Kermarkim

On ‎2‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 4:36 PM, travelchica915 said:

We just got off the Conquest on Saturday and it was fine. Some of the decorations are out of date, but it's clean and has lots of upgrades. No complaints at all.

who was the cruise director on Conquest?

In addition, all should keep in mind that the majority of folks will write or comment on a complaint before they make commendation.  I worked in customer service for years and it is rare that people contact a company just to say how wonderful things went.  I also find that to be true with this type of board forums.  Most people are willing to voice their complaints or concerns.  I believe the good things Carnival does must outweigh the bad because they have been around for a very long time and some of us keep returning.  I pride myself on being a very clean person and would not continue to frequent Carnival after 14 years if I found them to be dirty.  I have definitely stopped patronizing certain hotel chains because they were consistently dirty visit after visit.  The elevators, the hallways, public ash trays never cleaned out.  Bed sheets not clean, etc., etc., etc.  I have never had a negative experience when it comes to cleanliness on Carnival or any of the major cruise lines.  I am so impressed that they can keep the ship so clean with so many guests.  The workers are amazing doing triple duty keeping us happy, well fed and content.  Don't sweat the negative comments.  Of course, verify when you can, but trust that Carnival probably has issues but nothing that should take away the joy you will have with your daughter on Spring Break.  Enjoy.

Here's what my PVP did for me when I had a group of about 20 which ended up being 11.  We chose a cruise but we did not choose group rates as they are hire.  We opted to book whatever rate each person was comfortable with that they found online (Some Early Saver, etc.).  He locked in the price for us and gave us a deadline to get the deposit in.  Each person was able to contact him directly and pay their deposit.  Even roommates did not have to call in at the same time.  It ended up being 5 cabins and he linked them all together.  Sent each of us an email with the booking # and from their each person or couple could either contact him periodically and make payments over the phone with him or they could go online and make payments at their convenience.  I never worried about what others were doing.  As I said at the outset we were 20 by time the cruise came, we were 11.  I was not responsible for any money for anyone else.  All questions they had were communicated with the PVP.

I just want to add one more thing.  I'm married and we cruise as a family at least once a year.  However, DS and I also cruise once a year just the two of us.  DH is self-employed and doesn't like to take off as much as DS and I like to vacation.  I tried taking my son's buddy but my son prefers it to be just the two of us.  He's now 16 and we are going on our first 8 day for the two of us in May.  He doesn't do the clubs as he decided around 12 that the clubs was not for him.  So its just the two of us and we have a blast.  I'm surprised he still enjoys doing this with mom.  Like Poster Shellster1, we do it all together.  For starters, I send the Matre De an email about 2 weeks before requesting a private table for just the two of us and it has always been granted.  We tried sitting with others and we prefer just the two of us.  We have a ball at dinner ordering as much food as we want and trying out new things.  We love Karaoke, all the games (bean bag toss, Hasbro Games like Human Size Jinga & Sorry), all the trivia games, all the shows in the theatre, comedy clubs, deck parties, water slides, mini-golf, gym, human size chest and checkers on the different decks, the video arcade, dive in movies, we book various excursions (mainly to the beach) and then every night when we get back to cabin after the comedy show or theatre show, its pizza, wings & a movie.  Its usually about 10:30 or so and we order room service and then watch one of the TV movies until we fall asleep.  You will have a blast and bond with your DS and maybe like us, make this a yearly thing.

37 minutes ago, travelchica915 said:

I wouldn't count on it. I'd call the airline since they changed the flight time by a big margin. They might be able to rebook you on a different flight at no charge. That happened to us once on Delta. We did have to do a connection, but at least the times worked better and we didn't have to pay a change fee.

I agree with this post.  Especially if it is Delta.  Delta is great.  They formerly had a policy that if your flight is impacted by 2+ hours, they will rebook you for free to whatever works for you within reason.  They probably won't give you the next day unless there are no more flights that day.  But they will rebook you.  If nothing suits your fancy, they will give you a refund and then you can rebook with other airlines that work for you.  I'm sure other airlines have similar policies.

3 minutes ago, pyropoodle said:

 

 

it's been a minute since i've cruised, but do they do this every night or just a couple of nights on the cruise?  i think elegant night they do it (because nothing says 'elegant' better than waiters dancing on the wait stations)..and some other night.   it's been too long between cruises and i'm getting older, so my memory isn't what it used to be. i just thought it was 2 or 3 nights (on a 7 day cruise) 

I think your memory is fine.  I only recall 2 nights myself.  But I could be wrong.  However, it clearly is not every night.

