FruitStandaficionado

Can these be used instead of cash for the S&S deposit?

I have yet to do that, but I believe so. I've used mine to pay the balance of my cruise.

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

I am 47 years old and over the years I often thought or taking a cruise but never did till April 2010. It was a short 5 day out of Mobile on the Fantasy.

 

To put it mildly I was addicted from the moment I saw the ship from the hotel the morning of the cruise. My wife and I had a wonderful time on that first cruise and even now we still love the Fantasy.

 

since that first cruise in 2010 we have been on a total of 10 cruises and have 2 more booked.

 

I only wish that I had discovered cruising years ago.

 

I am truly addicted to cruising. If I don't have a future cruse booked it drives me crazy, I can't sleep, eat, or think straight. I will sit for hours in front of a computer looking at ships and ports until I hit the book now button and get my fix, then the slow countdown to the cruise date begins.

 

once the cruise is over the whole process starts again. I see no hope of a cure. all I can do is treat the symptoms with more days at sea.

 

I assume that many here suffer from the same addiction, if so how long can you go without having a future cruise booked???

That's funny! I am too! I had a long dry spell but once I didn't have to worry about coordinating a bunch of schedules, I went crazy and booked 4 cruises! If I don't get on my first cruise soon, it might cause me to book a fifth cruise! [emoji102]

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

6 cruises, 49 days

4 cruises booked (will add 35 more days)

I would say that enforcing or not enforcing age is subjective. In 2005, I took my daughter and her friend to several of the adult shows figuring they had heard it all and no one said a thing. There weren't very many under age people at the shows, but their were a few. I must say, I was embarrassed by the stuff that was said at one particular show, but the kids seemed to enjoy it and didn't get embarrassed. Perhaps it went over their heads. Regardless, I would not let them go alone (they are very late at night), and if it gets too rough, you can always leave. Having traveled other cultures and having an open mind, I felt it was worth the experience. These girls are now 25 and they seemed to have turned out quiet well! :)

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I wonder why people have to mention "I've seen more unruly adults" when the thread is about unruly kids. Another thread can be dedicated to situations where there are unruly adults, but this one is about unruly kids. Makes me wonder if the people who change the subject are parents of kids who are unsupervised and unruly on the ships. :confused: :confused:

Interesting point of view. I know when I see negative over generalizations about a demographic I'm a part of I figure that since I don't do the negative thing specified, it doesn't apply to me. Therefore, I feel no need to become defensive. Now if someone says anything negative about ME specifically that isn't true, I will become defensive. I guess some can't separate generalized threads as not about them specifically and personally. Just saying. ;)

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

As a non-pervert 60+ non-drinker, thanks for being just as bad as the other people who "generalize". Nice job...

 

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Like!

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

Each line handles allergies same but a bit different. Best to read on each cruise line's board.

We use allergy cards in port. Have had no issues using them. We travel to areas where English is a second or third language. FWIW only have had issues in the US with native English speakers.

 

Below is my basic allergy post, mainly for Carnival.

 

We travel with a group that combined has allergies to peanuts, treenuts, shellfish, egg whites, chocolate, MSG and liquid dairy. Only had issues with 'user' error, no issues with Carnival. If you have a nut allergy, know that Carnival classifies seeds as nuts.

 

If you have an odd allergy contact Special Needs before your cruise. If you have a 'normal' allergy no need to do so.

 

https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/special-needs/dietary-needs.aspx

 

See the Hostess at embarkation when the Maitre 'd has hours. Hours will be in the FunTmes, usually starting around 1pm. The hostess will take that night's order. Each night the hostess or your waiter will bring you the next day's MDR menu-breakfast, brunch/lunch and dinner. If deciding between two entrees, order both. For brunch don't hesitate to order a breakfast and lunch if you want to eat both meals in the MDR. At ATD, an order slip will be generated and given to your waitstaff when seated. They will confirm the order with you.

Only issue we've ever had was one cruise DD's food arrived before mine.

 

For room service, they cannot make special for you but they can tell you the ingredients. No special area so there is always the possibility of contamination

 

Buffet is a minefield. Ask the Hostess or the Head Lido Chef or the Food and Beverage crew in the officer whites. DO NOT ask the line cooks or those serving desserts. They mean well but do not know the full recipes. Cross contamination is always a possibility.

 

Onshore--- we bring allergy cards. I made our own but you can buy some at selectwisely.com.

You can only bring off commercially prepared food. We bring cereal bars, boxes of cereal, bottled water, hard candy etc.

Many ports will check. Some will do a physical search, others use dogs. You do not want the cute Labrador to sit next to you. I've had them alert on my Lemonheads.

 

Kids clubs have a form to fill out. There are some snacks served at times. The younger kids meet up at the dinner buffet certain nights. Ask the counselors what's on the menu.

