PurpleDog

My wife and I have been to Nachi 3 times.

One of the best pieces of fish I have ever had in my life was the grilled grouper at Nachi.

The guacamole and the drinks [and everything else I have eaten there] are great also.

If you want to party and dance, then it's not for you; Nachi has a laid back relaxing soothing vibe.

My only complaint is that every time I have been there the pool is way too cold to enjoy ! :eek:

Thanks for all the input !

I've been in some fresh water springs in Florida that are a constant 72 degrees all year round, and to me, that is super cold !

The lake that we swim in here in Virginia measured 84 degrees the other day when we were out on the pontoon, and that is a perfect water temperature to swim in for us.

 

I guess we will have to play it by ear ... or in this case, toe =)

 

Are any of the Atlantis pools heated ?

We are thinking about taking the Ecstasy out of Charleston on January.

It has stops in Nassau and Freeport.

I am going to assume that the pools on board during the trip will be way too cold to swim in, but was wondering if anyone has been to any of the Nassau [or Freeport] day pass beaches.

Do any of those day pass resorts have heated pools ?

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

Can't help you as to why you can't read these off files. I've exhausted my computer literacy.

 

I think that what Carnival is trying to do for you is to suggest that you go thru the claim process. You may be eligible for a 100% coverage. As a last resort, you have the Cancel for any reason coverage.

When filing the claim, you will have to give the insurance company permission to access your medical records. The doctor must now comply.

 

However, if you don't want to go thru this time consuming process, you should be able to just tell Carnival that you want to exercise the Cancel For Any Reason and just leave it at that.

 

Hope all works out

 

Thanks !

I wish it was as easy as me saying that I want to invoke the cancel for any reason clause; I would be totally happy with a 75% credit.

But, I was specifically told last night that I must file a claim.

Which sort of makes the cancel for any reason a reason clause that Carnival markets a misrepresentation if you ask me. Most reasonable people would assume and think that cancel for any reason means cancel for any reason !

My bad. I didn't communicate properly.

I was suggesting googling Carnival vacation Protection Plan

which leads me to this link http://www.carnival.com/~/media/CCLUS/Images/pdf/vacation-protection-201205pdf.ashx

 

Which is a pdf file. Now, you say none of your computers can read or open pdf files. To read a pdf file, your computer must have Adobe Reader. Adobe Reader is a free download. You can download here https://get.adobe.com/reader/

 

 

The jist of the terms and conditions for Cancel For Any Reason is that IF you cancel using the Cancel For Any Reason rider then you must cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled trip departure and if so, then you will receive a 75% credit towards a future cruise.

You will NOT receive any cash back.

If you were to cancel for a regular "Covered" reason, then you have lots of forms to fill out and if accepted as covered you would receive 100% cash refund.

 

Below is cut and paste for the Cancel For Any Reason portion

 

In addition, should you or your traveling companion need to cancel your cruise for "any other reason", you may be eligible for cruise credits up to 75% of the non-refundable, prepaid cruise vacation cost as long as the Cruise Vacation Protection is purchased prior to final payment. Brought to you by Carnival Cruise Lines*.

 

I have Adobe on all my devices, but even that link that you posted is not working for me for some unknown reason. I can open any other PDF, just not that one. We work with Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw to produce imprinted apparel designs, so we know enough to be dangerous about PDF's.

 

My reason for cancelling - and I did cancel last night, which was 2 weeks before the sail date - is that I am still suffering from the ill effects of an abdominal surgery I had in late October. I asked the surgeon to write me a note, but he said that my surgery itself & the healing of the incision is fine, and that is all he is responsible for.

 

Carnival advertises the "cancel of any reason" clause, but I am being told by Carnival that I still need to file a claim with AON Affinity. Carnival says that if my claim is denied that I will receive the 75% future cruise credit. My contention is that I theoretically could cancel because I decided I don't like the name of the ship, or that my cat might have kittens, [iE: any reason under the sun !] and that I should receive my 75% credit [which I'd be totally happy with] without having to file any claim whatsoever. But, I cant find the terms and conditions of that "cancel for any reason" part of the vacation protection plan anywhere on the web. If anyone reading this can post i, along with the date it was updated, I'd be very grateful.

