Rare aml3679 Posted April 22, 2023 #1 Share Posted April 22, 2023 This post was recognized by CC Help Michell! aml3679 was awarded the badge '"Live from...."' and 5 points. My husband and I got off the Freedom in October and we’re itching to book a cruise. It just so happened that a PVC called while we were watching a YouTube channel of the Mardi Gras. We are in our hotel in Melbourne about 30 minutes from the port. We live in Bradenton about three hours from the port. This is our third Carnival cruise. My husband turns 65 in June. He is retired from a career in IT. He is very friendly and loves bourbon and cigars. I am 62 and just recently retired from a career in nursing. I love cats, reading and travel. We have been married for 37 years and have 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren and two very spoiled tuxedo cats whom my brother in law is taking care of. We board tomorrow. more to come. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 22, 2023 Author #2 Share Posted April 22, 2023 We’ll cruise day is finally here We did not stay in our usual hotel in Cape Canaveral because the price doubled. We stayed at a Hampton Inn 30 minutes away. Waiting to go to Bob Evans for breakfast and a lot of coffee. We are parking at the Port $20 a day. Our boarding time is between 1030 and 11. We are on FB group and have a meet and greet and shot glass exchange at 2 at the Brass Magnolia Bar. We purchased Faster to the Fun but got an email stating we could not attend into our stateroom until 1:30. A bit disappointed. We booked last October. We have watched many YouTube videos. We are excited. Excited to meet others, try all of the restaurants, new drinks, play trivia, listen to live music and see shows. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUVMYGSDOG Posted April 22, 2023 #3 Share Posted April 22, 2023 We will be sailing on Mardi Gras in January so will be following your review. Hope you have a wonderful cruise! Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Cruiser Posted April 22, 2023 #4 Share Posted April 22, 2023 Have a great trip! We were on Mardi Gras last year. It's a wonderful ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelkel2 Posted April 22, 2023 #5 Share Posted April 22, 2023 Have a wonderful trip!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TravelBluebird Posted April 22, 2023 #6 Share Posted April 22, 2023 11 hours ago, aml3679 said: We did not stay in our usual hotel in Cape Canaveral because the price doubled Crazy right? We found the same thing with our Mardi Gras trip last month; prices for the hotels near the port were outrageous. My hubby and I are so similar to you in age, pets and children! Although you have us beat by 1 grandchild 😂 Have a fantastic trip! I look forward to more of your report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momma1980 Posted April 23, 2023 #7 Share Posted April 23, 2023 Following! Thanks for posting:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soremekun Posted April 23, 2023 #8 Share Posted April 23, 2023 Say "Hey Lulu" while doing the sunshine wave in the Limelight Lounge. I'm just off the ship as you boarded. Great ship! Enjoy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drazil65 Posted April 23, 2023 #9 Share Posted April 23, 2023 Sailed MG this past December and will be on it again later this year, great ship with lots to see and do. We needed another trip on MG planned because we didn't have enough time to visit all the eating venues during our last trip. Hopefully you signed up for YTD so that you can eat at some of the specialty restaurants as well as MDR. You will have a blast and enjoy the trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelkel2 Posted April 23, 2023 #10 Share Posted April 23, 2023 1 hour ago, Drazil65 said: Sailed MG this past December and will be on it again later this year, great ship with lots to see and do. We needed another trip on MG planned because we didn't have enough time to visit all the eating venues during our last trip. Hopefully you signed up for YTD so that you can eat at some of the specialty restaurants as well as MDR. You will have a blast and enjoy the trip! Gosh we were on in January and we loved it too! I told my husband it’s my favorite class of ship. I know it’s not for everyone, but it made us not want to sail another class. I can’t wait to read more! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheermom2four Posted April 23, 2023 #11 Share Posted April 23, 2023 We are sailing on this ship (first Carnival cruise for us) September so not too much longer to go! I'm looking forward to following along! Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soremekun Posted April 23, 2023 #12 Share Posted April 23, 2023 26 minutes ago, cheermom2four said: We are sailing on this ship (first Carnival cruise for us) September so not too much longer to go! I'm looking forward to following along! Kim Great choice for a first cruise with Carnival! