DenaInWyo

A good supply of medication.  Don't just bring 7 days worth for the trip.  

And booze.  Lots of booze.

They're basically just a fruit smoothie served in a bowl with a spoon.  

14 minutes ago, Z0nker said:

Sweet! Sadly, carnival has chosen to treat our booking differently. Called today and was told for a second time that there will be no compensation for the $301 price drop. And no OBC for not cancelling. But they did do one thing: raised our cancellation fee to $605 from $500. I don’t get it, but congrats to everyone who has been taken care of. 

I'm a little concerned we may be in the same boat.  The OBC does not show on our documents and we haven't received the letter.  They can get a little weird with the casino deals sometimes.  I went through kind of what you did with the price drop about two years ago.  I'm less concerned with the OBC than I am potentially needing to cancel.  I'm still on the fence about that and planning to watch and see what direction things are going by the end of the month.  

14 hours ago, kfarist said:

Sister and I are booking a super last minute cruise for next week to take advantage of low rates. Do you think they would give us any OBC such as this or not because we hadn’t booked when the emails were sent out? Not a necessity by any means, but just curious. 

My understanding is the OBC applies to bookings made prior to March 6, for cruises that sail before May 31.  I have not actually received "the letter" but assuming it will apply to the booking I made 2/25  for 5/3.  My email with Carnival has been screwed up entirely for this booking, with the second person the room receiving everything and me nothing (yes I checked my spam folder).  My only concern is with it being a casino deal...has anyone booked on a permier gotten The Letter yet?  With Heald getting on his FB and announcing it, I can't imagine it won't apply to everyone, but wish I'd get it just to feel secure that we're getting the OBC or have the option to cancel.  Premiers are notorious for restrictions.  

Edited to add:  You would think, with Carnival being a huge, money making company, that they would make their website more intuitive and functional.  In the 11 years I've been dealing with it, there continue to be constant issues and half of the information you need.

There is something left on the smaller ships of charm and what cruising used to be back in the day, that's for sure.  It's just a tiny glimmer, but it's there.

We did a B2B on Vista a couple of years ago, when it was only about a year old.  In that entire 14 days I never managed to do the sky ride.  I just wasn't up for the minimum hour long wait.  The comedy club?  Show up an hour early if you want a seat.  It was NOT a bad cruise, by any means, but at the end of the two weeks, I was VERY ready to go home and not wait in line for my first cup of coffee.  We all came away feeling like it was (and this was just my family..so ymmv) just more people packed onto the same ship for a larger rake of money.  Conquest or smaller for us from now on.  Maaaaybe Dream class..the Magic wasn't bad for lines but the service was abysmal.  

I've spent/wasted enough money in the casino that I frequently get $100 pp balcony cabin offers (plus tax and grats, that comes to around $500 for two on sailings all the way up to 16 days..just depends on what cruises are on offer).  I can't even beat that with land vacations, by a mile.  I've currently got a UK obsession though, so I haven't been cruising much lately.  I am currently up so late because I am making my first batch of clotted cream.  It's turning out fabulously..just an hour to go till it comes out of the oven then I'll quit haunting these forums!

I am excited to see your perspective on the rest of your trip, and your further forays into sticking to the MAN 😄

Conquest class ships are my favorite.  Large enough and new enough (relatively speaking) to have some of the things I love like Guy's and Red Frog, but still small enough that the service is good and you still feel like you're on a ship instead of a large floating box.  Liberty is the prettiest!  I'm very much looking forward to your review!  I keep thinking I need to branch out, but my vacation dollars keep moving toward either land vacations or cheap Carnival getaways (thank you casino offers!)...nothing wrong with getting the most bang for your buck!

The joke in my house is..when you go to the Chinese restaurant and you're STARVING..you know you should branch out and try something new, but because you're starving, and you know you love it, you still order the same old sesame chicken.  It always hits the spot 😉

Although..I might be tempted to see if I could squeak out just one more alchemy drink.  I mean..hey, It is only 11:05.  

33 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

But if you’re getting on I’d plan on tomorrow because the option was given and at this point I’m not leaving.

