2016USAHoliday

Thinking about booking a cruise on the Spirit. We are from the US and have some questions. We are platinum members on carnival and wondering if we can pre-book our excursions. we were told that we couldn't. The wife wants to see koalas. whats the best excursion to do that ?

Keep in mind platinum is a little different over here in regards to boarding/check in. Unless it’s changed since May, your boarding pass will not state platinum nor will your luggage tags have priority on them. They do not begin check in until usually 12. On our first platinum cruise we were allowed to sit upstairs from 11 and wait until check in opened at 11:30. Our second we had to wait outside and have our names ticked off the platinum list that someone had. Once 12 hit, we could make our way inside. On our 5 cruises from Aust, only once has check in began before 12.

No pre booking, only done once on board. We loved that on our US cruises, the ability to book excursions early! But in saying that, much better excursions if you look privately. Let us know where you are looking and I’m sure suggestions will come thick and fast.

That goes with everything that you can pre purchase in the US. Also Carnival AU does not have a Cheers package, only the Bubbles. Apparently Carnival thinks Aussies drink enough!

If you are hoping to see wild koalas, it most likely will not happen. Just like when we searched Grand Tetons, Yellowstone ports in Alaska and 45 other states for the elusive moose, it didn’t happen :(

Just wondering if anyone noticed' date=' did most of the kids in the 9-10 yr old range have the privilege? Not have the privilege? Or around 50%?[/quote']

 

I wouldn’t know numbers but from meeting other families, many were given the privilege as the cruise went on.

Thanks all for the various perspectives. We are still debating.

 

I think one of the hardest parts of parenting is deciding when they are ready to handle freedoms. We still have 37 days to decide.

 

Can we grant/revoke the sign out privilege throughout the week as we see fit? A trial basis could be one possibility.

Yes you can revoke and we did once. Miss then 10 went from camp to pizza instead of straight to the room. Although a minor and no harm incident, she broke the rules. For the next day she had no privileges.

Maybe suggest that they have to stay for the whole activity, and can leave at a set time. That way they can meet you at that time but still have the thrill of signing out themselves. As they (and you) get more confident more leeway is granted.

Also make sure they know how to get from Camp to your room by themselves!

And I agree with the decision, more often than not, it’s us that aren’t ready!

My daughters are given the privilege of signing out. And yes we call it a privilege as it can be revoked at anytime.

When they reached the age of 9 the following was implemented:

Highlight the activities you wish to do.

When you leave Camp, your first stop is to the room. Here you will check the fun times, which has been highlighted with parents activities. Or there will be a note. Then you go to where the fun times/note says.

You will leave a note to say where you are.

Under no circumstances are you to wander other cabin floors, nor cabins. No one comes into ours or you into theirs. No pools, water slides or water activities without a parent.

My daughters don’t have a phone on land so the app is no good for us to message!

We always make good relationships with so many crew, that I often I have crew come and say, I just saw x over there! Very helpful!

With Miss eldest now 12, I have relaxed a rule or 2, i.e she now says after breakfast, i’ll meet you at x for lunch. But pool, slides etc and no one in our cabin still applies.

Whatever you choose, make sure you are comfortable and let the kids know it’s a trial basis

So it depends on the ship then? What ships did you all sail on? I thought it would be a store, but it seems like an event they only do once?

 

 

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From my experience, it’s usually on twice, once and the beginning and once at the end.

It’s not a store, the Camp Carnival staff will set up in a location (we have been everywhere from the Camp rooms and lounges).

They will take you name as you walk in, and call up names, a few at a time. You select your bear and outfit, go to the stuffing station, then to the stitching up table and finally payment.

While waiting they will have cookies and drinks with a little heart ceremony (you have to rub the little heart they give you, like on your knee, because the bear will always need you etc).

Lots of fun. My girls save their money so they can buy 1 on every cruise, and name them depending on what the cruise is (Jaymie/Jamaica, Caymie/Cayman Island, Isla/Isla Roatan, Suva/Fiji and the list goes on.

The hardest part for us was when we travelled the US for 4 months, we did 4 cruises.......and had to lug 8 bears back home!

We are back from our sampler and I am impressed by Carnival, so much better than what we were expecting (FB and CC to blame). The ship is great, there were so many activities it was hard to pick what to do and most didn't incur a fee. It seems to me that a lot of people who pick on carnival may never have cruised on them. In the end I would say Carnival spirit is a fun ship and while the décor is very ornate, and may not match many other ships, I would describe it as Casino Chic or Vegas like rather than Gaudi or garish. As Tigerlily said, 'Carnival is unpretentious, they really are the "fun ship" and they want you to have a good time and the staff joins you in a having a good time!'

 

I think you generally get what you pay for and Carnival is generally priced right. If you can get a bargain sale price even better.

