LIVE - Sometimes - Carnival Celebration 6/9 - 6/15

[Host CMLA]

22 minutes ago, ItsADryHumor said:

My daughter loves to crochet! She taught herself. I always bring books- that’s my go-to on a cruise. 

 

I taught myself watching youtube videos about a decade ago.  It's so addictive.  I used to bring books but then I'd nap a lot.  I'd fall asleep reading.  

[cruises42]

38 minutes ago, Host CMLA said:

 

I would not bet the farm on it!  I read it on some site but now I don't see it on the Carnival deck plan thing.  Maybe not?  I have had coffee makers in the room on NCL but I don't think I have on Carnival.  I very well could have made it up in my head for all I know.  😉 

I think Carnival had them very briefly in the suites, then took them away.

[jimbo5544]

15 minutes ago, cruises42 said:

I think Carnival had them very briefly in the suites, then took them away.

Not that I am aware of.  The talked about them when the Excel class was coming out but…..

[lazydayz]

Safe travels to Miami. We loved Loft 19, and bet you will too.  

[wrightkj]

I'm still fairly new to cruising (just 2 under my belt) and am figuring out my cruising "style" - looking forward to reading your live as I think it's more my speed. I'm also here for the crochet content! Have fun!

[Host CMLA]

Quite the exciting morning in Knoxville. We got to the airport about 75 minutes before our flight and it was insane. This is why I have always flown in or driven the day before. The stress of hoping we make it thru security in time was awful. We did make it through and to the gate and walked right on the plane. Too close for comfort for me. 
 

We’re on the plane. Taking off in about 10 minutes. Let’s go Miami!

[PrincessPatti]

Happy sailing day!  I hope you enjoy.  My sister and I are on the Celebration for a B2B in October and I can’t wait!

[Host CMLA]

We made it to Miami on time with perfect weather. Maybe not perfect for me. Perfect for an outdoor person. It’s warm. And kinda humid. What are ya gonna do?

 

We deplaned and got to baggage claim. Luggage came quick. I was set to call up an Uber but my son said, but there are taxis right there, no waiting. Ok. Let’s take a taxi. No. We should not have taken a taxi. An Uber was going to be about $32. The taxi was $55!  On top of the ride cost, there’s a 30% added fee for larger vehicles. It was a good ride and fast but I’d wait for an Uber next time. Live and learn. 
 

Back on May 24 when check in opened I went to check in right at midnight so I could get the earliest arrival appointment. With our flight landing at 846 am I didn’t want to have to kill time before going to the port. You can check in and get your arrival appt then do the rest of the check in later. Fast forward to today and we land on time, get our bags, get to the port and it’s 932 am. Great timing.

 

Previous cruisers are still leaving. We find the entrance and follow the priority line to check in then up the escalator to the Captains Lounge to wait to board. We’re platinum and in a suite but the suite is the higher level. They gave us a Priority G tag which is the first group to board around 1045 am. Bonus is our room is available to us as soon as we board. Nice. Drop off the carry ons etc. 

 

We’re here. We’ve taken the picture in front of the backdrop and I got my first sale info. Photos are 20% off today. 
 

See you on board soon. 

[jimbo5544]

4 hours ago, Host CMLA said:

We made it to Miami on time with perfect weather. Maybe not perfect for me. Perfect for an outdoor person. It’s warm. And kinda humid. What are ya gonna do?

 

We deplaned and got to baggage claim. Luggage came quick. I was set to call up an Uber but my son said, but there are taxis right there, no waiting. Ok. Let’s take a taxi. No. We should not have taken a taxi. An Uber was going to be about $32. The taxi was $55!  On top of the ride cost, there’s a 30% added fee for larger vehicles. It was a good ride and fast but I’d wait for an Uber next time. Live and learn. 
 

