audcc77

49 minutes ago, kdr69 said:

But is that really a vacation?  

Yes.  I went on 7 cruises in 2022, some of which were alone.
 

I can’t recall how many in 2023 but in 2024, now that I’m back to living in the Midwest, I have 4.  
 

My boss accommodates my cruise addiction so long as I get the work done. I leave on a whim, sometimes inconveniencing other people.  Nobody tells me when to go on vacation and I do what I wish.  In my mind, it’s a small price to pay if the cruise is to the Bahamas or Caribbean.  
 

Now, if it was to Hawaii or somewhere else, that’s a different animal.  

13 hours ago, rockwall_cruiser said:

I use Cisco VPN.  It has worked fine on the Legend, Miracle, Vista and several other ships

I use Cisco VPN when I work from home.  
 

While cruising, I just send  things over email but I am curious about how “secure” it is to actually hook up to our server at work.   It’s one thing to have an email be viewed by someone who’s not supposed to see it, but to have our server exposed because I’m working from a cruise is absolutely not an option.  

Our IT company has said that he doesn’t believe it is secure.  He thinks I’d need to buy something extra.  
 

Thoughts?  Did you do/buy anything special to be sure you’re secure?

1 hour ago, lostsoulcruiser said:

I believe Carnival still automatically adds the gratuity daily if you don't prepay

I think Royal adds them daily.   Carnival adds them all at once as a line item a few days prior to the end of the cruise.  

Welp, I received it and it’s a big nothing burger.  As most have said here, my other offers far exceed this Ultra.   

I went on an Ultra on the MG last year just because I had not been before.  I ended up spending a lot for my room, and the same is true with today’s Ultra.   I just don’t feel that unless you get a free room that it’s worth it.  

Hmm. So much for receiving Ultra.  Mine is supposed to arrive today but I see nothing in my email or in my offers.   
 

Not that I will likely get anything worthwhile based on the comments here so far, but I was a little curious.  
 

Anyone else receive this Ultra offer who was supposed to receive one today?

29 minutes ago, TrqoisWtrs said:

It was on my bed when I boarded

Oh. OK. I hope it’s there.  The last 2 cruises our cabin was not finished being cleaned or a card to get in the cabin even at 1:30 pm. 
 

Thanks for the info. 
 

Sorry but I’m raising this feed from the grave for just a minute. 
 

I’m turning diamond on my next cruise in May. I called the Diamond desk to inquire about the free steakhouse dinner. The woman who answered the phone sounded like I woke her from a nap and told me to just wait until I got on board. Or book it, pay for it and go to guest services for a refund.  Ugh.  I said ok. 
 

I had this in my shopping card for 1 day to see if I liked the atmosphere of the steakhouse and now they’re booked. 
 

Now I’m hearing you can’t get reimbursed. 
 

So I guess I will try to set something up immediately upon boarding.  But I don’t think I’ll have the steakhouse paper, right?

What are the chances of me getting a 5:30 booking on the first night?

22 minutes ago, weezal said:

you might get premier offer, earning 1k pt/day on avg.

estimate 2k for ultra, 3k for elite

Thanks. Well, I already have a couple Premier offers.  I went on an Ultra on MardiGras last year and was not impressed.

I keep hearing about Elites.  I don’t think I gamble enough though. 😞

16 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

You do understand the difference in potential spending between a debit card limited to the funds in an account and a high level credit card that you can take months to pay off?

Pfft.  Nope. I’ve never had use for a debit card.  Ever. 
 

Always paid credit; always paid it off each month.  I just only buy things I need.  Like gambling and cruises.  🙂

Always reaped the benefits of cash back, free airfare, etc. 

Again, before I give up all hope, I’ll wait and see what happens in a few weeks.  

Come on Elite! 🤞

17 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Probably fairly accurate, but you can get Jijis or sushi with much less than 10k.

Yes.  I just did that on Sunshine.  And a bottle of wine.  
 

5 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Compare that profile with a Carnival casino player who had 5000 points on their card and paid their ship account with a debit card.  Who is more likely to spend, spend, spend once onboard?  

I don’t know.  Who?   Who is likely to spend spend spend?   Who would use a debit card when you get a lot more benefits from using a credit card?  

4 minutes ago, edrussell said:

but played at a higher spin (9 per spin) and did very well overall.  Came out ahead for the trip.

Good for you!  
 

$9 a spin … That’s what this nice southern belle woman was doing next to me and she was doing VERY well.  She said she won $2,600 the prior evening. This was on the Sunshine.  
 

When I was up $500 on the machine, that’s when I decided to spin the $9 button and that’s when I eventually worked my way up to $1400 winnings. 
 

3 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

Points aren't relevant to future offers.  New ones come out to those targeted when the current ones expire.  

I’m not sure I agree with this.  
 

There has to be something which triggers people to begin to get free cruises at some point in time. I would think that it would be points.  
 

Time will tell.  
 

I already have lots of free interiors and ocean view offers on many itineraries.  I’ve had these for months and they expire in May.  

If Carnival sends me anything substantially worthwhile within  the next few weeks due to my triple casino points from last cruise, then I’ll try to remember to report back.  

I’m praying for an Elite.🤞😎

11 minutes ago, kdr69 said:

1000 dollars i play poker

Oh.  The tables scare me.  I cannot count.  I have the math version of dyslexia.  Maybe I’m spending more than I think I am.😂
 

I just do slots, so maybe that’s why I get free cruises. 
They are interiors or ocean views, but better than nothing.  

34 minutes ago, kdr69 said:

dont i wish i had an understanding of the algorithm they use to determine that. I gamble maybe 1000 each cruise and i cruise once a year sometimes twice and have a lot of free interior room offers although 95% are to Australia.

$1000 or 1000 points?  On slots?

I usually have about 2-3000 points in a 5-7 day cruise.  I have lots a free interiors with drinks in casino for me and companion with some free play$. I don’t spend anywhere near $2k. For the last 2-3 years I’ve been sailing free interiors. I have no clue why. I have 4 more pending. I think I usually gamble $700-ish.  My companions and DH don’t gamble much or drink. 
 

My last cruise for 6-days was a week ago.  I was doing well in the casino on the slots  and while I spent $200 of free play and $300 of my money, I racked up 7,000 points 😳 which was huge for me. I ended up with $1,400 in winnings.   
 

I’ve spent less and won less and ended up with a free room envelope on my door on debark morning.  
 

I’m hoping because of my higher than usual points, I might get better offers.  I thought that was the whole purpose of having the points.  
 

Does anyone have a guess if/when one receives additional offers after returning home?  I’ve already received the standard play, repeat offer which was worthless. 

4 hours ago, mz-s said:

Many travel agents will spend part of their commission on gifts for their clients, especially if you book nicer rooms, airfare, hotel, rental car, etc., all with them.

Pfft.  My 2nd carnival cruise was through a “cruise manager” in a well-to-do suburb.  We booked a hotel room the night before, a penthouse grand suite for our anniversary with our kids across the hall in an interior cabin.  
 

She gave us a big nothing.  
 

I’m turning diamond in 2 more cruises. 😂

Now I just book my own through my PVP who is great.  

4 minutes ago, Mike45LC said:

If I read the article correctly, these two victims are demanding a cash payout as "justice."  

And so be it.  The place where these ladies went should be held accountable. If not,  then it will happen again and again if there are no repercussions.  Perhaps being more selective in their hiring practices would be the way to go.  🤷‍♀️

Just sayin’ …

4 hours ago, Moparfiend said:

Makes me rethink the Pirates Cove excursion for family and friends, it's still offered by Carnival

The 2 women went to Pirates Cove as an independent excursion.   I can’t see how Carnival will be held liable because it was independently.   That’s not to say that it would not have happened just the same if they had been on the Carnival excursion.  In which case, only then would Carnival be liable.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but if it were me, I’d get a Bahamian lawyer and totally sue Pirates Cove.  It sounds like the bartenders were the ones who did it.  And I think each only had 1 drink. 
 

We are going to Freeport in a few weeks.  We are toying with the idea of taking a taxi to  Grand Lucayan Resort.  
 

In the US, if one goes to a restaurant or bar then that establishment is responsible for all invitees. The invitees should have a reasonable expectation that they will not be drugged by that establishment.  

I hate that this happened to them.  Hopefully they can get justice.  

22 minutes ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

That was the official line, that they didn't want people eating out of community snack bowls and potentially spreading those viruses.

Helping ones self on the buffet is certainly more germy than picking up a little bowl of Chex mix. 

3 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

On the Spirit? 

No. It was on the Luminosa.   It looks like this though.  
 

I was a fan of the cabin but not the ship itself.  
 

13 minutes ago, Crusin Karen said:

Years and years ago I remember they had little dishes of goldfish, etc at the bar. The following cruise they didn’t and I remember asking about this and the bar tender said they discontinued because the snacks got stale sitting out. 🤷‍♀️

Yeah. Excuses, excuses. 
 

this would be a great idea, especially making them a little spicy would encourage more drinks.  
 

They could just have them delivered WITH drinks. Problem solved.
 

I remember asking JH for this a couple years ago, and his response was something to the effect of not wanting everyone digging out of the same bowl. SMH. Whatever 🙄. 

I booked a last minute free inside guarantee on an Alaskan cruise 7 days last July. 
 

surprisingly, we received an inside deck 7 (I think) when we arrived at port, and the room had a couch and very large windows. 
We did not get a room assignment until we arrived at the port.  We had a lifeboat blocking our view, but I was happy with it.
 

I never booked guarantees, because I’m afraid of what I’ll get. I would consider this an upgrade.

3 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

All the ships should currently have this. Pizza, chicken tenders, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, meatball sandwiches hips, chips and salsa, cookies I believe.

While I appreciate the effort, and with the exception of chips and salsa, none of this appeals to me. I don’t want something heavy before I go to bed; I just need something to soak up that alcohol.  🙂
 

Something like little individual cups of Chex mix, sesame, crackers, Chinese

rice crackers, pretzel sticks, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds.  
 

I doubt it would be more expensive, and it would cut down on labor. 

Or at least have it as an option. 

17 hours ago, Gin-soaked bar-room queen said:

I’d like to be able to go ahead and place my order when I check in on the app for YTD.

LOL.  In a perfect world, that’d be great!  👍

I want to eat and run!  I don’t place a lot of importance on   food or the dining experience.  
 

Unfortunately, it seems that the people with whom I travel don’t know what they want to eat or even have the forethought to look at the menu until their fanny hits the chair.  
 

Menu?
Food?

What’s happening? Where am I?

Ugh.  
 

I looked at the menu in the morning and knew what I wanted hours ago.