audcc77

19 hours ago, Mklbee said:

No porters to take your bags. You need to find a porter and hope that its the right one.

Yikes!   This is the second time I’ve heard this.  The first time was a YouTube video regarding the inaugural sailing on Carnival Luminosa.  
I am sailing on the ship in about 30 days.

There is no way in  Sam Hill that I can haul all my luggage up the ramp.  I’m not even sure I could lift it into this bin they’re talking about.  
 

Therefore, I contacted Carnival and asked to be put in the special assistance boarding.  The guy said no.  He said all you do is put your baggage in the bin. I am not the first person to ask him this question he said.  When I pointed out who is going to watch over my bag until it gets on the ship, he did not know, as that is not Carnival’s problem.  Nice. 
 

He then said I need to call Port of Seattle.  I did.  After being transferred to the cruise terminal, I spoke with a nice lady, who insisted that there should be some longshoreman there accepting  baggage and putting it in the bins for you.  I told her about the YouTube video and the multiple accounts here on cruise critic about nobody to help you put your bag on the ship.  She found this very interesting, and she was going to check it out.  She wants me to call her back after my cruise to see if there was someone there.  😂

Because when you go to book, the tour companies ask if you’re on a cruise ship.  
 

Some tour companies won’t book you privately because they have a deal or contract with the cruise line to book hundreds of people that way and the cruise lines forbid them to book. 
 

Alaska must be different.  I’m going to try it.  

Carnival has this tour for about $200 a person.
 

I found it on the Internet for $149 a person and includes pick up and drop off from the cruise port. 
 

According to the company, Carnival allows this.  
 

In the Caribbean, if Carnival has a tour listed, and you try to go through them as a private person, Carnival will not allow it, so the tour operator will not be able to accommodate you. You must go through the cruise line to get the tour.

has anyone done this tour  before on your own?

Ultra is not that great IMO.  I booked one just to see if it would help my chances of getting an Elite offer.   Nothing yet.  That was several months ago.  
 

If you want to see my thoughts about Ultra on MG, I posted what gifts, party etc.  

I thought the Get Away offers are better.  But that was pre-Covid, so who knows.  

I booked this cruise to Alaska in August.   I have been reading the “quick” reviews for this ship and I am a little concerned as the reviews are not very good.  😳

It sounds like a Fantasy class ship but worse.  

2 minutes ago, JCrewz said:

He has a user name of "No Pants Profits". 

Thank you.  I saw that one but didn’t make the connection.  

Returning on Aug 3 which is a Thursday. 
 

I have early debark.  If I book my flight out at 10:30 — is that cutting it too close?

6 hours ago, JCrewz said:

There is a YouTuber (Richard) that has posted extensively on his back to back Luminosa sailings.

I looked for this but couldn’t find it.  Would you mind posting a link?  Richard who?

thanks.  

On 6/1/2023 at 1:13 PM, lesters said:

there is so little on the Luminosa other than the great Longest Review ever from @EngIceDave

Can someone post a link to this?

Also, any thoughts on me booking a flight home from Seattle afterwards at 10:30 am? I think it’s a Wednesday.  
I can get off the ship early debark.  
 

Is that risky?   

12 minutes ago, pinto18 said:

ok so your Mom looks AMAZING for 85!

I was thinking the same thing!

Glad you had a nice time with your mom and DDs.  

I will miss the sunshine when she leaves Charleston as well.  

I leave my DH with the cats too. 🙂

I saw a YouTube video which showed there were several people standing in line waiting to play PB on one of Royals  ships.  Given the rising popularity of the game, I think they’d have lots of people playing.  
 

This video is very informative.  
 

34 minutes ago, jetsfan58 said:

should they really be considering this sporting recreation activity as all inclusive on their ships? 

Yes. And build it with shade, please. 

Good for you!

A few months ago, I had a free 7 day visiting St Thomas, St Marten and other ports I can’t recall.   There was only a 1A left.  
 

I was too afraid to be stuck with it so I didn’t book it.  There was no way either of us was going to sleep up there in the top bunk.   I didn’t know that an upgrade was even possible.  Had I known that, I may have chanced it.  

I was just there a month ago.  
 

I believe you have two options. The first option is the actual cruise port parking. This is more expensive. It is about $85 for five days.

