keels81

Enjoy!!! Voodoo Magic was my favorite show on my most recent sailing on the Mardi Gras. Definitely got a true New Orleans vibe.

1 minute ago, TxTeach79 said:

was she in the casino bar the whole time or did you also see her elsewhere?

Only Casino Bar! There's a bartender or two that rotate through there for breaks and such, but because of the hours the casino bar stays open (and the inventory they have to do), the main casino bar bartenders are always there. 

Just now, TxTeach79 said:

omg, she’s the best!!

We spent so much time with her back in July. She knew my drink routine by lunch on the first sea day. 🤣

She was also SO sweet to my friend's baby girl (it was her second birthday) ... all of the chocolate straws and cherries M could eat before the casino would open and she would have to skedaddle.

2 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

I love this casino. It’s huge. The bar is great. Jocelyn is maybe the best bartender I’ve come across so far. 

Jocelyn is MY FAVORITE!!!! 

Just now, CruizinSusan70 said:

You're entitled to your opinion, but the mixologists at all of the Alchemy Bars in the fleet have the experience and capabilities to go off the menu and concoct something nice.

The drinks at the Fortune Teller were more for show than substance and the offerings at Brass Magnolia were not worth more than the occasional change from Alchemy.  

By Bourbon Bar, I will infer you're referring to the Pig and Anchor.

 The Alchemy Bar doesn't offer high-end spirits and rely on too much "mixology" to make a true cocktail. I've never been able to find an Alchemist that can make a Hemingway daiquiri or a decent Old Fashioned with decent bourbon.

Steakhouse and Casino Bar always can make a traditional cocktail with high end spirits, so that's where I go. 

So you don't have to worry about me taking up a seat at the Alchemy.

1 hour ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The people on the other side of the bar at Alchemy are mixologists that have the wherewithal to concoct drinks off menu.  Most of the other bars on board have bartenders that tend to stick with the standard menu that their bar provides.

I stand by what I said. And the bartenders at Brass Magnolia, Bourbon Bar and Fortune Teller on the Mardi Gras were better than the Alchemy bartenders in what they could make.

Was worried it would all be picked over when I went to make dining reservations for our big group, but I was able to get everything I wanted at the relatively perfect time! Valiant Lady, here I come!

1 hour ago, dedede said:

Any recommendation for which bar on the Valor to go to that can make good standards such as classic martini, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, whiskey sour?

Casino Bar, Alchemy and the Sports Bar all have fantastic bartenders.

Safe travels and have fun!! Can't wait to see you find your natural habitat ... Sip! 🤣

1 minute ago, MistyRo76 said:

Deal! I'll be the one that looks extra thirsty! LOL Might need to have two margaritas waiting! 

I think I can make that happen! 🤣

1 minute ago, MistyRo76 said:

Well, then....let's go! I'm totally game for another day at Nachi! I'll meet ya there! 

I'll save you a lounge chair and have a margarita waiting!!

Ugh. You're making me want to hop on the Valor just to get back to Nachi.

Mine is more like a "hack", but on the ships that feature a Fresh Creations on Serenity ... I love to get a burger patty with cheese (and pickles) from Guy's Burger and then put it on top of a salad that I put together at Fresh Creations. Cheeseburger Salad is a nice switch-up from the deli-style proteins they offer on the salad bar.

This also works well with tenders from Big Chicken.

$5400 for four in an Excel Aft Suite on the Jubilee on 12/2/23.

On Mardi Gras, we got a coffee table book for the stateroom and inaugural season lanyards for everyone in the cabin. There was also merch you could buy that was what the crew/Fun Squad were given, so I bought a Mardi Gras Inaugural Season jacket (John Heald wears the similar style in his videos) for like $40.

2 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

I don't get it.  Anytime I'm looking at my casino offers, I have to remove Galveston from the "sail from" filter if I filter for lowest cruise first because Galveston are the cheapest.  And I have cruised out of Galveston before, so it's not like Carnival is making it cheaper for me than people who have previously sailed from there.

