farjar

It might depend on the length of the cruise. We paid $420 to go from a guaranteed inside to an extended balcony on our recent 16 day Panama Canal cruise on the Spirit. We were very glad we did because of the length of the cruise and the uncertainty of a guarantee. At first they offered us a cabin under one of the bars. I had previously gone to "The Box Store the Costs" site and knew which cabins in the same category were still available. I was able to pick one of our choosing not what they wanted to give us. Do some research and see what is above and below their offering before you make a decision.

Our recent 16 day cruise on the Spirit was Sept. 20-Oct. 6. Here are the movies they showed: Sept. Jurassic World Dominion, Elvis, Vivo, Fantastic Beasts-The Secrets of Dumbledore, Mobius, The Batman, The Lost City, Dune, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Oct. Minions The Rise of Gru, Thor Love and Thunder, Lightyear, The Batman, Jurassic World Doninion, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Elvis

Ship: Carnival Spirit Deck: 7 Cat: 8K Extended Balcony Cabin: 7233 Starboard side Very quiet, non-connecting room with couch and table. The balcony was larger than normal with 2 chairs and a table and ample leg room so you weren't cramped. It had an unobstructed view, a big overhang that provided wonderful shade and good wind protection depending on your direction of travel. As long as the balcony door was double locked there was not whistling wind noise. The location was near the midship elevators so it was an easy 2 deck ride up to dining in the Lido buffet. Our only complaint is the lack of outlets. There is only one on the desk so we had to unplug our clock every time we wanted to charge the phones or use the curling iron. I suggest bringing an extension cord or multiplug. We would book this room again.

I too will be very interested. We leave soon on a cruise that still requires supervised testing due to its length. Even though we are fully vaccinated and boosted we have to go through the inconvenience and expense of regular Covid testing. If non vaccinated cruiser can self test then fully vaccinated and boosted should be able to also regardless of cruise length. Aren't we actually safer passengers to have on board than unvaccinated self-testers. It will be interesting to see reports of illness from people on ships that didn't require full testing compared to ours. I'll make a point to post after we return if I noticed any indication of people being quarantined. Perhaps we will have a safer cruise because of it. We'll see.

Just got another automated phone call from Carnival apologizing for the mistaken information in their previous message. Fully vaccinated and boosted passengers can take a PCR or RAPID ANTIGEN THREE days before sailing. Don't know what happened. Perhaps they thought we were on a cruise going to more restrictive destination. 😡 😡

We received a phone call I believe said the new requirement for our 16 day Spirit cruise Covid testing was now three day for a PCR test and TWO days for a rapid antigen test. The information went by so quickly I'm not positive that is what I heard and there was no way to replay the automated message. I called Carnival and the representative said her information still showed three days for a rapid antigen test. Did I misunderstand? Did anyone else receive a similar call? Our rapid test is scheduled for tomorrow which would NOT qualify if the new requirements are true. I need to know whether to reschedule our appointments. Thanks.

In late October 2005 we did a NCL Dream cruise out of Galveston two days after Hurricane Wilma devastated the Yucatan Peninsula as a category 5 storm. All our ports of call; Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City and Cancun, were cancelled because of the horrible damage she left behind. In order to avoid the remnants of the storm we spent a week cruising in a very slow circle in the Gulf of Mexico before returning to Galveston. NCL was able to hastily arrange one stop at Vera Cruz where local school children came to sing to us and vendors set up their wares on the pier in the rain. It ranks as our least ideal cruise but it was still a cruise and we were safe. Our inconvenience, however, could not compare with the problems faced by those affected on shore in Wilma's aftermath.

In late October 2005 we did a NCL cruise out of Houston two days after Hurricane Wilma devastated the Yucatan Peninsula as a category 5 storm. All our ports of call; Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City and Cancun, were cancelled because of the horrible damage she left behind. In order to avoid the remnants of the storm we spent a week cruising in a very slow circle in the Gulf of Mexico before returning to Houston. It ranks as our least ideal cruise but it was still a cruise and we were safe. Our inconvenience, however, could not compare with the problems faced by those affected on shore in Wilma's aftermath.

