Towel Critter

Well, I was 100% certain that they had done away with the 5 year expiration on FPs (it happened about 2 years ago, IIRC), but now, with the Rewards & Benefits tabs disappearing, I'm not sure of anything.:( I learned about the expiration on FPs being lifted from a fellow CCer here, awhile ago and verified it on the website at that time, but now, not being able to get to it on the site, I don't know what is changing. I'm sorry, I'm not helping.:(

 

From what I understand, if you cash in 80,000 FPs towards a $1500 purchase, you'll get the lesser redemption rate and only get $800 back as a statement credit. But for that same purchase, if you can cash in a whole 100,000 FPs, you'll get the whole $1500 back (this part I know for sure). (I'm sorry, without my calculator, I don't know what % the rates actually are. I'm about as far from a math wiz as possible:o). I know this wasn't much help, if any.

 

I'll get on the phone with Barclays and see if I can get some answers from them.

You're very welcome.:) In my opinion, you should wait until you have 100,000 FPs and a Carnival purchase of at least $1500 for which to redeem them. Of course, that would mean not using your FPs for this particular purchase, but for some future cruise. Your FPs will not expire - they just grow and grow until you use them. But there is a limited time period in which you can redeem them for each purchase (just 38 more days in the case of your current Carnival purchase). If I were in your situation, and I knew that I would be cruising Carnival again sometime in the future, I would just wait and "sit" on my current FPs, build them up to 100,000 and apply them to the next cruise when I can get more out of them.;)

Shaky, what is the difference in the exchange rate between say, redeeming 80,000 Fun Points on a cruise of $1,500 and redeeming 100,000 Fun Points on that same cruise? My apologies if you've already detailed this. Also, when did Barclay change their policy on how long Fun Points are good? Was this recent? It seems it wasn't that long ago, to my memory, that Fun Points expired after five years. I ask because I am debating whether or not to cash my Fun Points in on my upcoming cruise, or wait until the next one. I/we currently have close to 90,000 Fun Points. We were assuming we should use them, since we've been saving them close to, or perhaps a little more, than five years. Are you 100% certain the five year policy has been changed? Where can I find this info on the Barclay site? Thank you for your help and Happy Cruising!

I love the modern décor of Breeze and Sunshine, but I told my husband after sailing on Victory a few weeks ago that I wish Carnival would keep each ship a little different. I enjoy the different colors, different venue names, and "personality" of the Farcus ships. I do not want all the show lounges to be Liquid Lounge, or the comedy venue to be "Limelight Lounge." I want differences on the ships that I sail, it's part of the experience to me. I get excited wondering what the atrium of a new ship will look like, what color schemes I will see...it helps build the excitement of my upcoming vacation!

One positive about the Farcus designed ships is that they have distinct personalities, which makes them memorable. After sailing on the Breeze, the MSC Poesia, and RCCL Majesty of the Seas, I couldn't have told you what they looked like a mere week later, just glass, brass, marble, and neutral colors. This is not the case with Carnival ships, excluding the one non-Farcus designed Carnival ship I've sailed (Breeze). Years after getting off the Conquest, I still have a vivid image of that big sunflower in my mind. I can remember the big Frankenstein on the Miracle and the huge grapes in the MDR to this day. Just a couple of examples. There are, to be fair, some instances of Farcus' décor that are way out there though. At least he was fearless and didn't rely on safe, but boring and tired ideas.

I guess I'm glad there are people willing to pay extra for food because they supplement profits which helps keep fares lower for me.

The Farcus spaces are a little over the top in some instances, but I actually prefer them to the cookie cutter mall look on the Breeze and most other cruise line ships. Somewhere in the middle of the two extremes would be my personal preference, but that isn't likely to happen. The thing is, when I'm going on a somewhat exotic vacation to a somewhat exotic area, I don't really want my means of transportation/hotel to look like a generic mall back home. But that's just me. It seems many are tiring of cookie cutter houses and décor, with the growing interest in tiny and vintage homes. I think individuality and creativity in décor and design is a good thing. I so tire of seeing row after row of generic McMansions. Don't want to see it on cruise ships either. Give me individuality and personality over blandness and safe "design." But again, that's just me. To each his/her own.

Patrice1 I thought it had to be purchased before final payment. Final payment is 60 days out so how can we wait to buy it until 30 days before?

For a waiver of pre-existing conditions, one must purchase within a window that is determined by each travel insurance company. It varies a bit between companies. In other words, if you book a cruise on July 20, you must buy coverage by August 19 (30 days), or whatever the requirement by your provider is, for a pre-existing condition to be covered.

