When we went last FEB we had the Captains party and Past guest party. I hope they are still doing this as it was very fun and got to drink some drinks and snacks for free. Anyone recently been on cruise and had this.?  Some ships I hear have stopped it.

Also would one pick SUNSET BEACH or SANDALS for the day excursion?

The Carnival representative told me a couple of months ago that there would be a past guest party and Captains party on my ship.  I hope it hasn't changed since she told me that!!

You still have the Captain's reception, but you pay for your drinks at $1 off each one, and there are no oer'derves.  They did have the past guest reception and end of cruise party before dinner the final night of the cruise.   They are phasing out the past guest parties, as we used to know them.  We sailed last on September 20.

 Just did the Conquest. Captains party on 1st formal night has been moved from the main lounge to the entire promenade on deck 5. No more free cocktails and officer intro's. All they offer is $1.00 off drinks in the several bars and lounges along promenade. A $1.00 off of an $8.00 drink isn't much to look forward to. I think this is a big blunder on Carnival's part. They are doing away with alot of the traditionals that we as long time cruisers have come to love and expect. 

They are still doing the regular past guest party. It is held at 2 different times now. Strange.

And don't expect any more past guest ship pins. They only give them to Platinum guests. And in some cases only if you ask.

Hope this helps.

CD

Thanks for the info. We'll probably pass on the "Captains Party". Doesn't sound like it used to be. I was chatting with another person in here, he said that they call it the "Meet and Greet" party now. A $1.00 off a drink definetely isn't much.

Wonder what else they are going to start "cutting corners" on. Very interesting, will have to keep up on this.

We cruised last week on the Oct 25, 2009 sailing and there was a past guest reception on Thursday which included free drinks and snacks.  It only lasted about 45 minutes but it was interesting and the drinks were good :)

Also, we cruised in 2006 and went to Sunset Beach resort and we thought it was ok.  I think it has doubled in price since we went.  We aren't big drinkers and we don't really care for Jamaican food so this year we decided to go to Doctor's Cave Beach instead.  It costs $5 per person for the taxi and then $5 per person for access to the beach.  The have 2 water trampolines and you can sign up to parasail for $55 per person. You have to rent the umbrellas for $5 each but we rented one and just sat on our towels under the umbrella.  If you like to drink and/or like Jamaican food, then Sunset Beach might not be that bad, but for us, we saved about $150 by going to Doctor's Cave Beach.  The water and beach at both locations were equal so you won't be compromising on quality there. Hope this helps. 

Thanks to all of you for replying.  I am glad they are still doing the past guest party only because its the norm.  I could really care less about captains party if they are only going to give u a dollar off drinks. I want to go to a all inclusive resort for excursion because I want to have some drinks and food and not have to worry about paying a big bill. I enjoy drinking beers/liquor just for the fact it is refreshing and I always love food. The water park there looks great at sunset beach and i want to relax by the ocean.  I cant wait my wife and I will be on FEB 21 st cruise..I am already in vacation mode at work lol.....