melodyesch

During the day on the ship, I usually take a small tote bag with handles.  I normally carry my kindle, a small sewing or coloring project, and my Tervis cup.

Going ashore, I usually put my keycard, DL, and credit card in a zip pocket in my shorts.  I also carry a collapsible tote clipped to my belt loop in case we buy something.

Really looking forward to reading about your adventures.  Bon Voyage!

Honestly, we don’t find Teppanyaki to be worth the charge so I’d choose Cagney’s every time.  But that could be because we have a great local Teppanyaki, where we can eat great food for much less than on the ship. 

On 10/15/2022 at 6:41 AM, RocketMan275 said:

There are those who think removing the bathtubs is great news.  Some think the bathtubs are simply wasted space.   I can't even remember the last time I was in a bathtub.

Yeah, while I love a bathtub, they are definitely being phased out on cruise ships and in hotels.  The last few hotels we’ve stayed in had all converted to the large showers.  Showers are easier to clean and probably waste less water.  So I’ll do my soaking at home.

Apart from my cats, I miss a bath tub.  I like to soak every night and we don’t book higher than a standard balcony.

Oh, and my liquid, flavored, sugar-free coffee creamer.

Thanks for the responses, everyone!

Could someone explain about booking specialty dining for multiple parties? I did try searching, but came up empty.  My DH and I only cruise alone, but next year will be cruising with his aunt/uncle (separate cabin) and his sister/niece (separate cabin).  Since I am platinum, I was going to offer to book all of the specialty reservations, but didn’t remember how it worked.  I can book reservations for 6 under my name, right?  And then each couple could pay separately when we dine?   What about Tappenyaki?  If we decide to do that, do you pay the fee up front?  I forget.  If so, I don’t want to fork over money for everyone in advance.

thanks!

I hate the thought of all of that extra laundry.  In the past, I have said that we don’t need them. But they’ve always brought them anyway so it makes sense that it’s easier for them to just put them in all cabins. I don’t say anything anymore. 

4 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

plus all of the staff.

Oh right.  Yes, every staff member we came across had their mask on and was wearing it properly.  I’ve just gotten over Covid so I didn’t wear one, but my DH did in the elevators or crowded areas.

17 hours ago, kona_wahine said:

I assume this doesn’t work with Verifly? 

I had read on another thread that a positive result could not be used with VeriFLY and that the documentation was scrutinized at the port.  They were able to board because their documentation was in order, but I decided to go ahead and retest 2 days before at the same time as my DH.  
 

I knew I had the recovery positive test if I had to use it, but tested negative 2 days before so was able to just use that result in VeriFLY, which allowed us to zip right through at check-in.  Unless it incredibly inconvenient, I’d go ahead and retest for the sole purpose of being able to use VeriFLY. 

17 hours ago, Drazil65 said:

We just got off of the Sunshine yesterday, there were 3 (dark blue) masks (one for each of us) in our cabin.  Our cabin steward told us that if we need more just ask (I had packed some from home).  All staff were wearing KN95s all week.  Lots of hand sanitizer dispensers as well as hand washing stations available.    

That’s funny because we are just off the sunshine yesterday and there were no masks in our cabin and the steward never mentioned them at all.  We only saw a handful of people wearing them on the ship.

28 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

They allow up to 5% unvaccinated per sailing. But as has been mentioned, those with medically documented reasons as to why they are unvaccinated are getting most if not all the exceptions.

Yes, I had read that about the 5%, but the Carnival site doesn’t say anything about allowing exceptions for those who aren’t vaxed EXCEPT for those with documented medical reasons.  It was my understanding that the 5% fell into that category.

Curious if any adult on CC that’s reading has been able to get an exception for any reason OTHER than medical?

Check the Covid FAQ on Carnival.com.  Unless they are unable to vaccinated because of medial reasons, I don’t think they’ll get an exception.  Where are you sailing from?

