ibarrio

roll shirts/shorts/jeans and use compression packing bag...that should work for most fabrics. 

It would be a nice double dip/savings for the Phoenix area...which has some of the highest gas prices in the nation. I'm talking right up there with California gas prices. I put gas at Costco but my wife uses the Fry's points to put gas. 

5 minutes ago, zanydoc said:

What are the top shelf brands available on board? And wine? Does someone have a list they could post? Thanks!

This is a good spot for updated menus 

https://profcruise.com/carnival-bar-menus-and-drink-prices-2023/

14 minutes ago, wemjam said:

AARP takes VISA as payment so I would assume it likely would work?

I use my Visa debit card on AARP with no issues but some places will not take a Visa Gift card for some reason. I just paid for the drink package using AARP carnival gift cards but next time I need one I will try a Visa gift card from Kroger. I do believe you cannot use any gift card other than Carnival  while on board 

4 hours ago, Eli_6 said:

If you get $1 off per gallon of gas per 1000 points and you get 2000 points per $500 purchase, that would come out to a $60 savings (assuming a 30 gallon tank) so slightly better than the Allstate or AARP.  But, if you have a smaller tank, not as good of a deal. 

I wonder if you can use Visa gift cards (Kroger x 4 points event) on AARP? It would be a nice double dip if you can 

3 minutes ago, Bluewake said:

Now I’m confused. Based on your post, it seems that 18% of the overall cost of the Cheers package is placed in the tips pool.  Okay, makes sense.  However, the phrase “for each drink” sounds like every time one uses their Cheers package to order a drink, an additional 18% for a tip is automatically added to the bill for that particular drink.   For instance, if I have the Cheers package and order a beer that is listed as costing $8, is it that there would be no charge for the beer because I have the Cheers package but $1.44 would be added to the bill to cover an 18% tip and my onboard account would be charged that $1.44?  Is that correct or have I misunderstood?  

misunderstood. Tips above the already paid for 18% are optional. 

10 minutes ago, PatchesJ72 said:

I don’t know.  It’s not specified on the website and there are yes and no answers online.

If you have a Facebook you can add John Heald and ask him directly. He's good about answering questions 

1 hour ago, PatchesJ72 said:

Just a quick question, so non-alcoholic beer count towards your 15.  I couldn’t find a definitive answer on that.

That's a good question. I don't know the answer but wouldn't it fall under mocktail? 

7 minutes ago, carnival03 said:

While we're on this topic, are you able to order a drink with top-shelf using the Cheers package? For example, am I able to order a Patron margarita instead of using whatever standard tequila they have?

yes, any top-shelf $20 and under is covered. This is the way to go if you get Cheers...top shelf all the way 

100% worth it for us as well. 

Awesome, Thank you!! 

15 minutes ago, steveknj said:

 

Interesting phrasing in that DirecTV didn't want ST any longer, so they didn't quite STEAL it from them.  They MIGHT have stolen it from Apple however, who was the front runner until they dropped out.  I'm not convinced that sports betting on cruise ships is a good idea.  But I guess there are enough who do.

Direct TV is in serious trouble as a company. Their model is dated and they are not gaining new subscribers. Sunday Ticket was one of the last reason to have Direct TV 

On our next cruise (7 day Panorama) we wont see the MDR until Tuesday. JiJi on Saturday, Steakhouse on Sunday, Guys BBQ on Monday...

3 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

They have an NFL package. They get all of the games.

Monday, Thursday, & Sunday night games are not part of the Sunday NFL Ticket....and never have been since those are national games. 

2 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

If they really, really, really wanted the room, they could just take it.

Then it would be a free upgrade. I know this happens but it's rare...might happen because it an accessible type of stateroom that they now need. 

10 minutes ago, Lee Cruiser said:

Has the NFL schedule even been released yet?  I was looking the other day for a cruise out of N.O., but couldn't find any schedules.

Schedule has not been released. Tomorrow is the draft and then they have an event for schedule release day. The Thanksgiving games will be leaked soon 

Paying for Cheers is worth it for us, I have no desire to run to the room every time I want a drink. Plus I like variety so sneaking or buying bottles just doesn't cut it for me 

follow these instructions for entry into Canada 

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-402?language=en_US

15 drinks is easy to hit. Spiked coffee, Mimosa, and a Bloody Mary and you are already at 3 by 10am. 2-3 beers at lunch, some after lunch frozen drinks on the deck and that's already 8 by 2-3 pm. 

It's in the Hero bar area. The rake is too high to make it worthwhile 

It's 15 with or without Cheers. 

2 hours ago, Eli_6 said:

The idea this was "extremely dangerous" is laughable.  My son is a big fisher person (room full of fishing trophies) and I have been hooked so many times in my life by him...and he has hooked himself so many times.  It isn't pleasant to get a hook in you, but no one is dying.  Just the other day I sat on my bed and sat on a hook. Yup, he had been messing with a line for a trout  sitting in my bed watching tv and left it...then Mom came along and sat on it. In January, we were doing a trout tournament and he flung the rod back and hooked my other son.  It isn't that bad. Not in the size of hooks that are used. 

It goes way beyond safety. Carnival has to follow regulations not only from the USA but the countries they might visit. There is no way that fisherman could have been sure that species of fish isn't endangered which in return could cause huge issues for Carnival. You say your son is a huge fisherman...if so then conservation should be an issue that he cares about. Most hunters care about conservation and despise poachers. It's easy to dismiss this as one fish...or one deer...or one lion. There is a reason poachers get shot in a lot of countries and why they can lose gun/fishing/hunting rights if caught in the US.  

2 hours ago, dallasdan said:

I had read that the business/bars part of the Sunday Ticket is staying with Direct TV.

I just saw that as well. 

Youtube TV (Google) has NFL Sunday Ticket now and who knows what they will charge for businesses to show games. I think it was super expensive for a bar to show Sunday Ticket with Direct TV. It's also super expensive for them to show PPV Boxing or UFC events. I don't doubt the streaming capability of Starlink so internet speed should not be the issue. 

Carnival Corporation Chairman Micky Arison also owns the NBA’s Miami Heat, so sportsbooks on all Carnival Corporation ships will not accept wagers on games involving the Heat.

Interesting, that's smart 

https://www.bettingusa.com/carnival-cruise-ships-sports-betting/