urbanhawk

If you are booked in a spa cabin, I believe they are free, to the best of my knowledge.

20 hours ago, lonig said:

We are flying from Phoenix to Long Beach and arrive in Long Beach by 10:00 am the morning of the cruise.  It is only an hour and 1/2 flight.  Can anyone tell me if that is doable?  We usually come in the day before but since it is such a short flight thought we could just arrive and get a shuttle to the ship.  Your thoughts would be appreciated.

I live down the road in Tucson, and have been contemplating this, as well. If the early flight would be canceled, for mechanical reasons, for example, would I still be able to catch a later flight, and make to the cruise port on time? I'm still  weighing the odds, of each. 

22 minutes ago, pjfnme said:

Thanks so much.  Yes, you will go through Carnival if you booked it yourself.  If you have a PVP you can contact them...otherwise, just join the multitudes on hold. LOL. The rate "shouldn't" matter if you're just changing the date however they may want to switch you to the casino reps after you speak to one of the regular operators.  Be prepared just in case.  Carnival is currently able to make changes to dates, itineraries, etc for only 2021 and 2022.   

O.K. I'll be prepared to wait, when I call.😬 I reread the e-mail O received from Carnival. It said bookings could be changed, as they have itinaries thru 2024. (I would rebook for sometime later next year. I'm an old man-made who knows if I'll even be here in 2024😇!!!!) Thanks for your response.

 I  feel bad for the O.P.'s situation, and their frustration. I have a question, so I may avoid some of the similar issues. I booked a cruise on my own, using a casino  promo. Who do I contact to change my booking to a later date? (a pvp?  or the casino, directly?). Thanks.

5 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I think most can sympathize. I know I've been cancelled 3 times on 2 lines. You book a good price on carnival closer in because carnival seems to lower close in prices, and mine got cancelled 3 times. Took refunds all but once, one time I rebooked. 

 

Imo if you are booked carnival also seems to not send you targeted vipf offers others are getting so it costs in more ways than one. Each of 4 times I rebooked with carnival the price was higher. And bothered my ta to move me multiple times to get that best cabin. I think hes about done in with changes and found a side job. I feel bad for tas too. It's been rough on all.

That may be your opinion/ experience, but it's not been mine. Due to various  circumstances, I haven't been on a cruise in over 7 years. Last Dec., I  booked a Carnival cruise for this  Dec. There is hardly a day that goes by that I  don't receive the  vipf  offers.  Enjoy  your upcoming cruise, Fire(fly).

Good to know. Thanks, capriccio.

32 minutes ago, capriccio said:

 

In my case (last February) it was 3 days later. They are sent from different State Department facilities.  The new passport was processed and mailed from Tuscon; the old passport (originally mailed to Texas) was returned from a facility in New Orleans.

I guess there is no rhyme or reason about these different offices. Why wouldn't mine be processed in Tucson, where I live?! Glad you got your old passport returned in a timely manner. I received my new one back on 8-24-21, and still waiting for the old one. I read that if it is not received in 10 business days, to call  the state dept. That will put it to 9-8-21 to receive it by.  It is what it is 😬😉!!!

44 minutes ago, Babr said:

Coast Guard performs these operations at no charge. It is part of their mission to aid ships at sea.

 

Insurance applies once you are deposited on land whether it is a helipad at the nearest hospital or landing point at airstrip with ground transportation to hospital.

Good to know (about the Coast Guard). Thanks.

17 hours ago, travelplus said:

Oh no! My heartfelt prayers to the patient and their Family!

Mine, too. Hope they had insurance (for the medivac).

I think if you signed into your Carnival account, and check promotions that you may be eligible for, you could find out that way.

Happy cruising!

1 hour ago, zzdoug said:

The renewal application asks when you are planning to leave the country. For those posting their turnaround times, was the date you received it close to the date you stated you would be leaving the U.S.? If so, that suggests they are using that date to prioritize.

No. I put 12-31-2021, so I don't think they use that date to prioritize imo.

4 minutes ago, highcorral25 said:

I mailed my passport for renewal on 7/8, and just received it today, 8/26.

 

7/8 Mailed out

8/2 Status: In Process

8/23 Status: Approved

8/26 Received new passport

 

7 weeks total

 

Wow! That's impressive!😁

37 minutes ago, Loritd said:

Sent mine off end of June and the check cleared two weeks later. When I check the status it says they are processing and reviewing my information.  The website states average time is 16 weeks including shipping.  I didn't pay for expedited service. So hopefully by November. We were planning on sailing November 15 on the Valor out of New Orleans but with the new CDC guidelines we are postponing to a later date. 

I think you'll get yours back in time. I mailed mine in for renewal May 21st, and received it back 2 days ago. I did not have it expedited, and my check took a while month to clear.. So, about 3 months to the day, from AZ. to PA.

Happy cruising!

6 hours ago, EZ1 said:

elite doesnt have the electronic gifts given like Ultra does. but we got an elite beach towel, & a gold plated ship elite keychain. also on the ultra we got an Ultra pillow & a twin pack of Ultra gold playing cards. mardi gras's casino has a smoking side & a bigger nonsmoking side!

Except for the perks, the ultra sounds like a "better fit"for me!

The one local Indian run land casino I go to, went totally smokeless earlier this year. What a difference. Now I don't have to worry about those smoking, using their portable oxygen tanks!😬.

Happy cruising!

6 hours ago, EZ1 said:

Also a good offer-we did our 2nd elite cruise on the Horizon July4'21, drinks all over ship, including coffee shop, free parking at Miami (or other) terminal or they pick you up at airport, soda & drink bottle of your choice in your cabin, free excursion or $300 spa credit, & all the group activities in the casino. And casino isnt as crowded because there are fewer in eh elite group, as compared to a premier one.

I have the elite offers, for cruises out of Australia, but none for the U.S. (yet!). Are the gifts the same, or better than the ultra?.  Less crowded sounds great-less smoke😇. Thanks.

10 hours ago, EZ1 said:

Yes, do the Ultra. We just did our 2nd ultra - on the Mardi Gras Aug 7, & it was great.

My husband got an apple watch on the 1st one, & on this past one he got the Samsung 65" TV.  There are 2 electronic gifts or $500-$800 free casino cash you can choose from, on each prize card - given to each Ultra player.

That is encouraging to hear. Have you done an elite cruise? Would that be worth waiting for? Thanks.

On my last cruise, over 6 years ago, I stayed in a spa cabin. I remember a nice "linen" smell. I don't know what was used, but it didn't bother me, as I too, am sensitive to scents like perfume, cologne, air freshner, etc.Perhaps someone else, who has stayed in  a spa cabin will know about what this linen smell is. 

Even though I can be empathetic to the O.P.'s situation, I am an animal/pet lover, and sometimes we  have to put our beloved pet's interest/welfare 1st. As difficult as it is, perhaps putting the cat up for adoption could be one option, and getting a new cat in France. I don't mean to sound snarky.;- just looking out for the cat's best interest.

3 hours ago, mlshum said:

My all time favorite itinerary!

I did this nearly the same itinerary back on my 2nd cruise in 2007.  I know it was out of San Juan, but I believe it was 8 days. I know we stopped in Dominica (place I always wanted to see), Antigua, and some of the others on the list.  On way back the ship "listed", in the middle of the night. Such a rude awakening!😬. There was a rough storm as we sailed past Cuba. Was traveling solo, so only thing for comfort was a  towel animal!😆 This is cruise I'll never forget.

27 minutes ago, mnocket said:

Can anyone explain this???  6 weeks for mail!  I'm not a big fan of the USPS, but they've never been anywhere near this slow.  Sounds like someone's throwing the USPS under the bus to cover for their poor performance.  I could be wrong.

 "Could add" 6 weeks. I don't think it really would, but say this to  cover their "behinds"😇 imo.

17 hours ago, nowornever said:

Please consider this when booking a hotel in an older building...like the Moore.  This has been a horribly hot summer so you might want to make sure the one you choose is air conditioned.  Upper floors could be miserable, especially west facing ones.

You are so right. Summer temps have been brutal.

I mailed in my expired passport by certified mail at end of May. (from AZ  to PA.) I tracked It and know It was delivered in 3 days. I received an email from the passport office at the end of June, that they received  my paperwork for renewal. I did not need  it to be expedited, so processing  will be up to 18 weeks. Will wait and see!

On 7/26/2021 at 7:37 AM, Musky Ike said:

Has anybody stayed at the Moore Hotel?

Yes, I stayed there the night before my cruise, back in Sept. 2015. At the time, I liked it, as it was reasonably  priced, great location, room was clean and quiet. Had a very eclectic range of guests. All good! Great for people watching. Hotels  and neighborhoods can change a lot in 6  years, so I can't say what it is  like today. (True, it didn't have all the ammenities, as the Hiltons, or other brand name hotels, so the  Moore Hotel, may not be for everyone.)

Happy cruising!

In the past you were able to do this, as long as you reboarded an hour before departure. Not sure if this is the same now, due to all the other changes.

Happy cruising!

I know what you mean. When I was working, and had "disposable income", I had limited vacation time. Now that I'm retired, I have all the "vacation time" ( !), one could ask for, but don't have  the disposable income for all these offers!!!