girlscruise2011

11 minutes ago, Roscoe13 said:

You're correct but if you have not seen these advertised on SM, they are very misleading to the newbie cruiser. My cruise pals signed up for it my last cruise (January) and they didn't get their shirts (supply chain issues) nor their prizes as they won. 

Wow thats so wrong. How can people take advantage like that and at that point, what can you do? So wrong..

I've seen this once and I wondered myself. From what I understand the "host" of the crawl isn't even the organizer, its a 3rd party who isn't even sailing. They have prizes too so you wonder how much money they are making on the T-Shirt sales.  I thought things like this were against Carnival rules but how would they actually know?

13 hours ago, tucho said:

If you’re walking. Couple of blocks before entrance, a KFC than a burger place.

Plus, a gas station for drinks. Same area.

Thank you

Just now, girlscruise2011 said:

 

Any place for food or drink either there or close by?

On 11/5/2023 at 4:44 PM, tucho said:

Nice Beach, Walkable has restroom and Lifeguard. 

Any place for food or drink?

 

On 12/10/2023 at 6:18 PM, PORT ROYAL said:

Heard it closed years ago…

I was in San Juan in November and wanted to have a drink up there and yes it is closed. The signs say closed for renovations but no one was there working. That rooftop bar was one of my favorites.

I haven't been there yet but making plans for my September 2022 cruise. I emailed a few beach bars, Cocoloco being one of them and they never responded. I did hear back from MoomBa Beach Bar they have been very responsive.  This is the information I have received from them. If you go before September, please let me know how you liked it if you go. 

Thank you so much for contacting us.

Yes, we have beach chairs and umbrellas available. Two beach chairs and one umbrella are $30 for a day. We do not take reservations; you are welcome to walk in and ask a beach boy to put the chairs ready for you. First come, first served.

For more information about our menu please visit the website below:

MooMba Beach - Welcome to MooMba Beach (yummyaruba.com)

I bought the Social package for 3 of my cruises, 2 on the Horizon and one on the Sunrise. I'm paying $7.60 while some are paying $6.80. I paid $6.80 for the Mardi Gras last month. I called Carnival and after "checking" I was told the Freedom, Horizon, Sunrise and one other ship were more money online. If you want the cheaper price you have to call.  Funny thing is my TA is sailing on the Horizon in July and she paid $6.80 today. The only difference is she paid with her credit card and I used my onboard credit. The rep today told me if I wanted the cheaper rate, they could not use my onboard credit to pay for it, I could only pay for it with my credit card. I wonder if they are charging me more for that reason.  Are any of the cruises you are paying the higher rate, are you paying with OBC?

I contacted them for my cancelled cruise for May 9th and have already received my refund.

What time did your ship sail? They want to bump us to the afternoon group and our ship is supposed to sail at 6 PM. They said they would get us back at 5:15. How much time will we need from the drop off point to walk to the ship?

 

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With Carnival all aboard would be 5:30pm. To me, this is cutting it to close. What if you end up in traffic? I did the trikes a few years ago and its a nice tour but we also kept losing our last trike (he kept stalling) and it ended up running longer then we were told.

I would stick with the morning.

I am looking for answers from Carnival specificially since I know HAL has their own set of rules. Anyone that sailed to HMC with Carnival and booked the Oasis, were you able to book more than the 24 people? If so, how and when did you book the extra? I read on the Carnival website that someone was able to book for 27 but for some reason it won't let me post a question to the review. I have a large group sailing to HMC in 2019 and we have a long list of people who want to be in the Oasis. We know that not everyone can make it but would like to know how many we can include? We were hoping up to 30.

Also, anyone who did book the Oasis. Does it have its own bathroom?

thank you

Huh? We have had cabanas 8 times with HAL on HMC. We are very familiar with the policies and procedures. We have picked our cabana when we have purchased it, up to 9 months in advance of actual sailing. We have had the cabana upgrade 6 of those times. It is widely discussed on this board that Carnival doesn't offer the Butler upgrade. So, no, she is at least not correct in theory. In fact, she left out a lot of info in her article.

Yes sorry but I think you mistook my response. I know Carnival doesn't have the Butler service and HAL does. I know with HAL you can pick your cabana when you book and with Carnival you can't. All I stated was the author wasn't brand specific in her statements so she was 1/2 right. Obviously you see her 1/2 wrong. I guess its just how you look at it. She may have left out a lot of info but she also had a lot of info there.

