erby2283

I think it depends on how many ships are in port that day. The one time we flew out of FLL, it was a madhouse. They even shut down security for about 10 minutes and we all had to stand still even while at the xray area. No one was allowed to get their bags or anything. Our flight was around 1 but I felt rushed. You should be okay at 2:30 but check who else is in port with you that day too.

We usually take about $500 a piece but that also includes cash to pay for some excursions as well. Plus food at airports, etc. Pretty much everything we pay for outside of the ship is cash and don't charge anything.

I took Bernards tour a few years ago. Got very frustrated with other people on our tour who didn't return to the van on time which caused us to only have about 30 minutes at Maho. I was very upset as this was one of the things I REALLY wanted to see and in that time, no planes landed or took off. I know Bernard has to keep people happy but I would book a private tour if you have a lot of people and can split the cost; that way others are not interfering with what you want to do and how long you stay at each point of interest.

Thank you for taking the time to post your review. I know it can be very time consuming but you do it b/c you know others will enjoy it; so thank you.

Your pictures were absolutely beautiful. As the daughter of a man who constantly took pictures and was raised to take pictures "with not too much sky" or being told to make sure I get "in" the pictures, I thought they were wonderful!

Don't think I can wait till October!

Good Morning everyone!

Friends of mine have a cruise booked for 2017 on Disney. I have been thinking about possibly surprising them by joining them on their cruise IF my Oct 2016 cruise on RCL Anthem doesn't work out (the 2017 cruise is in Feb and I just can't afford to do 2 cruises that close together).

Basically, my questions are: Are the prices I see on their website for two people? Are there any hidden fees (other than gratuities and excursions, etc.)? How much is a normal deposit? What is the usual cancellation fee (is it similar to other lines where you can cancel with no penalty up to 60-90 days prior to sailing without penalty depending on the rate you booked)? Is there anything else you could share with me that I am sure I am forgetting since I am typing this in a rush?

My case is probably different than most:

After making myself sick to death about whether to go on my January cruise or not (and even posting here about it months ago), I cancelled a few weeks ago, PRIOR to final payment.

However, I had paid for 2 airline tickets (Southwest and Jetblue) and my deposit for the cruise was non-refundable. Many advised me to make final payment since I had a cancel for any reason clause and just cancel if I had to. But I really had this feeling that I shouldn't go, and why should I waste my money, and the insurance companies money if I was pretty sure I wasn't going to go.

Yes, it is a little bit of work to complete the forms, make copies of invoices, emails and submit all the information but as long as you keep good records, it shouldn't be that hard.

I filed my claim for my non-refundable Carnival deposit and the $60 fee Jetblue charged me for canceling my ticket. Jetblue will allow me to book another flight (it only needs to be booked, not traveled) within the next year. As for the Southwest flight, I've already booked another flight for next month using that ticket since Southwest allows you to change flights without fees.

So this morning, only 2 weeks since I sent in my paperwork, Sheila from Travel Insured called me to see if my intentions were to use the Jetblue ticket or whether they needed to only refund me the Carnival deposit. After explaining that I only asked to be refunded for the penalty that Jetblue charged for canceling and not the airfare itself, she told me a check would be in the mail for 75% of my claim amount (as I expected) and that if I ended up NOT booking the Jetblue ticket within the next year to call her back and she would add those fees to my claim and reimburse me 75% of those fees as well.

This is the first time I have ever had to file a claim and while I am disappointed not to be cruising, am glad the claim process has been quick and easy!

Another reason so many are doing B2B is because of the awesome offer some received. Lucky stiff's (like a friend of mine) were allowed to book at incredible rates for Journey cruises (like $75 for an inside room - and balconies were cheap too - NOT kidding). So it was cheaper to book a B2B and cruise back than to pay for airfare.

3 of us just sailed in an oceanroom and it was no problem....depending on the ship, storage might be another problem. We were on the Fantasy, the oldest in the fleet, and one of us kept the majority of our clothes in a suitcase b/c there was not enough shelving. We all got ready at different times so bathroom use wasn't really an issue either. It was tight, but I'd do it again.

I have never been on a new ship and usually cruise with whomever I can find a good deal. That being said, I can usually sail in a balcony for under $700 p/p. But I splurged and booked the Anthem for Oct 2016 (a 9-day Bermuda/Caribbean run) months ago and it came to just over $2,800 (balcony for 2 with insurance). Today, it's now over $4,300! I about fell out of my chair. I thought it was expensive when I booked. :eek:

About whether "CFAR is really CFAR", you need to read the *exact* terms of YOUR policy and/or ask the insurer or insurance broker what is/is not covered.

