emm126

I was going to get booster this week however I am going on the Freedom next Saturday and I am scared when I go to check in they will say I can't go on because I don't have 14 days after the vax. I can't seem to find out if that is true anywhere.

FYI- you can charge your phone at some of the Slot machines in the casino.

Sid - enjoy your cruise! she is a beautiful ship and I think you will enjoy all the dinning options and bars!! Cheers!

I was on the Mardi Gras in August and pretty sure there was a letter in our room when we got onboard. I had to re read it to remember where to get the chocolate covered strawberries. (my niece loves them) I will be on the Horizon again in a couple of weeks so we shall see.

14 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

 

 

 

Patti makes it back to the Lobby Bar and Saint Greg joins us for a while…..

 

 

This cracked me up! Saint Greg meets us for a drink and the picture is of Jeff and Patch. I don't need to know what Saint Greg looks like, I will think he is looks like Patch from now on! LOL

 

 

 

 

5 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

The guy at the table next to us is upset there isn’t table clothes. He’s mentioned it at least 5 times. I can’t wait until “formal” night. 

This will be my mom on the Horizon in December. She noticed on her last cruise, I was like what, there was no table clothes?. Enjoying your review. I loved the Mardi Gras, although I feel like I need to go back again as there is so much to do, 1 week is not enough! Have fun the rest of the cruise!

I hope you see this message,  I thought I would ask here as I didn't want to interrupt your Miracle/Panorama review. I am going on the same cruise in December and was wondering how you booked your day pass in Aruba at the Radisson? TY. 

Well you are doing such a great job on your review, today I booked the Horizon again for December! same itinerary as yours. Was going to do the Legend from Baltimore, as it is an easy 4 hour drive from LI but now I will have a 3 hour flight to Miami- lol. Interested to see what you did in La Ramona as that is the only port I have not done yet. I have stayed a couple of times at a hotel there, so I am familiar with the area. Thank you!

On 8/23/2021 at 10:21 AM, sc4125 said:

I am hoping that in the first time slot they will be checking before letting people in.  'Although I do like getting onboard early, it is actually because I think I'm getting a little claustrophobic as I get older and I hate being in the middle of a large crowd. 

 

I have considered being in the last group allowed onboard but I'm a worry wart and am afraid I'd be caught in traffic on I-4, which is notorious for accidents, before I reach the toll road. You're lucky you live so close to the port.

 

I think I'll plan on getting to the port at 10:00, which is 30 minutes before I am scheduled, and hope that the line is manageable.

 

BTW I'm really enjoying your pictures and commentary.  Thanks for taking the time.

HI- I was on the 8/7 sailing and had the 1030 check in as well. I arrived at 1030 and I was on the ship at 11am. We also sat for about 10 minutes. I think you should be fine. Have a great cruise!

I sail Saturday on the Mardi Gras and received the email from Christine about a week ago.

18 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Agreed - we've got some folks on our roll call which are missing all the updates, as they're not about to try FB.

My niece who I am traveling with is not on FB, so i copy the link and email it to her so she can see some of the videos. I wonder could you do that and paste in the roll call?

4 hours ago, helene109 said:

We have a suite for 8-14. I will be curious as to what you think of it! We have always wanted to try one.

I am sure it will be great-I think the ocean suites are no longer one of the best cabins on the ship but I will be happy with the extra room. I have seen the video John did on FB several times. I am on deck 9 and good with location too. I hope- Have a wonderful cruise, I will leave her in good shape for you! 

7 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

A free suite is a great offer (Ultra promo? That's what we're under for that sailing I believe).

 

We managed a suite offer once. It ended up being one of the most expensive FREE cabins we've ever sailed in. Could have booked a cabana several times over!!  

 

Tom

It wasn't the Ultra, it was the Plan now, pay later? I did compare the Ultra rate to what I booked a couple of months ago when I realized it was an Ultra, but it was more for the Havana Cabana that I had at the time, plus I would lose $500 in casino cash and drink anywhere. So to be a part of the Ultra and maybe get another Ipad, wasn't worth it to me. 

My last cruise January 2020, I was offered a suite and booked Pride for May 2020 and that was of course cancelled. This will be my 1st suite on Carnival, so excited.  Take care,

9 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

If it's an Excel Suite you got shifted to, you will be able to relax in the Loft 19 area, which is like the Havana area on the Vista Class ships on steroids.

No- I don't gamble that much! lol- regular ocean suite. 

I booked the Mardi Gras last October for the August 7 sailing. My casino offer was a free suite, I however talked it over with my niece and we decided it might be best to downgrade to a Havana Cabana. We would have a private area to lay by the pool and not with thousands of other people. ETC Today, watching John's video, I was pretty disappointed in the Havana area. Not like the Horizon or Vista at all- (and I can guess why) so I called and asked if I could switch to a suite. I figured it was a long shot  but she put me on hold and came back  with a couple of different suites to choose from. I am pretty happy with the change. All the other videos John showed, I really enjoyed and can't wait to be on board,  just not the Havana area. 

4 hours ago, wannagonow123 said:

If they do not have the rooms ready, and you drop off your stuff, are you able to get your keys?( Cards... whatever)

In the past? yes.

4 hours ago, wemjam said:

So Carnival is being soooo confusing on this!  I got this the email you have quoted above a week or so ago and was like woopie!  I can still get on go to my room and drop my stuff!

 

Then I got the below email just a couple days ago AFTER the one you mentioned.  I was so confused so I went direct to JH and asked and confirmed the below situation (that we have to wait until they are done and can't go until they are), and he said yes, we have to wait!  But if they are still sending out your referenced email (the same one I got a week ago, but you say you got in the last day or so)... who the @#$*! knows lol!:  Seems they are sending out emails that are saying 2 different things!