Same. Prices out of Galveston are generally the same for me as my home port, and are widely cheaper than Florida. The only time I've had a Galveston cruise be higher than others is my 12/24 sailing on the Jubbly, but it's the inaugural out of the port so I imagine that has more to do with it than anything.

I've been on the Breeze, Dream and Vista this year alone.

1 hour ago, MScarn123 said:

 

This is exactly why we will cancel our Carnival cruise. This particular cutback/change rubs me the wrong way; it feels like we are being needlessly punished. If it's to save money, what about the couples where only one person drinks alcohol? Why should we be forced to both buy Cheers if only one will use it? If it's to stop fighting, why are the well-behaved responsible drinkers losing the ability to mix drinks at our leisure?

 

Everyone vacations differently, some people like a loud party atmosphere, while others like me (and I assume you) enjoy a quieter and more relaxed vibe. Having to deal with crowds going back and forth to the bar disrupts the relaxed way I like to vacation, and like you, I am a responsible adult who doesn't misbehave or get rowdy while drinking.

 

This is starting to sound more like summer camp and less like a fun vacation. I understand they have to curb the rowdiness somehow, but there must be a better way than punishing the responsible majority and limiting our freedom as grown adults on vacation, just because a few dopes can't behave themselves or drink responsibly.

I'm a grown-up that sails with TWO individuals that don't drink so Cheers! is out of the question for me unless I get free everywhere/in the casino on a Casino Rate, but the thought of paying 3x for a bottle of vodka and then having to mule on my mixers OR paying for a real juice or soda, to go back to my room to make a drink? What a PITA compared to just having a real bartender make my drink (with likely a heavier pour) and then take it with me.

I've even stopped bring bottles of wine on-board because it's more of a PITA than just paying for a glass when I want it.

The last time I had to pay out of pocket for drinks, it was less than what I'd spend on Cheers for me personally AND I got to enjoy things like a pitcher of margaritas I could take back to the cabin to keep for later.

You just seems like you're looking for a reason to cancel, so just cancel.

8 hours ago, odis said:

They will be on December 26. Curious on how they manage the terminal that day.

According to my neighbor that manages the terminal, the Glory is a partial charter so it will use the RCL/NCL/Disney terminal 

I tip for every drink even though it's "included" when you buy the package, mostly because I go out a lot here at home and it's almost just sheer muscle memory at this point to write a tip and sign a check.

But another thing to keep in mind is that your servers on the pool decks/Serenity are often also your servers in the Punchliner/Theater/Casino and a little tip goes a long way in them recognizing you and seeking you out when things get really crowded for shows and the like.

Your tip is you need a hotel room. Above poster is right -- the two Carnival ships share one terminal and currently are never in port on the same day.

1 hour ago, MeganGC1983 said:

I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be heaven on Earth. 

Pretty dang close. And don't be shy about the free sparkling during sailaway -- they'll keep bringing it to you for as long as you want it. Was easily 90+ minutes for me earlier this summer.

Have a great time on the Scarlet Lady! I just know you'll feel right at home at Sip, for sure!

My two-tank dive in December was canceled last week. No biggie, I usually book privately anyway but wanted to get my girlfriends in on at Discover SCUBA booking as well.

20 minutes ago, grantbob said:

YTD wait times were really bad last month on the Ecstasy. One night we waited an hour and a half to be seated. I thought that maybe since it was a Journeys cruise with lots of Platinums and Diamonds that might have been the reason but maybe it's a new trend,

It hasn’t been that bad this sailing, but we usually go at the very last minute since there’s so much to see and do since it’s the last sailing. I think the longest we waited was 20?
 

I honestly wish we could pre-pay for specialty dining and then book it day of like YTD (Chef’s Table being the exception) because I hate missing shows, comedians, etc. And everything can change slightly.

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Ridiculous. I wonder if YTD is too popular now. Maybe they should look at cutting back assigned to half a dining room or reducing the number of people on YTD.

 

You might be on to something, but I think set time dining is more of the issue than YTD? Maybe cut the 5:30 set time allotment in half, do away with second seating and that frees up the dining room and galley to be more reactive to orders than just blanket pushing out stuff at two set times? Spitballing here