mfs2k

I canceled a shore excursion and rebooked it to take advantage of a promotion.

I received this email:

”

As per your request through Carnival.com, your pre-sales order, XXXXX, has been cancelled. A refund has been processed for the credit card(s) and/or Carnival gift card(s) used to make your purchase.

For credit cards, please note this unprecedented situation is delaying our processing times so calling/emailing us will not expedite the process. We appreciate your patience. For Carnival gift cards, you will be receiving a newly issued Carnival gift card as a replacement.

What unprecedented situation are they referring to?  No one has ever canceled and rebooked an excursion because of a promotion before now?

4 hours ago, Megan_Strick said:

As someone who works in the water/sewer industry, "flushable wipes" are in fact, not flushable! Stop doing it!

The problem nowadays is too many people don’t care if their actions affect others. 

On 5/27/2024 at 8:54 AM, MRVEGAS711 said:

Okay, let's start off by watching this video so you know my mood!

 

Just off the Panorama and went to my 7th Platinum / Diamond party.

GOOD NEWS.....The open bar is back! We're Cheers, as are most, but its a feel good thing!

 

The BAD NEWS.....Which I'm obviously fuming over. They introduced the youngest Diamond VIIP member at the party. 200+ sailing. Diamond benefits for life. THREE YEARS OLD !!

 

*****! Here is a person who has not spent a penny in her life and she is full boat Diamond forever! Wow! 

 

If I'm Carnival CEO that has got to end immediately and, in reality, is not a sustainable business model. (My last cruise the youngest Diamond was 13 and that had me shaking my head.)

 

Now, if Carnival never reduces ANY benefit or cruise feature again, this could be more digestible, but we all know that's not going to happen. JMO minimum of 18 years old before you can accumulate any VIIP benefits. Heck, the 3 year old has the benefits, in a way, sailing with her parents, without having (Inherited) Lifetime status. Poor girl was on stage for a photo, which didn't come out well, as our youngest Diamond was having a temper tantrum!

 

Thoughts.......?

I reached Platinum when the requirement was 10 cruises, (two were 2 night cruises to nowhere) instead of 75 nights.  

I was grandfathered into the new policy.

I have the same reaction to your annoyance as that 3 year old: "Tough noogies." 

There's no magic.  A Food and Beverage Manager for cruise lines explained to me recently that most cruise line specialty restaurants only book about 80% of their tables in advance.  They leave reservation slots open for suite guests,  frequent cruisers, and Officer requests for passengers. If they pre-reserved every table, they would have a lot of disappointed VIP's.

On 5/9/2024 at 9:01 AM, ctkathchick said:

LOL or it's from about 10-15 years ago. We had a few back in the day.

 

me too.  

I just finished paying for the cruise using gift cards.  Can I add them to my account before sailing so I start the cruise with an onboard credit? Or do I have to do that onboard? 

I'm ok with 5-6 hours on an overpriced party atmosphere beach, listening to loud music, lounging and tanning in the sun, people watching, swimming, drinking, eating mediocre beach food, then going to back the ship.  The other 5 port stops will be sightseeing.  A beach stop in early September to break up tons of walking on other days sounds perfect to me. 

I have Drinks in the Casino for my upcoming 10 day cruise on Legend.  I bought the Cheers package anyway because I don't want to be so restricted about where I can get a drink and not pay for it.  I don't want to run to the casino every time I want an included drink.

I'd gladly trade the perk for a bottle of Bulleit in my cabin.

Do most cabins have regular king.beds?

On 5/20/2024 at 7:30 AM, ALB0711 said:

Oh that makes sense! Glad business is good for them. Thanks!

They’ve been sold out for a few months. 

are the beds short? 

My wife and I booked a Balcony Guarantee on Carnival Legend because guarantees were all that were left.

We just got assigned a cabin.  I like the location (Forward/Mid) and I like the deck (6) between two other decks of cabins so minimal overhead or below noise. So that's a relief.

According to the deck plans, the cabin has two twin beds which convert to a King and a Pullman bed.

I know the pullman stays locked to the wall if it's not being used, but I'm wondering if it takes up a lot of wall space which would otherwise be utilized with something else.  Does this mean the cabin won't have a sofa?  I tried searching for photos online but couldn't find any.

Is the wall of the pullman magnetic?  can we attach magnetic hooks and use it to hang things on?

Will I even notice the pullman is there?

One other question, we would want the twin beds converted to a king but does that mean there are two mattresses on the top or just one big King mattress? A typical twin bed is 75" long whereas a Twin XL is the same length as a King (80").  Which can I expect? 