I used to always go with Travel Guard, but after gaining more experience than I would like in the area of filing claims with travel insurance companies (3 of 4 last booked cruises cancelled within days of sailing), I have settled in on Travel Safe. The cost and coverage is about the same as Travel Guard, but they require less documentation, in my experience, than Travel Guard. I was fortunate enough to get reimbursed 100% for the three canceled cruises, twice with Travel Guard and once with Travel Safe, but Travel Safe made me jump through far fewer hoops. Getting documents signed by doctors and gathering together medical records can be a headache, so having to do less of it is a big deal to me.

To answer your question about "Cancel for Any Reason," no that isn't necessary unless you think a reason to cancel that isn't covered by the travel insurance might come up. If you are concerned about preexisting conditions being a problem, make sure you purchase the insurance within the window that your preferred provider offers for waiver of preexisting conditions. I'm not going to recommend a provider, but as someone who has had to cancel 3 of our 4 last booked cruises, I can tell you that Travel Safe requires less documentation than Travel Guard, should you have to file a claim. I switched to them for that very reason. I felt the amount of medical records Travel Guard was asking for was above and beyond what is necessary, and getting doctors to sign papers in a timely manner and doctor's offices to provide records in a timely manner can be a headache. Both companies paid up for us though. We just had to jump through more hoops with Travel Guard. Travel Guard, in my experience, is a bit cheaper though, so they have that going for them. At least that was the case a couple of years ago. I didn't check prices at Travel Guard this time, so I can't say with certainty if that is still the case.

If Carnival weren't simultaneously raising rates and cutting back, I'd be right their in your corner. But right now, the way things are going, I wouldn't feel one iota of guilt. Besides, and I'm sure you know this, not one person in a management position at Carnival knows your name, or that you exist, so play the field and feel good about it. :-) IMHO, they are much more interested in gaining new cruisers than keeping their old ones happy anyway.

I don't know that, with us, there is a single biggest factor in choosing a cruise. There are several factors, price, ship, itinerary, and date of the cruise. I try to find a good balance between the four. It doesn't always work out, but that's my goal.

They might be if you can be flexible I guess but I just priced a cruise for October and it came in at $2600, about $900 more than our CCL cruise.

I would agree with this view of the Divina for sure. It did not best our best carnival cruises but for the price it was pretty darn good.

We've sailed with MSC and didn't enjoy it quite as much as our Carnival cruises, but for the money it was a steal of a deal at the time. They were just starting to sail the Caribbean at the time we cruised with them. With Carnival's rising prices and cutbacks, MSC is looking more attractive to me all the time though. True, their Caribbean itineraries are limited, but once you've seen most of the Caribbean that isn't such a big deal. I will say the food wasn't as varied on the lone MSC cruise we did as it is on Carnival ships, but that was a few years ago, and MSC was just breaking into and learning the American market. Perhaps they have made some changes since then. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt there. The ship itself was gorgeous. The cabin was acceptable. Our room steward was one of the best we've ever had. The entertainment was superior to Carnival and far more varied... but then, what cruise line's isn't? Other than rising prices and simultaneous cutbacks, entertainment is my biggest gripe with Carnival these days. I must say though, that Carnival remains my preferred cruise line, and probably will as long as I can afford to cruise with them. Who knows how much longer that will be. Not very, it appears.

Yep, I missed his "out there" touch on the Breeze. His style is over the top, but he kept Carnival ships from looking like mega mall food courts. That's exactly what the Lido buffet area felt like to me on the Breeze, a mega mall food court. So far, in this thread, it looks about 50% appreciate Fargus' vision and 50% hate it. That's about what I would have expected. Would I want a Fargus designed house? No. But it's fun in one week increments.

Another nod for Conquest class ships, and Key West. I love the old homes in Key West. The Conch train is a great way to see them and learn a little Key West history. I also should add that this being your first trip to Nassau, you'll probably enjoy it. The Atlantis tour is good, if that interests you. I've never been to Freeport, though my wife has. She didn't care for it, but that doesn't necessarily mean you won't. I'm sure every port has something worthwhile.

An extra day trumps a bigger balcony, imho, if itinerary isn't part of the equation.

Gosh, can't remember when I had no cruises booked. Just completed my 35th Carnival Cruise and now nothing. DH is not interested in cruising anymore. But hopefully I will get one of my adult kids cruising with me. I have been cruising with the Premier Casino Cruise Deals for the last few cruises and am waiting for more offers. Who else doesn't have a cruise booked. Isn't it tramatic.

