Donh44

The whole process of taking each passengers picture and printing out their S&S cards really slowed down the embarkation process. Now that they print up your S&S card ahead of time with your passport picture and just leave it at your cabin, the embarkation process goes much much faster. The ports without this new feature take much longer to board from what I’ve heard. Just imagine taking 3,000 pictures and printing out 3,000 cards. And if the envelope that your S&S card is in is opened or missing, then go straight to Guest Services and they will take care of it and print you a new one.

I have never had an S & S card with my pic on it. No way under this new process to put a pic on the S & S card as they don't see your passport until you check in and you S & S card will be in your mailbox. Sounds confusing. I would think that for security reasons, they would not put pics on the cards. They use to be part of the magnetic bar on the back of the card so that pic shows up as you embark & debark,

It looks like Carnival might have reached the tipping point with the $90 FTTF price. It had been sold out on the Glory for our May sailing but it opened up again last week and is still open. $90 is a lot of money for what you get so I'm thinking they might have pushed it a little too far. I won't do it again at that price. The last time we did it (in Oct last year it had gone up to $70 and had to think hard about that before doing it. Ah well, such is the corporate mentality. It was good while it lasted.

Worth every penny to me. Bad back prevents me from standing in those lines for general boarding. But, everyone has their reasons and/or preferences. Works for me but that is just my opinion.

To make that theory believable, you would need people in another cabin who do not know what their luggage looks like, and don't open all their luggage.

Not necessarily. Could be a variety of reasons. Or thinking that the luggage belonged to the other person. Cold have unpacked separately and not realized that the luggage didn't belong to the other person. Freak things do happen. I think that Carnival worked with them the best that they could. All goes back to the original delivery of the luggage to the wrong room and was bot caught. Terrible experience, but they got the luggage back.

This sounds like it could be a case of a "practical joke" by another passenger, a very cruel practical joke. That the luggage showed up when it did makes me think this might be the case. Just a guess though.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Cruel, but possible.

Doubt she is getting on the ship tomorrow and not entitled to any type of refund.

Travel insurance doesn’t cover not having proper travel documentation and timeline would not have allowed for CFAR.

Empathy? Yes

Sympathy? No

A footnote to your comment. Even if the cruiseline would allow her to cruise, GOD forbid if she had an emergency and had to return to the US from a foreign country. She MUST have a passport to reenter the US. I agree with you re: empathy & sympathy.

Computer Nerd,

 

There is no need for that attitude with me. If you had bothered to read my signature, you would have noticed that I only cruise with Carnival. I clearly have no intentions of cruising with RCCL. I said this change was an inconvenience. You assumed it was a dealbreaker.

 

I also pointed out an obvious possible problem that could result from this change. When alot of people are all on a site at the same time, that site tends to slow down or crash.

Think about it. Do you actually think that the system will "crash" at a 90 day starting time? Look at how many cruise ships 90 day start time will occur at the same time. You are only talking about a few thousand people. That change was done for a reason. Does one think that Carnival gains anything from this change? Why is it an inconvenience? You will be taking the same action, just a little later.

Mine for Sept. 2018 dropped $190 in price. So of course I asked for an adjustment.

 

This cruise has dropped almost by 1/2 since I booked it last Sept.

I booked my cruise back in Dec, 2017. At booking, the price for me was $1438.00. It has dropped to $1038.00. I got several price drops which lowered my balance due. When I paid it off, it continued to drop and I went from a $50.00 OBC to $190. Have been told that there may be more drops.

Hi All,

 

If I book a cruise now, for next March 2019, and I want to keep an eye on the price for price-drops to get OBC, do I have to book the "Early Saver" category only? Or can I still book, for example, the Casino Rate, and still get OBC if I see a lower rate, as long as the lower rate is the Casino Rate?

Can you always get OBC, as long as the lower rate is the same category......or is the Early Saver category, the ONLY category that you can play the price-drop game with?

