Access to Havana Pool with Multiple Rooms (only 1 Havana)

[bdever]

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

They must take a lot of breaks because all I see standing guard is a sign.

On Panorama the monitors are on the outside.

Bar crew knows who’s who too and will monitor as well.

[SNJCruisers]

2 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I don't see one issue with what you are describing. It's not negative. I don't like the ship within a ship concept. I think some enjoy it when it works in their favor but it's short sighted in the long run. The same cheerleaders will be the first ones to cry when Carnival sells this product as upgrade later on. It's how these things are done. Make the pool experience miserable, offer a paid solution and test market (havana) and then sell it as a upgrade and an expansion. It's the natural evolution. What you end up with is a multiple half-arsed products, higher prices and smaller spaces for all. It always seems like a good idea but the real question people should be asking is what are they doing about the crappy pool experience and why can't the product be fixed for everyone? Or any of the other reasons people have to want the ship within a ship, some mass market lines are doing the ship within the sip within the ship..lol. Where does low end pretend luxury end and a true higher end product begin, and what purpose does it serve? It's trickery and sly way of doing things.   

We've had this discussion before about your dislike of the ship within a ship concept, but you have to deal with the reality that it is on all of the mass market cruise lines.  

Carnival, Royal, Celebrity, NCL, MSC and Princess all have a variation of it on some of the ships in their respective fleets. It's not going anywhere.  If you don't like it, there are multiple ships on every line I mentioned that do not have the concept.  Of course all of these ships are the older smaller ships in the fleets and this is the sacrifice you will have to make if this concept is so distasteful to you.  

 

Otherwise you have to deal with the reality that every new build on all of the mass market lines will have some sort of ship within a ship area or upgrade for those who wish to pay for access to the special area.  

[bdever]

1 minute ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I think you missed the point entirely. OP, as well as myself, are not trying to "sneak" in. Just getting/using what is paid for. If I pay for a havana room, I'm dam sure going to use it, just like anyone else who pays for it. As far as the ship within a ship, get ready for everything to turn into à la carte. You'll see. 

Didn’t miss the point. What I was saying is the sail & sign cards and wristbands should match the names of the occupants assigned to the cabin. Hubby booked in said cabin, hubby gets a Havana sticker and wristband. If you want 2 sail and sign cards and 2 wristbands book the cabin with 2 people. If you want 3 stickers and 3 wristbands book a 3 person Havana cabin. Simple. No switching names, no switching wristbands. The whole thing sounded sketch & suspich from the get go.

[SNJCruisers]

10 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I think you missed the point entirely. OP, as well as myself, are not trying to "sneak" in. Just getting/using what is paid for. If I pay for a havana room, I'm dam sure going to use it, just like anyone else who pays for it. As far as the ship within a ship, get ready for everything to turn into à la carte. You'll see. 

No, the OP is trying to get 3 people to share the 2 wristbands just like you inferred that you would do if you booked a spa cabin and a Havana cabin and have 2 people use the wristbands and share them with the family members in the spa cabin.

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between paying more for a Havana cabin, which you consider a ship within a ship concept versus paying more for a spa cabin.  Each cabin gains you access to a specific area of the ship.  Is it just because the Havana area takes up more space on the ship?

[Elaine5715]

53 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

False equivalence in every example you gave. 

Nope, your theory that a slot is a slot

[bdever]

Driving home from work and thinking about this thread something is just not adding up. Why hubby in Havana cabin by himself or with a kid? Is it because of the cost of Cheers package and OP doesn’t drink??? It doesn’t make sense to me why OP would book 2 cabins with adults assigned to different cabins unless it was because 1 adult doesn’t drink??? Otherwise why not just get a single Havana cabin for 3 people with 3 wristbands and be done with it??? No rule breaking with 2 wristbands for 3 people or 1 wristband for 2 people, etc. There is something missing from the story here and it’s so suspich and sketch that it’s going to raise eyebrows from crew on board just sayin. Why would anyone book a Havana cabin and a non Havana cabin for 3 people in the same family over 12 years old if not for cheers??? Doesn’t make any sense economically when there are Havana cabins that sleep 3 people. 

[firedisney97]

I suspect it is because there are only 2 or 3 cabins for more than 2 people in the Havana area. I missed if OP posted what ship but I am on the Horizon in 2 weeks and when we booked back in 2018 (for 2020) we had a 3 person Havana cabin for me, my husband and my son (15). Because of Covid we rescheduled to 2021 and lost our Havana room because it was booked by some one else, we ended up in a regular balcony. Had to rebook for 2022, still no cabins for 3. I would check every few weeks and suddenly in Nov, just before fi AL payment came due one of the cabins for 3 came open. I quick called my PVP and changed cabins and made my final payment 

[cruisingguy007]

3 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

We've had this discussion before about your dislike of the ship within a ship concept, but you have to deal with the reality that it is on all of the mass market cruise lines.  

