evandbob

None of the listed discontinued items concern us, and despite our age, we can easily adapt to new and better ways of the digital world. Some of these items were already gone when we started cruising in 2003, and some we never engaged in, like the midnight or chocolate buffet. No big deal to us.

We cruise often enough that bringing a variety of OTC meds in our personal hygiene kits makes sense. Simple items, for colds, stomach issues, decongestants, allergies, cuts, etc. What once in a while happens is that we won't need a particular OTC for some time, then when we do, we find our supply has exceeded its "use by" date. OOPS!! Now I check them once a year in January and refresh as needed.

I agree that the seaweed issue is a problem. However, it usually does not affect every beach on an isle the same way. E.G., there may be tons of seaweed on Orient Beach in St Martins, but little seaweed on the Dutchside beaches. Playa del Carmen and northern Cozumel beaches get more seaweed than southern Coz beaches like Nachi Cocum. Do additional research to find out what beaches are generally affected and which are not. And remember that tides and winds do change.

While the OP thinks flashmobs are fun, most other cruisers seem to have a so what attitude about them, with some saying don't even bother me with that nonsense. I doubt the OP can get any of the above to change their minds.

Technically true, if you define an AI as all meals and drinks included. However, many hotels offer meal packages which may be what Essiesmom had in mind.

An alternative is to not listen to those horror stories re ship's laundry service. We have used ship's laundry across all the mass lines and have never had an issue with sox, briefs, tees, shorts, etc (the basics).

We had similar positive experiences on our Equinox 18 night b2b which included the the OP's sailing. Excellent ship and staff!

next to cabin #7345 deck 7; on deck 8 next to cabin # 8357.

I've had about 40 Carnival cruises, and probably played slots every day of each sailing. I get comp offers for a free balcony for 5 day cruises or less, a free interior on longer cruises. I've done many premier and a few ultras as well. I sailed Celebrity 3 or 4 times and gambled on the slots with the same frequency and amounts, yet get offers for free comped infinite balconies on their newest ships with week long + sail lengths, latest was a 10 nighter on its Apex. With maybe 8 0r 9 free comped sailings on Celebrity so far, their rewards far exceed anything Carnival has offered me.

An ER doctor in our local Ft Myers hospital says he sees at least 1 pickleball injury per shift every day he works. It's very popular here in SW FL, and most communities have their own pickleball and tennis courts. You get a good number of 60 + yrs players who try to play like they are in their 20's and something will pop, get twisted, snap, bruise or crackle.

Anyone visiting NYC post 9/11 will certainly see armed NYPD and US Military personnel visibly posted in major tourist and landmark locations as well as K9 units and security cameras. (There are probably even more units covertly posted or secretly stashed nearby JIC). I feel safer when I see these protectors, both here and in foreign ports than when none are visible.

While there were more negative reports about what cruisers were seeing on the streets than about traffic delays., these are never one issue cause/effect debates. Another factor in building the bypass tunnel was avoid future flooding issues on the old local route. The tunnel perhaps avoided an 8 block stretch of local streets,. Perhaps in CT there is sound logic in building projects, not always the case in FL.

I recall video poker with quarter, half dollar and dollar bets on the Apex and other Celebrity ships that I've sailed in the last year. 10 coins of each denomination was the max bet. It's possible.the FB comment was made by someone who sat at a machine already set for fifty cents and didn't realize they could raise or lower the base amount of the bet?

Barcelona was the only city where we were accosted by thieves. I do agree that many American home ports can be unsafe, esp. now post COVID, with many acting very irrationally. A few years back, the airport buses from Miami airport to the cruise port and back travelled through a sketchy area of homeless people. To keep cruisers from being exposed to them, the city constructed a tunnel to funnel the buses in and out. Just avoiding the sights was considered a plus by the city's pols.

