Davey Wavey

Tampa. Fog. I wouldn't do an early flight there. In general, an hour later flight is an hour more sleeping on the ship.

Fultons garage is close to the port and less expensive than parking at the port. You would probably need a taxi from Fultons to your hotel, although you could drop everything off at the hotel and one person walk back. It is a long walk, probably 30 minutes. There is a free shuttle to the cruise port. The hotel is connected to the center of Riverwalk mall, which has the cruise port at one end. The mall is a few blocks long, probably a 10 minute walk or so from the hotel to the cruise port through the mall and along a walkway that faces the river. You should be aware that the walkway to the cruise port does not have an elevator or ramp. There are 4 flights of stairs down, so if that is a problem, you would need to take a taxi or something from the hotel to the cruise port. It isn't really walkable from the front of the hotel to the port, but if you look hard enough...

I totally agree with you. A couple years back you could choose any cruise from any port when you received a bounce back offer. Now the selection is horrible, there is never anything to pick from, and I spend a lot of time and $ in the casino.

When you call to book a BB with the main number, they only have a list of rooms that are reserved by the casino. They go fast, which really limits the selection. Email Global Casino Services (casino@carnival.com) and tell them you are unable to find any cruise that you can take within your BB offer window. Tell them which cruise you are interested in still within your BB window and they will offer to pay a certain amount of your fare if you book it. It would be nice if they just would tell you that...but maybe the don't so they can offer it when they want.

So, I'll tell my Carnival story. I had a free oceanview BB offer from my November 2016 cruise. I booked for April, 2017. In January or Feb, they released the premier cruise offers for July - September. Usually mine are just reduced fare and they say you can pick as many as you like. This time, it was a free interior premier cruise offer. I wondered if I could still select as many as a I wanted. I booked 3 and got all 3 for free. That offer still shows as available in my account until April 5. So, 4 free cruises this year where I had actually planned on taking none. I would argue that Carnival is still a great place for casino players.

I have received one within a month after every cruise. They have sent separate surveys over the past two months for cruises I took back in 2012/13.

The email and regular mails do a good job listing the perks. Some are:

- Discounted room cost for ONE room with 2 people. Extra people in the first room or other rooms are regular price.

- Usually some amount of cash from the casino cashier

- Priority embarkation if you want to arrive early, although your rooms still aren't ready until 1:30pm

- Free drinks card while in the casino for first 2 people

- The 3% fee on buying chips for table games on your S&S card are waived

- Casino logo gift (usually tumblers or playing card sets)

- Little goodies in the room (cookies, choc covered strawberries, bottle of wine)

- Free entry in game tournaments

- Cocktail party with appetizers and free drinks

- Lots of raffles that are only for premier members, plus entry in the regular drawings based on amount of play

Read the brochure to see if I missed something.

You should be able to find an information desk in every port. Just ask. We got stamps in all the ports last November, but some were available for very limited times. All of them were available somewhere in the port. Most charged a fee.

I'm guessing I got a different Premiere offer than you. I have a Premiere (book by April 5th) that only has options until July

I did make a mistake. My premier offer has to be booked by April 5th, not the 14th like I stated. My April cruise is a bounceback, and the July and two cruises in September are all free premiers. Looks like they gave the Glory 3 weeks in a row of premiers (September 2, 9, 16). I did a B2B on the 9th and 16th. I haven't heard of a Premier getaway offer. What is it?

Fan is a must for us. After many trials with good quality fans like Vornado Flippi and foldable travel fans, we found they moved lots of air but were too quiet. We now have a really cheap ($13 for two) no name 8" plastic fan we found at Walmart. It is noisy, which is the point.

That is usually what we do as well, but if I don't have to take an extra trip to the bank, good. Also if I can get rewards on the credit card, even better.

If you are on a Premier cruise, the 3% fee is waived. That is only if you are booked as a Premier member, not if you are just a regular passenger on a Premier cruise. I barely bring $20 in singles on a Premier cruise. I buy enough chips at the table to play and cash out what I need. Free 3% rewards, no need to carry hundreds (or more) of dollars, and I pay off the card when I get home.

Temperature is so subjective. For every cruise, I am always cold in the MDR and in most public areas on the ship. My wife thinks its comfortable, but then again, she goes all through our cold winters wearing what I call a spring jacket. It has been cold enough that our dinner mates have left early. Bring something to be safe.

I take them. Simple thing is if you actually need it for something (which you probably won't), only the original will do. And if you want it stamped, of course, only the original will do. People take copies so they won't lose the original. Copies are pretty worthless except to help you get a replacement original at an embassy. The good news is Carnival would help get your original from the ship to you if needed.

