VentureMan_2000

Yes, Carnival. I believe the only other cruise line that embarks in San Francisco is Princess, which is another Carnival Corp cruise line.

Sounds reasonable. If you have a desire to arrive early, then you need to do your on-line check-in during that first 48 hours prior to everyone who is not Platinum/Diamond and select an early time that fits your needs. On my last cruise, the Platinum/Diamond port check-in line was 3 to 4 times longer than my line... I'm sure this is the reason -- too many Platinum/Diamond people showing up early and creating long lines, like in the old days before they implemented selecting a check-in time. I was checked in before that huge priority line... 😂

It's really not a big deal to manage your carry-on luggage for a couple hours. We just find a seat or table and park our luggage there. We each take turns staying with the luggage while another goes to get some lunch to bring back, or use the restroom, etc. As mentioned, trying to drop off any luggage before 1:30 is only a hinderance to the room steward. Of course, he's going to be polite to you, but I'm sure he's wishing that you were not there getting in his way and taking his time... time that he really does not have to give on turn-around day.

I think this is true of all vacations... perhaps the exception are weekend-warrior vacations. We even get this feeling in the middle of a vacation... when family meets up with us for a couple days during the middle of our vacation, when they leave, we feel a bit down for a day.

I'm able to check in at 9:00pm the day before and head to bed at a reasonable time since I'm on the West Coast... 😁

We found Embarkation in San Francisco to be very easy. There are two parts to getting on the ship: First is your Check-In where they take your photo and check you in. There are about 6 Lanes you stand in outside with the check-in times clearly marked for each lane. Check-in is based on your arrival time... not necessarily your "priority" status. They do have lanes for Diamond and Platinum. Funny note here: there were so many "Priority" check-ins that their line was 2 to 3 times longer than the normal check-in line. We were done checking in well before the folks who got into the "priority" line the same we got in the check-in line. Our Check-in time was 11:00am. We were checked in by 10:15am. Second, Check-in is a separate event from boarding. After you check-in, you take a seat in the terminal with all the other passengers that have checked in (there is lots of comfortable seating - you sit where you want as there is no special seating sections) and wait for them to call the different groups to board based on priority. They do not allow anyone to board until all previous passengers are off and U.S. Customs gives the go-ahead. That being said, here is the Priority order to board the ship that I observed: Wedding Party Passengers with Disabilities Diamond Platinum FTTF ( well, I didn't observe this since they didn't have FTTF, but I believe they are next ) Gold Red Blue The 'Red" (my group) was released to board the ship at 11:00am, so we sat for 45 minutes after checking in - watching others board based on their priority order being called.

Now I'm glad I just ignore those emails for up-sell offers, and don't go into my booking. Sorry for your mess.

My first thought is, when is the cruise ? If it's a few months out, then I would opt to get a passport. Send in all those documents to the passport office once, and get a passport that is good for 10 years. Would make travel a whole lot easier.

Forgot about that... This was the midnight display of all the deserts and such, correct ? Folks would wait in line just to take photos.

Our very first cruise was in 1985 on the Carnival Jubilee. Cruising has changed a lot since then. I recall filling out a questionnaire about yourself -- your work and things you like. Carnival would use that information to try to match you up to seat you with other guests in the MDR, I'm assuming so that you would something in common to talk about. I recall hitting golf balls off the aft, and shooting skeet off the aft. The decks had shuffleboard and a pool... no hot tubs at that time that I recall. While they were just beginning to introduce the Sail & Sign cards at that time, most people including myself, still used cash at the bars to pay for drinks. Our cruise was in the Bahamas. I recall looking down at the tiny cruise ship tied up next to us... the Jubilee was ginormous compared to that other cruise ship, towering over it by many stories. The photo below really puts into perspective how much cruising has changed. I also recall that Carnival did not always have a cruise each week. When we disembarked after our 7 day cruise, there were not any passengers waiting to get on. Anyone else sail on Jubilee... and if so, what do you recall ?

I start every morning of the cruise with an Irish Mocha -- Irish whiskey, Baileys added to my mocha coffee. Yes, counts towards your 15 drink limit.

I'm just plain old Gold. FTTF was not offered at the time. There are two parts to getting on the ship: First is your Check-In where they take your photo and check you in. Check-in is based on your arrival time... not necessarily your "priority" status. Funny note here: there were so many "Priority" check-ins that their line was 2 to 3 times longer than the normal check-in line. We were done checking in well before the folks who got into the "priority" line the same we got in the check-in line. Our Check-in time was 11:00am. We were checked in by 10:15am. Second, Check-in is a separate event from boarding. After you check-in, you take a seat in the terminal with all the other passengers that have checked in (there is lots of comfortable seating - you sit where you want as there is no special seating sections) and wait for them to call the different groups to board based on priority. They do not allow anyone to board until all previous passengers are off and U.S. Customs gives the go-ahead. That being said, here is the Priority order to board the ship that I observed: Wedding Party Passengers with Disabilities Diamond Platinum FTTF ( well, I didn't observe this since they didn't have FTTF, but I believe they are next ) Gold Red Blue The 'Red" (my group) was released to board the ship at 11:00am, so we sat for 45 minutes after checking in - watching others board based on their priority order being called.

San Francisco was one of two ports that Carnival did not offer FTTF. However, I see that it's offered right now as an excursion for $69.95, so I suppose they have changed it. However, as you can see in this topic, that you get right on board at SF. And there were A LOT of Diamond and Platinum cruisers leaving from this port -- I believe they board before FTTF.

We had the same experience with our June Alaska cruise out of SF. We were on board nearly an hour early.

I bet you could work something out with Guest Services, to get the booze off the ship... maybe they could escort to booze to the debarkation security checkpoint for you to pick up on your way off the ship. Once it's off, then it would be treated just like any other booze bought in port, if you tried to bring it back on -- holding it for you until the end of the cruise.

Do you recall the name of the Taxi company ?

Another response from the B2B group: "OBC is per cruise, use it or lose it is my understanding. A B2B has 2 different booking numbers and the OBC goes with the booking number."

OK, Just received a reply from the B2B group: "We had the issue last year on the Horizon. You can't move onboard credit to another cruise."

Great question. Asking friends from a B2B group to see if they know how this works. My guess is that you can only use the OBC assigned to that specific cruise week. So, if they applied the $250 to the first cruise, you would have to use the whole $250 on that first cruise. I'll let you know what I hear from the B2B group.

Let's see your math... Prove your point.

My last cruise I typically ordered 2 apps each night... and 2 entrées. I ordered two lobsters on lobster night and the waiter also brought me a filet -- said surf & turf is required. 😄 I'm usually too full for any desert... unless it's baked Alaska in which case I will make room... 😂

Center of ship between front and back, and center deck. Look into daughter taking ginger in capsule form. Ginger helps a lot with motion sickness without all the side effects of Dramamine or patches.

Sweet ! Good to know. Thanks.

Please explain. Are you saying that I can use my OBC to purchase CHEERS in advance of boarding the ship ?

I'll be the first to tell everyone that it's hell being perfect. There's not a cruise that can meet my expectations... 😂