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Thank you so much for posting this.  I will be on the Mardi Gras next Saturday and though I think I'm a go with the flow gal, I have to admit I've been stressing a little - probably will be until I get the test Wednesday.  I think I'm just so excited to finally be getting back on a ship lol.  

3 hours ago, GTO-Girl said:

We have the RU1 package too but will still be tipping $1-$2 extra with each order because after  all this crew has been through in the past year and a half I am happy to do so!   We also prepay our tips and then tip extra to those we have regular direct contact with.
 

 Not to start a tipping debate….just merely stating what we “enjoy” doing and will continue to do…😁😁

We always tip extra also - at least a couple of dollars on each drink.  But this time I plan to tip even more than usual for the same reason you are - my heart goes out to the crew who lost so much in the past year and a half. I was a member of the crew (or staff actually - gift shop mgr) way back in the 80's and I know how difficult it can be to be away from family and at the same time always have a smile on your face.  

My sister insists on tipping everyone who does anything for her - we get the strangest looks when we tip the omelet guy, the deli guy, etc.  

I will be joining you on this cruise.  I am beyond excited that I can finally get back on a ship  and can't imagine a better ship to start back on than the Mardi Gras.  I'll also be on her in February - figured it will take at least 2 trips to experience everything onboard.  Casino deals were just too good to pass up lol.

Just now, DallasGuy75219 said:

I ordered two home tests today as a backup for my 6 cruises between September and next February.

I have a November cruise with 2 other family members, so if my CVS appt. is a go, I will use them for the 3 of us in November, so won't go to waste if negative test is still needed in November.  I have 4 cruises scheduled next year and will not be surprised to find that the test will be required for all of them.  I heard that these tests expire in January - if that's the case, I will definitely order more at the beginning of the year.

5 hours ago, ScottsSweetie said:

Can I ask you if those would be returnable if you don't use them, or what the return policy is on that?

You can't return them - the only way to get a refund is if you cancel before they ship the tests, or if they are damaged when you receive them.  Someone had posted that the tests expire in January 2022 - I can't confirm that though. For me it was worth the $$ to have peace of mind in case CVS cancels my appointment.  I have looked for other locations anywhere in my area that are giving rapid tests.  The medical offices where I see my physicians aren't allowing a rapid test unless you meet certain guidelines and travel isn't one of them.  It's a mess!!

On 8/19/2021 at 11:00 AM, jerrya72 said:

I didn't realize until recently but I'll be on the Mardi Gras for the Super Bowl.  Can't wait!

Me too!!  Now what are the chances that my Bucs will be there again???  

30 minutes ago, newpherchris said:

Hello! I agree that the Walgreens test is as easy as you describe, as we just completed it Wednesday. Unfortunately, as several of us on these boards can attest, testing is definitely not available 'everywhere' - and even if you have an appointment at Walgreens or CVS, some are being cancelled, and not just in Florida. I thought we'd be safe up here in Richmond but our CVS appointments were cancelled with little notice, but fortunately a Walgreens within 25 minutes still had some appointments available. I want everyone on these boards to enjoy their upcoming cruise and my goal isn't to scare anyone - it's to forewarn so that those of us who prefer to be forearmed have a potential alternative with minimal scrambling or stress in case of cancellation. I'm NOT recommending that people schedule two appointments - just look for other options in your area. (For example, had we not been able to go to Walgreens, we also found a paid option for $99 each - it wouldn't have been ideal but we were prepared to do so.) I hope this clears up any confusion and that you enjoy your next cruise as well. 

Thank you for giving people a heads up.  Even though I've made my appointment for a rapid test as CVS an hour and a half away for next Wednesday for our Mardi Gras cruise on the 28th, I just ordered the Abbot BinaxNOW.  I did this because this is the first I've heard about appointments being cancelled by CVS. 

I appreciate people on this board giving us this information.  I may have "wasted" the $150 plus shipping, but I would be devastated if my appointment is cancelled as I can't see any other CVS or Walgreens having appointments available.  I have a cruise scheduled for November, so if I get the CVS test as planned next week, I can use the BinaxNOW in November.

5 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Testing is available everywhere. We will be getting ours at our local Walgreens. You go to Walgreens web site and schedule the test. You drive up to the window, show them your ID. They hand you the swab and container. You swab each nostril and put it in the container. In a few hours you have your results. Do not believe everything you read. So bogus just to scare people.

Not sure why you are accusing people on this board of being untruthful.  NO you cannot get the test everywhere.  The Walgreens in my area (and I'm from Florida too) are not offering Rapid Tests - not in my county or the counties around me.  I sail on the 28th and was finally able to locate a CVS in Tampa which is an hour and a half from  us that has appointments open for Wednesday the 25th.  I am praying that they will not be calling us the day before and cancelling it due to lack of tests.

