Harry and Lucille

Carnival, aka CCL casinos are under the same umbrella, separate from the individual cruise line. They control the show.

Carnival (CCL) owns Carnival, AIDA, Costa, Cunard, HAL, P&O, Princess and Seaborn. They all funnel into the same matrix as far as they are controlled.

All ships are basically the same when it comes to the individual ships programs. Some may vary slightly but all are still only to collect the legal percentage of the "vig".

I believe that that is between 3 and 3 1/2 % of all play.

Just my thought.Harry

Last cruise on the Grand, I scored over 5,000 points in the Casino. Only thing I got was an offer of Casino cash for new bookings only. Darn. Already had booked one of the chosen cruises. No casino cash.

I play Blackjack. Only table open in the morning was a $6 minimum bet with $5 bet and a chance for a $1 side bet for pair or 20 points on the first 2 cards paying 4:1. Odds are very poor. Blackjack paid 6:5. $10 play pays $12 for a Blackjack. Odds for the Casino go up a bunch.

Talk about a real gamble. Maybe I will just stick with the casinos 45 min. from the house. Usually comp room and free meals.

We have never prepaid gratuities on our previous 7 cruises but did so before our upcoming one. That was because the rate was increasing as of April 1 and we wanted to be able to pay the old rate. On a past trip our room thermostat was broken for an entire night and we froze until it was repaired. We requested the service fee be removed for that one day only. We feel if there is an issue it is easier to have the charge removed if you haven't prepaid them than to try to get a credit later.

Interesting. Having that one day service fee removed just took it away from the staff. Including your cabin attendant. Staff had nothing to do with the thermostat. That is taken care of by the ships Crew member. They don't get anything from the daily gratuity.

Trust me they care how much cash goes out.

In or out makes no difference to them. They are only allowed a certain percentage on the play.

Adjustments happen on the slots. They just want the casino to be full of players. More play, more money.

Face it folks. S**t happens. Wreck on the highway makes you late for work, store runs out of a special item, doctor makes you wait, unexpected flat tire on the car or dead battery, weather, rain, etc., etc., etc.

The list goes on and on. So many people go thru their lives with their class half empty. I keep mine at least half full. If it falls below half, I just order another one.

There is always more good on a cruise than bad. Get a grip on life and enjoy it while you can.

Both suggestions are good. Air boat is a thrill. Last time, we missed the deadline for luggage valet. Caught a cab to the Hilton Marina. Short ride. Was willing to pay to store luggage for the day. Surprise. No charge. Short walk to water taxi stop. Spent the day. Stop 6, couple of block walk to Los Olas Blvd. Much to see and many resturants to choose from. Short airport ride from the hotel. Inexpensive and wonderful day. As long as you don't buy anything on the Blvd. LOL

For folks visiting other countries, it helps to know the exchange rate. Items priced in US currency may not be the best price. Copy and paste this link onto your computer and find the current exchange rate. Don't get ripped off.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=1 USD to MXN&FORM=S00037&filter=ufn:%22USD%22 aid:%22de79675229366a3bf9c00cb0b4f461a4%22 sid:%22MXN1%22 cpair:%22MXN1%22 dstr:%22%22 currency:%221%22

Do the cruise companies (specifically Princess) provide transportation from the airport (specifically SEATAC) to the waterfront? Even if you don't use their affiliated travel search engine? I'd like to take Southwest (much lower fares and no baggage fees than Alaska), but can I still easily get to the pier?

Yes. We fly Southwest also. SF RT Hawaii and have Princess transfers. 3-23 and flying in the day of the cruise.

Enter your flight information into your Cruise data. If it doesn't work for them, they will let you know.

C'mon! A 7-10 day Caribbean cruise during winter break on an NCL ship is most likely a far different demographic (measured any way you like) than a 3-4 week trans-Pacific on Regent.

If you're hell bent on studying this, you'll need to set some significant limitations et al. on your hypotheses.

Nonetheless, it would be interesting to compare more than the economics and age in a comparison of mass market to premium/luxury lines. But, you'd be talking about one very expensive research undertaking where I see no one willing to fund it.

 

 

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I was taught this when young. When in any social gathering, there are three things to never discuss. Religion, Sex or Politics.

The three things that I have added to the list of never do. Non-alcoholic beer, de-caf coffee or filter cigarettes.

To each their own. We cruise to see and learn new things and meet peoples of all kinds. Relax and go with the flow.

Interesting thread. I use a lanyard. Have many cheap ones given at the Casino when you have your cruise card punched.

Wife does not use one. Personal preference. I do. That way I never forget it in a slot machine.

Never bought one and never will. No big deal for either one of us.

