quickrate

I went out of charleston in april. I have priority boarding. they don't open parking lot at that terminal until around 10:30. You park your car, then are shuttled to terminal. There is a separate line for priority, process was pretty fast. We were on the ship by a little after 11:00.

Pat

I'm bummed! We just booked a cruise to cuba for next April! The only reason I booked that cruise is for that port!

Pat

On 4/14/2019 at 10:47 AM, Bribrittmom said:

 

On 4/14/2019 at 10:47 AM, Bribrittmom said:

Just off the Horizon this morning. Longest debarcation ever. We are platinum so we could have had priority debarcation. We originally had luggage tag 3 but in our past cruises that was usually around 7:30–8:00 and we didn’t need to be off that early. Yesterday we told guest services that we wanted off around 8:30 so they said we should take number 6. Well, this morning number six wasn’t called until 9:45😬. No explanation except too many people going to deck three before being called. There should be a system where passengers have to show their zone number before getting in line to debark. We got in line when numbers 6-10 were called. When we got in the terminal we saw people gathering luggage with zone 20 on their suitcases. Messed up.

You didn't need to trade in your tag 3. Just because they call your tag doesn't mean you have to rush off. You just shouldn't go before your tag is called as many people do. If you wait a while longer after being called that isn't going to throw off the system. 

Pat

30 minutes ago, Bajan Keith said:

Good Morning Guys,

 

$50 deposits end today and I want to book a cruise for April 2021 as I want a specific room.

 

Can I book with Carnival today and have the booking transferred to my TA tomorrow?

 

Also its one of the 4J rooms I want to book on deck 7 is there any particular room that is "better" than the others?

 

Thanks in advance.

Yes. You have so many days to transfer booking

On 3/19/2019 at 9:56 AM, Anyislandwilldo said:

And you should have access to your cabin as soon as you board.

 

I don't think premier cruisers have access to cabin as soon as they board. They are priority for boarding, but not cabin access.

Pat

12 hours ago, Mem0ryEat3r said:

Thank you. i appreciate the input, having all this information and these experiences definitely helps me realize the chances are there however, small.  things will work out the way they do i suppose and we can only be at the mercy of nature when travelling. 

 

i do, however, feel more confidant and got some great tips!

If you can't fly in the day before, best advice was A. try to get an eariler flight and B. book a nonstop. Coming from West coast to East coast is a long haul and a lot can happen. the ones telling you they always fly in day of aren't making that long treck!

That I had just met my new addiction! 33 cruises later and still love it just as much as I did the first time.

Pat

Love the singing and dancing in the dining room! Part of the Carnival experience for us.

Pat

We just did chef's table on the Magic-our 4th time- and they will substitute if you tell them ahead of time. I don't eat red meat or pork, my husband is gluten free and we have always had an amazing experience. this last one has been my favorite!

Pat

We pick both but many times don't have them do the morning service as we stay in room late and really don't need it. 

Pat

I have sailed the Legend a couple of times and was on NCL Star last April for a TA. They are comparable in size. I love the Legend and all of the Spirit class ships. I think you will be happy with your choice.

Pat

I had no problem buying a bottle or 2 for our room even though they were pricey. I drew the line when they decided to add 18% gratuity plus a $7.95 delivery fee. 

Pat

On 1/28/2019 at 9:35 PM, Elaine5715 said:

They can't recifty it unless the OP changes cabins or uses the special needs muster.  Pax are assigned to specific muster stations based on cabin locations.  

Thank you for clarifying, I was referring to special needs muster.

Pat

On 2/6/2019 at 4:50 PM, bury me at sea said:

I agree with the OP.  I chose my sailing mates because I enjoy them.  We may go our separate ways throughout the day, but dinner in the MDR is when we share our day and delight in a leisurely meal, wine, good conversation, and generally an after dinner drink.

 

There are other options for people who are in a hurry.

Exactly!! I love everything about the evening meal and we don't want to be rushed. We consider 2 hours to be the appropiate time for dinner.

Pat

On 2/6/2019 at 4:41 PM, pyropoodle said:

I have been reading review after review, in sweet anticipation of my cruise that is coming up in 190 some odd days, and the recurring theme that I keep seeing when people complain about the MDR is "the meal took almost 2 hours".   The food was good, the food was bad, the servers were slow, the servers were fast, but the complaint that the meal took almost 2 hours is kinda bugging me. 

Bear with me as I try to put this into words....

 

I will concede that the waiters have more tables with less staff, so that might add to the length of the dining experience, but honestly, (and yes, I realize that Carnival's MDR is not on par with what some might consider to be 'fine dining', but still....) dinner in the MDR is supposed to be an experience.  at least, I think it is.  It is supposed to be as close to a fine dining experience on the sea as you can get without the upcharge of the steakhouse.   You are supposed to have the feeling of sitting down, having your appetizer, your main course, your dessert, all in a non-rushed fashion.   it's not applebees fcol!   

