17andacruiseaddict

Good to know. I guess I can find something to do during those five minutes lol

Well this, this is just amazing news right here. Thank you!

So this is my first time ordering CHEERS! It will also be my Honeymoon cruise, so we thought we'd go all out, which is why we got it. I've always been against it, thinking it wasn't worth it. Finally priced it, added in the fact that I can have bottled water, specialty coffees, Powerades, etc. and decided, this was a really great option for us.

I don't know if this has been asked before, but I just want to clarify (and forgive me if it has, because I know how some people get on here if they have personally seen a question more than once..lol *insert eye roll here*)...

When it comes to the 15 drink a day minimum, that's only for the alcoholic beverages right? I can have as many coffees, pops, virgin pina coladas, and bottled waters as I want each day right?

If this is true, I just grew to love the CHEERS! package even more!

1. What is the benefit of prepaying our gratuities? Less to worry about at the end of the cruise. It makes sure everybody who takes care of you, is taken care of.

2. Any fun suggestions to do in Freeport, Bahamas?

3. Any thoughts on the Carnival Cheers package? Is it worth it? (I imagine we will be drinking quite a bit as it is a 21st birthday party) Yes, do it! I thought it wasn't worth it when it first came out but now it definitely is. Also includes, shakes, coffee drinks, energy drinks, bottled water, juice, powerades, and soft drinks. Even if you don't want to drink alcohol for a moment (possibly after drinking too much the night before lol), the soft drinks, waters, and powerades will be a big help.

4. On a 4 day Carnival Cruise, do we need to pack for an elegant night, and if so, how fancy are we talking? I don't really know seeing as how i only do cruises a week or longer, but i assume 4 day cruises have at lease 1 formal nights. I would bring at least one formal outfit just in case.

5. Is it worth it to pre order a bottle and mixers to our stateroom? Not if you get the Cheers package. And honestly, overtime we had bottles in the room, it was annoying to have to constantly go back for refills.

6. Is there anything else we should know before we go? Have fun! Don't be afraid to meet new people, try new things, get out there and be silly. Most likely, you will never see these people again, so go all out!

I've cruised on NYE twice. It is a blast. There was free champagne when we got onboard, and free champagne the night of the actual party. They give you party hats at dinner. There is an indoor lobby party and a Lido deck party. I've only gone to the Lido Deck parties. They are pretty fun. Carnival really knows how to make these events memorable. Trying looking on Youtube for NYE Carnival Cruise Parties

I will be going on the Vista 4/21/18. I've been taking dancing lessons at Arthur Murray concentration on Salsa, Bachata, swing and Merenque. Are these dances popular on the Vista?

 

 

Gary

So, IDK what ships the rest of these people have been on, but from the early 2000s, I can remember there being "Latin Nights" in the disco, (along with 70s, 80s nights too). They usually start this type of music when the disco opens. Deep in the night it goes back to whatever is popular.

I've also had Latin bands on some of my cruises. They would sing in the lobby or by the casino bar. On my last cruise on the Breeze, there was a band called Azucar Moreno. They sang and played all of the music you mentioned. Me and the boyfriend loved to look on the FunTimes and see where they would be playing on the ship. He was sad when they had nights off lol

On vista, there is the Havana Bar. and based on youtube videos (and the obvious clue "Havana" lol), they play salsa just about every night. So I'm sure other latin dances are incorporated into the play list.

Out of the dances you mentioned, I'm best at Bachata. Cumbia is a close second for me.

So no worries, you'll definitely find what you are looking for :)

So they gave your cabin mate Platinum drink coupons both times? Or were they Gold back then and that’s when you could still use them at Brunch before they replaced it with the bottle of water and the coupon that is to be used the last night? I have an extremely hard time believing they would have it messed up in the computer system while giving them the correct color S&S card. I’m not saying it can’t happen, just that I find it extremely unlikely. Especially twice.

What I'm saying is, on my BF's 1st cruise and 2nd cruise, he was given a Platinum gift along with the drink coupon, just like I was. I too found it strange. But I of course did not question/complain about it to anyone. Like I said, it could very well be a fluke (both times). I'm curious to see if it happens a 3rd time.

For some reason I don't see it as a computer issue, I just see it as someone only seeing the word "platinum" associated with our cabin and assumed that 2 platinum rewards belong in the cabin too. I see it as a human error because his Sail and Sign Cards were the color they were supposed to be.

I'm sure there are people out there that would turn the other gift and coupon in and say there was a mistake made, I just accept the luck. Especially if I know if it's not hurting anybody.

