OC SeaPA

7 minutes ago, Nonnie1975 said:

Please remember the Cruise Vacation planners in  your thoughts and prayers if you so believe.  I had to call mine today as I had to change a few things about upcoming cruises in the fall, no not to cancel.  She said they are working long hours and under lots of stress.  They were devastated just like us to hear the news of cancelling cruises for the next 60 days.  SO if you have to call be patient, they are under lots of stress.  Positive remarks, please to let them know we have their backs. Yes, they do read CC.

Susan, my Princess Vacation Planner, has been exceptional through all this!  Agreed, be nice, it is not their fault and they should not get the brunt of your frustration.  Because of her I definitely will keep on Princess.  I cancelled yesterday, but she assured me that I would get full credit under today's policy (our May Panama Canal cruise was cancelled).  Answered my e-mails promptly, and called me right back to confirm. 

1 hour ago, AnyMajorCruiseDude said:

We booked 3 this morning.  Two direct with Princess, and one with our TA.  No issues

Did you get good deals?  Are cruise prices going down?  Our May Panama Canal cruise has not changed pricing, even with lots of cancellations.

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

 

Best we ever got was from IC (Interior Lido cabin ) to B2 (Premium HC Caribe Balcony). No notification or anything, I just noticed it in the personalizer. Congrats on your cool upgrade! 😁

We got an upsell offer on our Panama Canal Island Princess May 9th cruise, but it wasn't very good- $600pp from balcony to mini-suite, with not very good locations available when I checked.  Ship was pretty close to being sold out, or sold out, but more are coming onto our thread, so I think we are also getting alot of cancellations.  DH is a high risk, so don't know what we will end up doing.  He really wants to go after all he's been through, but.......

34 minutes ago, steelers36 said:

A great opportunity can occur when on a B2B and you could take a quick look around on turnaround morning.  Scout out what you want to see using deck plans.

 

On our last cruise (Celebrity wine-themed  cruise down Pacific coast) we did a wine crawl.  Kept it to only 6 cabins/couples (12 people), and each cabin hosted with a bottle of wine (or 2), usually brought from home or a favorite purchased onboard.  I went all out, and with cabin stewards help, did a punchbowl of Sangria!  Had some wonderful wines, and lots of fun with other "winos"!  

7 hours ago, knagl said:

 

If your ship is departing from New York or Texas, you can purchase the CHEERS! program on day 2 due to state laws beyond Carnival's control, and you are only charged starting on that second day.

 

In pretty much every other case you must purchase it for the duration of the cruise, including day 1. Note it is slightly less expense to order it ahead of time on their Fun Shops website instead of waiting until you board the ship (currently $51.95/person/day +18% gratuity versus $56.95/person/day +18% gratuity).

 

From Carnival's website:

"Due to state laws, we cannot sell CHEERS! until the second day of the cruise (starting at 6:00am) for voyages departing from our Texas and New York home ports. Drinks purchased on the first day of the cruise will be charged to the guest's Sail & Sign® card in the usual manner. When purchased on the second day of the cruise, guests are charged for the remaining days only (cruise duration less one day)"

I like to take advantage of the discounts, but I was told we can't use OBC to pay for it until we are onboard.  With our OBC it comes to almost 1/2 price, better than 10% discount!  Or is there a way to use OBC prior to embarkation?  Some other cruise lines let you do this. 

6 hours ago, Toesinthewater728 said:

This is accurate, in additional to the small inconvenience of having the extra key you need to go to customer service to make the necessary “re arrangement” once on board. Please remember, last time I traveled, all your drinks from day 1 could be refunded if you bought cheers on day 2... so keep that in mind when choosing to wait in line at guest services. 

I was wondering about that.  If you have a late embarkation, or early to bed because of a long day, can you purchase cheers on day 2 and pay for only the remaining days, or are you charged for 7 days if it is a 7 day cruise, even if buying it on day 2?  i've never purchased cheers before, and am new to carnival.  Thanks.  We are 4 adults & 2 kids in 2 adjoining cabins, but have separate credit cards, Obboard accounts, etc.  Only 1 cabin will be purchasing cheers- the non-kids cabin.