Don't blame you.  And at this point I would bet most people are tucked up in a hotel room.  Or at least I hope so.  Best to regroup in the morning at this point.  I am SO GLAD to hear this news!  Not only do you get to get OFF, the next cruise gets to get ON...and the media has something positive related to cruise ships to hype tomorrow morning.  This is a WIN.

4 minutes ago, Joe817 said:

Greg, since you are in port, are you able to call out on your cel phone? I would think press agents would be calling you, trying to book you for an upcoming movie. I say that not in jest, but in all seriousness. This sounds right out of a movie.

Actually, that honeymooner's blog I talked about, they did a TON of interviews.  Definitely something to think about.  

2 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

well my AT&T isn’t working for uploads. I don’t know if it’s a west coast thing. In New Orleans I’d be killing it with AT&T. Here I switch to it and it says “no internet connection” 

Well that just sucks.  I feel so gimped when I can't access internet while traveling.  Sorry you have this frustration to add to everything else.  You are going to have SO much catching up to do when you get out of there.  This thread has been like an atom bomb (I posted it to Matt Mitcham's FB for those wondering what the hell was going on, so hopefully that was a bit of a boost) and surely it will bring hits to your blog.  Just keep the faith and your sense of humor.  You have a zillion new fans watching everything you post and wishing you the best.  

And, I totally sympathize with you on the stuff you're missing out on.  Easy for any of us to say that Hollywood is bleh that have already been there.  I haven't been to Costa Maya.  My sis hasn't been to Mahogany bay.  We're worried those are not going to work out.  Lots of people would say..meh, crappy port.  I am so sorry.  Never rule out that you might get back though.  Just make it a point that you need a do-over.  Keep hanging in there.

I read the entire blog of the honeymoon cruisers on the Japan Princess cruise.  The internet was a real issue for the first few days of their quarantine due to everyone having access to it.  My guess is they've opened it up and now you're competing.  At least you are in a home port and can use data if you choose..but also Princess really went the extra mile to get wifi up to par for everyone during that quarantine.  Which is not going to happen to you.  Dammit.

14 minutes ago, VitaLuna said:

I'm side-eyeing the thread hijack, but I know people are stressed. I was going to check in one more time before bed, but now I'm waiting for this "detailed email" that is/was supposed to be released! Sounds like you're getting a free night on the ship, @Saint Greg, and keeping my fingers crossed for you that it's not a free 2 weeks. I understand the caution, but some of this hysteria has gotten out of control. It feels like a cruise ship witch hunt. There many community acquired cases now. Where is the testing of all domestic airline passengers? (I don't mean that we should do that... I mean that at some point, we have to understand that this isn't a one-person, one-source thing). 

THIS.  Why is it only the cruise lines that are being mandated into testing?  THAT was my point a few posts ago.  This is nuts.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess all bets are off on the normal rules.  At least I hope so for your sake!  Ya got lemons, make alchemy cocktails!  Lots of those involve lemons..some of them flaming!

We are certainly getting a great photo tour of the alchemy bar!  And I thought my vodka and GINGER sprite zero was exotic tonight!  Still following this like the last episodes of Game of Thrones!

4 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

No actually MANY words there. 

 

Look at the cancellations of many, many events.  SXSW cancelled, Geneva Auto Show Cancelled, Ultra music festival cancelled.  Thousands of companies implementing bans on international and domestic business travel.  Just because you aren't aware doesn't mean it isn't happening.  It's making major headlines and causing airline slow downs, drops in convention bookings for Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, etc.   Dozens more here 

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/05/coronavirus-update-list-canceled-events/4950641002/

They're cancelling.."in an abundance of caution"..but are they *testing* anyone from any other major gathering of people besides a nursing home?  That's the problem I'm having.  This is NOT just on the cruise ships..I'd bet my next paycheck.

Edited to add:  I am very aware and following this more than is probably healthy.  No need for snark.  I'm also aware of the shortages of PPE at my hospital as an OR nurse.  Believe me, I'm plenty aware.  

