Brkintx

7 nights on the Vista this coming Saturday, and I'll have a small carryon and a backpack (with my work computer, etc.). Still have room for anything I might leave the ship with (purchase or casino gifts). I start with the assumption (assertion really) that I need clothing for 4 days. That's about 6-7 outfits with casual + workout + one formal. I learned long ago that the level of work to mess with additional outfits and luggage greatly outweighs the minimal cost (in time or gold) of either using the laundry machines or sending my stuff out (valet). Most of my upcoming sailings are casino offers that include Platinum for the cruise, so for me laundry is free. But I would (and have) paid for it before I'd ever pack more and bring a larger case. I mean, seriously... People regularly balk at spending $6 (laundry) to $25ish (valet) but have no issue spending $35 on the same bag checking it at the airline.

I'm not sure what you're referring to - or I'm misunderstanding your point... Do you have information that validates any type of trend showing that ships are returning to port and/or not sailing due to Covid cases? As for mandatory post-cruise testing: For starters, it does not accomplish the surety (confidence level) desired. The incubation period is longer than the length of most cruises, so a 'caught on board' case would still be negative at debark in most cases... Second, the CDC color thresholds already rolls in post-cruise positive cases reported by the local state and health departments from folks who debarked within 5 days. Third, as hapyto was suggesting above, in the event that there were a significant number of positives found at the post-cruise debark test, what do you do with those people? Send them home? Keep them aboard and cancel the next sailing? etc. Essentially, the proposed scenario results in information with which there is no reasonable action possible.

Six cruises since the restart, and no one traveling in our groups / associated with them tested positive afterwards. Also, important to point out that the case count that goes into the CDC's cruise ship status color on the dashboard (basically 0.3% of total souls on board = Orange) DOES INCLUDE positive tests within 5 days of returning from a ship (if state or local health department collects / reports travel data after the test). So, for instance, the Vista (the next ship I'm sailing) requires 16 persons to test positive on board or just after being on board. Not a high threshold, and certainly a far lower per capita threshold than is being experienced (even today) in many communities across the US. If you're concerned about catching Covid on a ship, don't forget to be mindful that: Clearly it is rare in context (0.03% without sustained infections = Orange) Every soul on board has been tested or has documented recovery just prior to boarding Your local grocery store, restaurant, etc. does not have mandatory testing When someone tests positive on board, they quarantine them and anyone they've been in contact with

One other option if you wanted to deal with it beforehand... Cruise cash for your sailing can be purchased (5 x $100, which will apply to your account like a general credit) and paid for with the gift card. Note that if you do this, the cruise cash does not survive the trip if it's not spent... (so go to the casino and charge / cash out the balance before your last night if you haven't spent it...)

Have no fear, you can always talk to those around you. Personally I really (like really really) enjoy not having to time my showers, etc…

So this is where the advice differs from when you have someone named who is a no show… I call to have the TBA removed. The rep on the other side can’t reasonably charge you a fee for [no person clearly exists] like they can if you were to call and say “please remove Rebekkah.” I simply tell the phone rep that it was always me, and It won’t let me check in because it thinks there is someone else… (without saying more) Obviously, YMMV

Now that I'm eligible / a member of AARP - (ugh... that was not fun to type...) I'm taking advantage of the 10% savings on Carnival gift cards, and use them to pay on board activities (generally gaming charged to my S&S account, but really whatever that shapes up to be). At a max of 5 cards per month, and there being a $500 option, this is $250 in direct savings per month on my Carnival activities (not including the CC rewards for the purchase of those cards). I know you can apply them as cruise cash up to $500 in advance. Check, but that's only one card. On my last cruise I chose a time where there was no line to have GS add the 9 cards I had accumulated over the previous two months to my S&S account, but the process took much more time than I anticipated. Each card was added as a payment method, then applied to the account balance / to create a credit balance, then I was able to sign the electronic signature pad, waited for a receipt to print out, only then moving on to the next card number. Total time at the counter for 9 cards was about 10 minutes, give or take a few seconds. I don't / didn't mind the process, but a short line did end up forming because the one person working GS was stuck dealing with my stuff... I would prefer to avoid being the hold up to everyone else's likely more important GS needs, so the question basically boils down to: I have read that you can apply gift cards to S&S at the kiosks. Is this true for eGift cards as well? (Basically, is there an option to type the # plus pin, since there's no card to swipe or barcode to scan?) TLDR = apply gift card number + pin at kiosk without barcode or mag stripe?

Zero criticism here, but more intended as a word to the wise... I travel solo more than 50% of the time. I always book the room for two people. I leave the other person's name as the TBA that it auto-enters. by check-in time, I know whether someone is going with or not. If not, I can drop the TBA and there's not anyone no-showing and the other port taxes and fees are credited back (either as OBC or directly). If someone does come with, I can just enter their info at that point and all is well. TLDR = leaving the ressie at double occupancy until travel time rather than booking solo is a safer bet.

@Joe817 is correct, and I'll add one more bit of detail... When the gift cards are refunded via the new gift card, you'll wait that 10-14 days before anything happens and then get a FedEx next day air with the refund on each gift card applicable. The new card(s) will be unrelated to the original one(s) numbers/pin wise, but will be for the refunded amount. If, for example, you pay a $78 balance with a $50 gift card and a $28 gift card, you'll get two different replacements (one for $50 and one for $28) rather than one new card for the refunded amount. The cards come from a 3rd party vendor that does the same service for Lowes and a few other retailers, so if you have FedEx / UPS / USPS delivery notifications set up, you will not see Carnival as the sender, it'll be something like "cardholder services." Kinda redic in my mind that they next day air it when they get around to processing it, but that's how they come.

