chasinraynbowz

I have been on 20 cruises.  All but 4 of them were on Carnival.  The only time I have seen rowdy people was on my very first cruise on the Fantasy, a 3 day booze cruise out of Port Canaveral and my Med cruise on Royal.  I must be hanging out in the wrong (or right) places... LOL!!

18 hours ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Good to hear Panorama may be starting debarkation at times similar to ther ports now.  We’ve sailed her twice since restart and both times debarkation didn’t start until around 10-10:30. 

Yikes!  When did you sail on her?

Thanks everyone.  I think we will be fine.  tm_aw is correct.  It's really just over an hour to the airport.  As long as I am there by 1130 or so (I am flying first class and have a frequent traveler number, so I can get checked in and thru security fairly quickly) I should be fine.

Thanks again......

I am sailing next week on the Panorama out of Long Beach.  I am curious what time platinum guests disembark.  We don't want to carry our luggage but I do have a 1pm flight out of Ontario which is 2 hours away.  I need to be off the ship by 9 or 930.  Is this going to be a problem?  Do I need to change my flight?

On 9/11/2022 at 3:42 PM, ninjacat123 said:

My DH and I are on this very cruise October 18, 2023.  So excited to be reading your review!  Rome looks incredible.  We are spending a day and night in Venice, a day and night in Florence then three days and two nights in Rome before our cruise.  Any other cafes/restaurants in Rome besides L'altra Guancia you can recommend?  I'm planning on having lunch there after our tour of the Vatican Museum.  Thx for writing this up!

I am sailing on the Oct 18, 2023 also.  Can't wait!!!

22 hours ago, wemjam said:

The $25 for the casino you have to speak directly with the Casino host.  I actually just called about this myself as right now Diamond and Platinum are given $25 to spend in the casino due to the one perk of the buy one get one slot tournament not being available due to Covid.  We haven't been getting it because we didn't know.  So I called the Diamond desk and was told, anything like this you have to go directly to the casino and they upload it.  Guest Services can't help with that one.

I know.  I did speak with the casino host.  I think they accidently had me in the system as Gold.  I never got an invite to the Plat/Diamond get together either.  It's all good.  I am going on the Panorama in a few weeks.  I will be Plat when I board and should get my perks.  

I turned Platinum on my last cruise.  They gave me a gold card, so I went to Guest Services to get a platinum one.  She started to disagree with me until she realized I did turn plat on the cruise, so I got the plat card.  I asked about the $25 added to my card in the casino, but was not given that.  I just think there was some confusion.  No biggie.  I enjoyed myself!!  

I am recently widowed and went on a 4 day solo cruise in March.  I chose early dining thinking it would be nice to eat with the same people.  Wrong.  I ate by myself most of the time.  

I am going solo again in January on the Celebration.  This time I have anytime dining.  I posted in our group chat to anyone else was cruising solo, if they are interested, we could have dinner together.  Hahaha, a man answered and said he was sailing with his sister and he was single "right now" and that if he was still unemcumbered at cruise time, he might be interested in meeting.  I am NOT interested in "hooking up".  LOL

Op, thanks for starting this thread.  Now I know what to do... 🙂

I used it in New Orleans.  I didn't have to show anything other than the Verifly app on my phone.  I had all the paperwork if I needed it, but it was nice just showing her the app.

Those of you saying it takes too long to set up.... it doesn't.  It was quick and painless.

21 hours ago, cellfree said:

What ship were you on?

The Valor out of New Orleans

On 3/29/2022 at 9:13 PM, Elaine5715 said:

Did you go to the casino cage (desk)?

Yes I did and the guy at the desk acted like he had no clue.  

On 3/27/2022 at 6:27 PM, cellfree said:

Priority Debarkation - yes. 
Laundry - yes.

Ship Pin and “gift” - pick up at pixels desk. 
Casino - take Platinum Card to casino cashier and you will get $25.

 

I didn't get my $25.  I asked several people, including the casino host and did not get it.

