spyingeyes

Dream on 19 October

The cruise I am trying to book in October is sold out. I even called Carnival directly. The advice they gave was to check back often. Is this where using a PVP would be useful? Will they do the leg work and keep checking for me? If so, any recommendations on a good one.

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We did the behind the fun tour on the Magic on the 30 March cruise. We were told by several employees that the Magic will likely be repositioned after dry dock.

I love that there is now a post on John Healds facebook with a couple of messages from people who heard on CC that Carnival is doing away with traditional dining.

If it's written on the internet somewhere, it must be true!

No difference from a land based restaurant. Unfortunate...

On Magic in Galveston. Ship announced we'll leave after hull cleaning but online news reporting that Coast Guard hasn't given indication if they'll open the port. I know oil spill is not Carnival's fault. Just wish they'd be honest with us.

 

 

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I sure hope you guys get out tonight. I'd like to think they aren't being dishonest, only reporting what they've been told by authorities at the moment. I'd be frustrated too though.

To all the folks talking about losing jobs: maybe these type of factors should weigh heavily when you decide on whether or not now is the best time to vacation. If I had no wiggle room in getting back to work, I don't think I would take the chance. Not seeing how this is a concern of Carnival, especially in a situation like this.

I would expect some compensation. Of some kind. What if there are no hotels open to book? Then what?

While I certainly understand your frustration, I don't understand why you think there should be compensation. Carnival has stated that they will prorate the cruise. That's the right thing to do. Nothing more. If there are no hotels available, I would drive out of town until I found one that was available. Stuff happens. If I drove to Disney World and there was a tornado that destroyed the castle and the park was closed, would I expect compensation from Disney for anything? Nope.

Not everyone can afford another night in a hotel or not everyone can afford insurance. What about all the people still on the ship that now have missed getting home.

It's the same thing for weather delays on flights. My family spent three nights in NYC in January due to the massive storm. Delta didn't pay for rooms, food, etc. nor would I expect them too. This isn't Carnival's fault at all. Unfortunate? Absolutely.

Update on the Magic:

 

The Port of Galveston remains closed to all ship traffic due to the oil spill. Consequently, due to the uncertainty of when the port will re-open, and the time it takes to disembark guests from the previous cruise, we are forced to cancel today’s embarkation. Our tentative plan is to operate a 6-day cruise embarking tomorrow, depending on how the situation unfolds. Once we have docked we can confirm our itinerary.

 

We realized this is an unexpected change in your travel plans and apologize for this disruption to your cruise. If you choose to continue with your cruise vacation, you will receive a one-day prorated refund of your cruise fare (refunded with the next 2 weeks) and a gratuities adjustment to reflect the shortened cruise. However, should you wish to cancel or reschedule, please contact 1800 CARNIVAL to request your refund or future cruise credit.

 

We're sorry but refunds will not be provided for flight changes, hotel accommodations, meals, transfers or other incidental costs resulting from this delay.

 

In the meantime, to stay in touch, if you have not already done so, we encourage you to sign up for text alerts by texting CCL1 to CRUISE (278473) to receive updates.

 

Once again, we apologize for this delay and thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

We will provide you with another update this evening by 7:00 PM(CDT).

That's too bad, I know what a bummer this must be for all that were expecting to sail today. Hope they all get out tomorrow early...

The Port remains closed due to the oil spill. Embarkation for your cruise will be Monday if the ship is able to dock. More info will be sent via email.

Not good...hopefully they get to board tomorrow. Hopefully I get to board next Sunday!

Use cash. The Visa/MC logos only mean that the transactions can be ran across those networks. You do not have the same protections. At the end of the day would you rather someone wipeout our your checking account that you pay your rent or mortgage from or eat up your credit limit that you are protected from having to pay for fraudulent charges. Yes, you should get the money back in your checking, but how long depends on your bank. As a banker, i don't even use my debit card in this country, let alone outside its borders.

 

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Guess I have been lucky over the last 21 years of traveling outside of the US and using mine. Comes down to personal choice I guess and what you feel comfortable with. I personally feel comfortable using mine and do so often in Europe, Asia and South America. Have fun at Mr. Sanchos, regardless of how you pay for it lol...

It's always funny to me how people say never use your debit card outside of the US. I travel extensively outside of the US for my job and that's all I use. If your debit card has a VISA/MC logo, you are offered the same protections. Use your debit card at Mr. Sanchos and feel safe with doing so. I've even used it there myself on two occasions.

We booked the free cabin offer and bought the very inexpensive insurence ,based on what you paid ...in our case just taxes. Without it we were told we would be charged full price for the cruise if for any reason we had to cancel and also could not changes main booking name

Yup, spot on...booked a couple of free cruises through the casino. ALWAYS take the insurance for these as you must pay full fare if you are unable to make the cruise for any reason. The insurance is a small price to pay to CYA.

I took the insurance as well...small price to pay.

Definitely that time of year in Galveston.

Lol, nice.

That's great to hear! Thanks very much!

I am booked in a balcony room towards the very front of the Empress Deck on the Magic. I'm very happy with the location but I just realized that it is a connecting room. As it is just the wife and I, we will have no idea who is next door in the connecting room. Anyone have experience with a connecting room? Wondering if it will be any easier to hear the neighbors? I realize we won't spend a lot of time in the room, but if it is considerably louder than a non-connecting room, we may change. Appreciate any feedback.

Carnival is very good at marketing. They pay people very well to come up with strategies that purport to be something brilliant but are actually something that will further line their pockets. I believe this to be the case with the dining changes. I love Carnival, I have never had a bad cruise with them but the new menu really is a major disappointment for me personally. I guarantee that some of the more popular food choices that so many have mentioned here were purposely left off the new menus so they can "tweak" them and bring them back and say, "see, we do listen to our customers". It's all part of the marketing strategy. They'll bring back one or two items to make it a little more like the old menu, it will appease many, they will score a PA victory, and the new menus will be the norm until the next brilliant idea comes along. The disappointment I have with the new menus won't necessarily dissuade me from ever sailing on Carnival, but it will certainly give me reason to branch out to other cruise lines and not be as loyal, or as committed to them as I have always been.

I think it sounds good. People can be resistant to change but I think if folks give this a fair chance, they will probably enjoy the change.

They're on the ship and that's enough...

Just going off my past experiences where we have been responded back to positively up to several months out.

If you've never been to Grand Cayman before - a trip to Stingray City is a must! We've used Moby Dick tours (find them online) 2 times, and they are very, very reasonable. They are a LOT cheaper than the ship's excursion to do the same thing, and the guides are so nice, and they spend a lot of time w/you and you get to enjoy it to the fullest. They will drop you off in town, and it gives you time to shop some of the shops, and look around before you get back on the tender boat. We also had a little time before our excursion left to look around in town too.

 

Cozumel has SO many options, and you don't have to spend any money here if you don't want to. If you like to snorkel, try the Money Bar - which is free (other than a taxi ride to & from - which is about $8-10 one way - that is per taxi) We've heard the food is good at the bar, and there are facilities to lounge on their man-made beach too. I believe Paradise Beach is also very reasonable ($2 entrance I believe) to enjoy their beach. Food & water toys are extra. It would also take a taxi to get there.

 

But, if you want to just walk around the town, take a taxi into San Miquel and just start walking! There are so many shops and restaurants to explore - and its fun to interact with the locals. We LOVE looking around in town. Do not be afraid in Coz or Grand Cayman to just explore.

Stingray City is one of our most favorite excursions of any port!