RoperDK

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

We sailed on the Allure, it was the first couple of sailings of their new program. We had a "Genie"... count us as not impressed. I trust they've upped their game since then.

 

Tom

We've only sailed on Oasis and Harmony.  From what I gather each ship has a different "personality" depending on current management.  We were in Grand Suites, so no genie. The overall experience was better on Oasis, but the Coastal Kitchen for dinner was amazing on Harmony.  Beat out specialty dining by a mile.  Embarkation and Debarkation amenities excelled.  I will keep on topic since this is a Carnival board.  I feel that the Excel Suite cabins are amazing. I just feel that the additional amenities don't quite match up.  We are booking OT Suites for now.  I think we will be so busy enjoying the ship that Excel Suites will come along later.  Just our personal strategy for the Mardi Gras for now.  Crossing our fingers that our upcoming cruises will come off as planned.  I definitely need a vacation!     

15 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Go on NCL'S website or better yet, do a search on YouTube and check out the Prima.   It will be a game changer for NCL similar to how the Mardi Gras will be a game changer for Carnival.  We will be on her for Halloween 2022 on a repo cruise from Galveston to Miami for 11 days with stops at Cozumel, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Great Stirrup Cay, along with 5 days at sea.  We'll be back on her again in September of 2023 for a 14 day cruise out of London going to Dublin, Belfast, 3 stops in Iceland and 3 stops in Norway.

We are curious about NCL Prima.  Last NCL cruise was on The Norway many, many years ago, lol.  I've searched for more info on ship layout and amenities, but so far I see a lot of blank/TBD areas.  I will have to go searching again.  

Thanks for posting your thoughts and pics of Mardi Gras.  It looks gorgeous and has so many options.  I hope that the food and service don't disappoint as time goes by.  We have 2 cruises booked on her now and will probably add another this week.  So tempted to book the Aft Excel Suite, but so far we have gone with OT Suites with the larger rounded balcony.  We love Oasis Class ships and I think Mardi Gras will compete really well with them.  Hands down Mardi Gras has the best versatile food options.  Hard to beat Royal Suite Class though.    

17 hours ago, karinad said:

That was going to be my question about noise from the elevators. We just booked deck 8 on the port side mid-forward right by the elevators. I hope I made a good choice!

We have stayed in cabins near the elevators several times.  The elevators are in a cubby area so any talking or mechanical noise is buffered.  We were never disturbed by folks walking past our cabin to get to the elevators either.  I think you will be pleased with your choice!   

Hate to let the cat out of the bag, but deck 8 mid-ship is the best!  So convenient to everything and no noise issues from the elevators.  

Can't wait to hear about your cruise. Bon Voyage!

Does Carnival still have the "Friends and Family" special promo?  It is usually around Veterans Day.  You can offer your military rate to another booking, also.  We have done it several times before, but haven't seen it recently.   

8 hours ago, codeyell0 said:

This ship has different themed sections but not classes. Still same dining rooms for everyone and specialty dining.
Carnival still has IMO the best and most free restraints or places to eat compared to anyone.  
MSC does this with the yacht clubs where only YC member can eat in YC dining rooms
 

Carnival Excel suites look amazing.  There is only one area that is restricted to Excel suite guests only (other than daily cabana rentals) and that is Loft 19.  To me, it is similar to the Havana restricted areas. The extra benefits aren't much more than Platinum benefits.  There is free room service and movie rentals.  Unless they expand the room service menu to include delivery from the MDR or other venues, it is a limited benefit.  Excel suites don't have a private dining room or lounge.  Celebrity has The Retreat, RCCL has Royal Suite Class, NCL has The Haven, and MSC has the Yacht Club.  These areas are truly a separate class system within the ship with many enhanced benefits and amenities along with a premium price tag.                

2 hours ago, helene109 said:

I thought that I saw them all! Hmm I missed it maybe he was too fast. Hopefully I can try it sailing 8-14!

Looking forward to hearing about your cruise when you return.  We don't sail on Mardi Gras until next year.

20 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Idk but just googled and first answer is its ala carte from $2 to $12.

 

If those prices hold true, they seem reasonable for an a la carte menu.  We definitely can't eat three big meals a day and enjoy having a snack type meal here and there along the way. 

I've seen the menu, but no prices.  Does anyone have information on the actual prices?  

4 minutes ago, Bxmt54 said:

We have sailed on both Carnival and Princess many, many times.  I have been able to request military credit and shareholders credit each time.  We are now scheduled on the Carnival Mardi Gras and I was told that in order to get the military credit I had to

book under a military rate.  Does anyone know if that is true and if so when it went into effect?  

I may be mistaken, but Princess offers a military OBC option and Carnival offers a military cruise rate.  I have never received a military credit on Carnival before.  Hope I haven't missed out on some benefits.