They will announce when all groups have been called. Sometimes they will actually say, "Last call." You can exit then. Almost every cruise, we leave at last call. Times will vary depending on ship size and port. My experience has been, if everything is going smoothly, 10:30 for the Destiny-class ships in Florida ports, and 11:15 for the Dream-class. Our latest disembark was 12:30 in Port Canaveral because a customs problem caused disembark to begin at 10am.

I wonder if the premier offer does come out at the end of April first of may, and it's a different cruise if I will be able to switch without much fanfare?

They won't "switch" you to a different cruise, but you can cancel the one and book the other. Carnival's policy on canceling is, "If you are canceling your booking prior to your final payment, there is no penalty to cancel unless you have booked a specific promotion with a non-refundable deposit and/or fare."

So, for an October cruise, you would be safe to cancel and receive a full refund. Then book your premier cruise.

:eek: :') Okay, so don't leave us in suspense... what's in it? PG13 answer please :halo: :cool:

Vanilla vodka, coconut rum, pineapple juice

Thanks for the excellent advice!! Can you drop your bags off anytime?? I think our scheduled time is 10:30 or 11:30 I would have to look. Do we drop them off then or before then? Then you think we should go walk around before getting on board?

Your scheduled time is for when you can get into the terminal to check in. The porters are outside and you can drop your luggage off before then. Last time I checked it was starting at 9am for New Orleans, but I wouldn't do so before 10:30 myself. Many people are overwhelmed by the huge crowds, so I suggest first-timers go for check in later if you can so that you avoid the lines and can get to your room when you board to drop off your carry-ons. New Orleans is a good place for this because the mall is right next door (most ports aren't within walking distance of anything) and some consider it a sin not to eat Cafe Du Monde beignets while there. But it is a bit of a walk and not everyone is up for it because of disability (there are two sets of stairs and no ramps between the cruise terminal and the back entrance to the mall), tiredness, hauling carry-ons or kids, apprehension, etc., etc. It's sooooo up to what suits you.

BUT, that is just a suggestion. Some people are really anxious to get onboard right away, so going early or late are better than going right in the middle at noon when the crowds are largest. Just understand that if you go early, you won't be able to get to your room until 1:30pm. Many people check in at 10:30, get on around 11am and head to the Lido to eat. They find a table and leave their carry-ons with one person to watch while everyone gets their food. Then they just hang out there until the rooms open up. All options will get you on the ship, so go with what makes you comfortable.

Rituals? Just as I step on the ship, I stop and recite a little prayer aloud. It goes something like this:

 

Poseidon, dark-haired god of all waters,

by whose will alone do sailors fare in safety...

Isn't that how the Poseidon adventure starts? :D

You describe it, they will make it. In Grand Turk I had the Sandy Vag**** from Jack's Shack. Asked for it in the casino and they were like WHAT?? Told them what was in it and they made it. But they started calling it a Poosay (with a French accent). You want more Poosay sir? **snicker snicker snicker**

Should I pre-pay or pre-book the parking? I seem to see some mention of that or I can do that when we get to the port. I was going to park at the port but now I am thinking of the Fulton.

Pre-book the parking with Fulton. It is very close to the port and has a free shuttle. If you change your mind or can't make it, call and cancel, even though you don't have to. It's just courtesy. No need to park at the port in this city unless you just want to pay more.

In Cozumel we are swimming with the dolphins. Something I have wanted to do for so long. I assume they will have somewhere for me to lock up or secure my phone and camera while we are in the water.

You didn't say where, but these places are used to tourists and their need to lock stuff up. They may charge you a few dollars for a locker, but they will have someplace to keep your stuff.

In Progresso we have an all-inclusive beach resort booked. Hoping after both excursions we have time to explore the ports a little when we get back. Do a little shopping. Wondering if I shouldn’t have booked excursions in both ports. Does anyone know if this is usually normal or is it usually time to get back on the ship as soon as you get back?

Cozumel usually offers a full day and you should have time for both and time for shopping. But realize that you may cut your time at your resort short. You may feel you like you paid for a full day but only got a half day there. No worries! It's your first time so just have a full day of fun doing whatever you want.

A little nervous about it being spring break and being so packed. Not being able to find chairs at the pool. We have any time dining so nervous about having to wait forever to get seated to eat.

Cruise ships are almost always packed. Spring break brings more teens. Summer break brings more families with children. When school is in brings more adults. Finding chairs at the pool is really hit or miss. Try both pools. If you don't need to be right beside a pool, look on other decks higher up. Tons of chairs there. Maybe take some time on your first morning to wander around the ship. You may find a little quiet nook with lots of sun and few people.

Anytime dining will have longer lines during the 6pm and 8pm times. Aim around them. It may feel like forever, but the wait isn't usually that long. Some ships issue you a beeper so you can go hang out in the atrium and watch a performer or something while you wait.