Carnival, Royal, Celebrity, NCL, MSC and Princess all have a variation of it on some of the ships in their respective fleets. It's not going anywhere.  If you don't like it, there are multiple ships on every line I mentioned that do not have the concept.  Of course all of these ships are the older smaller ships in the fleets and this is the sacrifice you will have to make if this concept is so distasteful to you.  

 

Otherwise you have to deal with the reality that every new build on all of the mass market lines will have some sort of ship within a ship area or upgrade for those who wish to pay for access to the special area.  

 

Just don't be upset when they start selling pool passes to havana and any other pay for access options. You asked for it. You'll see, enjoy it while you can. 

[bdever]

49 minutes ago, firedisney97 said:

I suspect it is because there are only 2 or 3 cabins for more than 2 people in the Havana area. I missed if OP posted what ship but I am on the Horizon in 2 weeks and when we booked back in 2018 (for 2020) we had a 3 person Havana cabin for me, my husband and my son (15). Because of Covid we rescheduled to 2021 and lost our Havana room because it was booked by some one else, we ended up in a regular balcony. Had to rebook for 2022, still no cabins for 3. I would check every few weeks and suddenly in Nov, just before fi AL payment came due one of the cabins for 3 came open. I quick called my PVP and changed cabins and made my final payment 

I totally understand being that I book a specific Havana cabin myself so I have to book 9+ months in advance with my PVP in order to get it but if you and I can do it I don’t see why the OP can’t do it. It is doable. 

[cruisingguy007]

4 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

No, the OP is trying to get 3 people to share the 2 wristbands just like you inferred that you would do if you booked a spa cabin and a Havana cabin and have 2 people use the wristbands and share them with the family members in the spa cabin.

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between paying more for a Havana cabin, which you consider a ship within a ship concept versus paying more for a spa cabin.  Each cabin gains you access to a specific area of the ship.  Is it just because the Havana area takes up more space on the ship?

 

That's not what the OP said. I understood it like my situation in that I have one kid under 12 so I would have to book two different cabins in different areas already, I'd have no choice (if I wanted to use the havana area for my wife and I) since kids under 12 are discriminated against in the havana area. So yes, I'd use both areas for me and the Mrs. since I would be paying for both areas just like everyone else. My kids wouldn't use the spa or hang out in the havana area, they like the kids club, sports park areas and water slides. Utilizing what you paid for isn't getting over.

 

As far as why I don't like the ship within a ship concept, it is because it reduces public areas on the ship, lowers the value of vacation cruise dollars and chips away at the base product. Havana in particular, also discriminated against kids as well and is, along with serenity, more ship pool space that families can't enjoy. Granted parents can use serenity when kids are in the kids club but can't even book havana at all, even if their kids won't use it. I suspect if there were other pools on the ship that banned older people from using them, it wouldn't go over to well. Maybe they should sell cabins that have access to the dining room and others that only can access lido buffet? Ship within a ship right?  That's where this ends up and is not good for mass market low budget lines. Exclusivity and luxury cruising already exists, no need to try and imitate that on the every-man blue collar cruise lines. Hope that explains it.       

[bdever]

@K_e_shortI just read on another thread that Carnival will allow a minor to be booked in a cabin by themselves if the parents are booked in a cabin next door or across the hall. If the cheers package cost is not the issue for you wanting a Separate cabin for your husband & a 3 person Havana Cabin is not available I would look into two adjacent cabins 1 Havana for you and your husband that is adjacent to a standard cabin for your son. It looks like to me you should be able to do that if you book an aft Havana cabin on decks 6 - 9 with your son in a standard interior cabin across the hall. 

[momof3cruisers]

4 hours ago, bdever said:

Driving home from work and thinking about this thread something is just not adding up. Why hubby in Havana cabin by himself or with a kid? Is it because of the cost of Cheers package and OP doesn’t drink??? It doesn’t make sense to me why OP would book 2 cabins with adults assigned to different cabins unless it was because 1 adult doesn’t drink??? Otherwise why not just get a single Havana cabin for 3 people with 3 wristbands and be done with it??? No rule breaking with 2 wristbands for 3 people or 1 wristband for 2 people, etc. There is something missing from the story here and it’s so suspich and sketch that it’s going to raise eyebrows from crew on board just sayin. Why would anyone book a Havana cabin and a non Havana cabin for 3 people in the same family over 12 years old if not for cheers??? Doesn’t make any sense economically when there are Havana cabins that sleep 3 people. 

