travelplus

If I lived right at the Pier or a short drive to the Pier I would do this but if I had to fly then I would not. Tooo much stress. Now a last minute All Inclusive Vacation in Mexico or Jamaica is different because if you are delayed there is no ship leaving without you.

1 hour ago, Doggielover68 said:

The day prior is more than sufficient. I would never fly in the day of. I don't fly extremely often and yet probably half of my domestic flights are delayed for one reason or another. My most recent flight had a medical emergency. The flight before that had a mechanical problem and I sat on the plane at the gate for 2 hours...add weather, staffing shortages, baggage delays, etc and you're gonna have a bad time. 

 

Best of luck. 

Agree and even an inter California flight that is blocked in at 1:25 can turn into 4 hours due to weather, mechanical delays etc.

I always like to arrive a day or two early. For my next month Panorama Cruise I booked a flight two days before the cruise sails from Long Beach. I live in the San Jose CA area and I wanted to enjoy myself in Long Beach rather than rush to get to my cruise.  I found a goof AirBnB Condo next to the Port and I can have a leisurely morning relaxing on the balcony of my AirBnB and I only have to be out by 11:00 AM. 

On the return I booked a night at LAX Hampton Inn as the Alaska Air flight had me leaving at 9:00 PM and I would be waiting around LAX to checkin 4 hours before. Also I like a transition and I booked the 6:00 PM again having a leisurely morning breakfast and rest in my room before heading to LAX and to the Alaska Lounge as  I booked myself in First Class.

You see I understand that people have other obligations but I have built in  my flexible schedule to allow more time to not rush to the ship. 

I also booked a 6:00 AM PCR Test at SJC Airport before I checkin. I can checkin at 6:10 AM for a 10:10 AM flight and I can easily go to the Club@SJC lounge. My other PCR Test was at 8:30 cutting it very close. 

Arrive a day or two before.

I don't mind spending the extra $2-$3 for a premium selection plus gratuity. 

I booked my test at SJC  airport before I fly down to LAX. I have a 10:10 AM flight with a 6:00 AM test for February. Now I know January is hard due to the testing shortage. I would see if you can "hawk" CVS, Rite Aid and other pharmacy online tests or perhaps at the airport. 

14 hours ago, Circlt said:

I just booked Panorama week of March 19 2022, but the excursion I want isn’t listed.  Rhythms of The Night.  If it’s sold out, that’s one thing, but I just wanted to see if anyone has successfully booked it yet, then I will know for sure if it’s sold out or just not added yet.  Anyone?  Thanks in advance.

I booked mine for Feb 26th. One of two things may be the reason why you cannot book it.

1. Perhaps as you speculated it is sold out.

2. Maybe they do not have the staffing or are booked for a private event.

3. Carnival is not sure of the itinerary and is working with the vendor to see if they are available on alternate days.

Please call the Fun Shops for more info 

Cancelled boo hiss COVID lets hope and pray February wil be better

On 1/7/2022 at 9:32 AM, tattoos said:

Cruisesfun65:  We went to JiJi's for lunch when it was free, it was soooo good.  We are going to make dining reservations at JiJi's for dinner on our next cruise.

 

I agree with you regarding the food at Cucina Del Capitano.  After the waitress took our order, she brought out garlic bread.  I told her that I did not like garlic and requested plain rolls.  She said she had to ask the Chef and came back with two pieces of toasted bread which had garlic on it and I couldn't eat it.  My grandson ordered the fried calamari for his appetizer and he liked it.  I ordered the arancini (rice ball) and she told me that the Chef would not let her serve it to me because it had garlic in it.  I told her that I would like to order a different appetizer and she said every appetizer has garlic in it.  Antipasti and burrata has garlic in it???  The waitress also stated very sternly that the only entree I could order that doesn't contain garlic was the veal served with greasy potatos.  I ordered the veal and it was so tough, I couldn't chew it.  

 

My grandson and I ordered the apple dessert which was terrible.  What a terrible experience we had, never again.  The Chef should be able to satisfy a simple request and be able to offer food choices that do not have garlic.  I'm sure there are other people that do not eat or like garlic.  There is a wonderful Italian restaurant in south Florida that we have been frequenting regularly that offers complimentary garlic AND plain rolls with dinner.  There are numerous menu items I can choose from that contain NO GARLIC.

 

Our waitress was sorely lacking in manners and knowledge.  There was only two other people eating when we were there.  I was very disappointed with the food quality and the wait staff and expressed my feelings to the Guest Services Rep when I cancelled my dinner reservation at JiJi's.  

