BlerkOne

I had to double check - this is the AARP gift card thread.

Recently AARP card cost for Princess increased to $460 for a $500 card. Will the rest also change?

As with much, the answer is maybe, but I think officially no. Guest Recognition - Milestone Rewards Program As part of Carnival’s Guest Recognition Program, Milestone Rewards was developed in appreciation of longtime Carnival guests. This milestone reward benefit is in addition to the wide range of amenities and privileges that guests already receive as part of the VIFP Club. Milestone Rewards Program denotes a guest’s 25th, 50th 75th and 100th revenue cruise with Carnival. Guests will receive a special Milestone Sail & Sign card on their corresponding Milestone cruise. We want to distinguish guests on their Milestone sailing with a unique card so that we can make his/her Milestone experience extra special and memorable. After this milestone cruise, they will revert to the card that corresponds to their VIFP level. In appreciation for their loyalty, the guest will also be granted the opportunity to redeem a future non-refundable onboard credit equivalent to 25%, 50% or 75% of the cruise ticket price, corresponding to the milestone reached. And when a guest reaches his/her 100th cruise, will qualify for a FREE Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska or Australia cruise of their choice (8 days or less, for 2 guests), in accommodations up to and including Ocean Suites (category OS/OT). This onboard credit may be applied to any future cruise in accordance with the terms and conditions below. If you have questions regarding your Milestone rewards, please contact our Milestone's Desk at 877-CCL-VIPS. Terms and Conditions Milestone Reward is valid for its stated value in U.S. dollars, only on Carnival Cruise Line and/or Carnival Australia cruise booking, to be used as a credit on board a ship. The Milestone Reward is not valid on any other cruise line, including any Carnival Corporation affiliate line. Milestone Reward is nontransferable, nonrefundable and has no cash value. Milestone Reward must be redeemed at least 30 days prior to sail date and the OBC will be applied to the booking 2 to 3 days prior to the sailing. Only one Milestone Reward is redeemable per guest, per booking; more than one guest per booking may redeem a Milestone Reward.

46 U.S. Code Section 55103 (c) An exception to the prohibition in this section is the transportation of passengers between ports in Puerto Rico and other ports in the U.S. on passenger vessels not qualified to engage in the coastwise trade. Such transportation is permitted until there is a finding under 46 U.S.C. 55104 that a qualified U.S.-flag passenger vessel is available for such service. (2) Nearby foreign port means any foreign port in North America, Central America, the Bermuda Islands, or the West Indies (including the Bahama Islands, but not including the Leeward Islands of the Netherlands Antilles, i.e., Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao). A port in the U.S. Virgin Islands shall be treated as a nearby foreign port.

This is actually for trade, but I was to lazy to find the passenger one.

Yes, applies to Alaska, UNLESS the destination port is Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands.

Puerto Rico is exempt until such time as ferry service is provided between the mainland and Puerto Rico.

Okay. I'll try this https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title46/subtitle5/partD/chapter551&edition=prelim 55104. Transportation of passengers between Puerto Rico and other ports in the United States. (b) Exemption.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, a vessel not qualified to engage in the coastwise trade may transport passengers between a port in Puerto Rico and another port in the United States. (c) Expiration of Exemption.— (1) When coastwise-qualified vessel offering service.—On a showing to the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, by the vessel owner or charterer, that a United States passenger vessel qualified to engage in the coastwise trade is offering or advertising passenger service between a port in Puerto Rico and another port in the United States pursuant to a certificate, the Secretary shall notify the owner or operator of each vessel transporting passengers under subsection (b) to terminate that transportation within 270 days after the Secretary's notification. Except as provided in subsection (d), the authority to transport passengers under subsection (b) expires at the end of that 270-day period. (2) When non-coastwise-qualified vessel offering service.—On a showing to the Secretary, by the vessel owner or charterer, that a United States passenger vessel not qualified to engage in the coastwise trade is offering or advertising passenger service between a port in Puerto Rico and another port in the United States pursuant to a certificate, the Secretary shall notify the owner or operator of each foreign vessel transporting passengers under subsection (b) to terminate that transportation within 270 days after the Secretary's notification. Except as provided in subsection (d), the authority of a foreign vessel to transport passengers under subsection (b) expires at the end of that 270-day period. and for US Virgin Islands, et al (a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the coastwise laws apply to the United States, including the island territories and possessions of the United States. (b) Exceptions.—The coastwise laws do not apply to— (1) American Samoa; (2) the Northern Mariana Islands, except as provided in section 502(b) of the Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America (48 U.S.C. 1801 note); or (3) the Virgin Islands until the President declares by proclamation that the coastwise laws apply to the Virgin Islands.

They don't know the exact credit amount until a couple days before the cruise. If you booked early save, you are eligible to price match up until that time. Or some might upgrade cabins.

I guess I wasn't clear. The exceptions I mentioned wouldn't probably not be. I don't know of any cruises that go from Alaska to Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, but in case there are any, they would either go through the Panama Canal or around South America, and thus almost certainly have a distant foreign port on the itinerary and be exempt for that reason.

The liquor store after you pass security is still there. At least as of a month or two ago.

Not applicable to an Alaskan cruise, but there are a few exceptions like the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Exactly. Too many people only look at the cruise price and if Carnival included gratuities it would put them at a competitive disadvantage.

Food is subjective, because I thought overall the food was good on the Celebration Transatlantic. But I digress, I will have some more 14 day menus sometime in the near future, although I don't think they will be the latest iteration, which is probably still evolving.

I can think of a couple of words : It's proprietary Keeps the competition guessing and maybe helps a cruise line attract and keep staff.

I'm not buying that. Both HAL and Princess have a 5 card limit, but HAL is still a 10% discount. If anything, Carnival sells a zillion more and has a 25 card limit, and they still have a 10% discount. We'll see if Princess sticks at 8% or if the others migrate to 8%. It's all marketing anyway. I'm not sure you can downgrade marketing.

Do you have any pictures from the cruises?

Life boat drill, Eliminated all the sale papers, LNG ships,

Nobody is irreplaceable. Hope you find a cruise line you like.

I have never heard of, but seems to be New Orleans based. I might have to try some. https://www.vangoghvodka.com/our-story/

If you contest the credit card charge, I wouldn't be surprised if Princess banned you for life. Cruise lines maintain herds of attorneys on staff and I imagine they blessed the changes.

For me it was a one and done deal. Maybe it will pop up again.

Not yet.

This was one ship tour D Day Landing Beaches Excursion Description Get a better understanding of the Battle of Normandy by visiting some of its major battle sites. On this memorable excursion you will: Begin with a motor coach drive from Le Havre to Caen and then to the beaches where the English landed at Arromanches. Learn that of the 3.1 million allied troops ultimately sent into action during the Battle of Normandy, more than half were Americans; and that D-Day was the beginning of the end of German occupation and dominance in Europe, and the United States played a huge role in securing allied victory. Visit the Landing Museum and listen to the story, by movie, of the D-Day assault and the incredible courage of this remarkable mission. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch, and then continue on to Omaha Beach, where some of the U.S. troops landed; their mission was to move inland and provide reinforcements for the forces coming from Utah Beach. Stop at the American cemetery in Colleville-St. Laurent and wander among the rows of white crosses. Reboard the coach and return to your ship

The best one I did was also a ship tour on Carnival. It also included the museum. If the ship doesn't offer something comprehensive, or if it sells out, another vote for Overlord, but you won't see as much