code_d

On 8/2/2020 at 1:15 AM, Blackduck59 said:

@code_d be aware that this thread will now wander through all sorts of topics. You may not have to ask any questions the answers will just come up.

 

I am seeing this 🙃

Awesome info already! Didn't expect so fast or many. Looking forward to this even more thanks!

We are (at this point) 8 Americans coming to you for a Splendor South Pacific Cruise out of Sydney May 09, 2022 for 11 days. Will be arriving about 3 days early to spend locally. Looking for best things to do and see. Best way to do money, things to avoid, customs, and what ever else you feel would be helpful. We feel by then this whole virus thing will be better. We are all experienced cruisers. Will be going to Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Port Vila, Mare, and Noumea. We do like the Casino. Looking forward to meeting new people there.  

Wish we booked last week as the deals were even better. But we just booked the SP out of Sidney on an 11 day May 9, 2022. Got a suite for $2400 for 2 people with $600 OBC and DOU! Not too bad. Have 2 other couples booked. Bucket list trip here we come! There are many rooms left in all categories btw. Now I hope when we can get flights they are less than $5000 for two in premium economy. Any issues with credit cards being used for on board with the exchange rate? If we get our other cruises in it just may be our 25 milestone cruise. 

Don't forget if you get Cheers you don't necessarily need water sent to the room except for convenience . I try to get a bottle each time walking back to the room and leave it for taking off ship and such, but I always get Cheers.

All non-alcoholic drinks are included- milkshakes, specialty coffees, energy drinks, sodas, juices, sparkling waters, bottled waters including the 1.5 liter, frozen virgin drinks, and alchemy bar zero proof elixirs. (just not anything from the state room or room service)

Gosh no. The bed is cleaned every day.

 

Actually bedding is only changed once in a 5 day and under and twice in a 6-8 day. Unless you request it for a special reason. And bedbugs are annoying but harmless and happen EVERYWHERE. The worst they do is cause itchy bites like a mosquito with out the diseases they spread. It can be perfectly clean or dirty. They travel on peoples belongings.

I think you are overreacting. My wife and I both did this and we loved it. Our toe nails are still intact. A million people do this and you find one article where one person gets a toenail infection, good research.

 

Not reacting at all. Was just an fyi for folks to make their own decisions.

Just thought I would share as I know fish pedicures are still popular. So for what it is worth:

 

https://www.livescience.com/62975-fish-pedicure-toenail-problem.html?utm_source=notification

Interesting that the positive things said about NCL were the opposite with us. Would not go back to them as food was sub par and most you have to pay extra for. The service was very hot and cold. The rooms are much smaller than Carnival and at least then the bed was HORRIBLE. Funny how every experience can be different.

If some one came to me while lounged out on a love seat to sit next to me just to smoke while there are clearly other seats to sit in I would say POUND SALT! First of all I am relaxing on an entire piece of furniture that fits ONE person lounged out. If another wants to sit in the same area and smoke like it is allowed to I do not care as they can. Bu t to say they have the right to kick you out or appreciate the fact they smoke is BS! This has NOTHING to do with smoking at ALL. This is someone relaxing minding their own business that suddenly has someone demanding from them unreasonable requests. SMDH!

Would be nice to see a regular beverage program that would cover all non-alcoholic drinks. Bubbles is too restrictive.

They are different but both great. We have always LOVED the fantasy class ships. Very personable. Have felt the already awesome service is actually better on the fantasy class. Maybe because there are less people and they have more interaction time.

Loved the Cove! It is perfect to be near the water (but still 3 stories up) and hear it. Always shade and much more private than the regular that people can see in from above and below. Plus the balcony is much wider so you can actually stretch your feet out and still not touch the rail. Loved how easy it was to get on and off the ship and get to things.

Our 5 kids where in one and at the time were 14,15,18,19,20. They had plenty of room. Especially nice having the 2nd bathroom to get ready in (of course only one toilet, but 2 shower/sinks). As you could see from above the King style is fine.

My wife used to ask me why I absolutely refuse to use hand rails on staircases and escalators (even to the detriment of my safety). I asked her to consciously watch for instances of people cleaning said rails and get back to me with the results of her studies. I am in my mid 40's and I have never witnessed a cleaning event applied to staircase/escalator handrails in public places.

 

I see Carnival workers cleaning railing all the time. But not so much anywhere else.

Buy a liter or two of vodka for the room. They are $80-90 ea. Get the bubbles program which is like $25 ea for the cruise) and you will have all the soda you want (I always ask for the can and get it) and any juice (cranberry here) plus fresh ice. You can put the vodka in the tumbler then go to the bar and top it off with ice and juice (or soda/tonic) from the bubbles program. You will have to go back to the room to refill the vodka though. Plus bring 2 bottles of wine. If you want to add some beer then get one bottle of Vodka (only 2 alcoholic purchases per room max) and a 4 pack of your favorite beer. Then take the warm one they put in room and exchange at a bar for cold one. OR get Cheers and just have the server bring a vodka cranberry in your tumbler. If you tip as you go they will make sure to be back regularly to keep it refilled. Don't have to have a beer opened. They will give you a soda can if requested. And yes it is an all inclusive as it includes ALL Beverages by the single serving to a $50 price each.

