PrincessArlena'sDad

Once you factor in the taxi plus marina fee, you really aren't saving that much. Go with what you'll be more comfortable with. Saving a few dollars then enjoying it less because you are worried about time isn't worth it.

For some, it is. People travel with credit cards that have a $1000 limit, and they need it for travel expenses to get home. That $200 hold could cause needed expenditures to get declined, causing problems.

By including transportation to and from the cruise ship pier, it isn't apples to apples. You would need a cab to get to the meeting place for the viator option, which adds to the cost (though still a bit less than the Carnival one). To be fair, it is justified for Carnival's price to be more than viator + cab combined, because you are also paying for the convenience of ship to tour service (though, I guess it is debatable whether that is something desirable, it is marketable, nonetheless). For your: viator is $59 tour + $6 marine fee + $15 cab (estimated r/t) + $10 lunch (value of Carnival's lunch) = $90 Carnival = $89 So, I would say Carnival's price is fair.

Thank you. We're going to do a self guided walking tour of the city, and see what we see. This helps planning out our timing.

Playa mia includes 1 meal, but no drinks, as the base option, and is a reasonable price. And the list of included activities is very good for the price.

Could you tell us what the carnival excursion is, and where you're matching it to? Then we could give you specific suggestions (either, what you can say to get it approved, or why you can't match).

Yes, cash and gift cards will be used first, but your credit card could still be hit with a hold, even if never actually used for a charge.

I got the guarantee credit. 110% the difference posted as OBC (refundable). All I did was send screen shots of the online booking pages along with the date they were taken and the website. Very easy. Of course.. this was for a cruise in July 2020, so I actually wound up with a full refund for the excursion anyway. They should tell you how it's not identical.

This works well. But, people should be aware that this will result in a hold on your credit card account that may take some time to be released.

Gift cards used to be cruise cash are non refundable. Only buy what you know you'll use. But, doing this, allows you to avoid guest services until the cruise cash you bought is used up. Gift cards applied to your account during the cruise will be refunded if not used, but in the form of a new gift card, not cash or check.

Carnival scuba excursions are apparently missing from most ports. They was a thread about this a few weeks ago.

Did they have that locking arrival time verbage for the FTTF page pre covid? If so, was it red highlighted?

But don't people go to the fitness center to "sweat it? "

You can cancel before sailing date for a full refund. T&C says the exact cut off time. Refund will be the same form of payment, but it might take a few days to process. 3 months before departure... I doubt they'll add more excursions.

I think some (like carnival) allow TAs to sell at lower prices, but not all. I'm almost positive that Disney cruise, for instance, does not- but the TAs can still give incentives.

I believe on Journeys cruises and other special cruises they have a MDR lunch, but not on "regular" cruises.

True. We always note the closest public restroom to our cabin!

We're doing the cruise line excursion for the everglades tour. Both fun and convenient. No worry about bags. Price is reasonable with carnival.

I wish it was clear on whether FTTF allows you to show up anytime, or only arrival time. On a related note, it seems Ps and Ds won't need boarding numbers soon... but will they still need to adhere to their check in time? Less of a problem for them, with the 16 day online check in. Personally, 14 day online check in plus arrival time strictness means FTTF is not worth it for us.

Well, lots of folks don't look at the bill until the last day, so if there is a bogus charge, that's when they'll see it. Then there's the mistakes that happen on the last day. Happened to us. Luckily we had fttf that cruise so we didn't have to wait long. Bar tender apparently charged us for the next groups drinks. Every one there I heard was complaining about a charge, didn't hear one mention of removing tips. Not saying it doesn't happen.

They had one on shore excursions in the past. I think maybe a pixels package. Will they this year? If the bean counters decide it'll increase profits, then yes.

Come to think of it, I remember once it buzzed when my kid was in front of me getting off the ship. I was told parent had to go first; we switched places, and then there was no problem. It only hsppened that one time and I'm sure kids have gone first other times.

Try a different computer where you never downloaded the luggage tags. It's possible your computer isn't refreshing the file and is loading the previously downloaded one. Clearing the cache may not clear downloaded files, depending on settings.

Linking the accounts will allow for booking excursions, but what about the parent in one cabin taking the child staying in the other off ship?

Suites can arrive anytime, without worry about arrival time. FTTF might be tied to arrival time.