Ken076

dtwilkin - Thanks! Ken

Does anyone have recent FunTimes from Magic, Eastern Itinerary, to share? Thanks, Ken

Willdra -- Thanks especially for the photos of the Daily Funtimes! Enjoying every word of your report!! Thanks, Ken

pirate4me2 - thanks so much for the entertaining review. If you're up to scannining and posting PDF's of the daily Fun Times it would be appreciated by many!! Ken

Great Review! Excellent Photos!! THANKS!!! Ken

Very nice vlog/review. Your photos are beautiful.

 

We took a cruise out of Norfolk way back in 2002 to Bermuda aboard the Triumph. That was a 7-day cruise, and we had 3 full days in Bermuda, which was awesome. Great to see some of the same sites in your photos. It was hot, hot, hot since that cruise was in June, and we got to actually get in the water at the beaches. We also climbed to the top of that lighthouse. Don't mind saying I got a little vertigo up there, but the views were worth it ;)

 

Strange that the Sunshine is still holding safety briefing/muster drill outside.

 

Did you find the public areas very crowded? I know since they redid the ship and added more cabins that people usually comment on how crowded it feels.

 

BTW, in the past I've saved my FunTimes as jpg files instead of pdf and just posted them here like photos.

 

Thanks again!

I believe you can scan each day's FunTimes as a PDF File, and post each File? Ken

We sailed on the Allure in February....and it was our favorite ship/cruise to date. We fully expected it to be 'too big', 'too many passengers', 'too crowded' etc but it was NONE of the above. We had excellent service all around and found that ship to have so many venues for passengers to be in that NONE were ever very crowded.....we just loved it. In fact so much, that we have booked the new 'sister' ship, Harmony OTS, as well. So sorry you found service to be poor, that indeed can ruin an experience. But we found it stellar in all aspects!!:confused::)

Totally agree with buddylover's comments - we tried Allure last January and were definitely "WOWed", particularly with exemplary Customer Service and crew friendliness, the way activities and entertainment are dispersed around the ship and ability to make entertainment reservations. The adults Atrium is fantastic. We scheduled Oasis at nearby Canaveral next year. Ken

The cruiseline policies generally offer $10,000 Medical and $25,000 Medevac coverage; both are very low compared to those coverages offered by the 3rd party policies, and at a lower premium unless you're approaching/in your 60's.

Cruiseline policies do not offer "waiver of pre-existing conditions" but usually DO include "cancel for any reason" albeit for a 75% future cruise CREDIT.

Many companies include "waiver of pre-existing conditions" if you purchase within 1 or 2 weeks of initial deposit AND allow you to purchase at added cost (often 50% premium increase) "cancel for any reason" - you have to be aware of the actual amount of the Cancel for Any Reason coverage, it can vary from 50% to 90% to 100%, and in some cases decreases the closer to sailaway that you cancel.

If you're USAA member, USAA offers several decent Policies at a slightly reduced premium.

Always check your private Health Insurance (not Medicare) for Overseas or Out of Country medical coverage' and Guarantee of Admission payment; many credit cards include "Travel Insurance" usually minimal Trip Cancellation and Lost/delayed Baggage coverage, if you pay for the cruise with their card.

Ken

I can scan mines in tomorrow, I was on the 9/24 sailing of the Magic

 

 

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thanks in advance!!!!!! Ken

They seem more frequent of late, maybe every 2 months or so...but generally limited to EARLY SAVER bookings. Ken

This will be my first and probably last Carnival Cruise. What a great way to establish a relationship with a customer.

I believe if you call, cancel your current cruise and re-book subsequent cruise in same phone call, your current deposit (less $50pp penalty) will be applied toward deposit on the new cruise.

If you cancel in one call and call back later to re-book, you'll have to pay full depositon the new cruise and your current deposit (less $50pp penalty) will be applied toward the Cruisefare on the subsequent cruise.

You might ask if you HAVE to re-book under Early Saver rate, but the available rates for you may be quite a bit higher than the Early Saver Rate (with it's restrictions); if one person in your cabin qualifiesy for the military rate, the Military Rate is often the same as the Early Saver Rate, with fewer restrictions. If one person in your cabin is a Carnival Past Guest, you'd qualify for the Past Guest Rate or the Past Guest with Upgrades Rates.

Ken

Any chance you can scan and post (pdf?) the fun times? And a rundown on the evening shows?

thanks, Ken

Link to the site and participating hotels (when you make your reservation, or check-in) tell them you want to take advantage of the 40% Parking Voucher program:

http://www.portcanaveral.com/PortCanaveral/media/Cruise-Assets/Parking-Voucher-Program_5.pdf

Ken

Be aware that Hotel parking in/near the French Quarter can be expensive (up to $39 per day).

Check out Harrah's and checkout Staybridge Suites (free breakfast) next to Harrah's, both on the StreetCar routes and near French Quarter, Steamboat Natchez, House of Blues, etc.

