Robert & Debra

We were on the cruise with BecT. We had 11:30 to 12:00 arrival time and we got there right at 11:30. We live close so we had my son drop us off. We couldn't get into the terminal because of a mass of people who were blocking the entrance. No one was helping to know what was going on. When we found out that these were people who arrived early and were not being let in we were able to go around them and the ones who were up front were nice enough to give us just enough room to get through. Took us about 35 minutes to get past that. Why they didn't clear them from the area that they were letting people in I don't know.

The cruise itself was fine. We don't gamble much but I do have an observation about the casino. Walking through I didn't notice the cigarette smoke like I have on other cruises. We thought the shows in the theater were very good. Disappointed in the comedy shows and the piano player in the piano bar. Food was good. Did anytime dining. This was the first time we didn't request to stick with one serving team. They were all good but nothing special. Getting off the ship was as bad as getting on.

We did love the layout of the ship. We hope to cruise out of Mobile again next year because its so close. 

6 hours ago, mondello said:

No booze to start your cruise? Oh, the agony on the Ecstasy!

I think the agony will be carrying half a bottle of way over priced booze off the ship. There were plenty of other options to start the cruise.

Thank you for that. I guess I missed it when I ordered. What’s really strange to me is that I live really close to the port and I have never heard that. I knew Texas had that rule but not Alabama. As I think about it last time I got it at night on the first day.

13 hours ago, JT1962 said:

It is an Alabama State Law that restricts the liquor sold on the first day to certain brands. Primarily to protect local alcohol distributors.

 

”

• Due to Alabama and Texas alcohol laws, Carnival ships departing from Mobile AL and Galveston TX can't deliver alcoholic drinks to staterooms until the ship is in international waters (delivery may even be delayed until the following day).”

Just got on Ecstasy. Ordered some vodka for the room and am now being told I won’t get it until tomorrow. I don’t remember seeing that when I ordered. Does anyone know if I missed something?

14 minutes ago, Sky616 said:

Yes it is child abuse.  There should not be any kid 16 or under who should be wearing a face diaper.  it's ridiculous.  

lol. You should call the cops and have them arrested.

5 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Even more ridiculous is that Michigan's cases have been dropping like a rock before this policy that frankly borders on child abuse

You might want to do some research on why this policy is being put into place. Trying to protect kids does not border on child abuse. Not agreeing with the policy is one thing but acting like there are no reasons for it is just not true.

29 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

Those believers are why we have personal liberty and freedom.  

How so?

58 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

I will not debate you about this, sorry. Have a good day!

I wasn't looking for a debate. Just putting a different opinion out there. No need to be sorry. You have a good day as well.

2 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Bravo @brovol, somebody gets it. I can't think of a disease in my lifetime that was as politically manipulated as COVID-19. For me, the straw that broke the camel's back was when the same public health experts who lambasted anti-lockdown protesters as being reckless and dangerous turned around and condoned the George Floyd protests as not posing any health risk whatsoever. I lost all respect for them at that point.

The straw that broke the camels back for me is the people who think this is all about politics. You do realize that the rest of the world shut down too. At least the ones who now have the virus under some control. Did they do that to play politics or was it maybe because they thought it was the best way to get thru this? I don't know where you get your news but the multiple places I go too had stories about health experts worrying about protesters not social distancing and not wearing masks. If you really are interested in finding other diseases in your lifetime that were used politically you would only have to go back the last 10 years or so. I'm pretty sure the guy in charge now was a big cheerleader of using politics in the past.

I received an email this morning stating I would have my refund in 7 to 10 days. About 2 hours later I had the whole refund ($3500) credited to my card. I think it was April 13th that I applied for the refund so they beat the 90 days. I am a happy camper. Now I hope we can get past this nightmare and hopefully we will cruise with NCL again.

2 hours ago, karena1 said:

just not worried.  I want to be on a cruise tomorrow.  Life is too short to be scared.  My sister almost died 2 weeks ago of a brain aneurysm, do you seriously think I am worried about COVID??? I will live my life and keep going.  Put me on a ship and I will be a happy camper.  We have gone out every day to stores and such since covid happened.  Just so many other things that can hurt you.  I live every day to the fullest and what is, is.  I have a HUGE family and everyone is good.  God willing we will all be good, but way to many things have happened in my life to worry about Covid.

 

 

I had cancer and went thru chemo. That gave me perspective. I am not afraid of dying from this either but what I am afraid of is catching it and giving it to someone else who then dies from it. If it was just me I would go for it. I guess we all have to decide where we draw the line. Hope your sister is doing well.

