auscgguysgirl

in all of my cruises, bananas always go out on day 4-5. In one of the behind the scenes tours i did, the chef said it is the hardest fruit to keep fresh on the ship.

Wonder if that just depends on what ship and what ports? I say this as we just came back off an 8 day on the Sunshine. We had bananas, including the last day (my DH had them w/ cereal for breakfast).

We did see them loading supplies on board the ship the morning we ported in San Juan.

Sorry you had a bad cruise :( But it is incredible, that you've discovered time travel! :)

HAHA! :o I was thinking about the 02/2018 sailing date I guess! Unfortunately, it won't allow me to edit the title.

Grand Turk is a great port. Free pool at Margaritaville. Free beach too. Drinks are pricey at Margaritaville. I'd get off the ship early to get a lounge chair - especially if there are two ships docked that day.

We were just in Grand Turk. Really loved this stop. Margaritaville was really, really crowded and we were the only boat in port. We did go to the beach, but we took a cab to the market area and shopped awhile and then just walked across the street down to the beach and wandered around awhile. Unlike the port area, there wasn't another sole on the beach in this area. It was great.

We chose this sailing b/c the travel dates and departure port (Canaveral/Orlando) met with the spring break travel time we wanted to take our daughter on her graduation vacation. We had a total of 13 family members cruising. We had 1 spa suite (deck 10), 3 balcony cabins (deck 8 mid) and 1 interior (deck 8 mid). Considering that the Sunshine had recently come out of dry dock and been refurbished we thought this would be a nicer experience. The ship was smaller overall than we expected and felt very crowded. Note, we have sailed another ship in this class, but this one did not feel the same. The spa suite we were in though was wonderful and our cabin stewardess was awesome.

We had early assigned dining and it was a mess. The dining room service was sub-par, the staff was unorganized and the food overall was disappointing. Having been on several other Carnival cruises, this was by far the worst experience we have had. The staff didn't put on a show 2 nights during dining that were planned. The nights that they did provide a show, it was unorganized and seemed very well unplanned. We were on the 2nd floor AFT dining room. Despite being seated every night for dinner by 6:15, several times we were not out of the dining room w/ dessert until well after 8:45 and late dining people often waited. Every night I ordered ice cream, it was melted before it even got to the table. Some meals we were even 1/2 way through the meal before we ever even got anything to drink besides water. During the morning dining breakfast the vast majority of the dining staff was unpleasant and cool. Not what you typically see of the dining room.

Entertainment was crowded and overall not very well planned. We were unable to see ANY of the comedy shows because the venue was so small and there was no seating. Several nights even an hour before the show started it was standing room only. This was disappointing. We learned after that the venue on this boat had been significantly downsized to accommodate other changes on the boat during refurbishing. Other shows though that we attended, were greatly empty. The same was said for Bingo, which both times were so crowded that people were sitting around on the tile floor in the area in which they held it. This was very odd to me. We spent a great deal of time in the casino and couldn’t even get a drink in a decent amount of time from the staff on the floor unless we went directly to the bar. On 3 separate occasions we ordered drinks while playing the slots and waited over 45 mins each time to get said drink.

Faster to the Fun purchase was a waste on this sailing. Except for early boarding, NONE of the cabins on the boat were ready and all of the doors were shut to the staterooms until after 2:00. FTTF is supposed to provide your cabin being ready on embarkation. We were on the boat by 12:15. We couldn't get in the cabin until after 3:00.

Additionally, there was no priority debarkation in any of the ports w/ the shore excursions provided. Now, I do understand that this is generally offered on tender ports. However, past experience is that they make other adjustments for excursions if you port late to ensure you meet same. As such, we almost got left by the excursion staff for our port of call in San Juan because we ported late (an hour later than scheduled) and it took us almost an hour to get off the boat. According to the customer service desk, the boat as the "option" of providing priority debarkation and the Sunshine does not provide it.

The service was mediocre in most areas. (cabin stewardess was wonderful).

We also had problems with the spa, which is a big issue for us as we spend a great deal of time and money in the spa. The massages we experienced on this boat were not worth the price we paid and paled in comparison to those we received on other ships. We pre-booked 3 couples massages. Ginger salt and lime glow, day one ($429) and 2 hot stone couples massages $379 each). The online purchase doesn’t offer this discount. We have always been given the 10/20/30 discounts for booking 3 services, but this boat did not give it. They stated again that it is an “option” and this boat didn’t offer it for online bookings. Mind you, there is a sign on the spa reception desk that says 3 or more spa services are given at 10/20/30 discounts. We purchase spa services in advance to ensure the time slot and dates we wish to have said services. Additionally, the spa jacked up our onboard expense account on the 2nd sea day by charging us again almost $1400 for spa services that had been pre-paid prior to sailing. We should have only been charged the gratuities. Thus, resulting in a 1/2 day to fix their error and our inability to be able to even purchase a drink during this period. Last, the spa suite is supposed to include priority spa reservations. We inquired about adding another massage during the sailing and were advised that unless there was a cancellation there was no place to add said service, other than during a port day for which we had an excursion booked.

