GuitarPlayer

We booked on board to get the OBC ($100 for 7 day) and just picked a potential cruise in Nov. We just made sure it was a completely refundable rate.

We then figured out when our friends could sail with us, changed to that sailing (diff ship and sailing in Oct) and OBC stayed with booking. Also got an Early Saver rate on the new booking, to allow us to enjoy price drops (which we just got $210 today on the current best price -past guest rate).

Play all the angles. My PVP calls me a fisherman, cause I'm "angling" all the time

GP

I hope they don't catch on and start dropping the OBC if you switch cruises. It'd make things easier on me if they'd just bring back the FCV's.

$210 price drop on inside cabin (Empress) on 8 day Liberty in Oct.

Love ES!

GP

I've never been able to negotiate. But that doesn't mean it hasn't ever been done.

GP

One more data point to consider.

It really all depends upon how well you handle uncertainty.

If you handle it well, no problem, book the noon FLL.

If you don't, then why risk it? (It seems you don't or you wouldn't be asking :))

So...Book either the 2pm MIA or the 6:45pm FLL and then enjoy your last night on the ship and the following morning completely stress free.

If you take the 6:45 FLL, then take an excursion to see the Gators or south beach or something and enjoy the day in FL.

Just another opinion.

GP

It's one of our favorite memories of cruising. Our youngest of 5 DD's went to tea time with DW and I when she was about 5.

She didn't want any real tea, so the waiter even made a special effort to get her some lemonade to make it even more special.

We still talk about her first "real" tea party.

People will dress in shorts and tee shirts to nice dresses and slacks.

I just wish they'd play the piano again, like they used to during tea time.

GP

Anyone know of any one- or two-bedroom hotels that have a door that shuts to the bedroom?

We are crusing with very good friends, but the two queen beds side-by-side in a single room is a little "too" close.

We have stayed together in two room suites before, where the door shuts to the bedroom and that is acceptable, and typically cheaper than two separate rooms.

Sharing the bathroom is no big deal, we're long time friends.

Anything like that in Cape Canaveral or MCO airport area (or in-between)?

GP

Just an update. Called budget after booking a car and they said NO, THEY DO NOT PICKUP AT CRUISE TERMINAL. bummer!!

Did you call the local Budget office(where you'll pick up the car), or the main (booking) number?

When I talked to Avis on the main number, they, too, told me they don't do dropoff's/pickup's, but the did when I got to the local office.

Try calling the local Budget office (south of the port, across the river) and ask for Bryant (if he's still around) or Ray at the Avis location (supposed to be the same family that owns both, at least, it was in Oct, 2013).

Interested to hear how it works out.

GP

Just want to give a BIG THANK YOU to the OP. I would have missed this otherwise. I saved 10% on the balance of my October cruise and purchased some more to apply to my sign & sail account. Overall I ended up with an extra $120. Woo Hoo:D:D

Ditto to the OP!

$140 of "free money" LOL.

GP

Of all the cruises we've been on, cabin 5268 on the Legend was our favorite.

Going out to watch the wake was mesmerizing.

We typically do insides now, to be able to cruise more than once a year, but will always fondly remember that cabin.

You can't help but love it!

The only thing that surprised me was that the glass railing is angled out at the bottom (vs. being vertical). Not a huge deal but just something it be aware of. May actually be a good thing depending on ages of kids.

JEALOUS!

GP

Is there a reason that everyone is using their promo cards for obc instead of using it to pay off your cruise?

I plan on using promo ecard *first* toward paying off cruise! then "real" ecard to finish paying off Oct cruise.

Use card that expires first vs. card that never expires. I see no reason to do it differently from that.

Got a couple of $700 cards...received email about those immediately...waiting patiently for promo cards to appear (yeah I know...overnight...).

GP

Booking early saver can be a little tricky if there is a possibility that there might be a cancellation.

Agreed.

There are reasons to book Early Saver(ES) and reasons to not book ES.

Yours sounds like a case where booking ES should be avoided (too much at risk vs. the benefit you may or may not get).

As well, the benefit of ES is to get price drops (after final payment date) if the cruise isn't selling well. That used to work very well. However, recently in my experience, all the price drops I've seen on my cruises have stipulations (pack N go for example) that don't allow ES to apply, so the benefit is pretty minimal. As the consumer gets smarter, so does the business. :p

GP

Did you get charged $50 per person to move your booking? If not, then you already didn't have Early Saver.

If you don't have Early Saver on the new booking, *and* you are still outside of final payment, then if they won't adjust the price, then cancel and rebook at the new price (provided you didn't book something with a no-cancel requirement.

If you explain that's what you are going to do, they'll likely just adjust your booking to the new price.

In either case (adj or rebook), you may have to pay full deposit, though.

GP

...

Wow, I want my .sig to look like yours someday.

Jealous!

