Carnivale here we come. Ok, we wish, Carnival here we come

[bPeteb]

A short trip report on a no-flights-necessary four night Carnival cruise out of Brisbane over the easter weekend. No F on Silver Seas, or Regent, or Crystal, or J on Ponant, or even Y+ on Cunard for us. This is Y class for the masses. This would be our 13th (my 14th) cruise.

This trip was originally booked back in June 2020. We were looking for something to do over new years and decided maybe a cruise would be fun. We’d never sailed Carnival. Spirit was the ship based in Brisbane for the summer season. We booked an aft view extended balcony.

The original cruise was seven nights including an overnight at Yorkey’s Knob for NYE. $3002 for our 8M balcony.

In mid-September Carnival announced that due to Covid its ships would not be returning for the 2020/21 summer season. We were offered a choice of refund, or if we rebooked before November 2022, for a cruise to be taken by April 2024,we’d also get some decent onboard credit. We decided to wait and see.

Of course the lockdowns continued and in mid-22 the offer was extended. Book by end of October to cruise by end of March 24 and the obc offer stood.

In the interim, Carnival replaced Spirit, a ‘normal’ Carnival family fun ship, with Luminosa, a much more European ship, originally built for Costa. That meant no slides and waterpark, and maybe even less kids.

We decided on the last cruise before the offer ended and that happened to coincide with easter. Four nights to Airlie Beach and back, exactly what we had done on Quantum of the Seas last March.

I couldn’t book online for some reason and had to call to book. I was amazed to be told we’d be getting a total of $950 obc ($900 rebook offer + $50 new booking) for our four night cruise. I’d misunderstood the offer thinking we’d get half of that because our cruise was under six nights. But the higher amount was based on your original booking.

For this cruise we upped the booking from a standard to a 9B premium aft balcony. $1960. More space, nicer bathroom, nicer cabin fixtures.

In December last year we pre-booked two dinners – Chef’s Table and Fahrenheit 555 (steakhouse) – using some of the obc. Both were $72 pp. All prices on Carnival in Australia are AUD and include gratuities. The week before we departed Chef’s Tables was showing as $155pp. Hopefully we would not be charged anything additional.

Hurry up easter.

 

[bPeteb]

Sailing day finally arrived. The weather forecast was looking a bit grey and potentially wet but it was a sunny Brisbane autumn day when we were dropped off at the Brisbane Sewerage Treatment Works International Cruise Terminal.




We arrived right on our boarding time of 12 and were onboard before 12.30. Straight to muster station for lifejacket and evacuation drill check off.

First thing that we both noticed on deck three, and later on deck two, was that there were views of the ocean from most spaces, something that had been missing on Quantum of the Seas. Luminosa embraced the ocean. Quantum hid it from you.

We went straight up to the Marketplace on deck 9 for a quick bite. Lots of people were already in there even though boarding supposedly only started at 12.

Lots of individual counters – ‘Chopstix’, pizza, sandwiches at The Deli, burgers, snags and pies, number of salad bars, ol’ fashioned bbq, tacos and burritos, Seafood shack (extra cost), cakes, soft serve ice cream.

Offered, and too quickly accepted a rum based coughtail from Red Frog Rum Bar. coughtails varied in price, I think this horror was $16. We then went out to Serenity, the adults only area at the stern of deck 9. Here’s us pretending to be enjoying the cough mixture tasting coughtail.

These cabana things were like gold most of the time. If you weren’t up before 8 you didn’t stand a chance of snagging one.



Serenity, the adults only area two decks above our aft cabin. It was very strictly policed by a very enthusiastic crew who took great joy in ushering out any parents who brought kids our here



Sunset Bar above. A missed opportunity that was crying our for some fixed shade

 

[bPeteb]

Cabins were ready right on time at 1.30 so off we went


We were in 7398. Great location only two decks down from Serenity and the Marketplace.




Huge balcony.



Weird artwork. Just wtf????

Nice bathroom with a decent amount of shelving, even if you were on for a long time (the cruise following ours was 31 nights), and a shower with a glass screen.



Two Australian powerpoints and this little four USB-A cluster. We've moved on to USB-C Carnival


Daily program that was all available on the app



Unpacked then went for a wander.

 

[bPeteb]

It's time to let those lines loose!


The Supernova atrium, all the way from deck 2 to 10


Sail away was well attended and the crowds of youngsters well engaged by the entertainment crew. There were A LOT of youngsters!


bAlt making the most of the internet while sat up at Sunset Bar


Sunset across Moreton Bay


It was dark when we turned hard right at Caloundra

 

[bPeteb]

After a coughtail (very good!) at Alchemy Bar


we had dinner in the main dining room. It was, ordinary, apart from the very nice smoked salmon entrée. Menus were Australianised – entrée, mains, desserts. Not starters, entrées, desserts.


