centurycruiser

We just got off the Enchantment today and when we were in Nassau on Jan 21 there was a strange looking ship docked at the pier. It appeared to be about 10 decks (or so) high and didn't have any balconies or even many port holes. Not sure if it was a cruise ship but it was a strange place for a container ship to dock.

When we got back to port it was dark and difficult to read the name. I thought I could find out from some of the websites that list ships in ports but I didn't see anything.

Anyone know what it was?

We usually book guarantee and have never been assigned a 1A.

In 20 cruises I signed on to the internet once because I remembered I had to pay a bill. A $6 package doesn't sound bad at all...what does that include?

Just 24 hours (1 day) of social media, i.e., facebook, twitter, pinterest, etc.

To check email or other websites (pay a bill for example) you need the $16 per day plan.

Just curious....did you ask the internet manager onboard, if 'per minute' rates were available?

 

We haven't done Carnival in awhile, but were on Princess last week. Deeply buried in the prices was the 'per minute' rate ($.75).

Yes, there are only the three plan choices to log on and set up an account.

Apparently, they only have this option on a few ships right now. I don't know if they are test marketing or intent on going this way on all ships.

I would love to know what the three other cruise lines are that give the OP free Internet access. I am guessing they are not mass-market lines and nowhere near Carnival's price points.

I get free internet on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess because of my frequent cruising status. So, if Carnival follows the same internet policy on all their ships, I can cruise plenty of others with free internet.

I just got off the Sunshine and was surprised they didn't offer an internet package that was pay as you go. They only offered packages that were for 24 hour periods, $6, $16, and $25 per 24 hour period.

When I cruise I like to check my email and a couple of websites during the week. I might use 15-20 minutes each week, but, there is no way I would pay those kind of rates for any one day, let alone a full week. Before that happened I would quit cruising Carnival.

Carnival's packages appear to be geared to the young people who need constant internet access. Us older folks are just fine with a "little" access. Maybe Carnival is sending us older folks a message: "We don't want you, or, we don't need you!"

I get free internet on 3 other cruise lines and while I enjoy cruising Carnival, I would not do it if it meant paying $16 per day or not having internet access. I am almost Diamond but if Carnival does this on all ships, I'll never get there.

On the other hand I really enjoyed all the different dining options.

Do you like the Carnival packages or are you like me and prefer the per minute plans?

For Freedom's Jan 2015 drydock -- does anyone know what will be done to the ship. Are they adding new restaurants -- hope a Park Cafe. Wonder if they will change Portofino to Giovanni's Table?

I think they are adding a Guy's Burgers!:D

We usually carry around $200 in cash for a 7 night cruise regardless of the ship. Most is for tips to staff, bar, waiters, porters, etc. Anyone who does something nice gets some cash. Some for small stuff in ports but, any purchases on the ship go on the sea pass card and any purchases in port on the credit card.

We don't have to worry about losing too much if anything bad happens.

RE: Happy Hour Voucher Test Pilot Program

 

Regrettably, we have not announced any additional sailings which will offer this program. We are very sorry for any disappointment this may cause.

Thanks Patty that answered my question. That was not the answer I was hoping for but hopefully Royal will receive enough positive feedback to expand the program permanently to all ships.

My wife and I are both D+ and it was nice to be able to find seats in both lounges.

On Brilliance, each evening the staff brought in glassware and some liquor and mixers, but once again in most instances went to the bar in the adjacent Viking Crown to fulfil them.

Having a DL on the Freedom doesn't mean that over flows are not needed. Frequently the card room and game room are added. When they do that they set up a temporary bar or two and one or two hot Hors d'œuvre stations and often the whole Viking Crown Lounge is used. On our recent cruise with the 3 drinks on our card, they still used the game room and the DL, but, generally seats were available in each.

The first night we peeked in the card room and game room and didn't see anyone we knew. They were only 1/3 occupied. We went to the DL and that was not being used at all. The first night is usually the busiest so we were really surprised that so many seats were available.

Bertie told us there were about 200 D and D+ whereas the average on the Freedom is 300.

How do you know they are doing this for your particular ship. As discussed first it started with the Indy, then I head Explorer and now the Freedom.

 

... is there a note in your room tell you there are drinks on your cards. I'm sure I'll be using the CL as I'm not a fan of the drinks at the lounge (I like the Hors d'oeuvre - they put out those yummy chocolate cookies). :D

You get a card in your state room that describes the process, the limiting times, the beverages included and what bars don't participate.

Just trying to clarify the jargon that causes endless confusion - the original poster used the term Diamond Event in reference to the drink situation on Freedom.

