RoperDK

I am new to Celebrity, but not to cruising.  We booked Magic Carpet Sky Suite 8210 on the Ascent.  It is an end suite with the window that faces forward on the balcony.  It is a connecting cabin and when I booked they told me that the connecting door was not in the cabin, but in a vestibule.  The deck plan does not show the vestibule.  I realize that the Ascent isn't completed yet, but can someone that has cruised on other E-class ships reassure me that I won't have a connecting door inside the cabin?  Also, can anyone share any words of wisdom about the Magic Carpet suites.  The price was too good to pass up!   

On 10/7/2022 at 8:30 PM, katstoy said:

Great idea!  Now I need to think of something to attach.  A pinwheel maybe so I can be entertained as I move along perhaps.  Something that won't be taken, however.

I am an Alabama football fan so I attached a Bama ribbon.  Easy for me to locate and I got a lot of Roll Tides, too!

I recently cruised twice on Royal in the last 6 weeks with a scooter.  I am having hip replacement and it was a life saver.  Check the dimensions of your scooter and the cabin door dimensions.  It does need to be parked and charged in the cabin overnight.  Anyway, I am like you and can walk a bit, but not all the way across the ship.  Just park your scooter along the wall outside of the venue you are visiting. TAKE YOUR KEY!  All keys fit all scooters.  I also attached a ribbon on the basket to easily identify my scooter.  I didn't use it very much, but it allowed me to get to places that would have caused me a lot of pain if I attempted to walk.  Good luck!   

Hope you and your group feel better soon.  I might have missed it, but did you quarantine in your original cabin or were you removed to the lower decks.  I haven't heard much about the current quarantine process.  

On 9/19/2022 at 11:55 AM, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

I think Royal is now charging $7.50 for room service.

Royal still has free continental breakfast.  All other room service has a $7.95 fee plus 18% gratuity.  Room service is free for full suites and includes orders from the MDR. That is for the complete order, not a la carte. They have a complete selection of hot breakfast items (eggs, bacon, sausage), for lunch and dinner there are salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, salmon, and desserts.  

If you just want to get out and stretch your legs, there are some interesting things within walking distance from terminal #1.  Grills restaurant and bar has great seafood, drinks, and live music in the afternoons.  Nice outdoor seating.  Don't know when you leave, but I enjoy watching the fishing boats come in and clean and display their catch of the day.  There are a dozen bars and restaurants along the waterway.  You might catch a glimpse of the SpaceX rocket which is sometimes docked directly across the inlet.  As mentioned earlier, The Kennedy Space Center is great if you are a space buff.  You could do a dolphin watch tour, but frankly I've seen plenty of them in the inlet where Grills and the other restaurants are.  Cocoa Beach is a basic Florida beach town.       

What was your opinion of Hooked?  I am spoiled with fresh off the boat seafood.  Hoping it is a good compromise.  

Can you get off the menu drinks at Wonderland?  I am a cosmo girl, but heard the bar is staffed with good bar tenders and thought it would be an interesting change of pace. 

20 minutes ago, mz-s said:

I really doubt they expect many to actually pay for room service. I'm sure a few will but most people are just going to go up to the buffet.

I doubt we would pay for Carnival's room service unless they add better selections and it arrives in a reasonable time and at the correct temperature.  Other cruise lines do just fine with room service.  It is clear that Carnival doesn't want to invest the time or manpower in the service.  We use room service on other lines, but other than coffee first thing in the morning, we just grab and go with whatever we can find on Carnival. 

5 hours ago, jsglow said:

Shaky, we've got a beloved 'bowling alley' on Pride in the Med next month.  On sea days, I might never leave! 😁

Good score!  The Spirit class has some great "special" cabin choices.

On 9/15/2022 at 10:34 AM, pc_load_letter said:

 

Meh, sitting in a room on a cruise is a waste, suite or not.

I'm making an assumption here.  I'm guessing you haven't been cruising for over 20 years, been on 40+ cruises, or ever stayed in a suite.  For some people the cruise experience evolves over time.  To each their own.  There is no right or wrong way to enjoy your vacation.  

We stayed at Springhill Suites in May.  Nice and fairly new property.  Well appointed rooms.  Our only complaint is they had the shortest toilets I have seen in many a year.  Looks like they installed toilets more fit for an elementary school.  Not a deal breaker for us, but we both commented on it. 

2 minutes ago, blueskadoo said:

We've never done an Oasis class. In fact, the only Royal ship I've ever been on is Mariner, and it was in a Grand Suite, about 7 years ago. Kiddo has only been on Carnival Sunshine when she was much younger, but as a 12 year old, she's too cool for just about everything lately so I'm not sure what would appeal to her. I would hate for Jewel to be stuffy, because if there's a fun atmosphere, she's more likely to let her guard down and enjoy herself. It will be over thanksgiving, so I have to assume there'll be kids galore.

Hmmm, I might consider Wonder if you've never been on Oasis class.  There is so much to do and see.  Jewel doesn't have all the bells and whistles to keep tweens occupied.  If you are sailing over Thanksgiving, then there should be enough kids to hang out with though.  It is a cruise after all, so there really isn't a wrong choice!   