Back on May 24 when check in opened I went to check in right at midnight so I could get the earliest arrival appointment. With our flight landing at 846 am I didn’t want to have to kill time before going to the port. You can check in and get your arrival appt then do the rest of the check in later. Fast forward to today and we land on time, get our bags, get to the port and it’s 932 am. Great timing.

 

Previous cruisers are still leaving. We find the entrance and follow the priority line to check in then up the escalator to the Captains Lounge to wait to board. We’re platinum and in a suite but the suite is the higher level. They gave us a Priority G tag which is the first group to board around 1045 am. Bonus is our room is available to us as soon as we board. Nice. Drop off the carry ons etc. 

 

We’re here. We’ve taken the picture in front of the backdrop and I got my first sale info. Photos are 20% off today. 
 

See you on board soon. 

Where is this pic from?

 

[wrcjr98]

Woooo!  I'm along for the ride!  Can't wait!!

I've always wanted to learn to crochet.  My mom crocheted beautiful afghans.  I never wanted to learn when she was around.  Now I want to learn!  

I take books on cruises - (you're reading the wrong books if you're falling asleep!!)  lol  

 

[Knights on the Beach]

25 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Where is this pic from?

 

 

Looks like the Captains Club in Miami.

[jimbo5544]

2 minutes ago, Knights on the Beach said:

 

Looks like the Captains Club in Miami.

Ahhhh

was only there about 10 minutes

 

[Host CMLA]

32 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Where is this pic from?

 

 

Ack!  I was in such a rush, I didn't say.  This is the Captain's Lounge where you wait to board.  This area is for suite, platinum and diamond people.  It's a pretty big area.  

[jimbo5544]

4 minutes ago, Host CMLA said:

 

Ack!  I was in such a rush, I didn't say.  This is the Captain's Lounge where you wait to board.  This area is for suite, platinum and diamond people.  It's a pretty big area.  

We have sailed twice, the first time we just boarded.  The 2nd time we were there, but literally 10 minutes.  We are Diamond and also were in a OS.

Edited June 9 by jimbo5544

[Host CMLA]

15 minutes ago, wrcjr98 said:

Woooo!  I'm along for the ride!  Can't wait!!

I've always wanted to learn to crochet.  My mom crocheted beautiful afghans.  I never wanted to learn when she was around.  Now I want to learn!  

I take books on cruises - (you're reading the wrong books if you're falling asleep!!)  lol  

 

 

I've already messed up my crochet plan.  I started on my project Saturday night and after about 10 rows I realized how big it was going to be.  I didn't want to bring such a big thing with me that was only going to get bigger so I changed my plan.  I brought along a project I'm working on for Christmas. I'm crocheting pine needles and pine cones for decor for my mantle.  

 

I learned to crochet about 10 years ago watching youtube videos.  You can do it!

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, Host CMLA said:

 

I've already messed up my crochet plan.  I started on my project Saturday night and after about 10 rows I realized how big it was going to be.  I didn't want to bring such a big thing with me that was only going to get bigger so I changed my plan.  I brought along a project I'm working on for Christmas. I'm crocheting pine needles and pine cones for decor for my mantle.  

 

I learned to crochet about 10 years ago watching youtube videos.  You can do it!

Plan is a 4 letter word, which do not apply on a cruise.  

[purpleally]

10 hours ago, Host CMLA said:

Quite the exciting morning in Knoxville. We got to the airport about 75 minutes before our flight and it was insane. This is why I have always flown in or driven the day before. The stress of hoping we make it thru security in time was awful. We did make it through and to the gate and walked right on the plane. Too close for comfort for me. 
 

We’re on the plane. Taking off in about 10 minutes. Let’s go Miami!

I. Would. Freak. 

[vswan]

A different kind of question. How do you get to be a cruise critic host. What does it entail? (No, I don't want to do it, just wondering what it is). And is CMLA your "name" online or a type of host.

 

Great review so far!

[vswan]

And on the crocheting. Many years ago I decided I was going to make a throw/cover for my loveseat. Bought a book, taught myself the stich I wanted and got going on it. In the end it was so big I had to fold in half to fit on the loveseat - width, not length. It's probably still around here in a box somewhere, but now have different furniture and colors.

