thepla

We've been on ship since 12:45. We were here at 11:50, they opened up first pass at noon for our group. Went to BBQ place and they announced room ready. We're inside and tethering works well. Now stupid snow in Chicago was a headache. We were triple booked with united, one lax and one sna, and one AA to lax. Only one to actually fly was united and it arrived about midnight to lax.

Btw taxi was half price of Uber. Just in case anyone needs to know.

5 hours ago, Buffettfan 225 said:

What time did you get for boarding apt? Curious how strict in apt times, ours is 10:30am. Also Huge favor- can you check Radiance ship tv brand in cabin. I want to hook up ipad and view photos, and bring a universal remote access input. Happy Sailing.

Hi. We sail Friday. Took COVID test at Walgreens today and both negative. Now I hope my evening flight from Chicago goes tomorrow.

1 hour ago, jer_l said:

I received a email from Carnival a few weeks ago and pre-registered for the new $10 Covid testing for a 4-day Radiance cruise. The email instructions were to register, but not to book an appointment. I checked back today on the registration site to see if there were updates. On the page to book appointments is this message:

Do NOT schedule an appointment if you are planning to be tested at a Radiance sailing

Has anyone gone through the testing at Long Beach? Is the pre-registration all that is needed?

I sent message, they called. No need for appointment. After preregister there will be a place for test. I have one for backup. We are scheduled at Walgreens in an hour.

I signed up as a backup. I will not leave home without at lease a negative from at home (I did get Costco ones) to try and ensure we will not fail at port.

I plan on doing one here from Walgreens or someplace like that but as a minor insurace in case Walgreens is not available I will do $10 option.

1 hour ago, wgeddings said:

Just got the below email.  I will be on the Liberty Feb 18.  I thought testing at the port was $100 but this seems to say it is now $10.  Or do you read it as a non-refundable $10 charge for the reservation and the actual test is still $100?
 

 

TESTING RESOURCES FOR VACCINATED GUESTS CARNIVAL RADIANCE, CARNIVAL CONQUEST & CARNIVAL LIBERTY FEBRUARY 4 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2022

Dear Carnival Guest, We are looking forward to welcoming you on your upcoming Carnival cruise.  Current CDC protocols require vaccinated guests to receive a pre-cruise COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) within two days of sailing. To provide guests with a convenient and affordable opportunity to get their test, we are expanding our in-terminal antigen testing capabilities for the ships referenced above. This will allow all vaccinated guests to receive their required pre-cruise test as part of the embarkation process.   Guests must register in advance. A non-refundable US$10, per person, charge will be assessed to the guest’s Sail & Sign account.   To register, please use the link designated below for your departure port.   Embarkation Port Reservation Link Carnival Radiance – Long Beach  REGISTER HERE Carnival Conquest – Miami & Carnival Liberty – Port Canaveral REGISTER HERE      Please visit our Have. Fun. Be Safe. page on Carnival.com for a list of protocols for your sailing. This program is being offered on a trial basis and if successful, will be expanded for future sailings. Thank you and see you soon! Sincerely,

Colleen Oliverio VP, Guest Services Contact Centers

I clicked on link for radiance. We cruise Feb 18. I do have barcodes but not sure how they know cruise date or who we are..

Anyone follow link?

1 hour ago, the mice said:

The MS free AU will matter when this policy kicks in:

CENTURION® LOUNGE COMPLIMENTARY GUEST ACCESS CHANGES EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 2023

U.S. Platinum Card® and U.S. Business Platinum Card® Members will be charged a $50 USD fee for each guest (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17, with proof of age). U.S. Platinum Card® and U.S. Business Platinum Card® Members will qualify for Complimentary Guest Access for up to two guests per visit after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 and in each calendar year thereafter.

That was one of reasons plus basically free AF, well loss of use of 30K so not really free. They issued addional card to my son who is only 13.

1 hour ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

You would need to have a brokerage account with one of those firms to have those cards, plus there's the $695 annual fee.

The M/S version gives you back your $695 but requires 30K tied up. It also includes a second Platinum with no Annual Fee.

