silversneakers

1 hour ago, daisy-mae said:

Hello again - I am familiar with the immediate payment requirement. However, your mentioned that port charges and taxes would be refunded upon cancellation.

 

The second paragraph from the fine print says otherwise:

 

"This promotion is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment and you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit." 

 

 

Port charges are always refundable.

On 5/30/2022 at 6:31 PM, Colorado Buffalo said:

Looking at booking our flight home out of Melbourne. My thought is to rent a car at Port Canaveral once off the ship to be able to have some freedom 

till the flight at 5:30 pm. Drive south, check-out Ron Jon's, have a fun lunch with a view and eventually make it to the airport.

Looks like a very small airport. Normally one needs 2 hours ahead of time. Would you still recommend this or is 75-90 min ok ?

Great airport. Small, no long lines, easy on/off. It's about 35 minutes from Port Canaveral

10 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Keep your politics off the boards please.

Huh??  The economy is the operative word!

Carnival stock way down. Cruise lines are struggling with costs, staffing is also a big issue.  Maybe we will see survival of the fitness as we have seen with the airlines merging in the past.  Travel is challenging and expensive right now and people are rethinking their options in this tanking economy. Hopefully November will see a turn or tides for our economy.

On 6/9/2022 at 3:04 PM, 51st FMS said:

Are drink packages worth the cost.  Looking at $60.00/day but have no idea what a beer, glass of wine or mixed drink cost on board.

If you drink a lot, then maybe. I, personally, do not drink enough to make the cost attractive.

1 hour ago, Lee Cruiser said:

Wow!  I knew Carnival stock was too high a few months ago, but I didn't see it going below $10 again.  I was thinking more in the $14-15 range.  Nobody knows exactly how low it will go, but now I'm wondering if it will test the 2020 bottom of near $7.

Not a good forecast for the cruise industry.  I read where Carnival Corp is looking to sell Seabourne which is their high-end cruise line.  I would also suspect that the shareholder benefit most of us have been use to getting will be looked at very closely in the future.  Carnival is not alone, all the cruise lines will be struggling with the economy tanking.  I think people are re-thinking their cruise travel plans.

20 hours ago, timbom said:

Have recently taken cruises on RCL and Holland where tip structure is same as on Carnival but on these lines receive far better service. 

 

On both of these lines they change bed linen every three days and make up room twice a day.  Service staff in buffet serves you most of the food and brings you beverages and other items you may need. 

 

In main dining room they have table cloths and have far fewer tables to take care of.  In addition they have extra people to handle drink order so they can concentrate on serving.

 

I do not want to get in a argument on the suggested tip but it appears to me Carnivals suggestion should be less than these othe rlines.

 

 

You have got to be kidding!!

On 6/10/2022 at 11:21 AM, HUNKY said:

Yesterday I received a targeted email offering a COMPLIMENTARY verandah (obstructed) cabin.  HAL has many cruises this summer and into fall.  Alaska, New England and a few out of Europe.

 

We booked Konigsdam out of Vancouver this morning, too good to pass up.

 

Anyone else get this email and book a cruise?

Do you get to book a specific category or is it a guarantee cabin?

On 5/22/2022 at 12:57 PM, CarolGS said:

Bus 1 was overloaded because HAL employee can't count to 41 or many people scheduled for bus 2 went on Bus 1.  Then we start moving and we're all reaching for the vents. Then puzzlement and muttering. Then an organized chant of AC! AC!. NO response at all from the driver.  No air fresh air at all. People on the sunny side are really hot.  I'm fighting off a panic attack.

Not the same issue, but we were on from Vancouver to Seattle (3-4hours) with a grumpy driver, an inoperable toilet facility AND no offer to stop at a rest area. 

1 hour ago, BEAV said:

 

Try? Is it a gamble? 

Once onboard, I believe you can upgrade as long as you haven't used your signature package.  

