JohnLocke2012

Good to hear about the Conquest. Some people on carnivals facebook started a flame war over how bad their vacation is going right now.

So close I can taste it! Day after tomorrow is looking good t set sail :D Just sad that its a 5 nighter and not 7 :( oh well, cant wait to experience Carnival for the first time3

At this point by Monday Erika will be aiming for New Orleans. Lol. Miami will be clear skies and clear sailing weather.

What makes you say that? Everything ive read says Florida landfall Sunday night into Monday? I hope you're right, just curious why you think that?

The DR should break most of this storm up. Or is that just my wishful thinking since Im leaving monday?

We are going on the Conquest monday. Carnival is saying they are still going to be leaving then.

http://www.americanwx.com/bb/index.php/topic/46774-tropical-storm-erika/page-8

So does this mean Ill be good leaving FLL monday?

Anyone know if the 31st 5 night sailing on the Conquest will be effected? Its leaving monday, so im hoping its after thr storm passes.

So I have notching to worry about on my 5 day eastern leaving the 31st?

Will be in Nassau september 1. Anyone think this hurricane will effect my 5 night carniva conquest cruise leaving FLL August 31st?

Yes, provided the cruise isn't calling on any ports that require cruise passengers to have a passport and providing your cruise line is not one of those (typically upscale and luxury cruise lines) that require all passengers to have a passport regardless of itinerary.

Thanks for the replies! Just out of curiosity, do you or anyone know of any ports that REQUIRE a passport? Ive never been to anywhere in the Caribbean that required one.

Would the same boarding requirements apply to a closed loop cruise leaving from PR? Can I travel with just an original birth certificate and state issued ID? I know I can fly without a passport, what about cruise?

If I were you, I'd call now to see if you can buy an upgrade. It can't hurt to ask. Honestly I'd probably call a couple of times a week if the first price is too high.

Does it matter that I used an online TA and not direct through CCL?

Oh I know that most ships sail completely full these days, but Im hoping the timing (end of summer), we might luck out. Of at the time of booking a balcony was lets say $300 more per person, will it cost thay much the day of departure?

Has anyone heard or successfully upgraded their room the day of embarkation? Booked a 5 day eatern Caribbean Conquest cruise for next month and was assigned cabin 1204. I knew I was getting an inside, and I gues I should have expected the worse. Does Carnival offer upgrades the day of the cruise if a better room is available? How much per person do yoi guys think itd be to go from an inside to balcony for a 5 nighter if one is available?

Just booked my first Carnival cruise for next month (long time RCL/NCL/MSC cruiser). I have always been wary to book Carnival based on things Ive heard, but from what I see, this ship seems to be well loved. What can I expect out of the MDR though? Anyone know where any sample menus are? Does Carnivals MDR food compare to RCL/HAL/NCL? I also like the fact that this ship only has 1 paid restaurant, seems like NCL has more fee added dining than free options. How is the steakhouse on the Conquest though? Worth the $35 cover? If it matters, ill be on a 5 night eastern Caribbean.

Thanks!

I highly recommend checking out Moby Dick Tours. 2 British men living on the island for years, very friendly and knowledgeable. Stingray city was amazing.

I got to ask, how much do you have to gamble before they start giving away promotions like this? Ive never gotten anything like this. Ive sailed NCL 2 times in the past 3 years and spent quite a lot of time in the casino. Granted, I play only table games, and usually only $10-20 a hand. Would calling up NCL get me a better deal than just booking online? Also, I thought latitudes members got discounts on future cruises, how come when I try to book any cruise its the same price weather or not ive saoled with NCL before?

Just off of my favourite ship, the Epic (March 22-29) for the 5th time, and had a great time, but noticed so many changes that I was not surprised to come back and find out that they're trying out charging for room service.

 

We had the UBP/UDP from the promotion and had 5 women in a 2 BR Haven Suite. I was paying the shot as it was a "retreat" for me and my staff (we are all friends) and watched until the first week of March before actually booking the suite since there were lots of suites left and the prices were sky high for some reason.

 

We also had the KSF promo for 50% off the 3-5 passengers, which was charged at $500 / passenger. They clearly raised the price for passengers 3-5 by 50% prior to the promotion, as I'd looked at the prices before the new promos.

