CdrescherRBL152

LXXXVI

Some will know how long wonder how many will.

The best part of a cruise. Simple it is what I don't have. No phone, no computer, no work, no rushing, no doctors vists, etc. etc. ............

17 hours ago, crockea said:

So, we leave for our cruise on Sunday.  I haven't sailed Carnival in over 5 years but have been on over 35 cruises.  For the first time I am experiencing this annoying arrival appointment system.  I called as the soonest I could get it online was 1pm.  I have NEVER gotten on a ship that late.  Usually we arrive between 11/11:30 and are on board shortly after.  Is Carnival really so disorganized that they can't handle cruisers arriving whenever?  I am not typically a grumpy cruiser (other than laughable bad burgers on another line)  but this new system sucks.  I called and was told if I arrive earlier than the 1pm slot we could be turned away.  Has anyone experienced being turned away because you were early?  Makes me feel like I shouldn't known better than to jump back to Carnival again.  I hope this isn't a precursor on how the rest of the cruise will be.  Trying to get over it but booooo Carnival for starting with a negative.  Yes, I know I'll be picked on for complaining about this but, really?

 

The system for the most part is a big improvement over the free for all that you seam to like. The choice of arrival time can be made when you check in om line. Wish they would let you choose when you book, seeing as we normally book 500+ days out. 

14 hours ago, scpirate said:

What makes something free? Didn't you have to pay to cruise? it used to be in all cabins not just suites.along with toothbrushes and tooth paste and other toiletries in a basket in the bath room.Carnival is low rent but let's not get any lower.i guess you can bring your own sleeping bag next or a cot.

The switch had nothing to do with cost. The switch was made because of the bottles ending up in with food waste which gets thrown overboard. The same reason you are now getting dissolvable  straws instead of plastic ones.

99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  When you book 560 days 99 is a bigger thrill then 9

Never gave it much thought. Would have to say as of right not Cabin 7299 on the Carnival Miracle. Cause starting Jan.17 will be ours for 15 days.

125 days till we go to Hawaii.  

Seams like just yesterday the wife booked it. Of course yesterday was roughly 440 days ago.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Cruise-Airport a couple of times. 

Very nice hotel Of course the last time we were there was 6 years ago.

On 9/3/2019 at 2:48 PM, N7786W Flyer said:

 

I have to agree with this...

 

As someone who retired from the hospitality industry (hotels, cruise ships, resorts, etc.), USUALLY a customer (meaning Carnival) buys 2X or 3x the total # of beds (or in this case, tables) they have onsite.  This allows for some wear and tear on the product as well as some flex time between laundering and return to service.  In essence, it allows them to "rotate" the products in and out of service as laundering and product failure dictates.

 

If you would assume that Carnival has 200 tables per ship...and 26 ships, we're talking about a sizeable purchase as well as significant resources (labor, chemical costs, etc.) needed to maintain the product.

 

While it may not be a "cut back" in the conventional sense, getting rid of the table cloths certainly represented an ongoing cost savings for Carnival.  How much the actual savings are is anyone's guess.

 

Garnett

Great point, however you hit on the problem. There are many on here that whenever Carnival does something that saves them money.  Jump to call it a cutback. 

And as you point out not all cost saving moves are cutbacks. 

!45 days till we take the 15 day cruise to Hawaii.  Wow it is getting close of course we booked 560 days out, but hey we are now 3/4 of the way there!!!!!!!!!!

My suggestion is to book on your own. I can normally  find cheaper fares then Carnival. Plus control the flight times. Our first cruise I listen to a few friends. Let Carnival book our air travel. Ended up flying the dasyof the cruise. 6am flight. . So were up at 2:30 to get ride to airport. Never got to Miami till after 3pm were the last ones on the ship. by the time the muster was done and we eat early dinning were ready for bed. One day of cruise lost.

On 7/23/2019 at 8:56 PM, cthrn27 said:

Say, hypothetically, on your cruise there is a particular cabin that is enjoying a product that requires matches or a lighter to be enjoyed.  They are in their own cabin, but the smell is unusually foul and wafts not only into the hallway, but into the other rooms..  An offhand question to the steward makes you think the steward is aware of this, and  you assume something will be done.  Unfortunately, nothing is done.  This is not a condemnation of the product, but a concern that any type of fire on a boat is a potential hazard.  This continues.  Do you say something?  to guest services?  would this get the steward in trouble?  would the people be kicked off?

