richfret

21 hours ago, Lottacruises said:

They should really up the number of days to reach platinum to allow more time to research its benefits.

That was not required.  It was just an honest question.  I have 22 completed Carnival cruises and I read the post just to confirm if any thing had changed.

HEY!  Leave my BINGO alone!  I look forward to the games and wish they had one every day of the cruise.  That's why they invented the Serenity Section.  If you don't want to play Bingo, just go to the Serenity Section and sleep. 

I could be wrong but was told that the lobsters served on the cruise ships are not the New England type lobster with large claws.  Without them, you need two lobsters to make an average meal.  Much of the lobster meat would be in the missing claws.  I always order 2 lobsters but that is the only meal that I need to order double.  Would I be disappointed  to pay for a second lobster?  ABSOLUTELY!!  If they can afford to give you 2 or 3 Guy Burgers, they can give you 2 small lobsters.  Oh Oh!  Did I just give them another idea? 

Here's a Bingo story for you.  This happened to me on the Conquest  a couple of weeks ago.  Went to play Bingo and was told to sit down and cards would be sold to me.  I saw a gal selling cards across the theater and I motioned to her that I would come to buy one.  She smiled and waved that she was coming to me.  On the way, she stopped and sold some Bingo cards and accompanying scratch off tickets to some ladies in the front row.  She then proceeded to me but on the way there was considerable commotion and cheering.  Turns out, one of the ladies had just won $1,000 on the scratch off ticket she had just purchased.  .......................  Yep!!!!  That was my to be Bingo card and scratch off ticket.  I didn't win at Bingo either!  

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!

Just for info, if you cruise during the Super Bowl week, you and all in your party had better like foot ball because that will become the main interest of the cruise for 3 or 4 days.  Don''t get me wrong because I will watch the Super Bowl at home but when I cruise I want it to be about cruising.   If I remember right, on my last cruise, they showed the Super Bowl in the main theater.  That meant we missed one the activities that would normally take place in the theater.  That's how it was every where on the ship before and after the game.

Now I know I will be in the minority on this subject but  just giving my 2 cents on the subject.

Using your example, it is not a matter of what time Ping Pong was held on a prior cruise so I could set a time for it on my cruise.  It's the fact that they have Ping Pong sessions instead of (shall we say) cake baking classes.  No offense to the Bakers intended.  So now I can plan that they will PROBABLY have Ping Pong sessions on my cruise although not with 100 percent certainty.     

From my last post:  "It gives me an idea of what to expect".  I did not say I would plan all my activities based on the past Fun Times like playing Bingo at 8 pm on the second day of the cruise.  I might however check to see how many Bingo sessions were offered during an 8 day cruise.   You are taking this all too seriously.  The Fun Times are a fun thing and not the Bible.  Now back to planning if I may with hopes of getting the Fun Times for a March 2, 2019, eight day cruise on the Conquest.  Is there a liquor tasting session, a Veterans get together, a slot tournament, how many, etc.?  I doubt I would cancel the cruise based on the results. ............................. Then again, maybe so!    

First off, I am a planner who buys his cruise at least a year in advance.  Getting a copy of the Fun Times would be nice to get some idea of what to expect.  Now this should be easy.  For most cruises, it's all on computer already so all that would have to be done is to make it available.  If it is a new cruise being run for the first time, then I could understand that it is not available.  If Fun Times have already been written for a past cruise similar to yours,  it should not be a major problem.  Will there be changes?  Probable but so what.  It still gives me an idea of what to expect.  

It's a computer world so let's use it.  Otherwise,  I have to search and search for the Fun Times on Cruise Critic and many times the provided copies are unreadable or very difficult to print. 

Once I have submitted a deposit for a cruise, it would be nice for Carnival to say:  By the way, here is a copy of the Fun Times for your cruise and ship.  Enjoy.

Probably because he/she did not realize the it was a 2008 thread.   I read them also and did not catch the timing.  The Poster in front of he/she is the one that brought it out.  

