semala

4 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

Free AI in Vancouver for most people isn’t too bad but I see you live there so not so much appeal to you personally, unfortunately. I presume you are able to leave the ship? 
 

Nope. Specifically told no one, crew or passenger, is allowed off until Icy Strait Point on Tuesday.

Does Carnival sometimes have discounts when you book on board? I cruised RCL last year and the Chef's Table was about half off the website price if you called and booked the first day on board. I think certain other experiences (maybe some spa things?) were also discounted.

I think the 4B is a typo - don't know of any balcony with that designation. The D category regular balcony is the usually highest category. What ship is this?

Mariner, 8670.

Letter is highest priority. Number is the subcategory within the letter major category.

 

Normally, when you book a guarantee, they will only let you change to the same exact category to which you have been assigned.

Then I'm still confused how a 2D is higher than a 4B.

I mean, it's a moot point if I can't go to a different category, but I'm still curious. Guess I'll just be happy with my slightly larger cabin and appreciate the exercise to the stairs.

Lower letter and number is a higher category. You can only switch to any other cabin in the exact category without incurring a charge.

Which takes priority? Letter or number? Or does it depend?

So you can't switch to a lower category without incurring a charge? I called last night specifically to ask that and was told that I could. That's a shame.

How are categories ranked?

I booked a 7D GTY with a TA. Got assigned a 4B, a spacious balcony but it's pretty far aft. Today, there's a 2D regular balcony on the hump open. I called RC last night and they confirmed that I could switch to a lower category without changing what I've paid and said that regular is below spacious.. though he said it as if he was agreeing with me to get me off the phone so I understand if he was mistaken. Called my TA's office today (my TA is out) and the agent I talked to called RC and was told that 2D is a higher category than 4B so it would cost me more to switch. How is that determined? Is it the number, the letter, or something else entirely?

Yes, I can see where others would be confused which is why I started my post with "OP"

 

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Presumably you'd do the same if you posted in the wrong thread. I know I'd appreciate being redirected if my helpful advice wasn't reaching the correct OP! Thank you, Merion_Mom, for trying to help even when it's unappreciated.

I appreciate this thread! I haven't been on Carnival since 2006 and I'm planning on a 2019 trip. Anything additional I should know that hasn't been mentioned?

Really appreciate all the pictures and information, sandebar. I'll be on the Mariner in December. Slightly switched itenerary, doing Nassau then Coco Cay then a sea day, but it's close enough that I really appreciate you sharing everything!

Is this only if you book air through RC? Or is it available for purchase separately if we didn't purchase air through them?

I was looking at the Deluxe drink package during the last "sale" for my cruise on Mariner next May, and the SALE price was $60 pp. But I can get it on my Brilliance Thanksgiving cruise for $48.

I'm on the Mariner in December and there was a sale over the weekend for buy one, get one 50% off. Came to $47 each. I bet there will be more sales before May that are a little better.

Food is cooked, I have never seen anything underdone.Not sure you can ask for it to be "cooked to order" though, they are serving a couple of thousand people in a very short time at each sitting.

Well that's good to know. Guess I should stick to things that I know would be well cooked by default. Thanks!

The entire Caribbean plus the Bahamas was on the list until very recently. To say there is no risk in the Bahamas is perhaps being a little too confident.

I'm going by the CDC zika site. They removed the Bahamas in February from the watch list because there have been no new cases since November 2016. That'll be two years clean by the time I cruise.

As I said, if that changes then I'll reevaluate. But as of right now there's less risk there than while I'm in port in Florida.

Per above, I'd also be way more concerned about the Zika virus. :eek:

No risk of Zika in the Bahamas.

Be sure to get trip insurance now, rather than waiting until you know, because it would be a pre-existing condition at that point.

A very good point, and thankfully one that our TA thought of while booking! We are covered.

IMO, you are putting the cart before the horse. If you are doing the procedure in August, you wouldn't know the results until the beginning of Sept? /whoops, I forgot modern technology can give you results right away. I don't know your medical history, but just maybe your doctor MIGHT put you on bed rest for a few weeks, I don't know where you live either, would you be driving or flying to the port? IF in fact you were to become pregnant, would your doctor clear you to cruise? Many questions, but the beverage package would be at the bottom of my list.

All questions that I've had answered :)

I'd know before the end of August. I would not be put on bed rest unless something went drastically wrong, in which case I'd reevaluate going on the cruise altogether, but that's not a likely outcome. I would be flying to port and I would be clear to both fly and cruise.. again, unless something went drastically wrong. But the chances of that are only slightly higher than of anyone else having a medical emergency.

And yes, this is planning way early for a possibility, but as I said, I prefer to prepare for the possibility now than to try to plan for the eventuality while dealing with a lot more stress.

I hope congratulations are in order! I cruised pregnant on CCL, and had a fantastic time. We now have three daughters, and two have food allergies. RCCL Has been good about accommodating them. I would suggest talking to the dining team each night about the following day's menu. You can special order if need be.

Great, I'm glad they're accommodating. I'm a little concerned because current recommendations usually center more around how (and whether) food is cooked than the food itself, but as long as it can be cooked to order then I guess it'll probably be fine...

A friend recently had this happen, as soon as she found out, she called Royal and the CSR happily refunded one of their 2 drink packages No questions asked.

That would be ideal and I'm glad to know it's a possibility, though I'll temper my expectations with Bob's advice. Thanks!

You should be able to change your Deluxe beverage package to the Refreshment package pre-cruise, and get a credit on your credit card.

Thank you, Bob! But I can't get rid of a drink package altogether if my husband is getting one, correct?

You "may" become pregnant in August? I am sorry, I don't understand your questions. I think I would be more concerned about the Zika virus than what food they are serving. Maybe I am just not understanding......if so, I deeply apologize

We specifically chose the Bahamas because they're not on the CDC's Zika warning list. If that changes between now and then we will certainly take that into consideration!

Yes, I may become pregnant in August. I'm undergoing a procedure in August that may result in pregnancy. I prefer to be prepared for possibilities than to suddenly be faced with a certainty that I then have to research and plan for when I'll have a lot of other stresses in my life!

I am booked on the Mariner in December but there is a chance that I may become pregnant in August. I would be well before RCI's cutoff date on pregnancies, but I do have some questions about the experience.

We have purchased the deluxe drink package already. I assume that I can ask them to swap just mine to a refreshment package if I do end up pregnant? Would they be able to get rid of a drink package for me altogether or is the refreshment the minimum if someone else in the cabin is getting the deluxe?

What about food? Would they be able to ensure that any food I was served in the MDR was cooked thoroughly? Would I need to contact someone in advance or just let my waiters know once I'm on board?

I've never been on Royal Caribbean before. Anything else I should know about before I go? I prefer to know what to expect for as many scenarios as possible beforehand.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear - she should ask for a discount once on-board. I’ve never heard of them giving discounts on Chef’s Table prior to sailing.

Oh! That does make sense. I'll do that.

We had reservations for the first night and they were canceled because no one else showed up.

Any idea how many they require to make it go? Were you able to reschedule for a different night?

Luggage tags are normally available around 7 weeks before the cruise.

Are luggage tags printed, too? Or are they mailed to you? If printed, do you need some sort of insert to put them in to affix to your baggage?

They sometimes will offer a discount on nights where they have a low number of reservations. Maybe ask and see if they’ll give you a deal? I would expect formal night to be the most popular.

I imagine it's still a little far out to expect any sort of discount. Sounds like the kind of thing I should ask close to time, though. Or maybe even wait til I'm aboard, if it's not likely to fill up before then.