DallasGuy75219

1 hour ago, cruise*enthusiast said:

I found a picture of a glass at Vines and it was a glass with a fancy rose stem. Wonder if that’s what they mean. 

The glasses they don't want you removing from Vines are Riedel or similar quality glasses.

Unfortunately I've only seen honey mustard sauce offered with the "chicken tenders," which are mostly breading and 'imperfect' (read cheap) bits and pieces of chicken that couldn't be sold as actual chicken tenders. 

18 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

I am shamelessly motivated by comps. I won't book a Carnival cruise anymore unless the fare is free and I get free drinks - preferably everywhere, but at least in the Casino.

 

Why pay for something you can get for free?

Same here. I won't book Carnival unless a comped casino rate because for me Carnival's product is no longer worth paying for. And even moreso when I have free cruise offers from Royal and Carnival.

16 hours ago, SRF said:

 

But you get 4 - 5 or 6 drink vouchers at the Diamond level or higher.

On 3/13/2024 at 1:48 AM, DallasGuy75219 said:

You have to use a drink voucher or charge your SeaPass if you don't already have the premium drink package.

2 hours ago, Easyrider949 said:

As you know, Princess does monitor these posts. From my perspective, those booking numbers are not superfluous to me and/or to Princess. They were meant for Princess to know exactly who we are and not for the general CruiseCritic viewers.

If multiple calls and emails to directly to Princess didn't get you anywhere, I don't understand why you think you'll get different or better results hoping someone from Princess reading this cares to look up your booking numbers and get involved. 

10 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Might be a coincidence but a couple of years ago, I took some pictures of a guy holding his diapered baby in the pool, keeping them out of sight of crew while another parent was being told to take their infant out of the pool (apparently someone called Guest Services).  They did not drain the pool.  I sent pictures with info to the Coast Guard.  Next cruise and ever since, I see pool guards at every pool.  

Carnival added pool attendants (not even lifeguards) because of a rash of drownings, near-drownings, and accidents in pools (on multiple lines).  It was a reactionary response to reduce bad press and potential liability, not anything to do with diapered or not potty trained kids in the pool.  I can assure you Carnival doesn't give a crap (pun intended) about that in comparison to the bad publicity and liability for drownings and near-drownings.

11 hours ago, staceyglow said:

Awesome!  Now if everyone properly reported scooters in the halls, the problem might take care of itself!

Scooters in the hallway shouldn't have to be reported; anyone crew/staff member walking down the corridor can clearly see them. What remains to be seen is if the crew/staff onboard the ships will actually enforce the rule.  This is not a new rule but obviously it has not been enforced in the past.

1 hour ago, KarmaCruisers said:

I’ve met QUITE A FEW who told me they got free cruises and when I watched them play over the course of a 10-day Alaska cruise they only bet minimum on Heads-Up Hold’Em; so I personally asked them if they were using an Amex Black or Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card on file for the cruise and they said “how did you know?”

even carnival has folks who, in their personal life have access to big money..they just choose to cruise the “value” line.

If someone asked me a personal and nosy question like that, I'd lie too.

3 hours ago, kwokpot said:

You talk as if everyone can get an AMEX Black card. It doesn't work that way. You have to be invited, and among the qualifications is spending at least $250,000-$500,000 in charges on AMEX cards. The annual fee for that card is $5,000 and the initiation fee is $10,000.

And 99% of AMEX Black cardholders have no interest in slumming it with the unwashed masses on Carnival.  They're sailing Virgin, Celebrity, or one of the luxury lines.

1 hour ago, Sattery said:

For example on Royal if you are a Diamond member or above you have access to a room from 5pm-8pm each night for complimentary drinks, yet Carnival doess not for its high end membership.

In the Crown Lounge drinks are not complimentary, and only Diamond Plus and Pinnacle are allowed during evening hours.  You have to use a drink voucher or charge your SeaPass if you don't already have the premium drink package.

Only if you're among the top Pinnacles on your sailing do you have access to the Suite Lounge, which does have complimentary drinks.

As far as onboard comps, the casino usually holds a certain number of specialty restaurant reservations on each night of the sailing (probably except the first night) and/or a has a budget for comps.  The cutoff for how many points you need to get comps is completely dependent on your points in relation to the highest point earners. 

The higher your points in relation to others, the more likely and sooner you are to get comps. The lower, the less likely you are, and if you do get comps, the more likely it is to be at the end of the cruise as after the bigger point earners have already gotten their comps.

Just now, garyh9900 said:

Your mileage may vary on that. My fiancé and I cruised on the Celebration in December. She was about 10 weeks pregnant at the time. We had already purchased the cheers package a few months prior. The evening of the 1st day of cruising she went to guest services and produced her proof of pregnancy from the OB, and asked if she could be refunded for her cheers package. The representative said she would send the request to customer service in Miami. She ordered a Starry the next day, and was charged for it. About 2 weeks later we received the refund for her cheers package.

