starstruck05

It can be confusing mixing Real ID and EDL functions up but it's not at all confusing in trying to get one because you can't get an EDL anywhere that is not a bordering state. When I worked check in for Royal years ago, out of 1000s of passengers, I only saw 1. It is very clear what it is and how to use it. The EDL and the Real ID don't look at all alike except for the standard DL parts. EDL is labeled as such and Real ID, as I personally have one has the star. Personally the Real ID currently is pointless but the original goal was for it to function like the EDL for those who don't live in border states. However it still has not been fully enacted and also I rather just use my passport. I also tell everyone to not waste their hard earned money on a passport card. Just get a full passport. Now THAT is a money grab.

It's considered by the team depending on how many are in each group. You just have to ask at registration.

If you were parking in the Whale Lot, there are porters there to take your luggage inside the lot. They have dedicated spots for cruise passengers. If you park at Fulton and want to drop before parking, you enter through Mardi Gras world side like you're going to Carnival but you pass that and there will be porters by the Royal terminal usually under the "Tunnel"(not a real tunnel just a Covered area.) Then you would turn left out the port towards the convention center and turn left again and get in the right lane and Fulton Garage is a block or so up on the right. Can't miss it. TBH it's easier just to park at Fulton and take your bags on the Shuttle to save from sitting in traffic.

I'm trying to think of what Hotel that used to be but it is in a good location. Lots of bars and restaurants. You are blocked from seeing the cruise port by the Convention center but it's a quick, cheap cab ride.

I wouldn't let that deter you from walking through the mall. It's looked like that my whole life. 🤣🤣🤣 but I recommend a taxi because of the luggage and there are escalators and stairs involved with the mall.

I couldn't agree more. My only argument was that we can support that class of ship. Not ever saying it will ever happen. I personally would like a Vista class ship here over anything else.

I don't remember specifically. I think the Brilliance is what's currently sailing this "season". The change was slated for next "season". I saw it in an email. If I can find I'll update.

I don't know specifically if it's the breakaway but yes NCL ported a large ship here and Royal is bringing a bigger class as well. New Orleans can very much support an Excel ship. Boggles my mind people keep come up with made up reasons why it can't. Only issue I see is a capacity (parking/terminal space) problem which is already in the works to be resolved

You don't "remove" tips at the time of booking. You just simply don't prepay them. You can prepay anytime up until a few days before you travel. If you don't prepay you have to wait until they post during the cruise and have them removed at GS. It's not daily. It's done about 2 days before the cruise is over in one lump amount to your account. We usually don't prepay when we book the cruise. We prepay sometime before we sail, after final payment. Just works better for us.

The general rule is your passport should not expire within 6 months of travel. Carnival specifically lists Greenland, Bermuda and Columbia in its own section but the section above that states the general rule. I imagine those places have stronger passport rules than others. Beyond those places, the cruises line will not keep you from cruising if within that frame. Most of the cruiselines have about the same rule. https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1401/~/travel-documentation%3A-u.s.-permanent-residents

I think they will have some sort of grandfathering process but maybe like you said, if you haven't sailed in a number of years, you lose your status. I think a few lines already do that. We missed out on being grandfathered into the current program by like 1 or 2 cruises. So it took us a while to get to Platinum but we are on tracked for Diamond (based on the current program) in the next few years or less.

John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, has stated that the new program should be rolled out by the end of the year but he's not able to give details as to what the new program is. It's been in the works for a while. I suspect an announcement maybe in the fall.

Since it started back, I've only seen it referenced as late night snacks. When I made my comment earlier, I put "midnight buffet" is quotes because that's not what it actually is. It truly is late night snacks. If we want to be 100% honest the ships have always pretty much done it since the actual buffet went away. It just wasn't advertised at all. Before it started being advertised I've stumbled upon it headed late to pizza or ice cream. I'm not sure again why so many think it needs to be a gourmet set up. Chips and some Pico are prefect for me although I miss the fresh cut chips they used to have for the Mexican buffet. The chicken is the same chicken tenders Carnival has been serving for years.

I feel like pre paying is newer. I don't remember having the option before. But it's been a while since we decided Uber was easier for us. I haven't decided what to do in August yet.

I've never done it myself but friends have and yes you just mention you are doing a b2b and they charge you for both weeks.

The "Midnight Buffet" is the same across all ships and the food besides maybe the pizza and sandwiches, is the same food they serve during the day time. The pizza and sandwiches are different because they aren't made from the deli or pizza spot where they can use the equipment. It's food. It's not meant to be a 5 star meal. I've lugged some tenders up to my room and snuggled up to a movie on my TV many a nights before bed. No complaints from me.

Yes, they always refund to the original payment method. I've never had to do a gift card refund but I believe others have said Carnival usually issues a new gift card since they can't be reloaded. A safe bet, I would use the GC for on board spending and use your CC to prepay the excursions.

Never said it would go straight to an Excel ship. No one said that. I said it could support one. The newest ship, if it even is built, won't come in the fleet for several years. You keep claiming Carnival doesn't have a market here which is delusional. You have to know that they would have pulled out the market many years ago if that was the case. They have three ships in Galveston, one in Moblie, one in Tampa and one in Jacksonville. ALL within less than a days driving distance from here. If the demand wasn't there for all these markets, Carnival would be gone. No one even thought they would come back to Moblie yet they did. Why? Because the demand is there. I don't know what market you are looking at but to those of us who actually sail from these ports and have seen the growth over the years, we know. You don't.

The other poster is speaking invalid information. I live here, work here and cruise here. I know the port and the people who travel the port very well. I even worked the port for Royal for 2 years. I refuse to allow someone to spead lies. They have zero proof. They have only taken 1 cruise out of NOLA. They think just because they got 1 cheap cruise here 6 years ago it means the market can't fill ships. It's simply stupid and wrong.

Your post makes zero sense. I very much understand how the industry works. Again as I already stated if Carnival couldn't fill ships in NOLA why are there two ships still here every week? The Dream was here in NOLA since 2014. If it wasn't making enough money, it would have been moved long before. It was moved because it was part of the big shuffle of moves Carnival did at the time. If you hate New Orleans just say that but the market here is great other wise we wouldn't have Disney, NCL, And Royal plus small cruiselines sailing from here. And before you make some comment about them not being year round, it's because of limited space to expand in the area where the terminal is but that is already in the works to be resolved.

My brother was on a special booked fared. It would have been his 3rd cruise.

Mardi Gras New Years cruise in Dec. My brother was the primary booked for him, his wife and their two kids. He decided to take a job that required him to start Jan 2. He called Carnival to see what the name change fee or rebooking with just her name on it. Decided against it. He just no showed. We didn't tell anyone on the ship he wasn't coming. Got refunded the fees while we were still sailing. Nothing ever charged. No questions were asked. Just do a no show.

I've had discounted cruises offered to me from every single port Carnival travels out of. And not casino offers. Way more than location factors into why they would discount the cruise. Try again. Also EVERY port has had issues with being organized. Trust. It's a well oiled machine now. Debarkcation and Embarkation both are completely different since Covid. I've had more chaos and misinformation given to me leaving Port Canaveral than I've EVER had leaving New Orleans. So does that mean Port Canaveral can't handle the amount of passengers? No of course they can, just like NOLA can.

If Carnival couldn't sell the Dream they have no reason to have two year round ships here. Your comment is simply not true. Ship was full everytime I sailed her. The invalid NOLA speculation and lies needs to stop.