Doggielover68

1 hour ago, HardToPort said:

I agree with you 100% that the short synopsis needs to be taken in conjunction with the fine print. (Here comes my “but”) … but any age restriction needs to front and centre. If you’re publishing an overview, any restrictions  ie age, fitness level etc should be up front. In bold. 20 pt font. Highlighted. Underlined. Maybe with sound effects.

Exactly. Myself and two other adults from our group completely missed that detail. Part of me still wonders if they've changed the excursion to allow children but MSC doesn't even know how many seats there are, what time the excursions are, etc. It's all very strange. I'm still going into this cruise with an open mind and I'm not generally one to nitpick the small things. I'm just used to cruise bookings being easier to manage online. 

1 hour ago, HardToPort said:

Personally, I would not want an OBC and I would kick off over this. MSC sold you a product for passengers that are restricted from enjoying that product. MSC has all of the passenger info including the DOB’s of all concerned. 
 

so MSC, you know your guest is 16 but sold them an excursion that they are 5 years too young to enjoy. 
 

cruise excursions, bar sales, shopping profit margins are high. Like 50% margins over costs. So, if they refund the money as an onboard credit you may receive a $500 OBC but the true cost of the services you exchange that credit for is only $250. Big win for MSC.

The excursion in question is not a huge cost for us, (less than the cost of auto gratuities) so that's why I wouldn't mind the on board credit. If it exceeded that cost then I'd definitely prefer a refund. The biggest annoyance is that they sold the children's ticket at a reduced children's price, knowing that he was too young to participate. Very frustrating indeed!

39 minutes ago, JT1962 said:

You can always book once you board, if they allow less than age 21. The excursion may be more expensive onboard though. 
 

Don’t let the port pre-cruise experience deter you. Once onboard, I have found it to be very good. Ocean Cay is beautiful and a great beach day, even without an excursion.

Thanks. That does make me feel better about the experience. I'm still looking forward to this trip. I wasn't originally planning on an excursion anyway but my family is cruising for the first time and wanted to go all out. Oh well! 

2 hours ago, JT1962 said:

Because it is MSC and their website is HORRIBLE. The only thing worse is calling Customer Service, which is likely to either be clueless or screw up the reservation. The best option is to just wait until you board and speak with the Shore Excursions desk to see if it is an issue. 

You're right, I tried calling and it took them 15 minutes to find the excursion and another 10 minutes to find the hidden note with the age restriction. Their on-board policy is that you may cancel onboard for OBC provided that the excursion is at least 48 hours away. I board on Sunday and Ocean Day is Monday so I don't see that as being an option. They may very well make an exception at the shore excursions desk but without any written policy in advance, I guess I'll just have to cancel and wait 1-2 months for a refund. 

This is my first cruise with MSC. I'm sure the trip itself will be fine but so far, I'm not impressed. 

43 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

Because the main description is just a general description of the excursion.  Just as  with anything thing else, one must do read the additional information that is always provided.

 

Any excursion on any cruise line I have cruised (and there have been many lines and cruises) will have a general description of the excursion and the specific restrictions or addition information elsewhere on the booking description.

This excursion was previously called "Rum Rendezvous" and in the main description it specifically said something like "This adults-only getaway etc etc". I don't think I've seen a single adults only cruise line excursion on any of my 20 cruises. Deceptive marketing is what it is. An age restriction should be published clearly and obviously. 

7 hours ago, HardToPort said:

Hang on. If you look just to the left of the “Add To My Cruise” button you’ll see an information icon that says “Additional Notes”. The notes confirm that you must be 21 or over to participate. 
 

why wouldn’t they put that in the main description??????

That's what I'd like to know!!! The other day I tried calling to inquire about changing one of my other excursions and they weren't even able to tell me how many tickets they had available (since we are cruising with family we wanted to make sure that there were enough available for all). 

Hello, 

A few weeks ago, my family booked the Bahama Breeze Excursion and I don't recall there being an age minimum to participate. My cousin is 12 and his ticket was booked without issue. It was only today when reading the fine print that it says 21+. Has anyone taken this excursion and know for sure? Their website really needs work!

4 hours ago, victory2020 said:

You answered a question I had. I always give my steward a goodie bag & now I will include microwave popcorn

Adding to this because on the cruise I just left yesterday, the crew weren't allowed off the ship in a month. I asked if they wanted anything and they wanted instant cup noodles, cookies, chips, and some hygiene items. Cup noodles were the number one request because after a long day, they just want something easy to eat in their room. 

