quickrate

I agree with you, Ate`, if they give us the $12 limit with the classic, that will be acceptable as we upgraded to have more drink choices. If they don't, We might as well get a refund and stick with the drinks on us promotion. 

Pat

12 hours ago, Janedoe2012 said:

MSC website says drink packages can be added or removed (refunded) up to 4 days prior to sailing. If the Classic package  is no longer being honoured or the choices have been reduced I will cancel it.

 

 

 

This is my exact thought. I booked with the drinks on us option and upgraded to classic for better choices. No sense in paying for something I may no longer be getting. I'm going to wait for people to start reporting back.

Pat

I like the new menu. I wonder how long it will take them to roll it out to the rest of the ships?

Pat

On 11/5/2018 at 5:30 AM, sidari said:

Z173 ... If San Juan is your first stop on USA soil then it will likely be carried out as CF27 and myself have described, not sure why it could not be done the day before because it can cause issues on the day for people who have booked private tours and cars etc.

This is something MSC failed to tell people when you book so at least you can work with or around it.

I think the reason it can't be the day before is because there are no immigration officers on the ship. 

Pat

9 hours ago, ready2cruzagain said:

 

Thank you for the information. We head out in 11 days on the Divina and we have upgraded to the Classic package.  We disembark when you are getting on the ship on Dec. 20th.  I will try to post on the boards here how it goes when in port one day.  Would be nice if they changed the terms & conditions on their website to reflect the change.

I am going to be joining you on the Divina Dec.9th and also upgraded to the classic drink package as well as others in the group of people we are sailing with. Please let us know! As you did, I upgraded to include drinks that weren't on the drinks promotion

Pat

On 10/8/2018 at 3:27 PM, Newleno said:

Lets get rid of those pesky plastic straws, but have plenty of plastic water bottles, Can't make this stuff up

You are missing the point. Turtles, fish, etc. eat the plastic straws that make their way to the ocean and and are responsible for killing many turtles. It's a great ecological move. 

On 10/29/2018 at 9:57 AM, schildiams said:

I see that NCL is currently advertising "Free Unlimited Open Bar" on it's landing page. There is no mention anywhere, even when you click "learn more" of any charges on this "free" benefit. It is only when you get through booking and see the final fare, does NCL assess a service charge on the "free" benefit. I know that this topic has been beaten to death, but I am still left to wonder how this is to considered to be misleading or false advertising? How can a benefit be considered "free" if it actually costs $300 per room? And if an open bar is truly "free" then a 20% fee on zero is zero. I get that NCL wants to make money on this, and I'm not opposed to paying a service charge. But, my point is, if it costs $300 per cabin, it should be advertised as such and not as "free." Anyone think that if this practice were legally challenged that the working would change?

 

You are only prepaying grat. in advance so not tip will be added to any check you sign on the ship. It's a great deal. Last year we did the TA on the Star from Miami, 15 days, per day per person worked out to $12.50 a person-this included drinks and 4 specialty dining. 

Pat

On 10/27/2018 at 6:34 PM, bury me at sea said:

 

I respect your opinion but hope you understand this "perk" of early access to cabins was offered to P an D cruisers only when Carnival introduced FTTF. 

 

Check the benefits for various VIFP levels on the Carnival website.  Early access to cabins is still not listed as a perk.

What you are saying is true, but the reason they offered the perk also to Pand D is because they had eliminated some perks which was very upsetting to some cruisers and then gave early access to cabins for FTTF. This is why they included that perk in loyalty program. 

Did a TA May 9 - 23 from Barcelona to NYC by way of Lisbon and Halifax, no problems with the sea or the weather. Only problem was it was a Carnival ship, not a lot of activities, some of the trivia were repeated.

We were on this same cruise, surprised you couldn't find enough activities to keep busy. I thought the sea days flew by because there was so much to do on the Horizon. Of course, we never feel the need to be entertained on a cruise, we love the feel of spur of the moment and spontaneous activities so we never plan ahead.

Pat

Just my two cents, I prefer the smaller ships over the megas, that said I imagine even though all cabins may be sold out, the passenger load is less because from what I've read on these threads it's mostly solos or two in a cabin.

 

The Jade which I'm booked on for April 2019 has an amazing itinerary if you have never been to the ports.

Supposedly they are throwing the Pearl into the mix for April as well, departing from NYC with stops in England, France and Ireland ending in Amsterdam, supposedly it will hit the NCL website on 07/31

We will also be on the Jade TA. We sailed on the Star TA last April from Miami to Barcelona, this was our first NCL cruise and we enjoyed it enough to book the Jade. I also prefer this size ship to the Mega ships.

Pat

(y)

I agree.

I think you might have missed the part about the child now living with him. I'm sure the mother isn't paying him child support!!

Pat

When you get off the ship at ports and you are not going on any excursion,but just walking around for a while can you get back on the ship at any time or do you have to board at a set time?

We have found to get back about an hour before all aboard as it is less busy getting back on.

Pat

Here ya go.

