Deathloks

1 hour ago, jxtgreek said:

Just heard about another possible storm late next week.  I'm on a 4 day out of Tampa on the Paradise starting 9/29.  Only 1 port, getaway weekend.  What does Carnival typically do with this type of situation?

Even though it's the time of the year where hurricanes are possible, nothing can be confirmed at this point.  However it is true weatherknowitallchannel claims that all next week will be rain in Cozumel.  Let's see what happens.

Going on the Celebration maiden voyage on Nov 6 2022 as well.  Used Fly2Fun back in January.  Even  though it's not unusual,  these flights are not round trip flights.  In fact, they are considered, by the airlines, two departure/one way flights.

In our case the flight going to London was paid to Carnival in January and ticketed in March but our return flight was never ticketed.  We had to call and talk to Carnival resolution people twice.  But all was fixed within 5 days.

On 9/16/2022 at 6:22 PM, kwokpot said:

No lectures on Carnival whatsoever. Which particular sailing are you looking at? What additional information are you interested in?

This is a completely false statement.  Not saying there is a lecturer on all sailings on all ships, but there are lecturers on Carnival ships/sailings.  Some have already mentionned their experience about it, but I think I can add that, for instance, on the Carnival Celebration maiden voyage (Nov 6-20), Tom Parks has been announced as a lecturer.  On sea days, twic a day for 45 minutes each time.

14 hours ago, Cruzlover7 said:

Thank you everyone. I’ll bring my bottle with me. The picture ad threw me off.  So many changes these days, it made me wonder.  
Happy Cruising to all. 

Over the years, some "things" have changed but it's mostly in the wording to address some issues.  For instance, in the past, they have allowed bottles of almost of any kind of mixed wine + anything.  They don't anymore.  However, in most cases, even though not explicitely written, Porto will be fine.

The beverage policy also mentions no drinks until 6:00 AM in the next morning from cruise ports such as Galveston and/or New-York.  In reality, on the first night, when you go to the MDR, they will allow you to get a few drinks off your Cheers package.

Finally, mostly with Carnival (not saying it's good or bad, just what we experienced), whatever the "rule" is about getting alcohol in ports, very often, they will let you keep what you purchase.  Of course, very often they will "keep it for you" until the end of the cruise, as written in their policy.  But fact is, other times they will not care. and let you get away with it.

Since they still allow us to bring 1 bottle wine/passenger at embarkation, we try to get in with bottles we usually wouldn't buy in our day to day life.  After all those years of cruising, it remains the best thing to do for us.

2 hours ago, Univfire said:

I had the thermal spa pass. It was “ok” but I wouldn’t purchase for the entire cruise length again. The aromatherapy areas weren’t working properly and it was overall just too warm for me. If that’s your thing, you’ll love it. Never a crowd. Honestly, the most crowded was 3-4 people. 

Will be on the Breeze next month.  Have a Cloud 9 cabin booked.  Can I ask why you you rated the thermal spal "ok"  and wouldn't purchase for the entire cruise lenght again ?

11 hours ago, Ruffus113 said:

Are there any new updates on Celebration?

Yes there are.  The easiest way to know about them is either join the related Facebook groups or watch the John Heald's Facebook page.

6 hours ago, matymil said:

Some people are acting like the OP is asking to if they can bring a handgun on board or something. Its not that serious. I was really into juicing for awhile i took mine everywhere.

Thing is, it is well known Carnival likes to make (new) rules but don't enforce them.  At your own risk almost always seems to be the best answer.

19 hours ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

 That being said, I will say my ex-daughter in law gets offers every week (I get her email offers for some reason) and she hasn’t been on a cruise in over 8 years. 

We've always been told the color of your sail & sign card is considered to get offers.  Since we were getting better offers when we were red than now (platinum) with similar play we always took for granted it was true.

12 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Despite some minor issues that some seem obsessed with, not all is doom and gloom with Carnival.

