BarbieGee

I got the "Plain Jane" Guys Burger... I do not wish to cover up the pure taste of the grilled burger. I added only the grilled onions. It was delish!

On 2/13/2023 at 1:49 PM, supaflyrobby said:

I can report that on the Paradise they were on point as of less than a month ago. I absolutely love those fries. To hear that a change has been made in this regard is quite unsettling. 

Same here. Paradise .... Guy's Burgers and the fries were perfect. Yum!

On 2/5/2023 at 7:30 PM, RD64 said:

One glass of wine at dinner is considered an eye bath according to my Scottish friends. Suck it up, and buy a bottle to enjoy with dinner. You are on vacation after all.

I tried to buy a bottle of viognier and they were OUT! I tried to buy a bottle of Kendal Jackson Chardonnay and they were OUT!  🙄

I just got off the Paradise this morning.

Each evening I poured myself a 'large' glass of wine while in my cabin, wine glasses provided by the cabin's steward, and walked to dinner. That glass of wine lasted me through dinner. (I was very generous with my wine pour!)

I decided not to test the wait staff with bringing my bottle with me.

21 minutes ago, mz-s said:

yes and you only get 1 shot in a patron margarita for example...

Are ‘called’ cocktails more pricey as is in a land based bar?

example: Margarita vs a Patron Margarita?  
 

I assume yes but one should ask and never assume. 😏 

2 hours ago, mz-s said:

You do not choose your embarkation time, you choose the time you arrive at the pier. Pick the time that you wish to arrive.

 

In theory, if everybody picks their time and sticks to it then there should be no better or worse time to pick, because the crowds will be spread throughout the day.

 

Generally speaking the time with the most crowds is early, 10AM-11AM or so. After that the crowds peter out and by 1:30 you typically breeze right through the process.

We have a 12:30 check-in time for which I am very pleased. In reading these boards, that is an excellent time. No crowds. Our rooms should be ready by 1:30. Easy peezy. 🤗

41 minutes ago, mz-s said:

Hope you have a great time @BarbieGee I know you have been looking forwards to this cruise for a long time.

Our cruise begins in 24 hours!!! And we have purchased 4 bottles of wine to bring on board with us. Let's see if we encounter any issues.

Anyone who has brought their own wine bottles into the MDR, how did it go for you?

1 hour ago, x lindsay x said:

Most likely not unless you plan to arrive after 1:30pm.

 

If you want to buy anything on the ship before you can go to your room and get your card you can use the barcode at the top of your check in documents. It will work just the same as you S&S card. The only thing it won't do is open your stateroom door, you'll need your card for that. 

We have a 12:30 - 1:00 check-in time so it is possible that the room will be ready. However those in my party want FOOD so .... Buffet first it is! Then muster station then room. Then... PARTY!

54 minutes ago, mz-s said:

People voice concerns about the cards being out in the open, but in reality it’s a good system. Saves a lot of time at check in. And I know of zero theft or other issues. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not shy to beat up on carnivals cutbacks or what not. But the way they handle s&s cards during check in is an excellent change compared to how it used to be. 

Okay and I will trust your historical knowledge but I will voice my concern at check-in.

Will my room be ready as soon as I board? That would be where I'll be heading, certainly. 🤨

1 hour ago, halterk said:

Not anymore.  You use to get your sail and sign card at check in (which has your folio number on it), but now you do not get anything at checkin.  You go to your rooms and your sail and sign cards are outside your room.

Outside the room? That seems a bit unsecured!

10 minutes ago, Tiger0613 said:

Everyone seems to be forgetting or not realizing that you get your folio number when you get your card.  To get your folio number before that, go to Guest Services.

Shouldn't you get your folio number at Check-in at the terminal?

1 hour ago, Schoifmom said:

Log into the HUB app while on board. Click the link to log into the internet.  A page will appear asking for your folio number.  It will also give you upgrade options (if applicable).  Just sign in.

Good that there is an upgrade option. I've been thinking.... got the Social but should I get Value? All I want to do is Facebook and post a few pix.

I purchased one of the Wi Fi packages. When is the login information given out?

Is it in my folio information?

Must I / should I ask for this info upon check-in, or must one head for Customer Service?

5 hours ago, ElGatoUSF said:

If first time out of Tampa....try to make it to top deck (front) around 6:30-7pm when approaching and going under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  Usually a great Sunset picture approaching the bridge and then a 'tight-squeeze' below the bridge makes it interesting.

I will do that! Seven days till we sail. Looking forward to it. 🥰

1 minute ago, Saint Greg said:

 

No. Just a web browser. Safari, Chrome, Edge...whatever you got.

