I Am Canadian, Eh

They were originally only on a couple of ships but wouldn't surprise me if they've expanded fleet-wide now. I don't believe we signed it out for my daughter last week.

(I can only assume you're talking about the swim type for kids in the pools. If you're talking about the emergency disaster devices, yes they are new, but only for Platinum and Diamond guests)

Our mat has become quite the discussion piece for visitors coming to the house. Having something stiff to back it while signing was a good idea for us.

Thank you for that response. It's just seems so greedy and cheesy when they block the HDMI ports.

 

 

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It's probably less greed and more efficiency than having guest services explain countless times per cruise when someone selects the wrong input how to get the tv working again.

I honestly don't think Carnival Corp makes a ton of money from PPV movies on board.

trvlworm certainly has nailed most of the points in her review - and has posted plenty of photos including the Funtimes. Myself, DW & DD had a great time - even with a 24+ hour drive each way (wanted to do it once, now I can say I've done it!)

Just a few things that came to mind:

1 - This was the first cruise I've had where the "tap" water was BAD and I really couldn't drink it. It was also hit and miss in the restaurant - good some nights and not so much others. Only spot it was consistently good was up on the Lido deck dispensers.

2 - CD Matt was very good, and his "music trivia/lip sync" in the atrium was not to be missed.

3 - Noticed I didn't get a copy of receipts after signing for drinks (unless it was one of the old-school carbon forms). Not the end of the world, I know how to use the kiosk and I'm sure 98% of these ended up getting tossed away immediately, but it was just one of those "hey, this is different from last time" things.

4 - IMHO, a production show (88 Keys) all about a piano player should have the guy "playing" on stage ACTUALLY PLAYING the piano (you could see them plugging it in when the piano bar performer joined them on stage for the finale)

5 - Despite being March Break, really didn't notice anybody getting too carried away.

6 - I'm really not sure how to make the Muster Drill any shorter (they actually made the folks move from the theatres & lounges up to the lido deck), but the staff struggled to keep the attention of the masses and there was plenty of texting and talking going on - even after singling out a few of the offenders - really distracting for the people who actually wanted to pay attention.

7 - Library had a great selection of board games in it, some still were brand new! Turned out to be DD's favourite spot to visit outside of Camp Ocean and the ice cream machine.

8 - I know it's a function of not being able to smoke (essentially) anywhere else, but I found the casino ALWAYS smokey (even when it wasn't busy) and found it difficult to spend much time there.

9 - I'm sure the "bacon (and waffle) police" hand out more bacon than most people would take on their own... saw a LOT of it left on plates in the morning

10... HMC continues to be an amazing day at the beach - although as others have said, after a couple of Guy's burgers, the "regular" cheeseburgers are a shock to the system.

With the long drive on each end, found 5 days was just right for us this time, but will definitely fly and do a week next time!

Good question! Didn't have Cheers, but I know DW and I each had to show our card, and it actually posted to our account as $0.00 so I don't believe you can give it away.

They will give out tender tickets (actually stickers) earlier that morning - usually in the theatre or one of the lounges. Everyone needs to go (you can't send one person to pick up 6 stickers). Then they will call these numbers in order to proceed to the tenders. People with Carnival excursions get the earliest numbers, otherwise depending on how early you want to line up for a number, you most likely would be off the ship in about an hour (ish) or less.

OR

If you're not in a hurry, once the initial rush dies off, they will just have the tenders running continuously on a first-come-first served basis for the rest of the day.

As for getting back - they will clearly announce and post what time the last tender will run (likely about 4:00). Plan to be at the pier 30-45 minutes before that time and you shouldn't have any issues... but in practicality, as long as you are in line before that last tender is scheduled to depart, you'll get back. In line meaning standing in the queue on the pier, not wandering through the duty free, etc.

I was pleasantly surprised to only be missing the games on TruTV last week on Sensation.

Drinks are free in the casino only after earning 1,000 points - not like land-based casinos.

Up to a price of $50 per drink, but there is almost nothing on the bar menu over $50, so it's pretty much "anything goes". It does mean you need to drink wine by the glass however, otherwise you get a 25% (I think) discount off the bottle.

Don't forget unless your gratuities are prepaid, those will go on your s&s account as well.

I believe the $200/person is a recommended amount, not a requirement.

You can "cash out" your account late on the last night of your cruise at Guest Services or via the kiosks (there's usually a cut-off time to do either), otherwise they'll mail a check (as long as it's over $10 - anything under and you need to specifically request it).

Sailing on the Vista in a week with my family of 7, there will be 3 separate accounts. We are all Canadian with CDN credit cards. Does the ship still charge a conversion fee or exchange rate, this has happened to me in the past, so I now just use US currency onboard and suggested this to my other family members. My bank will also convert at the current exchange rate plus 2.5%. It's been many years since I've used a credit card to pay my account so unsure if this is still the case. Thanks for all responses.

