DanBoy

Thanks.. Yes its a concern since its part of my offer I always book DOU  and always tip..  Yes I play tables I would definitely be yapping to the pit boss..

I am thinking of booking the Venezia. I always get Casino offer off DOU while in casino. I know this ship has no casino bar. I saw a YouTube review that is was near impossible to get a drink in this casino. "Short handed".. Now that review was when the ship was first launched . Anyone have any  recent experience with this. It will be a deal breaker if I have to wait and hour for a drink when it is part of my offer.

Yes. I put in two requests yesterday for Vista in Dec and Mardi Gras for Jan 24.. Approved for 100 each within an hour or less!.. yay!!

Lots of Casino offers.. Got one for Feb 24 2024 200 Cove Balcony. 200 OBC and DOU in casino..  That's 7 nights Mardi Gras as well.. The one I have for next week also Mardi Gras was 1200 Cove balcony,, 200 OBC plus dou plus 250 Funplay... Go figure

4 hours ago, Incognito1 said:

I think this went away due to uncourteous behavior of some passengers.  Last one we were at, there were gorgeous fruit sculptures and chocolate displays -- which were destroyed in the first 15 minutes by rude passengers who pushed to the front of the lines and then just grabbed whatever they thought was most valuable and made a mess.  How heartbreaking that must be for the staff that put in a great deal of time.

 

Frankly, some cruise lines have yet to find the line between offering a vacation value and attracting the lowest classes of people.

I know there is a list of ships that now have Pickleball.. Magic was not on it (Boo) but wondering if anyone has been on her recently and can say definitevely if they do or don't?.. Going on her Nov 13   Thanks

Damn.. I am on the Magic in two weeks.. so hoping they have Pickleball on it..

Was on Holland America in November and they had Pickleball. Quite a few of us  played.. I will be on the Magic Feb 6 and wondering if it is on Carnival ships?...Thanks..

I will be boarding her as well!

12 hours ago, boatmad said:

Could Danboy please share where he is getting the test?  We are in New Smyrna Beach.

 

Yes... Palm Coast. Old Kings Highway 1 Old Kings Highway I believe.. 1220pm appt.. Still exploring a closer option but that is my ace in the hole so far .. Hoping the emed test works easily as it should..

Ok.. Was able to get CVS rapid test for 1220PM Nov 26th about 25 miles from me.. So that is my backup if something goes screwy with the Binax Emed Proctored test.. If so I take the CVS test jump back on I95 and start heading south... Just love all these hoops!!

Bet I am on the same ship.. Nieuw Amsterdam.. I have 4  Proctored test kits.. I will take one Thanksgiving morning.. Hopefully I will be set.. I am also looking to book a Walgreens Rapid for that Friday morning.. and would  use that as a back up.. I will check CVS out again but haven't had a lot of luck getting rapid test only the 48 to 72 hour window.. Damn  I wish they would make it three days instead of 2!.. Such anxiety.... I will try to bring an extra EMED Binax proctured kit with me to the Hotel I will be in that Friday.. In case someone is stuck and would like to have it .. 

Ok...so this is new?. I am going on Nieuw Amsterdam Nov 27 7 nights from Fort Luderdale.. I will now be tested  on the ship on the 5th day even though I am driving to and from the ship??

Just before Covid hit in March 2020, I had the NA booked but it was cancelled the day before.. They had Pickleball and I had my paddle in my suitcase.. Was wondering if they still have it as I am on her Nov 27th

Ok.. I am a bit of a Pollyanna-Dreamer.. But wouldn't it be great  if since Booster shots are now available for Covid (Getting mine Wed).. The CdC would announce a new 'Protocal whereas if you have a booster no more pre testing 2 days before the cruise etc?.. Like I said just a hoping and a wishing

41 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Booking the MDR online is for those that do not have a fixed dining time as you do.  Food is the same and only the time will be different. 

 

FWIW the early dining time has fluctuated between 5:00 and 5:45 PM from year to year. 

So in reality its "Anytime Dining".. 

Nov will be my first time back On HAL in quite a few years. I have early sitting dining. While perusing the Specialty dining  page I noticed one that said "The Dining Room".. Is that the same food as in  my Main Dining room sitting  ?. I "Booked " it for one evening for 7pm.. Is this just an option to not dine at 545 and to also dine with other people?.. A bit confused?

I had that test two days before boarding Magic last week.. Yes it is valid

Funny you should ask.. ordered 3 pack Sept 7.. said label created.. no updates from FEDEX at all..called optum on Sunday Yada yada.. the agent said I would now get it by the 24th.. Cruise is on 27th!.. I let it go hoping to get update.. I called optum again today.. Agent said she would reorder.. she found nothing on FEDEX.. I said I will wait til tomorrow then cancel and order from emed.. Lo and behold me and the dog took a nap.. I got up.. package on porch.. Fed ex.. opened.. two kits not three but I am ok with that for now.... I am not saying a thing.. maybe another package will come.. but yeah.. things seem to be screwed up in the supply chain.. what a shock...not!

Yeah.. now says there is no tracking number on the Fedex site.. I will call Optum  later this morning and ask for a definitive answer  If not provided I will tell them cancel the order.. and then go thru EMED.. this is ridiculous..

Yeah.. I didn;t think EMED had to pass thru Optum.. this guy either lied or didn't know what he was talking about. He made that statement when I said I should probably cancel the order .. I will wait through today, and if I get no solid confirmation I will cancel and order the six pack from EMed.. Not happy with Optum

7 hours ago, simmingdenise said:

Emed does not go through Optum. Emed is the company who provides the proctored testing and lab results. The order screen with Optum specifically says “This test combined with emeds telehealth services and emeds lab results…”

I did get the Same email.. But mine never gets updated.. and that has been since Wednesday.. only shipping label created.. and puzzled why the optum agent said they couldn't track it either.. Plus the fact he said they are ordering a new one.. But why would it take til the 25th to get here?.. I will wait til tomorrow.. if I don't get a new email from optum.. I will cancel and order from EMED.. I am not quite buying what he said about "Oh Emed has to go thru us anyway"... Hmmmm

Ok.. Even more stress. I ordered  the 3 pack of Binax Proctored test through Optum Tues Sept 7. Said expedited shipping with Fedex. Email received on Sept 8 from Optum saying order was being shipped. I cannot get any updates since the  then with Fedex. I called Optum just a while ago (Sunday Sept 12) He said  Can't find any updates either. I said I am cruising on the 27th and I need to know if I am getting this or should I cancel and just order from EMED instead. He said "Oh, EMED has to go thru us anyway".. I don't know if that is true. He said they will resubmit the order and I will have it by the 24th!.. I said that is really cutting it close. Yada yada yada.. what happened to "expedited" shipping?.. and if Emed goes through you why do they charge an extra 17  for shipping.. So I guess I will wait til tomorrow or no later than Tuesday to get confirmation.. If nothing by then I will probably cancel the order and go directly to EMED website..  It seems  some of my Walgreens now have the Rapid test but you can only book appoitment about 2 days out.. I tell you looks more and more like this cruise may not happen.. Anyone have recent experience with Optum/EMed??

I ordered the Binax test (3 pack) from Optum.. Says it has shipped..  I would like to know if the Walgreens ID now rapid test is also acceptable??.. I know I read it on here somewhere.. sorry if was already posted.. Thanks