IMKTDQT810

@Pudgesmom THANK YOU so much for this information. This is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I booked it on the day we get on the ship (a few hours prior to sail away) because I realized if I booked it any other day later in the week I would have been stressing about it the whole cruise!

Thanks again, I appreciate it! 

This is more in DH's wheelhouse since he gets at least one every cruise. I have never had one before and I am going to step WAAAYYY out my comfort zone and booked us a 50 min Swedish couple's massage on Carnival Magic in June.

Question for the ladies who have had this service before....what do you wear? I know you wear whatever to the spa since you get changed while there but are you totally down to bare naked and you wrap yourself in a towel? Do you leave on your bottoms? This might seem like a silly question but I REALLY have no clue what to do and what to expect from aby spa service and don't want to embarrass myself!  Thank you!  

Thank you to everyone for their comments. I'm starting to think I might not want to pass up the extra fancy food on "Elegant Night" and just have the guys dress in business casual! At least you all are putting my mind at ease on what you all see in the dining room these days! THANK YOU! 

We sail Magic next June and we are trying different things. Like the My Time Dining rather then the assigned table seating. Another "different thing" will be to not "dress up" on elegant night. Unless the guys bring and want to wear khaki's (which to me ISN'T dressing up so we shouldn't be IN the MDR). But in the past they HATED to "dress fancy" and I'm giving them a break this time. Is it true we can get the same menu in the MDR as room service that night? Or is there anything special on the Buffet that night? Just wondering since we have never done it before. Thanks! 

Thank you all for the great feedback, comments and suggestions. I'm still up in the air about what flights to book and might just sit on it longer and hope (by some miracle) they come down a bit prior to booking. At that point in time I will see what the options are for taking care of our luggage. Thanks again!

Thank you all SO MUCH for the quick response! I think it will just be worth to head to the airport and check it in early. I was given some wonderful information about the Botanical Gardens near the airport. So I guess it will be easier to Uber to the airport, check the luggage in, then request another Uber to go to the gardens and vice versa back to catch our flight. I was originally thinking of staying near the port once we get off the ship and doing things there, but this might sound like a better plan. 

@CeleBrat yes we are leaving out of Norfolk but never got any comment back on if Carnival offers a post cruise shore excursion or not. They only start sailing out of that port the month before we sail (June 2022) and I need to start getting airfare set soon since they prices have been going up daily! 

I asked this within a thread I started on the East Coast Ports but thought maybe more folks might know this answer. Just trying to see if we take a late flight home (might be as late as 7pm and getting to the airport by 5pm) does the cruise terminal "hold" luggage? We will be taking an Uber to the airport when the time comes but since I'm considering booking such a late flight I don't know what to do with our luggage. The port would be Half Moon Cruise & Celebration Center in Norfolk. TIA

Thank you all again for such wonderful information. I found out this week that we will not be able to extend our time in the Norfolk/Williamsburg area upon our return due to a family gathering that weekend. So we will need to head home BUT I am again looking at the later flights out of Norfolk again which are cheaper. What do folks do with their luggage? I love how @elsie3939 stated the botanical gardens are next to the airport which would be great to get to the airport early, check in our luggage and then go walk around the gardens (since that would be up our alley) but is there access to get to the gardens from the airport or would we need to get another Uber to get there and then back to the airport again? Just wondering....we were not going to be taking the Carnival transfers since we could get an Uber for the price of one transfer. Thanks again! 

Hello All,

We sail on Magic June 2022, but I was looking at the aft cabins (never been in one but we will be staying in one this trip) and I noticed a single set of stairs on both sides of the ship. I went up a few levels and down a few levels on the Carnival Site of the Ship Map and I still see them. Does anyone know if these are for passengers or ship crew only? Are they marked as such or just a "unmarked door". Through research (years ago) I was able to find those "front doors" on the Pride that brought us to great bow views and nobody seemed to ever be out there but a few other ppl that knew about it, since the door were not marked. TIA!

