gem114

Since you are before final payment, you can change the rate to the new rate and get the new price. Call and speak to someone else. If that doesn't work, cancel and rebook.

 

Yes! Just called and spoke with someone else and she had the new rate for us in less than two minutes! Got to keep our room and she just took $110 off our bill since we haven't payed yet. I'm currently on hold waiting to compliment her to a supervisor--want to make sure people get the recognition they deserve for good service!

 

Thanks, everyone, for encouraging me to call again! This worked out perfectly!

So here's our situation. We booked with the VIFP rate at $574 pp. The price has gone down again since I first posted this thread to $519. Total of $110 difference!

 

I called Carnival today, and the gentleman on the phone said he couldn't give us OBC because that only happens with Early Saver. I said, "Okay, what about a higher deck?" Moving up to the upper deck would only be $25 pp, a $50 upgrade total, which means I still lose $60, but it would be something. He said he couldn't find me a comparable room in the middle of the ship, which I call BS on because I was doing it online at the same time and I had a choice of about 10 different rooms on the upper deck at midship.

 

I'm frustrated. Last year we didn't have Early Saver (didn't know what it was--was our first Carnival cruise) and we had no trouble at all moving to a slightly better room when the price changed. I'm going to call tomorrow and talk to a different person.

We definitely haven't made our final payment yet, so hopefully we will be fine, thanks!

Hi all,

 

When my boyfriend booked our cruise for this summer, he chose the VIFP Club Member Exclusive Offer, which was the cheapest price at the time. I noticed today that the price of the cruise dropped a little, $30/pp, and I wondered if I called Carnival if they would honor it by giving us on-board credit. I know they do that for the Early Saver and other rates, but I wasn't sure about this one.

 

Any advice/experience?

 

Thanks!

Well, I can tell you I am an ES fan...I'm up to almost $600 OBC (hello bar tab!:D) with price drops between 2 rooms. If you can find the room you want with ES, go that route.

 

That's awesome!! Congratulations! When I just checked online there were plenty of rooms still available in the category we are looking at. We want an oceanview, which is a bit of a downgrade from the balcony we had last year on the Pride, but we only got that because the price changed so significantly and we didn't have ES. She couldn't give us OBC, so she upgraded our room. It was our first cruise, and we were definitely spoiled. :P

Hi all,

 

Looking to book a cruise for this July (my second cruise ever, both Carnival!). The rate options are Early Saver ($619) and Go Save ($649). It seems like the reason to pay the extra $30 for Go Save is that it says it has free upgrades. What does that include? I know with the Early Saver you can get refunded/OBC if the price drops before the cruise, which sounds like a great deal to me.

 

Thanks in advance for any insight!

Cotton T-shirt gives you about the sun protection of SPF 6-8 and specially made sun wear cloth tests out at SPF50. Sun Protection Factor skin only (no protection) is about 3-5.

 

Very informative, thank you! I am also very fair skinned and am careful about sun damage. My daily facial moisturizer and lotion have SPF 30, and I always put on 50 if I know I'm going to be out in the sun for any length of time. My dad had what they called pre-skin cancer due to sun damage, and his mantra is "learn not to burn!" I did invest in a big floppy hat for the trip, but I'll have to check out some of the specially made sun wear and see if I can find any before we leave. Less than a week!

We kayak and snorkel (more kayaking than snorkeling in the mountains of NC, though:D). Definitely wear your swimsuit kayaking. I am fairly experienced and I still get wet from paddle drip. You can pick up a pair of board shorts or other nylon shorts almost anywhere to go over the bottoms. I would HIGHLY recommend getting a rash guard shirt or two. Don't stress out over this - any nylon, "quick dry" type shirt is sun protective, particularly darker/brighter colors, and will suit your purposes. It will dry quickly and keep your shoulders from getting burned. I usually wear one snorkeling too, over a bathing suit. You don't really realize how exposed your back is when you are snorkeling, and with the water reflecting all around you, you can get burned pretty badly.

