TNcruising02

1 hour ago, ray98 said:

 

They do....open your eyes.  Look at the Super Bowl last night....70k people from all over the world, all genders, races and political affiliations.....not a mask in sight.

Exactly.  This pretty much sums up the feelings of the majority of people in our country.  I am sure the crew members would much prefer to work without masks.  I feel sorry for them to have to wear them all day, same with people on land who work in restaurants.  

As far as the rules, they should be followed.  If people don't like them, they should choose a cruise or vacation where they can follow the rules.  Nothing is more annoying than someone who agrees to a rule and then puts up a tantrum when they are asked to follow it.

Can you copy what you received?  Maybe it's a California thing because Carnival isn't requiring wearing masks outdoors unless it's a crowded area or you are within three feet of someone who is not in your group.

"outdoors if in large gatherings and physical distancing cannot be maintained"

"

• Outdoors – Remain at least 3 feet from others when not wearing a mask and not in your cruise companion group.

13 minutes ago, 2wheelin said:

That happened to me last week on the Panorama. Bartender “looked it up” on her computer and could not see it listed at all for a free drink. I paid for the drink. Then I was able to find the email I received about the free drink and took it to the bartender. She then rang up a zero charge drink. I told her that would not cancel the charge but she insisted it would. It did not so I went to guest services and explained. They said it would have to be elevated to resolutions but it did get resolved before we left the ship.

That sounds frustrating.  Although I will reach platinum on my next cruise and all of my documents show platinum, I just received an email detailing the perks for gold.  The free drink is still one of those perks.|

Moving forward, VIFP amenities will be linked to your Sail & Sign folio for electronic redemption.  Simply claim your benefit using your Sail & Sign card and a one-time credit for that item will be posted on your folio and will be visible on your statement.

Complimentary Beverages

• 1.5L Bottled Water – redeemable from any bar, restaurant or your stateroom. 
• “Gold” Beverage (on 5+ day Cruises) – redeemable from any bar on the last sea day after 5PM.

Carnival Ship Pin

To collect your Carnival ship pin, please visit the Photo Gallery with your Sail & Sign.  We encourage you to claim your gift no later than two days prior to the end of your cruise.

I am really enjoying your trip report (story)!  I love all of the details and pictures.  I remember going on a cruise out of Balitmore one time when we were freezing and had to wear jackets.  I know that cold weather went through Florida.  We were there in January.  

The ship sounds amazing!

25 minutes ago, momof3cruisers said:

Don’t fly Southwest. They are militant about it and even said over the loud speaker that eating sunflower seeds wasn’t an excuse. Put them in your mouth by reaching under the mask. They also announce the mask protocol 18,000 times.

 

As for what to do with it, I wear them on my wrist. I’m stuck trying to figure out why Carnival went more restrictive when Royal and NCL loosened up.  

Norwegian was originally mask free, but changed it temporarily due to the new variant and the number of their crew members getting infected.  They are just changing it back to the way it was.  I think they are mask free because they feel that sailing 100% vaccinated makes it safe to do without masks.

I believe Royal segregated the vaccinated and unvaccinated.  I think they had certain shows that were vaccinated only and they didn't require masks at those times.

Carnival has always allowed a few exemptions, so they weren't 100% vaccinated.  However, I think they felt it was too hard to deal with masked/unmasked and all of the stuff that Royal was doing so they decided everyone had to wear a mask.  That is the reason I haven't cruised on Carnival for over two years.  Until now.  LOL.  A free cabin on the Mardi Gras was too hard to pass up.

I am going on a cruise this month.  Since I will constantly have to put on my mask and take it off all day, every day, I bought a face mask lanyard.  This seems the easiest way to me to deal with the cruise ship mask mandates.  A 10 pack of lanyards is less than $10.

I will finally reach platinum on my cruise this month.  I was able to check in for my cruise 16 days prior to the cruise.  I checked in just after midnight eastern time.  It took me 11 minutes to get through everything and I got 10:00 to 10:30 appointment time and boarding zone A02.   Also, my boarding pass and luggage tags have the word platinum on them. 

Enjoy your cruise and the platinum benefits!  I am excited about reaching platinum too.

Right now when you book, Carnival has a statement that vaccinations are required.  Also, they will require boosters if the CDC changes the language to state that fully vaccinated means being boosted.  There is nothing that indicates that vaccination requirements will be removed any time soon.

If I was not vaccinated, I would not tie up a deposit or any money in a cruise.  Maybe you can find an all inclusive that will be fun in the mean time.  I do think someday the cruise lines will remove the vaccination requirements.  I don't think it will be this year.  Just a guess.

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

It does offer a totally different ambiance to the show experience.

The area looks amazing in the pictures I have seen.

26 minutes ago, Lee Cruiser said:

I am not expecting it anytime soon.  The testing is the main aspect that probably is keeping the cases on ships low.  Vaccines obviously aren't preventing the spread.  They may keep people from having more severe cases.  I know over a dozen fully vaccinated people who had also received a booster within the last two to three months, yet they still got the virus in late Dec and Jan.  The N95 and KN95 masks certainly help prevent the spread, but probably not the others.

 

The main way to keep cases low on the ships is to make sure (as much as possible) that the people getting on the ships don't have covid, so I expect this will be around for a while.

I agree.  As much of a pain as it is, testing is the best thing the cruise lines can do to help keep the virus off of the ships.  That makes so much more sense than requiring vaccinations since vaccinated people are getting and spreading the virus too.   Testing right before boarding is even better.  Hopefully, the mask requirements will go away soon.  I don't care how long the testing requirement stays because at least that makes sense. Wearing a mask that doesn't prevent spread is such an insult to common sense.

