Bookster99

I have heard that the shorter cruises are often a bit rowdier. Was that your experience? 

I prefer gift cards. I buy them from AARP, which gives me a 10% discount. Any leftover funds at the end of the cruise, Carnival puts them on a giftcard and sends it to me, to be used next time.

5 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

No, lacto vegetarians eat dairy.  Vegetarians do not. Vegan is a different term that encompasses a lifestyle, not just eating habits.

 

To get really technical, a lacto vegetarian doesn't eat eggs. That would be a lacto ovo vegetarian.  Your wife is a lacto ovo vegetarian most likely.

 

These terms do mean something, as certain religions follow strict guidelines.  For example, allowing dairy but not eggs.  This is common in India.

I just like it because it's easier then saying I'm vegetarian but I eat cheese.

On 10/14/2019 at 7:31 PM, TNcruising02 said:

I'm thinking of cruising out of San Juan this December on the Fascination. The itinerary looks great.  My only hesitations are the size of the ship and flying into San Juan, which appears expensive to do. I think the ports can make up for a any disappointment I find in the ship.  I wish there was a larger ship with this same itinerary.

I loed the Fascination, but hated flying in to San Juan. If they are doing the same itinerary they did this summer, you could do the same cruise but fly in and board in Barbados.

2 hours ago, coevan said:

 

 

The grills I see are full of burgers. Unless you have a severe meet allergy, the slight cross contamination won't kill you. 

I think it has to do with personal beliefs and feelings more then a fear it will kill or cause harm greater then being exposed to carcinogens.

4 hours ago, fabby50 said:

I do this every cruise - usually twice!  The steakhouse has the best vegetarian experience on the ship.  First, I do make note when I make my reservation that I'm a vegetarian.  Then, when we get aboard, I go to the steakhouse and have the hostess make a note of it.

 

Every time I've done this, once we're seated,  a chef has come out to ask me what I'd like to eat.  They make me something WONDERFUL and in a portion that is much more than I can ever eat.  I've had pasta, risotto, grilled vegetable plates, etc.  Sometimes, I do just like a baked potato with some of the other sides.  When I've told the chef I just want a baked potato, they seem disappointed - I think they like preparing something different.

 

One thing I've never gotten is the amuse bushe (sp?) - those are set up before hand and the waiters aren't as familiar with vegetarianism as the chefs are.

Awesome! Thank you.

1 minute ago, tm_aw_love said:

There isn't a specific vegetarian friendly entree on the menu; however, if you speak to the Steakhouse Manager in advance, I am sure that they would be able to make some sort of accommodation for you. 

I'm sure they will. I have no doubt! Just curious what other people may have experienced.

Yes. Every day it is offered.

My wife loves the steak house. I am currently vegetarian. Technically, "Lacto-Vegetarian" I eat cheese. Anyway, we are going to the steak house the first night. I wondered what vegetarian entrees they might offer up. Let me first say, I am completely unconcerned: There is a long extensive list of sides that will fill me up completely. However, a giant portabello mushroom "steak" might be an amazing entree. On their  actual menu, there is no vegetarian entree listed at all. When i emailed guest services, they told me that's all handled on the ship and could provide no real guidance ahead of time. 

So, to repeat, I am sure it will be an amazing experience. However, since I have the collected wisom of cruise hive mind at my disposal, has anyone out there requested a vegetarian entree from the steakhouse? What did they do for you?

My experience is that it just takes longer to get the veggie burger: They cook it when ordered, and the other burgers are cooked as you go so there/s no wait. I observed them heating the veggie burgers in a separate area, so possibly less contamination risk of mixing with red meat. However, the burrito and taco bar was right next door, it it seemed to me it was faster and fresher to just have a veggie burrito or taco instead of a veggie burger. I liked the veggie burger, and didn't mind the wait...once! For more regular routine lunches, I would just grab the burrito....

On 10/12/2019 at 7:32 PM, gopackgo21 said:

They also carry veggie burgers at the deli that you can then use the toppings from Guys. 

I did not know this. Good to know!

Pretty excited about this news.

Following: We are travelling on her over Christmas. What's the coolest artwork on board? Neatest bar? Secret decks? 

What did you do in Progreso? We are looking at different excursions there, trying to decide. Thanks for the review!

Nice review. Thank you!

You will definitely want to book ahead of time! It sells out quickly. On my 4th of July cruise, I believe they told us they would be switching up the Chef's Table menu by our next cruise. Our next cruise will be in December, and unfortunately i can't remember exactly when they said it would switch. It will be amazing, regardless! It always is.

On 3/29/2019 at 6:01 PM, Mm13 said:

I stayed in an ocean view on Fascination last June and didn’t notice a stale smell. In fact the AC worked really well circulating the air. Hence my surprise and concern after reading reviews about cigarette smell from the air vents.

We are on an aft facing ocean view over the 4th of July this year. Looking forward to it!

I keep trying to sell the wife on Porthole Rooms. Haven't succeeded yet, but I think it's the cheapest window on the ship.

46 minutes ago, crusinpsychRN said:

For reading take hard bound books. The paperbacks are hard to keep open, have to hold on to them all the time.

You also can leave the books in the library when you are done. More room for souvenirs on the way home. I have gone completely digital: I read on my phone or Ipad on cruises.

9 minutes ago, Hillbillygram said:

Wow!! We flew American from Knoxville for a total of around $800 round trip for the two of us. We booked in June before our cruise in September. We had planned to fly to San Juan on September 15. On the Wednesday before, we received a weather alert from AA due to Hurricane Florence and AA wasn't sure how the storm was going to affect our connection in Charlotte.

 

We had no time constraints, so we rebooked to fly on the 13th, no charge to change our flight plans. We flew to Philadelphia and then on to San Juan. So glad we did this as we basically extended our trip by almost 3 days. We had a wonderful time exploring Old San Juan on those days.

I'm jealous. We have just enough time for the cruise. We did that once with a cruise leaving from New Orleans, and explored New Orleans for a few days. 

2 minutes ago, Hillbillygram said:

So will buying cruise insurance outside of Carnival as far as flight delays/cancellations.

 

...so, there's that!

We had an aft oceanview on the Paradise on deck 2, and loved it. We have an aft oceanview set for the Fascination in July. You will love it! We didn't do it except for pictures, but you can actually sit in the window like a wierd little book nook. 

20 minutes ago, Kelly68 said:

 

 

Thanks, not sure I have the nerve to wait 7 weeks before , maybe if I had to option to drive if I missed out but that isn't an option this time. 

Only with an amphibious vehicle. I suppose if your time is flexible you could book a tramp steamer to San Juan...

2 minutes ago, Kelly68 said:

yes Southwest does seem the cheapest, now the trick is to know how soon or how late to book it to get the best price .

1 hour ago, Kelly68 said:

 

Holy crap I am hoping to pay much less then that, fingers crossed !!!

Check Southwest.