1019throw

On 12/16/2019 at 10:01 AM, Galatz said:

We are big fans of interior cabins on deck 1. Firstly it saves a ton of money. Second its pitch black, so mid afternoon naps on sea days are no different than sleeping at night. Third its usually quieter than other decks. And finally we eat way too much so it encourages more exercise.

First cruise we did deck 2 ocean view. Upcoming one will be deck 2 interior. We found we were never in the room and we saved a ton of money. I'll subsidize ours cheers package or excursions. Plus, some we are eating and drinking, we're fine with the extra walking. 

On 12/14/2019 at 1:20 AM, crazycruzer68 said:

I know from years of cruising that 10:45 am flight is not a great idea, but it’s FLL and not MIA. Any recent Magic cruisers remember when the starting for time self assist was?

Somewhat curious on this as well.  United moved our 11:30AM flight back a bit. They also have a 10:30 flight, but I'm not sure if its too close. I assume 90% of the time it is, but that 10% can be a downer.

Thanks for all the feedback.

We are likely going to get the Cheers package again, so the additional perks of the wine doesn't play into the decision. I made reservations to the Chef's Table, as my wife is definitely a foodie and I think will enjoy the experience.

2nd Cruise upcoming in April on the Magic. Going to surprise my wife for our 5th Anniversary with a few things.

We enjoyed the MDR food and variety, so don't want to miss out on trying different things. So, if you had to choose just 1 of the Steakhouse or Chef's Table, which would it be?

Also, I read the Chef's table reservation night is not provided until you get on the ship.  I would not want to do it if it's on elegant night, so we can still enjoy that and lobster in the MDR. Any way to make adjustments if it ends up falling on that night?

7 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

not true, once you connect to a different tower, it's another $10

Are you sure? It covers 24hrs in any country as long as it's included in the international day pass listing.

On 7/15/2018 at 8:37 AM, pe4all said:

While we have never used this new program ATT has, I do always use the international day pass plan they have. It is $10 a day while in port, and runs off your ATT plan, so whatever data, text, etc. you have, that is what you use. While on the ship I keep my phone in airplane mode, with data/data roaming off. I use the free Carnival hub app to keep in touch with dd on ship if I am somewhere she isn't. When I get to a port I just turn on my data and take phone off airplane mode, and get charged $10 for 24 hours. As we only go to 3-4 ports, it turns out way cheaper than the ships internet, or ATT ship plan. If I need to make a call back to dh at home, the cabin phone is $1.99 per minute, and I usually just make a fast call home - runs $2-$6.

This is what we did as well too stay in touch with our kids we left at home. If you time it right, you can get multiple ports on different days for the $10

On 2/22/2019 at 4:21 AM, Babyfin said:

I always book a year plus out and when the excursions do become available they give you the 24 hour window with the 10%.

So they send you an email that excursions are now available?

19 hours ago, gotscrapz said:

I guess I’ll be the lone dissenter and say I do think it’s worth it in your case as you see to be on the line of breaking even... if you’re going to spend that much a la carte then I’d get cheers and not have to worry about a bill later... same cost but more benefit...

also if you’re drinking martinis at alchemy or mimosas etc, then those are higher cost and definitely worth cheers to me.

I also am lucky if I can cruise once a year in a limited budget and I do get cheers using AARP gift cards and knowing it’s all paid for before I board is a huge relief to me personally... might be different for you.

that spreadsheet helps greatly in determining the value for each person.

In my opinion, this is exactly the right way to look at it.  I think you need to do some math to make sure you get close to breaking even, but there is some value in not having to worry about a bill at the end of the cruise or being able to dump a drink you didn't like and order another. 

There was a previous post on this, but this forum really needs to clean up the stickies up top, and Cheers and FTTF need to have their own. They are far and away the most asked questions

We stayed deck 2 ocean view our first cruise and are doing deck 2 interior coming up. The money you save is substantial, and we're happy to walk the stairs since we will be gluttons.

Are you finding lower prices on Carnival.com typically or elsewhere?

There should be useful stickies; FTTF and Cheers FAQ just to name 2.

On 1/30/2019 at 1:41 PM, schazzy said:

 

That's why we get Cheers, convenience, not feeling limited and not having to stick to a budget or keep track of it. We are very thrifty in our daily lives, and we could be just as thrifty on a cruise as well and save money, but we don't want to sacrifice our enjoyment of our vacation to do it! I know without even trying, we get our money's worth out of Cheers and I don't mind paying the price for it to not have to lug our own drinks on board and honestly so we don't have to spend a part of our vacation running back to the cabin every time we want something and playing bartender and mixing our own drinks; or be limited to what we brought or to the included beverages.  