Was just in a suite on the Valor April 28-May 2. My tub had the same issue, and I couldn't get the pull up drain plug to stay pulled up (even rotating it). I simply unscrewed it and set it aside there on the rim of the tub, where it remained for the remainder of the sailing.

THIS! I appreciate that it was your first massage, but they typically say undress to your comfort level. There really isn't a reason to feel uncomfortable without anything on, as the therapists are professionals and will adjust the draping however needed to maintain any comfort (eliminate the possibility of any exposure). Please understand that to a LMT, it's just muscle and not, in any way, something erotic.

Now I find that completely offensive. 🤣 (Not really, but I do find it completely appropriate to be snarky / sarcastic at times...! )

Of my cruises since the restart, 5 have been in suites and each of those times I had early access (with the earliest check in time). The Elite sailing I had (Horizon, January) came with Platinum for the cruise and we were able to drop and go. (Room was available, S&S cards were already there - again with earliest appointment.) The doors are closed, but not locked as stated above. Just drop your bags and go start enjoying yourself.

FYI - As was stated above, at Guy's they also have bacon behind the counter... Ordering any of the burgers (plain jane for me) with 'add bacon' will net the bacon burger I used to be able to create at the toppings bar.

(I may have been unintentionally vague in my meaning there... or it may be that our perspectives differ. I suppose it matters not.) To me, it's not terrible at all. I do not equate stress with 'negative,' but I still avoid it when I can. By way of another example, it's basically the difference between being involved in a wedding versus simply attending one... both are likely positive experiences, but one includes stress / drama over details (work that likely has a payoff) and one is letting others do that work... In any event, cruising over Christmas last year was a great experience even with the weather caused 'motion of the ocean' on the Radiance... This year I'll be on the Breeze, so a much larger ship in a much more stable waterway... 🙂

I was on her last month (well, April 28-May 2). As stated above, they are available for use (free). Having said that, during my sailing, the dry sauna was available the entire time, but the wet sauna was out of service at least twice during my 4 day trip. (Showers were of course available...)

Was on the Radiance last Christmas. On Christmas Day, we were in port at Encinada. Not sure if you're familiar with Baja California, but it's generally considered the more observant / religious side of Mexico. Almost everything was closed (outside the port area itself, and some things inside it). Ended up watching a soccer match at the field just adjacent to the dock. On ship there were festivities that night, but nothing I feel was that remarkable - I was, however, concentrating on the bad weather and how it was throwing us around. Having said all that (which seems like a complaint), I'm still quasi-committed to traveling (cruise or AI beach resort) every year on the major holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas). Traveling on these 'weekends' keeps me from being exposed to all the holiday drama / stress associated with things needing to be 'perfect' (etc.).

Slightly on topic, slightly off (but related)... I sailed on MG in October in an OS on deck 9 (cabin 9470). I will not make that choice again. The lack of a roof was a factor (including the absolute lack of privacy on the balcony), but not as significant as there being almost no view of the water / waterline... (The roof over the deck 8 is essentially the painted bright white view you get when looking down at all.) I'm on her again early next year and moved up to deck 15. If you are one who likes to see the waterline, deck 9 won't offer that.

Holy thread revival Batman! Butt in seat time, average daily theoretical loss value, total points... are all factors on the PLAYER side of the equation. One thing to remember is that the casinos have their own player information systems nowadays (similar to how LexisNexis Clue is for Insurance) and your value as a player can be established based on algorithms that include and go well beyond your cruise ship casino time/spend. However... there's also the HOUSE side of the equation as well, and thresholds for free this or that can certainly change based on business priorities, revenue targets, etc.

Same here - and OMG there are a few FB peeps (in both of the groups for our sailing) that are just having all manner of fits worrying about it.

Currently booked on a 10-night out of Brisbane, AUS in May 2024. Was notified some time back that the ship was changing (new ship not identified then - or now - still says the Spirit). I have some friends that also want to go, but as of now, Brisbane is greyed out for all bookngs (regardless of date). If they cancel it, I’m ok with that, as we’ll all just book out of SYD. Any skuttlebutt / predictions on whether they’ll eventually insert a new ship or simply cancel it? (It won’t allow a cancel without penalty at present…) Yeah, plenty of time… but it’s a curent discussion topic so I’m asking the experts… 😉 TIA

I’m on the June 11 sailing with an identical itinerary as the current week. Hoping the issues get resolved in the next 3 weeks, because I’m looking forward to visiting GC.

A couple people have mentioned that Galveston is a bit of a drive (45-60 minutes) from Houston. I wouldn't categorize this as a negative (not much different than flying into Orlando and getting to Port Canaveral for the Mardi Gras, etc.). The cost per person - round trip - from HOU is under $75. If you fly in a day early you'll find a hotel for any price range you want. Miami is much closer to the port, and therefore the RT shuttle is cheaper, but good luck finding anything stay-able for under $200/night. I think the ships being the same class boils down the ship based differences to preference. So the extra night for essentially the same cost... seems like a better choice to me.

How much is the variance? That could be a significant clue that could assist in deducing what happened...

I read the various stories about success or failure, and have the impression it boils down to who looks at your request... The policy is the policy, and this means that casino rates like the one I'm sailing on don't technically qualify. However, I apply anyway, mostly because what I spend on board that nets me that "free" cruise is typically far far above what would be charged (full fare) for the cabin. So it's kinda a short sighted policy, and I'm sure some see it that way as well.