2 minutes ago, shof515 said:

what makes the dinning room service even more LONGER is the dancing the waiter has to do...as much as i enjoy it, i rather get my meal completed 15 minutes earlier if they did not had to the showtime

I view the dancing waiters as part of the experience.  Its so much fun when I'm with new folks who have never seen it.  They really get a kick out of it.  I wish they would change the song a little more often, but I guess its a lot to learn a routine.  But I cruise with Carnival at least once a year if not twice and it does get old at times.

Ok, I've been on the Victory twice and it is one of my favorite ships.  I've never been on the Paradise and I'll tell you why I never picked it even though I used to live right outside of Tampa.  Here's what the Victory has that the Paradise does not have.   For starters the boat is a little larger and two years newer.  Not too large, but it is a bigger ship which generally means more options such as the outdoor movie screen.  I watch a movie while I'm in the pool or jacuzzi daily.  Or sometimes just in a chair.  I love the fact that the Victory has the jogging track in the event I decide to get some exercise in which generally doesn't happen.  But I know its there.  The extra food options, such as the Seafood Shack and Chopsticks..  Its not a deal breaker but it is nice to have that extra options.  They do charge for the food at the Seafood Shack but its pretty good.  Paradise is missing the Alchemy Bar and the Skybox Sports.  I don't drink, but usually my roommates or group mates do appreciate the specialty bars.  My girlfriend lives at the Sports bars when her games are on. Either way, I think you will be fine.  I have never had a bad cruise on Carnival even the older ships.  Before the ships had Dive In Movies and specialty restaurants and the water parks, I absolutely loved my cruises so you will enjoy either ship.

I absolutely love Carnival's Main dining room dinner and service.  I've never had a bad service in my 14 years of cruising with them.  Now my food has not always been the best every night, but the service is lovely. I've been on more upscale cruises and had better service and food, but I love Carnival the best and I love the dinners in the dining room.  After eating on the Lido deck for breakfast and lunch most days on a cruise, I appreciate the sit down experience.  We always choose early sitting which I think is the best.  Once I chose late sitting and once I chose anytime dining.  I don't prefer those because before I knew you could request the same wait staff each evening, we had different staff and they didn't get to know us and didn't put forth that extra special touch.  The late sitting in my opinion felt rushed.  I don't know if the waiters were tired or if they had other assignments after the late sitting or just wanted to get off duty, but it felt rushed.  I also personally felt rushed because I was trying to get to various events.  Therefore, I prefer the early sitting.  We have always bonded with our staff and they have given us so much attention.  I love how they remember certain things you like to eat or drink and they have it waiting for you or will bring out the egg rolls that my son loves every night even though it is not on the menu.  I love taking my time and trying out new things and more than one app & entrée.  I like how they even say try this and bring it even though no one ordered it.  It clearly is nothing like Applebee's or Chili's which I frequent a lot.  When I don't like the food in the MDR, I simply retreat to the Lido or I order room service to cap the night off so that I feel satisfied.  I've never really had a bad experience with the service.  On over 14 cruises with Carnival, I think only three times I didn't like something and I can tell you right now, it was their Thanksgiving Dinner turkey which tasted like canned turkey.  Also all of the Thanksgiving sides were awful.  Next was the lamb dish.  I was expecting Lamb Chops but I can't remember what I got, but it was disappointing.  Lastly, I'm not a fan of the MDR fried chicken.   I can't recall why exactly, but said I would probably never order again.  Everything else I had was great.  Even when the food is not as hot as I would like it, it had been good.  As far as the timing, it works out for us.  Only one time at the early sitting, one of the waiters didn't show up at our table for 10 and things took a little longer.  But it didn't take away from our service.  Also I try to get there on time so that I'm not in a rush to do something else.  All the events I want to do generally start after 8 and at the earliest 7:30 and I've always been done with dinner in time to do everything I want to do.  We just got off a Thanksgiving cruise and our next cruise is scheduled for May 25.  So this posting has made me very hungry and I can't wait to get to the MDR.

We went as a group of 11 one time with 5 rooms.  On the day of the cruise, 1 roommate missed her flight.  She called Carnival to say she wouldn't make it.  They did not charge her roommate any extra.  In fact, she was able to get back her fare with the exception of the non-refundable deposit.  I can't recall if that is because she had insurance or if it was the rate she paid.  But the roommate she went with definitely did not pay extra.