As used by RC, Diamond Event refers only to the D parties on ships without a Diamond Lounge. These events do not include beer and soda, which might be the cause of confusion about rum and coke.

Nitpicking here, but if the term Diamond Event is used to refer to anything on a ship with a D Lounge, there will be some confusion.

What would you call the period when the Diamond Lounge serves drinks? Think of something that would define it better than Diamond event and I can live with that. Happy hour alone wouldn't describe something that was limited to Diamonds and above.

Agreed agreed. I think this is an excellent way of addressing the overcrowding that sometimes occurs in the lounge on certain sailings. Some people would clearly prefer to get their free drinks elsewhere, and I'm glad they are being permitted to do so on certain ships.

I would not be surprised to see some limits in the future--even if Royal keeps this program. Eventually, the Concierge Lounge would be full again without considering suite guests. Do you think more Diamond+ are being created or dying off? I heard rumors that Royal is going to redesign their C&A program to be more like Celebrity's Captain's Club, but, any discussion on that topic should be a new thread.

From what I observed on the Freedom and read on this thread, if it was intended to reduce over crowding in the lounges it was successful and well received.

Your input is appreciated. This new method of drink vouches complimenting the lounge times seems to be getting more popular. I hope RCI decides that it goes fleetwide.

I can understand why.

The lounges were hardly ever full. The concierge lounge had kids each evening. I am sure they were from the suites so the suite guests probably liked it because there were almost always seats available. And no old D+ complaining about kids in the lounge!

Thanks. I like white, but not Chardonnay so I will be happy if a Pinot Grigio is offered. If not, no big deal. I'll just buy my glass of wine as I always do.

Try the Chardonnay. You may be pleasantly surprised. I don't normally care for it, but, this was nice. And, nothing like a free taste test.

Now I am confused because the title says Diamond Event, but those only exist on ships without Diamond Lounges. :confused:

The Diamond event refers to the happy hour time. The drinks on the card are the same hours the lounges are open. Supposedly, any left unused at 8:00PM turned into pumpkins.

So is this just fleetwide for all Diamond and above members, only ships that have a DL, or select ships at this time?

That's why I asked the question. I was wondering if they were testing this on one ship, a few ships or if it was fleet wide.

I was also told that if I ordered a rum and coke I'd have to pay for the coke. Really??? I can't believe if I was in the Diamond lounge I'd have to pay for the coke.

On the Freedom they did serve rum & diet coke at the bars without charging. But one woman told us she tried to get a triple Baily's on the rocks and the bar tender didn't know how to handle it.

I found that if you give your card and a cash tip when ordering they don't give a receipt. If you don't give a cash tip they will give you a receipt that is 0.00 but has a place to write in a tip.

Do you happen to remember what wines were on the list? I know usually in the lounge it's Chardonnay or Merlot. Hoping maybe there are more choices at the bars.

The Chardonnay and Cabernet were St Martin and were very nice for house wine. Merlot may have been the same. They offered Pinot Grigio and I don't remember the brand and also Beringer White Zin.

We were on the Freedom last week and for happy hour our cards were provided with 3 drinks we could get at any bar between the hours of 4:30 and 8:00. This was done so we didn't need to go to the Diamond Lounge or Concierge Lounge, although those were available too.

I was told this was only the second week they were doing this. Does anyone know which other ships do this?

Does anyone know if the "loaded card" is available on all ships, or, just a few?

We were on the Freedom last week and they said it was the second week of the "trial." It was a nice experience.

The cabernet and chardonnay were St Martin and both were very nice. Seemed like a step up from the normal lounge red and white wines.

The available drinks at the bars using your "loaded card" included Baily's Irish Cream and Corona beer, neither of which are usually available in the CL or DL. All the other liquors and beers are typically offered in the CL and DL.

