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    Afternoon Tea Time is No More

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    On 4/14/2022 at 8:15 AM, wesorbeth said:

    I asked John that question and this was his response to me.  

    You have the same number of crew on the ship, no matter the number of days for the sailing...so this is not the real reason. Must be cost cuts. Though the price of my cruise was not cut......doubled actually when I had to rebook due to a positive COVID in our group. Not that I care much about the tea, just give us real reasons that make sense. If it is staffing, it would be eliminated on ALL sailings, not just 6 days and under. Sheesh......

    Arrival Time Choices

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    1 hour ago, smwg said:

    What if I'm late for my check in time?  I'm flying into Seattle and will have to transport to the cruise port.  If I'm running late due to flight delays or transport can I just get in line when I get there?

    I don't think it matters if you're late, you just can't get on earlier.

     

    • Like 1

    Gift card denied - anyone ever have this issue?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    On 5/11/2022 at 12:49 PM, cruisemom2 said:

    So can you use gift cards to buy cruise cash prior to a cruise? If so, wouldn't that eliminate the need to deal with it once on board and are there any drawbacks to doing it that way? We've never used gift cards on Carnival so I have no idea.

    Cruise cash is non-refundable, so if something happens and you can't cruise or don't sue it all, you lose it. Doesn't seem right, butt hat's the way it is!

    • Like 1

    How do I cancel shore excursion?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    4 hours ago, shof515 said:

    you can call or in the cruise manager go to booking and order details then cancel the order

    My 5 excursions were cancelled because Carnival changed the itinerary, but they did not refund me properly. I am short 158.55. Trying to figure out how to get that corrected since it's impossible to call anyone and no email address for help.

    High tea on 4 day Bahamas itinerary?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    3 hours ago, sanmarcosman said:

    What Is a High Tea?

    The origins of afternoon tea show clearly it was the preserve of the rich in the 19th century. For workers in the newly industrialized Britain, tea time had to wait until after work. By that hour, tea was generally served with heartier dishes which were substantially more than just tea and cakes. Workers needed sustenance after a day of hard labor, so the after-work meal was more often hot and filling and accompanied by a pot of good, strong tea to revive flagging spirits.

     

    Today, the evening meal in working-class households is still often called "tea" but as working patterns have changed yet again, many households now refer to the evening meal as supper. The addition of the word "high" to the phrase "high tea" is believed to differentiate between the afternoon tea that is traditionally served on low, comfortable, parlor chairs or relaxing in the garden and the worker’s after-work high tea that is served at the table and seated on high back dining chairs.

    Source: The Spruce Eats

     

    Carnival serves Afternoon Tea, not High Tea.

     

    John Heald has said Afternoon Tea for now is limited to 7 day cruises or longer. When labor shortages are gone Carnival expects to return Afternoon Tea to all cruises with sea days.

    Stopping it because of staffing issues on shorter cruises makes no sense to me. How can you have any different staffing issues on shorter cruises than you do longer ones? Just like no lobster dinner for 5 or less days. It's clearly something else, monetary no doubt. Shorter cruises get shortchanged, they should just be honest about it. Even though the per day cruise rate is the same or more than longer cruises.....My guess is because for shorter cruises, they have to have those food items served more often than on a 7 or more day. ie: serving lobster once every 4 days vs once every 7 days. Same with the tea.....It's the money not the staffing.

    Reimbursement to new gift card - time frame question

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I booked excursions for NASSAU  that has now been changed to Bimini. The email says refund payment will be sent in a new gift card (as that is how I paid for them originally). Does anyone know if this is a gift card mailed or an egift card? And also, does anyone know how long it takes Carnival to issue these? I will need to use that to re-book other excursions, etc. I won't need a $500.00 gift card after the fact.

     

    Thank you!