Maybe they don't offer the drink package on HMC. If not, no big deal. But I like to deal in facts so my TA will be calling Shore Excursions next week to find out for sure. I'll post what she finds out.

There were a few inaccuracies in the article. I have not heard of HAL offering a drink package on the island, and we have been there 10 times, including twice in 2017.

 

The other things I saw that were inaccurate was stating Carnival has the Butler Upgrade (only HAL does) and that you can only get your cabana assignment when you get on the ship. HAL lets you select your cabana at time of purchase, on line.

The author of the article never even mentions Carnival vs HAL. So she really wasn't wrong in saying "Carnival" has the Butler upgrade and with Carnival, you cannot pick your cabana at time of purchase. You have to go to Shore Excursions once you get on the ship. So in theory she was right on both parts. I know you said you've been to the island 10 times, with twice in 2017 but you also said you haven't heard of HAL offering. Maybe they do but you never heard about it. You don't say you know first hand they don't since you've never asked. Just saying.

I'm not saying she's right but you aren't really saying she's wrong. :D

I just read this very interesting current article from a Cruise Critic editor about Half Moon Cay and the difference between the Cabanas/Villas and Oasis

In the section whats not included in the rental there is an interesting comment about a drink package available for $25 per person for us up to 15 drinks available. Has anyone ever purchased this? If so were you sailing on HAL or Carnival?

Here is the excerpt fro the article in addition to the link to the article to see I'm not drunk already...LOL. My group is looking into the Oasis but if this is an option I would definitely consider it instead.

What's Not Included With a Half Moon Cay Cabana Rental

Butler service can be added for either cabanas or villas for an additional charge.

A drink package is offered for Half Moon Cay, including up to 15 drinks per person, for $25. (If you have a drink package onboard your ship, it does not extend to the island.)

Water sports equipment, like kayaks or water bikes, are available to rent by the hour.

One noticeable thing not featured in cabanas or villas are private restrooms. General-use bathroom facilities are located nearby.

Clamshells are awnings that can be rented to shade lounge chairs on the beach. These rentals are $20 per clamshell.

There is no Wi-Fi or extensive cell service available on Half Moon Cay.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3145&source=99360

I'm having the same issue. I've emailed and filled out the form on their site (Native Way) and still have not received a response, two weeks later. I'm going to book with someone, just wanted to have all my excursions booked a few months out.

Captain Marvin was very responsive and gets great reviews also.

How long a period between e-mails? 2 DAYS

 

Check your junk mail/spam folders. YES several times

 

Have you tried contacting them via the web page form too? YES in addition to the emails.

 

 

They are on "island time" but I never had issues exchanging e-mails with them.

See answers above. I actually just heard back from them today, about an hour ago. A little late though. We've booked with Captain Marvins since they were very responsive.

Honestly, if I had not heard back after ONE try, I would not give them my business. THREE tries??? Go to Captain Marvin. Wonderful!!!!

Unfortunately Captain Marvin cannot accomodate us for the excursion we want due to the time our ship docks. One of my group used Nativeway and had a wonderful experience. None of the others have excursions with lunch/drinks which is what we want to do.

I am in Grand Cayman in May 2018 and reached out to Nativeway for availability 3xs and have yet to hear back from them. Has anyone ever had this issue who has used them?

For Mazatlan I recommend doing a resort excursion to El Cid. The food is good, the drinks are included, the swim-up bar is freaking awesome, the beach is nice, and you can get a good deal on parasailing from folks on the beach.

 

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Which resort did you visit while there and how did you book and get there? My kids are looking to parasail while others are looking for a beach day. This sounds like the port to do it in.

Not sure why the two of you felt the need for the personal attacks in the earlier posts. I don't know you and you don't know me. I certainly never said, and didn't mean to imply, that the TA wasn't a hard worker. Again, my main issue is how the cancellation itself was handled. And since you know nothing of that, and don't know who that person is, not sure why you felt the need to defend her! I'm happy others are happy with their TAs.

 

Anyway, I'm well aware that Carnival is inconsistent. That's one of the reasons I miss my PVP. He never gave me incorrect info.

