Tennessee Rose

I just remembered that Tea Time isn't under the Foods/Meals info in the Fun Times (unless they changed it since last Jan.). It was in the section for activities, I think. You may have to search to find it, but it is held on sea days.

I love the Sea Day Tea Times. And go to just about all. Yes, the free tea selection is now just plain black tea and I think a green tea. They have flavored tea bags also, but you have to pay for those. I'm thinking around $3 per bag. Some people who want a specific flavor tea will bring their own. I'm personally happy to pay the $3. Plus, you get the little sandwiches (oops, I hate salmon, and cucumbers, so I don't get those; I wait for the SWEETS!). There are usually scones, macarons, fudge tarts with fruit, a couple of different cakes, etc. Tip: I'm sure these are more of CCL's cost-cutting actions, but they don't automatically bring, like they used to, the clotted cream, honey, and lemons to the tables. If you want those, just ask the server and they will bring it to you.

I was seeing some pop up almost daily for a couple of months then none at all for the last 2 weeks or so. I wondered if they just stopped the whole $50 cruise deal. Bring them back, CCL!!

To try to cut down on your worry time, I think I'd just call Carnival right now (or your PVP if you have one) and tell them your dilemma with having 2 very young children and needing the assigned early dining time. Then, I would ask them how your Excel Suite reservation and Platinum Status affects your ability to get your preferred dining time. At least for now, keep your confirmed late time, and try to get wait listed for the early time. If you don't get what you need, as others have said, go straight to the Main Dining Room as soon as you board and speak directly to the Maitre' de. They will do their best to accommodate you and your family. If Early is simply impossible, they get them to change you to Any Time Dining, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Just make sure you have the Hub App so you can enter your dining time request each day. Above all.....have fun!

Here is the link to Carnival's regulations that cover the restrictions on smoking (of ANY kind) and marijuana use: https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/legal-notice/ticket-contract.aspx?icid=CC_Footer_84 (Specifically, Section 9, paragraph C) Carnival's Smoking Policy: https://www.carnival.com/help/3839 Please note that Carnival has changed some of these regulations making what/when/where people can use tobacco much more restrictive than in the past. Particularly, the casino. Smoking is not allowed in the casino UNLESS you are sitting and actually "playing/gambling". Also, no smoking at the casino bar. And no smoking in the casino when it is closed. SHIP SPECIFIC SMOKING AREAS (good, concise listings): https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3490/ It might be helpful for anyone who uses any kind of smoking "items" to read all the sections on these regarding ship regulations. Also, there are bits of information in each of these links that aren't necessarily in all of them....so read all closely. Hope this helps! For both smokers and non-smokers.

You may have already been on your cruise, but for future reference, my sister and I had a very good meal at Shiloh's (steak and fish) in Titusville. It's been a few years ago, so I don't know the current thoughts on this place. It is right on the water and looks across to where the rockets, etc. launch.

I've never seen the crafting sessions. Is there a charge for this, where is it held, and is it a different type of craft each day? Is it only on sea days, or one every day? I think I'd love to try this! Just never saw it before. My cruise buddy and I went to Alaska on Legend back in 2017. I believe it was my favorite cruise!

We've received and declined 2 upgrade/upsell offers on our Jan. '24 cruise.

Yes, to the Carl Hiaasen time! My favorite author for truly LOL reading! Thank you for doing this review....I'm loving it already. Love your humour and your writing style. Enjoy your cruise!

Jeff and Patti, thank you for the wonderful vicarious cruise on the Celebration! I'm sitting here a bit teary eyed and feeling down because my, I mean your, cruise is over, and I'm not ready to leave the ship! But I'll be reading your Orlando adventures also. Be safe!

The chocolate cake we had was very good....very tasty and moist. All our gang loves the CCL chocolate chip cookies. They look rather "common" but taste good. Especially warm.

Appetizers: blackened pork tartlets (love these!) veggie spring rolls spicy teriyaki chicken tenders chicken quesadilla Entrees: jerk pork roast/loin (love this, but the amount of heat in the seasoning varies from each time I've had it. Guess it depends on who is preparing it.) grilled pork chops (love these; they do a great job with pork, it seems. Always good!) short ribs filet mignon Desserts: key lime parfait creme brulee (but I liked it better when they used to serve it with mixed berries on top) apple pie with ice cream (buttered pecan or vanilla) brownie (from the kid's menu) with ice cream sherbet, 2 scoops Because I'm full from the other items I get before dessert, many times I only get ice cream or sherbet. Sometimes just a cup of hot chocolate for dessert. And yes, you can order items on the kid's menu. A friend regularly orders a banana split from that. Friends and I normally drink Arnold Palmers with dinner. Our servers usually end up making a pitcher pre-mixed for us!

