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Only bought it once, for a flight, not a cruise. When my plans changed, it proved to be a huge pain in the rear to document that I had legit reasons for canceling my trip.

My advice: if you feel the need to buy it, buy it. BUT, before you leave, research exactly what you need to document to cash it in. You will probably need some validation from the physician, airline, travel agent, and who knows what else. Print whatever forms you need in advance, check in with all the parties involved, and have a plan ready-to-go if your trip goes south.

If that sounds like a giant hassle, it is. That's exactly why I opted to just lose the money on my flight and insurance rather than jump through the hoops. When you're dealing with a family crisis, sometimes you'd rather let the little things slide. That's why my advice is to line up your documentation NOW, while your head is clear.

That would be a thoughtful surprise for your DW! Go for it!

 

https://www.carnival.com/FunShops/item/X99/cookie-jar

https://www.carnival.com/FunShops/item/Y51/four-chocolate-chip-fresh-baked-cookies

https://www.carnival.com/FunShops/item/Y52/four-chocolate-chunk-fresh-baked-cookies

 

Now you have to choose which one!

Now that's what I'm talking about!! :D That's exactly what I'd like to see! DW does the nicest thing for me... as soon as we're done with the lifeboat drill, she sends me away to unwind and commences unpacking. The least I could do is have a nice treat for her! I hadn't seen the cookie section before... THANK YOU!

I've never bought anything ahead before. I hope to this trip. A bottle of Gin and tonic for my partner and 6 pack of Diet Coke for me. (I think that's probably enough pop that I won't need the "endless bubbles" option.) Lastly some water. We went though a number of bottles that last cruise and I think I'd like to get them ahead of time.

 

What sort of thing were you hoping for?

Most of what Carnival offers are things like streamers decorating your room, or flowers. Neither of these seem worth the price.

I'd love it if I could arrange to have a plate of Carnival's chocolate chip cookies waiting for us when we board. My wife raves about them, and can't get enough of them.

Our last cruise was in February, and I'm really getting the itch to go again. I'm trying to plan something for next year, and am really looking into anything I can pay for in advance. I'm definitely purchasing some onboard credit in advance... Was looking at the in-cabin extras and am honestly not that impressed.

Does anyone have a creative use for these add-Ons?

How does the AARP program work? Is it a points-based system where you have to earn enough points to get the card, or can you literally exchange money for the cards just by virtue of being a member?

Went to a shopping talk on our first cruise and realized that they were pushing you to only go to shops where they earned a commission. At that point didnt trust them at all.

Rule of thumb with the world is that every time someone offers to save you money, it's a roundabout way of getting you to spend more. Not 100% of the time, but a very solid 99.99999%. You have to live and die by the fine print.

Honestly, that's why I joined CC. Having you all do some of the legwork for me is great! Thanks all!

Another question a little off topic.... I've never been to a spa, and was really wanting to try out the massage. Have any of you ever seen any fat old ladies in there getting a massage? In all the pics advertising the spa I only see "beautiful" peeps and I'm kind of embarrassed because I'm FAT, OLD, WRINKLY and I have ugly splotchy freckled skin. (Former redhead). I have never gone because I don't look like anyone I see in the pics. Is the spa more for young n pretty types? Like for people who are already pretty and going in to help maintain their looks or are there any train wrecks like me ever going in?

Spas are for people that need them... What you look like means nothing. They're professionals. I'm sure they care more about how you act than how you look (seriously, I shudder to think how many of the dirty old men on these boats go in expecting a happy ending, or at least a good feel).

FWIW, I've also found that spas are all over the map as far as attire. Some give you the choice between being naked or having underwear, some insist on underwear. Usually your masseuse will let you know what's expected.

Welcome to Carnival. The prices are low until you get on the boat. Then it's a constant upsell.

You just touched on something I'd been wondering about, but hadn't gotten around to asking yet. I took my first two cruises on Royal Carribean, then took about 10 years off, then took two Carnival cruises. One difference I noticed was the constant upsells... body products in the spa, steak dinners in the dining hall, crazy photograph packages, etc.

I wasn't sure if this was a difference between RC and Carnival, or if the industry had just changed that much since I last sailed. Am I likely to avoid the most obnoxious of these sales pitches if I return to another cruise line?

This isn't to say I don't like Carnival. I do. But this is one of my top three complaints against them.

Ha, my first Carnival cruise in 2009, I took the bait and went in for the advertised special $40 for a men's shave and facial.

A straight razor shave is on my agenda for next time. What do they try to sell you then? I'd be nice to be forewarned. To be forewarned is to have four arms.

