BenjiRodney

You don't need to play at all. I've just transferred the money, then cashed out.

I've been told you have to pay a fee if you don't spin at least 1 time.

I have been told if you don't spin you pay a fee.

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Loving the review and the pictures. Thanks so much for sharing.

Call Carnival and ask, but I do believe that San Juan is the only port that this is allowed due to the fact the ship sails at 10 pm.

Long story short, carnival is holding a $300 refund hostage and the only way they will give it to me is to book more excursions or pay balance on my upcoming cruise (already all booked, and cruise is paid) or apply it as obc, (still not clear if it's refundable and if so, don't know if I trust them). I already have $400 in obc and certainly don't need more.

 

So I've heard you can cash out obc in the casino. This seems to be my best option, but I have never gambled and don't understand how it works, could someone tell me in detail what I do, or who I go see to get it applied to casino and then how to cash that out? Or can I pull obc from the kiosk or guest services?

 

I just had another idea...I pre-paid tips, could I cancel that and get that put back on my card? Then I could let auto tips take that extra obc. (4 people on a 10 day cruise will be more than that)

Go to the Casino, put your S&S card into a slot machine. Transfer the money into the machine. Spin once, transfer the money to your Player Bank, walk to the cashier and withdraw the money.

Like that they are doing this, but of course the Vista cruise I have booked that stops in Cozumel is not part of it. Bummed.

Just back from a cruise that stopped in Costa Maya, if you want to skip one, this would be it.

I've completed 13 Carnival Cruises with 4 more booked, Completed 3 Royal Cruises with one more booked, I do prefer Carnival. I agree with you the prices are good.

Congrats and enjoy.

Exactly what was better? Besides air conditioning? You did not mention the 3 different bands on the ship, which everyone misses on Carnival. One Caribbean style, one regular band, and one show band? At least 15 or more live musicians? What about the secondary shows in the evenings? Service levels at the bars? The food and layout at the buffet? The lunch in the MDR and breakfast in MDR? What about the ease of getting on and off the ship, without photographers in your face blocking the way? Anything about the relaxing way to wait in the atrium bar while getting a pre dinner drink instead of waiting on steps for the doors to open? Service in the Casino? Did you notice the ship generally does not have a huge amount of smoking? Even in the Casino? Did you attend the past guest party, for "every past guest"?. What about the top tier parties? What about the formal night reception to meet the officers? I coould have more questions but will leave it at that.

The Caribbean Band the lead singer she was flat, sounded monotone.

The 4 singers for the production shows were miss matched, did not sound good together.

Did Breakfast and Lunch in Windjammer based on the slowness of the MDR.

Atrium Bar was always crowed, if you didn't mind waiting.

Service in the Casino was slow, I had to go ask for help when the machine malfunctioned.

Did not attend the past guest party as it was scheduled at a time in port before you had to be back on. Port time was more important.

Lines were long to meet the captain/officers. Plenty of other chances to interact with them at other less formal times.

Cigars, Cigars, and more Cigars on the one side of lido, so if you happen to walk down the wrong side, beware of the smoke.

Is that want you wanted or should I go on. Oh and security had to run the children out of the adults only pool several times.

Charge for popcorn 1.25 Carnival free for the big screen movies. Drinks at the R Bar are now priced at 12.00 each.

as a platinum VIFP! On my next cruise, also on the Conquest in June, I will "graduate" to Diamond.

 

This was a casino cruise, very relaxing, with 3 sea days and 4 ports: St Kitts, St Maarten, San Juan and Grand Turk, all beach days.

 

I thought the casino cash drawings were a bit lower than some other casino cruises I've been on......the 1st nights' drawing was for $300, and I don't think they went over $1,000 until the 7th day.

 

I had late dining, service was provided by a group of 3 different waitstaff who alternated every night, rather than having the same head waiter and asst. each night.

 

I didn't eat any pizza or guys burgers, so I can't comment on them except to say I wasn't interested.

 

Spoke to the Captain at the past guest party and told him I'm returning to the Conquest since he runs such a tight ship.

 

BTW, I don't think the Diamond thing is that different than Platinum, but the card is white.

Congrats on Diamond, next year I will finally break the 100 night mark on Carnival.

Just back Saturday from Vision of The Seas 7 nights from Tampa to Roatan/Belize/Costa Maya and Cancun.

I did feel for the folks who got left and those who did not get their luggage due to storms on Saturday. A reason to go a day early. The ship held over 1 hour to allow for some late arrivals, and some had to fly to Roatan and Belize to catch the ship.

