seabum

PSA -

I've just read that Carnival is putting DHMO in their pools - Dihydrogen Monoxide

Don't they realize that can be fatal when inhaled ?

What are some of the dangers associated with DHMO?

Each year, Dihydrogen Monoxide is a known causative component in many thousands of deaths and is a major contributor to millions upon millions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:

Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.

Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.

Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.

DHMO is a major component of acid rain.

Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.

Contributes to soil erosion.

Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.

and this is just a small sample of the dangers-

Be careful when around Dihydrogen Monoxide -

and please be safe out there -

This was a public service announcement - YMMF - LRR -

;)

A few minor clarifications (IMHO) -

The only purposed rope on a ship is the bell rope (attached to the clapper) - everything else depending on it's purpose has a specific name - sheets - downhaul - guys - halyards - cunningham (no not Richie) - outhaul - topping lift etc etc Most of these are on sailboats and not Cruise ships)

In regards to the "listing" comment - now don't be a "heal" (LOL) (listing is also referred to as healing)

A snatch block is a block that can open "sideways" to attach a line to it versus running it through the block (it snatches open and closed)

and my favorite nautical term - the quenchwench - the lovely lady closet to the cooler who hands you your PRB's ( not pabst but pre-race beers) - also related to the term sensuous - as in sensuous you was down there can you get me a beer

Cheers Y'all -

Yes - we typically carry on a couple 12 packs of soda (mixed) plus 2 bottles of wine or champagne.

i'm curious though - if they allow up to a 12 pack of 12oz sodas per person - are you allowed say 24 5 oz cans pp ?

The net oz would still be under their threshold - I've read you can bring one Magnum bottle of wine per couple instead of 2 750ML's bottles (though depending on the port some people have had a hard time with this concept)

thanks everyone

Correct me if I'm wrong - but didn't Carnival eliminate Cranberry from the buffet years ago ?

One of my frustrations with the new carry on policy - as its hard (where I live) to find cranberry in a can - I wish we could get the 12oz cans like they serve on airplanes - but I've spoken with ocean spray and that packaging is not available to the public.

We can buy the sparking cranberry and carry on as that is canned - but I miss being able to bring either a large bottle of cran - or at least a 6-pack of 12 oz bottles.

I know the other lines in the CCL family offer Cran at the buffet - but my most recent cruises on Carnival they only offered OJ, Grapefruit juice, Apple juice or POG during B'fast hours - and then Tea or lemon-aid after 11:00.

You could pay for Cran by the glass at any bar - or for free duing breakfast hours - but only in the MDR.

Thanks a bunch -

couple years ago they offered discounted gift cards - with a bonus gift card if purchased with a Carnival CC.

Hope they do it again

We're 9 days out and still no assignment - in my past experiences we got a a cabin no later than 30 days out.

Never really had much luck with Carnival - lower decks inside -

Though we have had much better luck with HAL (upper decks and inside to OV) and Princess (actually went from an inside on deck 12 to a balcony across the hall - dont expect to see that one again!) -

But regardless I'll still book GTY's

no issue with "mal de mar" - I need the exercise - so not too concerned with location - and by doing GTY's I can afford to sail more often.

wish us luck -

Hi -

I'm just wondering - we are the only ship scheduled to be in Roatan in a few weeks - Weather is indicating relatively high winds that day - so I'm expecting to either divert to Coxen Hole or miss the island entirely.

Does anyone know what happens to a prepaid "excursion" - which was for the gondolas/beach-break?

Part of the convenience of the gondolas was to be able to buzz back to the ship -

Would they "bus" us to the beach at mahogany bay - cancel and refund ?

I'm not worried about finding something to do - been there a bunch -

Just curious what their contingency plans might be

Thanks a bunch.

thanks for the prompt replies -

I think that explains the confusion.

Enjoy your next voyage - wherever it takes you.

Hi -

Does anyone know of there are two or three formal nights on an 11 night Journey Cruise ? (or cruise elegant as they call it now)

I've been told both 2 and 3 by different Carnival reps -

Hoping some one here has done one of these journey cruises and might know what they encountered.

Thanks a bunch -

Leaving in a few days - panic packing has commenced - LOL

Hi -

Never used Uber before - thinking of trying for our trip from POM to FLL.

The fare estimator appears to be about the same costs as the shared shuttles. (before any first time Uber user coupons)

I noticed they list a pick up charge of $4.50 for FLL. Does anyone know if this is also an additional charge if dropping off at FLL ?

Thanks a bunch

Good Morning -

Looking for transportation for two from the POM to FLL - arriving POM on Sat AM with a 12:30 flight out of FLL.

Never used Uber before and a little nervous about the logistics etc - though cost estimator seems to be about the same price (before coupons)

On the other hand it can get frustrating with the shared shuttles when they pack you in like sardines on cruise day - as well as the waiting for the shuttle to fill up.

Another concern is what happens if you miss the shuttle time due to delays at customs.

I noticed several companies say you'll just go on the next available one with room - I dont imagine there is a lot of available space on a Sat morning - so concerned the wait might be "a while" - and we dont have a lot of extra time - some, but not a bunch.

We usually drive to the port so little experience with this - This time cruise is SJ > Mia - so driving wasn't an option - LOL

What little experience we have is FLL to/from Port Everglades - and there you could practically walk. Rarely sail into or out of POM.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Thanks a bunch -

That makes sense

Happy New Year everyone

Does anyone know the schedule for evening "dress codes" on an 11 night Journey cruise.

I've read two cruise elegant and the rest casual. I've also read that on the journey cruises that they had two cruise elegant, one more formal and the rest casual.

Also - does anyone know anything about any "theme" nights ? Eighties - Western - Sock hop ?

Thanks a bunch

Seabum, the discount is off of the gift card, but since it's the same transaction, it of course affects the total, so not sure I understand your question. For a $100 gift card, you'll be charged $85 plus the cost of your groceries ($50 minimum).

Thanks a bunch to the OP and everyone else - we were able to pick up two $100 gift cards tonight - hope to get one or two more again tomorrow.

Good lesson to check their coupon flyer and not just the weekly ads and bogos.

I regularly shop at Publix anyway- and with our upcoming journey cruise these will come in handy.

I was just wondering - is it $15 off of the gift card or $15 off of the groceries, or $15 off of that total receipt.

for example say I spend $50.01 on groceries plus a $100 gift card - do they only charge me $135.01 for that purchase ?

Like the previous poster said - might need to go back and stuff the freezer even more.

Need to check out their coupon flyer - I tend to skip that one and focus on the bogo's

Thanks a bunch.

We booked with Bernards last year - and weren't impressed. maybe our expectations were unrealistic but here are the things that happened on our tour.

We left about 30 minutes late waiting for a late arriving couple - they then reversed the order of our tour so we went to Maho first - before any of the larger planes were scheduled to come in. Even though we were told this would be last and when told of the change the entire group requested we do this last as it was supposed to be the highlight we all were looking forward to. As it went, we only saw a couple smaller "puddle jumpers" come in.

Time at beach was cut short to only about 30 minutes.

We were told there was excellent snorkeling - but where they dropped us off there wasn't enough time to walk that far down the beach to where the snorkeling was decent, and still make it back with the new shortened time allotted for the beach. Wouldn't have mattered had we not been misled, and schlepped our gear. Advertised as 90-120 minutes then cut back to 30.

No iguana farm - but instead stopped on side of road for about a minute or two max as driver pointed out one large one in a tree across the street. no biggie for us - we've seen hundreds in our travels.

No "photo stop" at border - just blazed across instead. Couldn't even get a photo out the window he was going so fast. Again not a big deal - but still a fun photo op promised and missed.

Very limited rum punch served in small almost shot type glasses, which ran out halfway through our tour. Not free flowing as advertised - and we weren't a young "party" group - rather more "mature" group of adults.

Lastly - though we left very late - we still got back early - even though everyone in our group was on the same ship - which was not leaving for several hours. They could have easily extended the trip to make up for the late start.

Wouldn't even drop us off in town for shopping but insisted on taking us back to the pier.

All in all not a bad tour - especially for the cost - but not what we were expecting - and it was nice to not be the driver for once as we usually rent a car / jeep whenever visiting St Maarten.

we really got the impression that our driver had some place to be that afternoon and was going through the motions and couldn't wait to get finished for the day.

Rather than a nice relaxing tour - we just felt rushed at every stop - and missed a couple on top of that.

From all the excellent reviews I'd have to say ours was the exception - but still it was disappointing.

Hope this helps - and hope y'all have a better experience.

Hi -

We are going to be there on a Friday and am having trouble locating any companies that go out that day -

Anchorage's website indicates Wednesdays and Saturdays or Sundays by appt.

Any suggestions would be great.

Never seen a sperm whale before -

Thanks a bunch.

I can't seem to figure out how to PM you on this board so I can send you the exec e-mails. Just sent a friend request and hopefully that will enable private messaging.

Thanks for your help - spent an hour on the phone last night - They promised I'd see it on my next statement - funny they told me that month.

Do you happen to know if the offer of a 10% credit is on the full cruise price - or only the amounts that hit my CC during the promo period. (07/07 - 08/31)

By the way - I see you from ATL - I'm in Marietta !

Thanks again

You're owed credits for both promotions whether Barclays likes it or not. If you were promised perks during a promotion then you must receive them if you fulfilled the requirements of the promotional agreement.

 

If I were you I would send a professional e-mail to both the Barclay exec team and the Carnival exec team explaining the problem and your dissatisfaction with the broken agreement. Then file a BBB complaint and FTC complaint with the government.

 

I guarantee you will get a call from Carnival exec office within 48 hours (they're the best!) and a call from Barclay sometime after that. BBB and FTC will take a little longer but the info you submit will get sent to each company.

 

I hope you get this fixed soon!

Hi -

I too am having trouble getting them to honor their agreements - never got the promotional bonus points for when I signed up for the card -now not getting the 10% statement credit for our upcoming cruise booked within the promo period last summer.

Do you happen to know the email addresses for CCL and Barclays you had mentioned ?

Thanks a bunch

Way back in 1992 we paid +/- $800 PP ++ for a 7 day cruise on Princess. This equates to over $1350 in today's dollars.

Yet we just booked a 11 day on Carnival for about $700 PP ++.

Personally I don't know how they do it at all.

Yes I've seen cutbacks - no fresh flowers everywhere - MDR food portions smaller - cabin stewards have twice as many cabins to take care off - etc.

Shoot back on that first one they were passing out free DOD's for the sailaway - even handing out paper streamers that we all tossed over the rail as we pulled out of port.

Compared to a land based vacation - these are a bargain - and like others have said all lines have their pluses and minuses.

I love the service and smaller ships and unique itineraries of HAL - but the demographics dont work for us.

CCL has the largest cabins - more departure ports - tons of activities day and night - great fares etc.

Princess offers a more refined experience than CCL to me - but needs to expand their Caribbean ports - IMHO the only line to sail to AK on - they own that market being one of the first to sail up there.

Personally I did not like RCL nor NCL for various reasons - but others swear by them.

Lastly I had one of my best cruises ever on the old Island Breeze of the now defunct Premiere line. All 32,000 tons of her. No rock climbing - no bowling alley - no ice skating - but we had a blast and made life long friends on that trip. It was also my first time seeing the legendary (to some here on CC) Bert Stratton in the piano bar -

I'm thrilled to still be able to cruise as often as we do - for the prices we can - and to be able to enjoy different experiences on varying lines.

and cant wait till our next adventure in a few months -

Cheers everyone !

Just looked at O website and there does not appear to be any 7 day O Caribbean in summer 2015 (maybe I missed something). There is a 7 day in March, which is $2600 (including tax) for balcony including airfare.

 

But, to make a fare comparison with mass market, let's subtract air credit of approx. $500/person and about $150/person in OBC and $100 in gratuities (TA or O) and value of beverage package plus a couple of specialty dinners at about $100. You are now at $1750 before subtracting any incentive a top O agent can get for "first time O customer - let's say another $200 (approx. 10% of after air credit cabin cost). Your bottom line is now $1550 for O. This rivals many mass market lines and is certainly far less than the $8k I seem to remember somebody posting earlier (?).

 

Carnival may still work out to be cheaper. But then you need to look at the qualitative values - the far better food and amenities, and the lack of all the things that turn so many of us off: the hordes, announcements, art shows, photogs, "prom" nights.

 

My main point is that a smart shopper should take a look at premiums like O. They are not as far out of reach as some CC folks would have you believe.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

just wondering why this is being posted on a carnival thread ??

Are you an agent looking for bidness - perhaps a stealthy rep from Oceania ?

just wondering - maybe I'll head over to the Oceania threads and post about Princess and HAL -

Hi -

I too love a good Margarita - and have yet to find a decent one on any of the ships I've been on,

Don't know if its the sour mix they are using - or skipping triple sec - or what.

The best trick I've found to make it tolerable - is to ask for a splash of orange juice.

You'd think on a cruise to Mexico they could figure it out - but so far no luck for me - on any line - on any ship.

whats the most frustrating to me is the best part are the claws - which you obviously dont get with the rock / spiny / Caribbean lobsters.

As I mentioned in my previous post - the last time in the steakhouse - they let us add lobster tails to create our own surf and turf - it was not a whole Maine lobster.

Just some of the best tails I've ever had - and I grew up along the NH / Maine coast.

That is why I was curious if the steakhouse tails were the same as the MDR - could just be the steakhouse was cooked to order - or the special creamy drawn butter (versus butter alone) - who knows.

Thanks everyone - smooth sailing -

Sorry :)

but thanks for posting your reply -

and like I said - congrats on beating the broncos - (and the NFL's chosen one.) It was a great game today.

I just hope your "Luck runs out next week" - (Not that you were lucky today - just a play on words by the way)

Being from NH originally I'm a huge Pats fan.

Pretty lucky myself this playoff season - as I kinda like all the teams that are left - after my Pats that is! (don't like Denver, or Carolina - used to really hate Dallas - but the Ravens have taken over my my most hated team these days - so I went 4 for 4 this weekend)

I hope you have a blast on your cruise -

I was curious - on our last cruise, the lobster we had in the Steakhouse was amazing - where as the MDR ones were smaller and "tougher"

In the steakhouse they even let us add it to an entree for no extra charge - maybe as it was a slow night and it was my birthday- but they let us create our own surf and turf- bought out 6 pieces for the two of us to share (three tails split lengthwise) with a creamy drawn butter. AMAZING.

I'm wondering if the freebie ones will be as good as the $20 steakhouse version .

Granted it is harder to cook these properly for the masses without over cooking them (thats when they can get tough / stringy)

Thanks