urbanhawk

48 minutes ago, Lane Hog said:

Just when you thought normalcy was returning... 

 "Normal is only a setting on a dryer"! 

This is 1st I have heard about a booster on a 16 day cruise. What's next-needing one on a 14 day cruise?

I thought Carnival is having the same provisions thru 2022, as they had in 2021. . If this is the case, I don't think things will change this year, in re: to  to the vaccines.

Wow! Alot of ideas that I never even had considered. Here's one which I wished I had packed on my last cruise. Some how I managed to get a tear on a shirt. The gift shop on the ship did not carry sewing kits.  I finally did find a place in Juneau that sold them-but, cost was much higher, as it was Alaska. Now I pack one -lesson learned!

56 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

The Sensation will be heading to the breakers. You may be getting the refurbished Costa Magica. 

I just received another promo for Australia-still has the Sensation. What are the breakers?

1 hour ago, Indytraveler83 said:

 

As for the "Why":

 

Carnival is trying like crazy to get their full fleet operational again.  The Spirit has been burning money waiting for Australia to re-open.  Something happened internally and they decided that the Spirit needed to come back.

 

They are also trying hard to get the most efficient ships going and to eliminate the older, cost prohibitive ships (Fantasy class).

 

A lot of folks are angry about going from Freedom to Spirit.  Don't discount the Spirit class.  It was designed for HAL, and just because it is smaller doesn't mean it is less.  They are some of the least crowded ships in the fleet, and still have some fantastic public spaces.  It may be older than Freedom, but it is only a few years, and at the age of both of these ships, their condition is going to be based much more on when they had their last drydock than when they were originally built.  

 

As far as the room assignments: it sucks.  I'm right there with you.  Do you have a good PVP?  My own experience has taught me that no matter what Carnival says they can or can't do, a good PVP can pull a lot of strings to make you happy and not loose a booking or future business.  My own has told me to hold tight for my room assignment, and if it's not satisfactory, he will figure something out.  He's made non-transferable deposits magically transfer before, so I don't doubt him now.  

 

Overall: for me, I'm happy to go to the Spirit, it's really a better ship than you think.  I'm just waiting to get the room situation figured out before I feel totally great about it again.

Last week I received a  promo for an elite cruise cruise out of Australia on the Spirit  in the fall of 2023. I thought great that the Spirit was returning  to Oz, , after its season in Alaska. Then, a few days ago, I read that the Spirit would be moving to Mobile. After checking,  Sensation will now be  going out of Australia. Crazy times! (If I have  figured this all out, correctly).?

Having a cabin where the above and below decks are only other cabins are quiet.  You never want to book a cabin, for example, under the lido deck. I've read that a cabin on the empress deck is a good choice.

My last cruise was over Labor Day several years ago, so early Sept. Layer clothing and an umbrella helped. . It rained in all ports, but not in Ketchican, which receives more rain, than anywhere in S.E. Alaska!. Even with the rain, it wasn't that cold for that time of year. It's a roll of the dice for the weather for that time of year..  Even with the rain, it didn't "" dampen my spirits"😉, and was still a great, beautiful trip!

1 hour ago, supercanadian said:

Count me in as a non-frequent Casino player. I also received some really good casino offers on trips for Feb-March 2022, and we booked one for March. We were last on a cruise in spring of 2019, and spent maybe $100 total between myself and my spouse. All at the slot machines.

 

A little off topic, but does anyone know how the "Drinks on Us while playing at the Casino" benefit works? So if you are sitting at a slot machine, do they have servers that come around and take your order or can you go up to the casino bar and order? Do you have to spend a min. amount in play?

In re: to the Drinks on Us-in the past, I would be playing the slots, and a server would stop by to take your order. It could take a while, at times, when the casino was very busy. . Two things I learned, from my experience, was  1.) Tip well, maybe a buck or 2 for a beer, and alittle more for a mixed drink, and you get better service!, and 2.)  when you are served, order another drink, as it can take awhile, meeting CCL's criteria of waiting ??? minutes between drinks. .  (My last cruise was  8 years or so ago😢😢,  so not sure how much may have changed?)

I did a fall cruise to Canada once, and it was great, even though it was still too early (that year) for the autmn foliage. Could they still get frosts in late May/early June? Can't comment  on Bermuda-have never been. Whatever you decide, enjoy your (comped) cruise!

Well, not in this particular situation, but in the past, I would check a promotion, and there were no cabins available-I think they say that there are no more cabins available, as they allocate only a certain number per sailing. I do sympathize with the O.P.-maybe check again on occassion, as a cabin might open up, due to a cancelation. 