Actually there is no limit on timing of posts as far as I know although 10 years is a bit of a stretch.  Oh well, now we know about cruise ship roofs.  I have been on 21 Carnival cruises and some of the ships had roofs.  In no case was the roof ever closed on any of the cruises.  

Now on to more important things like a easily printable copy of the March 2, 2019 Conquest Fun Times.

Saw this under Carnival Terms and Conditions:

SHORE EXCURSIONS - 48 Hour After Booking offer (20%, 10%, 15%, 5% offers)

In order to be eligible to receive the coupon offer for this promotion, you must (1) reserve the applicable shore excursion prior to the commencement of your cruise; and (2) the order must be placed with 48 hours of booking your cruise. This offer is not available for any tours occurring in Alaska, Cuba or Hawaii. If you cancel your excursion 24 hours prior to sailing, a refund will be issued to the originating credit card. If you cancel your excursion onboard, an onboard credit will be issued. The onboard credit is nonrefundable, non-transferable, and has no cash value. The terms that are in effect at the time of your booking will determine your eligibility under the Shore Excursion coupon offer. No change in the Shore Excursion discount offer will affect any coupon that has already been issued to you. The failure by Carnival Cruise Line to enforce any provision of these Terms & Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

Is this some thing new?  Have completed 21 Carnival cruises and never came across this.

I agree with every thing said.  You get your luggage when it becomes available and Platinum or not, it makes no difference.  In all fairness, I have survived  22 Carnival cruises with the luggage issue so, "so be it".  Now with the other Platinum perks, I am not so understanding.  I want to board first, go to my cabin first, receive a small gift and have a Platinum Party.  I don't want any excuses about those.

Had a back cabin (1387) on the Conquest.  There is vibration but nothing unbearable and as others have said, you get a different view.  The vibration will be particularly noticeable in port when the ship is backing up.  It only lasts for a few seconds but the whole cabin shakes considerably.  Then it is gone and you are back to normal.  

It's a different experience if you have cruised several times mid ships.  Would do it again but usually end up mid ships on the Lido deck.  Wife has a walking problem and that location makes it easier to get around.

Seems like in the olden days when you opened this site, you could tell the new entries from repeat entries.  If I remember right, the titles were a darker color and underlined.  I liked that feature.  Some times you just want to quickly view in the first page or two if you had any replies to your input and don't want to review the entire board.  Is this just old age on my part?  I know you will say "Yes".

I like BINGO (Can't believe no one mentioned it so far), SLOT TOURNAMENTS and the Shows.  Then again, there are about 20 other things I like just as well.  But that is what cruising is all about.

I put a couple of years in the navy. My parents were in Michigan while the graduation was in Chicago. It's just Part 1 for the sailor with many more adventures to follow. Take the cruise. Believe me, he will survive.

The theater shows are certainly nothing like they were several years ago. They are OK but nothing to brag about. They basically are made for the younger generation with loud (No lets make that excessively loud) music for an audience that sometimes is all retiree. The background wall is turned into a 3D screen that can be amazing at times but I thought we came to see a performance. Then there are the lights. At times blinding to the point you have to turn your head. The costumes are mostly plain with few changes. The performers are usually very good who do their best for their audience but you need a good planned show to start with.

I know this sounds negative and but actually that is the way it is now. I have been on 21 Carnival cruises and can say that there is no comparison now a days to the past shows. I still go, however, but don't applaud for several minutes like I use to. I like the shows but do not brag about them when I return from a cruise. Given 3 or 4 shows on a cruise. I wish Carnival would do 2 old fashion shows and the remainder in the modern fashion for the younger generation.

Maybe the problem is that I am just getting old and turning into a fuddy duddy. Oh well, have cruises booked for 2019 and 2020 so it can't be that bad.

It is my understanding that the mega ships would be sailing mostly European ports since our ports do not have facilities to refuel natural gas ships. Europe does. I imagine this situation will change in the future.

Phew! Looks like the battling is ending. let's every one take a neutral corner and take a deep breath. Maybe a cup of tea might help. The kind you pay for when you go to the store.