Carnival does not enforce a strict dress code on formal nights or any night for that matter.  If you search this site, you will even find photos of grown men who showed up in shorts and sandals to elegant night and were not turned away.  A few times I forgot to pack my son's suit and he was allowed in with a golf shirt and Kackys.  He was like 12 or 13 and still was dressed better than quite a few of the guests.  So don't stress.  He will be fine.

Hi - I will be taking my annual mother/son (teenager) cruise May 25-June 1st.  Ports are Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas & Amber Cove.  This 8day/7nt is slightly different from the Fun Times that have been uploaded on the 6 day cruise.  I was wondering with anyone who has been on the 7 night itinerary if you know about how many Dive In Movies they have each day and the show schedule for the theatre.  I know its not that easy to upload the Fun Times for all 7 nights, but I'm curious as we love watching movies by the pool side especially on Sea Days and then each night we are hoping that they have a theatre show to attend and then we usually hit the PG comedy show and if age appropriate we do a late movie at times.  We also do Karaoke each evening as well.  My son prefers not to go to the teen clubs so I hope there is enough shows to keep him engaged.  We can't wait.  My son is 16 now and still wants to do this.  I'm not sure how much longer he will be willing to go just son and Mom, so I have to take advantage of it while I can.  Thanks for your help.

• Thank you Skivy.  Your instructions are very helpful.  I'm looking forward to it.

This will be my first time to San Juan port.  So when you say all walkable, do you mean once you get off the ship at the port, you are already in Old San Juan or will we have to get transportation to Old San Juan and then walk around?  Thanks.

I have had a passport for over 30 years and that's all I have had to show getting on and off the ship.  However, my travel mates who didn't have a passport had to show a gov't photo ID such as a driver's license along with a birth certificate without fail for over 30 years now.  You must prove your citizenship by birth certificate.  When I traveled with my kids who didn't have a passport, they accepted their birth certificate without a photo ID, but they definitely needed a birth certificate.  I travel with someone who had a driver's license and a birth certificate from the 1940's and she was denied boarding because her birth certificate was not completed properly as current certificates are.  We were denied boarding for over two hours until her daughter was able to fax Carnival several other items proving her citizenship.  I don't recall what those items were but she did not have a passport and birth certificate was insufficient.  Finally after they were faxed what they needed, they let her onboard, but they would not let her on until she proved citizenship.   Getting off was much easier.  When we returned to Port Canaveral, she presented the original birth certificate and driver's license and the Custom's Agent accepted it.  I guess he didn't notice whatever the Carnival agent noticed.  All this to say, be prepared to fax a copy of her birth certificate if you have it available.  Perhaps you can fax it to guest services now.

Also, I'm not sure what it is called, but I purchased one at the bakery in the middle of the casino deck.  As soon as you pass the casino, there is a bakery with all the beautiful cakes.  They have ice cream and they make milk shakes.  It has been a hit and miss depending on who is making them.  Sometimes they use too much milk and it has no flavor.  I could probably make my own better by using the free ice cream, milk and splenda that they have on the Lido deck.  However, I keep trying to give them an opportunity to please me but not so much.

For years, I have emailed the Maitre'D directly at the addresses listed above and have always gotten my request honored.  I generally email within 2-3 weeks of cruising.  I have never received an acknowledgement of my email or a response.  However, I have always gotten my request for a private table for two or for my family and in some cases exactly where I prefer to sit.  Not only have they honored my request, but I have had the Maitre'D come over to see if I was content with my table and location.  When I have waited to meet the Maitre'D on the ship, no options have been available.  This happened to me for years and then I saw on a post here, to email directly and it has worked ever since. 

Its not that bad.  I have been travelling 3 to an interior cabin for years.  It is generally me, DH & DS who is 16.  In the earlier years, we got one king bed and then the 1 pull down from the ceiling.  It was fine as my son stayed in the pull down.  We each travel with one piece of luggage and there is more than enough storage space for our items.  There is not a lot of room to move around but we generally are only in the room to sleep at night or rest up a bit in the day and then of course to change clothes.  In the last 2-3 years, we have been requesting 3 twin beds.  This works better than the king in my opinion.  Depending on the room layout if we have the two twin beds against each wall with a middle aisle then my son is able to sleep in one of the pull down beds from the wall and the ladder is positioned where when he walks down he is in the middle of the two twin beds.  When we had the king bed, it seems that he would always end up stepping on the bed.  However, on our last cruise, I picked the wrong room which did not have a pull down bed, it had a trundle bed.  Nothing coming out of the wall and this was not good.  They set up three twin beds right next to each other.  There was really no space between each bed so you had to almost crawl out of the bed in the middle of the night so as not to disturb the other two.  We managed as it was a 5 day/4 night cruise.  Never again will I choose the trundle set up.  Always get the third bed coming out of the wall.