 

I've always been confused with this subject, therefore I'm only focussing on the Early Saver rate during my researches. Yet my Casino Rate is always being offered at a lower price, so I'd like to book through my Casino Rate, but I fear I won't be allowed to fill out the form for OBC because I didn't book the Early Saver rate.

 

So, my question is, can one still play the game of watching for Price Drops, in all categories....or can you only play that game by booking the Early Saver rate?

I can only speak for Early Saver prices. I book Early Saver all of the time. I booked a cruise to Bermuda for Oct. Travelling solo so I have to pay the single supplement. The price started out at $1438 and dropped several times and got down to $1218 before I made final payment. Then there were 2 price drops after that and I got $40.00 OBC so far. I keep checking several times/week for additional drops. I always book a year or so in advance and take advantage of any price drops.

It looks like Carnival might have reached the tipping point with the $90 FTTF price. It had been sold out on the Glory for our May sailing but it opened up again last week and is still open. $90 is a lot of money for what you get so I'm thinking they might have pushed it a little too far. I won't do it again at that price. The last time we did it (in Oct last year it had gone up to $70 and had to think hard about that before doing it. Ah well, such is the corporate mentality. It was good while it lasted.

When you are paying close to $2000 for a cruise (in my case), what is $100 more. I will buy it. Worth it to me.

Where do you get this coupon?

If you are entitled to this complimentary coupon, it will be on the desk in your cabin upon embarkation. It will be printed with your name and cabin number on it.

I think if you don't use it you get credit for it on your sail and sign.

No you don't. It is complimentary, just like it says.

Never understood why Carnival gives a specific redemption time. Seems like it would make more sense (and save paper) if they just deleted a single bar charge off your sign and sail card.

They give you that specific time which is the last day and in the evening and expecting that you will forget about it and not use it. I always use mine at the last dinner.

Does anyone else have trouble understanding what the Captain is saying over the sound system?? Last cruise was on RCCL & I couldn't for the life of me understand a single thing he was saying. Not very clear at all. Has it gotten any better? Just curious..

I can never understand what anyone is ever saying on those squawk boxes. With technology the way that it is, you would think that they would be very clear. Walt Disney World has it down pat. You can understand everything they are saying no matter where you are in the park.

Thank you all for talking me out of what would have been a serious headache! I will stick with the 4pm flight and happily use the credit towards a future flight (prices were cheaper today).

Good choice. That would be cutting it close and you know "Murphy's Law". At least with the 4 pm flight you can take your time and relax at the airport. The stress the other way would ruin what was a great vacation.

Any advantage to preordering water ahead of time vs waiting to order from room service once on board?

It will be in your cabin when you arrive as opposed to ordering it when you board and have to wait for it. That way you can put it in your refrig right away.

First, I want to commend Carnival for trying to do something environmentally friendly. However, this is something they clearly didn't think through.

 

Let me ask you, the last time you ordered a drink from a Carnival bar do you know how many sail and sign cards the bartender handled since he last sanitized his hands? Now if just one of those passengers had a norovirus infection the every glass the bartenders touches potentially an infection point. That is how the norovirus spreads and its a big issue for cruise lines.

 

I know I will still be able to request a plastic straw and I will always do so, but its the other passengers I am worried about. The more infections you have the easier is in to spreed in highly confined spaces.

 

How many news headline have you seen over the years were a large numbers passengers getting sick.

 

We just has one two months ago.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/02/09/royal-caribbean-cruise-arrives-in-san-diego-after-24-people-sickened-with-gastrointestinal-virus.html

 

Please help me in letting Carnival know this is a very bad idea.

All of the things that you touch on that ship and you are worried about a straw that is in a paper sleeve? Give me a break.

