Gregoryfo

I searched but did not see that this was discussed before.  Looks like Carnival broke ground on a new cruise port in Grand Bahamas.  Another article said Carnival purchased 369 aches which should give them plenty of room.

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/carnival-breaks-ground-on-grand-bahama-island-cruise-port.html

We actually preferred the lunch at both Chibang and the BBQ place much more than the dinners.  Lunches were always supposed to be free right?  Mardi Gras has a huge problem, more good places to eat than there are meal times.  

For people that have used the app more than once.  Will we need in input everything again for the next cruise?  We understand we will need to do the negative test and health attestation, but does the other stuff stay in there from one cruise to another?

We used it on our current cruise out of Tampa.  It was an easy process.

We have a cruise for the first week of August and just noticed that they updated the stockholder form and it is now valid for cruises through July 31, 2023.  Previously it was only through July 31, 2022.  The form is below:

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/static-files/50351a91-4dc0-4f6b-bfec-684647e6129f

On 2/17/2022 at 9:56 AM, AandBmom said:

 

you can't use OBC ahead of time until cruises after either march 15 or april 15, I've heard both. 

Our cruise leaves April 2 and we were able to use it, so maybe March 15 is the cutoff.  

Looks like if you book through a travel agent you can still use the OBC for excursions and things, you just can't see it as easily.  If you are unsure of how much OBC you have just add a bunch of excursions to your cart and go to check out.  Before you pay it will say how much OBC you have that can be applied to the purchase.    

On 9/28/2021 at 4:33 PM, DramaQueen22 said:

Thank you!  Preorders through the Fun Shops are $3.50 for those big bottles.  Last time I cruised with my kids we did the case of small bottles.  I bring my own insulated tumbler now so the big ones are better.

We are big water drinkers.  If you like the insulated bottles check out TAL Stainless Steel Ranger Tumbler Water Bottle 64 fl oz on walmart's website.  Great to have cold water in the room at all times.    

I use a TA for the OBC, it is usually a couple of hundred bucks.  I research before I book so I do not move things around much once booked.  Two cruises were cancelled with covid and the refund process was fine.  

47 minutes ago, babygrljaz said:

YES!  Got my results when i was driving to work, it was a call...weird!  But OMG i was so excited!  Then my daughter called, she's having trouble getting rapid in her area so the stressing continues for her LoL but we sail Saturday woo-hoo!!!! Have fun mrpayroll you deserve it more than me, i was lucky none cancelled.

Was it CVS?  They called me also.  We were at Seaworld and I said to the wife if they are calling it can't be good, but it was :).  Have a great time and happy sailing!

There is SOOOO much to eat on the MG.  We did the buffet a couple of times for breakfast and it was good.  My teens stopped by a couple of times in the evening, since you know one dinner was not enough for them.  They seemed to like the offerings, one is a picky eater and the other will eat anything so ymmv.  When we were on the MG a couple of weeks ago the fusion place and pig and anchor were free for dinner so between them and the MDR the wife and I did not have much interest in the buffet.

As others have pointed out do not worry about dressing up for formal night in the MDR.  The first formal night I wore a shirt and tie.  The evening before the second one I mentioned to the waiter that I might skip it and have pizza, he said just wear what you are wearing tonight and you will be fine (I had on long running pants, a t shirt, and tennis shoes).  I had no problems being seated in similar clothes the next night.

I wish they were a bit more desperate for us.  We just got off the Mardi Gras last week and would love to do another before the already booked trip next summer.  No good offers, mostly just $50 or so less than the website price.  In fact looking back not only are the cruises we are looking at more expensive than last year, which is understandable, but are also higher than in 2018 and 19.  I am sure we are on a do not discount list, we don't generate much revenue.  We do not drink, do not gamble, and usually either explore on our own or do small private tours.  I guess when you only give Carnival the cruise fare they want to make sure they get that.

I have a feeling they are trying to attract more gamblers.  We cut through the casino a couple of times on the way to the show and it was just a few people smoking and playing slots.  I am sure casino revenue is a big number for Carnival.  

I think the watermelon is pretty good on the ship.  The pizza is gross and I agree with the others that the buffet deserts look much better than they taste.

Thanks for the write up.  We were also on your sailing and you covered it well.  I agree they could have been more strict with social distancing and enforcing the masks, especially among the few children on board since they were too young to have been vaccinated.  It had/has to be difficult for the staff.  They want cruising to continue, but I am sure are also tip starved and do not want to take a chance to make someone mad by telling them to mask up. 