601. Elationismyship, Maria & Doug - Cinci OH

602. luvmysox1, Michelle & Jeff - Lake Station, IN

603. MacKenzie Girl plus 1 - Jackson AL

604. CDNseeking heat - Toronto Ontario

605. msolberg, Mark and Diane - Michigan

606. Near the Beach, Charlie,Rhonda & Phillip - Florida

607. Beave8920 - Dave and Barbee - Minden, NV

608. BenjiRodney (Roger)- WV

609. PegNRay Peg and Ray - Illinois

610. Judyzoo , Judy - Miami FL

611. Cruisingcouple2008 - Amy and Austin - Albany, NY

612 lcantwait - Knoxville, TN

613. roxy13 - TXS

614. Breadman54 - John and Christi - Austria, Europe

615. Mandnjim (1 of them ) - Florida

616. Kakraz - Austria, Europe

617. Dutch Diver,JP & Yolanda - Netherlands

618. supercrew1962 stacey and paul - Indianapolis, IN

619. Jeanarch - Oak Grove LA

620. clearwatergirl- Clearwater FL

621. MongoliaBlossom - Louisiana

622. DebJ14 - Bill and Debbie - Texas

623. Hawaii697, Waldorf, MD

624. Oldrailfan, Hiddenite, NC

625. Rusty-Girl, Hiddenite, NC

626. Angie1818, Panama City, FL

627. Tigereye, Montgomery, Al.

628. Riedela, Fayetteville, AR

629. Centurycruiser, Port Orange, FL

630. James in SA, TX

631. Regestd & Dwayne in Olympia, WA

632. Beauty1492 frozen tundra Ohio

633. Cruisingbandmom, Canton, GA

634. Elliair - California

635. Jim & Mieke -Columbus, OH

636 and 637. SteelerCruisers- Myrtle Beach, SC

638 and 639. Smiling Cruiser and Joe

640 and 641 Ocean Dancer & DH, Delaware

642 and 643 ocs1985, Bobby & Dianne- Southside,Al.

644 Lady N Red Paulla Laurinburg,N

645. & 646. Cruise2062 & DH - West Virginia

647. ourfamilylovescruising Deanna and Mike Palmetto, FL

648 Deb Brown - Winter Haven, F

649 &650. dotshub- Larry & Dot, Tampa, FL

651 shayesship - Steve Hayes, Orlando, FL

652 Beth Hayes, Orlando, FL

653. Kristi and DH, SC

654. beachbum6264 Middle Tennessee

655. moxie99 & hubby - Maine

656. Jerome & Toni - Chittenden, Vermont

657 and 658 Wayne and Shawn Orlando

659 Jiggs - USA

660. Isa and Ray - Miami Florida

661 & 662 - Realmccoy- bob and stacey -Fullerton CA

663. Leo Tenorio - Spanish Fort AlaBAMA

664 & 665 Jake & Laura UP Michigan

666 & 667 sammy1956 & GF - NC Not crazy bout the number

668 Walkenkeg - Bay area, California

669 Cricket63, SC

670 & 671 Bob & Nancy, the Villages

672 Emily, Port Orange FL

673 & 674 Jim n Janet Port Orange Fl

Originally Posted by angie1818

600. cantw82cruise , John & Sherri - Battle Creek, MI

601. Elationismyship, Maria & Doug - Cinci OH

602. luvmysox1, Michelle & Jeff - Lake Station, IN

603. MacKenzie Girl plus 1 - Jackson AL

604. CDNseeking heat - Toronto Ontario

605. msolberg, Mark and Diane - Michigan

606. Near the Beach, Charlie,Rhonda & Phillip - Florida

607. Beave8920 - Dave and Barbee - Minden, NV

608. BenjiRodney (Roger)- WV

609. PegNRay Peg and Ray - Illinois

610. Judyzoo , Judy - Miami FL

611. Cruisingcouple2008 - Amy and Austin - Albany, NY

612 lcantwait - Knoxville, TN

613. roxy13 - TXS

614. Breadman54 - John and Christi - Austria, Europe

615. Mandnjim (1 of them ) - Florida

616. Kakraz - Austria, Europe

617. Dutch Diver,JP & Yolanda - Netherlands

618. supercrew1962 stacey and paul - Indianapolis, IN

619. Jeanarch - Oak Grove LA

620. clearwatergirl- Clearwater FL

621. MongoliaBlossom - Louisiana

622. DebJ14 - Bill and Debbie - Texas

623. Hawaii697, Waldorf, MD

624. Oldrailfan, Hiddenite, NC

625. Rusty-Girl, Hiddenite, NC

626. Angie1818, Panama City, FL

627. Tigereye, Montgomery, Al.

628. Riedela, Fayetteville, AR

629. Centurycruiser, Port Orange, FL

People have mentioned that they enjoy watching the Ocean Aria show from these balconies. It's a bit of a different perspective, but the sound of the show is somewhat muffled up there. I would recommend watching the show up there, but only after or before seeing it from the seats.

That concurs with my experience. We were in 11327 and I couldn't tell if they were announcing a show or that a train was arriving on track 7! The sound was terrible.

But, we both loved the balcony. The bridge provides some shade at various times of the day and since neither one of us is a sun worshiper, we liked that. It is not right over the balcony of 11327 and I assume 11727. We also used the balcony at the end of deck 11 from time to time and never had a problem finding seats. Usually, just us or us and another couple.