    Debbie

     

     

    Are Printed Fun Times gone?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    On 3/14/2022 at 10:47 AM, Lee Cruiser said:

    I would think that the abbreviated version that you can pick up is here to stay.  I doubt they will ever go back to the full versions in the cabin.  It has to cost an enormous amount of money to print the big versions and leave them in every cabin of every ship day after day.  Not to mention the wasted paper.  Personally, I prefer the app.  I didn't think I would, but the more I use it, I do.  You get the full week on the first day, so you can plan ahead for the week and not just the day.  You can like the events that you want to be a part of each day.  Then, you can go back and look at everything or just the events you have liked.  Not related to Fun Times, but I also love having the menus for the entire week available.

    These are plusses for the digital version for sure. Just takes some getting used to I guess!

    BinaxNOW testing question

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    On 3/27/2022 at 9:55 PM, klfrodo said:

    Let me see if I understand this.

    You want the “free” ones that you and I paid for with our tax dollars to be used. But you don’t want the companies who spent millions developing these tests to make any money unless the CDC uses more tax dollars to cover the costs?

    and by the way, we want a smaller government to stop paying for healthcare for others.

    I was talking about the proctor companies making money. They do not have anything to do with the development of the tests. As long as these tests are required, these types of companies will be making money off of it. It's ridiculous. Heck, we could bring our "tax payer" covered tests and take them right there at the terminal without paying a proctor to "watch". It's no matter to me. I get tested at work 1-2 times a week, so I can use that. I was talking about the system in general.

    Pirate’s SUNSHINE filled Not-Bermuda bound cruise review September 22-28, 2019

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted · Edited by bingo3
    hit enter key too quick

    Hi! We were on the same cruise and also bummed about Bermuda. I somehow did see something ahead of time about the rocks at Princess Cays and took our water shoes, thankfully!

     

    We were actually on the bridge with the Captain for the behind the fun tour when the military planes flew by, he even looked stunned, but then he did say we were off the coast of Jacksonville and they occasionally do that! We loved it, but since no cameras or phones can be taken on tour, got no pictures. I will try and find the ones you say were posted.

     

    I do have a questions for you. Do you know how the FCC works? I emailed our PVP, but got no answer. Do we get something in writing about this or how to use it and the deadline?

     

    Thanks for your awesome review! Much better than  mine and much more detailed! I have some of the same pictures as you!

     

    Enjoy your next cruise. I think we are going to fly to Bermuda next year. I have run the numbers and we can rent through owners and fly, etc., for less than a cruise and get more days in Bermuda. Missing her on the cruise put a bad taste in my mouth and don't want to risk missing it again!

    Debbie

     

    Sunshine reviewe sept. 22-28, 2019

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

    Enjoyed reading your review. What did you mean by a small group makes it difficult to cruise from there?

    My understanding from reading articles the past few years and in talking with numerous people from Charleston, there is a smaller group of "older" (long time residents near port) residents who oppose the building of a new terminal and tried to stop the cruises all together. Concessions were made such as no horn blowing, no announcements when ship is in port, etc. Never mind cargo ships go there and the area is riddled with railroad tracks too, certainly nothing "pretty" to see. Anyway, powerful people with money and environmental groups as well. Most people I talk with from there welcome the cruise ships and the tourism dollars. Eventually, a new terminal will get built, it is a matter of time, just sad it will take longer than was necessary. I would love to see one of the larger ships based there and more itineraries besides mostly Bahamas.

    Sunshine reviewe sept. 22-28, 2019

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    We cruised Sept. 22-28 on the Sunshine, originally for 1.5 days in Bermuda, but diverted due to hurricane Jerry to Princess Cays and Nassau. We were disappointed as Bermuda was the main reason we booked the cruise and the fact it was leaving from Charleston. We knew it was hurricane season, but unfortunately, all of the Bermuda options on Carnival from Charleston are during hurricane season and not a lot of other options are available. We were disappointed, but made the best of the cruise.

