candigirl41

My friend takes them every time. He has only had them taken away twice, both on Carnival. Just sailed last March and no problem at all. He likes to have a little in the room even though we have the UBP.

Candi

I asked my doctor last year for patches because I had several cruises booked. She gave me a ten pack. I was so happy because with the patches I already had leftover I have enough for 3 more cruises. I use Kaiser in California. Don't know if that makes a difference.

Candi

If the friend will be 18 at the time of sailing she won't need parental permission.

Candi

I have sailed 16 times on Carnival. I booked an inside and got upgraded for free to a balcony January 2006. Got upgraded from oceanview to balcony February 2007. These were both done ahead of time. Last November we got a call the day of the cruise for a free upgrade from inside to balcony. Wow what a surprise. It happens but I don't know why.

Candi

I can't explain that. Here is the letter & form I received:

 

I receive this same set of documents for all my bookings (at least 3-4 per year with NCL.) I actually keep made copies "filled out" without the ship/sail date so I don't have to fill it out from scratch every time.

I am booked in a handicap cabin on the Bliss for October. I have not received these documents. When I booked the cabin I had to call and I was questioned as to my disability. The person I spoke to didn't indicate I would have to fill out any forms. I will happily do so as trying to fit my walker in the closet in an inside room has been problematic in the past. Thank you for posting this information. I will keep checking my email to see if they contact me.

Candi

The Best Western Plus in San Pedro is a good hotel. I have stayed there twice. They have free breakfast and a shuttle service to the port. Just make sure when you check in that you reserve your shuttle time before you head up to your room. They fill up fast.

Candi

I have stayed at the Best Western Plus which has a shuttle to the port. If you are using Marriott points I believe the closest one will be near LAX. The airport is about 45 minutes from the port.

Candi

I think the difference may be tax. I'm not sure on any of this and I've no real idea on how the IRS works. The restaurant / diner owner will only pay tax on what they receive for their goods. So if they charge a smaller amount and then underpay their wait staff their tax bill will be smaller than if they charged more but paid their staff a decent wage. I'm not sure if there is any tax paid on tips received.

 

I still think our way is better just because it seems to cause less arguments, and you don't get chased half way down 9th Avenue because you only left a few pennies as a tip. :)

Any tips put on a credit card have to be claimed. Cash tips are a little different you have to claim some of it. My daughter is a bar tender and relies on tips for income. I know the U.K. culture is no tips. My sister tried to tip the the pub owner and he laughed. I had to explain it to her.

Candi

Thanks. I figured out while we were driving through Texas yesterday morning. I did it on my phone and no access to printer until next week. It is showing purchased on my page if I try to book it again. Appreciate all the help.

Candi

I just went in to book my reservation for Jersey Boys. It said it is in the cart, but when I look at my vacation summary it doesn't appear anywhere. My beverage package is there so I thought the entertainment would be there too. Am I missing something?

Candi

I was on the Star last March. The tournament was $20.00 per person. They have several rounds and the person with the highest score in each round moves to the final. I don't like the way they do it. On Carnival the highest points over all the rounds get to the final. This means if you are the high score in the first round you go to the top of the leader board and everyone else gets on the leader board until someone in another round gets more points. I just think the way NCL does it isn't very good. Just my opinion. I will not do another slot tournament on NCL again.

Candi

Thanks!

 

One more quick question (too many years between cruises): Upon our arrival back in Miami, how long before they “kick us off the ship”? We are staying overnight in Miami right near the port and would prefer to take our time getting off to avoid the mad rush of people heading to the airport.

They will announce the colors/times. Just get the latest time and when they have called every other color and time they will ask for all remaining passengers to disembark.

Candi

If you choose the dining or beverage plan then you will be charged a 20% gratuity on the value of the package.

Candi

We went to this last November and loved the steak and eggs. We were a party of 4 adults and really enjoyed it. One of the cruise staff that I got to know came over and got me for pictures before they called up the kids. I am disabled so this was a nice gesture.

Candi

I don't smoke but live with smokers and cruise with a smoker. My cruise friend is quite happy with the designated smoking areas on the ships. He wouldn't smoke in the room even if it was allowed. I agree that smoking rooms would probably sell out. Carnival had a completely non smoking ship and tried to keep it going for a long time. The casino revenues were the lowest in the fleet and the bars weren't doing as well either. The fares didn't go up to compensate for the low amounts of people booking, they went down. They would try to fill the ship by constantly lowering the prices. So, I don't know what a good balance would be. I think it works the way it is now with designated areas. The Bliss has a separate smoking casino which I think is the best solution to this area. The older ships have the issue of smoke permeating through other parts of the ship.

Candi

Check out this FAQ on NCL and accessible cruising.

 

 

 

 

https://www.ncl.com/faq#accessible-cruising

Wow. I am surprised. I didn't think they would do anymore than what I stated above. Good to know.

Candi

You can get wheelchairs to embark and disembark, but that is the extent of it. If you need assistance on the cruise itself, you will need to have someone with you. I know in the buffet crew will help with getting your food.

Candi

I keep my Carnival cards packed in my suitcase at all times. I cracked up when someone commented on my Norwegian cruise about my Carnival cards.

Candi

It is a single price now, (like other specialty restaurants?) I didnt ask for the price because they told us it was complimentary that day for us.

Thanks for letting me know. I guess I will not be going there. I was hoping it would be ala carte. I love the nachos, but since it's per person it wouldn't be a financially good choice.

Candi

Is Margaritaville ala carte or fixed charge? Thanks for doing this review. I sail in October and the waiting has been long.

Candi

I like both lines. My friend and I are going on our 3rd NCL cruise in October. I have been on 16 CCL cruises. We were looking at February of 2020 and even with having to purchase the drink package on Carnival it was cheaper then NCL with the drink package. This is on the new Panorama. The food seems a little better on NCL, but I have never gone hungry on CCL. I liked that on the older CCL ships they have a dedicated space for Comedy, while on older NCL ships there were only 1 or 2 comedians the whole week. I like the shows on both. I sailed CCL last November and NCL this past March so my comparisons are recent.

Candi

I had them one night at dinner recently. I know they don't serve them every night. That is one of the things I like about Carnival, shrimp cocktail every night.

Candi

Thanks for the pics

Candi

Thanks for posting I sail to Mexico in October and I am following with much anticipation of all your great pics.

Candi

Going on October 13, 2018, really enjoying this.

Thanks

Candi