I’m glad you liked it. And yes there are a few who like to comment on Carnival who have never travelled on them. A cruise is what you make it, go on with a fun and positive attitude and you will have a great time. The staff have always been so attentive and I never felt I was asking too much. Although I was once told off by our room steward...... Miss 2016 you leave your room too clean, I walk in and there is nothing to pick up...... so the next day we left a pair of shoes on the floor!! Great for a laugh.

As for the decor, I can honestly say I can’t remember it even after 5 Spirits!

The Old No 77. 10 min walk to terminal, 10 min walk into city centre.

If your steward is Indonesian calling by the first name is the norm. By adding Ibu (female) or Pak (male) before their first name would be the way to go. Example if his name was Kadek, you could address by saying Pak Kadek. Sorry I can’t help on other languages!

When we started cruising my daughters were 4 & 7, we told them to learn how to say thank you in the crew members language. 5 years later they do it without thinking.

Ironed out the wrinkles, indeed? I'll give an updated report on the dodgy suds dispenser later in the cruise. The feel is totally different to the last repositioning from Singapore...2 years ago. The demographic seems older, but more involved. Very few children onboard. I've never seen the casino used as much either...the pokies at least. Maybe there's a large group from Rooty Hill RSL onboard ?? The balcony dividers can definitely be opened, but as Mic suggested, check with your room Steward. Next stop...Bali tomorrow.....

The Sydney to Singapore cruise was also an older demographic with only 120 1-17 year olds on board. But same as you, very involved, although we managed to win 1 trivia and miss12 won the Harry Potter trivia.

I was so impressed with the captain and hotel director when we got to Bali. As platinums we don’t have to line up for tender stickers, when we are ready we go to guest services and get taken straight down. We got there really early, 7am as we saw the tenders were in the water. Duncan, the hotel director saw us and said are you ready, come with me. The captain had gotten to Bali early, advised all the Balinese crew to be ready before 7 and filled 2 tenders with crew before 7:15 so they could go home for the full day. As guests we were told tendering started at 8 but we were on the first tender with the crew and the atmosphere was electric! I thought that this gesture was terrific.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

We are going to Papeete in April and have booked through Unique Tahiti - they are a little more expensive - but have excellent reviews (and now I don’t have the worry about finding a tour when I get to port). [emoji1]

 

 

 

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Are you also going to Bora Bora? If so look up Patrick’s Tours Bora Bora. FANTASTIC tour.

We hired a car and downloaded a tour from Frommers I think it is. This guide gave all the stops to see and info about it. Really enjoyed doing it on our own in our own time and with young kids coming home from travelling the last 100 days it was good to get away for some family time!

We also did this in Moorea if you are going here as well.

Fun shops are changing, they shut a week before we docked in Singapore. Although Cherry on Top did not close. The Conference room where the art displays are will become 2 rooms with one being the craft room.

Plus some touch ups here and there, like the bannisters on deck 10s railings have been replaced.

More Questions:

<b>Power sockets</b> - I know the power outlets are AU, but can anyone confirm where they are in the stateroom? Is there a shave outlet in the bathroom? Is there any difference in Oceanview Suite?

 

 

Cheers

There is a shaver outlet in the bathroom, but it’s not an AU socket and a low voltage one, 110 maybe.

Just got off her last week in Singapore and had a wonderful 19 day on board. I have never seen calmer seas, not even Glacier bay, Alaska could match it. And this folks was the worst part of the cruise! There was no gentle rocking as I went to sleep, no feeling for days after getting off like I was still sailing!

Enjoyed the videos and website, but no mention of cost....we would like the Saigon City tour, the Mekong Delta tour and the one in Da Nang. Does anyone know the approximate cost for them? Is there an extra charge for the trishaw ride?

Just email and he will tell you. Last week our ship was in HCMC for 2 days. Day 1 was the Mekong, Day 2 was the City. All up it was $800 for 4. We could have stayed in the city for the night and it would have been cheaper but I was so confused with VISA’s that he dropped us off at the port.

The Mekong is about 2.5hrs from Phy My Port, keep that in mind as it is a full day. We were gone 12hours.

The trishaw ride was included. Lunch was not.

Hope that helps

Another happy Xuan customer!

Loved our 2 day tour of the Mekong (Ben Tre) and Ho Chi Minh City. Van was really comfy, food and drinks plentiful and experience fantastic!

We travelled with our 2 girls (9&12) and there was no “I’m bored, when are we going back to the ship” etc

As to getting back to the ship on time, first thing he will ask at the port is what time do you have to be back.” You can tell he is always aware of the time but you don’t feel rushed or pressured to be quick.

Biggest bonus is the photos he takes of you and sends you a few days later!

I just got back from a fabulous 19 day cruise with 2 days in Ho Chi Minh City.

We used Xuan http://www.tourwithxuan.com/ and had the best 2 days we could have asked for. Day 1 we went to explore a tiny sliver of the Mekong River, with visits to a brick factory, coconut factory, markets, mat demonstration with delicious fruit tasting, lunch plus the boat rides on the river and a tuk tuk ride.

