mapsmith

Agree. The Complainers feel that it is their life's duty to complain.

Myself, I understand that things happen. It just gives me another story to regale people with in the future.

On our last Carnival Cruise, I came back from the Gym and water was pouring out of the light in the hall outside of our room. Get in the room and tell the wife. She finds it interesting and we watch water start coming in under the door. About that time Guest Services shows up and decides to move us. So we get moved from an outside on 2 to a balcony on 6. Okay no problem. I did notice that it appears the Balcony that we were moved to was taken out of service for a few problems and that (maybe) some things were cannibalized for other rooms. (the cover for the Pullman to make the ceiling consistent was missing) But we were happy. Better than being in a room with two inches of water on the floor, even if the Balcony rooms are smaller than OV. (OV is 210 sq. ft., Balcony is 185 with a 15 sq ft balcony, so OV is larger)

But we ran into people that complained that the food on the Buffet was rubbery, that the comedy club was too crowded, that there were not enough waiters in the comedy club. Just complaining.

Carnival is the Fun Ship Line, but some people can't have fun even if they wanted to.

Sometimes a good word to their superior is also well appreciated.

On our last Cruise, one of the Assistant Waiters, Tobing, was very very good. Much better than his Lead or the other Assistant Waiter. I made it a point to seek out the Maitre d' and let him know how much we appreciated Tobing. The Maitre D' let me know that just that day he had promoted him.

Running my own business, I appreciate when customers let me know how well my employees do. And I show it to the Employees.

If you get really good service from a crew member. Mention it in post cruise surveys, but also find their boss on the ship and let them know too.

Ignore the fact that there is a Casino and Spa on the ship. Walk through the towns rather than take an expensive excursion.

Does anyone know if the creme brûlée is served on the Triumph with the new American Fare dining menu? This will be my first time trying the american fare so I'm not really sure what to expect, Thanks!

We were on the Journey's cruise in January. There were 3 or 4 variations of Crème Brulee. Vanilla, Dulce de Leche, and I think a chocolate or Mocha.

And if you can't find anything on the menu or the Everyday items, (as I did one night) Try the Indian Vegetarian. Extremely flavorful, but not extremely spicy. Did have some spice though. I enjoyed it and actually left quite a bit because you get two full plates and a bunch of sauces. (I have no idea what was what, but it was tastier than many other foods during the 11 days)

From Carnival's site.

http://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/explore/dining/menus/guys-burger-joint-menu.ashx

Appears to be "Donkey Sauce" and BBQ sauce. Donkey is vile. Mayo with a minimal amount of Ketchup and maybe a bit of mustard.

BBQ ain't bad.

I usually go for Plain Jane with Cheese and decorate from the condiment bar.

Sitting here thinking of places to spread noro before getting on the ship. Handles of suitcases that are handled by porters, baggage handlers at the airport, check in agents at the airport.

The Check in Agents at the airport, people on the plane, the airplane seat.

Check in at the port. THE ESCALATOR AT THE PORT (everyone holds on to the railing)

Cabs.

Sailing out of Port Canaveral. DISNEY.

A report from the CDC came out in the last couple of weeks that states that you are less likely to catch noro on a Cruise ship than virtually any other place where a crowd gathers.

(Besides there were only a couple hundred noro cases out of 3000+ passengers and 2000 crew that is a very small number.)

On our Triumph Journeys Cruise, they would not allow even the unopened Carnival Bottles back on ship if they had been taken off in port. Many people were pissed about this.

The only way I think it would work would be for Guest Services to transport it for you.

But since they will be busy on Turn Around Day, I would imagine that they would decline to do so.

Now if they would just move it out of the Casino Bar to a place where you can hear the answers and not have to inhale second hand smoke.

$245 to upgrade to premium Seats on a Transatlantic Flight is cheap. Even if it is just Premium Economy.

Working out in the outdoor gym.

Hot Dogs from the Hot Dog Cart.

The Ship Coin.

Try to find Chips for the Salsa at the Blue Iguana. (There aren't any)

It is always difficult to fire someone. But after a quarter century of running a small business a firing sometimes is best for all involved--including the person being fired.

Fire this so called Travel Agent and find another. You may feel guilty for a while but once on the ship who the heck cares!!

