RoperDK

We use FaceTime, Messenger, What'sApp and Gmail. They are great for people you expect to have contact with. It doesn't help for a random call that you might get that you weren't expecting such as a Dr's office, appt. scheduling, or a neighbor trying to get in touch with you about your property. I've gotten used to that communication on other lines. If you have an IPhone, then I think a lot of texts still go through. I haven't had that luck with Android.

Someone could also turn that around to say that Carnival bribes its upper tier cruisers with the laundry perk. The "free" laundry that Carnival "gives" to upper level cruisers is a consideration for some to book Carnival. It's all just perks to me. I don't label them differently depending on what cruise line I'm talking about.

We have an OV cabin on deck 4 mid-ship starboard side. Is there cabin hallway access from the casino escalator area or is it closed off. In other words, from the cabin hall areas can you only access the casino from both elevator banks or is there also a shortcut near the escalator side to the cabin hallway?

I think Carnival blocks wifi calling and texting for some financial reason that is as bizarre as no bacon or sauteed mushrooms. Other cruise lines have these items and with Carnival's full ships and higher prices there really isn't a reasonable explanation. I just complain on my surveys and prepare a workaround. When I think it is a big enough issue, I will cruise elsewhere.

Well, I do agree with the first part of your post, but not that Royal bribes its past guests. We will be Diamond on Carnival and Diamond+ on Royal soon. The product is just different. I enjoy both for different reasons.

Carnival's loyalty program is nothing special. People cruise on Carnival because they like the Carnival product. Diamond on Carnival is nothing like Diamond, Diamond + and especially Pinnacle on Royal. If Carnival added another level above Diamond, then they would have to offer upgraded amenities that would go against the business model that everyone is the same and no one is more important than a first timer. Sure, we get benefits, but they aren't eye opening.

Here you go....why IS the bacon still on bacation? It annoys me to no end. Along with no sauteed mushrooms at Guys and WiFi calling and texting being blocked. It makes no sense. Can someone give a logical reason? I'll offer a suggestion...make those items an upcharge. I'll bet there won't be a shortage then!

You speak the truth!

Oh my, there would be a huge uproar if Carnival went to a "spend more, get more" business model. I do believe that many casino cruisers would then be royalty to Carnival. Carnival basically treats everyone the same. That's why suites have very little benefits other than a larger cabin. On Royal, a suite gets double points and a ton of special amenities. They do cost more, but Carnival's suite prices have been rising and the benefits have decreased (where are my free cookies!). We cruise mostly in suites and get the same loyalty points on Carnival as someone who travels in an inside cabin. It never occurred to me to think that those who cruise in lower grade cabins should get less loyalty points than I do. I just go about my own business and enjoy my cruise.

Spending $100 in the casino will not get you a free cruise or a reduced cabin price. I know people think it does, but it's just not true. You have to put a fair amount of time in the casino to get comps. It's all about the points you accumulate. The more points, the better the comp. Also, many of those free cabins are last minute offers to fill up ships that aren't sailing full.

Me, too. There seems to be quite the resentment towards casino offers. Even with a logical counter argument, there is no way to sway their opinion. It's just better to not try.

We were just notified that our September Adventure cruise will skip Labadee and go to Grand Turk instead. The casino is open at Grand Turk when you sail on Carnival. Does Royal keep it open while in port, also?

Icon class connecting cabins don't have an extra door in the cabin, but you still start with a connecting room and then alternate from there? The OVs do alternate where the bed is, so I'm hoping that it is the same as balconies. Does anyone know if there is a deckplan site that shows the notches in the cabin? It would be so much easier to figure this out.

We are looking to book an OV cabin on Star. I want the bed by the bath configuration. How can you tell? Connecting rooms aren't like other classes of ships.

I'll bet that was her. We were on in Jan. 2023. She was a standout! She was right up there with "Nicola" a bar server from the Breeze in 2019. He was amazing. If you knew him, you would remember.