We also had an issue w/ reward redemptions of our Carnival MC on this sailing. 5 months prior to sailing we did redemptions for both onboard spa credit ($200 total) and pre-paid gratuities. In the past, these have always been on our account w/in the 1st day of sailing. On this sailing, they were not added. In fact, we were charged the gratuities on day 1. It took 4 trips to customer service desk and 5 different people to look into the issue w/ the “Redemption #’s” to fix these issues.

The ports we stopped in were very nice and our shore excursions were great. However, our stop in San Juan was very short. Once we left and returned from a planned excursion on the other side of the island, we had enough time to get through the gate back to the boat. There was no time to explore the port, which was disappointing. We enjoyed the itinerary and all of the ports.

Last, despite being on the spa deck, we (as well as a few others on our floor) had to report the cabin next to us multiple times. They repeatedly continued to smoke, including cigars on their balcony, as well as play loud music on the balcony, including the wee hours of the night. This was a daily experience. We generally spend a lot of time on the balcony, but this made our cabin balcony experience much less enjoyable. I realize no one else can change the tackiness of others and this is not the cruise lines fault. It was just annoying.

We did enjoy the cruise overall, but the experience of this sailing compared to others was very disappointing.

We are scheduled to sail the Sunshine again in 02/2018, also in a spa suite. The suite was booked over 1 yr ago b/c it offered the cabin we wanted. This future sailing is just the 2 of us and may be overall different with it being just the 2 of us. But if we do not have a better experience, we will not sail this ship again.

We just ask for ice. I see where some are asking for towel animals. I love getting these but I've never had to ask, just always get them. Has this changed? Do I need to ask for them now?

I was wondering the same thing. We've always gotten them automatically. Although, come to think of it, we didn't get them the 1st 2 days of a 5 day last October. Thought it was odd, but didn't realize it until they showed up on day 3. I really love getting them too ... always leave a sticky on the mirror asking them to leave them until the last day.

I just don't understand how anyone could "accidentally" go overboard. It has to involve intention or stupidity! With all these crazy people doing daring things like hanging off the side of buildings (and saw video of kids doing it hanging off the side of the ship) its gonna keep happening. When did common sense become not so common? Geez.

I was thinking the exact same thing. I just don't see how you can possibly do this w/out doing something stupid. Falling overboard is not an easy thing to do by any stretch.

Awesome! And this OBC can be used for drinks, at specially restaurants..etc? Thanks for the reply!!!!

As long as it is just redeemed as OBC you are fine w/ any purchase charged to your S&S account. There are ways to redeem points for credits specific to certain charges - i.e, drinks, spa, etc.

Can I have OBC from redeeming my Carnival Credit card and also have someone else redeem their points and send it to my account?

When you complete the form for the OBC, it asks you for booking number, ship name, guest name, sailing date, etc. You HAVE to complete that information. You CAN redeem points for someone else's cabin. Someone else can redeem points for your cabin. I have redeemed points for my daughter's sailings in the past for cruises that she has gone on and we have not for both gratuities and OBC.

Currently we have 4 booked. We generally sail every 6 mos. Otherwise, it would probably be more.

We have gone full out in tuxedo and formal dresses and casual with summer dress and dockers..just depends on what our mood is when we pack (should say my mood when I pack cause he just wears whatever is in the suite case lol).

LOL ... This sounds like us. My DH just says "Whatever you want dear." I pack ... he wears. :')

I wanted to know this also and after reading all of the replies I feel like I still don't know. We have a check-in time of 11:30 am but purchased FTTF. It surely can't be the same time or what point would it be to have FTTF ?

F2F checks in different from the "regular" crowd. Usually shorter, faster moving lines w/ less wait time. Also, your cabin is ready faster.

There is a wide variety of the way people dress. I have seen guys in tuxes and they look very nice but most are in a sport jacket or button up shirt with ties. Some have khaki pants and a polo shirt. It really varies. It varies just as much for women. Some have fancy dresses, others cocktail dresses, or dress pants.

Same here ... seen it all over the map, although less formal gowns & tuxedos, more cocktail and suits.

Good information and something to look forward to ... we're on the Sunshine in 8 days!

I used gift cards and was able to have them applied at check in in the terminal, not sure if you can give cash at the terminal. I know there are kiosks once onboard that take cash but Not sure if you can apply gift cards at the kiosks. Both would be accepted at customer service though.

I actually do know that you can attach a gift card at the kiosk. I did that on our 1st cruise. Just not sure how cash actually works on embarkation.

