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dna1990

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  • Posts

    1,167
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About Me

  • Location
    Texas, USA
  • Interests
    none
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    RCCL
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Caribbean

dna1990's Achievements

Cool Cruiser

Cool Cruiser (2/15)

  1. I JUST did this (via phone), because my annual was expiring and we never found another date to use it. We had an existing booking (made via NextCruise back in July23 for a cruise in July24). They reduced the invoice amount on that cruise by the $500 Trade-In value. Noting the fine print on the Tier23 annual cruise stated it had to be used on a sailing by Mar 31, 24 - but they never asked about that. I have not heard of Instant Certs being used on existing bookings - but call and keep asking. Maybe eventually you get some Freeplay or OBC for it.
  2. I am no expert either, but if you are already shown back at CHOICE, then it sounds like more than 2 years since you last hit PRIME. So you will be "starting again" at CHOICE for your May cruise AND those1300 points will reset to zero on April 1. Your husband likely was PRIME more recent and will likely carry forward that status for your May sailing. However, his points too will have been reset to zero on April 1. So now you will need to accumulate 2500 more new points to hit PRIME again, which is where free drinks kick in. If hubby retains PRIME, then he has free drinks from Day 1...but would also still need to accumulate 2500 points to "stay" PRIME for the next season. Others may have more correct or succinct info...
  3. Me... just hoping for a Craps table....I seem to recall there is one on board finally now, but it was missing for a long time after Asia itineraries. Will enjoy the ship this July. Curious to hear some insight from April pax. Safe travels.
  4. Getting off the ship in Vancouver, what are the steps and pathways between when you claim your luggage - and you can get a taxi? Are their porters that can assist? I assume there is some customs process once you have your bags... In some videos, you see taxis down in the garage area that looks like they could pick up there....or is that only for passengers being dropped off? Trying to formulate plan from the time we are reunited with bags - until we arrive at the YVR airport. We are looking first at taxis, as navigating to the SkyTrain with bags will be a little strenuous for us. We also likely have an extra bag from a pre-cruise tour portion of this trip. And it seems there is a subtle advantage to taxis over Uber in terms of some dedicated traffic lanes? Would love to stay at PanPacific one night to rest, and I understand they may have a process to help with baggage...but peak pricing makes that a tough call. Even is picking another downtown hotel, still have to develop a plan to get bags over there.
  5. We have had mixed results with pre-linked bookings, when it comes to Specialty Dining. I would have a Plan and a Plan B, with even some Plan C options - and seek out a restaurant right as you board. I will also throw it out there (for others that may be reading), that besides unexpected casino losses - the next most common family/group drama....is some dining snafu. So really talk with your group and know what everyone's expectations are. I know, I have seen grandmothers beside themselves who can't understand that by day 3, some of the family is wanting just to skip to the Windjammer...."one meal" she asked for and paid all the fares...but nope. Or berating the staff when the group is split over multiple tables, etc. Yes, heavy investment in UDP, so absolutely maximize it. But put in the plan some options for some people to opt different for some of the nights. I know a group of three couples, all with kids. They set it up so that one couple would dine alone in venue A while the others and all the kids went to venue B. Then switched around nightly. I thought that was clever. And don't forget about timing for photos. Some great photo ops may come along for a portion of the group that may not align well with a UDP reservation or something. Unexpected long lines, or a show was crowded getting out, etc. Buffer.
