cruzelover55

So do you put a free 24 hour hold on it? Because I just looked again and I don't see where to check the availability of how many slots are left by generically picking a cruise and clicking the ports without doing a booking.

Now, I am doubting my self! I KNOW I have done it as our next cruise we wanted to sail the Breeze but didn't book as FTTF was sold out. Booked Freedom instead as was not sold out. I just tried it and the set up is not even the same. I have researched excursions ahead of time as you can get 20% off if you book 3 within 24? hrs after you book cruise. And when I looked in Galveston's port under excursions I saw FTTF. Not today. This is bugging me as I have done it 3 times. Maybe, I researched through another site (cheap cruises, *************, etc..) and then came back and booked through Carnival. I don't have time to fool with it any further right now. But, will try to figure it out later. If I do, I'll get back to you. If I don't, guess I'm just nuts!:o

How do you check ahead of time before booking if FTTF is available for that sailing? I have tried numerous ways and never could figure it out. Always had to wait until I put a deposit down to go under Shore Excursions.

I get on Carnival site. I, 1st do a "mock" booking just to check prices. Then just generally look up info about the cruise. When I click on excursions, I choose my departure port and FTTF has always popped up for me. And it says how many are still available. It has always worked for me. Yikes, jinx!:)

you have to sign a receipt for each drink, a drink price would say $9.95 and then -$9.95, keep these if your really OCD

All of mine just said as another poster stated, 0

Really enjoyed your review! We will be sailing on her 9/16. Smallest ship we have ever been on. Have been worried about that, but, you guys seemed to have had a great time.:)

Appreciate the tip about "port, left, even. Have been on many cruises and just never bothered to try and figure it out. This tip is fool proof.:D

Can't help but wonder how you ordered your eggs? If you don't like them runny, over hard is the way. Anything else is a "who knows" what you will end up with.

We have been to these ports often enough that now we just go to The Green Parrot Pub, website, GreenParrotBar.com really had a good time there. 'Course our zipline and strenuous excursion days are over, woke up lately and realized I am older than dirt!:eek:

Your husband in some of your pics, reminds me of a young Woody Harrelson, when he was cute and not weird.;)

Wanted to respond to bump you back up again as you are now on the 3rd page and I am sure others would benefit from your review. Thanks again!

I live in Galveston and it rained off and on most of the morning. We had several flood warnings via emergency service on tv all day but it never got that bad. Here, the neighborhood streets flood and do not run off quickly. If it rains hard for even 45 minutes, the water comes up into our garage, and the driveway in front is slanted UP! If you stick to the main streets like Broadway, should not be a problem. In other words, when approaching from I-45, don't get off on Harbourside, which is probably a map quest pick. That road will be flooded if it is indeed flooding. I-45 just becomes Broadway and you can turn, say about 24th Street Left and be almost on top of the port. Check the weather to see if we have gotten a lot of rain. Myself, if I were coming from North Texas I would take I-10, before Houston, towards, Louisiana, East, Baytown, take Hwy 146, you will almost pass Baytown, it will take you to I-45 South just a few miles from Galveston. Less traffic, scenic, you will go over several bridges on Hwy 146, and pass the Kema Boardwalk. We live about a mile from the port. In fact, I can walk about 3 blocks from my house and see the ships. If you go to Galveston.com you can click on web cams in real time that show the port and other places. Also, there are people leaving comments on the page about cruise related things. Geez! I left to look at the local weather and now that I am back can't remember when you are leaving. So, my info may be too late for you but maybe might benefit someone. Supposedly still lots of rain coming, but, I'm sure you know it's never that accurate. Not raining on my area now, but says it is. Have a safe trip and a great cruise!:)

Yes, everyone does, and on Embarkation Day, don't forget the roving servers with trays full of drinks for sale!

