wemjam

I don't know how you all remember it, I can cruise a ship on the same itinerary and 3 months later can't lol! Does anyone know what formal night is on the 5 day Sunrise in 2 weeks? I booked the Steakhouse on the Half Moon Cay day for hubby's Bday, and I am thinking that could be formal night too. NOT a big deal, just wondering.

Yes.

THANK YOU! That little drop down arrow note helped. Didn't see that. At least I can see what OBC I started with. I do also keep all my emails for my purchases which kind of spell out how each thing was paid for so that helps. Like I said, I just wanted to know before I got on what that starting OBC was that should appear on my statement (from which there will then be line items of deductions) and couldn't figure out how to see that. Want to make sure on board matches what I see now.

Only you can decide if it is money well spent. If you fully understand all the benefits, and the price seems reasonable to you, then yes it is worth it. You are going to get opinions on both sides (which you already have) because everyone is different as to what they think money being spent on is worth. 😁 The better question to ask yourself is why did you buy it? Is there a particular benefit(s) you felt were worth it?

Ya last time cruised was January and it was the old way... so they must have changed it after that.

Do not agree with your 100% assessment at all. I have cancelled items a LOT of different things using gift cards and only had an issue once or twice. And those issues were stupid stuff. Like I had used 2 gift cards, One for the majority of the purchase and the other was like $5 that I had left, they missed the $5 when the sent me new gift cards. Called and had an emailed $5 gift card the next day. Now I did have one issue like this OP where I didn't receive it at all, and after a shuffle game of phone calls and a lot of time on time and frustration on the phone it was resolved. But it was the exception and not the rule. I literally just cancelled a spa item I used a gift card for like 3 weeks ago and had a new gift card in the mail in under a week. So it is not 100% of the time there is an issue. PS: I have also had an issue with refund not going to my Credit Card once too. So I think it is more about human error and oversight, then about the specific form of payment used.

Had the Carnival card and closed it. I had more issue getting my 10% credit from them then I have ever had with gift cards. 50% of the time I had to call to get the credit processed. I would wait a couple months and nothing, and then I would have to call to get it done.

No the tax is charged in all ports I believe. It is because you are still technically in their state. I know for sure all FL ports do it too. I think with TX and NY one or both may be the ports that you can't use your cheers the first day and have to pay full price for the drink. I may be wrong, but I know there is some state that is the case.

Yep, I guess I should clarify what I meant. So on the old invoice that used to print, it would show you the "total" OBC you have. Then it would list any pre-purchases separately. We have used our OBC toward some of our many pre-purchases so now it shows "0" in the billings page. At this point, because it was months ago, I don't remember what that "starting" OBC was. I guess it doesn't really matter, I just liked the way they did it before because it was all spelled out. Since I am mixed bag on all these purchases OBC, CC, Gift Card, etc. It can get confusing lol. Just like the idea of being able to match up everything with my statement on board to what my expected starting OBC is and how it is deducted from that to make sure everything is correct. They do make mistakes. NOT often, but it has happened. Now since I don't remember my starting OBC and it isn't spelled out, it is a little less clear to do this. That's the accountant in me.

Also, weird thing is when I did the online check in and got to the end to print, the invoice check box actually listed "invoice, pre cruise purchases, Travel Notes "Know Before you Go" in the description under the check box. I printed it and closed out. Then I realized the info I was looking for wasn't there so I went back in to reprint thinking it was a "glitch" NOW that box only says " Travel Notes (helpful cruising tips and "Know Before You Go" information)"

Well that kind of sucks... how are we supposed to know our OBC. Used to be the only way you could see it was on this document page. Now with that gone, there is no record of it anywhere in our booking that we can see to confirm once on board. Or am I missing something? At least all the information I can print from my booking page (like all my pre-purchases) to take with me for a summary.

