sailincajunns

Just off Dream (04-16-2017 sailing) We had over 200 folks registered for the M&M............and nearly 80 showed up. The team on Dream did a nice job............... invitations were delivered to all 'participating' cabins the evening before with time / location (First full sea-day, 1 PM) M&M was also listed in the 'print' FunTimes, but not included on the Hub App. Cruise Director Chris (the Flyin Scotsman) attended, and also had a Carnival Pixels photographer take a group photo (which I've so far been unable to post on Cruise Critic for some reason) 8x10 prints of the group photo were made available to everyone who attended.....if they just went to Pixels and requested one. By far the largest M&M registration count and attendance for an M&M we've been a part of. On Splendor last year, there were multiple high-level members of the ship's Staff that attended........but they did not do as good a job on notifying attendees of the place/time, so fewer folks showed up. It was a treat getting to share a 'hello' with folks we had been communicating with online (here and in other places that will not be mentioned)

Hope this question is not too badly 'off topic'..........can someone confirm if Pig and Anchor is open for lunch on embarkation day? Thanks!!!

Well, I am happy for our neighbors over in TX, and also happy that Vista will be at a port that is a 'drive port' from here near Thibodaux, LA. The 'down side' is that the move of Vista from Miami to Galveston probably makes it most likely that the next Vista-class ship (Horizon) will be based in Miami.

I had really hoped NOLA might either get Vista or Horizon, but I suppose it's not to be.

It's a treat to live so near a cruise port, but having more and different ports of call available, and newer ships would certainly make for even better choices.

Not really complaining, just wishful thinking.:D

Just saw post by John Heald stating they don't expect the ship to be at Galveston until 6 PM tomorrow evening, and they expect to issue an update at 10 AM tomorrow morning. :( We were in Galveston a few years ago when Triumph had her engine fire. It became, for us, the cruise that wasn't. We decided to make a family trip to San Antonio, instead. Carnival did a great job taking care of us, post cruise............so I hope everything works out well for the folks scheduled to sail tomorrow.

Carnival Splendor

June 4, 2016

God is Good!

Pssst!

 

Have you seen the new Carnival/Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle button on this forum? Look to your right. Yes...the right. See the button under the first ad? Click Join the Party, well..to join the party! (It will take you to the Party Registration Page!)

 

Enjoy!

 

Laura

HI!

Thrilled to see that Carnival is not taking part in this program. However, we have a Roll Call here that has 42 folks registered for a Meet and Mingle. Our sail date is June 4, 2016 on the Splendor.............but as of today no one has received the confirmation email that is mentioned as part of the process. Just checking to see if that is no longer the 'norm'.............or if Carnival is less than enthusiastic about the program? Thanks for your help/ info.

I am one of those 'don't care' folks when it comes to this topic.............however............. a related but different topic regarding the MDR experience............. I'd be THRILLED to have the level of service and the choices and quality of the offerings that were 'normal' when we began cruising with Carnival. I know Carnival is the 'value brand' for Carnival Corp..........but since none of their other lines home-port OR visit our 'local' port in New Orleans.......... and airfare $$$$$, we lack those options.

I'd take a 'fare hike' to restore the MDR to what it was, even 10 years ago.

Just one man's opinion.

It's American, I have a RIGHT to be wrong :cool:

Hi, everyone...........

Does anyone know with certainty if Splendor has the HUB app post dry-dock? If not, if there a scheduled date for implementation?

Sailing June 4, and hoping she might have it by then.

Thanks in advance

Merci Beaucoup

We live an hour west of New Orleans, so Mobile restores another 'ez' drive port for us to choose from...........so very pleased. Also looking forward to Triumph returning to NOLA soon.

Well, certainly can't say I am shocked by this change. Interesting, as well, that in some place they state that Carnival is removing the 'free' lobster from the menu. There never was FREE lobster, it was simply paid for in the cruise fare. Since they don't claim they are reducing cruise fares in relation to this change, it's more a case of you will no longer GET the lobster that USED to be included with your fare. I'd be very disappointed if I had a shorter cruise already booked, and they made this change 'after the fact'

All that being said, I can see the day.......in the not too distant future, where the only 'included' meal option on any sailing will be the 'Lido' style-buffet dining, and every other venue (including what we now consider the 'main dining room' will have a 'service charge'.

I think it's reached a point now where the desire to keep the 'base fare' affordable is beginning to change cruising from an 'experience' into just another 'vacation'.

If Carnival Corp ever decides to let sailing days on ALL of its lines 'count' in some unified 'preferred passenger' program, I think perhaps it's time to consider some of their other brands.

Really sorry to see Carnival take this turn.................and happy our next cruise is an 8 day.

Of course, what's to stop Carnival from changing the 'game' AGAIN before that time?

:confused:

259 days until Splendor, June 4, 2016..................

Local media are reporting Triumph will reposition to New Orleans in April, 2016 and replace the Elation on the 4 and 5 day sailings.

Looking forward to having a full 2.0 ship back in NOLA.

Did not 'catch' what the plans are for Elation.

Be a nice 'fit' for Mobile, if Carnival and that port can ever resolve whatever issues they had. We enjoyed having another 'drive to' port choice.

Good morning!!

Local news in New Orleans reporting Triumph will replace Elation at New Orleans, beginning in April, 2016. She will assume the 4 and 5 day cruises which Elation has previously handled.

Looking forward to having a 2.0 ship in NOLA again, and to 'making up' for our cancelled Triumph cruise from Galveston.

Did not catch where/if Elation will be repositioned.

Talk about Hysteria, my goodness. I hope someone from CCL is reading this.

Please give me the next cruise in the cabin used by the Lab worker. Don't bother fumigating it, I'm happy to take it with it's normal preparation.