And don't forget that most of those type of drinks aren't included in Cheers!;)

My parents have a horrible PVP that promises everything and delivers nothing. In my dealings with trying to get them FTTF, I never found an actual waiting list. Pie in the sky b.s. with PVP calling with deals that have to be booked NOW! They fall for it every time! Then, want me to clean up their mess. "Course Dad is pushing 90. PVP tells him he will be met at the car with a wheelchair. NOT! Anyway, I book our cruises (husband and mine), and check BEFORE I book to make sure FTTF is available. Would not cruise without it! We can only cruise once a year, and doubt we will live long enough to get past gold, where we are now.:p I have checked multiple times a day for parents, and was never able to get it for them. Hopefully you will have better luck.:)

I was also keeping track on my phone, as to how many I drank. A bartender heard me mention to my husband that I thought I had forgotten to add the last one. He told me they keep up with it and all you have to do is ask, and they will let you know how many you have had. Though, like you, I would really like to keep up with the running total so I can know just what I saved. That, we have to do ourselves. I know I only hit 15 once. And I really tried!:D Will be interesting to see the difference in the new "enhanced". Also, in the old program I didn't realize soda wasn't counted, so, really never got close to 15.:eek

I wish my October cruise was one of the ones that dropped. I saw a few that got good price drops for Oct. Of course mine stayed the same lol.

Same here! Am thinking of booking differently next time. I usually do early saver through Carnival about 11 months ahead and get great drops. My last 2, I haven't seen ANY! 'Course, that means I got a good price, but one cruise we booked, it was really nice to have over $800. OBC. I like to book ahead as we only want to be in a balcony on the Lido. I am seeing deals through TA's, online, right now, that I could get our cruise for only $40. more, but get $750. in perks from the TA. But, not sure if we could get the same location. Frustrating!! That's why this is the 1st time I have paid Cheers! and gratuities ahead as I see I will not have OBC. Oh, well, the cruise will still be great. I just miss doing the "happy dance" when I have checked everyday for price drops and actually GET one.:)

I only pay for things as they are due. As for having a big credit card bill - why does everyone cite that as a reason to pay early ? There are other solutions to avoiding a credit car bill like leaving the cash in an account until it's time to pay it or time to cruise. Or having an envelope around the house with more than enough to pay grats and onboard charges.

 

I just scored a $1250 price drop this week on my October cruise, of course I had not prepaid it - so instead of having an insane OBC which I could never spend and would have to go out of my way to bring home, I just need to pay Carnival less money in July. Win Win for me.

 

When I walked off my January cruise I had a zero balance - nothing went on my credit card - but I paid my account down to zero before walking off the ship.

 

Not prepaying doesn't have to be synonymous with a credit card bill on debarkation day.

Everyone citing a credit card bill for the reason? You need to read this whole thread again, from the start as that was not the case at all. Very few mentioned cards at all...Just saying...:confused: Congrats on the price drop!

Curious as well....

I answered this, at least my opinion, of in post #43

I'm not a barefoot person anywhere (even outside, in the summer), but I especially NEVER go barefoot in any hotel room or cruise ship stateroom. My (washable) bedroom slippers go where I go. They come off my feet when I swing my legs into the bed, and when I sit up to get up, on they go! :)

Agree! Even at home! But, I have forgotten to pack slippers and just wore white socks that I took on and off like slippers. They were FILTHY!:eek:

I agree completely with this. We declined to purchase cheers because of its limitations before and just paid for drinks, but now with all the additional coverages, we're purchasing cheers for the first time. My husband is not much of a drinker but I know he's looking forward to milkshakes, specialty coffee, powerade and other bottled drinks that are included. I'm curious, though, to see if we will get our money's worth or if we should just pay up at the end of the cruise. I hate the suspense of not knowing how much I'm going to owe at the end of the cruise (and i'm not interested in constantly adding up or checking my sign and sail account throughout) so for me buying cheers is as much buying peace of mind throughout the cruise as it is buying drinks.

