Schoifmom

To me, that seems to be another level of Dante's hell.

Hope your experience improves!!!

To be fair, everyone's opinions are subjective (not objective), including OP's and cruisesfun65's. And yours, for that matter. Everyone provides feedback based on their own experiences and POV. I believe that both are likely to be valid and truthful, just seen from a different lens.

They really do send a check and if you use a gift card they send a new gift card. The trick is to only place what you think you will spend. If you need to add more, stop by the kiosk. I normally will hit the casino on the last evening (even if what I have is refundable) and use the casino trick to cash out, as well as getting in my last few spins on the slots 🙂

@pacruise804 is correct above. Carnival states on their website that they place and initial hold of $100-$200 based on the length of the cruise and then additional holds throughout the cruise as money is spent. So, at the end, the hold could roughly equal or exceed spending. The length of time that a hold remains on the card is dependent upon the bank, not Carnival. Additionally, I use my cash-back credit card to purchase discounted gift cards, so in effect I am getting $100 for $90 and my cash back on the $90. Win/win.

Unless she has been told by a physician that she cannot go, she will not be covered under the insurance. Best course of action is to say nothing to anyone and her port fees and taxes will be automatically refunded to her original form of payment. If you go to GS or tell them at the port that she is not coming, they will refund her prepaids but they will also charge you the single supplement.

So, Cruise Cash is simply loading a specific amount of money to your S&S account ahead of time. It can be purchased in $25 increments. There are no discounts and it is non-refundable (use it or lose it). I also use Cruise Cash in some amount for every cruise. That is because I use gift cards to fund my S&S account. If I purchase an amount of Cruise Cash prior to embarkation, then I don't need to be in a hurry to load any additional gift cards to my onboard account. I can simply wait for a time when there is no line at the kiosk or GS.

Is it absolutely necessary? No. Is it incredibly helpful? Yes. You can access the Fun Times on it rather than walking down to GS or the coffee shop every day for the printed version. You can check in for MDR meals (YTD, Seaday Brunch, Breakfast). You can check your S&S account without going to GS or using the Kiosk. You can access all menus for the entire cruise (not just that day's). You can access the room service menu, instructions for VIFP items, spa menus, etc without asking your Room Steward to bring printed versions. Yes, you can do all of these things the "old" way, but IMHO it is much more convenient using the app.

To replay your question, just to make sure we are on the same page. You want to know if there is any advantage to putting cash on your S&S account at the beginning of the cruise instead of using a credit card. Carnival will place an initial hold on your credit card of $100 or $100 (depending on the length of your cruise). There will be additional holds placed throughout the cruise, as you spend. At the end of the cruise, Carnival will put through the charge for the total amount of your spend to your credit card. This will effectively tie up twice the amount of your spend for a while, until the holds fall off. If you use cash, there is nothing for Carnival to tie up with a hold. Your spending will deduct from your cash balance until you have nothing left. At that point, you will need to add more cash or provide a credit card (subject to the holds listed above). This is a great tool for someone on a budget and doesn't want to spend more than a specific amount or does not have a credit card. With both methods you can view your spending in the HUB app or using the kiosks. There are no discounts or money saving advantages to either method, other than using cash does not tie up your credit.

It's been my experience that the tour operators know the conversion. If you tell them that the ship arrives at 9 am ship's time, then they will know what time that is locally.

I'm sure that you are aware, but you must let the airline know in advance that you will be traveling with a mobility scooter. There is no charge for taking it, but they have to allow for the weight and provide instructions to you based on which type of battery the scooter has. Happy travels!

You can CARRY-ON up to 12 cans or cartons per person of 12oz or less each. No bottles of any sort except your allotted wine.

You should have gotten one as soon as you booked and then another when it was ticketed. Just like everything else Carnival, YMMV.

F2F experience here ... you should have received an email with an attachment that includes your locator number. You should be able to use the locator number to see your flight on the airline website; HOWEVER, most airlines will not allow you to upgrade your seats until your flight is actually ticketed (normally 14-30 days prior to leaving). I do know that Delta will allow you to select and change your seat selections prior to that time.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2544/~/minor-guest-policy

If you are over 25, they can be in a room together as long as it is "linked" to yours.

Very easy. We always do. Just do not select the "dine at a shared table" option, and you will be placed at a table for the two of you. These tables are often close together, which we actually like. We make small talk with the table next to us (if they seem agreeable) and then don't have to converse throughout the entire meal if we don't want to.

"Port" side doesn't mean that you will necessarily be facing the port, if that is what you are thinking. It is really just the left side of the ship (when facing forward). Whether you face the port or not depends on how the pilot orients the ship when docking.

If you are taking the Carnival shuttle, it really doesn't matter. They will put you on the first available shuttle after you leave. Once it is full, they will fill the second.

In your room you will find (usually on the wall near the phone) a QR code. This is for the room service menu where you will see that there are still no charge items (at least until the beginning of October). The "free" items do not appear in the HUB app. Are they out of ice cream? They have not discontinued it.

@ChuckF

No. YTD is an assigned dining "time" just like early and late dining. Unfortunately, if you cannot make your assigned dining time, then you will be on the Lido for dinner 🙂

Since no one has answered your question yet, I'll give it a go. It all depends on which cruise line you are sailing with. Are you boarding in Panama City? What cruise line? Have you looked at their accessibility page on their website? Most lines have preferred vendors for scooter rentals. They will likely be able to service you at any of the embarkation ports for that line.

It is not necessary to call them prior to the cruise to obtain wheelchair assistance for boarding and debarkation. There is no wheelchair service for tender boarding or at any of the ports.

The best tip? Go to Dollar Tree (or similar) and purchase the cheap battery operated candles. They throw off a very soft light, which is just enough to keep you from bumping a toe or a knee in the middle of the night if you need to go to the bathroom.