Al’s lamb stew apparently tasted ok. My Indian vegetarian of the night looked ok but was difficult to eat and had been overdosed with the devil’s herb coriander. Virgin Voyages dining this was definitely not.


this fan motif was a bit of a decor theme

We went to a very funny comedy show then visited the disco before calling it a night

The comedy venue

 

[bPeteb]

Day 2 and I was up before bAlt. After a quick breakfast I even managed to score a cabana thing where we stayed until late morning


Pacific Adventure on her way back to Brisbane. What an awkward looking ship.


We pretty much did nothing all day.

Towel animal on return to our cabin


Another ordinary dinner in Vela, the main dining room. We both had a very over-sold but underwhelming roast pork, followed by sharing a nice chocolate volcano cake.

The wine list is hardly the stuff of dreams but there is plenty of variety. On the first night my first choice wasn’t available and on the second night the same thing happened. The wine waiter then went out of his way to track down the wine he’d been told was unavailable after I mentioned that was twice in a row.

We sat in the piano bar for a drink then went to the showroom for the main production show – FLICK. Yes, that’s Flick. It was songs from movies and although low budget it was ok. It was sure no Royal Caribbean extravaganza. One singer was just terrible. He was so off key I’m sure he was singing something else in his head.

Moon rise behind the ship

 

[bPeteb]

Woke to the sound of the anchor dropping off Airlie Beach. Remember, we were in a stern facing cabin!! The whole ship suffered from ‘hard surface vibration’. If you were sat on a cushioned chair you felt nothing, but if you lent on a counter, or a table, the vibration was crazy. That anchor was dropped 300m away from our cabin but it felt like it went out right below us.

After the anchor was dropped it was clear from the prop wash off the stern that due to the wind the captain was struggling to position Luminosa. It took nearly two hours to get the ship in a position that it was safe to start ferrying people ashore. What was supposed to begin at 7.30 finally kicked off just before 9.30. By the time many of the groups got to shore they found their excursions had been cancelled. They needed a lot more than three fast ferries to get people ashore quickly.



We had breakfast in Vela. You ‘check-in’ using the app and get advised immediately what the expected wait is. We were told under 10 minutes so set off down to the restaurant and got notification that our table was ready, and the table number, as we reached the restaurant entry.

Breakfast was nice with a decent menu. Sorry, no photos.

We got talking to a couple of Floridians sat next to use. They had been on the previous cruise to Vanuatu and were continuing on to Seattle on the 31 night transpac repositioning cruise following this easter cruise. I’m not sure if it was for all three, or just the repo, but we were told the cruise was costing them just port charges and gratuities as Karen was a big gambler. Wow!

Apparently it’s a shoe in that we’ll be seeing America made great again come November. Sigh.

Due to the delayed start, and the cancellations, there were many unhappy cruisers on Saturday night. That’s always a rish with tender ports. The first ‘no ticket’ tender (after 48 groups!!) didn’t get called until 1.40!! Last tender back was 5.15pm after originally being 4.15. Luckily we hadn’t planned to go into town. Our yacht charter last March couldn’t have been bettered.

We’d done pretty much nothing but laze around all day and it was perfect.

Today's towel animal


one of the ferries bringing passengers back from a tour


Dinner was Chef’s Table. We were instructed to meet at the entrance to Fahrenheit 555 at 6 and were escorted round to a roped off area of the restaurant. Here’s where we eventually sat

First we were offered a half glass of bubbles and some horses doovers. A delicious mushroom thing served with an equally delicious mushroom tea infused with fresh herbs


then a beetroot ball, yum


followed by a crab lollipop, also delicious


The chef, Bala, introduced himself and the team who would be looking after us. Bala explained how the evening would proceed, then took us into the small kitchen that services Fahrenheit 555. It was sold as a galley tour but it wasn't. We watched a demo of how the volcano cake we’d had the night before was made.

 

[bPeteb]

Then dinner began and it was excellent. Eight courses with included red and white wine and even a port or sherry to finish.



some amazing bread that you ripped apart and poured the butter over. It was stuffed with cheese. YUM


First up ‘Chef’s Taste’ - hazelnut cookie, frozen raspberry, greek yoghurt, crispy pork belly, bacon snow, kimchi glass and snow, sesame olive sponge, passion fruit, eggplant dusted candy floss


‘Duck’ - north African spice, caramelised confit leg, parsnip puree, butter and wine emulsion


’Our surf and turf’ - lobster bisque sphere, dehydrated onion soup, beef tea


with quite the unusual whisk


some tempura veg


’John Dory’ - poached, almond parmesan cream, slivers edamame and almond, burnt champagne vinegar butter

 

[bPeteb]

’Lamb’ - smoked lamb, provolone and pickled radish roll, lamb pastrami, lamb neck croquette


‘Prime New York strip’ - burnt butter, milk chips, sweet potato mash, warm cheddar jus


bAlt answered our room phone when they called to confirm the dinner booking. They asked if we had any dietary constraints and if eitehr of us was celebrating anything. It had been my birthday the week before so bAlt told them that. It was also Colin's first birthday! There were three of us with birthday 'desserts' and a couple celebrating their anniversary. Nicely done

’Patisserie art’ - raspberry yoghurt sponge, cognac cream, lemon and olive cremeux, raspberry ganache, reconstructed pastry croustillant, dark chocolate, mardi-gras feuillantine flakes


’Mignardises’ - burnt custard tart, almond chocolate, caramel, raspberry licorice, elderflower caviar


The food was very, very good. I’d hoped it would be, but it exceeded both of our expectations. Bala was super engaging, as were the two young assistant chefs who were working with him. We had not expected the wine, or a glass of port to finish the meal. We didn’t get charged extra. $72pp. A bargain. The 10 guests who joined us were all lovely. It was a really wonderful night.

