Horizon Havana Question?

[UtahCruiser1230]

It's been a few years since we've cruised Carnival.  While searching for a cruise for my 2021 birthday I found a Southern Carib on the Horizon.  Saw the Havana area and fell in love with the Cabana patio.  We're a family of five, DW, DH, DS23, DD19, DS9.  I called and booked a cabin putting myself and son in the Cabana, wife, daughter, and youngest son in an interior on deck 6.  My wife doesn't drink, we usually book myself and oldest son into the same room for drink package reasons and then get extra room cards.

 

I assume this method will still work and as my wife will be the only one in the Havana pool area with me will she be able to use the wristband with no problem?  My youngest loves the kids camps on all the lines, he'll spend his time there for most of the cruise.  My biggest question is whether we can as a family hang out on our patio at times?  I know there are no children allowed in the Havana pool area, but can we quietly chill on our patio?

 

I've got plenty of time before this cruise and can rebook to any number of different available rooms.  Did I make a mistake or will we love the Havana?

 

 

[Elaine5715]

8 minutes ago, UtahCruiser1230 said:

It's been a few years since we've cruised Carnival.  While searching for a cruise for my 2021 birthday I found a Southern Carib on the Horizon.  Saw the Havana area and fell in love with the Cabana patio.  We're a family of five, DW, DH, DS23, DD19, DS9.  I called and booked a cabin putting myself and son in the Cabana, wife, daughter, and youngest son in an interior on deck 6.  My wife doesn't drink, we usually book myself and oldest son into the same room for drink package reasons and then get extra room cards.

 

I assume this method will still work and as my wife will be the only one in the Havana pool area with me will she be able to use the wristband with no problem?  My youngest loves the kids camps on all the lines, he'll spend his time there for most of the cruise.  My biggest question is whether we can as a family hang out on our patio at times?  I know there are no children allowed in the Havana pool area, but can we quietly chill on our patio?

 

I've got plenty of time before this cruise and can rebook to any number of different available rooms.  Did I make a mistake or will we love the Havana?

 

 

Yes, you made a mistake.  She will not be able to use the wristband for the pool but yes you can hang out on your balcony. 

[James4me]

Yes you made a mistake Unfortunately  and yes you would have loved the Havana, sorry.

[JaxsMama]

I'd be calling and trying to switch your wife in with you and sucking up the cheers cost. Her cards will show she's not allowed in Havana. 

[lincdax]

I am a bit confused on why a mistake was made.  We utilized the Havana area on the Panorama, and not once did they ask to see our room cards.  We both used the wristbands.  Since there is no requirement to have your room card with you at all times, how could that be a requirement to be in the outside Havana area.  If the OP is serious about only have himself and his wife utilize the outside Havana area, what is the problem with his scenario?  He paid for two adults to be there, and two adults would be utilizing it.  Just curious, not trying to start anything.

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, lincdax said:

I am a bit confused on why a mistake was made.  We utilized the Havana area on the Panorama, and not once did they ask to see our room cards.  We both used the wristbands.  Since there is no requirement to have your room card with you at all times, how could that be a requirement to be in the outside Havana area.  If the OP is serious about only have himself and his wife utilize the outside Havana area, what is the problem with his scenario?  He paid for two adults to be there, and two adults would be utilizing it.  Just curious, not trying to start anything.

They have responded to complaints about unauthorized users and tightened access to keep it exclusive for those paying a premium.  There is no longer access after 7 pm for non Havana folks.  

[soonernstlouis]

49 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

They have responded to complaints about unauthorized users and tightened access to keep it exclusive for those paying a premium.  There is no longer access after 7 pm for non Havana folks.  

What Lincdax is saying is that any 2 adults should be able to use the wristbands since you are not also required to have you S&S card with you when entering the Havana area.  Not sure others might feel this is cheating the rules but I’m fine with it as long as the total # of wristbands = total over age 12 guests entering Havana.

[lincdax]

54 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

They have responded to complaints about unauthorized users and tightened access to keep it exclusive for those paying a premium.  There is no longer access after 7 pm for non Havana folks.  

That I understand; however, he arrives on board, gets the extra room cards so that his son and wife can unofficially change rooms.  His wife spends the entire trip in the Havana cabana with him and gets to utilize the outside Havana area.  His son, you he paid a "premium" for, no longer gets to use the outside Havana area.  1-for-1 switch.  OP pays a "premium" for two people to use the Havana area, and only 2 people on his reservation are using the area.  Just don't see a problem.

[1025cruise]

They have a list they can check against. Technically, only guests registered in the Havana room are allowed in the Havana area. 

