PrincessArlena'sDad

Not through Allstate, but I once won a trip to see Disney on Ice in DC, and we lived in AZ at the time. Trip included r/t airfare, hotel in DC for 3 nights (very expensive hotel a couple blocks from the white house), transfers from airport to hotel, and hotel to the show, and great seats to the show.

Yes, it was $300 through shoreexcursioneer, and taxi fare would be additional, or $380 through shoreexcursiongroup.com, which included the r/t transfers from the Playa Mia meeting point. Same entrance tickets for both. Shoreexcursioneer has a r/t transfer option available as an addon, but that was $15/person, which comes out more than what shorexcursiongroup is charging.

We're on Carnival, and they don't have ship sponsored excursions to Playa Mia. So, it's either cab or walk to the pick-up site. For Carnival, I think the pier would be Puerta Maya? Anyone know how much of a walk it would be to the pick-up site, compared to the walk to a taxi?

When I first booked my cruise, I told the TA the cabin I wanted, and during the payment process, her computer crashed, and we had to start over. Well, the cabin I wanted was now "unavailable." The TA had no way of knowing if somehow someone got it out from under me, or Carnival's computer system still had it on hold for me, but the TA had no way to access it. So, instead of waiting to see, she booked me in a cabin that was the same category just to get it done, and once we were all booked, and everything done, she checked to see if the cabin I had originally wanted was released. It was. She was able to switch me over no problem (and I kept the same confirmation number.... not that it mattered at that point). She also said, if I changed my mind, and wanted the other cabin afterall, just to call back, and she could switch it again, if it was still available.

Ha! I won 800 points on my third spin. That third try made all the difference.

I think I noticed this glitch when I used a gift card to purchase excursions, if you're talking about the same thing I'm thinking about. It'll only deduct what's needed to pay the $329, and leave the rest on the card. Check the gift card balance here, before and after the purchase: Carnival - Check Your Balance (ourgiftcards.com)

Our ta sends a confirmation email with all details. I can't imagine any business in any field not sending a detailed invoice for transactions that are thousands of dollars.

I'm pretty sure in the t&c it says they can charge you for any increase in taxes and fees. But, I don't know of an instance of that actually happening. I just assumed that they do it as it's written they can, and would have to eat it if they didn't pass the charge along.

Bolded part my emphasis.

Public Intoxication - FindLaw

If taxes and port fees go up from the time you book, you have to pay the increased amount. Also, if actual taxes and port fees are less than what you are charged, you do get a refund of the difference. I think it's very probable taxes and port fees have gone up in the last 2 years.

Pac Man is updated also. It's no longer cruise themed (Mardi Gras now I guess?, though a little late). You have to win 3 levels, instead of 2, so it's a bit harder to get your 100 points. And, they limit you to 5 games per day.

This may be apples to oranges, but on our 2019 disney cruise, the theater was empty for all movies except Toy Story 4, which was newly released during our cruise. Being able to see it for "free" was a nice perk. Aren't the carnival theaters an extra charge? I can't imagine paying for a movie while on a cruise. Dive in movies is sufficient. Personally I think they should use the space for something else. However, I doubt gamble, so I wouldn't choose more casino space - UNLESS they were able to use the space to configure the smoking area of the casino so you could walk past/ through it without breathing in smoke. It would be nice being able to get from the atrium to the aft restaurant without going up and down stairs. Or outside I guess.

Other benefit to checking in online earlier is more choices of arrival times.

Do the s&s cards come hole punched?

I think it was between 2-3 weeks, and it went from physical cards to e-cards.

Does this therefore mean there are no cruises from LA summer 2024?

In that letter, it also states that you have to stick to your arrival appointment time. Is this being enforced? Is this going to be the same, at least going forward, for Ps, Ds, and FTTF? It seems to me, that the priority line rules need to be the same for all who can use it. Too confusing otherwise.

We would love a cabana with air conditioning to escape the heat and sun, but it seems the only option that I’ve seen is cabana beach. But, lack of sandy beach water access is a no go for us. Anyone know of another? We have kids that love the inflatables, so our thoughts right now is Playa Mia, and using the food area to escape the heat/sun.

I assume Emerald will be the ship?

But, couldn't the A1 be the result of the 10am arrival time, and have nothing to do with VIFP status? (other than the 2 day head start on picking an arrival time).

I guess the egift cards for all countdown was, what, 10 days early? Strange thing is, they are now advertising Carnival as a featured product, though when you click on it, the page is blank. Didn't see this yesterday when they actually had the cards. Time will tell about coming back, I guess.

I agree that they need to raise revenue. But, customer satisfaction is also of prime importance;, for both repeat business and referrals to new cruisers. Small touches, like free popcorn, go a long way for that. A charge for this, a charge for that, starts to annoy people, decreasing overall satisfaction. Charge for the bigger stuff (excursions, photos, alcohol, etc.) but keep tons of the smaller things included. The same person who pays $150k for a car will grumble the dealership charged them fifty cents for an air freshener. Raise prices by $5 per passenger and give away $2 per passenger in free stuff will give more revenue and higher guest satisfaction than the $5 lower fare but charging $1 for the stuff.

Given that cruising is a luxury item, in fine with charging what the market can bare. Prices will even out with demand. Or, if demand isn't there for a price point above costs, it'll no longer be offered. Time will tell. However; the prices ARE shocking. Not just carnival, or cruising, it's everywhere. And, worth talking about, in general. So, when someone notices a sharp price hike, post it.

If they get people to pay it, then good for them, I guess.