WorkerBee74

When was your cruise or is this right now?

Also maybe it crazy if a show just let out, not sure when they are.  

Will see what it's like next week I guess!  We eat late so I'll just know we need to check early haha.

23 hours ago, RedLightVegas said:

I understand the flights are expensive and figured that had something to do with it. But even with expensive flights those prices seemed insanely cheap. 

 

Thanks all!

I think it's because of the uncertainty of when/if they were going to start again, not many people were probably going to book a flight to Australia in advance only to have the re-start delayed/cancelled etc.  Now that they are starting again, people are too close to the cheap cruise date to book a cheap airfare as you'd only get a decent fare well in advance.  Makes sense for them to deep discount to get people who already live there to cruise, not those flying in.  

Also yes, those venues are still all free.  We sail on Saturday so I am very happy that they still are - sounds like they're going to be for the whole 'inaugural season' so would be until July 2022 sometime.  

24 minutes ago, newpherchris said:

Hello! I'm going on Mardi Gras for the first time in three weeks. Can anyone who has sailed her tell me if one needs to (or can) make dinner reservations for Chibang, Pig and Anchor, or Cucina Del Capitano for a specific night / time once I'm onboard? I like the fact that they're currently free but see that I can't make reservations online in advance. Also, let me know if I'm incorrect about the free part 😛 Thanks! 

Someone can (and I'm sure will ahha) correct me if I'm wrong, I don't think you can make reservations.  What you can do is 'check in' for a table as early as 5:30 for dinner and they'll put you on a list/tell you when your table is ready through the HUB app, but I don't think you can say 'I want to dine on day 4 at 6pm' when you get on the ship.  

2 minutes ago, CrzRani said:

agreed...what changed?  Vaccines and tests.  Ok..

Exactly.  I ran this through a comparison engine vs an archived version of the same page from March 15, and NOTHING has changed as far as policy - some tiny wording changes like 'they' has changed to 'guests' etc.  Maybe someone is reading this for the first time, but this is nothing new, and no reason to say 'no thanks I was right not to cruise' like this is some big policy shift making things more risky etc.

What did they update?   And what's the 'no thanks' that is so different here than the protocols were last week?  All the vaccine and testing stuff is the same - I'm confused.

3 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

It's called the Brass Magnolia.  The Brass Money is a chain of craft beer bars.

 

 

So are you saying it's less..... funky?

Where my Beastie Boys fans at?

34 minutes ago, cruisemom2 said:

I read your comment as 75% OF even though that's not what it said - I guess my brain autocorrected too.  🤣

Apparently NEITHER of us need the $21 rum.  It's a sign.  😄

3 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

No, 25% off the full cost.

Right right - I had 75% OF and my phone corrected it to OFF haha.  Gotcha.

24 minutes ago, mz-s said:

> 25% discount off the menu price for any spirit, cocktail or wine by the glass, costing above $20.00 USD, per serving

 

https://www.carnival.com/help?topicid=1106

So, 75% off the full cost?  They can take THAT and shove it, lol.  I'll stick with the $19 rum.

10 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Well, in Carnival land that takes more time, then multiple time 5800 (MG).  People taking each item out, looking for some and then the next and the next, then putting them away vs already done, showing them the green check and moving on.  It is MUCH shorter time wise.  Maybe you are more organized than the average cruisere.  BY FAR, the longest part of check in on each of our 5 cruises without verily was this check in.  Now, the ENTIRE process is done by showing the green check.  

Agreed, so many people saying "it didn't save ME any time" aren't seeing the big picture.  Having everything pre-verified allows the staff checking to do so much easier, it takes the guesswork out of it for them entirely too.

On 3/24/2022 at 12:21 PM, PaulieG13 said:

No, ships do not always dock portside to the port (as the name would suggest). We always prefer to book portside staterooms so we can heckle the runners! However, on our cruise last month on Panorama, we docked with the starboard side in both Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. We had to go to public areas of the ship to yell at "those that can't tell time"!

We've got an aft cabin and I hope we're parked just right to see the Cozumel gang - we are staying on the ship that day and will be many drinks in for the show - haha.

Of the 5 years I've been on here, I've never seen THIS question asked in particular (forgive me if I'm missing it!)

IF I dare to get crazy and order a couple  of shots of the $21 rums at the Red Frog and I'm on Cheers (drinks included up to $20), will they charge me $1 for them?  Or full price?  I know some of the other lines charge the difference so wondering what Carnival does.

Thanks all!

On 3/23/2022 at 10:27 AM, ALSPAUGHDOLL said:

I basically have the exact same plan for our June cruise.  I have done it in the past and it is so easy.  You are spot on to drop off your luggage first and pick up after your car.  So much easier than trying to load up the shuttle. 

 

Thank you!  I also managed to confirm (through other reviews on the Carnival forum) that the shuttle is running too @CruiserBruce.  I did try to call last week a couple hours before an afternoon ship was due in port but it just rang forever after I made it through the menu.

Thank you - seemed like no one that did a review lately has went there so I was starting to wonder if you had to have a Havana room.  Much appreciate the answers, I'm definitely interested in the latin entertainment (and mojitos, of course!)  Thanks for the tip on the Cuban Iced Tea @Retiredmedic

Quick question I can't seem to find an answer to - is the Havana Bar open to everyone or just those with Havana rooms?  I know you can't go out to to pool/deck without a wristband, but am wondering about the bar itself.

2 hours ago, hurricane0226 said:

Rum runners, those little plastic bags filled with your favorite adult beverage, which are

inside your suitcase, Lol.

