cruzinfamilyof4

I personally would fly first. I'm not a good flyer so I would be stressed about that my whole vacation. For me get the yucky stuff done and over with first. Plus we live closer to the west coast so the trip home would be shorter.

Does anyone know if there is a magnifying mirror on the Emerald? Staying in a balcony if that makes a difference. Thanks!!

I know it cost more to get a second entree. But if I wanted more than one starter or side is there an extra charge? We will be eating at Sabatini's and Crown Grill. Thanks!!

On 7/3/2023 at 3:12 PM, Bruin Steve said:

It's directly UNDER the hotel.  We've parked and taken the elevator right up into the lobby.  We also got lucky and found a space between a wall and a pillar--so no one could park next to us...so zero chance at door dings!

Thank you for the information! Hopefully we will be able to find a space like you!! 

We are doing the stay and park pkg at Crowne Plaza. Does anyone know where we actually park? Is it underground parking, parking structure, fenced in? We are trying to figure out which vehicle we want to drive there. Thanks!

12 hours ago, LawDog61 said:

looking forward to following along as we are on the Aug 5 Hawaii run on the Emerald.   We just got off the 7 day coastal and Emerald is a fine ship.  Yes, Princess usually doesn’t do summer cruises to Hawaii,  in fact I am not seeing anything for 2024.

Hello LawDog61, we too will be on the Aug. 5 sailing. And I can't wait!!

I look forward to your Live blog, I'll be doing this cruise later this summer. We've never been to Hawaii so I'm really looking forward to seeing. Oh and all the sea days. Word for the 16 days will be relaxation. Have fun!!

I suppose most of my stuff isn't considered especially odd after reading previous replies. We typically will bring baggies, magnets, laundry detergent, snacks, etc. I take my pillow anytime we travel. I use a down pillow so it smashes down in my suit case no problem.

But the oddest thing I bring is 12x12 scrapbooking envelopes so I can sort items I collect for my scrapbooks. Each port has its own folder; they usually have items in them when we board from my research before hand. And I bring a notebook so I can journal each day and put in said folders. By doing this most of my stuff is organized when I get home. Makes scrapbooking our adventures so much easier. (I do this for land based vacations also)

I think this is so sweet of you and your sister! Your momma and daddy raised a couple of amazing kids! If my kids did this for me I would appreciate having the OBC. With that I can book an excursion, buy a few drinks, get massages, buy photos, etc...the options are endless. How are you going to tell them? Hope it is a fun way you are planning. I do hope you come back and share how the surprise goes! I can't wait to hear about it!!

I almost always book online. I haven't used an agent in close to 25 years. And that was because she was friend and we were new to cruising. 

I believe there is an Enterprise next to Crowne Plaza. We are considering doing the same thing, but staying at the Crowne Plaza.

On Carnival there is normally an Indian dish on the dinner menu. I love Indian food, I can’t get it near where I live so I order it every night. (On Carnival) I’ve noticed it’s hardly ever on the Princess menus. Is it something I can special request by any chance? 

I do not see a way to book the grand suite on Carnival's site. Is it a cabin that can only be booked through a PVP? Does anyone know the typical price for one of these cabins? I've been offered an upgrade, but want to see what they normally sell for. Thanks!

45 minutes ago, noitsnotatuba said:

My 9/5 on Panorama (supposed to be her first cruise back) disappeared from booking, with the rest of her September dates, but it is still showing in my account.

 We are on this cruise too. I just told DH that I'm not able to do any kind of mock booking (I like seeing how much our cruise has gone up in price since I got an AMAZING price) for our trip. So now I'm kind of sad that it might be cancelled. 

We are booked on her Sept 5, and I have absolutely no concerns. Hoping it isn't cancelled. 

1 minute ago, amyotravel said:

 

Per the form:

"Please provide by fax or by mail ..."

 Unfortunately we are pushing the 3 week window; totally forgot we needed to do it. And unfortunately the phone number listed o the form is not working. 

I tried faxing to the above # four times this morning, and the fax will not go through. Can I email to this information guestadmin@carnival.com  and it "should" work? TIA!

17 hours ago, blarko said:

OP didn’t say they were new to gambling. They said they were new to cruise ship gambling.......

Thank you!!

19 hours ago, Djptcp said:

A polite request - if you don't know how to play Blackjack please stay away from the tables as those of us who know how to play well don't appreciate those who don't know the rules of game. You may get lucky and win once when staying on something less than 17 against the dealer's 10, but it won't last and it screws it up for the rest of the players. We just returned from a Holland America cruise where a "newbie" had a 10 and a 4 and tried to split them! The dealer said no for a good reason. You could try Caribbean Stud Poker where it's just you playing against the dealer or you might like Roulette. Craps is not for people who don't know the many nuances and bets of the game. You might be better off just playing slots where you put your money in an go. Even with slots, play the maximum lines and then select how many times the minimum bet you want. I've seen people play 1 line out of 20 and then wonder why they don't win anything.

No worries seeing me at the Blackjack tables. Not my game even though I know how to play. I am all about Roulette since I always win playing it. 

We always take antibacterial soap in a pump for our bathroom. I hate using bar soap to wash my hands. 

Okay so I've never gambled on any of our cruises. How does it work? The tables, slot machines? Do I just hand over my sail and sign and all my bets are put on it? Do I need to take cash? Thanks for helping this cruise-ship gambling newbie!!

Thanks everyone! I think I am just going to order from the Fun Shop but hope I can still get a 5 for 4 bucket on board. 

57 minutes ago, coevan said:

I just searched the Fun Shops, Dos Equis was $21 for 4, Bud was $24 so $5.50-6.00 a beer, about the same as buckets. I am pretty sure a gratuity is added for buckets, no sure about the Fun Shops

I did notice that with the fun shops. Just was trying to figure out if it was cheaper to get the buckets once on board. They used to have a buy 4 get the 5th beer free for 24.00.  We loved that deal and drank a lot of Dos Equis that cruise. 

I can't find a current price list for the buckets of beer; Dos Equis in particular. Do they still have the buy 4 beers get 5 beers buckets? What is the current price for the buckets? I'm trying to decide if I just want to pre-purchase some beer or what until we get on board. Thanks!

Thank you everyone!! I didn't realize it could be done so early, or emailed. So much easier with the email. I will get on it to make sure we get our credit this cruise!!