mz-s

We'll have to wait and see how its implemented. With the way the current system is set up, you can tell them whether you'd like to redeem your VIFP drink or not.

That's a good change, easiest way to do it tbh. The first drink you order during the cruise is automatically paid for by your VIFP status.

When you figure out step 5, let us know!

There are only a few ships where you have to get there right as the doors open for a seat. Sunshine is one off the top of my head. Most other ships have adequately sized comedy venues. Yes the talent of the comedians varies greatly. Some of them spend their entire set just making jokes about immutable characteristics which I agree - isn't very funny. But some are great.

If they don't provide glasses with the order, you can either go up to any bar or call room service for an ice bucket/glasses. No charge but a small tip is customary for the service.

Champagne is not liquor. You should see champagne (or sparkling wine) for sale in the fun shops. Champagne (or sparkling wine) is wine. You are allowed to bring on 1 bottle of wine per adult. In-room liquor is only available for purchase for cruises of 7 nights or more.

And places like Las Vegas where the room is $20 a night but the "resort fee" is the actual cost of the room.

I hate useless regulations as much as the next person, but in this case I think it is warranted. The consumer should know upfront how much they're required to pay. It's been the case for airlines, buses, etc., for quite some time. Why was cruise line travel treated differently?

That's Carnival's fault, not the fault of the legislation.

Oh, I thought you were still talking about Carnival there.

Subject to change of course. But yes.

What do you mean? I am baffled that you think a company showing the actual price upfront is a bad thing.

Because they all pulled the slot lever one more time.

They are not published in advance, it's a day by day thing. But they rarely change from cruise to cruise given the same itinerary, ship, cruise director, etc. You can view samples here: https://www.saintgregtravel.com/fun-times/

The biggest question is, will I still get my fanny pack?

That's pretty common for most 7 night itineraries, not just Alaskan, TBH. To anybody reading - if you happen to pre-purchase dining that conflicts with something you want to do onboard, just call the steakhouse once onboard and they'll gladly reschedule you.

the platinum gift is either a fanny pack or a cosmetics bag. probably a cosmetics bag by now for all ships.

As I always like to remind folks, some of the people who you see villifying casino rates admit in other threads that not only do they get casino rates - but they book cruises using them as well.

If it's any consolation if we ever cruise together, I'll give you my fanny pack.

It went away around the time they stopped requiring proof of vax.

showing up any time on embarkation day is by the book already gone but not enforced for priority guests. At any time they could start enforcing it however. https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1380/~/priority-check-in

It won't be in a few days anymore. But @nycruise1 has the historical reason for why it was the way it was for far too long.

The point of the VIFP program is to drive repeat business - rewarding loyalty is secondary. If they're sticking around past Diamond without additional perks then what's the point.

There are historical reasons but they are long irrelevant so making the drink valid any time is a long overdue change. There have been numerous changes to the VIFP program, especially since COVID, so I am not sure I understand how this change is the "start" of the VIFP updates. Perhaps this is the first good change to the program that they actually want to talk about, rather than have us learn about by surprise.

The Monkey's Paw in practice.