firegal2539

I don't want to get off subject but a poster stated on a B2B if they booked the same ship and same cabin you didn't have to get off the ship? Is this a correct statement? I am being told on a May 2019 B2B cruise round trip from Fort Lauderdale that I will have to get off the ship and go ashore for about 2 hours. I had always heard same cabin you can stay on board.

Thanks for any clarification.

Candie

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In the last three years I have gotten 5 free cruises and 2 reduced fare cruises. Understand that when I say free the cruise lines offered an interior room for free, I had to pay tax and fees about $300. I didn't want an interior so on all 5 I upgraded to an Ocean View, which depending on what cruise line I was on, it cost from about $100 to $250 more.

All cruise lines use different systems to rate play. Someone stated that it is the amount of time and how much played, which is correct on most lines. I have played and lost $1,000 on a cruise and played and won $1,000 on a cruise and was given a free cruise, they want me to keep coming back.

The most important thing is on the very first night, introduce yourself to the casino manager, you can usually find out there name at Guest Services. I always do that and tell them I want them to rate my play. On Royal the certificates are given out the last night of the cruise and range from $100 to $2000 off of a cruise booked and taken within the next year. NCL emails and sends a letter about a free/reduced cruise.

As I said earlier the best thing is to talk to the casino manager and have them explain what it takes to earn a free or reduced cruise.

I was on a 4 day Empress cruise in February and I posted a review on Cruise Critic. It was not a good one.

My cabin was the smallest I have ever been in and I have done 30 cruises.

Because it is a small ship not much to do.

Carlos, the CD, was the only memorable thing.

Candie

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I am claustrophobic but do ocean views. Look at the deck plans for odd shaped cabins. I can usually find a larger cabin this way. I go to Cruise Critic and YouTube for specific cabin reviews. Usually YouTube has lots of photos.

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I have taken about 30 cruises, an platinum on Princess and Royal. I have taken 5 NCL cruises, they are comparable. I have taken two Carnival cruises and they are cheaper. It depends on what freebies you can get from other lines, sometimes you can get close to Carnival prices.

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Carnival is the cheapest cruise line out there. Book at least 12 to 18 months in advance. Cruise prices mostly go up. The problem with Carnival, the cheapest fare is a nonrefundable deposit. Need to weigh that in your decision. Carnival very seldom has sales but right now they are offering a $50 deposit. Also it is rare for price drops on Carnival.

You might want to look at other lines.

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I have paid in full for a September cruise but it shows a $21.68 balance which they say is part of my TA's commission. They can't get it fixed in the system but my TA took a screen shot of it saying I owe nothing so I have that. It is crazy a huge company can't get their computer system fixed.

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I might have the suite names wrong all I know she was doing a happy dance.

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My friend just left Friday on a Alaskan cruise. X called and asked if they would be interested in upgrading from a Sky to a Signature, 2 categories for $250 each. She jumped on it.

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constable,

I don't use porters they expect too big a tip. Just as easy to print them and either cover them in clear packing tape or buy 8 holders for $4 that will last me s lifetime.

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I just came back from an Alaskan cruise from SeaTac. SeaTac offered to take my luggage at the airport and get it to the ship, I would see it at my cabin. On the return trip SeaTac did not offer luggage valet. I had to get it at the port, put it on the shuttle bus and leave it at the American counter. Everyone that I talked to when I got home had no luggage valet offered to them from the port to the airport.

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It is easier if you print them out. The reps at the baggage claim don't have them readily available. If they are busy it takes s while for them to get them.

I also paid $4 on Amazon for a package of 8 holders that can be reused many times.

It is just easier for the reps,

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I have been on over 30 cruises and I know how to compare cabin to cabin.

You have probably never compared the price of a cabin for two and then the same exact cabin for one.

I don't know what line you cruise on but I have had TAs, cruise reps and private outlets tell me that there is a big markup for a solo cruiser.

You need to go on Celebrity or Princess and do a mock booking for two people and do the same booking for one person. If you also do a mock booking of one person in any kind of cabin, let's say an ocean view, and then do the same for an accessible you will see an increase in price.

Not all cruise lines charge extra for accessible but most charge 150 or 200% over regular price.

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If you have the stateroom number you can look at the cruise line's deck plans and it will show you where it is located. You can also use Cruise Critic and ask in the search box for a review of the ship and cabin number such as Caribbean Princess Cabin 4029 reviews and if there are any it will bring up the reviews, sometimes with pictures.

I am not allowed to list website address but you can look at cruise deck plans dot com and pick your cruise line, ship and it will bring up cabins they have reviews and pictures for.

Candie

Most cruise lines state that your flight can be no earlier then 1130 am so I think you will be fine.

