andie717

We are sailing from MIA.  I think that is the way I'm leaning...  For once maybe I'll aim to be the last off the boat instead of the first...

Just made a last minute decision to book a cruise over Christmas.  Trying to book airfare home.  We can leave from FLL at 10:55, or MIA from 1:40.  I like the idea of getting home earlier, just not sure if that time is doable.  Care to share any thoughts?

Also, we've been on many cruises, but never over the holidays.  Is there anything special you want to share for celebrating Christmas in the Caribbean?  😁

Thank you!

28 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

I would expect that they would ask you questions about how you are feeling and possibly taking your vitals. I wasn't concerned about the screening itself per se, I didn't want to waste any time in the terminal if I didn't have to.

Hmmm.  Good point.

10 hours ago, Earthworm Jim said:

The "Have Fun, Be Safe Guest Protocols" on Carnival.com still say you need documentation of recovery from your healthcare provider:

 

Documentation of Recovery

Guests (either fully vaccinated or not) who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of their sailing date, do not need the required pre-cruise COVID test before embarkation if they are at least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, have no symptoms and present documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from their healthcare provider. Please visit our FAQs for complete information.

 

Edit: Now I see if you follow the FAQ link above you get the text the OP quoted. So I don't know. It seems contradictory to me.

Yes, that's what I saw.  I thought in the FAQ (like, 2 weeks ago) it stated it had to be a certified letter, on letterhead, etc...  I have a letter, so I will bring it just in case!  Does anyone know what the additional screening is?

In case anyone else is looking, we found Stadium Hotel for $207.  Gets good reviews, too!

Maybe I'm imagining things, or losing my mind as my cruise date finally, hopefully, rapidly approaches!!!  I thought I read on Carnivals site that for documentation of recovery, you needed the test results and certification from your doctor.  But now it says this...so is it only the test results?  (Which I have digitally and printed....)

4 hours ago, OttoCal said:

Sorry, welcome to spring break time in South Florida. It's always like that. 

There are plenty of rates that are coming in well  under $300 on Hotwire for that date though. Did you check there? 

I did, I guess I'm just fearful of not "knowing" what we'd get.  But I'll keep my eye on it.

15 hours ago, JohninDC said:

Roadway Inn is a basic hotel good for a few hours of sleep and a shower.  Let them know that you will not arrive until after about 2:00 and ask for a late check out

Thanks for the suggestion, but even that one is $300!  

We fly out of Chicago Friday night, the 18th.  Arrive Saturday, March 19th.  All the hotels by FLL seem to either be really expensive or have scary reviews!  😬

Maybe just Uber to the beach and sleep under the stars?  (Kidding...)

We are arriving in FLL at 1:35 am.  Our cruise departs later that day from Miami.  Hotel prices are...HORRENDOUS.  Especially as we will not be there very long.  Does anyone have any safe, clean, LESS EXPENSIVE options between FLL and Miami?  Should we just head to the beach with our luggage and sleep under the stars (kidding, not kidding...)?  Currently I have Hotel Dello for $260, and a Hampton Inn in Miami for $350.  The prices for just a few hours of sleep make me want to vomit, but also want something clean and safe.  Any other thoughts/ideas/suggestions???

Thanks!

Are there any tours that include the Donkey Sanctuary?  Going in March, in port from 9:00 am - 10:00 pm.  Thinking of renting a car, but also looking into tours.  Open to any thoughts or suggestions!

8 minutes ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

OP, once you have narrowed down your hotel choices, do check directly with the hotel for their rates.  You might find that booking directly is less expensive.  (We just saved hundreds on an airline flight by booking directly, and even got direct flights to boot!)

Oh, yes!  I always do.  Especially with our late arrival, I definitely feel better booking direct!  And in my experience, they will always match a price on 3rd party sites.

30 minutes ago, groundloop said:

I've never sailed out of Miami, but in my experience the later check-in times (after 1 pm or so) go a lot smoother - as in little or no waiting to get into the terminal and walk right onto the ship.  Plus it's nice not to have to lug your carry-ons around waiting for access to your cabin.

See, this is what I'm thinking.  Maybe we spend a bit more, but start our morning closer to the port, get brunch, relax in the warm weather...  We've always been one of the first ones on, but without FTTF, maybe this later idea is better...  Thanks for the input!

Hello!  We are booked for a cruise from Miami in March.  I'm struggling right now what to do with hotels the night before we cruise.  The first problem is we don't arrive until around 1:30 am the day of the cruise (we are leaving Chicago Friday night for a Saturday cruise departure).  It is the only flight that will work for us, unfortunately.  We are flying into FLL, departing from Miami.  Hotel prices are INSANE.  And it kills me that I have to spend so much for a few hours!  Right now I have a couple of cancelable options booked near FLL, ranging in cost between $250-300.  But these are all "cheap" airport hotels.  Given our short time, I only care that it is clean and safe.  But getting on to my question...