1 hour ago, ohioNCLcruiser said:

I think this will also be a great change to hotels that charge insane "destination" or resort fees. All my "free" nights in Vegas can easily cost $70 a night still with fees. 

If this ever affects Vegas rooms, youll pay still $70 in fees.  But it will be shown when you book.

You're not going to save money.  The resorts aren''t going to give up that revenue. 

11 hours ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

With the now rule, if the cruise lines are required to disclose the total before you book a cruise, they will probably be forced to charge a higher fee to cover any unforeseen expenses, rather than making an adjustment as costs increase (or more likely, decrease).

Costs change all the time. That doesn’t mean each increase or decrease gets passed on to the passenger.

if the price of chicken goes up between the time you book and the time you sail, you don’t get charged extra. 
Same with a port fee once it’s included in the price per cabin. 

Starting July 1, Carnival Cruise Line will include the cost of port expenses, taxes and other fees in the price that potential passengers see.

1 hour ago, x lindsay x said:

cabs at EWR don't have to take you out of NJ because it can be hard for them to get a fare back across the river so its ideal to take public transport or arrange a car service.

Uber and Lyft are readily available at EWR. 

If you want to save $$$, I think the cheapest option is the CoachUSA Newark Airport Express Bus to midtown. The closest stop is at Port Authority Bus terminal at 41st Street and 8th Avenue, which is a short cab ride to the pier. The bus costs $17 one way. $30 RT.

It's convenient and cheap for one person, but if I were traveling with another person, I'd take Uber.  It's easy and direct. 

17 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

Currently LGA is 44 minutes, Newark is 54 minutes, jfk is 64 minutes. I live in NJ, I’d stick with LGA.

If you want to fly into LGA despite living in New Jersey who am I to stop you ?  
also per Google maps the trip from terminal C at EWR to the port terminal at 711 12th Ave (15.8 miles) typically takes 28-50 minutes depending on traffic. This is exactly the same typical time from Terminal C at LGA (16.2 miles) so personally I’d choose the flight that is cheapest and suits your schedule and not base the decision on the arrival airport. 

EWR (Newark) is an easier trip to the pier. 

Personally I love the relaxation of sea days for warm, sunny weather cruises in the Caribbean.  I've been to the islands so many times, it's not an adventure for me there.  I spend those days at ports going to nice beaches and resort day passes. 

For cruises at interesting destinations, I like more ports.  We're doing a 10 night European cruise in September with only 2 sea days.  I expect to be exhausted but hope to love each day and night of this trip.

1 hour ago, sasandy said:

I am trying to check the balance I have on a gift card. I received a small refund on an excursion. When I am on Carnival's check gift card balance, it will not go through to check the balance. Says it doesn't recognize the captcha or something. Anyone know how to check gift card balance?

I got the same email a few days ago re: excursion refund due to price drop, and I used my credit card.  The credit hasn't posted yet.  I just checked. 

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

enbarkation day

oops  inadvertent typo

14 hours ago, buckeyefrank said:

I don't feel the need to bribe another person to do a job they agreed to do for a price they agreed upon. Most people on here espousing tipping additional amounts, are only doing it to make themselves feel better and to gain benefits like faster service or longer pours.

I had to check to see if you lived in the United States or a country where tipping isn't the norm.

Nope. Ohio.  

You are absolutely right I, and many others, tip additional amounts to gain benefits like faster service or longer pours. I'm not ashamed to acknowledge this. 

On a cruise ship (or even an open bar at a catered event), a noticable tip is definitely a bribe for the next drink.  The $20-$40 I give the cabin steward on enbarkation day, is intended to be remembered. 

Whereas, when I go to a regular restaurant bar, or even a frequently visited coffee shop, a larger than 20% tip is both a thank you for those extra long pours, or friendly service in the past, and also for my next visit.  I like being treated above and beyond. You treat me above and beyond, and I will treat you above and beyond right back. 

It's an "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" tipping culture I live in. As long as I live where tipping is presumed to be acceptable, I will do it willingly. 

If you're ok with being treated average and unrecognized, then by all means, the included tip on your cruise is fine. 

12 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

While I understand your point, and am not a real gambler, I might argue the first line is not true.

so, argue.

15 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

@Elaine5715Thanks...interesting.  I don't want to end up paying "full fare"!

When I get a chance I'll call their casino dept and get the "possibly" incorrect information.

Agree, 

In their eyes, they want the "potential" casino revenue for the passenger in that cabin.  If you don't show, they lose all that potential income so they will make you pay for it.  

You're dealin with the devil. 

bunk beds aren't so bad.  you'll be in the casino anyway. 

Everybody is an accountant.