So, maybe you should do a little research before telling people that we are being bogus to scare people.

I have purchased Carnival insurance for cruises - thankfully never had to use it.  One of the reasons I purchase it is because an earlier PVP I had explained that if you have trip insurance through Carnival they will take care of all arrangements that may need to be made for you - for example scheduling any medical needed in ports and will send a representative with you to take care of everything.  She also said that you wouldn't have to pay upfront for medical and then be reimbursed.  Does anyone know if this is true?  Any success stories about CCL insurance (or any other insurance for that matter).  My sister and I are fraidy cats (lol) and would love having someone with us in foreign ports.

3 hours ago, klfhngr said:

Wow, that explains why officers were all over the club/disco back in the day!! I started cruising in 85' and they definitely got a lot of attention, lol!

It was a riot - I played wingman for a few of the officers every week - hang out with them in the club so people would think they were with someone until they could check out who they wanted to approach.  It was really quite funny.  Unfortunately they didn't have the greatest impression of us American girls - they could never understand that what happens on the ship doesn't happen in everyday life.  Same old double standard as you see today, but they were really alot of fun and soooo Italian lol!

I worked in the gift shop on the Carnivale back in 1980, then managed the shops on the Mardi Gras and Festivale.  It was by far the most fun I've ever had in a work place.  Back then girls were only allowed to work in the gift shop or the casino, officers were encouraged to "mingle" with female passengers, and we were allowed access to the club (back then called the Disco) but were not allowed on the dance floor. 

Things have certainly changed - my daughter worked one contract on the Glory a few years back as part of the entertainment staff.  When I cruised 2 weeks after she joined, we had to get written permission from security for her to even be near my cabin.  No more fraternizing - but then again male crew have lots of female crew to "mingle" with.

I never use to buy it, but for the last few years I always purchase it.  I'm not concerned about the cost of the cruise (I typically get pretty decent casino deals), but purchase it strictly in case something happens onboard. 

I knew someone who fell down some stairs and broke her hip - she had to be hospitalized in San Juan for several days and then fly home.   I have cruised regularly for the last 15 years and have been onboard several times when someone had to be airlifted off the ship.  I also use to work onboard Carnival back in the 80's and it was not uncommon to have to schedule an airlift for injured or ill passengers and crew. 

When I was younger I didn't think about the need, but as I've "matured" I wouldn't cruise without insurance.  It's really not that expensive, and though thankfully I've never had to use it, to me it's worth the peace of mind.

25 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

LOL - You live in Florida and have no idea what happened to cause test appointments to disappear?

 

I think the rest of the country, if not other parts of the world, could answer the question about why test demand in Florida has skyrocketed.

I realize the demand has skyrocketed, but CVS was allowing you to schedule 2 weeks out.  You had to wait until the date you wanted was posted and could only schedule online.  I waited until 5 minutes after midnight on the day that Wednesday the 25th opened and it advised that there were no available appointments.  They were scheduling tests every 15 minutes so I found it impossible to believe that five minutes after the date was posted all of their appointments for that particular day were filled. 

As for the demand in Florida being higher than other states, I live in the middle of the state and would think that the areas that are being overwhelmed are those closest to cruise ports or airports.  If I lived near Miami, they have open appointments at several CVS and Walgreens open.

55 minutes ago, pnwredhead said:

This is a different test from the same company.

The self test has 2 tests in it and is not proctored. The home test is a single test and you have to do it online with someone at eMed for it to register your results.

The self test will not satisfy all of the requirements that Carnival has in place.  The eMed website has more information on the difference. 

This pic is from their site. 

Thanks - I did go to their website and got the information.   I've decided I'm going to order it in a few days because I don't want to risk it.  A local medical center has said that we "should" be able to get a rapid test a few days before the cruise but not really trusting them.

Okay so I'm assuming that this is the same test that you can purchase at CVS for just one person for $23.99?  And also that it is not necessary to take the 2nd test if the first test is negative? 

Not sure what is happening but I'm sailing on the 28th and the CVS with Minute Clinic near my home is now showing "no appointments available" for rapid result tests over the next 2 weeks.  They had plenty of appointments available last week, so not sure what happened - looks like at home test is the only way I can get a rapid test 3 days before the cruise.  I just want to make sure I don't have to take 2 of these tests with at least 36 hours between the 2.

Thanks for the video by the way - very helpful.  