The second choice is  “mall parking”.  
I don’t know why they call it this, because it’s not a mall. It is directly across the street from the cruise parking.  It is $55 for five days.  This is where we parked, and it was very simple.  My friend has a very expensive van and she was fine with leaving it there.  You can see it on Google Maps.  

https://jaxportparking.com

in fact, we accidentally drove into the cruise area, only to be told that what we’re looking for was across the street.  Since we already pre-paid for it, I went ahead and parked at the “mall.”

You can find other information and the Florida Departures section of cruise critic. 
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/386-florida-departures/

6 hours ago, 1kaper said:

I went to the casino once when I was home but did not enjoy it.  It was not nearly as much fun losing money.

I’m with ya, sister.  
 

We went to the biggest casino in NY for just a few hours last week and played slots. Just passing through as a one time thing.  
 

Not near as much fun since I knew my losses were not accumulating as points.

3 hours ago, wemjam said:

So, this could be back firing on them already.  I was curious so I looked, we cruise in 18 days and there are still Cabanas and Villas available at the $699, $999 rate.

Ahh, yes.  
 

Price-chicken has already begun. 🐓 

41 minutes ago, dallasdan said:

all of my casino offers expired yesterday.  I am thinking a new round of offers will come out any day now.

Mine too. 
 

All they did was extend the deadline from May 1 to July 1 for mine.   Same offers.  
 

I noticed my offers are for cruises way out in the future.  It’s easier for me to book last minute but there are none.  
 

A lot depends on how much you pay for your cruise.  
 

Whenever I book a cheap or free cruise, I don’t care if I get back any money for cancellation.  
 

It is then when I buy carnival insurance because I just want flown to the US for treatment if I need it.  
 

However, if I spend a lot on a cruise, that’s the time I use Travel Guard.  They reimbursed me every penny and very quickly when I broke my foot and wrist only 2 months prior to sailing.   Great customer service. 

5 hours ago, Pellaz said:

As has been observed, it will be interesting to see how this game of price-chicken plays out for Carnival...and us

Price-chicken.  😂

My guess is that since cruising is becoming more expensive these days, some people will trot over from Royal, NCL, etc., and that $700 price tag won’t seem so bad as they’re spending less on their voyage.   Someone will pony up that cost.  
 

Just theorizing, of course.  
 

I’m out.  

33 minutes ago, wemjam said:

Supply and demand like everyone says..  if people will pay it they will charge it.

Yep. We’ve had a cabana 90% of the time at HMC because I need to stay out of the sun. We don’t usually do any excursions on the Bahamas trips, so splitting the cost amongst 2-4-6 is not too bad.  We usually just have it for 2.  
 

However, everyone has their jumping off point and $700 is definitely mine.  

I’ve been on MG 4 times.  Excellent location.   You can’t go wrong with midship on deck 9 or 10.  👍

Please note:

Smoking is permitted in a designated outdoor area at Bar Della Rosa on Deck 8 (starboard side, midship).

Therefore, you may wish to move if you’re on that side.  Not bad when sailing but possible smoke if in port. 
 

Enjoy!   
 

14 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

Simply request the same team

I do. 

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

The base tipping is the same.

Yes, I realize that.  
 

However, I only give anytime dining EXTRA tips if I have the same team for several nights.  
 

To me, the service during YTD ranges from ho-hum to lousy.  Unless I find a good one and stick with them for the remainder.  Thus, resulting in an extra tip. 

Wow.  😳I’ve been on MG 4 times and never knew this.  I just always happened to choose YTD.   🤷‍♀️
 

I was thinking of starting to do early dining simply because I figured the service is better and you get to know the servers.  I knew I would give additional tips on set dining and I was fine with that.  
 

However, if that’s a condition of early dining, then I am out.   I start getting hangry around 6-6:30 and nobody wants THAT.  
 

Thanks for posting OP.  

I vote Carnival goes back to San Juan.  I don’t do western.  I’m getting bored with going to The Bahamas.  
 

Plus, we’ve been sitting on free airfare and hotel miles for forever.  
 

If Carnival doesn’t sail from SJ soon, I’m using those frequent miles and go on SeaDream I or II, which has been on my bucket list.