     

    We have sailed the Sunshine before in 2016 when it was making less frequent runs from Charleston, it is now home based there. It is an older ship that was re-designed in 2013. We typically enjoy the very large ships better because there are just more options. There are some oddities with this ship in getting to certain areas. You can’t pass through on all levels and find yourself going up or down a floor, walking through and then going up or down where you need. It is confusing, but not a deal breaker! By the time you figure out the system good, it’s time to get off the ship. Because it is not that big of a ship, it doesn’t take long to get to either end. But, it is larger than the Fantasy class ships.

     

    With the exception of the first evening and next morning, we rarely felt movement on the ship. I attributed the movement early on to being close to hurricane waters, but who knows! The rest of the trip, we wouldn’t have known we were on a ship. Of course, on the trip back to Charleston from NASSAU, the trip was only moving at about 12 knots.

     

    We had an outside stateroom with picture window, deck 1, midship (less movement typically) The room is a very nice size and in looking at some newer ships on OTHER lines, their outside cabins are very small ( I have not compared to Carnival’s newer ships yet). Our room had good room on each side of the king bed (2 twins together), small tables with storage on either side, a desk/vanity area that was wide, large mirror, lots of storage shelves and drawers. There is a small stool type chair for the vanity, a couch that seats 3 and table. There were 3 closets, 2 with hangers and space and the 3rd had the safe and shelves. There was plenty of storage and room for suitcases under the bed. TV had very limited channels including 2 movie channels and at least 2 channels for kids. You could not check your account on the TV, nor did it have menus, you could see menus on the hub app. You could also follow the days schedule on the app.

     

    Lighting was excellent in the cabin. There is an outlet with two plugs at the vanity area. I took an extension cord so I could use my sound machine to drown out snoring! The temperature was comfortable most of the time, a few times it felt a little warm even though we kept the settings on the lowest setting. I will say if you like your room very cold, that is not happening. It was comfortable, but not cold. Keeping curtains closed when sun is on that side helps keep the room from getting too warm. Outside temps were 70’s (night I think) to high 90’s.

    There is a hairdryer in the top drawer at the vanity, but difficult to use, so if you can, take your own. It is attached in the drawer and does not stretch far enough for you to use it adequately. I had to bend over to get it to my head and I am short. I could not see what I was doing as it would not stretch to the mirror. You also have to keep holding the button as you use it, or it cuts off. That is challenging too. It really was useless except maybe for drying, forget styling!

     

    There was space for storage in the bathroom and the size of the shower was very good. We had hot water most of the time and the water pressure was good most of the time. I am sure when a lot of people are using at once, that changes.

     

    Our cabin steward was Komang and he did a great job. We were given the option for morning, evening or both for room service, and we chose evening. I asked for ice to be brought nightly and he did that. We did not “see” him often but when we would return to our room, no matter what time we ate dinner, he had been there! He left awesome towel animals too. I try and keep the room straight, neat and clean, so didn’t leave a lot for him to do. We saw in some rooms as we’d pass by and I could not believe the mess people left. I do not feel it is their job to clean up behind us; but to clean bath as needed, leave fresh towels, empty trash, make the bed/turn down and ice. (though I sort of keep my bed made). Sad what some people expect. I always tip stateroom attendant extra because I know what they do is not easy.

    Food was good, nothing exceptional but it has been that way since the extra fee restaurants came into being. The buffet was pretty much similar items for breakfast and lunch. Deli had some great sandwiches and they are open until 11:00pm. Guys Burgers is open until about 6:00pm and the Blue Iguana closes around 2:30 (tacos, salads and burritos). They had late night snacks at 11:30-1:00 in the buffet area, but I never went to see what was offered. The only option for 24 hours is pizza or room service. There is not a fee for room service (unless you order items with an extra cost). Of course, tip is appreciated. We found as many have said, the desserts look better than they are, including the cakes. They were good, just not exceptional or awe inspiring, no “wow” factor. Some had odd textures. I cannot speak for the extra fee restaurants as we did not eat at any, but they may have been better. I had beef tenderloin for one dinner in the dining room and it was very good, and I enjoyed the filet mignon steak and egg breakfast for brunch in the dining room. The chocolate melting cake was good, as it always is. The 24 ice cream machines were available as were lemonade, tea, coffee and water. I am not a big ice cream fan, so that didn’t appeal to me.