[Elaine5715]

2 hours ago, soonernstlouis said:

What Lincdax is saying is that any 2 adults should be able to use the wristbands since you are not also required to have you S&S card with you when entering the Havana area.  Not sure others might feel this is cheating the rules but I’m fine with it as long as the total # of wristbands = total over age 12 guests entering Havana.

 

2 hours ago, lincdax said:

That I understand; however, he arrives on board, gets the extra room cards so that his son and wife can unofficially change rooms.  His wife spends the entire trip in the Havana cabana with him and gets to utilize the outside Havana area.  His son, you he paid a "premium" for, no longer gets to use the outside Havana area.  1-for-1 switch.  OP pays a "premium" for two people to use the Havana area, and only 2 people on his reservation are using the area.  Just don't see a problem.

With that theory, several adults could switch on and off all cruise, lulling the crew who after they recognize guests, stop checking.  Same with Cheers, Spa cabins, etc

[soonernstlouis]

11 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

 

With that theory, several adults could switch on and off all cruise, lulling the crew who after they recognize guests, stop checking.  Same with Cheers, Spa cabins, etc

I’m not suggesting anyone use another person’s S&S card to game the system or get extra benefits.  I’m just stating the obvious that unless the wristbands are chip-encoded, just wearing one & being over 12 should get you into the Havana area.  

[lincdax]

20 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

 

With that theory, several adults could switch on and off all cruise, lulling the crew who after they recognize guests, stop checking.  Same with Cheers, Spa cabins, etc

I was actually being very specific to this situation.  Person pays for a family of 5 to take a cruise (2 separate rooms).  He pays a premium for 2 of the adults to use the Havana area.  The person who is staying with him in his Havana Cabana uses the Havana area during the cruise.  He is not randomly inviting anyone over the age of 12 to the area, just his wife, who is staying with him in his room.  I'm not convinced that a mistake has been made here.

 

The staff should not be "lulled" into anything.  They should do their jobs and make sure that wristbands are being worn by all in the area.  Now, if anyone would like to not where a wristband and require the staff to recognize them as a Havana guest, then that is their issue, not the staff's.  The actual requirement is for guests to wear a wristband.  Nothing else.

Edited January 18, 2020 by lincdax

[Elaine5715]

2 minutes ago, lincdax said:

I was actually being very specific to this situation.  Person pays for a family of 5 to take a cruise (2 separate rooms).  He pays a premium for 2 of the adults to use the Havana area.  The person who is staying with him in his Havana Cabana uses the Havana area during the cruise.  He is not randomly inviting anyone over the age of 12 to the area, just his wife, who is staying with him in his room.  I'm not convinced that a mistake has been made here.

 

The staff should not be "lulled" into anything.  They should do their jobs and make sure that wristbands are being worn by all in the area.  Now, if anyone would like to not where a wristband and require the staff to recognize them as a Havana guest, then that is their issue, not the staff's.  The actual requirement is for guests to wear a wristband.  Nothing else.

I travel solo. I pay a premium just to board.  When I have had a spa cabin, shouldn't I have been given a second band to hand out?  You are suggesting crew do part of their job.  Their job is to make sure only guests who are booked in Havana cabins have access. The OP opted not to book his wife in Havana.  

[lincdax]

Yep.  Haven't convinced me a mistake has been made.  Crew's job is to make sure that all in the Havana area have a wristband, not booked in a Havana cabin (they cannot possibly know, unless room cards are required to enter).

 

And yes,  I believe that if you sail solo, and pay a "premium" for a cabin type, you should receive a second band.  You paid for 2 people, you get 2 bands.

[JaxsMama]

What if they actually check and wife can't use Havana. I'd kill my husband if that happened to me.  Also, I would imagine if a 6 year old was on the patio and your neighbors get annoyed they will complain. If you can't book a 6 year old in that cabin why would they let you bring you kid there to hang out. 

[lincdax]

Just now, JaxsMama said:

What if they actually check and wife can't use Havana. I'd kill my husband if that happened to me.  Also, I would imagine if a 6 year old was on the patio and your neighbors get annoyed they will complain. If you can't book a 6 year old in that cabin why would they let you bring you kid there to hang out. 

Under 12 can not be booked into a Havana cabin; however, they are certainly allowed to visit.  No rules against that.

 

Sure, they can all of a sudden begin to check all names assigned to Havana cabins.  They have not done so in the past, but yes, they could begin to do that.  Require room card to access and that solves the issue.

 

[JaxsMama]

I'm surprised they let kids under 12 hang out on the cabanas. They are basically open to the neighbors. If that's the case they may as well let any age kids stay in that room, but not access the pool area. 

[Elaine5715]

I know when I have had spa cabins that they check my sail and sign which shows my picture  then issue the wristband they put on my arm.

