Hawaiifrank

I guess I should complete the process by tell you that, if you find a lower price, you are supposed to fill out the Price Protection form and submit it to Carnival.

About half the time it is denied even if you are right. Be prepared to call the number on the rejection email to have them check it. I was denied twice and got the price drop both times after calling.

 

Here's the link.

 

http://www.carnival.com/request-forms/price-protection-claim.aspx

Can you only get a price drop credit if you booked Early Saver. We booked a quad under the More the Merrier promotion. The exact same room category is now $170 cheaper. Carnival is saying I can't get any OBC, but I don't understand why I can't. Any ideas??

 

Carnival uses a number of different names for sales and promotions. Early Saver is one that's always there (until the cut off date, is it 3 months out?). It is, AFAIK, the only one that offers price protection all the way up to within 2 days of sail date. It is also the only one with a penalty for cancelation before final payment. Are you past final payment day? If not, just cancel and re-book at the lower rate.

 

If you are past final, unless you see "price protection" in the description of your rate, you are out of luck. Never hurts to call and ask for your options, but, "The outlook is doubtful", to quote my Magic 8-Ball.

 

To the other poster who asked how to check the prices, there is an easier way besides doing a trial booking. Save this link to the Fare Finder. Follow the instructions. You'll need to know your ship and sail date and cabin catagory: inside, oceanview, balcony, etc. Check the boxes for 55+, state and so on as necessary. Enter the scrambled code to verify you're a person, not a bot. Click continue.

 

Next you need to select the rate plan you want to check. Early Saver is usually the lowest-priced, but if other rates are close and you don't have the cheapest cabin, sometimes a free-upgrade promotional rate may be less. Try more than one if any are close to your current price, but you need to do one at a time. Click continue.

 

Now, you see a table with each different class in your catagory. Find your class on the list. Your class is on your invoice that you should have gotten in your email. If not, ask for one. Is the price for your class less than the price you paid? I think the prices are shown without taxes and fees. Look on your invoice for your current price.

 

It doesn't sound like it's easier or faster than a trial booking, but I think it is. It's easier done, than said.

 

http://www.carnival.com/BookingEngine/FareViewer/#

Great. Thanks. Is there any fee required to use the chairs and the beach? Maybe just a tip to the servrrs? We'll probably buy a couple of drinks.

I agree with the OP. Passengers pay port charges and those charges should cover exit from the port area. Princess should have this in their contract with the port authorities. If this isn't possible then Princess should contract a shuttle service. We have been to ports where the port authority does not allow walking. Free shuttles are provided to get you to the port exit. I believe Barbados, Valparaiso, Cartagena are examples.

 

And Citvetchia. The port near Rome Italy. (that spelling doesn't look right, isn't there another 'i' in the name?).

After almost 20 cruises, I have never been to Roatan. Amazing, but true. So, for my first trip I believe we'll just stay there at MBCC. I know there are much better beaches and I really like the sound of LFK, but this started out as a budget cruise in between our last one and the one in Feb, a b2b on Oasis OTS. I don't want to spend more on our excursions than the entire cost of the cruise. We are Carnival Freedom in December. The stop is from 9 to 7.

 

How far is it to the beach at Mahogany Bay if we take the walkway? Twenty four bucks isn't a big deal for the chair ride, but we won't be riding it all day. Once over for a few hours then back to the ship for a late lunch by 2 or so. Is the ride itself worth the price over and back?

 

My wife will be using a wheelchair for longer walks and around the ship when necessary. She has no difficulty walking a short distance, but it is painful to walk more than a couple of blocks. I would push the chair if we take the path and she can walk once on the beach. If we took the flying chairs, she would leave the wheelchair on the ship.

 

Is there any fee for the beach besides the fee to ride the flying chairs? I see that Carnival has several beach "excursions"(I use the word losely) that include various combinations of the chair ride, the "clamshell" shade, snorkle equipment and a kayak for costs between $40 and $80. I don't want any of that. A chair under a tree is all we need. Doesn't even to be actually on the beach, back in the trees is OK.

 

I've looked at the MBCC website, Carnival's excursions site and I've searched CC for Roatan and Mahagany Bay. I haven't found the information I'm asking about. Thanks for any help with my questions

I'm not familiar with the name. Is it anything like a pre-paid VISA card? My son (23) used a pre-paid card our first cruise in 2008. That was on Carnival. As long as it says VISA or MASTER CARD or American Express you should be fine. I'd call to be sure though. Also, you need to have enough money on the card to pay for gratuities, all purchases on the ship and off and enough for a generous"hold" on the funds so the ship knows you still have money. I think they recommend a minimum of $500. More if you plan on buying more than a few drinks, specialty restaurants or souvenirs. Pre-paying gratuities would help lessen the charges on that card.

our daughter wants to see the beach, but not sure if we should book an excursion thru the ship or try and venture on our own. i'm a little leery of going on our own for fear of not making it back to the ship on time.