I'm neutral on having chocolate, but I bet my wife would enjoy having one of Carnival's chocolate chip cookies waiting for her when she got back for the evening.

I've never had to argue and I've never had anyone become ugly, or I would have reduced their tip and complained to the spa manager. I know they are trained to upsell and they are managed with quotas that require them to sell. They are in a tough spot, so I typically tip extra when I am particularly pleased with the treatment and the technician is quick to drop the sales pitch when I decline.

This is something I've been working on in my head... It's not that I don't want to spend the money (okay, that's part of it) but just that I don't even want to have the conversation. If I had to choose between buying $30 in gel, or tipping my masseuse an extra $30, I'd gladly choose the second option, just to shut them up... but I've always thought that holding a server's tip over them like a ransom was tacky. Now I'm trying to think of a way to let them know that they're guaranteed a sweet tip if they crack my back and don't hawk their wares (this goes against my normal way of doing things.)

However, if the masseuses start getting sweet tips and not selling spa products, the spa isn't going to be happy about that, so this could come back to bite me somewhere down the line.:rolleyes:

I took my first cruise at 16. I spent a lot of time on the mini golf course, the arcade (note: set aside a budget for quarters) and reading. But, I read a lot, and you're giving me the impression your son doesn't.

If he's optimistic, show him the amenities available and maybe take him to the bookstore. If he's dragging his feet, perhaps picking up a 3DS wouldn't be a bad idea (these can be used off the grid).

And if he's just being a total jerk, remind him that taking such an awesome vacation that early in life is a real privilege. He won't get it, but at least you'll feel better.;)

I really don't see why this is a problem at all?

It's a problem because having a conflict with someone immediately after being relaxed is completely counterproductive. I know I don't have to buy anything, but it's extremely difficult to be assertive when you're still half-naked and rehydrating (and I'm well aware that's why they pick that exact moment to do it).

I also realize that commissions on those products are likely a large part of their income, so I don't want to be an ass about it. We all have to earn a living.

On the other hand, I'm not at all impressed by the pseudo-scientific gibberish they use to justify the effects of these things, but I know that's nothing new to the spa industry.

I've heard of folks writing on the form they make you fill out before services with "no product sales pitch please" or some other sentiment. Apparently this works.

I think I'll try that next time. If there's any conflict, I'll lodge a polite but firm complaint with the cruise line.

Hmmm... I wish Amazon had them. I maintain an Amazon Wish List, and people often use it for a quick gift idea for me...

#1 - I'm a man.

#2 - On our last cruise, we opted not to take our child, who was by then past the breastfeeding stage anyway.

... If any of the above makes my opinion unhelpful, that's quite all right. Just thought I'd get it out of the way. :cool:

I can't speak to any company policy, but I would hope that Carnival would be supportive. They might have some issue with it in the dining hall or pool area, but I would think most other parts of the ship wouldn't pose an issue, particularly if you use a cover.

You know what's best for you and your child, but I'll throw this out there... it may be a situation where you might want to pump in your cabin and carry the milk in bottles (provided your schedule allows this... it took my wife almost a year before she could get the pumping down to only once every five hours). And I say this because you may prefer the privacy... I'm less worried about the Carnival crew than I am about other passengers. If you're trying to be discreet, I'm 90% sure the crew will leave you alone... but all it takes is one ugly redneck looking for an excuse to get involved in your own business and raise a stink over it. Then the crew will be in the unenviable position of trying to figure out which passenger to accommodate, and the people who complain tend to win that battle.

Hi All,

My wife and I have cruised on Carnival several times, and really enjoy it. One of our "traditions" is to set me up with a massage in the spa (my back gets tight). I always look forward to getting loosened up before a big day on my trip.

There's just one problem: right after your massage, when you're feeling wonderful and relaxed, your masseuse starts to try to add on overpriced extras like menthol gel and essential oils. I do not care for this. I go there to relax, and the last thing I want is to have to deal with what I would consider to be a high-pressure sales pitch. My last masseuse actually got a bit short with me when I declined purchasing anything extra. :mad:

Now, I don't object to the option to buy something, just the extremely heavy-handed tactics involved. I'm sure these people are commissioned on this, I respect that, but they should also be respectful of my choice to opt out of the upsell, particularly when their spa services cost considerably more than the equivalent service on dry land.

It's to the point where I feel genuinely conflicted about scheduling future visits. On one hand, this is one of my favorite parts of cruising. On the other hand, a great part of my enjoyment is cancelled out by waiting for the pitch and having to fend it off, often before I've even put my pants back on.

Is there a solution here?