 

I don't have a lot of experiences to compare it to, but I have been to a few 'fine dining' eateries in NYC: Per se, Strip House, Bobby Van's (well, they were expensive if not technically 'fine dining' and in each case, the meals took at minimum and hour and 45 mins.  it's about the experience.   I think we are too focused on trying to get out early to see a show or do other things, but I feel like while 2 hours might seem like a lot, it is kind of on par with the time it takes in other land based 'fine dining' restaurants.  it's not something you rush, but enjoy.

 

am I completely off base here? am I missing something?    I don't recall a time when I was out of the MDR in less than an hour or 1 1/2 hours.   might just be me though.  

 

**not looking for a debate or hating on how much cutbacks have affected the line.  we all know about the cutbacks, but just in general...I feel like the MDR meal is an experience, and one I thoroughly enjoy.

I agree with everything you are saying. We look at dinner each evening as an event and we don't want to be rushed. We have many friends we cruise with and we use the dinner hour to socialize, drink wine, catch up on each others day, and savor the experience. We always select late dining as the staff does not feel the need to rush us as they don't have to get ready for the next seating.

Pat

We use an almond/coconut milk creamer in our coffee which comes in a carton. I'm hoping I will be allowed to bring it in my carry on with our wine. 

Pat

We never get a flu shot and never get the flu but, we take herbal supplements that boost the immune system and make sure we continue taking them while cruising. 

Pat

12 hours ago, chloebell1 said:

I will say for our first cruise everything else was great! The ship was clean the entertainment and drinks were really good . I’m hooked on cruising I just wish the food was better. If we cruise on a ship with a steakhouse we would definitely go there as most say it’s well worth the charge. 

I'm really surprised by this as we are veteran cruisers and took a short 4 day cruise on Victory in October. We were blown away by how good the food in the dining room was and how awesome the staff on this ship were. I also think it has a lot to do with what you order and your wait staff. We tend to order seafood and fish at most meals and always find them to be excellent. Give another ship a try and hopefully the food will be better for you next time.

Pat

We were on Victory in October and were blown away! this was our 30th Carnival cruise so not easy to impress us. Food was great, staff amazing. Victory has been named 3rd best ship for food and second for staff and it showed. Would sail her over and over! Sad she is being made into Radiance. 

Pat

I guess I look at life thru "rose colored glasses" as I have never been stolen from or violated in any way on any of my 33 cruises.But, I don't go looking for issues and expecting that everyone is out to get me first of all, I wouldn't even have thought to mark a wine bottle but if I did, I would have gone to the source and questioned the room steward who was going to have access to my room for the whole week. If I suspected he was the guilty party, I would have asked for a different room steward giving the reason why. 

Pat

On 1/27/2019 at 9:31 AM, Cruisegirl6 said:

I remember on the Fascination a few years back, I had double surgeries right before and they didn't have any special needs muster station for me, in fact, they made me stand and it was one of the longest muster drills I ever participated in.  

 

My boarding pass says muster station B for my father in law and my daughter/boyfriend and us are C. ugh?

I would notify Carnival now of the problem and they should rectify it for you. Have a great family cruise!

Pat

7 hours ago, WIFamily said:

My understanding is for Suites you do get Priority Tenders (not chicken tenders!).  You also get 1 free bag of Laundry service which is not well advertised.

I think the laundry perk is only for platinums and diamonds, not sure about tenders.

pat

On 1/23/2019 at 7:30 AM, jason976 said:

Thanks Pat!  We are sailing out of Miami.  If anyone has an experience with this scenario out of Miami, I'd love to hear about it.

 

Also, with Priority boarding, are your bags and room ready early as with FTTF?

I have found Miami to be one of the ports that is pretty strict. At the door to enter the port, they have a priority line, a line for people checking in that are there within the time frame they picked for check in, and a line for too early for check in. Who knows for sure what they will do in your case but be prepared to have to go to separate lines. You could also go thru the line with your family and not use the priority line.

Pat

40 minutes ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

LOL I guess if you drink a frozen drink such as a strawberry daiquiri you just have a frozen alcoholic drink right in your face lol 

 

I will continue using straws,  if they ban plastic bottle waters and cups then I will accept not being able to get a straw, but the straw is not going first in my book!!

What you may not understand is sea life, such as turtles manatees etc eat the straws thinking they are food. Many beach communites are banning straws for this very reason. 

On 1/22/2019 at 3:00 PM, jimbo5544 said:

Coming from an area which already adopted no plastic straws, I can tell you paper straws suck.... no pun intended.

They may "suck" but the environment and the oceans appreciate the effort by Carnival.