I am just nervous about all the unknowns LOL. I need to relax and just go with the flow I know. I know we will have a great time. Being a first time cruiser I don’t know what to expect.

First time during boarding it will feel chaotic like you will never get on board. Lines everywhere and nothing seems to move very fast! You will assuredly run into something that you won't like, but only you can let it ruin your mood or vacation.

I don't know what you have planned or your habits, but consider leaving your hotel as late as possible (sleep, sleep my pretty) before heading to the port. Drop your bags off at the porters and walk about 10 minutes next door through the Riverwalk Outlet Mall and visit the Cafe Du Monde and get some of those famous beignets. Aim to be back at the terminal around 1:30pm and avoid the longest lines...plus your room will be ready (you can't go to your room until 1:30pm). Drop your stuff off in your room and head up to the Lido for a quick snack if you want. Expect to look hard for a table. Go back to your room and take a nap if you can. That way you are really rested up and can go to the sail away party or tour the ship or eat some more...whatever helps you relax. It's all about getting some rest to help you relax. Have fun!

Hi everyone! I'll be traveling with a second roomful of family. Can they check in/board with me in the platinum line??

Second family can buy Faster to the Fun if you want them to board with you in the priority line.

Learn the time the childcare is open for under 2 babysitting. It is 6.75 per hour plus 15% gratuity. Use it and get yourself some relax time. We found Carnival's staff excellent with children. The reviews were overwhelmingly great and was the primary reason we started with Carnival and stayed as the kids grew older.

Bring plenty of diapers and supplies as there are none for sell on board. Use the washers/dryers when necessary. Bring your own detergent.

I love a good Bloody Mary, but those can be hit or miss. (Dream's were fantastic, Valor's were horrid)

I found Carnival's Bloody Mary mix so salty it was like poison, and I like salt. Bartender suggested a Bloody Caesar (just "Caesar" for you Canadians). It tastes like what a Bloody Mary should be. I get 4 of those monster olives if I went straight to the casino and haven't eaten breakfast. ;p

I agree you should have something in writing because they sometimes have no record of it in the casino. Only the Ocean Players Club used to be able to tell you the cash amount, but it seems that since they now make the regular customer service people handle casino inquiries, they can look it up. Just in case, email the casino also.

I certainly had a rough time (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1973557) with a return, but in the end Carnival stood by their guarantee even if their contractor didn't. And, they have replaced that contractor, Starboard Services, with a different company so I don't know what the customer service is like now. I resolved to not purchase expensive jewelry on board or in port. BUT, the ring we purchased was a very unique design that we could not find anywhere at home or even online. We eventually found a similar design at Diamonds Int. in Grand Turk. So, I again used my super-duper customer service credit card that I know will protect me and we have been happy with our purchase.

But for onboard purchases, Carnival did act like they had nothing to do with our Fun Shop purchase at first, but you can call Carnival's customer service if you have problems with the return and they will intervene. Don't feel you are "stuck" with it once the cruise is over.

...We called and asked about any premiers that were Available in October and were told they are not out yet...Now here is what I read earlier. That if we have a cruise booked, we won't receive any premier cruise offers? Is this true?

That is not true. Premier offers are based on past activity and are offered at set times during the year even if you have future bookings. It sounds like someone confused Premier offers with bounceback offers. Bouncebacks are offers usually given at the end of your current cruise for a free cabin. You may also receive an offer for a free cabin on a non-Premier cruise sometime after your cruise. You usually only have a few weeks to book it. They used to allow you to only select cruises within three months, but have extended that now to six months. If you have future bookings, they usually don't give bounceback offers. I say USUALLY because I did receive a bounceback offer when I had a future booking. The letter was different in that it said "we see you are already booked...call us to see if it can be converted to a free cabin." I still keep that letter because people don't believe it happens.

Also... when they do decide to make a premiere cruise.... is it possible that they do so from a cruise that is already scheduled? For instance, is it possible the cruise we are already booked on, could be a Premier cruise?

Yes! Premier cruises are selected from existing cruises. They have nothing to do with the number of sea days. Most 7 day cruises have 3 or 4 sea days and the current Premier offers contain an even number cruises with 3 or 4 sea days. You may get lucky with your October cruise. Right now, the Premier offers are for select cruises from July 30 through September. They have to be booked by April 14. As you can see, Premier offers are usually given one month to book and they are from 4 to 6 months out. The next Premier offers usually come a few weeks after the current offer expires. So expect the next offers around the end of April/early May to include October and November.

If you look at the specs for the rooms, you will find the actual rooms are the same size in most cases (184-187 sqft). You should have the same experience unless you find the few cases where the interiors are smaller. Like, some Spa interiors on some ships are much smaller.