habc

Do not arrive late! I was on the 5/7 cruise and a lot of passengers were left on the pier! I was told it was almost 100, they lock the doors and anyone not inside didn’t sail. Even if you have a 1:30 check in get there before that, it’s the “last call” 

Good luck! 
I filled in the form and got an email saying that I’m a GOLD, with a Voyager number…

Except, the number doesn’t work! I’ve sent them 3 emails trying to fix it and I get an automatic response that they will get back to me. So far nothing. I’ve tried calling but I’m told it’s an independent department and they don’t have a phone number. So far no one has been able to help me.

I've seen pictures of the stocked mini fridge and the price list. Is it possible to request certain items? For example, can you request only certain beers or only coke? Can you request multiple items? Like 6 cokes?

I counted 20 in the staging area. I spoke to another person who was in isolation and she thought there were more, so I could be wrong.

Honestly, I believe there were a lot of sick people who just didn't report it. I get that you planned the vacation for a long time and spent money and took vacation days from your job. It is a risk. Personally, I wouldn't want to get anyone else sick so my first thought was to get tested, and I felt bad enough that all I wanted to do was sleep.

Carnival can't control what you do after you get off the ship. You're supposed to isolate, it's your personal responsibility NOT to fly. Many do. They suggest you check into a hotel to finish isolation. I didn't, here's where I risked it. I took the train home, double masked. It was off peak and almost empty but I did go and I feel bad about it.

I just got off the magic. I didn't see any printed fun times. It's all on an app you download to your phone.

I'm an expert, just got out! I was on the Magic last week. Felt very sleepy Saturday and woke up Sunday with aches and pains and other symptoms. I, being a responsible adult, called to get tested. A nurse came to my room and did the test, they requested I stay in the room until the results but it would be fast, within a1/2 hour.

It was positive.

I was moved to an isolation room, by men who cleared the hallways and sprayed the halls behind me. The isolation room was actually nicer than my inside stateroom, it had a window and a sofa.

Once in isolation they gave me a baggie of Tylenol and Nyquil. Also got a bag of snacks, chips and candy. All my meals were delivered to the room, I was told I could order from the dining room or regular room service, no charge. There's a table outside the door and room service would leave the food there. Every meal came on paper plates and the silverware was wood. You get a hazmat bag with your meal to bag the tray when done.

I also got free internet and a letter giving me some credit for the next cruise, approximately what I paid for the 2 days I was confined.

I didn't have the cheers package but it was my understanding that they would deliver drinks. If you're a smoker they ask you to please smoke in the bathroom. If a child gets sick a parent is confined with the child. 

Disembark after 9:30, when everyone else is gone. They bring your luggage to a staging area and all the covid group gets escorted off the ship. You're told to drive yourself home or have someone pick you up. wink, wink.

And that's what happens on the Magic

I have done Carnival twice NCL at least 10 times and Princess once.

 I just booked another Carnival cruise because it’s leaving from my home port and going to 2 islands that are new to me.

On Carnival the drinks package is extra, to the point that my cost of an 8 day cruise is almost doubled. There’s a limit of 15 drinks a day and, if leaving from NYC or Galveston it Doesn’t kick in until day 2. The drinks on the private island are not included in the cheers package so you pay extra for those. Specialty dining is not included 

NCL drinks kick in immediately but you have to pay tax until the ship leaves port in NY. At least one specialty dinner is included. The tours are cheaper, due to the $50 credit. (The cheapest tour I could find on Carnival was $50)

NCL does allow you to opt out of the drink package and specialty dining package.

The shows are better on NCL

Trip insurance:

On my last cruise I met a woman whose husband had a heart attack on a cruise. They were transferred from an island back to Miami by helicopter. Unfortunately the husband died but she was left with a tens of thousands of dollars medical bill for the hospital on the island and the helicopter back to the states. No trip insurance.

in April my friends went to Greece. At the airport on the return trip they tested positive for Covid-19 which meant they couldn’t fly. They had to spend 10 extra days in Greece, which sounds great until you’re  confined to a hotel room. Luckily they did have insurance.

I’m in NY and carnival insurance isn’t offered here, for my upcoming trip I had to buy mine from Allianz, I would not risk going without insurance again.