Day 2 was exploring the city but from a locals point of view. Plus the rickshaw ride through the crazy city of 8 million motorbikes could not be beat! The only time we saw others from the ship was when we hit the big markets and war museum.

I won’t lie, we were exhausted after 2 days but loved every minute of it. He likes small groups so 8 max but for us it was just our family of 4. Even better a couple of days after our tour he emailed a link with all the photos he took of us, always handy to have a photographer so everyone gets in the picture!

Three big pluses for me was my two daughters (9&12) enjoyed it, the free wifi in the van allowed them to email their school which was great. Second was I have a fatal seafood allergy and at every food stop he had pre arranged for this if need be. Finally, any emails I sent were answered within 12 hours! Great customer service!

Would I book again, most definitely!

My girls are younger than yours but we have a rule that when you leave kids club, go to the room and leave a note to say where you are going and we do the same. That way they can find us. Don't sure what royals version is but if they have a schedule of daily events. Highlight what you are doing and leave it in the room so teens can see where you might be.

Enforce the cabin rule. No one comes in you don't go in others.

Drink package is really handy.

Dinner is the family meal. Breakfast is harder as we have early and late risers. Lunch is difficult as everyone has something on!!!

Use the 3 Ps. Positive, Patience and Polite.

Are you interested in going up to the crown of The Statue of Liberty? Check to see if you can still pre book. So glad we did as the day we got there signs were out saying booked out for today.

I don't have first hand knowledge with your luggage problem but from what I have read pack your bags and your room steward will move them to your new room.

Before the end of your first cruise, you will be given instructions on where to meet on changeover day. For us it was guest services. They took our cards off us, dinged us off, took us through immigration I think it was (as non US I do remember having our passports) and back on with new cards. Our old cards were returned to those who wanted them.

All in all we were off for about 20min. No bags just id.

While waiting for the ship to be cleared my daughters coloured and wrote in their diaries.

I've looked into sailing on Legend in Australia and found that my Carnival VIFP points do not count. I would have to start over at square one with Carnival Australia. I'm platinum with Carnival, so I am taking my business to Holland America, where my points are good and continue to accumulate no matter where they sail.

Rest assured they are counted! We have completed 4 Australian and 4 US Carnival cruises, with 1 more in 2 weeks. The only catch is you may have to manual add your AU cruise. When I called Carnival on an unrelated matter, she did tell me also they weren’t counted and I had to politely tell her that I’m looking at my profile now, I they are definitely included as I can see every cruise and all my points!

So if you book the same room on both cruises you don't have to pack, but do you have to disembark and such? we're considering a B2B on the Liberty next year.

On disembark day you will be asked to go to a meeting point. Once everyone is off, you will be escorted off, taken through immigration, presented with your new cards and back on. We were off for 20 mins.

As a family of 4 we stayed at the Sandman. Great location and huge room. Ours had 2 queen beds with more than enough room to spread out and repack 4 suitcases with no problems! Huge bathroom as well and lots food places places around. Sorry I can’t remember the price but it wasn’t very pricey

As a frequent traveller with young kids I am very mindful of their behaviour. I bring along more than enough activities and food, lolly pops for take off and landing are a must.

So I actually have a positive story

My first flight with both children on my own, DD3 & DD6months. DDbaby fed and fell asleep in my arms. DD3 also fell asleep with her head on my legs. I also fell asleep. When I woke I was mortified as DD3 now had her legs on the other passenger. She must have seen the look of horror on my face and she said "I hope you don't mind, your daughter looked uncomfortable so I stretched her legs out." She said she travels with her kids often and understood how I felt. She was a wonderful woman and I never forgot her kindness. (DD3 is now 12)

Funnily enough when we landed both girls were still asleep and the row in front commented that they didn't even realise kids were behind them.

Thankfully I have raised good travellers who know the drill on planes!!!!

In regards to cabin luggage we were shocked when flying around the US the general lapse in regulations. I couldn't get over the amount of luggage people were boarding with; roll case plus a "personal item" as big as the case!

The best one I had was from “microsoft” I was in the mood for a laugh so played along. For 20 minutes I made out to be an older computer illiterate woman who couldn’t find the escape key (I would pretend to push individual keys) and many others. I was told my computer was at risk and I needed to do all this stuff to it. My young daughters were in fits of laughter watching me pretend to use a laptop while talking in a funny voice. Finally after 20mins I was told that I was being very rude and wasting his time!!!!!!!!! Never heard from them again!

We did a B2B in August 16. Cruise 1 went off without a hitch, once we were back on the ship for cruise 2 we were informed of a change as hurricane was due to hit our course.

Not sure when they decided to change, but shore excursions, guest services and most of the crew we spoke to were not aware of the change until we showed them the letter.

Didn’t faze us at all. Went from key west, Nassau and Freeport to Cozumel, Isla Rostand and Costa Maya. Cruise 1 was Cozumel, Cayman Islands and Jamaica.