cruisenanny

Sailing Her the end of this October! Looking forward to some new dining options, spa cabin, coaster at sea and exploring a new ship!

1 hour ago, Jasonsterling said:

Were the other specialty restaurants on other lines a Prix Fixe menu though? I'm sure if you were splitting at Cucina or JiJis or the Sushi place or the Seafood place then no problem because it's an ala carte menu priced by the item instead of by the meal as a whole. That's where it gets problematic. I can tell you there are a lot of people like me that would split meals with kids, especially, rather than pay even the child's rate because neither one of us is going to eat that much. It would get out of hand rapidly and being told no, on one cruise, after you know someone was told yes on another cruise... is that fair? It's not about accepting something with grace so much as knowing a courtesy was extended to one cruiser and then not to you- that's where problems come in. I mean if I know of several instances where something as you describe has happened and then I go and request the same favor extended to others be extended to me but am turned down I'm going to be unhappy- I'd accept it and leave without a scene but I'd be unhappy and reflect that unhappiness to Carnival directly and in any reviews I did because it simply and plainly is not fair unless it's extended as an option available to everyone all the time. I like the atmosphere there btw because it's smaller, more intimate and more quiet without the floor show distracting dining and the loud more hectic atmosphere. You can relax and proceed at a slower feeling pace. 

Yes the specialty restaurants on other lines were fixed price. I agreed that I could see where it would be problematic for sure. I see what you’re saying. 

3 minutes ago, Jasonsterling said:

I really don't think that they would be inclined to budge on the per person cost here. In the end there's too much chance it would get out on FB or someplace like here and tomorrow you'd have regular fights onboard to get the same treatment by a whole host of passengers. For a long time I split meals regularly with my son, I don't eat huge meals at a sitting and it got rid of the need to drag a "doggy bag" home. I'd still do it today in fact if it wasn't for the looks I'd get with his age- ha! In the end I go to the Steak House for quality and atmosphere both- mostly atmosphere. The MDR has really quite good food. I usually order the smallest steak with just one appetizer and dessert and if I don't eat it all I don't care but the per person charge is fair and aside from a per ala carte menu charging by item the only way to do it. 

Didn’t say the price wasn’t fair. Have never found the atmosphere or service to be anything worth paying extra for. (It’s always fine but never a wow) I also don’t think the mdr food is all that great, but with a tiny stomach it’s just not that big of a deal either way.. I can tell you that my dad has invited us along to specialty restaurants on other cruise lines and they have always let us split, but again, there were other paying adults so we were just a small part of the equation. You have a VERY good point though, about how word would spread and folks would be DEMANDING it rather than asking and accepting the answer with grace. 

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Lol that is the definitive answer. The price to eat there is per person, not based on cost of a entree.

 

There is a steak choice as someone mentioned you can order in the Mdr, but I'd go in.

 

There are other choices that cost less. Jijis is 15, the fish shack place is ala cart. Italian is 15 per person. 

 

Btw rcl steakhouse costs more, 38 is good imo.

Yes thanks! I’m aware of the other choices! It’s not about the money and by the time I get to the steak it’s really not about that anymore either.. I used to love the soups and apps.. I think the real DEFINITIVE answer would be that we just have to ask and based on timing and availability one might get a yes or a no.. I find it hard to believe this is a HARD NO 100% of the time.. the OP may have better luck getting a yes because there will be other adults paying for full meals vs just one couple dining alone and wanting to share.. 

Oh wow! I would love to hear a definitive answer on this also! My husband and I both had weight loss surgery years ago and have had to skip the steakhouse ever since. It would be awesome if we could share an entree and just tip the server extra so they aren’t taking a loss by us sharing.. I used to think the food was sooooo much better than the mdr:-)

4 hours ago, cellfree said:

Booked on Sunrise out of Miami November 2, still anticipate going, although have not done any of the pre-purchasing I typically do, still wait and hope!

We are booked on this one too! So hoping we still get to go

I think on some days I could come close to the cost just in non alcoholic drinks, throw in a few martinis and it might be worth it. The problem is keeping up with the value day after day, and so in the long run it always evens out and is rarely ever much in my favor..

Try Red Frog beer and some apps in the pub, also want a drink in a fishbowl!

Try a sidecar at Alchemy Bar (in a review I read it was someone's favorite)

Snag a clamshell for two and hang out in Serenity all day, reading & napping..

Afternoon tea (always napping around this time!)

Read a whole book!

