bassmk

DANG! This is a very good tip! I never considered it before but I definitely will going forward. Thanks for sharing.

I'm partial to the Eastern Caribbean itineraries, myself. To me, if you're trying to sell him on the idea of cruising, go in February (March has way too many spring breakers for my taste!) and cruise out of Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale to ports like St. Thomas or Amber Cove...something along those lines. Look for a ship that has been refurbished recently. Even the older ships get neat upgrades when they're dry-docked, so check on the last time it was refurbished to make sure it's got all the fun stuff.

KLG was Godmother of the original Celebration, and her daughter Cassidy is the Godmother of the new one!

That is exactly what I bought! I'd bring my own supply of paper or plastic straws, but I need something pocket-size.

We've done that, too! 🤣

I have been fighting off short-timer's since February, and now that we're 2 weeks out, resistance is futile. 🤣 My husband and I are watching countless cruise videos on YouTube.

I'd like to contribute that on the Mardi Gras, if you have a mid-ship cabin even 2-3 decks below Lido, you will hear the Bolt rollercoaster and it is LOUD. It's on deck 19, and I was on 14. Naps were regularly disturbed by the noise. Luckily it doesn't operate early in the morning or late at night.

NOW you're talkin!

I thought of this, but I wanted something I could carry in my pocket. I wound up getting a collapsible silicone straw with a little carrying case.

Got it! Thanks!

When we cruised the Mardi Gras in 2021, they only had candy straws at the bar. I've been reading recent reviews and it looks like they still have the candy straws. Is that the only option? There's no paper straws available? I remember the two flavor options were both pretty gross. I was thinking about buying a collapsible metal or silicone straw to keep in my pocket as an alternative. What do folks who can't have sugar do for a straw? (I guess maybe they avoid sugary alcoholic beverages. LOL)

I think you should let them know or switch to YTD just because usually there is a waitlist for dining times. If you don't plan to ever use your reservation, let it go and give it to someone on the waitlist.

My husband and I have always have a *gasp* moment when we step off the covered tunnel from the terminal onto the actual wooden deck and into the atrium of the ship. It's our favorite moment and that's when the OMG WE'RE ON VACATION!! feeling officially starts.

You will get a lanyard when you pick up at the port! Personally, I liked the clip option better, but I'd say the majority of folks used the included lanyard.

We had the Baked Alaska parade last week on the Enchanted!!

I was on this cruise, too, and I agree with how fantastic it was! It was half a bummer to miss Bar Harbor and St. John, but I will never complain about an extra sea day. We loved the ship and this was the first cruise where, at the end, my husband and I both agreed we could go another full week before going home. (Normally, we are READY to be home by the end of a cruise.)

I was on the Enchanted last week, and we had a full day cabana reservation on Wednesday. It was chilly and rainy and they were still open, and we still had a great time. We were under cover and they provide blankets for you. They were still extremely attentive and we spent the entire day relaxing.

I found that the bathrooms on the Mardi Gras are SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than the bathrooms on every other cruise ship bathroom I've ever had.

Oh wow! Interesting! I get casino offers from Carnival bc I used to gamble a lot on cruises, but I haven't been in the casinos hardly at all on Princess.

Carnival is very good for families with young kids and/or teenagers, not only because the atmosphere might be more fun for them, but also because 4 or 5 cruise fares on Carnival is much easier on the wallet than on Princess. Carnival is very good if you're on a budget or planning a quick getaway and don't want to spend a lot of money. But to me, the biggest difference in atmosphere and clientele is the "party boat" experience. Carnival is branded as "The Fun Ships" and they definitely try to create a fun, party, carefree atmosphere. Take from that what you will. Sometimes it's harmless fun, sometimes it's people overindulging and creating a ruckus.

It was definitely the stops, too. We are embarking in NYC and stopping at Canadian ports, and the tests were required.

When we cruised Mardi Gras last September, I went a little nuts and made my husband isolate with me for 2 entire weeks. LOL But YAY for official word that we don't have to test now! That's fantastic! Such a relief! I'm still going to curtail any extra activities that aren't necessary, just to avoid getting sick, but at least now I don't have to PROVE I'm well.

They were quick to drop the requirement for other places when they no longer required them...I'm more than hopeful they'll follow suit with Canada, too. Why wouldn't they? What would be the motivation there? I'm vaxed (with the bivalent booster!) and I have natural antibodies so I'm really just hoping I'm good to go. I hate the anxiety around staying healthy for the pre-cruise testing.

Agreed...I'd be happier with fewer perks if they were more substantial gifts. Even more than that, I fully agree with the comment upthread about better reciprocity across CCL brands. I was able to have returning passenger status (Carnival equivalent of starting as a red card instead of blue) on my first Holland America cruise because I called and asked specifically if any of my Carnival cruises would count for anything, but I'd like a little more than that. (I probably could have done that on Princess, too, but I didn't.)

It seems that @CruizinSusan70 laid out some good answers to your questions, so let me just chime into say: Rudi's is amazing and book EARLY. Do not sleep on Emeril's. It was delicious and we ate there multiple times. The teppanyaki is very good, and you will be miserably full, speaking from the dinner experience...not sure if the lunch experience is exactly the same or not.