pulledporky

I agree. I'm looking forward to the Panorama. I predict it will be here for 12 months before it's replaced by something like the Triumph.

Wouldn’t be surprised. That’s a lot of seats to fill week after week.

at the dock there will be a fleet of white vans (and taxis, etc). Tell them what you want and they’ll set the price.

they have a line for early and late arrivals, so go ahead to the terminal. You’ll be on in no time. New terminal is real nice, relax and enjoy your time there.

That’s a real shame. The wraps on the spirit class ships are the best, I would have been pretty “disappointed”.

Gotta watch that black soot, that stuff will get everywhere. I’ve learned to wipe down the balcony every morning (and clean up the occasional tomato slice that was thrown off the back of the lido).

Unfortunately the fotos are not attached, but with your documentation I would be contacting CCL. Most complaints on CC are minor nuisances, but wet moldy smelling room does is a whole different level of wrong. The smell of mold doesn’t come from roses.

...... The point of my post was to ask other cruisers for their experiences based on their sailings on Carnival to see if our recent experiences were isolated or a general trend across the entire line. ......a legitimate question based on observations made over a decade of cruising on Carnival.....

To get back to this:

Same here, almost 20 years of cruising and several hundred days on Carnival, we have seen the “Change” continue.

Three weeks ago on the Splendor:

First of all CCL spent a ton of money on the new Long Beach terminal it’s beautiful! Although boarding is now so efficient we never stopped, just walked right thru, scanned boarding pass and passport and we were onboard, nice. Good job CCL!

They better address the parking soon.

Went directly to our cabin and had the first “hmmmm” moment. There was hair, lint, other stuff on the counter that wasn’t ours. TV remote had a big coffee stain or something on it. COuld’ve been worse I guess. I wiped the counter and the remote off, I guess the steward didn’t have time. There were no welcome back papers on the bed as usual, (they showed up a few days later) these are not major issues just changes (cleanliness is kind of important tho). The steward came by to meet and greet, fill out the form, etc, I asked for (and wrote down) two extra pillows, they never showed up, but I did find some under the couch.

Bedding has been a steady decline over the years but I have to say this was one of the most comfortable mattresses ever.

Came back from lunch the next day at about 2 and our room hadn’t been cleaned yet. I spoke to the steward and he said he (and team) had 40 rooms to take care of and ours was second to last, but we could call him any time (?). Our first 7 day cruise the steward had 8 cabins to watch, and he did; when you walked out of the cabin he Ninja’d out of the wall and took care of your room, amazing. Remember those days?

The food was certainly no better than normal (but I did find the key lime pie the first day, good stuff). We often eat dinner on the lido on our schedule. One evening I noticed there was not a beef selection. Apparently they ran out and no one was there to go get some more, the one person there was too busy ladling soup and slicing a pork roast, so they slid a second tray of chicken into its spot. Ok, whatever. But then I walk over to the salad topping bar and was floored! As I walk up there are two ladies there, could be sisters, 35-40 yrs old (old enough to know better). I see one getting Parmesan cheese and using the tongs, straight to her hand then to her mouth. I look over at the other gal and she’s piling croutons in her mouth (no tongs) and then sticks her hand in the bacon bits for a handful, they were grazing. I “yelled” at her and she walks off like “what, I do this at home”. I look around for a CCL employee to remove the bowls from the line, but nope, another unattended food venue, probably out looking for some ranch dressing which they were often out of on this cruise.

It’s difficult for CCL to control the passengers behaviors, I get that, but the other things I mentioned are to make it more, as someone else mentioned, efficient. Now I understand six sigma, muda, etc, but in the hospitality industry those efficiencies can directly impact customers in a negative way.

Now I still like cruising on CCL, it’s just not as special as it used to be. Just my requested observations and opinions.

As a side note, at the diamond/platinum party there were only about 30 people there (last day at 4:30). Drinks were more than plentiful. Talked to the entertainment director for a while, he said when the Splendor goes into dry dock they are eliminating the comedy club venue and adding cabins for 600 more guests. There’s too many people on that boat now!

Is it cheaper to tip heavily or just buy a bottle for your room to add your own extra shots to your drinks?

“Tip heavily” is certainly subjective ($5 or $25?).

All things equal, I think the cheapest shot for shot cost is to buy a bottle for the room.

Cabo

Just got off the Splendor yesterday. Fewest whale spottings in the 12 or so MR cruises we’ve taken. Usually spot 30 to maybe 100 whale spouts while at anchor in Cabo; saw zero this year.

Taquiero Mexico Lindo has closed after many years. :(

Looking for a new taco place.

WHAT!?!?

That was good cheap eats too.

What is the current bus fare in PV? Thought I read that it has increased but couldn’t find the thread.

Thanks

Have a trip planned?

We’re going down Feb 24th.

We were on this cruise.