[Eli_6]

Our kids came in our Havana room and on our Havana balcony on our Christmas cruise and no one said anything, but there is not only a wristband but a sticker for your card for the Havana pool area. 

 

You need to switch your wife and son and put him in the non-Havana area... although, whether you can do that may depend on his age.  There is no rule saying that a child can't be in a Havana room as far as I know, just that they can't be booked in one...at least not that I have seen. They can go in the Havana bar area so....

 

Another option is the Havana rooms on deck 6 or 7, but then you lose the Patio.  

 

You could also look at just getting a Grand Suite as it probably isn't anymore than two rooms.  That way you and your wife have access to the Havana area... although,you would lose the Patio you love.  

 

I mean, I have stayed in the Havana area twice on the Vista, and one of those times was at Christmas with a fully booked Cruise... And no one has ever asked to see my card in the Havana area. Not once.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I didn't even take my car down to the pool every time if I was with my husband.  So, technically, she could probably just wear the bracelet and get away with it.  There isn't some member of the Carnival Gestapo walking around regulating it, but I personally would try to change the reservation and only do that as a last resort.

Edited January 18, 2020 by Eli_6

[Eli_6]

1 hour ago, Elaine5715 said:

I know when I have had spa cabins that they check my sail and sign which shows my picture  then issue the wristband they put on my arm.

That's not how it works in the Havana area. They are just plastic stretchy wristbands left in your room.  The bands were even the same ones on my October 2018 Cruise as they were on my 2019 December Cruise.

Edited January 18, 2020 by Eli_6

[Eli_6]

2 hours ago, lincdax said:

Yep.  Haven't convinced me a mistake has been made.  Crew's job is to make sure that all in the Havana area have a wristband, not booked in a Havana cabin (they cannot possibly know, unless room cards are required to enter).

 

And yes,  I believe that if you sail solo, and pay a "premium" for a cabin type, you should receive a second band.  You paid for 2 people, you get 2 bands.

I agree with you. No one is standing around like a Havana Nazi checking names off a list in the Havana area or demanding to see everyone's sail and sign card.  If the wife has a bracelet on, I, like you, am nearly certain that she would be ok.

 

I will also add that the first time I cruised in The Havana area, four bracelets were left in my room even though only two of us were booked in the room. When we went at Christmas (in a different room), there were only two bracelets. 

 

Still, if it were me, I would try to switch the wife and the son simply because I'm a Nervous Nelly and I would be paranoid about it the whole time.  But if he can't switch the son and wife for some reason, I would go on the cruise and let the wife use the son's band.

 

Edited January 18, 2020 by Eli_6

[LaRue1975]

I am with lincdax and Eli_6, I think you should be able to do what you plan without issue. If the unexpected happens you can go to guest services and officially switch your oldest son and wife so they are registered to the actual cabins they are staying in. Your children are more than old enough to meet the requirements.

 

It will cost you a few hundred more for the extra drink package but you would have to pay that anyway if you make the change before sailing. I think it is definitely worth a shot, good luck and happy cruising! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2020 by LaRue1975

[kelhag]

When I was on the Vista last year, they did have a "bouncer" that checked wristbands and s&s card for the sticker but after a few days, we didn't have to show him anything because he got to know us. And yes you can have your family hang out in your room and cabana patio as long as they don't spend the night, which makes me question on if GS will give your wife a key to your room.  You may want to ask your PVP on they key issue. But if carnival does follow it's rules and doesn't let your wife use the havana area because she isn't booked in an havana room, I don't even think you can switch your wife and older son once onboard because I don't believe you can have the parents on a different floor than your minor son.  Good Luck.

[kelhag]

22 hours ago, JaxsMama said:

I'm surprised they let kids under 12 hang out on the cabanas. They are basically open to the neighbors. If that's the case they may as well let any age kids stay in that room, but not access the pool area. 

a few months back I read on here that a grandmother would watch her grandbaby every day in the afternoon in her havana cabana and the lady next door would try to nap at the same time. The woman that was trying to nap went to GS to complain about the crying baby in the havana cabana and GS said there was no rule that she couldn't have her grandchild in her room during the day.

[lincdax]

5 hours ago, kelhag said:

.....which makes me question on if GS will give your wife a key to your room.  You may want to ask your PVP on they key issue.

Now this comment is interesting.  Very good point.  This could be a deal breaker when it comes to the OP's original plan (especially if his wife wishes to access the room without him escorting her there everytime).  It is possible that Guest Services does not hand out "extra" keys for Havana rooms.   He should check with Carnival ahead of time to see if that is possible.  Of course, from a Havana Pool area point of view, she still could just use the wristband from his room for access.