sc4125

I won right at $1900 on the Mardi Gras last year - my sister won $2500 a few years ago. We were on the Paradise in February and this young girl (18th birthday) started screaming on a Dancing Drums. Thinking oh she probably won a hundred - younger people get excited on low wins. But, nope she hit the $10,000 jackpot playing 88 cents. Not an hour later, they announce another $10,000 winner. While talking to someone the next morning about these wins, they said someone else hit $10,000 later in the evening after I had left. I talked to the casino host and she said FOUR people hit $10,000 on that night. I spend alot of time in the casino and hear announcements quite often of wins but I tend to get the smaller wins. I will definitely spend more time on the machines that payout those large jackpots regardless of the amount of money being played.

I love cove balconies - however, make sure you are not under the kitchen. First time in one I didn't do enough research. It sounded like people were bowling all night. Being under the dining room works out really well - but do your research.

Those free cruises work for me - I was gambling the same way when I wasn't getting the free cruises. Now I admit that with the great deals I'm now getting I may cruise more often (lol). That and the fact that I retired a few years ago.

Thank you for the updated info.

This is just a guess but it wouldn't surprise me that the reason for the change is because those passengers who aren't Platinum, Diamond, etc. are also going to their cabin to drop off luggage. There is no way to know who is entitled to do so without posting someone at every door and have them check boarding passes. When newer passengers see others opening the hall door and walking in, they follow suit. I use to always pick the earliest time available (just turned Diamond), but on my cruise in February I decided to try arriving at 1:30. I am now sold on this arrival time. The only wait I had was about 3 minutes at the x-ray machines - walked up to the counter, checked in and right on to the ship. Went to cabin, picked up my key, put luggage in and went to my Muster Station. There was no wait at Lido buffet and I wasn't having to trip over everyone's carry-on. I am so happy that I tried this.

Not sure if this still works, but pre-Covid I was told to email the Maitre D (I'm sure the email addresses are on here somewhere). I emailed on two occasions and instead of asking for a table for two, I requested a booth for two. Email the week before your cruise when they are working on assigning tables. I didn't get an answer from one but was assigned a booth both times. Some say that this is annoying for the Maitre D, but I asked both when I was onboard and was told that it wasn't an issue at all for him - he was assigning tables anyway. I've been on over 30 cruises, but only asked those two times as it was a special occasion.

I live in Florida and was a victim advocate with a Sheriff's office. Our deputies were called to many homes where it was pretty apparent it was a natural death. All deaths are considered suspicious until they aren't. While on scene, if it appears it was natural, the deputy attempts to contact the deceased's doctor to see if he/she will sign a death certificate - if not, the body is taken to the Medical Examiner and he/she will either sign off or perform an autopsy. Who removed your mother's body? Typically if a funeral home is called to remove the body, they will not do so until law enforcement gives them the okay. People under hospice care and die at home are a different circumstance.

I have to agree with those saying that the casino is crazy packed for Premier and Ultra cruises. Right now the casino offers I'm getting (Plan Now, Play Later and Play My Way) are much better offers so until that changes I doubt that I will take Premier, Ultra, or Elite offers. Having said that - they are fun, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Just be prepared for a crowded casino. If you've never done one, I think you should try it. The games and give aways make you feel a little special.

So I am assuming that Mz-S and hillbillycruisers are not sailing on a CCL ship. Everyone has an opinion and I won't argue with anyone. I am just wondering why you are on a Carnival board? Is it to warn others or what? I've read so many CCL sucks postings that I guess I just don't get it. I would never waste my time reading or responding to posts about a product that I don't consume - it's just weird.

I'm with you. Getting called a Carnival cheerleader just because you get tired of people whining about how terrible CCL is while still giving their hard-earned money to them gets tiring. I don't like everything about any company. But if I'm still handing them my money while saying that I could get better service by spending the same amount of money somewhere else, it would be saying much more about me than it would about said company.

Thank you, Old Fart Cruisers and d-train for your responses. I like d-train's answer best (lol) so I think I'll ask the steward if I can drape my hanging clothes over luggage - can't hurt to ask and hopefully an extra tip will help. As I said I will bring my own hangers so they wouldn't have to worry about that anyway. Maybe I'll bring a small velcro cable to place around the hangers to keep everything together.

I will turn Diamond on my next CCL cruise. I've always had a good time because I ignore what I don't like. I'll admit that there seem to be quite a few large, loud groups on Carnival, but I try to remember I too was young once and let it go. I have been getting very good casino deals this past year and I am taking advantage of them while they last - have 6 cruises scheduled this year - great way to celebrate the fact that I have retired. I have seen a decrease in service at almost every service-oriented business since COVID - that includes CCL. I don't have anything against trying another line - but if I'm paying a premium price, I would expect premium service. For my next 6 cruises I will be getting a balcony (paying taxes and port charges), $1,000 in free casino play and free drinks everywhere on the ship. My sister gets the same deals and we have been able to book separate cabins without having to pay double. Yes, I spend time in the casino but no more time than I always have in the past (actually less due to retiring). I know deals this good will soon go away, but until they do - I'll keep ignoring the things that bug me, accept the fact that service everywhere has suffered, and have a great time.

