VentureMan_2000

Flight duration is 20 hours to 22 hours, and air fare price is $2,000 to $3,000. I think sale and saver fares are non-refundable. That's a long flight...

Explain further... Seconds ago I read a post of someone cruising on the Miracle. Below is the passenger breakdown. In this example, would they only allow the 28 Diamonds to enter the guest party ? Or are you saying that a Diamond may also bring along two Reds, two Golds and their Blue card friends that are allowed into the guest party ? Just trying to understand what you have observed/experienced. Total number of guests 2206 Blue 999 Red 710 Gold 334 Platinum 135 Diamond 28

An example would be sufficient. I am curious.

Only allow Diamond and Platinum... no plus 1's. It's the abuse of Plus 1's that is a big part of the issue with Guest party. How do you enforce who is actually a plus 1. Perhaps the guest party would be smaller if plus 1's weren't allowed to tag along -- in that maybe fewer folks would attend if the plus 1's couldn't attend.

Book decks 5, 6, or 7 as they are sandwiched between rooms above and below. I don't like the extended balconies as I like to look down at the water from my balcony, and the lifeboats are directly below -- and the extended balconies cost more. I generally book any of the rooms below that do not have lifeboats under the balconies.

I would drop the FTTF. You will have Platinum status for this cruise, so FTTF is not needed. But I have some commentary regarding FTTF: For $190, I don't see the benefit relative to the expense. In the past, FTTF allowed you into your cabins early, but not anymore... only luggage drop-off is allowed now before 1:30pm. And "Priority" has seemed to lose some of its meaning and benefits due to the abundance of "Priority" passengers. Here is what the program includes: Priority Check-in (during your arrival appointment). The actual boarding will save you 15 minutes. Stateroom Access: Once on board, you will be able to drop off your bags in your stateroom until your room is ready. Express Luggage: Very debatable -- It's very common for "Priority" passengers to receive their luggage way after the blue, red, gold passengers. Guest Services: I honestly never understand wanting this ahead of the cruise taking place -- do folks have an expectation to use this often ? Is it worth $190 to save 15 minutes ? Dining Reservations: Priority Main Dining Room and Specialty Restaurant reservations (excluding Your Time Dining) could be useful. Priority Water Shuttle Boarding: Definitely useful if it's important that you want to get off the ship early. The only stop requiring a tender is Half Moon Cay.

There's an easy way to tell... Log onto your Carnival account and print your luggage tags. They will have "Priority" printed on the tags. I'm in the same situation where I turn Platinum on 2nd to last day of a cruise... and my luggage tags for this cruise says "Priority".

5 drinks to break even at $12 a drink for cruises 6 days or longer. 6 drinks to break even at $12 a drink for cruises less than 6 days.

So, how long did everything in my timeline actually take ? Said another way, What time did the Uber arrive to pick you up, and what time were you finally settled in enough for check-in ?

Hanging out is not a big deal, but you may not be hanging out as long as you think -- 3 minutes to board the Uber, a 7-minute ride, 2 minutes to get out of the Uber, an extra 5-10 minutes for your Uber to get to a drop-off area at the port, 2-5 minutes to hand off your bags to porters and 2-5 trying to figure out where to go. You are looking at the long end of 32 minutes. If the Uber is on time, then only a 30-minute wait. Sometimes, check-in is 30 minutes or more ahead of schedule.

This memo amuses me. On my Alaska cruise last June, there were so many priority Platinum and Diamond that the Gold peons' check-in line was waaaaaayyyyy shorter than folks waiting in the Priority line. We zipped right up to a check-in desk while the Priority line just slugged along. 😄

Use this calculator to decide: Drink Package Calculator - Cruise Spotlight

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Casino tour was very cool. Golf Cart rentals was also a lot of fun. Reserve and pay in advance of the cruise - $120 for 2-hours, cart can carry 4 people. 2-hours is plenty of time. The Island is small. We selected this company as it's right near the tenders, snf no issues with them providing a refund if you cancel: Golf Cart Rentals | Catalina Island Golf Cart Note: The web site comes up as not secure, but when you click on the "Book Now" button, the payment site is a secure connection.

I'm bringing a newspaper that I can wad up and shake at the kids... 🤣

Can I receive Shareholder OBC for multiple cabins that I booked and paid for ? If I book and pay for 4 cabins, let's say for a 7-day cruise, can I receive the $100 Shareholder OBC for each of the bookings ? Toying with the idea of paying for my kids and spouses to come along.

Panorama Deck 6 Aft - Purple Miracle Deck 6 Aft - Red

Yes... Thank you.

Please report on your Carnival Shuttle Ride from the port to IAH. I have purchased the 8:00am shuttle to IAH for my cruise in October. I'd like to know what to expect. i.e., What time did you board the shuttle ? How long were you waiting on the shuttle before it left for the airport ? What time did your 8:00am shuttle actually leave ? How long was the ride ? Did the shuttle encounter any noticeable delays due to traffic/construction ? What terminals do they drop you off at ?

Yes. UberXL. Can be a tight fit for 4 depending on size and number of luggage, and the size of the SUV that picks you up.

The largest table I've seen is for 11-people.

You have to wait in line. Folks are getting soda, juice, snack etc. along with their coffee. Usually, only two people working... one making the coffee and the other taking orders and prepping.

San Francisco is really a pretty small place... about 8 miles by 8 miles, pretty easy to get around. I'd stay in the Fisherman's Wharf area both before and after your cruise. You can take the Cable Cars to China Town, and from China Town, it's an easy walk -- all downhill -- back to Fisherman's Warf. First... I would book the Tour of Alcatraz. It fills up, so you have to book well in advance. It's a must-see bucket list item. I've attached a SF walking tour, 2 files, I put together 5 years ago. Easily done in a day or less. Walking to China Town would be all up hill, so definitely take a cable car to it. I strongly suggest visiting the Cable Car Museum -- it closes at 4pm. It's not just a museum... it's actually the Powerhouse that runs each of the cables, so you get to actually see the cables as they are moving. China Town: visit the fortune cookie factory. Tiny little place, but a fun visit. Kam Loc is my favorite restaurant in China Town. It's located down in a basement area from the street. It's where the locals eat so you know the food is authentic and inexpensive. It's not a glamorous place but can be lively as it's very family oriented -- sometimes an argument breaks out between the family. Note: There is a theory that you do not want to go to a Chinese restaurant rated any higher than a 3.5 on yelp. The low 3.5 rating is usually due to patrons expecting, and not receiving, excellent service. It's not because of the food. Non-tourist Chinese restaurants do not bend over backwards for you... you have to assert yourself if you need something. Kam Loc fits this category. Great food and prices... okay service. Ghirardelli Square is fun to visit... right there near the hotels at Fisherman's Wharf. And if you want a nice dinner out with a view of Bay, I suggest McCormick's right near by. Cruise San Francisco Tour.docx San Francisco Walking Tour.pdf

You won't even need to send someone ahead... You can make the dinner reservation request from the comfort of a nice chair on one of the decks via the Carnival "Hub App". Just link all the cabins together, which will allow a person to make a dinner reservation for any or all linked. The App tells you when your table is ready - you have to arrive to the MDR within 10 minutes or the reservation is cancelled.

My observation while waiting and watching was: Weddings first, followed by wheelchairs being pushed by Carnival staff, Diamond, Plats, FTTF, then non-priority starting with A01 boarding.