I feel your pain. We had to cancel 3 of 4 booked cruises over the last 2 1/2 years, due to very sick elderly parents. Now, I'm stuck inland, watching cruise prices climb while the cruise experience I'm accustomed to is being slowly whittled down to Motel 6 standards. It isn't a good feeling for a past cruise junkie. I fear that by the time comes when we can cruise again, we'll no longer be able to afford it, or no longer love the product, if we can still afford it.

We have been on 27 cruises with Carnival.

We decided to book the May 21st cruise on the Freedom out of Galveston. I thought the prices were kind of high. Carla always wants a balcony, I don't really care.

 

 

 

For us to get a balcony it is $1,928.32. In the past it cost around $1,200 and the last couple of years around $1,400 to $1,500 because of fuel prices they said. Fuel prices are way down right now.

 

 

 

While waiting for our personal cruise planner to call me back I went on Royal Caribbean just for the hell of it and looked. On May the first they have one out of Galveston, balcony is $1,797.98 with a $100.00 onboard credit. Going the same places except it goes to Falmouth Jamaica, which is supposed to be a nicer port. Nicer ship and better ports for about $250.00 less.

 

 

 

When my vacation planner called back I told her about this and she said all she could do is get us an extra $30.00 per person off. I asked why it was so high and she just said that cruising is real popular right now. Basically price gouging to me. I just told her I was going to have to think about it.

 

 

 

I don't really think I can change cruise lines right now but it pisses me off. If we went on Royal Caribbean we would lose all our privileges, long line to board, etc. Kind of feel like I wasted my time with Carnival all these years.

I feel your pocketbook pain. :-) Funny how Carnival's original stated mission was to make cruising affordable for everyone. I guess they don't care about that any longer.

If Carnival continues on it's current course, before long "guests" will have to put a quarter in a slot to get into the bathroom in their own cabin. Not only does pride come before a fall, greed often does as well. Flame away, oh ye with blinders on.

Get in line EARLY if you want a decent seat... at least an hour and a half before concert time... 2 hours or more if seating is important to you. We saw Lady A from the nosebleed seats, upper deck, all the way against the wall... had to really search to find two seats together. We lined up maybe 40 to 45 minutes before show time.

Cove balconies are the saving grace of Dream class ships, imho. Our first cruise on a Dream class ship (Dream), we booked a balcony on one of the upper decks, per usual, and wasn't pleased looking down on the promenade deck, instead of water. Our next Dream class cruise, we booked a cove balcony, which afforded us a much more pleasant view than looking down at teak decking and the tops of other cruisers heads.

OP a 70 ft yacht can't compare to an aircraft carrier they are two different things....a large and small ship are the same ships but different sizes, an aircraft carrier is military, I don't understand your analysis.

I agree. It was a poor comparison. I get a little "out there" with my comparisons and analogies sometimes, when I need to quickly come up with one. :D Obviously a smaller cruise ship can't pack as many amenities as a larger one. That's one of the reasons I've yet to sail a Fantasy class ship. I'm very content with Conquest and Dream class cruises, but since a Fantasy class ship is slated to come to Mobile, I was hoping maybe I've not given them fair consideration and they might be better than what I've assumed for years. As I stated a few posts back, I suppose the only way to truly satisfy my curiosity is to give one a "test run" when Mobile opens for business.

Great Deal...pay $100 more and get a $65 on board credit....on Feb 1st Ecstasy ...

 

Going to Call My PVP to see if I can get a $130 credit if I give them an extra $200? never hurts to ask

Actually I don't think it's silly, after all we use all of our senses (Including sight) when it comes to enjoying life! For years I was really turned off by the brightly colored hull designs on NCL. I just thought them strange, and cheap, low-class looking. I've managed to get past that, and have a cruise booked on their new mega ship, Escape for next year. Mainly I am going for all the extras; lots of bar & dining venues, wide variety of entertainment and their thermal suite. Because it's a special cruise (DH's 60th birthday) we are getting one of their Haven Suites. If I wasn't staying in their Haven area I don't think I would give up my precious vacation days to sail on it. The following week we are sailing on Carnival's new ship, the Vista. Again, since we are still celebrating DH's 60th (And our 12th anniversary) we are staying in a Havana Cabana Suite. This is mainly because I am intrigued by the concept of the Havana Cabana area and want to try it out.

 

If you have found the type of ship you enjoy I say stick with it! However, on the other hand.....We were loyal to Princess for years and years, and finally branched out to try other lines, mainly because of a great deal or an intriguing itinerary, and found that we loved Holland America and Carnival, NCL was okay and Royal Caribbean is probably not the best fit for us.