I like taking the formal photos once a year.  So I don't over dress but we come dressy casual.  DH and son will wear dress slacks and a nice dress shirt (no tie).  The generally leave the top two buttons undone.  I generally wear a nice jumpsuit or a nice dress (nothing too fancy but nothing too casual).  The pictures come out amazing and I purchase at least 1 a year as our official family photo.  I then take my phone camera and take a picture of the formal picture and post it on social media for all to see.  One 8X10 is generally $20 or so.  I only really need one as I have all of our own photos we take with our phone.  We eat in the main dining room on all elegant evenings because those are the best menus.  If I don't like what they have, I can always go to the Lido.  They have never turned anyone away on elegant night in the dining room.  I see kids in shorts and tennis shoes and adults in jeans and t-shirts.  So don't over pack but dress to your own liking.

Definitely inform them of what you are doing.  You don't want to make a payment without their knowledge and then their plans change and you lose your money if for some reason they don't pay off cruise or didn't purchase the insurance.  It is a wonderful gesture but could go south very fast if you don't communicate with the couple.

I've been on the Liberty twice and it is one of my favorite ships.  I've been on some of the newer and larger ships but in comparison, I believe I enjoyed the 4day/3 nt Liberty better than the 7 day Magic in its first year.  The Magic was larger and felt crowded all the time.  I did go during Thanksgiving week on the Magic so that might be why.  I went on the Liberty in March and then in June and it never felt crowded.

I enjoyed the Seafood Shack and the Steakhouse which is a must.  I probably wouldn't take the younger kids to the Steakhouse.  But for $35 pp, you can have an elegant dinner in a really fancy environment with impeccable service and food.  If you go on the first night, I believe they give you a free bottle of wine.

We loved the Comedy club each night and Karaoke.  The theatre shows were great as always.  My girlfriend spent a lot of time at the Sports Bar because it was during NCAA March Madness and she couldn't miss her games.  Don't skip out on the bean bag toss challenges or even the many Trivia games which are always a blast.  There really is something for everyone.  There was a Dr. Seuss Parade for the kids which I enjoyed.  Another highlight is always the deck parties.  There is a Ladies Night and Electric White Party you won't want to miss.

I could go on and on, but keep in mind, there is a reason why Carnival is known as the Fun Ship.  Just go and have "FUN".

I wouldn't spend the extra cash for the suite only because I only sleep in the cabin or take a quick shower to change for dinner.  I would find it to be a waste of money and rather splurge on the excursions or extra things you can do on a ship.  As an example, some ships have specialty restaurants.  Or perhaps you can use that money for the spa services or just the alcoholic beverages.  If you are the type of family who will be spending time in your cabin for longer periods of time, you might want to consider a suite but do your research.  Check out pictures online, go to cabinguru.com and look at the pros and cons of each room.  Lastly, check out Youtube and see if you can find a video of the room you want.  $2,000 who potentially get you a second cruise so think about it carefully.

I have never carried the proof.  I have used my funpoints for paying my gratuities, onboard credits and for cash bar and photo cash 3 years in a row.  They were on my account as soon as I checked in.  Its a nice way to use points, but I have determined that I'm not really getting a bang for my buck.  It takes $5,000 of me charging on the card to get $50 bar cash or $7,200 charging on my card to get a general $50 onboard credit.  I have since switched to the Delta Skymiles card where I get a mile for every dollar and have already gotten 3 free airline tickets since I use the card for all purchases I make and just pay the card off each month.  So I won't be using the Carnival card anymore.  However, it was very easy to use.  American Express is offering statement credits for booking on Carnival as well.  So I plan to use that for my next cruise.

Thank you so  much for sharing.  I really appreciate it.

We just got off the Victory and had interior cabin Room 9255.  It did not have a pull down for my son.  They set up a third bed which stayed up the entire cruise.  It was pretty much a third twin bed.  It was very comfortable.  It did take up a lot of space, but the three of us managed without them having to ever take it down.  I don't believe it was the standard trundle that is stored underneath the bed as I saw one under the twin bed.  This appeared to have been a bed they brought in which was much more sturdy and comfortable.