I would do this again. Good exercise walking back and forth to the elevator.

Don't forget your bug spray!

Here's a site with "tours" of several sites.

http://www.jaunts.com/Mayan/Chacchoben.html

The two most spectacular seem to be Tulum and "Chicken Pizza." But, you've ruled those out.

If we wait enough time everyone on that cruise will report in. We were there, too.

October 9, 2011 on Freedom we left Port Canaveral and ran straight into 86mph sustained winds with gusts to 106mph. The boat listed 12 degrees and a crewman said we had 30 to 40 foot seas. Every cabin got at least a $200 OBC with some getting more because of water damage. We had late seating dinner which got canceled. Those in first seating saw there plates slide onto the floor. I saw all the silverware, chairs and tables from Sorrento's go sliding across the floor. At around 10pm they let us know we could go to the dinning room for sandwiches and pizza. The weather on the rest of the trip could not have been better. A friend was on her first cruise and other then the first night she said she would cruise again.

We on the Freedom when it went back out. How bad was it? We were ordered to our cabins (without dinner! :eek:) and the elevators were shut off. THAT'S when I know it was an emergency! Lots of water came in our bacony, and yes it was closed and locked. We don't get seasick, but I remember laying on the bed sort of rolling from side to side as I watched tv!

My friend and I were on this cruise too!!!! It was insane. We were the only 2 people in Viking Crown Lounge when it got the worst, right before they ordered everyone to their staterooms! Every single bottle of liquor and wine fell off the bar and onto the floor while we were there! We tried helping the bartender clean up, but he wouldn't let us and looked at us, with that fear in his eyes, and said we ought to make our way to deck 4 (where the life boats are)!!! As soon as we left, that's when the announcement was made to go to our stateroom. People were holding onto the railing to keep from falling over. Lol we started video taping a red bull can rolling back and forth on the floor in our room! The only time I was thankful for an inside cabin so I couldn't see how bad it was outside.

That's funny we and another couple, our dear cruising friends, were almost the only ones left in the Diamond Lounge when everything crashed to the floor. I think one other couple got up then and left. We stayed until they told us to go to the cabin. The crew we saw and talked to were so scared. When I realized the elevators weren't working, my knees actually shook for the first time in my life. What an experience - we will never forget it for sure.

We might have been that other couple. We were sitting in the DL having a drink and watching the water pour off the roof each time the ship listed to that side. Amazing flow, like a water fall.

All of a sudden bottles and plates crashed to the floor and soda cans cascaded.

DW and I returned to our state room figuring our chance for dinner was over for that evening and we retired.

The next day we found that the FOS had lost over 2000 bottles of liquor and over 8000 dinner plates. Amazing they still were able to feed everyone the rest of the cruise.

We were also told each state room was visited over night to check on the occupants. If so, we slept through that. And we missed the sandwiches and sodas served in the atrium. But, we had a memory that will last a lifetime.

While intense, this probably only lasted 1/2 hour or so and one dramatic tilt caused all the damage.

Can you wear shorts to the club? Recently off of Celebrity- and no shorts/ flip flops allowed. Our dinner is not till 830- so we may go to club early then get changed for dinner.

That's what we usually do. We head out around 6 to change for dinner and then maybe stop back for one more before dinner

If you got sea sick on the Allure you may want to look for a bigger ship next time instead of a smaller one. Oh, wait! There are no bigger ships!

It must depend on what time you arrive. We usually get there between 12 and 12:30 and don't encounter any lines for the VIP section. At that time we usually get right on the ship, no waiting, no sitting.

There is a VIP entrance on the right side of the terminal. When you go in that entrance there is a separate security set up for VIP's. There's usually a long line for the entrance on the left so don't stand there. I assume VFFT use the VIP entrance also. Security is at the door and they'll let you know if are at the wrong entrance. If you try the right door and have to go left you won't miss much, but, if you get in the left line when you could have gotten in the right line, it will set you back some.

After you go upstairs the VIP section is off to the left.

I am sure they get busy at times (maybe earlier?) because they have several terminals at a counter but, we usually end up inside the room where there are two desks and two clerks.

Never had to wait for either the Sensation or the Dream.

Good luck.

They do have a website.

http://www.717parking.com/cruise-parking/

717 apparently manages parking lots all over the place.

When there didn't seem to be any response from any cc's, I used Google street view to check the two lots they use for cruise parking in Tampa and the lots are not fenced. At least at the time of Google's video. So, I guess that accounts for the $2.99 per day rate.