CanDMan47

I've been on two ocean cruises, and am now interested in possibly doing a river cruise. I know all prices are subject to many factors, but I'm wondering if the prices are higher/lower/same based on similar types of rooms and length, or however they set the price. do they do the all you can eat restaurants? That goes to price.

I downloaded a brocure from American Cruise Lines, but they wony give me prices without contact, and I'm not ready to take that step. Any pricing comparisons you know about would be helpful, thanks.

I'm looking for the info from the cruise I just got back from. Nothing is wrong, just trying to tie up loose ends on expenses, etc. I can find that I took the trip, but not the bill. The cost of getting on the ship, the excursions I booked through them, etc. where would I look for it?

Thanks,

John

Will it be possible to go to the terminal on Sat to get it sorted? I'm guessing they run other ships or lines out of here, maybe. But with my thyroid cancer really affecting my speaking voice, even more so over the phone, I like to inkdo as much online or face to face as possible. And I can't get the online help quick enough now that I've waited so late. So do you think they'll let me in the terminal Sat to take care of this mess?

Thanks for your knowledge in advance,

John

You will still be able to board. However, I would call Carnival and try to get this resolved so you don't have to worry about it. You can try clearing your cache/cookies or try using another browser such as FireFox or Google Chrome.

Thanks. I've done the cache clearing, but I'll try again.

John

I haven't seen anyone else on here with this problem, but all three parties I'm traveling with had them. I still do.

About mid-Dec we decided to print our luggage tags and print our boarding passes. I was first, from my home. I got the following message

"How did you get here? We apologize for the error that occurred while processing your request. Carnival.com technical support has been notified of the problem and will work to resolve the issue quickly."

Like I said, that's almost two weeks now. I took my info to one of my traveling partners that evening. They got the same errors, as did my third party of travelers. Though, the second and third parties used the same network, I did not.

Eventually, with everyday persistence, they were able to get everything they wanted, printed. I've only been able to do two luggage tags. I'll make copies, that will be enough. But I can't print boarding passes. Are my going to have a hard time at the check-in area getting passes?

Previous poster is right, if there is something specific you want, bring it onboard with you.

Thanks for the recommendation, this is why I asked what they have.

I sail on my first Carnival cruise Sunday, and I still have a few minor questions, concerning soda.

1.) What soda do they have on the Dream? Is it just the standard Coke/Pepsi, Diet Coke/Diet Pepsi, Mnt Dew, etc... and if so, what else do they have?

2.) Last I'd heard the Royal lines were going to the fancy fountain machines, where you push a flavor (lime, cherry, orange, etc...) then add your soda and fill. Does the Dream have the dream machine for the soda package?

Thanks

So, to sum it up: to not be overwhelmed on your first cruise, 1.) Do whatever you want to have fun. :cool:2.) Don't call it a boat, because we are above that, and we'll shun you before you get on the BOAT the first time. :rolleyes:

Not sure how you missed it because it is in the FAQs under Liquor & Beverage Policy:

 

http://www.carnival.com/Core/FAQ.aspx?faq=beverage#q-545894

 

Here is the pertinent language:

 

On embarkation day, each guest may bring a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages on board and only in their carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 bottles and/or cans, 20 ounces each or less.

Thanks, MadMan. I probably missed it because it was under the heading of "Bringing Liquor Onboard- Embarkation Day" and skipped it looking for the general beverage policy. Then came the cooler policy. So, it was just overlooked, or skimmed over that made me miss it. But it is surely a definitive policy.

As long as you go by their guidelines there is no problem what so ever, I have taken soda and wine a few times, never any problems.

Since there seems to be a consensus that water is allowed, but not one on how it may be brought on, could I ask someone to point me to the Carnival.com actual guideline so I may interpret it myself. I looked around quite a bit, including their FAQs, and luggage policies, but not mention either way of water or soft drinks. I'm slightly disabled, and an extra 12 pack of waters is a lot heavier for me than most people. I'll have others that can help, but I'd still have to carry something of theirs, I'm sure. So I was hoping I could check-in my water.

So, I'm planning on booking this All-Inclusive package for my Jan cruise. I have a few questions I hope previous guests will answer more honestly than those that want my money, and will answer the way they think I want to hear.:D

The description says there are four restaurants included and the buffet. Are the restaurants really included for the cruisers, or just the hotel guests. With the buffet being the cruises only food option. And if they are, is there a dress code?

Also, the description says the land and waterspouts are included, are they really, or are they "for a fee?" If they are included, is the gear also included? I'm especially interested in the snorkeling, hobie cats, and kayaks.

Carnival hasn't replied yet, and I'm looking email the resort in a few, but I think the board's answers will be more appropriate.

Thanks in advance,

John

Thanks for the replies. I ended up contacting Carnival for their suggestion. I ended up with the later seating. And they're going to talk to the Maitre 'D to see if we can get them all together. I'm supposed to check with him when we board to see what he could do, and if he couldn't help, maybe he could for most diners, etc...