On 1/22/2022 at 6:18 AM, JEANMR1 said:

Hello 

I have booked my first massage ever on the Mardi Gras. I’m a little nervous about a stranger touching me but I’m 50 years old and need to get over it. 
I was wondering if I have access to the rest of the spa that day or during the visit. 
Also, can you explain the process? Do they ask where you want to be massaged?  Would it be weird if I only wanted them to do my back for a Swedish massage?

thanks

 

I'm very self conscious so my first massage was weird, but it is very relaxing. They will ask you for your preferences. I don't like having my feet touched, so I always exclude them. They will leave you alone in the room to get undressed (at whatever comfort level works for you) and then get under the blanket. They uncover one section at a time as they are massaging you and then cover that section back up when they are done. They never uncover your "private" areas. There will likely be some upselling but just be up front and tell them you don't want to buy anything. I've never had anyone try to hard sell me into anything. 

15 hours ago, jakers said:

Don't plan on it being that quick. When we disembarked the Panorama in October it seemed like most of the ship walked off with their luggage. We were in an Ocean Suite so had the option of leaving early but we were in no hurry and decided to take our time. Our group was one of the first ones called after the walk offs. It was 9:30am. They only called one other group after ours. It seemed like the whole ship self disembarked.

Depends on the ship. I just got off Pride yesterday and final call for getting off was at 9am. People started getting off around 7:15. 

18 hours ago, sunonfire said:

 

When you arrived at the terminal did you check in on the second level as in the past? Is that where they checked your Covid cards? 
 

Were you able to get your sign and sail cards when boarding or did you have to wait until 1:30?  Thanks!
 

Do you know the passenger count?  Were there any Covid cases. I’m sailing next Sunday. Thanks.

I believe our cards were first checked outside and then again inside. All rooms were ready at 1:30 regardless of status. We got on board by 11:30. The terminal was a bit crowded. I'd recommend wearing an N95 mask in that area. Cards were in the mailbox by 1. I snagged mine early so I could get connected to the wifi and dropped off my luggage. They were done cleaning by then but they were still distributing the bags from the porters at that time. 

We had around 1300 on board, putting us near 50%. It never felt crowded, never waited in any lines, mostly avoided Lido buffet except grabbing food to take back to the room. Don't know of any cases (they didn't say anything about it) but I know there was a quarantine section on deck 1. The stairs were roped off in that section. Crew wore kn95 masks the whole time and there were complimentary masks in the room. Crew was cleaning constantly. On more than one occasion, we saw our room steward sanitizing the hallway walls top to bottom and wiping all of the handrails. 

The weather was quite chilly the first and last day. When we returned to Tampa, it was 46 degrees! 

52 minutes ago, let's go cruising said:

Can anyone tell me where the Pizza Pirate and Coffee Bar are on the Pride? We've never been on this class of ship. 

 

Thanks!

Just off the Pride this morning. Pizza is in the Lido Buffet near the serenity deck. There's a coffee bar right next to it, as well as the usual coffee shop on deck 2 near the casino.

7 hours ago, nlktx49 said:

Allowing people to pop their own microwave popcorn would be a big mistake, there'd always be that one person who would burn it and stink up the whole ship. I think we've all worked with that person.

Anyone who has lived in a college dorm would know that allowing people to microwave popcorn will result in smoke/fire alarms going off in the middle of the night. 

6 hours ago, Hockeydad1972 said:

When sitting at a bar on the Magic which I just got off of a few hours ago 99% of people seated at a bar were not masked at all.. Maybe other ships are different but this was not the case as of 12 hours ago.. Sip and cover was happening in theaters but never at the bars…

Just got off Carnival Pride this morning. I rarely even saw people sitting at the bar,  but those who did show up were keeping their masks on. The cruise felt very empty and I rarely encountered a line. 

15 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Yes, the vendors are local and it still supports the local economy, but they get less of a share if you use Carnival (or any other cruise line) excursions instead of booking directly with them.

I get that, but in exchange I get to have my peace of mind. I do venture off on my own in some ports, but there are others that I simply won't (i.e. Belize because everything is far away). 

I moved up from blue to platinum within 4 years so the noticeable difference in perks was significant at the time. I wouldn't mind giving up the trinkets. I want to keep the other remaining perks. 

Bacon is really expensive right now and a lot of the buffet bacon was wasted (people took too much or too much was served). I'm on Pride now and bacon is served daily in the MDR. It's available about every other day on Lido. 