 

Also, a word of advice from someone who learned the hard way - make sure you get sunscreen on your inner thighs and knees for kayaking (the way you sit in the kayak will have then getting sun) and on your other "cheeks" for snorkeling. Trust me, those are not comfortable places to get burned!:eek:

 

I have a purple Nike quick dry shirt that I think I'll wear, and nylon running shorts. I don't know if it's UPF (honestly just learned what that was--I think I just assumed all clothes blocked sun), but I guess I'll find out.

 

And thanks for the sunscreen tips! :P

Interesting perspectives! Thanks! The cleanse is also a mind over matter thing for me (apparently I'm failing at that because I've still been eating a meal a day, albeit a healthy one -- oh well!).

I went out and got a pair of sandals yesterday. Made sure to get ones that cover my toes in case I bump anything when hiking. The look kind of like this, but all black:

 

And we got a waterproof disposable camera for the excursions and we'll use our regular camera for on the boat. :]

 

Thanks, everyone!

I'm pretty sure the porters expect a tip. We've always tipped them, anyway, and none of them has ever seemed surprised to get it. I've never heard of the parking cashier expecting or getting a tip - yes, that is odd.

 

Haha, okay, I'm glad I read that situation right. :P Thanks!

On the kayak excursion there's definitely a hiking part, but I think you're right that flip flops will be fine for the catamaran trip. :]

Has anyone ever done "The Master Cleanse" before a cruise?

 

I'm decently fit but I've been told everyone gains weight on a cruise and I want to have a bit of a buffer. The Master Cleanse is supposed to clean your body of toxins and (being honest) any extra "waste." It's also supposed to help keep away bloating. It's basically a fast where you're drinking a mixture of fresh lemon juice, pure maple syrup (not the sugary Aunt Jemima stuff), and cayenne pepper in water. It's actually pretty tasty.

 

I started trying to do it yesterday, but I've had to cheat because my parents were visiting and we all went out to dinner and then breakfast this morning. I figure even if I can't do it 100%, something is better than nothing!

Awesome. Thank you so much!!

Hi,:) bathing suits will be good for all those types of excursions. Either some type of cover up, whether it is a t-shirt/top and shorts or

a cover up.....bring a towel, sunscreen, and don't forget your sandals:).......I take a tote bag with me and put all that stuff in it. If

you feel more comfy in sneakers, by all means wear them but most gals wear sandals (from what I have seen over 11 years of

cruisng).

I should have said I have seen sandals the majority of the time on any "water excursions"....kayaking, catamarans, beach, etc.

 

Thanks for your response! Is your tote water proof? Is that something you've been worried about? Is it silly to want to bring a camera on the excursions or is that commonplace?

We kayak at home. Expect to get wet. I would not wear jeans shorts because that sounds so uncomfortable to me. A tee shirt would be fine with a bathing suit underneath...good to help provide sun protection, but I would find a typical cotton or cotton blend annoying if it got wet.

 

I wear a pair of "board shorts" which are very fast drying shorts intended to be worn for water sport. I usually wear a pair of fast drying micro fiber undies under the trunks because these are way more comfortable than swim bottoms for me. On top, I wear a tank that I would normally wear to work out in...some sort of technical fabric and a sports bra...OR a work out shirt with a built in bra.

 

I wear Teva sandals. These are water friendly and also pretty comfortable for light hiking.

 

Again...expect to get wet. Depending on how you get in and out of the kayak, odds are that you will be walking in water up to knee high to get in and out. You want appropriate foot wear. Also, depending on how the kayaks are stored and how things go with them...they could be wet already...the seats could be wet. ALSO...depending on your rowing skills...you can splash yourself and drip water on yourself as you figure out the whole rhythm of rowing. Doesn't have to be soaked through kind of wet on your body...

 

ALSO...you may get HOT. You may feel like getting wet on purpose to cool off a bit because kayaking is good exercise and you may or may not work up a sweat.

 

 

All good points! I guess I figured that I wouldn't want to be in just my bathing suit and I certainly wouldn't want to wear a sun dress or something kayaking and hiking. I have an old pair of board shorts that I will have to see if they fit. I also have gym shorts that I image would dry rather quickly.

 

And good sandals like those make sense. Again, I knew I wouldn't want to hike or anything in flip flops, which is why I thought of sneakers, but I definitely don't want to be walking through any deep water in sneakers.

 

Thank you!

Thank you!

