StephPS79

On 5/12/2022 at 4:39 PM, csoud68 said:

Glory is a great ship for its size. I sailed on her in 2007...loved it..if it ever comes to norfolk or baltimore id go in a second..

 

 

Glory was my first and favorite ship.  I'll never forger her.  🥰

But yes, I've mixed up Sunshine and Sunrise a time or two, and even Magic, because I was ready for Norfolk to resume cruises with Sunshine, and had that in my head for a while.

39 minutes ago, Newcruiser215 said:

I love a good onion ring but these just tasted like grease. 

 

The lady next to us on the beach kept buying stuff so they just came coming over to her like vultures. At some point while I was in the water, my wife got a "free" massage. I was so confused. Lol. 

 

I think where I messed up was just buying the Voom Surf and not Voom Surf + Stream or it was just too many people using the wifi. It worked really good in some places on the ship but in room for example, it was bad. 

Yes, the GF got the "free" massage as well lol, the lady pretty much did not take no for an answer and just sat down and started doing her thing to give a "sample."  I wasn't prepared for how handsy those beach massages are!  In any event, she did one leg and then said she'd do the other for $40.  Not saying it was a bad offer, but we had like 5 bucks cash at the time, which we gave her.  In our defense, we tried to say no!  Lol.

Curious if people with new offers have accumulated points since April 1st, when everything reset?  I was getting offers up until right after that.  

Hoping when we cruise in October and get some points, we'll start getting offers again.

We did slides on Symphony and Oasis - most fun after a few cocktails!

18 minutes ago, cruisingator2 said:

If you’re referring to the casino offers website, it’s working on my end. They’re still having issues showing your point total but the offers are there. 

 Darn!  I haven't seen any offers for a while, and I was hoping it was due to this!  

Great review!  I was on Symphony last October, and pretty much spot on review.  (Except I really liked those onion rings at Playmakers!  I really liked all the apps we got there!)

The beach as St. Maarten though!  I did end up buying a hat, but, man, just let me relax!  I know, it is income for them, but it was so constant.  

I will say I had the Voom Surf and Stream, and found it to be decent, one of the better experience I've had with ship wi-fi.  

9 hours ago, Virga said:

 

Nice catch - very interesting!  It's definitely listed in my deals as only in the casino for me - but clicking on the T&C link does indeed say Drinks on Us "INCLDUED" (not my misspelling) Everywhere in the title.  It also doesn't have the, 'Complimentary drinks are available to the qualified (1) guest only while actively playing in the casino and limited to casino bar menu items.' text I normally see on DoU-Casino offers.  Hmmm...

Yes, same for me, and I was very suspicious lol.  So I called Carnival to confirm, and they said yes, included everywhere on board with this offer.  Booked and interior for $100pp and $200 OBC, couldn't pass that up!

12 minutes ago, audcc77 said:

That’s what my offer is.  I was a little disappointed.  Plus the cruises were 6+ days and not really a good deal in my opinion. 

I think this is determined by your spending habits.  GF for same offer as me, except my OCB is $100 and hers is $500.  She pent way more than me though on our last sailing.

Similarly priced, I'd probably do the Premier offer.  I haven't done one yet, but just kind of want to to see what it's like.  That's just me though.  

Not sure how much insulating those insulated cups did for me anyway.  As long as I can get the machine to work, I'm good.

I did both, VeriFly and brought everything, so not sure if it made a difference.  I'd probably do VeriFly because it really want a hassle, and went not.

6 hours ago, Virga said:

 

Unfortunately, the code itself isn't limited a certain number of times as a global setting - so the terms and conditions don't mention the limit.  You have to contact Carnival to be told how many uses you get.  Trust me, when I realized I'd 'wasted' my ONLY use (pre gambling) on a weekend Sunrise cruise, I was horrified and only realizing that my husband was also given a use so we could take the heavily discounted Mardi Gras cruise calmed me down. 

 

For instance, right now I have code FJ1 for $100pp rooms with $100pp OBC and free drinks in the casino - I can access the terms here: https://www.carnival.com/cruise-deals/vifp-club/past-guest-offers-FJ1/terms.aspx but only Carnival can tell me how many uses I have.  I guess, technically, you can figure it out yourself, by booking one and seeing if the code still shows up in your account - but that method is not terribly useful for planning.  

 

Six months ago, I'd have encouraged you to throw a little money in the slots to try to improve your offers, but I think the days of 'lose $300, get two free cruises and free drinks' might be over.  We still have some great rates (we each gave them back their $500 in OBC last cruise) but not on very many cruises where the cost is more than $500 per person to begin with.  For our part, I think our gambling days are done and we'll just play enough to order a couple rounds of drinks a couple times a day.

 

I hope that when you contact Carnival they tell you that you have at least two uses!  If not, perhaps a potential sailing mate has a use of the same code, and you could have them book the following week?  The sting of travel expenses is definitely softened with a B2B!

Just want to say, if you click the terms link for FJ1, it's actually free drinks everywhere on board, at least for me.  This was enough for me to grab one of those!

6 hours ago, BoozinCroozin said:

I am not sure, but I saw someone with an F5P offer and I dont think I have seen anything better. I even emailed CCL Casino to see how you can qualify for it.

Curious for the results!  