Hi what offer are you referring? I'm close to final payment. It would be nice to get some cash back. I did original one with 240 cash back but it would be nice if they added another.

My TA gets wine tasting added. Her company had promo of 400 obc which was better than amex 300.

1 hour ago, travelplus said:

Only get the 1 day pass perhaps.   Also doing it in the Library is a great place. Not many people go to the library on Embarkation Day. You may also be able to get a WIFI signal from the Port with a WIFI Extender antenna.

Is ships WiFi active prior to leaving?

6 hours ago, sprint180 said:

When is your cruise?  I just can't wait to see what you made work.

 

We leave 18, fits in great for president day. His school gives off Friday for teachers something and Monday is a holiday 

On 1/31/2022 at 8:28 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

I have gotten the Amex Cruise Privileges benefit many times, and never booked through Amex Travel.  My TA has an Amex connection that allows her to use this program, and I believe many others do as well.

 

But you have to do the math.  Is the Amex Platinum card's 1.25% cash back [if deposited in a Schwab account] plus $300 better than the Costco Visa card's 3% cash back?  As the cruise cost goes up, you reach a point where the Costco Visa wins.  [And of course you can use either card at any Travel Agent.]

Amex Schwab cut 1.25 down to 1.1 few months ago. I transferred a ton of point before devaluation.

I think I'll do a test in room. Have someoone at home do a zoom with my son and see if it works in stateroom. He will be weariing his headset and that blocks out all noise to him and other side.

If that fails, with zoom, we'll go upstairs and find a place to sit where camera is facing some wall and noone can go in back of him.

7 hours ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

We have been in three cruises since restart (Mardi Gras, Panorama and Vista) and was not able to use WIFI calling on any of them.  I thought I had in the past but it wasn’t working recently. 

Thanks, I will not get WiFI package, I only get package for WiFi calling to home. This is very short trip and one is Mexico where my calling is free with T-mobile.

49 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

 

Chengkp75 is the expert.  He isn't guessing or assuming.  You can bank on his information.

I am not disputing anyone, promise. But I could see where an inside could be an issue but Oceanview seem to be similar to me being at home and cell working. Of course windows on a ship are nothing like a window at home.

46 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

 

Chengkp75 is the expert.  He isn't guessing or assuming.  You can bank on his information.

Every cruise I've taken I pay for Wifi. It works relatively well to get to internet at sea, even wifi calling. I would feel confident Wifi purchased will work for my needs if it is actve at port. Now I do not know how good Wifi is for Carnival but other three would have been OK for his needs.

37 minutes ago, katiel53 said:

To me, an oceanview is kind of like an inside with a window.  I think, if it were me, I'd try to find a quiet place on deck. JMO.

I'll hopefully have a few to see if there is a spot on deck and test in room. I wonder if their WiFi is active prior to sailing? I've had mixed results on other lines 

45 minutes ago, ultrafighter said:

Just had this thought:  if you have an interior stateroom, you may not be able to tether.  Even in port I rarely get a signal in an interior room.  😬

We have an Oceanview.

1 hour ago, keels81 said:

 

Yay -- I'm so happy! I knew it would all work out!

 

Just to stick up for the guy at Carnival, in fairness he was just going by the documentation they're provided with: 

 

So, this thing DOES say 2-4 p.m., but we all know that they generally begin allowing people to board much earlier than that. The 2-4 p.m. on this document could stand for the time that the ship considers boarding time (aka, everything is ready to go like cabins, luggage delivery starts, begin monitoring those who have/haven't completed muster, etc.).

 

He wasn't wrong, per se, he just wasn't totally right either.

 

Anyway. Good luck to your soon and have a great cruise!

I thought it was almost impossible to board 3000 people in two hours. We have only been on 6 cruies between NCL, MSC and Royal, this is first Carnival so I had no history.

Now I am back to normal and watched some videos on Raidance this today. Seems like a very cool ship. I will be eating some BBQ from Guy's Pig and Anchor while he sets up and takes assesment:) I'll be a great dad and bring him some fruit!   JK of course.

Crisis avoided. Everyone here was correct.

