sgttami

No.

The earliest I was ever assigned a GTY was about an hour after I booked and the cruise was several months away. It was good all around since I booked a Balcony Gty. and ended up with a Suite. Another time it was about a month before the cruise .

I found a duck on my slot machine a few years ago and left it there because I thought it was someone's lucky charm for gambling and they left it behind. Since learning about the ducks I've seen more each cruise but don't collect or participate in hiding any. I couldn't be bothered packing stuff like that but if it's fun for you, enjoy it!

Yes. Anything at all.

You can order whatever drink you like in the casino

2006: My son won $900 on Deal or No Deal on his honeymoon cruise when Legend left from NY. The ship left a day late because they had a person overboard situation. Two excursions were canceled along the way and they had a taxi accident in St. Thomas during the cruise. On the way back he played the game and got the good suitcase. It made up for all the other inconveniences. Sixteen years later, he's still married! They never had it on any ship I was on or I definitely would have played.

The others could be sold out. My Journey's for 1/23 has been sold out for months so it's not showing up on the Website.

If you travel a lot, you can buy an annual policy that covers all your trips, land and sea, and anything in between. Allianz had good deals.

No lanyards or wristlets for me. I like my card to be in the front flap of my cruise pocketbook that I carry everywhere.

Wear it. You will stand out as someone who knows what it means to follow the suggested dress code. I started cruising in the days when gowns and tuxes were normal for formal/elegant night. Perhaps I slacked off dressing like I was going to a Red Carpet event over the years of cruising but I still "dress" for those special nights.

I have a friend who is totally "loyal to Royal" and recently cruised Carnival for the first time on Sunrise to give it a try. I heard nothing but complaints about the entire cruise and she was constantly comparing it to Royal and how wonderful they are. She couldn't believe that I would sail Carnival after being on Royal. Sometimes people don't really give it a good try. Their minds are set from the beginning that they aren't going to like it because their chosen line is simply the best and nothing will ever compare.

It most certainly does. The itinerary alternates on the Baltimore cruises. I may not know where I'm going but I certainly know where I've been!

33 cruises on 5 different lines and I've never waited an hour for anything. Simply because, I wouldn't.

Not always. Did a 14 day Journey's nowhere near Nassau and Grand Turk was still one of the ports!

The only experience I had was when traveling with someone who detested their first name and preferred to be called X.(another name) We spent a lot of time at the casino bar and she just asked the bartenders to call her X and they never called her anything but for the rest of the trip. She still has the same detested first name but everyone still calls her X.

One of the reasons I like Grand Turk is that the casino is open while in port so if it's not a beach day, I can hang in the casino. Sometimes, even if it is a beach day, I'll still hang in the casino (LOL) I will say that I think it was on every itinerary I've done on Carnival from NY and Baltimore in the last 8 years (except the Canada/New England). Never really thought about it....till now!

Yes. Back when I turned Platinum, I got the card when I boarded and didn't officially turn Platinum till the last day of the cruise.

I prefer 2:00-3:00 for boarding because there's no crowds and it's only a short time before the ship sails.

Yes. it will go through. I've seen many garment bags scanned ahead of me at the terminal.

I've gotten credit for all my casino cruises and am more than halfway to Diamond.

I've always found Cheers to be worth it whether I purchased it or had DOU anywhere (comped) I only drink Coor's Light for the most part and maybe a Bloody Mary or frozen drink sometime during the cruise. No sodas, water, coffee, milkshakes etc. I didn't get Cheers the first time I sailed Carnival and figured I would have saved $125.00 if I did. Got it ever since. Obviously, if you only drink one or two cocktails a day, it's not for you. I sail solo so I don't have to worry about anyone buying it other than me.

I never heard of a "mistake fare." My casino offers are taxes and port charges only and I've done and have newly booked 14 day Journey's cruises for just about $300.00 (including DOU everywhere). If you have a booking number and it's paid for, I can't see where they would tell you they made a mistake on pricing. Just keep taking advantage of their "mistakes".....Smooth sailing!

I've never eaten at the buffet on a Carnival cruise. The closest I came was The Deli and loved the different sandwiches. All good!

Yes. I've been using it since it came out about 20 years ago. Haven't used an iron since. I use it on everything whether at home or vacation.

I've only done a carryon and my pocketbook on cruises for about the last 7 years. No flying to port. Longest was a 14 day Journey's and I still came back with stuff I never wore. Pack layers in matching colors so that everything matches everything packed. I do black, navy and tan. Roll tightly in suitcase. Unpack and spray clothes with Downy Wrinkle Release and hang in closet.' I dress for Elegant night as well so it's not a bunch of stuff thrown in a suitcase. Other than rinsing a few pieces in the sink, I never did laundry either. I've found it to be so much easier than packing a million things I'll never wear anyway.