Bellicheck Brain Trust

I just had to post that after reading so many threads about various people getting free cruises, my fiance and I just found out we got one from the casino! We need to take it before 12/31 and we can pick any cruise we want! Now let the planning begin. Open to suggestions!

Sorry if this has already been posted, but I could not an answer to my question anywhere.

I just got back from an eight day conquest voyage and purchased cheers. Even though tips are already included everytime a server brought me drinks I always tipped an extra dollar. I hit the limit most days throughout the cruise, and after checking my statement at the end of the cruise I noticed I paid an additional $104 in tips. My question is next time I cruise and purchase cheers. Can I waive the up front 15% tip and tip on each drink? Has anyone done this?

Thanks for the help

We were on the Conquest earlier this year and terrible to have Hasbro as entertainment on one night let alone two. Not exalt entertainment for anyone over say 10.

 

Would be enough to go on other ships instead.

We just got off the conquest and we were very disappointed with the entertainment. I used to say a cruise director does not make a difference on a cruise, but we were wrong. He was terrible. Hasbro took up one night, very little sea day activities as well. Not sure who picks the variety acts, but we had a "magic comedian act" that did very little magic and very little comedy. Although this would never stop us sailing with Carnival, we would prefer they go back to the old shows and start adding better evening entertainment.

I would not do it, I got a similar offer on the Conquest but for $300 total and we turned it down. We have done three suites and on carnival we do not think its worth the extra money. Unless you are going to spend a while in the room, put that money to better use elsewhere

I will be going to Antigua on the Conquest in 11 days!

Our next trip is on the Conquest but never seems to be too much talk or reviews on here about the Conquest. We are scheduled for a 6 day, next April, so info would help. I am already aware of no Serenity but hopefully going after Spring Break, the amount of kids should be minimal. We always cruise with a balcony so we could retreat if need be.

 

Thanks for your thoughts

Sounds like you have a while to go! We will be on her in August and we will post back with details. From what we have heard she is awesome!

what with the Pro and Con of the Sunshine.........every review is golden. And people read them a lot.

 

We sail soon. I will write a review.

 

To the people who have written reviews..........bless you all.

 

When people take the time to write those reviews and post them, I really appreciate them. It is like those who have not sailed on a particular ship.....get a pre cruise seminar.

 

Thanks to all of you

Happy Sails to all of you ,and many more of them for us all.

We did the sunshine in Europe right after her transformation. We think Ji Ji Asian Kitchen may be the best restaurant in the fleet (minus the steakhouse). We had a cloud nine spa balcony and would not recommend it because we prefer the thermal pool which the Sunshine does not have. Secondly we loved the new Serenity deck, however on our one sea day it was completely packed and impossible to get a seat. Secondly, we did not love how the lounge turned into the night club. The Havana bar was a cool add on as we got fresh squeeze orange juice every day. Overall we had mixed feelings about the ship and likely will never sail her

Hey guys my and my fiance are getting married October 24, and at planning on going on a cruise the 25th. I've been looking at the Carnival Dream cruise for our honeymoon since it's about a two hour drive from where we're getting married, but I didn't know if it was worth it. Also any tips/tricks on booking for the cruise? If there's another cruise you guys could recommend that would be great. Just looking to have a good time with a balcony room on it. We're getting married in Mobile, AL so we could drive to galveston/ft lauderdale and they both would be about an 7 hour drive a piece. Any advice would be great! Thanks

We have been on the dream and its a great ship! I would recommend doing the Vista in Europe- that would be an amazing honeymoon!

I agree with this completely. He is an adult, not a child, and should be treated like an adult. No reason why he can't stay in the same room with his girlfriend. Of course, if she's underage, that's a different story, but I would hope that he's mature enough to be dating someone his own age.

You gotta let them do their thing! Let them get a room and have fun!

Ok- when Carnival posted the new rules for the past guest party and declared that "only" P&D guests will be allowed to attend, many people commented that they wouldn't go if their non-platinum children could not attend. I made a comment to that thread saying there was NO WAY Carnival would turn your children away if you wanted to attend. I was quickly rebutted by people saying that HQ re-stated that ONLY those invited could attend.

 

Fast forward to June 13th where the wife and I were in the party on the Breeze. There were about 10 kids in there , 3 of them were "interviewed" by the CD when they came up tot the stage to help hand out beads or something. he asked them how many cruises they had been on, 2 of them were on their second cruise and one was on their 1st. It was possible that some of the others were old enough to be platinum but I doubt all were.

 

So I restate it- There is no way Carnival would turn your children away from the party.

 

Now having gotten that off my chest.. The drinks flowed in large glasses. My wife was able to get a Kiss on the Lips and a Chocolate Mocha Get-Away and I was able to get some nice scotch so there didn't seem to be any limit to what you get order to drink. They had the normal drinks floating around but you could order what ever you wanted and got it fairly quickly. The food was about the same as what was served before. The party on the Breeze filled the comedy lounge. and the content of the "show" really has not changed that much. It's just less crowded.