I was guessing casino rate for each parent. That second cabin could well be free and come with free drinks, OBC etc.  Otherwise, I can’t figure it out either. 

[cuccicruisers]

My sons 17 and 14 could not get out of Havana area faster…they wanted to be where the action was. Havana was definitely not their preference. 

[SNJCruisers]

18 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Just don't be upset when they start selling pool passes to havana and any other pay for access options. You asked for it. You'll see, enjoy it while you can. 

I didn't ask for it.  I don't care because at this point I am only cruising on Excel Class on Carnival and the Havana area on those ships is a joke that I would not pay extra for.  Carnival was more concerned with the Excel Suites.

[SNJCruisers]

18 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

Exclusivity and luxury cruising already exists, no need to try and imitate that on the every-man blue collar cruise lines. Hope that explains it.       

Even though you don't like it, it's reality on every mass market line. Carnival, NCL, MSC, Celebrity, RCI and Princess all have it to some degree on all of their new builds.  You'll either have to live with it or be relegated to the older smaller ships in each fleet.

I just got off the Celebrity Apex for 12 days and the backend 7 day sailing had 1065 passengers and 1153 crew.  The Retreat, which is the area on the new Celebrity builds you despise, was practically full, but the ship had only 36% capacity.  

[cruisingguy007]

9 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

Even though you don't like it, it's reality on every mass market line. Carnival, NCL, MSC, Celebrity, RCI and Princess all have it to some degree on all of their new builds.  You'll either have to live with it or be relegated to the older smaller ships in each fleet.

I just got off the Celebrity Apex for 12 days and the backend 7 day sailing had 1065 passengers and 1153 crew.  The Retreat, which is the area on the new Celebrity builds you despise, was practically full, but the ship had only 36% capacity.  

 

Meh, I'll continue to vote with my wallet. If the lines continue on their current path, they will end up like Crystal. This is my view today. 

Edited January 22, 2022 by cruisingguy007

[chefchick]

21 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

That's not what the OP said. I understood it like my situation in that I have one kid under 12 so I would have to book two different cabins in different areas already, I'd have no choice (if I wanted to use the havana area for my wife and I) since kids under 12 are discriminated against in the havana area. So yes, I'd use both areas for me and the Mrs. since I would be paying for both areas just like everyone else. My kids wouldn't use the spa or hang out in the havana area, they like the kids club, sports park areas and water slides. Utilizing what you paid for isn't getting over.

 

As far as why I don't like the ship within a ship concept, it is because it reduces public areas on the ship, lowers the value of vacation cruise dollars and chips away at the base product. Havana in particular, also discriminated against kids as well and is, along with serenity, more ship pool space that families can't enjoy. Granted parents can use serenity when kids are in the kids club but can't even book havana at all, even if their kids won't use it. I suspect if there were other pools on the ship that banned older people from using them, it wouldn't go over to well. Maybe they should sell cabins that have access to the dining room and others that only can access lido buffet? Ship within a ship right?  That's where this ends up and is not good for mass market low budget lines. Exclusivity and luxury cruising already exists, no need to try and imitate that on the every-man blue collar cruise lines. Hope that explains it.       

Can I just say…I am so glad you are against the Havana area and I won’t have to share it with you next month on the Panorama.  There is something for everyone on a Carnival ship.  I chose the Havana area just for the exclusivity…and yes, I have sailed on luxury lines and the most “common” inside solo cabins on mainstream lines.  On this particular cruise, I am looking for a peaceful, quiet pool experience, not full of families with children and I am prepared to pay for that experience.  If you think that is elitist or somehow bad for the carnival brand, then I’m sorry you feel that way, and if it changes in the future as you predict, then I will not be purchasing it in the future, but to suggest someone should “game the system” just because you disagree with it just adds to the stereotype of Carnival is exclusively  the blue collar of cruise lines…don’t play into that because it is untrue. 

[SNJCruisers]

4 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Meh, I'll continue to vote with my wallet. If the lines continue on their current path, they will end up like Crystal. This is my view today. 

You're just blowing smoke if you honestly think that every mainstream cruise line will end up like Crystal.  

