mz-s

Good luck trying to get your money back. There are countless stories just like yours. Contact your attorney general or the FTC is my advice.

Oh I like them too, I have 4 on my upcoming cruise. But 2 in a row is my limit, at least right now. Maybe I'll change my mind as time goes on but I get ready for solid ground after 2 days.

Great itinerary but the problem is obviously it takes 3 days to get down there from NY, vs. from San Juan you're already there.

Do you have access to Carnival's comment cards?

Security crew of Mardi Gras per JH on March 10 2023. Judge for yourself.

No, it's only available on the first night. It's nothing particularly special, your steakhouse dinner will trounce it. However if you are signed up for your time dining, there's nothing stopping you from going to the MDR and just ordering a plate of calimari. It may also be available on Lido (I Can't remember).

At this point they have what, 20+ years of YTD data across their ships to understand when most guests choose to eat. And how many eat at the buffet or steakhouse or what have you. And now they have going on 2 years of data from Mardi Gras and Celebration. So maybe they will tweak the formula. OP here cannot be the first to complain that just because they chose set dining they have to wait until nearly 8PM to request a table at many of the new dining options on the new ships. I would be right there with them, it's ridiculous.

No, Carnival can receive DirecTV television throughout most of their cruise itineraries. It's just a matter of them paying to carry the channels.

There's plenty of room for everyone. Remember plenty of people just eat at the buffet. Carnival just doesn't want to devote the resources to accommodating everyone, and that's fair because they're a discount cruise line. But they could do it if they cared to.

Maybe they will when/if Carnival installs the self-service fountains in more ships. As of right now, just on Excel class. No they don't provide a cup. Be nice if they did. Pouring a hot can of soda over ice just waters down the soda and makes it go flat quickly. Fountain drinks are much better.

That's fine if you want a set time but I don't see why the branded options are locked out for set dining cruisers. I know they're in small venues, but give cruisers the choice - wait 30+ minutes for a table in the branded setting, or be seated near instantly in the normal dining room. Maybe even split the aft dining room up into a few more options. My point is it can all coexist.

MIA is pretty much full these days so FLL will probably start to get some more action in the coming years.

Yes, that's how Carnival is doing things with their new ships. I agree it's a poor experience for set dining cruisers. I don't see why they don't just allow everyone to reserve a table at the restaurant of their choosing when they want. Go to 100% "freestyle" dining.

I wouldn’t pay it but many would. To me it’s a good price if you want a balcony.

I think to some extent carnival does see this bubble as somewhat temporary. Otherwise carnival would be completely renovating the costa ships for example. That’s confusing to the consumer because it’s not a true carnival experience, however, it allows carnival to grow with this expected bubble, and then shrink back down when necessary. I doubt they’ll cut the price of the HMC cabanas and villas unless they can’t fill them anymore.

I advise you to not hold your breath waiting, but good luck!

Generally, when Carnival solicits the upgrade all your goodies move with the upgrade. But it doesn't hurt to call Carnival (or your PVP/TA if applicable) to confirm.

I agree the prices are obscene...but apparently people are paying it. It's easy money for Carnival, they might as well get as much as they can for it. Maybe they will offer "sales" onboard if not sold out in advance. Or maybe it will be like Genie+ at Disney where the price adjusts based upon demand.

I agree, they should put a ship in every port they can. San Juan would be great.

That’s just the beginning.

They offer upgrades to people who are booked in categories that they think they can sell for more. For example, if you are booked in a standard balcony that you booked 2 years ago and the ship has a lot of Spa or Havana balconies left, you stand a good chance of getting a good upgrade offer. This allows Carnival to get some more money out of you, and sell your old cabin to somebody who will pay more than you did. I used to get a lot of upgrade offers years ago. Now that I book with a TA that explicitly doesn't participate, I don't get them anymore. But I also am not interested in upgrades so I don't care.

I've heard on here that Carnival has the Caribbean ESPN feed, so if that is true it explains the discrepancy.

I didn't know that, good to know - thanks.

Yeah it's pretty much just ESPN on the ships. Sometimes a major sporting event will come on (like the Super Bowl of course) and Carnival will buy the rights to show it as well. But generally, it's just ESPN.

All I read in the article was someone asked if they'd still make their next port of call on time. Hardly a jeer. Clickbait headline in my opinion.