chocolate melting cake

It even occurs at the end of a B2B!

Here is the newest secret diamond perk -- enjoy!

We've parked there several times, though not recently. There has always been plenty of space--the last set of cruisers have vacated their spaces. It is expensive, last time we paid $40 per day. I've read that there are a couple of nearby pay parking areas cheaper, but then you have the hassle of either dropping someone off with your baggage (and it is a madhouse of loading, unloading) or dragging the luggage along slightly iffy streets, or getting a cab/uber. The great part of pier parking is it's so close and easy to access, here are pictures taken from our balcony on our last NYC cruise. I think I could have hopped to my car carrying my bags!

You will certainly enjoy the laundry perks. Keep on traveling and soon you too will get to know about the secret perk for diamonds!

One wears a sign "Morton's", the other wears "Duracell". You'd be a salt and battery.

Many of you already know this already, but for the rest-----we have booked a number of B2B 7 day cruises. We get $100 for a 7 day cruise, but we have asked for and received $100 and $150 since it totals 14 days ($250). Next Feb. we are scheduled on a 6 day ($50) and an 8 day ($100) B2B. I asked for and was just notified that I received $100 and $150----an extra $100!

I haven't heard or read any reviews of Carnival's flight program. I had read a while ago that Carnival now has a department to book your flights and hotels. We just signed for a cruise from England and our PVP asked if we'd like Carnival to handle the flights. I stalled, saying I'd think it over. Does anyone have any advice, based on knowledge of this service? We've always booked our flights ourselves----is there an advantage to having Carnival be responsible for this? Would we have any say in choosing (example, we'd only want nonstop or 1 stop flights)? Thanks for any hints.

amcankid, we did this cruise in May of 2022 and enjoyed our 3rd Alaskan cruise. We're from Connecticut, so the early May weather seemed WARM for us! Although we didn't use it, there were people in the covered pool throughout the cruise. We leave a link to an "album" showing what went on during the cruise (you might want to skip the first 26 showing our bus tour of San Francisco). If you'd like to see the full sized pictures just click on any. Enjoy your cruise!

OUR 2022 ALASKAN CRUISE

It's happened to us on regular deals------when we called we received OBC.

There should not be a problem----but to play it safe you might want the parents to sign a consent form (with child trafficking these days the Mexican authorities could detain you-----why chance it), also if (God forbid) the child is hurt a doctor might not treat him/her. Here is a paper I have my children sign when we take our grandchildren on a cruise----on three cruises NO ONE has ever asked to see it, but it's reassuring to have it! You don't need the notary---but we go all the way. Enjoy your cruise.

This is not an official form, I got it from a Googled site----but when we've taken our teen age granddaughters on a cruise we've always had our son and DIL sign this form (whether you want it notarized or not is up to you and them). We've taken this signed form on three cruises and we have never been asked to show it or any type of proof by Carnival or the agents of the islands we're visiting. It does give us reassurance that in the event the teen needed medical care, the parents have okayed us to act on her behalf.

We were onboard the Carnival Spirit, 2012 transpacific to Australia. They held a traditional "court" when we crossed the equator. The Captain and several officers held a trial for volunteer passengers. The passengers were doused with garbage, hosed off and all of us "pollywogs" were thereby upgraded to shellbacks. The next day we were all presented certificates!

We found that by keeping the wooden cabinet door ajar (put a piece of clothing in the door to keep it open 2-3 inches), it allowed the warm air from the back of the unit to escape. This kept the "refrigerator" a little colder.

36 minutes ago, snorkler8 said:

Are you saying if you have bought stock in Carnival you get on board credit??  If so how many shares do you need to hold to qualify?

Carnival's stock policy

We can now accept shareholder proof via email at shareholders@carnival.com for those with
over 100 shares looking for their extra onboard credits.
After the reservation has been made, the shareholder must provide their legal name, reservation
number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or
Carnival plc shares (for example: photocopy of shareholder proxy card, a dividend tax voucher
or a current brokerage or nominee statement with the brokerage account number blacked out) at
the time of deposit.
Again, please remember to omit/cross out your account # prior to emailing their proof.
•$50 on board credit per stateroom on any cruise of 6 days or less
•$100 on board credit per stateroom on any cruise of 7 to 13 days
•$250 on board credit per stateroom on any cruise of 14 days or longer

This is what the outlets on the newer ships look like. Also, if you do get a power strip make sure it does not have a surge suppressor. Just look for a "ship power strip".

No problem with knitting other than if you are flying to the port. Our friends have had knitting needles thrown out at the luggage check area----they were classified as sharp "dangerous weapons" by the TSA agents in the USA! You might want to leave them in checked bags rather than carry-on.

Thanks for the info. If they're seen in NY I should have seen it before when watching the games, but I still feel this is a new ad dimension for the YES (Yankee) network.

Yesterday, in the 5th inning of the Yankee game (they beat the Red Sox 7 to 5!) I saw an MSC commercial. I mentioned to my wife that I can't recall ever seeing an MSC ad before----she couldn't remember one either. Is this an indication that MSC is becoming more aggressive in competing for business, or have I just not noticed their ads before?

When you board they used to have a table set up in the atrium (signs proclaimed Seuss breakfast). If they don't, or you miss the table you can stop or phone guest services to reserve it. They often sell out, so try to make the reservation on the first or second day. Have fun!

1 hour ago, LadyMac72 said:

My almost 80 year-old mother emailed me this morning and asked if we were going to do the Seuss at Sea/Green Eggs and Ham breakfast during our October cruise. I adore that she's just a big kid too (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree). Does anyone know what they serve and if anyone is going to look at two grown women, sans child/children, if we go?

We've done it several times, both with and without our granddaughters---MANY of the participants were adults with no youngsters at the table! As to what was served (it had not changed in quite a few years---but these days who knows) in this "album" of our granddaughter's cruise the breakfast and the menu are shown in pictures 174-187. Click below on "THE SEUSS BREAKFAST", and click on   any picture to see it larger.

THE SEUSS BREAKFAST

Has anyone heard or read anything about the Queen Mary reopening for hotel guests?

bruce85-----I'm not certain this link will work, but I'll give it a try. Just click on it.

Drink menu

It depends on the length of the cruise for Platinum "Complimentary Wash & Fold laundry service
2 bags on 3 – 6 day cruises, 3 bags on 7-13 day cruises, 5 bags on a 14+ day cruises" Diamond has unlimited. You'd have to pay them for pressing-----or go to any "laundramat" on board, they have a complimentary iron and board. 

We were on the Spirit 10 years ago, the first Carnival ship brought into Australia. I can't help you with the question of tipping on the ship----ours left Hawaii and was a regular cruise till it reached Australia so tipping was as usual. I can tell you that I was told by many Australians (70% of the passengers) that tipping was frowned upon in Sydney, they said it had the connotation of "Here, since you don't make enough pay where you work!". We had a wonderful tour guide for a full day tour in Sydney---we purposely waited to be the last off the bus and watched the other 40+ people leave, not one person tipped the guide, so we guiltily thanked him and left!

We have traveled with our granddaughters, and always brought a signed (and unnecessarily notarized) letter just in case----especially since it gives permission to see a doctor if needed. I will send a copy below if you'd like to email it and have it signed. However in both cases, we were never asked to show any proof while boarding, at any port, etc. It is a nice to have, but unneeded item. Enjoy your cruise.