cathysue62

On 8/23/2021 at 1:24 PM, shook said:

I have a question about the alcoholic drinks. From what I can tell from their website, It seems there are no alcohol drinks that are included in the cruise package price - that you either pay for each drink as ordered or there is a $300 drink tab you can purchase - but The Tab says it allows "premium" drinks. Are there "regular" beers and wine etc included in your cruise package without additional charge, or do you pay for each drink onboard (charged to your room).PS - Do you pay for the drinks in the minibar as well? Thanks!

"Premium Drinks" are the coffee/team items from the Grounds Club, juices/smoothies that are made to order and the Red Bull offerings.

My cruise isn't till July 2023 -- but I can get into the app via my Iphone.  

I had one booked for a summer 2021 cruise (before it was canceled).  Cabanas were $350.

3 hours ago, CroozFanatic said:

Vaccine required...crew and guests!

Very smart move on Virgin Voyages' part.  If the CDC guidelines for those who are fully vaccinated stay as they are today - then the crew will not necessarily have to play "mask police".  Additionally, if VV mandates vaccines -- following the current US government/CDC's current strong reccomendation -- it will be easier to get approval to sail and start bringing in revenue.

I too just got back on May 16th.

My daughter and I did the Private Island Dolphin Swim. The swim excursion allows you to spend time in an area with multiple dolphin as they swim around you. We spent about 45 minutes in the water with them (you can use snorkels and masks if you choose -- we did) and reach out to touch them and listen to them talk to each other underwater. A very cool experience.

Just a note -- we purchased our own (new) snorkels onboard our ship at the excursion desk before going ($5 each). All the masks and snorkels at the excursion site are in a bin filled with some solution -- and we didn't want to put something in our mouths that we were unsure had been really cleaned.

After that, we moved to another area to do the encounter portion (which is included in the swim excursion). There the trainers teach you a bit about the animals and you pose with them for multiple photographs while standing in about 3 feet of water. If you chose the Dolphin Encounter excursion -- this is pretty much all you do.

The CD of all the photographs of us -- plus some general ones of the dolphin and island cost $75. Since you are not allowed to take cameras, this is the only way to get the pictures. The photographer did an amazing job of capturing our expressions as the dolphin kissed and splashed us.

We were able to enjoy the gorgeous beach there for an hour before our encounter started -- wear water shoes because the beaches are rocky and sharp. Had about 45 minutes to after. The water is clean and gorgeous.

We did the Beach Getaway in Freeport -- and were told that we were going to Taino Beach (I think I also saw a sign). Like the prior poster said, it is set up for cruise ship passengers. This excursion was 9:30-3 minus 30 minutes each way to get there. Since it was short, we ate a good breakfast and did not buy food. They did have someone making fresh coconut Gullywash drinks ($12 with alcohol - $10 without) so we bought those. The water at this beach in Freeport was not as clean (seaweed and some random trash) or clear, but there was no need for watershoes since it was all sand.

There are several laundromats around the Military Circle area in Norfolk - about 6 miles away from the cruise terminal. Take Waterside Drive east, it will merge into I-264 E. Exit the interstate to take Military Highway North. The first laundromat will be a Soaps N Suds at 5812 Poplar Hall Drive. (Take a right at the second traffic light after exiting the interstate. The laundromat will be to your left immediately after turning onto Poplar Hall. Here is the website to the company: http://www.soapsnsuds.com.

There are also laundromats around Old Dominion University in Norfolk, roughly the same distance from the terminal -- but requires driving through the city with many traffic signals.

Hope this helps!

I used e-gift cards (from the Father's Day promotion) to pay the remainder of the balance for my booking months ago. Still had money remaining on the cards -- and used part of the remaining balances to book and pay for my excursions through the Carnival site. If I remember correctly, there was a block to check to "Use a Carnival Giftcard" above the credit card payment area -- once I clicked that it opened up a field to key in the gift card information.

...I am worried.

I am a first timer -- and booked a cruise for next year (already paid in full). My daughter and I selected an aft wrap balcony, which I have now learned can accommodate 3 people. We took this so that we could be near other family on that deck in an interior room. Now I am afraid that we will be bumped, since all the aft wraps are sold out -- and the cost of the interior room booked for others has climbed over $300 in price. I wanted the bigger balcony so that our whole group could hang out together without feeling cramped. Are we at risk?

Thanks for any insite that can be given...

The Gift Card Promo worked like a charm. Our family is booked for a cruise in May 2015. Went in yesterday to purchase e-cards to pay the balance in full (and then a little extra for excursions and onboard credit). E-cards were delivered within minutes of making the transaction. (One warning -- the bank my credit card is issued through did call halfway through my purchase of the giftcards to insure that the purchases were legit).

The promo cards were received in my email inbox twice (once right after midnight last night -- and again at 5am this morning) -- had the same card numbers, so Carnival is double sending out the emails for some reason.

Went into my booking this morning this morning, applied the promo cards first -- and then the purchased cards. Worked like a charm. Nice to see no balance remaining

Here is the fine print on the cards:

"Carnival Gift Cards can be used on almost anything: towards the purchase of a Carnival cruise, activities/shore excursions, and redeemed onboard toward the Sail & Sign account for gifts, drinks, and fun. Using your gift card is easy but do not share this email, as it is the same as cash."

The cards I purchased indicate "This e-card does not expire." The promotional cards state "This is a promotional gift card and the card expires on 6/13/2015." That is why I applied the promotional cards first to the balance of my booking.

Thought I would share. If it hadn't been for kind folks on the forums I would never have known about the offer. Thanks to all of you for posting for us newbies!