Mardi Gras short review 1-2-22 Eastern

[audcc77]

 

 

This is a quick review for Mardi Gras in Port Canaveral on January 2, 2022. It was a 6-day voyage and the ports were Nassau, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk.  Sorry but I don’t have many photos.  We booked this cruise for the ship, not the ports, and I’m not much for taking photos.  

 

DH and I booked this last year. It was $914 per person for an extended balcony.   In December, DH received a nice offer for $40 per person, but neither of us were boostered at the time and The Delta variant was raging.  Of course we did not know that by the time we went in January that the omicron variant would be prevalent. But by then we had our boosters. 

 

2-day prior testing:   Since 2 days prior to sailing was New Years Eve & New Years, and all this talk about last minute cancellations at CVS, etc., we did the proctored home tests through E-med.  They were a lot easier than anticipated.  We watched YouTube videos before taking the tests.  Easy peasy.

 

Hotel:  We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Cocoa Beach. We have stayed here before. It has a nice breakfast, which is buffet style, but they give you gloves to put on to serve yourself.   I made this hotel reservation probably nine months ago. It was a “beach view“ and was total price of $199. First off, the beach view is not really a beach view. If you stand outside, and on your patio balcony, you can see a small sliver of the ocean, but that’s it. Secondly, despite having a confirmation stating that the room was $199, we were issued a bill for $298. Say what?!  Thank goodness I had saved and brought with me a paper copy of the confirmation. Therefore they gave us money back. However this would not have been possible had I not saved and printed a copy 9 months prior because when my husband logged into his account,  the new price of $298 was showing. The email which confirmed the reservation was also now showing $298.   Yet I had a PRINTED copy saying $199.  Therefore, be sure to print out your confirmation for hotels if you want to make sure you were not overcharged. 

 

Shuttle service: we used Cruise Time shuttle service. This was referred by someone on here so we gave it a try. Great company. They answer the phone, answered my questions, and have very good customer service.  Cost was only $57 or so for 6 days which I thought was very reasonable.  I was a little concerned about getting off the ship because I knew we would be one of the first groups off the ship and had a 9-hour drive ahead of us. I did not want to sit in their shuttle waiting for more people to show up. When I booked this, they assured me that once you are on the shuttle, they will wait 20 more minutes to fill it up, then leave. I thought that was a reasonable amount of time.  In fact, he had an opportunity to wait for a group of 20 people but their group wasn’t all there yet, so he took us first since the 20 people were not all there yet. 

 

Embarkation: This was ridiculous.  At least everyone was wearing their masks although some people had their masks not covering their nose.  As an aside, I just read that when you have a mask on, you automatically start breathing through your mouth. This is actually not optimal and you should breathe through your nose because it filters out things better than your mouth. It’s supposedly also gives you better oxygen this way. I’m just telling you what I read.

 

We were in zone AO2.  I got up at midnight 16 days prior to sailing so that I could get an early time. When we arrived at 10 o’clock, our scheduled time, the place was already filled & we ended up in the back of the room. It was very noisy and you could not hear the announcements. I do not know why they don’t put the announcements on the screens of the monitors, but instead, they run different videos about the great things about the ship. This is nonsensical because we are already going on the ship, and you don’t have to sell us. Very frustrating for guests.

 

They finally cut off allowing more people to come into the room.  They then began yelling the numbers for boarding, so we had to weave our way through the crowd of people who were blocking the area to get on the ship. It seems very counterproductive and is in violation of the fire code. People were just standing in the way, and it was ridiculous. 

 

Cabin: We had an extended balcony cabin midship on floor 11. It seemed like it took us forever to walk anywhere.  I think I like the smaller ships a little better for that reason.  We did have our water bottles in the cabin before we arrived, so we didn’t have to call room service to get them.  At first we struggled to get into the cabin and you really have to push the door hard.  Later on that day, I saw another couple struggling to get into their room as well, so I showed them that you have to really to push hard on the doors.

 

Our room steward was Tony and he did a decent job and we tipped extra.  We asked for night turndown and ice each night.  I also asked that a lounger be brought for our extended balcony.  The next guest will be very surprised with all the furniture on the balcony b/c there was already 3 chairs out there.  So all in all, Tony did a great job.