3 hours ago, EllaDuChien said:

No, not as long as everyone from the original cabins is still sailing.  They only charge for name changes when one person is totally switched for a new person.

Does this have to be done before sailing? 

43 minutes ago, itchintocruise said:

You’re welcome. I hope it’s warmer for your week. It’s starting out a little chilly with a high of only 64 today.

Thanks for the info.  We are sailing on Jan 4th, and started packing!  We live near LB, and can tell others we are having the coldest winter I can remember.  We do this cruise most every year, and after Cabo it stays warm/hot!  Weather is usually good, especially as no rain/heat/humidity on past cruises (in the 80's is perfect for me).  Hope you have great weather!  

We are expecting rain this week.  Co-worker went down to Ensenada this month in rain and said the ship was "rocking & rollin" a bit, but it was her first cruise so really nothing to compare the seas to.  We could start an entire thread "the seas were....".

On 3/11/2019 at 2:44 PM, monykalyn said:

Yep every drink until 6 am (?) the next day is per drink charged to your account. Which means you gotta be careful at that deck party on embarkation!

Is the cheers package available throughout the cruise to purchase, or only the first day?  Om some cruise lines you can buy it on day 3 or 4 for a 7 day cruise, and only pay for those days.  I have found that when I had the drink package I really wasn't drinking that heavy by the end of the cruise, especially if the beginning was port intensive and the end had more sea days. 

Is this available for Carnival? 

3 hours ago, cmich068 said:

FTTF was showing available last night for me for Feb 1 panorama. Not showing up now but wasn't planning to buy it anyways. 

Not available for the January 4th Panorama sailing.  My PVP checked with the funshop, tried every code! 

23 minutes ago, dcedar said:

Do people in wheelchairs get to board before others? We have FTTF and friends of ours do not. One set of friends are traveling with elderly parents. My friends husband just had a bunch of surgeries and may need a wheel chair as well as the elderly mother. Do they board at their normal time or do they get let on early??? My friend said she was told they would probably board before us because of the wheelchairs. 

 

 

 

 

Our sailing on the Panorama does not have FTTF, but we use the WC assist, and the order has always been: suites, loyalty level, FTTF, WC assist, then regular boarding.  Sometimes they have let others in the party board with WC assist, other times they have said only for that cabin.  We were told to be there early for WC assist, and not the check-in time on our boarding pass.  I'll let you know how that works. With this new boarding policy I have heard different things from different ports.  Where are you boarding? 

2 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Miami and Fort Lauderdale for sure.  They show up and sit outside the terminal.  Before arrival appointments, they would show up earlier and start lining up.  Part of the chaos has always been people arriving as people trying to head home

We are on the Panorama in a few weeks, so there is no FTTF available.  DH has mobility issues, so we use a wheelchair to board.  We have a 12:30 check-in (A12) but our Carnival PVP told us it is ok to get there early, as we try to avoid the crowds/lines for him.  In the past we have arrived at Long Beach a  bit before 11 and been onboard by 11:30-12.  We were planning on arriving early this time also, or should we rethink it?

Just now, sun&sea said:

In all my cruises, I have never seen such madness!! The first few reps I spoke with were like talking to someone on another planet. The last one was wonderful! She was appalled that the reps did not know about add-ons. She said training had been going on for some time!! 

I am happy my bookings have been resolved. However, I feel sorry for all the people who got so much misinformation today. This should not have happened. Don't give up!! Try again until someone will listen.

 

Janet

Agreed- keep trying until you get someone who knows what is going on.  First rep waanted to double our price! I asked for a supervisor, then got cut off when on hold.  Called back- the second knew what I wanted, but apparently the code wouldn't take, so transferred to a supervisor.  Another wait, but supervisor was great, got promo, didn't touch anything else on our original booking. 

She said she would call first rep and get her straightened out as to the promo. 

But it does really refare it, so if a lower price comes along you will probably loose this perk. I'm good to go- got balcony cabin through Panama Canal (15 days), air, gratuities, and beverage package for$135pp/pd-plus $360 OBC! 

