Haljo1935

I've heard that, too, and hope if it is, they get it fixed. There's a thread here somewhere about it.

Yes, thanks, 7 times now. I think one of the options you're referring to is probably Beverage. All calls get transferred to a supervisor and after several rounds of holding, end with "...sorry, not combinable with your rate.. "

Perfect, thanks - that is exactly what I wanted.

So true, thanks for the reminder! And unlike many things, no discount for pre-paying, so no penalty.

Originally we were not getting a hotel prior to embarking on the 16th, but our flight has now changed, so we will be staying 1 night only on Fri 9/15. We're a party of 2 - my sister and I as DH is not coming. Searching through American Airlines, which uses booking.com, there are quite a few independent homes/apts with good reviews (of course, those can be faked) all near JFK (that's where we arrive) over to the cruise terminal. Questions: 1) Is the area w/in a 5 mile radius of JFK safe? 2) Should we stay closer to the cruise terminal? 3) Should we pass on independents and consider only hotels? 4) Knowing we will not have a rental (my southern car-dependent sister doesn't understand how we'll get around w/o a car, lol) will there be sufficient dining options nearby? I do love a good NY diner. 5) Will either location afford us an opportunity to see anything Sat AM before we head to the cruise terminal? 6) Will it be too far and/or too rushed to show her Times Square? Will they be having the Market Sat? 7) Return flight Fri Sept 29 departs 4pm JFK - will we have time to see anything? Thanks for any suggestions, tips and answers!

Hey @The O Mariners if you did already order w/cc payment and you have OBC you want to use, you can have that transferred once onboard and they'll refund. May not apply; just wanted to mention.

Ugh...still not working for me and everyone I talk to when I call in says not combinable w/my rate. But I continue to try every day.

All of my communication w/HAL gathering info and making arrangements were very respectful; dealt w/same person throughout. Although we ultimately did not do it at that time, we will be doing it shortly for 2 Navy vets (parents) and brother. Warms my heart to know they will have a lovely ceremony. Thanks @MontanaMiss for asking the question and thank you @kazu for sharing your experience.

Thank you sharing; it looks beautiful.

More than a little envious - we very much wanted to do that cruise, but just couldn't make the dates work. I'm sure it will be wonderful no matter your final wardrobe choices. 🙂 Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

The train has limited space with no room for anything larger than a carry-on (think under the seat in front of you on an airplane type carry-on). Depending on your seat assignments on the train, you may have a bit more space (we had the last seats at the rear and there was an empty space behind our seats where we put our carry-on), our personal items (cross body) stayed with us. Your backpacks could fit if they typically fit under a seat on an airplane. Larger suitcases: the ones you tag to meet you each night at your hotel can be larger wheeled suitcases and will be waiting for you at your hotel. You'll set those out for pickup each day according to the schedule @Crew News mentioned. That's where you'll access your fresh change of clothes, pj's, etc. The rest of the stuff you don't need before heading home (souvenirs, dirty clothes from the cruise portion, etc) go in the bags you designated to meet you at the very end of your land trip. They will be delivered to your final hotel, so that day you will receive the bag that has met you daily at each hotel plus these other ones. You will probably want to do a bit of juggling when you pack so you're meeting up each day w/what you need and sending the rest ahead. Nobody explained that process to us and the guide @Crew News provided is very helpful, but doesn't give the level of detail needed to navigate that process forca first-timer IMHO. It's kinda a leap of faith, but does work. Happy to answer any other questions if I'm able. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

@MontanaMiss I had arranged for this to be done through HAL, but ultimately did not do it.. I had a conversation w/a very pleasant person who explained the process, told me who my contact on the ship would be and sent me an email like the one posted by @PACD_JG, so I believe the process is still the same. That email advises what you are allowed to use (flowers, container), so please take note of the details. Basically, you initially give them the ship name and cruise dates. Once you provide the info they need (from the email @PACD_JG posted), they take over from there. They will let you know when and from what location the service will be performed.

Very interested in seeing as I'm in one B2B Sept.