 

EMBARKATION/BOARDING

Do Platinum and Diamond guests still have priority boarding and early access to their staterooms?

Given our focus on the implementation of new health and safety protocols, we have adjusted how we deliver priority check-in. All guests will need to complete Online Check-In, which will open 14 days prior to sailing. Platinum and Diamond guests will be given two days advance access to select their preferred Arrival Appointment. It is important that guests arrive on a timely basis as early arrivals cannot be accommodated and will be asked to return at their assigned time. Due to enhanced cleaning and sanitation, staterooms may not be ready at the time of boarding for the early Arrival Appointments. We appreciate our guests’ understanding as we manage through many changes with an eye on your health and safety.

I agree it is confusing but I  think the room will not be ready but you can drop off your carry on. That's how I am reading it. 

I received an email yesterday from Christine Duffy- it was addressed to Platinum and Diamonds guests. I am sailing on the Mardi Gras 8/7, I cut and pasted 1 portion for you. Hope that helps. 

• STATEROOM ACCESS – Due to enhanced cleaning and sanitation, staterooms may not be ready at the time of boarding for the early Arrival Appointments.   If you have not checked your bags, feel free to quickly drop off your luggage while our crew puts the finishing touches on your stateroom.  This will allow you to complete your e-mustering process and start your vacation promptly.

6 hours ago, mollygirl said:

Curious what your response time has been with oceanplayersclub.com.  In the past they responded in 2 business days.  I sent a request in a week and a half ago and no response so far.  I realize things are crazy these days and do not mind waiting but wonder about those that have received a response.  Thanks!

I submitted a request and didn't hear back in 1 week so I sent a 2nd request with the original reference # and got a response the next day. Good Luck.

5 hours ago, eaflorida said:

I watched a recent you-tube video from JJ Cruises, in which the 2 owners were on the 1st Vista cruise out of Galveston. They mentioned they had several issues from that 1st cruise. They said that embarkation was a mess in that people were showing up earlier than their check in times and that there were very long lines lasting up to a couple of hours to get checked in. They mentioned that dinner service be it in the main dining room or in a specialty restaurant took a minimum of 2 1/2 hours from start to finish. They mentioned that the casino bar in the casino was removed and that it took at a minimum of 30 minutes or longer to get a drink.

In spite of these problems, they still had a great cruise and commented about the great job the crew did under these circumstances. I am not offering any opinions because I was not on the cruise, but again went to JJ cruises on you-tube to watch these 2 owners talk about their sailing experience on that Vista 1st 2021 sailing.

I watched their video and  the casino bar complaint didn't make sense. They were upset the casino bar was removed.  They had drinks on us card and said it would take a server 30 mins to bring them their drinks, which yes is annoying but said they could have went to the bar and got drinks but you can not do that with the drink on us card. They also said that by the tides bar there was no bathroom outside and they and others were dripping wet walking thru the buffet to go to the bathroom and it was unsanitary. There is a bathroom outside between the pizza and seafood places so that's on them. After that comment I stopped watching. 

I was able to book the Steakhouse last week for the Mardi Gras in August. Only 2 that came up was Steakhouse and Rudy's. I think, Cucina didn't come up because it is free in July and August on some ships. 

7 hours ago, Nanner431 said:

So we just booked a cruise through a Players Club offer - $900 off cabin, free drinks on us and $1000 onboard credit. Both my husband and I had the same offer. If we booked that offer with both our VFIP numbers we should both get the drinks on us right? I know we’ll get the $1000 just for the cabin not individually but I’m hoping we’ll both get the drinks on us.

I would email the players club with your booking info and ask them. Rules could have changed in the last year but one of you could have earned enough from your last cruise to start this cruise with DOU card. Sorry I don't remember what the amounts were but they could tell you. Have a great cruise!

On 4/8/2021 at 9:29 PM, CCLcruiser91 said:

My source at Carnival told me 8/7/21 is the new date for the inaugural...

lol really? I will be on the inaugural. Not sure if that is good or bad but we shall see!

I have cruised a lot with my sister and her 3 kids. We usually had 2 connecting cabins however there were times when all we could get was 1 cabin and it was TIGHT. The family Harbor did not exist when we traveled together however I would have done it in a heartbeat for convenience alone. Although I don't know what the breakfast actually is (continental or regular buffet items) to grab breakfast there especially on port days instead of the lido with 4000k plus other people would be worth it to me. Plus snacks and drinks throughout the day. Also depending on the kids eat free at most specialty restaurants that could pay for itself ( $300 ) depending how many you will do for the week.

As for the regular room vs the suite. I would do the suite. For a family of 4 for a week cruise that works out to $157 more per night, or $40 per person per night. To have more room, 4 lower beds, a divider between the rooms, (curtain) , larger closet, storage, larger balcony and 1  1/2 bathrooms plus suite amenities of  Priority boarding and priority debarkation it would be worth it to me. You just have to figure out if it is worth if for your family's needs.

I always priced out 2 connecting cabins and 1 suite to see the rates on both and decide from there. Whatever you decide I hope you have a wonderful cruise! 

11 hours ago, deliver42 said:

The other lines also have a lot of FCC's, so that's no excuse.

I don't know who has the most FCC's out there. I would guess that the big 3 mass market cruise lines, NCL, RC and Carnival would be around the same amount. However, I do know some cruise lines, when offering the FCC option, the FCC was given on the cruise fare. People were refunded port taxes, shore excursions, drink/dinning packages etc. When NCL offered the FCC option it was on the whole amount that was paid, they kept money that was not technically theirs to keep.  So I would think NCL would have a higher dollar amount of FCC's. Totally my opinion.