I was able to check-in midnight East Coast, not my time.

I could have picked 10:30 and onward.

I chose 12:00 to 12:30.

We did tethering test and I feel we'll be OK. Just as much risk at hotel with Wifi as Tethering.

 I feel confident our room will be ready by 2:00pm for him to start at 2:30pm.

Unfortunately Carnival Cruise Consultant caused undue stress, that's OK. He seems like a nice person and maybe he did see 02/04 date and mis-read and told me 2pm to 4pm.

Thanks for all help.

1 hour ago, travelplus said:

What about Mobile Hotspot or see if he could get access to the 2nd day assessment earlier? Another option is you all check in together and then your son goes off to the port for free wifi and reboards after but before last call 

 

What assessment is this?

 

I would postpone the cruise or ask if your Son can take Day 2 on another day before you leave. Maybe they will let him take it before he leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

It's for high school admission. They offered to move to March. Issue there is major high schools out east give offer early March and this one night be too late to leave as option.

Both of us have tethering on our phones. 

Timing here works great since he has off Friday to Monday for president day.

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

The ship's WIFI, which only connects you wirelessly to the server on the ship, will work, but it will not connect you to the internet, since this is done via satellite, and  this is switched off for passengers in port.  Yes, any WIFI signal you receive while on the ship, in port, will work just like you sitting in a park and picking up a Starbucks signal.  Or, use your phone as a WIFI hotspot, if you have unlimited data on your phone plan.

I meant WiFi package that is offered for while cruising to connect to internet. We get it. We've never been on carnival before and honestly can't remember if WiFi is a active three hours prior to departure.

29 minutes ago, Moviela said:

I have a question about timing. Your son's online session could run to 4 pm. Is that in Chicago's Central time? 4 pm in Chicago is 2 pm in Long Beach's Pacific time. You may have nothing to be concerned about. 

 

Have fun on your cruise, that is a fun one.

Reno NV time. I have to agree that no way carnival would allow only two hours for boarding. Since I asked their consultant, I forgot acronym, several times he was confident of two hours window.

It seems I'll know at 11pm tonight.  If I can schedule say 12:30 than we are golden. I guess tethering might be issue but we should be ok.

Is their WiFi available when boarding or after leaving port? Someone said there was WiFi at port, would it work on ship 

3 minutes ago, csm5986142 said:

That's the same day we are sailing.  This will be my 17th cruise on Carnival (not saying I couldn't be mistaken) but I've never had them start boarding as late as 2 pm.  Of course, it can happen under extenuating circumstances, but I don't think it's typical.

If you are Platinum, you can check in online now.  If not, check in at midnight (Eastern time) tomorrow for the best selection of arrival appointments.  

I can checkin on 4th. I asked Carnival travel consultant and quetioned three times when he said 2 to 4 pm to checkin. I made same comment I said here. "How can they get couple thoussand people on board in two hours?"

He said they had to figured out.

1 minute ago, csm5986142 said:

 

 

Sorry, I might have missed it, but why does boarding begin at 2 pm?  That would be really unusual - I've cruised out of Long Beach multiple times and boarding always began between 10:45 - 11:00 am.  Which date are you sailing?

I just checked in for our upcoming cruise on Radiance, and we have a 10:30 am arrival appointment, which made me think they still start boarding around 11 am? 

Maybe I need to get there later.  🙂

That would be homerun. I'd try to get around noon and see if my tethering would work. Is WiFi active upon boarding.

Feb 18.

12 minutes ago, keels81 said:

Staterooms should be available by the time his 2:30 session starts, so I would make plans to board during his break and have him take his second assessment in the stateroom.

 

My husband had to take a couple of meetings on departure day on the Valor a couple of weeks ago, and this is what he did. Other the announcement about the safety drill starting in seven minutes, he was able to finish with little to no interruption.

This was my hope. But they don't start to board until 2. What is chance I get that time?

If I had a one o'clock board it would work great.

Carnival said they don't start until two and I'd get my time when I check in.

I'm not pros like you guys. I've only been five or so cruise, never carnival. Usually boarding might start at 10am