Barsnikel

I called Celebrity direct.  The lady looked at my booking, looked at the current price, then credited me for the difference.  Took all of 10 minutes.

oh... be sure to bring along a cork screw (in your checked baggage).  Most liquor stores sell an inexpensive travel cork screw.

You are allowed to bring one 750ml bottle per person.  We always buy the 1.5ml bottle, then go through check-in together.  Never had a problem with doing that.

Do not assume that Duty Free is necessarily a great price.  Duty free prices may or may not be such a great deal. I live in a large city (Dallas) and I can get better prices from discount liquor stores. You may be able to do the same, or perhaps not. As in everything else, be an informed consumer and know when you see a good deal and when you don’t. Also, when price comparing, be aware that duty free bottles are usually not the same size as those in the US. Make an apples-to-apples “per ounce” (or liter) comparison.

I do the same as others.  I am an early riser, so I will go to Lido and have breakfast.  Then I bring back coffee and food for my wife.  As for room service, every time we've ordered it, the coffee is luke warm.  It's just better to get it and bring it back.

It's a "business" decision. Carnival does not allow you to use the OBC for advanced purchases... think about it. Advanced purchases are "cash" up front (meaning more revenue for Carnival).

OBC is a "perk", and generally produces no (or little) additional revenue, with small incurred cost to Carnival. 

If you use OBC for Behind The Scenes tour, that cost them nothing.  If you use OBC for a $10-$12 drink, that drink costs them a fraction of that to make.

The more they can get you to buy up front, the more revenue for them.

standard 3 prong (hot, neutral and ground).  I have a picture of it somewhere.  If I find it I'll post it

Cayman stated no cruise ships until January 2022.  I suspect Cozumel and Jamaica will be strong options for substitution.  Jamaica is the closest port - but not a good choice, in my opinion.  Roatan would be excellent, but that depends on the other ports of a ships itinerary.

Carnival stock has dipped... not because of COVID, nor because of poor bookings...  in fact, bookings are strong.

It has taken a dip because Carnival has announced they plan to have another round of stock offings to raise operating capital... they spent tons of money in the last 18 months with zero revenue.

It's a good time to buy... will it dip lower ?  Perhaps, can't predict.   But right now is a good buy

Yeah, desert options are certainly fewer...

The answers above are correct.  Texas law prevents Cheers from taking place until they are out at sea, so it kicks in on day 2

The Cheers package is something you typically sign up for prior to a cruise...  Why ?  Because it is cheaper.  Once you board the ship, the price increases.

Additionally, Carnival does not want you to use OBC for the Steakhouse, Chefs Table or Cheers.  You CAN use OBC for that, but they don't want you to.  Thus, they require (for the Steakhouse and Chef's Table) reservations prior to boarding.... which eliminates the option of using OBC.

Now... CAN you use OBC for that?  Yes, you can wait and then try to sign up after you board... but you may (or may not) be able to get a reservation... so there is a risk... and in the case of Cheers, signing up after you board actually increases the price.

As to your specific question...  I would definitely drop the pre-paid gratuities.  THAT is what OBC is used for.

The previous posts are all correct.

You will have to vacate your cabin by about 8AM.  You can go to the Lido buffet and enjoy a leisure breakfast, then leave whenever you want.  We have done that quite often.  But as others have stated, you should not wait too long. The line through customs can be long (port dependent), then getting to the airport, going through TSA, etc, etc.  I really do not think you will have to "wait hours" at the airport.

Point to support what has previously been said....  many years ago, when we were somewhat new to cruising, we once got a free (an unexpected) upgrade from an Oceanview to a Balcony.  No cost to us.

After the cruise, my wife said "that's what I want from now on".  We've never booked lower than a balcony since.

Thanks for all your answers.  I'll have him get with his IT department and see what other options might be available

I have booked a December cruise on the Pride for myself and my son.  He has a job that allows him to work from any location, as long as he can use WiFI.

In the many cruises I have taken, I have never needed (or wanted) WiFI on the ship, but obviously it is something he will require.

He will need VPN capability, which is something that can be turned off or enabled by the WiFI service provider.  Has anyone attempted a VPN connection on a Carnival ship ?  And if so, which package is required ?

I intend to contact Guest Services, but they do not always give the most accurate answers  🙂

Thanks in advance for your guidance....

Carnival may (and perhaps will) employ some incentives...   there are any number of ways to circumvent this...

For example : if you ARE vaccinated and show proof, you will receive (OBC, discount, free drinks, pre-board first, ...?).  That would quickly, I think, identify those who are not vaccinated.

Or, they may try something a little more dramatic... everyone who cruises must have (and pay for) a COVID test before boarding.  But if you show proof if vaccination, we will waive the fee.

I booked a May northbound out of Vancouver.  I figure that by then they will have most of the requirements finalized.  I did ask the "what if Canada is still closed" question, and Celebrity responded they would then go out of Seattle, with no additional cost to passengers.  We shall see.....

I have a Kindle HD Fire, 6th generation.  One of the first things I did was jail-break it.  I can use many third party apps.... but not all. 

The Carnival app works fine, as does Celebrity app.  The American Airlines app does not.  So the bottom line is that it is somewhat hit and miss.

We've done many 4 night, 5 night and 7 night cruises with Carnival.  I wouldn't say they are much different than a longer Carnival cruise.  I do think the home port can make a difference.  The typical crowd out of Galveston is going to be different than the typical crowd out of NYC.

4 night cruises are a little short, for my liking.  I'd still do them, but just about the time you get settled in, it's time to think about debarkation.

18 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

Unless you want a table for two, like we have.😎

We always use Anytime Dining, and never have a problem getting a table for two..  When we show up I just tell the hostess that's what we want.  It's never been a problem

well... I am a newbie to Celebrity... cruised many times on other lines, but never Celebrity.

So I just booked my first Celebrity cruise.  My son is a veteran, when I called the Celebrity vacation planner, we were given a military discount on the booking..  No questions asked, no paperwork required, no validation needed.

15 hours ago, CoatRackOfDoom said:

 Anytime dining is best ....

Are you looking at excursions? I've done a few in Alaska and had a great time.

 

 

Thanks, Ed.  We did book Anytime dinning.  We have always booked that on our other cruises, and enjoy the freedom it allows us.

Have not yet booked any excursions.  I was just looking at that today.  I'm going to hold off a bit and see what effect (if any) COVID has on excursions.,,, ie: booking through Celebrity or booking privately.

Still undecided about Denali... I hear it is a "must do"... so we'll see...

On 5/28/2021 at 3:46 PM, ATXBecky said:

. I hope you booked a balcony. The view is amazing! 

Unfortunately, we did not. My wife and I have always booked a balcony on previous cruises, but this time it is just me and my adult son.  He wanted to book an inside cabin based on price (I hate inside cabins), so we compromised on an Ocean View.  I rationalized the concession on the idea that May would be too cold to enjoy sitting out on the balcony....  that may or may not be true, but It's what I used to rationalize the concession  :). 

I do see that Celebrity allows for bidding on upgrades, 30 days prior to the cruise.  Never seen that before on other cruise lines.  So when the time comes,  I'll make a bid on a balcony and see what happens.  Unlikely to win it, but it cost nothing to try...