Tom-n-Cheryl

Your post came to mind when I read THIS earlier today. Granted, this raises the bar just a skosh, but - since it accommodates up to 32 people ! Tom

Carnival used to have a "formalities shop" that served as the pick-up spot for rented tuxes. I rented one once or twice 20 years ago, ended up buying one that I wore on a few cruises. For the last decade it just hangs in my closet! Even on Celebrity a couple of weeks ago, I could count on 1 hand the number of tuxes I saw. Dress codes are easing up across the board... and I'm much more comfortable as a result! Tom

Update (again) --- So, I purchased the $500 CC, then logged out, signed back in, and was able to get $500 CCbar. 🙂 Tom

oh... just realized that the max of $500 is for CC in general, be it CC or CCbar. I added the $500 CCbar to my cart and then tried to add CC... no dice !! So, yes, I'll just go with the regular CC 🙂 Tom

Well, since we're not going with CHEERS this trip, I'll probably max out the CCBar and CC. We can easily hit the $500 point with bottles of wine in the Steakhouse and some trips to the Alchemy Bar, and I can look at the regular CC as an effective way to cover gratuities and perhaps some chips in the casino (more than making up for any service charge). THANKS, Tom

Now I'm trying to guess your prior CC name... Steveaaaa (might not have the right # of a's)? So, use a TA? I'm so accustomed to booking direct, it never occurred to me to use a TA. It would seem that prices, mainly suite prices, have outpaced the rate of inflation - big time (most notably with Celebrity). On the one sailing I was talking (to MSC) about, the deluxe YC was ~$3k and the Royal YC was something like $4k. Is that about where it's been, or is that a significant increase for MSC ? Tom

Looking at this for our upcoming Liberty sailing. If I purchase Cruise Cash Bar, will charges automatically be drawn from that bucket when I, for example, purchase a bottle of wine in the steakhouse? I've never purchased either of these ahead of time but, since I now have started to utilize AARP Carnival Gift Cards (@ 10% savings), it seems a good option. I'm interested in how you guys have used either of these. Does it basically apply to your account as OBC? Tom

We've taken 1 Princess cruise, ten years ago. Two things which rather irked me and, though minor, probably explain why we've yet to return... 1> In their steakhouse (can't recall the name), we requested sparkling water at the beginning of the meal. When they brought the bottle (our food order had yet to be taken), they requested our ship card to run a separate charge for the water to be settled then. I was like "can't this all be put on our tab, and signed for at the end of the meal"? Very odd... 2> We didn't have any kind of drink package, frankly I'm not sure they offered one back then, so when I ordered a Grey Goose and Diet Sprite (not what I order any longer!), I was charged for the mixed drink and then also charged for a can of soda, since they didn't have Diet Sprite in their soda guns. Can't say I've ever ordered a mixed drink AND been charged extra for the mixer before! Ok, like I said, minor things, but... ! Tom

I recall scoffing at paying extra (Pride or Legend) so many years ago. It was $25pp for the Supper Club. Back then, it was also a higher level dining experience than it is now. Live music was an added plus. On those ships which still have them, I do prefer the white tablecloths to the bare wood! Still, compared to the steakhouse offerings on other lines, I think the Steakhouse on Carnival is the best of the bunch. One more thing came to mind (thinking of changes again), I prefer my entrée be plated by the cook, not assembled tableside by the server. There's something off with seeing a chunk of broiled tomato or sprigs of rosemary plopped onto the plate. On Celebrity, in Murano (not their "steakhouse"), there are some dishes prepared tableside, and plated - but that's wholly different. 🙂 Tom

Was that while at sea? Tom

Strange days indeed !