I think the whole cruising industry is suffering.  When someone says they don't like something Carnival is doing it doesn't mean other companies are all perfect.  We have 6 cruises booked with Carnival at this point.  We intend on having the best of times for well deserved vacations on all those cruises.  Regardless, it would just be unfair to claim cruising is the same as it was before the pandemic.  I do remember and miss the times we had nasal bands and other stuff in our cabin upon arrival, the cigar lounge for relaxing, quiet conversations with strangers, and so many other things.  The hairy chest contest we never participated in but we knew when we were boarding and it was happening that we were on a Carnival ship and that it was the beginning of a fun week.  Some of us, just miss those things that made Carnival so special for us.  But at the same time, we're ready for new adventures.

33 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

For the sake of this conversation, false rumors aside, Carnival currently requires testing for the Bahamas.

 

Due to destination requirements, ALL guests on itineraries that include Bahamas, Bermuda and Grand Cayman must complete a pre-cruise test, irrespective of the length of the cruise.

 

 

 

 

Please don't get me wrong.  My point was not to say Carnival is doing something bad.  In fact, I believe they can do whatever they think is best for them.  If people are unhappy about it, they will act accordingly.  That being said, I was trying to point out that I don't believe there is any reason to constantly trying to put down other smaller companies that are doing something different than Carnival.  I know this is Cruise "critic", but it doesn't make other companies irresponsible or anything else because they chose a different way in their managing.

45 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

A whole 2 ships....

Just for the sake of this conversation, how many ships do you think Carnival sails to the Bahamas on cruises 5 days or less ?

Yes, you can get the Silent Disco on Carnival ships (Breeze included).  However, it's really a Cruise Director's decision.  In short, you never know what to expect.

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

The customer isn't always right, and frankly, some need to be fired.

If you allow me, I'll give you my honest opinion about the last Carnival cutbacks.  From my point of view, they are not as big a deal as some would like us to believe.  But they are not nothing.  In our case, the Ocean plaza not offering food anymore (not clear if this will be permanent or temporary) is sad it was one of the main reasons why we would book Havana cabins (on Vista and Excel class ships).

At the same time, traditionnally cruising has been defined by two words: "eat"and "sleep".  Whenever any cruise line has made some changes in those areas, people have been reacting quite a lot.  So people being unhappy with cutbacks in the food area was really to be expected.

45 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Royal Caribbean new protocols don't begin until August 8. Carnival's began today. It is Royal that is behind the times.

I usually agree with most of the things you say.  But in this case, I believe Royal is exactly where it wanted to be at this point 🙂

1 hour ago, hapytobehr said:

This-but i did it thru oceanplayers.com and received an email and saved it on my phone.  However, I never had to show it because it was already on our S & S cards.

Same here.  We're always cruising on MY offers (sometimes it doesn't mention Drinks Everywhere or DOU for companion) and my wife ALWAYS gets what is on her offer at the time of booking.  Never had to ask for anything.  It's always there.

17 minutes ago, angiem0217 said:

I am trying to decide between the Horizon havana area vs mardi gras for a graduation cruise with a 17 and 16 year old. any thoughts?

I always thought minors weren't allowed in the Havana area.  Maybe I'm wrong and the age limit is 12. 

13 hours ago, StephPS79 said:

You can get the free interior offers pretty easily, really.  Just throw a few bucks in a slot machine to get the offers flowing.  Now the Big Cheese offers for balcony or even suites take a little more money spent, but I’ll take a free interior!

I so agree with your post !!  My wife plays a VERY little slot (I'd say 100$-200$), and tournaments using her card and that's about it.  She still gets free interior and 100$ Freeplay offers.  What we have found over the years is once in a while, she will also get free interior spa cabins and/or free interior havana offers.  Both those areas we LOVE very much.  No need to play big bucks.

5 minutes ago, Spike2000 said:

Really? Baltimore?  Will have to look into that...I hope that's the case 🙂 

If you are into longer cruise, I believe Carnival is also offering 14-day cruises on the Dream in the fall of 2023 including San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and St. Croix.

1 minute ago, cruisemiluv28 said:

This is so sad because the cruises leaving from PR have the better itinerary.  St.Lucia, Barbadoes, Antigua and St Marteen.  NCL is see is the only line doing that route but only during the winter.