Its the two letter ship code thenmaitred@carnival.com

 

 

Maitre d' -xxmaitred@carnival.com

Steakhouse -xxsteakhouse@carnival.com(for ships with a steakhouse)

 

BR Breeze

CQ Conquest

DR Dream

EC Ecstacy

EL Elation

FA Fantasy

FD Freedom

FS Fascination

GL Glory

IM Imagination

IS Inspiration

LE Legend

LI Liberty

MC Magic

MI Miracle

PA Paradise

PR Pride

SE Sensation

SL Splendor

SP Spirit

SH Sunshine

TI Triumph

VA Valor

VI Victory

VS Vista

 

Hope this helps.

__________________

Thank you, Jackie.

Pat

Just off Fascination 9/9. I emailed the maitre the Tuesday before cruising for a table for 4. The day you board someone is set up in the MDR, hours will vary, to answer seating questions. When I mentioned I had emailed the maitre she responded that he doesn't set seat assignments until that night. So we put our request to her and it was honored.

It's interesting you say this as I always email the maitre'd and let them know where I want to sit and it has always been honored, We have sailed enough with Carnival, that at this point we know many of the staff.

Pat

I'm sure someone has probably posted the answer, but yes, you will be with the same people every night of the cruise in the MDR. You can do the other type of dining (sorry I forgot what it is called), and just go when you want to, and hope they have a table for you. Another reason I like the late dining in the MDR is I always ask for a large table. I have cruised off/on over 25 years, and there was only one or two times when the people at the table, we weren't too happy with, but stayed at the table anyway. I find, when eating at a large table, you will find people from all kinds of backgrounds, as well as countries, and I like to learn from others, experiences, about their countries, etc. I have even had when I would be talking about something, someone from England ask me to repeat it again, and then explain why I am saying that, which I had not problem with. When you get all cultures together, we may say the same thing, but it may mean something else.:)

We feel the same way you do and always ask to be seated at a large round table with others. sometimes we cruise with many friends, sometimes just the 2 of us which we do by choice. We love meeting new people!!

Pat

thank you for the email for Victory.

Pat

cqmaitred@carnival.com

Can you give me the one for Victory?

Pat

Was on the Vista in early September and could not access our room until 1:30 even though we had selected early boarding and are platinum cardholders.

FYI, you didn't slect early boarding, you selected early check in. Big difference.

Pat

I am Platinum and I never go right to my room. We always go to the atrium bar when we board the ship and I have never felt like I was losing out by not going to my cabin right away.

Our tradition is to start at the atrium bar and watch people board and have our first drink of many. we are never in a hurry to get to the food or our room.

Pat

I am currently sailing. FYI to future cruisers: I purchased the wi-fi for the week but it was ridiculous slow so I “ upgraded” for $39 for the “ premium “ wi-fi. There is absolutely no difference. But I’m enjoying the cruise as usual.

 

 

The times when people don't understand how to do this. Without internet most people are lost.

I am self employed, my business doesn't stop just because I am cruising, a couple of hours during the week of my vacation time is why I can afford to cruise multiple times a year.

We did late seating on the Pride in December and I have to say that we did not experience excellent service. While our servers were nice and friendly, the food took forever to come out and dinner was lasted longer than an hour (usually closer to 1.5 hours) every night. It took way too long.

different strokes for different folks! We always take 1.5 hours to dine and sometimes longer. We love taking our time, drinking wine and laughing and talking with our friends. for us, dining is an experience.

Pat

I love late seating. I don't think I'd enjoy if it was all YTD.

We love late seating!! Just because we have a late dining time doesn't mean you have to eat a lot. I stick to fish and seafood entrees, pass on bread and starches and eat salads and veggies. never miss shows as they have early and late shows. we like to come back from port, get dressed for dinner, go have a cocktail or two at alchemy and then go to dinner.

Pat

We cruised out of New Orleans on the Dream a little over a week ago (Sep 9th). We were specifically told by the port employee checking our paperwork that they had been instructed by the cruiseline to tell Priority passengers that they no longer had early access to their cabins. The employee was quite clear that this came from Carnival's instructions to them and that past procedures were different. We checked anyway' date=' and our cabins were ready, with cards available, when we boarded.[/quote']

when I was on the splendor in December, we were going to our room and an employee tried to stop us. I told her I was Diamond and she said I still couldn't have access. I told her she should check with her supervisor and went on to our room. she came back later to apologize.

Pat

I consider myself a polite person. After I do my morning routine, I put on my bathing suit, pack my pool bag for the day and head to the pool deck. I find a lounger and put my towel down with clips. I read and people watch. I enjoy the music and games. I have drinks. I get up to take a quick dip in the pool. I may be in my lounger from 10-1. I then take my things and have lunch. I come back to the pool deck, find another lounger, repeat from the morning. I only leave for potty breaks leaving my towel, bag, etc. I could be there from 2-4. I am not a chair hog. I don't believe anyone should "save"/"reserve" any of the chairs. It's first come, first served. I would be less than polite if another guest told me to move because I had exceeded my time limit.

I so agree with this!! a voice of reason.

Pat

OMG, you really need this spelled out? Do you think this is a private yacht you're sailing? I can not believe the selfishness and inconsideration of today's world. It boggles my mind!

So you are actually saying if she wants to sit by the pool all day as this is how she enjoys her cruise, she is being selfish?!! 30 cruises and have never heard this argument. If I get to the pool early, grab a chair and want to sit there for hours, I'm not about to get up just so someone who chose to sleep in late can have my chair. I guess I'm selfish in your world!!

Pat