ScottsSweetie

Three cruises ago, we were told by our room steward to go ask for glasses at any bar - we asked and received.

Two cruises ago, we proceeded to the bar to request our glasses - we were told that we would need to get them from our room steward. We asked for them and were obliged.

Last cruise, we asked our room steward for them - we were told that we would need to call room service for them. We did so, but had to wait 45 minutes for them and then tip upon receipt.

It would seem that this is different on each ship, or each sailing, or simply at their discretion each time as to how we can get our wine glasses!

Making plans but haven't got anything set in stone yet. Like everybody else in this country, we're on a very tight budget, but do make allowances for fun. 2 vacations in the past 7 years- I don't think that's being overly extravagant.

 

I've been from one end of the internet to the other trying to find the best price/deal. So far, Cruises Only has beaten all of them. I even called Carnival directly.

I'm a little irritated that Carnival would do this:

Category 4A "Get a free upgrade to 4C" $779

Category 4C $749

Am I missing something here? Why would you not just pay for 4C?

 

Who have you found to beat all others? Before you recommend Cruise Compete, the one we want to go on isn't listed so I didn't bother.

 

One more question: When you get on the ship and there are dozens of servers walking around offering drinks "Special? Special?", are those free?

TA's are guilty of doing this pricing as well, it's not exclusive to Carnival. You do realize that Cruises Only will charge a $24.99 fee for booking with them, right?

And, the only free drinks you will find on Carnival are the ones you get for yourself at the buffet or water or tea at dinner.

Thanks for the clarification as I was also wondering about the different responses.

A few questions for recent Freedom cruisers:

1. I have never been on a 6 night cruise - how many elegant nights? Which nights?

2. Never been out of Port Everglades - easy to navigate? I wanted to park off-site but I have been overruled - is there anything we need to know?

3. What day / approximate time was the Past Guest Party?

4. Any good bands / musicians we should check out?

5. Is the aft pool adults only?

6. Any trouble finding spots on serenity?

7. How was the steakhouse?

8. What is the current platinum gift?

9. Do they have the towel animal explosion and what morning is that?

Thanks for any help you can give me! :p

You mean the no cooking and no cleaning is not convincing enough?

+1 :p

I was just looking at this menu and pics yesterday, too. The cereal covered french toast just looked horrible!

Other than that, too many good things to choose from. Would like to try the Huevos Rancheros.

Unfortunately my mom is one of those people who never wants to try new things. The few times I have gotten her to try new things, she absolutely loved them. I know mom, and I know she would enjoy herself. She is just so stubborn. I even tried to sell her on the fact that she can play slots as much as she wants. That didn't work either....smh

 

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Maybe remind her of those things that she was reluctant to try, but then had a great experience.

Perhaps you could also find someone in her own age group who has cruised before to let her know how much fun it is.

We plan on doing the same thing. DH & I are Platinum; my in-laws are not. We will check in at the appropriate area while the in-laws check in at their area. We will wait and board with them during their zoning time. DH & I will then take all carry-on luggage to our room before we all head to lunch.

I see no moral dilemma here. :rolleyes:

Cruising Carnival Freedom in November - this will be our first visit to G. Cayman since reaching Platinum status and using the tender priority benefit.

I believe I have read on other threads that they will give a specific meeting place and time for all Platinums who wish to tender, and they will be on the first one. Can anyone confirm this for me? Alternatively, can someone who has used this benefit tell me how they used it in Grand Cayman to be off the ship on the first tender? We will be booking a private excursion and will need to be onshore as early as possible.

Thanks for your help! :)

On our last cruise we had 4 people in 2 rooms but only got 1 bottle. I asked about it.

I was told since I made reservation for 4 it was only 1 bottle.

If we would have made 2 reservation and ask to sit together we would have gotten 2 bottles.

I was like "really" Its 2 tabs.

She said that was the rules.

Seemed kind of silly to me. But all was good.

So I guess make 2 reservation and ask to sit together when you get there. It did not matter how

we paid at the end.

That was our experience.

Just the kind of info I'm looking for - thanks to all! :p

I have a few questions about the Steakhouse (we will be on the Freedom, but these answers should be generic).

I understand that the current promotion is a free bottle of wine if you book the steakhouse on night 1 or 2 of a cruise. We will be cruising with the in-laws and would like to treat them to the steakhouse - here are my questions.

1. Since we would like to treat, will Carnival allow us to put all 4 meals on our S&S card?

2. If we put all 4 of our meals on our S&S card, will we only get 1 bottle of wine?

3. If we split the ticket and put 2 meals on each of our S&S cards (and we simply reimburse the in-laws), will we get 1 bottle of wine for each couple?