GP

We never got off the ship, just went to the embarkation deck and someone from customs came on and looked at our paperwork, carnival person gave us S&S cards and said "See you later, have a great 2nd week."

DW and I, too, encountered the "BUZZ" when trying to get off at first port. Needed our pics taken. Be aware of that, and perhaps ask when you are getting your card how do you get your pic taken?

We did have to move cabins, but only to the other side of the ship on the same deck. We really didn't "repack and unpack." More like carried our stuff over on hangars and then moved the other hangers to first room. Room stewards understood and had no issue with us putting stuff in second room even though it wasn't completely ready for us.

We mostly did people watching and wandered around a pretty empty ship, but it didn't take long for round two to start up.

I highly recommend B2B, although 2-5Days were better than 2-7Days B2B. 14 days was just too long for us (but we have 5 DD's so we were missing them too).

GP

Find someone with a Platinum Card and offer a few bucks to use priority tendering with them (if they are getting off early, too).

:rolleyes:

Hey, it's an idea!

GP

Prices seem higher to me too. I think it is optimism on Carnival's part. I've decided that last minute usually produces the best price unless you want to sail during a popular time like a holiday.

Early Saver in late October! :D

We'll see how it goes.

GP

To get to the "Secret Deck" on any of the decks that it's accessable, you go forward to the very front of the ship. You can turn either right or left. There is a hallway that goes across the front of the ship. At either end of that hallway is a door with a window in it. You go through that door, then within no more than five feet is a heavy wooden door. Go through that door and you are at the bow of the ship. You can walk all the way around the front and go back in the opposite door if you choose. At the very middle of that area is steps that you can go up or down to a different deck.

I've been out on the forward decks before on many ships, but in researching the Liberty specifically, I read that the port side on Lido was the only "access" for the Liberty on Lido deck.

Is your information more "general" in nature (access from either side, with stairway to different decks, yadda, yadda), or is it specific to the Lido deck on Liberty?

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but am asking specifically about Liberty's Lido because if it's only accessible from the port side, then we're more likely to book on the port side...

(you know, because we are "FRUGAL" (not cheap))... :D

Thanks!

GP

....he said "I don't get it, how's that a mistake?" :)

Exactly!

GP

Many fine dining establishments have gone away from tablecloths

And likely, many fine diners have gone away from such establishments, too.

GP

Curious if anyone knows...Are the forward decks accessible on both starboard and port sides on Empress Deck?

What about on Lido deck (accessible from both sides)?

I'm hearing conflicting info, where one person said the Lido "secret" deck was only accessible from the port side (not starboard, due to something in the way - maybe a owner's suite, or captain's suite or something)?

Anyone have any input on that?

We're looking at an Oct sailing and trying to decide between forward Empress and forward Lido, but want to be sure we can get easy access to the forward deck for coming into/leaving ports, and/or a quick check of the weather, since we are cheapo's that book inside cabins so we can go more than once a year!

:rolleyes:

GP

Been on her a few times, and pretty much agree with Tapi...

Here's a nugget of our experience.

We did a back-to-back on her in October...First week was with friends, second week was just the two of us.

The ship is suited much more toward the second week, because this ship is really a relaxing, get-away-from-it-all, ship. We tried anytime dining on this ship and thought it worked pretty well for the two of us, but we really like the main dining room when traveling in a group.

There really isn't as much to do activity-wise as the Liberty, but if relaxation and slowing down is your gig, then she's the one for you. I really enjoyed singing with the show band at "Superstar Live."

We are traveling with a group of 26 in May, and chose a larger ship (Magic) because of the more varied (and more of the!) activities available on her.

GP

I've never seen anyone mention Carnival enforcing that though. I've cruised on casino reduced rates multiple times and I always got the shareholder credit.

I've successfully gotten alcohol on board....sometimes...other times....NOT.

:D

GP

Happy Valentines Day, everyone.

Makes me think of this oldie, but goodie:

"Love....exciting and new....come aboard....we're expecting you..."

Anyone remember that from days gone by?

GP

so you don't think the fuel cost is built into the cost of the cruise?

The cost of the "known" fuel price variables is built it (any cruise line would be stupid not to build that in), but the "surcharge" clause covers them in case of extreme conditions.

Trying to implement the charge "during" those extreme conditions would only cause them more bad press, like it did the first time it was implemented.

So why *wouldn't* Carnival keep it in the contract?

Good business practice if you asked me.

I'm more concerned about the "we don't have to take you any port we don't want to" clause being implemented way more often than the fuel surcharge. (At least, it has in my experience). It is what it is.

GP

How much $ is it to enter?

Last time we played it was $20 to enter. Might have gone up to $25 by now.

It is ALL LUCK. No skill other than hitting a button continuously and cheering your head off!

All depends on the demand, but I have seen 10-15 rounds of 8-10 people per round. They are definitely making a killing on it.

But hey, if you win, you put $500 in your pocket!

GP