Yes, you can book was many as you have different codes.  Kind of mad my offers box had been dry for the last month or so...😡

2 hours ago, FireEater said:

After you get back, I would like to hear the results..:)

Me as well!  I may poke you for some questions too, if they end up no showing.  Wondering how much of a wrench it throws in to check-in and boarding, and things like that.  I may end up in the exact situation on a cruise in February, where my partner and I each have a room booked in our name, and were going to bring a couple who now appears they "can't make it."

I would take the Horizon over the Magic without a doubt, but I like the ports on the Magic better.  Aruba is one of my favorite ports ever, with Grand Turk pretty up there.  Really like Curacao, but the excursion I did there wasn't my favorite, mostly because I wanted to do some snorkeling, but spent a lot of time on a bus and the sun was setting by the time we got to the beach.

Amber Cove and La Romana have probably been my least favorite ports, but personally I prefer a nice pretty beach.

Excited to go to Bonaire in 2024, but haven't been there yet!

My BoA card is my Royal Caribbean card... Wonder if it's even worth checking 😂😂😂

2 hours ago, JillinCalgary said:

Wow this insight is really surprising me!  We are Cruising in three weeks and we've been making jokes about the 15 drink maximum with the package.  We honestly aren't sure how many drinks we will be drinking! lol It's pretty easy to start the day with a few bloody mary's or mimosas, then a few beers by the pool, and if you are me, many glasses of wine over dinner!  Nevermind a few drinks after dinner and then of course a nightcap before bed!  This is vacation after all! Maybe not every day of the Cruise, but who is Carnival to judge what a person's tolerance is! Of course obnoxious intoxication needs to be stopped, but how about just the average person who knows their limits and when they need to stop?  And I guess you guys have answered our question whether or not the 15 drinks carries over to the next day... obviously not if we are capped at 15.  I am happy I found this thread, thank you!

I agree, I did this a few times, throw an afternoon nap in there and I was at 15 without even a buzz.  But I can see why they limit.  Had to budget better lol.  

The GF was in the casino till about 3am, and yeah, it was all the same day.  Didn't know what the cutoff was, but sounds like 6am.

24 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Waiting for the review too.   I've been on 3 NCL post-pandemic cruises, with capacity raging from "is anyone else on board" to "the elevator is full" but each one was wonderful.  Even the "quasi-crowded" one never had lines.

I'm going on the Magic in Sept...which generally draws a more mature (in age anyway) crowd and the kids will be back in school. I hope it isn't a mistake.

I was on the Magic a few weeks ago, out of Norfolk.  Yes, it was crowded, there were long lines  (OMG the pizza place at ALL times of the day), and it was hard to get a chair on the pool deck.  With that said, I have to be honest, it didn't seem any different than any other Carnival cruise (Or RC for that matter) I've been on, even pre-pandemic.

Also with that said, I did not love the ship, it just wasn't my favorite.  It could use a little work on maintenance but I wouldn't call it rundown or anything, but I just didn't love the layout either.  I much preferred the Glory, a much older ship, or the Horizon, a much newer ship.  Just didn't think that middle ship had anything special for me.  

To note, this was right about the edge of summer break - SO MANY KIDS.  (I'll say it, I don't love kids.) 

For what it's worth, I think the crew did an amazing job in all aspects.  Just don't think I'd sail the ship again, other than I'm really close to Norfolk.  And even then, it would have to be a really great deal.  And even then, I'd have to really consider it.

We had an Oceanview Balcony on deck 6, actually right alongside the boardwalk, and actually really, really loved it.  I booked another one on Harmony for the same location.  Noise was not a problem at all.  You could hear stuff in the hallway, but not at all in the room.  I really like the location, with easy access to the promenade and also the boardwalk.

8 minutes ago, Cutigerlady said:

Yes, I got an email about it yesterday.  It looks like the regular "Cruise Favorites" sale, nothing different for my cruise than was on sale a few weeks ago.  I'm not holding my breath for the Black Friday sale this year!

I'm still keeping hope for Black Friday.  lol

I received email yesterday as well, and agree, nothing to be excited about, same prices for Memorial Day sale.

13 hours ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

We did this last fall.  Had two rooms to get the OBC, drinks, etc.  We just told steward right away and never used 2nd room.  Gave him a small break for the week.  It was during reduced capacity so didn’t take room away from anyone - booked two days out. 
 

Wife and I have different last names.  I wanted to tell steward we met in line while waiting to board and wouldn’t be needing second room.  Wife didn’t like that story. 

The steward has probably heard that story for real a number of times...🤣

2 hours ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

This is what we have done. OP, I’m surprised though you both couldn’t qualify in one room.  Our PVP has been able to do this multiple times for us since the drinks everywhere is usually only good for one.  In multiple cruises we both got the drink offer in one room. 

Yeah, I called and the rep said no.  She spent about 5 minutes "researching" the answer though, so probably just reading policy.  I probably could have pressed further, but by then we already had the idea to just book a free interior and bring some friends!  Good to know for next time though.

1 hour ago, rudechuck said:

My wife and I did the same thing on our Hawaii cruise in February (2 weeks).  We each booked a room (me with my adult son; and her with my son's wife).  We swapped rooms on board.  The OBC stayed with the room, but my wife and I got the free drinks.  But as we all know, things change.

 

This had to be done with guest services after boarding, so you can ask them before you do it to make sure it's what you want.

Good info, thanks!  If the OBC doesn't transfer, probably will just leave as is and get extra keys.