Thank you @rkacruiserI appreciate your feedback and information. We used to belong to AAA but the price was close to 100.00 a year so we no longer have it. I'm trying to get smarter and wiser on what I put my moo-la towards these days and even though it IS a great program we have the same benefits through our car insurance now and it's ALOT cheaper! Well, except the discount perks but we don't travel that much to keep paying $100 for the few times we vacation. 

I like your way of thinking as well about the organization as a whole and that it is recognized by both Federal and State lawmakers. I was not aware of that fact. 

It's interesting how I have ONLY mentioned it here and yet now when I browse social media sites I get the "sign up now" AARP for as low at $9. I guess they need to make money somehow for that sling bag, lol!

@brzymom thank you so much for the feedback. I asked a few family members that qualify for it but said they didn't know what all it offered and never bothered to look into it. So I appreciate you taking the time and letting me know it's not really a gimmick of sorts.

I have seen TV ads around time that open enrollment for Medicare takes place, but I never really paid much attention to them (either).  

Hello All,

I just turned 50 a few months ago and got an AARP flier in the mail today. I was reading through it and I was wondering if folks really get a big savings out of it? The offer is one year for $16 and a free sling bag. But I was just wondering if anyone is a member and what type of savings you have seen/used (across the board...not JUST for cruising). Thanks alot!

@rkacruiser I have not ever thought of that for my two guys BUT I don't think it would go over too great b/c DS hardly has any facial hair for a shave and DH has a full beard and is very particular on how he trims it. He is totally into Massages and I asked already on the Carnival Board about that "Father Time" son/dad massage since it's only for 13-17 year olds and DS will be 17 at the time of sailing so he can experience a massage for the first time....but nobody (that I have noticed yet) have given me any feedback on that service. 

But thank you very much for the mini-facial and shave suggestion, I appreciate you taking the time to suggest it! 

@mom says yes, Carnival does. Now it would be wonderful if they were reduced rates knowing that there might be more foot traffic and I'm with YOU on getting settled in and exploring the ship but DH and DS aren't really into that. That is why I was thinking of booking the first massage of the cruise on that day. I already booked him for two other types on each sea day. Like I said...he's all about them....not me! LOL

Hello All,

I know that most ships have "tours" of the spa prior to sail away with raffles to get perks if you are present for the drawing. But I was wondering if it's "odd" to get a massage say at 2 or 3pm when the sail away is at 5:30? Has anyone ever done it and regretted the timing with the "extra foot track" prior to sailing plus the spa folks trying to have ppl sign up for the raffle or was it totally bliss b/c they keep everyone away from the more private areas and you felt like it was the perfect time and get your cruise started asap with a massage? I'm trying to figure out a massage booking as a surprise for DH. Thanks! 

DH really, REALLY enjoys getting massages on the ships. DS has inquired in the past asking his dad "what was it like?" and "what do they DO?" (last cruise DS was 12) so I was thinking of asking here about it for our cruise next year since DS will be 17 and I noticed there is a Father Son "Father Time" massage for boys 13 - 17 and their dads. 

So has any guys experienced this and was it worth is for your son as a "intro" to what massages are like? I really appreciate any feedback anyone can give me on this since massages are not my "thing" and I am on the fence about booking it. Also, the cruise is a Surprise Christmas gift to DH and DS so I was going to add this as part of the present 😃 if I book it and I already booked DH with two massages that week as his gift. So I can't really ask if it's something they would like to do..since they don't even know about the cruise itself! 

Thank you ALL for the excellent suggestions. We will be flying in the day prior and staying within walking distance so my goal is to tour the Nauticus the day before for some local fun. I DO love the idea of renting a car and going to Williamsburg, I was there as a child and my son might enjoy going to see it. 

The only thing is that this whole cruise is a Christmas Surprise for DH and DS. I think I would want their input before booking the car, hotel, return flights etc. I mean the original goal was to say we are going on the cruse and flying (rather then a 7 hour drive from home) and having the flights booked. DH is more of a home body and doesn't like to be gone for long (what is why I book at 5 night and not 7 night cruise) but now you have my wheels turning because we return on a Wed and maybe doing Wed- Sat would be fun and fly back home on Saturday. UUUmmm.....you all got me thinking now! 