Ahhhhh lol - got it.  I'll get the Cheers package and have 'fresh' rum and not the stank rum that someone kept under their armpit on the bus from the airport - ahhha.

2 hours ago, DWhit said:

We love to try out most all the lines.  But we have met great people on other cruises that just have no desire to cruise with any other line other than their favorite.  The “Loyal to Royal” group has some awesome folks in it, as I am sure is the case for many lines.

This for sure.  We've started off with Carnival like most do, and we've really enjoyed the value - but I think it depends on the cruise.  We've taken 7 day ones NOT during the summer and had great times and have not had any issues with any passengers, food was great, and didn't experience any of the wild stupidity that it seems Carnival is known for.  I think a lot of that reputation comes from the weekend summer "booze cruises" which we wouldn't touch!  Since it's so damn expensive to fly from the prairies of Canada, we've got great value with balcony rooms in the Caribbean which I think is essential.

I cruised Royal with my mom in 2019 on a New England/Canada cruise and it was great for us - had a great ocean view which is all you need or want since it's not very nice outside sailing the North Atlantic.  I'd want a different experience with her than when I'm with my husband (less drinking/relaxing, more shows and ports!)  I liked it and would definitely cruise them again, but would probably stick with Carnival if I was doing Caribbean/Mexico because I'd NEED a balcony.

All this being said, we are now comfortable enough for cruising that we are entering the "European" foray... because it's so nice 'at home' in Canada in the summer we prefer spring/fall cruises, which are not ones that you necessarily need a balcony for in the Mediterranean since it's not that warm. We are 100% very excited to finally cruise Celebrity since we are more than happy with an ocean view.  Doing our first one in October, and all in all, whenever we travel to Europe we have a much higher budget (and expectation for one), so I feel like we are going to really see a value in being on a ship with the same 'room' every night, yet being able to see all the things.

Ultimately, I can't imagine cruising Carnival in Europe, and I can't imagine crusing Celebrity in the Caribbean!  It definitely works for us to not be committed to one cruise line.  I understand how people are super loyal, but it's the same thing when I choose Air Canada vs Westjet (Canadians understand this).  Who gives me what I need on the best schedule that is the most convenient?  This may not always mean the lowest price, but you give up too many choices when you refuse to look at other lines.

On 3/24/2022 at 6:37 PM, hurricane0226 said:

Oh, and the rum runners,

Other than the most excellent drink... I'm not familiar with what this is haha.

8 hours ago, babygrljaz said:

all those issues are back....i was on the Vista in March.  If i wasn't on deck by 9 am all the loungers with any bit of shade were taken by towels.  good tables, quick access or nice ventilation in the buffet area were taken by loud game players.  but library was empty most of the time. and lets not forget the loud kids running (stomping) all over the place without adult supervisor. kids trying to "swim" in whirlpools....ah so many other things.  I just walked away & found other places to be or things to do.  No sense in letting things beyond my control ruin my vacation

Where there's a CHOG there's a cocktail with my name on it!  😄 

5 hours ago, broberts said:

 

You resent being told about about the plain text of a regulation? What tender sensibilities.

 

I hope things go smoothly for you. 

🙄

Thanks for reporting back - I’m far more interested in real life experiences vs speculation here. I’ll also say that testing in Saskatchewan is a far cry from what is available in Ontario right now. Switch health online is my option and I’m taking it. I’m not interested in lining Haztech’s pockets right now and I shouldn’t have to.

I’ll report back on April 2 as well - and I resent anyone telling me I’m trying to skirt regulations that people are reading into and forcing people to take more expensive tests. I’m not skirting anything here, I’m triple vaccinated, wear masks ALWAYS, follow all the health rules (even when my own government is too stupid to enforce or impose them). So, I sure as heck expect that the test good enough to get me into the US is the same one that is good enough to get me on my cruise. 

13 minutes ago, groundloop said:

Just get the booster and be done with it.  Plus Carnival now gives those of us who are boosted an extra day for being tested.

This.  If you have a cruise booked already it doesn't make sense not to just deal with it and get it done, especially because Carnival pretty much said this could change at any time.  As well, depending on what happens, the CDC could make boosters a requirement to be 'fully vaccinated', and Carnival would follow suit since they have opted in to Fully Vaccinated cruises.

On 3/22/2022 at 9:25 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Protest what? Cruise ship passengers can certainly be prevented from visiting these "protesters" private properties but they don't own the docks, the public right of ways or the town itself. Public taxes pay for roads and public upkeep and visitors pay those taxes also. Florida relies on tourism for a large chunk of it's revenue. People need to get over this idea that where you chose to live gets them any extra say to decide who/what is permitted beyond their property lines. People love freedom for themselves and their property rights but always think they have some special right to tell others what to do with theirs or the public in general. NIMBYISM is getting out of control in this country and preventing growth, development and private property rights. We have this same issue in CA with NIMBY's and faux environmentalist dictators who try and block everything because they got theirs, want to freeze time and don't want anyone else to get theirs. It's ridiculous.    

Go give them a piece of your mind if you must, but I'm just making folks aware of the potential situation.  It's always different when you don't live there yourself, I suppose.

5 hours ago, Moviela said:

The folks in Key West are a bunch of "get off my lawn" types that attempted to take control of what they don't own. They were told you cannot break the law, even if you vote on it. 

 

Many ships will be stopping in Key West and they will be welcomed by the majority of residents.

40% isn't a majority but OK.  Not saying I agree or disagree, just saying you can potentially expect a protest right now while things are hot about it.  Also having just shopped around and seeing how much accomodations go for down there I'm not sure that Key West would 'sink' without cruise ship passengers, they seem to do quite OK without them.