Haljo1935

Hey @Thad409 now that you've got it down and you'll be back from your vaca, what will it cost for you to check me in when it's turn in Sept? I need my sleep, but I need to be first on...🤭

@jdkdkdsd many good tips for you here already. So, to circle directly back to your questions: 1) By "check back" your TA likely means for you to continually check Carnival site to see if there's an opening that comes up on that cruise 2) No, you cannot just show up on day of hoping to get on Since your other booking is w/TA, Carnival will not make changes to that booking, so that won't add you guys, BUT they will answer basic questions about the cabin on that booking that can let you know what options you may have (ie how many people does it hold vs # booked in it & cost to add people). You would have to go through TA to act on the info you receive. Also CALL & MONITOR CARNIVAL WEBSITE multiple times per day to see if anything opens up and be willing to take it. You may well get an inside cabin, but that is better than no cabin. And Carnival doesn't care where anyone sleeps once onboard, they'll even swap keys around for you, so don't fixate on what cabin you can get, just that you get one. Don't think someone can just volunteer to stay home and someone else take their place - it doesn't work that way. You would have to call Carnival and ask to do a name change (cost somewhere around $100-$200) which likely your TA would have to handle. I wish you luck and feel for you. Please keep us updated as many here are rooting for you.

The laundry team does an excellent job and take great pride in their work. A personal hand written note is included when the laundry is returned. They honor special requests - just write what you need done on the paper that goes in the bag. If you prefer cold wash for items, you can even request an extra bag and designate 1 as cold & the other warm. If you have it out in the AM, it's likely to be returned same day even w/o requesting expedited service. We always send out a final bag at end of cruise so we can take home clean clothes - makes unpacking so much more enjoyable - no laundry to do, just go from suitcase to closet. 😊

Completely aligned on trimming to get the business healthy again, just think the cuts were not well thought out. Ice is important, consistency can be important. But I definitely want the cruise industry to survive and thrive.

Congrats!! I would definitely remember your TA at Christmas! That is a sincere congrats, BTW, not being snarky. 🙂

Sad we will not have IMAX on Venezia.

Is FTTF really worth the extra cost? I know value is subjective, but I'm struggling to decide if I want to add for upcoming B2B on Venezia RT NY. Not yet sold out either week, but they're really pushing hard, so likely will be. Been a while since I've done B2B on Carnival, so not sure if I even need it 2nd week. I'm gold, cabin mate is blue. Thoughts?

There's an entire thread about the lack of ice and/or ice buckets on Venezia. Hope it's getting sorted out, but we'll bring plastic zip bags to get ice from Lido just in case. Sounds like we'll be ok bringing canned Coke out of the carton - sister doesn't drink Pepsi. Any recent experience w/being confiscated?

Those Malaga sunset pictures are stunning @Saint Greg. Hoping for one even half as nice when we're there in a couple months. I believe your cabin was on the side - were you port or starboard? We will be true aft over the wake.

Certainly agree about the shorter cruise party reputation and have experienced/witnessed all of them except 4 & 7. I'm concerned about what I might expect on upcoming 13 day Venezia given the very recent reports.

Thanks for the heads-up on tea charges and selection. Have only been on Carnival 1x since Covid restart and didn't even notice the tea. On HAL, there is a huge selection of tea available at no charge and I find myself there several times a week. So I would have just not even considered there would be cost and also no real selection when I'm on Venezia B2B in a couple months. I will be sure to pack some tea to avoid disappointment.

While not needed for the cruising aspect on closed loop itineraries, a passport just makes it easier and eliminates any concern about getting home in case evacuation is necessary while outside the US. Also nice to have if you decide to take an unplanned excursion.

I believe you do pay the additional tax on all purchases (actual languageis above in another post), the focus is just more on alcohol because shops will be closed until that magic mile marker is reached, so only real opportunity to spend is on booze.

No experience in those particular cabins or the Mardi Gras. But on other ships I have been on in extreme forward cabins, the railing is metal and it completely blocked my view when seated on the balcony. For me, that was a deal breaker - I spend a lot of time sitting on the balcony and the view is an important part of the experience. If someone just likes being outdoor and doesn't care about the view, it's probably ok. We had a clear view of crew smoking and whatever else they did on breaks, but they were far enough away we couldn't tell who they were, just how may of them were there. The area was clean, never an eyesore. Yes, much more wind extreme forward than other locations. Movement doesn't bother me, but I did notice it more up there. It is a long walk from those extreme forward cabins to anywhere (except other extreme forward cabins, lol) so you might want to consider that for 80yo in laws. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Welcome to HAL @The O Mariners! There is no self service laundry like you've used on Princess. There is laundry by the bag or unlimited for the length of your cruise. Depending on your itinerary, bag will be about $20-$30 ea for however much you can fit in. The price for unlimited laundry is under "packages" in your booking. For an 11 day non-European, it's $93.50. On a recent 7 day it was $59.50. There is also pressing service; it's included in laundry, so you only need to use it if you're not having items laundered.

I don't remember it being that high last year when we were looking at it, but we were on a 7 day, not 14 day) cruise. Maybe it changes based on the length of the cruise, plus whatever price increase you know they've done. I just don't know last year's cost...

There is pressing service available if some wrinkles get past all these good tips 😀

All good - was supposed to be funny, but clearly fell flat.

That's like when I'm having a conversation w/someone about XX then get an ad for XX on my phone. Big Brother is always listening...lol.

We did not have an actual separate area April 29; however, it was opening day of the season, so it could have changed. Everyone was able to sit where they wanted and listened for their group to be called. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Hey @motravelerken that was a great question to ask since you haven't booked one before and this is the place to come for answers. How are we supposed to learn about things in which we have no experience if not from those who do? So, thanks for being proactive and asking beforehand vs crashing the party. 🙂 Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

You are fortunate you've not had issues. Every time I talk with a live person at CCL (any brand) they always ask what my name is because it has too letters to fit so the last fee aren't shown and looks strange. When I explain what it is, they offer to "correct" the system by splitting it up into two shorter names and move one to the middle name slot. Please, don't - my name, crazy as it may be, is my name and TSA likes it just fine the way it is, lol.

Yes, you absolutely may have my butter; I will even ask for extra!!

For sure @3rdGenCunarder for sure!!

I haven't checked SWA because of its location, but will do that. DFW is so much more convenient than Love Field.