Your 2 formal nights are probably going to be Monday and Friday, but you can wait until you board the ship to find out for sure and change your reservation if you want to.

So, should I take it that 7 night cruises all have Monday and Friday as Elegant Night? I'm on the Dream Jan 4th, if that matters.

To answer the question - it makes no sense to get YTD then go every night at the same time you could have regular seating and be seated almost immediately. As you thought I had to, there was no assigned seating left when we booked.

It makes no sense to someone that has sailed on Carnival and knows that they do not allow you to make a reservation for YTD. Being that I've only been on a Royal ship, and they do in fact allow you to do this, it makes sense to me, because I don't want to eat at 6 or 8:15. Six o'clock is the time we sail at two of the three ports and doesn't give us enough time to rebound and shower, etc...if we want to spend as much time on the island as we can. And 8:15 is a little too late for some of the older and younger parts of our party. But now that I know we can't make reservations for YTD like I could the only other time I've taken a cruise, I can see why you feel my thinking is flawed.

I do not understand your question regarding when the 'itinerary starts'

My only cruise experience is on the Royal, so that's all I can draw from. When I was on their boards prior to that cruise they posted their "compasses" and could tell me, as an example, that the itinerary of the Dec 7th cruise was the same as the Jan 4th itinerary. I don't know how often a their itineraries changed, but the first time a new one came up, that's what I meant by "itinerary starts."

Party of 8

You want to sit together

You want to see all the shows

You want to sit at the same table every night

You want the same wait staff

 

But yet you have Your Time dining? Why did you chose YTD when you really want MTD based on everything you said!

Again, my only experience is on Royal cruise, so it's all I can compare it to. They did allow us a to make a reservation the same time every night that wasn't one of their two fixed dining times. Since some of our port days we resume sailing at 6, that isn't a great time to eat. One of our rooms has 4 people in it, they'll need plenty of time to shower and such. And the late time is too late for dinner, to us, anyway. So, yes, in theory we want MTD, but with another choice of times.

I know this is an often asked question, so I'm confused as to why I can't find it on three different searches. :confused:

What time are the main evening shows (we are going to be on the Dream)? Are the main shows at the same time each night?

We are a party of 8 with Your Time Dining. We want to sit together almost every night, so we want to get a reservation time for the bigger party, and hopefully get the same table and waiter each night, too. We also plan to see many of the shows, so this is why I'd like to know the times.

My only other cruise experience was on Royal :eek:(which was also a big party, 9. I'm the only one that was on that other one :D) and we were able to get the reservation like I want to on Carnival.

Also, what is Carnival's version of the Compass called, and when will it match up with Jan 4th's Dream cruise? I have't seen any uploads on here of any previous itineraries, does anybody upload them for Carnival?

So, the main three questions: What are the Main show times, what is the Carnival version of the Compass called, and when does the itinerary start for Jan 4th Dream (and 4th, will the itinerary be uploaded to this forum?)?

Thanks in advance, and I'll be back with more questions soon.

John/CanDMan47

I'm heading to three ports in the Caribbean at the beginning of the year. I'm one of 8. Six adults, and a 14 & 16 year old. We have more than three things we want to do, lol, of course, and we're narrowing them down. One thing we all agree on, though, is at one port we want to see the island from the non traditional excursions. I know that is a now common thing, and it's even become more touristy and commercial, itself. But knowing this, going in to it, which of the these three ports would be the best to try to be more immersed in the local stuff. Safety is of the utmost concern, by the way. Our choices are Cozumel, Grand Caymans, and Montego Bay. We are not opposed to hiring a driver/guide for the day, if he/she is good and fun, and not compensated by local businesses to bring us to their places, instead of true recommendations of local cuisine, shopping, site seeing, and other fun we wouldn't think about.

So which port of thise three is the one we should plan to explore? And if you've got time, why is it your choice? And finally, are there good guides I should try to hook up with before going?

Thanks all.

John

The basic GoPro cameras $130 at Best Buy. As cheap as that is to be better to buy one then rent one

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I have never used any level of GoPro, but I've only heard bad things about their entry level camera. I do hear better things about them as the price goes up, but, just from word of mouth, I'd probably rent one of the onboard ones first. Especially if you're only using a one day rental. The three day, it is a harder decision, but I'd still rent. If I bought something and it was junk, I'd be more unhappy than never having it to start.

EDIT TO ADD: I'm moderately tech savvy, but one thing I've never know about is memory space/storage, etc...On the one day rental from the image, it says it comes with 4GB. Approximately how much HD video time would that be?

I went on my first ever cruise this past June. I went Royal then. I also took the trip with my family: parents, daughter, brother, SIL, and their 3 kids. I got back from that cruise and knew immediately I was going to go again. This time, a group of friends had already started planning a Carnival cruise for Jan 4. And I'm going with them.