     

    All of the staff in the dining room and other dining areas were very nice, friendly and helpful. I saw numerous times throughout the ship, not just at dining, but other times as well, anyone who needed assistance, staff were right there to help them. They were very accommodating. I went to guest services twice and staff were very friendly there as well, Also the excursion desk.

     

    We had my time dining and used our Carnival Hub App to request a table. We went anywhere from 5:30-6:45 and never had more than a 10 minute wait. We would make the request on the app and it would tell us when our table was ready and gave the number. You walk in the dining room on deck 3 and the host has you seated. Only one night in the dining room did we wait what seemed a little longer for our food. Most nights, it was all very quick service. 

     

    You can pay $5.00 each and be able to chat with each other on the ship through the app if needed. My husband had the premium (2nd level) wifi and was able to receive and send texts, check email and get on the web and make and receive wifi calls, though Carnival does not state/guarantee that will be available. We could sign off one device and use another as needed. My husband is a workaholic and gets stressed if he cannot have access. Our phones with T-Mobile worked on princess Cays and Nassau without the wifi. Just remember when you return to the ship, to put it back on airplane mode. I do not think the ships wifi worked on Princess Cays.

     

    I thought we’d be able to check our account on the app, but I was never able to do that. I did go to one of the 2 kiosks and printed out a statement to check our charges. If you have gift cards, you must go to guest services to load them to your account, it no longer works at the kiosks.

     

    The production shows were good as well as the comedy club acts. Adam, the Cruise Director was very good, professional and entertaining. When I saw any of the entertainment staff, they were all very good, seemed to be having fun (though I know they are working, and it is a job and not as fun for them as the passengers) and did a great job.

     

    Staff were always cleaning throughout the ship and nothing was ever amiss. It is an older ship, but kept in good condition. I never smelled any sewage odor. You could smell smoke on the decks near the casino and in the casino. We stayed out for that reason.

     

    Lots of music and bar options. When out by pool areas, waiters came around often to ask if you needed anything. The same during shows.

     

    Dress for the dining room, I know this is always a hot topic!  On elegant nights, I saw shorts and jeans, as well as formal wear, so the full gamut. It doesn’t matter to me. We elected to skip the first elegant night because hubby did not feel like getting dressed. They had most of the same menu items in the buffet except for the lobster tails, which is OK with me as I am more of a shrimp person. I will say, the oysters were not what we in SC are used to and I could not eat them.  The breading is totally different, but the oysters themselves were very strong for lack of a better word and almost fishy like and did not taste like oysters I have eaten elsewhere, including FL. I usually love fried oysters, but not those. For casual dining they do suggest no flip flops, but I saw men in those, after telling my hubby he had to wear closed toed shoes! Next time I won’t worry about it.

     

    We did the “behind the Fun” tour and enjoyed it very much. It was the first time we have ever done one. It was conducted by Benn, who was getting off the ship same day as us for 2 months of vacation, and he did an excellent job. The tour was very informative and there were several surprises which I will not reveal, or they won’t be surprises for you! I will say there are photo ops and ladies, you may want to take that into consideration! You must wear closed toed shoes for this excursion and no skirts or bathing wear. You cannot take a camera or a cell phone on the tour. There is time for bathroom breaks and a short refreshment break. Though most of the 3.5 hours was walking (stairs as well) and standing, there were several times, where you could sit for a few minutes. Most of our crowd was 50+ and no one seemed to have any challenges. One exciting moment was when we were off the coast of Jacksonville, an air force jet flew over the ship. It was so close and cool to see, would have loved to have had a picture of that!