1 minute ago, LMaxwell said:

 

Respectfully, that's where they belong right now. 

 

The industry was allowed to self-regulate and here we are...

Maybe so, but if that's the case, every other large public gathering and public transportation also need to be testing.  It's essentially the same set up.  Not a word there.  

2 hours ago, grandmarnnurse said:

Same here about being glued to this all day, checking for updates. I have a B2B booked and leaving April 5 on the Magic, and half the roll call is freaking out, and the other half, myself included, are going ahead and going to enjoy our cruise. 

Half my roll call doesn't even seem aware there's an issue, another quarter has cancelled, and the quarter I'm in is OMG are we gonna make it??  If that test comes back negative from the person on Greg's cruise, it feels like a win to me.  I feel like cruise ships are very unfairly under the microscope right now, and if they went to any public transportation system in the US they could probably find a positive case..but they're not focusing on that so here we are.

I have, in the past, seen cruise ships board rather late at night, like 10pm-ish, due to other complications in my years on this forum.  THAT is why they aren't waving everyone off yet.  They still don't know and it's still not impossible ya'll will still be leaving tonight.  Improbable perhaps, but not impossible.  They aren't going to give it up until they have to.  

Greg, I'm happy to see that you can at least entertain yourself with some mood improvers!  I have entertained the idea of digging out my ancient rum runners just so I have a secret stash if we get quarantined!  😄

3 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Just saw Emma we can quash the rumor I heard

in the guy burger line that she’s walking around with the protection of six security guards....its

only five.

Wow.  Well, they did have fights break out on the ship that wasn't allowed into several European ports...it's not an unrealistic measure (unfortunately..and I hope it's all for nothing)

Edit:  You big tease.

1 minute ago, LMaxwell said:

Appreciate the info.  Common sense at this point would be to restrict self-service.  Hope it turns out to be nothing and you can move on

Right?  Not sure why the heck they seem so resistant to doing this.  Seems like a no brainer to me.

We're going from Denver to Houston and ours dropped a total of $100 on two tickets.  Will be keeping an eye.  They were cheap flights to begin with, but I'll take it.  Currently at $371 round trip for two.

My understanding, from what I've seen posted by people canceling, is that you will receive a refund for everything purchased (cheers, insurance, money over the 50% cancellation fee) and that 50% that would normally be a penalty will be applied toward a future cruise.

As far as *using* the Carnival insurance to get a 100% refund..I don't think covid-19 is covered. If you were to turn up with actually having it and they deny you boarding, then you'd likely get a full refund.

That's my take on all of it at least.  Your best bet is to wait a few days until things settle down and then try to call Carnival later in the evening so you can actually get through.

2 hours ago, sra12574 said:

I'm  booked  on  a  cruise  on the  Magic  and  I'm  concerned . There are  people  on  that  ship  that  have  something  that  the  local  government  is  concerned  about   . Is  Carnival  going to  replace  the  staff  members  tha t  have  been  in  contact  with  these  travelers  on the  next  cruise  or  are  they  going to  let potential  carriers  infect  future  guests?Even  if  they  pull  them  for  one  cruise  that  would  be  something  to  help  control  these illnesses.

The local government is concerned about ANY illness.  I suppose in this climate of caution, that's understandable.  but...did you feel that way before this?  Did you feel that any staff with a cold should have to go home for at least a cruise length?  If what I've read in the news article is accurate, this is just another example of an island being overly cautious..which is understandable.  You taking it to the extreme of thinking "there's something on this ship!" is just feeding into that.  

5 hours ago, Cadiesmom said:

We are scheduled to cruise on the Magic on Sunday. Have to admit--I'm getting a little nervous. Not because of the virus, but because of the potential for cancelled ports and or a quarantine. 

This is my exact worry as well.  I just read all of the blog posted in the above link..they were supposed to be released today and were not..it's insane.  As of now I'm just waiting to see what happens in the next few weeks.  I don't leave until 5/2.  Maybe as it spreads and people realize it's more like the flu than ebola, things will settle down a little.