LynnTH

Use this offer on 2 cards last week.  One on mine and one on DH's.  Had a cruise to pay off, so this was perfect.  Put $750 on each card.  Looked online today and both $150 credits were on the accounts.  Yeah!!

I am cruising on Jubilee next month.  I noticed when I booked Teppanyaki that there was an 18% gratuity added but when I booked Rudi's Seagrill there was nothing added.  In the past, I have tipped in cash at Rudi's. 

Not sure why some are and some aren't added.  

2 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

As noted in the two threads linked above, I have commented on the fact that the electronics in these appliances do not like the "floating ground" (where the "ground" and "neutral" are not at the same voltage) that is the way ships are wired.

I can guarantee that the Exel class ships are not wired differently than any other cruise ship (or commercial ship for that matter).  As I've stated in the linked threads, the ability of these appliances to work or not generally depends on whether there is a ground fault somewhere, anywhere, on the ship, which the appliance's electronics don't like.  They may work one day, and not the next on the same ship, they may work fine for an entire cruise on one ship, and then not at all on a sister ship.

 

The appliance needing to be "dual voltage 50/60 Hz" has nothing to do with whether or not it will work.  That just allows you to plug it into either a US (110v) or a European (220v) outlet, and the motor will turn whether the frequency is 50Hz or 60Hz.

Ok. I am just going by the many forums I have been on that discussed this.  The only ones that ended up working were those labeled 50/60hz.  So, if anyone wants to make sure they have appliances that work correctly - then I would go with these.   I know my hair would not be happy if my flat iron did not heat up and work.  

11 hours ago, mamiamjo said:

So what’s the issue that they don’t work?

From what I have read (and experienced).  On the Excel Ships they are wired differently. Hairdryers and Styling Tools need to be Dual Voltage 50/60hz to work.  My hairdryer and flat iron are from Lange and are both Dual voltage and I had no issues with them.

Celebration does a few 8 day cruises. We are going on one in September to the ABC Islands.  

I too vote for MG.  Been on there twice. Celebration once (with another cruise booked for September) and going on Jubilee in February.  My family loves the Excel Ships.  As others have mentioned, so many more included food choices.  Lots to do and so many different places to just hang out. 

Most things take place on Decks 16 and 17 (Lido) and then Decks 6,7 and 8.  Nice to get a deck in the middle of those. Easy to get to everything.  Sure there are more people, but they have everything spread out nicely.  Did not notice increase in crowds.  

On 11/14/2023 at 11:03 PM, csm5986142 said:

I'm in the minority here - I absolutely loved our Havana Cabana on Mardi Gras.  We had a nice sized patio - we had 5 family members total (3 in the cabana room and 2 in an inside room) and we had more than enough space for all of us to hang out on the patio.  There are multiple chairs and a swing chair that we really enjoyed.  We were on a spring break cruise and the ship was absolutely packed, but even so, the Havana deck and pool were never crowded.  In fact, if anyone used the pool, they usually had it to themselves.  There were always tons of lounge chairs available.  It was just a really nice quiet break from the crowd.  The only noise we ever heard was the occasional blender from the bar. 

But I will concede, I'm not a pool/hot tub person.  If you are, you might find the pool to be too small.

And you are correct, aside from the unique cabana patio, the only other benefits are the Havana deck/pool/bar, which requires a minimum age of 12 years old to be booked in that area (so no young children on the deck either).

I agree. We basically get it for the large deck.  Had a huge deck with a swing and a few chairs.  Also had our own Deck Chairs below the deck for our use only.  Was great.  The location is nice on the 8th deck also. At night we were on the Lido Decks 16/17 but at night were mostly on Decks 6-8.  

Thanks for the heads up.  I will be Platinum on our next cruise, so won't need it anymore but our travel companions are not yet.  They were able to get it for both cruised they have booked.  

We will get off the ship for sure. Sounds like there will be plenty of shops/ restaurants open. Probably take one of the boat tours too. 

11 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

I have never tried to catch an early tender in Cabo.  I do not wake up for announcements of the tendering process beginning in the early morning, and I don't know when the first tenders are available. I wait until I have eaten a leisurely breakfast before I tender ashore.

 

In my ignorance, I'd be surprised if the tenders begin before 7:30, and even worm-eaters (those "early birds") probably don't get ashore much before 8:00.  Some of the cafes/restaurants might be serving breakfast that early.  

 

I used to think that the shops would open whenever the cruise passengers were in town, but Christmas Day in Puerto Vallarta taught me otherwise.  The shop keepers kept reasonable holiday hours and I wandered around a completely closed downtown area in the mid-morning waiting for them to open.