We did the southern Caribbean cruise on the Valor in 2014.  We just loved Barbados and miss it very much.  In fact, I believe I have seen (last year and again recently) RC cruising from Barbados.

2 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

I don’t think that’s necessarily true.  I booked a cabin for a TA as a solo, paying the double rate.  When I added my sister, it only cost the taxes, etc.  EM

I think the real question is how long after booking did you add a person ?  It looks like very often, people are booking under a certain offer code and then are trying to add more people at the same "deal" they got, when the deal is actually over.

3 hours ago, LaRue1975 said:

Playing on one card has it’s advantages and disadvantages so it works or not depending on your goals. If both players in a couple get good offers and like to take friends or family along with them then playing on their own cards is the way to go as they can use both offers and get two cabins.

I do understand different people cruise for different reasons.  Because of that, Carnival (not the casino) always have their targetted sales.  Obviously I also understand a new cruiser or a red card holder is more interesting to them than a platinum or diamond card holder. 

In the last year, we cruised with friends that paid 25$/person for an inside cabin for a 6-day cruise (Vista, December 2021).  You add to that the 201$ in tax and port fees plus 168$ of gratuities, it added up to roughly 420$ for 2 for 6 days.  Of course we had our "free" balcony, for a total of 369$ (gratuities, tax and port fees).  Total for the 4 of us (2 cabins) more or less 790$.  To that you take out the 200$ OBC we each add.  Plus de 500$ freeplay I had with my casino offer, it meant -110$ for the four of us for 6 days of cruising.  I also had free drinks everywhere and my wife DOU.  Of course, even though sometimes they paid for their own drinks, other times we got their drinks on our offers.

In other words, the 4 of of cruised  for free for 6 days, based mostly on my casino offer,  and Carnival's sale.  Is it possible to get better ?  Maybe.  But TBH, we are not looking for more.  Just so you know, because of the "good" offers I'm getting (my wife's offers are not even discussed or considered) because we mostly play on my card, it has happened on some cruises that we left the ship with more money than we had on embarkation.  As I said before, others may have different reality about it, but my opinion is based on what we have been living on Carnival ships for the last decade.

16 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Carnival Pride in Dover today(?)

 

Doesn't look like a rust bucket.

 

I know you are having bit of a fun with that claim.  We were seriously thinking of booking on the Pride for 2023.  Regardless of the ports/tenders problems and personal comments some cruisers are making we have cruised on older ships in the past with absolutely a lot of fun.

We know of at least one couple making it a 52-day cruise on the Pride this year, thanks to the fact the itinerary has been set up almost perfectly (in other words, you don't get to see all the same ports over and over again this summer).  However, next year things are set up differently.  It's very sad.

To be honest, I don't mind at all when people complain about a thing or another one.  I find it usually helps me know what to expect.  Like:  "Oh...it's a rust bucket" and me getting on the ship: "Oh, there is not so much rust in here, just a little bit".  Fully knowing it's a 20-years old ship.

Just now, Elaine5715 said:

I don't include URComped since that isn't revenant to the discussion.

In fact, it is VERY relevant as you keep repeating: "you decrease future casino offers".  Not only have we gotten very good (0$) cruises offers for a decade with different perks from Carnival over the years but actually, because of MY casino offers with Carnival, we got free junior suites, free infinite verandas and free outside balconies, with much better perks, with other compagnies.  My wife is along for the ride.  I'd say it's a big enough incentive to do things that way.

17 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

While you accumulate  more points using one card, you decrease future casino offers

You've repeated that a couple of times now but in our case (and others we know) offers started to get WAY better both with Carnival and other cruise lines (using URComped) as well when we did play all our casino money on the same card.  And this has been going on for 8 years.

18 hours ago, audcc77 said:

My DH hates gambling but I was curious.  If this is do-able, perhaps I’ll use his card on the next cruise.  

Thanks😁
 

Almost all cruises have their slot pulls.  Slot pulls are group putting their money together in expectations of playing higher limits.  Almost all the slot pulls only use 1-person card.  Cruise lines often (used to) added promotional items as prizes (therefore knew and supported).