 

Yes, I've paid for the excursions. They totaled just over $200, so I now wait for weeks and hope that the remaining $300 can actually be applied to my account once I board.

 

I know how to check the balance. The point is that if that email is hacked, and someone gets access to that info, the funds will vanish and, at that point, there's nothing to be done. The funds are either on the card or they aren't. She should have given me the option to mail the card to me, or should have sent the numbers separately (I would've requested one via email, the other via text; more secure that way).

 

And, yes, the very first time I used a gift card by applying it to my S&S on-board, I had a balance remaining. Everything I'd read here prior to sailing said it would go back on the card. I was even told that by Guest Services on the ship. It didn't. I received a refund check about a week after I returned home. So, yes, again, I realize there are inconsistencies.

 

My point in posting was to share my experience with having my credit card refunded for the deposit versus the refund of the gift card I'd applied to payment.

Again if that is your concern, buy Cruise Cash now and you won't have to worry about it. You can apply it on your S&S when you get on the ship.

I didn't say anything about Carnival screwing up. She's the one who originally sent me an email stating that the gift card funds would be refunded to the original card number. She didn't say they'd send me a new card. After nearly three weeks, she sent the new card number and pin via an unsecured email. So, seems as though she got the new card. How would she have the number and pin if not? I typically only take the cards with me to apply once on board so figured she knew what the procedure would be for a cancellation. Turned out that her original explanation isn't how it was handled at all.

 

Didn't intend to turn the thread into a PVP vs TA discussion. I just prefer dealing with Carnival directly. I miss my PVP.

Right. Maybe you are not aware of the fact that Carnival's procedures are not always followed according to the book.

 

Gift cards can and have been refunded to the original card number.

Gift cards can and have been sent as a new physical card directly to the customer.

Gift cards can and have been sent as a new physical card directly to the travel agency.

Gift cards can and have been sent as a new e-card to the travel agency.

 

But please keep booking directly and save agents much grief.

The only thing that Carnival is consistent with is being inconsistent. I agree with Riemercruisin. Depends on the day and who you talk to what results you get. They may have finally sent the TA the gift card but you have to give her cudos for getting it for you. Again, I waited over a month to get mine card in the mail. I also been told remains of a gift card from onboard would be put back on the same card and it wasn't. Good thing it was less than $10 and probably donated to St. Jude. I have no problem with that. But again, wrong information.

It sounds to me that you are concerned that when you get onboard the GC# won't work. To resolve that is to buy the excursions now. If you are going to buy them anyway, whats the harm? This way you know before you go instead of dealing with it on board. Its a simple solution to your problem. There also is a place on the Carnival Gift Card website to check the funds of a card this way you can confirm the value if that again is concern. Another thing you can do is call Carnival directly and ask them if you need the physical gift card. Again, resolve your own problems before you get on the ship. Maybe you expect everyone to solve your problems for you. That could be the issue from the start.

You are doing her a huge favor!

Ditto ;)

I have a great TA too. Had a good PVP who left and started booking with my TA. No looking back after what they've done for me!

 

Also, I know that if something like this happened to me, it would get sorted to my satisfaction. I don't get that feeling through a PVP anymore.

 

 

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I used my PVP for years. Referred quite a few people. She did me good when I had an issue with a cruise being chartered twice. In all that time though I had to find my own price drops. She never looked for me. My TA does that for me (but I still look. I'm OCD). My TA gets me the same rates but she's also given me OBC, beer and has helped me out more times than I could even mention. My PVP never even sent me a thank you card. Its not for the free stuff. Its more of knowing how appreciated you are for giving her the business. She has no idea how much I appreciate her for being a kind and wonderful person and TA. The past year she has helped me out tremendously.

I agree... our TA is wonderful! She works tireless hours to make ensure we get the best deals. It's a shame people blame the TA for things out of their control. But then again, 90% of this persons posts are complaints. :confused: It's unfortunate that Carnival has issues when it comes to efficiently reimbursing gift card cancellations.

I agree, she is the best and unfortunately she's taking the hit for Carnivals screw ups. Carnival is responsible for the gift cards, not the TA. Sometimes people seem to forget that. Even if a PVP was used, Carnival needs to reissue the gift cards, not the PVP. When I cancelled my cruise I used my PVP not the TA. This poster would probably still be waiting for a gift card in the mail. At least now she has a number to book her excursions.