mondello

Prepay to beat the price increase?

Yeah, the lady said it’ll be a $million, in what…3 short years?

Your wife would have to use it if the booking is under her name and VIFP number. Gratuities will be deducted from her OBC. However, she would need to transfer some OBC to your folio to cover your gratuities; this can be done by a visit to Guest Services by both of you.

It doesn’t make a difference. They will automatically bill your folio during the cruise, if you haven’t prepaid.

@Loritd OBC used to be only used onboard the ship. Pretty sure they have relaxed that and now allow OBC to be used for pre-cruise purchases. As stated above, all charges onboard will be charged to OBC before they start charging your credit card.

Mundane? You tycoons are so humble!

I’ll have it real soon, be on Celebration 8 day 12/19 for Christmas. Be in San Juan 12/23.

They choose the night.

A common casino offer, I think it’s: Plan Now, Play Later, or something like that, is $500 OBC for the room. I had a B2B on Valor this summer with $500 OBC on each of the 5 days.

Yes, the credit card will be used last. Also, you can still pay towards the balance onboard even after your folio shows your credit card was charged. I ran up a bill in the casino and later paid down my S&S card from my casino bank. My credit card was eventually charged the correct, lower amount.

Yeah, I can’t believe Celebration is being offered at lower fares than Mardi Gras. I’m really looking forward to so many new food venues. Agree on the Steakhouse/Spirit. We’ll definitely being booking for the first time, too.

I’d do the check/in 16 days ahead. Those with the 14 day may still get an early slot. I just checked in for Celebration about 3:00am the other morning from work and still got 10:30-11:00. You could still arrive with them if they get a later time than you.

@havanadaydreaming I’ve booked the best of both. 12/19 Celebration will be our biggest ship ever. We have Spirit booked for Spring Break, 4/2/23; the smallest ship we’ll have been on. Have a great cruise.

@gina.robinson 2) Yes, still have soap/shampoo dispensers. Nice for short term use, saves on packing. 3) Most cruises have elegant night on the second evening, which is usually a sea day. 4) + 5) Most probably don’t take their passport or even a copy ashore. A photo ID along with S&S card will be fine. Added note: the new Excel class ships even have shower doors now. I’ll be loosening up for the single digit dance for Celebration for 12/19.

I been dazed and confused for so long it’s not true. Sorry, I posted then realized I was thinking of Mahogany Bay and the free chairs. Removed my original post. We always walk down the beach to Jack’s Shack. $15 for chairs/umbrella and good food/drinks at hand.

I was never a huge gambler but I do play some every night. Been getting free cabins w/drinks while playing for the past year. B2B on Valor this summer, both wife and I played often. Got free drinks at dinner and family/3 got Steakhouse selections/MDR comped. Totally unexpected, imagine I was rated higher than most cruisers those 10 days. Free cabin on Celebration for us 12/19 8 day Christmas cruise. Book Valor or Glory if you’re looking and I’d imagine you’d quickly be getting decent casino offers. The more you cruise and play, the better the offers. I had free cabins offered for Australia w/ $1500AU OBC and 23 night repositioning cruise via Hawaii/Fiji.

The casino is very crowded on Carnival when they have the Elite/Premier casino cruise promotions with a preponderance of gamblers.

Pretty sure it is only for base fare, not port fees/taxes, right? That is part of OP’s question.

@rtrtx2 Pretty sure you have to request it because it is your choice when to use it. The higher your base fare, the more OBC you will get. You can use it on cruise #26 or #27 to give you time to book the right cruise.

No. Cucina, ChiBang, and Pig and Anchor are inclusive on Mardi Gras and Celebration. The MDR would not be able to handle to total number of guests in 2 seatings, so these venues are used to spread out the pax. YTD can book a table on the hub app for the 5:30 opening and later. Assigned dining guests from the MDR can book a table for 8:00-9:30.

I’ll give it the old college try. We get a bonus day; 8 day Christmas cruise on 12/19. Surely I can fit in the deli, pizza, and ChiBang, too!

@smcgoldr Thank you for the review. We’ll be on Celebration 12/19 for Christmas. Makes me feel a little better for booking Spirit for Spring Break, where you said you won’t have a problem going back to smaller ships. Shame you noticed any bad crew at the hostess stand. One thing I like about Carnival is they always have great crew.

Lido buffet and MDR. Pretty sure MDR breakfast closes at least 30-60 minutes before buffet.

With Christmas being the second day of your cruise, you can definitely expect elegant night in the MDR on the 25th.

Not a casino offer booked under their name? Technically, named person must cruise. I’d probably just no-show.