I like to prepay as much as possible. And this is a little less expensive to do so. Have bought Cheers! since the 1st time offered. Had a difficult time convincing husband this time. He has to watch his sugar intake somewhat now. So, won't be getting as many frozen drinks. I, roughly, not totally accurate as don't know the exact prices, showed him if he drank 6 beers,(he will) glass of wine at dinner,(will probably have 3)and 1 frozen drink, he would be well over the cost. And I am especially excited about the specialty drinks. Someone asked how many milkshakes or special coffees would one actually drink? Myself, I would not buy ANY, but since they are included will probably have 3 coffees and 2 shakes per day. And I love trying new things like all the martinis, and if I don't like them, wait 5 minutes and try something else. Before Cheers! we always had a hefty bar bill, well over the cost of Cheers! So, I feel it is a win-win. I don't have to "think" about how much each drink costs. Before this enhanced program, we only hit 15 one time. And we really tried!:D Plus,the one time I did,(or thought I did) I didn't know sodas weren't counted so.....Like you said, nice for the peace of mind. And as someone else said, it's not for everyone, so, if not, don't buy it!:)

I have to admit that I was among the group with an initial thought that a prank seems pretty mean, but then I read "whisper abracadabra and give a knowing wink" and the itemized bacon strip charges for excessive buffet use and was laughing so hysterically that I am now firmly in the camp that it's the best idea ever as long as you do something THAT funny that your friend couldn't even be mad for you coming up with something that brilliant.

 

 

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Me, Too! I caved! Just did not like, as was mentioned, ordering extra food or anything else that wastes others time and FOOD, or was just mean. I like the muster drill, though it wasn't THAT long ago you really did have to bring your life jacket, so including a swim suit was funnier. Also, the one to cover the TV due to the cameras. I can recognize I needed to "lighten up" and have, so bring it on!:D

We prepay as much as possible as we go along. Since we book so far off, Just pay a little every month....at the end our hotels pre cruise, rental car, gratuities, shore excursions (generally independent companies) airfare, is all paid up. The only expenses not paid are those incurred on the ship, but generally not too much extra is left at the end!! Feels like the vacation is for free.....LOL...when it arrives!:):)

Exactly! We also book way ahead, and of course we know it isn't, but surely feels like a free vacation. A little at a time, beats that one BIG bill at the end.:)

And folks, the above comments tells us the difference between the likes of Carnival when compared to Celebrity, Princess, Cunard, etc.

 

Yup, "fun" does not = class.

 

Sorry, but this thread really lacks the latter.

 

I never thought I'd be saying this either. This really surprises me to read this here.

 

Y'all still in high school or college? :rolleyes:

I think you are being kind. Elementary school was what I thought. I live in Galveston, and cruise out of Galveston about 75% of the time. Every cruise, at least one person has said they were wary of imbarking from Texas, as to rednecks and hillbillies, just a low class option. This thread proves you don't have to be from Texas to be low classed.:p

We don't prepay everything..now or later..what difference does it make?

I think I will find out on our next cruise if it makes a difference. 1st time to prepay gratuities, 1st time to prepay Cheers! Impossible to leave the ship with a zero balance, for us, anyway. Nice though, having some things already paid for, as my husband takes that month off, and as soon as we get home we unpack, repack and on "on the road again". Smaller bill means more money to play elsewhere, when we return.:)

For some reason I never noticed this until the last cruise we booked. I know 48 hours may seem like a lot of time to some, but, wasn't enough for me. I research obsessively, until I make up my mind. So, am going to research excursions, 1st, next time before I think about booking. On a 7 day cruise you can put your selections in, and can compare 3. Amazing how the discount makes the price fall. This is either something new or just never noticed before.:o

We are doing the same ports on our next cruise. Kind of a been there, done that. Loved the zip line one in Jamaica. But, hate the "flea market" that is close to the ship. Too pushy. It is actually worse than border town Mexico. We don't want to travel an hour, nowadays, to get to an excursion. I found one I thought we would like, big fruit farm place, with a walk though the fruit trees, sampling of all the fruit,(some I never heard of) and a lunch. Sorry, don't remember the name, I got on through google, searching Montego Bay, and this one was an independent tour, but, close enough to port, would not worry about not being back in time. Only decided against it as the feed I was reading was from 2011, and they still recommended, bug spray. This made me remember that Jamaica is one of the places listed on the CDC, about the mosquito virus.

