soonernstlouis

It’s probably a matter or weeks before they will start at least requiring temperature testing pax

disembarking as they now do embarking.  Had planned staying an extra day on both ends of my next fly-in cruise.  Sounds like the smart thing to do.

5 minutes ago, Cafedumonde said:

What movie is that?

Poor taste but I lolled myself:

Movie

@UGACamper

This is exactly the type of thread we need right now.  Encouragement to cruise & fill empty cabins while getting it at a discount price.  So much lose/lose discussion going on (quarantines, missed ports and understandably- cancellations due to health risks).  
 

Hope you have a great time & your rate actually was lower than my future Havana Interior one so you got a great price.

Forgot to add until it was too late to edit: please

give 1st hand details to the new non self-serve stations in the buffet, etc.  Is it everything (including Guys Burgers condiments) or just the buffet?  thanks

OC, please post your opinion on a few currently relevant topics as you experience them:

•Pre-screening for temperature, ect and how that affected embarkation.  Miami is said to be one of the easiest ports to embark from & I wonder if the new process slows things down much.

•Any closures (shows), port changes, etc you are made aware of.

•Crowds or lack thereof.  If the lido pool isn’t masses of humanity we then know there were a lot of cancellations.

•Any special dining experiences you have; pictures are great.

•Overall how others are handling the situation (masks, being more clean-hand sanitizers, covering cough).

Have a great time!

21 hours ago, Aplmac said:

Don't get left behind crying on the pier.

If we get left behind you’ll let us crazy Americans stay at your place, right?

OC are you in a Havana room?  I need some

motivation at this point with 7 months out with all that’s going on.  Appears you are Southern Caribbean based on 8 days.  We’ll only be 6 with Western.  Better than 30-40 with quarantine (lol).

7 minutes ago, 1kaper said:

 

I can't speak for everyone but I'm pretty sure we all want that.  Enthusiasm about empty ships is a way to make the best out of a crappy situation, not about wanting people to suffer, including Carnival. 

Thanks for assuming I am tying human suffering and personal benefit together.  I only advise people to use discretion in their joy over the situation.  It’s a no win situation for the cruise lines.  It’s at least an inconvenience if not outright fear for the common cruise traveler.  Enthusiasm is not appropriate IMO but gratitude and open discussion is.  Sorry if I’m too much of a downer as I usually am.

Saw this post earlier this morning & then later replies before I posted.

Like most, I appreciate Carnival trying to keep us happy.  Wish I had the same enthusiasm about wanting empty ships some have or how or if it benefits me that is most important.  Still want to cruise but want Carnival to succeed,

no one to die or be significantly  inconvenienced by a quarantine.  
 

My cruise is several months away & I hope all goes well for those cruising sooner & have a good time.  So many things to think about & no decision taken lightly or dismissed by others.

I’m still wandering when I was complaining in my post.
 

You stated the obvious about people should know what insurance covers.  I stated the obvious that no one could have predicted the current climate.  
 

I’m not going to say anything further as anything I post considered off topic gets deleted & not worth the effort.  Hopefully you got my implied message as I did yours.

To add something on-topic of value I will say that going forward I intend to select CFAR insurance.

23 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Anybody who buys insurance without knowing what it covers and what it does not cover has nothing to complain about.  

2 comments on this.  
 

Many folks who booked & got insurance did so prior to the current pandemic that no one could have predicted.  Your 20/20 rear view googles comment would have been more helpful a few months ago.  
 

Most folks who booked insurance also do so thru their TA.  I did so and while it was not CFAR it was at a sufficient coverage level to cover costs incurred at her recommendation.  

I asked my wife today if she was worried about our October cruise.  She replied she didn’t like that Carnival had made recent itinerary changes without notification (I actually agree but realize they have discretion).  Hopefully we go and hopefully we go somewhere we want to go.  Our insurance is not CFAR so we have to keep thinking things over as this virus progresses.  I guess I will not be making another payment until required.  Keeping everyone in our prayers as health is more important in the end than money.

15 minutes ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

 

Actually, most airlines are just allowing passengers to change the date or destination of their travel without a penalty fee, not cancel outright and get a refund. 

I’m ok with either cancel or reschedule with Carnival .  Flights are a different animal

than cruises since they are front-end/back-end transportation.  We worry more about what takes place once we get on our vacay than if some inconvenience takes place but still gets us there or home.

2 hours ago, NETSEG said:

Today is Tuesday and Horizon is currently docked in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic.  Original itinerary was Ochos Rios, Grand Caymen, and Cozumel. Captain announced that Jamaica and Cayman Islands are still working on their corona virus policies and were not clear on whether the ship would be cleared.  There is no illness on board.  Carnival opted to change the itinerary to Amber Cove, Grand Turk and Nassau.  

Hopefully they work this it or at least get Cozumel back on the Horizon itinerary as originally scheduled.  The original itinerary is what I have booked for October & I have

no desire to go back to Nassau or go to the DR.  Probably would cancel if so & appreciate the updates.

On 2/28/2020 at 11:45 AM, Joebucks said:

. It would take a legitimate problem in the US for that to happen

Joe, I’ve seen quotes where you’d think these folks want a serious domestic pandemic to occur all in the name of them saving a few dollars.  
 