18 hours ago, terrydtx said:

We have flights booked with FE for our 2 August cruises, United to Rome and Delta from Venice. I check both airlines' websites every day just to make sure nothing changes. Last week United made several changes to our flights and aircraft type for the Aug 2 flights to Rome. Instead of a connection to Rome in Newark we got moved to a direct flight to Rome from Washington Dulles. I never got any messages from either United or FE on this change, but I caught it by checking our flights on United. I immediately was able to go into our United account and get the seats we wanted. These fights were all Business class seats.

 

BTW we were able to book our seats when this was booked on each airline website and make changes if wanted or needed. I have not had to call either airline directly. The key is when you book with FE you MUST provide your airline loyalty number to tie the reservations to your online account, without this it is very hard to keep track of flights and seats.

I think IF you book business or first class you can book your seats but not main cabin seats. I only  know this because I had main cabin, then rebooked to business class and it was at that point that I could book my seats.  I then changed back to main cabin but was not able to book seats once again.

19 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/msc-voyagers-club/status-match

THX

Does MSC match loyalty status you have on other cruise lines?

7 hours ago, ray98 said:

Oh great....here come the Italian food experts to tell us how closing the restaurant is a benefit.

Missing your point??

10 hours ago, groundloop said:

 

 

Hey, at least Carnival has the entire fleet back in operation making money for the corporation.  We can all be happy for that.  😬

I read Cucina will still be open on the Mardi Gras.  I also read (and I will have to locate) that CCL will be reducing the number of passengers on ships due to "staffing" issues??  Anyone remember where that was printed?

It was entertaining but truthfully not very good IMO.

On 5/11/2022 at 11:10 AM, Ubu said:

I am thinking of shipping my luggage home from a cruise and wondering if Holland recommends anyone.  I am trying to make my trip home easy as I now have to get a covid test at the Vancouver airport.  Thank you.

Cheaper flying out of Seattle. HAL usually offers bus transfers from VC to Seattle and you go through customs at the border on the bus. Luggage put on the bust in VC and you take it off in Seattle!!

Maybe no longer "free".....I believe you can order for an upcharge in the MDR 

And, I was going to add that if you want a better wine, you are not charged the "difference" but the entire price so it is definitely not included.

For us, we felt it was not worth it as the signature drink package did not include bottled water (only canned) and not Pellegrino.  We do drink wine, but none of the wines included were very good. We are going to pass.

16 hours ago, Top_of_the_Cube said:

With some of the complaints I have been reading recently, should everyone be booking with Carnival at this time?

 

I do have sympathy for those whose whole vacation experience, or even just a few situations or circumstances, is not up to their expectations, and I know that Carnival has the capacity to fail to bring its B-game.  Many of these are legitimate complaints.  And others would be legitimate, in a normal environment.

 

Things do happen that just can't be ignored and can't be overlooked, such as sewage backing up into your cabin.  But, many issues are just a temporary inconvenience reflecting a temporary state of affairs.  And for some, this should signal a temporary pause in personally booking a cruise.

 

Right now, some folks are very inflamed with their opinions of COVID protocols.  If you are one to get vocal and confrontational if someone wears a mask, or does not wear a mask (whether ship required, enforced, unenforced, or just contrary to "good common sense" in your opinion)   - and let's not get started on vaccinations and testing -    maybe you should not cruise in this current environment.

 

Right now, there are real supply chain challenges.  If it just wouldn't be worth cruising with the potential of rationed or no bacon, or if YOUR brand of liquor or soft drink should become out of stock, maybe you should not cruise in this current environment.

 

Right now, there are critical staff shortages.  If you can't afford to wait an hour or more for dining service, or have a fear of dysentery if room cleaning is occasionally not thorough, or you won't survive if you can't get pizza at 4:00 a.m., maybe you should not cruise in this current environment.

 

Right now, there is a greater chance than normal that you might be prevented from boarding a ship just days or even hours before sailing.  If the anxiety of getting tested or waiting for results causes you physical or mental damage, or an actual positive test or onset of symptoms would produce a critical financial or logistic nightmare, maybe you should not cruise in this current environment. 

 

Right now, cruise lines have to make tough decisions regarding ports of call due to each location's sometimes-changing restrictions and accessibility.  I think it is reasonable to let Carnival know of your displeasure of replacing a Bermuda stop with a Bahama port (and Carnival did listen and gave some compensation/options).  But, if you are prone to lead an uprising if the captain does not give in to your demands for OBC, maybe you should not cruise in this current environment.

