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Hi everyone, I just noticed that apparently you can make Dine My Way reservations after the final payment date has passed. Is this accurate? How can you make reservations without knowing what the activity schedule is for the day? What if I make a reservation now and when I get on the ship I want a different time, is it easy to change, can you change? Is there other things I should know about making reservations ahead of time? Our cruise begins November 6th. Thank you in advance!

I know you can buy wine by the bottle in the dining room and a wine package at the beginning of the cruise. Can you buy bottles of wine at the bars? Do they count a bottle as 5 drinks for the day towards your 15 day maximum? Is there a limit to the number of bottles you can buy during the length of the cruise or can you purchase bottles everyday? 

It is $21.25 AUD which is only $14 US at the current exchange rate. US itineraries are charging $17/day. So it seems like a good deal to me.

I've done it before and was allowed to retrieve it the morning of the first debarkation and take it back to the cabin. You can also try buying after 5pm the night before. Some ships allow you to take it back to the cabin while others do not.

2 hours ago, lennythenose said:

Just to clarify, were you able to take wine AND alcohol to your cabin or check in for pickup when you debark?  Also was alcohol

 allowed at embarkation as well as ports?  We are hoping to purchase port while in Lisbon prior to our cruise but weren’t sure if we would be able to board with it. 

I was on the 5/19 to 5/29 sailing from Barcelona. We bought liquor and wine in different ports and took to room. Like someone else mentioned, no table for checking in liquor at ports like there is in the Caribbean. 

Does Carnival allow you to disembark at a port other than the final port? If so, do you then just need to go through customs and immigration at the debarkation country?

I just got off the phone with Carnival and they said no. When I search under a booking I have you can select one way. I haven't tried to purchase it yet, long story, but it allows me to search. But when I called to book, I can't book online for the particular booking (long story), they wouldn't quote me a one way because they said they don't sell one way. 

Can you book a one way flight on Fly2Fun? 

Bimini is a very small island and a newer port for carnival. Not much to do, mostly a beach destination. You can also rent a golf cart for $60 and tour the island on your own which is what we did.

If you book air through Fly2Fun and decide to cancel your cruise before final payment are you still obligated to pay the airfare? 

John Heald said the booster is required for this 16 day cruise only which I took to mean that my 16 day cruise in Sept does not require a booster at this time. Of course that could change in August

Once I had a hold expire, forgot about when the time ran out, called PVP and she honored the rate I had when I put it on hold.

If you are downgraded for your cabin can you cancel with no penalty? I had a B2B on Spirit, originally booked same cabin on purpose and now have been reassigned to downgraded cabins on both cruises. How is that possible?

I would also vote for the Mardi Gras or Celebration which begins sailing in Nov 2022. Having said that, if you are interested in booking a Havana cabin I would book the Horizon. The Havana are on the Horizon is far superior to the other two ships. Havana is a great area but Mardi Gras is a great ship. Tough choice. Enjoy!

We had one on the Horizon. I actually liked it better. Even though the room is the same size there was more room to move around simply due to the layout. Closest area was a bit tight but manageable. Also TV was on side wall so you couldn’t watch laying in bed but not an issue for us as we don’t watch TV on ship. 

2 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Do you typically quiz servers on how tips are split?  Have you ever worked in a bar? If it is practice to split/share/pool tips, it still doesn't matter how you tip, cash or receipt, servers do not hose team members.  When there is more than one bartender working a bar, those bartenders "pool" tips.  That way, all seats at the bar are attended by all bartenders, otherwise guests would wait for "their" bartender.  Drink servers "tip out" the bartenders who actual make the drinks,  again it doesn't matter cash or receipt.  If the tip out didn't happen, bartenders would slow work servers while attending guests directly. Crew who work together, live together and they quickly suss out co-workers who hold out and run them off.  

I was only sharing information for people to make an informed decision. I didn’t expect to get attacked. But here we are. It’s a wonder why this country is in rapid decline. Get a life!

Only one entrance door. 

23 hours ago, hapytobehr said:

The tips added to the receipt are split among the servers and whoever.  When you give cash to the server, they pocket them.

I was told this as well, by a server, I asked them. So if you want the person serving or bartending for you to get the entire tip for their personal service tip in cash. Otherwise it is shared. 

I sent email on 1/23 and received OBC email yesterday for today’s cruise 

If you’re using the VeriFLY app make sure you bring your hard copy of vaccination card and negative Covid test. We just checked in and I showed the VeriFLY app that I had completed and approved. They said they are just testing the app and still need to see your documents or you will be denied boarding. That was not my understanding but luckily I did have my hard copies. 

You can also purchase when on board by phone from room service. If you order beforehand you pay 18% delivery fee. If you order onboard there is no delivery or other fees. I always tip the delivery person.

If you get a taxi inside the fence you will pay more than outside. We were just there in October and have been to Puerto Vallarta many times. You can get a cab to downtown (Malecon) for $5 (per taxi ride not per person) just ask before you get in as some quoted me as high as $20. We usually get dropped off at Our Lady of Guadalupe church which is near the far end of the Malecon from the ship. There is a large flea market style shopping by the river which is near the church. Walk the Malecon back towards the direction of the ship.  Also, when you return to the ship don't tell the taxi driver your destination is the cruise ship or they will charge you extra. Just say Walmart, again $5 to Walmart, it's a short walk across the street to the ship.

http://www.riveracuale.com/location/surroundings/shopping/

4 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

Really good deal and definitely great that you snagged it, and  I’m totally jealous of your room...I have an Ocean Suite for an upcoming Mardi Gras  (upgrade from a balcony) which cost less than yours BUT I’m in an Ocean Suite on the 9th floor which has that horrible white overhang on 8 jutting out right where my balcony is.

 

Since I think the entire joy of a balcony is getting to look directly into the water,  I feel that when booking this room, either direct book or upgrade, there should be some sort of a notation about that white overhang. That said, this is a “girls trip” and I’m traveling with another creative type (I write and take photos; she is an artist) and we will really use that suite  sitting area to “get away from it all” and write or draw.  However, Carnival (and everyone) will hear an earful about that white overhang in my blogging of the trip, including my LIVE blog here 😂).  

 

Looking forward to my first trip on Mardi Gras in any event, with great hopes that by then Omicron will have long peaked;  I’m traveling end of February; when is your cruise?

Our cruise is beginning of February. 2nd time on Mardi Gras, it is an awesome ship!

11 hours ago, kelkel2 said:

I think that’s a great deal, I would have jumped on that! What room number did you get?

Cabin 11409. Corner balcony