wemjam

Just curious how many of these 15 cruises were 3 or 4 or even 5 dayer's? and how many were more recent? Also, my post about my personal experience was not embellishment in any way (not saying you were singling me out, but I did post first hand honest accounts of things that I have encountered over the last year). It was first hand experience, all were shorter cruises. That was the point I think several of us were making. The behavior has gotten "worse" in recent years. I have 50 cruises over 20 years (the bulk of which are in the last 7 years or so). I can't recount one bad experience on a longer cruise to speak of (like 7 days or more), it seems you see this type of bad behavior being more prevalent on short/inexpensive cruises. Again, demographic

Just paying for your your form of entertainment 😄 I have had cheers once in 50 cruises (because I got it super cheap under a deal - only reason). I am lucky to drink 1-2 drinks a day average, don't do coffee, and have maybe 1 or 2 milkshakes the whole cruise. I drink water not pop. So for me I see that and go OMG I could book another cruise for that. However, I also will pop for the more expensive excursions, by diamonds in the jewelry store, etc. So to each their own - as Wayne would say party on dude!

I have booked for family and done 3 rooms for our group at a time. That was bad enough trying to please everyone for hotel, air, cruise, transfers, exursions, dinning, wants/needs, etc. I can't imagine doing it for 15+ rooms of people. I could 100% pull it off and do it, but it wouldn't be worth the insane amount of work and headache that is going to come with that. Honestly it is better off, as someone suggested, to help by gathering information and then providing it to each person and letting them book/pay/etc. themselves. I don't think I would even bother with trying to get the discounted stuff as a group (though I am saying that because I can't imagine the savings is that much, but I could be wrong). Just pick a cruise, then research pricing, options, add on's and pricing put a sheet together and then let those that want to book and go.

Never have done this but the stewards tend to be VERY accommodating, and likely would have not issue doing this for you. Worst case I am thinking you simply ask for an extra blanket or two and an extra pillow which I know they will accommodate and do it yourself. This is what I might likely do if someone was going to crash on the couch instead (just because I wouldn't ask them to do the extra work, I would just do it myself).

Worst was when at around midnight they had "deck work to do" and we could hear sanding for our 2 hours above our heads lol! Was at customer service at 2am in my pj's giving them a bit of an ear full.

If you show up after lunch.. you should have NO issues, most of the ship is going to be on board by then. Just go to a bar and order what you want, and they will swipe your sail and sign card for purchase (18% gratuity is automatically added). If you are not big pop drinkers, no need for bottomless bubbles. You can order a soda at restaurants with your meals and same thing, they will write down your sail and sign number on your card. This applies to any drinks you purchase (alcoholic or not). So, again your sail and sign is used for all purchases on the ship. In the spa, in the stores, to buy beverages, etc. So keep it with you. For us ladies, a lanyard works nice for this and they are pre-punched with a hole. 😁

Two points. 1st: The fish issues is because it is not just Carnival's rules. The country/port they are in can enforce HUGE penalties for such actions. If Carnival had not put on a "show" of force then they would have appeared complicit. 2nd: I HAVE been stopped by workers in the hall advising me my room is not ready yet, once I told them I was Diamond and was just dropping my bags they let me go. So again, yes you can possible break the rules and get away with it, but you also might not. There is a reason they only allow it as perk. IF everyone started doing it they would have so many people in the way they would never get the rooms cleaned. Also, inevitably, then you are also going to get those that decide "well I'll just stay here (quote unquote "out of the way") and start unpacking while they finish cleaning. Just because someone can do something doesn't make it right. 2nd.

Call the book groupings number with Carnival. They will give you the rates for the rooms depending on how many etc. This will then be the "discount" for all you are looking for (because every room should have a reduced rate). You can easily compare the same room type doing a mock booking and see what the actual discounted rate is you are being offered and advise everyone "If we all book 15 rooms together they are $500 per room, standard booking rate is $700 per room" (just as an example)

Love the "Gen Pop" and "Higher Rent District" Ya, we have done spa rooms a couple times because the price difference was negligible (like $50 or something) when we booked it and we like being as high and in as quiet an area as possible. In October on family cruise we all had it and the only ones that used any of the amenities were my brother and his girlfriend. We have a spa room again in a couple weeks (again was only $50 more than a balcony a couple decks down), and probably won't use the spa again. Just not our cup of tea. The only time I go to the spa is for my pedicure which is my one gift to myself every cruise on the first day.

Well we will see in a couple weeks. On the Sunrise again as I said and last time just bites and drinks, no brunch. Again 5 day sailing so will be interesting to see if brunch is served (haven't yet been on ship where they had it). I will say though, on the Horizon last October we didn't go because we were with family doing other stuff... so maybe on that one there might have been a brunch and I missed it.

Yes if there is deck above you where chairs are, you will hear the noise of them being dragged from time to time. Usually at night during prime sleeping times it is not a big deal. It can be early in the morning up until say midnightish. After that the main action is in the clubs.

