Cruiser_1977

By the way, the Balcony cabins on the Fantasy class ships are only ocean view cabins with an added balcony, so no couch or coffee table.

So are you saying this room on the Carnival Fantasy WON'T have the couch and table as pictured?

Looks like we're awaiting restock on the $100 cards. Dangit!

 

Side story: I'm using this cruise as a motivational tool to help me quit smoking. Every time I reach $90 in money not spent, I'm buying a $100 gift card. I booked my next cruise for December 2019, and intend to have the cruise, cheers package, and a couple of excursions paid off all by not smoking.

 

I've got an app that shows me my up to date progress on that - I'm at $105 right now, and I *really* want to buy that card as my reward for sticking with it.

 

So I'm crabby, and impatient, and thank you for letting me vent.

What a great idea! Congrats and keep at it

Thanks for taking the time to write a review! I am sailing on Carnival Fantasy in January 2019. I have a junior suite and will, most likely, be travelling solo.

Early as possible! I'll wake up at 0400 if necessary. My vacation begins as soon as my feet hit the deck!

1AL would actually welcome it. I never saw anyone openly challenging a mod to ban him on CC before. Pretty crazy.

I pick my trips based on cost, itinerary, & available cabin type, not necessarily in that order. I am not "loyal" to any one cruise line. I use the above criteria and book the line that meets my wants/needs. If I was down to two options that met the aforementioned criteria (all amenities, etc. being equal) and one was non-smoking and the other wasn't. I would pick the non-smoking.

Selection limited. If you're a wine drinker, good luck. There's a few and they are awful. Abysmal beer selection as well.

 

There are some decent liquors but MAKE SURE YOU ORDER BY BRAND. During my whole cruise, I'd say 90% of all drinks I observed were made with crappy well liquors because passengers were naive and didn't pay attention as their drinks were made. They display the name brand stuff but if you simply ask for a "vodka and soda" they're going to reach straight for the well.

As a wine drinker recently on Sky (same concept as Sun) I was okay. I also had great champagne, but that was in the Plantation Lounge. Not sure if Sun has something comparable.

As for bartenders reaching straight for well, that is what they are trained to do. You only pour specific brands when 1) the drink menu specifies a specific brand 2) someone "calls" their brand. I was pleasantly surprised at the liquor selection. I am Woodford Reserve/Bulleit Rye, etc. bourbon drinker and a Tito's vodka drinker. My travel buddy is also particular about his alcohol and was also never unhappy.

...

I don't have the same issue, but I was able to duplicate yours. I can not make changes to my e-mail via Allstate Rewards. However, if I go to Allstate it won't let me get any further without insurance through Allstate. I guess you will have to call.

I just got 2 - $100 Carnival gift cards for $181.18 plus 2000 points. The $1.18 is shipping. There was no option for electronic cards.

Personal responsibility: the state dept. website and the instructions on the renewal application— http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/photos.html

On the NCL website a mock booking for two (BB category) is $6565 with 2 Free At Sea offers. Appears you got a great deal!

No. Only the Dawn has towels you can remove from the ship.

Are you being sarcastic? Yes, there are towels available in your room that you can take off the ship.

From the NCL website "For water based excursions it is recommended to bring a towel from the ship. Generally, beach towels are located inside your stateroom and on the pool deck."

Have the two of you ever cruised before? Do you travel often?

142....feels like an eternity!

No, she doesn't need to expedite. If she sends everything in now (Aug 14th) she would have back in about two weeks. No need to pay the additional fee. They say to allow four to six weeks. However, some of my co-workers had it back in 12 business days in July.

Could you tell me what wasn’t straight or clear about my answer.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would also like to know. I thought this thread had some clear, accurate answers (for a change) :')

1. Is it normal for final payment to be required 4 months prior to the cruise? Yes

4. What are the best offers to take as freebies? Best is subjective and depends on you and what you'll utilize.

5. I always thought Norwegian was must less than Royal or Carnival but that doesn't seem to be the case. Have their prices gone up lately? Based on my experience - Usually more than carnival and less than Royal

6. What are the best ports to visit? Again, this is subjective. I choose my cruises based on where I want to go and try to pick places I haven't been.

7. Does Norwegian offer shuttles from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami port? If so, do you know the price? No I used UBER.

8. I booked an aft balcony and would love to bid on a suite. When can I if my cruise is at the end of April, 2019? Bidding is random. Some people get the offer, some don't. If you used a Travel Agent (TA) and they do not participate in the Upgrade Advantage program. You will definitely not get an offer.

I read through all of the replies and didn't see this anywhere.

The bid process is handled by a third party. NCL DOES NOT HANDLE THE BIDS.

May 2019. I forgot the dates...:')

With that date I'm getting the about the same prices. If you're set on booking now it's a tough choice. NCL option 2 and the Carnival option are not very far apart once gratuities are included. (on the Sun $19.99/day per person)

NCL Sky had a party vibe but it wasn't a drunk fest. There were plenty of all types of vacationers.