• Vaccine exemptions for cruises to the Caribbean will be limited to a very small number of children ages 5-11, and teens and adults with a medical condition who can provide written confirmation from their medical provider that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Our sailings from Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, South Carolina, Alabama, New York and Virginia will operate under these criteria with the assumption that current restrictions imposed by destinations will remain in place.
• Vaccine exemptions for ships departing from California will be accommodated for children ages 5-11 and as required by U.S. federal law (in accommodation of medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs).
• Vaccine exemptions for sailings to Canada will be accommodated for children 5-11 and for medical reasons, in accordance with destination requirements.
• On European voyages, vaccine exemptions will only be accommodated for children ages 5-11 traveling with fully vaccinated parents/guardians, in accordance with destination requirements.
• On round trip voyages of 10 days or longer, departing from and returning to North America, vaccine exemptions will only be accommodated as required by law and destination requirements. (Unfortunately, vaccine exemptions are not granted for unvaccinated minors under 12.)

10 hours ago, complawyer said:

 

if we both broke it down to a dollar total day by day, we'd probably be better off declining, but it's so much more convenient when included with the entire booking.

We bought the drink package the last two cruises and we’re kind of in the same position.  I don’t drink all that much.  So DH actually kept a list on his phone of every drink we had and we came out about $10 ahead.  But even if we hadn’t, it’s prepaid and nice to not have to keep tabs on it, except for the one experiment week.

We were on the Encore in December and we’re going to skip Cagney’s altogether because our last couple of meals there weren’t stellar.  And Le Bistro used to be our favorite.  But when the menu at LeBistro was changed, we went ahead with Cagney’s and it was a really great meal.  Our steaks were delicious.  So we went back a second time and skipped Le Bistro altogether.

And I know it’s not the most popular,  but we also love Los Lobos.  The table side guacamole is so good and we both have dishes there that we love.

Along with some of the previous posters, I always bring my own shampoo, conditioner and lotion.  I have very thick hair that needs product that adds moisture. I find hotel/ship hair products to be very drying.  DH uses them with no issue.

Also, DH prefers a bar of the soap we use from home.  So we have a travel container with that. I use the ship shower gel.  So we both use some of the products from the ship and some from home.  It’s been tweaked from years of experience.

I think you’ve still got time.  And I’m currently quarantined in my bedroom/bathroom for the 5th day and my husband has brought my meals (wearing a mask).  He is still testing negative.  I should be on my last day.   So it IS possible, I think, for you guys to stay negative.  Good luck!

Thanks for posting this.  I was planning on taking a small pair of craft scissors.  I’ll try putting them in checked luggage. 

We almost always carry a medium sized suitcase on and I’ve seen much larger cases being brought on.  My husband is above average height and I, unfortunately, am above average width.  So if we were to not have luggage delivered, it’s not as simple as running down to the shops for new clothes.

I wonder why all of the cruises aren’t changing?  We are on Sunshine on May 23rd and it still shows Nassau.  I’ve never been to either so don’t care, but wondered how they pick and choose which itineraries to alter.

It might be worth it for us if both people in the cabin didn’t have to have it.  I’ve never been a drinker so AT MOST will have one drink per day.  DH drinks more on vacation, but even then not sure if he’d drink enough per day to make it worth it.  So for the two of us it’s much cheaper to pay as we go.

The package looks like both people in the cabin have to have it.  Can only one person get it?  I completely unplug on vacation, but my DH likes to check the news, his email and the Times crossword.

2 hours ago, audcc77 said:

Not true. As I stated, we had shade around our cabana. We’ve always gotten numbers 10-12 and there was shade.  It’s quite a hike from the entrance.  
 

This video is old but there was shade at HMC within the last 4 years.  
 

 

Thanks for the video.  We aren’t renting a cabana so wouldn’t want to set up close to one.  That seems rude to the people who bought them.  I think I will take my umbrella then we can set up anywhere.  Thanks!

So excited to see your review, as we’ll be on this cruise in a few weeks and it’s been years since we’ve been on Carnival.  One thing, when you’re at HMC, could you check out the shade situation?  I burn up in a clamshell but have read that there is really no other shade.  I’ve got skin the color of milk so am even considering taking a collapsible beach umbrella since we’re driving to the port.  Any thoughts on that would be appreciated.

Hope you’re having a great trip!

We don’t blow a specialty dining credit on it, but my DH likes the baked potato covered in BBQ.  We will just go and pay out of pocket for something different.  But it’s NEVER crowded.