Woodfaerie

I am the OP. Thank you for making me aware that there is an issue with the font and/or color making it difficult to read. My original post:

I have all hopes that my 8/29  out of Miami sailing will happen. My 4/19 took a digger and I am patiently waiting for my refund mostly coming back in gift cards.  I was wondering if any of you that booked or re-booked chose a higher cat room such as a balcony or  suite specifically for the off chance that there ends up being a quarantine during your voyage? (shudders at the thought of being trapped in an inside stateroom)  I don't want to think so morbidly but after hurricane Irma on the Glory blocked me from getting home....well, lightning can strike twice if you get my drift. My August trip has been booked for quite a long time.  I am seriously thinking  of upgrading just in case I do sail at the end of August and the unthinkable happens. Would you call it paranoia or preparation?

I have all hopes that my 8/29  out of Miami sailing will happen. My 4/19 took a digger and I am patiently waiting for my refund mostly coming back in gift cards.  I was wondering if any of you that booked or re-booked chose a higher cat room such as a balcony or  suite specifically for the off chance that there ends up being a quarantine during your voyage? (shudders at the thought of being trapped in an inside stateroom)  I don't want to think so morbidly but after hurricane Irma on the Glory blocked me from getting home....well, lightning can strike twice if you get my drift. My August trip has been booked for quite a long time.  I am seriously thinking  of upgrading just in case I do sail at the end of August and the unthinkable happens. Would you call it paranoia or preparation?

On 5/2/2020 at 1:40 PM, biomedbob said:

I booked a cruise yesterday for us and 2 grandkids.  The school has since restructured the kids school calander and we can't do those dates.  We made a $600.00 deposit with a refunded gift card and today they say if we cancel there will be a $300.00 penalty.   What gives?

That exact scenario happened to me.  We were each charged $100 when I rebooked.  I think it showed up as an "administration fee".   This was right before the s**t hit the fan, in early January. 

I cancelled, took full refund for my 4/19 sailing. I have $1300 coming back in gift cards and $800 credit card.  Cancelled with Carnival one month ago.  As a self employed person whose business is operating at a 90% loss of income, I need the money back for financial survival purposes.  A family member wants to by my gift cards back if I get them by the end of May  (not holding my breath on that)

On 4/28/2020 at 12:23 PM, Calnev1 said:

This kind of detail (i.e., cruise date, cancellation date, refund request date, type of initial payment) is extremely helpful!  Thank you very much!

 

I am expecting partial refunds (the taxes/fees portions of the cruises), and I paid initially by gift cards, so am particularly interested in those experiences as well.

Following as I have 75% of my full refund request coming back in gift cards.  Sailing was for 4/19, talked directly with a CCL rep  who put my cancellation in place.  She also told me that the original link sent via email when our sailing was cancelled did not work for many who still think their refunds are pending. I was one of them and had I not called, well, nothing would be happening right now as far as refund goes.

Hurricane Irma gave me an unexpected week on the Glory.  On day 10, (of a 7 day cruise)  75% of the passengers debarked in Miami as the port opened but me and mine stayed on board for the rest of the week as there were no flights home.

As clear as if it were 5 minutes ago, I can recall sitting in a hot tub, all by myself with not one person on deck, not one, with a drink and a sunset.  Oddly, this is one of my most precious cruise memories as it was totally surreal.

Sailing a Fantasy ship is like wearing a well worn AC DC concert tshirt from the late 70's. Something darn comfortable about it even though some of lettering is faded and its a bit tighter.

I submitted my form for the price reduction on a cruise scheduled in August. I don't anticipate a quick reply as I am sure the administrative employees are absolutely swamped with cancelling/rebooking/refunding customers.  My $70 price drop is most likely not top priority!

I will be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale on my 2nd HAL cruise next month.  My paid in full price has dropped $200.  Does HAL give obc for price drops?  Thanks for your help!

On 5/16/2019 at 4:15 PM, Aplmac said:

Since Carnival pens are so popular and desirable lol

you'd think they could sell them in the onboard shops

for anything like $ 1-2 each, no? Would that be so difficult?

 

Oh don't tell me ... they do that already....... no?

I would buy them!  My Carnival pens remind me of whatever I have booked to look forward to.  A simplicity of life.  Wont die without one but happier when I do!

On 5/19/2019 at 5:23 PM, cbcruiser said:

Just got off magic.  Cheap  lanyards. Service poor. Have been with them since our sons were small and now grand children. Has been slowly going down hill. I think we are done.

