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They will have insulated cups (hot/cold) available at the tables where they are taking sign up for the Bottomless Bubbles cards. Just look around the bar areas on Lido after you board.

Popular machines may give you better odds if you snag one after several people have lost their donations. No way to predict when a machine will 'hit'.

Wondering which rate you are seeing at the Maya?

There is a cruise rate which includes parking (which I know you don't need) but sometimes that rate is less than the posted rate on the web site.

Sometimes the code p41 works to see that cruise rate.

Sometimes it doesn't work and you need to e mail the reservations manager to get it. IF you are not a Hilton member than join before you book.

I used last minute travel for the Maya for a rate of $166. This was by far the lowest rate I found. Including those for being a Hilton Honors member (didn't have enough points to use).

I have had good luck with that site.

_____

Karen

Thank you so much Steve. Truly appreciate your input not only on this topic but other topics around Long Beach.

Thanks to the regular Long Beach posters your information has been very helpful. Would appreciate pros/cons to 2 possible hotels.

Arrive afternoon of 2/22. Cruise on 2/24. Plan to go to the Aquarium on 2/23. Will not have a car. Have narrowed hotels down to Hilton or Doubletree Maya. Maya is $25 more per night. I have noted Maya is on the free trolley system. Hilton appears near also but perhaps does not stop near Hilton? I think the hotels will be comparable so does the choice come down to location and convenience of getting around? Which would be best for that?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide. Truly appreciate the input of locals!

_____

Karen

I was on the Vista in March and preordered 90 minute Elimis Spa package which included a massage and facial. Was FABULOUS. If you have hour mom's booking number you should be able to preorder. You will need to select the day and time for the appointment. As I recall, once on board they called and confirmed the time and I would have been able to change the time if needed. They do stay open in the Spa until 9 or 10 each night.

If I were your mom, I would love any of the Spa offerings!

Have to ask yourself how much you would benefit from Window/Sofa. If you are only in the cabin to sleep/shower, stay on Lido. If you spend time in cabin relaxing, watching TV, etc. and would use the sofa, then you may benefit more from OV.

Me? If only 2 in the cabin, I'd go for darkness of Inside on Lido. I am only in the cabin to sleep/shower and spend most my time out and about. Now, if I have more than 2 in the cabin, OV would win out. 3/4 in an inside is very tight...

Hi,

I went to Fare Viewer. Our Carnival Freedom cruise in Feb 2018 has $1,727 for all the Balcony Cabins. I've booked and paid for our cruise. We were placed in an 8C Cabin at time of booking.

My question: Since the other 8 Balcony Cabins are what we paid , that $1,727 price, can we ask to switch to another Balcony Cabin?

Thanks

:confused:

If you booked early saver and a higher category cabin is available for the same price, you can ask to upgrade to the 'better' cabin. Most Balcony cabins on the Freedom are the same size, shape, etc. The location can make a big difference. We like to be on Lido or Panorama decks near the forward elevators. Try to make sure you have cabins above and below you.

we are non-smokers and can be very sensitive to smoke. we've been on 6 carnival cruises and we have not had a problem at most anywhere on the ships. sure, the casino may have some smoke but what casino doesn't? i think carnival and most all other cruise lines have done a great job of balancing the greater concern with second hand smoke yet still allowing smokers to smoke in designated areas.

Casino's in Illinois are smoke free and still hugely popular and busy. As a former smoker, I think I am a bit more sensitive. I also like to play in the casino when cruising. Never fails.... I'll be in a smoke free corner feeding a slot machine and someone will come to the machine next to me and light up. If I am not winning, I will usually relocate. If winning, I will suck it up and deal with it. The casinos on board do tend to draw the smokers.

Crowne Plaza is great and convenient to walk to several attractions. The road immediately south of the motel is okay to walk to the water front but very steep coming back. If you go even just 2 blocks north, is less steep. If you are flying, we found the train from SeaTac to downtown was easy and cost friendly and we only had a short walk to the CP.

When you go to Space Needle consider getting a combo ticket and take in the Chihuly Glass Exhibit that is adjacent to the Needle. Fabulous pieces there.

Enjoy. We really liked Seattle. Plenty of places at Pike for breakfast!

IN Skagway we LOVED the Laughton Glacier Hike. Is an all day excursion and you get a short train ride at beginning and end. You get dropped off and then hike a few miles to the glacier. dress in layers as it gets quite chilly when you are on the glacier. Not for those who have mobility issues or difficulty walking on uneven, rocky terrain.

This is one excursion I will repeat when going to Alaska again.

In Key West, I would suggest the aquarium. For a small aquarium, they have many nice exhibits and some hands on stuff kids love. Also, All the statues around Key West provide lots of photo opportunities. Kids love to pose for pictures!

Will depend on the placement of the cabins. If the doors to the balcony are nearest the shared wall of the cabins then no as opening the divider would block one of the balcony doors. You can call the 1-800 number for Carnival and ask about the 2 specific cabins you have.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Right now on LMTClub, I see Long Beach Hilton for $139/night and DT Maya for $162/night. I like the idea of just heading to the Long Beach area.

