mbglib

On 3/7/2023 at 9:50 AM, mibright said:

We were on this sailing and my spouse got sick. We generally consider ourselves to be very communicable-disease aware since COVID (hand sanitizer, masking in crowded spaces, using elbows to push buttons, etc.) however I thought I would share some things we have learned during our experience over the last few days.

Things we would prepare for next time:

- Norovirus is not killed by usual alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Surfaces (including fabrics) can still harbor the virus for up to 2 weeks. Microban sanitizing spray specifically mention killing norovirus on their label.

- Next time we will store toiletries outside of the bathroom. Once my spouse got sick I considered anything in the bathroom contaminated with airborne particles. My tiny Lysol travel spray was not enough for what was out. I threw away our toothbrushes and bought new ones at the "gift shop." Everything else was put in a Ziplock back for sanitation once we got home.

- In retrospect, we should have reconsidered or cancelled our shore excursions when they notified us of an outbreak. The tour operators seemed to operate as usual including snorkeling and self-serve buffets. When we asked, the operators said items were sanitized but now we are questioning that.

- I'm not sure what medical was issuing for vomiting, but we were given generic imodium for diarrhea and were charged quite a bit for it. We usually bring it, but they dropped it off before we realized what it was. I was also grateful Pedialyte packets are also on our usual packing list. They came in handy.

- We were required to fill out a food/drink/activity survey for the 5 days prior to symptoms. We will try to take pictures next time in case we need to document it again.

 

Other items to note:

- Early on we observed there was not much in the way of ongoing sanitization (wiping down surfaces) compared to other cruises we have been on. Even towards the end of the sailing there  seemed to be medium effort.

- One staff member we interacted with regularly that got sick and had only a few hours off (current OSHA guidelines say return to work after 48 hours of no symptoms). This person was handing us menus, serving food and drinks, etc. We might not have even known they was sick if we hadn't interacted with them several times up until that point and noticed their absence and asked.

- Once we notified medical of the illness, a cleaning team arrived hours that sanitized the bathroom, replaced towels, and wiped down a few walls. I did not have any symptoms and was not offered any alternative arrangements to use another bathroom or otherwise protect me from getting it. 

- Communication with the staff about our instructions for disembarkation was delayed and inconsistent. I would think 3 years since COVID this type of thing would be somewhat more organized.

- We were some of the very last people to get off the ship and were escorted by medical personnel and in very small groups. By then all shuttles, taxi's, ubers, etc. were long gone. We had to wait a while for something to finally come, but there were others who had earlier flights that were panicking.

 

We have another cruise scheduled for later this summer, but this experience has put a big damper on our enthusiasm to book again. 

I am recovering from Norovirus (not from a cruise) and absolutely needed IV therapy for severe dehydration.  Do you know if they offered anything like this?  Is that why you bring the Pedialyte packs?  Thank you.

8 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

A lot of us are not happy to see @GoDucksNation make that post. Suffice to say you can gamble in the casino - either slots or tables - by charging your stake money or chips to the cabin account. You need to play for a while, you can then cash out the balance which may or may not include winnings.  (This is a topic we don't get into much here).

On the Emerald Princess last year, I saw/heard them tell a man he was not allowed to cash out anymore unless he played more.  Sort of like his account was frozen,

Hello, When you first set up your app, should the user name and password be the same as the ones you use on princess.com? Thank you.

On 12/20/2022 at 10:36 PM, OceanDreaming2 said:

Hi! I made this ornament and also bought the kit of 5 button ornaments. I'd like to buy additional kits. Did you save the package with the name of the supplier? (I was on the Sapphire in September.)

How much do the kits for the craft classes cost? Thank you.

16 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

I would call in and have them do it for you.  Don’t wait till the weekend, as you may get off shore agents.  Either now or Monday after 6 am PT.  Unless you have a TA/CVP. Email or call them.

Thank you.  I will talk to my CVP next week.

2 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Are you clicking on the 1 device

or 4 device?  You should select

one of those and a prompt to pay for it.

 

If that doesn’t work, your TA/CVP or Princess can do it for you.  
 

 

I tried, but nothing will tap.  Thank you.

Hi, I am trying to order Wifi for my upcoming cruise, but when I choose Medallion Net on the app, it shows choices, but no way to select them?  I can touch the screen, but nothing happens.  Also, I have looked for the method for buying wifi through the cruise personalizer online.  It doesn't seem to be there any more.

Please help me if you can.

Thank you.

I just found my receipt for a 24 pack of water on Carnival in 2014.  It was $24, so higher than the new prices now (not that I like the new price).  I believe the prices went down when the rule not allowing bottled drinks to be brought onboard was established.

Hello, I received notice today that my cabin had been upgraded to C416 on Ruby Princess.  It appears to be a nice enough location, but I am concerned about the white areas on the deck plan on this deck and on the Dolphin and Emerald decks.  Does anyone know what is in these areas?

Has anyone had this cabin or one close?  If so, was it satisfactory?

Thank you.

Open Top Touristic Bus

It has no reviews, so I was hoping someone else had an opinion.

