SeaScout

14 minutes ago, Usuallyrightagain said:

and the people in front of us at boarding had their pack of water bottles confiscated.

Now I'm confused. Above , it was posted that 

53 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

This is what's showing in my cruise planner for the Anthem in June.

 

 

$39 for water?? That alone gives some insight on whether or not we'll book on RCI.  I understand a small upcharge but that is just plain gouging in my opinion.  

26 minutes ago, MightyMike said:

 

Carnival’s  Liquor and Beverage Policy states that guests are prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages on board that are packaged in bottles.

 

Carnival used to allow passengers to bring bottled water onboard, but this changed a few years ago. I had a cruise aboard the Carnival Magic shortly after they imposed the new policy.

 

As a compromise, Carnival allows guests to purchase a 12-pack of bottled water for $4.50 (https://www.carnival.com/FunShops/in-stateroom-beverages/water). Notice how this price is completely inconsistent with the others. A single bottle is $3.75. An 8-pack is $20. This is because of the complaints they received about the new policy. Everyone accused Carnival of instituting the new policy purely to generate profit. 

 

The $4.50 12-pack offer was made to quiet the rebellion. People could no longer bring water onboard, but if they found this loophole, they could purchase bottled water onboard at store prices. 

 

At some point, I expect that Carnival will quietly remove this item from their online store. I don't think it was intended to be a permanent remedy.

We're Platinum on Carnival so I'm quite familiar with their beverage policies. ( I don't see the water deal going away. It's very popular). 

I'm trying to find out, when sailing RCI,  if I can have a 12 pack of water waiting for us in our cabin upon arrival, and what the cost of that would be? 

Interesting topic.  We are considering booking on RCI out of Puerto Rico.  One of the questions I have before booking is the drinking water situation.  We typically sail on Carnival. On Carnival we can purchase a 12 pack of water for our stateroom at minimal cost.  GF usually pre-orders it to have it waiting in our cabin upon arrival.  I believe it's around $5.00 a 12 pack.

Does RCI do the same thing?  Are you allowed to carry on soft drinks in cans? (Carnival we can bring a 12 pack per person).  

Just got off the Magic this past Saturday.  My GF purchased the lowest price package.  She was able to use Facebook with no issues.  Didn't even seem slow from what she said.  I did watch as she checked in for our airline flight on the last day.  Seemed to work fine. Certainly faster than dial up. 

Old San Juan is an amazing city to walk.  We've never felt unsafe in any of the areas we've ventured.  Lots of info online on where to go and what to see depending upon your tastes.  If you are so inclined, there is a free shuttle / tram that runs a loop through the city.  Very easy to get on and off at your leisure and can be very welcome in the tropical heat.  We've found its easiest to take the tram to the top of the hill, get off and walk our way downhill to the port area. 

6 minutes ago, JasperCruiser said:

I’ve noticed a barge that often pulls along side the Carnival Dream when it is docked in New Orleans. Does anyone know it’s purpose? I’ve never seen one at any other ports.

 Either the fuel barge or the poop barge. 

32 minutes ago, Vandyboy said:

no when i booked this cruise 449 days ago the departure time was 4pm. I printed everthing out at that time. It says 4pm departure time. I would not have booked this cruise if had know. We are really now a 5 day cruise, maybe 5 and a half. When i saw the new departure time i called carnival it was about a year out and was told they had the right notting i could do! Booked  hotel and round trip airfare allready. May 7th our 45th wedding anniversary. Not going to let this ruin my cruise, but they did change depature time after booked!

I stand corrected.  I do know, when we booked, the time was listed as 9:00 PM.  

9 hours ago, fisha said:

It's just frustrating to get on so late at night.  I wonder how they will do the dinners in the main dining and that type of thing. Or entertainment that night? If we can't do those things,  it's like we are really getting a 5 night cruise instead of a 6 night. it seems like we all paid too much! 

Don't fret.  I can assure that nobody will go hungry the first night.  I imagine that the main dining room may have open seating the first night and there will be some sort of entertainment.

As far as feeling slighted due to the later than usual departure, the departure time was published when the bookings were made.  

If it eases your mind, we've sailed out of ports as late as 10:00 PM and things on the first night went fine.  "Don't worry Mon. Ever tin be irie".   

Please. If you are not actually using your balcony light at night, would you be kind enough to turn it off so that others can enjoy their balconies.  Thank You. 

On 4/19/2019 at 5:13 PM, fisha said:

How serious is carnival about embarkation times? we booked late and don't have a time until 6pm!! I feel like that has us missing a whole day. I have only cruised Royal before and they let you board at any time. I want to enjoy the boat as much as possible!

 They are fairly strict about your scheduled arrival time.  If you arrive too early you'll run the risk of spending the extra time standing out on the sidewalk.  Best to occupy your time somewhere else comfortable until your arrival time.  

21 hours ago, KismetzMom said:

I am supposed to have priority boarding and my appointment time was set at 4:30. I’d love to know what the earliest appointment is. When I called they were evasive would not tell me.

