sunkey1

On the Mardi Gras last October they were enforcing this in the Serenity deck area. Attendant would leave a sign and come back later, if people hadn't returned he would take their belongings to the towel stand. We were there one morning and saw four loungers lined up with random objects thrown on them. They were empty for at least two hours before the attendant placed the sign, the people finally got there about an hour after that and were royally pissed. Too late, their chairs were taken by then.

It really does vary from cruise to cruise it seems from reading the boards. We sailed the Mardi Gras last October and the Magic in April. I loved the Mardi Gras (many don't) for a lot of the new features, huge number of bars and dining venues and entertainment options. The Magic was okay but as it's an older ship I noticed a lot of areas that needed repairs. I actually got locked out on my balcony due to a broken handle. As far as the run, I prefer the Magic's as I love St. Maarten and St. Kitts. I thought the lines/waits were pretty evenly matched on both my cruises, at some times had considerable waits for drinks, dining, at other times next to no waits, on both ships.

And this is just more proof of "different strokes for different folks". We were on both the Breeze and Dream and did not care for them at all, but loved the Mardi Gras. This is why lines need variety, everyone is looking for different things.

Another member posted a bunch of Fun Times that includes both eastern runs (w/San Juan or Nassau) and a western run. https://www.saintgregtravel.com/fun-times/

YAY!!!!!!

Sorry, I misspoke, they will be one day shy AFTER this sailing - so they will just have to book another one soon!

I'm hoping that's still the case as we're sailing with our two adult kids soon. We are platinum but they are both one day shy of platinum. Going to see if they can board with us, if not, we'll wait at the bar and warm up for vacation with our first Fun Ship!

Yep, miss those days for sure. I hate that we truly have to carry a phone around with us now just for dinner reservations, etc. I still limit it to being used simply for necessity and that's it. My choice, may not be everyone's.

Agree totally, just stating that for "many" who select that OPTION, they now spend more time "sharing" their experiences with everyone - real time, rather than sharing the memories when they get home. Somehow, 30 years ago, I managed to go on vacation, leaving my kids with the grandparents and still managed to have a great time. I chose to live rather than to HOVER. I have elderly parents (4 between my hub and I), and we are going on vacation soon and will leave the ship emergency number but beyond that, nope, going to enjoy. Maybe that makes me uncaring - don't care! 😄

Mine also was approved in a day. So weird.

So agree! I miss the days when so many actually experienced the trip instead of being focused on sharing it with everyone and their uncle. Last cruise we went on my hubby and I laughed at the young couple next to us, in a beautiful dining room, gorgeous evening at sea and they spent the entire meal with their faces in their phones. Call me old school, but one of the things I always loved the most about cruising was the ability to disconnect from tech, reconnect with others and chillax.

one definition of perspective is "point of view" so I think they are good

Yup, while I might enjoy a few bites of a baked potato, there are always so many other options that I would not want to fill up on one. I'm sure that if you ask the server that he could bring extra.

Personally I am really glad that they have reduced portion sizes. I would much rather people order extras to fill up than have so much go to waste. On the Mardi Gras last October, still had too much on the plate and can't say that I had a bad meal anywhere, including the main dining room.

Sorry, I love cruising as much as anyone, but Carnival and luxury do NOT belong in the same sentence. Don't flame me, my last cruise was on Carnival, and so is the next one, but they are not a luxury cruise line.

Loved her so much last October that booked her again and are taking our (adult) kids this time.

It's all going to be subjective. Personally my husband and I thought it was overrated. While the presentation was wonderful, the service we had that night was seriously lacking. The food was good, although not significantly better than any other specialty restaurant we've been to. Put it this way, we went last October on the Mardi Gras, do not plan to on our upcoming cruise. Everyone is going to have a different take based on their personal likes/dislikes so go ahead and try and decide for yourself!!

We saw this at Serenity on the Mardi Gras last October. Attendant placed the stickers and when the time was up he took their belongings to the towel stand. People didn't show up for another two hours and then were ticked off. Seriously?!

Still love and will sail Carnival but only newer ships from now on. Were on the Mardi Gras last October and loved it so much that we booked again for this October. Took a spur of the moment cruise in April on the Magic and she has really been let go. Handle to our balcony door was loose and had reported it but before it ever got fixed I ended up getting locked outside. That finally resulted in it getting (somewhat) repaired but never received an apology from guest services or the person overseeing the repair. Just seems like a rush to get money back in the coffers but it's going to come back to bite them as it limits the ships I'll sail on with them in the future and will encourage me to book other lines.

Yup, I personally don't understand the fans. He was on our Mardi Gras cruise last October, as it was the christening cruise. Nice enough for sure but would I book a cruise just to see him? Or want to have my picture taken with him? Um, no. But that's just me.

How much was the rental?

How much was it and was the cart in decent condition?

We were supposed to go to GT last October on the Mardi Gras but they had closed again. Went in April but our ship got in later so Jack's was already packed. Planning to go when we sail on the Mardi Gras again this October. Was there a charge for chairs or were they free as long as you purchased food/drink?

We recently did a Vancouver to Seward cruise with all of the same requirements. We too had the testing issue so we purchased eMed test kits and took them with us and did them at the hotel. As long as the hotel has wifi there should be no issues. Our tests, with results, took all of 15 minutes, we printed the negative confirmation at the hotel and had that, along with the one on our phones. Even if you aren't reimbursed for the eMed tests through insurance, they are $25 each vs. the much higher cost of onsite testing.

We are just back from Alaska and did both the Bike and Hike and Kayak tours with Ketchikan Kayak Company and cannot recommend them highly enough. They picked us up right at Ward Cove, took us to a marina where we saw at least a dozen bald eagles (one flew about five feet over my head). From there we took the bike ride to Tongas National Forest where a guide took my husband and I (a few other couples rescheduled so we had a private tour!), through the forest and discussed a lot of the history of the area, the foliage, etc., then for a walk along the shore at low tide where we saw at least a hundred sea stars. Rode the bike back to the marina where we then got on the kayaks. Rode out into the inlet and were supposed to do a tour along the shoreline but when we saw our first humpback we were done, everyone just wanted to watch them. Nothing like seeing them from a kayak - right there!! We spent a few hours paddling around, following the whales. After both tours they served up a snack of various beverages and some smoked salmon, dip, crackers, other munchies. The tours were excellent, guides were well informed and engaging.