 

Right now, cruise lines are navigating so many shifting regulations and authoritative opinions that what Carnival says today may not be true tomorrow, or even the reality once on board.  If a late-breaking policy change would completely wreck your vacation, maybe you should not cruise in this current environment.

 

I would guess the cruise lines cringe at not being able to provide their "normal" cruising experience, but couldn't afford to wait much longer before getting some cash flow to avoid bankruptcy.  Their crew were in desperate need of getting back to work.  And there were enough of us anxious to get our feet back on board in spite of the abnormal conditions.  For me and my house, it was worth every hurdle to regain my sea legs.

 

Some of us are more willing than others to pay the ticket price for "as-is" adventure.  I imagine we can keep things afloat until conditions normalize enough for others to join us.  Our affinity for Carnival (and cruising) shouldn't keep any of us from sharing both positive and negative reviews and observations that might help others determine when it is right for them to jump back in the water.  Just thinking it might be premature to banish Carnival to the scrap yard at this time.  Because, you know, the current environment and all.

 

Unless, of course, they don't take care of that backed-up sewer.

There is no "back to normal" right now and may not be ever "normal" again.  It's all about setting your expectations. I, for one, was just very happy to be out on the sea sailing again, enjoying the sun and fresh air.  Your words were well said.

3 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Royal should be reporting though to the public what is happening on their ships in International locations.

 

Not very comforting to those onboard or those about to board.

I understand what your saying but cruise lines are trying to financially recover so I think they would be very careful what they disclose (CDC seems to like to "inflate" scenarios).  I don't think cruise ships that are experiencing outbreaks are broadcasting numbers while cruising for fear of starting an all out panic (and risk major cancellations).  Just my opinion.

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

Explain more, which ship in Barcelona. How many passengers and crew have covid?

I understand CDC does not report ships in International locations.

1 hour ago, pe4all said:

I am sure that we will be one of the few wearing masks indoors on our upcoming June cruise if covid doesn't settle down again.   We made it through our last 2 winter cruises "healthy" and plan to do the same for this one.  Did not eat in the dining room - took our meals(mostly from buffet, sushi or seafood shack) outdoors to eat.  It was quite pleasant actually.  Really did not miss eating in the dining room, which surprised us.  Wore masks in shows, casino, etc.  Stayed out of elevators as much as possible, which is what we normally do anyway. Constant hand sanitizer. Dh is not thrilled about going (he has not cruised since 2019) but we are triple celebrating dd's birthday, our 39th wedding anniversary and dd and my Diamond cruise.

I believe masks only help you mentally, otherwise the mask mandate would be instituted on cruise ships but it has not been reinstituted.

14 hours ago, charlesspinney said:

Myself and brother are long time passengers of Royal Caribbean.   During the pandemic we took advantage of the excellent fairs for transatlantic crossing and booked grand suite cabins on the May 6th crossing from Tampa to Barcelona.   We were booked on the Serenade of the Seas.   Yesterday we received an email from Royal Caribbean saying our cruise was canceled!  They gave us three options.  The first was to rebook on a cruise to Baltimore,  Maryland on the Vision of the Seas.  The second was to book any other cruise,  but pay any difference in fair. The third was to refund our deposit. 

We looked to rebook and discovered our ship, Serenade of the Seas,  was sailing from Miami to Copenhagen on the same dates.  Why were we canceled?  We liked this itinerary much better!  I tried to book but all Grand Suites were sold out and Junior Suites were twice the cost we paid for our Grand Suite. 

I called Royal Caribbean and spent three hours talking to a half a dozen different agents,  half said they were supervisors.   Only the three options stood.   Most of the agents I talked to didn't know where Baltimore was and couldn't relate to my reasoning that we were not being offered another transatlantic cruise. 

All I can say, goodbye Royal Caribbean,  never again. 

Now booked on the Epic.

Think protecting health reasons. Currently ship in Barcelona with covid passengers.