Glad to hear the upgraded party is much better! Sucks for the golds, but good for us platinums and diamonds!

If there is I cant seem to find it. It looks like all the perks have been withheld until you reach Gold status.

Yeah that you are cruising again.....

does anyone have the full listing.... I have the same offer showing as well but I cannot see which sailings they are

dont be cheap and stay on deck 2 or 1 they both suck..... your going on a cruise. spend the money and have them book upper deck or higher

This diamond member is not applauding and thinks it is wrong.

 

They could have made past guest as three parties if they wanted this is just another cost cutting move.

Diamond may not be applauding but the platinums are!!! :)

I am platinum and I voted coupon because I am excited to have a much smaller party where we can actually get drinks

Yes I am kind of bitter when the price of my cabin could pay for 3 or 4 interior cabins and they treat me like a outcast.

You are not treated like an outcast at all. Get over yourself. If you really care this much then you are just a few cruises away from becoming platinum and trust me once you become platinum the perks are not even that great. There is no difference in your service whether you are blue, red, gold, platinum, diamond. So many cry babies over a party, jeeze.

They have none to YOU

Actually as a platinum cruiser they have a ton of loyalty to me.... I get VIP boarding, free laundry, special gifts, a VIP party, free drink, etc. Not to mention the free cruises the casino has given me, discounted rates, free upgrades, etc. So when you earn your spot they will prove their loyalty

I agree with every single bit of this. You don't change someone else's arrangement to make someone happy. I would also be very upset if I missed the first meal or two, and come to the dining room on the 3rd night to find I don't have a place. Talk about awkward and likely embarrassing.

 

The suite/platinum/diamond etc is also a huge pet peeve of mine. You paid more for a better room not to be treated better than other guests.

These people could not have summed it up any better.... First off the dining is your TA's fault and has nothing to do with Carnival. I have booked numerous times with different rooms and never once have we had this problem... The answer is because we have a competent TA. Secondly, why should they move people who had a valid reservation for you? Should Carnival have tried to accommodate you, yes, but should they kick someone out of a valid reservation at your expense, no. Please go on another cruise line, attitudes like this are not welcome at carnival

Very funny..........April fools.

Just thinking the same thing myself...... what a LAME joke.

Booked a 7 day cruise out of New Orleans last week (3/23). Checked today, and cruise is $80.00 cheaper - and Carnival WILL NOT match their own price. I know that if I had booked Early Saver they would have, but I could not book Early Saver because the cruise is 45 days out. I know $80.00 is not a huge difference, but it annoys me that they won't match their own price. Been cruising with Carnival for many years....now thinking of switching.......did talk to a supervisor, and while they were sympathetic, there was ..."nothing they could do....."

Your anger is completely unreasonable.... You booked outside the early saver rate and therefore under whatever rate you booked under there was no guarantee for price protection. You knew that going in so you have no right to complain now....

I am interested in hearing your opinions and comments on what's your favorite deck and why. Here is what our cruise family is wondering. Our cruise is already booked this year on the Conquest and we are staying on Deck 7 Empress in an aft-view balcony (excited :D). We are entertaining the thought of a Cove Balcony (Deck 2) on the Breeze for 2016. What is your experience with the different types of balcony rooms... cove balcony vs regular balcony vs aft-view balcony and what is your favorite deck for that stateroom? Suggestions / Comments please :)

for ships that have cloud 9 spa rooms those are our favorites we will never not cruise in one except for when we do the havanah balcony for vista. if there is no cloud 9 spa we love lido rooms

We just got our assignment for a guarantee balcony sailing April 11, we got mid-ship Deck 8 Balcony on the Glory!

 

We always book guarantees and normally get either front or back of ship - glad we got mid-ship this time. I am pretty impressed with the assignment. And I think we got a superior location one floor below guy's burgers!

We are in the sailing right after you waiting on our assignment. According to Carnival online all we see open are lido and panarema balconies so were really hoping we get lucky and steal one of those!

Contacted by Carnival about upgrading from an OV cabin to a grand suite for $400 total. We sail on the Sensation 3 nighter in April. I paid almost $1100 for four of us and the going rate for a grand suite today would be $1900.

 

We've never stayed in one and the $400 would roughly be our spending money on the cruise so I'm wondering if it's worth the extra??

not a chance.... carnival gives little extra perks for suites and no distinction between grand suit and regular ocean view

I am a little curious how you know there are only 10 cabins left, since carnival only displays 10 on their website, no matter how many are left ? Did you call and ask ?

Sorry I should have specified I saw ten online and called my PVP who confirmed that all I see online is all she sees available for the sailing. She told me I could get lucky and get an upgrade but with only two suites left she was unsure/doubtful that would happen. She said she has not seen this before

I am a little curious how you know there are only 10 cabins left, since carnival only displays 10 on their website, no matter how many are left ? Did you call and ask ?

Sorry I should have specified I saw ten online and called my PVP who confirmed that all I see online is all she sees available for the sailing. She told me I could get lucky and get an upgrade but with only two suites left she was unsure/doubtful that would happen. She said she has not seen this before