ooomwizard

Caution: don't let the taxi's mess with you. I've had occasions where the driver will want to "wait" on you till you want to head back to port. Then they'll try to charge you for a whole day. Just say "no thanks, don't wait."

Know your price when you leave the taxi area, (there are signs with rates) and know your price for the drive back. Tips a little extra than the fare if you like. Give yourself sufficient time for the ride back. And, above all, relax!

The whole dang cruise is a single meet-n-greet to me!

I bring beach towels from home. Cheap, usually well worn and I don't care if I lose or leave it. And they don't say 'Carnival' should beach bums want to snatch some short term tourist stuff.

It should be the normal program as on all the other boats. Don't know what you've been reading but it's not worth any worry. You'll have great fun! Or, great relaxation!

Fantastic snorkeling in Grand Cayman right near the pier, and it's free! Even rental equipment available. But, go for the short drive and enjoy more vacation time! Have fun!

Tips are automatic placed on your SS account when you depart, unless you prepay for them. How you pay is up to you, but I imagine Verizon gift cards from the Carnival program would work. Try them at check in on day of departure. :D

Pedi was outstanding. Back massage chair, foot soak, scrub clean trim and buff. Resort pricing but worth it.

Guys... do it!

I think it was Pinot Grigio too. Might have been Barefoot or Cupcake

The MDR singing and dancing appeals to many more than it offends. Also, the Martre d's singing. (Ken has a fantastic voice.) I would deem this as an added benefit/entertainment value. Personally I could take it or leave it after seeing it many times.

The fun of it, however, is seeing the delight that others have. Many join in with the dancing and laughs abounded when Ken sat on a man's lap and sang to him. I could see how many first time and even seasoned cruisers relish this entertainment.

I'm content to sit and enjoy the enjoyment of the others. And I'll relinquish the few minutes it takes to allow others to experience their own great time. It's not that tedious an imposition. We can go back to our own talking soon enough and probably not miss anything so important that's not been said or can't wait.

Even the Happy Birthday's/Anniversary's get redundant, but that's what you get when you are with a large amount of people, on vacation!

1 vote MDR entertainment.

Arrived at port at 11:00 was on by 11:30. Would have been faster but they were having a staff meeting when we arrived. (GF was mad we got there too early as she had read that boarding started at 1:00. Cruise newbie, ha!)

Debark day ship arrives around 6:30 am. Self-assist started about 8:30ish. We, zone 1, waited in exit line about 10 minutes once called. (Go to rear elevators. The line is much shorter than line through casino.)

They're just making sure it's easy to get the previous passengers off easily.

We also just got off of the Pride.

I've seen Carnival food decline over the years but this cruise was a fantastic surprise. The food was a better quality than I've seen in years. Burrito/Taco bar was great, but open far to few hours. Guys burgers was also great and always open.

Main dining room was on par but had some phenomenal selections and only a couple of duds. (Red Snapper was returned to kitchen by two ladies at my table. Was like rubber.)

Ship is spotless. Galley is spotless (Chefs table) and pictures taken inside galley were welcomed. Ken (maitre d') sings like Sinatra.

Stewards and staff were on par. Only an occasional minor delay in getting/placing a drink order.

Dance club (Beauties) was nearly always vacant and I believe it's due to it's layout on this class of ship. (ie. Legend) Other Carnival ships clubs with different floor plans have been packed or much busier. Comedy club was well staffed with varied entertainers.

Embarkation/debarkation was incredibly fast and efficient. (Tampa)

Cabin was perfectly maintained. (Do miss the bowl of free bath goodies from days gone by though.)

Pride is my favorite Carnival ship to date. I'm looking forward to judging another!

Enjoy!

GF had the white, and no chance of me remembering what it was. Pretty sure it was one of their cheaper on-board selections.

It was Champagne (sparkling wine) first thing. Started serving drinks while gathering at the Atrium bar in front of the services desk. Then, more champagne during the galley tour tastings and melting chocolate demo. Then, your choice of red or white wine during dinner in the "Beauties" nightclub.

You will be FULL when you leave. I didn't finish a course unless I loved it. Think it was 11 courses/tastings plus dessert(s.) Treat it as an excursion and have fun with your tablemates. Worth doing at least once.

GL!

