60 to 90 minutes. The porters will happily take your luggage early and they usually open the terminal doors at 10 and start letting everyone in. I ignore the notices Carnival sends about not arriving before your arrival appointment. If you do that you will most likely be late because you will be stuck in the port traffic. Plus the line to get checked in also piles up because everyone is late. I would rather be relaxing inside, it’s a very nice and comfortable building. Have a wonderful cruise!

I clicked on the letter and took a screen shot. Then I cropped the screenshot to just the letter and it was ready to print. Our friends and my hubby and I took our three grandsons on the Panorama the first week of August. A 13 year old and two 11 year olds. We did a similar letter which we all signed but didn’t have it notarized although that is probably a good idea. All three had passports and we also brought their health insurance cards and information. I think it helped that we were only going to Mexico where it would be easy to stay in contact with the parents. We were not asked for any extra documentation from Carnival when checking in. The boys had the absolutely best time of their young lives and it was fun for the old folks too. Have a wonderful cruise, time spent with your grandchildren is priceless!

I have requested a robe from the room steward on the dozen cruises I have taken since we started cruising again in 2022. I received one every time without question.

We planned to go back to IL Viaggio for dinner the last night but didn’t get around to making a reservation until this morning and couldn’t get in until 8:30. That ended up working out well for us and we were able to end our Fabulous Firenze Cruise with another fabulous dinner. It was almost empty the first night but tonight it was packed with people thoroughly enjoying the evening. I can’t say enough good things about this restaurant, totally first class! The food and service is top notch and it’s more spacious than the Steakhouse, the tables have reasonable space between them. Before dinner we stopped by Frizzante and were finally able to get seats at Amari. I’ll post a wrap up and final thoughts once I get a good night’s sleep. I may have had just a tad too much fun! 🥳😜

Before dinner I walked around and took pics of the quick food in the Lido area. Guys Burgers has a couple of different Italian themed burgers. If you zoom in you can see them on the menu. I had a breakfast burrito twice and it was very good, all the ingredients were fresh and warm. One of my friends had the huevos rancheros and an arepas two or three times and said they were delicious. IL Mercato is on the 11th deck and it’s a different twist on the deli. One afternoon I had a couple of the meatballs and a bit of Caesar salad for a snack but didn’t care for the meatballs. My friend said all the salads were very good. I am still regretting not trying the empanadas, I heard they are delicious. I saw someone walking out on the deck with plate of them and they looked great. Guess I need to book another cruise on the Firenze!

Yay, I did it! It took most of the day but I had fun doing it. The Firenze is such a beautiful ship I am happy I was able to share her with you. Now I better start packing but need to get another drink first. Current view from my balcony, it’s another beautiful day! 😎🛳️😎

Last but not least the whatever it’s called main showroom.

Piano Bar.

The Steakhouse.

IL Viaggio.

Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki. The Teppanyaki lunch was fully booked so I wouldn’t get pics inside.

Deck 5.

Amari Bar, they were having a Martini Making Class. Shake, shake, shake! 🥳🍸🥳