code_d

Black market is huge for passports especially US ones. As advised by Carnival do not take with you. They will retrieve it if something happens like a medical emergency (though not sure what they would need a passport from you to get treatment as a regular photo ID will work, but is really how you pay is what they really want), or miss the ship then get it to you. This is why you should have the number to reach the Carnival rep at the port they have staffed for these issues. Having a passport means that with out it you can get help from a US embassy or consulate which is what you would do if lost or stolen. A copy of a passport will work in majority of situations along with a driver's license. Most will leave the passport and take a copy. A passport is for boarder crossing and not many other things. Plus as mentioned 16 is the age for photo ID's. Under 16 a certified copy, original, or notarized Birth Certificate is required while 16 and over a copy of one is fine with the photo ID.

Nice! We will be there next Thursday off the Dream as well. Will be our 5th time there. We LOVE it there. We always ask for Andres at the pool bar. Last time he had balloons and a welcome sign for us when we got there. The food is AMAZING. Love the whole fried fish (even those that are not fish people liked it). There is also a 'Starbucks', wi-fi, shops with all the things at the port, and a cigar shop that has decent smokes. Got a nice Sanchos framed family picture for $30. Definitely tip!! They work very hard.

thought the administration banned Cuba or are on the process of banning

Not for cruises as it is currently set up. Actually were very few changes was more about spotlight and sounding like something it was not.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/eight-things-you-need-to-know-about-president-trumps_us_59677038e4b07b5e1d96ed8f

The only area on the ship that is 21 and up is the serenity area. The night club ID's everyone that looks younger and do not let in under 18 yr olds. No age limit on any of the bars (as this is also where minors get their sodas). The 15-17 Club O2 teen club does not permit anyone over 18 in them and they do enforce this. The drinking age of 21 was set by Carnival (and the other cruise lines) to correspond with local laws they mainly cruise out of(being the US) and is a rule not a law. Once out in International waters the law is based upon what country the ship is flagged to and 90% of countries in the world have a drinking age of 16-19. These rules though can be enforced with fines and penalties up to being removed off the ship as they are part of the cruise ticket contract you agreed to when purchasing a ticket. So those that like to 'feel' it is ok to let under 18 yr olds into a comedy show for only over could be penalized for it. We all agree to abide by the rules set forth in the contract you 'sign'. But it does always seem most feel the rules do not apply to them as witnessed by the many comments here and what I see on board.

My family cruises twice a year. We have only sailed with carnival. I am beginning to notice more and more changes some are concerning others not so much. I have no issue with losing the " George Lopez" on the comedy show, I noticed no difference in the comedians. The ESPN bar is now the Skybox, nothing different but the name. Those change to save money buy not paying for the name I get completely. The poor dining room staff are so over worked. The service has suffered but not because they aren't working as hard as possible but because they have too many people to serve. Dinner took forever the last few cruises. I don't expect a fast food experience but I also don't expect a 2 hr one. It used to not be like this and I certainly wish carnival would rethink this and give the staff more help. My other concern is how HOT our rooms are. The temp in one of our rooms this cruise was 81 at night. When we called and asked them to check it they brought a fan. This HOT room and hot dinning room has been our experience the last few cruises. Lastly why is the DJ/Music suck a short time on the Lido each day? 12-3? I do love cruising I just don't want the changes to make carnival not look like carnival anymore. They can't keep cutting corners and have quality service.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We are about to leave on our 13th Carnival cruise Sunday on the Dream. I have to totally agree with this post. These are the same things we have noticed with Carnival since our beginning in 2006. Have had rooms that are told 'within guidelines' measured near the vent at 74 degrees, and dinners that were 2 hours and rarely seeing the servers. Plus the Room Stewards are more over worked with more rooms per teams and one per day service. It seems less employees for the same jobs. We used to spend time talking to staff and getting to know them but that has gotten less as they do not have that extra time to get to know guests (which to me is part of their job and our experience). It does seem to vary per ship based upon the Hotel Manager that runs things as well. Lately we have actually thinking of other lines when in the past we really hadn't. Still love the cruises and overall have fun. It does amaze me the lack of respect people give to posters on this site- very childish.

About to go on her for a third time this month. So far one of the best we have been on for service, food, and activities. It is the same ship as the Breeze (Dream Class with same layout- like the awesome deck 5 wrap around with hot tubs!) minus the Italian Restaurant, ropes course, and a slightly smaller sports area. Otherwise has a large water park and many slides, Steakhouse, sushi, BBQ, Nathans hot dog stand, Guys, Red Frog Pup, Alchemy, Blue Iguana, Seaside Theater, and more. Plus New Orleans is easy Port to get to (Just not easy to get in and out of).

What is the single worst thing you have seen a RCCL Cruiser doing?

What is the single worst thing you have seen a NCL Cruiser doing?

Sounds to me Cheers would be worth it for both of you. If your DH is getting 2 drinks a day and many energy drinks and sodas he is defiantly coming out ahead. If you are drinking 3 frozen drinks a day and then any of the other drinks it will then come out ahead. Plus once you have it you might actually get a few extra to try as you would not otherwise because you are 'paying' for them. So if either of you have 3-4 alcoholic drinks plus 3-4 of any of the following: any coffee drink in the coffee bar, all sodas, energy drinks, cappuccinos in the MDR with meals, unlimited virgin frozen drinks or mixers with soda/tonics, milkshakes from the coffee bar, bottled water- either the small or large bottles, sparkling waters, specialty teas, and any of the juices then you come out ahead of the $800 for a 7 day cruise. I got my monies worth from the bottled water, specialty coffees, and Perrier Waters.