There were 2 areas that Royal beat Carnival. The temperature of the rooms, we had a great air conditioning system and was able to keep the room cold. And the book on board your next cruise option. They were offering OBC for this cruise to use now and some other perks, so even though it was lackluster I (at this time) plan on the Oasis of the Seas in 2018. After 4 more cruises on Carnival.

Food/MDR was okay, service was over 2 hours each time we went. Some people were finished by the time we even got our main courses.

Ice Cream only available 1130 am - 900 pm. Carnival 24/7.

Shows okay, prefer the Playlist productions on Carnival.

Activities, Carnival seems to schedule more, I have saved my FunTimes going back to 2010 and compared them with the ones from Royal.

I liked that Carnival stays on Ship Time/Home Port time. Not this one, First night back one hour, 2nd night back another hour to match time in Roatan and Belize. Then leaving Belize, forward one hour to match Costa Maya and Cozumel and leaving Cozumel, forward again one hour to get back on Tampa time. (Enough with the time changes already)

Crew was the friendliest in the 3 times that we have been on RCCL.

Looking forward to the next 4 cruises on Carnival, it will be good to be back home.

We've always boarded and had lunch then got back off and explored and had dinner in Old San Juan.

Love this route but will not do it on a Fantasy Class Ship. Like having the Steakhouse and Dive in Movies on 7 night cruises.

Anyone ever get an UPSELL call with a TA listed on the booking?

No I have only got the call when I booked direct.

Thank you all for the information! I feel like I am emailing into a black hole. Can I ask how far in advance you all made your reservation?

 

Also, this may be an incredibly stupid question, but it looks like this excursion is available at each port- is it also available by tender the day we sail Tracy Arm?

Last year I emailed them in Jan for our May cruise and had a response in 24 hours. I still have the email in my cruise folder.

Hope we make it on our RCCL cruise, they have missed it several times due to winds and high waves per some of the reviews on the ship we are sailing.

Sorry but I am still seeing much better pricing on Carnival than Royal. I think we paid too much on Royal for the cruise this weekend we are taking but we are going with a group of family/friends so I sucked it up and dealt with with. Next four however are back on Carnival.

Carnival needs to hold the Muster drill in the public rooms instead of packing us like sardines under the life boats. Princess, Royal and Celebrity do it that way. Not sure about NCL, its been a while.

Royal did not on Rhapsody or Granduer of the Seas when we went.

Our drill for the Breeze was in the main lounge.

We'll be on the August 6 sailing!

August 20th 2016 and June 10 2017

Hello Everyone!

 

We are so pleased to announce our new partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines to offer you, our members, access to exclusive onboard Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle Parties!

 

Carnival will host private parties for Cruise Critic members who have signed up prior to sailing – a private room and refreshments and snacks will be provided by the cruise line. Meet & Mingles will be held on all Carnival sailings of 7-days or longer. The day, time & location of the party will be published in Fun Times no later than the evening prior to the party.

 

To attend a Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle on your Carnival sailing, please register here: Register To Attend

Be sure to register soon for your sailing; there is a 14-day advance notice to Carnival!

 

Parties will be scheduled when there are 25 or more Cruise Critic members (family & friends too) registered to attend. Here is more information about our new partnership with Carnival to bring you Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle parties.

 

Parties will begin for sailings in April.

 

We are so excited about this opportunity for our members, and hope you will all have a great time meeting each other at these Official Meet & Mingle gatherings on board your Carnival cruise!

 

Laura

Thanks you getting this started with Carnival. I just signed up for my December cruise on the Magic.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2015/08/14/cruise-director-confidential-inside-cruising-life/?intcmp=hpff

Matt was a blast last year on the Breeze at Halloween.

How much (approx) would a cab be from MIA airport to a hotel on Collins Ave? Also, are there other options than a cab? This hotel does not offer shuttle service.

I always use SuperShuttle in Miami that way I know they can transport us and our luggage. Some taxis that have not been Vans have not wanted to take us and our bags.

Or even dolphins?

This will be our 3rd cruise in Oct (Breeze) and we haven't been lucky enough to see any whales or dolphins while at sea, or in port. Of course, I'm not talking about on excursions....

 

Anyone been lucky enough? And where were you when it happened?

Dolphins in Tampa on the Paradise and Whales on the Legend in Alaska.

Mine showed up on the Booking Documents

I actually enjoy it, it's like an Adult Version of Trick or Treat. Some stores that are not in the book, see that you have it and give you stuff as well.

I like the Bags you get for free at Del Sol, the Necklace from Diamonds International, I always think I get my 25 dollars worth.