I agreed to the prices and paid them, so not complaining that they tricked me or anything of that sort, just noting that I'd never in all of my years on NCL seen that happen.

 

Everyone seemed to have the UDP and the specialties were "fully booked" outside of 5:30 or 6:00 PM or 9:00. We ended up booking all week's meals with David the Concierge on the first day since it looked like we'd be in big trouble otherwise. Unfortunately, some of us eat at 8:30 at home and some at 5:30, so us late eaters found ourselves at 6:00 dinners every night. We would sit through our sometimes 2 hour meals in half full restaurants. Every single night. One night we changed plans and wanted to move our 5:30 to 6:00 O'Clock due to a late excursion, and David "squeezed us in" and we sat in an empty restaurant once again. I don't understand this and I found it very frustrating.

 

We had incredible weather and spent every morning and several afternoons in Posh. It was very quiet in there and I know many people wanted Posh Passes and couldn't get them, but there was lots of space. I know the last week they either used the upsell fairy to fill those remaing suites as they were sold out, or people waited and booked, but my guess was many were low occupancy as it wasn't that busy. We loved the waiters and bartenders there, though there was no sign of the frozen grapes, fruit skewers or cold towels all week. Not sure if they've done away with them.

 

There was zero shade in Posh. Apparently they broke some umbrellas, and they've never been replaced. No umbrellas at all in the entire area, only place for shade through the hottest time of day was to sit at the bar.

 

The Haven itself had white bath towels on the loungers, and no big blue beach towels which I thought was rather odd. We opted for Posh most of the time as we enjoyed the views of the ocean and the breeze.

 

I've been booking through Casinos at Sea for years. I'm a low roller, but I play a LOT. My last cruise in the Epic Haven was the first week of January, so only two months ago. I called CAS and they would comp me an inside, but that meant no promos and with 5 people it didn't make any sense. They will no longer offer the 20% off of Haven Suites, which is what I'd done for years, so it made no sense for me to even book through them this time. I called a travel agent, booked and got extra OBC and got a good US exchange rate so saved by not taking the "free" cabin.

 

All year I've been building my points for my status with CAS. Earning period was April 1 2014 to March 31, 2015. I'm currently Golden and to remain Golden only needed another 2000 or so points, which I did earn this cruise. I went to the Casino Services desk to see if I'd hit the level and was told that yes, I had, but they were changing the system April 1st, so I needed to "re-earn" those points in the next year to reach status. You may already know this, but I was shocked! What is the point of having an earning period to then make theose points have zero value? The dealers were open about it too, saying they need to figure things out, since they've been losing a lot of good customers. They've been removing CAS perks throughout the year as well, so making their higher level players totally rethink NCL.

 

I cruise a lot. I play in the casino a lot. I haved loved NCL for a very long time, even got the pleather atlas (for reaching 250 latitudes points) to prove it and I'm beginning to look elsewhere. I still have another 4 cruises currently booked, but I'm feeling a little disheartened.

 

The dealers and supervisors on this ship are amazing and I had the time of my life making new friends as usual, the staff on the ship were great and friendly and I can't say enough about them. We still had an amazing time, but I feel the cutbacks are too much and too soon, and am going to start looking elsewhere.

I played a minimum of 4 hours a night in the casino on a 7 nighter and left with 300 points? How in the world do you earn 2000? Maybe I need to play slots haha.

Which of course has zero impact on what is offered post 4/6

Yeah sorry for not being clear. I'm looking for the next upcoming promo ncl will be running. I know there are a few insiders on here.

Anyone know if the freestyle choice package will still be offered or is a new promo coming instead?

Same price with or without dinner. You still must pay but don't have to eat.

Judy (male ) in the Manhattan Room was great. Casino staff was awesome with the exception of Wellington. He was very rude and said some things that really bothered me.

Just off the Epic. Long pours would be included up to the limit ($11.now, was $10 on my cruise). You wouldn't find one for under $11 though with gratuity. If it means that much, just get it and pay the extra $1 or $2.

Just off the Epic (9290). Our balcony had two regular chairs, our neighbors has 2 and a lounge chair (which they probably requested). Balcony is definitely big enough for one

Crusing on the Epic tomorrow, and would love some suggestions for parking off site in Miami. I will be leaving my rental car for one week, and will be leaving nothing in the car. If you can't post, a private message would be great. Not looking to spend $20 a day to park