Carnival Mardi Gras April 22 to 28

[aml3679]

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.

[aml3679]

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.

 

 

[LUVMYGSDOG]

We will be sailing on Mardi Gras in January so will be following your review.

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

 

Kim

[Lee Cruiser]

Have a great trip!  We were on Mardi Gras last year.  It's a wonderful ship!

[kelkel2]

Have a wonderful trip!!

[TravelBluebird]

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!

[Momma1980]

Following! Thanks for posting:)

[soremekun]

Say "Hey Lulu" while doing the sunshine wave in the Limelight Lounge.  I'm just off the ship as you boarded.  Great ship!  Enjoy!

[Drazil65]

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!

[kelkel2]

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! 

[cheermom2four]

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

[soremekun]

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!

[aml3679]

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. 

[aml3679]

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.

 

[cruiserNC]

Loving the review!

[aml3679]

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.

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Glad you are enjoying your retirement.  Love your pictures and especially the food pictures! All the best. 

[300dtc]

Loved the fortune teller bar and the jazz music in the Brass Magnolia…definitely a fun ship!

[Drazil65]

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.  

[aml3679]

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.

[aml3679]

Day at sea

 

lazy day drinking and eating 

 

played trivia 

 

ate at Guy’s burgers

 

going to the Love and Marriage show

[aml3679]

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 

[aml3679]

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 

[aml3679]

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

[aml3679]

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