Trying to get a handle on how this will work.

We always attach a card to our S&S account. However, we have a few in our large party that are "cash" on the onboard expense account. We've never done that so ...

Where do they pay the cash? Is it after we board? Or at the terminal when they are issued S&S cards? We have a few that are bringing gift cards to attach to their accounts - is this done the same way?

Just want to make sure we are prepared so this runs smoothly at embarkation. Thanks.

We've seen younger kids in the late movies and shows. Not really a check at the door on any of the ones we've been on. However, the late comedy shows that we have been to can be quite obscene.

Last time I used my FTTF there, they called us along with the first zone. I also wanted to use it for my priority tender and see some sights before my excursion but they told me no. I had to wait in a lounge with the rest of our group so we could all stay together for the excursion. I advised guest services and they gave me a full refund for both my rooms.

I think this depends on the ship & the crew, but isn't always the typical. We generally purchase F2F. Our last cruise we had 5 cabins all diamond/platinum/F2F and 1 solo friend who wasn't able to get it in time. They allowed her to go through and board w/ us and run through the excursion tenders w/ us w/out question so we could stay together (Port Canaveral)... that was the Valor. Last year on the Ecstasy, similar situation, but they did not allow a friend w/out F2F to stay w/ our group (Port Charleston).

Guess it just depends.

We leave on the Sunshine in 8 days and 1 person in our group of 13 does not have F2F. We will see how that works out.

Last year on the Valor we had late dining and unless we rushed thru dinner couldnt get good seats for some of the shows especially the ones with only one performance like welcome aboard.

We had this same problem on the Valor as well as the Sunshine and Ecstasy. We had to skip dessert in order to make the late shows a few times there were very crowded & limited seating. We enjoy the MDR experience and since have opted for early dining.

I guess it depends on what you prefer and like.

Personally, massages on the boat are better than ANY massages we've had elsewhere. We usually do couples massages here at home. I am not a big massage fan, but do really enjoy couples massages on the boat. My DH though has had neck and low back surgery and is often in a lot of pain as a result. He gets massages regularly at home and has 2 great therapist he sees. While they are pricey ... they are worth it IOO for the atmosphere and the massage itself.

We always book online prior to boarding ... we do 75 min couples massages on every sea day. Despite booking online and paying in advance, we always get the discount (10/20/30) for 3 services when onboard.

We have bought some of the spa products ... but if you aren't interested, you can just tell them that upfront and they won't bother you about it.

Well now that the Bibles are gone, I'm not telling :)

 

I liked the keypad safe much better on Vista. Wish they would roll them out fleet wide.

We've had both. We had the CC slide on the Valor in March last year and the key pad in October on the Ecstasy. I much prefer the key pad ... I won't leave my CC in the room, so the DH had to carry it around. Not a fan.

We are doing the same ATV excursion in San Juan ... guessing you are on the Sunshine in 10 days? We always take a change of clothes & shoes JIC ... that way if it's muddy or wet, we can change when we get back to the starting point. I carry a couple large zip lock bags and either send laundry out on the boat, or ziplock it & take it home & wash it. I'm not throwing clothes or shoes away. Of course, we ride at home ... so this is something we have clothes for as it happens a lot & is something we're used to when we ride at home.

We did a horseback ride in Isle Roatan last year March during rainy season and we were covered. Worked great.

We pretty much live in the spa on every boat.

We do couples massages on every sea day. I prefer the regular swedish massage, hubby prefers hot stones. Deep tissue or bamboo are really rough and too strong for both of us.

Our last cruise on the Ecstasy we did the Ginger Salt & Lime Glo couples massage. It was fabulous ... slightly awkward, but amazing. They offer it on our cruise in 2 weeks on the Sunshine, but not as a couples massage ... we're going to ask if they will adjust the massage to accommodate that.

We usually stay in a spa suite, so the spa amenities are included ... love the thelossatherapy pool (not one on the Sunshine) ... sauna, etc. You have to try them all at least once.

We've done pedicures, etc ... but they are the same as a pedicure at home and 3x the price ... so I just do that before we leave.

I always wear one. So much easier to take a few needed things ... especially when most of what I wear doesn't have pockets. Mine is a slim style w/ RFID pocket.

So how do you check onboard!

We've done this several times w/ points usually for prepayment of gratuities and spa credit.

I make sure I have a copy of the email showing the confirmation of the redemption on my phone. Check your S&S account at the kiosk when you board. If it's not there, go to GS & show them your email. They will take care of it.

Not yet had a problem. It's always been there.

I read a few weeks back that the reason it hasn't been opened up for yet for 2018 sailings is that they haven't finished negotiating the rates for 2018. Not 100% sure if this is accurate, but it's what I heard. It should be anytime.