My husband and I are both retired Air Force and our son is active duty Army.  We are both retired enlisted and our son will be promoted to Lt. Col. next month.  Needless to say, we are very proud of him.  However, we both enjoy a back and forth joke fest about the differences in the benefits and conditions that are experienced between the different services.  It really is a hoot.  I spent several months at computer school at an Air Force Base in Mississippi and learned to love some Southern dishes that I had never had before.  Really tasty and served cafeteria style.  I am now a fan of grits, greens, and biscuits and gravy!       

31 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

We know where this ends up. Let's not have this go the way of smoking threads of the past, or vaccine threads of the present!

I think it's too late.......

4 hours ago, CruisingFromLA said:

Under the "Booking and Order Details" tab, there should be a button called "View/Print Documents". Check "Print General Information" before clicking "View/Print Docs" button. It will be on the invoice and look something like this:

 

 

Also, Carnival offers military credits? How do I get this? Every time I make a booking, their military discount is barely $15 cheaper than the early saver rate. I always end up choosing the casino rate instead.

I know Princess offers military onboard credit, but didn't know about Carnival.  They used to have amazing military pricing, but not so much now.  Details please.

22 hours ago, wemjam said:

My new all time favorite though is the Tiramisu on board - so yummy. 

 

 

 I love the Tiramisu Martini!!!!  My go to is a Grey Goose Cosmo, but after dinner, it's tiramisu all the way.  So smooth and yummy. 

28 minutes ago, Cruise Related said:

Honestly, I have no clue. However, whenever I went by to grab a Propel (did some

heavy drinking) they had a massive assortment of yummy desserts, ranging from fancy donuts to super stuffed massive cupcakes and assorted cakes. I was super tempted by the bacon donuts honestly. But all my carbs were going to beer. Hardly any low carb options when it comes to beer/seltzer’s on the ship. Pretty sure I drank them all and the “hidden” keg of Heineken. 

Oh my, bacon doughnuts? We have a coffee shop with caramel drizzled bacon doughnuts. They are so hard to pass up.  I will have to use up some of my sugar allotment on one of those!  

17 hours ago, mexicobob said:

Best cabin I have ever sailed in, mainly because of the balcony. That being said...we were in Alaska which was cold and the heat did not reach to the back of the ship seemed like. We were cold the entire trip while in our cabin.

Our only Alaska cruise was on Princess, but we were lucky enough to snag vista suite 4228 on both Hawaii and Panama Canal cruises. Heavenly!  

5 hours ago, BenjiRodney said:

Ready to see her again, she was our last cruise before everything shut down. We are booked on her again for Halloween 2022.

We are on that Halloween cruise, too.  So much fun!

Just now, Kevin308 said:

Is that on formal nights too?  

Yes.  We have traveled with people who don't like to dress for formal night and gone to both Cucina and JiJis.  Shorts were just fine.  

6 minutes ago, Kevin308 said:

What is the dress code at this restraunt?  Is it cruise Cassual?

You can come as you are. Shorts are allowed.  We usually go cruise casual, but there really isn't a dress code except for a no bathing suits kind of thing.

17 hours ago, mondello said:

I've always heard, "The South is gonna rise again!" Well, their numbers sure are rising.

Really?! What does that have to do with coffeemakers in suites? So hard for some people to keep on topic. 🙄

34 minutes ago, kelkel2 said:

I really think it looks beautiful. I also have concern with the buffet area seeming small. But honestly with the ability to get breakfast at the coffee house, where I’ll likely be anyways, I’m ok with avoiding the buffet. Lunch has so many options too, I bet they’re banking on the fact that people will use the other places to eat that are free.. blue iguana, big chicken, guys, cucina  and maybe others all being free for lunch hopefully will lighten the demand on the buffet. I can’t wait to

see more! 

I totally agree.  So many options to choose from and I like that they are spread out on different decks.  I think that will help with crowd control.  

For better or worse, I like them all. 😁  Following your guidelines of sweet and yummy, I have a couple of suggestions.

Tiramisu Martini.  It is fantastic!!!!  I drink them in the evening after dinner. Not like a milkshake, so not too heavy.  Smooth and yummy.    

The Cruiser.  It is a fruit punch type drink.  Perfect for a hot afternoon.

Bushwacker.  A frozen chocolate/mint concoction.  Carnival doesn't due the St. Thomas original, but ask for a floater of 151 on top and that should help it taste less like a milkshake. 

Baileys on the rocks.  A classic after dinner sipping drink.

I can't stress enough that you should try the tiramisu martini at least once on your cruise!

Dawn 

2 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

As far as I'm concerned - there are only two cabins we'll book on a Spirit class ship: 4228 and 4237.

 

This is dated (literally!), but still one of our fondest memories in one of those cabins:

 

 

Tom

Agree that deck 4 vista suites are the best.  We have been in them several times and they never disappoint!