I hit the gym every morning and am constantly walking back and forth from the back to the front and back again. Why would the ship offer Free Zumba on Deck when they charge $10 in the Gym? Who the heck wants to line dance all the time (or at all). Plenty of dancing in the clubs. Make your own activity. It is YOUR Cruise, make of it what you want. MY Cruise will be different.

Seems from all the cruises that I have been on, the Captain tends to alternate the side of the ship facing the port. so if you have Starboard in Cozumel, you would have port in Costa Maya. Of course Belize and Cayman being tender ports it makes no difference. In other words, there is no difference in Port or Starboard on which side is facing the port.

Wondering how to do this all over the internet. Since we are over a 1000 miles from the nearest Publix, I am wondering about purchasing $50 worth of groceries on line. (Coffee, Jerky, Candy, etc.) and then getting the Gift Card mailed. Wonder if it would work?

Some place on this site is a very detailed description of a gentleman who was left behind in Nassau. It all resulted in miscommunication among his group at Atlantis. He did describe the feelings and, more importantly, the processes that he underwent to get lodging, airfare, etc, to connect back with the party.

One of the most important tools at his disposal was a cellphone. Although he did not have a charger and wound up locating one in Nassau. Without the Cellphone, the rest of his group would have had no clue as to what was transpiring.

I found it a very engrossing story. and will ignore others in my group when it is time to head back and they say "We have plenty of time"

I agree about Carnival and the cruisers they are aiming to serve. But such things are still taught - much to my childrens' chagrin. They are now 17 and 11, say yes ma'am and no sir when introduced to an adult, and you will find them in dress shirt and tie on elegant evenings. They are being introduced to the Steakhouse on our next cruise.

 

Do you have any suggestions as to how to keep a 17 year old boy from putting his elbow on the table and shoveling in bites of steak the size of a cow? I have tried stabbing his elbow with my fork and removing his food but nothing seems to work! His desire to feast is just too great....

Suggestion. a 17 year old cute girl.

So far we have always stayed at the Sheraton Old San Juan (using Starwood points) Easy walk to the Carnival Ships. They are literally a half block away. But you do have to cross the street and the street is always busy. But it would be a waste of time and money to get a cab.

We have been happy with the rooms that we got at the Sheraton. Regular rooms are comfortable and quiet. We were once upgraded to the Governor's Suite. A four room apartment on the top floor with kitchen, bedroom, Lounge, and Conference room. It's bath was a large as most hotel rooms.

Scheduled again in January at the end of our cruise.

The supposedly have gotten rid of the casino, so it is probably a little quieter.

To add ne more important point: Our food in the MDR was consistently room temperature. I pointed this out in a post on the Imagination thread. We had dinner the 1st night and I nicely pointed this out. Our waiter was also nice and pointed out that was " Only the first night". The 2nd night we were moved to our permanent spot in the MDR...but the same room temp food was still an issue. IDK what do about this...quicker pick up from the wait staff seems pretty obvious. It's hard when we're there to do much, the staff are truly so kind and nice. They work their butts off...so what to do?? :confused::confused:

Simple solution (that I have used several times) When the food is room temperature and not supposed to be, send it back. Tell the waiter the food is not hot and he/she will replace it.

Check In Summary

On the left.

Second box down.

"My Check In Time"

If you are leaving out of Galveston.

It is only a four hour drive if you are going 80MPH . .

Which is slow on Alligator Alley.

Simply amazing. My wife can do an 8 night cruise with just a carry on.

She needs to do a lecture on board the ship. Mandatory attendance for all wives!!!!

:)

Just to be helpful. NEVER pack Jewelry in a checked bag. It will be out of your sight for extended periods of time. All Jewelry and All medications should always be in your carryon. Particularly if you ever want to see them again.

Land based restaurants cook for the same folks, they cook for flavor.

But land based restaurants are not cooking for 3000 people during a 3 hour window either. If you only have to cook for 40-50 people per hour, you can focus on flavor. With the sheer numbers of plates that a ship has to prepare, well, sometimes flavor enhancements fall to the wayside.

With the new Carnival plans, I plan to get the "Social" plan. This would give me access to Facebook, and I can use Facebook Messenger (I hope) to communicate with my Number 2 in the store while I am soaking up Caribbean Sun.

My wife will make sure that i'm on board at 7...thanks

Shouldn't be a problem since Sheraton Old San Juan closed the casino. You have to go to Condado to gamble before the cruise, now. But that Puerto Rican Rum can do a number on one's ability to tell time.