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stnic_ca

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    Booked early saver last Sept and there's been no price reduction...

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    We booked in April 2015 for our August 2016 cruise. Initially booked Fun Select 8K balcony at $2388, then changed to Past Guest (when that rate became available in May) at $2028. Had one reduction in July to $1928. Right now, Early Saver shows $2048 and no Past Guest rate is available. We always cruise in the summer so I'm happy with the rate I have. This is our first cruise out of Long Beach, which means we don't have to pay for flights or hotel stays; less than a half hour drive to the port. Glad we booked when we did.

     

    We're planning a cruise out of Long Beach for 2017. I'm looking forward to saving on airfare, transportation, food and hotels as well. That's a good $1800 savings.

    Booked early saver last Sept and there's been no price reduction...

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    We booked last May for our April 30th cruise and no price drops here either. From a cruiser standpoint that's a bummer, but from a stockholder standpoint, that's awesome. Guess it's a win-win!

     

    You probably would have caught a reduction during the "Black Friday" sale that took place in early October. Also, if you booked a lower level (interior or window) cabin, they tend to be just as pricey as a balcony during a certain time of year. My theory is most last minute cruisers purchase cheaper rooms versus balconies and suites. Therefore they offer incentives to early savers to upgrade to those rooms and fill the ship more easily.

    Has anyone almost missed your boat?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I booked a New England cruise out of NYC a few years back. My DS (14), DM (70) and her BFF (67) flew in the night before. I travel to NYC a few times each year for business and pleasure so had a decent idea of the layout. I really wanted to see the renovations to the base of the Statue of Liberty so planned an early morning trip the day of the cruise to see it (it's amazing btw). My mother is legally blind and her BFF has had one knee replaced and was slated to get the other one done a few weeks after we returned. I of course knew my DM's limitations but had no idea what traveling with someone who needed knee replacement was like. My DM is a big walker so I thought getting around NYC by foot wouldn't be bad. I take complete ownership for how our day bombed.

     

    It took over 45 minutes to walk 5 blocks to get our ferry out to Lady Liberty. Since we missed our scheduled ferry, we had to wait almost another 1/2 hour. The rest of the day also moved in slow motion. After rushing at the Statue of Liberty, we didn't get back to our hotel to pick up our luggage until 2:00 p.m near Battery Park. I'm concerned but not panicked. I've been in NYC on Saturdays and it's pretty much dead. We only needed to go a couple of miles and had until 4:00 p.m. (or so I thought). I did not factor in that the United Nations was in session. The entire island was in gridlock. And for once, I had the nicest cab driver - he didn't cut anyone off, nearly mow down any pedestrians nor honk his horn once. About 3:00 p.m., we moved maybe two miles. I can't see the ship yet. So I call my PVP that I've had for 7 other cruises. She tells me we really need to be there no later than 3:30 because that's when the ship's manifest is due. My heart starts to race a bit. The cab in front of us has all of its passengers bail because we haven't moved in a while. At 3:15, I call back my PVP. I can see the ship. Can they hold it? She tells me to call the number on my boarding passes to see what they can do because her hands are tied. So I call that number and explain I'm in gridlock due to the UN in session. She says they won't hold a ship for traffic. I try to be calm. I say, ok, worse case, we miss the ship, the next port is Boston and we can take a train today and board there. She says no. I tell her I've read on message boards people doing this. She says if the ship is going from one US port to another US port, the Jones Act prohibits passengers from boarding mid-cruise. I say ok, well I have travel insurance through Carnival, so worse case, we'll have an extended stay in NYC and get a refund. She said no, the insurance through Carnival does not cover traffic. My voice is cracking at this point. We have 10 minutes to board and we aren't moving. While I'm desperate and asking the Rep what other options I have, the cab driver finally turns into the crazy steward I'm used to - honking, cutting off cars, even driving on the curb. The Rep basically tells me I'm out of luck.

     

    We finally get to port at 3:40 p.m. The ship hasn't left yet. Before the driver even stops, I throw the fare and tip at him, tell my son I'm running and to carry as much luggage as he possibly can so GMA and BFF can book it. I run into the terminal and see a cluster of people. I ask if they're with Carnival. They say 'no'. So I move on. I have no idea where I'm going. There are no Carnival signs and it's a ghost town. Finally I get into a big area and see what looks like workers about 30 yards away. I yell 'are you with Carnival' and they say yes. I have been holding back tears and at this point let out a big sob "please, oh please don't let the ship leave without us". They tell me to slow down and calm down, they'll get us on. Her comes my DS. He has every tote/backpack the four of us had and the two largest suitcases. I scream for him to come to me and do the security check. My DM comes around the corner. She can't see well so I try to run to help her. Security says my son and I can't go back. So we're screaming trying to direct her where to go. Finally comes BFF. She is moving at a fast waddle. She's sweating and in visible pain. But we made it!

