Davey Wavey

On 4/24/2020 at 3:13 PM, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

If that were true, then why were the summer radiance sailings cancelled before other ny sailings? 

In the letter from Carnival canceling my June Radiance cruise FROM Spain TO NY, they said it was canceled because the ship would not be completed in time. That was before the outbreak.

3 hours ago, plettza said:

 

Does this occur even when one leg is booked through Carnival and the other leg through a travel agent?

 

I'll be doing my first back-to-back in the same room.  I had the second leg booked through a travel agent first.  When another Carnival Cruise of mine got cancelled today, I used that credit to book the cruise immediately before the second leg effectively making a back-to-back, albeit the first leg booked directly through Carnival and the second through the travel agent.

 

 

I have done cruises booked at different times, but not booked through different sources. Feel free to call and link them to be sure. Carnival would love to talk to you!

9 hours ago, coevan said:

 

 

sorry, that's not how it works, if you did a B2B you got your card before you returned to the ship. Your old cards would not be recognized, it's a completely different cruise

Well...I was there October 2019 on the Conquest...you were not! On this ship you received your card in your mailbox. So, we boarded the ship and went to the room to get the cards from the mailbox. They weren't there. We used the old cards to go in the room and drop stuff off. We called Guest Services and asked where the new cards were. They told us come pick them up at the desk.

So, yes, that was how it worked.

20 hours ago, Garth2 said:

For those of us who don’t live close enough to drive to the port you save a round trip airfare by booking back to back. 

^^This!^^

I have never called to link my B2Bs. They have always known even if I don't mention it. Even the Maitre d comes and asks for our seating preference for the second leg.

B2Bs are so nice.

We wanted to go out to Miami, so we took the "In Transit Pass" that was provided with the B2B instructions AND the boarding pass for the next cruise and just left when we wanted. When coming back we headed to the Priority line and showed our boarding pass and In Transit Pass and were waved all the way through to the ship. Our old cards still worked until we went to Guest Services later and picked up the new ones. IF you want to go out later than the B2B meeting time in the dining room, you need to go to the meeting. In any case, if you get off the ship make sure to have the boarding pass for the next cruise.

If staying on the ship in your same room, you don't have to leave your room by the "everyone must be out of the room" time. We like to eat breakfast around 7am, then head to the room for first napsies. Then just head to the B2B meeting at the designated time (usually 9:30 for medium/small ships and 10:00 for larger ships). They have juice and pastries, then swap out your cards and escort you down to customs to say HI and right back on the ship. They offer champagne and take a free group picture that is delivered to your cabin later. Then we usually eat a small lunch on the totally empty ship, and head to the room for second napsies until muster time. Vacation, right??

I suspect the days of my wheeling 2 packs of Diet Code Red and 2 Diet Cherry Pepsi won't be over. 😒

On 9/26/2019 at 9:39 AM, 1025cruise said:

I know with other ports after the last major hurricane, in some cases it took almost a year or slightly longer before the island was ready cruise visitors.

With the last major hurricane, they went back within a month to some ports like St. Martin and San Juan. We went 5 weeks after St. Martin was nearly wiped clean and there was widespread damage everywhere, electricity not restored, and locals were surprised to see the ship. We were on one of two Carnival tours that somehow wasn't canceled. The local company found someone to piece together a walking food tour. She was grateful for the money but was obviously stressed to put something together. We waited at the pier for an hour (people did start griping as it was in the 90's and the shade trees were stumps and the awnings were blown away--wow was that embarrassing to be associated with such people) while she sent runners and made calls to find anyone with a generator and enough food to make appetizers for our group. She was apologetic but did a really good job getting drinks, 3 dishes, and a dessert just like the tour stated, although at alternative places. She even showed us the destroyed original restaurants. Two really good things about that tour, she and the restaurants got huge tips and praise, and no one in the group complained once the tour started...which was a big surprise.

45 minutes ago, evandbob said:

I'll guess that anyone "milking" the system with slow or pretend play will not find any good future casino offers in their VIFP folders after that cruise.

^^^^So true!!!