 

The other point I will make is one that has been expressed by others on this board: each Carnival customer service person I have talked with over the last month about the possibility of having to cancel gives me another story. I keep extensive notes regarding each call, but no one at Carnival is willing to email me what we have discussed so that I have a record of it. They just say "don't worry, I have made a notation in your file." Therefore, there is no real way to hold Carnival accountable for anything a customer service person tells you on the phone.

You should be able to find it in your cruise documents under Manage My Cruise.

 

My cruise has been cancelled.

I no longer have the ability see "Manage My Cruise", or even the details of the booking.

www.google.com

 

Thanks for your help.

When I google "Carnival Vacation Terms & Conditions" its leads me to a PDF link.

I can't open that PDF link on any of my desktops, laptops, iPads, or iPhones.

Due to some lingering effects of a recent surgery, I have had to cancel an upcoming cruise that my wife and I were scheduled to take departing Galveston on 12.5.15 on board the Freedom.

 

I am wondering if anyone has a link to the current full list of terms & conditions for the Vacation Protection policy - specifically the language regarding the "cancel for any reason" portion of the plan.

 

Thanks in advance !

I suffer from chronic dry eyes.

My eye doctor recently prescribed serum eye drops for me.

They are made by using the serum (along with other ingredients) from my blood.

They need to be kept frozen, and once thawed, the small vial will last 3 days with refrigeration.

 

Are there refrigerators in the rooms on the Freedom ?

If not, is there a way a way my vials could be kept frozen on the ship somewhere ?

Or, should I just try and make it through my 7 day cruise with my regular over the counter eye drops ?

 

Thanks in advance folks :)

Yet another vote for Nachi Cocum.

My wife and I have been there 4 times and we very much enjoy it. It is not at all a loud party atmosphere type of place. It's quiet and relaxing. The drinks are great, and the appetizers, guacamole, and grilled grouper are amazing. I had one of the best pieces of grouper Ive ever had in my life there, and I have lived in Florida for 22 years. I know grouper !

The only negative there is that the pool is always so damn cold. I much prefer a pool vs the ocean, but the last time we went we were in the hot tub only because of the pool temperature.

A tip for Nachi: I always pay my deposit online using a Visa or Mastercard gift card. I then pay the balance owed in cash upon arrival at Nachi. That way the info for my regular credit cards is never in Mexico.

Try the Miami Vice cocktail and the grilled grouper and tell them that PurpleDog says hello !

I just wanted to say howdy neighbors !

We live out near the Lake.

I am enjoying your review and cant read more :)

I think your website looks great ! =)

I've been looking for an easy way to update my sites.

May I ask what yours was built with ?

Thanks firemanbobswife, I appreciate it.

However, when I click on the link you provided it is invalid.

I have searched for "Carnival 2470" and "Freedom 2470" and those searches bring up no results.

Am I not searching correctly ?

Shameless bump :)

Nobody ? =)

I am close to booking an oceanview on the Freedom out of Galveston that departs on 12.5.15. My PVP says that I am better off in room 2470 or 2474 because that OV's closer to the middle [like room 2400] of the ship are under the dining room and might be noisy.

 

He also mentioned that 2470, 2474, 2473, and 2477 are a big larger than the standard OV.

 

Can anyone comment on what I've been told ?

 

Thanks folks !

[quote name='slabeaume']Purple Dog---you mention that Carnival decides if you have to leave the ship or not. I'm not sure about Carnival, but I know that on at least one other ship that it's the Dr. who makes the recommendation to the captain. So, yes, the captain has final say, but I don't see him going against what the Dr. recommends. The medical group on board are not part of the cruise lines, they are hired on and don't have the equipment to treat critically ill patients for a long time. Most of their equipment is portable type which isn't convenient for long term use. I had the unfortunate experience of finding all this out on my Dad's and my first cruise when he almost drowned on one of the ship's excursions. We didn't have travel insurance, but fortunately he was retired military and Tricare paid for the medevac and hospitalization. I did have to pay his medical bill to the medical office before we could leave the ship, though, and he was able to get that back from his insurance company later. Definitely a big learning experience! Like you say---hotels, restaurants, changing air tickets, faxing Dr. releases to the airlines.[/quote]

I am sure both you and MaryEllen are correct. =)

It was decided very quickly - in fact before my wife and I even arrived down in the medical area - that my sister was going to be be taken off the ship to the hospital in Grand Cayman.
It was a very rushed process because we were within 90 minutes of the ship sailing for Cozumel.

