Cruising the Caribbean in winter

Sam's Piano Bar

If you're not there when they open it's hard to find a seat near the piano and on my cruise the piano player was new and didn't know many standard piano bar standards like Billy Joel's, Piano Man.

The Chef's Art Steakhouse

WOW!!! This place even lets you chose the type of salt your meal is prepared with. They bring out a box with 6 different types of salt, explain the differences and you chose. Australian wagyu beef, I don't know when they learned how to massage cows down under but this was the tenderest beef I have ever eaten and I'm from Texas, all we have is oil and cows. I got my meal comped by the casino but I will eat there again even if I have to pay the $38. This was the one place that understood the word "Rare", they wacked the horns off, smacked it on the butt and served it. Prefect.

Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B- Que Smokehouse

They where only open for 2 1/2 hours, 3 days out of my 8 day cruise. The Brisket was a bit fatty, someone needs to teach them how to trim a brisket. The sausage was good.

Redfrog Rum Bar

Good drinks, fast service and friendly bartenders.

Scarlet Dining Room

Escargot was amazing, sea day brunch was really good but I ordered a steak for diner one night, "rare" and it came out 3 times medium well. I even told them to just introduce it to the kitchen and it was still med-well.

The Gathering Lido Restaurant

Food was buffet quality, nothing to write home about. Breakfast was disappointing, got biscuits and gravy and both where cold and this was at 7:30 AM when they opened, not like it had been sitting out for an hour.

Seafood Shack

Wonderful. They didn't have clams on my cruise but the shrimp, fish, lobster, crab and oysters where fantastic.

Pizzeria del Capitano

A good pizza, made fresh when you order (Takes about 5 minutes) and they are open 24 hours. They even deliver for $5.

Mongolian Wok

Best part of the buffet by far.

Guy's Burger Joint

Really good burger. Fast and even though the slogan is "You can't have it your way, you'll have it Guys way" You can have it your way.

Carnival Deli

A little disappointed in the Rubin, they served it on Sour Dough instead of Rye and Thousand Island instead of Russian. The grilled Ham and Cheese was good.

Burgundy Aft Lounge

Masks everywhere, really looks like a comedy club or Mardi Gras at sea. Nice seating and fast bar service.

Bonsai Sushi Bar

Best sushi I have had on a cruise. So fresh you would think they had fishing poles off the back of the ship. Served with Wasabi and pickled ginger.

BlueIguana Cantina

Very fresh, they make the tortillas daily. As close to authentic Mexican as you will get at sea. Breakfast and lunch, you can't go wrong.

Waves Main Pool

Plenty of seating, never had a problem finding a chaise. And movies on the big screen at night was a great addition.

The Cherry on Top

Much smaller than in the website pictures but the still have Harry Potter Chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

Jackpot Casino

Many more games than I thought they would have on a ship. The $6 Blackjack only pays 6 to 5, to get the 3 to 2 you have to play $25 per hand. Lots of modern slots including Buffalo, Dancing Drums and Stinking Rich: Skunks gone wild (my favorite). Waitresses where hard to find and it could take 15 minutes to get your drink but after you reach 1500 in player club points the drinks in the casino are free.

Whirlpool Spa

Most relaxing part of the cruise. High pressure, positional jets get right to where you need them. A great place to hang out and meet new people.

The Fun Shops

Very nice selection of items but remember, if you cruise out of Texas, even though the liquor and tobacco products are duty free on board Texas is going to hit you up for the tax when you get back.

Sunset Aft Pool

Small pool but a great place to relax.

Guest Services / Excursions Desk

Very helpful and fast, never waited more than two minutes.

Dream Lobby

Impressive. Clean, well kept and open all the way to a glass ceiling at deck 12.

The Dream Lobby & Atrium

Great music venue, comfortable seating and a bar right in the middle.

Encore! Main Lounge

Deck 3 seating was good but decks 4 and 5, the seats had no lean to them so an hour long show became uncomfortable. Nice stage, lighting and sound.