Ombud

2 thoughts: 1. Op has only 50 OBC so I doubt that it is "extra." Any idea how fast that'll go? $14.99 to activate OCEAN NOW then I (and think many others) can blow thru $35 in a day or 2. Lunch at casual dining? Now $30+ gone ..... 2. I have been blocked in the casino so can attest 1st hand knowledge that they are capable of blocking users. (My error was loading, running, then cashing out a slot pull w/o notifying them that that's what I was doing. Took floor mgr to get me back in .... now I always notify them 1st)

Something strange happened to me too. Disembarked last September with 35+ refundable OBC. Emailed customer service when I didn't get a check w/I a month. Didn't get it before December cruise. 2 more emails. Frustrated call to my CVP who contacted Customer Relations. There wasn't a way to get a check (🤯) but they agreed to comp me 100 obc. Came thru as non-refundable so disembarked April cruise owing. Now I make sure I always owe something.

I did so n etching from 2010 but that just prompted another question: the casino provides the swag in slot pulls & timing is coordinated through them. Is this done with or without bar involvement (other than bartender making drinks)

That subject came up in our roll call. As I manage the spreadsheet id be more than happy to add another column but I don't know what / how / when etc they are. Can anyone here shed some light on it?

Solo supplement on my next cruise (11/23/23 transatlantic on Enchanted Princess category BW) is currently 40%. Would love to see a list instead of finding a cruise, then figuring it out. On this site: @latebuyer mentions a list but also states that the Wine Country Oct 2023 cruise has a lower solo supplement? Not sure about that .... but I do look at that other part of cruise critic from time to time for hidden bargains (anytime there isn't a 100% supplement seems like a bargain)

Elite can go to Guest Services to get tokens at no charge. I've done this several times. Me too on 3 different ships. Free tokens for machines, detergent, and fabric softener sheets

Please understand their position. They are not part of Carnival Corporation so many things that I personally can do with a CVP or TA (book solo, use 1 FCD to secure any cruise, refare or rebook to capture a price drop) I cannot do onboard as their commission is diminished and that's not in their best business interests. So I select it onboard either by placing it on hold or sending a screenshot to my CVP in port. Then she gets it for me before I get back from wandering. When I have wifi I just send her an email immediately. I can have it and secure it with 1 FCD I just can't utilize the ONE (Future Cruise Consultants) onboard Its just like: Some TAs give cash discounts or OBC, but not all Some CVPs answer promptly & find hidden discounts, some are no better than the general 1800Princess or www.princess.com

And when I request early ticketing the fare magically dropped by a reasonable %. Not quite to restricted fare, but almost

That $85 reads suspiciously like a TA group OBC, so interesting a PCL agent "found" it. I used to get them all the time pre-covid but this is the 1st one I've gotten after restart and from a different CVP

Exactly. The 9.75 deficit was covered with the 635 OBC. So as soon as part 2 started it was 635 - 9.75 = 625.25 obc left. OBC came from FCD, Shareholders, promo, and 85 from unknown source. CVP just added it from somewhere

Pre-covid (so not sure about now) I had my CVP book the excursions for everyone and paid by credit card .... but like I said, pre-covid. 4 rooms, 7 people. I get a solo room no matter what. I guaranteed 3 of the rooms, my son & his (now x)wife were responsible for their own bill.

5/27/23: 250 obc loaded for 1st voyage 6/1/23: 1st voyage ended & I owed $9.75, amt owed rolled over & 635 obc applied 6/17/23: 2nd voyage ended. I have (according to saved screenshot) 1 combined bill for both legs. Final bill $6.15 So yeah, OBC & Balance due rolls to last voyage

Yeah, I usually lose 15 minutes just checking important stuff from 3 kids while having tea in a Cafe. Nothing else matters

It's in almost every port now + there's always a Starbucks

Hmmm.... didn't know about that one. Usually, I have my breakfast in the morning before heading to the ship but it's hard to pass up a 'free meal' after having paid my fare. How is this done? Do they just herd the Elite pax into a dedicated area where the goodies are available? Its normally along the wall as I enter the elite boarding area. On the last 2 embarkations (SF and LA) they were checking medallions to make sure everyone was Elite I'm not as cynical as you .... guess that comes from being elite. Look at other lines (RCCL & NCL). They're all finding ways to increase revenue but none are eliminating loyalty perk programs. Yes perks may evolve due to technology (trading minibar still possible) Forgot to mention separate line at Guest Services. Yeah this one p****s all non-elite (apparently) as someone will inevitably remind me where the end of the general line is .... and boy is that line long!! (Personally prefer Crew Chat unless it's for replacing the medallion)

My favorite Elite benefits that aren't going anywhere: 1. Priority tender -- immediately got on tenders in Cabo & Maui .... I was actually back before some got off the 1st time in Maui 2. Laundry -- they do it or I get comped tokens for machines & products. Really important on multi-week cruises as I pack in a carryon 3. Minibar -- traditionally book Standard and trade for a bottle of wine 4. Priority boarding -- yes it's a thing. Continental breakfast while I wait to get onboard 5. 1/2 off wifi. Perhaps irrelevant if booking Plus or Premier but I like it 6. Free wine tasting There are other benefits but this isn't a response about all, just my favs

E425 is a BW w/o a sofa. Just to be aware .... and yes Astro Flyer has a pic of that canopy. Wonder if that gives more privacy to those on both decks (Promenade and Emerald).

I thought about upgrading on my 21 day Australia cruise from Standard to Plus➕ until I did the #s again. (That one only has A$400 OBC, 3 redeployments so 'gratuities 14.50 day' per personalizer): 304.50 CA prepay 157.50 Wifi prepay 45.00 + 18% for ON & 2 Casual Dining meals 507.00 Plus ➕ 1260 + 8% insurance I cannot drink A$35 of tea & water a day So if her local restaurant raises their prices she tips less ? This just makes no sense people just being cheap Sometimes it happens. Groomer only took cash. Charge went from 75-85. Only brought 100. So tipped less. Maybe she can only afford $X and trips already planned / paid for.

I use the app to order food delivery probably once a day. The one time charge will be no problem for me. I get the chicken fingers or tacos and dump them onto a Caesar salad. I just love those combos. Oh and their chicken noodle soup is pretty good, too when I want something really light. That's 1 way to get a chicken caesar

Ezair booking can be lifted from original booking and shifted to the rebooked Cruise. It doesn't need to be rebooked. I've done it multiple times to protect the fare & seats

No. Overheard CD giving a bad for the environment reason for stopping that before the shutdown

The $15 charge is to activate OCEAN NOW not Ocean Ready. 2 different parts to the app. Ocean Ready = precruise register for voyage Ocean Now = ordering app onboard, similar to buying online at home. It's more than just food & beverages. Also amenities

I was concerned about my 2024 Australia to Japan voyage as there's limited obc on it, CA fixed at 14.50 (redeployed 3× from 2021), would plus be worth it?? Just A$400 on it as USD$ converts to A$ dollar to dollar (FCD & Shareholders) 304.50 CA 157.50 Wifi (Elite) 462.00 Prepay Plus➕ would add $1260 + 8% insurance charge to fare but that's a lot for tea & activating ON / 2 Casual Dining trips ($45 + 18% value) But going forward I will strongly consider booking Plus➕ for simplicity or buying it onboard if I have a boatload of OBC

Come back and let us know as all other experiences have been before the addition of a "casual dining fee"

I think most will pay the 1 time $14.99 fee