hillbillycruisers

I've used the cabin tap water several times for my C-pap....it absolutely will not harm it. Been doing this on cruises since 2006, with no worries. As previously mentioned, an extension cord may be necessary. I also always carry my C-pap in a backpack, instead of my carry on. This gives me more room in my carryon. 🙂

Just curious...Is the purser's desk open 24 hours...or very late/very early? It seems EVERY cruise we go on with Carnival, we get charges tacked on to our room that are bogus, and of course must go to the P.D. to get these charges removed. Its always been taken care of with no hassles, but I would rather go when there isnt a line if possible. Not sure if this is the norm...or if we are just unlucky...but out of eight cruises on Carnival, only one did not have extra charges added. We will be on the Vista, if that matters. Thanks 🙂

Love the balcony! The sights, sounds and smells of the sea...and if you are blessed with nice weather, it is enjoyable sitting outside at night. Plus, if you are on the side at the ports where the gangplanks are, its fun to watch all the late arrivals scurrying to get back onboard. Even bigger plus...my wife really likes the balcony. Happy wife...Happy cruise!!!

I may be in the minority, but..as a bonafide frog leg aficionado ( I've caught them..cooked them...and eaten hundreds of them ), I wouldnt waste your time on the main dining room frog legs. Unless they have improved them since 2019, they are horrible. They are boiled or baked, and have very little flavor. The best ones are fried...with a coating like fish or fried chicken. Maybe the  Carnival chefs have gotten wise and improved them.

Personally, I enjoy the perks with FTTF. We've been on 10 cruises, but only 7 with Carnival..so we are not able to enjoy the features of FTTF without it. We've utilized it the last 3 cruises, and I personally think it's worth the extra money...at least the way it worked pre-Covid. I like getting on the boat quickly, and being allowed to drop off our carry-ons in our room before we go to lunch and exploring. Since we have a 12 hour drive awaiting us after debating, getting off the boat early is a big plus. Also...having the priority line at the service desk is nice too. On 4 of our 7 Carnival cruises, we've had bogus charges placed on our account, and of course this requires a visit to the service desk for corrections. Plus, at a tender port...such as Belize...you get priority tender boarding as well. Of course,  all these perks we experienced pre-Covid, who knows what might be included if they resume FTTF. 

We have been on several cruises, but haven't been since pre-Covid. We always dine each evening in the MDR...always the early seating...and was wondering exactly what has changed since Covid. Do they still sit strangers together at the tables, or keep everyone separate? I assume the staff will all be wearing mask...has that changed the atmosphere and the fun of the MDR? Can everyone still group together at the doors, waiting to be allowed in? Any replies about these questions, or info about any other new changes will be very much appreciated!

8 hours ago, crazy4themouse said:

We have always been some of the most ardent FTTF fans out there... But honestly, for the 3 cruises we have taken so far since the restart, we haven't missed it at all. At least out of Galveston, between the facial recognition technology and VeriFLY, the whole embarkation process has become so streamlined and fast that we just haven't needed FTTF. And with no longer having to deal with Customs or any of that mess, disembarkation has become so blazing fast it's almost disconcerting how quickly we go from beautiful ship to sitting in our car ready to sadly go home, lol. Night and day difference from before.

 

The one thing we do miss is the dedicated line at guest services, but simply having that wouldn't be worth the extra $$ for us. 

We always cruise out of Galveston,  and haven't cruised since before Covid. Was surprised to see you mention we no longer have to mess with customs...what's that all about. Also...what/how do they use facial recognition technology. Thanks for any information. 

We did this tour several years ago on the Ecstasy, and both my wife and I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to see a lot of the behind the scenes stuff, and too see and hear how things are done. Would definitely recommend this tour if they decide to bring it back.

We are booked on a November 5 cruise out of Galveston, and are discovering that is NOT a good weekend to book pre-cruise hotel rooms, due to the annual bike rally. Apparently, the rooms all sell out quick, and the hotels use the rally as an excuse to jack up the room prices greatly. We like to stay a couple nights pre-cruise in Galveston, and one of the possibilities is the Quality Inn & Suites on the seawall. Has anyone stayed there recently, or have any comments about this hotel? Of course I have read reviews, but past experience has shown reviews are sometimes not realistic. Thanks for any advice. 

I have heard sometimes they will utilize the pier near downtown, but in seven trips there with Carnival, we always docked at Puerta Maya.

The frog legs on Carnival. Unless they have improved them since my last cruise in 2019, they are tasteless and disgusting. First of all, they are baked or steamed or something...not fried. Thats a horrible injustice to the poor frog who sacrificed his legs. Real frog legs are battered and deep fried...and are very good if fixed right. One other item that is severely in need of improvement on Carnival is their ice tea. Unless its been improved since my last cruise, its horrible. I drink a lot of ice tea, and have about give up on Carnivals tea. This Missouri Hillbilly could definitely show them a better way.

