Nog Vlog

I recently asked John Heald this very question. Here is my question and his response:

Hi John,

With the CDC’s Thursday update to booster recommendation for age 5-11 (https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0519-covid-booster-acip.html), will that mean our daughter that is 6 and has two original vaccinations now fall under the 2 day out testing requirement, rather than 3 days out?

We set sail next Saturday and have tests scheduled for Wednesday, so before we reschedule hers to Thursday I wanted to check on how fast Carnival applies the “up to date” qualification in this scenario.

With school about to let out I am sure many other family’s about to set sail will be affected by this and would hate for them to be told their child’s test was too far out unbeknownst to them.

Thanks!
Lance

When do you get the wristbands?  I would assume they are in the envelope with the sail and sign cards?  I would like to tour the pool area right when I board the Vista on an upcoming sailing where I am not a Havana room guest.  Do you all that have sailed her before think staff there would allow me to walk through it during that time (pre-1:30pm)?

I’d guess they have to have a numeric value  inside their inventory system even for these non-tangible items for sale, and whatever that was set for (say 9999) was reached today with this surge to get in before May 1.  Meaning the max is in their end, not you as an individual purchaser.

Yikes.

Earlier this week I canceled an excursion that was paid for entirely with OBC a few weeks ago.  The OBC appeared back in the OBC "reservoir" (not sure what else to call it) minutes later when checking that from the Manage My Booking > View Balance Details page.

I would imagine that would be the same in your case, with the remainder amount that was charged to your card subject to whatever that normal turnaround time would be.

Yeah you will be getting the refund on a new card for the exact amount in the mail. Mine historically came via FedEx from Minnesota with time varying to a few days to a few weeks.

Just used VeriFLY in New Orleans at about 9:55am. The worker saw me approach with my phone and printed boarding pass, asked if I was all set up with VeriFLY, looked at the app/pass for about 2 seconds, and then stamped me and I was on my way.  Very convieneint!

I don't think you should worry about going as an adult at all. I would recommend you let all the kids get their numbers first for the order of going up to pick a bear and gear.

You can add a physical or electronic gift card balance at the self service kiosks.  Takes under a minute and super easy, should you not want to wait for any line at Guest Services.

Same here. App has the 90 day message but browser still shows 14 days.

You will probably find that they will have that closed off, or at least the loungers in that space all stacked and not set out, due to the reduced capacities.

Looking to possibly sail next summer on RC for the first time. Does RC ever toss in promotions with deposits half-off, or $99 per person, etc? Do those tend to only come to returning passengers perhaps? I have plenty of time to decide so wanted to see if reduced deposits would eventually be a promo rotated in. Thanks in advance!

Looking at your itinerary, you will likely have the menus found here, in their set order on that website too (1st night at the bottom, last night at the top of the page).  So that would be elegant nights on first sea day and then Cozumel evening as Joebucks mentioned.

This is assuming no adjustment's to those menus, as well as no Independence Day menu specialties or adjustments.  Not sure if they do anything special for that like they do for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.

We have a video showing much of the process from when our daughter had to go through that last summer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKjKEBjFQZE

The test would be right after your whole party shows all your documents and test results and go through security scans.

Hope you find it helpful!

Joke's aside, Cheers! was on sale last for a brief time back in April 2020.  I believe it was an attempt to get revenue back when the sailing stoppage was first taking its toll.

I can't remember but quick math that says it must have been a 25% off sale.

I wish I could remember the exact costs for the accessories but all I remember is what we got and what the sail and sign total came to. We got a cat in the hat as the bear, with a carnival t-shirt and little plastic sunglasses for $40 total, if that helps.

We just stayed above dead center of the casino 3 weeks ago on the Dream.  While you could hear occasional cheers and even slot machine sounds, it was very minor and definitely not loud enough to prevent falling asleep.  Being center of the casino, we never heard music from Ocean Plaza or the Atrium in our room, which I would think would be more of a nuisance if you were closer to casino edges where it meets those venues.

Booked for Thanksgiving week!  Now we get to do the first US sailing on both Celebration and Jubilee, and booked the same exact room on each too!

Went with an deck 9 mid interior square room with $100 OBC.  Standard balconies were about $900 more than interior rooms for 3 passengers but did offer $200 OBC, but we just don't spend enough time in the room to need a balcony for that much more in cost (which equates to more than gratuities+parking+gas, plus even a Friday night hotel if we choose to do that).

Now we just need one more March or May '23 trip to really feel like a complete schedule.  Perhaps a little longer drive and a 5 day Valor sailing fits the bill?  Or maybe trying out RC for the first time?  We shall see...😁😁

On the Dream over the new year, when gathering with all the other Carnival-sponsored tours in the Encore Lounge in preparation for tendering, only two excursions were designated to tender in smaller boats directly to their destination: Goff's Caye and Hol Chan Marine.  All others, including the one you stated specifically, were normal tenders to Belize City and from there additional boats or buses would further transport each tour.

It's Pasta Bella for lunch (12pm-2:30pm) and essentially an extension of the buffet area seating ("The Gathering") for the other times of the day.

May as well hijack this a little more, although its very much related.  My question is as an upcoming first timer to Mahogany Bay is what tips would yall advise to be able to get one of the front rows of the beach chairs/clamshells?  I am pretty sure you have to pay a small charge to reserve those when you get to the beach, which is fine, but do we need also need to mad scramble to get off the ship early in order to get those front row spots?

I see tons of YouTube videos and when the rent their chairs they are 4 rows back behind all the clamshell covers and the view is terrible.  I don't want that, so willing to get off the ship early and pay up, but is that all there is to it?  I know we can also just plop down on the sand with our towels as well but prefer the loungers or shells.  Thanks in advance!

The Serenity bar is on the starboard side towards the front.  You can see it around 12:25 mark in our video here during a night DJ party they had:

https://youtu.be/syApi-ke01Q?t=748

If you borrow a towel from Serenity (yellow rather than blue) be sure that the person checking it back in marks it as such in their book.  We were charged $22 because they didn't mark it correctly!

Enjoy your trip!

You can also jump straight down to the check in time section the moment you get that midnight access, then go back to the start and fill in all the other sections that take more time, like emergency contact and credit card info, if you are wanting to race all the others that are clicking in along with you to grab an early time slot.  Pleasantly surprised to get a 10am check-in as a measly red last week 😄

The Posh is the set time dining room, and the Chic is for anytime dining.

Yes, you must go the the muster station listed on your boarding pass as its based on your room location.  They scan your card if you have it already or otherwise key in your room number to check you in.

You can visit as soon as you board the ship, they will allow a few others to gather and then do the demonstration then dismiss you, or if you are the only one there they may just knock you out solo rather than make you wait.

Unknown about using Cheers prior to muster, sorry.

Nothing is done personally/one-on-one for visiting the muster drill other than checking you in.  The presentation is to the group that happens to be there at that time.

Enjoy your trip!

Here is our video from the 80's deck party from the Breeze this past August, if you want to see some examples of what we and other were wearing!