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 24, 2023 Author #13 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Cruise day We went to breakfast at Bob Evans. Drove to the port. Dropped our luggage off with the porters. Parked in the garage. $145.20 credit cards only. We had a 10:30 check in time. Waited about 30 minutes. Breezed through check in. We paid extra for faster to the fun and had our own section to wait in. They first board diamond and platinum members, and then we were able to board. The ship is stunning. The only disappointment is that we were not able to get into our rooms early except for suite guests, all rooms are ready at 1:30. We went to the Brass Magnolia bar which is beautiful. I had a watermelon lemonade and a Pimm’s cup. My husband had a New Orleans iced tea. Out room is great. Sorry no pictures yet. Plenty of hangers and a comfortable bed. My only complaint is the placement of the toilet paper holder. You have to chicken wing your arm in order to reach. That night, we ate at the Italian restaurant, which was wonderful. The service was great. The whole staff called us by name. The food was great and the wine was free flowing. it was only 6:15 in the evening and I told my husband that I was not finish unpacking and go to bed. He said do you realize what time it is and I said yes but I had had seven adult beverages and did not sleep well the night before. More to come. Thanks for following. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 24, 2023 Author #14 Share Posted April 24, 2023 The next morning we went to Emeril’s Bistro for bignets and cappuccinos. Not as good as Cafe Du Mond but close. $5 per order. Played trivia. Sucked. Listened to music. Napped. For dinner we went to Guy’s Pig and Anchor and were very disappointed, There are no salt and pepper shakers on the table. I ordered the prime rib and it had no flavor. My husband had ribs that paled in comparison. There was a $31 upcharge which we had reversed. More to come We also did a pasta making class that was fun. Book before getting on. They were all sold out. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserNC Posted April 24, 2023 #15 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Loving the review! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 24, 2023 Author #16 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Day 3 We were supposed to go to Puerto Rico but they changed it to Nassau. We have been there three times so we stayed on board. We ate breakfast in the Palm Restaurant. Quite good. Then we played trivia at Summer’s Landing. We sucked. I had a burger at Guy’s. My husband takes medication for his diabetes that suppresses his appetite. Went to the Havana bar and had a drink. Most places are closed. Shopping etc. The Carnival shop is very small. In our room resting. Going to the steakhouse for dinner. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouChamp Posted April 24, 2023 #17 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Aloha. Glad you are enjoying your retirement. Love your pictures and especially the food pictures! All the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
300dtc Posted April 24, 2023 #18 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Loved the fortune teller bar and the jazz music in the Brass Magnolia…definitely a fun ship! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drazil65 Posted April 24, 2023 #19 Share Posted April 24, 2023 Also loved BM and the Havana Bar, loads of fun taking salsa lessons at HB (not sure they were actually advertised as we didn't notice lessons on the hub but we happened to be walking by one early afternoon and saw, watched for few minutes and then joined in), super fun and only 2 other couples in there at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 25, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted April 25, 2023 We watched the ship sail from our balconies. Had dinner at the steak house which was wonderful. Saw an amazing show and went to bed. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 25, 2023 Author #21 Share Posted April 25, 2023 Day at sea lazy day drinking and eating played trivia ate at Guy’s burgers going to the Love and Marriage show 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 27, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted April 27, 2023 The Cruise Critic website is extremely slow Day 4 Fun day at sea Went to Emeril’s for bignets and cappuccinos Played trivia Drank, relaxed and read Went to the Love and Marriage show which did not disappoint The 3 couples were newly married, just 3 days, his parents and grandparents 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 27, 2023 Author #23 Share Posted April 27, 2023 Day 5 Amber Cove Dominican Republic We went to Monkeyland and had a blast. little 2 pound monkeys jump all over you. you get to feed them sunflower seeds and fruit. They provided a professional photographer. We bought a package for $35. Then we toured the city and had opportunities to shop. For $8 we took a bicycle taxi back to the ship. For dinner we went to Chibang. Very vibrant and busy. We loved it. i ordered pork belly, pot stickers, egg drop soup, rice, salad, Singapore shrimp and cream catalina which was creme brulee. My husband had chicken spring rolls, rice, kung pao chicken and creme catalina. Everything was delicious but out mains were too spicy. After dinner I went to read and sleep. My husband went to drink and smoke cigars 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 27, 2023 Author #24 Share Posted April 27, 2023 Today we are in Grand Turk We are taking the Junkaroo party nusvat 11 The Bolt is fixed and my husband has a reservation for 4:30 Tonight we eat at Rudi’s Sadly, tomorrow is our last full day at sea and then back on reality on Saturday and our babies Sylvester and Sophia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aml3679 Posted April 27, 2023 Author #25 Share Posted April 27, 2023 Some helpful tips magnetic hooks work nightlights will not plug in bring a small portable fan book cooking classes prior to boarding they will be sold out book an excursion to Monkeyland see the Love and Marriage show get bignets at Emerils try Chibang tip generously be kind 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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