4. I believe I've read that some people were able to upgrade to a preferred bottle of wine by paying the difference from the free bottle - anyone have a ballpark price on either the credit for the free one or the difference paid for a better option?

5. I am assuming any wine not consumed can be taken with us (high unlikely, but possible ;)).

Thanks for your assistance!

At Half Moon Cay, they have the long rubber mats for rent - I believe they are $20.00 (someone please correct me), or you can get a large round "raft" like thing for more money.

I purchased two small inflatable rings from the Dollar Store before our trip and we used those to lean on and float around. Passed them on to two kids when we left the beach.

Have since bought all that the Dollar Store had left and put in my cruise box for future trips!

DH and I are both Platinum. He did not receive the offer - I did.

We are not able to use it.

:eek: Thanks for the comparisons! ...turning green, head is spinning, stomach is churning....I'll be fine in just a few minutes...where are those Tums? I just need to get the mental image outta my head..lol

 

I love mushrooms, and cheese, especially blue cheese! I can do this (escargot). But what are Morels?:D

Thanks for the comparison (I LOVE mushrooms in butter and garlic), so I'm going try the escargot. I have always wanted to try it, but I'm associating escargot to those nasty, slimy critters that come out on my front porch every night and just couldn't get that image out of my mind. I will substitute a different image and try the escargot.

 

Sorry to be off topic! And thanks for the responses. :D

The one time we took all four of our kids cruising with us, one of our rules was that they must try one new food a day. They were not required to clean their plate of it, they could choose the food that they tried, and of course, if they didn't like it, they could order something else. I think that sometimes we adults need to step out of our comfort zones as well! As the old commercial said, "Try it - you'll like it!" :D And, if you don't, order something else.

Mongolian Wok.

Gazpacho.

Creme Brulee

Warm Chocolate Melting Cake

Escargot

We have also used priority tendering before - we were advised to visit the Guest Services desk when ready. Upon doing so, we were escorted to the tender by Guest Services personnel.

Okay, thanks for the replies. I knew I had seen the "five extra people" for tendering. We only need two as DH and I are cruising with his parents. We hope to do traditional late seating, and will definitely link our reservations together and hope that we can get that time.

Again, thanks to all who replied! :)

I have looked at Carnival's website but I did not see the answer.

If I remember correctly, for priority tendering, we are able to bring a certain number of other people with us - can anyone confirm?

Also, re: priority main dining room reservations - if we have another booking "linked" with ours, will they also receive our dining time if we use our platinum privilege? We are going to be booking in the next few days for an October cruise, and in my experience we may not get our choice of dining time.

Thanks!

One of our all-time favorite rooms! We loved sitting in the window looking at the wake. Also, an extra bonus is that the hallway is EXTREMELY quite at all hours - no foot traffic to speak of going past your door all day and night. There can be some vibration, but that would not stop us from getting another one of these rooms.

I was just looking at this excursion on the Carnival page and reading the reviews there. Seems that most people enjoy it, but a disappointment for me is that you are not allowed to take pics during the "encounter" portion, but the tour company is HAPPY to sell you a greatly inflated picture package. Have yet to decide if this is the excursion for us.

So, if you are on a ship that has the Guy's Burgers, does that mean that there is no grill area on lido offering the standard burgers, dogs & chicken sandwiches? That is the place where they always had the chips before.

Hmmm. Never had a pushy waiter on lido or at the bars.

Have seen the "shot guys" in the MDR be a little pushy.

Have also seen a little attitude from wait staff when they notice that you have brought a self-made drink with you (made with our legitimately purchased Bon Voyage alcohol).

Does anyone happen to know if albuterol inhalers can be purchased? How about Singulair (or the generic brand)? Or how about liquid albuterol for a breathing machine?

Yep, those prices are crazy! I think I counted 8 or 9 different ships and itineraries that were available for less than $300/pp (before taxes & fees).:D

I wish we were able to book these - we are traveling with the in-laws and they have a very small window of availability. We are, however, watching the cruise we want very closely (end of October) and waiting to book when the price goes down. I check the prices twice a day (a.m. & p.m.) and I am willing to bet a $20 or $30 increase to snag a larger decrease, which I think I will see around the end of August / beginning of October.

Okay, so this is the third different explanation of these I have seen.

First, someone posted that they were garbanzo beans. Then someone said no, they are black beans. Now, this says pigeon peas. I'm so confused!:confused:

Hoping to sample them on my next cruise, whatever they are! :)