Poor Carnival. I can see them reading these posts and issuing a big sigh. To tea or not to tea, that is the question!

Well in any event, we have the Military at the Teas should their help be required. In case a battle breaks out like in these posts.

My cruise is purchased for March, 2019 and I plan to attend the teas because I like tea. Still debating whether I will buy a premium tea. That's the fun in cruising. Always some thing exciting going on and decisions to be made.

SOOOO frustrated with Carnival right now. I am ready to book a cruise. Credit card in hand. I have been platinum for several years. Surprisingly, I get very few email offers for deals, but a friend of mine, who cruised with me a few years back and had my email address on her booking, is getting them DAILY! Reduced prices, reduced deposits, upgrades, but NOTHING for my platinum status. I've watched CCL go cheap on a lot of things over the years, but you would think that they would want to keep their customers who have been loyal to them coming back. I even called to see if they had anything they can offer; I just got an apology...but no deals. Guess I will be booking an all-inclusive at a resort, instead of taking a cruise. :mad::mad:Anyone else encounter this issue?

Take a different approach. Deals only appear close in time to sailing especially if the ship is not selling well. The best cabins will be taken and you will have your choice of what remains.

I have completed 21 Carnival cruises and based on that history, recommend the following. Book a cruise a year in advance with either Early Saver or Military if you qualify. Then you are price protected from that point on so it won't matter if the price goes up. Just tell them. You will also have considerable choice of cabins on any deck. Pay with AARP gift cards for a 10 percent. savings for the cruise and on board expenses. You do not have to be a member. Find a good TA and some times you can get rewards with them. Then check the Carnival web site once a week to see what is going on.

Don't worry about VIP deals because you will already have the best.

That profession will not exist in a decade

Carnival thought the same and tried to eliminate travel agents. That didn't last long and they are back and welcomed.

I have used several. In the beginning, my TA's were just order takers. Then when you find a good one, you get real service and even save a few bucks.

You don't have to be near their location. Every thing can be done on the web or phone.

My pricing for a March 2, 2019 cruise is only $51.00 less than the current price but on the other hand, all the mid ship balcony cabins on Deck 9 are sold out and the only other mid ship balcony is on Deck 6, not even close. So besides pricing, booking early gets you selection. My booking was made March 2, 2018.

Have completed 21 Carnival cruises and the best gift was the night light. Gives considerable light and is still working after considerable use. Sure wish they would repeat that gift.

My first cruise was on the Sensation on June 25, 1995. Twenty three years later and 21 cruises all with Carnival, we are booked for 2019 and 2020 again with Carnival. I guess the main reason is we are always satisfied and cannot wait for the next cruise to begin. Being VIP makes it even better. Then you learn all the tricks there are to purchasing a cruise (like using AARP gift cards for the 10% discount and many other actions) making Carnival the most economical vacation you can take.

I know cuts have been made but that has been offset with many improvements like the newer ships, Guy Burgers, Serenity Decks, Carnival Hub, etc..

So as long as Carnival keeps up the good work, I will remain a avid Carnival cruiser.

A few days ago I stepped off the Carnival Fantasy after a great family trip to Costa Maya and Cozumel and ever since then I can't stop thinking about another cruise. Yes, I have one scheduled for December but it seems years, not months away. Just the thought of going to work tomorrow....ugh...can't even describe it. So the question to my fellow cruisers is this....how do you all handle the Post Cruise Blues?

After our cruise in January I booked a cruise for 2019 and 2020. I check the Carnival HUB several times a day for timing. I keep viewing videos taken by people on the Carnival ships. I view the port web sights especially on Saturdays. I view my pictures taken on past cruises. I created 3 inch binders which contain data for our upcoming cruises. I view the Roll Calls. I checked out the suit cases. I tell my friends how many days until the cruise. I know .........................I know .................I need help.

Oh well, just 208 days, 12 hours and 29 minutes. There! I said it and I am glad!