 

A beach excursion on almost any Caribbean island would be pretty safe to do on your own. The ship will charge around $40 each for the most basic beach "excursion" (basically a bus ride to the beach). I'm not a fan of cruise line arranged excursions, can you tell?

 

Using common sense by doing your research on the ports here on Cruise Critic, closely watching the time, and being aware of your surroundings will make you as safe as safe as in any US city (not sure how reassuring that is). :eek:

 

We were in Cozumel this past March on Carnival Magic. There were 6 of us in a family group. Ages 62, 57, 32, 30, 15 and 8. We walked through and out of the shopping area to find a taxi stand. The prices are posted so you know beforehand how much it costs.

 

For $200 (less for 2 or 4 people) the 6 of us had a 4 hr. narrated tour around the island. We stopped at scenic point near the small boat harbor where we could see our ship across the bay.

 

He took us to a place where we were shown how they grow Agave and distill tequila. Many displays and demonstrations were presented. The tasting was the best part and then the offer to purchase. No pressure, just the availibility.

 

Next we went into the Mayan Ruins (admission is extra) for an hour or so and had native guide (also a little extra).

 

Lunch at a nice beach restaurant with a pool and a small beach and some shops. (Can't ever get away from the shops.) :rolleyes:

 

It's getting late by now, we spent too much time on lunch, so we bypass the next 3 beaches and restaurants and head back to the shopping area and the ship.

 

Grand Cayman is even easier with 7 - mile beach. I have no personal experience with this beach. We booked the stingray snorkling tour with a private tour company. Next time I'm going to 7 - mile beach.

 

Here's a link to a post all about the Cayman Islands in the 'Ports of Call' section here on Cruise Critic:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=8458190

[quote name='Ashland'][B]Really had no plans to book the HOTS...but...couldn't resist...taking the entire family, our adult children, their spouses and two grandchildren...and a first time for us (we usually book JS's) instead opted for the last four aft Boardwalk cabins. [/B]

[B]What are your opinions on these deck #9 cabins ?[/B]

[B]Does anyone know if/can the partitions open on these type cabins?[/B][/QUOTE]

Our previously booked Feb 2016 Oasis Boardwalk balcony will be our first balcony and our first Oasis class cruise, but I've read several of the reviews. I believe these cabins will be fantastic with great views of the Aqua theater, the Boardwalk and the ocean aft. The CP balconies are reported to be warm and airless, though they are said to be qieter than BB.

I've read that the partitions do open and I've seen pictures that show it open. My brother and I have adjacent BB so I did pay attention to the balcony partitions. I hope to get ours opened.

I already had 5 booked cruises, but there was no way I could pass up the prices on HOTS. So I booked 2 cabins for a b2b on Harmony for my brother and I and our wives. :thumbup: It's hard to beat a balcony for less money than an inside, helped by our balcony discount, of course. I actually had to do the trial booking twice to believe the price. I managed to snag 2 Boardwalk Balcony cabins for us right near the rock climb (#2 & 3 from the end.)

I saw a lot of posts for the February 4th and the 11th bookings that we are on. Don't forget to come on over to the roll call for these cruises.

Can you clarify what constitutes a "blender" drink? Pina Coladas? Daquiris? Margaritas? Not that I drink a whole lot of those, but I do like a Daquiri poolside sometimes.

 

I think they call then "non-alcoholic cocktails" in the brochure. So most of the frozen drinks like you mentioned. How do you make a non-alcoholic Rum and Coke? Leave out the rum. There is another package that has only soda, fresh juice and the non-alcoholic drinks for $19. There is a pdf file you can download. Search the RCCL Web site.

On the positive side, human urine is sterile when it leaves your body.

 

Actually, that's a myth. I had heard that too, but it turns out that urine is not sterile. It doesn't stop me from enjoying the pool or hot tub. Anyway, most pools I've been in are saltwater and are changed at least once per cruise and also chlorinated.

 

http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20140519/sterile-urine-may-be-a-myth

 

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/turns-out-urine-isnt-actually-sterile-180954809/

...why not-talk someone into wearing a crown to the party, and Carnival recognizes those wearing crowns...