Too bad I can't do this now! 😄But I am currently about 1500 miles from Paradise location! 😂

Can I order cocktails, beer or a pitcher of drinks from Room Service?

22 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

All Carnival ships have them. And they all seem to be in the same place. You just need to be connected to their nework. Not their wifi. Just their network. A couple weeks ago I pulled the one from Glory while standing outside at the Riverwalk mall in New Orleans. I've pulled them from other ships in Cozumel before. I too would love to have your paradise fun times.

 

https://www.saintgregtravel.com/how-to-save-fun-times/

 

Nice! I assume one does this from the HUB app?

2 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

Celebration012223Day4.pdf 371.39 kB · 8 downloads

Do other Carnival ships have this pdf available? Do you have to be on the ship to get this?

This is wonderful and I would love to get one of these for my sailing in 2 weeks on the Paradise!

16 hours ago, brilliantseas said:

We were on Paradise in November. 

 

We were pleasantly surprised by the overall condition of the ship. She was in better shape than the Sunshine, and on par with what I've seen over the past year for other "mid-life" Carnival Ships, such as the Legend and Sunrise. Carnival seems to have improved their upkeep of public spaces since the restart. Yes, it will still have a very "90s" look, but we didn't see worn furniture, broken plumbing fixtures, missing tile/trim, etc., which seemed to be common-place on the Fantasy class ships a few years ago. 

 

We had an oceanview cabin and the room felt very much like the updated cabins on other Fantasy class ships. The only things that really felt like they needed to be updated or repaired were the sink, which had chipped porcelain, and the cheap shower curtain. 

 

Due to a technical difficulty, we only got to see one of the Playlist Productions shows; the other was replaced with a "concert version" with the singers and dancers sitting on stools in front of the curtain, singing the soundtrack to the show. This was a bit disappointing. I will say, after sailing on the Celebration a few weeks ago, we still prefer the older Carnival theaters such as those on the Paradise vs. the newer Liquid Lounge found on the Vista class, or worse, the cramped new theaters with no beverage/bar service on the Mardi Gras and Celebration. 

 

We did notice that the quality of food offerings in both the dining room, and to a lesser extent on the Lido Deck, continues to decline. Our MDR meals were consistently below average, and some of the changes on Lido, such as the switch from fresh cut to frozen fries at Guy's Burger Joint, are examples of declines in the dining experience across Carnival as a whole. So long as you go in with moderate expectations, you won't go hungry, but dining definitely isn't the highlight that it used to be. 

This was a very informative review and THANKS!

Your observations of the furniture and decor are much needed in reviews. (I wish the shower curtain would be replaced with a door. Or a new shower curtain with each turnover of the cabin. Moldy curtain hems are an issue)

You mention that your sailing was in November. I've noticed other reviews of the food have given a higher evaluation so it would seem that complaints such as yours have been heard. Good quality food is an integral part of a cruise for most people and if Carnival wishes to survive and flourish then food quality is a must. Portions are smaller and I agree with that; less food waste is now under better control. (now if only there is a way to control the food abuse at buffets! )

Thanks again for your fine contribution to this topic.

10 minutes ago, Erreyl said:

Great idea, I bought my AARP membership and am going to do this!  

Question, since they are e-gift cards did you load them in advance of your cruise or did you take the emails/codes with your and have them applied to your account while on board?  Just wondering how it works when you don't have the physical card.

Thanks again.

After reading a few posts about Carnival gift cards I believe you apply them through Customer Services or the Kiosk. However, if you are pre-booking certain on board events (restaurants, spa appts, Cheers package, etc) you can use your gift card to pre pay for these. I did that by using the card number and then the PIN.

27 minutes ago, iria64 said:

The only thing you would need to sign for is drinks.  Even if you have the Cheers/soda package they still bring a receipt for you to sign.

I would then assume that if you ordered, say, an extra entrée (a $5 upcharge if you've already had 2), you would then have to sign a receipt? Or as in my case where I am sailing on the Paradise which has not specialty restaurants, if I were to order from the STEAKHOUSE menu, this also would generate a receipt to be signed?
I learned to SAVE all receipts throughout my cruise to compare to the final invoice. 😉

https://profcruise.com/carnival-menus-2023/

This link gives some menus for 5 day sailings. Not sure it will be on ALL ships but it is a good list of what one might expect.

51 minutes ago, Ilovesailaway said:

Well my interest is certainly peaked. I am not a casino person so forgive my ignorance but how does one get started on such a strategy? Do you have to register with the casino so they can track your play?

If I understand the casinos (both land and ship based) you use your ship card (Sail & Sign card) at each machine. This credits each of your plays to you. Land based casinos have a similar system if you first register and acquire their card, with that particular casino. Then you will receive offers to come and play!