Boyshockeymommy

I had this discussion with number 2 son the other night on whether it would be worth it for both my boys, No1 sons wife and Number two sons friend to get the cheers program. ( hubby and i are entertaining the grandchildren)

Conclusion was No 1 son only likes beer and he is rather a lightweight when it comes to drinking. His wife also likes beer, wine and coolers, however, she is a real lightweight due to her stature and can get really messed up quickly. We decided cheers would not be worth it for them as i dont want 4 children to look after.........

Number 2 son and his friend, on the other hand would love the cheers program and take advantage of all it offers. He loves a good shot of scotch and a nice cigar after dinner and with Cheers, he could get the really high end drinks that he would never be able to afford at home. (We live in Canada and liquor is very, very highly taxed making high end liquor only for the rich). He’s already perusing drink menus and making a plan.......LOL.

Hubby doesnt drink at all (except for his annual Christmas dinner glass of wine) and i like my daily Pina Colada on a cruise, so its not even close to worth it for us. We like the coffee bar, but can pay easily for that daily treat as well.

Long story short, we just have to convince No1 son and his wife why its not good for them without actually telling them why its not good for them. LOL

Our last Dream cruise (March 2018), we had a cash account on board. Also carried about $2500 cash ( we drove to New Orleans and back from Ontario,Canada). Also prepaid everything on board, that i could prepay, and also prepaid excursions not booked thru the ship ship. Spent two days having a great time in NOLA. Put $600 on our cash account at boarding. Put aside money for extra tipping for quality service. Had a great time drinking the occasional drink, playing bingo, casino, coffee bar, steak house once. Put an extra $150 on cash account around day 5 of 7 day cruise. Drove home, had $440 left and got a check from Carnival for another $136 left on our cash account! So for a 12 day adventure including driving to and from as well as two nights additional in a hotel ( our two nights in NOLA also prepaid) and all of our adventures along the way as well as cash for cruis ship incidentals, we spent less than $2000. I had envelopes for everything with the estimated amount i would need for each event, including meals. It worked out great. Also had a prepaid credit card with $1200 on it for emergencies, but never used it.

Long story short, we spent about $700 on the cruise ship and had a great time doing all we wanted to do.

I use it, well not the easy pay part, but the PayPal part. I absolutely love the fact that I can pay cash straight out of my bank account. I did it for my last cruise and we had no problems. I could pay some every pay period. I don’t use credit cards, and that makes it very hard to book vacations without one. This option is perfect for us. I thought about using the Easypay this time but I am paying for eight people and wanted a little bit of control over my payments and when I made them.

However, I agree with you both. If my millennial children had to pay their own way, I would recommend the Easy Pay option. Like yours, they suck at budgeting for the future. One lives “in the moment” and the other thinks, “meh, worry about retirement?, that’s a long way off, I have plenty of time”. LOL , if only they knew........

We were on the Dream March 4-March 11. I have all copies of the fun times. We’re you looking for something specific?

We have always booked through a TA as I don't use credit cards and could pay cash with a TA. This time we booked directly, online since Carnival now uses Paypal and I could pay cash directly out of my bank account. Super convenient and I booked and paid for everything else as well online. Now, we haven't gone on the cruise yet, (March 4) so don't know if everything will be hunky dorey when we get there, but I hope so.

Perhaps I should order a second case of water for our room on our upcoming Dream cruise?

We got our first upsell ever for our Dream cruise in March. We booked a Cove Balcony, (deck 2) and our upsell was a regular balcony on deck 9. We took that offer and paid a grand total of $54.

My husband and I frequent the coffee bar, usually twice a day. In the morning and usually late afternoon. We love the punch card and just asked for it at the coffee bar. By the end of the week, we don't even have to order, they know what we want! We don't drink or smoke so this is what we choose to spend our money on.

Good luck in your choice. Have not been on the Breeze and I am sailing on the Glory in January, so I can't really say.

However, I live near Toronto and the difference between a flight to Miami vs Fort Lauderdale was $10. I can't imagine it would be much different from California.

Love all those ports on either cruise, heck, I just love cruising so good luck with your choice...

Kimm

Just looking at a live satellite picture of the Liberty and there is smoke coming from one side of the whale tail, but that usually happens when they start an engine up. Hopefully that is the case.

Kimm

Hope all is well for everyone concerned!

Kimm

If it was free, yes. Paying $400 more, no.

I would have your TA talk to someone else.

 

BTW why didnt your TA know Carnival cancelled your booking? Seems to me she should have gotten something in writing from Carnival.

