Tom-n-Cheryl

If your device/phone can serve as a hotspot, just get online with that and share with additional devices. That's what we do in situations where we only have service for a single device. Of course, if I then head to the buffet and take my phone, that leaves Cheryl without phone or laptop service. Tom

Better than the BOGO it morphed into. But not as nice as the $25 cash each they've been giving out of late due to no tournaments. I'm surprised that they have not resumed them yet. I wonder how many eligible people never pick the cash up. That, and the water, is all we bother with. What the current "gift" now anyway? Tom

Without a doubt. Though, I've been on more than a couple Carnival cruises, and this (by far) takes the cake! It could be just everything lining up for this one, an unusual 4 night weekend holiday sailing... Tom

Probably not too well, given that inflation tends to hit some groups disproportionately harder than others. And that may well coincide with some of their passenger demographic. Carnival definitely seems to be the king of new cruisers. Since boarding the Liberty on Thursday, I've seen 1 gold card, maybe a dozen reds, and perhaps 50+ blues. It's almost a given - pull up to any bar and look to your left or right and you'll see a sea of blue. So - the folks paying the bills (and probably getting all the photos, etc) are mostly newbies. There's a newbie born every minute... Oh, and while I'm at it... what possesses adults (usually family groups) to wear pajamas to the MDR for breakfast? I'd venture a guess that, if you look across all cruise lines, it's more prevalent on Carnival. Tom

But, man - that would have been the photo of a lifetime, or not...

I'm up to 1500 points, and a fair number have been casino sailings (though every one I've paid to upgrade, or received a casino discount). On the flip side, I've paid OOP for a couple of sailings in a PH. My CS and RS cabins all earned 12 points/night, the PH I think was 18! Tom

They should not raise the number of VIFP points required for the various levels, that would seem like bait/switch to those striving for the next tier, but rather add new levels (above Diamond), with additional perks IMO. Tom

Yep - one of the factors which steers us away from the CT is the random tablemate factor. We've enjoyed the CT several times, and had a couple that were awkward. At home we rarely eat out, whereas on a cruise it's pretty much specialty dining every night - at a private table, hopefully not 18" from the next table/bench seating situation! I don't care to make small talk with strangers at dinner - but that's just us! Tom

I was thinking that as well - as we had, over two weeks, developed good rapport with these people. In my business, and many others, there are review systems in place where an initial screening process will divert people either to a comments section (back to us/whoever) if their experience is less than "5-star", and on to Google if they pass the smell test and are likely to award those coveted 5-stars! Tom

I guess they're hoping that the next time (with the "Free" cabin) that you'll go on tilt ! Tom

I was amazed, about 10 years ago, upon getting a reply on a CC thread following an NCL sailing - a reply from Kevin Sheehan (then CEO). I thought that was a nice touch! Tom

I really like them too - but all that they can do is send me mailers (every week!) that are no different than what you see on their website... drinks... internet... flights. Just yesterday, in fact, I opened my mailbox and had three mailers. One from Royal (free balcony), one from Celebrity (free balcony), and one from NCL (no cabin discounts). I called CAS (NCL) and asked about getting a discounted or free cabin - and they said it's been too long since I played, and they need recent play stats. Well, I guess they lack the smarts/ability to look back at history, and see what "might" happen if they coax me back onboard. I suppose that they must be doing OK filling ships... so why are they wasting their advertising budget printing and mailing me junk? !! Tom

I like that they finally came to the table (the one I'm at, at any rate) and offered up lots of deals with "Drinks Everywhere". That gets my attention (hence all the RED in my upcoming cruises list)! Tom

Ours was a 7+7 (B2B). I received the survey for the first leg, but was going to wait until both were over and tackle them at the same time. Upon getting the survey for the second leg, the first review had "timed out" ... apparently they only give you one week to reply ! Tom

The very first Celebrity cruise we took had a POLKA band outside the main dining room (near the champagne/martini bar area). Fortunately, those days are in the past! Tom

On our most recent Reflection sailing I noticed something a little different. In the past, it's not uncommon to have the occasional crew member mention the after cruise survey/ratings. On our sailing, we had no less than 4 people make such a request (three servers and our butler). They must be under more pressure than in the past, as I've never seen it with such emphasis. I mean, I already make a point to give the cruise lines good feedback, and mention by name anyone who stood out. I'm just not sure that, on the last sea day of our cruise, that I want to hear 4 people point blank ask me. It starts to come across as a little desperate. When we were onboard this last February I don't think anyone asked. Thoughts? (BTW - in the post cruise survey I mentioned them all, as I was going to do anyway, and gave them high marks) Tom

It does help, though it's just one factor (at least one we can generally control)! Tom

I started it last night at bedtime - it was buffering/stuttering and unwatchable (we have solid internet), but I let it play. This morning, it said "the webinar has ended". So, we'll see what comes my way, or not, next month. 🙂 Tom

True - but, not all "grown" people are "adults" . . . Tom

Ours was on the Sensation - watched a guy get pummeled on the Lido deck (viewed from our cabin). No matter where it happens, it's sad to see people getting to this point. Tom

Make sure to arrive at the port early, and bring your patience pants! According to an article I just read in our local paper (Florida Today), the port will be breaking their all time passenger count (boarding and debarks) on 12/24 with 52,000 passengers... Only to be topped again the following Saturday, 12/31, with 57,000 passengers. Also know that the ships will be PACKED. It is going to be a ZOO !! We're sneaking in/back around those dates - leaving on the Liberty 4-nt this Thursday, returning the day after Christmas. Tom

I do notice it more on Carnival - even after our cabin has been serviced for the day, it's as if they took the same wet towel to multiple toilets, and wiped ours down with it. It often looks clean, but tends to smell like a latrine. I've probably had "smelly" bathrooms a couple of dozen times on Carnival. It is by no means isolated. Tom

Carnival IS the line for family reunions ! Tom

They've become stingier (Celebrity/Blue Chip Club) with me. Whereas previously I could book a suite and get 60% off (Read: week in a RS on the Reflection for ~$5k), now it's 10% off, if that. I still get the free balcony offers - even getting one a couple of weeks ago while on the Reflection - but passed on it as they could not come up with a good offer to upgrade to a suite. Ebb and flow !! Tom

I hear ya ... though, it is across all lines I suppose. I've been Diamond since the program began. "Death by a Thousand Cuts" --- thread I started on the Celebrity boards. I discovered Celebrity about 15 years ago, and I recall hearing from the old timers there how they'd been going downhill since purchased by Royal. I am pleased across multiple lines that, at least, the ships are getting nicer/larger, and have more "things"! But yes, it's the little things we give up - or that are taken - over time that eat away at the experience. I recall when Carnival had live music in the Supper Clubs (prior to the Steakhouse). I recall when, even in the MDR, the presentation and service were at a higher level. Looking for a sommelier? forget it! They giveth, and they taketh !!! Tom