We started cruising Carnival in January of 2015. We took our first cruise to the Bahamas, followed by a 2nd cruise to the Bahamas, and then a 3rd cruise to the Western Caribbean all in 2015.
In the process of finalizing the check in procedures for our Western Caribbean cruise, I noticed that due to my husband's regular casino playing, he had several free cruise offers that were what Carnival Classifies as a Premier Cruise. We decided to book the Mexican Riviera Cruise out of Long Beach Premier Event since we would have moved to the west coast by then.
So our cruise in February 2016 was many firsts. It was our first Premier Casino Cruise, Our first cruise out of the West Coast, Our First Cruise on Carnival Miracle and Our First Mexican Riviera Cruise.
Needless to say, we knew before we even boarded that Carnival Miracle was going to be a trip we would never forget.
We started before our move by staying at the Navy Gateway Inns and Suites on Northwest Annex. I realize this isn't a regular hotel, so I can't really review it for traveling purposes, but I wanted to make a few notes about it and attach some pictures anyway.
Northwest Annex is a super small base, but it is in the same city where we were living. So it seemed to be the best choice.
But honestly, we chose it because it was a kitchenette room and it had free laundry. So we got to wash up all of our dirty clothes before hitting the road.
It was nice enough for the two of us, but Navy Gateway Inns and Suites are designed more for single or couples, the room was definitely not designed for a family.
Overall our stay was just fine, we stayed there after our stuff got packed and loaded while we were waiting to leave.
My only complaint would be that the rooms with only one bed only had a queen, but again, the NGIS is mostly targeted towards single one person travel situations.
Our cruise on Carnival Valor was a 7 day, Caribbean Cruise out of Port Canaveral, Florida.
We boarded on Saturday, Sunday was a sea day.
Monday was Cozumel Mexico, Tuesday was Belize City, Belize, Wednesday was Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan, Honduras and Thursday was Costa Maya Mexico.
Friday was a Sea Day and we returned Saturday.
Carnival Valor was a great ship and we had a great time.
We ended up with a handicapped room, which gave us a bigger bathroom, but less storage space in the cabin.
I know, I know. Steakhouses are practically on every corner, and chain steakhouses are everywhere.
Typically, they are trendy, overpriced and low on the service end because they are a chain and well, no one really expects amazing food from a chain.
But honestly, one of our favorite steakhouses in Virginia is a chain. So we randomly decided for lunch today that we were going to go to one of those "chain steakhouses" for lunch.
We went to Longhorn in Atlantic City, NJ.
As you can see from the picture below, My husband loved his steak.
The service was a little slow, but I think it was due to only 2 servers. The place wasn't that busy to warrant a full staff.
I got the steak dinner that was on special. It came with a 6oz, a side, a salad and an appetizer. Honestly for me the best part was the appetizer. We got the corn fritters and OMG, they were so good. My husband loved the red chilli sauce that came with them.
I personally do not eat anything remotely hot, so I didn't try it after he warned me.
So overall the steaks were good and the everything else was good too.
Would we go back to Longhorn? Probably
Will it be our new go to chain steakhouse? I doubt it.
As we prepare to leave the East Coast and move to the West Coast, we are trying to "say goodbye" to as many of the things and places we will miss as possible.
So we decided to have one last weekend in Atlantic City. Atlantic City has gotten a very mixed reputation over the past few years. Casinos closing down, time shares moving in, certain parts of town going downhill and so much competition for the casinos opening up.
Atlantic City used to be a great place. Great casinos, packed with people, so much to do. But now it is a prime example of not staying relevant. Casinos have failed because they could not keep with what the modern consumer wants in a hotel, casino and resort.
We love having multiple casinos in one place, and having it on the East Coast. But we don't love how too many places a block over from a grand casino look terrible, and run down. Or how the boardwalk looks like a mix of escaped mental patients and jersey shore girls.
Of all the things on the East Coast that I am going to miss when we move, Atlantic City will not be one. I can say "I've been there and done that." I've been here about 25 times.
I think moving 4 hours from Vegas has made me a little jaded.
It is really not enough that we have a favorite casino in Atlantic City, we have to have a favorite casino restaurant.
Normally, we eat nothing but casino buffets at the casinos.
Why, well simply two reasons.
One, the casinos won't hesitate to comp you a buffet because the food per person cost is low. Secondly, they are usually faster and require no reservations. My husband wants to get right back to the action as soon as possible.
So honestly, I know casino buffets. And since food is the main item comped at casinos, I know casino food in general. I can't remember the last time we actually paid full price for a regular meal in a casino. Yes of course if we pick up snacks or Starbucks or something like that, it isn't comped.
But honestly, we eat for free and that is why my husband wants to get up from the table, and get back as soon as he can.
We started regularly coming to Atlantic City in 2014. We took a "spring break" trip of our own and drove here. We stayed at a hotel that no longer is open, but we visited every casino hotel in the area.
So we have been dining at the Rim for almost 18 months now.
I am known as the "ice lady" because I ruin their hot tea with ice.
I think it is funny. I am always complaining that I am cold, but I never drink a hot beverage.
So as per usual, last night when we arrived at Taj Mahal, we dined at the Rim as normal. I got my usual, Chicken Chow Fun.
Honestly, if it wasn't good, I wouldn't be eating it 2-3 times a weekend trip for 18 months.
So obviously, I enjoy the dish, the restaurant and the service.
Personally I feel that the casinos here in Atlantic City are not big on late night eats and it is the only place open until 4am. Which is amazing when you need a pre-sleep meal.
Below is a picture of my chicken chow fun. I am sure I will have more pictures and stories from the Rim at Taj mahal as we are here until Sunday.
Carnival Fantasy, Freeport Bahamas
We took Carnival Fantasy on a 5 day Bahamas Cruise and one of the ports was Freeport, Bahamas.
Since the reviews for Freeport are mixed, we decided to book an excursion to enjoy the day with a guide and not take our chances.
Freeport is more of an industrial port city, and has less for visiting tourists than other ports. But the ease of cruise ship access is a main reason the cruise ships still stop here regularly.
We took the Tour that included the Brewery. Tiny or tour guide was awesome! I definitely recommend this excursion. We got to see the perfume factory, port lucaya, and the Sands Brewery. It was a great tour.
I definitely would do Carnival Fantasy, and Freeport Again.
