pmms052999

I am going on the Odyssey of the Seas in January and noticed they have a live poker table.  Does anyone know if they play cash games only or do they have sit-n-go's as well?  

2 hours ago, Bound4Bermuda said:

We’re going on our first Carnival cruise this summer. We usually cruise Royal Caribbean out of NJ but getting a bit bored of the same few itineraries, and saw a unique itinerary (8-day eastern Caribbean) on the brand new Venezia for $2000 less than a similar RCI cruise. So I decided to put my pre-conceived, admittedly classist impressions of some Carnival patrons being rowdy, aggressive, party people aside and give it a chance. I probably should have read this board first to get up to speed on Carnival because it sounds like even the president is admitting they have a problem with guest behavior, so maybe there’s something to the negative reputation Carnival has. Did I make a mistake switching from RCI to Carnival?

The longer cruises tend to have a different clientele from what I've noticed.  There are so many people who cannot afford the longer cruises or even take that much time off of work.  Enjoy your trip!

On 12/28/2022 at 4:08 PM, nessz79 said:

Weird that you were asked about your vaccination status. We just boarded in Terminal F (same as Celebration) the other day and no one asked us anything.  

We were asked as well but our friends at the next agent were not asked.  Made no sense...

21 hours ago, CajunOyster said:

 

Having done it as much as six times a year since 1993, there is no place in Maryland that will take you 24 hours to drive to Miami.  Drive smart, use Waze, and consider alternate routes south (like 81/77/26 to avoid most of 95) and you can reliably get from anywhere in Maryland to Miami in 17-18 hours.  Less if you're in central or southern Maryland.

Seriously, if you're not using Waze, get it.  And I'm not joking about 81 - it eliminates hundreds of I-95 miles including DC, all of Virginia and North Carolina, and half of South Carolina.

We live in Southern Maryland and did this a few years ago.  A blizzard was coming so we made the decision that Thursday to drive (supposed to fly on Saturday for a Sunday cruise).  We rented a car and headed to Miami (cost was $50 and no one-way fee!).  

OP - if you decide to drive and get a one-way rental, check each specific car rental's site...sometimes they won't charge you the one-way fee.  

We just got off the Freedom a few days ago.  I pulled funds from my S&S card and was charged 3% (pulled $150, got charged $4.50).  Super easy!

Got my email this morning!  Perfect timing...we leave next Thursday!

15 hours ago, loanshark said:

 

If you click on terms and conditions link seen on that screenshot, you will see the following in a pop-up box:

 

GET UP TO $1,000 OFF WITH FUNTASTIC RATES + A $500 ONBOARD CREDIT PER ROOM (OV7)

 

Offer is capacity controlled and is not combinable with any other discount or promotional offer. This promotional offer is applicable for 1st/2nd guests only; 3rd /4th /5th guests are responsible for prevailing cruise rates. Cruise fare does not include Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses range from $63.14 - $427.64, and are assessed on a per guest basis for all guests according to the itinerary. Onboard credit offer is non-transferable and is provided as a non-refundable credit of $250 per person up to a maximum of $500 per room to your Sail & Sign account. Onboard credit may vary with single supplement rates. Onboard credit may not be applied to cruise fare or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. Promotional deposit of $99 per person is non-refundable and applicable to all sailings outside of final payment due date. Minimum purchase of category 1A is required. Promotion is available for cabin assignment and guarantee (IS/OV/BL) cabins. If a guest selects a guarantee cabin, Carnival will assign the stateroom at a later time. Guests who select the ocean view or balcony stateroom types may be assigned partially to fully obstructed views. If guest selects stateroom category restrictions and exclusions apply. Carnival reserves the right to withdraw and/or change offer at any time without prior notice. Carnival reserves the right to assess a change fee according to the date of the request, the length of the cruise, and the actual cruise sail date. Cancellation penalties apply. Offer is valid for guests with a qualifying VIFP Club Member number. Offer not available for group bookings. Offer is available to new bookings only. Offer is available on select sailings only. Must book by October 31, 2022. Please request rate code OV7.

 

The terms specifically state "Offer is valid for guests with a qualifying VIFP Club Member number".  

 

 

 

We have a VIFP member number, but that still doesn't mean it's a casino rate.  I resent the shareholder OBC request, no answer yet.  I'll post again once I hear back from Carnival.

10 hours ago, mondello said:

You may be mistaken because that sounds exactly like the casino offer! Yes, it may be listed in your VIPF offers but the $500 OBC is casino offer.

You could be right but my assumption was that it wasn't a casino based on the fact that it didn't say that anywhere in this description.  Oh well, I'm just excited to finally cruise!  🙂

On 9/26/2022 at 3:49 PM, Love2cruise77 said:

 

How much is the taxes and how many people?  If I am not mistaken, they charge you $200 but you get $200 OBC back, so the room is technically free.  I booked something similar and paid $489.72 with $200 OBC...

It was an interior cabin for 2.  Rate was $159 and $121.86 in taxes for each person.  It's technically free with the $500 OBC but the offer wasn't casino related.  The denial I got stated it was because I got a casino rate.

23 hours ago, nwcruiselover said:

How long did it take for them to deny your request?  Just wondering what their turnaround time is lately.  I’m still waiting to hear.