 

[Seat0B]

It was dark when we turned hard right at Caloundra

Beautiful night time photos @bPeteb

 

[bPeteb]

Sea day

Brunch in Vela. Same process with the app. It was much quieter, possibly due to the apparently famous ‘Green eggs and ham’ breakfast (extra cost) up on the higher level of the restaurant. I have no idea what the tie-in is between Carnival and Dr Suess and haven’t bothered to investigate.



granola and yoghurt


French toast, with a side of bacon of course (bacon cooked for non-American tastes!)

 

[bPeteb]

We had a very cursory look for seats in Serenity but realised it was a lost cause and ended up in some not at all comfortable sofas on deck 10 above the lido pool. No matter, we stayed there pretty much all day. Long enough for me to start and finish a book. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. Excellent!

Lots of kids roaming the ship in noisy groups. That the pool was empty and having a repair possibly made the lido area quieter (no screaming kids in the pool). By night it was full again.


Advice waiting at the room of our departure instructions. We would wheel our bag off. Deck 8 self carry was 8-8.30. We’d be ready.

Sunset. Loved the aft facing balcony. We've both wanted to stay in one for a long time and it was just great.


Dinner back at Fahrenheit 555. As mentioned this was pre-paid and pre-booked. I’m usually all over a ship taking pictures but again barely a one of this restuarant. It’s a shame as this is a really nice space, up on deck 10 at the top of the Supernova Atrium. Subtle colours and finishes - very different to most of the rest of the ship. It looks like these upper deck venues - Fahrenheit 555, Serenity and Sunset Bar - are the only places that have been updated since construction.

Dinner was again excellent. Great service. Another wine selected, another unavailable. Hopefully they are doing a full restock tomorrow when we arrive back in Brisbane otherwise it doesn’t bode well for wine selection during the 31 day cruise to Seattle.

Dinner started with a complimentary ‘wagyu slider’ that was cute and delicious


bAlt had beef tartare, a fillet mignon and tarte tatin. I had tuna tartare, New York Strip and cheesecake.


Everything was delicious. Steaks cooked perfectly. I know we paid for it but after the disappointment with my ‘included’ steak on Resilient Lady, it was worth every one of those $72.

Our third and final towel animal

 

[bPeteb]

I looked out the window a couple of times during the early morning and we were already well into Moreton Bay. We were tied up at the treatment works by 6am


We didn't intend to shower or breakfast, just walk off as soon as we were told we could. We'd arranged with a friend to pick us up at 8:15 so were caught a little unprepared when they announced that decks 8 and 7 could start disembarking just after 7.30! We messaged our friend who said no worries, they'd be on their way in 15 minutes.

Bye Luminosa. It was fun


We really enjoyed our first Carnival experience. We went onboard with eyes wide open and were pleasantly surprised.

We liked the feel of the ship. Daggy? Maybe, but easy to get around, and as I said lots of views 'out'. These 'inward' facing monster ships are just horrible.

Loved our cabin and its location.

Every member of the crew we interacted with was excellent. Super friendly. Nothing was ever too much to ask.

Entertainment wasn't a strong suit, nor was food in the main dining room. The food up at Marketplace on deck 9 was good with lots of variety. We heard people saying it was awful but we just didn't think that.

Fahrenheit 555 was excellent, as was Chef's Table, but you couldn't do them every night. There was a pay sushi bar but we didn't try that, or anything from the pay coffee shop.

So that's it. Virgin Voyages was definitely Y+ in comparison, maybe J lite, but we were very happy with our first Carnival cruise, travelling Y.

 

[OZDUCK]

Once again lots of lovely photos. Thanks.

 

[love_the_life]

Am I mistaken or are tablecloths in the MDR? There certainly weren't when I was on Carnival Splendor last year - very down market!

 

[bPeteb]

Am I mistaken or are tablecloths in the MDR? There certainly weren't when I was on Carnival Splendor last year - very down market!

Definitely tableclothes on every table. They must have know we were coming

 

[DC3]

No massive COVID outbreaks on these ships?

 

[bPeteb]

No massive COVID outbreaks on these ships?

I didn’t notice many people coughing or sneezing and both of us have come home unscathed. Saying that we also 5x vax.

 

[Pushka]

No massive COVID outbreaks on these ships?

While people may develop covid on cruise ships there is no massive outbreak anymore. We've been on a long one, 21 days and Covid was not a thing.

Great TR. Thankyou.

 

[Seat0B]

Thanks for this TR - it was really interesting. And your sunset photos are gorgeous.