Thanks for all the input. I was looking at dates in the March-June time frame and keep hitting a wall. I've tried with both Chrome and Edge browsers, but when I select Yacht Club for any sailing, it takes me right to the guest info stage, without any options for what type of Yacht Club cabin I'd be getting. When I try selecting, for example, a balcony or suite - it runs right on through various upgrades and options and allows me to pick a specific cabin. Somewhat frustrated, I called MSC and verified that (4/27 sailing for example) there are insides, club deluxe and royal Yacht Club cabins available. I told her the issues I was having and she said it must be my computer. That's rather strange, as I've tried two different browsers. Can any of you see options of cabins there? Tom

Pros and cons for both (private charter vs. top suite). With a private charter, if that was in my wheelhouse, I think I might miss the dynamics of a larger ship (interesting crowds, shows, etc). Perhaps one day I can do a comparison ! Have a great time. 🙂 Tom

Total - if I post something, it's ALWAYS total.. unless I specifically state pp (just for reference). But, yes, it helps to state that ! 🙂 Tom

I do think it smart to offer a wide range of options. The broader net they can cast, the better! However, as they seem to be raising the bar for their suites, particularly the top ones, higher and higher (well beyond the "rate of inflation" 😉 ), I find myself considering alternatives - both different categories, and different lines. I find myself getting nothing more for my dollar, while the required "dollar level" goes off logarithmically ! Tom

How it is that they're luring in the wider audience? (and, what defines this target group?) Tom

Yep.. "not bad"... lmao

We've cruised a lot, but have never tried MSC. Thinking of dipping our toes in the water and seeing "what's up"! We live perhaps 20+ minutes from Pt Canaveral so... We thought we'd try a weekender 3 night sailing (yes, we know they tend to have a different vibe, but we're there for the ship) out of Pt Canaveral. Which ship would be recommended? We usually sail in suites, so the Yacht Club might be of interest (we'll need to do some more research). We love the Haven on NCL, and enjoy Celebrity suites. We also have sailed in many Carnival suites, but those come with basically no perks. I welcome any input which might help to show us the way !! THANKS, Tom

For our recent B2B (7 nighters) on the Reflection, I managed a Blue Chip Club rate of just over $5,000/wk for a RS. I was looking at the Edge for Feb (a 10 night) and a S3 was going for $11k (the RS, $19k). The folks at Blue Chip knocked down the $11k to $6.5K, but obviously I'd be missing out on a couple of perks. I had it on hold for 24 hours, and let it go -- when it popped right back on their website, that same S3 was now over $13k... with the "75% off second guest, blah, blah,...". I ended up going with a 7 night aft corner excel suite on the Mardi Gras for $2,500 which includes CHEERS. Yes, the experience will be a different one - but I think I can manage, especially with all the balcony space that suite has (daybed, loungers, jacuzzi tub, etc). With our recent Reflection sailing, I just passed 1,500 tier credits. With the price of their suites of late, I'm not so sure now that I'll ever make Zenith (or really care, lol) ! Tom

Yep - I've been burning through those (10%) gift cards !! Tom

I hadn't noticed this until you mentioned it. I booked a cruise on Wednesday and went ahead and set up 6 of the nights in the Steakhouse (2) and Rudi's (4). It was listed as $48 pp each on the specialty dining page. It came to four hundred something and I just paid it. However, after reading this thread I decided to go back in and look more closely. It's good that I did, as I see that one of my reservations was only for 1 instead of 2. I've rectified that situation now, and am also happy to report that all of mine booked previously, and the correction I just made, all processed through at $42. THANKS Carnival (particularly your IT team)!! 😄 Tom

Crazy good !

I'm awaiting points for my second leg on the Reflection (11/27, 7-nights, debarked this last Sunday). How long does it typically take to post? It's been 5 days now. What's odd, I logged in and found the following "points pending" image (link takes me nowhere) -- and, I'm not yet sure what I'm doing in the year 2039 !!! : Tom

Thanks! Yep, for a 3/4 nighter, we'll check 1 large bag (no terminal scanner for that bad boy), and it's probably 70-80 pounds! It would not be worth it to have them open it up and scour though it - I take great care/pride in my packing skills, and don't want it all unraveled there, trying to get everything to fit back in "in a rush" ! Tom

We were lucky enough to have booked the Mardi Gras for what ended up being her second sailing (8/21). It was definitely touch/go there for a bit! In the future, if there's a new build I want to be on early, I'll make sure to plunk down refundable deposits on the first couple months of cruises - just to hedge my bets! I'm glad that Ticketmaster isn't able to grab up all the rooms !!! Tom