I just flew in and out of SeaTac and was surprised at how huge it is.

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I found a cruise for 2019 on Princess that I want to book. I had my TA call, while I was on the line, and see about the exact cabin I wanted, it was an accessible cabin, the cost etc. When my TA mentioned the cabin number the agent went into a spiel about it was accessible and was I in a wheelchair. My TA replied that I used a walker and cane full time, and on most cruises rented a scooter. The rep proceeded to tell my TA that I could be removed from the cabin if someone needed it for their wheelchair.

I then mentioned that I have a handicapped designation by three of my physicians and there was no way they could move me out of that room. I explained I can't step up into the bathroom, I need a larger shower, so I can sit when taking one. The rep, again stated she couldn't guarantee that the cabin wouldn't be taken from me.

I reserved the cabin and then immediately called the corporate office and spoke with a executive rep who told me that the cabin would not be taken away from me.

Sorry, I know this has nothing to do with the dog, but this really made me mad and I felt the need to vent.

gerif,

It was on a flight from Dallas to Fort Lauderdale on American about two months ago. I am handicapped and asked if the bulkhead row had any available seats, the check in person told me there was one but they couldn't give it out until we started boarding but she would put me on the will call list and I could have it, if no one else wanted it. I asked why was it being saved and she explained those seats are for people with service dogs. Because it has a large (I wouldn't exactly call it large) leg room area the dog can lay on a blanket on the floor without disturbing other people.

I got the seat, middle of the row, the window seat was a woman with about a 50 lb service dog. He was extremely well behaved but he took up her and my leg room. She actually sat with her feet and legs tucked under her so the dog would have more room.

Mention-mom,

At this time the seats that are the first row of coach (the bulkhead seats) on a plane is now designated for people traveling with animals. They are allowed to take them out of carries if the animal will lay down and stay.

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The policy was through Carnival and I called them and they told me to call the insurance company, which I did and was told no coverage because my companion had to cancel. Guess I did buy the wrong insurance. I usually always buy Travel Guard but this time it was cheaper to get Carnival's. Lesson learned.

I know about these forms and have filled all of them out. If you read each of them they only ask what accommodations you need, Wheelchair, hearing impaired appliances, raised toilet seat,etc.

Not one asks for a physician's signature. Legally they can't ask for one.

Believe me I have been cruising with a disability for 10 years.

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And yes on everyone of my 35 cruises I had insurance.

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I had insurance but not a valid reason to cancel. I wasn't her caretaker so they said I didn't have a reason to cancel.

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Not all cruise lines require a form. I have sailed on Carnival, Princess, Royal, Norwegian, Holland and Celebrity. One or two ask when you book to affirm you are handicapped and if they find out your not they move you from the room. One asked me to fill out a form saying I was handicapped and the others didn't ask for anything. Not one asked for a doctors note. Legally they can't ask for that.

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You seem to read between the lines of what I am saying. Do you think it is fair for the cruise lines to double charge (or more) for a cabin and then charge even more for an accessible cabin? As I have said, I have been looking for a 2019 cruise on Princess and Royal. For two people in an OV cabin, one cruise was around $2000, for me the cruise went up to $2600 and if I wanted an accessible cabin it rose to almost $2800. On your next cruise that costs $2000 for you and your traveling companion, you wouldn't mind paying $3000 or $4000 for it, since they are in the business of making money. Let them make the money off of you instead of me.

I understand they are in the business of making money, but to take it out on a handicapped solo cruiser and not couples or two friends who cruise together, that just isn't correct in any way. I am not saying it is the cruisers fault, it is the cruise line in their pursuit of the bottom line.

So on your next cruise just hand them an extra 50% so you can see just what it feels like to be charged $3000 for a $2000 cruise.

I love to cruise and I won't stop because I have learned there are ways of getting discounts to lower the 150 to 200% mark up, by gambling in the casino and getting casino rates, by earning cruise certificates or by booking through a group reservation by my TA, all which save me some money.

Please quit trying to read between the lines of my posts.

spookwife,

I am comparing the same category room and I know there are different OV categories. I have cruised one time on Carnival, 20 times on Royal, 10 times on Princess and 5 times on NCL. I have a Holland and Celebrity booked for next year.

When I was looking on both Princess and Royal an accessible cabin was $300 more than a regular OV. When I looked on NCL, the accessible, although bigger in square feet, was on a lower deck, Deck 3 (Yuck) and one category lower and they charged $200 more for it.

Holland and Celebrity, on the 2018 cruises I booked, had sold out of OV and offered me an accessible balcony for the same price as an OV. I jumped on those two cruises.

It is another way for the cruise lines to make money.

Candie