Thank you.

Just now, mbglib said:

as does Canada

for longer cruises, one has to test within two days before

2 hours ago, shof515 said:

for bermuda cruises please follow the bermuda requirement. bermuda still requires testing before the cruise

as does Canada

3 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

I would probably book L249 over L229. My only reason for saying that is that we were under a pool once and there was some noise in the wee hours when they were cleaning and running the pump. L249 is just under a changing room, so I don't see how that could be noisy in the middle of the night. 

 

We're going to be on the Diamond for the first time in November this year, and the lack of the IC is a bit disappointing. I've looked at deck plans, and I don't see anything similar. 

Thank you.

Hello, I am considering booking L229 on Diamond Princess.  I am aware it is under the Lotus Spa Pool.  Has anyone stayed near or in this cabin (or one on similar ships)? If so, were there noises from the pool equipment?  

Also, I am considering L249.  Would you recommend that location over L229?

I am aware that that far forward and high on the ship will have more movement.  I usually stay on the forward Lido and so far not a problem, but not on this type of ship.

I have added the deck plan of the Lido and of the Sun above it.

One more question:  it appears the Diamond Princess does not have an International Cafe, does it have anything similar to replace it?

Thank you for any recommendations and information you may have,

Lisa

I have the Chase Hyatt and I got the $40 offer.  My husband had a $35 a few months ago on his Chase Hyatt.

Thank you, OP, for posting this.

3 hours ago, LoriPhil said:

Pulse oximeter.  They’re small and easy to use - we’ve had one here at the house since the beginning of the pandemic.  

Very important if you have Covid.  I would also add Mucinex to all the other lists and definitely Puffs Plus.

18 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

That's pretty good detailed information.  Thanks for sharing

You are welcome.

On 5/18/2022 at 8:32 AM, ciship said:

We have booked an Ocean Suite on Deck 9 on Mardi Gras.  Just learned that our balcony will have no roof, thus no SHADE!  What the heck?  I am trying to find another cabin suite that has a roof on the balcony and have the deck plans pulled up, but that gives me no help at all?  Where are the Ocean Suite cabins with roofs on the balcony?

I found info here.  Links to other decks are at bottom of page.

https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5691/kw/mardi gras cabin descriptions/related/1

I think this is actually a TA site.

20 hours ago, Markmom18 said:

Hi,

 

Nope. There is no Memorial Day Pre Cruise, Sale whatever they want to call it.

 

I have ZIP “Memorial Day” Offers under MY Offers OR VIP OFFERS.

 

I looked in my Junk Email too — just in case I actually received a email.

 

Carnival just does not send me all these Promo’s that I read other guests receive here on CC.
 

 I get my 84 year old Mom’s emails. She gets Casino offers every week. 50% off etc etc. She hasn’t cruised since before Covid, now due to mental issues she can’t be cruising. 

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi

My husband and I didn't get it either, but my sister did and she hasn't cruised on Carnival in about 5 years.  

We did a B2B on the Dream in Nov/Dec.  No extra gifts or perks for us.

1 hour ago, ski_mom said:

Just curious how long it takes from buying 100 shares to be able to get the OBC?  My husband and I have 3 cruises booked, so I figure if we're ever going to invest, now would be the time (while it's down and while we have 3 cruises booked).  I just didn't know how long it would take to be able to get the credit.

 

 

I have had the credit applied on the ship when I booked a last minute cruise.  Not saying that is ideal, but it has happened.  If you do buy, it might be advantageous to apply for the OBC asap.

2 hours ago, Itried4498 said:

 

The Great Vacation Guarantee was short-lived and hasn't been around for many years.  IIRC, it began circa 2013 in response to poor bookings following the so-called Poop Cruise, and was extended until 2015 after NCL or Royal matched it.  IIRC, while it began as no questions asked, toward the end you had to have experienced a problem that Carnival was unable to reasonably address.  

 

Unfortunately, such program wouldn't work in today's world.  Millennials and Gen Z (and I'm an older Millennial) live in a "deals" world where this would be marketed as "get PAID to take a 3-day cruise from Long Beach to Puerto Vallarta."  

I requested it one time when our toilet would not work and no one seemed to care after I reported it a few times.  After asking for the Great Vacation Guarantee, someone quickly appeared to fix our toilet.  🙂

The motion lights by the night tables are sometimes laughable.  Many times just moving the covers makes them activate.  

On 4/24/2022 at 6:51 PM, jagoffee said:

Did you try the fountain soda in several different locations?  I sometimes notice a different. (Perhaps the system is misadjusted.  I am more concerned about the brands/types that are only available in cans.  

I did try different locations and some were better than others, but none were good.  On a Princess cruise quite a few years ago, I discovered root beer was only available in cans, so I would get it to avoid the fountain.  I asked on the recent cruise and they didn't have root beer (at least not at the bar where I asked.)

11 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

Unfortunately the terms of the package clearly state that it doesn't cover soda in cans.

I discovered that, so that is why I deleted my post.  Still unfortunate that the fountain soda was so bad.