We are on this cruise and are Platinum.  Our boarding time is 4:00 Pm.  I believe the ship doesn't dock until 2:00 PM. 

51 minutes ago, Aplmac said:

It sounds like Amber Cove

needs to induce a white sand bottom if at all possible.

A white sand bottom is imperative if you want that lovely turquoise color.

 

It has been done before: Harlequin Hotel introduced imported white sand

in Buccament Bay, St. Vincent -on top of the native dark volcanic sand.

It worked: looked great.

I'm unsure just how lasting the effect has been, but it's worth a shot.

 

However, if the natural sea bottom at Amber Cove

is muddy-silty from a nearby river mouth

then it's probably a waste of time and effort.

 

________________________

 

Luckily for Antigua and Barbados

we have natural white sand bottoms all over..

.

I'm not sure the local geology (is that the correct word?) would be conducive to changing the sea floor just for the sake of turquoise blue water.  Puerto Plata just isn't the same as say Punta Cana. I imagine the reason Carnival built Amber Cove was because of a deep enough port to get the ships in.  The facilities were built nicely to off set the lack of decent beaches and nice blue water.  

FWIW, I loved the time we've spent on Barbados and Antigua.  Shame that Carnival will stop going to Antigua.  (I suspect as a result of fallout from the hurricane that devastated Antigua and Barbuda)??? 

FWIW, I wish Carnival had a better ship sailing to the southern Caribbean  out of Puerto Rico.  We would love to do that itinerary again but the vessel is just lacking in my opinion. 

We've been to Amber Cove a couple of times. I think the younger kids will be just fine with using the facilities provided at no charge.  The pool is really nice, there is a small playground / water park for the tots, and there is a small convenience store behind the little playground. The water slides look nice but we have not used them.  I don't recall if those are free or not.  Can't help on the zip line question.  People seem to enjoy it but it seems rather short. Pretty much just goes a short distance above the pool area.  

As for the Cabanas - save your money.  You'll have a much better experience just hanging around the pool.  The ocean water there is brown and not inviting. The Cabanas around the pool are just tourist traps as far as I can tell. There are plenty of available loungers around the pool area every time we've been there.  Bathrooms are nice and clean and well situated.  

Hint to beer drinkers.  Walk the 100 ft or so to the little convenience store behind the playground at the back of the pool area.  The beer there is much cheaper than if you buy it from the bar at the pool.   

13 hours ago, coevan said:

 

 

Why do you say this? The laundry comes back folded very nicely, all the time. Yes, do not launder delicates, or anything you do not want washed HOT. Our T's are not wrinkled. As someone said pressing is about $4 an item and we are on vacation, not going to iron myself.

My experiences must vary from yours.  Every time we've used the free Platinum laundry service, our items have come back wrinkled and not very neatly folded.  I actually prefer to do my own laundry over sending it out.  

2 hours ago, Anyislandwilldo said:

Is the ironing service part of the platinum perks?

No. That is not one of the Platinum perks.  Platinum do get a limited amount of laundry service and I can assure you from experience, you're stuff is going to come back about as wrinkled as it could possibly be.  (good for socks, underwear, swimsuit. No so much for nicer attire).

4 hours ago, beshears said:

We are planning on doing a tour, and I believe it cost $10 to go through or see Brimstone Hill.  If you have been in St. Kitts and have been to Brimstone Hill, can you give me an idea of what we would be seeing there?

We've been there and I loved it.  Spectacular views, really interesting history at the fort, and the very pleasant tropical breezes really enhanced our day. It amazes me that they were able to build such a monumental fortress, at the top of the mountain, without the use of modern  heavy equipment. Simply amazing.   It was an interesting ride from the cruise port to the fortress and our driver pointed out the local sites of interest.   St. Kitts is without a doubt one of my favorite islands and I would go back in a heartbeat. 

If you get a chance to visit the Batik factory on St. Kitts, ( it's close to the fort)  by all means do it.  Well worth the visit.  A quick google search on St. Kitts should provide you with tons of info.  

Will be Platinum before husband, does he get some benefits with me? 

That's up to you, but one would hope so. 

Just kidding. Yeah, as long as he is with you he will enjoy the benefits of being Platinum.  

22 hours ago, autofan said:

When ever I use a straw, they end up in the trash can.  I do not litter.  

 Thank you for your efforts.  Now if we could only get everyone else to follow your lead.  

17 hours ago, coevan said:

so the straws blow over a 4' deck rail?

Yes. It can get quite windy on deck.  

10 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Are you saying people on the ship are throwing straws into the ocean? Or are you saying carnival is dumping straws into the ocean?

I don't think people deliberately dispose of trash improperly .  Trash does however end up in the ocean. Every cruise I see some trash blow off the deck. Straws included. 

Anyone that has an issue with straws is free to bring their own.  Problem solved. Just make sure you dispose of it properly. 

Yes.  

Perhaps instead of using the word "Urgent", they use the phrase "time sensitive" or some similar wording.  2 or 3 weeks out isn't really "Urgent" in my world.