Ohio Bucki

I've attend the second drill on both of my B2B cruises, However I never asked if I could skip the second one.

Starboard is the right-hand side, facing forward

Get rid of all the picture taking!!

Has anyone been on an excursion to Chichen-Itza. Is it worth a ferry ride and a long bus ride? I assume they do not let you on the pyramid.

SAS is a much better choice than Carnival transfer. Cheaper and much quicker.

I've used SAS in the past and totally agree.

Thanks for all the info.

O.P.

I'm sailing in November on the Glory out of Miami, 7 day cruise.

This will be my first cruise as Platinum, Is the Platinum-Diamond party held on a typical day of the cruise? Is it held in the large theater or one of the smaller areas. How long does it typically last and is it basically the same as the past guest parties I attended back when Gold member could attend? Thanks!!

I would definitely suggest the B2B. I have done two in the past and have one scheduled for this November. To me the biggest hassle is getting to the port and then back home, so this way I get two cruises and only have one round trip.

It's also great at the end of the first week when everybody else is packing to go home and you know you have another week to look forward to.

If a Platinum takes a B2B cruise do you get the same gift both weeks or do they find a different gift for the second week?

Thank you to everyone who has reapplied!

Tom thank you for the additional information regarding the details regarding the back to back sailings. I am gathering from your comments that you would recommend doing a back to back sailing.

The itiniary is eastern first and thenwestern which is good because we haven't been western in at least 6 cruises. We have been eastern and southern.

I am sure we will have more questions. I have a silly question. We are 5 points from plantnium which we will reach after the cruise. I don't think this effects anything other than priority boarding and possible savings on future bookings but since we will already be on board we don't need to change our cabin keys our do we?

I would definitely recommend doing a back to back if you can, in fact I am doing another B2B on the Glory this November. You will get a new cabin key and new sign and sail account after the first week. If you are 5 points away from being Platinum right now before your cruise, I believe that you will have Platinum status at the beginning of your first week. If you check your cruise documents online it should indicate what level you will be at when you board the ship.

I read the Glory is scheduled for dry dock next Spring. Has anyone been on her recently? How was it?

 

I also posted the following question yesterday about doing back to back cruises. And haven't received any responses. Since we have chosen a cruise since I posted I am adding the change and question to this post. Hoping to receive some advice.

 

We are planning a graduation cruise for our eldest son for June and or July. We are planning a back to back cruise. I have looked at a lot of options and have gotten his feedback and he's chosen the Glory. He also likes the Conquest. The Glory and Conquest itineraries are almost identical. We are looking at the June 25th Eastern sailing on the Glory followed by the July 2nd Western sailing on the Glory.

 

He also liked the Magic. But we think the Glory is a good choice and he likes the ports over more features on the ship.

 

We have never done a back to back cruise. Any advice, insight or thoughts would

be appreciated.

 

And any advice about the Glory.

I did a B2B on the Glory in November 2014. I had the same cabin for both legs of the cruise which made it very simple, no need to pack your bags at the end of the first week. On the last night of the first week you should receive a letter in your cabin explaining the process the next morning. Usually it will tell you to meet in the main lobby at about 10:30, after all the rest of the passengers have left the ship one of the crew members will walk you off the ship to go thru customs. All you need to take is your passport and your customs form. Then the crew member will take you back on board, give you a new sign and sail card for week two, usually offer you a free glass of champagne, take a group picture with the other B2B people and then you are free to enjoy the empty ship for about and hour. Its great to watch everybody else get off the ship knowing you get to stay on for another week. Any other question, let me know. Tom

I am writing on behalf of family members who had a HORRIBLE time on the splendor.

they were on deck 6 just above the theatre.

The ship is under major construction, including the theatre. There was drilling, banging, crashing, and destruction ALL NIGHT LONG, for all 7 nights.

 

They could not sleep at all.

 

They begged to change cabins, but there were no available.

 

Carnival offered then 30% off of their cruise fare, but I do not think that is acceptable, they were not able to enjoy their cruise at all.

 

On top of it all, one person got food poisoning from a veggie burger.

 

Anyone know how to proceed? These are people who scrimp and save an entire year to go on 1 cruise, and it was such a disaster.

 

TIA!

Was the theatre closed for the week since it was under major construction?

I was on the Splendor November 2015 and would not call the ship a "lame duck" at all. It seemed very well maintained from my point of view, I am not picky about little things. The pink donut décor is a little much for me but after a day or two I never gave it a second thought.

The ship overall seemed very nice to me and should be even nicer after a dry dock. I would not have any reservations about booking the ship again. Enjoy your cruise!!

Both say they are all-inclusive. I've been trying to figure out the difference as well...

It looks to me like the only one that is all-inclusive is the "VIP". I would say the OP assumption about the difference is correct.

Thanks for the info. Any other comments?

I will be turning Platinum during my next cruise, day 5 of 7. I understand that I will be Platinum from the beginning of the cruise, my Cruise Documents are marked Platinum and have "Priority" printed on the booking summary. My question is now that I am Platinum, what is the embarkation/check-in process. I see that I now get priority tender boarding, how does that work?

I understand that there are other new benefits now, but is there anything specific I need to know? I will be sailing out of Miami if that makes any difference.

If you prepay the gratuities does that protect you from gratuity increases prior to your cruise?

Fantastic ideas. I was a little surprised that I did not get an email confirmation after I paid the deposit. Is that common?

Yes, I always receive a confirmation email several minutes after booking. Did you use a PVP?

On the cruise ship tracker website the Splendor destination is listed as Key West Medevac, I assume that means the ship was diverted due to a medical emergency? Today was listed as a sea day in route to Cozumel.

I got the same email last November for a sailing on the Glory, I was onboard having lunch at 12:15.

We were on this cruise with you. We did enjoy it very much. I agree with all of your statements except the one about the water being calm. At night on Deck 6 aft we had quite a bit of motion which was extremely noticeable for over half of the evenings.

 

I'm available for questions as well :)

What was your opinion of the ship décor/color?

55 days until Splendor!!

True you can.....and I always have with the exception of Mahogany Bay. Question is....is DR safe? I know the area near MB they basically advise not to venture off property unless on an official excursion.

 

Sad to see the exploitation by the cruiselines.

Exploitation of whom???

Looks like the same pool design as Grand Turk and the beach/skyride feel of Mohagony Bay.....

 

Is this the future of cruising? "Fake" ports that all look the same. Passengers that never set foot in the actual reality of the country they're visiting?

 

Kinda depressing.

There are many excursions available that will allow you to see the surrounding area. I’ve been on about 10 cruises, I don’t remember ever stepping off the ship into a native environment, there’s always some kind of commercialized area.