I congratulate the OP for recognizing that casino gambling can be problematic and asking for help in limiting any potential damage. The OP can ask the casino manager for guidance as well. If the OP can limit his daily "contribution" to $100/per day, maybe he can just bring seven $100 or $50 bills and use one each day of a week long cruise? However, if the gambling issue is more deep seated, then setting a limit on how much is usually as effective as an alcoholic trying to have just 3 beers/drinks a day. Once that part of the brain gets activated and excited, all bets are off!

I think that the OP overstated his thread title: Everyone is getting back to cruising. While I'm not among them, I knew quite a few frequent cruisers who are still hesitant to board a sailing. The relaxed regs for safety and behavior on board will turn into more reasons to delay sailing for these folk. We're looking forward to an 18 night B2B on Celebrity Equinox starting next week!

Pre COVID, some Carnival ships were experimenting with a one night only loosening of the dress code in the Steakhouse. I was on the Pride out of Tampa and the only guy out of 5 or 6 wearing long pants. One or two had basketball shorts and sandals/flipflops. On the way out I asked about the dress code and was told it was advertised that way in the fun times app. So what? Didin't bother us at all. What did detract from the meal was the noise of the gamesters playing name that tune in the atrium, decks below us. The din came into the "open air" restaurant way too loud - more than enough to stifle table conversation and ruin the experience.

How does the OP know that someone struggling with their luggage is carrying on ALL they packed? Maybe they gave the porters $20 for their oversized heavy bags and are just trying to get the rest of their overpacking on without putting out more $$$ ??? Many do overpack. Personally, all I need is my 21" Delsey carryon and a shoulder bag and I'm good for a week long Caribbean cruise.

JMO, but I would prefer any whitening procedure to be done by a professional dentist. There are just too many potential downsides to having a spa therapist perform it - bleaching, enamel erosion, mouth sores, etc.

I've used the laundry service maybe 30 times for tees, briefs, sox and shorts, haven't had any issues with fading, folding, odors, etc. One bag used to cost $19.99, but there was usually one day where a discount was offered on a 7 day cruise.

After 40 + Carnival cruises, and I've played the slots for at least an hour or two every night, I've only been offered a free balcony for sailings of 5 days or less. I do get free interiors but I prefer balconies and longer cruises these days. Surprisingly, I sailed Celebrity 3 times, gambled the same, and now have gotten 8 different week long infinite balconies on their newer ships comped free. Haven't taken a Carnival offer since Celebrity began their freebies.....We're booked in the same infinite mid ship mid deck balcony cabin for an 8 day and 10 day sailing b2b later this month for taxes, port charges and tips!

Well, if no bacon is the final impetus to get you to try a new line, so be it. You won't know what the difference is until you try NCL, MSC, RCCL, Celebrity, or wherever else you actually book one. What do you have to lose? I sailed Carnival exclusively like you since 2003, but once I fanned out, I discovered a whole world of cruising was waiting for me. Many, many similarities, but there are some distinct differences, even with pricing. Carnival is not always the best value! I've enjoyed my 40 or so Carnival cruises, but I've also enjoyed 5 or 6 other lines, and now my preference is for Celebrity, who woulda thunk it? Oh, and as for a bacon shortage, I didn't notice it on the Mardi Gras last time I sailed Carnival.

The aft elevator goes up to deck 10 - to get tor the BBQ, Or you can use the stairs near the dessert display in the aft buffet. Definitely go on embarkation day!

If you have aft mdr evening dining, it can be challenging to walk through the 5th deck to the casino or theater esp. on picture nights. I would use the 4th deck walkthrough instead, no crowds or waiting for photographers to get their pics. This applies to any of the Conquest class ships (Valor, Glory, Freedom, Liberty as well).

A different opinion: We were on MG last November and the meal at Rudi's was okay, nothing bad, but nothing spectacular or special. I've always enjoyed Carnival's Steakhouse, probably eaten there on maybe 35 cruises, so we were looking for another great experience and felt a bit let down. Nothing bad about Rudi's but not as good as the steakhouse, and we do enjoy seafood. We'll probably give it another shot when we sail MG again this November, hopefully it'll be a better experience.