On 1/19/2022 at 7:44 PM, ninjacat123 said:

My DH and I were chatting about this...why not have a restaurant like Bonsai Sushi size that features Indian cuisine?  The head chef is usually Indian and whenever we get the Indian vegetarian dish in MDR we are very happy.  I know there is Tandoor kiosk on some ships, I'm talking a full restaurant.

You can get Indian food in the MDR if you order it ahead of time. They have an entire Indian menu available aside from the featured vegetarian entree. You can ask to see it on the first day and make your selections.

On 1/21/2022 at 1:54 PM, Crismess669 said:

I totally get this. How can you be sure the steward isn’t taking their mask off in your room? You double mask around the ship, then walk into your room and remove the mask and breathe in contaminated steward air. COVID hangs out in the air for a while. Is it likely? Who knows. I suppose they could be farting on all the pillows, too.

I'm on a cruise now and have yet to see a crew member even touch their mask. Every single one of them wears a kn95 mask over their mouth and nose at all times, indoors and outdoors.  

Carnival excursions still support the local economy. The vendors are still locals. The only difference is that they have been vetted by the cruiseline and your return is guaranteed. Currently, excursions are not crowded and the tour operators follow covid protocols. 

I was on a carnival excursion in Belize the other day, snorkeling the barrier reef far off the coast and our single boat was having engine problems. Fortunately they got things going and we didn't get stranded in the middle of the ocean, but if we had, the ship would have waited for us. 

Even the equipment for vetted vendors seems worse for wear in the current climate and I would be concerned relying on an outside vendor at this current time, especially if I'm going far away from the port without a backup option to get back to the ship. 

As for snorkeling, all 3 ports are great options. I always do a snorkeling excursion in Belize.

3 hours ago, Earthworm Jim said:

Had there previously been a end date for the enhanced protocols? The email kind of surprised me, because I assumed they already were operating with enhanced safety protocols until further notice.

The CDC's conditional sail order ended and many people were asking about the protocols moving forward, which is probably what prompted the announcement. Currently on the Carnival Pride and tempted to book another now that I know the restrictions are staying in place. It has been a fantastic experience and it has felt very safe. Vaccinations keep the cruises as vacations instead of turning them into floating hospitals. 

6 hours ago, Nog Vlog said:

On the Dream over the new year, when gathering with all the other Carnival-sponsored tours in the Encore Lounge in preparation for tendering, only two excursions were designated to tender in smaller boats directly to their destination: Goff's Caye and Hol Chan Marine.  All others, including the one you stated specifically, were normal tenders to Belize City and from there additional boats or buses would further transport each tour.

Rendezvous Caye also departs directly from the ship...and Starfish Island if that is still offered.

As for Sharks/Rays/Reef/island escape, it's a very cool excursion. I'd recommend eating a hearty breakfast or bring money to purchase lunch on Caye Caulker. It's a long excursion with no food provided. 

On 1/13/2022 at 8:03 PM, cruizergal70 said:

OP, never ask this question.  All the nervous folks will tell you to fly in days early.

 

Me, I'm okay with a bit of risk. I would look into getting the Carnival airport shuttle to the ship if available. 

The day prior is more than sufficient. I would never fly in the day of. I don't fly extremely often and yet probably half of my domestic flights are delayed for one reason or another. My most recent flight had a medical emergency. The flight before that had a mechanical problem and I sat on the plane at the gate for 2 hours...add weather, staffing shortages, baggage delays, etc and you're gonna have a bad time. 

Best of luck. 

7 hours ago, ontheweb said:

And how many have still not learned that lesson?

Too many

3 hours ago, tm_aw_love said:

So, you are telling me that you "suspect" that things are worse than reported, despite the fact that everybody has to be tested before embarkation?

 

Should we just shut down cruises again because there is a virus that you think is going around that is soo bad that people don't even know that they have it??? 🤣

 

Thanks for confirming that that there is no data to support those claims. 

I never said anything about shutting things down, it's common sense that there are more cases than reported given how contagious this is. This strain is like if you were to report how many people have the flu. I think I've only had one flu test in my life but I've definitely had it more than once but never sought treatment. The point was that there are likely more cases than reported, but there are not serious issues like last year where people were dying on ships from covid. If there were, the CDC would have already shut things down again.

I have a cruise in 2 weeks that has been rescheduled many times, so no, I don't want cruising to shut down again.