evandbob

Tell your doctor and listen to their advice.

Whatever the OP buys, they should test it out at home first. Fill a sink with water, then put some folded up newspaper in the case, seal it, and submerge it in the water. If the newspaper gets wet, try to figure out why and correct if possible. If dry, now the OP knows it works properly. Better to test at home with paper than experiment with a real phone in an ocean somewhere.

With priority boarding on most lines, or what passes for priority these days, we generally got to our cabin and drop off our carry on luggage (most cruises). Then a quick stop at muster check in, followed by a lunch at a not so crowded venue.

Absolutely include tips in the basic cruise fare, despite the example of a company just beginning to do that. Change is always tough, and both sides need to work out their differences so that they can compete with the lines that have successfully combined all sailing charges years ago into one fare.

We were in cabin #14363 last week, not far from some cabins the OP cited. We had an extended balcony that easily fit the 2 regular balcony chairs plus table along with a larger chair recliner and still had space left over. One can easily look down and see other decks and pools, as well as have a much larger vista to ocean view than from a cove. If OP can get adjoining extended balconies, they can have a large party when the divider is opened. The OP should check the deck plan for deck 14 and see if their cabins have the (much) larger balcony.

I've used a cane post surgery on some cruises and always found that a staff person would approach me in the buffet and offer to take whatever plate/bowl I was carrying to my table. Once there, they asked if I needed anything to drink. Quite helpful, IMO. If it makes the OP feel more secure, bring a tray. I've seen some folk use the seat of their 4 wheel walker to gather their foodstuff as well. Whatever makes one comfortable.

For this sailing, casino staff were staged throughout the casino to respond to the absurd number of Jackpots being hit. Almost every other bank of machines had staff waiting to fill out tax form info for the next lucky gambler. Carnival still was the biggest winner as the sheer volume of gamblers betting max was overwhelming, and they could easily pay off the JP winners and still make a hefty profit. The house never loses!

Just off the MG Nov 5-12th sailing which had 1600 (free) entrants into a slot tournament. After 80 rounds of 20 guests doing a 3 minute game, there were just 500 eligibles left. Those were then whittled down by high score in an additional playoff to the 100 winners, who then played another extra round to establish their final placing. First place $500,000, 2nd place $150,000, 3rd place $50,000. 10th was $8,500 and 20th was $2,250. For Carnival's 50th BDay, 50th place was $50,000 !!! Would have hated to be #49 or 51, who collected "only" $1,600 and $1,500 each, LOL. Last place collected $500 in casino credit, all the other 99 were all cash payoffs. I got eliminated in round 2, so no prize $, but sure was way more fun than the small win $50 in casino cash slot playoffs on most ships. We even got a sizable discount on our extended balcony cabin room rate . Now, here's the bad news - Carnival raised the slot machines max bet to $27 on most machines. But the casino was usually packed with so many dedicated players on board, most playing max bets. With the higher max bet rate and greater play rate, jackpots were numerous and many players won over $14,000. There were even staff teams staged throughout the casino to react quickly when JPs were hit. It was not unusual to see staff go to several JP hits in a row of machines. I do hope that Carnival doesn't use this tournament experience to raise betting levels on their normal sailings!

On the Nov 5 - 12 MG sailing, YTD dining was in the Palm 7th deck. Palm 6th deck was late dining, which began @ 7:45pm, not the usual 8:15.

2 but I'm a guy. I can get away with just 1 pair. Add 1 more if you throw in water shoes.

Casino bookings are usually looser than regular bookings. I would call the casino desk and tell them the situation - chances are that they will move the date with no penalty.

Expect an increase in passenger injuries if pickleball becomes common on cruise ships. The staff at one of our local hospital ERs claim they see at least one pickleball related injury per shift. Things like twisted knees to ACL tears, separated shoulders and scrapes and bruises from falls, eye and teeth injuries, etc. Players in their 60s & 70s try to approach the game as if they were still 20 or 30 years old. Throw in some alcohol, and injuries are just about guaranteed.

Not on over 50 cruises equivilent to about a year's worth of sail nights. But good to be prepared, JIC, for the very slim chance that muster awareness is needed in an emergency.

2/3 of Americans are already obese before they get to the buffet. Amazing that our national diet tends so unhealthy. When we visit some other countries like Australia and NZ, we are amazed that their locals are mostly trim and fit, like we Americans were 60, 70 years ago. The buffet doesn't help for sure, but it's not a causative factor.

We had a view of the last Discovery shuttle launch from our ship. The harbor was shut down and no ships were moving due to the 4pm launch. We got some great pics of the craft as it left the launch pad and then flew over our heads .using a camera with a telephoto lens I believe it was after 5pm when our cruise got under way, but we didn't hear any complaints about the delay. {The OP seems to be talking about viewing a launch from the immediate launch area in the Cape and not from a ship 20 miles away in the harbor - I know}

My best decision regarding Fantasy class ships was to stop sailing them when they got old and tired back in 2010. Moved up to booking Conquest class, then Dream. Now my last 2 bookings were Mardi Gras and maybe Celebration is next? Not looking backwards, no regrets.

Good perk - helpful on B2 B and longer than a week cruises. I send out tees, shorts, briefs, sox, never an issue. See the new guidance for Diamond/Plat reimbursement: Moving forward, certain VIFP amenities will be linked to your Sail & Sign folio for electronic redemption, like how we currently handle complimentary laundry. Simply claim your benefit, using your Sail & Sign card, and a one-time credit for that item will be posted on your folio and be visible on your statement.

All great points, but lately (last few years) this section of beach has been subject to sargassum buildup. Not always, but more often here than elsewhere on the isle. Shame.

If staff are indeed sufficiently inoculated with latest boosters, okay. If they aren't, poor choice. I'd like to see the actual factors involved in making this decision.

In addition to the above, if calling the main carnival phone #, there is an option to switch to a call in survey as you listen to the menu choices.

I've had some sugar free monster drinks early in a 7 night cruise. Iffy later towards the last days, they may only have regular version loaded with sugar available. This applies to any ship, not just the Liberty.

My idea of the "Captain's Dinner"is when we get to dine with the Captain , some officers and a few other couples at a 12 top table. Never needed a suit when invited, dockers and a collared shirt were perfectly acceptable. Now if it's about the Diamond Captains Brunch or dinner, it's even more relaxed.

Last November we went t the BBQ at Pig & Anchor. This November we'll do the Chicken Shaq. Anything but the buffet where most wind up. The 1st day is usually the least crowded for the stand alone venues mentioned.

In doing the research, it may be important to gauge if any beaches on these isles are being affected by the growing seaweed sargassum problem as well as the usual points of interest.

Back in Florida, Miami beaches seem to amass more seaweed then Ft Lauderdale beaches. On our Southwest Gulf Coast, it's even worse post Hurricane Ian.....it is widely discouraged to enter the affected gulf waters for wading or swimming due to high bacteria amounts. Local news reported that one man died from an infection he got at Ft Myers beach through an open cut on his leg -yikes!!!