StolidCruiser

In my experience, this is when you book during a “bundle sale”. I have always been able to cancel a single excursion when booking several at the same time that wasn’t part of a “bundle sale” which understandably would negate the availability  of a discount or sale applicable those that remain uncanceled.

28 minutes ago, Russ Lomas said:

The maitre'D if he can not fix his fellow RCCL's employee's error.

So the “scorched earth” approach of penalizing the one who didn’t cause the problem and couldn’t fix it just so you feel vindicated.  Gotcha.

3 hours ago, vpearlkc said:

 

I wouldn't want to be the chairhog policeman that removes the belongings of the tough guy returning from the bar after his fifth Corona.

Fear is the weapon CHOGS use to avert retribution for their behavior. I, for one, am not so wimpy as to cower away and hope someone else deals with it.  

If one doesn’t want their stuff touched, one shouldn’t leave it unattended for hours under the theory no one has the right to deal with intentionally abandoned stuff.

I've gotten assignment as late as the day of departure.   That's the risk of booking a guarantee.

You will be challenged to find transport to accommodate a mobility scooter much less a wheelchair.

None of the regular shuttles can even accommodate someone confined to a wheelchair (or someone who only uses a portable/collapsible wheelchair intermittently due to mobility issues) much less have the space to transport a mobility scooter.

You would have to seek out "specialty carriage" well in advance of your arrival which would likely involve a cargo/passenger van that can handle your mobility scooter and a driver willing to load/unload it for you.

Nassau is unfortunately not very friendly to those with mobility issues that require wheelchairs or scooters. 

Yeah, OP’s experience sounds disappointing.  

Nothing about it (or the recommendation to do so) would motivate me to avoid the Elation, Carnival as a brand or any other cruiseline.

19 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

Assuming the ship buys a license from Bermuda, the casino can open from 9:00pm until I think 5:00am.

Note, the ship must buy the license. If this is a one off cruise, there is a chance that they won't.

Having been on many Carnival cruises to Bermuda (which sail several times per year), the casino has always operated as mentioned by other posters while docked overnight or over the course of several days.

As expired forms of identification don’t qualify as acceptable, don’t count on it being suddenly accepted in conjunction with an unexpired unacceptable form of identification.    

Its pretty clear an unexpired form of government issued photo identification is a primary requirement for boarding. 

10 hours ago, mack44 said:

I will need to book at least 2 rooms for an upcoming trip. When I price out the rooms with RCI picking the rooms, I end up saving $1000 with one of the rooms and $125 with the other room. If I decide to let RCI pick our staterooms, will the 2 staterooms be next to each other? If I select connecting staterooms, if available, will it make our chance of being placed next to each other greater? The savings seem way to great to pass up but I have kids that I would like the grandparents to help watch in the evenings, so having them next door would be very convenient. Any insight would be very helpful. Thank you!

While you may be able to indicate a connecting room choice when starting a booking for two cabins, as soon as you select "let RCI pick the stateroom" the connecting option goes poof.  As other have said, you give up the option of selecting your stateroom(s) for the lower price and you could end up with staterooms quite a distance from each other.

If you want to be near (or connecting to) others in your traveling circle, you'll have to choose the higher priced option to do so.

30 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

not plastic water bottles,which they might have referring to. 

I've had no issue carrying on empty plastic water bottles (the disposable retail-sale kind that used to have water in them).

Contact the Special Needs Department prior to cruising and get written confirmation they have acknowledged the medical need for your liquid nutritional requirements.     Based on personal experience of a family member requiring the same as yourself, you shouldn't have an issue if you heed this advice.

5 minutes ago, dallasdan said:

I have sailed out of Long Beach and other ports before and I don't remember this being a policy.  Granted I don't smoke so I don't always pay attention.  But we have been on 6 or 7 cruises together and I don't remember her complaining.  Is this a new policy in Long Beach?

It's not a new policy for any ship while its being refueled.   Either you missed it, the ship wasn't being refueled or she wasn't Jonesing it before the ban during refueling was lifted.

2 hours ago, voljeep said:

OK, here's what really happened … 

 

there was a price drop and the MINI-suite was the same price as the original booked balcony … and the OP stated she did NOT refare the price drop … 

 

I'm absolutely sure that this is what actually happened … and there was " a failure to communicate" between the Princess rep and the OP as to whether this was an upgrade, a refare under the same promotion, or a completely new booking

 

ab-so-lute-ly … maybe ...🙄

Some people feel the OP was an impatient freebie-seeking ingrate.

Some people feel the OP got the shaft by the CSR who made a promise and failed to deliver.

It's pretty clear which one best suits the OP.