I'm wondering if I'm better off paying for a slightly nicer hotel in Miami.  Yes, it would take longer to get there (but not much).  And we could then maybe relax and enjoy the morning?  The Hampton Inn and Suites is coming in around $350, and we've enjoyed the area in the past.  

And finally getting to my question...in the past we used to get FTTF.  Since we won't this time, how has it been reserving your check-in time?  In my mind, I'm thinking if we end up with a later check-in time, it might be better to be at a somewhat "nicer" hotel to relax in the morning.  I know the Hampton is close to a grocery store, too, so we could pick up any last minute necessities (wine!).  

I'm open to any other thoughts if anyone else has had this issue!  So many of the inexpensive hotel's reviews scare me!

Thanks!

Family of 4 (mom, dad, 2 teen daughters!) We are finally, hoping, fingers-crossed to cruise again in March 2022!  We have an 8 day Southern Caribbean booked, Saturday - Sunday.  We usually like to fly in the day before, but the only flight that worked with work/travel times arrives in Fort Lauderdale (FLL) at 1:35 am.  The hotels that I'm finding near the airport are almost as expensive as those near the Port of Miami.  I'm trying to decide if it is better just to grab our bags, crash near the airport for a ridiculous amount of money, then make our to to Miami?  Or would it be better to get a hotel in Miami?  In the past we've always flown in early and stayed in the Brickell area, but we also would have early FTTF, which isn't an option...so not sure what our check in time will be.  Any thoughts appreciated!

Thanks!

We need to reschedule our March 2021 cruise, looking a 2 particular cruises in June.  However, one shows no room types we need available.  I have heard that not all room types show on the website.  I would like a PVP as opposed to a reservation agent (there is a difference....correct?).  When I googled it, it just took me to Carnival's contact information site.

Thanks for any thoughts!

18 minutes ago, Cruisesfun65 said:

I would remove the pre paid grats and all Fun shop stuff for a refund. In the case you do get to cruise, you can always add them back on.

I definitely would!  Thanks!

58 minutes ago, bury me at sea said:

 

If you have paid in full, they will convert to OBC.  If not paid in full, they will simply be deducted from the amount you still owe.

Thank you!  I think I was just mixed up in my mind thinking I "paid"  them already.  

1 hour ago, Matco said:

Your cruise isn't till March 2021 and you're already paid in full? 

No, I have not paid in full.  I now see the error of my ways and realize that it will just be deducted.  I think in my mind I "paid" those already!

I wish I had your optimism!  🙂 I doubt my district will  change, perhaps the ship will sail...any idea about the gratuities question?

Hello!  We have a cruise booked for March, 2021.  We will need to cancel, as I am a teacher with 2 teenage daughters, and our school district is requiring a 14 day quarantine after international/cruise travel.  At this point, not being sure IF cruising will be an option in March (which I'd like to think it would be....but....I also thought I'd be going to NYC this spring and summer and we all know how THAT has gone!), but for the sake of budgeting, thinking about removing gratuities from that cruise to put the $400ish dollars back in our pockets (2 cabins).  My question is, if you remove gratuities, are they refunded or put into OBC?  (And not trying to start a debate...we always prepay them, would never remove them if we were cruising...just not sure when we would be able, because of schedules, to rebook!)

Also, because we will need to cancel even if the ship sails...would you cancel now?  Or wait?

Thank you in advance for any insight!

***Update***

At the advice of the last supervisor I spoke to, I sent an email to Guest Relations at Carnival.  I explained the situation, acknowledged my own fault, explained that we were moving from 1 cabin to 2 so ultimately paying a lot more, and asking if there was any way to recoup the $200 (either have it reapplied or OBC).

Well, shock of all shocks!  I got a reply today giving me a one-time exemption from the rule.  They applied the $200 back to my deposit!   😃  Needless to say it , it was a lesson learned and also restored my good faith in people and businesses!  

It never hurts to ask...as long as you do it politely!  Happy Sailing!

Well, as an update...

I called.  Spent an hour and a half on the phone (!!).  To no avail.  Changed the cruise date, for a $200 fee.  I totally own it, it was my bad.  I didn't intend to book Early Saver, but...alas...that mistake was made.  

Although it didn't work out in my favor (yet...one of the supervisors gave me an email to plead my case...), everyone I dealt with was professional, friendly, and helpful.

Life is too short to be upset about a mistake that I made.  A small price to pay when being grateful we have the money to cruise.  We will have a fantastic trip, regardless!  

Thanks for the helpful comments, and if the email results in a refund or on board credit, I will surely let you all know!  🙂

4 hours ago, tonit964 said:

You might want to consider booking a fare that won't charge a change fee. March 2021 is quite a ways off and things happen. The money you save with the early saver fare will negate that savings if you have to change for whatever reason.

Yeah, yeah, I know...to be totally honest, when I booked it, I meant to click on a different rate!  LOL  It's totally my mistake, though.  Lesson learned to double check which fare you clicked on!