RoperDK

We cruise in Carnival suites often.  I have never noticed a different bed type than in other cabin categories (balcony) that we have sailed in.  I believe that the mention of pillow top mattresses began with the introduction of the Excel suite category.  Since no one has sailed on the Mardi Gras yet, I think we will have to wait and see what differences there are in mattress type.  I have always found that Carnival mattresses have been very comfortable.  In fact, much more comfortable than mattresses on RCCL and Princess.  Even in their suite cabins.

Has anyone else noticed additional Excel suite amenities that haven't been announced but are listed on Carnival's website? I was looking at the Mardi Gras deck plans and clicked on our Excel Aft Suite. It opened a pop up that showed additional information including floor plans.  If you look under amenities it lists a few that I hadn't heard about before.  There were at least two (unlimited complementary on demand movies and a coffeepot) that were news to me.  Did I miss something?  I thought I'd been pretty thorough gathering details concerning the suites.  I know that Carnival doesn't always get their details out consistently.  I don't know if that is done on purpose or not.  Has anyone else heard about the movies and coffeepot and what do you think about them?  I like both amenities!

6 hours ago, ginger123snaps said:

I haven't sailed Carnival in a long time.  We have been enjoying the ship within ship concept for quite some time on other lines.  Looking forward to trying something new.  I am curious though...what are the chances they will include a private restaurant for those staying in the suites?  On RC they open up one of the specialty restaurants as a "private" restaurant for suite guests for breakfast and lunch.  I only say this because the price was not much less then what we would pay on other lines.  I booked directly through carnival.  

I know I'm dreaming, but wouldn't it be perfect if the Excel suites had a private suite restaurant like the Coastal Kitchen on the RCCL Oasis and Quantum class ships?  The food is amazing. The service is amazing. The views and ambience are amazing. Not having to fight the crowds is amazing.  We save our pennies to book at least a Grand Suite so that we can eat there. BTW, did I say it was an amazing perk. 😀

56 minutes ago, naxer said:

 

I am of like mind.  It will be interesting to see how the marketing goes.  On one hand, Carnival is the family oriented FUN ship with expanding family areas and activities.  On the other hand, it's dedicating more prime real estate to spaces where children and people with children are limited or not allowed.  Can you maintain both to everyone's satisfaction? or will the reputation for one, the other, or both, suffer?  I'll let the "beards" worry about that.

I think they are balancing areas pretty nicely and on Mardi Gras they are adding multiple pool areas that I think would help with the crowding.  I would expect that everyone will find their favorite spot.  From what I see, they already do that now. There are tons of family friendly areas including the water park and all of the pools except for the serenity area and Havana pool restrictions.  Even Loft 19 will allow children.  I am past the age of worrying about areas for my children to go to, but I for the most part enjoy watching the kids play and have fun.  I don't enjoy when unsupervised children overtake areas.  I know that families must dislike it when unruly adults don't watch their actions and language in a family area.  Perhaps that's a good reason to have separate areas to go to when that happens.   

2 hours ago, Joebucks said:

No way do I see $50 for port day cabanas sticking around. With the amount of passengers on the ship, and the ports not necessarily being rare destination ports, I would bet big money that it doesn't last long at that price.

I agree.  I think that $50 in port rate is very reasonable.  Heck, I might even rent one and I don't hang out at the pool very much anymore.

 I am glad that Carnival is offering nice suite accommodations and perks.  The perks are not as attractive as RCCL Star Class, but they are not as pricey either.  I think the Excel suites look amazing.  We had already booked an aft corner suite on the Mardi Gras as our 25th milestone cruise.  The OBC we will get will help offset the cabin price.  For us, we like the ship within a ship experience.  I like both worlds.  We love to get out and enjoy the fun and activities, but also enjoy relaxing in our cabin and escaping the crowds in quiet areas.  I view the more upscale cruise lines as more formal and we like casual.  You still have to pay more money for a larger cabin on the upscale lines.  Our cruising style has changed over the years.  After 20 years of cruising, we have been there and done that at most ports.  We spend most port days on the ship. The ship has become the destination for us.  We love RCCL Oasis class ships and think the Mardi Gras will be just as spectacular. 

2 hours ago, crusinpsychRN said:

I end up watching the middle of the movie, the beginning and the end at all different times!

Me, too.  Surprisingly it doesn't bother me like it would at home. 

7 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

It's called a Coco Loco and it's identical to a Labadoozie.

Oh my, excited about that!  We will definitely have a few.  Thanks!

What is CocoCay's special alcoholic beverage named and what is in it?  We loved our Labadoozies from Labadee! 

We have booked one, but I have some reservations.  We booked on deck 12 figuring it was high enough from the pool on deck 8 to cut down on the noise. I think we might actually enjoy watching the activity.  There appears to be enough overhang on these cabins to provide shelter from the elements and cut down on people looking down on you from above.  Of course, the ship isn't even built yet so who knows.  For those that researched these cabins, what were your thoughts? Good location or bad?  Are there any other ships that have been built with a similar layout so that I can research a bit more?  Thanks in advance!