 

Also double check about timing.

The CFAR we are most familiar with (purchased it once, but had to cancel everything for covered medical reasons, so got 100% back) requires that you notify insurer no later than 48 hours prior to departure - so double check what *your* policy states.

 

But different policies can have different definitions, deadlines, etc.

 

In your situation, I'd also suggest double checking about what would be covered IF your dog or your mother get critically ill or worse, if that is a situation where you'd want to end the trip mid-way, etc.

 

Good luck.

 

GeezerCouple

Thank you for replying. Would CFAR "exact terms" be buried somewhere else other that what is within this paragraph that I am copying and pasting here or are these the terms your referring to? It's with Travel Insured:

COVERAGE C

CANCEL FOR ANY REASON

If You cancel Your Trip for any reason not otherwise covered

by this Policy, benefits will be paid for 75% of the Prepaid,

forfeited, non-refundable Payments or Deposits You paid for

Your Trip provided:

a) Your Payment for this Policy and enrollment form are

received within 21 days of the date Your initial Payment

or Deposit for Your Trip is received;

b) You insure 100% of the Prepaid Trip costs that are

subject to cancellation penalties or restrictions and also

insure within 21 days of the Payment or Deposit for

those Travel Arrangements the cost of any subsequent

Travel Arrangements (or any other Travel Arrangements

not made through Your travel agent) added to Your Trip;

and

c) You cancel Your Trip 48 hours or more before Your

Scheduled Departure Date.

These benefits will not duplicate any other benefits payable

under the Policy or any coverage(s) attached to the Policy

I am looking for some advice and hope some people can chime in with their thoughts.

I had an 11 year dog who I treat like my child. He is a 3x cancer survivor and my brother refers to him as a "special needs child" b/c whenever I go away, he needs to closely monitored for health purposes; not to mention his 20 pills of medication he needs to take every day. My mom is also having some health issues and she is who usually watches my dog while I am on vacation.

When you book a cruise, you're supposed to look forward to that vacation but I literally become paranoid that my dog will become ill after I make final payment or something will happen to him while I am on the cruise. Because of this, I started buying CFAR insurance.

I am cruising with a best friend and she also has purchased CFAR insurance.

The facts:

Cruise price p/p: $540

Airfare: $226 (the other leg of airfare is on Southwest and so I can use that towards another flight and I wouldn't be out any money)

My CFAR covers 75%.

My question is this: If I am so torn between going and not going, would you cancel before final payment, or would you make final payment knowing that if you cancel, you're really not out that much money? Also, is CFAR really CFAR? Can I just call them up and say, "Um hello, yes, I really don't feel like leaving my dog right now so I don't think I want to cruise?" Also, if I do that, will me friend be able to CFAR as well?

The reason I am so torn is because this was one of those offers Carnival gave to certain VIFP people for their Journey cruises. An 11-day interior room was $75 but I had to go for the balcony. How often can you cruise for 11 days in a balcony to Aruba, Bonaire, Curacoa, Grand Turk and St. Croix for $540 with $175 OBC?

Thank you Pauleydm for all the updates and information. While I am sure many are disappointed about the turn of events, I think Carnival should hand you the microphone in the theatre and you could tell people to look at the bright side of things and quit complaining ....then sing them a song.

FB post from my friend on this sailing: "Update on yesterday's man overboard saga. It appears that he was having "fun" and decided to have more fun so he donned his life vest and took a swim. He was placed in the brig and was escorted off the ship this morning in Jamaica."

Yes, a friend is on the cruise and has the internet package. She posted on FB that the announcement was made at dinner and when they were done, they got out just in time to see him being picked up.

Any tips on a cheaper hotel. Decent but not super expensive. Close to any type of family friendly pub/restaurant would be great

Can't recommend a specific one bc we stay with family of friends but search for a hotel in Mount Pleasant, SC. It's just over the bridge and some even offer a park and cruise rate. Then you can just take a taxi to the port.

There are some really cool places to eat in Mount Pleasant, Sullivan's Island or even in downtown Charleston. Poogan's Porch is one of our favorites in Charleston.

Hello,

 

 

 

I love your signature design! I have wanted to do something like that for a while, a countdown clock with the itinerary map. How did you do it? :)

Thank you!

