CruizinMama1026

5!! Carnival Conquest [emoji4]

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Going on the Carnival Valor 3 night cruise in November. We were wondering if they do Chef's Table on the 3 nighters and if so is there an email address we can send to ahead of time to pre-book? Thank you!

When I called Carnival for an excursion problem they told me Excursions does not have a direct line that I would have to email. I heard back from the email in about 2 days. Here's the email if you need it. Good luck! shoreexcursions@carnival.com

Thanks for the reply. You copied and pasted the FTTF benefits? Correct? I am only asking because the way it read I thought you were giving me Suite info. But I think those are FTTF perks?

 

The reason I was asking the original question was because there seems to be a lot of information coming from guests on CC that differs from what the CCL docs state. So I was hoping to get first hand experience feedback.

 

I do appreciate your taking the time to copy the info for me though!

 

The whole thing is a bit confusing to me, only because of what I have read here. But I think after seeing your reply I am going to go with- just trust what the CCL website says and do not read all the other stuff. :) Which means I want the FTTF, because we want the dedicated GS line as well as tendering...and the luggage, etc...

 

Thank you again! Have a great day!

Yes I posted this because you were wondering FTTF benefits vs suites. Since GS line and tendering aren't included you would probably want the FTTF. Luggage is included with the suite if you read through. Enjoy and good luck.

According to Carnival's FAQ section Suites do get first access to stateroom, express luggage, and priority debarkation:

Here's what the program includes:

Priority Security, Check-in and Express Boarding

Bypass lines and have exclusive security screening lanes and express boarding lane. This is only available on embarkation day. If you arrive after general boarding has begun, you may bypass the general boarding line and board via the Faster to the Fun lane.

Note: Only VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests as well as guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations will have access to the Priority Check-In Lounge and proceed on board before FTTF guests.

First Access to Stateroom

Your stateroom will be ready for you as soon as you board so you can relax or freshen up for all the fun you are about to have.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests and guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations.

Express Luggage

Your luggage will be expedited to your stateroom so you can unpack and don your cruise attire first!

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests and guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations.

Guest Services

Quickly have any of your questions answered or requests addressed as you will have a dedicated phone and line at Guest Services.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests.

Dining Reservations

Priority Dinner Time Assignment: FTTF guests will be cleared after VIFP Platinum guests. This benefit does not include specific time reservations for 'Your Time Dining'.

Note: VIFP Diamond guests and guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations are guaranteed their dining in the Main Dining Room.

Tender Priority

You will have priority tender service from ship to shore (multiple departure times may be possible) so you can explore ashore as quickly as you want to. When ready to go ashore, if not on a Carnival shore excursion, present yourself at the Guest Services Desk.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests.

Debarkation Choices

We are always sad to see you go. But when your cruise is over, you may choose an early or late disembarkation time upon arrival to your homeport.

Note: This is also a benefit for VIFP Diamond and Platinum guests and guests traveling in deluxe suite accommodations.

Things to Remember

The FTTF price is not per person. One ticket per stateroom covers all occupants of the stateroom so only one guest needs to purchase but all occupants receive the benefits. For guests traveling with companions in separate staterooms, one FTTF package must be purchased by each stateroom for guests to board through the Faster to the Fun lane.

After purchasing the FTTF package, guests will need to re-print their boarding pass and luggage tags so the Faster to the Fun stamp reflects on the documents.

FTTF can only be purchased prior to the cruise; no al a carte services can be purchased onboard.

Check-In typically begins at approximately 11:00am but may vary by port. The boarding process (for all guests) starts at the published time provided in the documents as long as the debarkation process from the previous cruise has ended.

Has anyone attended any of the new Meet and Mingles yet? I'm curious as to what to expect? We go next month! Thanks!

We walked to Junkanoo beach in Nassau, it has actually gotten nicer since we were there last. There is now security patrolling the beach regularly, and the vendors have been moved back to the sidewalk. We spent about 3 hours there playing on the beach and in the water, walked the main shopping, and spent the rest of the day at the waterworks on board.

In Freeport we did the "beach getaway" excursion. It was okay, but we wouldn't do it again. The buses were packed shoulder to shoulder with no ac for the drive over, you get to the beach and spend 20 minutes being lectured to like children before you can go sit, and then the chairs are lined up two deep the entire length of the beach right up to the waters edge from one side of their property to the other, so you can either sit in a chair or stand in the water. No laying in the sand or space for kids to play. The food was reasonably priced and good, but their vendors are all very pushy. We had about 2.5 hours total there before we had to be back on the busses. Not worth it for us. Next time we'll take a taxi back to Lucaya resort like we have in the past.

We'll be cruising on the Pride in May and Freeport is one of our stops. How much is the day pass at Lucaya resort? Do you just get it at the front desk? We'll have our 3 and 5 year old with us, do you think this is child friendly?

We walked to Junkanoo beach in Nassau, it has actually gotten nicer since we were there last. There is now security patrolling the beach regularly, and the vendors have been moved back to the sidewalk. We spent about 3 hours there playing on the beach and in the water, walked the main shopping, and spent the rest of the day at the waterworks on board.

In Freeport we did the "beach getaway" excursion. It was okay, but we wouldn't do it again. The buses were packed shoulder to shoulder with no ac for the drive over, you get to the beach and spend 20 minutes being lectured to like children before you can go sit, and then the chairs are lined up two deep the entire length of the beach right up to the waters edge from one side of their property to the other, so you can either sit in a chair or stand in the water. No laying in the sand or space for kids to play. The food was reasonably priced and good, but their vendors are all very pushy. We had about 2.5 hours total there before we had to be back on the busses. Not worth it for us. Next time we'll take a taxi back to Lucaya resort like we have in the past.