We always stayed at a Best Western (all my wife likes). The one in Slidell is very nice and right off the high way. Usually about $100/nt. per room. Has a pool, good breakfast, AWESOME service, right next to Walgreen's, and many restaurants (noticed gas was cheaper here too). Easy back on the highway in the AM then only 25 min drive to city. We then always park in Fulton Street Garage! Free shuttle there and back (3 min ride), covered parking, and almost half the price of the port. You can purchase in advance and save plus make sure you have spot. We also did the Best Western Westbank. Was also only about $100/nt. It has a very large courtyard pool and a hot tub, a poolside bar, and good breakfast. It is only 10 min from port as is just other side of bridge from downtown. We took an Uber to French Quarter for 16 bucks for regular size. You drive by Walmart and things if you need them on way to port.

Why on earth would Code d write all this unless she works for Carnival???

HE would reply with all of this (mostly copied from Carnival's website) to show what people never pay attention to. Get tired of complaints that have no real merit. If people do not get instant answers or the answers they want to hear then it is always someone else's fault. Don't enter into a contract (which is what a cruise ticket is) if you are not happy with the terms and conditions. Never have nor do I currently work for Carnival.

 

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Not sure where all the comments about poor communication come from. First they do not have to cancel the cruise until the day of per the ticket contract nobody reads. Secondly they actually have out many things out there on the website at the top, through John Heald, and emails. John actually posted Wed that the cruises this weekend will be affected in Mobile, New Orleans, and maybe Tampa.

 

From The ticket contract:

© Carnival has the right without previous notice to cancel this contract at the port of embarkation or any time during the voyage and shall thereupon return to the Guest, if the Contract is completely canceled, his Cruise Fare, or, if the Contract is partially canceled, a proportionate part thereof. Under such circumstances, Carnival shall have no further liability for damages or compensation of any kind. In the event a voyage is terminated early due to mechanical failure of the Vessel, Guest is also entitled to transportation to the Vessel’s scheduled port of disembarkation or Guest’s home city, at Carnival’s discretion and expense, as well as necessary lodging at the unscheduled port of disembarkation, if required, at Carnival’s expense.

 

 

If a change in the itinerary is needed due to factors or conditions beyond CARNIVAL'S control, no refund or credit will be made, however, CARNIVAL will make an effort to provide accommodations and services of a comparable quality and standard as set forth in the brochure. Any such change shall not modify the cancellation provisions in the brochure. No credit will be allowed or refund given for any services provided in the brochure should any such services not be utilized by Participants.

While Carnival does not have to really do much, they have with every Hurricane. The number of bad hurricanes this year has severely affected all the cruise lines and their ability to keep regular cruises. Under these circumstances Carnival actually has done an amazing job making sure that customers are taken care of. Of course they will wait until last min as hurricanes change direction and strength. It cost tens of thousands to change ports, or get permission to not go to a port from Gov't. The cancellations and reroutes have cost them tens of millions so why would they not try and communicate? Being frustrated that your cruise is cancelled is normal, but taking it out on Carnival is stupid. BTW all cruise lines do the same thing. People need to understand what can happen and what they agree to. But most feel it won't happen to them and when it does want to take it out on others.

I'm very happy that they didn't cut off half of the disco as was done on previous Fantasy Class renovations. It didn't make any sense to convert half of it into a rarely used conference room, causing the place to be unnecessarily cramped.

 

I am sorry to see that they've added more cabins. But that's a disturbing industry wide trend that needs to stop. Ships don't need to be any more crowded IMO.

 

The new Waterworks is a blessing and a curse. Yeah it's neat for the kids. But the aft pool was lost, which leaves her with precisely one pool to be shared among all 2000+ guests. And the slides, unfortunately, don't keep the kids totally away from the main pool. I wish they could've figured out a way to either retain the aft pool for the kids, or add one to Serenity. I don't want to sit in a hot tub on hot summer days, but enjoy the kid free atmosphere there.

 

If you can call it a pool in the back. They were not much bigger than a hot tub. And the hot tubs that were there are now on the serenity area.

Has anyone done this Mexican beer tasting and pub crawl with Carnival excursions?

Thx all for the insight - yes, I have heard (and read here) that the suite perks are basically non existent aside from priority boarding? It is what it is, the perks in my mind are the suite itself....but we will enjoy priority boarding as we do like to arrive early and board as soon as we can. Can anyone confirm if priosity boarding is indeed still a thing? We are on Pride out of Baltimore.

 

Don't know if this was answered, but:

 

gratuities from $12.00 to $12.95 per person per day for standard cabins and $13.95 per person per day for suites, effective for cruises departing September 1, 2016 and onward.

Announced in a letter, dated April 29, Carnival added: “In tandem with this change, in addition to priority embarkation and debarkation in all ports and confirmed main dining room preference, suite guests will now receive priority tender service, complimentary in-suite bottled water and one complimentary bag of laundry per voyage, as well as an enhanced turndown service”, Carnival confirmed.

Is it feasible to fly into Pensacola FL and still get to the port via car service, Uber, or the like? Or is it best to just fly into Mobile? Cost wise is about 600 less to fly to Florida. But of course would be more to transport from there being 58 miles.

https://www.shoreexcursioneer.com/progreso/ghost-town-misnebalam-atv.html

 

Looks like a good one. We are looking at doing this on upcoming. Always had great luck with shoreexcursioneer.