There are thousands of people on board most ships. If you're worried about contracting potential deadly infections, with the same likelihood of catching one as Ebola, then you shouldn't be cruising.

Way back in the early 90's, my wife was on Kidney Dialysis. The only ships then that had facilities on board were certain cruise ships based in USA. The problem being that they willingly allowed patients infected with Hepatitis B, dialyse alongside non infected patients. We were told in no uncertain terms that if we travelled on one of these cruises, my wife needn't bother returning to her dialysis unit in England, as she could be a potential threat to the other patients.

I haven't checked recently, but I would bet there is still no restriction on dialysis patients infected with Hepatitis, from cruising.

Those of you concerned over Ebola, are you going to check if any passenger has Hepatitis, HIV, or any other infectious disease?

Just a word of caution............ an attempt to interject fact-based logic related to a topic in the midst of hysteria is grounds for a total ban from all future posts. Thanks for the refreshing 'real' perspective. MUCH needed and much appreciated (at least by me)

I will be flying into New Orleans on the 27th of July from Montreal to board the Dream, I was wondering if there was somewhere we would be able to pick-up water , sodas & wine before we board?

 

Regards,

Police46

Bon Jour! Sounds as though you are planning to fly in 'day of'........so I hope your flights are all 'on time' so that there are no complications. There are TONS of places between the airport and the port, so long as your cabbie is willing to make the extra stop. One of the places near the port is Rouses Market at 701 Baronne Street, in New Orleans. Based on Google Maps, it is about 1.5 miles from the port. There may be convenience stores nearer to the port, but I am not familiar with them. Good luck, and bon voyage

So very sorry to hear of your loss.

Prayers for your son and your family.

We are cruising on June 1 and can't wait. Would someone that has recently cruised from New Orleans and parked in the terminal tell me the current parking cost? I am debating whether to park in the terminal or at the Courtyard.

Thanks in advance.

Hi, there!!

Enjoy your cruise!!

Parking at the Erato Street Terminal Garage (Carnival) is $16.00 per day.

It is amazingly convenient, since you get to drive in, drop your 'checked luggage' with a porter, and then park.

The next time you see your luggage is in your cabin.

Well worth the cost, IMHO.

Bon Voyage!!!

Had a neighbor who always said that, and he was right. Reviews, ratings, opinions.............. the only opinion that really matters, in the end, is your own. We were on the Mardi Gras week cruise on Sunshine. We had a great time........enjoyed nearly everything about the cruise. Was it perfect, no. It was, however, one of our favorite cruises. Other folks, on the same sailing, on the same ship probably did not enjoy the ship, did not enjoy the cruise, and consider Sunshine a 'bust'. They are not 'wrong' in their opinion, any more than we are 'wrong' in ours. Expectations and perceptions color everyone's opinions..............

We booked Dream for next Mardi Gras while on Sunshine, and in reading those reviews........ some LOVE, some Hate.............

In any case, we are sorry to see Sunshine leave NOLA so quickly, since we were hoping we'd get to sail her at least once more.

For everyone here who is booked on a future sailing, I hope your experience is like ours.......if so, you'll be well pleased.

Bon Voyage!!:o

Hi, there!!

GO FOR IT!

Loved Sunshine.

Have detailed review submitted, and hoping it will post in the next couple days.

We had an aft wrap, best cabin we've ever enjoyed.

HUGE balcony

Cabin 8328.

Bon Voyage

Thanks so very, VERY much for the review. I tried to be thorough in reviewing the posts and links........ did I miss if you posted the MDR menus or a link to them within the review. For some reason, I've not had any luck finding those, although I am certain they are out there, somewhere. SHOULD you have them, or have a link to them posted, I'd sure appreciate some help finding that information.

Thanks again!

Sunshine is just approaching the bend in the river near St. Bernard State Park. Should not be TOO much longer before she is visible on the Port of New Orleans webcam. I sure hope no one gets up early in the AM with plans to drive down/in to watch her arrival, since it appears she'll be docking tonight.

Can't wait to be on deck waving to the web cam in less than four months.

Woooo Hooooo:o

Bon Jour!

I was considering doing the same thing............ but working out the logistics and confirming the timing of Sunshine's actual arrival make it a bit more complex than I had first considered.

I live about 1.5 hours from NOLA, and would simply LOVE to watch her pull in for the first time...............

We are set to sail on Mar 2, and as the week goes by I'll keep considering the options.

IF anyone has fairly certain information on timing, that would be very helpful.:D

Do you have to book this onboard? How much was it?

We booked in advance, I THINK the email was

ELmaitred@carnival.com

The price is $75.00 per person.

I read somewhere that included gratuity.

We had such a great time we left additional, but I think that is optional.

Let me know if that is or is not the right email for the Maitre'D for Elation

Good luck

IF you enjoy a unique dining experience and IF you enjoy really wonderful food and IF you enjoy nice wine................

And IF you have the time and the interest and the desire and the $$$.........

Consider booking the Chef's Table on Elation. On our sailing it was offered on the last sea day dinner (not the best timing) and the experience was simply wonderful.

We just considered it an 'on board shore excursion'.

The event was nearly 3 hours in duration.

Chef was funny, engaging and interesting.

This was the first time we had ever done Chef's table (surprised my bride of 37 years on our anniversary) but it won't be the last.

In any case, enjoy Elation. She is a grand lady with a wonderful crew.

Bon Voyage!:)

me too please ( We'll be on it on aug 19th !!) drlisashimada@ gmail dot com

You should have FIVE emails, one with the funtimes for each day of the sailing we were on June 1.

I hope you have a total BLAST

:D