As an FYI about Havana cabins on portside being used as quarantine area, I just did a mock booking for August 28 (which is when we are booked) and they still show 4 interior Havana cabins open on the portside.  I sent an email to my supposed PVP asking for clarification so I'll give her a day to respond and will call 1-800 # if I don't hear from her (again).  Fingers crossed we get to keep our cabin.

18 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

I personally would contact your TA, PVP or Carnival to see if you could be changed.  You are aware of the situation and the Havana interior cost difference is worth it on the Vista Class ships but not on the Excel Class. The pool is postage stamp sized, there are no hot tubs or tiki huts as well compared to the Havana on the Vista Class.

There hasn't been a change as of today - or at least my cruise planner still shows the same cabin #.  I don't spend a ton of time by the pool (or I should say in the pool) so not that concerned with it being small.  I just wanted to be able to hang out by the pool, have a few drinks and chill without the loud P.A. system and the children having fun.  I know that I could experience the same things - with a much larger pool in the Serenity area - but during sea days it usually packed.  I also like that several of the restaurants are very close.

I would contact my PVP but I guess I need to ask for a new one because the one I have now doesn't respond to calls or emails - beginning to wonder if she still works there.  

Guess I'll just call the 1-800 # and see if anyone can give me a heads up if my cabin may be changed.  

33 minutes ago, May1cruiser said:

Here is example of using hub app. Shows you entire party, click on who is joining  and done. Also shows if someone else on your party has other reservations.

Thank you so much for this info.  I too was wondering if we would need to rush to Cucina to make reservations - I plan to dine there at least 2 nights on our cruise - only 3 weeks left - can't wait!!

10 hours ago, Eli_6 said:

This is correct. It is on the port side. If you walk around the Havana Bar and towards where the rooms would be, they have it blocked off with a big sign that says quarantine area.  The bar and pool area are still open as I am assuming are the rooms on the starboard side of the ship. 

 

 

I certainly hope the Havana cabins on the port side are open because we have a port side interior Havana three weeks from now.  Anybody else???

I will be onboard in 3 weeks but not too thrilled with Havana cabins being used to quarantine covid positive passengers.  We will be in a Havana interior on the port side.  We didn't pay much either due to ultra casino deal, but it is strange that they would use Havana cabins when they typically sell for more than other interiors. 

I was not a happy camper when CCL came up with new protocols - not only being vaccinated but also having to show recent negative test - and particularly aggravated about having to wear masks inside.  I was glad to hear that masks will only be mandated in certain areas - unfortunately one is the casino where I spend the majority of my time.  As time goes by, I'm feeling a bit better about it.  I live in Florida and with our Covid numbers, I will be starting to wear a mask when indoors even though I've been vaccinated - so the cruise won't be that different.

Sounds like the decision isn't yours to make.  I agree with LHARTWICK, it seems very disrespectful not only to you but also to your granddaughter.  Unless he has a medical reason not to be vaccinated, he is not a very caring fiance.  Not sure what I would do in your situation, but I think I'd probably be looking at getting as much of my money back as I could.  Perhaps your granddaughter would have more fun cruising with you lol.

Reading these posts make even more excited that for a "limited time" on the Mardi Gras, Cucina, ChaBang, and Guys Anchor something (the BBQ place) will not cost anything in the evening.  I love Cucina and though $15 wasn't a big deal to me, free is even better.  Sailing on August 28th so not sure if the "limited time" will still be in effect.

I have had great success in the past emailing the maitre d 2 weeks before the cruise and request a table (or booth) for two.  Although I've made the request several times, I've only received an answer one time; however, each time we were assigned a table for 2.

There is a list of maitre d email addresses in several posts - you should be able to do a search.

I now go for YTD and only eat in the dining room a few times each cruise.

I sail on the Mardi Gras at the end of August.  Maybe some aren't showing because they've decided to make Cucino Del Capitano, Guys BBQ, and Chabang no charge for dinner???  Of course that wouldn't explain why Rudi's Seagrill, and Emeril's Bistro don't show up. I just figured they are still working on Mardi Gras issues since they won't sail until the end of this month. 

I have a cruise scheduled for next year using a Casino offer - free balcony and free drinks everywhere onboard.  My niece always purchases the drink package and whoever rooms with her also purchases it.  However, she is rooming with my sister (her mother) who also has the casino offer of free drinks everywhere on the ship. 

Have tried to ask our PVP how this will work as obviously my sister doesn't want to purchase since she will already have it for free.  Still haven't gotten an answer - to be honest my new PVP is close to useless.  Unfortunately the good one left the company during it's shutdown.  Guess we'll just wait until cruise gets closer.  

If anyone else is in this situation and has an answer for us it would be greatly appreciated.