ZoeyVictoria

Check your credit cards for rewards offers before you join AARP. Several of mine have had $8 statement credits and membership was only $12 to join in the first place.

We were there the week of November 2 on the Independence, which had “a problem with the gangway”. They were checking people off and on the ship almost manually. We stood in a line of probably 200 people for over twenty minutes in rain that was blowing sideways. We are getting another chance on December 6 on Serenade (along with the Anthem, I surmise from @GimmeOcean’s post above).

I think this is indicative of Royal’s general standards at this point in time. I had booked a 13-night cruise with a great itinerary sailing one-way from Tampa to Boston in August 2024. It was cancelled due to the situation in Israel. I have no problem with that. Other than being disappointed to lose the cruise, it wasn’t a huge deal. What upset me was that Royal offered two options (rebook another sailing with no price protection or cancel) and felt it necessary to state that they would waive change fees and will refund non-refundable deposits. How could they possible justify charging change fees or retaining non-refundable deposits on a cruise that they canceled? Yet it was presented as if it was generous, or something special or extra. Not very impressive in my opinion.

I looked at my packing list today and saw vaccination cards and test results still on the list. Seems like a lifetime ago. Quarantine ships are in that same category of “things I want to forget”.

But you are NOT necessarily a member of the “less likely to spend $$$ on board so more easily dispensable” category because you book guarantees. That is what I found so offensive. We have also booked guarantees, sometimes because at the last minute there are no other choices, sometimes because it doesn’t really matter where we are on a very short cruise, probably other times for reasons I don’t even remember. We have had great results on those guarantees except for one cruise in a handicap accessible cabin in a bad location. We will not book a guarantee on that cruise line again, but still consider the other lines. We live in Florida, are retired, and get to cruise frequently, so it would not have been a huge problem for us. I do feel bad for the people who had to travel to the cruise port, have limited vacation time, first-timers, those who rarely cruise, or were part of a group celebrating a special occasion.

Well stated. I had the same thought but couldn’t figure out how to phrase it so politely. And, no, I am not speaking as a member of that second class category 🙄

My 25% was taken off only my cruise fare, not both of us. If you used both on the same cruise, it would be 25% off hers and 25% off yours, not 50%.

It was a first for us in over 90 cruises. We couldn’t tell if it was coming from the drain or the overhead vent, though the vent would make more sense. It was clear enough that we heard him ask her why she bought something and how much did it cost.

Seventy-eight, not seven to eight? Wow, you are very special to Carnival!

We also heard conversations from the shower. The man sneezed and I yelled “Bless you!”. No response, but it was probably a little creepy for them.

I received the same email from Carnival (30% off spa treatments) every three to seven minutes until I had eight of them. Was I specifically selected, or did everyone receive the duplicates?

Our first RV was named Fran, for John’s real name (Frederick) and my middle name (Ann). The next one was purchased unexpectedly in Charlotte, NC and became Fran C, or Francy. The last one was bigger and nicer, therefore Francine. We had planned to buy a final one, but settled down in a condo instead and quit RVing before we could buy Francesca.

There will be pictures for us, won’t there?

We also leave the bathroom light on and close the door all the way. There is a strip of light at the bottom of the door that is not visible until we sit up and look towards the bathroom. I cannot sleep with too much light in the room, but this has never bothered me.

I understand making cutbacks due to pandemic losses, but it has gone way too far when it includes Royal making a huge mistake and failing to compensate affected guests.

We are on the December 5 four-nighter. We always expected to see last-minute work being done and don’t mind, but now I have a sliver of concern that we might be canceled to allow a last-minute surge of activity.

Possibly on a dirt-cheap last minute cruise 😂

Yesterday I saw four nights on the Allure on 12/4/23 for $205 fare, total just over $600 for two in an inside guarantee. This morning it is $399 fare, total for two $976. Apparently it was spotted and booked by some during the temporary price drop. I still see November 21 & 22 on GGG. They aren't as good about posting at a set time as they were pre-pandemic.

I received 41 emails from the Princess Players Club during 2022 and through mid-January 2023. I have not received one since that date. When I log into Princess, I am taken to a screen to register my account, and in my profile “Receive offers and News” had “no” answered for mail, phone and email. I did change those answers to “yes”. I called Princess and got exactly nowhere, no help at all. Yet I have this posted under OBC: Like you, none of this makes any sense at all. It looks like $100 OBC may have been added to my December 2024 cruise. Does anyone have any ideas for who I can contact to get this straightened out?

SAS Transportation has shuttles that pick up from FLL and also a fairly long list of Fort Lauderdale hotels (but no Miami hotels). They charge $15 per person each way. It might be more reasonable to stay in Fort Lauderdale and use SAS. I believe flights to FLL are also less than Miami.

I have sailed on the Mardi Gras twice and the Celebration once. If this was to be my first cruise, I would find the Mardi Gras overwhelming. I think you would be better off on the Horizon, Vista, or Magic for the in-laws’ first cruise and also for the kids. At 10 and 12, you might want to allow them some freedom to go to specific places alone (with your permission), and the Mardi Gras might feel too large for either parents or kids to be comfortable with that. That being said, the Mardi Gras would be a great ship for the following cruise. Something to look forward to once you are familiar with Carnival.

I used to feel the same way, but cruise fares are increasing as well as adding additional charges for as many things as they can possibly charge for.

I wonder if Royal has someone checking out CC for sensitive issues and saw all of the comments regarding lack of interest in a party atmosphere. I hope so.

I hope that Royal will not sell more passes than they have loungers to accommodate. Paying for a beach experience and not being able to find a lounger is not good. I am pleased with the location, as I walked from South Beach a couple of weeks ago because the tram was impossible - it looks like a shorter, less crowded walk. To answer your original question, you have already seen two couples who originally said “No!” change our minds and do a conditional booking. I think there will be a number of people who think it sounds great, are just curious, or are willing to try it for the relatively low initial price (that we know is going to increase). It just might result in fewer people in the other areas.

I figured I had nothing to lose except the use of $64 for a few months, and the possibility of gaining something new at a good price.