I've done B2B before, but this is the first time I will have to change cabins - same deck but on the opposite side of the ship. Quick question - could the cabin steward use one of those rolling carts with the bar on top for hanging items? I don't mind repacking the bathroom and the clothes in drawers but packing and rehanging will be a pain. I would bring my own hangers so that wouldn't cause a problem. Also, my luggage is take-on size, so I don't use luggage tags. The link above states that Guest Services will send a Luggage Service Team to move your luggage - is that really your cabin steward? Just seems it would be alot easier to work things out with my cabin steward and would give him an extra tip.

I will become Diamond on my next cruise in February - hope they don't make the suggested change that it moves to 250 days. Seriously the perks aren't that important, but I do like being able to board early and having a separate waiting area (if that ever comes back) particularly when sailing out of Miami (which I try to avoid). I will be on a back to back in February and plan to use the laundry service. I appreciate getting anything - I eat out at a particular restaurant at least once a month for the past 10 years and don't get crap - so I'll take advantage of the perks I like from CCL.

I never even realized there was heat on the ships maybe because I live and sail out of Florida. I do know that there didn't use to be heat on ships when I worked on Carnival many years ago. We sailed out of Miami and it can get really cold In January. I managed the gift shops and we always sold a whole bunch of Carnival sweatshirts during that month - lol.

We'll also be with you. Wasn't even aware that time will be changing, but happy we will be getting an extra hour.

I have an Elite cruise scheduled for Nov 21 on the Celebration. It will be my first Elite experience. I received an email yesterday having me pick the shore excursion I wanted, information on parking at the pier and what alcohol set up I wanted. My sister is also on this cruise and she also got the email. I answered the questions and got the message "Thank You We've Captured Your Details." Haven't received a confirmation email - so hopefully everything went through. Here are my questions - I am in a cabin by myself (sister and niece in cabin next door) and daughter, son-in-law and 2 year old granddaughter in a suite under another casino deal (not Elite). Even though I'm in a cabin by myself, it had me choose alcohol for me and a companion. Not sure if that is normal or not, but hoping someone can let me know. Also, in reference to the shore excursion - if my sister and I decide to stay onboard with the granddaughter, can my daughter and her husband use our excursion tickets? Looking forward to the cruise, but dread what will be a Thanksgiving crowd. I've been on the Mardi Gras two times, so I will pretty much know the layout, but neither of those cruises were full. Oh well - it will be an adventure.

Seems many have had different experiences. I was happy I used it on the second cruise back after COVID. This was when both vaccination and negative tests were required - the first cruise back it seemed that the person checking us in was taking quite awhile looking at our vaccine card and test and it seemed he was a little confused as to what he was looking at. The second cruise back and the other 2 since, I used the Verifly app - walked up showed them my "Ready to Sail" on my phone and in 5 seconds I was good to go. Now that the test isn't required, it may not be as useful, but I'm still going to use it. Mainly because I've had both initial doses of vaccine and 2 boosters. The card is really full of info so taking a picture and sending it in to Verifly seems easier than trying to have a person check everything at embarkation. I agree that it isn't necessary, but it's worked well so far for me.

It appears that you can based on other responses. I've never tried that myself, so can't confirm or deny.

Just an FYI, if you are checking in for someone you will indeed need their passport number - but you also need the issue date and expiration date. I mention this because a family member was checking in for a large group (she stays up late and was going to check in after midnight). She got the passport numbers for everyone, but didn't realize she had to have the issue/expiration dates.

I second kwokpot. It depends on the ship and its capabilities. As of a few months ago, on the Paradise you had to go to the cashier and was given cash - nice for those that don't want to put it all in machines. On the newer ships you don't have to do anything - it is already loaded on your S&S as Free Play.

Thanks - I'll try that. Still waiting for her to respond to yesterday's email.

Just a quick question - I've emailed PVP but haven't heard back yet. We have 3 cabins booked on Nov. 21st Celebration cruise. All were booked on casino deals - Plan Now, Play Later. This was a family cruise and just found out that my son-in-law's football team (he's the coach) may be playing that week in a tournament. It's a Thanksgiving cruise and is sold out ship. We are looking at canceling the cabins and re-booking using another Plan Now, Play Later casino deal after football season. I've never had to cancel any of my 30 plus cruises, and just want to make sure I am correct in what I understand about refunds. We are 37 days out and from what I understand if we cancel from day 30 to day 55 we will get 50% of fare back and all port fees and taxes. Our fare is low due to the deal we booked under, but the port fees are quite expensive. As much as we hate to cancel, if we will get this much refunded it will definitely help. I just want to verify that a casino deal isn't like the Early Saver or Pack and Go rates. Am I correct in the math?

Thanks for the info. After the Magic cruise next month, I have 6 more cruises booked, all with the free drinks everywhere, so this makes me feel much more comfortable. I'll probably still email Players Club, but I won't sweat it if I don't get an answer.

I tried to do a search but couldn't find an answer. Has anyone who received casino deal (Jackpot or Plan Now Play Later) had an issue with the free drinks everywhere onboard? My sister and I booked the Magic for next month on a Jackpot deal and have several other cruises booked with the Plan Now, Play Later deal - each with free play and free drinks everywhere onboard. I typically email Players Club to get the offer verified so that if there is a problem I will have the email verification. I emailed several days ago and haven't received a reply in reference to the Magic cruise. Rather than having to email for each of the upcoming cruises and hope that I get an answer, I thought I would ask if anyone who has booked under these casino offers had any problem once onboard in reference to getting the free drinks. I appreciate any information any of you may have.