Just now, capriccio said:

 

I noticed the "Cruises at capacity will be excluded" in the small print of the flyer but I interpreted that to mean for the entire ship not a cabin category.  If that is Princess' intention/interpretation they should have stated 'cabin categories (not cruises) or cruises and cabin categories at capacity will be excluded."

We are in an accessible cabin, and they upgraded as there were no accessible in the category we wanted.  now they say if we add on the best sale ever as an "upsell" it doubles our price!  I guess I'll just call back!  No go for me, and sooooo disappointed. 

2 minutes ago, rocklinmom said:

My sister is booked with a TA for our cruise and I booked my family and the rest of our family group. I have already told them about this promo and refared us twice so far (for both a lower fare and a better promo). My sister has heard nothing from her TA since booking in May. She is now wishing I had booked them originally. 

Just a thought- if you do the "add-on" can we refare/rebook later for a price drop and and keep the add-on?  I'd imagine so, but this might might make it better to do the add-on rather than rebook for those who have the "holds". 

4 minutes ago, Scotmay said:

I agree wth the previous poster. Pretty smart marketing on behalf of Princess. At the end of the day, they are still getting more money out of you. You need to figure out if you really need these add ons. For us to add on drinks and wifi it would be almost $1,000 CAD for our 2 week cruise. I would rather spend this money on tours etc.,.  

Agreed- now this cruise brand can compete with RCI/Celebrity, which usually had the UBP as a perk, and NCL, which also has the UBP as a "free" perk.  We do try for these cruises, as DH doesn't drink much (1 or 2 scotches per cruise), so a beverage package doesn't work for us to pay for 2.  But we do get him a soda package, and I limit my drinks and get a wine package for dinners, so this comes out to about the same, but unlimited drinks for me on  Panama Canal cruise with 1/2 sea days!   

Booked through Princess, called her yesterday, and she will add $30pp/pd first thing Wed morning!  Yeah! 

37 minutes ago, PekingeseLady said:

Which ever way you go I'm sure it will work out.  The scooter is just so nice.  My DH refused for years on the scooter, but as soon as I had one waiting in his room, well, we bought our own as soon as we got home, just for cruises, LOL

He was totally FREE to roam.  But one of those fold up walkers with a seat may be the answer for your mom.  If you go for the scooter, you could park it at night in your room. 

 

Have a wonderful cruise.  I'm sailing a inside on the Panorama Jan. 4th.  We got one of those square insides on deck 8 aft.  They seem to have more accessible floor space for DH scooter.

 

 

You can also rent a wheelchair for the cruise, and the travel wheelchairs can collapse.  Even if she doesn't rent anything, you should request wheelchair assistance for boarding & disembarking.  This really helps my DH, who can't walk very far either. 

PekineseLady, see you on the 4th on the Panorama!  My DH will be using a wheelchair to board, then a cane or 2 for the rest of the trip.  He always picks up a handpainted cane or 2 in Mexico- so cheap, and so fun!  Just be sure to coat with clear resin spray when you get home or the paint can run.  So he leaves the ship with 1 cane and returns with 2 at most ports! 

2 hours ago, Daniel A said:

I just re-read my response to you and I see that you asked about taxes, not gratuities.  I don't think bar drinks have taxes added under any circumstance.

Actually, that is not true.  When in port, before leaving Los Angeles, taxes are added to each drink purchased.  I'm not sure if Princess absorbs these taxes, but i do know that Celebrity & NCL will add the taxes, even with the drink package.  But only until you leave port.  Tax is about 10%.  That also includes other purchases, such as a wine package purchased before leaving port.  At a few hundred dollars that can make a difference.  We have asked to have the slip put in after sailing, thus saving the10%.  

A few other port also require taxes charged on items purchased while in port.  Not really for this thread, but if anyone knows if Princess absorbs or other ports that charge I would be grateful.  

25 minutes ago, RMMariner said:

I think for a 25 day cruise there is no way that we could make it worthwhile to purchase a drink package, but on our little 3 and 4 day cruises come up, this may well be a great deal. 