Despite being told that the doctor would speak with us, the doctor never did.
All were were told was that my sister fell and that she hurt her back.
No one ever explained why they thought it best that she needed to get off the ship asap.

They had me fill out the accident report because my sister could not use a pen and clipboard.
As I have mentioned before, we were told that someone had to leave the ship with my sister and we quickly decided that my wife and I would leave.

We were given literally just 15 minutes to pack up our belongings and make it down to the tender area.
We were - the entire 15 minutes - constantly being told by the ships purser and his staff to "hurry up."

We were throwing stuff into our luggage and did not realize what we had and what we had left behind until we checked into the hotel many hours later. =)

Thanks again everyone for all the kind words and all of the information. The Cruise Critic site and in particular the message boards really are amazing. I have learned so much on here !

My sister is doing much better. She is not yet back to work, but with each day of rest, she is feeling better.

The real eye opener to me from all this is that fact that Carnival decides if you stay on the ship or not. Don't get me wrong, in my sisters case, there was no way were were NOT going to go to the hospital.
Keep in mind that the moment you step off the ship, even though the decision to leave might have been made for you, you are responsible for any and all expenses, no matter what they are.

I should mention 2 things: its ended up costing the 3 of us almost $1600 to get my sister back to Tampa and my wife and I back to Greensboro.
Flights are VERY expensive if you need to take one the next day ! =)

I also want to mention that Carnival did provide us "boots on the ground" help with everything in the form of their dock agent in Georgetown.
Carnival was and is very clear that they will not provide us with any type of compensation for this accident, and I cant argue with that, but they have called and asked about my sister several times.

I am 58, and each year it seems like I have more aches and pains than the year before. I occasionally [2-3 times a year] will pull some muscles in my back and will be confined to my bed or sofa with a heat pack for 2-3 days. I cant help but wonder what Carnivals medical team would do if I showed up at the medical department with a pulled muscle and in obvious pain ?

On our cruise in January 2014 on the Paradise, I was eating a pastrami sandwich from the Lido deli and noticed that something was lodged in between 2 teeth. I tried rinsing and floss, but it just would not come out. I went down to the medical department were I was told they do nothing whatsoever with teeth but that I could, if I wanted to, pay $125 to see the doctor on board. It was repeated 3-4 times that he did no type of dentistry work at all. It was suggested that I "go up to the MDR and get some toothpicks." I mention this incident only to perhaps educate folks on what the medical team on the ship does and does not do.

I have already begun to look at policies for the next "out of the US" trip we take.

Thanks again everyone.

Thanks for all the information folks !

 

I did talk with Carnival and the balance that I had on my Sign and Sail card from the casino is totally and completely separate from everything else on the Sign and Sail card like drinks,

gift shop purchases, prepaid gratuities, etc etc.

The Carnival customer service woman advised me that I will be receiving a check for the $$$ I had won playing slots and had "banked" on my S & S card.

But, she also said that they are "way behind" and I should not expect that check for "about 12 weeks" !

 

Keep in mind folks that if you do get sick or have an accident on board, Carnival gets to decide if you stay on the ship or not.

The decision by the ships captain is final.

Although we would of gotten off the ship to seek medical attention, we were not given a choice.

And they do not allow anyone to get off the ship without someone to accompany the sick or injured person.

 

Does anyone in CC land have a good recommendation for travel insurance other than the Carnival version ?

 

When its all said and done, my sister will end up paying about $5500 in medical expenses and another $2500-$3000 for a hotel, travel on Grand Cayman, food, and miscellaneous expenses.

 

I will want to purchase a policy that will cover medical expenses and all of the non medical expenses as well.

Thanks everyone.