Just now, ninjacat123 said:

Check out the shows at Grand Central. It's awesome!

The ship looks amazing.  It will be very cool to see shows there.

2 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

Yay!!  Also go to Lido and find the Gelato stand.  They change out the flavors daily.  Street Eatz is yummy as well and included.  My mom and I didnt go to Cucina del Capitano because we could go there on most other ships, but I have heard good reports.

I'm so jealous, have fun!

 Gelato. Yum! There's so many places to try. I love that it will be a completely new experience and am looking forward to exploring and going to as many new places as possible.  Great suggestions!

17 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

Please try out Emeril's and Big Chicken. So yummy!!!

Definitely!  I am very excited to try the new places.  I get to check in for my cruise tonight!

I read that they were looking into offering the $10 option.  That's great that it's available for those cruises!

The science hasn't changed. The virus particles have always been able to go through the majority of the masks.  N95 masks offer protection to the person wearing them.  That won't change.  What will change is society's ability to accept that covid is here to stay and they can accept the risk of living without wearing a mask.  The people who don't want to accept the risk have the option of constantly wearing N95 masks.

46 minutes ago, john91498 said:

I disagree. If NCL doesn't require masks and Carnival does, I would sail with NCL.

Same.

Just now, bamaone said:

Only time will tell. But it’s pretty obvious the ones making all the rules don’t actually believe they work.

Exactly!  That's been shown time and time again.

If I was so afraid of getting covid that being near someone else who wasn't wearing a mask sent me into a panic, I wouldn't be traveling at all.  I am sure Carnival's passenger counts will surge once they remove the mask mandates.  

I booked a cruise on Norwegian when they didn't have the mandate.  Then they changed their rules and made a mandate.  I was happy that they cancelled the cruise and I got a refund.  The only reason I am cruising right now is because I got a free cabin offer for the Mardi Gras.  Unless I get another free cabin, we are willing to wait it out until mask mandates are removed.  We may consider a cruise on another line that doesn't have them in place. 

It would be a good move for Carnival to move forward with common sense as the other lines are doing.  I think some people live in a constant state of fear and are upset that other people can happily go about their lives.

I hope they do eventually drop the mask mandates.  I am vaccinated, boosted, and have had covid.  I am ready to get back to living normally with accepted risks.  Anyone who is fearful can wear an N95 mask and protect themselves since other people wearing masks will not provide as much protection.

Time for people to do what it takes to protect themselves in the way they see fit.  Covid is here to stay.

4 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

Send laundry out at night. It’s back the next morning. 
 

I remember soda fountains in the buffet, by Guy’s burgers, in the smokehouse, I think by the pizza place, and I think by the coffee shop.

 

I had six comedians on Mardi Gras. Adult shows in the punchliner and family friendly in the limelight. Then a few late night showcases in the main lounge. There was so much adult comedy I never went to a PG show.

 

They clear the room after each show on every ship.

 

No reservations 

 

I don’t remember the number of shows but I have lots of Mardi Gras Fun Times here.

 

https://saintgregtravel.com/fun-times/
 

No

No

probably now

Thanks for the link.  That's very helpful!

Thank you everyone for answering my questions and also for the wonderful advice and suggestions!  This makes me even more excited for my cruise.  I can't wait to explore a new ship.  It looks like there are a lot of food options.  I've looked at pictures of the ship, but I am sure seeing it in person will be amazing.  Thanks!

I am also interested in finding about Uber. I am interested in using Uber to get from MCO to my hotel near the port.  I am curious if the service is good and the approximate cost.  I took an Uber in March 2020 from an airport hotel to the port and it was the best transportation I ever had to a port.

I got a great deal on a Mardi Gras cruise for Feb 26th.  This will be my first cruise since March 2020, so things have changed.  

I will reach platinum on this cruise.  Are there any benefits as far as boarding the ship early or a special line to enter the ship?  Will I be able to take my carry on bags directly to my cabin? How is the platinum free laundry service and turn-around time?

My husband likes the soda package.  I know there is some type of soda machine in the buffet area.  Are there other machines on different decks?

Will there be four different comedians per cruise?  Are there usually four shows per night? Do you have to exit the area and stand in line again if you want to see two shows in a row?

Are reservations required for any shows?
Do you need to take your vaccination card with you when visiting the ports?

Any experience with verifly?
Do people wear the masks while outside on the open areas?  I assume masks are required at all times inside except while eating.  If I am watching a comedy show and have a drink, do I need to put my mask back on between sips? I have no idea how strict the mask requirements will be.

Thanks!  I've been on quite a few cruises, but none since the pandemic.

 

1 hour ago, Bostwick girl said:

And the other problem when you do get thru, the person you are likely talking to is a new contracted person, not really up to speed.

 

This was my experience.  It took three calls to Carnival to resolve an issue I had with a cancelled cruise.  I was on hold for over three hours on the last call.  I called first thing in the morning, thinking that would help.  It didn't.  However, the third time was a charm because the issued was resolved.

Jimbo, I am very late to this party, but I really enjoyed your trip report.  Your cabin and balcony were amazing!!  I liked all of your pictures.  The food looked so good.  I am glad that you had such a wonderful time, other than that crazy wind.  

We decided to take a cruise on the Mardi Gras on the 26th.  The cabins are inside, but only $19 each for deck 16.  What a deal to try out this ship!  We were going to wait until masks weren't required, but it's been nearly two years and we are ready to try this ship. Your trip report makes me feel good about taking the plunge back into cruising.

Thanks again for the wonderful trip report.  I appreciate you taking the time to post about your experience.  I've read something about Verifly being used on the Mardi Gras, so it will be interesting to see if this happens for my cruise.