 

Going to have to be Whale Tail hats or something. A crown would be to reminiscent of Royal Caribbean. :eek:

I've been on Princess, Celebrity & RCI- tell me everything I need to know about Carnival. Looks like I'll be celebrating my 35th high school reunion on board the Elation in February 2016.

 

Rooms - I know only the Grand Suites have balconies, so if I can't get that ('cause I really like my balconies) what's the next best thing?

 

Food - places not to miss?

 

Formal nights - long dress type of formal? Would I be out of place in a long dress? Suit and tie ok for guys?

 

Drinks - is there a premium drink package that includes just about everything?

 

Entertainment - again, what not to miss?

 

Pools - any adult only? Do you have to check out towels like on RCI? Chair hogs - are they a big problem?

 

Favorite bars? Favorite places to sit back with a drink and read?

 

I've been to Cozumel many times and I'm not sure if I'll even get off the ship, so I would like some options.

 

I know some of my questions are subjective and some of them probably will set off some heated debates and that's not my intent at all. Just trying to get a feel for a different cruise line and get some "insider" info so I can pass it along to my hubby and look like the genius I am :rolleyes:.

 

Thank you all for your help!

 

OK, I've never been on the Elation, but maybe I can answer one or 2 questions.

 

Drink packages--yes, though each person in the cabin must purchase a package. If over 21, both must buy alcohol packages. The 15 drink maximum applies to alcohol drinks only. You get all the soda and non-alcoholic blender drinks you want. You can only order 1 drink at a time and must wait 5 minutes between orders. No sharing allowed. Without the package, drinks are $8 to $10 plus 18% automatically added gratuity. The top shelf liquors may not be included--some are, some are not. Coffees and energy drinks are not included as mixers, no Irish coffee, no Red Bull and vodka included in the package. You can "buy" some drinks before you hit the 15 drink maximum if you just can't get drunk on 15. :(

 

Cabins--I didn't know that there were no regular balcony cabins on that ship. I guess it is old. :eek: If a suite is too expensive, the Ocean View should be somewhat less. Since you will most likely be attending group get-togethers and other activities and not sitting in the cabin this cruise, maybe even try an inside cabin. Maybe your new best friend will have a suite with a balcony :D

 

Entertainment--The stand-up comedian shows are usually very popular. I think Carnival has cut back on the other entertainment. There wasn't one headliner on my recent Magic cruise, only the Carnival singers and dancers doing Song & Dance shows. There were two comedians doing 4 comedy shows/night (2 family-friendly and 2 adult) 3 nights out of 6.

I got one for my March CCL Magic cruise. Like most people, I usually have very little control over when I arrive, and any options I may have had were decided weeks ago. Between flight schedules, hotel check out time, shuttle availability, worries about traffic and break downs, I get there when I get there. I read the email, said "Ha ha, imagine that. " and deleted it.

 

There are no repercussions from Carnival. Just be aware that you may be waiting a while, like everyone else, if there are unusual delays boarding. In Barcelona for a Transatlantic we waited until 2 pm before boarding started due to extra cleaning required for a Noro outbreak on the previous cruise. That was the rumor anyway. Was I sorry I was there waiting? No, where else did I have to go? Our CC arranged bus picked us up at a designated time. No choice.

 

If you do arrive when the email says you'll probably wonder where everyone is--their already onboard.

Since you are jumping through all these hoops, I assume the person you want in the Studio cabin is not 21 years old, which may be a problem.

 

I believe the OP said booking this way was so that his Diamond CAS discount was applied to the balcony cabin. His Diamond CAS rate wasn't helpful for the inside cabin. It applies only to balconies and up. My wife and I booked separate cabins with DD and family so we could use 2 future cruise certificates. The under-21 rule is only 1 reason of many that someone may book a spouse or partner in a different cabin.

RCL stuffy, unfriendly?

I don't think so

 

I don't think so either, but I understand how someone might think so.

 

We've sailed both lines about equally. In fact, it will be 10 cruises on each by the end of next year. I'm pretty much price driven when selecting my cruises. At least the ones that I select. If I'm joining someone else, of course, I have no choice. That's how those 2 NCL cruises got in the list and some of the Royal ones too.

 

If I see a good price on either CCL or RCCL cruise, I consider it. Transatlantic cruises are priced right on RCCL. I haven't seen too many on CCL. Maybe because CCL stays in the US in the summer and RCCL sends some ships to Europe in the summrr. Hmm, never thought of that.

 

Anyway, the cruises I've selected have been comparibly priced, whichever line we cruised, at around $50-$75 pp/night.