If you're Diamond send word to the wheel house or captain and they'll adjust the course for you! :eek: :D:D

Pride Chefs table question: Dinner in the kitchen or in the dance club?

Repost from an earlier thread: I've found, after years of buying Carnival, that the best rate usually comes into play about 4 - 8 weeks before sailing. If the rooms aren't filling fast enough they'll drop the price as the sail date approaches.

Some sailings they don't/won't fill all the cabins and you can get an extreme price cut by waiting till the last week or two. Downsides are: the less desirable rooms are the last to book, the ship may fill quick and you'd be out that sail date and/or you may not get a category that you like.

If you're close to a port and able to travel on a moments notice, you can buddy up to one of the carnival reps and let them know you're available. This can be an unbelievable deal but I think the ship must have it's passenger manifest ready at least 3 days before sail date. And, you get what you get.

When a cruise is imminent, I check rates daily as well as number of cabins still available by doing a mock booking. Once I think the rate is as low as it might go and there's fewer cabins available, I book.

The other option is to book ES (early saver) and hope to get a On-Board-Credit if the price drops. But, now you're regularly checking prices again and if you forget or don't file for the credit you're out the credit.

GL!

Also, Spring Break and holiday sailings almost always sell out early. Those, book early.

Yup, if you wait till boarding they will often have specials. Also heard of attendees getting freebies if you visit the spa during their demonstrations (services sales.) Can't verify that personally.

Also, in many ports especially on the beaches there may be massage tables and I've heard they're cheaper and much better. You'll have to research your ports for those.

GL!

If they didn't have elegant nights I'd miss them. I love seeing everyone looking great and everyone who does seems to dress well also seems to have a great time doing it!

I like to bring a tux and have tons of fun coverbun/tie combos. I love it when my gal looks glamerous (and sexy!) It also reminisces me of the past truly elegant days of ship travel.

I think many people miss some of the fun on a cruise and dress every day as a day at the ball park. Casual is casual and I won't slight anyone for having as relaxing a vacation as they want. But even with the elegant night(s) there are plenty of nights to dress down.

1 vote for elegant nights!

We use one of these and post in our faces. FUNNY! (And way easy to find room when full of drinky. lol)

To buy ($10): http://www.amazon.com/Couple-Photo-Banner-Poster-Party/dp/B001FVPL66

Past several bookings I havn't seen any "pluses" to using the PVP over the Carnival website. I'd just use the website. It's easy. We do have a direct number to a specific Carnival PVP and she's pretty good. But still, she quotes nothing better than the website offers.

Daytoncruiser - Different YouTube, better video! Look before you comment. :)

Hang the clothes in the bathroom. Then, run the shower in the bathroom on hot. They'll be steamed sufficiently straight in no time. :D

(as noted before)

One our first (and very romantic) cruise together my GF/Sig Other take the Carnival Legend for a weeks cruise out of Maimi. I call her "Goober" or "Doober," well, just because that's her.

Goober is easily evoked into the ships festivities and sure enough she gets chosen to be in the shipboard games. She makes it all the way to the final game where you have to swim the pool and collect fruit. Seemed like half the cruise boat was crowding the pool and at her turn all she had to do was grab a Pineapple to win the game. I was coaching her from the above balcony, "just grab the Pineapple!" but couldn't be heard over the crowds. She proceeded to stuff all manner of fruit into her suit when "POP" out came a juggy. 3 young boys sitting poolside started pointing and yelling, "boob, boob, boob!" The roar was deafening. Although I was clicking pictures I totally missed archiving the error. As well, the daily cruise video showed her playing the games, and it was carefully edited.

One another more recent cruise, Goober and I were cruising (Carnival Glory) with good friends and we decided to rent scooters (as our couple friends where motorcycle riders) while in St. Thomas. We had a general idea of where to go from our scooter rental guy so we took off. About 45 minutes later we pulled to the side of the road to discuss where we were and get our bearings. As we talked a white pickup truck pulls over and asks us if we need any help. At first we were wary but it turns out this guy was a off duty police officer and was just trying to help. Goober was straddling her scooter and conversing to the officer when I pointed to my friends to look at her shoes. She wore two different shoes. We all start laughing hysterically. She gave an incomprehensible explaination about her shoes but nonetheless we laughed till we cried. On the spot, she eternally earned the nickname, "Goober two shoes."