For our upcoming Carnival Pride cruise, we have two excursions planned:

 

1. Freeport Kayak & Nature Experience

 

2. Catamaran Sail & Snorkel (in Nassau)

 

For the Sail and Snorkel excursion I'm imagining that I'd just wear my bathing suit underneath a skirt or shorts with a casual top. If I'm off base for that, please let me know.

 

What does one wear to kayak? Would jean shorts and a t-shirt be okay? Bathing suit underneath or no? And sneakers? Or some other footwear?

 

Thanks!

[quote name='soccersharon']Totally your call :) We tip extra for great service both for our room steward and dining room staff. We've always had great service![/quote]

Can I ask how much you tip for each? Thanks!

[quote name='WetToes']That's right. There is no need to tip extra.
No one can tell you what's right to tip. You don't have to tip beyond what's already set, so 'anything' beyond that, should be appreciated.
The only ones that definitely should be tipped, are the room service people. We get coffee in the am, and tip $2.00. Some give more, some less.
You'll know what's right to do. Relax.
Hope you have a great time. :)[/quote]

[quote name='jakzak10']1) you do not need to tip the bar staff as the cruise line automatically adds a 15% gratuity to all charges

2) Your tips to the dining room staff and room stewards are automatically added to your sign and sail account. There is no need to do anything unless you want to adjust the tips, and if that is your choice you can go to guest services to make any changes.

3) I believe the spa services also add a gratuity to the bill but I'm not 100% sure. The only actual cash you would need is for the casino and even there you can charge it on your sign and sail account for a 3% fee.

Have a great cruise[/quote]

Thanks for the responses! I read in one of the articles somewhere on Cruise Critic that it's customary to tip your room steward on the last night, but I understand it's not required. My boyfriend (DB, perhaps, in this forum's language? Still learning... :P) and I already pre-paid our gratuities when we booked. Neither of us have been on a cruise before, and we want to make sure we're not totally unprepared when we're on the boat. Trying to learn as much now so we can cruise without any worries!

Haha, no worries, thanks so much! Are you expected to tip the porters? I read somewhere that even the person taking money for parking actually asked for a tip, but that seems odd to me.

Posting this here and on my roll call -- need an experienced cruiser's insight on tipping!

1. I just finished setting up my onboard account and noticed it says there's a 15% gratuity charge added to all beverage purchases. Does this mean you don't tip the bartender?

2. I know on the last night (please correct me if I'm wrong) you can tip your personal servers at your dinner table and the person who takes care of your room. What are appropriate tips? What's appropriate for "good" service? For "great" service?

3. Who else do you tip? Or what are other reasons I'd need cash? I'm trying to judge how much cash to bring on the ship and I'm really clueless.

Thanks in advance!

[quote name='NCTribeFan']Since I'm driving to port, I'll probably just pack some things on hangers. I use my own self-made "space bags" (2 gallon freezer bags). I roll items, put them in the bags, squeeze out the air and then layer them between the folds of slacks and dresses. When I unpack, I just dump out the bags into drawers and on shelves, and then use them to store the dirty clothes (by color and durability) so when I get home, I can just dump the bag into the washer.[/quote]

This is brilliant. Totally stealing this idea.

[quote name='geesherry']Had a very relaxing week on the Pride.

Wanted to report in about my cabin. I had a premium balcony, 8235, starboard side, right under the pizza station. Also directly next to the elevators.

I has some noise very early on one morning, about 4 am. Sounded like a heavy cart moving above me. The noise lasted less than 5 minutes and was never repeated. there was occasionally the sound of footsteps above during daytime hours, never enough to rise to the level of annoyance.

I've had more noise from loud neighbors than either of the above.

The location can't be beat for convenience. One flight up, and you are either in Serenity or the buffet. Down a few levels, and you step right into the dining room. It is a long way back from a late night comedy show at butterflies though!

The extra room feels extravagant. It's super easy to find too.

Two chairs and a lounger on the balcony.

I would happily book this cabin again.[/quote]

I'm so glad to hear this! We're in 8237 sailing on July 6 and read some awful reviews of the noise. I'm going to get ear plugs for at night just in case, but I'm really happy to hear you didn't find it to be much of a problem. :]

This is really helpful, thanks!!