Thanks for sharing.  You gave some excellent advice to managing the dreaded cold/flu/sinus attack that one should be prepared for before, during and after a cruise.

I've been there and done that. 

23 minutes ago, Doggielover68 said:

Even though most people don't consume 15 alcoholic drinks per day, don't forget that cheers also includes non alcoholic drinks. A frozen cocktail alone is around $10. Have few of those, a few sodas, a fancy coffee, and some bottles of water, and you will break even. 

 

Alcohol is expensive. Why are people surprised?

The whole reason the price is inflating is due to those who desperately feel the need to get their monies worth by proudly declaring their stockpiling abilities from the simplistic bottled water pick-up at every bar and "don't open that beer, please" to the more die-hard draining mixed cocktails into a yeti mug for transfer to an even bigger thermos.  Not to mention those justifications of "It's not sharing if I just let my kid have a taste of my milkshake!".

The "leak cost" has to be absorbed somewhere.  Some lines hide it under the guide of "freebies" that bloat the cruise fare.    Carnival puts it right out there in fairly honest and reasonably-priced terms with restrictions aimed at keeping those prices attractive to the masses.

CHEERS! is still a bargain compared to any other mass market cruise line with a similarly offered beverage package and I believe there is still room to nudge the per diem more without losing customer count.

1 hour ago, MissP22 said:

When & if you ever get there you might change your opinion. 

Having sailed enough to be top-tier on several lines, I simply smile and say “Thank you” for any of the benefits extended for my patronage.

It would never occur to me to say “What - that’s all??”

A brilliant idea would be to chuck “loyalty perks” all together and see who sticks around for the joy of cruising any particular line simply because you enjoy the product/service.

The Pride is in acceptable condition given her age.  She’s not pristine (anyone can find minor issues here and there).

She’s rough around the edges but well maintained.  Newer ships will of course feel fresher but we’ve enjoyed every sailing we’ve had on her with two more booked before she repositions in late 2021.

The polarizing reviews are two extremes (as you have deduced).  I believe you would enjoy her for what she is...a great little ship!

News broke about 10 days ago

7 minutes ago, minnieiowa said:

Well same flight I can book myself for $866 per person Carnival came back  with over $11000 for 2 people lol.  You mentioned you booked thru travel agent   Did you have To go thru your travel agent to get the flights or were you able to call carnival directly?   Thanks for info! 

That's a hefty price differential.

4 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

YOu'll get it in the terminal. You'll need it to get onboard.  MSC is/was the only one that puts them in the cabin, as far as I know anyway. 

On Carnival, they are waiting for you in a mailbox at the cabin door.

Any standard balcony on the Spirit class (those that "bump out") will give you a view straight down without seeing the lifeboats.

Whether you can see pier runners depends on how the ship docks in port.

1 hour ago, Sparky2 said:

 

I plan to bring my own plastic straws for my frozen drinks.  I can fit a few in the lanyard/purse I have around my neck.  I'm not about to keep going back & forth to my cabin for a straw or to clean a straw.

 

After you are done using your plastic straw brought from home, will you be putting it back in your neck-purse to carry off for disposal at the home from which you brought it?

Of course this is just my own opinion from my own perspective and experiences...

If you are driving to the port and are not invested in getting on board "as soon as possible", my suggestion is to time your arrival after 1pm.

Parking at the port/pier is incredibly convenient (but, of course, at a price... $15 per day).  However, the ingress is a "log jam" the earlier you arrive.  You first have to wait until they even open the entrance to allow vehicles in - whether to drop off or park - until after the debarking guests are mostly funneled out.  This causes the line of vehicles to stretch out onto the roadway.  Think three inward lanes of normal roadway traffic trying to merge into one inbound lane that then diverges into wider queuing lanes.   Those who want to drop off have to funnel in with those who want to park and there is only so much room for them to queue those wanting to park while diverting those who want to drop off to bypass the parking queue.

They do their best to move those incoming as quickly as possible but we have sat for more than an hour just trying to get near the entrance when we've tried arriving around 11am.

We've had more success (and much less stress) arriving later (1-ish).  Much shorter wait to park (although "primo" parking spaces are gone) and almost no line at check-in followed by walking right on board.

Again, that's my experience.  Others may have had different experiences and could/would recommend an alternate plan.  It all depends if you want to sit and wait... move a little... then stand and wait some more... then sit and wait some more... to be on board 60-90 minutes earlier than those who delay their arrival.   Some will want to.  Others won't.

late 2021 to be replaced by the Legend

If OP's example has $177 in fees/taxes and determines GSC pulls in $69 of that, the other $108 goes to Key West.

Food for thought.  Don't get indigestion.