Thank you for the wonderful response. It was extremely well thought out and gave lots of information!

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

Well, some may provide information for the ports they are visiting. What does it matter to you? Just saying.

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If you are lucky and unlucky enough to see both a well behaved child and a poorly behaved child at the same location, scold the bad child and reward the good child. Food for thought for both of them.

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If there isn't one, you could start one. I'm sure there are many who would contribute and many who would find value in such a thread.

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No matter how positive the topic about carnival, there are always posts negative about carnival. I seldom look at another forum. I like carnival and just became platinum. Through cruise critic i have met a great group of friends to cruise. Do you read other forums and praise carnival or point out problems with other lines??

To tell the truth, only discovered these boards after booking a carnival cruise a while back and was quite content limiting my reading to only things that applied to new cruises, roll calls, and carnival cruise line. Now that I've booked a cruise on Royal Caribbean, I guess I will start reading those boards as well.

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

Based on this reply, I am guessing that you are not from anywhere on the gulf coast which was affected by Katrina. Think about what you said..."However, after hurricane Katrina, the cruise I was booked on got cancelled because Carnival donated the cruise ship to the cause." So, somehow, you are demonizing Carnival for this? Really? Over a thousand people died and you have absolutely no idea the physical and emotional damage which was suffered by the hundreds of thousands of people who had to come back and clean it all up, just to have a place to live. What were they supposed to do, cancel someone else's cruise so you wouldn't be affected? That's ridiculous.

 

 

 

Three of their ships were contracted by the US Government to provide housing to refugees. Yes they were compensated for this, but let me ask you this...when was the last time you worked for free for months at a time?

 

 

 

Cheers!

WOW!

I'm at a loss of words for how you came to the conclusion that because the cruise I'd booked got cancelled because the ship was permanently taken out of the lineup for future cruises somehow makes me insensitive to those who directly impacted by hurricane Katrina. I guess you're just looking for drama.

Bye Felicia . . .

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

I can understand your concern. However, after hurricane Katrina, the cruise I was booked on got cancelled because Carnival donated the cruise ship to the cause. When they contacted me about the cancellation, they gave me the option of a full refund or paying additional money to be booked on the cruise that was moved to the same day and port (albeit at twice the cost of the cruise I was originally booked on). While no one held a gun to my head to spend double on the exact same cruise but on a different ship, I booked it but it left such a bad taste in my mouth that I didn't cruise again for years because I felt screwed over in the situation. I'm sharing this with you to point out that Carnival is a typical corporation which means that they only care about revenue and they will see any problem as an opportunity to make more money. It may not be the one you planned or paid for, but you will be given options.

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

When I was planning my first (and only) cruise back in 2009 on the Conquest I lived on CC. I read all the reviews and the boards helped me out tremendously! So naturally when I was ready to book my 2nd cruise I came back to CC and the boards to help me decide the who, what, when and where. Having been on 1 Carnival cruise, which BTW I loved, I really wanted to try one of the RCCL mega ships. But since I am traveling with my husband who has never cruised and is not a huge fan of crowds, I didn't want to spend a small fortune and he ends up hating the cruise. So we opted for a Carnival cruise. We ended up choosing the Glory-Western Caribbean, next summer. Although after choosing our extended Aft balcony I didn't really save any $$ over RCCL (but that's a different issue). Anyway after I booked I went back to reading the boards and OMG I am scared of what to expect! I have read several reviews from people who say "I have been on xxx number of Carnival cruises and they are okay but let me tell you everything that went wrong"! One of the biggest complaints I keep reading about is the food! Back in 2009 I remember the food was great! And our service was also great, Then again I didn't have anything to compare it to! My husband and I love good food! Probably foodies but def not food snobs, but if the food is as bad as some of the reviews I've been reading I am wondering if I should have gone with RCCL? I did make a chef's table reservation so I know at least one night we'll have good food ;). One bad review kept going on and on about how bad the eggs were and then how bad the BBQ was. I am like but did you starve...LOL! I know everyone has different standards but I am starting to see a trend on food! I should mention that I really wanted to sail on the Breeze but the airfare to Galveston would have been so much more for us then going out on Miami! So that will have to wait! Someone please tell me that they had a great time on the Glory and some people just cant be pleased :eek:.

It is unfortunate that the vocal minority has the ability to negatively impact others. Please remember that malcontents seem to have time on their hands because they can't find happiness in anything they do except belittling everything and everyone because it empowers them. Complaining about food served on a cruise IS the epitome of first world problems! ;) As in all things in life, your experience is what you make of it. Go with determination that it is all going to be great and enjoy sharing your joy with your husband.