 

The food is good on both, but I usually eat in the MDR, no specialty restaurants. RCCL seems to have more headliners, but CCL has lots of good comedians. There is lots to like on both and both lines have some minor issues. Like, I'll never sail Carnival at spring break again! Probably, RCCL has the same problems with kids, I've never cruised at that time with them.

 

I have to admit, thinking back, I've never had a balcony on RCCL. I've had several balcony cabins on Carnival, including the wrap-around aft corner on CCL Magic and the Owner's Suite on the CCL Ecstacy. Wow, maybe Carnival is less expensive. I've just had a..., whadda ya call it--epiphany. LOL

My opinion also for sure now after getting off the Freedom yesterday.

 

Both RCCL and CCL have a ship named Freedom. I wasn't sure which one you meant at first. There are many similar names in different fleets. Dream, Splendor, Magic, etc. I always wondered why they did that. Aren't there enough names to go around?

me and my parents will be on the Breakaway in July.

 

i'll be booking the balcony because of my CAS discount.

on paper, it'll be me + mom in balcony and dad in studio.

 

on board, I will switch keys w/dad.

 

but for ease of leaving/boarding the ship, I thought I'd get an extra balcony key and dad to get an extra studio key.

(keys are coded with our pics and I don't have white hair like my dad so leaving/boarding will require the correct key.)

 

Is it possible to get an extra key to avoid the logistics of key swapping?

 

I'd just keep the keys the way they are and get one extra for each room without the ability to charge. May I presume that you each will tie your own credit card to your room key? Swapping keys around will also mean changing credit cards around on the 2 accounts. Since they'll have to make new cards anyway, just get the extra key - only cards if possible. You know the old adage - KISS.

I agree with you and have experienced the same.

 

I just say that because in a couple of threads today I have disagreed with OP and I have been told I out of touch with reality. People just want to you to agree with each other regardless. Sure OP, you can get your 18 year old drunk on the boat.

 

Ha, I just read those. Too funny. What does signing receipts for soda-pop have to do with getting anyone drunk?

 

In March this year the grandkids had to sign each time on the Magic. It does make extra work for bartenders and it slows down the flow, probably on purpose. Don't forget the same bartenders serve people who are on the UBP as well. These people have to sign receipts too. More work=less time serving drinks=fewer drinks served. You'll notice that the walking around waiters are not as ubiquitous as they were before all the beverage packages. It's all part of a master plan to get more of your money. If you sign a receipt, you MIGHT add a tip.

OP, I appreciate your question, as I have not yet cruised either of these lines. Replies have been useful, so thank you to those folk, too.

 

Keep in mind different ships within the same cruise line can vary greatly.

 

Besides the wonderful discussion boards in the CC forums, make sure to check the main Cruise Critic reviews. I have found it better to stick with the method of finding itineraries, pricing, and overall ship design/features that are of interest first.

Then, I go into the main Cruise Critic reviews for each ship. There's the review given by CC, and member reviews. Sometimes you even find cabin reviews for areas you may be thinking about booking.

Next I do the forum search for that specific search.

Always make sure you've checked if the ship has been refurbished and what date b/c some reviews may not be applicable.

And, if possible, try searching if there's been a change in the kitchen, especially head chef. It can make a huge difference in your cruise if you enjoy dining experiences.

 

This is very true. Ships vary as much across a fleet as they do between cruise lines, with respect to age, attitude of staff, design and itenarary. Do your homework and find out about the specific ship as well as the cruise line.

 

NCL has FreeStyle dining, though I call it FeeStyle dining. I don't care for it. My last cruise was just before one of their new mega - ships came out. The service was awful, I think, because they had taken all of the experienced waiters for the new ship, and left a bunch of newbies for waiters. One night we had shrimp and the guy acted like I was speaking greek when I asked him for cocktail sauce. He didn't know what it was!

 

The first 3 nights we asked to sit at a large table with others when we finally got into the dining room. All 3 nights we were seated at a group table, then the waiter would clear off all the other place settings and we ate alone.

 

The main dining room on NCL ships, at least the ones I've been on, are small compared to RCCL and if you want to go to the shows, you need to eat at peak times. They don't take reservations so you have to stand in line. Of course, the specialty, extra fee, venues do take reservations, and aren't usually as full so, if you like to pay again for your food, that's always an option. I think that's kind of the idea to force you into the pay restaurants.

 

I haven't tried DD yet on RCCL, but I'm afraid that I'm going to find that I don't like it either. I like eating at a fixed time each night in the same dining room, at the same table with the same waiter and the same group of people. Maybe that's just me.

