Pops, Esq.

I generally use the website to book and have done so with my current booking. However, I am considering upgrading (upselling myself?) and can't do that online. I have considered using a PVP in the past, but just have not done so.

Is there a general email account for PVPs that I can send an email to? Not an individual PVP -- I know we can't recommend such here. Just a general email. I know there is a 800 number, but I usually prefer to use email to communicate.

Again, not looking for specific recommendations, as I do l like to stay within the rules of the board...

Yes you can still carry on one 750ml (normal sized) bottle per passenger over the age of 21. Boxes and larger bottles have had varying reports, some ports/workers have let people bring on one larger sized bottle, others have reported having it taken away. So your best bet is to just follow the one 750ml bottle per adult rule.

While it isn't found in the actual policy, the "Q&A" on the liquor policy expressly allows boxed wine (within the 750ml per person limit). This is probably why there are varying reports. Somebody pulls out the policy only to find it is not in there...

I am with you, the best bet is to bring two 750 ml bottles.

Q. Can I bring on board a box of wine or wine coolers?

A. A 1.5 liter box of wine is permitted as long as it is brought on board between two adult guests in the same staterroom. Wine Coolers are permitted as long as the label reads 'Wine' and they do not exceed the limit.

I believe if you purchase Faster to the Fun (FTTF) you can choose to disembark with the last group. (Maybe not necessary to purchase) So, you technically don't get extra time on the ship, but you can get the maximum ship time possible without stowing away.

We bought one through the fun shops a couple of years ago. We had the steward keep the ice full. We had no leakage problems, but kept it in the bathroom just in case. It's now our go-to six pack carrier (used responsibly, of course).

I didn't read OP for asking for ways to "cheat" the system. I think she was just asking for solutions to the problem that her older child will be in the water and the younger one will want to be in the water. (I don't think "the water" she was talking about was necessarily the same water as the older one).

The inflatable tub suggestion sounds like the best hope to give the little one some water time. Keep it out of any walking area or I am sure someone will say something. And, keep in mind that "inflatable kiddie pool" is on the list of prohibited items (well, the "additional list of prohibited items, at least) which is why it is always to be referred to as an "inflatable tub".

This is from a page I found prior to 2016 Black Friday deals. It is from Carnival and discusses their 2015 deals. Maybe it will give you an idea of what can be expected. It looks like 2015 was mostly about cruise fares. I don't recall what last year's deals were.

Meet the Ghost of Thanksgiving-Weekend-Sales-Past

If you were busy last year, here’s a recap of what Carnival guests enjoyed on Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2015. Actually, if we’re remembering correctly, the deals stretched out for almost a whole week! (Yes, that’s right — we dubbed it “Cyber Week” and brought in a whole family of these cute robots to celebrate… the baby robots were saying things like “beep boop, 1-2-3 deals” and the accountant robot was all “the savings tabulate properly, no syntax errors!”)

Last year’s deals included:

• Thanksgiving: Pilgrimbot previewed the savings to come
  
• Cyber Friday: Sunbathebot basked in deals of $49 per person, per day
  
• Cyber Saturday: Snorklebot brought you 2–5 day cruises from $65 per day per person + $65 onboard credit per room
  
• Cyber Sunday: The Fambot family showed off 6+ day cruises from $75 per day per person + $75 onboard credit per room
  
• Cyber Monday Offer Overload: Fedorabot brought the party to a close with Early Saver rates + 50% reduced deposits + $1 upgrades + free price protection
  

We do. I will usually put an additional $10 per person at the steakhouse.

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I do note that OP posted to Carnival's FB page and received a response to have his sister call and talk to someone. Of particular note was that Carnival's response did seem to accept the $250 fee as part of the deal. (There was no "that shouldn't have happened" response) I would be curious if they worked it out. I hope so.

Thanks everyone for the info. I guess 7 mile beach is the safest choice not to miss the ship departure ....

Check into Smith's Cove if you want to get away from most people.

Thanks for posting the experiences you've had out there with getting back. I'll keep it in mind for April. If we decide to take the bus plunge I'll let you know...we are still in the air with what we want to do. We know we want Rays and Rum Point (the jerk was good!), but would like to try a different snorkel area than where they took us last time. The water was VERY rough! From what I have been reading on the boards, it doesn't appear there are to many car rental places near the pier. Have you had the opportunity to rent one while on a cruise? Your experience and info here would be great!

We did the rental car to Rum Point trip during a cruise stop and it was nice. We rented from Budget (I believe) at the airport. They have a cruise rate that includes all rental fees, insurance, license fees and gas. Their driver will come get you at the Hard Rock near the port (we taxied since we were having phone issues and couldn't call). The drive is very easy and takes about 45 minutes. We snorkeled at Rum Point and then drove over to Starfish Point. Then headed back early. We would have stayed longer had we not been a bit nervous about time. Next time, we will either stay longer or build in a third stop.

After three days on the ship, being off on our own was a nice little change of pace.

As for the snorkeling, you will be a bit limited at Rum Point as the coral gardens (a popular excursion location) are pretty far off shore. We did a drift along the shoreline about 100 yards or so off the shore and found it quite nice. Google "Rum Point Drift Snorkel" and you will find an online snorkeling guide to the area.

Although only based on one trip, I will back up what has already been said. Once I got past somewhere around BoddenTown, I don't remember seeing many cars at all, and certainly not any taxis or busses. I wouldn't chance it.

What is "a ship on a stick"? Food or trinket?

It's a small trophy.

Remember a wine opener. They will charge an uncorking fee go open it for you.

 

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The "corking fee" has nothing to do with whether they actually pull the cork for you. That is a fee that they CAN charge you if you bring the bottle to the dining rooms. (the rules clearly provide for it, but there are very few stories of actual enforcement of such a fee). You can't get around the corking fee merely by opening it yourself.

That being said, bringing your own opener is a good idea, even if it just saves you the trouble of finding one on board.

Thanks everyone! It's still confusing, but....

 

Generally speaking, the higher the first number, and the higher the letter, the better the room and location (according to Carnival)?

I think you even caught on to a key concept -- "according to Carnival."

There IS a rhyme and reason. Depends on the ship and the cabins, of course. There are some variations, but many times you will find the exact same cabin style will vary depending on deck and location (fore, mid-ship, aft). Mid-ship will be higher category than fore or aft. And as you move up the ship, you will move up in category.

For instance, on the Freedom, an 8A (balcony) will be fore and aft on deck 6; 8B is mid-ship 6 or fore and aft on 7; 8C is mid-ship on 7 and fore and aft on 8; an 8D is mid-ship on 8 and fore on 9.

To use your examples, 4F and 4G, on the Freedom, 4F would be Deck 7, mid-ship and Deck 8 fore and aft. 4G, on the other hand would be Deck 8, mid-ship and Deck 9, fore (no cabins aft).

As for where it can be explained for your ship. This is the location for the Freedom, but you can find it for your ship from there, probably.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/carnival-freedom-deck-plans/dp/

Alchemy. And don't stick to the menu. Tell the bartender what kind of drinks you like and ask for something special. (But, the menu is pretty special, too)

Trivia gets you a ship on a stick, no cruise dollars.

No charge for the tub.

I assume you all know that the "free" bottle of Santa Carolina wine retails for approx $5/bottle. Remember the old saying:

"Life is too short to drink bad wine."[emoji485]

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I have also been told that "there is no such thing as bad free wine."

I don't believe everything I am told, though. I have heard reports that the Santa Carolina may put that saying to the test. Seriously, though, at 50% off, you can get a decent bottle for under $20. We're talking Hess Select/Kendall Jackson territory. Not great, but shouldn't distract from the meal.

Free bottles were Santa Carolina. I believe the choices were a Chardonnay and a Cabernet. But, we were not getting the free bottle, so I can't say there wasn't a muscato. I don't think you can get both the free bottle and a 50% off bottle.

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I have heard tell on these boards that you will need to do some talking to get more than one free bottle per table. And, while I believe the rules call for only one 50% off per table, my wife and I were able to get two bottles at half price. The waiter had to go talk to the manager, so it may be a case-by-case basis. We did it because the wife wanted white and I wanted red. We were also celebrating an anniversary, so that could have played a part in it. Your mileage may vary.

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But you and I were only quoting him/her...therefore I only count that as 1 person throwing it around.

 

 

 

Still baffled why asking for a better etoh in my mixed drinks or wishing better wines were offered by the glass would be "abusing the system".... It's not like I'm getting a drink and handing it off to someone without the package. THAT would be abusing it! :rolleyes:

It wasn't the passengers that raised the limit from $10 (or was it $12) to $50. Sounds like Carnival is actually inviting people to move up a shelf or two.

That being said....I am usually against going top shelf and then mixing it with the super-sweet mixers or, with whiskey, even with soda. Not an abuse of the system, but just treating good liquor poorly. :) Take advantage of the ability to go top shelf and drink them in a classic cocktail or just over ice.

But to OP, just ask the bartender, "what's your best brand for this drink?" Sometimes, the most expensive isn't the best for that particular drink. I have never seen a bartender be anything but helpful when asked.

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I want to say $20 got us from the port to Budget at the airport. That was including tip. Can't guarantee that was what it was, as I have slept since then. But, it was around there somewhere. I do recall we asked for the price up front and were told before we committed to the trip. (Budget has a shuttle, but I was having phone issues, making the call to have to come get us difficult)

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You are the only one to using the term, "abusing the system" if the shoe fits. You can buy a $100 bottle of wine for $50. If everyone were allowed to get $25 glasses of wine included with Cheers, the program would change rather quickly.

You literally stated, "please don't abuse the system." So, I guess there are two (now three) who have tossed that term around.

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Never give them your $$$ ahead of time.

Too late. They already bought gift cards. Carnival has their money already.

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I know a lot of people hold off until the last minute because they would rather have the money in their account, not Carnival's. I can understand that. Even if you are getting a full refund, there is still some waiting time to get it back. If you have gift cards, you have already spent the money, so that doesn't really come in to play. If your plan is to use those cards to pay for the cruise, I don't see the benefit in waiting. All that can happen is you lose/misplace the cards -- not likely to happen in your safe, I know, but if you go ahead and apply them to the account, there is zero risk.

As for what I usually do, I just pay a little here and a little there, as I go along. Put any "found" money towards the cruise. ("found" money can be unexpected money that comes in from time to time -- something not accounted for in the budget) Something I am not likely to miss. Sometimes it's paid off before final payment date, sometimes not. If it's not, the final payment is not such a hit to the bank account.