I would have pulled the waitress aside and had a friendly but firm talk with her. Then I would go up to the host stand and ask for the Maitre D or Director of Specialty Dining and have a word with them.

I had an issue in the Steakhouse on another cruiseline and the Maitre D comped us another Dinnef the next week with s Bottle of Wine 

Call up Parking Company and ask them to hold your paid amount as a credit if you know you will cruise soon. If not ask for a one time refund Gesture of Goodwill. If not call your credit card and ask them to Dispute it.

Can I have MDR Room Service on my Balcony?

I booked my flight from.SJC to LAX on Alaska on my own for $210r/t in First Class for my Feb Panorama. Fare went down by $60 so I pocketed it in the Alaska Wallet.

Airfare includes lounge access at LAX, 2 checked bags,Seat Assignments and Celebratory Woodford! 

Carnival wanted just a smidge less for Economy 😁.

Now I can bring home extra Espresso Chocolate Vodka home from Mexico.That stuff is addictive .

Or load cash online. I agree a credit card is easier.

6 hours ago, azjim66 said:

We are booked on the 2/19 Panorama and am hoping for the same!

I'll wave to you from the balcony of my AirBnb Condo which apparently has a view to the Port.

I am so happy that MLife now comps resort fees for Gold. As a Diamond RCCL Member I did the status match!

On 1/4/2022 at 6:01 PM, JessyCruises said:

Dinner at Chops was very good.  I am not sure what the waiter we had on Odyssey was talking about, but the chicken was not that big, came out at a reasonable time and I have no idea why he was saying it would have taken forever.

 

Hubby was very disappointed that not only could we not get mushroom soup, but mushrooms was not an available side either!  The waiter said there was a mushroom shortage.  Who knew!!

 

 

I had the squash soup to start.  It was very good.  I would have preferred the mushroom, but it was a nice alternatice

 

 

Paul had the shrimp appetizer 

 

and we had the pepper bacon to share.  I still do not understand why they call it bacon, but it is yummy no matter what they call it…

 

We ordered mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and Gruyère gator tots as sides.  If they had mushrooms, we would have ordered it instead of tater tots

 

Paul had the porterhouse and he said it was excellent and cooked to a perfect medium rare

 

and I had the chicken.  It was very good!

What a disgrace at a  Steakhouse(:.

On 1/4/2022 at 1:13 PM, JessyCruises said:

I think it has gone the way of the Dodo bird.  The menu on the app says the soup is now Creamy Butternut Squash soup.  😞

 

I am going to be a weirdo and not get steak at Chops. When we had the UDP on the Odyssey in August, I wanted to order the Organic Roasted Chicken but the waiter talked me out of it saying I would be waiting forever.  I am ordering it tonight no matter what they tell me lol

Take the Chicken off the menu pronto! I would not order it.

26 minutes ago, Schoifmom said:

Can you?  Yes.  Should you?  Debatable.

 

I agree with others to either wait for your family members to arrive before boarding or ensure that they know how to access wheelchair assistance.  Staff members are very helpful with luggage and everything else necessary when someone needs it.

I personally board and do not disembark on embarkation day. Also Customs  and Immigration may prohibit this due to you already being processed to exit the USA. 

10 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Let’s hope you’re stuck on the ship (assuming there’s an embarkation Covid test). If that relative tests positive and you’ve assisted them, you may find yourself SOL. Have the relative call the cruise line and arrange for boarding assistance.

Excellent advice. Please have your relative reach out as I did to the Special Needs Department for boarding assistance .

57 minutes ago, FiremedicMike151 said:

On our boat they left the sick people in what I assume was their original room, right next to all the non sick passengers.. 

Folks just be prepared to catch COVID. If its too high of a risk please consult with your Doctor and go from there.

I myself will not cancel or postpone my cruise until Carnival tells me its cancelled or if  I test positive for COVID.

Would love to see them add cauliflower crust!

7 hours ago, vicky3vicky said:

So happy about this! I always like my last 2 full cruise days being sea days. And looking forward to Cabo.

Be sure to not pack on sea days😁

Hope Feb 26th will be the same as I have a 12:45 PM luxury sail and snorkel cruise booked with Carnival.

On another note if the OP's daughter needed to quarribtine at home or in a small dorm room vs on a cruise which is better?

I would take Room Service and Movies any day. Also I would want WIFI so I would take the money I did not spend on shore excursions for that. Now I do not want to get sick onboard.

Question would alcohol be allowed to be purchased and consumed in the quarrintine room? That may seal the deal😁 I should be allowed Cheers in my room. Also how about Ice Cream Sundaes , Cappuchinos, Steaks . I get better by eating good food.