jm2341

I thank everyone for their replies and suggestions.

To recap, at the end of my lovely 10 day cruise on the Carnival Venezia, I accumulated over 11,000 points and finished positive about $400. On the day I hit 10,000 points, I received an email from Carnival Players Club (rate code PXG) that I earned $2500 in cash from Carnival for playing over 10K points, which I don't truly understand how it works. If anyone can explain it, I would sincerely appreciate it. Thanks again

13 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Carnival's casino program isn't transparent but once you're part of it benefits are actually very good. Whatsmore the casinos are fun, always with the newest slots. One major drawback and a potential deal breaker is the amount of smoke that goes on at the casinos on all Carnival ships, even their newest ones. It honestly is the worst of all the mainstream cruiselines. Celebrity is the best with this since there's no smoking in their casinos, but their casinos aren't half as fun as any on Carnival. 

What other questions do you have? I'm on a Carnival ship right now, the Panorama, on a casino comp in a balcony. My husband, who's the gambler in the family, got $1,000 Freeplay, and both of us have free drinks EVERYWHERE on the ship. 

Unlike Royal, Celebrity, NCL, and the new Virgin program that just rolled out, Carnival's casino program doesn't have visible tiers for passengers to play to. Obviously you're ranked internally but you have no idea what that is and no one can tell you what you're ranking is. You can check your casino offers right on Carnival's website under your loyalty program profile.

I can answer any questions you have regarding casino comped cruises,and comparisons between the mainstream cruiselines you mentioned.

 

@kwokpot

Thank you sir and I hope your having fun and at least breaking even.

If I play thru 10K (total in and out), will that be sufficient for a freebie and how does Carnival inform you of your potential casino freebie cruise? Do they send an email a few days or a few months after earning the casino points? Will it display on the Carnival site? I only ask as my Carnival freebie was by a phone call by Carnival. Thanks and have fun

Thank you mz-s & MayorDrafty for your replies.

With RCCL & Celebrity, when a player reaches a certain number of points, cruises are offered for free (excluding taxes and fee's) and the more points accumulated, the better the cabin and cruise experience. Dou you know if Carnival operates the same? Thanks 

Hello=

Sailing on the Carnival Venezia 04/26/2024 on a freebie casino comp and I have not been on a Carnival ship for over 15 years. The freebie is based on other cruise lines and land based casinos. My wife and I primarily sail freebie casino comps on RCCL, MSC & Celebrity. 

I'd sincerely appreciate any pointers as to how the Carnival casino comp system works and how much play is required to earn a cruise playing primarily slots. Thanks Joe The Villages, Florida

Currently booked on RCCL Wonder Of The Seas in cabin 9329 which is a Boardwalk view balcony. 

The cabin is the first cabin facing the rear of the ship and there is a note on the RCCL site indicating that the balcony has an obstructed view. From my memory from prior sailings, I "believe" that there are no balcony obstructions on any Boardwalk view balcony. Am I confused or do

these back balconies have obstructions and if so, what is obstructing the view ? THNAKS ! 

5 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

Hardly its location.  
 

Go to 711 Twelfth Avenue, New York, NY

Thank You Sir - Do you have the exact pier number for Carnival? Thanks

Greetings-

Does anyone have an exact physical street address and Pier number for the Carnival Venezia Cruise Terminal in NYC ? 

Additionally, are there any suggestions as to which time to arrive at the NYC port in order to avoid the long lines for

a April 26th departure on the Venezia? Thanks for your help

Greetings-

Its been awhile seen I have sailed on RCCL and seeking any guidance as to when one can arrive at the port and check-in. My cruise is slated for March 17 @ Ft. Lauderdale on the Symphony with an online100pm check-in. How much enforcement is the time slot adhered to and at which time do you guys suggest to check-in? Thanks Joe The Villages

Greetings -

Currently planning a seven-day cruise next month for either the MSC Seashore or the MSC Seascape. After carefully reviewing both on YouTube, it appears to me that both ships are virtually identical. Understanding that both ships are sister ship's and excluding ports of call and price, does anyone have any guidance on which ship to book? Any suggestions are sincerely appreciated. Thanks Joe Naples, Florida 

Greetings abreuer -

Regarding your check-in time, there is absolutely no enforcement and you may check-in at your convenience. Just show up at least two hours before the ship's scheduled sailing and normally the earliest check-in occurs around 1100AM. Have fun ! 

On 10/7/2023 at 6:46 PM, AstoriaPreppy said:

 

As someone who flies several times a week (and also takes the subway regularly), I would not recommend attempting to take public transportation from JFK to the Red Hook cruise terminal.

 

Getting to Red Hook via public transportation (other than the ferry) is already challenging. If you can make it to Smith/9th Street on the subway, you'll have to struggle with your luggage down 90 feet of escalators and stairs (they didn't install an elevator during the renovation). You're then looking at a 25 minute walk from the subway to the terminal. 

 

These days, just getting to the subway from JFK is a mess right now. They're doing total rebuild of Terminal 1, meaning the AirTrain (to the subway) is running shuttle service that is super unreliable. AirTrains have been running with ~20 minute headways... at that point, you'd be almost 1/2 of the way to the pier in a taxi/Lyft.

I totally agree with your statement that although NYC has "many" excellent public transportation services, in this particular situation taking public transportation from EWR, JFK, LGA into Manhattan or the suburbs while on vacation with luggage and family is strongly discouraged as Uber & Lyft  are definitely the way to go. 

16 hours ago, Sailor75 said:

MSC offers transfers to and from the airports if they're still available, I got one, you just have to call them. Too bad you just can't book it on their website.

Thanks for your reply. Do you have any information if a passenger can book on the ship bus service from the ship to Laguardia? Thanks 

16 minutes ago, caribbeanboy said:

I was looking for public transportation.

Hello -https://new.mta.info/guides/airports/jfk

In my humble opinion and based on your signage, if you are arriving into JFK the day of the cruise and scheduled to arrive @ 1030am from the Netherlands, I would seriously consider an Uber or Lyft. Many flights are delayed, you need to clear customs and become familiar with the public train service. For an extra $25 dollars you will arrive at the port within 30 minutes versus up to 2 hours ( total travel and wait time ). Your time frame is tight and the ship won't wait.  Good Luck 

3 hours ago, dexddd said:

Welcome to CC.  Where are you seeing that info?  FB? If so, that pops up to my screen and the disagreement between people on anything is too funny.

 

I have not seen a lot here though tbh.  I have read one couple took 40 minutes and they did not say YC.  I can report on the 15th.

Thank you for your reply and I have seen on various YouTube videos submitted by several independent submitters that the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is small and not really meant to be a passenger cruise terminal for a large ship such as the Meraviglia. There is only one lane entering the terminal and the reception area is also small. I leave next weekend for a 10 day Canadian cruise and plan on arriving @ 1030am and hope to avoid the large noon crowds. BTW - as you are leaving, I'll be entering so please don't eat all the food......Thanks 

Greetings -

I have read of long embarkation lines at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal when entering onto the Meraviglia. Although we have a tentative 3:30PM entry time which I have read isn't enforced, what time is suggested to arrive at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and any other suggestions to  avoid the long entry wait times ? Thanks