Many more things to consider on a cruise. Where to eat comes to mind. Show or not? Maybe art auction (if free drink offered). On Princess cruises needing a card to turn on stateroom lights? Card from last cruise just stays in the switch and we always turn lights off when not in use.

Wear it around the neck? Nah. Don't like to bend down to open the cabin door and color of the card is not important to us as we don't need to "flash" it around.

But, that's just us. :cool:

Don't ever bring a black light on a cruise!

I do. It's called Hotel Inspector. Small flashlight.

A few Clorox wipes for door handles, phone, tv remote, light switches, etc.

Not paranoid. Just abundance of caution. Hand washing is most important at all times. Sanitizers every where but, will not kill Noro virus. :cool:

I wouldn't consider myself a "super organizer", but there definitely are a couple pretty good ones on our roll call. I think there are 4 different people/couples organizing 5 or 6 different events. Our cabin crawl follows our M&M, the M&Ms I have attended have been a complete waste of time. Since I have to attend this one because I volunteered our suite for viewing, I prefer it isn't an event I would have rather skipped.

 

Some one currently on the Equinox, which I will be boarding in 2 weeks posted this...

 

When I & one other person on our roll call read it, we decided to try to do something to improve the experience. I did some research, didn't find anything too current, then started this topic.

 

I appreciate the super organizers efforts, I am not that social of a person. I don't "do" FB or similar social media sites. Attending an event that is planned & isn't chaotic is more pleasant for me. Also, the organizers are usually pretty good at explaining what they are planning, this gives me the information I need to make a decision of whether or not I want to attend the event. For instance, someone has planned a snorkeling excursion that over 100 people are going on -- there is zero chance I am going on that. I prefer 10 or less in an excursion group.

 

I appreciate the positive suggestions several people have contributed to this thread. The negative reminds me you can't please all the people all the time!

 

 

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Well said. I guess I could be classed as a super organizer. Don't like that title tho. I enjoy planning a party. Don't like to party by myself. I am only one other person aboard that big floating steel can sailing around in my own way. Folks are all different. To each their own. Attend or not, makes no difference to me. For those who show up, I try to provide a one hour of festive meeting and chatting with others going the same way for those travel days.

If someone choses not to attend? Oh well. For those who become snarky??? Hope you are not on my cruise. I don't need your drama.

We also like a private tour rather than a large bus filled with folks and the rushed trips here and there according to the script. Locals give a more intimate and personal view of their lives. Their knowledge is of great value for us.

What time of day does your M&G usually take place? What type of venue is it in? Who do you coordinate it with on the ship? We are cruising on the Celebrity Equinox Oct 6th. It's a 10 day southern Caribbean itinerary. Our roll call is very active. There are several additional events planned; pre-cruise dinner, sail away, cabin crawl, slot pull, gift exchange luncheon, some game nights, and of couple tours. Between 12 -130 people are signed up for each event. There are 130+ signed up for the meet & greet. Traditionally, Celebrity does not throw a memorable party. A couple of us on the roll call would like to make the event fun, or at least not a waste of our vacation time. Any suggestions you have for us would be appreciated. [emoji846]

 

 

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Princess has a coordinator for onboard activities. Set up everything with her. The time usually from 10 to 11 am. on our first sea day. Work with your coordinator. Tell them what you will be doing and they will place your group in a venue based on number of people. Princess is very open to working with Cruise Critic groups. Venue, cash bar and dry snacks provided. Everything else is planned by the group for our private party. Good luck there.

To all of the naysayers. Each and every one of us are cruising our own way. That being said,

I enjoy planning a party. Have put together several M&G's and is still a work in progress. Yes. First couple turned out to be rather boring. Continual tweaking has been working well.

Upcoming cruise in Nov. has 68 folks planning to be attending. Venue, cash bar and dry snacks provided by Princess for our private party.

Will have door prizes and two wireless microphones so all who wish will be able to join in with conversations. All ships officers have been invited to attend.

This is an added treat as we have always had an officer stop by to chat and answer questions.

The plum on the cake is if it happens to be the Captain. Never know.

Also a Slot Pull that looks like it will be well attended. No one has any other activity planned that I have seen, however, if something shows up, I will be posting it for our group.

Party, party for that one hour on a 10 day cruise. :D

We always pre pay everything that we can. Using a charge card, paying full when the bill comes and we enjoy the air miles gained for the next cruise.

Both Uber and Lyft have apps for that. Just add them to your cell phone. Press the button and be ready for the vehicle. Easy.

Hand washing. Lots of hand washing. Sanitizer will take care of many things, however, does not kill Noro virus.