This has gone up the chain of command at our Travel Agency. It is a rather large company. Hopefully the district manager can intervene for us. As for the TA herself, she may have gotten notice sometime this week if I hadn't approached her first as to why my booking number wouldn't give me access to the Carnival website. It was when she called them yesterday, that she was informed our booking would be cancelled as of today for lack of payment of the deposit.

When booking for us three months ago, she requested the credit I had with Carnival be applied to our booking. Never was a deposit requested by Carnival until she called yesterday to find out why my booking number would not access the Carnival website. She was as astonished at this "screw up", as I am angry.

I don't blame her at all.

Kimm

Last year in May we booked a cruise for our family (6 people) with Carnival and I paid a $1500 CAD deposit. In August, we had to cancel due to my daughter in law getting pregnant and with complications her doctor would not let her travel. After paying a $300 USD cancellation fee ($50pp) I was told by Carnival that my money would be held as a future cruise credit for booking another cruise. Okay, fine by me.......

Three months ago, we contacted our TA to say we wanted to utilize our credit and book this cruise. She booked our cruise and sent us the info including the booking number. Okay, we are on our way!!!!! After information on this board regarding price drops, we had our TA fill out the appropriate paperwork and we were given a $140 pp price reduction from Carnival.

Sunday evening this past week, I went to the Carnival site to order my water for our stateroom, and for whatever reason, my booking number would not work. So, I contacted our TA Monday (yesterday) to see if when the price reduction went through our booking number changed. She contacted Carnival who then told her, that our booking was CANCELLED because we failed to pay an $800 USD deposit for the cruise!!! WHAT???????? When was paying a deposit requested? They already have over $1000 of my money! So, I guess according to Carnival as of yesterday, we should have paid $800USD deposit and then the money I already paid to them would have been added to our account. Wait. WHAT????? The person our TA talked to yesterday would not budge. Apparently FCC means you can't use this money to book your cruise. How is that right? Why in three months of talking with the operators at Carnival was the issue of a deposit never mentioned?????? Even through all the paperwork for the rate reduction, nobody mentioned a deposit.

Why would anyone buy FCC if you can't use them to book a cruise? This seems like a shoddy way to do business and maybe I will have to chalk this up to a lesson learned and take my business to another line...........

I have organized two M & G on two different cruises (both with Princess)

I just contacted the company, told them, that I wanted a location on board ship, large enough for ? people, and we wanted a "no host" bar. This meant that the meeting would be held in a lounge somewhere on the ship with a bartender in attendance if you wanted a drink. You paid for your own drinks if you desired one.

There was no notice of this meeting in the Princess Patter, but word was spread strictly on our cc roll call. A member took care of the spreadsheet, updating it when new members joined the roll call. Another took care of name tags for attendees. I took care of arrangements, and yes, personal invites to the officers on board ship.

We also had a voluntary gift exchange. Each couple purchased something specific to their area of the country/world (no more than $10) and then we drew names. The giver would explain to everyone how this was significant to where they came from. It was a great history/geography lesson!

Since Princess is a Carnival Corporation line, I can't imagine that it would be any different for Carnival Cruises. I am travelling on the Dream in November and will contact Carnival to arrange a meet and greet for our cruise.

And yes, the first sea day, is usually the ideal time for this meeting as people have more time and energy to attend.

Good luck with all your arrangements everyone! Carnival is also a great line to cruise on and I am looking forward to coming back after 3 Princess cruises.

Kimm

Four largely overweight guys in fedora's and black thongs dancing on the Lido deck at the pool. (I am thinking they lost a bet) ........ Have pictures..... LMAO

Hello,

So this is my sixth cruise, third on Carnival........ this is the very first time we have chosen our cabin, have always gone with a guarantee......

First time, Carnival, got what we paid for, inside, lowest deck.

Second cruise, Carnival, upgraded to an ocean view that overlooked the front of the ship. Nice cabin.

First Princess....got what we paid for . Inside lowest deck.....

Second cruise, Princess, got an upgrade to "obstructed ocean view"........A lifeboat was hanging in front of the window, but if you stood on your toes you could see the ocean..........Still, daylight is great.

Third cruise, got what we paid for at the very front of the ship, but a higher deck......Not an upgrade in my opinion, but was travelling with three newbies so didn't expect much.

However, none of the cabins on either line were assigned more than a week before cruise. So be patient. At best, a nice upgrade, at worst, exactly what you paid for.

Kimm

We sailed on the Coral last Oct. the Princess contact was;

Rosanne Pennucci

rpennucci@princesscruises.com

661-284-4443

 

The ship reserved an area in Crooners for our M&G, I had delivered invitations for the officers to the purser desk and later found out they had NOT been delivered to the officers. At the same time as our M&G, Princess had a note in the Patter for a singles meeting in Crooners...it did cause some confusion, nothing to lose sleep over though.