Curious about the perks for a suite on CCL compared to others usually much higher price for a suite (ex- Aug 12 out of Miami for 7 day CCL- $3604 and NCL- $7673 though includes drinks, excursions, WiFi, and dining). What else do they get besides what Carnival offers:?

'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'

I've wanted a complimentary 24 hour diner style restaurant like NCL's O'Sheehan's on Carnival for the longest time as well. I'll continue to keep hope alive :rolleyes:

 

They have the ability to offer more choice around the clock. They choose not to.

We loved that 24 hour diner place. It was actually where we had the best service as well. The cook made me a grilled cheese after the first time I went and told them how much I loved their tomato soup but wish they had a grilled cheese on the menu. He asked me what that was and next noght he surprised me with one.

There really is not as much to chose from anymore. If you eat between 12-2:30pm then you have many many choices (Magic examples)- Blue Iguana, Mongolian, guy's, pig and anchor, taste bar (turned into mini deli), large salad bar next to cafe,buffet, deli, pizza, tandor Indian, and Italian restaurant. After 6pm it is only the dinning room, buffet, deli, pizza, or pay for specialty restaurant. If you are a late night person like we are then only thing after 11pm is the snack grill (hot dogs, chips, cookies), or pizza. Used to be late night buffets, the deli was open later and when it closed the pizza was called pizza plus and had some deli stuff and Caesar salads. When the buffet was open it was one side and each of the 2 lines had the same 6 main items on them. Even the deserts have dwindled in offerings. And when it is time to close them they are to the minute closing them!

My concern would be lot of crew about to leave on vacation and will not give same level of service on last cruise before vacation time.

The crew schedule does not change. They stay on the ship or in hotels near the dry dock during the work and still have full schedule of helping in the work or training. The dry dock is only a week or two.

Just off the Magic and I noticed the big screen TV that is by the cafe and in the same location on most ships that showed weather, location, topography, speed, wind direction was no longer showing these things. It was only pictures of nature. This the case now in general? I kind of liked stopping by and seeing these things.

If cruise is cancelled then you would have option to get all monies back with out any fees. Then just book a new cruise afterwards. Of course no $25 obc but nothing is lost either. I guess I am confused.

I am sure they told the guests that booked their flights with them. Why would anyone expect them to announce something that has nothing to do with them? It is your responsibility to keep track of your own flights. This is also what insurance was invented for. If it was fog or medical issue on ship then sure as it is something they control. With the regular internet package the speed is more than fast! I could watch videos on it with out buffering. If it was something you were that concerned about and went to guest services they would have bent over backwards to give you access to what you need to check or change flights. I mean why does everyone but so much on Carnival? Would a hotel your staying at send you a note letting you know about it- no.

Only the Casino bar. I wish they did then could smoke cigars there. But the smoking side of deck 5 has nice overhang and service.

Loved ours on the Fascination 3 times! Very quiet back there and slept like a baby.

Got specialty coffees and bottles of water the morning of departure. It works till you leave.

Cheers is absolutely worth it if all over 21 parties in the cabin get more than 5 alcoholic drinks per day and drink specialty coffees or teas, sodas or sparkling waters, juices, milkshakes, bottled waters and energy drinks. You only pay for the days used so out of Galveston you pay as you go day one then the package kicks in day 2 and you pay for the remaining days. You absolutely can buy rounds for friends of anything that do not count against the cheers 15 number. Just have to do it before you reach the 15. They will let you know when you are close. $55/day is very easy to reach unless all you drink is iced tea, lemonade, regular coffee, and water from the tap.

I don't do well without bottled water too. I know there is still salt in everything you eat / coffee on board etc, but I don't get a tight swollen up face if I drink bottled water as well. I guess this will cut into my excursion budget. Wishing carnival would come up with a beverage package that covered bottled water & premium coffee, juice bar etc.

There is only a negligible amount of sodium in the tap water. The same with bottled waters.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1159919

If you booked the cabins at the same time then they would have the same dining together. If not then and you are an early or late dining then just message John Heald on his Facebook page about a week before you go. Then go to the dining room between 1-2p once on the ship and check to see if the go the email from John if not it would be where you go anyway and request at that time. If you are Platinum then you get priority reservations as a perk.

I would bet that Carnival got him after. They have cameras all over the sides.

I am sure a spread sheet will be posted as this has been addressed many many many times under the cheers threads. But beers are $5-8 each plus gratuity, drinks $6-10, DOD's and frozen drinks $7-10, and wine $8-12 each. So it would only take about 5-6 per day to break even. Not to mention the fact it covers all non alcoholic drinks-waters (1 and 1.5 liters), soda, energy drinks, virgin frozen drinks, juice, specialty teas, specialty coffees, and milkshakes. So drink any of these and it becomes much less per day.

What makes you think anyone knows what BB is?

Because players will know. Thus I will get responses from those that know what I am talking about.