!!SAM!!

Embarkation Day! We're leaving Houston and on our way to Galveston! We got a private charter to fit all 25 of us. Crossing fingers the traffic isn't too bad.

 

 

 

May I ask - what shuttle service did you use?

 

Enjoying your review and your daughter is adorable.

Are you an M Life member. Perks can be obtained by coordinating member numbers....drinks...dinners etc depending on level.

No we are not. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, we are on cruise ships about 20 weeks out of the year. Doesn't leave much time for land casinos, which we have none close to our home.

We haven't been on Royal in about three years. We are big casino players. Will someone please update me on how the casino players are rated, comps, etc on Royal?

Thank you

This happens on so many cruises. Outstanding warrants, unpaid child support, etc. We were told by someone who works at the port that it happens on over half the cruises.

Well did the Liberty make it back to Galveston? Anyone hear reports on how the sailing went? Hopefully all went well and also with todays sailing.

Yes it made it back this morning. My grandson was on the ship and I talked with him this morning at 9:30 and he said all was good. That they had no problems.

I have booked the Arc La Rambla for 3 nights prior to our cruise. Any info you can give me about location, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

I purchased a $500 and 2 $100 gift cards from AARP and planned to use them on the ship toward the purchase of the Cheers program and whatever else is charged (spa visit etc.) on my Sign and Sail account. Are you saying that I will not be able to apply the gift cards to my account?

Yes you can apply them to your onboard account. I just used $700 worth of gift cards on my cruise last week.

Thanks a lot for the terminal info

My opinion- only- it SHOULD be difficult to get Diamond, to keep the percentages of people low and the perks what they are. You start lowering qualifications- it waters down the "specialness" of the achievement. It's interesting the complainers, that think there should be some short cuts for them to get Diamond, since they have cruises booked, it took them years to get what they currently have, they are so loyal etc etc. Then cruise MORE, the only way to get the numbers. Ok, here come the, I don't live near a port, I don't have the money, I don't get the vacation time , we do land vacations etc etc.

 

Doesn't matter- if you don't meet the standards, why would you think, you should get it?

 

Add to the mix, the reports of just booking any old cruise to get the numbers up?? You've got to be kidding? Settling for a so so cruise, that isn't really what you want- costs time and money. Why not just plan cruises you want? All over the boards are money complaints and those looking for reduced deposits, (which is beyond me), claims, they have to "save" a long time, more etc.

 

Flame away.

I agree with this.

Also where Carnival messed up in my opinion is grandfathering people into Platinum that did not have the days to be Platinum. No other cruise line I am aware of did this. When they switched to days you had to have the days.

My flight is Sat. departing at 2:55. Transfers are offered but I would get to the airport so early so I was hoping for an excursion with airport transfer.

We are also cruising in September on the Sunshine. I too have a 3:00 pm flight and have just started researching private excursions since Carnival has none listed. I would be interested in any ideas anyone has.

Does anyone know which terminal Virgin Atlantic uses in LGA? Thanks for the help.

she works for me !! prev vacstion TA made me do all the work..and to pay check!

So it was your TA and not Carnival who had everything done for you?

Congrats on everything they did for you. i did my 75th a couple of months ago and got NOTHING!!!

Anyone been in a scenic ocean view cabin on the Freedom? Cabins 9196, 9197, 9198 or 9199. If so what are your thoughts and do you have any pictures to post? Thanks

Trolling, I believe its called. Dont feed it and it might go away.

LOL. So true.

Drinks are always overpriced every where. Off the ship included.

Just a honest question. If you don't like Carnival so much why are you even reading the Carnival board.:rolleyes:

Such a tragedy. Prayers for the couple and their families and friends.

Keeps rejecting my PayPal account?? Anyone else have this problem?? I've tried 3 accounts and it won't work.

Me too. I tried for about 45 minutes and finally gave up.

The only time I was aware of my points was during a premier sailing where every 5K points got you an entry into a final night drawing (or something like that). I ended up with something like 25K points. There have been many sailings where I've "donated" ten grand or more... I tip (dealers and drink servers well). We're very friendly and not "jerks". I think they've just come to take me for granted and thus don't really attempt to entice me with offers.

 

I'm glad it's working for you - though don't count on it going on like this for years. Take what you can when they offer it... that's what I did - managing to get the Captain's Suite a couple of times for between $500 to $700 pp! Now it's 30% off an oceanview or something... whatever it was, I tossed it quickly! They should know.. if they want me, offer me a suite and at least a grand of starting cash. :rolleyes:

 

I think they've got their sights set on the casual gambler with several hundred to a couple grand to offer up. That's where their gravy is. They don't really care to attempt to cultivate a clientele who's betting higher. They know that other lines pretty much have that all wrapped up already! Out of 60+ Carnival cruises, I can count on one hand how many times I've seen purple chips in the tray at the $25 BJ table. All the other lines keep them in there, and often have higher denominations as well (not that I'd be playing that level anyway). When I walk away from the table UP ten grand, it's much easier to take a handful of purples or yellows. On Carnival they have to bring you a chip tray for the 100 blacks you'll be lugging... at least most of the time!

 

Tom

We have your level of play also and never get a bounce back or any other offer. It is true that if you have a cruise booked they will offer you nada. The dealers and pit bosses cannot believe we are not offered anything. They frequently ask the casino host why not and are told the same thing. We are a sure thing and they do not have to offer us anything. I finally broke down and wrote the Players Club and received a letter that stated exactly that. I keep trying to get the other half to try other lines but so far he hasn't. I have over 75 cruises with Carnival. I have sailed the other lines quite a few times but it has been almost three years since I have been on any of them. Maybe I can convince him to go somewhere else soon.

How fun! I soooo wish I had an Upgrade Guru...I have never had an upgrade call. :(

Me neither. Over 70 Carnival cruises and nada:rolleyes:

Anyone care to share what the current platinum gift might be?

 

Thanks,

Linda

Just got off the Liberty and it was the packing cubes

Just wondering, how long do they keep a gift around (meaning how long will they hand out duffel bags then packing cubes)? I'm sailing on the Vista in October (on the Transatlantic from Barcelona to New York) and would love one of these packing cubes, they look great!! :D Will they still be around by then? It's good they'll have moved on from the duffel bags by then (I hope). I do love them but Mom and I just went on a B2B on the Breeze and we're both Platinum so we have 4 of them. I don't think we need any more, haha.

It all depends on how long. The duffle bags have only been around since December. And then some ships did not even get them until January. We were on the Magic in December and didn't get them and Triumph in December and beginning of January and they were still handing out the journals on all of those cruises. On our cruise the middle of January on the Freedom we finally got them. The journals were around way too many months. Still hoping to get another bag on our cruise the beginning of March.

I was told you cannot go from a balcony to suite

Congrats. 73 cruises on Carnival and never had an offer