Tom-n-Cheryl

Yep - they'll do, I trust, whatever makes the most business sense ($). Tom

Correct. I'm not proposing that carnival award 2-5 points for every little project. Whatever they do, the whole system needs to get revamped, as Platinum and Diamonds are a dime a dozen now.

It keeps people engaged - and, when the top tier (as is the case w/Celebrity) is 3,000 points, a couple/few here and there doesn't amount to much. Tom

Owing to our status with Celebrity, automatically being Diamond on Royal was a great perk. So, we're at the 4 drinks/day/each point, which is still a very nice benefit - meaning that we can forgo the beverage package, saving a chunk of change there. What happens if we go a couple drinks over our 4 daily freebies? We just pay for them, with a smile! I'd be more apt to jump on over to HAL or Princess (they have some interesting itineraries) from time to time IF Carnival would extend some reciprocity stemming from our Diamond VIFP status. It still keeps the $'s under the same corporate umbrella! Tom

Regarding the Prima: I realize that the suite prices are higher on Royal, Celebrity, and NCL than on Carnival - yet you do get substantially more for that higher price. Having said that, we did have the Prima booked for this coming February - I grabbed a nice aft corner Haven cabin early. But, at $14k for the two of us for 7 nights, I decided it was just over priced. I ended up cancelling and then booked the Mardi Gras for the same week (aft corner Excel)... $2,500 for the cabin, OBC, and CHEERS on a casino offer. That was easy math for me!!! Tom

@firefly333 mentioned that they were at 197 VIFP points with Carnival on another thread. My reply there I'll cut/paste here, as it pertains to this topic (even more so): ---------------------------------- Too bad that Carnival doesn't offer PUP (Power Up Points) like Celebrity does. It's an EASY way to add on a few points here and there to get you to that next tier prior to boarding !! 10 PUP's translates into 1 Captain's Club point. I've probably managed ~20-25 points that way. I'm currently at just over 1,500 points - though 3,000 is the next/final tier. That's a LONG HAUL, not sure if I'll make it or not! 🙂 Most of these points earning activities involve watching destination webinars (typically earning 50 PUP's = 5 points) or a link to some info to read and take an easy quiz (typically 2 points). Carnival should do something along these lines ! ----------------------- Earn Points From Home Introducing Power Up Points—an exclusive new way for Captain’s Club members to earn points even when you’re not sailing. We’ll email you different activities—including sharing your preferences and social media content—and you’ll earn Power Up Points just for participating. We’ve created this program as a way for you to earn points from the comfort of your own home—and have some fun. Not a Captain's Club member? Enroll now. ---------------------------------- Tom

Too bad that Carnival doesn't offer PUP (Power Up Points) like Celebrity does. It's an EASY way to add on a few points here and there to get you to that next tier prior to boarding !! 10 PUP's translates into 1 Captain's Club point. I've probably managed ~20-25 points that way. I'm currently at just over 1,500 points - though 3,000 is the next/final tier. That's a LONG HAUL, not sure if I'll make it or not! 🙂 Most of these points earning activities involve watching destination webinars (typically earning 50 PUP's = 5 points) or a link to some info to read and take an easy quiz (typically 2 points). Carnival should do something along these lines ! ----------------------- Earn Points From Home Introducing Power Up Points—an exclusive new way for Captain’s Club members to earn points even when you’re not sailing. We’ll email you different activities—including sharing your preferences and social media content—and you’ll earn Power Up Points just for participating. We’ve created this program as a way for you to earn points from the comfort of your own home—and have some fun. Not a Captain's Club member? Enroll now. Tom

Once you're onboard - I was not able to reserve anything prior to sailing for The Porch (lunch or dinner) through the Shoreside Concierge. As far as the Lawn Club Grill, only dinner could be reserved ahead of time, not lunch (burger menu). Tom

That would be the Keebler Elves, though some of them also answer to Ketut... 🙂 Tom

Ah - you must have purchased the extended ride ticket ! I'll take a look on the stairs 🙂 Tom

They're on the Mardi Gras and Celebration. Larger suites with a few more amenities - and access to Loft 19. LINK Tom

Some degree of that initial whitening (Go Smile) was likely do to desiccation of the enamel. As the tooth rehydrates, it will darken slightly. Tom

As a kid/young adult, I was known to eat sandwiches with just Miracle Whip and mustard... as well as one with peanut butter/Miracle Whip. 🙂 Tom

I'm a larger gauge fry type of person, preferably just a tad undercooked. The fries at Shaq's Big Chicken are just about perfect! (bacon = crisp, as in snap it in half.... toast = nearly burnt) 🙂 Tom

Must be a shortage of hormones too 🙂 Tom

Well, perhaps for a almost a couple years. 🙂 I didn't ride it on either of our two sailings. Perhaps third time will be the charm (I know for sure that Cheryl won't have any part of it!). Tom

Ah - a true Plain Jane!

Room service (most anything?) is at N/C for those in Excel suites. Assuming that it is processed/credited properly - it was not "automatic" on our first couple of sailings, and required me following up with GS. Tom

I'll also order room service early on so that I have a tray to utilize in the buffet, if I'm heading up there for both Cheryl and myself. I just keep it out of sight in our cabin during the cruise so that our cabin steward doesn't whisk it away. Tom

They still were on our Liberty cruise last week. Tom

I remembered at least one name: LINK Tom

I'll keep notes too - for upcoming cruises! 🙂 I'd say the best comedian I've seen was on the Oasis. But, we've seen plenty of good ones (and plenty not so good ones) on Carnival. Tom

Perhaps 3 miles would be better, for the sake of casino revenue. Heck, I'd be ok if they just found smooth seas and did big circle-8's ! Tom

And not just when a waiter falls off a table while dancing 😉 Tom

Either everything's going to get spicier - or this is (most likely) just for name recognition/public relations. Tom