ctlyf

Another reason to book earlier is foreign exchange. Unless you have USD already and are using it to pay for excursions, forecasts are for USD to cost $1.38 by the end of Dec and $1.44 in the next 12 months.

Not available for my Jan 21 Mardi Gras either... I'll have to keep checking.

Maybe it's cheaper if they buy it from one of the islands rather than in the US???

In 2011, I paid $450ish for Tanzanite ring. Never had it appraised but I still love it and wear it frequently. I've since bought earrings (Vegas) and a pendant (Grand Turk) with stones matching size, shape and color.

I thought they charged tax in port, not gratuities?

When we ported in Naples, we did an excursion through Taxi Mister - https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g187785-d12275711-Reviews-Taxi_Mister_Cab_Driver_Napoli-Naples_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html. Ciro was a fantastic guide who took us to see the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento and Pompeii.

I had Frog Island Iced Tea from the Red Frog bar by the main pool a few times (maybe more than a few ☺️). I was sad to see that it was not on the menu for the Red Frog Tiki Bar on Mardi Gras... hoping they will be able to make it when we sail in Jan 2023.

Thank you... you have given me something to think about... I honestly never thought about any splash back from the cup as being contaminated, but you are correct. In my mind, as long as where my mouth touched didn't touch the spigot, everything should be fine, but what you say makes perfect sense.

So interestingly enough, about an hour after I started to draft a follow up email to Carnival to inquire about this, I received an email saying my OBC had been approved. Glad I never sent the email, but definitely coincidental timing! And yes, I see it in my Invoice Details on my Booking & Order Details. Thanks everyone!

I'm in the same boat... I submitted mine on Aug 22nd and still have not received anything other than the immediate standard response "... we've received your email...". Might have to make a phone call. I know some have said to check your boarding documents to find the OBC... can someone send me a snapshot (with confidential information removed of course) so I know what I'm looking for?

We've only cruised during spring break once... it was right before the shut down, 5-day out of Fort Lauderdale. It was not horrible, but we did pretty much steer clear of the main pool (stuck to Tides Pool). While it was sometimes fun to people watch (college kids letting loose pre-pandemic), I probably will avoid spring break cruises if I can, particularly out of south Florida and short ones. That being said if someone I want to cruise with wants to go, I won't say no either.

We were on a PCL cruise in Dec 2021 (Grand Princess), and I was fairly certain there was an indoor cigar room near the terrace pool, but now can't see anything on the deck plans... perhaps I was mistaken.

We were just in Vegas, and while I didn't see anyone wearing them, I noticed them on display in a few clothing stores... maybe they're making a comeback??? 😉

We've only had the opportunity to use our SH benefit for OBC on our cruise in Dec 2021, but that was with Princess. In that instance, our credit showed up in our booking details (I think it was in same place where we could find our price, taxes, grats, etc.) although, I'm not sure we got a confirmation email... IIRC, it just appeared. Are you saying there is no way to verify the OBC online before you sail, other than an email?

Sorry for being confused... is this in relation to NCL changing from Pepsi to Coke? Carnival switched from Coke to Pepsi before COVID... and my hubby and I are one of those couples who were very disappointed. And yes, we did bring a flat of Coke Zero on our last Carnival Cruise.

I believe Chibang is still free on Mardi Gras.

What burden??? You upload a PDF document that you probably already have a copy of. I'll take that "burden" over a test where I may be asymptomatic positive and have to cancel last minute.

Curious... does the health assessment require confirmation of negative test? Or is it just asking the general health questions and vaccination confirmation?

I have had 4 shots now... the 3 shots that I got thru a pharmacy do not have lot numbers. Only the one I got at an Alberta Health Services facility included the lot number. To the OP, we sailed in Dec 2021 with no problem but I did also have all the receipts which I think included the lot numbers. Never had to show them.

We usually buy the drink package... we get our money's worth. Plus if I have to pay for drinks, I'll second guess my choice every single time.... I'll stress myself out. But we did order a couple of bottles to the room for one cruise instead of getting a package. They're expensive but cheaper than drinks at the bar (i think a bottle of vodka was $75). That, with our canned pop we brought onboard plus wine, and the occasional drink from the bar, and we were good to go.

Not sure where you are from, but all of your recent medical treatments "should" be linked through your provincial health care number, assuming all of your treatments were in your home province and your province has a centralized database. I would think you could ask your family doctor for a copy of your records... they might charge you an administrative fee.

My son works for a national (maybe international) restaurant chain as a line cook... his location pools all of the tips paid by customers in a two week period. Not sure the exact split, or how it works with the servers, but the kitchen staff get a portion of the tips based on the number of hours they worked in that two week period. I don't think it's unusual anymore... I talked to one server at another restaurant (different chain) and she said that the kitchen staff there get allocated 9% of total sales... so if someone tips her 10%, she ends up with 1%.

Not sure why the pause, since it sounds like this is what it is. It seems they are moving testing off site, hopefully eliminating the delays at airports. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/feds-travel-random-arrival-testing-1.6484759

How far in advance to the classes get posted? We're on Mardi Gras in Jan 2023 and I don't see any options yet under specialty dining.

Pre-COVID, they had an episode on Symphony of the Seas, which we had sailed on in Sept 2018. We're not regular watchers of the show but it happened to be on when we were perusing through the guide and nothing else was on. We were reminiscing and recognizing different spots, even some familiar faces. Right at the end, I think the credits were rolling, they had a shot from the deck off the Solarium... maybe 2 seconds, but enough time to think, "hmm, (hubby) has those same swim shorts". Went back and watched again... sure enough it was my hubby and our friend standing at the railing looking forward!