GatorGirl57

Most people can only take 1 vacation a year.

I feel bad for those people. My DH and I work regular jobs, and take 2-3 week long vacations a year, and may throw in a short cruise or camping trip another 2-3 times a year. It is always wise to be careful of using the word "most".

I have said it before, (recently) and will say it again. I expect that they will be limiting the past guest party to platinum and diamond. My last one on Freedom was so crowded, seemed not one empty seat, that I thought then; how long will it be, before it gets zapped for golds. Oh well. That is my prediction, if it becomes reality, I will miss it, but will find something else to do/eat/drink for that hour :)

Ugh, I hope that is not true, but you may be right. Then there is no benefit to being gold with carnival, they took away both of them :(. (Couldn't care less about free water, it comes right out of the tap). Maybe they are just going to split it up or something. The last cruise I was on it was in a smaller lounge and it wasn't even very busy, maybe half full, but I think that cruise wasn't full (I got one of the freebie ones last summer).

I hope the change doesn't take stuff away...

Maybe make her a custom shirt with sail date information that she could wear? I very quickly Googled that and found an example, you could design almost anything: http://www.customizedgirl.com/design/11863a8f65863304a198e5ec6169e425_1278189&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase?gclid=CjwKEAjwsOKpBRCDtfOnzaDg3HsSJAAJ2ojiKJ0TuhO0vgzPCDcTWZkgJ5CeiAf30Vf4fkqqpfHw1RoC76vw_wcB

Yes, directly after thanksgiving to about a week before christmas is the the cheapest time to cruise the Caribbean. I have done this several times with great rates.

I have been waiting to see the Port Canaveral itinerary for Summer 2016 and its not out yet either. I wouldn't worry now, looks like a lot is left to be decided.

Typically, you miss out on the same amount of things whether you have early or late dining. ie, you can go to an early comedy show when you have late dining, a late comedy show when you have early dining. The good thing about late dining is you can stay in port longer if you want.

Why doesn't she want to do ATD? (You knew someone would ask!)

I am so pleased to hear about the midnight buffet, the baked alaska, the new ports, the captain's celebration. I actually teared up a little bit. So many of my favorite things from my first cruise. I really hope I can do one of these. Favorited some to show my DH.

HI,

Once you're on board, Can you change your dining from your time to fixed time dining. We are group of 12 (6 adults , 6 kids) and we have chosen Your time and from what I have read, the reviews are mixed on if it makes sense to have a big group with Your Time Dining. So once we are there and we realize that its not working out or taking too long to be seated, can we go to guest services and get it changed??

You would not want to go to guest services, you would want to talk with the maitre' de. If there is room, they will likely move you even part of the way through the cruise. However, it is very likely early dining will be full and if they can move you at all, it will be to the late dining.

Another thing to think about with YTD is corralling 12 people together all at the same time to go eat. This will require specific plans every day, or lots of calling between cabins. For your sanity's sake, I would switch to main dining. I love YTD, but when I go with more than my DH and I, we get main dining so that everyone has to show up at the same time and can eat together.

As others have mentioned, once you get to the dining room there will likely be a wait almost every day - this could become frustrating as well.

What specifically about YTD do you want?

I booked my 2015 Alaska cruise on 5/22/15, the day it opened. So probably about 3 1/2 months away. Last year, Carnival was the last of all lines to release their dates.

Maybe look into the steakhouse one night? It is $35pp. If you book the first or second night you get a free bottle of wine.

Good grief, the point was the post prioritized a suitcase over health possibilities and possible unexpected deaths of loved ones, missing the ship for whatever reason.

I was just listing one of many precautions we take, without going into personal details. There is nothing about prioritizing a suitcase over any of those issues.

Good for you. Do you have parents, grandparents, airplane connections, snow,? You must have some super valuable stuff in those bags to guard them that close. I guess you never plan to fall, have family illness or emergencies. Just because you've lucked out so far, doesn't mean luck won't run out. I doubt if anyone enjoys paying extra for insurance, but it is reassuring to have.

No need to be rude about it. One of the reasons people say to get travel insurance is to protect your bags and their contents. A post just the other day went on about how their luggage was dropped in the ocean. That will not be happening to me, because I self-assist off the boat. Of course I have loved ones, but I am not their primary caregiver. There is a possibility my niece will be born while I am gone - well, oh well. I am glad you find it reassuring, I don't need the reassurance.

We do not get insurance. It is a risk I am willing to take. We have been on eight cruises so far without insurance. We also take certain precautions - ie, we know we don't want to replace our bags, so we never check them on an airplane or leave them outside our door. We are young, so medical problems, although possible, are unlikely.

It seems like the answer is no based on this article...http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2014/11/24/cruise-gift-cards-lines-that-let-you-give-the-gift-of-cruising/

Not a cruise virgin but have never heard of a "taste bar" - what, where and when is that?

Some of the 2.0 ships have it - normally open around dinner time, and they provide small samples of food for free. Sometimes food that is in the steakhouse or the Italian restaurant on some ships. I pick one up if I walk by, but I generally do not find it too exciting.

This bothers me. The single drink, for a red VIFP, is really the only perk and was the only replacement for the captain's party with the free alcohol. Now there is really no perk until someone is gold - I can bring bottled water on the ship if I want, and, besides that, I never drink bottled water. I can get it for free out of the tap!!

It looks like the price on the train's site is not for cruise passengers - cruise passengers have to book on their ship. I haven't heard back about the lumberjacks.

Are you saying that if you booked the excursions independently and for some reason you didn't dock the excursion company keeps your money?

 

Bill

 

 

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It depends on the shore excursion, but yes, some will keep your money. Many of these excursions are nonrefundable.

I didn't do either of those shore excursions, but I was able to successfully apply the shore excursion guarantee to a couple of other excursions in Alaska last year.

Thanks! That is helpful! I submitted the price adjustment so we will see.

I love having a balcony but it is always so windy when we are at sea.Do the balconys that you are describing have less wind? We are usually on deck 8 amidship.

Deck 8 for the bowling alley balconies is covered and I felt blocked the wind well.

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.

Either a bowling alley balcony or an aft....although the bowling alley and aft balconies were booked within a week of the May 18th sailing to Alaska opening, so there may not be any left.

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.