We will be up early for travel and may just relax and find food on Thursday. The Aquarium says it is 4th largest in the world.... am I correct in assuming we would need more than a couple hours to take that in? If we spent say 1/2 day there on Friday, what other attractions are in the general area to explore?

Thanks again for the help!! Truly appreciate it...

Arriving noon LAX 2/22/18 for 2/24/18 cruise (Carnival). First time to CA. Not planning on renting a car. Have done some searching and interested in Food Tour at Farmers Market (9:00 a.m. or Noon). Also of interest given limited time is a highlight bus tour (Maybe Starline?). We are 50s/60s (2 couples) We Like: Zoos/Aquariums, Food Tours, general tours, etc. Does not look feasible to do a Food Tour and Aquarium without a car. Willing to explore suggestions.

Questions:

1. Where to stay - Walking friendly for some sights/eats/tours, etc. Is $150/night a reasonable budget? May or may not be able to use free nights at Intercontinental/Crown Plaza/Holiday Inn/Express. Have Hilton Membership too so that is an option as well.
   
2. How to get from LAX to Hotel? Super Shuttle?
   
3. How to get from Hotel to Long Beach? Super Shuttle? Will book return from Long Beach to LAX post cruise also.
   
4. Any Tour Companies that are outstanding? We would not be interested in the Wax Museums that seems to be popular. Perhaps the Hop On/Hop Off Bus? Do they hit the highlights? Would not want to spend endless hours on a bus just driving. Would like stops to explore when something looks interesting.
   
5. Are there other questions I should be asking?
   

Thank you in advance for any help/suggestions. Truly appreciate it.

_____

Karen

You will be absolutely fine...don't worry at all...

Thank you! I just booked the flights. Have seen many posts where you offer advice. Will be our first time to CA and arriving 1.5 days early for cruise. Hope to tap into your expertise once I know what questions to ask. :cool:

Getting ready to book flights to/from LAX for late February cruise from Long Beach. Have read of fog delays. Cruise debarks on 3/3. Is fog a concern then? Wondering if I should book return for the next day.

Thank you for any advice/suggestions.

When you are ES the price you match to is the net of the cruise fare and any OBC you have. In your case, $1197.

I use a carnival PVP just for this reason. I could easily book myself online but Linda is there if I have trouble with ES forms.

You should call the toll free Carnival number and ask to speak to a supervisor and calmly explain the situation, they should be able to restore you to the original fare with the $50 OBC.

hmmm, if thats accurate, then can you tell me if i have a credit balance on my account at the end of the cruise how do i get refunded for that?

 

Thanks

One way to do this would be to go to the Casino (you will need to establish a players account at any slot machine) insert your card into a slot machine and get $$ from your Sign & Sail account to load to your Players Account. Once loaded, you can cash out of the slot machine, go to the casino teller and cash out your Players Account. Any of the Casino personnel can assist you. I have done this several times when I have run low on cash and wanted to 'get' it from my credit card. This transaction will show as Entertainment fee on your final S & S account.

Not bad! How many days is your cruise?

6 nights. Sea days we usually spend in the serenity area and these are repeat ports for us so we expect to get a lot of use from the aft pool area. I had booked this cruise last summer during a sale where we got $200 OBC if paid in full. I used my my credit card points to pay all but about $200. I got to keep my OBC with this up sell so my out of pocket cash for the cruise cost is less than $800. Otherwise, probably would not have taken the offer. My DD is in a very tough grad school program with 19 hours this semester and my work has been crazy so we are both looking forward to relaxing on this cruise.

Would also agree with Stingray City and Turtle Farm. and use Captain Marvins!!! Have used them with excellent results 3 times!!

my 16 year old LOVED the turtle farm!!!

I have the name and number but not sure it would do any good to call randomly before a sailing. There has to be available inventory.

My PVP told me a couple years ago they can mark your reservation if you want to be contacted for upsells.

Cruising this Sunday on the Vista. Had an inside room on deck 2. Just got a call from the Upsell Fairy offering me a Havana Cabana Balcony for $598 total for 2 and I get to keep my $200 OBC!!

I am very happy with this offer and even more excited than I was before the call!!

For those who will ask the question.... I am Platinum (just turned in October, 2016) and the Upsell Rep told me she contacts Platinum members with offers first.

See you onboard as we are on the same sailing. Your birth certificate and DL will be fine. As for Miami I'm sorry but I don't know the city well.

We are on this sailing too. You will be fine with DL and BC. Make sure the BCs are 'official' ones (many states emboss them with a raised seal) and not the souvenir type from the hospitals with foot prints.

You could taxi or uber to the South Beach area for a day. Lots to do there. Just a few blocks from Lincoln Road Mall at SB is a Holocaust Memorial. We saw that a few years ago when my daughter was in high school and learned about the Holocaust. It is very well done and makes an impact.

I have a small plastic case on a lanyard I bought in the on-board gift shop for $5 or so that is roomy enough for a thin coin purse I put cash and driver's license in. My waterproof camera goes in the water with me. The plastic case on a lanyard goes around my neck and then tucked into the top of my swim suit. I don't care if it looks funny. My stuff is safe while I snorkel, climb falls, etc....