mollymyers15

Oh what a glorious day, if only I could have taken advantage of his deal.

We leave on Sunday for a 7 day Eastern Caribbean on the Splendor. This is my fourth cruise, my husband's second. This was my first upsell call.

We are in an OV cabin on deck 2. The offer was for a balcony cabin on deck 9.. for $250 total more. I should've taken it. It is a fantastic deal. Unfortunately, we just found out we will owe money on our taxes this year, so obviously that comes first. We could've done it, but more DODs just sounded better to me. He said it was the only one available and he was calling down a list - the first one to say yes got it. The cruise is sold out, and this one just happened to be a cancellation.

I called him the upsell fairy and asked how they work their magic. He says they look at people with lower level cabins that fit the appropriate cabin category (a balcony only sleeps 2 so they wouldn't have been able to call on an OV cabin with 4 inside, obviously). I had called Carnival previously a couple weeks after booking to see how much it would've been to move up to a balcony cabin, and it was around $500 at the time, so this was a good deal.

How funny, I was JUST looking at this!

We have been booked for a while, but I keep doing mock bookings to check prices and what's available. I could not locate it on Orbitz or Carnival's website. I've seen it there up until a couple days ago, but when I did look, there was still a few rooms available.

Looks like we're fully loaded! Ready to hit the beach. :cool:

We are doing the March 1st Eastern Caribbean on the Splendor.

In Nassau, we are snorkeling with Blue Hole Powersports. It came up to $118 plus tax and is a two hour excursion.

In St. Thomas, we are doing a tour with Godfrey's tours. He takes you all around the island, including to the mountain top for the views, and then to the beach for some beach time. It's $35 per person.

In Grand Turk, we plan on just walking around and hanging out by the beach (and of course see this famous Topher the dog!).

In San Juan, I booked an excursion through Carnival - the horse riding one. I've never booked an excursion through Carnival, so I wanted to see how it would be.

I am about to book our shore excursions for our Alaska cruise in May, and was looking for clarification/experiences with the Best Price Guarantee, particularly how it applies to some of the very popular Alaska excursions.

 

The White Pass Summit excursion in Skagway is $6 cheaper per person if I book on the excursion's website, a savings of $12. The Alaska Lumberjack show is $2 cheaper per person if I book through the shore excursion's website, a savings of $4.

 

It looks like I could save $16 by booking directly with those sites, but I like the idea of booking through Carnival if possible (on the off chance we don't dock or something). Do you all think these excursions are eligible for the price match guarantee? It just seems a little too easy. Any thoughts are appreciated.

The key is making sure the excursions are an EXACT match. Even the littlest thing and you won't get your money back. I, too, like the idea of booking some things through Carnival for cohesive-ness and safety - for that little amount of money I would book through Carnival. The only thing I would question is if the excursions are jam-packed like some of the Caribbean ones.

Eeek! Thanks! We are cruising on March 1st for the Eastern Caribbean schedule.

1. Taking into account wind/sun, crowds, accessible chairs, ease of drink ordering, which area did you find to be the best to lounge at on sea days? Normally we hang out by the aft pools and was curious if this one is similar to the others we have experienced. Lido/middle pool is too crowded.

2. Did you find the middle pool area of the ship to be claustrophobic because of the way the walls and sliding ceiling are made?

3. Which stateroom are you in and did you hear noise or have lots of hustle around your door?

4. Current Comedians funny?

5. Best staff members you experienced while you were on board?

Thanks!!

We had that guy in our cabin last January on the Magic. We actually forgot something in our room for dinner one night and went back. The cleaning cart was outside our room so we just walked by, as we did we thought the steward was laying in our bed! My wife was a little aggitated and wanted to go to guest services to complain. I talked her out of it. Hours and drinks later we made it back to our room and had totally had forgot. I walked in turned the light on and about soiled myself. I thought a large man was laying in our bed! He used my formal night shoes, a pair of my sunglasses, and a second ball cap I had. Lol. We had a good laugh with our steward about it.

Ha! Yes we definitely were terrified. I hope we have a creative steward on our upcoming cruise! I love making connections with the crew.

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That's so darn cute. Did a cabin steward make that for you?

Yeah! Isn't he adorable. He definitely scared us when we came in for the evening.

I was sure if it was our awesome Cabin Steward or if it was a regular thing. Nevertheless, he definitely made a memory!

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Any particular funny towel "animals" you've had on your past cruises?! I'm excited to see what our steward comes up with!

We can only swing one more excursion for our Eastern Caribbean trip. Which port would you rather do an excursion at OR which company would you rather go with?

I cannot recommend Nachi enough. I've been twice - once with my husband and once with my best friend.

If you are drinkers, you won't be disappointed. Drinks flow freely and my husband still can't drink tequila.

If you're NOT drinkers, don't fret. It is SO peaceful. There have been maybe 15 people there each time we went. Stay on the beach under your umbrella, and you'll still have a fantastic time. And the food is DELISH!