 

Once you are ashore, I am sure the boat captains and their shills are out in force waiting to sell you the standard water taxi tour.  It consists of a boat ride out to the Arch, doing a drive-by of Lover's Beach, Stinking Sea Lion Rock, a peer through the "glass bottom" to see the fishees, and Divorce Beach.  About $10 pp.  You can arrange to get off the boat at Lover's Beach (NO SERVICES) or at Medano Beach (all the services here, restaurants, bars, water toys, parasailing, etc.).  But with such an early departure, I don't know if you'll have time for a beach visit.  Your last tender probably leaves the Cabo Marina at 1:00 or earlier.

 

Thanks for this.  I am not much of an early person but figured since we are not there very long - to get up and make the most of it!

3 minutes ago, tonit964 said:

My cruise next month has these times too and they are not ideal. Most things will be open from my prior experience.

Ok Thank You.  Kind of figured they would be - but you just never know!!

Our ship is in Port from 6:30 am until 2:00 PM.  Is anything even open at that time?  Looking at just shopping around the Marina and possibly taking a short boat tour.  

4 minutes ago, boohicks said:

Thank you!!  Is it easier to use actual gift card then e-gift cards? Our cruise isn.t until Jan.

Probably not.  I am just old fashioned and like having the actual gift card...  I currently have 3 Carnival Cruises booked and not sure when I will use them, so like having the card instead.  (wishing though I would have bought a few smaller $ amount cards instead of 1 - $800 card)  

3 minutes ago, boohicks said:

 I do have this offer as well. Never bought gift cards through Carnival. So I clicked on the offer on the Chase card offer that sends me to Carnival, correct? Then I log in and go to the e-gift cards for myself to do this? I'm a little confused, thanks for any help. Just wanted to make sure to get the credit. 

 

Yes - make sure to purchase the Gift Cards through the Carnival Site.  I had them send actual gift cards instead of the virtual ones, but you can do either.  I got my credit within a few days.  

2 hours ago, bafinegan said:

any one having an issue getting to purchase the gift cards?  I have tried 2 different cc and the transaction has been cancelled by Carnival.  I know both cc are good.

 

baf

I have not.  Both of mine went through fine.  I have read of others having issues though previously and was happy mine both went through.  

1 minute ago, Tiger0613 said:

I never get Carnival offers on my Marriott Bonvoy Bold card.  The only travel related offers I get are for various Marriott hotel brands and recently Southwest Airlines.  I fly American Airlines, and the hotel offers never show up when I am actually staying at the featured brand.  I mostly get restaurants, meal kits, cookware, online snacks, ticket sellers, Dell, and other random stuff.

I think my offers were on a Southwest Card and Ink Card.

4 minutes ago, tjatczak said:

My Chase offer is $35 cash back on a $100 Carnival purchase!!!

I have had that one before too.  Very random on who gets what and on what cards.

4 minutes ago, Eli_6 said:

Did you buy them through the Carnival website?

I did.  Nice that Carnival Gift Cards you can use for Cruise itself or for Drink Package/Excursions or to use on the ship.  Not all Cruise Lines have gift cards that flexible. 

I had this on 2 of my cards.  I did 2 separate purchases of $800 Carnival Gift Cards and was credited $120 on each card, within a few days.  

18 minutes ago, ray98 said:

I believe the max rebate is $129.

 

Offer Details

Earn 15% back on your Carnival Cruise purchase, with a $129.00 back maximum.

Correct.  I had the offer on 2 Separate cards. One of mine and one of my husbands.  So, did 2 separate orders with the cards at $800 each to get $120 back on each card.  

I just went online and ordered 2- $800 Gift Cards.  On separate purchases.  Will get $120 back on each. Both went through just fine and looked on my Chase Account and it comes through as Carnival Cruise Lines.  

2 minutes ago, n6uqqq said:

As long on you have separate sail and sign accounts that are unlinked you can buy the cruise cash in your name only. I checked this by logging in to Carnival and doing a test run. You can edit the recipient at check out. Use it or lose it once you convert it to cruise cash though! 

Thanks.  Plan on using it in the casino!!  That can be done correct?  

Question on this. I have this offer on 2 cards.  I am cruising in September with my SIL. So, we will each have our own Sign & Sail Accounts set up with our own Credit Cards.  I would like to purchase $500 in Cruise Cash to take advantage of this - will the cruise cash go to the room, or would it be specified to my account?

The Lange Hair Dryer I have is no longer sold.  Wish it was - it is small and compact and works great. 

I have been on both Mardi Gras and Celebration.  Both my hairdryer and flat iron are from Lange.  They are both dual voltage (50/60HZ) and they both worked just fine.