SadieN

5 hours ago, groundloop said:

 

On one of our cruises, can't remember which one, I'd looked at my balance on the TV and it showed that I owed quite a bit for something that was already paid for.  I raced down to the Guest Services desk in a panic, got them to print my entire ledger, and it turned out that whatever was showing on the TV was totally wrong.

 

 

Seems like every device shows something different-- TV, Kiosk, HUB app.  Only way to confirm it is at Guest Services.  They can set it up to inly show us what they want us to see.

What always gets us is the credits that come and go for Platinum/Diamond Laundry perks.

51 minutes ago, iheartmarshall said:

I used to be a TA on the side and I can confirm that TAs do not get paid until after the trip is complete.  Commission is built into the prices of everything travel-related (cruises, hotels, cars, vacation packages, etc.) and when booking through a TA, they receive that commission once the trip/booking is complete (usually on a monthly or quarterly basis).  And if a client cancels a cruise or other trip, the TA receives nothing. 
.....................  

One cruise our TA made a whole $10 in commissions.  We paid full fare but the fare was so low that it wasn't worth her time, paper and ink to book it. (My decision not hers).

She sent us her paperwork by mistake and I was able to see the fare breakdown  Truly eye opening.  Too bad others never see it.  

Can do without the whole Caribbean, except Puerto Rico.  

2 hours ago, trbarton said:

I’m going to be on the Miracle. Do you know where the BBQ venue is?

 

Thanks!

 

Tom😀

Miracle only has embarkation dining  Deck 9.  But she does have many buffet lines that are spread apart.  In the buffet, I'm including two lines outside (including burgers), inside includes Asian and Pizza.

Assuming you're on the Panorama?

From past experience the latest Saturday debarkation has started around 8:15, though Mom had one several hours later because the gangway was having issues.

Problem with the Carnival shuttle is that you have to wait for the shuttle (read Big Bus) to fill up.  Might even have to stop at several LAX terminals.  

For an 11:25 flight you'll need to be at the airport a good two hours ahead of your flight, so that means leaving Long Beach no later than 8:45.  Never know what traffic will be like on the freeways or inside the LAX Horseshoe. 

CBP moves quickly but you'll still have to wait.  The quickest debarkation has been 20 minutes, ship to car, with Diamond Self Assist on a Friday.

A good alternative to the shuttle (no idea what will happen to Uber and Lyft in the future) is simply taking a taxi.  $60 flat + tip to LAX.

6 hours ago, HxFx said:

So are there no restrictions to bring your own milk product? I like heavy cream in my coffee but can only find half and half. I'd bring my own if I'm allowed.

It's restricted like any other liquid product.   

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

I don't think that would be appropriate. Especially when they could sell a ton in the gift shops.

We've received many P/D gifts that had siblings in the shops.  Tervis tumblers, lanyards, baseball caps, photo frames, all sorts of bags.  A simple change of design is all that's needed.  A mask fills a need, like a baseball cap.  Not everyone liked those baseball caps.

During the dinner hour.

Sitting on the Promenade, people watching.

Make sure Uber and Lyft are still operating when you arrive.  There's been some regulatory stuff going on.

Where else do you want to see and do in LA?  Stay nearby those, then stay the night before your cruise at the QM.  

Mom's been given the blue cabin towels and a huge, fluffy blanket. Not too sure why we each received a towel, except that it was our 'millionth' time with the same crew.  Mom complained of being freezing (it was beyond freezing), when we came back to the cabin there was a nice note on top of a brand new blanket.  Trouble is we pack extremely light with 19-22" suitcases.  Lots of luggage Tetris with those.

I've only received one of the Brunch Juices for free on one of our recent cruises.  We had sailed with the MD many times.

Adding on-- we did get a pre-dinner tasting once.

Everyone else has talked about the ship but the real difference is the passengers.  Platinum on Princess, Diamond on Carnival, all of Princess and almost all of Carnival have been out of Southern California. 3-14 day cruises on both lines.

Princess' atmosphere is, IMHO along the lines of 'country club' ( I always think of the one in Dirty Dancing), Carnival's is a bit 'Vegas', during the school year its like Vegas mid-week.  The best way to describe it is what's sang a Karaoke -  Baby Got Back on Carnival, Blue Suede Shoes on every Princess cruise. Carnival has a vibrancy the Princess doesn't have, can always find a quiet corner on a Carnival ship. 

Food is very subjective but only on Princess have we been served brown pineapple juice consistently on every cruise. Tasted fine, it was, just well, brown.

Both lines have excellent crew.  

They transitioned into a Sushi bar.

4 hours ago, Airheights said:

Good point on bankruptcy. I did expect the other refunds, port fees, etc. I just didn’t expect a full cruise refund.


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Need to check Travel Insurance exemptions.  Several bankrupt travel providers are on the exemption list.  

4x4 Bob flight arrived too late for embarkation and they had to catch up to the ship.  Happened on Princess but their experiences could have been on any cruise line.

What's no one has addressed is the possibility of a delayed debarkation.  San Diego can be a pain to clear CBP.

They're fraternal sisters.  Same deck plan, though the Cherry On Top is in a slightly different location.  Different decor, different days of week sailed and different production shows. We've met the same crew on both ships over the years.

Until October Imagination is parking off site $15/day.  

Choose by days of the week you want to sail.

Rent a car SAN to LGB.  A taxi from LGB is under $30 to San Pedro.

Well, too late for today, but for the next person.  I've seen porters as early as 9:00 for luggage.  YMMV

There are copies, then there are copies.  In California we do not get an original BC, those are located at the County.  We get an official copy on official paper.

Be aware that if you need to leave the ship early, you will need a passport to fly home.  Many of the islands share embassies or consulates.  These are usually located on other islands or mainland.  When Daughter broke her ankle overseas she was in no way physically able to get photos and travel to the Embassy nearest her.

Inside Cabins will have upper berths, regular sized twin mattresses, holding up to 250#.

French Door/Picture Window/Ocean View?Balcony cabins will have a sofa (Daybed) and an upper berth above .

Electronic passport data are a bit more accurate than passport stamps.  Daughter has two oddly dated passport stamps, one is 34-12-18.  Yep, December 34, 2018!  

Taxi's are still a viable option.  About $75 to Long Beach from LAX.

Long Beach to LAX is $60flat