THE HAMPTON INN BUSH INTL. AIRPORT ~ HOUSTON

Our post cruise stay…

We recently stayed at the Hampton Inn in Houston by Bush International Airport on JFK Blvd for one night on a post cruise stay. We did our research prior to booking and the property received mixed review, so we decided to give it a try and give you an honest review of our room and the general areas of the hotel.

Let’s start with our room. We booked a room with 2 queen beds and the price was very reasonable. Our room was neat and appeared clean upon arrival. It did have a slight musty smell when first entering from the humidity, although once we turned the air conditioning on, the smell went away. The carpet was freshly vacuumed. We did notice later in the evening that the lamp shades were fairly dusty, but other than that everything was clean. The bathroom was clean and had the usual Neutrogena brand shampoo, condition, and lotion amenities. The shower head was nice and worked great. The beds were comfortable for a short stay. Not overly plush, although we slept comfortably. There was no microwave or fridge in our room, although we already knew this before arriving. I believe some of the larger rooms may have them. It did have an alarm clock and coffee maker. Also the TV included some movie channels such as HBO, and the greatest thing was that it included the direct TV NFL Sunday ticket, since it was Sunday we took full advantage of it. This was the first hotel we have ever stayed that included this with no additional charge. Continue reading “THE HAMPTON INN BUSH INTL. AIRPORT ~ HOUSTON”

Royal Caribbean Increase!!!

Royal Caribbean has increased their cover charge at Johnny Rockets on select Oasis of the Seas sailings from $6.95 to $9.95.  Quite a jump!!!

Although according to a Royal Caribbean spokesperson, it is just being tested to a small group of sailings and at this time there are no plans to add it to any other ships.

Sharon at Sea

4 NEW CRAFT BEERS DEBUT ON THE CARNIVAL HORIZON

 

 Carnival Cruise Line has announced the names of the four craft beers that will be brewed onboard the new Carnival Horizon which is set to make her debut on April 2, 2018.
Colin Presby, Carnival Cruise Lines expert brewmaster created these mouth quenching new beers and will be offered at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse/Brewhouse, a new dining concept that combines an onboard brewery with a full service restaurant featuring some BBQ favorites and sides developed by Food Network star Guy Fieri.
The announcement was made by Presby and Carnival Vice President of Beverage Operations Edward Allen at a traditional keg tapping ceremony held aboard Carnival Vista, the first North American based cruise ship to feature an onboard brewery.
The names of the four new beers on the Carnival Horizon will include:
• ParchedPig Smoked Porter ~ brewed with in house smoked malt, this robust, full bodied beer offers big and bold flavors and notes of molasses and hickory smoke, providing the perfect complement to Smokehouse/Brewhouse’s BBQ favorites
• ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale ~ this lightly hopped beer is distinguished by its blond color, fruity and complex character with mild spice notes that balance the brew’s dry finish
• ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale ~ highlighted by its rich amber color and notes of toasted caramel and biscuit, this beer is well balanced, smooth and highly drinkable
• ParchedPig West Coast IPA ~ the embodiment of a traditional West Coast India Pale Ale, this hoppy, intense beer is loaded with bitterness with a bright flavor profile and distinctive aroma of citrus and pine

“Smokehouse/Brewhouse is a unique culinary concept and we’ve created four fantastic brewed onboard craft beers that not only showcase different tastes and brewing styles but also serve as the ideal accompaniment to the venue’s delicious array of barbecue offerings,” said Presby.

The brewery takes center stage at Smokehouse/Brewhouse, which, in addition to delicious craft beers and custom cocktails, will offer a rustic, down home décor as well as a variety of Fieri designed favorites, all smoked “low and slow” using the chef’s signature rubs and spices. The tantalizing offerings include smoked onboard brisket, Memphis style back ribs, dry rubbed chicken, pulled pork, and cedar smoked salmon, along with the chef’s own take on traditional sides and his signature sauces. Dinner menu items are offered on an a la carte basis with a free of charge self service BBQ lunch buffet available on embarkation day and sea days.

Sharon at Sea

 

 

 

 

 

CARLY RAE JEPSEN JOINS CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

 

 

Carnival will be adding a new performer to their Carnival Live Concert Series program this February. Carly Rae Jepsen will be performing a live outdoor concert on Carnival Splendor’s Lido deck on February 18th 2018 while the ship is out at sea.

Carnival released a statement from Carly stating “while I’ve performed all over the world and on Broadway, I’ve never performed on a cruise ship before and I’m really looking forward to a night with my fans in what promises to be a unique venue for an incredible night”.

The concert will be on the 2nd day of a seven-day voyage from Long Beach, CA to the Mexican Riviera.

The Carnival Splendor holds 3,006 passengers and will be repositioning to Long Beach to replace the Carnival Miracle and will sail 7-night Mexican Riviera itineraries as well as 14-night roundtrip Hawaiian itineraries starting in January 2018.

Sharon at Sea

 

 

CHANGES FOR CHEER’S PROGRAM AT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES!!!

 

The New Year brings changes to Carnival Cruise Lines.  Beginning January 1, 2018, Carnival Cruise Line has announced they will be increasing the price of their Cheers Program. The price will increase to $56.95 per person per day in addition to a 15% gratuity charge. If you choose to purchase the program prior to your cruise, you can pre purchase the program at a discounted price of $51.95 per person per day with an additional 15% gratuity charge.  If you are currently booked on a Carnival cruise, you have the option to pre purchase the Cheers program at the current price of $49.95 per person per day up until December 31, 2017.

For those of you that are not familiar with the Cheers program, here is a little information on the rules and what is included.

The Program includes up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day for a 24 hour period, starting at 6:00am, up until 6:00 am the following day. You must wait 5 minutes in between ordering drinks and sharing your drinks with others is prohibited. If one person in your cabin purchases it, then everyone 21 years of age and older sharing the same cabin must purchase it.  Cheers must be purchased for the entire length of the cruise.  Due to state laws, Cheers cannot be sold until the second day of the cruise when departing from Texas and New York ports.

Cheers is not offered for cruises leaving from Australia, 2 day cruises and purchases made in Half Moon Cay, Princess Cays in the Bahamas.

Here is what is included in the Cheer’s Program per Carnival cruise Lines…

~ All spirits, including cocktails, cognacs, whiskies and other spirits, as well as beer and wine (and Champagne) by the glass, with a $50 USD or lower menu price per serving 

~ Zero-Proof frozen cocktails (including smoothies), sodas (including specialty sodas) and juices 

~ Specialty coffees and hot tea served in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants and coffee bars

Milkshakes, where applicable  

~ RockStar energy drinks, Powerade, Vitamin Water, Coconut Water and Honest Tea

~ 500ml bottled water and other non-alcoholic bottled beverages served in bars and lounges

~ Large format (1 liter and 1.5-liter) bottles of water in the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants

~ 25 percent discount off the menu price for any spirit, cocktail or wine by the glass, costing above $50 USD per serving

~ 25 percent discount off the menu price for wine and champagne by the bottle and larger format water bottles purchased outside the main dining rooms or specialty restaurants

~ 25 percent discount off beverage seminars and classes

Beverages excluded from the Cheer’s Program are per Carnival Cruise Lines…

~ Beverages promoted and sold in souvenir glasses

~ Bottles of liquor

~ Beverages offered at the gangway 

~ Beverages offered through room service, mini bars and/or other in-stateroom beverage programs

~ Sharing cocktails, floaters, pitchers, tubes and buckets 

~ Beverages offered through enomatic wine machines and self-serve beer stations

~ All other beverage-related programs including merchandise, cigars and cigarettes

~ Food items

Sharon at Sea