When I last cruised, , it started in Seattle, where I flew into. . As the cruise ended in Vancouver, I needed to return to Seattle. I took Amtrak. back. It was hassle free at the border crossing, and a very scenic ride. Just another option, for one to consider.

I haven't heard about any fuel surcharges in several years, but it has crossed my mind, when the price of oil goes up. To the best of my knowledge/memory,  surcharges were  added to my fully paid cruise, back in 2007 at $9.00/day. It was what it was...

5 hours ago, Ashland said:

Thanks...It seems like since we're docking in Sitka this won't work for our group.

Any suggestions for Sitka? We'll have our young grand sons with us age 8 & 5.

My very 1st   cruise was in 2007, and went from Whittier to Vancouver.  I have fond memories of Sitka, I remember it being a tender port. .There was a community center, where you could see a performance of Russian dancing by the locals. (Free?, or donations accepted?) I also remember being able  to see eagles, near the dock.  Not sure about other cruise lines, but Carnival  only visits this port a few times during the cruise season, which makes it even more special, imo. Enjoy!

8 minutes ago, DAVLIB007 said:

My vacation planner either has flaked out on me or is no longer with the company. If anyone has someone they like a lot who also is very knowledgeable in the casino department of Carnival please let me know need one

Thank You

Per Cruise Criic rules, we are not allowed to tell. If you are not happy with our current one, as Carnival to transfer you to a new one.Good luck!

I'm providing this info, just an fyi, in re:  to the 6 months of a passport expiring.  Last year, I had a college buddy fly from Philadelphia  to Lima, Peru. He was denied entry, as his passport was going to expire in 4 months. He had to return home, get an expedited passport renewal ( for many $$).  He then started his journey  all over. Too bad there are no closed loops for flying! Happy cruising!

3 hours ago, NewCruiser09/09 said:

Maybe they are still trying to get you back!  😁

I want them to get me back! Just not possible at this time😢! I wish I could just give my offers to others, who are not receiving them.

46 minutes ago, dallasdan said:

Over the last year my wife has received 3 free Carnival Cruises from a Shreveport casino.  We have were not able to use any of them because our Carnival Players club offers were much better.  Also, we are not retired yet, so we couldn't go on all of the free cruise offers we have been receiving.

 

I  know what you mean-life can be funny like that-when I was working, I  had the money, but not the time. Now, that I'm retired, I  have the  time, but not the money! (until I sell my house!)

I'm not sure in regards to your situation, but  I still receive offers everyday-from$500 to $1000 fun play, free suites,  elite offers for both U.S. and Australia, etc. and due to various situations, my last  cruise was over 7 years ago.

On 2/6/2022 at 2:49 PM, ninjacat123 said:

Maybe the OP meant after the restart of cruising.

Possibly, but I was saying we're still in the pandemic, due to the requirements for testing, masks, social distancing, only vaccinated cruises, etc. I know many people still cruise with all these conditions, but it's not for me-just a personal choice. For all others, enjoy your cruises! 

From what I understand, it takes $2.50 to earn one point. Some of the points comes money played in the slots that is from winnings played. Also, time at the slots is also calculated, when playing, and not just hanging out in the casino! Larger wagers may help earn points faster, but play time is important, as well. For example,  playing $100.00 (plus any winings) in half an hour, is not as good as playing $100.00 (plus any winings) in say 2 hours. At least, this is how my local casino  host explained it to me. (different  on a cruise?)  The most important thing is to have fun! (and  winnings!)

1 hour ago, toad455 said:

Spirit will be taking over the Freedom's Alaska sailings. Freedom will be moved to Port Canaveral and take over Elation's sailings. Elation will move up to Jacksonville.

So, this will mean there will be 2 spirit classes going to Alaska-Spirit out of Seattle, and Miracle out of S.F.

4 hours ago, ledges1 said:

My PVP calls have been going to his personal voice mail. Today I called and his extension rolled back to the main menu with no explanation. I have been using him for several years. I assume he is no longer with Carnival. I have approximately 20 cruises with Carnival. I have not received any emails or reassignments to another PVP.  What is Carnival's procedure when a PVP leaves?

About 10 years ago, I had a PVP, that I worked with for several years. He was very helpful, and would always go above and beyond. One day I called to book a cruise. (usually 2 a year.))  His extension was inactive. I called the main #, and all I was told was that he was no longer employed by Carnival. So who  knows?Guess they don't have a procedure, when a  PVP leaves.

Is the square footage the same? or smaller, to make up space for the larger balcony? Thanks.

Thanks CruiseAdic. Good to know.

I am still able to book a cruise (an elite casino offer) out of Australia on the Spirit for next year... If  the Spirit does return to the U.S., what ship would they use? (a different Spirit class ship, or ?). Thanks