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My first B2B will be live from Mardi Gras, Feb 4 to Feb18

IntrepidFromDC

By IntrepidFromDC,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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IntrepidFromDC "Live from...." Rare

IntrepidFromDC

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LauraS
This post was recognized by LauraS!

"Thanks for generously sharing your time at sea with everyone at Cruise Critic!"

IntrepidFromDC was awarded the badge '"Live from...."'

Hi everybody.

 

I've been on 25 cruises, all Carnival.  Usually I cruise with my daughter but once again young love trumped vacay with dad so while I'm looking forward to my first ever B2B (and my second and third cruises on Mardi Gras, my favorite ship by far!), it'll be bittersweet.  That said, I think I'll get over it every time I look at a dinner check and it's half of what I'm used to, having extra spending money, etc.

 

I fly to MCO early Friday and will spend the day in Cocoa Beach.  Based on numerous recommendations from several of my favorite cruisecritic friends, I'll be checking out Riki Tiki on the Cocoa Beach Pier Friday afternoon for the first time.  After Riki Tiki I'll walk the beach to the TripAdvisor #1 rated Cocoa Beach restaurant, Florida Fresh Grill.  Reviews on that restaurant have been great to stellar, so I'm excited.

 

Saturday morning I'll uber to Port Canaveral terminal 3 for my 10:30am check-in.  The first 7-day cruise is Western Caribbean to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan.  The second half of the B2B is billed as Eastern Caribbean, but since the ports are Nassau (replaced San Juan after I booked - boo Carnival), Grand Turk and Amber Cove we all know better.  I have been to all these ports before and don't have any excursions planned, although that will likely change if/when I recover enough from my recent bout of TexasTeachitis (alcohol-aided twisted ankle), although mine is more a top of the foot sprain.

 

First thing on board I'll either hit Shaq's or Shawarma, then drink and exploration time!

 

I have a family harbor room both cruises - kinda weird since I don't have kids in tow, but the offer was $100 (plus casino cash and obc) or $220 for an interior.  At least this way I don't have to worry about bacation days.

 

I'd like to thank you guys for your recent trip reports, especially coolant-Dave, Jamman and a few others, which helped me manage my anticipation.

 

My live reports usually are photo-heavy, I do try to comment on things I've learned on excursions and here and there and of course I'm open to questions.

 

Your Friend and Mine,

 

the other Jeff

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IntrepidFromDC "Live from...." Rare

IntrepidFromDC

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35 minutes ago, Palmetto Pilot said:

We’ll be on the first 1/2 of your trip with you. First carnival cruise in about 4 years. 

As you are probably well aware, you are in for a TREAT!  Good luck trying to do everything!

 

If I could only give one tip for first-time Mardi Gras cruisers it would be about the food - check out the much-improved free food at places like Shaq's, Shawarma, Seadogs, Street Eats and choose any time dining so you can eat at Chibang and other places (help me people) at regular dining time instead of MDR.  Oh, and don't forget about Rudi's!

 

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lazydayz Great Review Rare

lazydayz

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20 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

As you are probably well aware, you are in for a TREAT!  Good luck trying to do everything!

 

If I could only give one tip for first-time Mardi Gras cruisers it would be about the food - check out the much-improved free food at places like Shaq's, Shawarma, Seadogs, Street Eats and choose any time dining so you can eat at Chibang and other places (help me people) at regular dining time instead of MDR.  Oh, and don't forget about Rudi's!

 

Cuchina, Guys Pig and Anchor, and Chibang are all included.  And Rudi’s is worth the extra cost.  

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Tom-n-Cheryl "Live from...." Rare

Tom-n-Cheryl

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3 hours ago, mondello said:

@IntrepidFromDC Surprised @Tom-n-Cheryl didn’t take you to dinner or at least buy you a drink pre-cruise?

 

Funny - just found this thread thanks to your post!

 

Interestingly enough, we had friends fly in today who are going on the Prima tomorrow. I picked them up at MCO this morning and shuttled them to their hotel on Cocoa Beach. We just got back from a late afternoon meal at the port (Rusty's). Since it's not as far down as the Mardi Gras, we only were able to watch the Escape, Fantasy (Disney), and Freedom pass by.

 

I'll be dropping them off at the port tomorrow morning. I'm jealous!  But, that's OK, we'll be on the Mardi Gras in three short weeks 🙂

 

Tom

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Palmetto Pilot

Palmetto Pilot

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On 2/4/2023 at 10:17 AM, Knights on the Beach said:

We can see Mardi Gras from our front door. I'm jealous you'll get to spend two weeks with our favorite bartender Melissa at Brass Magnolia. Have a great cruise, looking forward to following along!

We saw her last night. So nice! 

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