I’m going on my 13th cruise with my BF...his first. I’ve tried explaining that you don’t get on the ship right before it sails, but he’s not convinced. He flies every week for work and is used to arriving just in time to catch his flight and thinks the cruise is like that. Just a way to get someplace. I said “NO!!!!” We usually arrive around noon, get lunch, walk around the ship, find our cabin, get a drink, sit by the pool and listen to music, etc.

 

He wants to explore Miami (which we will do the day before). I tried to compromise and say 1:30...he still wasn’t convinced. It does say if you arrive less than 2 hours before sailing you’re in charge of your luggage. I’m hoping this will make him understand. Ugh!!! Thankfully this is just a 4 day cruise, in case he doesn’t like it.

 

Any other things I should tell him to make him want to get there earlier?

Check your documents. Somewhere on them it will tell you when you MUST be on board or you could be denied boarding. If that should happen, there are no refunds. Your payment for that cruise includes embarkation day. Get on board when you can and enjoy checking out the ship and eating a fantastic lunch selection. Have a great cruise.

“Not bash on Carnival in any way” ... and then that’s exactly what you do.

 

In my opinion, yes, it’s only you and your opinion.

 

My experiences are vastly different.

 

Happy sailing on other lines until the changes you want from Carnival happen but I suspect you’ll be saying the exact same things about those other lines as those forums are filled with people saying the same thing about them as you are curently saying about Carnival.

 

Its the cycle of life.

The writer was only voicing his opinion and made that disclaimer at the beginning of his post. He could have really bashed Carnival. I took it as his observation after having cruised other lines. I respect his opinion. I don't have to agree with it. Give him a break. I am sure you have differing opinions as well.

If they are minors in their own cabin they will be able to check in and board with their parents who have FTTF, they just won't receive any of the other benefits of FTTF. No different than if the parents were Platinum.

Maybe I am missing something here. Are minors allowed to have their own cabin? I thought an adult had to be in the room.

I go to Guys and get just fries with no seasoning then off to the fixins bar and get a large amount of mushrooms then go get a bowl of vanilla ice cream. This was my lunch many days on my last 3 cruises. I may do a burger once or twice a cruise.

 

Guys has only been open from 12-6 when we have sailed on ships with one.

Can you get a burger with just cheese on it? I like mine plain except to add mustard and ketchup. Thought I read somewhere that they came with lettuce & tomato. I don't eat that on mine and don't want to waste it. Just wondering if one can get it plain?

Sorry. I posted about a getting a watch before I read your next post. Not trying to be "that guy" but really, a watch is your best option. (You can get one for less than $10). You are on vacation. Turn the darned phone off and enjoy being "disconnected".

WalMart has cheap watches. I bought one recently to wear for work and it was only $7.88 (regular price). Works like a charm. Leave the cell phone on the ship. Enjoy the vacation.

It becomes my business when you hose crew. It has been stated over and over that the grats collected always go to the intended crew. Again, how do you determine the appropriate amount? Typical dinner with a starter, entree, sides, coffee, dessert landside would cost about $40 each...so you are claiming you leave in cash at least $8 each person every MDR meal? Leaving at Lido at least $3 for breakfast and $4 for lunch? And of course, sitting there until each server gets to your table to get their share? Finding both your room steward and assistant room steward twice a day and handing them each $2 per person per service...

Riiighhttt....and they let me drive the ship.

You "nailed" it, Elaine. Additionally he doesn't give any consideration to the "behind the scenes" people who help to make that cruise a pleasant experience.

I am curious as to how to use an UBER service a upon debarkation? How in the world will a UBER driver find you with all of those people outside of the terminal. I can understand how easy it would be when going out on the cruise initially, but not upon return. Anyone experience it?

When we had FTTF, we were told we could be one of the first ones off the ship--and we were.

Ditto

Just read on another social media page that they are removing this perk. If true, I will be really upset.

 

 

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Doesn't bother me in the long run, But, if they remove it from Plats and Diamonds, then they will also remove it from FTTF and that would upset me as I pay extra for FTTF and that would not be right as FTTF is not cheap.