JillK

Can you tell me how you were able to book your antigen testing appointments being non-citizens with CVS? Carnival made a policy change a few weeks ago making my sons not "up to date" with their vaccinations (they aren't boostered as they don't qualify yet) meaning they cannot test before we leave home and have it valid for boarding - we need to get them tested when we're in Long Beach. I am having a hard time navigating their booking system as a non-citizen and am unclear as to the pricing.... might go the proctored switch health route but if I can get them booked into an in-person test, I think that would be my preference. Thanks!

Hi electro. I'm likely going to route of buying these tests for my sons for our upcoming cruise. Since they do not yet qualify for the booster shot, Carnival apparently considers them not "up to date" and they have to test 2 days before boarding when we will already been in the States. We will have to upload the results to Verifly as well - can you let me know how you managed to solve your issue in case I encounter it myself? Thanks!

It certainly is tough to keep up with the shifting policies. I have found a CVS near our hotel so I will call them directly. The site is difficult as they are looking for insurance info and your state of residency. I If that doesn't work we will go the switch health route but what a drag!

OK thanks so much. It was this post that had me concerned since the CDC's guidelines changed in late May.

I assume you cruised since Carnival updated their policy? That's great to know - thanks for your reply.

When we booked our early July cruise we were good to test at home 3 days prior to our boarding date as all five of us have had both shots and those of us who qualify (our teen, hubby and I) are boostered. With the CDC revision to the guidelines for the 5 - 11 years olds in the States I'm unsure how to proceed. I have read here that Carnival is following the CDC guideline and requiring 5 - 11 to be boostered in order for them to be considered "up to date" (meaning testing can be done 3 days prior to boarding rather than 2). My questions are around our 10 and 12 year olds.... 1/ Our 12 year old does not qualify for his booster shot until mid-July (168 days after second dose). 2/ Health Canada does not appear to have approved the booster shot for use in the 5 - 11 age group unless they are immunocompromised... when I try to book a booster appointment for my 10 year old, I can't. I assume this means that even though the kids are up to date with their vaccinations where we live, I will have to find somewhere in Long Beach to test my sons since we will be there 2 days ahead of the cruise (assuming there isn't a change in policies between now and July 9th)??

Thanks for posting about your recent experience so everyone is aware what they can expect. We are boarding the Panorama in early July and I think my 10 and 12 year olds would like to try Camp Ocean (it will be their first Carnival cruise). They were VERY disappointed when we cruised on the Norwegian Getaway this past March to find out two weeks before the cruise that the children's program weren't running at all. We had specifically booked cabins nearby so they could take advantage. We booked directly with NCL and the agent never mentioned it was closed, nor was there a notice posted on the NCL website. Very disappointing and really altered the dynamic of our cruise not being able to have a few hours each day to relax without having to mind the children. At least Carnival is offering the program, even if it is with reduced hours. Interestingly, NCL generally has similar hours (pre-COVID) as to what Carnival is currently offering (closed over meal times). They made that change from always open somewhere in the early 2010's because some kids were being left at the club all day which was a problem because NCL has never provided food at meal time in the kids club. Agree that Carnival is likely not wanting to provide food at meal time due to COVID hence the closure at that time.

As a note to the fellow Canadians posting on this thread... I booked three inside cabins for an 11 night cruise for this December two weeks ago directly with Princess because they were showing a more favourable price point in Canadian dollars vs. booking with the US-based cruise site I typically book through. In re-checking prices when I heard of the "sale", I was very glad I locked it in when I did because three cabins in the same category as I booked are now $1,296 Cdn more (two cabins with no perks, one cabin with princess plus). Interestingly the rate on the US travel site I usually book through is unchanged over that same period of time. I am guessing that the price increase I am seeing is due to Princess adjusting their exchange rate. I was not expecting to see any additional decrease as this is a holiday cruise but very happy that I booked when I did.

As others have said, the 90 day final payment period is fairly standard across all cruise lines and has been that way for the duration of the time that I've been cruising (early 1990's). I really hate that NCL has moved theirs to 120 for cruises over six days and hope that other cruise lines don't follow suit in the future. I know they were being more flexible during COVID but think that's dropped off now - full payment (with standard penalties applying) four months ahead is egregious in my opinion.

Hi there. Admittedly it's been a while since I took the time to write and post a review (I think the last one was in 2008) but if memory serves, it took about a week before it was posted and I did receive an email telling me it was live. Will keep my eyes peeled for yours to be posted!

Pre-COVID I was told by Carnival directly that I could not book a pair of connecting staterooms because we wanted to split our family 3/3 and one of the cabins held 4. They would not allow us to book them unless we were booking 3/4. I'm not sure I understand the logic of that decision as I ended up taking my money to Royal since I was able to find a connecting pair with them. As others have mentioned, you may be able to book a 4 person berth if it's "bookable" and viewable to you when you search for 3 but may be moved if the cabin is needed. Good luck and enjoy!

OK- that's what I figured but appreciate the confirmation - thanks. Going to buy some with the discount on hubby's account. Looks like he'll be in charge of running to bar that week!

Struggling to understand the difference between Bar Cash and Cruise Cash. Assuming Bar cash is only valid on bar purchases but can I not just buy Cruise Cash and have it work on bar purchases? As another poster mentioned, this code does not work when I am logged into my manager under my profile, but does work for my hubby's. Between this and the preferential rates he is being offered, I'm really not feeling the love from Carnival!!

When you log into your Cruise Manager, scroll down past the "Shop by Category" options... it should be on the left-hand side-- "Before You Go: My to-do list." If you don't have an offer (like me) it just lists ONLINE CHECKIN and MY VACCINATION SURVEY.

I am getting the same message trying to book a specialty dining for five of us in two cabins. Earlier today I made some purchases for specialty dining/wifi totalling six "orders" spread over our two cabins. The message I'm getting is saying I'm at my maximum amount of orders for the day? Didn't realize that Carnival wanted to make sure I don't overspend on the cruise!?

No I booked both of them but he is the primary on the cabin with him and my sons and I am the primary in the cabin with my daughter. Booked his cabin a month ago and mine just today. Just thought it was strange that his info would pop up when I was logged in under my profile in my booking.

Hi all. We have two cabins booked under two VIFP profiles for our cruise in July and when I log into my profile and go to the manager, my husband's name appears. When I get to the payment part of the process, his name, email and phone number appear in the billing section. I am logged into my account and have cleared cache and cookies - why and how would it pull his info into my account? Just curious if anyone else has experienced this?

My husband is booked in a balcony cabin on the Panorama with my two sons for a cruise in July. He had an upgrade offer in his Cruise Planner to move to a Junior Suite for $516. Not interested as the cabin itself was completely forward and one of our sons is prone to motion sickness so we prefer to have a cabin mid-ship. However, I do prefer that it's a direct offer, where you know the price to upgrade and know exactly which stateroom you would be moving to. This is a much better process than the blind bidding with Royal and NCL in my opinion.

Sorry - was off line for a few days but yes as njhorseman says just cross the street and call from there. It really is quite easy so if you go that route, I think you'll be pleased. Regardless of what you decide, happy cruising!