I have brought my CPAP on the last 4 cruises in a back pack...separate from my carry on. Besides the CPAP, I put some clothes in the backpack, mainly to help cushion it. As for water, not only is the boats water ok to use, regular tap water will not harm your machine if used for a week or two. I had a sleep disorder doctor tell me this, and from experience I can attest to it. 🙂

We have a cruise booked in November on the Vista...havent cruised since 2019. I have looked , and cant seem to find any info on the Faster To The Fun option. We are still a few points shy of getting these perks free, and really like the FTTF. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Having not cruised since before Covid, I'm sure we are in for a lot of changes..but, Hey...it's still a cruise! Doug

I carry on a 12 pack of Pepsi. Unless things have changed, Carnival doesn't offer Pepsi for sell onboard. Can I go without a Pepsi for 7 days...yes...and I do quite often. I actually rarely drink soda anymore. I also often go without a mixed drink for periods of over 7 days. When I'm on a cruise vacation...I often want both. Plus...I can buy an entire 12 pack for less than the cost of TWO cans on the boat...and it's right at my fingertips when I want it. Having a Pepsi onboard..for me..makes me feel like an indulgence of sorts. I typically don't even drink all 12, and leave them in the room for the staff to keep or throw away. 🙂

Also remember if the boat is late arriving due to the fog ( easily can happen in Galveston ), you may be allowed in the terminal, but could possibly have an extremely long wait. It happened to us...we arrived at the terminal before 11 am...the boat had to stay put outside the channel until the fog dissipated. By the time it arrived and debarked the stressed out passengers, it was after 3 PM before anyone was onboard. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. That was a long boring day waiting...and everyone was hungry and anxious to get going.

I have cruised at least 6 times with my cpap or vpap, and have used the bathroom tap water every time with absolutely no ill effects. I also once had a sleep disorder physician tell me regular tap water will not effect your cpap, if only used for a week or less. I obviously use distilled for normal use, but have since taken his advice on many occasions over the years, and again with no ill effects to my machine. I still have my original vpap I got in 2006, and it still works perfectly. Since then, I've lost some weight and can get by with a cpap. I also use a backpack to carry on my cpap/vpap...this keeps it with me at all times, and frees up my regular carry on for other items.

I always bring a backpack onboard, besides my carry on, and I use it to pack my CPAP and extension cord. There is also room for some clothes inside with the cpap. By the way, it is a camo backpack. We always do the FTTF, so no worries about lugging everything around...as our room is ready as soon as we board. 

On 2/27/2019 at 5:04 PM, naomiluvsdierks said:

I’m also on the November 11th sailing and I just purchased it yesterday. 

Yep...we booked it a week or so ago! 🙂

We love FTTF...love getting onboard early and getting immediate access to our room to drop off our carry-ons and my backpack that contains my CPAP. Then we are unencumbered to go eat lunch on the lido, and explore the ship without dragging around the carry-ons. We also enjoy the early departure, as we have a 12 hour drive facing us. As mentioned above, it's nice to be able to go straight to the counter when dealing with the guest services. Last cruise, we had a false charge attached to our account, and when I went to the service desk to get it removed, I had absolutely no wait. There must have been 6 or 7 people waiting in the regular line. If you ask me, it's worth it. 🙂

On 2/6/2019 at 10:40 AM, Mommawo said:

I know people like this. Lol of course I live in Tennessee 

I live in Missouri and know plenty of peeps like this. Probably not much different than Tennessee! 🙂

A couple cruises ago there was this older guy...probably in his upper 50s...and he always wore overalls. Regular denim overalls. We never saw him not wearing them...on sea days...on shore...in the MDR...at the shows.. everywhere. His wife was dressed rather nicely most of the time, but this guy always had on the bibbers. He was always smiling and always looked to be really enjoying himself. In the MDR every night...including the elegant night...he wore nice button up western style shirts with his bibs...and no one seemed put off by it. This was a 5 day out of Galveston...as if that matters. I myself would NEVER wear denim overalls on a cruise or a dinner night out, but he seemed perfectly comfortable and was having a fun cruise. I applaud Carnival for allowing this man his freedom...even if it broke the rules.

It hasn't been available yet for my November 11 cruise.

It would be relaxing...but not sure what you would connect it to.

When we were there a couple years ago we hung out in the port area for a while.. then went past the gates for a few blocks shopping at the local stands. We never felt threatened or unsafe at any time...but were still cautious. Bought some neat local souvenirs not found at the port...and several bottles of the best rum I've ever tasted, that was local made. We ate lunch at a place at the port that was very good, and when I noticed St. Louis Cardinals stuff hanging over the bar I knew it had to be a fine establishment. I think the owner is from Missouri. After lunch, we took the city tour that we booked at the port. It was very interesting. To us, Belize is not our favorite stop, but as with anything, its what you make of it. We also enjoy Progreso, and hear a lot of people complaining about it too...or even just stay on the boat. I will never just stay on the boat...there is always fun things to do. 🙂

The Walmart brand insulated cup actually outperformed the Yeti cup in a laboratory test, and is usually half the price...at least here in Missouri. Its unbelievable how long they keep the beverages hot and cold!