At Caymans the 1st time we did a swim with the stingrays through Carnival. That part was really awesome! but, part of a package that the next step was a broken down horrible beach, they did not have enough staff and we managed to BUY one drink each, and chips. We were hungry but didn't want to spend all the rest of our time waiting for food.

I have learned now to just google, and check reviews on sites like tripadvisor.com. I didn't expect to go back to Jamaica again, so I would be interested in any one that has ideas of what to do close to port. Otherwise will just stay on the ship. Whatever you decide to, you will have a great cruise! My husband had an accident on the ship once that ended up in over $40K in surgery and 3 months off work. And we still cruise and love it!:eek:

On the last night on one of our cruises, when the wait staff was done singing "leaving on a jet plane".

The maitre D was speaking to the dining room, well, when he was done, this guy stands up from his table and takes the microphone and starts talking about how this was his first cruise and he had so much fun.

We though maybe he was drunk and was being obnoxious, he went on to thank all the staff for making this cruise so nice and he actually started to cry saying he didn't want it to end.

 

Turns out he wasn't drunk at all, he just had the time of his life and was so sad it was ending.

I think the song put him over the edge with emotion.

I really felt bad for him because he was just so sad.

 

Cruises really are an escape from our daily lives, its just so different than anything else.

Sometimes we just don't know. Years ago, I managed a resort restaurant in Miami. An older couple, who proudly said they were just off the farm and on their 1st vacation ever, that their kids sent them on. They stayed a week. Everyone in that place had superior service as that was our goal. I was shocked their last night as they hugged and cried over every person they had dealt with. Kept saying they would miss us so much. I was between feeling sorry for them that this was THAT big a deal, to feeling so happy we made them feel so special. Will never forget it.

I guess I'm the one who drew the short straw. You described my computer habits, lol. I now vape at my computer and the slot machines. Trying to work my way down on the nicotine, AGAIN.

Tried the vaps. Just could never find one that tasted like a cigarette. Plus, just trying to get a real drag out of them almost burst my head. :D

I think we could be great friends - :) ;):D:cool:

Thanks! You made me smile out loud! Nice to not get bashed for a change!:)

rounding a little its about 1 every 33 minutes for 7 days (if you sleep 8 hours a day) I think that is a lot (just my opinion)

Times like now, just sitting at the computer, I smoke about 5 per hour. Not as much when active. Swore I would never take another cruise when they stopped us smoking on the balcony. Never say never. I like cruising too much to let this stop me. So, I use the nicotine lozenges as don't like gum. Works for me. And before anyone mentions that if I can quit a week should be able to quit entirely. NOT! This type of product and the patch always worked for me but then was addicted to IT. I have smoked for 50 years. No smokers cough. No bad lung xrays. The price of them are killing me though.:)

Seems to me I remember there being someone on each of the Carnival ships who is a shopping specialist and gives talks on this sort of stuff. I haven't been to one of those shopping seminars on the ship in awhile, but I know in the past I've heard the customs issue discussed..i.e. what you do and don't need to declare and how much of certain items you are allowed..that sort of stuff.

I'm glad you brought this up. I have never been to one. But, will do so on my upcoming cruise. Will be interesting to see just what is said.:)

Just got off the liberty in Galveston this morning, Texas has their own tax on alcohol and cigarettes. Cigarettes are 15.00 a carton Texas tax whether you live there or not. Nothing was mentioned at the shop when I bought them of course

 

 

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When I asked at the Carnival shop, how can you sell me 5 cartons if I am only allowed to take off 1? He gave me a big runaround, then I said, in other words you can sell them to me, but, it's up to me how I get them off the ship? He said, yes. This was in the Galveston port debark, and 1st time TABC had gotten involved. I "got" away with it that time as it was unorganized. I would not have a problem paying the tax as they would still be cheaper than on land, but worried they would not allow me to take excess off. And, that is indeed what happened the 2nd time. I was allowed 2 cartons, as was traveling with my husband. Paid the tax on them and the other cartons were confiscated. And this was before what seems to be happening with the letter spoken of. Shame on Carnival to sell us something and then report us for buying it! :(