springs741

On our Back to Back last year we had to change rooms. I did pack up the drawer and shelf items but left the hanging items on the hangers at the room steward suggestion. Obviously I didn't pack things as carefully as if I was going to debark. Our belongings were moved while we processed off and back on.

But you purchased the photos. By purchasing you acknowledge their value to you. As long as something sells at the asking price there is no incentive to lower the price. When something doesn't sell the price is lowered to make it more attractive. This is business 101. (Supply and demand).

I also don't see the prices being lowered significantly as the conversation to digital photos is made. By slightly lowering the prices it will give a false sense to the consumer of a "good deal" when in reality it will just increase the profit margin.

I agree with your plan to take multiple candid photos during your upcoming journey. But we all know, if you look at the professional photos you are going to find that special one.

There was a major change in the last half of 2011.

The American table began to roll out in 2014 but wasn't fleet wide for quite some time. I know the Freedom didn't get it until mid February of 2015. Some ships even later

Now they seem to be tweaking the menu again. The port day menu is rolling out having started in late August.

Our PVP told me that they cannot do any bookings or changes through emails. They can only do it over the phone.

Not disputing your experience but I have booked several cruises with my PVP using only email and text.

I email my cruise and stateroom choice (with a couple of alternates). She has all our information and knows our preferences. I send her the first 12 numbers of the credit card and text the last four numbers (security).

Next thing I know I get an confirmation email.

All ships sailing out of Galveston have shifted over to S&S in the mailbox.

And while you didn't ask, I will also share they are one of the more strict ports regarding adhering to check in times. While I know there will be someone that will post they were able to check in earlier that their "appointment" time for the most part you are not allowed in the terminal. And there isn't much seating outside.

Galveston also seems to also check your carry on items more closely. We carried on a six pack of soft drinks to make floats for the grandkids.(brand not available on board) Security checked each can top and bottom.

John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, announce it will not be returning. The reason given was that it wasn't widely used.

I for one will miss it as I priced check often. Doing the mock booking is much more time consuming. You have to know the category of the offerings to compare accurately. For me that means opening an additional window with the deck plans to compare.

I wonder if this is the next step in price matching going away or at least being more limited?

Priority means just that. It's on FTTF , Platinum and Diamond and suite boarding passes and luggage tags. .

Carnival has a new design on their luggage tags...Mine don't say FTTF but do have priority on them.

Granddaughter was 22 months old when we did a family cruise to Alaska.

Book a balcony. It is a great place work on your tan during nap time or to enjoy a late night glass of wine with your partner while baby is asleep.

Take a couple of crib sheets from home. The scent is comforting and no chance of allergic reaction from different soap chemicals.

Forget the bathtub. Get baby accustom to showers. One less thing to pack.

Pack a small amount of laundry detergent. I know doing laundry on the cruise doesn't sound like fun but if you have a need for additional clothing it sure helps.

Take a good assortment of baby friendly meds/ lotions. Most ships don't have baby Tylenol.

Your cruise experience will be different with baby in tow than your pervious couples cruise. And your little one will not remember anything, but you will. As our children mature and build their own lives it becomes increasing difficult to cruise as a family. Start making those memories now and forget the nay sayers.

I have done several Journey's cruises. Usually the first cruise elegant night is the second night however on our Alaska this September it was on night 3 with the other two on nights 11 and 13. On the Pride it was 2, 7 and 12. Cruise elegant and throw back formal night will be on sea days though there might even be exceptions to that if there are several port days in a row near the end of the voyage. If that is the case then look for early sail away times.

I will vote for checked luggage too. I don't know that the security in port will accept anything. I have seen all kinds of things discarded because it wasn't allow on board. Now if it is in your check luggage they will either remove it once onboard and leave a note in your suitcase or ask you to come down to the "naughty room" to get your suitcase. Either way it will be onboard and you can pick it up at the end of your cruise.

Happy sailings.

I gifted the Cheers package to my daughter and son in law for one of their kid free cruises.

Per her report. On sea days it was wonderful. No problem making it to the break even point and then some. On port days it was a little more difficult. She did say by the end of the cruise she felt like she had to have a drink to make it worthwhile. She would do it again but only on a shorter cruise (5 day). She really enjoyed to other beverages that were included.

My husband drinks PowerAde Zero. He has always been able to purchase the blue (berry).

The rule is the soft drink is served by the glass.