Almost a month.  We cruise on 11/3.

On 9/22/2022 at 6:22 PM, Calker said:

IF IT IS STILL REQUIRED IN DECEMBER

 

where can we get the COVID test before cruising?

 

we are flying into Orlando a few days before our cruise and we’ll be outside the time limit to arrange test before we fly.

Bring tests from home and do it in your hotel room...

37 minutes ago, psikic said:

I've read where others have been successful submitting it again after being denied.  What can they do other than say no?

True.  I might try again.  🙂

1 hour ago, JT1962 said:

Aren’t all rates technically a “Reduced Rate Promotion”? Does anyone actually pay the full listed fare / brochure rate? If they adhere strictly to the wording of the rules, no one would get the Shareholder Credit. 

That's what my thought was.  If I'm not eligible, then I'll accept that, but it looks like everything has a promo attached to it so I'm slightly confused.

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

If it is a Plan now. Play Later promotion, that is a casino offer for a free cabin.

We paid $551 for the cabin, it wasn't free.  We paid the cabin fare plus the taxes.  There were no casino perks attached to it either.  

I submitted a request for shareholder OBC on 8/23 and just received the response: 

I booked the Plan Now, Sail Later rate which included OBC. When I do a mock booking for the same cruise, all of the rates include some sort of promotion or discount (room upgrade, OBC, reduced deposit).  Does anyone know which rates would qualify so I know for future reference?

Yes you can purchase onboard but everyone over 21 in the same stateroom must purchase it.  It might not be worth it if one person doesn't drink.

Thanks to everyone for the responses!  

How many days prior to my cruise can I choose my boarding time?

5 hours ago, ThaNectar said:

Call 5 times... get 5 different answers 

A friend called Carnival last week and asked about current requirements.  The rep stated that masks are still a requirement onboard...ridiculous!

22 minutes ago, nascartim said:

Oh, and here is my secret tip: if anyone in your group enjoys playing roulette, I advise you to play on the electronic tables that they have specifically on the Sunrise(I have not found another ship yet that has these electronic versions). I racked up my most points ever just playing the way I play on these. I don't like the live table, to much bumping & grinding to get what you want. I need to take another cruise on this ship to build up my points, little did I even know at the time.

Thanks for the tip!  We definitely have gamblers in our group 😄

9 minutes ago, nascartim said:

I was on the Sunrise last October, though it wasn't at full capacity, we had a great time. This is the way I look at it, if you haven't been on any of the larger ships before then you can't compare it to anything, so it will be fun and exciting. Obviously if you have been on the larger ones, I can understand the reservations to want to go back to a smaller boat. Work your way up and you won't be disappointed. If your 1st cruise ever was on Mardi Gras, you will be totally disappointed if you go on a fantasy class(smaller) ship. 

The largest we've been on so far is the Breeze.  We just wanted a quick trip to get back into cruising and have a few new cruisers with us.  I want them to have a good experience so we can book more.  Thanks for the info!

15 hours ago, jerseyjjs said:

For the record, the Sunrise has the worst space to passenger ratio rating among the Carnival fleet, and one of the worst in the industry.

Thanks for the info!

I'm thinking about booking a quick 4-day cruise and the Sunrise is one of my options.  Anyone have any thoughts/comments/concerns on this ship?  TIA

22 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

 

I agree. Every cruise since the re-start have had cases of covid on board, not at the beginning but half-way thru and at end of cruise, and also post cruise. We, party of 4, are fully vaxxed, boostered but still contracted covid while on the Joy in March, after the mask mandate was removed. Our cases were mild but it took us 11 days to test negative (antigen).

 

Last cruise was last month on Star, and I heard people also contracted covid toward the end of 11 day cruise. We got lucky.

 

These said, can you picture this: what happens when an unvaccinated person who had previously not contracted covid, contracts covid while on the cruise? Will this person have mild symptoms or get full-blown covid (really sick) that requires hospitalization?

 

Here in Bermuda the population is 65K, but there still are covid deaths. There are about 25-30% unvaccinated.

 

So, in mho, the unvaccinated may be sailing in dangerous waters. 

 

 

Serious question...what does it matter to you if this person gets really sick?   They chose not to get vaccine and understand the risks.  And to be fair, the risk of hospitalization from COVID is extremely low.

23 hours ago, funfetti said:

We cruise in October and I am feeling... defeated? Like I am leading my newly vaccinated toddler and senior parents directly into a cramped germ warehouse? I don't know.  We chose cruising over flying *because* they had enhanced safety protocols. If I could mandate that everyone with vacation-ruining communicable diseases be allowed FCC/refunds and be forced to stay home, heck yes I would do that!  Flu? Stay home! Norovirus? Stay home! Covid? Stay home!

 

It's especially frustrating because ships are still reporting staffing issues. NCL kids clubs are still fully closed for under 5s. Ships aren't ready to welcome more people back.

 

Our TA reported they haven't received official notice of the change, so no word on potential cancellation FCC or refunds based on the policy change.

 

Now that we know that the vaccinated can spread and catch COVID just as much as the unvaccinated, what does it matter if the unvaccinated are on the ship?  And shouldn't the vaccine protect you from getting a severe case?  Children have almost a 100% chance of recovery...you can't get better odds than that.