If there are 2 Platinums then yes they would get 2 gifts if in the same cabin. I think BF just got lucky as he wasn’t supposed to get one. Maybe the RS wasn’t paying that close of attention that only you were Platinum and out of habit put out 2 gifts. I’m betting only you got the Brunch drink coupon though, right?

Yes I understand that it's supposed to be a gift per Platinum, but on both cruises, we got 2 gifts. Come to think of it, we got 2 of the drink coupons on both cruises too! We could've gotten lucky twice lol. My fingers are crossed for getting lucky a third time! :D

On my Vista cruise in March, I was Platinum and my mom was Gold. I only got one Tervis Tumbler, and one plate of chocolate covered strawberries.

See I figured they would only give us 1 too, but they gave us 2 gift on our first cruise together back in 2013 and 2 gifts on our last cruise together in 2015. But time they still brought 1 plate (but I think that's the norm anyway)

I usually cruise with my mom. Since we are both Platinum, they gave 2 gifts but when cruising with the bf, I was shocked they still gave 2.

Ah well, we shall see what happens in August

For your information JH said this morning party is only for the platinum/diamond member.

Cool

Now that there are less people it’s better. You can order what you want from the bar if you’re not happy with the premade drinks or get a bottle/can of beer. And I will say that my 2 Kiss on the Lips that I had were pretty strong. Maybe a tip ahead of time to get her to bring me 2 had something to do with it? Not sure. But at least I didn’t have to wait [emoji3].

 

I don’t mind going by myself to the party. Now if Carnival officially invites them, I would happily bring them with. However, since that’s not the case, I have a perfectly good time solo. It’s not a very long party anyway. We can all survive just fine by ourselves for 30-45 min.

Yeah, the drinks are definitely strong. But for at least 10 years, as far as I've known, you could always order other drinks if you wanted something different.

Anywho, I don't agree with this part. I think I'll die of loneliness for those 30-45 mins lol

Well like I said, If somebody stops him, I'll just bring out drinks, if I can't then we both won't go. Simple as that. Hey Carnival can afford to give him some of the free drinks they already planned on giving out lol.

On a similar note, we've also noticed that both of us get the gift delivered to our cabin, when I'm the only one who is Platinum.... So my logic is, Carnival clearly doesn't want to make the other person in the room feel bad for not getting what the other person gets so I might as will keep it up by getting him free drinks too lol. I'm just following CCL's lead haha

Please provide a link to the written policy you cite. (And please don’t quote your invitation again - it’s an invitation not a policy). I agree the OP was incorrect in thinking that one invitation with just a room number meant everyone in every cabin on every ship with a P or D in it is invited. However; if a P or D asks if bringing a companion is ok and Carnival says yes, that person is authorized. Are you saying the CDs are violating this policy when they say yes?

 

The lifeblood of this site is cruisers coming here to find out how to make the most of their cruising experience.

We routinely advise how to work around age requirements in a cabin, get more than 15 drinks when on Cheers, how to handle delayed embarkation notices and scores of other issues where experienced cruisers have found ways to get what they want within policies.

 

Again, I’d love to see that written policy you cite. I’d bet if there is a written policy for the party hosts to follow, it gives them discretion to invite non PD companions of PDs if asked to do so (because that’s what they do).

 

 

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I totally agree with all of this. If people aren't trying to bring in multiple people, I see no problem with bring a companion. If a staff member stopped us and told us no, we would have no problem doing as we are told.

Getting away with something or putting crew in a forced confrontation is not being invited so by your own behavior, you are in no position to criticize others who are also rude enough to invite themselves into an event they are not invited.

Nope. Reread what I wrote. Never said that my boyfriend was invited. I brought him along because, hey, who wants to go alone?

Also, I did not criticize the OP for bringing the other person in the cabin (because, obviously, I do it too as you already read). I was just saying there is no proof that everybody in the cabin is invited if only one person is Platinum or Diamond.

I was pretty much saying that the OP probably shouldn't state that as fact or everybody and their mama will start demanding this and it isn't necessarily true. And yes, that would be rude.

Oh, and one more thing, I'm just curious, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I just want to know, does it really do something for you to try to teach somebody a lesson? I mean, it does for me, I'm a teacher, so yeah, I get a thrill out of enlightening minds. But your condescending tone in your writing just gave me the impression that talking down to somebody kind of fulfills you in some way. If it does, hey, do what makes you happy Boo! :)

I'm guessing you didn't read the title to the thread. ;p

I did. I was saying nothing about the statement/title "Platinum/Diamond Party invitation is now for entire cabin" is proven by the examples given.

