sgttami

Once on MSC:  A friend invited me on MSC Divina out of Miami back in 2017.  I was Diamond Plus on RCL so they matched my status for the trip and we had the top perks.

We had fun overall but neither of us was crazy about it.  Met some nice people but some were very obnoxious.  Once was enough.

Thought about it again when I saw NY sailings but looking back, Once was enough!

I gave up speculating on how Carnival decides to comp people and tired of being asked how much I spend blah blah to get what I get.

As long as the offers keep coming I won't worry how they figure it all out.

Smooth sailing!

2 hours ago, edrussell said:

Still new to the casino on Carnvial as we have mostly sailed on RCCL (hosts on RCCL are bloody awful and invisible), how many points usually get their attention?  Enough for an ASK of a steakhouse dinner maybe?

 

  Past cruises: (For me) If I've bought Cheers or had DOU everywhere, the casino host will offer Steakhouse at around 3000 points, first or second night.  Sometimes I'll get another offer around day 5 (sometimes not).  This was on Pride and Legend and I was always visible in the casino...lol.  It also depended who the host was on a particular sailing. Some were more generous than others.  I've never asked.  They approached me.

Agree with RCL hosts.  Haven't sailed with them since 2007.

No.

I'd be more afraid of walking through Times Square these days and I grew up in New York!

One NCL cruise was enough for me.  It was an older ship and people keep telling me to give it another try.  Leaving from NY and driving distance is a plus but I just can't bring myself to do another!

Pride and Legend are my favorite Carnival ships and I don't mind the ride to Baltimore since it's the easiest port ever.

Good choice going with Carnival!

2 hours ago, Daruma said:

 

Good to know, thank you. 

 

Looks like it's the buffet, Pizza, Guy's, etc for me then for breakfast and lunch... though I rarely eat breakfast actually. 

I'll grab a sandwich at the Deli and can still sit solo in the Lido area, inside or out.  I've done the seaday brunch with others but only after I knew them from other areas on the ship (casino, bars etc.) and got along with them...(LOL) 

1 hour ago, Daruma said:

 

Thank you... I asked and he/she said set time dining. 

 

  1 hour ago, Daruma said:

 

Thank you... is that early set time dining or early YTD? 

I do set time.  Easier for me!

If you want to do set time with your own table, see the Maitre D when you board. They will accommodate. I have never done YTD.

Just now, Daruma said:

 

Thank you... is that early set time dining or early YTD? 

I do set time.  Easier for me!

I cruise solo and always get my own table for early seating. Works for me.

1 minute ago, TmD2631 said:

Can you tell me what the social wi fi plan is on the elite benefits

I have no idea.  Never used it.

A long time ago I pre-booked an excursion that involved  a boat ride and a beach day.

It poured rain that day and I really didn't want to go but the excursion was going as planned and I would have lost the money if I didn't go.  It was an awful day and I left the excursion early and taxied back to the ship.

I've never pre-booked again.  I wait till I board and if something is sold out, Oh well!

I called Carnival to put $750 OBC on my sons honeymoon cruise.  I gave them the booking # and paid by credit card..  They used it for drinks and excursions and had about $100 left that was refunded in cash at the end of the cruise. 

I've never used a lanyard or a phone.

Menus are posted outside the dining room and paper FUN TIMES are available.  I'll do early dining so no need for a phone.

Sign and Sail is in the front flap of my purse.

I'd take Legend since I'm a fan of the older and smaller ships. Wouldn't give it a second thought

Same for RCL :  Favorite ships were Song of America and Nordic Empress(tiny by today's standards) and Radiance and Serenade of the Seas.

When I cruise solo I'll do early dining because it gets me out of the casino if I have somewhere to go.(LOL).

If I cruise with others, I'll go with the flow.

I've only done Anytime Dining on one cruise   It was OK..

I used a PVP when I first sailed Carnival and he couldn't answer basic questions,  I had already been on 15 cruises with other lines and my questions were specific to Carnival.  Turns out he had never been on a cruise and had no idea what I was talking about.  I never called him or another PVP again.

I'll use a TA if it's a trip involving multiple flights, destinations and/or cruises with international travel but otherwise I'll just book on my own if it's a simple cruise and I'm driving to the port (or flying a short distance).

Smooth sailing!

I don't think I could pick a favorite interior on a ship.  I just never paid attention to it.

As long as everything was clean and in working order, I was happy!

1 hour ago, diesteldorf said:

It's been awhile, but I routinely sail solo and am basically always paying double.

One year my brother was able to get some time off and I added him within 3-4 weeks of sailing.

Just had to pay the extra port taxes.

My friend was sailing solo and last minute asked if I wanted to come along.  I said YES and she added me 4 days before the cruise.  I had to pay taxes and port charges.  No fees.

Radiance and even smaller:  Song of America and Empress

Voyager class was too big for me!

I booked a balcony GTY and was given an Owner's Suite. (Theodora Suite)

Cabin was assigned about an hour after I booked.

I'll add that this was on Empress of the Seas and was almost 20 years ago. 

The good old days....LOL

I've sailed solo and was offered a bottle of the "free stuff" for myself..

I don't remember the name of the wine but it was white.  It was OK but I'm not a big wine drinker.  I left half the bottle..  .

I got a verbal SAVE THE DATE for a cruise wedding exactly a year ahead of time. Nice to have that time frame to decide/plan to go.

Six months later the couple called it off and parted ways.

I must have had a sixth sense about it and never did book when I got the save the date.

I have friends on this cruise and looking forward to hearing their thoughts!

Hope everyone enjoys it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

18 minutes ago, staceyglow said:

If you think it's too expensive, don't buy it. 😃

 

No one needs bottled water.  The tap water on Carnival is perfectly safe, and in my opinion, fine to drink. 

 

Agree.  I've never bought a bottle of water in my life.