[ninjacat123]

Very nice start on your LIVE! I would have been a bundle of nerves arriving at the airport 75 minutes before flight. 2 hours before for a domestic flight is what I can handle. I am also a planner so this is my cross to bear😁

Crochet is lovely. I tried knitting and made simple scarfs for everyone I knew. I have never knitted again.🤣

I am excited to hear what you think about Level 19. Take lots of pics please and give lots of details. 
Congrats on your son’s achievements!!👍

 

 

 

 

[Host CMLA]

4 hours ago, purpleally said:

I. Would. Freak. 

 

Believe me.  I did.  In Knoxville you can usually arrive an hour before a flight and still have 20 minutes to wait for boarding for your flight after getting through security.  I will not make that mistake again.  It was a super stressful way to start what was an extremely long day.  

[Host CMLA]

4 hours ago, vswan said:

A different kind of question. How do you get to be a cruise critic host. What does it entail? (No, I don't want to do it, just wondering what it is). And is CMLA your "name" online or a type of host.

 

Great review so far!

 

I became a host in 2002.  The host of the board I frequented noticed my activity and they were looking for another set of eyes on the forums and they asked if I was interested.  It's a volunteer gig and you get the Host thing before your name.  You keep an eye on the forums and make sure everyone plays nice and you help where you can.  I did that for about a year and a contract job came up that I was asked if I wanted to do and a few months later a full time job came up which started what would be 17 years of working with Cruise Critic full time as my career.  Unfortunately when covid happened a lot of us lost our jobs.  😞  I stayed a host though because I still use the site and can't imagine not being involved.  

 

CMLA is short for Cruise My Life Away. 🙂. My name is Cecilia.  

[Host CMLA]

We boarded just after 11.  The first group called to board were site visitors.  It looked like travel agents etc that were coming onboard to take tours etc.  Then they called Priority G which was us.  We were Priority G because of the Excel corner suite we booked. The perks of this suite get better as the day went on.  More about that later.  

 

We boarded the ship and as soon as we entered there was someone telling us to go to our muster station and get that taken care of.  I thought we had to go watch the video in our cabin then go check in but it was suggested we do that right away.  Our station is A6, the show theater.  We went in and there was a guy there that shows you how to put on the life jacket.  That's it.  He then says you should watch the safety video in our room.  OK.  That seems a bit casual for a very important safety thing.  

 

That was on deck 5 I believe.  After that we headed to the elevators to go to our room.  Another perk of the room is your room is ready for you when you board.  No waiting.  You can go to your room.  It's done.  Room keys are waiting for you.  Sweet.  Much appreciated.  Great perk of the room.  

 

It's a gorgeous room.  There are videos online of 10209.  Bedroom, separate living room, double entry bathroom, huge wrap around balcony.  It is allllllllll the way forward, of course.  You will get your steps in.  You are not close to an elevator.  I pre ordered a 12 pack of water that was delivered and I also ordered my son a cake to congratulate him on his accomplishment in school.  I put the water in the fridge but it's not all that cold.  It's on and doing something but not cooling all that great. Tomorrow I'll look at it more closely to see if I can adjust it.  I'm too tired today.  

 

The first thing we did after that was go to Big Chicken.  My son has been talking about Big Chicken since they put them on a ship.  We picked this ship because it had Big Chicken.  This chicken has a lot to live up to.  I even started a thread asking for feedback on Big Chicken.  Overall the comments were positive and universally everyone said the fries were to die for.  Since we were on the ship before so many people we were able to walk right up and order.  I got two chicken strips and fries.  I asked for dark meat but they didn't have any prepared.  Not to be a stickler but if you offer a choice between this and that, have both things available.  That, however, didn't dampen my chicken experience.  I really enjoyed the chicken with the shaq sauce.  The fries were another story.  They were bad.  They were cold and tough and chewy.  I have to believe that's a fluke because everyone said how good they are.  We'll go back another time.  The chicken alone was worth it.  I'll try the fries again.  

