SoCalKJ

We're on the July 8th sailing and I'm gasping and getting teary-eyed with excitement. Your pictures are beautiful and remind me of some things we got to see when we did Alaska in 2011...and hope to see this time.

Thanks for your review, so far!

GAH!!!! Okay I found it!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Look down a bit or use the search function. This was just discussed

'Platinum and arcade tokens'.

 

Haven't figured out how to copy/paste the link, sorry.

I did a search and totally missed it. I'll look and say goodbye to this thread...I'm sure it'll be gone by tomorrow...LOL!

:rolleyes:I'm Platinum. I have no kids. I like the regular arcade. Why am I not allowed to cash in on my (hard-earned) arcade credits? (Heck, I wanna take advantage of all my "freebies/perks!")

Would simply asking Guest Services for the credit work or is there some law that says I can't use 'em, no matter what? :confused:

Thanks. But I will still enjoy my cruise on the Miracle in 18 days. :D:D:D

Nothing...and I mean NOTHING is gonna deter me from having an amazing time when I go in 4 1/2 weeks! I booked this as soon as the itinerary came out last year. We don't actually mind missing Ketchikan since we didn't really care for it in 2011 when we went, so the updated itinerary is fine with us. :)

Booked it immediately after the itinerary came out last year and have since gotten cold feet several times about different fears related to it.

I paid a pretty (really pretty) penny for it and thought I had gotten a great deal with ES. It's pretty much the only category that hasn't dropped in price since the itinerary change (why would it? there are only 2 cabins in this cat?...actually, now, it's the same price as a grand suite) and so going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, have decided to re-read this exact post with the pictures to reinforce my decision from a year ago...LOL!

We don't spend much time on the balcony...but figured ANY BALCONY IN ALASKA is a must?

I booked the suite primarily because I wanted a tub and a big room and since it will be both our birthdays, why not splurge? GAH!

(#firstworldproblems)

Do it! I've been single forever, so I've been doing things on my own for a long time. As nice as it is to share these experiences with others, it's also very nice (and liberating) to just have the opportunity to do what you want, when you want. And you can totally be yourself or be anyone you want!

 

 

 

I agree! And...I'm actually disgustingly & happily married. LOL!

 

I went on my first SOLO adventure last month sans DH and had a blast!

 

DO IT!

 

BTW, OP, there are too many things to list that I love about your review, your sense of humor and your sense of SELF. Thank you for being true to yourself!

...the 25% discount is applied AFTER the deposit has been paid.

...if you don't mind making a donation to the Seminole Tribe.:rolleyes:

I'm with you on those foot massages and mini back massages. Heck they have them at the mall. 3 or 4 chairs on the Lido deck would be full all the time. I'd do it at least once a day at $20 for 10 minutes.. I also love massage chairs at the airport etc. I'd bet a couple of those at each Fun Hub would work or in some of the slower areas of the ship.

 

I'd also like some hot food on the room service menu. Oh yeah and how about a serve yourself Coke station for those who have endless bubbles? Scan your S&S card and fill your glass. Fountain soft drinks are cheap. I'll bet lots cheaper than canned soft drinks wholesale.

 

I know its all just wishful thinking.

Great ideas!

I'm sure the full-on massage therapists might feel threatened by potential client loss, but how many 50 or 70-minute massages can ONE therapist actually do in any given day considering there are over TWO THOUSAND GUESTS ONBOARD?? I won't pay the exorbitant amount for what's usually a flimsy hour-long massage (when I can sometimes pay $20/hour in So Cal), but I will throw down for a quick, fully-clothed rejuvenation. :p

I searched for an existing similar topic, but couldn't find one. Anyhoo....I was thinking about things that would make my cruise experience better and thought I'd reopen a topic for others to make requests/post ideas (hint, hint John Heald...LOL!).

I wouldn't mind, for an additional fee of say $1/minute, sitting on a lounger on either the Serenity or the Lido Deck and enjoying a foot massage. I know Carnival would have to employ a ton more skilled therapists, but...hey...I can dream, right?

Speaking of massages, I'd love to see those Lazy Boy-esque massage chairs stationed around the ship where people can just throw in their S&S card and select a time option for a nominal fee (this, of course, for those who don't want a stranger's hands on their bodies).

For those who like those quick 10-minute rejuvenating hands-on chair massages, that would be cool, too...those little chairs with massage techs in different stations of the ship...same deal...10 minutes for 15 bucks or whatever...

I'd love to see the buffet open longer during the day....even if it's JUST the salad bar.

I'd love (FOR ONCE) pizza to be ready ALL THE TIME...because experience has shown that even the most disgusting combo doesn't last when people are starving.

I'm sure I'll think of more....but, what are yours?

...is now simply called Beef Lasagna. Still good...lots of spinach, but still pretty yummmsies!!

Caesar salad is pretty crisp and fresh, too. Small, but good.

WCMC has been a crap shoot lately. Last few times it's been more of a Warm Chocolate Brownie Cake....not every time, but that extra minute in the oven definitely makes a difference. :rolleyes:

My last weekend jaunt I brought a 12-pack of Diet 7-Up and about 7 individual bottles of water. They all made it through. :)

It's gone , no big loss IMO

Maybe not a big loss to you and some, but it's a huge loss to me and others.

I miss Game Show Mania, calypso bands on the lido during embarkation, and certain ports that are no longer offered. Maybe not a big loss to some, but a loss to others.

If you stated something you enjoyed on your cruise that's no longer available and some random poster came on and said NBL, you'd be somewhat bothered by the minimization of your feelings, right?

I, too, miss Superstar Live that's not available anymore on some of the ships I frequently sail (Inspiration/Long Beach).