We had different experiences on some of the stops.  We went on a non-Carnival ruins tour in Costa Maya and had to walk a few blocks outside the port to get to the tour.  Everyone outside the port was very friendly and even gave us directions to the tour stop.  Getting out of the port area was a bit for a maze, but no problems with feeling unsafe or harassed.  Once outside the port people asked if we needed a ride or a tour but we just said he had already booked one and again were helpful in pointing us in the right directions.  There was a military presence at the port and at the security checkpoint as you left, not sure what that was about.  The tour guide said it was to discourage drug smuggling.         

Roatan was great, it was our first time there.  We can't wait to go back.  We did sloths and a beach club on the west end.  The beach vendors were around and needed a few no thanks to go away but were not overly aggressive.  The gas stations were well protected, my son noticed that all the gas stations had guards with military type weapons.  I think it has been a very tough year for some of these islands/stops.   

Balcony bound; we really enjoyed the comedians, they had four different ones and also enjoyed the piano bar guy.  It is a sing along type thing, semi family friendly from 9-10 and then adults oriented from 10 on wards.             

Just to add an interior cabin experience to the mix, we got off yesterday and thought the cabin was well cooled.  Never needed the boost setting and rarely set it to the coldest setting.  Snuggled under covers every night.  For us, interior spaces around the ship were cool but not freezing.  If was a hot week, but indoors the only times we were warm/hot was in the terminal waiting in line and waiting on deck six to disembark, not sure why that was so stuffy but it was.

9 hours ago, chamorroroots said:

Ok folks, by request, I called and just spoke with Mariana, eMed Customer Support. She said that another six-pack of kits will need to be purchased beyond three people. The reason why they limit to three people is because they plan for two test kits per person in case the first one is inconclusive.

I got a very different response from a CSR at eMed who said the packs are sold so that each person can have two tests in case one is inconclusive or if you need testing to leave and then reenter (if you are flying somewhere), but he assured me that each test can be used by anyone.  He said and I quote, "you pay for six tests and six monitor sessions, it does not matter to us if one person does it six times or six people do it one time."  He did mention that if you were going to attempt insurance reimbursement you should not give the tests to anyone else.  

16 hours ago, heath1414 said:

I kind of understand what she's saying. Finding testing available in your area, the cost, getting PCR testing back in time for those who need it, are all uncertainties. Some places are more available than others. If they are requiring it from everyone, it would be nice to have the certainty of it being done, say in a dedicated location by the cruise line right at Port. I know this probably won't happen,  but it would have been nice.

Man if I was the CEO of CVS I would be on the phone to the port.  Seems like a great way to generate a ton of cash.  We are in Florida for a week prior to our cruise so we need to get tested in Florida anyway.  If I could do my rapid at the port we would and that would have simplified things for us greatly.  If one of us tests positive we rent a car and drive the 14 hours home.  I am sure there are others in a similar situation that would benefit from a testing option at the port.  We are ubering to a cvs on Friday morning about 5 miles from the hotel, getting the rapid test, and then ubering back.  Given the situation in Florida it would be better for everyone if we got tested at the port and left the cvs appointments for locals who might be ill or have a greater need for the testing.  

Disney has partnered with a company to do rapid testing at the port, but for Disney if you are vaccinated you to not need to be tested so it is smaller numbers to deal with.  Here is what the Disney cruise line says:

• Embarkation COVID-19 Testing: Guests are required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal prior to boarding. Guests with positive COVID-19 test results, as well as those in their travel party, will be denied boarding. The $65 test fee will be charged to the folio of all Guests 12 years and older. Disney Cruise Line acts as the paying agent for Inspire Diagnostics and will remit the entire cost of the COVID-19 test to Inspire Diagnostics. Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination instead of undergoing COVID-19 embarkation testing. All Guests on back-to-back, consecutive sailings will be required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal after debarking the ship following their first cruise, before reboarding the ship for their second cruise.

Again this is Disney as an example of what could be done, I do not want to confuse anyone thinking it is Carnival.  

Nine days until we cruise!  There is lots on the carnival site about what we need to do on the boat, but I did not find anything about restrictions where we will be visiting.  I figured it might be helpful to share information.  I have been looking into the restrictions on the destinations for our Western Caribbean cruise and found the following:  

From our Mahogany Bay tour guide dated 8/1/21:

Covid regulations for Honduras as of now...

-Masks are NOT REQUIRED outdoors

-Masks ARE REQUIRED inside buildings and in crowded areas.