Deal with the reality that every single new build by the mainstream lines will continue with what has transpired with every single new build over the past 5+ years and that they ALL will have some sort of ship within a ship or an upgraded section for adults.  There is one exception, but I don't consider them mainstream since they charge twice as much, Disney.

[cruisingguy007]

1 hour ago, SNJCruisers said:

You're just blowing smoke if you honestly think that every mainstream cruise line will end up like Crystal.  

Deal with the reality that every single new build by the mainstream lines will continue with what has transpired with every single new build over the past 5+ years and that they ALL will have some sort of ship within a ship or an upgraded section for adults.  There is one exception, but I don't consider them mainstream since they charge twice as much, Disney.

 

Don't worry, the twice as much is coming for you. You asked for it. In fact, you beg for it. I'm 100% positive that you'll get your wish. I'm also 100% positive you'll be the first to complain when your wish is granted. 

[cruisingguy007]

2 hours ago, chefchick said:

Can I just say…I am so glad you are against the Havana area and I won’t have to share it with you next month on the Panorama.  There is something for everyone on a Carnival ship.  I chose the Havana area just for the exclusivity…and yes, I have sailed on luxury lines and the most “common” inside solo cabins on mainstream lines.  On this particular cruise, I am looking for a peaceful, quiet pool experience, not full of families with children and I am prepared to pay for that experience.  If you think that is elitist or somehow bad for the carnival brand, then I’m sorry you feel that way, and if it changes in the future as you predict, then I will not be purchasing it in the future, but to suggest someone should “game the system” just because you disagree with it just adds to the stereotype of Carnival is exclusively  the blue collar of cruise lines…don’t play into that because it is untrue. 

 

Don't get mad when families are prepared to pay the same price, or more, for the same experience. Then it won't be "fair". Enjoy it while you can. 😉 No one mentioned "gaming the system", simply using the system to ones advantage is being prudent. If I pay the same price, or more, you'll just simply have to get over yourself. I suspect you'll be one of the first to complain when the playing field is leved. We all vote with our wallets. When you get priced out, you'll see. It's not a matter of affordability, it's equal access. Don't whine when you get exactly what you asked for. You voted for it. Don't forget that. Some of us are prepared to pay for multiple access points. 

[Computer Nerd]

On 1/20/2022 at 3:51 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

The haters will squawk and quack about how unfair it is but whatever, couldn't care less. As long as it's the amount of people using it that you paid for, I don't see a difference. It isn't increasing the number of people, just switching access.   

Based on your suggestions, that's very obvious.

[Computer Nerd]

On 1/20/2022 at 6:38 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I don't see one issue with what you are describing. It's not negative. I don't like the ship within a ship concept. I think some enjoy it when it works in their favor but it's short sighted in the long run. The same cheerleaders will be the first ones to cry when Carnival sells this product as upgrade later on. It's how these things are done. Make the pool experience miserable, offer a paid solution and test market (havana) and then sell it as a upgrade and an expansion. It's the natural evolution. What you end up with is a multiple half-arsed products, higher prices and smaller spaces for all. It always seems like a good idea but the real question people should be asking is what are they doing about the crappy pool experience and why can't the product be fixed for everyone? Or any of the other reasons people have to want the ship within a ship, some mass market lines are doing the ship within the sip within the ship..lol. Where does low end pretend luxury end and a true higher end product begin, and what purpose does it serve? It's trickery and sly way of doing things.   

And switching bands with passengers who haven't paid for the experience isn't? 🙄

[Computer Nerd]

On 1/20/2022 at 9:02 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

 

False equivalence in every example you gave. 

Nah, it's the exact same. It just doesn't align with your motives.

[DramaQueen22]

8 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Don't get mad when families are prepared to pay the same price, or more, for the same experience. Then it won't be "fair". Enjoy it while you can. 😉 No one mentioned "gaming the system", simply using the system to ones advantage is being prudent. If I pay the same price, or more, you'll just simply have to get over yourself. I suspect you'll be one of the first to complain when the playing field is leved. We all vote with our wallets. When you get priced out, you'll see. It's not a matter of affordability, it's equal access. Don't whine when you get exactly what you asked for. You voted for it. Don't forget that. Some of us are prepared to pay for multiple access points. 

Boy, you truly are a rude and entitled person.

[HxFx]

On 1/20/2022 at 3:51 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

As long as it's the amount of people using it that you paid for, I don't see a difference. It isn't increasing the number of people, just switching access. 

When cruise lines estimate how many folks will be using an area at any given time, there is an assumption that not everyone who is eligible will be in there at the same time. Swapping wristbands impacts the anticipated levels and diminishes the experience for those who have paid.