If you're looking for something a little more money friendly, while still being a decent hotel with shuttle, we are staying at the Holiday Inn Express Miami Airport for our March 1st cruise.

For me I really want the priority boarding even though I get the port ridiculously early its nice to skip some of the lines. Even when you get there early people are rude and try to cut in front of the line. In my opinion this is where all cruise lines fail in preboarding, I feel that if I want to waste my time and get to the port as the others exit I should be able to get right on once it is cleared they need some type of number system!

Unfortunately, FTTF is sold out of my booking of the Splendor or I would do it. We booked it for the Paradise out of Tampa.

Priority tendering was one of the main reasons I'd book FTTF. I bypassed flights of a line to get on a tender boat, and was politely escorted to the front of the line, got right aboard the second I got to the door, and was on my way.

Hi ya'll!

My husband and I have booked an OV room on the Splendor for March, however I'm anxiously waiting for either the upsell fairy to give me a call - or for me to finally give in - to upgrade to a balcony room. I've only ever booked OV rooms before, but want to see what a balcony is all about. I'm also in OV room number 2400 which is directly below the galley (doh!).

A couple questions - If I were to book a balcony room, which side of the ship would be better? I saw a post a bit ago about how one side of the ship had smoking on one of the decks, so it's better to get a balcony room on the opposite side to avoid smoke (assuming of course our neighbors are following rules). Does this apply to the Splendor and what side should I do for that? Also, what floor would be best to minimize noise?

Any other upgrading or secret Splendor room tips would be helpful! Thanks guys!

Hi!

Loved reading your review - my husband and I will be on our fourth cruise in March on the Splendor and we're doing the same itinerary! I was thinking of booking a snorkeling trip in Nassau - where did you book yours through? Would you book it again? We're in port from 8-2 so I'm having trouble finding a snorkeling excursion that fits that time slot!

We purchased FTTF for our cruise out of Tampa on the Paradise. It was worth every penny for two reasons:

1. Room was ready and bags were at our door when we got on this ship. Other rooms were still being cleaned, but ours was ready to go! We didn't have to worry about our luggage, carrying carry-ons around. It was very nice.

2. The BEST part about FTTF was that, when we were tendering in Grand Cayman, the line for the tender boat was ridiculous. Flights of staircases long. We went to our FTTF Guest Services desk, and a lovely lady walked us down, walking past all of the line as we went down. I'm sure everyone waiting wondered who the heck we were to get to cut in front of everyone. We literally hopped on a tender boat when we got to the end of the line.

The tendering to me, made the FTTF worth it. The other "perks" were nice to have, but I do like to practice patience and can wait if I really need to. I would probably only buy it again if I was tendering.

March 1st on the Splendor!

I have been on the Paradise and Elation (before refurbs), but both ships were very similar to me. It's what I'm used to and I'm actually nervous to go on a larger ship (Splendor) in March.

I would have no problems going on the Paradise again if you're looking to just getaway for a quick time. I second the above poster. Go to Nachi Cocum. I've been twice and will continue to go back anytime we go to Cozumel. My hubby still can't drink tequila because of it. :eek: It's fabulous! $50 all you can drink, a full meal and a personal waiter. If the weather isn't terrific, you still have a swim up bar from the pool and hot tub. The workers were so much fun, the beach is private, quiet and relaxing. Both times I've been had maybe 20 people total.

Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with any. Pick which one speaks to you. :D

Hi! I actually booked a 10:49 flight out of MIA for our cruise in March. I posted about this same topic a couple days ago. Some there said the Carnival's recommended times is 11. I'm worried with my flight, so I would be extra worried with that flight time. There was a $200 ticket price difference between ours and a 2:00 flight. I booked with insurance.

Have you checked FLL?

 

Here is a photo in Central Park of the Rising Tide bar, which moves slowly up from deck 5 to deck 8 at scheduled times through the day:

 

Wait a second. The entire BAR slowly moves up to different floors throughout the day? :eek: How does that work!?

Eeek! So excited for this. I've said, my next cruise might be a different line and, if I went Royal, I'd go Oasis or Allure.

Thanks for the info. There are only two ships in port the day we are there which is amazing, so it might be worth a try.

 

Does anyone know how long of a taxi ride it is from Havensight to the ferry at Crown Bay?

How do you find out how many ships are in port that day?

I'll be interested to see if I get an upsell call closer to cruising time. I've never received one before. I did call yesterday just to see what it would be to upgrade to a balcony cabin and it was somewhere around $400 (which I declined).

Ihave traditional. Hope I do not get the upper level.

Is there a reason why you hope against upper level?

What exactly does a PVP help you do? I found the cruise I want, I know what the price is supposed to be.. Do they give you secret deals if you haggle with them? I called Carnival, spoke to a lady to book my cruise, booked. What else can I use her for?

Thanks to all! I think we are going to go for it, with insurance. We are naturally "quick" and timely people, and (knock on wood) have never had flight trouble.

I'll bring it up to Guest Services about our departure.

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