@groundloop Thank you very much for this information. Knowing that Port Canaveral currently has the last self debark at 9:30 is helpful since Norfolk will only start back up the month prior to our sailing so about 4-5 weeks and might still have kinks to work out that could delay us. So yes, I agree that 11 am flight would be cutting it too close for comfort. Thank you for taking the time to respond, I greatly appreciate it!

Just curious since I never watched it on TV. How did this game work on the ship and what are the cards that were selling for $25 for one and $40 for two for? Was it a number and everyone that had that number won what was  matched up for that number on the screen? Thanks!

I know each port is different along with each ship.....but I am starting to look at airfare for our June 2022 Magic cruise from Norfolk. (1st cruise back in over 5 years) The carnival site states "Option 1 - Express Debark: In order to be cleared off the ship shortly after arrival in the homeport, guests have the option of participating in our Express Debark Program if they elect to carry off their own luggage. The guest should first consider the size of the luggage and whether it can safely be maneuvered through stairs, hallways and escalators. Express Debark is a great option for anyone with an early flight back home." and "Prior to the day before debarkation, those guests with early flights home need to register with Guest Services in order to ensure they are assigned the proper Zone number."

So what does Carnival consider "early flight home" and how EARLY have folks been able to walk off the ship and then get through customs? There is a 11:04 am flight but I admit I'm a nervous nillie knowing we would need to get off the ship, through customs, get an uber/Taxi, get to the airport (approx 10 miles/ 15 mins as per maps.google), get our luggage checked in and get to the gate. TIA!

Hello All,

We sail from Norfolk in June 2022 and I was trying to see if (in the past) Carnival has offered any post cruise excursions. I am looking at a flight that doesn't leave until 3:40 and if we happen to get off the ship by 9 or 10 then that would be a LONG day in the airport waiting on the flight, plus layover and arrival home by 9pm. So I was wondering what type of excursions from this port has been offered, how much was it and did you think it was worth it? What do they happen to do with your luggage (or is in on the excursion with you and then you get dropped at the airport?). TIA

@Got2Cruise there will be three of us total. Interesting on the surge pricing, I didn't even know that was a thing! Thank you for that information.

@navybankerteacher we will be going from port to airport (it will be the day before and plan to use the Uber then also but will be in no rush if it takes awhile). I guess the same unknown will be from port to airport since I have no clue when we will step off the ship, per say. 

I'm glad to hear from both of you that connecting and finding my Uber won't be an issue. Thanks for that! 

3 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

What port?

 Sorry @1025cruise,  that would have been helpful....it is for Norfolk! 

Some might laugh and joke but I took an Uber for the first time EVER last month. I was a nervous-nilly on how all it worked but was fine once my ride arrived and I was on my way to my destination. We are travelling next year to a port that we will fly (day before) and I have already loaded more "Uber Cash" onto my app with a gift card to go from airport to hotel. We will be walking to the port since it's only a few blocks away and I am considering NOT booking transfers from port to airport but rather either take a taxi or an Uber. (Approx miles from port to airport is around 9 or 11 miles...somewhere in there.) 

How difficult is it to get an Uber when you are in a group of folks who might ALL have requested one at the same time? Is there specific pick up location we need to find to request an Uber? Would it be easier to just grab a taxi already sitting there? Or do you all still recommend getting the ship transfer to the airport? They are not up for me to view yet (price wise) but I am thinking Uber or Taxi will be cheaper and faster. Thoughts? 

Why decorate a cabin door? I can only answer for myself and our family, but we have done it for two reasons. #1- When our son was young it was easy to get turned around on the ship so he knew what floor we were on (the simple number) and if we had the door decorations up he knew which one was ours. Grant you, he wasn't one of those kids that wandered off but when we were all coming back from dinner he LOVED to "walk faster" to find our door. It was kind of a fun game! 

#2- We also frequently travel with family and friends, it was alot easier for them to find us by the "door decoration" then making SURE they memorized our cabin number prior to knockings on the wrong door and scaring the be-gezzus out of a stranger! 

Do we do this at hotels? No, we do not....but to me part of the planning and packing for a cruise has included the door decorations. Just a "thing" I did when I was younger and wanted to continue with our son!