Is there any way to set the auto pay for final payment on the new format?  I just booked a cruise online a few weeks ago and there was no problem.  Booked another cruise yesterday and they only offered pay the full amount, monthly payment option, or deposit only.  There was no place to set up auto pay for final payment after I payed the deposit.  Thanks in advance.  

Thanks for the responses.  Does the Legend have the upgraded TV system that ships like the Breeze have?  That system shows if you have messages, you can order room service, and a few other items that I can't remember at the moment.  TIA!   

Since the Legend and Miracle don't have dive in movies, do they show extended movies in cabin?  We haven't been on these ships for a few years.  I understand they have had some 2.0 upgrades.  We just got off the Breeze and all of the dive in movies were shown in cabin for a small fee.  We enjoyed the complimentary movie channel, but on a 7 day cruise there is a lot to do and in cabin TV isn't that important to us.  The Breeze also has an updated TV setup with room service ordering and such.  We are on an extended Legend cruise next year and will probably have more downtime for TV watching.  I'm hoping for some pay options.  Please give me some good news!  Thanks in advance.

Dawn 

We just cruised out of Port Canaveral last month. We stayed in Cocoa Beach with an extra day before our cruise. We LOVE rock shrimp and heard that Dixie Crossroads was the place to get them.  We got there when they opened for lunch on a Friday.  Not crowded then, but was filling in when we left.  The food was okay.  I enjoyed the  broiled rock shrimp. They split them open for you so it is much easier to eat them.  The other items we got were okay and my top shelf margarita was nothing special.  I've had better tasting seafood.  You go there for the rock shrimp.  The place seemed a bit run down. Past it's prime.  The best tasting rock shrimp I've had was at The Whale's Rib outside of Fort Lauderdale. It was hot and steamed with Old Bay seasoning. It was AMAZING!  I would travel 100 miles to get that again!  We cruise out of Port Canaveral fairly often and I don't know that we will return to Dixie Crossroad.

As far as Grills is concerned, we LOVE the seafood there. Their bacon wrapped scallops were the best ever!  Everyone raved about their seafood options.  I WILL definitely return to Grills. 

Hope this helps!

We are closing in on our 25th cruise.  It will be on the Mardi Gras in a suite.  So that would be the cruise we would like to apply the 25% OBC to.  I have a couple of questions to make sure I truly understand how to do this.

1.  Has anyone had any problems applying the OBC to the 25th cruise?  I read where it was for use after the 25th cruise.

2.  My husband will reach the milestone on the same cruise as me.  As I understand it, we can both get our OBC at the same time (on the same cruise).  Correct?

3.  Can the OBC be used for any onboard expenses, including gratuities and downloading to the slots in the casino?  

4.  I booked the Mardi Gras online.  Who should I contact to make sure my OBC is applied to the Mardi Gras cruise and do you actually see the OBC on your cruise planner? 

Thanks in advance!

I see that the Deluxe Vista Suite (LS) shows conflicting size data.  I am trying to decide which deck to book. The corner aft cabins on most ships have some variation in cabin and balcony sizes.  Also,  how much of the balcony is covered usually varies. Does anyone have any input to help me decide?  Thanks is advance! 

We are considering booking a Deluxe Vista Suite (LS).  I am not sure about looking out over the pool area, but DH is sold on one.  Has anyone done research on them?  I understand that the Horizon aft looks out over the Havana pool.  Has anyone stayed in one of those cabins?  We are looking at deck 12 or higher.  I am wondering if the LS cabins are identical in size on the different decks.  Any feedback is appreciated! 

We have really enjoyed the Oasis class ships and are looking forward to giving the Mardi Gras a try.  Planning on booking for early 2021 soon, but with a refundable deposit just is case the reviews scare us away. 

Can't wait to hear more details. I think we will book soon for early 2021.

So sorry for your loss. I hope your cruise is wonderful!

I'll be following along.  We are cruising on the Harmony in a few months. 

21 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Straight, or flavored?

NA is fine in Cosmo, Lemon Drop, etc.

I guess it's a matter of taste.  I like Grey Goose in all of my vodka drinks.  It tastes smoother to me.  I have had people "test" me and I can tell the difference.  I do like Absolut Citron in my Cosmos.  However, if my drink is "free", then I can handle the call brand every time.    

Is it still offered? Which night? On our last Oasis cruise we had it and it was amazing! 

On ‎2‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 11:27 AM, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

Not been our experience the bartenders will ask for your "suite/gold/purple" card at first and then after if they don't recognize you.  I have seen them turn away people without suite cards.  A couple of times we invited our kids to cocktails/dinner and I had to go get their drinks.  They did have a drink package, but that didn't matter to the SL bartenders.  They still needed access.   

I am confused about this statement.  We are in a JS and if we are dining at Coastal Kitchen for dinner does that mean that we can't use the suite's bar to get drinks with our drink package?  We did that a couple of years ago on the Oasis without any problems.

Thanks everyone.  Looks like both locations would be great.  We may go with deck 6 this time and try something new! 

Glad to hear Harmony will be the same as Oasis. We have a starboard side cabin.  We like to people watch from the balcony.