CeleBrat

We always park off-site, and have never had a bad experience...until this past week. Our normal go-to garage wasn't offering parking (gone out of business due to Covid???) so we opted to use "Instapark", since it offered parking in a garage. Great! Once we got there, we were frustrated to find out there was no shuttle to the port. So we were on the hook to taxi/Uber there for an additional fee. I called from the garage, once we realized there was an issue, and got disconnected from them twice, once I started asking about the shuttle. Then on the 3rd time, when I explained that I had talked to the garage attendant, and that there was no shuttle, they seemed "shocked", and suggested we take a taxi, and then offered to reimburse us. I asked them to send me an email confirming the conversation and commitment to reimburse me and amazingly they refunded the entire parking fee! When we returned to the garage after the cruise, we encountered another couple who was also frustrated, so we shared encouraged them to call the number on their email to see if they could get a refund too. Instapark seems to be some sort of conglomerate that sources your booking out to various garages in the area, and offers parking across the country. And the call center seems to be located overseas. Do not recommend, as they just don't know very much about the specific garages they are using. *Although the garage itself (900 2nd Ave) was very nice.

Has anyone cruised lately? Is the Steakhouse still offering a free bottle of wine for those that dine there on the first night? Sailing the Sunrise next week.

*Carnival Social Media checks in on this thread, sees that there are actually people who are willing to pay $19, so they quickly phone the Finance Dept to make a change on future sailings.

Trying to call and confirm that the 2 cabins I've just booked are connecting, and the first call wasn't picked up, but I could hear agents having a conversation among themselves in the background. The 2nd call also wasn't picked up, and then after a minute connected to the post-call survey. The 3rd call is just dead air, with no hold music. GAHHHHHHH!

I seem to recall that Platinum laundry does hit your S&S account, but then they also give you a credit for the same amount. Confusing...

Just out of curiosity, what is the minimum to get shareholder benefits?

Sailed the Sunshine several years ago, and had fun. But oh boy those racer slides...so fast that they actually scared me!!!

In a situation like this, I bet very few of the guests who are complaining at Guest Services, take a moment to realize that the crew is also without hot water, and in the very-same situation as the passengers.

And...I don't believe there is an adequate dock near their terminal for the shuttles to dock at.

Oh my gosh! How do you even pack for a trip with that much difference in climate?

I just don't understand given all the technology available, why Cheers can't be purchased by one person? Seriously? They are able to prevent children from ordering drinks because of how their card is coded. So why can't they truly have it assigned to just one person S&S account? The whole "both parties have to buy it" just always seemed like a $ grab to me. What about those who are pregnant? Or traveling with a recovering alcoholic? Or diabetic?

A silver lining perspective (?): So many flights are still being abruptly cancelled, making it actually risky to try and fly to a cruise day-of. If that day-of flight was cancelled, you'd miss the cruise. It is actually better to have that buffer day in there, to allow for flexibility in rebooking a flight in the event it gets cancelled.

Roatan and Amber Cove, both of which are "private" Carnival-only port areas with a pool, beach, or and/or ziplining.

And...I spy a "Patty" reflected in the window!

I"m surprised that a restauranteur hasn't jumped in toi solve this mystery. The mac-n-cheese and cobbler are cooked (baked) in those dishes individually, whereas the beans get scooped from a giant pan. That doesn't mean that they shouldn't be put into a bowl...but for efficiency that's why that meal is "plated" like that.

On the Paradise in March, there was a big hold-up for disembarkation at one of the ports, because someone was making a scene about not being able to get off in port due to being non-vaxx'd and not having a Carnival BUBBLE tour booked. They were literally throwing a fit, and requesting a Sr Officer to come chat with them, while the rest of us were all getting frustrating waiting behind them. Your vax status (or lack thereof) is tied to your sail/sign account, so when they scan your ID to get off, it flags you.