llachance

My swim suit bottoms look like shorts and my long sleeve rash guard looks like a shirt.  I have gone to brunch many times dressed like this - and no I don't chew with my mouth open.  

Central Park trees were not meant to survive ice/winter storms.  We had a slew of bad weather when they docked earlier this year.

My TA wished me luck 🙂  I asked for Table for 12 or 2 sixes through my TA.  And I need the sixes next to each other.  I have sailed on a lot of ships and never (and I mean never) had issues like this getting my family seated together.  Having to go stand in yet another line, when I board the ship, does not a happy cruiser make 🙂

Can't wait to see how it works in Galveston.  My daughter and her son, with special needs documented are in one cabin.  Her 12 year old son is in a connecting cabin.  Because of Army orders his father may not be able to accompany him.  I have, in writing, that if the terminal is too crowded that the 12 year old may not be able to board with his mother.  Now I know this isn't how it will work but I am keeping that email just because it is so rediculous.  It doesn't inspire a lot of confidence though.

Didn't really know about the casino credit but won't miss it on my next cruise.  Did know about the laundry and used it for past cruises.  Have enjoyed priority embarkation and debarkation.  have two pins but since I didn't pick them up they must be pre-covid (because I really don't buy pictures and wouldn't go to Pixels just to get a pin).  Usually don't worry about the water because I don't mind the ships water.  That said I kept a bottle from a recent cruise and it is still in my refrigerator at home.  Asked for morning cabin service on my last cruise and rarely saw service before late afternoon (fist time I have added to the required tip)  I was in a suite and expected just a bit more and it didn't happen.  But since the room steward has to service the room anyway it wouldn't be difficult to put the pins, extra water and a coupon for the rest on the desk.  IMO

My grandson is Burnett Michael.  He goes by Bear.  When he was about 4 the custom's agent asked him his name (comparing it to his passport) and he said Bear.  Who are you traveling with - he answered Nanni and Papow - which is what he calls us 🙂  Now at 12 things are a lot smoother when we travel with him.

How can a ship on a stick be so important - I am platinum, have played trivia many times and never won.  It is for fun - however you get your answers should be your business.

On our cruise in January Ponant changed the "chartered" flight so that about a dozen of us would have missed our 9:00 pm flight (earliest they suggest that you book it) to Buenos Aires.  They rescheduled us on an earlier flight - think spirit airlines of Argentina - for earlier in the day so that we would be on time.  We were actually clients of TAUK so it was TAUK that did all the rearranging but Ponant seems to charter flights per sailing.

I will say that in October there were separate lines...if it hasn't changed walk up the left side of the very long and let people glare at you.  There are and have been two separate doors.  It gets you to the screening machine a bit quicker - then of course depending on the diligence of the screener you get through a bit faster then up the stairs, where again you have to look for the special line but if the regular line is shorter just use that one instead.

Carnival cruise this past July.  Asked for morning service got morning service.  Carnival cruise in October (in a suite) asked for morning service and sometimes had service by dinnertime.  I also didn't like the fact that the couch was left as a bed the entire time but since I didn't ever see the room attendant chose not to deal with it.  Going on Royal Carib next it will be interesting to see how things are handled there.

Yep - I accidently got on one - it wasn't announced when I chose my cruise dates.  Now we will have a marvel day at sea.  Prefer it to be Pixar, but it is what it is.

Going on my next cruise in October.  I have only stayed up once (17 cruises) ever and that was to score a cabana.  Beyond that if we can reserve it when I get on line then great.  People are stressing too much about that they "have" to do on each cruise based on what they read that others "had" to do.  There is so much to do without making reservations that most are stressing out for nothing.  If you don't get the whiskey tasting then sit at the bar and ask the bar tender their opinion (they usually lead the classes), the same with wine.  Check when you board if you want a BBB reservation, if they don't have one it is really not a big deal.  Don't set expectations that may or may not be met.  Got a BBB appt once when we got on board (I am platinum and could have gotten the appt much earlier).  Surprised the grandchild with it.  There are so many times that you can see the characters that you shouldn't need a reservation.  This is supposed to be a vacation, relax and have fun.

I was on the Carnival Breeze out of Galveston on the 20th of October.

Went on the Breeze last week and it was the most poorly executed meal I have ever had on a Carnival ship.  The fettucini that was used for the Clam Linguine was a congealed mess.  There was still sand in the clams.  When my husband asked why I didn't say anything, until giving the server back the food uneaten, I asked him if he remembered seeing the server anytime during our dinner.  After the food was delivered she was not to be seen until she cleared the plates away.  My bottle of wine cost more then three meals, although not unexpected because wine is expensive, I was surprised to see an additional tip added (they had a receipt for the food, which you could add a tip, and I didn't, and a receipt for the bottle of wine which had a tip (and it said tip) added and didn't remove) though we poured our own water and our own wine because the server was no where to be seen.  Once the food was returned the chef came out to ask what the problem was, once explained he asked if he could make me something else.  No, I wanted what I ordered and I wanted it prepared correctly and not be eating more pasta after my desert was served 🙂  It may have gone a little way for goodwill to have comped my dinner since none of it got eaten but that didn't happen either.  And remember this is my dinner and no one elses so please don't question how it was handled.  