None of us had any travelers insurance.

I will make sure that I purchase insurance anytime my wife and I travel outside the US in the future.

 

My wife and I ended up staying on the island with my sister.

My sister in law elected to just continue on with the cruise by herself.

My sister works for a hospital outside of Boston, and has great medical insurance.

She is beginning the process of submitting everything to her insurance company.

Hopefully she can get back some or most of the medical expenses.

I don't think however, that any expenses for accommodations, food, or transportation will be covered. =(

 

Grand Cayman is a beautiful island; I saw a lot of it, but is is VERY expensive as compared to other Caribbean islands I have stayed in.

 

Does anyone know if you can view your sign and sail account after the cruise is over ?

My wife and I have $70.00+ on my sign and sail card that we won playing slots.

I was on the Paradise out of Tampa that sailed on November 10th, 2014.

My wife and I sailed with my sister and sister in law.

We had 2 cabins on the Empress deck.

On Wednesday November 12th, my wife and I returned to the Paradise at about 2 pm after visiting downtown Georgetown.

We heard a page requesting that my sister and sister in law contact guest services.

We went down to guest services and were of course shocked to hear that my sister had fallen up on the Lido deck, that she was down in the medical area, and “was going to be taken off the ship.”

My sister was tendered over to Georgetown, put into an ambulance, and was taken immediately to the hospital.

My wife and I [who went back on the tender to the ship] were given 15 minutes to pack up and leave the ship.

My sister was in tremendous pain and was later that evening [after several CT scans] was diagnosed with some cracked vertebrae.

She was given pain and inflammation meds via IV, and was told she would remain in bed until she could walk with no pain.

My sister was received what I consider to be excellent care in the hospital. She was in the hospital for about 30 hours.

The hospital bill, which had to [of course] had to be paid before being discharged from the hospital and being allowed to leave the country, was $4789.44 US.

The doctor bill, which was separate from the hospital bill, was about $700.00 US.

My wife and I stayed on the island until Saturday, when all 3 of us flew back to the US.

The total amount that was spent on the hospital, doctor, accommodations, food, & transportation was be close to $8000.00 US.

 

I like to mention that we were helped immensely by Carnivals dock agent in Grand Cayman.

 

My point in writing this post is to encourage everyone to purchase some type of travel insurance that would pay for at least some of your expenses if this was to ever happen to you.

 

I’d like to ask the Cruise Critic community a few questions:

If you were on this cruise, and happened to witness this accident, please contact me.

And also, I also was wondering if anyone knows if there is a way to view your Sign and Sail account AFTER your cruise.

It turns out that the Carnival Paradise does not dock until 9am on November 12, 2014.

That means we cannot catch Sotos or StingRay Sailings.

Does anyone know of an excursion that leaves at 1000-1030 am that we could take ?

 

Thanks !

 

these are the tender landing areas of Georgetown. the top one is the primary and where you will probably end up. the middle one is used next and the lowest only on the busiest days . . . occasionally weather means ships can not use these landings in Georgetown (west side) and an alternate site in Spott's Bay on the south side is used ... when this happens busses are usually used to take everyone to GT

 

Thanks for the info !

I now - after looking at that satellite view - am reasonably certain that when I visited Grand Cayman on the Carnival Paradise in January 2014, the we tendered into the Spotts Bay location. We ended up taking a taxi into Georgetown.

I am on the Carnival Paradise that will be visiting Grand Cayman on 11.12.14.

 

Is there a way to know ahead of time where the ship will "park" and where the tenders will drop you off ?

 

I have been told by a tour operator that the decision is made the morning that the ship arrives, but wanted to ask the experts on Cruise Critic !

Thanks again for all the help folks.

 

I went to book StingRay Sailing, and these appears to be some confusion regarding the time that the Carnival Paradise arrives in port. Daylight Savings time ends in the USA on 11.2.14. When I booked this sailing, the Paradise itinerary said we would be in Grand Cayman from 8-3. It now says 9-4. If it is 9-4 then we would not have enough time to get off the boat and meet the StingRay Sailing people.

 

I called Michelle at StingRay Sailing and she was very nice. She is checking into it for me.