     

    For pictures taken throughout the cruise, they are still posted in slots on the walls and you have hunt for yours. I never did find most of mine and figured we must have broken the camera! I did overhear a passenger chastising an employee for telling someone with him, that she could not take pictures, of the picture! I would think that is common sense, but the passenger was trying to make the employee feel bad for doing his job. Not cool. Just admit you’re wrong and move on.

     

    We did the stingray excursion in Princess Cays and it was very good, especially for the price. I have swum with stingrays many years ago in Cayman Islands and loved it, but that was challenging because the water was almost neck high for me and lots of waves to keep navigating. For this excursion, the area with the rays is blocked off from the rest of the beach, but is right there when you get to the beach. You walk right in and the rays swim around all the way up to the shoreline. You have the opportunity to pet them, snorkel in the beach area with them and later, feed them and hold them. The handler was very good and has been with them for 3 years. She said when a storm comes, they let them out of the fenced area, but they always come back. My husband was hesitant to get in because of the Steve Ervin incident, but he became more comfortable and did get in with them, though he did not feed or hold one! He took lots of pictures for me. We were allowed to take our own pictures, which was very nice.

     

    There were many lounge chairs on the beach (sun and shade) and float chairs to rent as well as many other things to rent. The stretch of beach is long, so keep walking and you will find a chair in an area you like. There was a nicer souvenir shop (takes the sign and sail card only) and straw market type booths as well as hair braiding offered. Bar service was good. Restrooms were limited, so don’t go at the last minute! Band played live music and that was nice. The lunch provided from the ship included hamburgers and hotdogs and was filling. They gave you very small cups for your drink though (lemonade, tea, water), like a bathroom sized dixie cup. People were busy cleaning up, not only the meal areas, but throughout the entire area. It was very clean there. The beach was calm but rocky, you do need water shoes! You must take tenders to the ship and we had no issues with those nor long lines. There was a small shallow pool in the kid’s playground area with lounge chairs. But the ocean was calm and little ones could sit right at shore. There were showers to wash off shoes, etc. but the stream of water was very limited and slow and they didn’t do much good.

     

    We did the walking tour in Nassau since we had already been there 3 times, and also did not want a beach day after Princess Cays. It was a very nice and informative tour, our guide was David who was great. It was hot, but he provided us with an iced water bottle about half the way. He also had devices we used so we could all hear him no matter where he was in the group. Highly recommend for a short and informative tour, 1.5 hours.

     

    We did not have trouble getting into any of the shows in the theater. It did get full for the love and marriage show, but by the way Adam talked, that was an anomaly, probably because we were in Nassau overnight and most stayed on the ship! For the comedy club, there are lines. The earlier you get there the better. We went about half an hour early and never had trouble getting seated. Once one show ends, everyone has to leave and if they want to attend the next show, they must go to the end of the already formed line. They did have staff at the door watching this. We preferred Jimmy Carroll as the comedian, but both comedians had long lines and full shows. The 18+ is not for kids for sure because mainly of the language.

    I did not play bingo, I have no idea what the cards cost, but they did give away a cruise on Wednesday, $3000.00 on Thursday and $5000.00 on Friday.

     

    There were less than 200 kids on our cruise, so the waterpark was not as crowded as it could be. I did see people on the ropes course. Numerous other outdoor sports options and mini golf.

    The main pool is not very large, but this seems to be an issue on all ships. There is a smaller waterfall and shallow pool on the serenity deck for adults only. That area is also very nice if you can get a chair. I think the area had been enlarged since my 2016 cruise.

     

    Embarkation was quick and easy, though because of the layout of the Charleston terminal, you do go to separate buildings, some walking, some riding a bus. There were no good signs for where we were to turn to park on embarkation day, despite there being good signs to the port itself. That is not Carnival’s fault of course and after turning around, we eventually found the way! You drive in and pay first, then drop your luggage, then go park. You walk to a building where you are checked in (it was quick) and then you go by bus (security reasons) to the ship where we went right on. The sign and sail cards are at your room when doors open at 1:30 (unless you have priority boarding, FTTF, etc. and get in your room early). It was about 12:30 when we got on.