Guess I have to laugh at the spin some people will push just to get a free drink. If someone needs a free drink that bad, let me know as I don't drink and will bring mine out to someone. :rolleyes:

Pssshhhh! I'm not above FREE drinks. I just love free things anyway. If I wasn't already Platinum, I'd have you bring them out for me lol

So the OP clarified that both people in their cabin were Platinum and (just one couple they talked to-great census btw lol) another was Platinum and Diamond.

Nothing about that states ,"everybody in the cabin no matter the status is allowed to the Diamond/Platinum Party". EVERYBODY mentioned in the example is Diamond or Platinum lol

There are people who will ready the OP's first post, walk away from the boards, go on their cruise, and start demanding that their cabin mate get an invitation even if the aren't Platinum or Diamond lol

With that being said, it's still possible to get the person you are sailing with in the party lbs. I am Platinum and on my boyfriend's second cruise, I showed my invitation and he was right behind me. No one questioned him.

Now this could've been a fluke (we were on the Breeze). It could be common practice.

Hey, only one way to find out! We will be trying this again on our upcoming August Vista cruise. If they stop him, the plan is that I try to walk out with at least 4 drinks. If I get stopped, well, I tried lol.

Use the safe for your valuables.

Use the bed for sleeping.

Use the outlets to plus in items that need electricity.

Use the closets for hanging your clothes.

Use the shower to wash yourself.

Use the toilet to relive yourself.

Use the food onboard to not die of hunger while at sea.

Etc......

Just want to help others who need these PSAs in order to survive life on a cruise ship.

lol

You are right! My diagram has an error on it. I didn't notice that until now! Thanks! The aft cabins on decks 6&7 are Havana cabins. The ones on 8&9 are not. My mistake! Thanks for catching it.

No problemo!

 

 

 

 

 

To help you appreciate where things like the Havana pool and the cove balcony cabins are located, I've marked up this photo of the Carnival Vista that I took as we sailed past her on a shore excursion:

 

Hi Jim,

I noticed on your picture with the arrows here that it says those are "non-havana" cabins. I just wanted to add a little correction letting you know that those are indeed havana cabins. I was a bit worried at first looking at this picture because I recently Book a Havana Aft-Extended Balcony on deck 7 on the Vista. Just went to the deck plans PDF to make sure I wasn't mistaken and CCL wasn't ripping me off lol.

Thanks! Didn't feel like googling it.😂😂😂

Are you guys trying to say cliché? lol

I think I read somewhere (sorry can't remember where) the aft pools would alternate from kids allowed to adults only depending on the time of year, with the goal of accommodating kids during the times when there are more kids onboard. So I'd suggest booking your Carnival cruise accordingly. If you cruise in the summer when schools are out, there will likely be kids allowed in the aft pool. If no kids allowed is more important to you, as it is to me, book when school is in session. I choose not to cruise Carnival during the summer when the ships are packed with kids. I also avoid booking Carnival during spring break season for that reason.

I also read that the aft pools are going back to being Adults Only in general. Not only for certain times of the year.

Click on MANAGE

Then choose MY BOOKING

Scroll down to SPECIALITY DINING RESERVATIONS

Click on the restaurant you want to make reservations for

This will lead you to the page to make and submit your reservation. Carnival will send you and email confirming your reservation.

Haha thank you very much

To the OP,

I totally get what you are saying. I get that kids are allowed everywhere on the ship that bars are. Heck they have to get their soda cards fill somewhere right? But I do think the Red Frog Pub (not the bar or the Blue Iguana Bar), should be limited to adults only. Just like Alchemy. Those are two bars/pubs on the ship that seem like they should only allow adults to sit in.

I was a kid and teen cruiser. I'm not a parent cruiser. But to all those that are repeating the "go on another cruise line, or get over it because kids can go everywhere" stuff, be realistic here. You can get where he is coming from.

Alchemy doesn't really have a door or is not really closed off from the rest of the ship, but I think there should be an age limit to sit on those bar stools. When it comes to Red Frog Pub, I think there should be an age limit on who enters.

The kids wouldn't miss out. There are plenty of places for them to go and have fun. But if adults want to just chill at a bar with no kids around, there should be a place for that. Some mentioned the club. That's only open at night plus, a club is not everybody's cup of tea. Or if it is, that's not the atmosphere they might want to go in every night on board just to have cocktails and drinks.

Carnival is still and will always be very family friendly, even if they implemented something like this. No worries, your kids will always have bars to chill at or get pop at since that seems to be parent's number one concern.