  6. Just off Dream last week. Overall, great. Pizza was consistently slow/inefficient. Everything else fell into place for us just fine. Serenity was relaxing. MDR service was top notch. Cabin and steward were great. Casino happening. Atrium music always good. Getting on/off at all stops was painless. HMC sand is ever-healing, water was cold in Feb. Aft pool area easy to find a spot. Didn't see any big shows. No big waits for elevators after Day 1. Photo folks were more boring than we have seen before with CCL, but Dream Studio got some great memories, $$$ but worth it to us to capture the moment. No age-related issues noted, all was clean and operational. Do your research. Know what Dream has to offer, the basic layout of the ship, etc. Pre-book spa/drink/internet/photo as desired. Study the ports of call. Have a plan, but build in flexibility. Make your travel plans in/out of Galveston. For our sailing, many folks arrived early at the terminal, presumably everyone anticipating Mardis Gras traffic issues. This was chaotic for a little while before they opened the doors. Once inside and moving into security lines, everything was smooth. But just plan for patience at any terminal, assume the worst and hope for the best.
  7. In my experience, anyone looking at DL is doing so for the photo. Always just a quick glance. Agree with others it could make for a bigger chore to renew at home afterwards.
  8. For cans, it can also vary based on where the ship ports from. Galveston for example, all lines can easily get DP if they want, others maybe not as much. Florida can be hit/miss. We always carry on a 12pk. If flying to port, just ask port hotel/taxi/etc for a nearby convenience store to grab one on your way to ship. Most cans will run about $3.75+ onboard, so if not in Freestyle with package...can add up quick.
  9. We have this inflatable one. Very light/small to pack, inflates with ease. But is very narrow and "bouncy". A little noisy too. https://a.co/d/833ePb0 We took this one just last week, it is a great feeling - but HUGE to take. Not heavy, but size of very large duffle bag. https://a.co/d/3UKvjKT
  10. Keep this tip to yourself, but for the RCCL North Covered Lot...it can help to park closer to the "right end" as you enter the space. Upon return, porters are allowed to go as far as the taxi area "just beyond" the right end of the north covered lot. Can make for a much easier luggage haul. And keep your entrance barcode email in the car, it is often required to "scan" upon final exit of the lot.
  11. 29th The lot potholes are ever-present...but the people are genuine, friendly, and as efficient as the port can handle. Very quick service this past week. Although an insistent request to show a parking ticket or conf email on the post-cruise return ride back. Like is someone riding stow-away on their shuttles? Odd, but place the little ticket with your keys so you can find it.
  12. 2/10/24 was "off" for some reason. Terminal 28 (CCL Dream) was also abit chaotic starting early (just before 9). We did grab one porter meeting us at parking shuttle drop-off, but overall they were not in high numbers. Many pax seem to arrive outside the terminal well before their check-in time and little organization as to where folks should be lining up to wait. Not sure how much Mardis Gras was an impact, but once inside the terminal - all was well run again.
  13. Where did you see the info on Dream locations? That doesn't make much sense to me, but things surprise me every day now. True, according to Port of Galveston Schedule, Dream does vary between 25/28 - but only one terminal per "turnaround". Embark/Disembark on same day from two terminals, is hopefully not correct. All that being said, 25/28 are adjacent to one another. Looking at the terminals, 28 is on your left and 25 to the right. In general, 25 is going to be closer to the main entrance and from the SMP Garage, etc. But to my knowledge there is no barrier to walk past 25 and get to 28. 2024-Monthly-UPDATED-192024 (portofgalveston.com)
  14. I bet you already know, but for the benefit of other readers, check out this page for more details and what CCL might be able to offer. https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/special-needs
  15. For CCL, It is my understanding that yes, having a excursion, clamshell, cabaña, villa - will get you an early(er) tender ticket. Likewise, being Pinnacle, etc. You must still be aware of when/where these tickets will be distributed. What we don't always know is just how many "early" tickets are used up for those cruisers, and if you are first-in-line to get general-admin tender tickets...how far back does that put you? But it is possible to assume the person with ticket #41 and 1pm arrival, didn't know to go get a ticket earlier in the cruise. Maybe they did, but to maximize the time in any tender port - you often need a plan. They prices have sure gone up, but I think a clamshell is a good place just to stash your things and eventually have abit of shade...if that also gets me a early tender, seems like a good investment. Ask around guest services and shore excursion desk as you walk by during the week, don't always trust the first answer you get. Get the details, they do change from time to time for no apparent reason.
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