MichaelJess

We did pay the $5 per device so we could use the hub "chat" feature. We used three cell phones. I don't think it worked even 50% of the time. Sometimes messages were a day late arriving to the second device. Sometimes the messages never arrived. Very occasionally the messages arrived immediately. The frustration it caused the three of us wasn't worth the little convenience.

I do agree with what was said on earlier postings for this topic. But, Carnival is doing the best they can do with the low rates they offer. I agree that there are not as many activities or as much pampering as there was many years ago. Nightly dancing shows are gone now too. But, prices are also lower than they were years ago even though Carnival expenses have risen (I assume). My husband complained at the end of the Liberty cruise we left yesterday. We divided the full cost, including taxes, of our trip by seven nights. That put things in better perspective for him. We know that we will have to pay more to, maybe, get more elsewhere. Carnival is reaching their target audience with lower rates. Perhaps this "audience" prefers the loud DJ music in the main pool area over some of the things we enjoyed about cruising many years ago. Who knows how much they have needed to cut back in dining and cabin stewards.

We will continue cruising with Carnival despite the changes we have seen. The rooms are clean enough, the food is good enough, and they've offered me quiet areas away from the loud (and sometimes offensive) music. The prices are excellent for what we are given. I give Carnival excellent ratings but perspective must be considered. I don't expect top service and comforts at clearance prices! Priced a Disney cruise lately? I think we'll continue with Carnival for our grandson too!

Back to your original question: Yes, you can book through a third party and carnival will still treat you as the returning guest at whatever level you have. We did this on the cruise we just took. Carnival would not allow us our shareholders OBC because we booked at such a low rate (interline rate for last-minute cruise). Normally, we can book through a third party and still get shareholder benefits and accumulative nights toward levels.

I cruised the 24th-31st. I'm not aware of anyone who was sick from anything NOT self-induced. I did not witness but spoke to two people about two times that someone too drunk got into the pool and threw up in the pool. Both times the pool was closed. We had a slight detour t allow a crew member to leave because of a medical reason. It sounded like something much more severe than a stomach virus. I believe the crew is very good about cleaning after an outbreak.