Excellent point and basically how we are with respect to watching money. On the cruise, we want to relax and have the peace of mind not having to look at drink prices.

7 minutes ago, Danca4eva1994 said:

Do you have pictures of the pools?

I don't, but just Google Grand Turk cruise center

1 hour ago, hotsauce126 said:

What I like most about it is that you never have to look at the prices of drinks. I can get literally whatever I want, and if I don't like it I can get something else. I usually at the very least break even. We're also big coffee drinkers and love using it at the coffee bar.

This is me. Typically frugal or money conscience, I like the aspect of just ordering and not worrying about it.

Half moon is carnivals private island, and probably the most picturesque beach you will ever be in. The sand is soft as powder. Grand Turk has free beaches and old right off the dock. Amber cove had no beach very close, but had pools in the port area.

22 minutes ago, teknoge3k said:

In Port Everglades we have our Uber drop us off at the port around 9:15-9:30 and with FTTF we're usually on the ship by 10:30. That's been my experience the last 3 times.

Wow that's good to hear. So they will Platinum, diamond, FTTF on super early even though the first official boarding time is 1130ish?

8 hours ago, teknoge3k said:

Based on itineraries, I'd go with the Legend. More stops, we have something we like to do in each place except Grand Cayman. 

Based on the ship, I'd go on the Magic. Newer, nicer ship. 

I would nix the Sensation just because it's a small ship and Ochi is the only port that we'd personally enjoy. 

I guess between the Magic and Legend, I'd go with the Magic simply because Half Moon Cay is the best port anywhere, it's a newer and nicer ship, and we love Grand Turk. 

 

I also assume all of these sailings are the same length, not trying to compare a 5 day to a 7 day. 

Grand Turk is a private island? What do you love so much about it? We went before and didn't love it, but maybe we didn't go to the right spots.

On 1/19/2019 at 2:04 PM, StolidCruiser said:

 

It is apparently very important and gratifying for some to go through a myriad of machinations to get (at best) a couple extra hours on the ship.

 

People still report showing up as early as 9:30am for the chance to get through security/check-in so they can sit for a couple hours until boarding starts and then sit in the buffet (or around an empty pool) for a couple more.

 

Many enjoy this because it marks the start of their vacation and they paid for that first day. 

 

The thrill eludes me but for others it is a vital part of their cruise experience.

 

I think this is some important if people want to "get their monies worth" when on the Cheers package. A few hours to relax and have some drinks.

18 hours ago, hillbillycruisers said:

So...if I'm understanding this right....when you check in, the zone number given out should allow people to board in order as they arrive...or close to it. Not a random thing. Right? 

I'm still curious what the deal is, or if there is a finite answer.  there seems to be a lot of various answers floating around.

16 minutes ago, kcdancerkc said:

Nope.  They told me they sell weekly passes first....come back Tuesday to see if I can get a day pass....ugggg

Are you cruising with someone? We're cruising in a year and saw 1 day passes are $40/ea, or you can get a couples week-long pass (6 day) for $180. Sounds like a good deal

44 minutes ago, pacruise804 said:

 

FTTF has several perks, with priority boarding being one of them.  Others include priority tender, priority guest services line, priority luggage delivery, immediate cabin access (my favorite), and priority disembarkation.  There might be one or two others, but those are what I remember.

 

FTTF will still board after weddings, D/P, and I think suites.  I do think zones are assigned in order of arrival, so an earlier arrival appointment (check-in time) should yield an earlier boarding time.

 

If you want early check-in and priority boarding, immediate room access (drop all carry-ons, maybe even carry all luggage), dedicated guest services, priority tendering, or priority disembarking then the per cabin price might be worth it.  If you don't mind waiting until after 1:00 to check-in (theoretically shorter lines), visiting guest services at off-hours, are willing to wait for the second or third tender (or have a ship excursion), etc. - then FTTF probably isn't worth the fee.

I think the most important thing is to get on the ship ASAP to get an extra day of food, drinks, and relaxation -- and then getting off the ship (we like to get a flight home around 11). We had FTTF last time, but if we can self-disembark right away without FTTF and get a good boarding time, I dont think we need it.