The rules against smoking  and the use of anything flammable is for the safety of all aboard. So yes I would say something regardless of who it may effect.

We like to go the spa on port days. Ussaly have great deals.

On ‎4‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 12:02 AM, august1963 said:

I was just reading some of the cruise rules.....they state that if you're bringing a prescription on board it has to be in it's original container.  Has anybody ever had trouble with this?  It's much easier to use my Sunday thru Saturday pill dispenser than it is to bring a bunch of bottles with me.  

Have ever has a problem. However if TSA and or customs on your return sees them, you could be delayed, until they verify what they are.

No or at least not two years ago.

On 7/9/2019 at 2:45 PM, CruisingViper said:

I've been gold for a year or so now. I'm just wondering how long it took others or what age they were when they got to platinum status, or even diamond. It seems so far away after the short distance between red and gold.

It depends on how often you cruise and how long the cruises are. We can only cruise every other year. 
We taken a 5 day, a 7 day, 6 8 day cruises. And are taking the 15 day  cruise to Hawaii from San Diego in January yes that makes us Platinum.  so it is taking us 16 years but take a 15 day cruise every month for the next 6 months and you will be platinum. 

On 7/12/2019 at 8:48 PM, Organized Chaos said:

 

Why couldn't the OP just make a nice, positive comment about Carnival's handling of the storm instead of using it as a passive-aggressive attack on a large number of CC users? New users don't typically go after the CC community like that right out of the gate.

It does not take one long to see that there is a high number on CC who simply put hate 
Carnival. I am shocked there was not a few threads on here complaining that Carnival made the switch.

For me straight to the nearest bar for a beer. No I don't have a drinking problem. However being a commercial driver can't risk drinking,  if there is a chance I could be driving.  Hence my drinking is mostly limited to every other year while we Cruise.

5 hours ago, jordanaire said:

My son will be stepping off the Conquest in Miami and flying from FLL at 11:40. Will he have time to make this flight? The next Delta flight is a few hours later and costs $150 more.

If and it is a big if everything goes perfectly yes you can make it. That being said I would not try it cause the margin of error is to small.

Keep in mind departure times are controlled by the port. Any number of things could have delayed departure.

So sorry for your delay hope you made it on time. We live in Worcester but never fly out of Worcester for this very reason. We use Logan . Book a shared van ride cost about $80 each way for the two of us. But we picked up at your door. Driven to Logan and returned to our door. Nice quick and easy.

Here is what is missed by a few. This is what it says in the program rules. If you reach the next level during a cruise. You me be granted the the next level at the begining of the cruise at Carnival's discretion.

On 6/25/2019 at 10:06 AM, CruiseRonJulie said:

I think it is time for Carnival to make it near impossible to remove the gratuities. I have read all of the excuses people give and I believe they are just looking for a reason to not tip:

1. The crew doesn't get the tips (do you really think that after all this time, we would not have heard this?0

2. I like to tip in cash (yeah, and I am sure you track down the laundry people and those at the Lido Buffet to tip them)

3. I think tipping should not be mandated

4. Insert another reason here:  the crew doesn't speak English, I didn't get a chocolate on my pillow, I only got a Lanyard, etc.

 

Please if you are just looking for a way to stiff the crew, be honest and just say "I want to keep my $14.00.

We have never remove the tips. But I say leave it as it is. Or better yet go back to the system where you click to add the tip.

5 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

The cruise line is suspending that tour.  Good.  But so much for the "safety" of ship sponsored excursions.

 

As 28 people returned with minor injuries.  Hoping the 4 more serious ones pull through.

Hope all are well and have a full recovery. But the comment about ship sponsored excursions is off based and uncalled for. This could just as easily have occurred on private excursion. And I would have to think would be more likely on private excursion. Due to you having less knowledge of the vendors then the cruise lines.

12 hours ago, Carl Nival said:

There was a really nice bar waiter from Bosnia that I thought delivered above and beyond service.  On the last night of the cruise, I tipped him $30 on my last drink bill.  Usually I tip people I really like in cash, but I didn't have any on me.  His eyes got really big, and he thanked me for the generous tip.  So does he really get that $30, or does it go into the tip bank to be split 6 ways to Sunday?

 

 

It is the same as with most restaurants and bars on land. If you give them cash and yea I always have a small amount of cash on me on board

 They keep the whole amount. If you simply add it to your sail and sign account, some say they got the whole amount others have told me it goes into the divided kittie.