eagletwo

14 hours ago, jl88 said:

We were asked to trade two balcony cabins for the family suite on our March 2019 LA to HI round trip.  They offered us $3000 refundable OBC and full suite benefits if we would make the switch. We took the deal and were quite pleased.  We felt pampered.  We were escorted from check-in to our cabin with the escort insisting on carrying our carry on bags. Crown Grill daily breakfast and CC dining in particular were excellent.  We also received 1 mini bar set-up (it was the first princess cruise for all of us), laundry, and 2 "cruise credits" each.  We enjoyed the over sized balcony with a view to the wings of the bridge above and forward.  The balcony also has a wider angle view - we could see forward as well as to the side of the ship - great for viewing whales in Maui and Kauai.

Enjoy!

We received a similar offer a few years ago on the Crown.  We liked the two cabins/two bathrooms and the suite benefits but the balcony was not really usable most sea days.  With the ship going 20-22 knots and the wind coming across the deck at over 25 mph, it was a bit much.  We found out why the deck furniture was metal when around 3 am one morning the wind was so strong we were awaken by the chairs being blown all over the balcony and banging into the railing.  Only way we would stay in this type cabin again would be $XXXX of refundable OBC.  I think Princess shows this type of balcony on some of their advertising, a couple having diner on the balcony while at sea.  We smile every time we see the photo.

Thank you for your honest review. We are looking forward to our cruise on March 8th. 

We have used Park n Fly for our last two cruises from Ft. Lauderdale. They don't take your keys, nice drivers and no problem with pick up after the cruise. Will use them again on our next cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale.  Wish they were in Miami.

 Everyone is processed through TSA and US Customs.  If they are a Registered Sex Offender, may not be allowed to board.  

We sail on the Meraviglia March 8th.  The prices we have seen for cabanas is high and we are in the YC.  We will just sit on the lounge chairs provided and enjoy the day.

Not 100% sure but I believe Mahogony Bay is controlled by Carnival Corp.  Carnival and Princess ships use this port.  

2 hours ago, bzv143 said:

 @eagletwoQUESTION: Did you "go" for it? I just received the same bid this morning and am debating. The cost is ...well... high and am weighing if worth the price since there will be three of us in the cabin (allows for more privacy)...but....  ???

 

We did not bid on the Royal Suite.  Too rich for us.  With three of you in a cabin it might make sense.  Good luck if you decide to bid.  If you win the bid, please let us all know.

I signed into my account on MSC and can see everything I need and I booked with a TA.  What are you looking for?  MSC does not have the best user friendly website in the cruise business in MHO.

Awesome! Thanks for posting.

We just received an email this morning from MSC about bidding for an upgrade to a Yacht Club Royal Suite.  We have a Yacht Club Deluxe Suite booked on the Meraviglia March 8th.  The minimum bid starts at $1,675 pp, $3,350 for the two of us.  For folks that can afford the extra $$, go for it.  Not sure how high the bidding will go to "win" the upgrade?

Water balloons to follow.

I have been following your journey and loved your reviews of the ship and the cruise.  So many negative posts on CC had us worried. My wife and I sail on this ship March 8th, 2020.  

On our first Carnival cruise on the Sunshine in August 2019, our steward asked about am or pm service.  Since we have cruised Princess 4 times and the stewards come by a few times each day, I thought the request was the norm for Carnival so we chose pm.  On our next cruise on the Sunshine in November of this year, the steward did not ask, just kept the room straight throughout the day.  We had a small issue with our room (not the stewards fault) and had a visit from the Head of House Keeping.  Nice Officer that addressed the problem and without us asking, did mention that every cabin should receive twice daily service.

Once a day is fine with me.  All I need is clean towels and the glass wear replaced, maybe ice.  The stewards have so many cabins to clean that I don't mind once a day service.  

I have had long wait times on a few lines.  MSC is longer than most.  Would not cancel because of long wait times, but MSC does need to do better.  Hopefully the top brass reads Cruise Critic and will address the problem.

Thank you for the beautiful photos. I am amazed that MSC is charging up to $400 plus for a YC Cabana. I would book one for no more than $250. I may rent 2-4 umbrellas at $12 each around our chairs and be ok.

1 hour ago, James4me said:

I’m so sorry but it hurts my eyes trying to read with your font chosen, pretty as it is😑

i agree, the font is really hard to read.

Did you book you flight through Carnival?  

We had FTTF the first time in August and our boarding pass had 12:30. Show up early like we did. With FFTF, you paid to board early and be able to go to your cabin right away instead of having to wait until 1:30.

Our first cruise from Charleston was this past August. If anyone would take the time to do a little research, you know the procedure is different at this port. Depending when the ship allows passengers to disembark, then get to their vehicles and leave the parking lot will have an impact on when the gate opens to allow the next group to enter.

We had FTTF and arrived at 9:30 am. At 10 am, the gate was opened. We have a handicap tag so we did not have to pay at the first stop. You pay by credit card or pre-pay on line , no cash taken at the Port. Next, you drive maybe 50 yards and drop off your luggage. After this, follow the lanes to the parking area. Don't worry, you will be directed where to park.

Short walk across the street to the check in building. Make sure each person has their boarding pass and birth certificate/passport in their hand before you get near the building. Carnival personnel will stop you and check to make sure each person has their own documents. One group in front of us was stopped and made to wait because the husband kept arguing that his wife had all the paperwork. Not good enough, each person/adult must hold their own paperwork. I

We got into the check in building by 10:20 am, checked in by 10:25 and sat in the FTTF waiting area until the ship was cleared to board at 11:00 am. After the Diamond and Suite passengers were allowed to get on the buses, we got on a bus and were in the terminal by 11:20, straight through security and in our cabin by 11:45 am.  

Our last cruise was just last week, November 21st, no FTTF. Arrived parking lot at 12:40 pm, in our cabin by 1:30 pm. 

On 11/16/2019 at 9:12 PM, jimbo5544 said:

How many were you at?

We are on the Sunshine now, last night of a four day cruise. No issues this cruise with the count on the drink package. 

We are on our last night on the Sunshine. Wife booked this cruise with the DOU promotion. She played every day in the casino and won about xxx. Only once during the 4 days did she get approached by a server for a drink. She gave him her drink card and he still charged the drink to her Cheers package. 

It happened to us on the Sunshine back in August.  Wife and I order drinks at the same time.  At diner, she got the warning she was one drink away from the limit and I was two away.  We sail on the Sunshine in 5 days.  We will ask for a receipt for every drink.

4 hours ago, hamrag said:

You will be well satisfied with the YC package, and have no need to upgrade. After a couple of days, even if you wanted to upgrade you can still do so for the remaining days.

Thank you!  

11 minutes ago, George C said:

Drinks are included for up to 12 dollars, which is overwhelming majority. But you can get extremely high end stuff like Johnny Walker Blue with upgrade. We are planning to upgrade in our cruise in 19 days 😁😁

Ok, I have gifted Johnny Walker Blue and can see your point. That is top shelf alcohol. And thanks for the $12 price point.

Thanks for responding. What is the certain price point? We have simple tastes. Glass of White Zenfindel and good rum or vodka will do.