Thank you for the pictures. The library looks nice but the supply of books seems lacking. We will definitely bring several paperbacks then leave them for others when we are finished also. We were on the Koningsdam to Alaska in May and the selection of books was one of the best I've seen on a cruise ship. Too bad it varies so much from ship to ship.

How well stocked is the library? Are there many fiction books? We will be boarding your cruise in Seattle for the 16 day Panama Canal portion and were wondering how many paperbacks to bring.

We nearly always book inside cabins for all the reasons you mentioned except we recently accepted an upgrade offer to an extended balcony for a price we couldn't refuse. Because it is a 16 day cruise from Seattle to Miami we chose a cabin with cabins above and below on the starboard side so we will have afternoon sun nearly the entire voyage. It should be dark in the morning and cooler most of the day and we will be able enjoy the sunsets from our balcony. We have always preferred taking the price difference between an inside cabin and other choices and going on shore excursions instead. Considering the length of the upcoming cruise, the price and 10 sea days we went for it.

I stand corrected. I merely reiterated the terminology used by the original poster. Certainly did not mean to mislead anyone.

Check in is midnight EST 14 days prior to sailing. If you live on the west coast that means you can check in at 9:00pm 15 days out. You can choose your desired boarding time then.

Check out WeTestU.com They charge $89 for a rapid antigen test. Besides their Mission Valley location they will come to you for a $49 and up single charge (not per person). We've used them and were very satisfied. They are Southern California's #1 ranked testing facility on Google. You would have to call and ask them about getting your results on the spot. I had occasion to speak with their customer service department and they were very friendly and helpful.

Does you driver's license have your picture on it? If it does I would think 2 forms of photo ID would be sufficient. Your vaccination card matches your driver's license, the picture on the driver's license matches your passport picture. You could also bring along a copy of your birth certificate depending upon what name it shows. I also like ledges1 suggestion of running the information through Verifly. It you get a green check you only have to show that at check in, no paperwork.

If I am reading this correctly double vaccinated and boosted passengers must still have a verified test for cruises 16 days or longer while unvaccinated passengers basically get a pass on cruises 15 days or less. 😡 We are on a 16 day Panama Canal cruise in three weeks. Hopefully requirements will change before then. It makes no sense. At least let vaccinated and boosted cruiser self-test too regardless of cruise length.

Did this offer get emailed to you or was in your CCL account? Also do you have to sign up for the Carnival Players Club or are you automatically signed up the first time you use your room card? Thanks.

I wish they served a portabella mushroom burger with crispy onions like they do at the Dive-In on HAL. I could eat one every day!

At least you got 11 months notice. Our Getaway cruise in January 2022 was cancelled 8 days before departure. I will say NCL was very good about refunding everything we had payed plus giving us FCC. It was just a nightmare dealing with the airlines and the insurance.

NCL cancelled the entire Jan. 19, 2022 Getaway cruise on Jan. 11, 2022 just 8 days before we were to sail. There were other cruises besides ours cancelled due to high Covid rates among the crew. Currently there is another CC thread discussing how NCL is cancelling individual travelers on the POA in Hawaii due to under staffing. It's hard to say what things will be like in 180 days.

My question is do you have any shore excursions planned? Depending on your budget I would keep the inside cabin and put the $300 toward seeing Alaska on land. Yes you can sit on your balcony and watch the scenery go by but there are lots of wonderful places on the ship to do that. The weather can also be unpredictable so you may or may not get much use of the balcony. Ge off the ship and explore Alaska. It's a beautiful place.

We have a 16 day cruise coming up. Did the 7 day menu just continually repeat itself or were additional menus offered for days 8 and beyond? Thanks.

I tried your suggestion and it worked. What I found interesting was it would allow the first person to book another excursion in the same port and get the same discount on the second excursion again if time allowed. Thank you.

We are platinum and are entitled to a 10% price reduction. It doesn't show up when I try to book online. Do I need to call the shore excursion number and book through them in order to receive the discount? I don't recall if I did that previously or had to go to the shore excursion desk once on the ship and get the discount there. Thanks.