IntrepidFromDC

Really fun and great review so far, hope you have lots of fun and keep the posts coming on Mardi Gras! Don't miss shawarma and Shaq's chicken sandwich.

I knew it! I just knew someday hospital gowns would be in fashion! 😁 🏴‍☠️

Somebody call 911.

I think this is the best answer. It depends on your taste, your palate... I think MDR food is tolerable for the most part, with a few good exceptions. I think Steakhouse is 100% worth it two nights every seven-day cruise, even at the elevated prices as long as the quality of the food in general stays superior and the meats stay PRIME. Cucina is also very good Italian food, where Italian food in the MDR is more like Olive Garden quality. But I have read on here where people said they didn't think Steakhouse was worth the upcharge - one or two even stated (and I had to do a double-take) they like MDR food better than Steakhouse food. The key is I'm right and so are they when they say "MDR is better than Steakhouse" because food is subjective - I'm right for me and they're right for them. Being a foodie is both a blessing and a curse, as is wanderlust for us all here, we love cruising and travel in general. As ColeThornton said, try and find out for yourself.

My daughter and I each do one overhead-bin-sized rollon and one backpack for every trip, including three-week trips to Europe. Makes all the difference in the world in terms of mobility and efficiently spending your time doing what you want to do instead of managing luggage (porters, airports, etc.) Each trip you do it you'll get more and more efficient. Read Rick Steves' and Fodors tips on travel without check-in luggage for good tips. Here's one sample...

That blue drink does look intriguing! I also love caprese and from that photo the fresh mozzarella looks good, but the tomatoes look substandard!

If you decide on Mardi Gras, and I highly recommend that you do, be sure to do lots of planning. Things not to miss, besides the obvious Bolt... Choose anytime dining so you can eat better-than-MDR food in restaurants the people who chose set time dining cannot for FREE. Shaq's chicken sandwich is great. So are two off-the-beaten-path free restaurants, Shawarma and Sea Dogs. The atrium is amazing and in different ways, day and night. These any many, many more reasons to choose Mardi Gras (I went in January and I'm doing my first ever B2B on her this coming February). Or, go with Glory. Please cover your mouth when you yawn.

Great answer!

Tom, I check in so often I didn't even notice the posts-to-threads emails stopped coming but now that you mention it, my inbox doesn't have those notices I want but I'm still getting junk emails about cruisecritic black friday cruise deals, etc.

I ordered the filet mignon and the lobster tail off the steakhouse selections menu several times. The tiny mini-lobster-tails from regular MDR menu were a joke setting on the same table as my "real" lobster tail. I do it once in a while and to me it's worth it. The filet was cooked by steakhouse chef using steakhouse filet, I was told by my server, and from the delicious difference it was worth it. Not every night, of course, but to break up the substandard MDR food.

Sid! Can I get you a drink?

Shhhh, you want them to start charging for that sixth shrimp cocktail?

Here's my lengthy review from my recent 10-day cruise on the Pride, which had the best itinerary I've ever sailed. Note the review is heavy on photos, light on comments (except food, history, culture and bidets). Hope you enjoy.

Really good points and well stated. Although I post honest comments (some read them as complaints, but they're not) about how I feel that most of Carnival's food being sub-standard, I have sailed on 24 cruises - ALL CARNIVAL! Why do I return if the food is not up to par? 1) I understand that for my palate, food is a major con of cruising Carnival - but it's far outweighed by all the things I love about Carnival cruises, and 2) STEAKHOUSE, HELLO? Plus now all the additional good free food options on Mardi Gras (which is why my next cruise is a Mardi Gras B2B). I don't expect Carnival to change the quality of the food, and I still consider their overall "value proposition" (thinking about it as their marketing) as a great value. But I can only tolerate Carnival buffet and MDR about two nights per seven-day cruise. If I risk a third night at either venue it's like rolling the dice... am I going to get that watery you-know-what sensation in the mouth?

That is a fine looking lobster and look at that - served on a beautiful tablecloth as lobster should be!

Maybe, but more likely you have a higher tolerance for sub-standard quality food. I've had some luck with the buffet, and the carving station meats seem to be good for the most part, but I have had more than a handful of food so bad I wouldn't/couldn't swallow the first bite, which meets my definition of inedible. I don't know where Carnival sources their buffet food but they make Sysco look like it should be Michelin-rated to some degree.

Maybe she just didn't mention the 10 appetizers. That's the easy workaround, as only entrees are limited. "Yes please, I'd like to start with 20 shrimp cocktails before my two entrees."

This could get old, but ME FOUR!

Slacker. Always behind the times.

We did Chichen Itza and loved it. It's a long bus ride through the jungle to get there, but you do pass (two if I remember correctly) a couple villages and the bus slows down to let a local person board and sell stuff. The village alone is culture shock/education. Obviously no electricity, running water etc. Some women still walking around topless. Chichen Itza, I agree with firefly - if you don't like learning about history and cultural evolution it might not be exciting. I was THRILLED. (edit: just as I saved this I remembered, we actually did Chichen Itza from Cancun, not Progreso, sorry)

Too late, mods. I got the info I needed from the community I love, Carnival community.

Thanks everyone, I'm leaning toward Krazy Lobster. JT1962, I included "Carnival Excursion" in the topic just so the thread wouldn't get moved to another forum.

I didn't know, I had just read about it on cruisecritic and suddenly realized it was something I should look into. At the very least, linking means I don't have to disembark, I was told by Carnival agent today.

Those of you who have visited multiple beaches on Carnival excursions in Costa Maya, which is the best beach for pure swimming enjoyment? Think like Half Moon Cay... TIA

Thanks that is very helpful, the hold time was only about five minutes, and when I asked why we link B2Bs she said now I won't have to get off the ship. I said FOREVER? 😁 🏴‍☠️