LibratPDX

7 hours ago, FSHLOT said:

Not sure why walking through the casino would make any difference? 

Speaking for myself, I am allergic to smoke so it's not fun to have to walk through the Casino......

You didn't mention the sailing date?  It could be that they are all booked since so many cruises have been cancelled, people are booking ahead, and they are limited.

Wait, how would we cruise "before November" if Carnival has already cancelled cruises through October?  Rhetorical question, just sayin'!

On 8/7/2020 at 1:17 PM, bitemyfly said:

Oh wow

Is this the guy with crazy hats and perhaps a arm issue ? Was he involved with tour packages and such ? Like a for profit enterprise?  I  hope  I have it wrong as the person I’m thinking was a hell of a nice guy .. 

Yes, different hats every day, usually twice a day, missing half of one arm.  I wasn't familiar with the tour packages.  He was a hoot but rubbed some people the wrong way, can't please everyone!

He probably had close to 1000 cruise days before he passed, he was at around 700 when I met him and Diane a few years ago.  I was stunned, he was such a character, feel so bad for Diane 😞  

You would have to ask Carnival about the change fee.  Personally, I would wait to see how it shakes out, since as you say, the cruise may get cancelled.  If it doesn't, you would get charged another admin fee to change, and yes, your $400 paid would transfer. 

The $600 OBC offer is unprecedented, no way to predict COVID was going to cause such an ongoing upheaval.....your milestone reward is nothing to sneeze at!

But I hope the cruise doesn't get cancelled since I am also booked on it!  😛  

21 minutes ago, tjosh7 said:

Almost laughable....

got an email from Carnival today reminding me of final payment due soon for my cancelled Sept. 26 Valor cruise.....

 

again, all I can do is laugh......

Jeesh, you'd think they'd have a way to turn off the automated messages for specific time periods.

I don't want to think it, but many think there will be no cruises for the rest of the year.......*sob*

4 hours ago, cruisin from vegas said:

Just spoke to one of my closest friends who is a Carnival CC (30 years), I am also a past Carnival crew member; she said they were directed late yesterday no more bookings for August or September due to over capacity.  She said the last two weeks have been the highest number of bookings she has ever seen.  She says that’s all she knows, but anything can happen.  They can book October forward only.  She and I have a 60th birthday booking for October 2nd... but who knows 

Hah, Oct 2 is my 60th birthday, I'm booked on the Panorama for the 9/26 sailing for the week......I have a bad feeling it will be cancelled but there's a glimmer of hope?  The other day someone booked on the same cruise called Carnival and was told our cruise was closed for new bookings once it got to 60% capacity.  But NCL's announcement puts a new spin on things 😞

On 6/11/2020 at 6:37 PM, metromover said:

Thanks to all of you who responded!  I was worried that there would be so much FCC$$$$ floating around that there would be no seating available.  Patience....will watch my planner on a less frequent basis.  Have B2B on the Vista 11/7 & 11/14.  First week with husband & 2nd week with sisters.  Have reservation for Steakhouse first night on both of those.  And if you have not eaten at JiJi's, let me highly recommend it!

 

I like the steakhouse well enough but Jiji's is Chef's Table quality Asian food in my opinion, ridiculously good!  I am looking forward to trying the Teppanyaki Grill......as long as my 9/26/20 cruise doesn't get cancelled 🙂  

I am waiting until the last possible minute to book any excursions on my 9/26/20 cruise.  If it gets cancelled I don't like the idea of such a long wait for my refunds, ugh!

Don't we have the right to switch from using a travel agent to not using one, or vice versa, no matter the circumstances?  Carnival acknowledged they have your $$, should be a no-brainer.

• 49 minutes ago, coevan said:

   

   

  We fly AA quite often, never heard of this. We have checked in many times from the ship online. What computer you are using really doesn't matter. 

  I thought that was the error message on my app but I should have screen-shot it.   It could have also been the horrendously slow internet connection, sea days are the worst!

Just off the Magic; Anytime MDR opened at 5:30, buffet dining officially started at 6pm but the deli is open 11am to 11pm.

My airline (American) would not allow me to check in online because the WiFi wasn't secure/private.  I didn't try using one of the PC's onboard.

9 minutes ago, bury me at sea said:

 

That's the best Carnival related endorsement I can imagine.  The Chef's Table is the highlight of my cruises.

Same here, LOVE Chef's Table, I've enjoyed it at least half-a-dozen times, they really do a fantastic job!  

I found this nightlight, it's rechargeable, motion activated AND magnetic, perfect for cruise-ship cabin walls 🙂 Amazon Prime baybeee

Jiji's was one of the few things I loved about the Vista (Dream class ships remain my favorite).  IMO it's Chef's Table quality Asian food at an amazing price!  

51 minutes ago, dlphn501 said:

So is it kind of like a Pampered Chef party?  Does it cost any money if you don't schedule any of the services?

I'm not familiar with how Pampered Chef parties work.  It doesn't cost a dime if you don't schedule anything.

18 minutes ago, dlphn501 said:

So you see the sign for the pamper party, or are given a flyer with info, go there expecting to pay $189 for 3 services (or whatever they list), and when you show up they give you a lower price? Sorry to sound so naive!

The Ladies Pamper Party is listed in the FunTimes.  You get the lower-than-published price for attending and participating in the party; most people who show up know about the discounts.  You basically follow their steps and give yourself a facial.  Then at the end of the party, they talk about what is offered on the flyer and they encourage people to be vocal to get better pricing.  Kinda cheesy but the deals are the best!

39 minutes ago, Hoops_Baller said:

When do they usually have the Pamper Party?  Is it generally the first day of the cruise?

Usually on Sea Days, anywhere from 11am to 3pm (it's usually about an hour long).  On my last cruise there were some evening times but I don't know if those are only on Sea Days or if they do it every day (or if they only do it if/when they're not getting enough bookings).    The prices are only good for that day and sometimes the next morning.

Just remember to tell them at the beginning of the appointment that you don't need any products (unless you want something, then be very specific or tell them your limit and ask what they would recommend).  They like to give you a card showing all of the products the used on you but there's no hard sell.  

5 hours ago, dlphn501 said:

What is all of the writing/prices on the flyers?  Did they give you a lower price when you actually showed up?  For example, the Pick and Mix Massage Special says 3 treatments for $189, but you got ALL the services for only $109??

The writing on the flyers are the prices we paid after attending and participating in the Ladies Pamper Party, some initialed by the person authorizing the prices at the end of the party.  Yes, I got all the services, extended time, and hot stone massage added on for the scribbled prices.

I've never seen TD, but I recognize MDR "main dining room"

For the absolute best deals, attend the Ladies Pamper Party (men are welcome to attend)!  At the end of the "party", they offer package deals at a much better price than is ever published.

My samples are from two separate cruises.....

It's only worth it on the Dream class ships, not a fan of the Vista class Thermal Suite, as ccd228 mentioned, they don't have the amazing thalassotherapy pool.  

The thing I enjoyed the most was that there were NOT constant announcements.  No push to shop at Diamonds International, no reminders of what activities are coming up next, they seem to trust that everyone can read the daily schedule!  I get SO tired of the CD's announcing EVERY.LITTLE.THING on Carnival ships, just stop!   

I had a good time but definitely missed the atmosphere and fun of a Carnival Piano Bar!  The Celebrity version was mostly a snooze.  The Carnival steakhouse was better than Celebrity's....