     

    We were the last to board the ship. They pulled up the plank after us. We were ushered to a special room for late arrivals. There were about 15 other people and they also were delayed by traffic. We watched the muster drill in this room on a TV from the 1980s. I did not hear a word of it. I was shaking so badly and sending up to heaven my extreme thanks.

     

    We went right up to the Sail Away party and got drinks. It took me a good hour to stop shaking.

    I try to find new experiences on each cruise but this was way too much excitement for me. I religiously always fly in the night before and now I will never plan any side trips the morning of a cruise. I will sleep in and take my time getting to the cruise.

     

    Yikes!

    Rebel with FTTF

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Oh and let someone try and say something to me starting today on the Glory. I am a very nice and considerate person until you make me mad. Then the Italian in me gets unleashed.

     

    I have no problem speaking my mind on here or in person to anyone. I tell it like it is, no sugar coating. I don't have the time nor the patience to worry about hurting someone's feelings if they are a jerk. Some people love me for my bluntness, some people hate me for it. And I'm OK with that.

     

    Seems like we're cut from the same cloth.:D

     

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

    Rebel with FTTF

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

     

    My wife and I have been platinum for a while and FTTF would have been an automatic if it were offered prior.

     

    With that said, I couldn't help but chuckle at your response. I feel the same way, and up until last week no one has said anything. Then we cruised again on the Glory...

     

    It was after dinner, day 6 and the line at Guest Services stretched to the theater. There was one person in the FTTF/Diamond/Platinum window and I walked up behind her. One fellow cruiser didn't like that at all, she came over and shared a lengthy speech about waiting, others were here first, I needed to wait and a few more not worthy of Cruise Critic.

     

    I asked her if she was done and pointed to the sign, showed her my card and thanked her for reminding me we've been able to have a great vacation together and not meet up until that point. My wife walked away laughing to the point of tears...

     

    The perks of Carnivals program are few, and while I don't plan to abuse them, I do plan to use them.

     

     

    .

     

    I love it. Like you, I don't plan to flaunt it but I just know SOMEBODY is gonna have SOMETHING to say. So I'm prepared. Your reaction was perfect. Not disrespectful at all. :D

     

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

    Rebel with FTTF

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Delta used to upgrade me to first class on every flight because of my status (this was before frequent flyer clubs even existed). I guess I should have been upset that they also let folks buy first class tickets. How dare them cheapen my earned perk. :rolleyes:

     

    ^5!

     

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

    Rebel with FTTF

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    With that attitude you probably will get "told off". What would you do..post something nasty on cruise critic?

     

    Frankly I am one who sees FTTF as a complete waste of money. Yeah only $50 but it is still $50 (well, actually $100 since we bought a second cabin for our kids). We arrive to the port late so we breeze through security and check-in with hardly a wait. Our only excursion at a tender port met in the theatre and we strolled right to a waiting tender without delay. My wait at guest services was maybe 12 minutes tops...and I enjoyed a conversation with the person in line behind me. And on the last morning, we barely had time to finish breakfast in the MDR before they called our self-assist zone. Sometimes the best purchase is the one you don't make!

     

    HA! Let them try.

     

    Well, last time I went, we were in line for about an hour, then waited 2 hours to board. GS was another 45. There were no tender ports. Also 2 hours to disembark.

     

    For this upcoming cruise there are 2, and Grand Cayman is VERY POPULAR. We also have an early return flight out of FLL (from POM) So for me, it's worth it.

     

    Not trying to sell anyone on the idea. Just being informative, as I was informed of its existence and the obvious benefits to avoid the things that annoyed me on my last cruise.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

    Rebel with FTTF

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Right, thanks, I got that. Except that it was obnoxiously, loudly said in my direction, about me, with every intention of my hearing it, with a hateful glare directed right at my face. But I get that she was not technically talking to me, thanks. And I've already said many times that I should have known better and kept my mouth shut.:o But thanks.

     

    Hahahaha....There you go! Next time use THAT energy. The sarcastic nip back. LOL. They were talking to you, they just didn't think you would be brave enough to respond.

     

    You are not a whimp. You just need to remove your emotions and hurt feelings when going toe to toe with idiots. LOL.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

    Rebel with FTTF

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Wow. That's quite a story. Sorry it happened to you. I had to learn that the best way to get people back sometimes is speak your peace and pay them DUST (ignore and move on). Once people find that they have unnerved you, and you spend your energy trying to defend yourself, they've won.

     

    If it happens to me, I'm going to say what I have to say. Handle my transaction, and stare them up and down as I finish, and walk away. LOL.

     

     

     

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

    Rebel with FTTF

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Are those who are using low cost transatlantic cruises as a means of transportation to visit their seasonal homes in Europe/USA cruising "purely for fun?" Many of them are doing so to avoid paying for an international flight.

     

    Are those who choose to retire and live onboard a cruise ship because it is cheaper than living in a nursing home doing so because it is "purely for fun?"

     

    Yep. They have those luxuries. Cruising is a LUXURY.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

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