That's what I was thinking too.. "starting at." So $400 may or may not include everything - like all you can drink. So for a Villa you are talking a cool grand for it, then at least $400 more for a butler. Sorry for that price I will get my own food and $400 buys a lot of liquor - more than I can drink! (if that is even fully included in that price)

Yes, you should print your boarding passes when you do all your check on line a couple weeks before sailing. It will note you are priority and have your room number on it. You will show this to the agents outside and inside. Usually what happens is, you arrive at your arrival window time and go to the outside line that says "for On Time Arrivals" if you have FTTF then you will have access to the priority line. As you enter the building show them your boarding pass (make sure they can see the priority stamp on it) and they will direct you where to go. You will see a gate agent there right inside the port doors who will do your check in, stamp your paperwork etc. Then you will go through security. Used to be you went through security and then got in line to do your check in with an agent, but in the last year we have sailed, at our ports it is done before security. It may be either way depending on port I guess. You go to the waiting area and wait. Most times there is a designated area for FTTF people as well as other priority members. Sometimes not, so just watch for signs - and there will be agents there to direct and help . I have seen it both ways in the same port even (sometimes designated area sometimes not), so just depends. They will start boarding the ship by zones (which is listed on your boarding pass). When your zone is called you get on (their may be an agent that checks your boarding pass one more time as you walk past getting on). Once onboard if you are Suites/Diamond/Platinum/FTTF you may go directly to your room and drop your bags and leave. The main doors to your hallways will most certainly be closed, just open them and go in. I always find my steward (if they don't see me coming down the hall), and let them know I am just dropping my bags in the closet of my room "XXXX". Usually they are in one of the rooms close by cleaning. Then we head off to lunch. After lunch we go back and check to see if our keys are available yet, if not we will keep busy with a drink and lounge somewhere and check back a little while later. NOTE: If you have any kind of drink package (cheers or bottomless bubbles) keep your boarding pass handy. You will use this to get drinks until you get your sail and sign card.

They don't email you that they have assigned a room. You have to keep checking your booking to find out. I have never received an email with a TBA room, always stumbled on the room assignment in my booking lol!

You will be able to select your boarding time 2 days before general rooms (16 days before cruising you will can select boarding and then also do all your check in stuff) - I am pretty sure this perk is included This means if you choose you can get an early boarding time and be in the early boarding groups (a few others like suites, weddings, Diamond, Platinum have first crack though). You will have access to get on and drop your luggage in your room right away and then leave while they finish prepping rooms. Once your room is ready your keys (sail and sign cards) will be there (usually it is before 1:30). As I said before we drop our bags, eat lunch, and go back and check.. 90% or better of the time they are done by then. If not we kill a little time and go back and check around 1pm or so. Plus all the other little perks like priority desk, tendering, debarkation, etc.

Yes, if your key cards at at your door, they are done and you can stay. They don't put them out until they are done. However, I would not get too excited... it usually takes them right up to 1-1:30 to get the general rooms done. FTTF/Diamond/Suites/Platinum rooms usually are done a bit sooner.

All the more reason for my little 4" one lol! Super compact and blows like a fan 3 times it size. I have carried it on numerous times no issue. Fits in a small rubbermaid bowl container for storage perfectly.

On Carnival, if you have FTTF, Diamond/Platinum or Suite you can drop you luggage and leave right away (read above, this was all discussed 😁)

Carnival used to hand the cards out at check in. Not anymore. They are put out by your door. If there are little mailboxes they put them there, or tuck them in the light/room number by your door. Somewhere around your door. That is how you know your room is officially ready! When keys are there, then you can go in and stay.

Exactly why we avoid the summer season like the Plague. We used to cruise with 2 boys, but they were under our thumb! Now the volume of kids and out of control is ridiculous.

NAILED IT!

Not exactly a direct answer to your questions, but a possible solution. I bought a really awesome small portable one that is usb plug in only about 4" across. Was pretty cheap on Amazon, and the little bugger is powerful and lasts all night. I have to have air moving. I loved it so much I replaced my normal size one on my nightstand at home with one too. SUPER compact and so powerful I only use it on low. Plus it sits well on flat service like nightstand or it unfolds and has a handle so you can use it at sporting events, beach, etc. I have even used it on the airplane. Again, don't let the size fool you. Blows like nobodies business.

Inside rooms are the BEST for sleeping A LOT! lol!

FTTF is under excursions. You would need to look there. I don't work with a TA though, so I am not sure if you have access to your booking to buy this if you booked through a TA? You should be able to ask them to buy it though. It is one price and covers all travelers in the same room. It may or may not be available if sold out, and sometimes it doesn't become available right away if you are really far from sailing (you have to keep looking and it will pop up, even after it is there and gone, sometime it comes back). Sail and sign cards are your room key and how you buy everything on the ship. You will set up an onboard account when you do all your on line check in before you sail. You can use a credit card, or you can set up a cash account too once at the port if you wish. On board, they will swipe your sail and sign card for your purchases. And you use it to open your door. You also need to make sure you have that and your ID when you get off the ship. Have it in your hand because they scan you out with your sail and sign, and then when you come back on they scan you back in (so again have it ready).