 

 

 

For Christmas I asked for magnetic hooks and these came from Amazon.  There are 6-8 in a bag and hold about 5 pounds.  I used these all over the cabin and they really held tight onto the walls.  I used them for my jacket, hat, purse, my S&S card, and they literally were able to be stuck anywhere.

 

 

Food:  DH did Emrils Bistro and loved it. I did not go.  As far as scheduling dining times at different places on the app, we always ate at 5:30 – 6:00each night so we actually put in for our table and then started to walk to the restaurant and by the time we arrived, our table was ready.

 

We ate at Chibang and MDR, Big Chicken.  I went to the Pig & Anchor during lunch by myself. I could not figure out where the actual buffet was, but finally found it outside. So I walked up to the buffet which was deserted, and girl made me stand in front of the buns in order to refuse one. 😊  I said I would like some barbecue pork, and then she said no you have to start over here, and I said that’s OK, I just want some pork. She said no, you have to start over there.  So … I stood over there and then said I don’t want any buns. And then I slid over to the pork. 🙄

 

MDR was good.  Pretty fast actually.  We ate there about 2-3 times.  After hearing about how small the lobster tails were, I ordered 2 for the first time ever.  They were good sized, and I ate both of them.  They were cooked perfectly.  

 

I love the Carnival rolls.  You can only get them in the MDR and the Italian place.  We ate at the Italian place which was good but I asked DH if he’d pay for it and he said not really.  He grew up in an Italian household so I was surprised.

 

When we ate at the MDR or somewhere when you booked a table in advance, sometimes we’d arrive at the venue and they’d have a table for 6 and then try to have us sit right next to them, only 3 inches away.  I said Nope every time.  I asked for a socially distant table b/c when we went at 5:30/6:00 the entire restaurant was a sea of empty tables so there was no reason to have us sit so close to other people.  There was no way to ask for a socially distant table on the hub app so we just waited until they tried to seat us too close to another table.

 

 

Shows:  The best show we went to was Rock Revolution, and it was excellent. It is in the Mardi Gras theater, so in order to get a good seat, you should start lining up about 20 minutes to 30 minutes prior to showtime. It is a “do not miss.“   We did not sit up front, but that was a huge mistake as it would have been really a great show up close.

 

The other show we saw was Enchanted at the center stage.  It was very nice as well.   

 

I also went to the 80s glow party, which I try to do when they have it. I really have a lot of fun there even though I’m just a watcher.  I’m a closet dancer. 🙂

 

I wish we’d have brought our pickle ball set because nobody was using the basketball court hardly at all so we could have used it. 

 

Drinks were kind of watered down to me.  We did not have a drink package because we don’t drink much.  But because we had $500 OBC, for some reason we decided to party down. 

 

We had free drinks in the casino and I actually got only 2 drinks in 6 days.  And I tipped both times.  Bar service was lacking. The casino is too big for them to keep up. That’s just my guess but it was difficult to get bar service at all while at a slot machine.

 

Debarkation:   Was on our way at 7:15 a.m. to the theater for priority debarkation and didn’t make it into the theater b/c everyone was already leaving even though they said to be there at 7:30 a.m., so that was awesome.  Unfortunately there was something going on at customs so everything came to a screeching halt and we sat in line for 40 minutes or so.  Cruise Time shuttle was waiting for us exactly where he said he’d be and we left within a few minutes even though there were only 6 people on the bus and still had way more room for more.  I really thought this was great customer service b/c as I said we had a long day of driving to do.

 

That sums it up I guess. Sorry for it being short. 

 

The next day after arriving home, just for fun, I used an expired test (expired by a week) & tested negative for Covid.  

 

DH is not a big cruise fan.  He said if all cruises were like this one, he’d like going more.  

 

Ah… my plan worked.   😉

 

 

 

[K_e_short]

Thanks for the review. I got off the ship when you got on.

 

I agree that debarkation is quick, other then the customs issues.

 

I also agree that the free drinks at the casino is not a good deal. I ordered a few drinks while playing but it was faster for me to get a drink at the bar on the way to a machine. and then get another drink when moving to another machine (I had free drinks everywhere on the ship).

 

[maharm]

You mentioned pickleball. Are the courts lined and do they have nets? 

Thanks

[cruisegirl1976]

Thank you for the review.

[jimbo5544]

Curious as to how many people were on board, any idea?

