hrwi

Absolutely!!!!! I think you will find some do the same thing. On embarkation day so many come to the ship at different times you shouldn't have a problem finding pool chairs.

 

 

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Excellent. In October it'll be too chilly to do so, but my kids would wear swimsuits to the airport if they could! Makes me think we could go to the local Best Western with a pool for a lot cheaper! ;)

It's a really great little town within walking distance. I have spent several land vacations in the area. How much time do you have total? Because I think spending more time on an Acadia tour would be best if you have 2+ hours to spend in the town. It's not big, lots of little shops, but for general wandering purposes, you can see a lot of it pretty quickly. You could spend days in Acadia, though. How do the tour itineraries vary?

Mid September is a great time to be there. The ship will add a lot of people, but the land-based tourism really drops off after school starts. So pretty! Makes me want to go back!

It'll be my first cruise so I don't have a tradition, but my tentative plan is to go to the pool and stake out some chairs, and then send the husband off to the grill for some lunch retrieval. Would that work?

Talked to CCL and apparently I switched to a "super saver" rate which is a guarantee by category. It's fine, all I want is a window anyway!

Thanks!

did you call to get this price drop or submit the form online? If you submitted the form you should have gotten denied since it was for a different category stateroom. My guess is you called and got an agent that didn't have a clue what you were doing. Ive had that happen to me before. One time I called to see if I could get the price drop on a new sale they were having. The new sale you got a 2 category upgrade. Agent said yes I get it and keep everything I had before. I had an onboard credit. After the agent booked me to the new upgraded cabin I lost my onboard credit. Needless to say Carnival had horrible customer service when I tried to fix it. I hope yours is better.

I submitted online, and used the Fare Viewer page. I was surprised by it all because within 24 hours, I had the approval email and credit to my account!

I'll go dig up the emails because to be honest it happened very quickly and smoothly. Which often can be not the best.

Thanks guys, I'll give them a call.

Bill - love your signature! One of my peeves (with their/they're and your/you're), I'm sure my kids think I'm nuts!

First timer so this may be a slam-dunk question.

I booked a cruise in May I think, and had an assigned cabin (Paradise U178 for reference). Just last week or so, I checked pricing and was able to score about $150 back (for us all, and prior to final payment so it was just cash in hand, woohoo).

Today I just checked in on my booking (as I am wont to do nearly every day) and saw my stateroom is "to be assigned". I've paid in full, as it was due last week. Does anyone have any insight into this? I've been doing it all online so don't have a PVP (but would get one if need be? I don't know).

This prompted me to think about this and hoping someone can answer this. We have early seating which will be good most days, but on the day we are in Havana, I don't want to be rushing back to the ship for dinner. I know we won't starve (between havana and other food options), but I wouldn't want potential table-mates to be waiting for us. Do we tell someone? At dinner the night before?

This happened to me just this week! It was an e-gift card from Barclay/Fun Points, it took me 8 days after receiving and suddenly it worked. They couldn't figure it out and I was on the phone with them for *ages*. They told me that sometimes they aren't activated right away?

Best of luck. I was super frustrated and felt like no one was really hearing me, so I just kept trying, and it worked one day (and that day was yesterday, when final payment was due today!). I wish I knew what the solution was. The carnival folks were really nice and sweet but couldn't figure it out, and the funpoints mastercard people were not helpful at all.

I have an 11 year old (will be nearly 12 on board) and like you guys said, she'll be able to go places on her own, with my knowledge and consent. She's not the kid who would just wander or run rampant anyway!

The 14 (will be nearly 15, omg I'm so old ;) ) year old, I have no problem with him basically setting his own schedule and doing his own thing. That said, he'll probably be with us most of the time anyway, and we will get the onboard app for communication.

Great, thanks for the review! I'll be on this one in October, can't wait.

Also, when I order them it says "we will send you an email when it ships" and I have *never* received that second email. They just show up 7-10 days later. I have used it for just paying off my balance, but you can break it into parts, check the balance, etc.

That sounds like a great plan. You are going to Cuba! I so want to go there. You'll have to be sure and savor every moment so you can come back and tell us all about it. Will this be your first cruise?

It is my first! I'm just so excited I can't stand it. I'll be bringing my three kids so there's a decent amount of planning involved. Maybe I *do* need a drinks package. ;)

I'm 100 days from sailing (woohoo) and about a week ago, I started putting aside whatever ones I had at the end of the day. I think I have like $14 right now but hoping I have bunches by the time we go!

Your story of the $20 bus driver tip is making me think it's a good plan!

According to the Uber XL requirements, they must seat at least 6 in addition to the driver. I think it's generally a minivan or a third-row SUV. I don't know how heavy you travel, but I think that you will fit, even if a bit snug.

When we stay at a hotel I let my kids go get me coffee in the morning (they're 14, 11, and 7). I think I'd let them do things like that. The 14 year old can be on his own with no issue. The 11 year old, just her personality, will go from point a to point b exactly as she should, no more no less, and will confirm that she knows the route seventy times before she goes. The 7 year old will only go with the oldest, but mostly will be holding my hand, and that's fine.

:D

I'm already choreographing my double-digit-dance. I still have a week or so. ;)

I swear I read somewhere that you can request a topper, so you don't have to transport one.

Oh I found an old thread! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1686898

(bold is mine) How will that work? Will you have to send documents from your travel to the Treasury Dept for approval?

I think so, but it's definitely murky at best! They almost make it sound like they will come after travelers 6-12 months after their return, which I can't imagine is sustainable (or worthwhile).

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_20170616.pdf

It's unclear what the recourse would be anyway. It will all be done through an audit system, 6-12 months after your return. Then what, if they decide I didn't do the right activities? I am not holding my breath, I'm going to enjoy my vacation and hope for the best.

Agreed, if you have reserved before June 16, you will be able to do what you had planned to do.

I just got this card, just for my trip. I have one question you all might know the answer to though. If I buy airfare through the Fly 2 Fun program, does that get double points (as a carnival transaction)? That could gain me some good quick statement credit, and then I'll just pay off the card and probably close it after the cruise.

#4 makes me think that I will be all set (because it's all about me ;) ).

I have booked and paid a decent amount for the cruise, and don't want to do the ship excursions (but don't judge those who do, it's just a taste thing), but since I started the process in May, should be in the clear? I will print out something saying when I booked, just in case, but it seems it would all be through audit anyway.

Or, not to get political, but it could become moot before it's even an issue, as we've seen with other policy changes. Fingers crossed.

My daughter will be four days before 12 and is worried that the camp she's slated for will be too babyish. Too bad we aren't on the same cruise and they could pal around!

I haven't cruised yet, but I think that first night they get a decent idea of how the children on board shake out - so maybe if the 12-14 group leans more toward the younger end, they'll up the activities a bit?

I will be interested to learn, even if we are obligated to do a cruise-sponsored excursion (which I was *not* planning to do), if we will be allowed to have any time on our own. My children are accustomed to being right in the thick of new people and places and I think it does them a great service. Being in a larger, more curated, group will be a drastic change.