I filled out the form on the 13th as well. Yesterday a cruise consultant  left me a voice mail asking if I made a decision on getting a refund or taking the fcc. I guess the they don't have access to that information or he is hoping to change our minds. 

1 hour ago, Yorkvillain said:

 

I’m allergic to pine nuts. Should I eat them?

 

Yes. Islander fans should definitely eat them. 😉 

1 hour ago, Sideways said:

Just cancelled my May 10th cruise. I didn't get any kind of confirmation such as an email. That makes me feel a little uneasy.

I just cancelled and I got an email for both myself and my wife. Now lets see if we ever get the money,

27 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

You are right and I apologize. 

It's unfortunate when not every company can be as forthright with their customers. It puts unnecessary stress and doesn't engender loyalty. We have a family cruise on the Getaway to the Greek Islands in July which my parents paid for all four cabins. My dad is 92 and my mom is and it's quite obvious none of the family is going on that cruise, which leaves from Rome. Who knows when they will make decisions on those cruises; too early to cancel airfare without penalties.

I have airfare in May that was for a canceled Virgin Voyages cruise I'm waiting for the airlines to cancel to I can get money back rather than future credit.

I have two cruises in June that we don't feel comfortable going on that we're waiting for cancel policies; same for the airfare for those cruises.

We have a cruise in November on the brand new Celebrity Apex that I would love to go on; we'll have to see how things are with the virus. If it does come back in the fall like they think it will then we will not be cruising.

My apologies to you again. 

No problem. Everyone is stressed right now.  Flights and cruises must be a real nightmare. Hope you can get all those resolved satisfactorily.

14 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

that's because the city's COVID19 cases are increasing dramatically and by the time April rolls around it will BE JUST LIKE NYC.

YOU CRUISE IS NOT SAILING PERIOD. You should direct your energy into that direction. I understand what your position is, but you realize this is WORLDWIDE people are dying. NCL is NOT GOING TO SAIL FROM New Orleans.

Never said I was sailing. I am well aware of what is going on in New Orleans and around the world. If you read my post I said they beat us to it. I was just posting some info that I thought other people might be interested in. Really no need to start yelling about it.

The Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans French Quarter cancelled our reservation for April 10th - 12th. We were going to cancel anyway but they beat us to it. This may or may not mean they will be cancelling at all their properties. My guess is they will.

We did a back to back last month and we would go back in a second. The ship has some issues but nothing that diminished our cruise. The food was good except the one night we decided to go to the buffet. It was terrible. Maybe just a bad night. We have sailed several Carnival ships and when I compare them Fantasy really holds its own. We live really close to the port as well and it was nice to not have to travel just to get there.

We had FTTF on our last cruise and we were on the ship ate our lunch and unpacked our bags before the other rooms were ready. I also pay for that way over priced alcohol to drink in my room as well as the extra tips I will give.I figure all of it into the price of the cruise and then decide if its worth it. It usually is.

We have been on both. Dream would be our choice. Cove balcony.

Was the new check-in procedure in place on your Dream sailing last month? ID cards distributed in your mailbox or at check-in?

 

Thanks.

 

B

We just got off dream and you get your cards at check in not in the mailbox. I would just like to add that embarkation was easy and our cruise was wonderful.

They need to price it at about $30 per night of the cruise.

 

More chance for others to pay bigger bucks, and subsidize the rest of us with lower cruise fares possible because Carnival is making so much extra cash on the people at the front of the line.

 

Bring on the price increases and keep them coming!

I'm sure that Carnival charges as much as they can for their cruises. Just like with fttf they look for price points that will keep their ships full while getting as much money as possible. They are charging more for fttf to add to profits not to lower fares for other cruisers.

We had a cove on Dream and there were two things that did bother me. One was the camera hanging there made me feel like I was being watched. I asked on this site after we got back and people say the cameras only point up and down the length of the ship and not into the balconies. Second was I like to sit out at night and they would leave the lights that shine back onto the ship on. This made our balcony way to bright for me. Other than that we both loved it and have one booked for May.

I won't resort to smuggling but our drink budget is our drink budget so if necessary I'll switch to soda or water (or any of the other included beverages) to stay on budget.

I'm with you on the smuggling. I won't do that either. Not that I care if other people do. I did just buy some vodka and sweets for our cabin in May and they charged the 15% delivery fee. Now that they have done that my expectation will be that it will be delivered before we board or shortly thereafter. In the past I just waited but now I will go to guest services and complain.