 

[bafinegan]

34 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Curious as to how many people were on board, any idea?

 

I was on that cruise too.  Was told (approx) 4100 passengers.  Most people wore masks, but many left nose uncoverd 🙄.  We also had extended balcony on deck 11.  Ate in a different venue every night ( including the steak house and Teppyaki).  Was surprised how good Emeril's and Chibang were.  Guy's Pig and Anchor had the BEST ribs! Also enjoyed Cucina.  Favorite bar was Bella Rosa on Deck 8.  LOVED the infinity pool back there too!  While we liked the Palms restaurant, it was our least favorite.

 

We had no problem getting drinks in the casino.  Maybe because we were there on the Ultra casino offer?

 

BUT, the ship is huge!  I prefer the smaller ships ( sunshine, Glory and the old Victory).

 

 

[RenoNanaOz]

20 minutes ago, bafinegan said:

I was on that cruise too.  Was told (approx) 4100 passengers.  Most people wore masks, but many left nose uncoverd 🙄.  We also had extended balcony on deck 11.  Ate in a different venue every night ( including the steak house and Teppyaki).  Was surprised how good Emeril's and Chibang were.  Guy's Pig and Anchor had the BEST ribs! Also enjoyed Cucina.  Favorite bar was Bella Rosa on Deck 8.  LOVED the infinity pool back there too!  While we liked the Palms restaurant, it was our least favorite.

 

We had no problem getting drinks in the casino.  Maybe because we were there on the Ultra casino offer?

 

BUT, the ship is huge!  I prefer the smaller ships ( sunshine, Glory and the old Victory).

 

 

 

Edited January 13, 2022 by RenoNanaOz

[audcc77]

4 hours ago, maharm said:

You mentioned pickleball. Are the courts lined and do they have nets? 

Thanks

No but we are beginners so we don’t keep score. We sometimes play on our driveway even. 

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, bafinegan said:

I was on that cruise too.  Was told (approx) 4100 passengers.  Most people wore masks, but many left nose uncoverd 🙄.  We also had extended balcony on deck 11.  Ate in a different venue every night ( including the steak house and Teppyaki).  Was surprised how good Emeril's and Chibang were.  Guy's Pig and Anchor had the BEST ribs! Also enjoyed Cucina.  Favorite bar was Bella Rosa on Deck 8.  LOVED the infinity pool back there too!  While we liked the Palms restaurant, it was our least favorite.

 

We had no problem getting drinks in the casino.  Maybe because we were there on the Ultra casino offer?

 

BUT, the ship is huge!  I prefer the smaller ships ( sunshine, Glory and the old Victory).

 

 

Thanks

[Titan_Cruiser]

For those that have been on Mardi Gras recently I have a question. We are a group of 4 that will be on MG in a few weeks. We spend a lot of time each cruise playing cards. If we find a secluded table maybe in a corner away from traffic flow will we be forced to keep our masks on while playing? I don't mind wearing one at all when moving around and passing other people but if we are out of the way with just our bubble of people can we unmask? I guess my question is how strict are they enforcing the mask policy for cases like this. 

[audcc77]

49 minutes ago, Titan_Cruiser said:

For those that have been on Mardi Gras recently I have a question. We are a group of 4 that will be on MG in a few weeks. We spend a lot of time each cruise playing cards. If we find a secluded table maybe in a corner away from traffic flow will we be forced to keep our masks on while playing? I don't mind wearing one at all when moving around and passing other people but if we are out of the way with just our bubble of people can we unmask? I guess my question is how strict are they enforcing the mask policy for cases like this. 

If you’re outside you don’t have to mask if you’re 6 feet apart, or maybe in your own area.  
If you are inside, then you need to be wearing a mask and they will make you wear it.
 

Honestly, I was glad they were pretty militant about it.  If you are inside, then you need to be wearing a mask and they will make you wear it. 
 

Maybe you can find an outside table in a quiet area. I totally get it, because wearing a mask all the time inside was a PIA.  We spent a lot of time on our balcony. 

[K_e_short]

My son played cards with his friends in the Lido Marketplace. This was after it was closed for the evening (after 7pm)

 

I"m sure if you were in a corner of the marketplace and no staff walked by you could take your masks off.

 

That is the only place I can think of that gives you social distance away from others to safely take off your mask.

[Cscomedygrl]

Thanks for the review!