Ken

We can save $185 if we switch from a past guest to an early saver. I realize we will have to switch to a non-refundable deposit, but other than that, is it worth it? Also, if the price drops, do you get that amount back in cash prior to final payment or will it always go to an onboard credit?

If you're "military eligible" and the Military rate is being offered, the Military Rate is often same as Early Saver, but without the restrictions. Ken

Cruise was booked through a TA, RCI insurance was purchased, and TA required payment for insurance at the time the deposit was made. If this cruise is cancelled before the final payment date, will the cost of the insurance be refunded or forfeited?

 

Edited to add: If a name change is done before final payment, will the insurance transfer to that person?

I'd carefully read the Policy (available on the RCI site). The similar Carnival Policy used to have words to effect that if Cruise was cancelled (I believe up to Final Payment) the Policy premium was refundable (as long as no claim had been submitted). Ken

Their deposit, less $50 per person penalty, will be held for a future cruise. Ken

Carnival's Insurance has VERY LOW Medical and MedEvac coverage (and does NOT include "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions"), but does include "Cancel for Any Reason" (albeit a 75% future cruise CREDIT).

You might be better off with a 3rd party policy (CSA, TravelEx.....) offering higher coverages, "Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions" if you purchase w/in 14-21 days of booking, and generally lower premiums than Carnival's.

Policies without the "waiver" do not cover medical conditions that initially occurred or existed but "changed" in the (usually) 60 days before purchasing the Policy. In your situation IMO you're better off with a policy that includes "waiver of pre-existing conditions". If you're past 14-21 days of booking there are a few policies that allow purchase after 14-21 days of booking.

Ken

Actually, Carnival can still leave you. The only thing they guarantee is that they will get you back to the ship (even if it means flying you to the next port).

 

...d.

Actually, the words touted in Carnival's Excursion pages are "Peace of Mind

We take care of all the details and wait for all Carnival excursions to return before departing." Ken

I would stick with 3rd Party Insurance and make sure you purchase within 14-21 days of booking to get "waiver of pre-existing condition" and the opportunity to additionally purchase (usually 50% added premium) "cancel for any reason".

The wording for Cancellation coverage varies from insurer to insurer - some state that a Doctor has to "certify" that the person isn't fit to travel, othersx are a little less specific.

Check the wording on "cancel for any reason" coverage. At least some time ago, Policies vary from 50% to 90% reimbursement (few if any reimburse 100%), for some the reimbursement may decrease the closer to departure that you cancel, and some do not cover late cancellation near departure.

Most policies provide cancellation coverage if your traveling companion or close relative cancels for covered reasons, but you'd have to be insured to reap this benefit.

Ken

If you haven't done so, you may want to check your Health Insurance for "out of country" coverage and you may want to check your credit card (used for booking) for (usually minimal) included Trip Protection (cancellation and Luggage) coverage.

If you're military associated, USAA sells (TravelInsured) policies at a slight discoun t with some increased coverages and benefits.

Otherwise CSA, TravelEx, etc., offer a number of policies with varying benefits (cancel for business reasons or for military deployment, kids insured free....) that might fit your circumstances.

You generally have to purchase within 14-21 days of booking to get "waiver of pre-existing conditions" and to get the opportunity to purchase "cancel for any reason" coverage (carefully read the terms for the cancel for any reason as coverage is generally NOT 100% and may decrease the closer to sailaway that you cancel).

Ken

Hi, we just got off the Magic and I am planning on writing a thorough review any day now...anybody interested on reading it?

YES! If you can touch on Port Canaveral parking (is the new Garage openm?) and Check-In, that would be great!

We're sailing in ONLY 262 days!

Thanks, Ken

Hi, we just got off the Magic and I am planning on writing a thorough review any day now...anybody interested on reading it?

YES! We're not sailing Magic until January 2017 (sailed Breeze last year).

Does Port Canaveral have the check-in Kiosks? Did you use them?

Thank you, Ken

That's what we've always done. If your "agent" balks at applying the deposit balance to the new cruise balance, ask for a Supervisor or call back. Ken

As Sparky sez, if you're canceling an Early Saver Booking:

If you cancel and rebook in same phone call and same booking number, you'll lose $50pp penalty and the balance of your Deposit should be applied to the Deposit on the new cruise in next 2 years.

If you cancel in one phone call and rebook in a later phone call, you'll lose $50 pp penalty and the balance of your deposit will be applied to the CruiseFare for the next cruise w/in 2 years and you'll have to pay the deposit.

If you're looking at Trip Insurance for the next cruise, look at the 3rd party policies offered by TravelEx, CSA, etc., as providing more and higher coverages at usually less cost; buy the insurance within 14-21 days of booking (depending on which insurer), so that you get "waiver of pre-existing condition" and are eligible to purchase "cancel for any reason" coverage!

Ken