glrounds

Thank you, weezal. I guess this is where a jackpot in a land-based casino has the casino operator come around, write up a credit, and CLEAR the machine.

OKay, okay, okay . . . . . you guys are driving me nuts. What is a "hand pay" ?

Many years ago an aging man turned up missing for debarkation and when they went to his cabin they found all of his personal effects laid out quite nicely on his coffee table; his will , a list of who all to call, and his last handful of money. Best guess at that time is he jumped overboard on the last night at sea. I think the ship was a Holland American ship.

Thanks, Cole. 😊

Have never ever used travel insurance before, but now with time creeping up on me (83) it might be prudent to purchase travel insurance in my future cruising. I've always heard that using Carnival's offering isn't as good as some of the other companies out there. Would like to hear who you use and why. Thank you very much.

Although I can't partake any more (blood thinners) I always thought Carnival made the absolute best Whiskey Sours. Would also have to salute their bloody marys also.

EXACTLY my choice. Tropical was my first Carnival ship and then the Fantasy class ships which literally allowed Carnival to take over the industry, pay cash for their ships and buy up other cruise lines as if it were a hobby. 😄

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so".

a little confusing with the wording me thinks.

Yes, but they get to use your money for 6-8 weeks (very important crap to bean-counters)

This is exacerbated even further in that, "in my era" one achieved PLATINUM by merely taking 10 cruises ! I didn't but many PLATINUM crazy guests were jumping on 3 and 4 day cruises to "speed" up this process for them. One can easily see that with this method, a first time enthusiastic cruiser could go from blue card to PLATINUM in 5 weeks ! Incidentally, my FIRST PAST GUEST PARTY was held in the entrance to the aft showroom with a 4X8 table setup with finger sandwiches, cookies and lemonade. A large galvanized bin sat along side with cokes, 7ups and beer in ice. There were maybe 12-15 guests attending ! ! ! We were all so grateful. 😊

Who knows, you might discover the color of the ocean, the flying wonder of a seagull as it just matches the strength of the breeze with the curvature of its wings or the incredible speed of the swimming dolphins. 😄

Please forgive this California Escapee. What is BUC-EE'S ?

Since I would have to pay for parking for the week anyway, I think I will just try to book a stay for one night and free parking for the week while I'm cruising. There seems to be a plethora to choose from. Any pitfalls I should be certain to avoid on the run from Dallas to Galveston ?

Thank you, RocketMan.😆

Just moved here from AZ/CA and thinking of doing the same thing (Dallas to Galveston). Aren't there any "Park'n'Cruise" hotels in Galveston? Used to drive across the desert (5 hours) to make the Long Beach cruises, but older now and thinking about stopping close to Galveston. Looking for some great ideas and motell that securely provide a shower and a night's rest in a clean environment.

LOL in the exact OPPOSITE of the "pay your dues" theory, on about my 4th or 5th cruise I was upgraded AT NO COST at the pier from an inside to an outside. I was so naive those days I thought it was some kind of "trick" Carnival was pulling on me until I discussed it with person issuing the cabin key. What a goonie newbie I was . . . . LOL

Well, this is not good news for this solo traveler who always loved the 1A PT cabins . . . . 😂

We well put, Jimbo

Yes, I love the debark advantage. Usually home so early the entire day is saved and available instead of the day wasted fighting all the lines and hold ups. I found out by accident the 25% OBC on your 25th cruise. Really surprised me and the WHITE CARD (usually reserved for Diamonds) that come with it caused a lot of attention for me. I don't worry anymore what perks come from Platinum. The whole thing has been so degraded from the "ole days" that I don't really give it much of a thought. As Firefly says just pick out something you like at a price you like and go with it and enjoy. It's all good. 😄

I don't think this is true at all. I've been PLATINUM forever and don't see any difference in the actual cruise pricing. I think this means you get pestered a lot with cruises as PLATINUM identifies you as an "addict" of sorts. LOL

So well put, Jimbo . . . . I bet there is a zillion cruisers that look upon this "change" as Carnival beating up on us cruisers SMH.

I couldn't agree with Firefly more. She is the absolute authority on these cabins. I cruise solo usually and I always try to get a 1A porthole. Decades ago they were the untold secret of the solo cruising people. The internet has, of course, ruined that. LOL Nowadays you must almost book at least a year in advance to get one of these gems.. I loved the price associated with sunlight into the cabin, although I was seldom there. I slept like a baby as the bow took on the crashing surf. Pretty loud at times, but acted like a Grandfather's clock to me and wooed me to sleep. The anchor chain can be a great wakeup also ! ! And docking has all the winches whiining as they tie the ship to the dock. I loved all of it. Now, with all the limits on the length I can walk without sitting down, I might have to adjust my future cabin selection. The cabins are, obviously, quite a distance from most of the major activity (except the showroom 🙂) After a horrendous bout with Covid I'm just now rehabilitating into cruising shape again. I will look forward to secure one of these great cabins on a future cruise .

Thank you so much for the comments. I was laboring under the illusion that they were some kind of special cruises for us old-timers (83) a few cruises away from Diamond. It seems like quite a few Blerk.

Not wishing to high jack this thread, but does this mean we can also get early morning coffee and rolls ?