nissach

I do not have a problem with paying up front, but I was trying to book for us and another couple so we could sit together and I do not want to pay for all 4.  I am just concerned if we book separate we may not be able to sit at a table for 4, if we originally book as 2 separate couples.  

21 minutes ago, RenoNanaOz said:

Wow that is so strange. I did mine several months ago. Must have changed it, I just tried and yep, it asked me to checkout and pay.

So strange.  Maybe the change was just a recent one?

8 minutes ago, ChosenOne said:

Please: remember to carefully open and close your balcony door.  Nothing worse then neighbors who constantly let that door slam. 

Here's a fun little tip..use inexpensive plastic shower curtain rings to hang swim suits on the back bar of the chairs on your balcony.  Keeps items secure and dries so much faster then hanging on the shower clothesline.

Great tip!  Will have to do this.

50 minutes ago, RenoNanaOz said:

I used the Specialty Dining option on My Cruise Manager to book all 3 of my Reservations. Then I received an email confirming.

 

That is where I am.  It wants me to add the booking to my cart and then prompts me to pay for the $38 x 2 to complete the transaction.  Not sure why it would be different??

11 hours ago, Frank12 said:

Via e-mail. That's how we've always done it.

Who exactly did you email?  And where can I find the correct email for the Panorama?

I have never emailed before, just booked it online, but did not have to prepay for it.

6 hours ago, krusso80 said:

I also have reservations for 3 specialty restaurants on the Panorama this June without having to pay. Its really odd because sometimes when you log in you choose"Specialty Dinning", pick your restaurant and then they want to charge you. However when i log into Carnival on my daughters tablet there is a choice on the page that says "Make dinning reservations", that takes me a choice of onboard restaurants. I pick the one i want, set a time and click confirm, no payment required. I got an email confirmation for each a few days later. There unfortunately doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for when this option displays on the website. I have gotten it on Chrome on my desktop but not for awhile now but it was on the tablet last week. So just keep trying different browsers and devices i guess? Good Luck!

Hmmm.....interesting??

16 hours ago, devinc said:

 

Update:  Just off the Vista yesterday and very much enjoyed the adults only Havana!  I asked both Havana bar staff and life guard/doormen why the rule change was implemented and everyone I spoke with said it was because of kids.  Apparently, they would gather in the bar area fist counting down the time and then invade the pool and hot tubs.  I was told that they were simply too many kids being disruptive, loud and trashing it.  Many pax complaints came from the aft balconies.  

Good, glad they put a stop to that!

32 minutes ago, Frank12 said:

I've had my reservation for months, done the old way.  I have the confirmation e-mail.

So will they just bill my S&S card like they always have done?

And how did you go about making that reservation?  

2 minutes ago, Sailin_Pirate said:

From reading other forum posts here

 

You now prepay for specialty restaurants because of a recent? change in the process.

 

It is speculated it was because of people booking and not showing up.

 

 

 

 

 

Ok that makes sense.  Just thought it was different from the last time we booked.

When booking the steakhouse, does the charge need to be prepaid prior to the cruise if booked online?

I remember it being charged to my sign and sail account.

On 1/20/2020 at 6:11 PM, Banks822 said:

Grand Turk, Belize, Curacao. I can't pick just one!

I loved Curacao too.  All the beautifully painted buildings.

I have loved all of our warm weather Caribbean cruises and their ports.  But I have to say our favourite cruise/ports was the Norwegian fjord cruise we did in August 2017.  It was absolutely amazing!  Oslo was the highlight for us.  

1 hour ago, sapphire_407 said:

I avoid cruising in March and April because of Spring Break.  Tampa port is wonderful.  Not the madhouse that Miami is.

I agree that those times are crazy busy due to Spring Break and that Tampa is a great port.  It is the only time I can cruise(or Christmas/NY due to being a teacher), so busy is the norm for me when cruising.  So IMO it will be fine.  But as others have said book early and watch for price drops.

As for balcony or not, we have done both, and I cannot really say we enjoyed our balcony cruises more.  I book a balcony if the price is not too high vs. and inside or OV. 

As someone else commented, if it is your fiances first cruise I would probable save money book and inside/OV and use the savings for excursions, etc.

2 hours ago, Luv2Cruze4 said:

We are Canadian as well. We did buy some through our Carnival PA just in case my elderly MIL was not able to make the trip - very reasonable.

But our credit card we booked with also provided some as well. I have to assume you are wondering what would happen if one of your family got sick and had to cancel? Credit card insurance should cover that. If Carnival cancels, they would re-emburse you.

This is what we rely on as well.  The credit card coverage and coverage bought through Carnival.  We also buy travel/health insurance through Blue Cross.  This may not cover the cost of the missing the cruise however, just coverage in case of medical emergencies, etc.

The less country music the better for me.

Any additional feedback/opinions on the Havana area?

Were you always able to get a place to sit?

How was the bar service?

We cannot wait till we board in March and have our first visit to the Havana area!

On 12/31/2019 at 8:39 PM, Lottacruises said:

People worry too much about tipping. Why are you (whoever) worried about what others tip? Are you scared of looking cheap? Are you worried about tipping too much? Tipping should he between you and whoever if anyone you decide to tip. If anyone is worried about your tips not going where you want it to just remove them. If you feel it's important to leave them to take care of those behind the scenes employees then leave them. Tip before, tip after, or dont tip at all. If you need any more advice send me a tip. If you find my advice useful send me a tip. If you want advice on a question you're gonna ask next week feel free to tip me in advance. If you dont want to tip me then dont. 

Exactly!  Tipping is not mandatory, it is a choice.  Tip as you want, or do not want.

I really could less who the CD is.  Has absolutely no bearing on what cruise I decide to book.

22 hours ago, Oldskl said:

 Your small premium payment of a few hundred dollars doesn't make you any more special or exclusive than other passengers. 

Agreed.  It does not make us more special, but that premium we paid does give us exclusive access to the Havana area over those who did not pay the premium, either by choice or according to the rules. 

We did a Norwegian Fjord cruise in 2017.  We spent 5 days prior in London and took the train to Southamptom, I know different terminal, but we left at around 9 am the day of the cruise to get there in plenty of time to board.  It was about a 2 hour train ride.  Then hopped in a taxi to the terminal.

You will love this cruise!!  One of the best we have been on.

Has anyone stayed in 5205 or 5208?

58 minutes ago, jamieleighann16 said:

Is the Havana area open to Havana guests 24/7? If not, what are the hours? 

I am curious about that as well??

2 hours ago, carib1 said:

My last cruise we had a Havana Aft Facing Balcony.  At night while sitting out on our balcony enjoying our view of the Havana area, it was usually ruined by the non Havana people using the area.  Instead of it being serene and peaceful, it was kinda obnoxious, beer cans rolling all over the deck, people pawing all over each other in the hot tubs, etc. So yes, if it is empty it is still being enjoyed by the Havana guests!  That is what we pay for!

Interesting......So it is not as underused as some have suggested after 7 pm.

"So yes, if it is empty it is still being enjoyed by the Havana guests!" 

Great point!

Why can't people just board/check in when they are assigned too??  Everyone would like to be on the ship as early as possible in most cases.  I guess just take your chances as others have suggested in the early/late line and cross your fingers.

We have never waited too long to board on any of our cruises.  

Just now, Relaxing Robbies said:

Similar price to an inside, a view if you select your cabin carefully between lifeboats, and also a bigger cabin with a sofa in it. We love these cabins.

Thanks!