We'll be cruising on the Pride in May and Freeport is one of our stops. How much is the day pass at Lucaya resort? Do you just get it at the front desk? We'll have our 3 and 5 year old with us, do you think this is child friendly?

The one time we went we really enjoyed it. However, if choosing between the Steakhouse and Chef's Table, Chef's Table wins hands down. It's an inexcursion in itself in my opinion and worth the money.

It's a great free souvenir ;)

Where is this list you speak of?

Cruizin Mama, if you title at top of picture when scrolling the reader can see what is next.

Thank you for pointing that out! I will definitely do that after my next cruise when I add more pics ;)

Refreshing this post. Maybe we can get some pictures from the new American Table menus :D

Glass by the pool is a terrible idea. I liked the above posters suggestion of bringing an insulated mug to transport your wine from your cabin?

My husband and I are planning on cruising out of Galveston and read that they have strict liquor laws where the cruise line can't serve alcohol until out of Texas waters. Does that mean Carnival won't serve alcohol (beer, wine, mixed drinks) at all that first day/night? Also, is there any extra regulations if we were to bring our allotted amount of wine on board? TIA

Really disappointing:

I have grown to really enjoy lobster night.

As per John Heald:

"Yes it is true but only on certain cruises. We've had to discontinue serving lobster on cruises of 5 days or less due to the significant increase in the cost of lobster. Discontinuing lobster on short cruises will allow us to continue offering our cruises at great value.

So, effective with sailings of 5 days or less departing 19th September 2015, we are adjusting our main dining room dinner menu that is offered on Elegant Night. We will be providing new cuisine options as follows:

Appetizer: Broiled Sea Scallops with Truffled Risotto and Citrus Gremolata appetizer

Entrees: Blue Crab Ravioli in a Light Lobster Cream with Vodka

Oven Baked Japanese Sea Bass with Nicoise Sauce and Aromatic Basmati Rice

Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Special Marinara Sauce and Mustard Potatoes

Roasted Duck with Orange Glaze and Au Gratin Potatoes

Other guest favorites including Tender Roasted Prime Rib, Barbecued St. Louis Spare Ribs and Zucchini and Eggplant Parmigiana will continue to be offered as well.

This does not affect voyages of 6 days or longer, lobster will continue to be offered once each cruise on the Elegant Night menu.

Thanks and let me know if you have further questions

cheers"

How much are the photo packages on the Pride? We sail next May on the Pride and it would be great to know before hand.

We stayed at the Comfort Inn and Suites Cocoa Beach. We did the Fly, Snooze, and Cruise package. It was very affordable, I think $195. Included transportation from the airport to the hotel, from the hotel to port, and from the port back to the airport post cruise. The hotel was right by Cocoa Beach and walking distance from many restaurants and a view places to get wine or snacks for the trip. We loved the Sandbar Sports Grill which was a view blocks away and got to see the official Ron Jon Surf shop which was across the street. We plan on using them again if sailing out of Port Canaveral. It was only 10 minutes from the Cruise Terminal. If you'd like a direct link to the package message me and I'll be happy to send it. Good Luck :D

I collect the official hanging ornaments from all the cruise ships we've been on. I couldn't find one on our Sensation Cruise and was wondering if anyone who will be cruising on the Sensation could see if they have them and pick one up for me? I would be happy to send you money and shipping costs when you get back to ship it to me in NY. The ones I have are $12. I'm not sure if the cost has gone up. Thank you!

I loved your review! We'll be sailing for the first time with our two little ones (3,5) on the Pride next May. Seeing H have so much fun has me super excited :D

I've done travel agents, PVP, and myself. The travel agent was nice in that we got some OBC and a free bottle of champagne. But it was kind of a pain. Any changes that we requested had to go through the travel agent. Carnival agents can't help you if you book through an agent. The PVP really had no bonuses and really didn't do anything I couldn't do myself. Once she took our deposit money that was it. When I would try to contact her for price drops or any other questions she was never available and I ended up just calling Carnival customer service. With booking myself, I know what I get and I have control over the reservation. I book for family members now too.

Loving the review!

I just checked for our Carnival Pride cruise in May 2016 and it came out this morning!

A two year old on our last Carnival cruise was screaming bloody murder! It's not contrary, it happens! Children are tired and cranky and the last thing they want to do is sit quietly through a drill. It was so bad that one of the muster staff leaders asked the mother to remove the child and asked the father to stay to go through the muster drill. There's been a couple of instances of children acting out but none as bad as that.

That's terrible. Since the muster drill isn't normally until around 3:30-4, I'm hoping to get the little one down for a quick nap before hand. Now thinking about it, they might enjoy the muster drill. Especially being up front.

As long as either my husband or myself gets all the information for if a real emergency happens we'll be fine.

I'm shocked at some of the comments you are getting:( You only asked for some suggestions/help and you would swear that some people thought that you were asking them to baby-sit your kids for the entire cruise....)

 

That having been said - on the muster drill that I was on last month, the kids were well behaved (although I didn't pay any attention to what the parents were doing...). The most distracting thing were the adults in the back complaining about having to be there and talking through the whole thing. I had never been to a muster drill before and really had to strain to hear what the instructions were (as I had a total conversation of loud people going on behind me about how they shouldn't have to be there because they've cruised before and what loyalty program status they had).

 

I'm sure you will be fine :)

Thank you and I agree. Those people can nark all they want, I'm just excited to take my kids on their first cruise!:D I've gotten some really helpful tips and info through this post thankfully.