I always use a lanyard. Never leave or loose in a slot machine that way. ;p

Our tips.

Leave the TV on at night. Ships forward view camera. After dark, there is enough light to be able to see in the dark. Also a small dim night light or small battery candle for the bathroom for those late night trips. Turning the bathroom light on destroys your vision getting back to bed.

Small, magnetic dry erase board for notes. No post it notes. To easy to overlook. Place it over the bed for easy seeing. Also a couple of magnetic clips for odds and ends like invitations, tour tickets, etc. Saves them from being mixed in with the clutter of paperwork piling up on the desk and being overlooked.

Harry

My favorite cruise?

The next one in Nov., and the next one after that in March.:D

We have a small magnetic white board on the wall. Leave notes. Wife goes her way and I go mine. We may happen to run into each other during the day. Might be breakfast, lunch or somewhere else. Every evening we have dinner together and catch up with each other regarding our day. After 57 years of being together, it does give us something new to talk about.;)

We arrive at the airport at 6 am. I love me some cocktails but that's even a little early for me. Lol.

Remember. An extra government suggestion as to number of servings of fruit and veggies???

Bloody mary fits the bill.

I am planning my first cruise as a college graduation present/birthday present for my daughter in December. No specific cruise selected as yet, but am looking at 5 night Western Caribbean on either Carnival or Royal Caribbean (will be a NYE cruise).

 

So...

 

To save a little, I was looking at a "red eye" flight from Denver which will arrive around 8 a.m. the day of the cruise or an extremely early (5 a.m.) flight from Denver which arrives around 1 p.m. (As background, we are from Wyoming and Denver is a six hour drive for us) **Which flight would be best? Will arriving at 1 p.m. give us enough time to get from airport to pier?**

 

My original plan was to do carry-on luggage only to avoid having to wait for luggage to be delivered to our stateroom. For me, its a control thing (LOL) rather than a cost issue. Is this a good idea?

 

And finally (for now), I do not have a credit card. I carry a debit card only, but after reading the "hold" they do for each day on the debit card, I'm a little concerned. Can I put cash, say $1,000, in the on-board account when we arrive and work off that? (call me old fashioned, but I like to work on a cash-only basis!)

 

I am absolutely looking forward to this and I know it will be a special memory treasured between my daughter and myself for many, many years. My mother took me to Hawaii when I graduated, and was something we talked about often. Now that she's gone it is something I still think about and smile, knowing we were able to share that time together. :)

Hello from Denver Cindy. We have many cruises and the only time that we will fly in for a cruise that day is out of LA. Never know about DIA (the all weather airport that closes in a snow storm. lol)

As a tip. We use a Southwest master card. Spend the minimum amount when you get it and get 2 free flights to where ever they go. Put the cruise on that card and use for everything else. Groceries, gas, etc. Pay in full when the bills come in and use it on board for the cruise.

We started bringing a small magnetic dry erase board for notes, messages, etc.

Most time it is on the fridge for shopping list too. Very handy. Small, lite and easy to pack.

The week before??? We cruise next March. Planning is well underway. Packing will come later tho. I am just starting to begin to get ready to plan the tour process.

We like small (8 or 10) people with a local (native) guide. Get away from the normal tourist spots, meet locals and shop well away from the port. Example: In the Azores, 8 of us. Cost was $35 USD per person. Lasted over 7 hours. Saw every thing on the island. Guide took us to the grocery store where his family has shopped forever.

I am partial to Portuguese wine. Due to the fact that nobody drinks the water there (Sulphur content), wine is the drink of choice.

They had a huge selection on many shelves. Told our guide that I would like to purchase two 750ml bottles. One red and one white. The best that they had to offer. When I paid the cashier, I gave her a 5 Euro bill. She gave me change. Talk about a great buy.

Returning to the ship, passed thru the on shore security with no problem. Going on board was just showing my cruise card. Hummm. Wine went into fridge in the cabin. Already had two in there from Lisbon.

Facing several sea days to Fort Lauderdale, I was able to pair the wine with my evening meal. Of course, I opened and tasted them all. Very interesting experiment. Would take my chosen wine to the dining room. Only a few questions. Many questioning looks from other passengers. Waiter would offer to carry the wine to the table. No thank you. Would offer to pour the wine. No thank you. Would offer an ice stand. No thank you. Would offer to store it for me. No thank you

No corkage fee for me. LOL. Saw a cartoon on line. Couple at the table and ordered a bottle of wine. When it was brought to them, the fellow asked "why is their a corkage fee for a screw top bottle of wine"? The waiter said simply, "that sounds much better than a screwage fee.";)

Happy cruising all. Harry