I was surprised by that offer and read your post to DH. He can't take off at Christmas, but knows I'll go w/my sister if I get an offer like that. We've done 3 Christmas cruises. Our very first cruise many years ago was a Christmas 🎄 cruise, we were on ChristmasDay & New Years Day so got to experience them both. They feel special - ship is decorated, passengers decorated (pajamas to headgear...), special menus. Ports are decorated, too. LOTS of families so LOTS of kids.

If CO is available (not sold out) you can ask them to reference it back to your original booking then add CO and upgrade. Sometimes they'll do it, sometimes they won't.

I am not able to provide info, but would hope Scootaround would provide you with a picture and dimensions if you ask. Good luck - hope you continue to heal well and enjoy your cruise!

Hey @iheartmarshall if you have a non-refundable fare, you may get a different answer than if your fare is refundable, but definitely worth asking. Before calling, you should select a cruise that you would potentially take as an alternative to canceling, be sure it has a lot of availability vs near capacity and ideally not over a holiday, then make the call. Ask if they would be willing to transfer your deposit and all your payments to a new booking and give them the details of the one you selected. I have had them agree and do the transfer and received the new confirmation while we're still on the phone. I've also had them outright say no. The more full the cruise you need to cancel and the less full the new one are will likely factor in their response. You can ask to have it escalated to Resolution Dept if they deny it. Technically, they don't have to accommodate you, but asking to transfer the funds directly to another cruise vs asking for FCC does make a difference. If they do it, you will lose any perks and pricing rate you had on the original booking and will get whatever the current deal is. Congrats on the new job! Keep us posted on the outcome and route tou took w/Carnival if you are able to salvage the $$.

We'll leave our part in good shape for you - we're on Sept 16-29. Envious of your $100pp/$750 OBC cruise!! Merry Christmas - you owe your wife a hug. 😉

Hey @d-lite-n-cruisin what dates are you on Venezia in Sept?

Good point - this is one reason why I mentioned having a passport for unplanned excursions.

Hey @Thad409 now that you've got it down and you'll be back from your vaca, what will it cost for you to check me in when it's turn in Sept? I need my sleep, but I need to be first on...🤭

@jdkdkdsd many good tips for you here already. So, to circle directly back to your questions: 1) By "check back" your TA likely means for you to continually check Carnival site to see if there's an opening that comes up on that cruise 2) No, you cannot just show up on day of hoping to get on Since your other booking is w/TA, Carnival will not make changes to that booking, so that won't add you guys, BUT they will answer basic questions about the cabin on that booking that can let you know what options you may have (ie how many people does it hold vs # booked in it & cost to add people). You would have to go through TA to act on the info you receive. Also CALL & MONITOR CARNIVAL WEBSITE multiple times per day to see if anything opens up and be willing to take it. You may well get an inside cabin, but that is better than no cabin. And Carnival doesn't care where anyone sleeps once onboard, they'll even swap keys around for you, so don't fixate on what cabin you can get, just that you get one. Don't think someone can just volunteer to stay home and someone else take their place - it doesn't work that way. You would have to call Carnival and ask to do a name change (cost somewhere around $100-$200) which likely your TA would have to handle. I wish you luck and feel for you. Please keep us updated as many here are rooting for you.

The laundry team does an excellent job and take great pride in their work. A personal hand written note is included when the laundry is returned. They honor special requests - just write what you need done on the paper that goes in the bag. If you prefer cold wash for items, you can even request an extra bag and designate 1 as cold & the other warm. If you have it out in the AM, it's likely to be returned same day even w/o requesting expedited service. We always send out a final bag at end of cruise so we can take home clean clothes - makes unpacking so much more enjoyable - no laundry to do, just go from suitcase to closet. 😊

Completely aligned on trimming to get the business healthy again, just think the cuts were not well thought out. Ice is important, consistency can be important. But I definitely want the cruise industry to survive and thrive.

Congrats!! I would definitely remember your TA at Christmas! That is a sincere congrats, BTW, not being snarky. 🙂