I consider it a big loss, also. I'm nobody special, but I do have feelings.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the insight with Netflix. For our next cruise we are going to take the train....I am assuming that Netflix would work on my iPad on the train. If so it would make the train ride go fast

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yep, Amtrak has wifi...

I took an Amtrak Cascades in Feb, but found the wifi to be a bit slow...sometimes "buffering" in some areas. Hopefully though, it was the area and an isolated incident. Yep you can download the app on your iPad and watch away!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It really is awesome! We originally got it through our Wii...and would just stream through the internet that way. I'm telling you: for 8 bucks/month, DH and I have separate watching sub-accounts...we can watch from our home tv, iPad...heck I even have the app on my phone.

Not all titles from paid channels (HBO, etc) are available, but some are available on Netflix DVD. Still...if you just try it for a month, you'll be so impressed...movies, documentaries, tv shows...classics...man! Good stuff! :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are quite welcome! They are work, so after doing the first one and now this one, I really have so much more appreciation to anyone who takes the time. I know I love reading them. :) The last one I did wasn't so bad because I had everything typed up ahead of time and all the pictures were loaded in order, but this one is going to be a pistol but will all be worth it. I have days 1 & 2 typed up already and am about half way done with day 3. It's fun to relive the cruise.

 

No, we don't have Netflix but are thinking about getting it. Are there any commercials with Netflix or do they show the episodes straight through? We're DVR'ing a lot of our favorite shows now & put them on about 15 - 20 minutes in just to skip the commercials.

No commercials. Only drawback is that there is a delay for current seasons to be added. So...just get addicted to shows that are already done. :D

Believe it or not, your most recent review is one of the few that I'm following right now. I also enjoyed your others as well. There are so many different cruises I'd like to do and one is a Mexican Riviera out of Southern CA. We were on one with DH's family on RCI in January 2000 that went to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta and I loved it. I know Carnival isn't going to Mazatlan right now but hopefully they can go there again soon. I don't know why there aren't more sailing options out of CA.

 

"Slice of Life"? Believe it or not, we never saw Dexter but that's one I'd like to get the DVD's of and "binge watch" sometime. You'll have to enlighten me on "Slice of Live". LOL!!!

 

Yes, that sunset was mesmerizing and was the best sunset we've ever seen on a cruise. Thanks for following.

Thanks for the compliments on my review(s)! They are work, fo sho! :o My favorite review to write was my super-detailed 12-day Disneyworld, Carnival Ecstasy/Bahamas and Clearwater/Tampa/Everglades tour. But that was a DOOZY!

I'm really enjoying yours...thanks for taking the time to do it!

Regarding Dexter...LOL....I can't give much away...but I will just say "Slice of Life" is the name of his boat. Do you have Netflix? ($7.99/month for all-you-can-binge-watch everything...including Dexter!)

:):):)

I order it faithfully every morning before disembarking.

A few hours later, it's back to starvation mode. :rolleyes:

I have to disagree with the statement "the Mexican Riviera". I have been on 8 "Mexican Riviera" cruises and none of them included Ensenada as a port of call. The Riviera is south and includes places like Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. These ports are very tourist friendly and have beautiful beaches. So, give a try to a "Mexican Riviera" cruise, you will see a difference in "Mexico".

Mexican Riviera trips I've been on included those ports and also Ixtapa/Zihautanejo and Manzanillo. Amazing ports...even though more than half of 'em aren't even offered anymore. :(

On the other hand, I've gone to Ensenada 7 times on different weekend getaways (hey...when that's all the time you've got and you live an hour and a half from the port, it's mejor que nada!)...there are actually quite a few nifty things to do....not all offered through Carnival, but if you love outdoor activities, the zipline/canopy tour is AWESOME!, there's horseback riding...heck...even DH and I went SNUBA (snorkel/scuba) diving last September...all decked out in silly wetsuits!

I know the OP didn't exactly say she DIDN'T like Ensenada...most of her points are spot on. Those children SHOULD be in school...and EVERYONE knows it, the vendors are ruthless (they will say insulting crap like, "Champagne taste on a beer budget" when you're trying to avoid being overcharged for junk you don't even want), and the roads/vegetation is unsightly....so her points are absolutely valid...but it is a fun little town, too!

OP: if you ever come back with your DH, the BEST tacos there at the market are found at the very first taco stand (if you're walking towards the blowhole) on the right: the shrimp tacos are hellamazing! Best tacos hands down ANYWHERE. Your tablemates were just punishing themselves by ordering tacos onboard. WTH?! LOL!

Glad you had a good trip. :)

I'd love to take a cruise out of Miami...we did Bahamas out of Port Canaveral in 2012, but since we're in Southern California, it's a little easier to sail from this side (although I'm really jealous that there are more selections to choose from on the East Coast :rolleyes: )

I loved all the pics of the different ships and the local boats...you didn't happen to see the "Slice of Life," did you? (Dexter reference)

Can't wait to read more. That blue water and that first sunset was mesmerizing! :)

I got the email, also. It took a lot of sweet-talking and schedule accommodations at our jobs to get this time off. We're definitely still going. I personally am still absolutely okay with the changes and plan to have a blast!! :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did an excursion independent from Carnival and the shuttle dropped people off at their local hotels before running us back to the pier....we had about 15 minutes before "last call."

Man! We were sweating...traffic sucked...it was scary! :eek:

My hubby just got off the Imagination this morning - said no Superstar Live. :(

A good friend of mine just got off the Imagination today too....hmmmm...

This doesn't seem fair, now does it?! LOL!

Oh yeah..and BOO on the no SSL. :(

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmmm...wonder if the staff'll be different by July...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk