nwcruiselover

I was on a ship that had 2 days in Cabo some years ago. Everyone had to be back onboard at the specified time on the first day. The ship then went out to sea overnight, the casino and shops opened, and then the ship returned to Cabo the next morning for the second day in Cabo. No one was allowed to stay in Cabo overnight at a hotel.

My PVP also responds very quickly, usually within 10 minutes. Even if he’s out of the office, he texts to let me know and if it’s something urgent he says go to ahead and call Carnival’s 1-800 number. Otherwise he calls me first thing the next morning.

Slot tournaments aren’t back. They still give $25 PP to Platinum and Diamond members. On some ships it’s given in cash and some get credit on slots or table games.

There are no visa requirements for any of the ports we’re going to. Just your USA passport is required.

Keypad, where you select your own combination.

We have often booked the steakhouse or other specialty restaurant on the last night as a celebratory way to end the cruise. The service has always been top notch, not matter which day of the cruise. No different on the last night.

I have booked with Carnival’s Fly2Fun only once. It turned out OK in the end, but I had many stressful days and nights worried about whether my ticketing would be done in time for the cruise. I did get a good fare, but not sure it was worth the stress I went through. I paid in full for the air along with my final payment, about 3 months prior to the cruise. Supposedly the tickets would be issued about 2 months before the cruise. I started getting worried when ticketing hadn’t been done 30 days before the cruise and started calling. There is no way to speak directly with Fly2Fun, and everyone told me to just be patient. Eventually my ticket was issued 2 weeks before the cruise. This is a return from Europe after a TA cruise. Never again will I use Fly2Fun.

I’m so glad to hear the good news!

My sister was on NCL recently and she was able to get one by asking her room steward.

I don’t know what time the ship arrived in Long Beach. We were in port when I woke up, around 7:00 AM. Self debarkation started at around 8:30, called according to muster station. I’m Diamond and was off the ship around 9:15. I was on the Carnival shuttle to LAX by about 10:00 and at LAX before 11:00. I don’t know what happened after that, but next would be suites and platinum, then luggage tag numbers. That was. In January.

Yes, it is true that you can check in on-line for your cruise 16 days ahead of the sailing date instead of 14 days. That’s one of the platinum perks.

DH and I will also be in a Terrazza Cabana on the TA. Looking forward to being in this area and don’t mind that it doesn’t have a pool.

Cove balcony, absolutely. Under the dining room would be better than under the kitchen because the dining room is carpeted and not open all night. I have been in 4J cabins many times but for the extra money coves are better. There are great views from the “secret” balconies in front of the cabins, but it’s quite windy out there when the ship is moving. It’s not a place people sit outside very much. In fact, in the many times I have had 4J cabins, I can’t recall a time when I saw anyone out there for more than 15-20 minutes at a time.

My experience is that I could only make the reservation after I got on the ship. I called the steakhouse soon after getting on the ship and they made the reservation. I had to take the letter to the steakhouse on the night of the reservation.

You need to call Carnival to have your husband added to the booking. It’s not possible to do it on-line. While you’re on the phone the representative should be able to locate his VIFP number since he has sailed with Carnival previously.

I was on Panorama in the Heroes bar for one of the NFL playoff games. The lounge wasn’t large and every seat was taken by 30 minutes prior to kickoff. By kickoff there were lots of people willing to stand for the entire game, since virtually no one leaves during the game. I managed to snag a seat at a high table near the back without a very good view of the screen, but someone in the table in front of me was streaming the game on his large screen laptop, so I could keep up that way.

Trivia is one of my favorite onboard activities, but it takes some of the fun out of it when I see people using their phones or writing answers down as they’re announced. It sure takes away the even playing field.

I’m on that sailing and looking forward to both Christine and Emeril being onboard! Hoping to get tickets for the cooking demonstration.

I think you got lucky. The frozen “mocktails” aren’t supposed to be included in BB.

Two large bottles of water per cruise, not per day.

Yes, please do report back. I would call my PVP and ask, but I don’t have any more future cruises in mind and I don’t want to waste his time.

I use a PVP also. In the past he used to book me as a solo and add DH on later if he decided to come. Recently though he recommended booking myself and a TBA. He said that would lock in the rate and that I could change the TBA to a person’s name anytime prior to final payment, and I could remove the TBA anytime if I knew for sure he wasn’t coming.

I order my foreign currency through my on-line Bank of America account and it’s delivered to our local branch the following day. Decent exchange rate. Also, if you don’t use it all, the bank will take it back at their “buy” rate. You lose a little, but at least they do take it back.

I’m not on the Panorama now, but my sailing on January 7th had a similar situation with weather bringing the ship back to Long Beach late. The morning of boarding all the incoming passengers received a text telling them to arrive one hour later than their arrival appointment. I had 10:00 - 10:30 and I arrived about 10:30 because of having to be out of my hotel by 10:00. I arrived to a HUGE long line for 10:00 - 10:30, and also very long lines for each the other arrival times. It took forever for the line to start moving us into the terminal because the departing passengers weren’t off till after 11:00. After finally getting into the terminal there was a long wait in a very crowded Captains Lounge for Diamond/Platinum. They started boarding at 1:00 and rooms were supposed to be ready at 2:30, but not all of them were. It was a stressful day. I hope it’s better for you tomorrow.

I’m hoping and praying your new passport gets to you in time for the cruise. My sister recently renewed hers with expedited handling and expedited return, and she received it in 4 weeks. I hope you’re as lucky as she was!