But for using the Drinks on Us, no milking necessary. You just have to place an order with a Waitperson on the casino floor. I have never seen or heard of there being an issue with actively playing or not. And let me just add something to consider. I have been on 23 casino promo cruises with the DOU card, which my wife also receives. The primary and guest DOU cards are the same, and just stipulate they can only be used while in the casino (NOT only while gambling). She doesn't gamble, but is free to order all the drinks within the limits just like everyone else with a DOU card. Just flag down a waitperson and order, then stay in the same place where they can find you (haha that's kind of important). BUT don't take my word for it, ask a few waitpersons and talk to the pit bosses like I do. They will tell you they would love for you to play, but it isn't mandatory for using the DOU card.

I'm not trying to be Capt. Obvious, but whatever DH does at home to make low sodium taste better you should consider doing on the ship. Like bring your shakers of salt substitutes or seasonings or whatever. Hopefully Carnival can make it low sodium and still taste great, but it's good to be prepared just in case their altered version is a swing and a miss.

22 hours ago, zeph918 said:

If the ship for whatever reason does not go to Bermuda and has to be diverted somewhere else, I wonder if insurance would cover that. It seems to say so under the trip interruption section since it didnt reach its destination.   Hmmm   i may have to get clarification on this.

 

A change of ports on a cruise does not count as a trip interruption. The cruise is your trip and unless you were forced to abandon ship, you probably won't be covered, and you have no loss to reimburse anyway. Since you use insuremytrip and Nationwide TRAVEL insurance, you might consider getting Nationwide's CRUISE insurance which is also offered through insuremytrip. It pays a fixed amount (even without you having lost money) PER PERSON for missed ports that are announced once you are already on board ($100 - $250 depending on the level of policy you buy) or itinerary changes that are announced before you board ($500 - $1250 depending on policy level). And it covers excursion fees that are not refunded by the company. I consider it mandatory for cruising during hurricane season.

Very good to know, thanks!

I don't think they will switch your assigned rooms like that, but they will give you a separate keycard for the suite and the BF a keycard for the balcony. Your S&S will still show you in a balcony and him in a suite, but doesn't hurt to ask.

Non refundable USUALLY just means you won't get your original form of payment back. Each rate code has different terms, so it is hard to tell you definitively without knowing your rate code. Call Carnival and ask to have your deposit changed to a future cruise credit and applied to your current booking.

I have filed several cruise claims and future credits for cruise and airfare are not reimbursed by insurance. My insurance company actually has me still put that on the claim form then the explanation of benefits shows the fare as non payable because of previous reimbursement from the carrier.

From what I have seen, if Carnival totally cancels the cruise, they have given a REFUND of your payment, whereas if they modify the cruise (shortened or whatever) and YOU decide to cancel, you get future cruise credit.

On 8/26/2019 at 6:30 PM, spyingeyes said:

I can get a lot better return on investment and comps with any of the nearby land based casinos. 

I tried going to my local casino and play comparable to how I play on a cruise, and while they would give me a free buffet and several hundred in free play, none ever gets close to giving me three free cruises for 4 days of playing plus $500-1500 in free play on each one. I did get a 4-day hotel and food and show tickets to Vegas and tried the M perks and still never get close to a free cruise. Is there a particular casino I could try that would give better comps?

On 8/28/2019 at 6:15 PM, sgttami said:

I was under the impression that I'd be playing with FUN PLAY but was happy to get $1000.00 cash for the casino on the first day despite people saying they no longer give real money...LOL

I used to get cash all the time, but now it is mixed. Sometimes cash, sometimes fun chips. Same thing with contests/games. Sometimes fun chips, sometimes cash.

I am pretty sure that Carnival started calling ALL <6 day Premier sailings Getaway. Looking at my currently offered Getaway sailings they are only 4 or 5 days. The Premier sailings are all 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15 days. The OPs pictures show he was certainly talking about a Getaway, which doesn't have all the same activities as a 6+ day Premier. Even my offers for those Getaways are far lower freeplay and only free interiors (compared to free balconies/suites) from Premier offers. Whatever they are called Evandbob is spot on. The Premiers have changed alot, maybe to differentiate between Getaways, Premiers, Ultras, and Elites when those new categories were added.

When Irma went through Miami, we were notified 3 days in advance, then the day and the night before, then right after we boarded. As we were watching the hurricane center, Carnival was announcing almost as soon as the hurricane center issued updates. They really do try to notify you as soon as they know.

On 8/20/2019 at 11:05 PM, Birdie And Sue said:

 

 

Looks like my total out of pocket cost for a 9-day to 16-day cruise for two will be less than $600, and they give me more than that in free casino play..  That is close enough to free for me.  Thanks!