Well the biggest thing I like about Pride is she is the ship for my next TWO cruises!!:D:p Also, we sailed her sister ship Miracle a few years ago and LOVED every minute of it. Having been on the Conquest this past January we really enjoyed Guys Burgers and Blue Iguana Cantina so we are looking forward to those again, Something the Conquest didn't have is the Red Frog Pub that Pride got during her upgrades. Super excited to try the pub for snacks, drinks and entertainment!! Pride being just over 2 hours from my front door is pretty cool too.

Loving this! Thank you! We sail Pride on Halloween:D

Really good stuff here H! Cruisenanny thinks you are the cutest little man she has ever seen! (and that's saying something because, well... she's a nanny!!! :p) Thank you!!

Have been to HMC 2x, both were end of January and both times were AMAZING. Headed back in Nov, can not wait.

Thanks, this gives me hope for our October 31 sailing. We decided we want it and I have been checking many times a day, nothing so far.

I think it will be a long time before we see hot breakfasts, if ever, unless they do away with the card hanger. The only reason I say that is I don't think they could get eggs to your cabin and have them still be hot. They would need a lot more runners than they have today. From the galley to deck 8 is a long way, even if the runner was right there when it was complete, I don't think the customer would consider it much of a hot breakfast

Other lines manage it and that is with the door hanger.

I don't expect to ever see it on Carnival either, but not because it cant be done.

Ecstasy has won several awards (within the fleet) over the years. We thoroughly enjoyed our two cruises on her.

Is there a schedule somewhere saying when it will roll out to other ships or is it just stalled/on hold right now?

Many thanks! Cant wait but I'm gonna have to, not sailing Pride until November. Glad you had such a great time!!

The platinum perks are pretty nominal to begin with and it is not the reason why we cruise Carnival. NEVER have we gone to the VIFP party but we will enjoy the free drink on the last sea day.

Oh I cant wait for all the info!! My parents are on the sailing with you this week and we are all sailing Grandeur in August so I am super intrigued!! Many thanks in advance..

We have 4196 on the Pride in November. I think it is a good view between the lifeboats. Such a great value!!

I just hung up the phone with Carnival and we are now located in a cabin with no connecting door...feeling much better. Thanks for all of your feedback. ;)

Yay!! If nothing else you saved yourself a lot of worry!

To add to the overwhelming consensus, we WILL NOT take a connecting cabin, the risk of it being an issue is just too great.

Bonine causes LESS drowsiness but still CAN cause drowsiness, so we take one every night at bedtime, starting the night before we cruise. Has worked like a charm for many cruises now.

i went to Bermuda on the pride out of Baltimore a few years back during spring break in april. it was a great cruise and I'm so glad we went since carnival has really cut back on the cruises to Bermuda. nothing better then being docked for 3 days and don't have to worry about getting back to the boat at a certain time. Bermuda was beautiful and the weather was great, and everyone was very friendly. i would love to go again if the dates would fit my schedule. i few points to be aware of:

 

-the boat is docked at the royal navy dock yard in kings wharf. there are a few restaurants and bars right there, also a beach close by but they charge money to get on the beach. i remember buying bus passes and ferry passes to go to the nicer beaches and also to go to Hamilton.

-while docked in Bermuda the casino on the ship will remain closed. i also think all the fun shops were also closed but not 100% sure of the shops. this is mandated by Bermuda and is one of the issues i think carnival has with the cruises to Bermuda and why they have cut back on them.

_also not a big deal but on the way to bermuda you hit a certain point on the cruise and the ship loses half the TV channels due to losing reception with a TV satelitte. not a big deal but i remember on my cruise it was during the NBA playoffs and a lot of people were not happy when it happened.

 

the above are not really big issues but something some people might want to consider before booking. it is also issues (casino being closed)they don't tell you about when researching or booking. some cruisers like to gamble every night as part of their vacation. the first night when we left Bermuda i have never seen a cruise ship casino that busy in my life.

Ships casinos are now allowed to be open from 9pm until 5am as of last year. This is not the reason Carnival doesn't regularly cruise to Bermuda. The reason is because X, Royal & Norwegian have contracts with the Bermuda Government to come to Bermuda weekly in the season. This leaves slim pickings for other lines who would like to include Bermuda in their itineraries.

Of our dozen or so cruises to Bermuda, several have been in October. The weather tends to be absolutely amazing (July and August can sometimes feel like you are stuck on a HOT rock in the Atlantic) and the water is as warm or warmer than in July or August. I think people that discourage October cruising to Bermuda have either had an unusual experience or haven't actually done it but THINK it would be too cool.