lazydayz

Thank you! We are excited.

So we are eight days out and got the call from Carnival's Upgrade Department (I know, some say it's an upsell, but it's an upgrade to me). We were booked in an Ocean Suite. Offered an Excel Corner Suite. Took it immediately then called PVP to have our Milestone benefit applied to this cruise. Access to Loft 19 made the extra cost worth it to me (and a lot cheaper than booking a cabana). We already have the Deluxe Beverage Package and free room service due to being part of the Elite group. Anyone know if there are any other Excel Suite benefits? Thanks!

We will be following along. Hope everyone makes the ship. We love the ABC cruise route.

We had one from balcony to suite, but it was due to a last minute cancellation, with the call from Carnival coming just two or three days before the departure date. The purchase confirmations for the cancelled guests were delivered to our suite.

Carnival handles upsells differently than Royal. There is no bidding process. Either you get a call, an e-mail, or a notice upon login to that cruise on the Carnival website with an upsell offer, or more likely, you get nothing. Keep looking at the price on the website and when you are happy with it, call Carnival or your travel agent and upgrade yourself.

I vote for Rudi’s. Love Emeril’s but it is very informal.

I have really enjoyed your live report. While the first cruise made me want to try Princess, the second one made me reconsider that desire. I believe it is the hotel director that sets the tone for the staff, and the one on the second ship seems to have failed Princess is setting up a warm and welcoming environment. In any event, love your photos and your passion for traveling. Hope you and your dad have a fine cruise to Alaska.

I don't recall this on any of our Mardi Grad cruises, but I can ask next week. We board on August 17th.

I would wait until I had more info, which may mean booking on the ship. While I am usually a big advocate of independent tours, I would not risk it if I were solo in Nassau, especially with a tight schedule.

Agreed. We have never had a bad cruise because of the weather. And we had one where it rained six of seven days, with rain in every Southern Caribbean port.

They opened up today for our August 17 cruise on the Mardi Gras. So just under three weeks before cruising.

OP, I loved your live from the Island Princess and am feeling your frustration on this one. Not sure it would help talking to Hotel Director, but it couldn’t hurt. And make friends with a bartender then patronize that person the whole cruise. At least that’s what I do on less than stellar cruises.

I got both emails but haven’t sailed Celebrity in a decade. Not sure why I received them.

Wow, you are way ahead of the game. I’ll be following and hope your sisters cruise goes exactly as planned. as to the spa day pass, it is for the day. You can go when the spa opens, usually around 8 in the morning, then use it as often as you like until it closes, usually around 9 or 10 in the evening.

Your name and birthdate are associated with your VIFP account. How do you propose they create new accounts? Change identity to get downgraded?

Usually three winners are chosen, sometimes more. I think the rule is you need a hundred points, then you are in all of the drawings, whether you are present or not. If the person who is called isn’t there, they keep calling until they find someone. The most I have won on an Elite drawing was $500. Always wanted to play Matilda and I finally got picked. I do wish they would switch it to your card has to be in a machine to be eligible. It isn’t much fun when they have to keep calling names, and waiting.

I would take it. Love balconies and being on Lido. Price seems fair.

Love your review. Thanks for doing it!

Mardi Gras would be our choice. We like their bars better, like the layout of Emeril’s more, and have sworn off Miami unless it is a special itinerary that we are not likely to find elsewhere.

Sending good vibes your way!

Us too.

Pretty sure it is. At least with our group, we elected to get OBC and few other things for everyone rather than the free cabin(s).

Thanks for posting the benefits. Didn’t realize the one year booking deadline for upgrade or free extra guests. I am going to have to plan and book our sisters cruise for next year.

Agreed. I love her hair!

Have you checked out Loft 19 yet?