 

I should make a disclaimer here, I suppose. The above is just my opinion based on the only 2 cruises I've done with NCL. These were several years ago. YMMV. If someone else loves NCL dining style, that's fine, to each their own, I mean no offense.

I have a Nikon Coolpix with a wide 6x zoom. I am going to Alaska later this summer. My trip includes whale watching in Juneau, the "deadliest catch" tour during which they feed eagles, the train ride in Skagway, and sailing through Glacier Bay. Will a 6x zoom draw the whale and eagle images close enough? If I need a bigger zoom, what do I need? I need a camera that is easy to use. I'm a definite novice.

 

Thanks.

 

Vicki

 

If you want to buy a new camera, they even make 30x zoom point and shoot. I have a Canon PowerShot SX500is. The "is" stands for image stabilization. If you go for a long zoom you'll want that. It's very hard to hold it steady unsupported. IS helps, but I suggest a mono-pod, at least if you want to shoot long distance shots.

 

There is a drawback with any camera that has a long-distance zoom: size. The higher the magnification, the longer the length of the lens. So this camera will not fit in your pocket. It's about the size of a DSLR. For that reason, I don't like to carry it around very much. You will probably find, as I did, that you leave it in the cabin or the car more often than the little pocket-sized one we used to have.

 

I'm thinking of getting a little underwater camera that's about the size of a pack of cigarettes. That way I'll have a choice. If I know I'll need long shots, I take the 30x zoom and the mono-pod. If I'm just walking around the ship or whatever, I'll stick the little one in my back pocket.

When sailing with wife's 90 yr old father, our room steward told us to just stay in the cabin for the drill. I assume he just marked our cabin as checked. I do wonder what happened when we didn't show up. We never heard anything about it, so I guess those missing the drill are not followed up. Anybody ever checked on for missing the pre-sailing lifeboat drill? Just curious.

You can go to guest services after you board and have them rearrange the room keys if you want to do that while leaving the accounts as you set them up. You can also disallow charges on the kids card or limit it to a certain amount.

When you do your online check-in, you can setup your on board accounts for everyone in the cabin or in other cabins. There is a link to select that says something like "add passengers in other cabins to your account".

 

I had to do this in order to use 2 future cruise certificates for my wife and I. I booked 2 cabins with my daughters BF and I in one, while my wife and daughter and kids were in the other cabin. I had myself in my cabin and wife and grandchildren in the other cabin on my account so their gratuities and souvenirs were charged to my credit card.

 

We left it that way even though we slept in the cabin with our respective partners. It was handy for each family to have a key to the other cabin so we could check the kids and daughter family could access our balcony.

As others have said, everything is charged to your Sea Pass card. If each of your 3 cards (you, hubby and sis) is tied to one credit card, it is essentially one account. All charges by anyone of you will show on the invoice at the end of the cruise, if anyone cared to print it. They don't automatically give you a printed invoice on the last night any longer. All charges are also visible on the TV in your room if you check your account.

 

If you're trying to "hide" drink purchases from hubby by using some other form of payment, you have to pay everything with the room key. If you put cash on the account, it will reduce the total, but every purchase still shows up.

 

How are you dealing with the automatic gratuity charged to each passenger that goes on the account? What about souvenirs sis buys on board? Is your husband paying for everything or is sis giving him cash for her share? If that's the case and sis is paying him back, I don't think he has any grounds for complaints about what she buys. Let her buy your drinks and just settle up privately with her after she pays your husband for "her" charges.

 

Or she could just put her credit card down for her Sea Pass card. Then hubby has no say in what she buys or if she buys drinks for you. If it was me, I'd ask sis to use her own credit/debit card or cash.

 

A credit card is preferred over a debit card since there can be issues with holds on debit cards. A cash account, I think, has a minimum initial amount of $500. That can sometimes be problematic if you don't plan to spend that much.

There is a small public park where most people launch kayaks just south of the bay. If I remember correctly, it's about 1/2 mile from the monument. You can see the marker for the CookMemorial across the bay looking north. When I was there I considered swimming to the Bay to snorkle, but didn't. It is quite a ways to swim. We have snorkled there on other trips (we lived on Oahu) when we took one of several boat tours to the Bay for snorkeling.

 

Somewhere between that park and the protected area, you should be able to anchor the kayak outside the prohibited mooring area. That would reduce the swim you'll have to make to get to the snorkeling area. I suggest calling the kayak rental folks in the area. They would know the rules you have to abide by.