 

Keeping our fingers crossed for the 11th. Who knows, we may book a couple of other cruises we have been thinking about too.

This came though a TA website.  Do you have to be booked through a TA to take advantage of the add-ons?  We booked through a Princess Travel consultant.  Can we transfer our booking to our TA to get the add-ons?  We booked in Oct- is it too late to change the booking to her? 

12 minutes ago, Scfilla said:

I'm thinking $20 to $30ish . Again, I'm-just a simply Rum  & Coke drinker and easily amused.

The 2 bottle per cabin is what you can bring aboard with no charge.  I usually bring my own wine opener, but when I ask the cabin steward for wine glasses they always seem to find an opener for me also.  If you are flying in you can pick up the bottles on the way from the airport or at the airport. 

If you want to wait until you are on the ship the Carnival wine packages are a great deal.  I think for the 5 night you can get a 3 bottle package for a great price- don't need the premium from what I am hearing, and the server will give you good suggestions.  Sometimes if they can find an open bottle they will pour you a sample before you buy a bottle.  You can buy the package before by calling the fun shops (not available on-line), but it is the same price as on-board.  Used to be able to buy before boarding and save the 18% by pouring it in your cabin, but no more.  You can have with meals, save for other meals, or bring back to your cabin.  

On the basic package- your can get a sparkling wine, then order an orange juice for your own mimosas, the pinot grigio is super light, the riesling is semi-sweet, your white zin will also be sweet.  Haven't tried the rose, but they have been good lately.  

On our 7 day cruise coming up the 5 bottle package is $134 including the gratuity, or $22.80 +18%=$26.90 for a served bottle!  not a bad deal!  At 4-6oz glasses that is under $5.70 per glass + tip!.

The premium package is $33 .60 per bottle+18%, still a good price for a larger selection.  There are some bottles of wine on this package that are over $20 at package stores, and served bottles are usually 2-5x mark-up, but most are in the same price range as the basic package. So this package just gives more selection.  

2 hours ago, desiree741 said:

I have noticed on other fun times.... friends of bill W or other names ..... what does this mean?

Friends of Bill W is AA (alcohol anonymous).  Took me quite a few cruises to find this out.  Thought he must have gone on every cruise I was on!  I think Bill W is founder of AA.  

On 9/24/2019 at 9:40 AM, ChosenOne said:

Yes, you have to join AARP...it is not very much $$.

Do not use the AARP program.  They have now lost my order, saying there is no carnival gift card, yet my paypal/credit card was charged the $90!  I have to stop payment and do a dispute on my credit card, and wait 5 days for AARP to get back to me!  NONSENSE!!!

1 hour ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

Yeah, the email will contain the gift card number and its PIN. You're not the only one who isn't getting the email. Contact AARP Rewards, and don't let them pass you off to Carnival because this isn't Carnival's fault.

 

The new AARP Rewards just keeps getting worse and worse. They've barely managed to sell Carnival cards and they were screwed up the entire time. They seriously need to ditch HelloWorld and go back to DeluxeRewards.

Per my phone call with AARP within the last hour" They are having issues with the gift card program and are working on it". 

DO NOT BUY THE GIFT CARDS THROUGH AARP!

I ordered my gift cards yesterday, and got a confirmation.  But it said details are on the way to my e-mail, and of course I never received the e-mail.  I have an order #, but no pin.  is that what is in the missing e-mail?  Now what? 

MOre bother than it's worth for $10! 

2 hours ago, cmptrwiz said:

I didn’t have the offer on my A/E delta rewards card.  I used the back donor method and now it appears!  Thanks!!

thanks for the back-door approach!  Used on my Delta Amex business card- put $500 on my May Princess Panama Canal cruise, got the $100 credit, my son & business partner used his card to pay the gratuities on our January Panorama family cruise, got the $100 credit!  Both were credited within 2 days.  We got the same "if meets terms", but both worked so not sure about what the terms were.  $200 Saved!  Tomorrow buying the stock for the $250 per cruise OBC!  $700 saved, almost enough for another cruise!