Mary229

To keep up with that kind of news you should bookmark this page https://www.carnivalcorp.com/media-center/news-releases

First you have to be within 335 days of your disembarkation date to view and book flights. I have used them often and I find the international flights are always exactly the same as I can buy or often much, much less. For domestic flights they usually are precisely what the airlines offer. I have never seen a situation where they were more than booking direct. They are a consolidator just like many entities and their inventory changes daily. If you don’t see a good price check back. You can change the flight as often as you like without fee until your final payment date. I always use them as a placeholder until I make a final decision Their flights to Amsterdam can be an incredible deal. I alway try to route through AMS so I can capture their deals - my last trip was $900 one way, nonstop business class back to DFW PS I see you are in Australia so YMMV. Additionally when you book internationally can make a huge difference in price. I don’t know when you bought the other fare and date of booking may account for the price difference you are seeing

They are there. They may fall into Europe, Grands or Canada. Only put in Reykjavik as a port as Greenland ports are changing

OK, that was worth the effort. I am getting the package and rebooking. It turns out my cruise fare (29 days) went up only $600ish to add on the package. Have your TA run your numbers.

We are doing another price check. My agent will give an item by item detail. Will be back with a report

So did you get the air credit or not? It sounds like you got HIA without paying, is that right?

🤨

I wouldn’t pay final payment or get my hopes up. I finally went ahead and booked the Baltics for next year realizing that Russia may go behind the iron curtain for a long time and there was no point in waiting.

I am trying as hard as possible to go carryon only. I think I can do it but DH likes his dinner jackets. I yet have a few months to wrest those away from him. 😉

My first cruise, early 2022, post pandemic was $15.50 for a verandah. Unfortunately my last cruise pre pandemic was a promo with free gratuities. In 2016 it was $13.50 for an ocean view. The other invoices were either free tips or unavailable at the moment

Easy enough, go to the app and check your invoice. I will do so now

On the grands they have dressy and they have formal. Formal was reestablished last year and is a step up from dressy. Lots of tuxes and gowns on my last SA grand , I was even in my best evening outfit

They may be, we are not privy to that information. Seeing it publicly announced that tips are going up may move a lot of crew’s heads. Sometimes public price increases are more about marketing than cost.

From talking to crew the market is highly competitive right now and finding people who are trained and credentialed with Visas is hard. Current employment markets swing in favor of the employee right now, just like UPS, UAW and so on it is the same for seamen. If increased tips gives them a leg up on hiring the best of the best it is most likely worth paying for.

I am sailing in 2024.

I sail almost exclusively long voyages and they do stick with the two nights per week but sometimes pair dressy night with a holiday or Orange night so that can take some of the stress out of dressing up.

That was covered and all cruise lines have similar contracts. The issue has been that promises were made then rescinded.

Thanks. My intention is now a Texas suit for him (very similar to an Alaska suit) and shiny shirts with black slacks for me.

January is generally when you will see fee increases including gratuities, drinks, internet and so on. Watch carefully as it is announced with just a small window to prebuy at the old price.

I only have a bronze but it is proudly displayed with my various Turkey trot medals awarded for crossing the finish line. .

How about your flights, have you spoken with the airline?

Yea, it was a very disappointing experience for us but yours is devastating. I would be furious

Just as @9tee2Sea remarked we price it all out to determine what is our best option. We are equally at home with fly and drive travel but have found cruising to be an exceptional value regardless of what level of luxury a traveler seeks

Never found one but if I did I would rehome them to Carnival or NCL via my travel agent.