Take good care of Harmony for us.  We are onboard right after you.  Please don't drag Fiona back to Port Canaveral with you.  I don't mind being rerouted due to a storm, but there's not much you can do if the storm hits your embarkation port!  Been there, done that.  What a mess.  Hopefully Fiona will take a Northerly jog and get out of the way.  

Which is the best level for easy seating, good viewing, and a quick escape?  I will be in a rented scooter this time and also in a suite.  I can walk a bit, but no stairs and will have to use an elevator afterwards.    

We like suites and the ABC islands.  We would go on the Jewel.  Have you already been on an Oasis class ship?  Do the added specialty restaurants (Hooked and Mason Jar) seem appealing?  Would your child enjoy the activities that are on Wonder and not Jewel?  I believe that only Oasis class has free daytime drinks.  On Mariner, the Suite lounge had snacks all day and pitchers of water.  The free dinks were only at night.  

1 hour ago, Ashland said:

No..the GS's on Harmony don't have the magnifying mirror. This is one feature that I wish they did have. I too love this feature that the GS & OS's have on Freedom/Voyager class those actually light up...We also had one in our OS on Jewel but it didn't light up.

This!  We just got off Harmony and I did miss the magnifying mirror at the dressing area.  I had a small mirror with me that I used.  It was not as good.  We have had them in the past on Mariner and Oasis.  Our first time in a GS on Harmony.  Other than that we did enjoy the cabin. 

We just returned from Port Canaveral on the Harmony and I used Special Needs At Sea for a scooter rental.  They didn't have a kiosk like Scootaround, which is what I expected.  They had "white glove service" instead.  Someone called and we coordinated meeting at the luggage drop off site and she met our car and went with me to the terminal entrance while my husband parked the car.  After the cruise, she met us right outside of customs.  It was our first time renting a scooter.  I am using them again soon and wondered whether I should have given a tip?

21 hours ago, Radio said:

 

 

 

I don't think I will have any Shark Kabobs

 

 

 

 

20 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

The shark kabobs are actually amazing. So tender and tasty with the marinade that put on it. I highly recommend you try it.

Grills is our go to place for food and drink in Port Canaveral.  All of their food/seafood is great.  Their bacon wrapped grilled scallops are amazing.  They also make an awesome margarita.  I love to sit outside and watch when the fishing charters come in and clean and display their catch for the day (so do the pelicans).  We always see dolphins, too.      

Our favorite location on Oasis class is deck 6 or 8 near the aft elevators.  Deck 6 has easy access to the Boardwalk and also has a great overlook to the happenings of the Promenade.  Great for when you want to see the activities without having to be in the crowds.  Deck 8 has the Central Park Cafe just steps away for coffee and snacks.  We also enjoy Central Park and The Trellis Bar.  It is just beautiful and relaxing.  Our preferred cabin is a Grand Suite 😁 which isn't always feasible.  We like Junior Suites on the "hump", a good compromise.  An ocean view balcony is also great.  We like to see the ocean on a cruise.  Welcome to RCCL.  We are former CCL cruisers, too.        

Can you get the tenderloin for just one?  DH is wanting to try the Halibut.  I hope he isn't disappointed, as we are used to fresh off the boat fish.  Any reviews on the lamb wellington?

We have never been to 150 Central Park.

Just off the Harmony and dress was very casual, especially during the day.  Shorts, t-shirts, flip flops.  Evening was a bit more dressy.  DH wore nice shorts, polo, reg. shoes a few nights.  Shorts are more common on the first night, late port nights, and last night.  Most men wore long pants and ladies usually dressed up.  No one seemed to notice or care what people were wearing.     

We were so frustrated by the messaging part of the app and felt it was way overpriced.  Carnival has the same capability for $1.99 for the entire cruise and it actually worked.  While it is more expensive, we each get internet and are able to communicate stress free.   

23 minutes ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

Hmmm. I'm learning something new today. I thought the casino was closed in all ports. I'm not saying it wasn't, but I don't recall ever seeing the casino open while in port. I thought the ship had to be in international waters to open.

It was a surprise to me, too.  Our Mariner cruise recently stopped at Coco Cay and Labadee.  Casino was open during both private island stops.  Our Harmony cruise 2 weeks ago was open all day in both Coco Cay and St. Maarten.  I have not experienced Roatan personally, but read it was also open there.  

I know it's open at Coco Cay, Labadee, St. Maarten, and Roatan.  What about Nassau or Falmouth? 

9 minutes ago, Bushdog said:

Great answers, thank you! Question - would you know if the lobster is the same quality as the MDR lobster? Last time in the MDR my lobster was mushy. 😞

I have had the MDR grilled version in CK, but actually prefer their poached version.  It was tender and tasty.  Truth be told, I order a lot on that night.  It has many of my favorites.  I get the scallop entree as a starter.  Yum!  I order rack of lamb with lobster as a side.  They will bring you as much lobster as you want.  For me, it just happens that a lot of what I want is on that particular night.  I have asked for what I want and they always oblige!