That's the first time I'm aware of anyone on here reporting successfully getting a waiver to buy Cheers if the other person has it.  Until now anyone who was pregnant and tried to get a waiver was told they had to buy Cheers and Carnival wouldn't serve them alcohol (seems obvious but there was a thread about a pregnant alcoholic whose OB said stopping drinking was a bigger danger than the effect of alcohol on the baby), but Cheers wasn't of no use to them due to the nonalcoholic drinks it includes.

4 minutes ago, 2wheelin said:

It’s Called the limbo. How low can you go…Hope they get banned. But I just want to give my family a nice cruise……….

12 hours ago, jxtgreek said:

I was wondering if the following is possible or if anyone has ever tried this.

Yes, and that's exactly why Carnival's rule is that the person who got the offer has to sail. 

Most of the "what happens to my roommate if I no-show on my casino rate" questions on here come up when plans unexpectedly change.  This one's pretty ballsy for contemplating a fraudulent booking in the first place.

9 minutes ago, n6uqqq said:

 Someone should post the T&C for casino offers and we could probably figure it out, at least theoretically since Carnival can do things a number of different ways at different times.

All casino offers have in the T&Cs:

This offer is solely intended for the named VIFP Club® Member who qualifies for the stated promotion (which must be active at the time of booking). As such, the same VIFP Club® Member must sail to redeem this offer and any related offer benefits. ... In the event of cancellation or no-show, any possible companion benefits will not be honored. Carnival’s standard cancellation penalties will apply to cancellations and no-shows and they will be assessed based on the prevailing cruise fare. A charge will be made in the event of a cancellation, or no-show. 

52 minutes ago, jxtgreek said:

it would be nice to hear from recent experiences 

You posted the same thing 2 hours ago.  Regardless of anyone's actual recent experience, yours may be different.  Carnival is notorious for its inconsistency.

1. There are 2 possible outcomes if you no-show:
2. 1. Your taxes/fees get refunded. The rest of your party sails as usual.
3. 2. Carnival realizes you booked a rate that required you to cruise and gives your family the option to debark or pay full price.  If the ship has already left port, maybe they don't have an option and have to pay full price.

Regardless of any else's recent experience, if you book your family under your offer intending to no-show, you and your family need to prepare for the possibility of #2.

17 hours ago, ngrund said:

OP, keep in mind that any remaining balance under $10 will not be refunded and will be donated to St Jude.

It will not be automatically refunded but you can get a refund upon requst at guest services or possibly at the kiosk.

2 hours ago, bdeluca03 said:

To my knowledge PVP's are paid bonuses, etc. based on number of bookings so if they can easily book a Casino Offer in a few minutes (i.e. person knows the exact cruise they want, offer they want to select and potential cabin areas) it helps them get to the next tier.

That's me.  I already know which specific sailing, offer code, and (usually) room type and location I want to book.  If I need his help with anything it's usually to see if there are more cabins actually available than what I can see online.

I email him what I want to book and he gets the booking ready and calls me to confirm and get payment info.  Probably 5 minutes or less of work for him.

11 minutes ago, simplelife said:

We are platinum this cruise and embark in 3 days, but have not  received an e-mail

If you want to bring something as proof in case you get hassled, print out the FTTF description on Carnival's website or in the shore excursion page for your (or another cruise):

WHAT YOU WILL GET

Stateroom Access

Once on board, you will be able to drop off your bags in your stateroom until your room is ready. 

(Note: VIFP Club Diamond & Platinum members do not need to purchase this package as these and other benefits are included as part of your VIFP Club status.)

1 hour ago, jeblack1 said:

We will be on the Celebration in Can you get food to go from the MDR?

No.

There's no rule that you have to order and eat all 3 courses.  If you go towards the end of the night and explain that you just want dessert, they may be open to seating you even if you're dressed casually.

3 minutes ago, bg2310 said:

 

 

It might not be their official policy, but in practice it is in my experience so de facto it effectively is.

I acknowledged it may not be enforced on any given day in any given port, but OP explicitly asked for Carnival's official policy and should be prepared in the event it's enforced for his/her cruise.

18 hours ago, bg2310 said:

You can check-in together. Carnival is good about keeping parties together.

That's not Carnival's official policy, particularly in regard to the adult child in OP.'s situation. As to whether it's enforced on any given day at any given port is a different question. 

8 hours ago, galensgrl said:

One of my sisters and I enjoy gambling. I haven't been on a ship since 2018 with my husband when we travelled on the Celebrity Summit. We are cruising with Princess on Enchanted this Summer. My sister doesn't want the gambling to go on her credit card. I can't for the life of me remember how we paid for gambling on a cruise ship. Can we bring a cash amount and put that on our casino account to gamble with? Thanks to anyone who can give me a quick reminder of how it works to pay for gambling. Happy travels!

The slots and tables gladly accept cash.

7 hours ago, rodndonna said:

 

Oops  - correct - HAL works the same, and as long as you pull your player card (even if you forget to "cash out") it goes back to your player account.  

99% of the time, but not always.  That's why you should always hit the "cash out to card" button and wait for your credits to zero out.

With 6 people you will probably come out ahead taking a large Uber or Lyft that seats 6 vs. paying a shuttle $20+ per person.  Plus you get door to door service... no stopping at other hotels or other cruise terminals on the way.