You may ask the bartender for the can (open or unopened)

If they give it to you as requested--bonus

If they decline, they are following the rules.

Hubby has had about every combination of results-can open, can sealed, filled large mug, only served in small glass/cup, flat soda, opened in front of him.

He found a bartender that was willing to give him the can. Visited him several time One visit he was served in the cup. Next visit the bartender apologized and said his boss was there and he had to be careful to follow the rules.

Not in anyway suggesting you are attempting, but one of the reasons they are not supposed to serve the can still sealed is to prevent sharing.

Is there anyway to buy a bottle of whiskey for your room? Or are you limited by the mini-bar?

 

 

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Mini bar is no more. Fridges are empty now.

It has always been hit or miss with the temperature of those little fridges.

Really, an appliance to keep things at room temp? Why then did Carnival use them as a mini bar for soft drinks?

You were too kind. I would have politely requested a working fridge. I understand they can't guarantee temperature but it does need to function as some sort of cooling device.

For slots $2.50 per point

For video poker $5.00 per point.

Tables are rated by time played and amount bet and is not converted to points.

To get a DOU card on cruises 5 days or less you need 1000 points and on 6 or longer you need 1500 points. If you have 5000 points (on one cruise) you get a DOU card on your next cruise.

I would definitely check "my offers" under your VIFP account. I played in the casino on the Breeze in Sept. and read on CC that there were real cheap cruises for October & November. I then looked under my account and lo and behold there were tons of $25 & $50 cruises. I never received an email from Carnival telling me that these were being offered so I would never have known about them if not for CC. I waited to book a cruise and it cost me a total of $231 as I am sailing solo on a 5 day out of Miami.

These were legitimate offers. My son in law had several. I am not sure if this was in response to the multiple cancelations because of the hurricanes or if it something new. I can tell you it was not the norm of years past. Either way, you really do need to check your offers rather than rely on getting email or snail mail notifications.

Points are not combined for offers and do not carry over to the next cruise. The exception to this is if you earn 5000 points you would have a drinks on us card waiting for you on your next cruise.

Bounce back offers are awarded at the end of the cruise. There is no set number of points but cruises are awarded on a sliding scale. Since you were on a gambler intense cruise you would need a greater number of points to get an offer. I personally have had over 8000 points and not had a BB offer and have had a BB with as low as 4000 points.

The rule of thumb for invites to Premier is 7500 points on a cruise. Invites to an Ultra is 7500 points on a Premier cruise. Notice I said rule of thumb. I have met Premier attendees that have never sailed Carnival but had gambled heavy on other lines. I have also sailed on Ultras with players that say they have never earned 7500 points on a premier. So there isn't a great deal of transparency in the awarding of comps.

Yes it will be decorated

Yes there will be an ugly sweater contest (at least in year past there has been)

On six day cruises you will have 2 cruise elegant evenings.

This has been my experience as recent as the last 6 months.

Booked on a cruise, announced as a premier. I was able to change over to a premier rate and get the benefits. It was ES and yes I had to pay the $50 each but so worth it to get the cash and lower rate.

Second time: Booked on a cruise announced as a premier. My category was sold out. So no rate change but the casino was willing to extend the benefits of premier.

I seem to have a knack for picking cruises that become premiers. It has happened to me several times.

I have organized many slot pulls and do not put my card in. I don’t think it’s fair. Why wouldn’t other pullers want to put theirs in for their spins. Easier and less issues if no card is in.

How do you cash out?

I do think the organizer should get the points. Really it isn't that many. On a seven day cruise you need 1500 points to get a DOU card. That means you have to play $3,700 through the machine.

If you have 25 players and each play $20 you would only earn 200 points. For the work of organization it is a pittance.

I think a more important point is making sure everyone understand who is going to pay the taxes if a big win occurs.

I think the first Ultra was scheduled for today, November 4, 2017.

I am going to have to agree with cash is best. It is so sweet of you to want to do something a little more personal that cash but truly taste and customs are so different. And as mentioned their living space is so incredibly small. We always write a note of thanks with comment on how they enhanced our cruise experience.

Keep your boarding pass handy. Sail and sign cards in many ports are now in the mailbox. All out of Galveston have changed over and the Vista, Splendor, and Glory paved the way.

That is a great perk! Is there a number for platinum, or is this something that kicks in once you are Diamond?

Diamond perk only.

Yet another reason to use a good PVP or a knowledgeable TA. Someone in your corner.