I will say, based on what I saw this past week that there is no expectation of even getting dressed.  

Sometimes I use the Military Discount because it is the Early Saver rate without the restrictions that Early Saver has.  That said it is not always the best rate.

I have worn sandals every time.

I had back surgery on March 11th and just cruised last weekend.  Depending on how extensive your surgery is you should be just fine.  That said I relaxed more than I ever have in the past - so the cruise had a different feel for sure.

Just a quick trip to celebrate my husband's birthday.  We were on the Dream out of Galveston May 23-28.  We were in Cabin 11244 a spa balcony cabin.  Weather was sunny but windy every day - some days it felt like it would push me over.  In Cozumel there were periods of rain but the day wasn't ruined by it.  Had no excursions planned.  Got off the ship bought some t-shirts for the grandkids and back on in less than an hour.  Had dinner at the steak house the first night.  Had the free bottle of wine - it was good.  I got the Wagu beef since it was included in the price.  What made it worthwhile is that it was cooked the way I like it which doesn't happen often!  I like my steaks "Blue".  My husband had the rib eye and enjoyed it.  Had anytime dining and the 2nd and 3rd night we sat in Antoin's section table 146.  Great waiter and he took great care of us.  Last night was chef's table and other than the obnoxious woman I had to sit next too it was pretty good.  Lots of food but the portions were small enough that I wasn't overly full.  Have been at the chef's table before but not when held in the kitchen itself.  I wasn't a fan.  It was really too noisy to carry on a conversation.  Took advantage of the spa a couple of times, the heated chairs etc.  My only bad experience, on this cruise, was with the spa.  I made an appointment for the first day.  My appointment was supposed to start at 5:15.  At 5:30  the therapist came out to tell me she was running late that the previous client had run late and she wanted that client to have the full experience.  I get that - however by the time she would have started my treatment I would be starting more then half an hour late - which in turn would have made the next person late - Not fair to me - because I was on time - and not fair to the next person - so I cancelled the appointment.  I already had reservations for the steak house and by delaying my appointment I was going to be late to that!  I like to be on time.  Overall very relaxing - enough so that I am going back in October for my birthday - first day on I will be Platinum Whoo Hoo!

Having a suite does not come with the perks that faster to the fun does - no priority line at guest services, no early access to your room...it does mean that you don't have to have a time to board because you can walk up at the terminal and depending on timing get right on the ship.  Suites on Carnival have far fewer perks (in my opinion) then other cruise lines.

Have no idea why the carpet needed to be cleaned. And I did have access it just wasn't pleasant - carpet damp, noisy fan, etc. And no compensation offered...but I didn't ask either. It was a quick inexpensive weekend and didn't want to be bothered with standing in line to ask the question. Now if I had ever met my stateroom steward I may have said something to him.

Was on the Valor during the same time period. MDR -anytime dining - the first two nights service was the worst I have ever had on any cruise ship. Got a great wait staff the third night and life was good. Food was not memorable but wasn't bad either. Lido for breakfast and one sea day brunch. It was all satisfactory. My husband loves Guys Burgers - I don't get it but that is ok. He is happy.

Was in a Grand Suite - loved the room - that said it was unusable on Progresso day because they needed to shampoo the carpets. There was a large noisy fan in the room until early evening. Don't know if we had a great room steward or not - I never met him. Was never offered morning or evening service. Most times the room was picked up around noon and then again in the early evening. No complaints but one would think, especially if you are a suite guest that you might meet your room steward :)

Progresso - what can I say it is not Cozumel where I intended to get off the ship, have a margarita then get back on. Instead we decided to stay aboard - but room was unusable - so spent time in the Serenity area until it got too hot - then just dealt with the fan in the room.

Won $250.00 at the penny slots. It paid for my second massage - which by the way Conne was the therapist and she did exactly what I asked. No hard sale for products. Just two nice 90 minute massages. Played one round of Bingo with no luck. Did read 4 books and take a few naps.

The promise was 2-3 weeks and they are right about there and given Florida was hit with a hurricane in between I am not surprised there may be issues. I am sorry to you are. My PVP had everything done for me within 48 hours and I wouldn't trade him for the world - but it happened because I was proactive with him to get it done.

My cruise was transferred to the same cruise next may - minus the 25% discount which will be refunded (haven't looked to see if it was) and all my prepaid excursions were refunded within days! Love my PVP.

My PVP had everything moved to another cruise (Valor over Labor Day that didn't go anywhere). There will be a refund for the 25% discount. I got the exact same cabin and have already seen my FTF refunded as well as a couple of other things I ordered.