My October cruise category continues to be sold out & I don’t anticipate enough cancellations to occur to affect pricing since there are only 12 HI category rooms to begin with.  Would rather everyone who can comfortably make a cruise do so anyway.

@SG65CB

Thanks for the recommendations and wonderful pictures!  Looking forward to my 3rd cruise in October & seeing new places.

@SG65CB

Any recommendations on food?  Do you know the kayak rental prices?
 

Thanks for the tip on auto tips w/credit card.

7 minutes ago, Hoosierpop said:

Good point on the quarantine. That would suck. And I hope they would do it differently than the Princess ship. 

Absolutely.  On another post I said most people are concerned about “inconvenience factors” eg money.  Safety, as it should be, is always concern #1 without overreacting in advance.  Knowing what we know now about how the Princess Diamond quarantine and the FACT that 11 people died, let’s let politics go...  We on this board are interested in cruising.  We want to continue to cruise.  I’m not canceling my future

cruise & unless things get dire I don’t recommend others do either in currently unaffected areas.  
 

I cruise for relaxation if nothing else.  Keep that

state in mind as you book or cancel.

17 minutes ago, mumofsons said:

We have done the Havana area on the Vista - not in a cabana - inside. 😉 I booked it for the havana pool area. We knew the music would be playing around till 11 and we were ok with this.  We loved the Havana area and actually were pleased with being so close to the Ocean's plaza, and coffee shop area. Although an inside was more than a regular balcony, I was ok with the price since we truly enjoyed the use of the pool and nice seating area. I am not a fan of huge ships so this was one way to battle the crowds.

To original poster - sorry you had a bad experience. 

I booked an HI on Horizon for the exact same reasons & too am willing to put up with the expected Havana Bar music until 11pm.  
 

Maybe folks need to blast John Heald’s Facebook page suggesting the put up signs at the Havana Bar exit/Havana pool entrance that boom boxes are not allowed there.  Obviously doesn’t stop them from using it on their balcony/patio but gives a little distance from the pool/hot tubs.

3 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Stating your view is def n9ot being a contrarian. It is what makes CC work so well..

Maybe contrarian is the wrong word.  I like Joe’s posts and the open discussion. but had to disagree.  I guess I too would be upset if you pay more for something that was intended to be a relaxing & little was done to help ensure it.  This was probably a rare instance and OP is overreacting.  We all need to find our happy place in life.

1 hour ago, Joebucks said:

While I don't condone the behavior of those people, no where does it state that the Havana is some serene relaxation retreat

Joe, I never like being a contrarian but at least the age requirement for Havana suggests they want it to be a little quieter.  Obviously some people “relax” while skydiving (lol)

• Children must be 12 years of age or older in order to cruise in a Havana stateroom. The Havana staterooms and experience is designed to be a place where guests can relax and recharge in a more intimate and private setting and the age requirement will enable us to sustain the desired atmosphere.

27 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Cozumel and Grand Cayman are probably the two most popular ports on the western side. You will have a lot of options at either port. Montego Bay....not so popular. I will recommend Dunn's River Falls there but it is a long day from Montego

Greg, I forgot in my earlier post to mention the Western Caribbean trip for Horizon also rotates bi-weekly either Montego Bay or Ocho Rios.  We’re going on the one that has Ocho Rios since Dunn’s River Falls is on my wife’s bucket list.  So really Horizon does 3 different cruises every 4 weeks.

Not sure if you were looking at specific dates but Vista rotates weekly 2 Western Caribbean itineraries in 2020 (Cozumel/Grand Cayman/Jamaica or Cozumel/Belize/Honduras).  
 

Horizon rotates an 8 day Southern Caribbean followed by a 6 day Western Caribbean.  

I’m sure both are great and we’re going on the 6 day Horizon in October since we’ve never been to Miami and am originally from the Houston area.

1 hour ago, so,ton saint said:

 

HI i know its not a cruise question but as i am boarding Fascination in Barbados my first port of call is san juan, because its a U.S territory am looking to buy Wrangler or Lee jeans in a out let in the town centre would any one have any knowledge of whereabouts of a store or even st thomas thanks in advance.

Howard

 

 

Marshall’s would probably have them (not outlet priced if that’s what you mean).  I can’t say for sure since we were not looking at clothes when we were there.  From pier 4, cross the street & turn left.  After CVS, turn right & it’s about 2 blocks uphill.  Lots & lots of luggage there if you need any.  I think clothing is upstairs.

Agree with what is said above...who you cruise with, who you are tabled with at the MDR, who are your cabin neighbors (even suites) and who you share even a semi-exclusive pool with is luck of the draw.  Sorry you went thru this.  I probably would have accidentally kicked their boom box into to pool since apparently the only repercussions are a fight at sea with Carnival doing nothing.  Which is probably why fights happen more there to begin with.

Forgot to mention that I intentionally avoided booking a 5th level Havana cabin figuring that adjacent Havana Bar music might keep

us up.  Got the last 6th floor interior cabin available & will bring earplugs just in case.