 

Lawrence has been reassigned to the Regal the last I spoke with him when planning our M&G last year.

I just planned our M&G for the Emerald Princess, and was directed to Rosanne Pennucci. I had originally sent my email to the lady on the most recent cruise critic list of contacts, but was forwarded to Ms. Pennucci.

Last email I received from her was today, so at this time, she is looking after the Emerald Princess.

Kimm

Were booked on Emerald leaving on March 9th for 20 days and still no room!!!!!

Getting nervous!

We are also booked on the Emerald for March 9 and we, as well, have not been assigned a room. Don't worry. Last cruise, dh and I were not assigned a room till we arrived at check in. It was a nice surprise to see an upgrade.

A guaranteed reservation, means just that. You are guaranteed a room, but who knows where? Look at is as a surprise! Just like having a baby. LMAO

See you on the 9th!

Kimm

We always book a gty inside cabin in the lowest category. My opinion is that you only sleep and shower there, so it doesn't really matter where you lay your head. On our first Carnival cruise, we got exactly what we paid for. On our second Carnival cruise, we were upgraded to a cabin with a window at the very front of the ship. Our first Princess cruise, we got exactly what we paid for. Our second cruise, we were upgraded to an obstructed ocean view room (a lifeboat was hanging in front of the window, but if you stood on your toes, you could see the ocean. LOL) It was still a nice cabin. This time, (my 3rd Princess cruise, first for my three friends) we hope to get an upgrade, but if I don't, it doesn't matter to me.

I get to eat the same food, go to the same shows, and take the same trips as all of those people who paid much more than I did. And that's all that matters to me.

Kimm

I was just wondering how restrictive they are about the weight limit on these zip line tours. I know the info says that you must be 250lbs or less, but is that just a guideline? I am 10-15lbs over that and am worried there will be a weigh in before the tour and I will be embarrassed when they tell me I can't go......... Also, I don't want the lines to break............. LOL

Hubby and I always book an inside guaranteed cabin in the lowest price category. Our first Princess cruise we got what we paid for, but you only sleep in there anyway.

Second Princess cruise, again booked an inside guarantee in the lowest category. We were upgraded to an obstructed oceanview cabin. A lifeboat was hanging in front of the window. In our opinion a fabulous upgrade.

I am travelling with friends on the Emerald Princess in March, and have again booked an inside guaranteed cabin in the lowest category. Can't wait to see what I get, but as I said, it won't matter as we only sleep there anyway.

Kimm

My sister who is a frequent traveller, taught me the tricks of the trade. Rolling your clothes will let you fit 2 times the amount in your case than you would normally get folded. If they are ironed before you roll them, they stay crease free........... I also do laundry on board ship, because I don't have that many summer clothes to choose from, so I am good for a 7 day cruise, but any more than that and I have to do laundry.

As for hangers, there are always plenty available for dh and I.

Dryer sheets and a travel bottle of laundry soap are great for me!

Kimm

Dh and I have a very small travel window each year. Also making minimum and near minimum wages, it takes us a very long time to save for a cruise. November is the perfect time for us since it's usually way cheaper and falls in the middle of our short travel window. Plus, our anniversary is in November.

We have been on several cruises, always in late October or early November and have never had bad weather. I shouldn't say never, but we have always made all of our port stops where the weather has been gorgeous. Not too cold, not too hot, just the way I like it. We did have a wind storm one night on one of our cruises and the boat rocked quite a bit, but you can get that anytime. Never been a problem for us. In fact, we love that time of the year, because there aren't many children or families travelling, not that I don't love kids, but I go on a vacation for some serious downtime, and screaming kids just don't allow that to happen..... LOL

My next one, is March 2014 with some friends from work, and it will be on a large Princess ship, during the height of March break. LMAO. Screaming kids and young adults (students) probably, galore.... But I am travelling with an "all woman" party this time, and we plan to be some of those "wild" passengers, so look out!!!!!

Truly, you will love a November cruise. Enjoy!

Kimm

Being Elite or Platnum isn't the case. They always ask if you are a past passenger and occasionally past passengers do get a small discount.

I recently booked a cruise as a past passenger with 3 newbie passengers travelling with me. I received a $100 dollar discount from the advertised price. The advertised price was $999. Interestingly, my cabin mate, who is a first time cruiser got the same rate as me, and our other two friends staying in a different cabin, paid the advertised price of $999. So, I am not sure how that works. My friend in my cabin certainly got a break that the other two didn't get, so I am not sure past passenger status has ANYTHING to do with it. LOL

Kimm