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

I wonder how many people just leave it behind and how many bottles the pier staff take home for free? ;)

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I understand that you can use the spa showers, so this would be an option to ease congestion getting ready.

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

I used to sit up on my high horse and state my opinion as fact like many do when it comes to the plight of their fellow man. However, after spending a great deal of time in shoes I never expected to have to wear in my lifetime, I can say many in society are entitled sociopathic in there behavior towards those less fortunate than themselves. I'd like to see some of them try to do these jobs for six months and see how they feel about tipping, work loads and ungrateful, pompous, clientele. [emoji6]

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

They have the kind that clip on to your waist band or pocket. I've also seen some "wristlets" type ones as well.

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

Since I started this post I might as well try and end it....I DO NOT LIVE ON THIS SITE AS MANY OF YOU DO, I only check it out when I have something on my mind. So the odds of me missing many, many post about the same thing is great. Signed a person with a life!:p

I think there are a lot of folks who come to the boards out of boredom. It's a shame that anonymity seems to allow many to behave in a socially unacceptable manner. I was taught if you can't say something nice, you shouldn't say anything at all. It seems to be easy for some to bully on these boards. I guess it is either their true nature, or maybe they've been bullied and now get their jolly's by paying that forward! Until you've purchased a cheers package, it is hard to discern exactly what that entails. When does it start, depends on the port. Sales tax charges, depends on the port. Cost effective, depends on port days and how much you consume. I personally believe that those who want what they want, when they want it, that price isn't any consideration for what they spend on vacation will love the cheers package. Those that like to save where they can and possibly aren't heavy drinkers, a la cart is the better way to go. I personally would never budget $800 for beverages for my spouse and myself for the week, but my priorities are different than many.

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

I'm Spanish, speak it fluently, and I'm not a local, but I can blend in without anyone noticing. Exactly what is a local, and why do you feel, you can't blend in? Many ports have plenty of different races living in the area. What makes you think also a "local" is going to steal. Why can't it be a person visiting, and having a crime of opportunity?

 

 

 

The middle aged women, with a purse, and diamond rings, and a lanyard around the neck is an easier target simply because the behavior shows, she is careless.

Well ,in our case, what we are wearing, the look of wonderment and excitement, and back in the day, lots of camera equipmentb.

The locals don't need to see a lanyard to identify someone as a tourist, we are quite easy to spot.:)

LOL! Told my husband the same thing on our honey moon cruise in 1978 when he didn't want to wear the new cruise casual attire we'd packed because he'd look like a tourist. Awwwww......Good Times! ;)

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

Yes, they should, or they should add it to the bubbles package!

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

I'm confused. What does the Cruise Critic app have to do with his problems regarding Carnival's My Cruise Manager?

 

 

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Well I guess I was confused too! I thought because I was reading this using the cruise critic forum app that that was what was being referred too! I assume since an iPad was suggested as the cause of the issue, maybe doing something to make adjustments on the iPad would improve the situation.

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

I have never had a problem in prior cruises adding a cruise to my profile. The last 2 cruises I have had problems adding my new booking. Just booked a November cruise in addition to a July cruise. Every time I try to add the new cruise it drops off when I try to view details. Called the helpline and all they could say is an IPad is not supported. I have always used my IPad. Any suggestions?

 

 

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I'll save you a trip to the Apple Store! [emoji6] If you're using the app for the forums, try deleting it and then downloading it again. If that doesn't work, try resetting your settings. If you are using safari, try going to settings/Safari and delete history.

NCL Sunward 1974

NCL Starward 1978

Costa Daphne 1982

Carnival Triumph 2001

Carnival Conquests 2005

Carnival Magic 2014

The only thing us bitchin' ole timers CONVENIENTLY forget at these times, is that we are paying the same thing for our cabin today that we did 30 years ago ! :halo:

 

 

 

 

Ain't that the truth!

 

 

 

 

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If we are going to knit pick, actually no child pays for any fare. Their parents pay their fare. While a parent may feel because they are paying a full fare price for their child to be on the cruise, in no way does that entitle that child to the same amenities that an adult is entitled to. My point was simply clarifying that not all children are paying full fare. I made no mention that not all adults are paying full fare but that is accurate as well.

I guess it is human nature to be self centered in our demands. If you want an adults only pool, you will make statements to validate your point of view. If you don't want adults only pools, you will make statements to validate your point of view. Very little in life is black or white, but most everything is shades of gray. Carnival is a corporation. Corporations are soulless and are predominantly driven by the almighty dollar. They aren't making changes for any other reason than it is perceived to benefit their bottom line. We are a society that allows corporations to make contracts that are only beneficial to them and changeable without prior notice that every customer is viewed to agree to when making a transaction. Whether you are for it or against it doesn't matter. All that matters is the bottom line and whether your willing to vote with your feet.

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