Carnival AU doesn't charge like Carnival US. My offer for a free balcony + $1000 free play + $400 onboard credit resulted in a total charge to my credit card of $400 Australian dollars. Carnival US free offers itemize taxes and port charges, and gratuities are charged to the room account. Carnival AU just has a single line as Cruise: 200.00 per person that covers everything. Note that all dollar amounts are in Australian dollars. Also note that using a credit card in Australian sometimes incurs a processing fee (this is NOT the same as a foreign transaction fee which my credit card doesn't charge). So when the charge appeared on my credit card statement, it came as $287.10 ($143.55 per person x 2 people) and two $14.20 processing fee charges for a total of $315.50 USD.

Oh, and check out the points guy website for good strategies on maximizing points for those Asian markets. They have VERY expensive flights (especially $7000-$15000 business/first class tickets) that can be made very reasonable with smart points transfers. I found "cheap" $900 economy tickets, but was able to get first class tickets for this 22 hour trip for $1,100 in points using his suggestions. Using points for hotel and airfare, plus the "free" cruise is making this a very inexpensive 2 week trip from Ohio to Australia. So far just $315.50 out of pocket.

17 hours ago, bury me at sea said:

It will not become less expensive.  I have never seen Carnival play that game with any product.

Carnival actually used to have onboard sales, but that was years ago. I would say there is no chance the price will go down later, and the only discount on wi-fi now is getting the pre-cruise price, which you can get on the day before.

15 hours ago, Tiger0613 said:

It is public wifi.  I wouldn't do anything on it that involves sensitive information.

Agreed. Use a VPN, with plenty of free ones available. A few sites like CNET and PCMag do reviews of best pay and free VPNs to help you pick one.

As an additional note, Windows 10 laptops have a built in mobile hotspot feature (do Internet search for how to set it up). If you need to use more than one device (up to 8 devices) at the same time, they can just share a single connection.

Well, there are pretty much two hotel areas close to the airport with easy highway access. Semorran Blvd. with reasonable rates being about $75-80 a night (depending on time of year) like Courtyard by Marriott Orlando Airport, and McCoy Road about $50-75 like Best Western. I can't think of any that have a layout as you describe. Everything pretty much is one or two buildings. You may have to provide more details of anything you can remember about the place.

To add to what JohninDC said, if you find a good rate but a one-way fee makes it bad, try going through your airline's car rental service or other travel agency (Costco, Walmart, your credit card, booking dot com, amex travel, etc.) as they SOMETIMES waive one-way fees even when the rental company itself doesn't AND have the same or lower rates.

11 hours ago, possum52 said:

You will probably find that you won't need much cash as most places will take cards. 

 

Don't most places charge a fee to use a card? Is it only certain places or pretty much everywhere?

Went on Carnival's tour last year. Some food was good, some wasn't. Highlight for me was the "fruit market." She had a seasoned smoky salt they passed around to put on your fruit. We bought several bags for $1 and use it on everything but fruit. We bought seasoned salt from several other stores, but nothing is like her's. One good that came from that tour was we went outside the gates in search of sauces and found a little stall not far to the left of the gate. Tried all the samples and found some really good sauces, especially the Belizean BBQ sauce that my family goes through so quickly. That place in turn showed us a little food shack about a block from the gate that had a line of locals. They had really good food...far better than anything on the tour. Every stop in Belize now includes a restock of sauces and a trip to the food shack.

Depends on your previous booking promotion. Just call Carnival, assuming you booked directly with them, and ask. Working with your PVP is even better. I have been able to switch rate codes even with restrictive bookings before.

20 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

...Doesn't matter as long as I get my Diamond card when I board.  And get my luggage tags! 😋...

What luggage tags?

Oh...I see...

VIFP Club luggage tag set (presented once at Diamond level)

Guess I better ask where those are. 

17 hours ago, didugger said:

Can this upgrade be used on a cruise separate from the cruise that we get our 25% onboard credit on? Also, my husband and I both will turn diamond on the next cruise. Will we receive 2 separate upgrades or one combined?  

Thanks

The 25% OBC is for reaching your 25th cruise milestone and is totally separate from reaching 200 cruising days to become Diamond. We didn't get Diamond until our 26th cruise. You and your partner can each use your 25% OBC on the same cruise if you want a 50% OBC.