About 6 or 7 in the morning it sounded like our cabin was about to fall off the ship (deck 4 aft). I went out on the balcony and saw the starboard propeller wasn't "propelling". The port prop was blowing water halfway back to Sitka. Been on at least 10 cruises on Spirit class ships always on the aft, deck 4 and have never seen that before. A few minutes later the operation returned to normal. When the power went out later that morning it had that same shudder. Within minutes the big back up generator fired up and partial power was restored. (We had a clamshell center of the aft when the power went out, didn't walk out there until about 9 and there were 5 or 6 clamshells vacant, older crowd). We were definitely bobbing around for a while. Cruise director announced there was nothing to worry about - we were "in the middle of the Pacific Ocean". I get the jest of his comment, but I bet some of the older folks didn't find that assuring😜.

I was out on the balcony when we pulled into port and saw the tug pull around to the back of the boat like he was going to push it ( and on deck 4 the tug was basically in my face) but he pulled up so he could pass a rope to the Miracle crew. In those 10 or so cruises Spirit class cruises, always deck 4 aft or corner, I've never seen a tug boat tie up to the aft of the ship in Long Beach.

I watched closely and the tug NEVER had full tension on the rope, (and also never let it dip into the water (remarkable skill). So I assume this was an insurance measure in case there was another power failure while docking, that would not be good. The Miracle powered itself in and tied up as it always have.

The water in the toilet was a light yellow all 14 days. And the linen, some was the loveable brilliant white, and some was dull looking. Didn't bother us tho, all part of the journey.

Sucky pictures, had to transfer from phone to iPad then resize......

So seriously the best tacos ever were at Taco Guss. Do yourself a favor and find this place which is just behind Cabo Wabo. The El Pastor tacos are amazing. Can't beat the Carne Asada either. They bring a cool little tray to your table with lots of goodies. And unlimited chips salsa and guacamole. Home run!

 

 

Love Tacos Gus. Found it several years ago, it's our first stop in Cabo. Get a large asada quesadilla for the table to share. Good stuff. Good pineapple Agua Fresca too.

Glad to see the sushi bar back. Hope the taste bar is still there somewhere.

Enjoying your expectations of the cruise, take it as it comes.

4228 and 4237, best cabins in the fleet. Stairwell two doors forward that will take you to deck 3 outside. Laundry across the hall (4228).

Yes, they do open. When we asked they said it was a fire issue for aft cabins and they would not open them. Maybe others had better luck.

Didnt realize it had steak sandwiches at the grill. That will be good

Unless something has changed in the last 3 months, I think the poster is confusing the Miracle with another ship. The grill is mid forward and the California 7 day boats haven't served steak sandwiches in about ten years. Burgers are good tho. And the chicken strips with honey mustard make a great chicken burger. They do usually have flat iron steaks on the lido buffet in the evening. Maybe you could butterfly one and take it to the deli and get a steak sandwich made. Now I'm hungry 😋.

The person that mentioned the canal transit, a tip: As you're going thru the locks, the front of the ship will be stacked 20 deep with people wanting to watch the gates open and close. Go down to deck 3 and go to the back of the ship - same view (in reverse), a LOT closer, and not too many people. Deck three on either side is also a great place to watch the all the activity required to get the ship thru.

I'm kind of thinking they need to put the daily menus AND FunTimes on the Carnival web page for each ship -- DAILY. Would be cool to see what they're serving on my favorite ship, and the days activities, even though I'm 500 miles away from it.

You can also order thru room service. It comes from the bar so there is a charge.

Just off the Miracle. The desserts have greatly improved. The fish chef really knows how to cook fish.

 

 

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We were there last March and also thought the desserts had greatly improved, as well as many of the other dishes.

The CG (or someone affiliated) has a website where you can watch a video from the helicopter perspective. I can't remember the website, someone on here might know the name.

we've witnessed this twice from an aft balcony. It is quite an orchestrated event, loud, windy, and right over our heads. On the Miracle they approached from the aft-port side of the ship.

Both times a large CG transport type aircraft was on scene about 15 minutes before the helicopter appeared. They continually circled the Miracle for the full operation and then left.

I remember on one of the medivacs the captain had to turn around and head north to meet the CG. I don't think he slowed down to make the turn, the boat was really tipping for a few minutes.

In both events the captain said the passenger reached the medical attention needed and were doing fine.

Very well trained men and women in our military. Thanks and hats off to you!

Everywhere was mostly 20:1, easy to calculate. Three weeks ago.

Three weeks ago we walked out of the VIP shed at 11:30 and they were calling group 2. So, yeah, I'd try to get there by 11.

Odd. The food and menus are pretty much standardized across the fleet.

Yep, and we just got off the Miracle two weeks ago and after 15 Carnival cruises we both thought the food was as good as it's ever been, even the desserts were good.

Back to the OP, we road the Miracle out here on the repo from NYC a few years ago. Absolutely a fantastic voyage. We had an aft balcony so no crowds watching the locks open and close. The Splendor does have several more dining opportunities, but I prefer the smaller Spirit class ships. That said, I suppose I'd take the Splendor just to check the new canal transit off "the list". Whichever route you choose will be the right one.

Wanted a nightlight also. Two weeks ago it was two more Tervis tumblers on the Miracle. A decent backpack is always good to have.

This

 

DH doesn't drink so I get his, but he has to 'buy' it for me with his card.

Yep. Need to show your S&S card, has to match name on certificate.