We always check everything out on the website for decks, what is near the cabin we "would" choose, then call our PVP to actually book while asking her if she can see anything that might "be better" for us. As in our "ideal choices".

Well, I'm glad I waited a day, Jamman! I was looking late last night for your "last" review, but it was too late to fall down another rabbit hole...I needed to get some sleep. Now, I'm waiting for a bunch of my photos to download and thought "I NEED to read some Jamman adventures" and found this brand new one! I'm along for the ride. Looking forward to it and wishing you and Miss Patti a great trip. Thank you!

Actually, CCL does still have the afternoon tea. It's always been on sea day at 3:00 p.m. Only one on 5 day cruises, but usually 2 on 7+ day cruises. Our last cruise, in Jan. 2023, I did attend the tea, and as usual enjoy it. They have cut back on the selections of sweets, and started a couple years ago charging about $3 for flavored teas (anything other than plain or green.).

Assuming you had your sail/sign card in the slot to get credits for your play? Otherwise, how would they know to send you specific casino offers? I need to know these things!!

Lol, I'm the same! A friend of mine loves the CMC, but I rarely have it anymore. Just don't care for it that much. Yes, I love CCL's creme brulee, but liked it more when they used to top it with berries....now they serve it just plain. Still one of my favorites. Surprisingly, my last cruise (this past Sept.) was the first time I tried the Funfetti Cheesecake, and I fell in love. It was so good. I do wish they would add it to the MDR rotation, or as a nightly staple! And now someone has done gone and posted that pic of the choc. chip cookie cake---that looks amazing, so I'll have to be on the lookout for that also! Just a few more days......!

Ginger is also good for motion/sea sickness. I've used both ginger capsules, but also just slices of candied ginger (can be found in some larger supermarkets or Oriental markets; I would take a handful in a ziplock bag for my trip and eat about a quarter size piece each morning, another sometimes in the afternoon). If you can find ginger-ale made with real ginger, that helps also.

Deli: Cubano, grilled hot ham & cheese Lido buffet: confetti cheesecake, the low sugar peach cake (was very surprised how good this was on my last cruise), love the fresh made marshmallows and jujubes, lemonade shake---I make these by mixing about 1/2 my drink cup with vanilla soft serve and top it off with lemonade---very refreshing in the hot climates! MDR: jerk pork roast/loin (probably my favorite MDR dish), blackened pork tarts!, spicy chicken tenders, pork chops, mac 'n cheese with bacon (Oh my!), beef short ribs Afternoon tea: macarons and the specialty cakes

Thank you for this info! Makes me feel better about using the service. I have to at least try it, right!

From the responses, I realize I should have been more clear with my question and laundry thoughts. I completely understand/know they use large commercial machines and wash multiple people's clothing bags together. What I SHOULD have asked is---how strong is the scent from detergent on your returned clothes? I'm guessing they do use detergent that has at least some scent, and everything is washed using that one detergent. Just a whine!----I WISH they would choose to use perfume/dye free detergents on everyone's laundry. I think I'm probably not the only one who struggles when breathing where scented products have been used. Also, any clothing that has a tight fitting area (waistbands, armholes, etc) causes me to get big, red, itchy welts while wearing. I'm beginning to re-think whether free laundry is actually a "perk" for me! My cabin-mate may end up getting to use it! Thank you all for your insights.

I will "finally" turn platinum on my next cruise; so looking forward to this perk. Question: do they use perfume and dye free detergents? If not, can you request it? I have serious breathing issues when dealing with scented products!

I agree because if I want to try 2 different apps or entrees, I don't feel guilty about not eating it all when it's a smaller amount to begin with. Yes, I was raised as a "clean your plate" kid, but I've grown out of that. Still don't like to waste food though! I mostly can finish all the smaller amounts unless an item is something I just don't like. Oh, and I really love those little pork tartlets! We did miss seeing the nightly spring rolls on Magic a few weeks ago.

We booked the NYC to Canada (St. John, Halifax, Sydney), Sept. 17, 2022 cruise several months ago. At that time, there were no excursions for Sydney. We had read this was a new port of call, and they were trying to set up some excursions. So, here we are at the last minute and they now have some listed. Being new, there are no reviews on any of them. Have any of you done any kind of excursions from Sydney, NS and be able to give any recommendations? Anything you consider must see/do while there? TIA

They just added the Sydney excursions; I had not seen them yet. I had read they were trying to get some set up since this is a pretty new port of call. No reviews. A couple have already sold out! The one I see that interests me "may" work. I've got to check with my cruisemates and see if they want to do an excursion, or we may just walk around the harbor/dock/city on our own. We've booked hop on/hop off tours in St. John and Halifax. Yes, Tuscaloosa's just down the road! Hey, neighbor!