     

    For debarkation (silent), also easy. We had to be out of our rooms at 8:30 am and most are off the ship by 9:30am. If you are checking your luggage, you pick up tags the day before departure for early (8:30-9:00) or late departure (9:00-9:30). Your bags are left outside your door the last night on the ship. The departure times are shown on your TV and on the big screen at the pool area, etc. I wish this could be added to the app. Those taking all their luggage off themselves, can start departing much earlier. Announcements are not made because Charleston asked they not be, but this worked just fine. When our number was shown, we went down and walked right off, very quick. When you get into the customs building, you pick up your luggage and go through customs. This took us only about 5 minutes. We normally get a porter, who can get you through a fast porter line, but there weren’t any available and it worked out fast anyway and we saved some bucks! We walked out to the shuttle buses, which take you to the parking lot. We were leaving the parking lot by 9:50am (our number was shown at about 9:15am on the lido pool deck, so entire process took about 35 minutes). There are people to assist those who need it.

     

    So, despite the oddities of the terminal (thanks to Charleston), the system works very well and was fast and efficient. I have waited much longer in fancier terminals! Efforts have been in the works to build a nicer terminal, but there are some in Charleston fighting that. I vote with someone who suggested moving up to North Charleston. It would be closer to the airport, less expensive hotels and the ship would sail under the Copper River Bridge! That would be a plus!

     

    Love sailing out of Charleston because it is 2 hours from my home. Just wish we had more ship options and more itinerary options. But I am thankful Carnival does offer what they do, as a small group of Charlestonians holds up progress and makes cruising from there difficult.

     

    Be glad to answer any questions I can. Overall and good cruise and plenty to do.

    Debbie

    Sunrise not going to Bermuda but Carnival comes through!

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Glad you were treated more fairly for what happened with your cruise. You could have been on the Sunshine tomorrow and paying Bermuda prices to sail to the Bahamas…..25% FCC for Breeze going to 3 better ports and 25% to Sunshine for Bahamas, won't even cover the cost difference. Not to mention, you have to sail with Carnival again to even get your 25% back that you already paid them, and add an additional 75% of your money to it. Thanks but no thanks!

    Weekend Hurricane Schedule

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I do not mind not being able to cancel, etc., as that is in the cruise contract. I even understand the re-routing. What I do not understand is how the Breeze passengers got 3 better ports and 25%FCC and Sunshine gets the Bahamas and the same 25%. There is a huge difference between the cost of a Bahamas cruise and a Bermuda one. It was not a comparable offer. Sunshine passengers feel like they got the short end of the stick and they did. I took 4 people, in 2 cabins to the Bahamas for less than this cruise to the Bahamas is costing me for 2 people, same cabin type, from the same departure port. That is just not right and not something I will easily get over. And, you're forced to sail Carnival again to get your 25% that you already paid them for this cruise (and most likely more). I am not a mathematician, but they came out smelling like a rose on this one.

    • Like 1

    Worst Deal on Carnival

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    The delivery charge for items bought online, to deliver to the room. If I order $200.00 of items, they will charge $36.00 to bring it to the room. Should just be a flat fee, not percentage. I could ship it to my home cheaper! I am frugal, won't be ordering anymore, will take my chances to buy on ship or not at all.

    • Like 2

    A Huge Thank You

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Oh, we are Poppy and Nana too! You are the first I have heard with the same nicknames! We took 2 of our grands when they were 6 & 8. Of course, they want to go back but now their brother is 4 (they are now 9 & 12). I told them when they get a little older and stop all their bickering, we'll go! LOL! We will be back on Sunshine in September to Bermuda. Hope you are having a great cruise.

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