I had such great luck with this forum and its members getting answers, that I've decided to keep it up, but I'm bringing my questions to the Carnival side.

I'm no longer a rookie cruiser, at least in my opinion. I have the basics down, and understood, but I do have some questions.

For starters, what should I expect to see, or do, or have to do differently from Royal? Any big differences I should know about? Or are all big cruise lines pretty much run the same way? I'll get more specific if I need to, later.

Any little differences, I might want to know, but don't know to ask?

If it helps, I sailed Navigator of the Seas out of Houston in June. And I'll be on Dream (or Dreams?) out of New Orleans in Jan.

I have some more questions, but here's a good start, and this was also my small and quick reintroduction to the boards.

Thanks in advance for all the help I know I'm going to get from you all. I'm excited to be back on a ship in 74 days!:D and in NOLA in 72 days. (We're going early and spending a couple days ahead of time and an extra day afterwards.)

Have you looked at TripAdvisor?

While looking for excursions for my first cruise, I did use TripAdvisor, but I had the excursions I was interested in before hand and just read reviews. I looked at them yesterday, precursively, but didn't see a way to narrow down to excursions, vs general things to do if you're staying longer than several hours (hotels, resorts, restaurants, etc...). I'll look again, closer this time, due to your recommendation.

Or, a guidebook is most helpful! Gives you a great idea of ALL that's avail....and some books even give private tour companies!

A guidebook would work in most instances. But this particular time, it is time sensitive. My largish traveling party is meeting in a few days to plan some of our optional activities, and sharing a book wouldn't be practical. Neither during the meeting, or getting all interested parties a chance to go through it prior to Sunday evening. But I do appreciate the idea. I may look at a bookstore to see what I can find, then just bring my own ideas out of it.

Thanks guys or girls for the advice.

John

Let me get this out of the way first. I'm not sure if this type of advise request is acceptable on these boards, but please delete my post if you need. Second, I hope my answer only calls for a "search", but I never have much luck on this or any forum with searches, mostly because of the strict wording required for a proper return.

I'm looking for one or two online resource listing as many shore excursions per area as I can find. For example, what are all my choices (as many as makes sense, anyhow) for Cozumel? One or two websites with links, or at least web addresses so I can research myself is what I'm looking for. The site can be dedicated to the area, in this case the Caribbean, as long as filtering is easy enough. I will definitely look at my cruise line's offerings, but I know there are more not offered by them. Also booking is usually cheaper cutting them out. (I'm also aware of the advantages of booking through the cruise and take that into consideration). And I looked quickly at Cruise Critics Excursion Reviews, and that list seems limited, as well.

I'm not looking for a website that sells excursions, so much as lists/reviews them. Google turned up little help.

Looking through the message boards, specifically the port of call section, I see several posts about individual trips, but it's exhausting going through each one individually, and most of the topics cover the same few trips.

The three areas I'm looking for specifically are Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico.

Thanks for your time, and again, I hope this question doesn't violate any type of intentional request for solicitation, definitely not my intent.

Thanks, John

Also, I'm somewhat mobility challenged. I haven't used my recent condition to get special considerations. My doctor was adamant I get handicap tags, but like I said, I don't use it. My biggest issue with pain/comfort is standing for long periods if time, like waiting in line to board. If I'm having a bad pain day, is there skip the lines line for physically challenged? How would I prove it besides my cane and car hang tag? I'll only use it if it's a bad day.

Today I received an email from RCI saying that due to limited space at the Galveston terminal, they want to board us by decks. This is ok with me, as I was planning a somewhat later boarding, anyway. We would like the flexibility if we get board after breakfast, and before 1pm But how much do they enforce this? I've only ever read on here to board when you want, pros and cons of early and later boarding. Also, I've read parties can board together. We have two cabins on deck 7 and one on 12. Any problem boarding as a family? Should we use deck 7 time or deck 10 time (deck 12 wasn't in the email)?

I know this is one of those highly controversial subjects, but I guess I don't see why. I understand not wanting to spend the, what was it, $186/pp for 7 night cruise in advance, but it's not like you need to spend it the day you book. It's due when 75 days out? With the rest of your $700-$2000 and higher price cruise. It's a service charge they call a tip. Is it so important to those of you that RCI or your TA actually pay for your tips in the form of OBC? Is this the real cause of the angst? You really don't want to pay the tip at all, and have it paid for you? Would you be happier if they charged you $200/pp more for the cruise and you didn't tip anyone if you didn't want to? This seems to be the the most overrated controversy on this board. When anyone brings up the cost of the cruise, the beverage packages, the shore excursions, etc...the standard response is "if you can't afford the vacation, don't take the vacation" type of responses. The same should be said for the under $200 tip for 7 nights.

I'm a big boy, go ahead and tell me I'm wrong, but it better make sense. And this wasn't directed at anyone, but everyone that is against this prepaid service charge.

I was mostly thinking of the wind, of course. But inside temperature never occurred to me. Thanks all.