Unless something has changed very recently, Carnival does not give the option for DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) the way some other lines do. It will be billed exactly in USD from Carnival and then your bank will do the exchange at whatever the current exchange rate is)

But as others have said, if confronted with that option in your travels (I've had that option on other cruiselines and at various stores, supermarkets and one gas station I believe) , definitely choose USD and then you know you're getting the current bank rate vs some unknown marked up rate.

I personally miss the cards just burying the 2.5% into the exchange rate, I'd rather not see it as a separate entry, but that's just me I suppose.

The cruise is February 27. Full payment would have been required at this point for anyone added or any rooms booked.

I missed the date in the original post. That would be exactly why the full payment was required!

Unless it was some very specific sale that required full payment, or the booking was within final payment, you should have been allowed to put just the deposit on the bookings regardless of how it's booked. Also, they shouldn't be automatically adding the CPP without you approving it. Glad you got that removed.

Sounds like you got a rep that was knowledgeable on working around the system to find your cabins, but needs a bit of a refresher on other policies.

Glad to see you're making the most of the situation! Hope you have a great time.

7221 & 7225 can be opened. Ask your room steward, this usually cannot be requested ahead of time. Some are quicker than others to do this for you.

Amber Cove was created by Carnival to make money, so it would not at all surprise me that excursions are running. Can't say for sure what may/may not be open outside the port area.

There's very few places you CAN'T take a drink back to. You CAN order bottles ahead of time or through room service, but I've been hearing that bourbon specifically is not available/hard to get.

Internet is good, not great (and sometimes awful). May be easier to check emails via a laptop/tablet occasionally (and/or in port) rather than trying to get them pushed to his phone

In terms of avoiding crowds:

If you have a set dining time, go 5-7 minutes AFTER your dining time. Otherwise you'll encounter a large crowd waiting for the doors to open, and it grows with every elevator that arrives.

While self-assist will get you off the ship the quickest, it's also when the stairways and elevators are the most crowded. If you have the luxury of a late flight or are driving, have breakfast and hang out at the Lido until they announce last call.

Many people want to be the first off the ship in ports, so the lineups can get big there too. If you don't have an excursion, or can wait for a bit, stay on the ship until they announce the gangway is open (without waiting to get a number)

The muster drill does have the potential of being uncomfortable - they're often outdoors, people lined up shoulder to shoulder for 15-20 minutes. Sorry, I wish I had better advice but it is a necessary evil of cruising.

Cheers!

You might be thinking of RCCL. Just before one of their last exchange adjustments, you could call in and get a better exchange rate for OBC / gift purchases than the rate for the cruise itself, but I don't recall it ever happening on Carnival.

Will spare you a long story - but - can you please tell me if they have Arizona Ice Tea on board?

The brewed in the dining room is, well, just that. The Fuze in the dispensers isn't even close to the sweetness of Arizona (or Brisk or Nestea for that matter), so if that's important prepare to spend some trial & error time with either option adding your own sweetener.

Um....that changes everything!

There are locations in FL that no longer have manned lanes. I'm sure one of the locals can confirm or refute that cash is still an option. OR you can get a rental car with a Sunpass on it. You pay a small daily fee for each day you use it (if you are renting but don't charge tolls' date=' no charge) and the tolls.

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Although I didn't drive directly from MCO to Port Canaveral, we drove MCO - International Drive and then I-Drive - PC and didn't encounter any tolls that cash wasn't accepted.

Marc' date='[/size']

Not a problem. Just sent it to you at your email address.

Thank you so much ! It's very much appreciated.

Ann,

Thank you so much for the great idea! I know you've been sending emails for a year now but I'm hoping I could trouble you for one more!

Thanks so much! marc

marc at thebeachpartycruise dot com

Thanks for the Aft photos will have cabin 7447 on our Dec cruise How was the wind and falling items? Usely get a cabin in the mid aft section.

Paul

Just off it on Sunday. Seemed like every morning I had to give the chairs a quick wipe with a towel because of cigarette ash, but no other falling items.

Hope they have a chance to fix the balcony door by then - discovered you had to SLAM it shut, otherwise it sounded like an 80 mph wind was trying to come through.

Enjoy!

Assuming you've booked directly through Carnival:

Credit card is easiest, but you can also mail checks to

Carnival Cruise Lines

Attn: Cash Dept. - MSRV 406N

3655 NW 87th Avenue

Miami, FL 33178

They also take Western Union and MoneyGram, but the fees are not worth it unless you're in an absolute hurry.

No paypal directly, unless you have one of their debit cards.

If you booked through a travel agency, then you'd make your payments through them.