Carnival used to make it easy and post a photo of your itinerary along with the itinerary list of times you were in port but for some reason, they stopped posting a map of the intinerary. :(

If you do an google search of your ship name and route, like Carnival Breeze Southern Itinerary, and then go to "images" instead of "web" hopefully you can find a picture of your itinerary there. Once you find it, save the picture to your computer, then upload it to an online photosharing service (I use photobucket). Once there, be sure to resize it within photobucket bc it will be way too big for CC. One click within photobucket will resize it (and resave it in that smaller size I believe). Then click the IMG link on the smaller pic and paste that into your signature on CC immediately after your countdown clock.

You'll have to play with it, and resize, play with spacing etc., so be sure to "preview signature" before saving it.

If you have any problems I'd be happy to help. You can email me at erby2283 at yahoo dot com.

Pregnant and Dr. Note has been turned away too. Even with all the excuses people have, I have only heard of one case (on this board so I can not validate validity) that someone was allowed to be excused. Pregnant or Dr's note wont help

Thanks for the info. That's what Guest Services told my friends when they went down there (those 3 exemptions). As with most things, multiple answers to one question. I told them that I knew from reading CC that NO ONE had ever been able to get cheers without all cabin mates buying the program. All I know is it doesn't matter to me b/c I don't drink. :p

You can certainly try- but in pretty much every reported case, they don't care. As you stated, the program covers many non-alcoholic drinks, so not being able to drink alcohol is not a reason to not purchase the program.

No, but if I got a note saying the I can't drink b/c of all the migraine medication I am on, that may work. I know everyone has tried. I even told my friends going to guest services was not going to accomplish anything - no one has ever been excused from the cheers program unless they're underage, pregnant or have a Dr's note. It just really does stink for those of us who have NEVER, in 41 years, ever had a sip of alcohol.

Maybe Carnival can come up with a different type's of drink packages like RC has. One that includes alcohol, one that includes frozen drinks, one that includes soda's, etc - that way you can buy the one that works best for you. I'd be more apt to buy a different type of drink package that catered to drinks I would actually drink.

Just got back from the Fantasy on Monday. I could have sworn we were scheduled to arrive at 8 (at least I thought that before we left for the cruise) but the FunTimes said 9. I can tell you that we were there on time. We went to Melia Resort and according to my phone, I was taking pictures by 10:13 A.M. There were also 6 ships in ports that day and 3 were already disembarking when we got there.

Sorry - just got back Monday and didn't save mine. I can tell you that the entertainment in the theater is not very good. The band that's outside the 21st Century Bar is great. There were called "Strangers Among Us" or something like that.

We went to the Motown show and the singing was okay but not very good.

I still love Carnival - just an older ship with an older feel. Service is still top notch and the food in the dining room was good.

I can try to answer any specifics you might have.

I don't drink and always stuck to virgin Pina Colada's. Tried a virgin Kiss on Lips and NEVER ordered another Pina Colada the rest of the cruise. YUM!

I usually always cruise in November and agree that I can always find an awesome cruise deal. Usually under $700 (with taxes fees) for a 7-day balcony. Good luck finding that nowadays. I have a Journey cruise booked for January in which my friend got that awesome VIFP rate but my mom is having some health issues and I'll have to decide before final payment on whether to cancel or not. I really hate to - how often can you book an 11-day balcony for $500 plus OBC?

Just got back from a 4-day cruise. There were 3 of us in the cabin and I don't drink. My two gf's wanted to drink so they bought my cheers program. This thoroughly confused the bar staff every time I ordered a virgin drink. :confused:

We were told we had to buy it the 2nd day (so it was good for 2 sea days and a port day). Since the two of them paid for me it came to $258 for each of them including the 15% gratuity. At the end of the cruise, one counted 33 drinks and the other 28. Keep in mind that some of these were angry balls (a shot of fireball and an angry orchard) which counts as two drinks even though you drink them as one.

Overall, they would not purchase it again, especially since they had to buy mine. Next time I will try to get some type of Dr's note since that's one of the exemptions and see if Carnival will accept it. I did enjoy my virgin Kiss on the Lips. :D

We just cancelled St. Maarten and St. Kitts and will overnight on San Juan and then perhaps go to Nassau or half moon cay depending on the weather

Sorry your ports got cancelled. Those are two good ones too. What day would you be in Nassau or HMC?

This should turn people who need to plan everything into a tizzy.

It already is....where am I going??????? lol Glad I didn't pre-pay for an AI already or I'd be freaking out about needing to cancel plans in addition to possibly making new ones....:eek: