Janet&Carl

On 9/1/2022 at 12:38 AM, MM2022 said:

Hi Janet and Carl. thanks a lot for your input😉

I have looked at all the drinks card I could find and that Wansbrough has kindly provided. However, all that is listed is "wine by the glass" and no difference between the packages? Am confused 😂. Can anyone help?

 

thanks a lot

The difference is in the color of the dot at the start of the list - if there is only a brown dot it is only included in the premium package.  

On 9/19/2022 at 5:21 AM, Aeroplex said:

Hello,

 

I'm cruising on the Costa Favolosa for the 11 night cruise in november this year to interesting destinations like Casablanca, Tanger, Cadiz, Malaga and so on.

On Mycosta there is an offer "MyExploration" - 139€ for 1 full day excursion and 2 half day excursion.

 

Well sounds nice but most the interesting excursions are blacked out. Even some half day tours for 60€. At some destination everything is blacked out.

Fortunately I should be able to cancel the package until 3 days before the cruise.

 

Example for Tanger, every excursion are blacked out (you have to pay extra).

 

 

What do you think?

Aeroplex

 

 

I rang them in June as I was unable to book  - and was told that these excursions are not offered on cruises between 8 and 12 nights long..  Are you looking at the cruise that starts on November 7 ?  We are on that cruise and I am still not able to book this package.

I think their new rules regarding the loyalty status has also had an impact.  I know it did with us.  Although we have kept our next cruise which under the previous conditions would have seen us sail with Perla Oro.

It is now impossible for most to achieve any level of loyalty status with them - if  you book an inside you have to constantly travel more than a world cruise continuously to maintain status.   

We have returned back to MSC at least their status and benefits are achievable.

On our port visit to Salalah we caught the local bus right from where the ship docked and went into town - we paid $1 USD each for the ticket and it took us right into town - we had a lovely day - shopping, visiting the mosque etc... doing touristy stuff.  I bought some lovely clothing for my grandies.  Its not somewhere that is on my list to visit again - its not hugely interesting but I never felt unsafe.

I cobbled together this info I hope it helps.........

On 10/2/2022 at 7:07 PM, Grandma Cruising said:

Thanks for the information. Added it to the spreadsheet  Did you make any bids?

Not  yet - It is a relatively quiet cruise with only 139 cabins booked.  We are trying out Azamara as trial for a World cruise so will possibly stay in the balcony as I wont be able to afford a suite for the big one 🙂 however, if we do bid I will let you know.

On 8/20/2022 at 1:48 AM, federalexpress said:

That is odd. I'm in the UK. Mine shows where I referred to top right, next to cart, in sterling. Not sure why it would be different. I booked through a UK TA and the $1000 OBC was part of the offer from them, specifically to match what Azamara were offering direct. I went with the TA because they were actually a little cheaper on the base price. My strong impression was that Azamara were quite happy for me to go with the TA rather than direct, in fact they helpfully pointed me in the direction of one to talk to.

Mine shows up too - but it is an Azamara promotion OBC not from a travel agent.  They have had many promotions recently where they have been offering either $500 plus a discount or $1000 OBC.  I booked during a $1000 OBC promotion and it appears as yours does in the top right hand corner.  I am able to use this OBC to purchase shore excursions before I sail and for anything else such as specialty dining, drink packages etc...  There have also been promotions offering OBC for shore excursions specifically.  I believe this OBC needs to be used onboard only.

We received and upgrade email for our November 19th  11 night cruise on the Pursuit.  We are currently booked in a Veranda and were offered the following minimum bids - the prices are Australian dollars

upgrade to Veranda Plus $150 pp 

upgrade to CC $610

upgrade to Spa Suite $3210

upgrade to Ocean Suite $3830

upgrade to World Suite $4290

This will be our first Azamara cruise so have no loyalty level.

Hello, tried to find a luggage storage near Seattle Pier 91 port terminal without any luck.  Can anyone tell me how early I can drop my bags off - then taxi to the nearest shopping centre for some much needed retail therapy before all those sea days .

Traffic in the centre of Athens moves slowly - it is very congested.  The time needed would depend on where your hotel is located.  The closer to the centre the longer it will take 🙂   But yes it is a short distance easily done in 15 - 20 minutes with no traffic jams.

We knew ours was non refundable because it stated it in the email small print when we booked the offer..... "OBC is NOT: refundable, transferable, redeemable for cash. "  It also states this when you apply Stock OBC.... "This benefit is not transferable, cannot be exchanged for cash and, cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities charged to your onboard account"

So I guess I knew by reading the fine print when I booked and when I applied for stock credit.

WE are the same as you and except for the Casino OBC we have the other 3 and non of those are refundable.

This picture shows you how close the ferries are to the cruise terminal - there was a shop front luggage storage last time I was there located at around the "g" in the word "Rydges sydney Harbour" on the map.  You can see it when you come out of the terminal building.  If you take the ferries you would walk to the green "F"s 

On 8/26/2022 at 8:54 AM, marie94949 said:

Does anyone know the options for storing luggage while we do something ?

If your cruise ends at Sydney Passenger Terminal and not "White Bay" there is luggage storage across the road from the port

On 8/26/2022 at 8:54 AM, marie94949 said:

Does anyone know the options for storing luggage while we do something ?

As for doing something - walk round to the ferries buy a ticket and ride 🙂 the zoo is a good option if you havent been there and you like that kind of thing.  The ferries are often and cheap and usually run on time.

On 8/16/2022 at 8:26 PM, MM2022 said:

Hi

Can anyone help me with the difference between the My Drinks and My Drinks Plus packages. As far as I can see the My Drinks Plus Package includes more cocktails, unlimited bottle water and a minibar (even though I have heard there is none on board Costa Firenze). Is there any difference in the selection of wine (white, sparkling and rosé)?

 

Thanks in advance ;O)

Hi MM - we travelled with friends - we had the top package they had the normal one - the wines that they were able to choose from was much more limited.  I was able to choose anything on the list (including Champagne) except bottles - didnt need to open a bottle - I chose a glass of a particular wine and the bottle was opened for me 🙂 I havent cruised since the shut down but the menus (google Costa Cruise bar menus) were colour coded.  You could easily see the difference of what was included and what was not.  

The premium plus had a brown dot - the premium yellow and the cheers ? was green. So if you look up menus you will see the difference in drinks 

I have On Board Credit and will be travelling with my elderly mother.  We will not be doing excursions because she is nearly blind and doesnt want to sit on a bus all day doing nothing.  Are there any exclusions to what we can spend the credit on ?  Can we use it for gratuities ? If we have to pay a cash deposit will the OBC be used first ?

20 hours ago, aussiepom1 said:

Hi I'm curious too about document of recovery and how easy it is 

Its different for different sailings - I received an email which stated (pasted and not altered) "
All guests will be required to present acceptable proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within three days prior to embarkation. Please note that a document of recovery is not applicable for this Transpacific cruise and ALL guests will be required to provide a negative test result. "

So in order to be answered you need to check the Carnival Covid page and see what it states regarding your destination and length of cruise.  Without the specific information of which ports you visit and length of cruise no one can answer your question.

https://www.carnival.com.au/legal/covid-19-legal-notices

On 8/26/2022 at 6:51 AM, kicia said:

Set up an account, pick an amount, and select charge to room.

I have never been in the ship Casino before but I am taking my 92 year old mother on one next week.  Is this easy to do ? Would you be able to tell me what are the steps to setting up an account ? Thanks 🙂 

5 hours ago, aussiepom1 said:

A quick question about people who have had COVID recently. It's says on carnival website that you need a document of recovery. Any ideas what this is. In Australia you get a text advising you of a positive PCR result and when you can leave quarantine. Is that sufficient does anyone know. You don't need to go to the doctors for a medical clearance 

The current requirements don't say anything about providing proof of recovery.  Just about all guests testing prior to cruising.  Check the have fun be safe link 

https://www.carnival.com/legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols

On 8/11/2022 at 3:44 AM, KY Deb said:

We just made reservations yesterday for an October 2023 Spanish Intensive cruise on the Quest.  So browsing through the shore excursions, it has our Azamazing Evening listed!  Hemisperic and it’s Surroundings.   In Valencia.  It sounds great and similar to Cirque de Soleil maybe.   Has anyone been to this event?  We are very excited about trying Azamara.  The decision was between Celebrity Infinity and Quest.  Elite level on Celebrity, but all of the positive comments here moved the needle to Quest.   

I am amazed that the October 23 Spain Intensive destination evening has been decided and published but not the November 2022.  We are sailing on the Pursuit on 19th November Spain Intensive and yet we have nothing to guide us yet.  Why would that be ? 

I've read on this board somewhere that some people take their favorite bottle of spirits onboard to suppplement the included drinks.  ??? If this is correct and you are allowed to take liquor onboard are you allowed to drink it anywhere or is that restricted to your stateroom only ?

duplicate info

19 hours ago, topaz123 said:

I want to make sure I am not living in a dream.....DOES THIS MEAN NO PRE CRUISE 3 DAY TEST if you are up to date on Vaccinations?   HURRAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 No ... I read it that if you are on a cruise longer than 16 days you are still to test.  This has made it more difficult for me.  It was that you could do an antigen test 3 days before sailing now its one day.  This means I can no longer do this prior to catching my flight - its going to take me nearly two days to get there and I cant book in for a test in Seattle.   So now I have to pay more for a PCR at the airport before I leave.

............"

All new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 or later, and include: 

• Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence of their vaccination status, either through VeriFLY or at embarkation. Pre cruise testing is no longer required, except for the following destination regulations: 
  • Canada: a PCR test can be taken 3 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
  • Bermuda: a PCR test can be taken 4 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
  • Greece: a PCR or antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
  • Australia: a PCR test 3 days before sailing or a self-administered antigen test 1 day before sailing"

And I must state here that it is not a destination regulation that requires this test as there are no such regulations in place here.  It is purely a Carnival regulation.

we have found Italy one of the easiest countries in Europe to get around by train and have taken many DIY day trips from our Med cruises.  The trains are delightful and easy.  The ticket machines are multi lingual and you press the button for English and everything is simple.

you are not the only one confused they have changed my 3 day prior test to 1 day prior - as I am travelling for 2 days to get there I am going to find this very difficult as I can no longer test at the 
Airport prior to flying.

Has anyone sought clarification on this ? Are we now allowed to take our own rapid antigen test without proctoring.  This timeline now makes my testing 1. more expensive and 2. harder to get before travel given that it takes me two days to get to Seattle for my cruise.

All new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 or later, and include: 

• Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence of their vaccination status, either through VeriFLY or at embarkation. Pre cruise testing is no longer required, except for the following destination regulations: 
  • Canada: a PCR test can be taken 3 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
  • Bermuda: a PCR test can be taken 4 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
  • Greece: a PCR or antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing
  • Australia: a PCR test 3 days before sailing or a self-administered antigen test 1 day before sailing
  •  

sorry wrong forum this was supposed to go in the Carnival thread lol