If you drink cocktails or fru fru drinks, even martinis as your drink of choice it’s going to be worth it. 4-5 drinks a day to break even 

If you’re a beer drinker it’s more iffy. They discount buckets of beer. There’s happy hour. You would need to buy 3 buckets a day to break even. Or 10 beers at a bar skipping all the deals.

of course if you are a special coffee drinker that figures into the total. 

On NCL in April they had an attendant at each entry door who pointed you to your muster station and told you where you could find a life preserver in the cabin, then scanned your card. Done and done, no group gathering 

It really depends on WHERE you buy a mug.

If you buy it in the gift shop there's usually no "service" charge.

If you buy it in a bar or the coffee shop, it's rung up like a drink and is subject to a service charge. Those mugs or cups are usually filled with a drink and they don't waive the "service" charge because you didn't get it filled

I try for a later time. 

Unfortunately I got there early for my last cruise...it was almost 2 hours from when I arrived at the teminal until I stepped foot on the ship!

Everyone and their brother wants to be first on! The same people want to be the first off!

I try for late check in and hang out on the ship until they kick me off

True story

Booked my first inside cabin

I'm an early riser exDH slept late

Woke up

brushed teeth

got dressed

put on glasses....

3:15 AM

Got undressed and went back to bed

This is going to be my first time sailing solo on Carnival.  I've done 3-4 solo cruises on NCL, they have a "Meet up" every evening at 6 so you can find people to eat dinner with. Not looking for a date, just dinner companions.

Several years ago I went on a cruise, I'm an early riser so I went to get a cup of tea at about 6am.  I saw a man put towels and books on 6 poolside chairs. I passed several times that day and never saw anyone in any of those chairs. All still had the towels and books. I'm not sure if they were ever used. The second day I saw the man sitting in one of the chairs, I assume he did the same thing that day.

How much do you tip for the complimentary breakfast? If I order breakfast for one what’s appropriate?

When I filled in the forms on NCL.com, there was a question asking you to select a check in time.  I didn't pick the earliest or the latest.  I don't ever try to be the first on, there's usually a HUGE line when you arrive early.  An hour later can have you walking on with no wait

The only person I have ever tipped is the room service waiter.  

I usually bring $50 in singles on a cruise, some for room service and the rest for straw markets or different shops in ports.

Can I ask the room steward to empty the fridge?

I have never been bothered by the ship noises but often by the noise other passengers make late at night.  You can be as far away from the public rooms as possible and still have noisy neighbors.

I just booked on deck 6, basically got a great price on a balcony so I grabbed it.

There are two Happy Hours onboard, one in the afternoon, usually 3-4, and one at night, usually 11-12. It's Buy one, Get one for $1. Must be same drinks. You can buy as many beers as you like and get matching beers for $1 each. They won't match the bucket of beers, ie 5 for 4, but it works out even better buying as individual beers during happy hour. They won't open then if you ask and you can bring them back to tour cabin...

Enjoy...

Thanks! Now I'm really not going to buy the drink package! I can pick up extras for tomorrow and stow them in the fridge, perfect!

That they offered a Beer/Wine package. I don't usually drink cocktails, more of a beer or wine drinker, the package price is high if you don't do the cocktails. I would have to drink 10 16oz. beers a day to break even. I'll probably stick to the "bucket" discount, buy 4 get one free.

Edited to add:

I read one of the lounges has a happy hour with drink discounts, is that true? If so I could buy a beer bucket and get one free?

I drink it by the gallon, is it readily available? NCL had a iced tea machine at the buffet, which was close to the pool, where can I get my fix?

I'm not sailing on the Ruby Princess, I'm going on the Crown, but it's great to see what could possibly be on the agenda. I would imagine there are many similarities.:)

This is my first Princess cruise, I've been on 10 NCL and one Carnival cruise before so it's going to be a new experience.

NCL has several booze "Tasting" options on board, like a "Beer" tasting or "Martini" tasting, there is a fee but they are a lot of fun and a good way to meet other cruisers. Anything like that on Princess?

On one cruise there was a bar with a "Happy Hour" 2 drinks for the price of one. We would pick up a few beers and have some for later.

I don't plan on buying the alcohol package because I don't think I drink enough to make it worth while, but I do like a bargain!