I feel sad to say I agree. My recent  week on the Conquest made me miss the old days when staff smiled at you, your steward called you by name and the dining room staff didn't look so totally burned out.  Remember when the hostess that seated you would place your napkin in your lap? 

On 5/5/2019 at 10:22 AM, jayscore said:

I miss the full silverware settings in the dining room instead of just a knife and fork.

I just got off the Conquest and not even once was given a spoon for my coffee.  I used my butter knife.  That would be 5 meals in the dining room.

The seashell shaped bowl you would find in the bathroom filled with razors, toothpaste samples, Vita C packets, etc

16 hours ago, Bookbug53 said:

Nothing. Unless you are ordering after 10pm. There is no charge for a BLT from room service.

awesome news. I didn't realize they changed their minds about the room service charges for everything except for continental breakfast.  Good for you Carnival!

From one Deb to another, I also have 2 booked  for the first time with the 2nd being 2 years away!! and you know what?  I already check for price drops on it!  (so far down $50 hoping for more) #lottapricechecks

5 hours ago, dcwalker said:

I had a very "Love Boat" preconception. I expected open air buffets; people staying in their swimsuits all day, more crew than guests. I thought people lounged in the sun for awhile, then still in their swimsuits went to the casino to gamble a bit. I also had the wrong idea about the pools - thought I would swim a few laps every morning. I was totally unprepared and so didn't really have a very good time.  When we got home I told my husband I didn't care for cruising, but after some consideration realized I just needed a redo. I did my research for the next cruise; and now . . .  10 years later, 8 cruises later, 2 cruises currently booked . . .. 

addiction can creep in ever so slowly........

7 hours ago, Elsisi said:

Room Service Hack … em, Tip.

 

I order two BLTs from Room service, then remove the L and T and make one massive bacon sandwich.  Nightly ritual.

I wonder what that double BLT is going to cost now with the room service charges!

I think debacles are not consistent.  I have boarded a few different times in NYC and its always been  total mayhem outside but very organized inside.

The shrimp now adays are about 1/2 the size they were years ago. Sheesh, shrunken shrimp and no more Andes candy,  how dare they!  😋

On 3/30/2019 at 5:42 AM, Organized Chaos said:

 

I like that we got to see your ship the other day and now get to see how it fits in. Nicely done!

 

fantastic!  4 thumbs up! 

On 3/30/2019 at 9:47 AM, Butterbean1000 said:

I've never decorated our door, though I've thought about doing it.  We'll be on the Breeze for Halloween and I thought I would just hang some orange and black beads.  Lame, I know.  I'm going to start small. 😊

I think its just a fun vibe to hang things on your door whether its from Dollar Store or the custom made signs at Shindigz.  Spread the joy!

On 3/30/2019 at 5:51 AM, Organized Chaos said:

 

I guess the only option, if we have a nice decoration that we want to take back home, is to permanently put our name on it somewhere and hope that it’s found, like in your case. If it were me, I would’ve probably reported it to security anyway just to see if there’s anything they can do. Can’t stand a thief...and a fellow cruise passenger stealing decorations is just pathetic and sad. Lower than low. I mean, do they really want something like that so badly? Do they steal yard decorations from their neighbors too?

 

seriously, it was a $3 decoration from Wally World but its the point of it all, you know?

On 3/16/2019 at 9:17 PM, OCruisers said:

Just a word of caution about what you put on your cabin  doors:

Things sometimes "walk away" so don't put anything on them of value to you.  

I can attest to that. I had this most awesome sun hanging from my mailbox, went missing day 2.  My room steward however, happen to see where it ended up but he could not steal it back because he could not prove it was mine and re stealing out of a room would certainly get him in big trouble!  So I wrote a note and taped it to my mailbox saying  " You can steal my sun but you can't steal my fun!  (true story)

I always check out the gyms on the 1st day and they have always been fully open and operational.  Not sure if you mean the last day of the cruise or the last day being debarkation day but honestly, I have never seen them closed, but I have never been up there the morning of debarkation.

Deck 2 fwd was quite the trip.  The  loudness of the dropping anchor and waves smashing against the front of the ship just enhanced the experience.  I mean after all, I was in the bowels of the ship in the front, I expected it.  Check. been there done that, no need for it again.   (1st cruise, I was a newbie)

Deck 11 forward brought us noticeable rocking which was super nice to sleep by and kind of fun sitting out on the balcony, with its gentle swaying.  My preference is aft, close to the adult only pool, 24 hour ice cream and a long walk to the fitness center to work off the 24 hour ice cream....