 

By the time we finished our meal, things were getting busy and crowded.  For dessert we each grabbed a gelato.  I had raspberry.  My son had the coffee.  Mine was so very good.  The raspberry gelato was creamy and light.  Well done.  We went back to the room after that.  It was about 1230.  

 

I didn't sleep a wink last night and I was barely keeping it together.  I curled up on the bed and watched some HGTV until falling asleep for about an hour.  By the time I woke up they were calling for all those that hadn't checked in with their muster station to do it now because we can't leave til everyone does it.  By 4 PM the ship started vibrating and you could feel us pulling out of our parking spot.  

 

I killed a bit more time til the casino opened then headed down to 7 to see how my luck was going to be this week.  I always say that I'm lucky in love.  Not so much at the casino but I'm no quitter.  The casino is split between smoking and non smoking sides and the casino itself is behind sliding doors.  I have no idea if that actually helps with keeping smoking contained.  I'm a former smoker that vapes so I was on the smoking side.  My vape has zero nicotine and zero smell.  It hopefully doesn't bother anyone else around me.  

 

Your key card is your player's card.  You put your card in the machine and a menu comes up listing any free play you have.  You can also charge money to your room to play.  That's dangerous!  Put it on the room!  Who keeps track of that?  You can play and then load any money left back on to your card for the next time you play.  I played the Dollar Storm machines mostly and I did not have any big wins but I did get to play for about 2 hours and get about 2000 points.  The points are what get you casino offers.  

 

I met my son at Club O2 at 8 PM to get him a sticker for his card.  Club O2 is for 15 to 17 year olds and they are ticklers about that.  There is no fudging or letting someone slip in a little under age or over the age.  Big no even if you're in the same cabin and your birthday is later this week during the cruise. You have to be the age to get in to the space.  

 

Earlier in the day, Zoe the concierge called and said she could take care of any dining reservations for us.  I figured we would use the app and check in to get a table but Zoe said she can handle all of that.  Thank goodness she did.  By the time we wanted to have dinner in the main dining room there was a 50 minute wait.  We had made a reservation through Zoe which is another perk of the Excel suite.  We bypassed all the chaos and crowding of first night dining using the app and we were seated right away.  Zoe sat us then asked if we needed any dining reservations for tomorrow.  We booked a reservation for the seaday brunch at 11 AM.  

 

We had a table at the very back of the Festivale dining room overlooking the wake.  Gorgeous.  The wait staff was attentive and efficient.  I had a papadelle with sauce appetizer and an Emeril's appetizer that's included, no extra cost.  It was a crawfish egg roll thing with sauce.  I had the braised short rib for an entree then for dessert I had the naval orange cream cake which may be the very best cake I've ever had in my life and I believe I'll dream about it for months.  I was going to order a second piece but I was too embarrassed!  Man it was so good.  It was the no sugar added dessert.  

 

We're back in the room now.  Exhausted. Full.  Looking forward to a long night of sleep. The ship is swaying every so lightly, barely noticeable but enough to make sleeping so much better.  Our only plan for tomorrow is the seaday brunch.  I have some pictures I'll post next.  

 

Have a great week everyone!  

[Host CMLA]

4 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

Very nice start on your LIVE! I would have been a bundle of nerves arriving at the airport 75 minutes before flight. 2 hours before for a domestic flight is what I can handle. I am also a planner so this is my cross to bear😁

Crochet is lovely. I tried knitting and made simple scarfs for everyone I knew. I have never knitted again.🤣

I am excited to hear what you think about Level 19. Take lots of pics please and give lots of details. 
Congrats on your son’s achievements!!👍

 

 

 

 

 

Loft 19 tomorrow I think after brunch.  Or not.  It's hard to say.  😉 

[Host CMLA]