-No requirement to show a negative covid test or vaccination status to enter

Cozumel and Costa Maya, the website islandlifemexico.com says that masks are required in public places including shops and restaurants.  60% capacity limits are also in place.  No requirement to show a negative test or vaccination status to enter.      

If someone has additional or different information please post it so we all have it.  Happy and safe travels!

I saw a mention of this in the allstate thread but thought it deserved it's own thread so folks did not miss it.  If you have a citi credit card check in your citi offers tab, as there is an offer for $250 off $1000 at carnival.  I have used the Amex offers for carnival a few times but this was the first time I saw it on citi.  Below is the text and requirements of the offer:

Offer Details

Earn $250 on a purchase of $1000 or more.

Book now and experience the FUN with Carnival Cruise Line. Use your eligible card for a single purchase of $1,000 or more on Carnival.com and receive a $250 statement credit.

Terms Of Use

Enrollment limited. Must first add offer to Card and then use same Card to redeem. Limit 1 enrolled Card and 1 statement credit per Card Member. Reservations must be made directly with Carnival via www.carnival.com. Offer valid only on a single transaction with a minimum amount of $1,000 including taxes and after any discounts. Purchases not combinable. Excludes other Carnival Corporation brands. Offer only valid until 08/31/21 and is non-transferable.

Hope it helps!

9 hours ago, TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail said:

For a lot of folks it’s the masks required where they don’t feel comfortable.  For me, it’s the almost unattainable testing within 72 hours.  I literally have to drive 25+ miles out of my way within 72 hours of boarding to get a rapid test done.  I won’t chance flying in & relying on rapid tests to be available within 24 hours of boarding.  

 

I wouldn’t care if Carnival needed to swab me daily (even though I’m post-covid and fully vaxxed).  But don’t make me jump through hoops for the privilege of paying to sail.  
 

This IS my last cruise before all restrictions are removed.  We had Coz taken away so I’m all for a Cancun AI circa summer 2022.
 

 

I am with you, the testing is the difficult part for me, I have no problem wearing a mask.  We are going down a week early to spend some time at Seaworld and will not have a car.  I felt like crap making the appointments today at the Kissimmee CVS.  With the way things are in Florida I hate to take the appointments away from locals that might be ill.  You would think, and maybe they will in the near future, Carnival would partner with CVS and have a rapid test clinic set up at the port for people to get their testing.  

54 minutes ago, ScottsSweetie said:

I personally would do everything I could to avoid a drive thru test. I don't know if you are familiar with them but they hand you a baggie of supplies and you perform the test yourself. I had been tested twice before for medical procedures so I knew how the test was done, so when I got symptoms I used the CVS drive-thru to do my test. It came back "inconclusive" two days later. I would hate for one of you to not do the sample correctly and have this issue. (When I went for a second test on the date my inconclusive was returned I was indeed positive.)

That is sound advice, thank you.  I have never self administered, we do pool testing at work so I have had one done by the nurse.  Looks like 4ish miles from the hotel is a cvs that does rapid testing and has a minute clinic, we will get dropped off there by an uber (says you do not need a car) and do the rapid test then wait for the results to make sure they are not inconclusive, then Uber back to the hotel.  Not exactly how I anticipated spending an evening of my vacation but better safe than sorry.  I appreciate the advice.  

Crap we are going to seaworld/discovery cove the week before we cruise on Mardi Gras on the 21st.  The good news is there is a cvs 1/2 mile from the hotel.  However, it is drive through only, I wonder if the uber driver will get pissed for a family of four to pile into their car to get covid tested.    

For other Marylanders' out there, you can print out your vaccination records and a covid vaccine certificate from this site:  https://md.myir.net

I think everyone should do what makes them comfortable on their vacation.  If a mask makes you uncomfortable and you prefer to stay on the ship God bless.  Personally we are required to wear masks at work, so I already wear them everyday.  I wear socks over my toes and a mask over my nose, not a big deal to me.  I will be enjoying the ports of call in three weeks.  

Thanks Wemjam.  She will be sailing next week so hopefully someone will let us know.  Wish we could pre-book it.  It would be pretty cool to get in a ride when we are approaching one of the islands.

We are going on the Mardi Gras on 8/28.  I have read the bolt coaster is an additional charge, anyone know how much?  I have searched a bit and have not been able to find the cost.  Also I know Royal allows for some of their 'extra' stuff to be booked in advance, anyway to do that for the bolt?

TIA!