2 hours ago, cruisinqt said:

Since you aren’t technically Platinum yet you probably didn’t get the recent letter they sent out to us. But usually you get your Platinum gift in your room along with your ships pin and free water. But with the new covid rules you’ll need to go to the photo gallery to get your free gift and ships pin. You can go to any bar for your free water. You’ll need to call room service for your complimentary “chocolate delight” instead of it just appearing in your room mid cruise.  You’ll get 2 free bags of laundry for cruises 5 days or longer. Just stuff the little bag and send it in and they’ll credit your account for the amount spent. The letter says because of covid, “Moving forward, certain VIFP amenities will be linked to your Sail & Sign folio for electronic redemption, like how we currently handle complimentary laundry.”  They aren’t doing things like they used to do its new for all of us. Another new thing they’ve never done before is a credit in the casino. The letter states:

• CASINO – Although we are currently unable to host casino tournaments on board, you will be given US$25 in Casino FunPlay®, in addition to any other FunPlay® you might be entitled to as part of your booking.

They will still try to give us priority shuttle service and priority debarkation when available. I hope this helps. Congrats on making Platinum!

Thanks for this!!!  

I turn platinum on my cruise on the Valor out of NOLA next month.  What are the platinum perks?  I haven't really paid attention... lol.  

I knew when we left the river and were in the Gulf on my very first cruise out of NOLA because of the ship rocking.  There was a storm in the gulf so the seas were rocky!!

As for the casino, they do open not long after leaving the port.

Happy Sailing!!  I will be cruising on the Valor in March!!

On 1/3/2022 at 5:50 PM, MeganGC1983 said:

Oh I’m sorry! Hope you got to reschedule. I shall have a cocktail in your honor. 

That would be lovely!  My husband passed away and this cruise was occurring on his birthday week and going to ports he and I both wanted to go to.  I just couldn't take the chance of possibly catching covid and not being able to fly home.  Leaving my dog (after my hubby's passing) for a week was bad enough since she was very attached to him, but I could not chance having to be gone for 2 weeks.  Not to mention my job.. lol.  One week is bad enough!!  

I will be following along!!!

I am looking forward to reading!  I cancelled this trip last week and it broke my heart to do so.  

Bon voyage!!!

I flew to Hawaii in June.  I had to pay $200 for a rapid test.  Hoping to find somewhere that doesn't cost an arm and a leg for our October cruise. 

I am one who prefers mornings.  I can turn down my own bed, I just don't want to make it... lol.  So, they can make it up in the mornings and I will turn it down myself at night..... or in the afternoon for a nap!  🙂

Thanks for posting this.  I have yet to get the email.  I only knew about it when a friend who is cruising with us saw it on his itinerary last night.  UGHHH... we are on the Mardi Gras on 10/23 and Grand Turk is getting replaced with Nassau... UGH.  Very happy to be cruising again, but not happy with Nassau.  I think that will be a day we stay onboard!!  Lots to see and do on a new ship!!

8 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

So, there's the tub and the (hard looking) lounge chairs. I'm guessing a steam and dry sauna as well?

 

Tom

Yes and the tub has seating also.  The "hardlooking" lounge chairs are heated.  And yes, they have steam rooms as well as a dry sauna.  I know on the Dream, they had aromatherapy steam rooms also.  For us, its a nice getaway for an hour or two.  I try to go at least once a day.

Pam

Just now, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

I'm curious as to what all it does entail, and what the allure is. We've never ventured in there, other than during a quick spa tour (obviously, on other ships). It's included with our cabin - so was not sure if we should give it some consideration.

 

Tom

It's a large hot tub without all the people and no kids.. lol.  My friend and I leave our husbands for a few hours and go soak in the tub and then lounge in the spa.  It's nice to relax, especially after a long day at port.  Hubs and I are in an ocean suite, so I will purchase a week long pass.

We are booked on the Mardi Gras in October.  We are wanting to book the spa, specifically the thalassotherapy pool.  Does anyone know if the pool is included in the thermal suite package?

TIA!

I read that the cost for a day, for non suite guests is $500 for up to 5 people.  Our cruisemates and I may try to book for a day, that will be $250 per couple and consider it a "shore" excursion!!  🙂

Our passports expired in June.  I was dragging my feet (not sure why) but then I heard about the delay in getting them back.  Ended up costing me a lot more money so they could be expedited... lol.  Anyway, I sent our passort renewal info in on 7/15.  I checked today and they say they are in process as of 7/20.  I also sent off for a new birth certificate (mine is so old its falling apart).  So, if by chance my passport doesn't make it, I will have my BC, my marriage certificate and my DL.  I will be good to go!!!