Ok, so did something change with on line documents? I just checked us in and when I printed the documents I got my boarding passes, and the luggage tags (which are their own check boxes) Also, the general boarding documents - again its' own box to check. BUT, for the general boarding documents all that printed is "Important Information" pages (all the legal ease). I am used to also getting like a "summary" that shows our information, our room, the billing info, all my pre-purchases, OBC, etc. I have tried to print like 5 times and all that I can get is the Important Information pages. What gives? Is this new, or do I need to call?

I didn't think of that, I will have to try to remember and run down and ask. 😄

Disagree. If the room door is shut and your keys are there they are done and you can have your room. I had a room steward specifically tell me that. They don't put the keys out until they are done.

Figured it's not real hard for them to push it into the garbage can as they pick it up off the floor to empty it if that was where it was going to end up (exactly where I would leave it). My HOPE is that they could recycle it. I didn't know if crew might have a place for books, or something where it could be useful.

So, there is way more to FTTF then just being able to drop you luggage. So spending $20 for just that is a bit crazy. I also find it hard to believe, possible, but hard. These guys could loose their livelihood over taking bribes, which is what that his.

Well that is even more annoying. So the Villa is $699, the same price as the Cabana on Carnival. No butler, higher price...What gives? 😁

If I may piggy-back. Hubby always has books he reads. We always just leave them in the room on the counter for the steward (figured they would dispose of or be able to recycle). Is it Ok to just put these in the library ourselves when done, or is that frowned upon?

OMG hilarious. 24 years married and I tell everyone. He just shows up. He doesn't even pack his own clothes lol! He doesn't even pick out what he is wearing when we leave for the airport (it is already on a hanger waiting for him). Works for us. I am a meticulous person/planner. He hates anything to do with it, is happy to just get dressed and go. He does offer input on excursions, that's it.

If you go and look at the VIFP chart (that shows all the levels and what you get) it is in the fine print at the bottom. If you have an account log in, go to your profile, go to my benefits and look at the chart all the way at the bottom. ** CASINO – We are currently unable to host casino tournaments on board and guests will be given US $25 in Casino FunPlay®.

Agree, I too could afford to cruise other lines, but come back to Carnival because my overall experience is good. The OP seemed concerned about what to expect so was just giving honest feedback. When I book cruises at certain times, or shorter ones I KNOW what to expect - for me it isn't a deal breaker (yet anyhow lol!). The OP was asking because this is new for them. If you know what to expect, then you can be prepared and make an informed decision of what will work for you. I like value for my money and would rather cruise a lot then take one or two high end cruises. Not the kind of person that needs tons of pampering.

PS: If you sign up with Fed Ex you can see inbound packages as soon as they hit the system. I get email alerts letting me know a package is on the way and can see it is from them. Doesn't say Carnival, but something about card fulfillment or something like that and I know it is them. They always send them Fed Ex

So, I don't recall ever getting a cancellation email when I cancelled an excursion. I have when I cancelled a cruise, but not an excursion or fun shop purchase. I think if you just cancelled you have to wait at least a little bit. They should be processing your refund and sending you new gift cards. I would give it at least 7-10 days before you call. After your last posting I cancelled a spa appointment because I wanted to do it a different day. Didn't get an email, but had a gift card in the mail in like a week.

Curiosity got the best of me, so went to see exactly what is left for our sailing in just over 2 weeks. 3 Villas 6 Cabana's 1 Private Oasis Think the increased pricing really is impacting it, I can't recall ever seeing any Cabanas or Villas, or even the Private Oasis open this close to sailing. If it didn't mean walking the entire length of the beach I would would see how many sit empty the day we get there lol. I hope, since I love these, they find they have priced people right out of buying and bring it back down a notch.

Ditto, I said RC once and never went back. I felt like I was sailing in a retirement home. Now, that was years ago, and things may have changed as I see more commercials with lots of exciting things on the new RC ships that seems to me they maybe changing how they entice their clients I too love Carnival or I wouldn't keep going back. As I stated in an earlier post, you have to take the good with the bad.