There is the iConcierge app, I downloaded it but we didn't use it.

"Now Norwegians can unwind, unplug and still stay connected. Our Norwegian iConcierge app keeps you informed about everything going on, lets you make reservations for Shore Excursions and more. You can plan your playtime with just one hand — which is great because your other hand will probably be holding an umbrella drink.

Available on board: Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Sun, and Pride Of America.

This app is not compatible with Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Sky.

How to use the Norwegian iConcierge app

Features Include:

• Shore Excursions Previews and Bookings
  
• Restaurant Information with Menus and Bookings
  
• Entertainment Information and Reservations
  
• Folio Review
  
• General Information, such as Onboard Services, Spa Services, and Shopping
  
• Daily Activities
  
• Cruise Rewards Information
  
• Messenger/Phone Features with Other Guests during your cruise (Nominal One-Time Fee During Cruise)
  
• Phone Calling with Family and Friends Back Home (Nominal Per Minute Fee During Cruise)"
  

Based on what the OP stated they know and accept the fact that their deposit is not refundable. If they were cancelling the cruise they would fully understand that they would lose the deposit.

 

They are questioning the fact that Princess will not allow them to change the date without any penalty. IMO it is a fair question.

I suspect the details are in the “fine print” of the non refundable offer details.

Yes, but more so, I think the OP believes that in their mind because they are still spending $$ with Princess it should just be transferred.

The reason in my mind to keep the non-refundable portion is that the cabin that was reserved for them may now sail empty. Thus, not only does Princess lose the deposit, but also the remaining fare and any on-board purchases. They also have to attempt to fill the cabin.

I liken it to booking an appointment at a hairstylist. If you no-show or cancel with less than 24 hour notice - I get billed $X because now they either have to scramble to fit someone in OR not get paid the full cost of my service.

**I do not book non-refundable anything**

Oh and I have never sailed on Princess, I do have a Jan 2020 reservation. OP, were you aware of the non-refundable deposit when you made the booking?

Did you speak to the Shore Excursion Desk, Guest Services or the Hotel Director? I appreciate your feedback. I also can empathize with the situation. However, I would like to know how this was handled by the cruise line.

First let me say we had a wonderful cruise with one hiccup, we booked the Adult Sanctuary at Princess Cay. It was our 40th anniversary and the description sounded perfect, privacy, adult only, first off ship, ride to your cabana and back, appetizers and best of all, someone to take your drink orders. What better way to enjoy your anniversary all for $250. Wrong, well not entirely, we were off the boat first only to stand in a massive line with everyone else getting their excursion. Then waited for the ride to take us to the cabana, the gentleman that takes you yelled out “19”, my husband asked about keys to lock, his answer was it’s open you don’t need them. Appetizers were already there wonderful and that is where everything ended.. Absolutely no privacy, constant barrage of shipmates, teenagers and children into the area. There was a huge sign at the entrance showing it was the Sanctuary but nothing noteing that it was adult only or private. No one ever came around for bar service, we waited for a couple of hours and then my husband asked our neighbors who also were wondering the same thing. Finally a man came up and started raking the sand under my chair and then another one came up and started picking the grapes from the tree above my husbands head telling us how the black ones are so sweet. The last straw was when a shipmate not staying in the area came up and told us he was sent down to our Cabana to try the grapes. That was it, back to the ship we went. We have taken 27 Carnival Cruises and have never complained not once, InfacI felt bad about having to do this. But to be told well Princess owns the island.

Those prices on NCL look HIGH. I just got $279/PP balcony ($199/pp Oceanview) for the following. When are you planning to sail?

3 Night Bahamas

Norwegian Sun

Departing from: Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida

Ports of Call:

• Nassau, Bahamas •
  
• Great Stirrup Cay (Cruiseline Private Island), Bahamas
  

Sailing Dates:

• August 17, 24, 31, 2018
  

If Princess put a 7-11 on board its ships, can you imagine how many threads would be started here asking what the hours of the 7-11 are?

Just like asking what time the midnight buffet starts.

I would think there is a weight and width limit. And perhaps couples (or more), were attempting "acrobatics". Poor swings.

While I'm not judging and definitely not prude I would be worried about the neighbors....I have not heard others on my sailings and can't imagine "seeing" them ;p:o

As a guess.....

Spinning such that the ropes wrap tight enough to quickly spin you in reverse once you let go. Done enough times the anchor in the ceiling will probably fall on someones head.

I must be boring....that would NEVER occur to me. :o

I was going down the corridor, just before sailing, don't remember the ship. Here comes two stewards pulling two loaded bell carts with luggage and what not. It looked like a family with a couple of small kids. Had strollers, pack n plays etc. I don't know if they were moving rooms or what. Maybe they booked a regular room and found that all their stuff didn't fit and were given another room.

Or maybe and more likely...they arrived late to the pier. ;)