BobbiSox

This is an annoying situation, and HAL could think of some way to control it, but why should they? There's no profit in regulating chair usage. They should do away with saving of chairs of any kind; buffet, entertainment and any other venues where chairs are involved. If I see someone in an overcrowded venue 'saving' chairs for 12 people, I have no problem sitting in one and ignoring any comments that are hurled my way.  Do people need to be reminded that this is not high school? First come, first served, no 'savies'. Furthermore, if people want to 'save' their seat, they should stay in it, or have no expectations of finding it vacant when they return from their lunch.

I have a long historty with HAL and I whenever I cruise with them, I do everything cruise related through them, including transportation of course, and without fail I buy the insurance. If anything goes wrong, and it has, HAL takes care of everything. They will rebook flights, pay for your hotel and meals when needed, and provide transportation. I have heard horror stories involving passengers who booked anything outside of HAL, for anything. 

• I bring an empty plastic water bottle in my carry-on and just refill it with the canned water when I go ashore. It's not always convenient to get water once ashore. No one has ever stopped me for binging onboard my plastic water bottle. 

I have found the drink packages to be very confusing. I'm considering a cruise-line that does 'all inclusive'. Trying to buy excursions, and dinners, and packages for alcohol and soft drinks takes the fun out of the planning. I don't want to think that much. 

I was on NA for the March 12 7-day So. Caribbean cruise. One of the downsides of cruising as often as I do is repetition. Same ol', same ol'. This is my 30th HAL cruise, and the fourth cruise since the re-start and my hopes for improvement as time passes were dashed. Seems each cruise declined a little more than the last. Ended up coming home and canceling our September/October 51-day So. Pacific voyage. I understand the line is trying to stay afloat, but I don't need to be there while they undergo the process. 

Having been cruising often for 25 years, I think I've seen it all. Then I get on a Carnival ship. Yikes! Worst I've ever seen, anywhere. There was a young man, maybe early 20's, who had both his naked butt-cheeks completely exposed. The cloth from that area of the jeans had been removed. No one stopped him. There's a good reason for the name'Carnival'. 

Next week will mark my 30th cruise on HAL. I don't remember EVER haveing noisy neighbors late at night. I've had other problems, but not that. If someone wants to 'party' after hours, it could mean they would just like to enjoy their drink in the privacy of their cabin, while listening to low volume music or tele. HAL can't keep one bar open until, say, 2:00am? Years ago, the Crow's Nest had late night dancing and the bar was open. I don't stay up late anymore,  so I don't know what goes on past 10:00pm, lol.

I never eat in the main didning room or the 'specialty' venues any more. Even when they are free. I never found anything appealing enough to tolerate the hour-and-a-half it takes do complete the dinner, and most of it spent waiting for the next course. Thirty cruises with HAL spent watching the service and quality of the specialty dining go downhill. The buffet is my prefernce. Eat as much as you like, as fast or slow as you like. I'm a very picky eater and I want it MY way. 

I was on Elation for the Presidents 5-day cruise to the Bahamas. The ship was packed with children, most of them unsupervised and some appeared to be under six years old, running and racing and screaming all over the ship, including in the hallways where the cabins are. I know there are rules about this, but the rules on Carnival are seldome inforced. Their rules are in plce only to avoid lawsuits when something bad happens. What's the worst that could happen to an unspervised child? I shudder to think. 

Your grandchildren are lucky to have such caring and loving grandparents! I have nothing to add to the many wonderful ideas already posted. Carnival used to have a saying "early to the fun" and it seems you have taken that to a whole new level! Your are making memories that  will last forever. 

I thought the rules are pretty strict about buying drinks for others on your package. Better check the rules. Maybe that's no longer frowned upon. 

If you try to bring something electrical onboard, you may get pulled out of line and have to sait for it to be inspected. If nothing else, it would be embarrassing.  The ships are very strick about what you bring that may cause an electrical fire. You could call or write for a specific answer. 

When a tip is mandatory, it's no longer a tip, IMO; it's a fee. I worked for tips all through school, and no one was obligated to tip me in those days. I got lots of tips because I did my job well and went the extra mile. Is that the case today? Not that I've noticed. I feel happy just to get a clean table and a wait person who has on a clean shirt. 

Going to Bimini for the first time next week, 5-day on Elation out of Jacksonville. It's a short drive from home to get on Elation, an older but fun ship.  Wonder if anything is walkable, and if there are decent casinos in any of the hotels. I can't find much info on the web and what I find is just ads for the pools and beaches. Thanks for any help you can offer. 
 

The best case scenario is that no one will notice. I wouldn't take chances with incorrect government issued paperwork, especially anything that involves travel out of the country with a small child. It could become a nightmare. As others have recommended, call or email someone at the passport office. Get names. Good luck and happy sailing!

Well it was right after Covid. Perhaps I had the CO perks because I was in the suite. I honestly don't remember if it as purchased or just added on complimentary. It was nice, either way. Sorry for the bad information and the confusion. We go on a lot of cruises. Can't remember every detail about every one for the past 25 years! 

Being in a Neptune suite doesn't include a private dining room. The CO has it's own dining room for CO guests who purchase it, and it's not a separate dining venue on all the ships. Maybe I dreamed the entire experience. 

The private dinning room is awesome. They give me my table for two, they remember my mimosa with breakfast, the service is amazing but not intrusive. I love it!

On my first cruise after Covid, I purchased Club Orange. Once onboard, I was informed there was not going to be a 'special event', as advertised. I thought this was a shabby way to treat a five star mariner in a Neptune Suite and I said so.  I complained to an officer at a party attended by the Captain, and was immediately offered compensation in the form of Pinacle lunch for two. I accepted. If they advertise something, it should be delivered, and I shouldn't have had to beg for it. I have purchased CO for my upcoming 51-day South Pacific, so we'll see how that goes. 

Yikes. So many offers, so little time. I get a  headache whenever I try to sort out these kinds of offers. I usually do take advantage of course. They are quite generous with their casino offers, and I live dangerously close to one of the home ports, so how can I say no?

It seems the higher-ups are most interested in cutting back, so instead of caring what we would like, they probably consider what we will tolerate. 

I didn't realize there are cabins without a fridge. How would I find out if my booked cabins have fridges? In 25 years, I've never had a cabin without a fridge. Is this something new?

My hubbs is ONE DAY short for his platinum status. With our upcoming cruise, he will have earned enough for the ranking on the first day, right?  That's not how it works. He won't officially be ranked platinum until the next cruise AFTER he has earned that point. It's worth waiting for. The perks are nice, and because I have been platinum for a long time, he has been able to use some of the benefits just by being my cabin-mate; for example, the arrival time and departure time. 

So sorry that you're not well. Love you and your daily posts!  I look forward to reading you every day, so hurry up and get well. 

I never 'dress up' anymore. I wear black slacks with a sparkly top, flats, and small matching evening bag. There are women who like long gowns, men who like a tux, and there's always the oddball who shows up in a workman's one-piece coverall, seriously. There is no one to stop you at the door anymore, like the old days. Wear whatever floats your boat, and most importantly, have fun!