nudistcruzer

The longer a Carnival ship stays in a different time zone the more likely it will change. I was on the Carnival Pride in February. The ship changed to Atlantic Standard we even went into a Port That was on Eastern time and we stayed on Atlantic Standard. Before arriving in the Bahamas we changed back to Eastern time. Then after being home for two weeks in Tampa we all changed to Eastern Daylight Time which is Atlantic standard time. This was the very first time on more than 20 Carnival Cruises we changed time on the ship. Other Cruise Lines very often always change to the local time zone.  If you have an Apple Watch and your phone is on Ship's time and the port is not the same, your watch can and will change to the local time when not near your iPhone. Use a watch face that includes a World time showing ships time.

Changing the time was so unusual for the crew, many thought it was Daylight Saving Time starting... This was a two week charter. Changing time is not normal on a Carnival ship. 

On 5/4/2023 at 7:21 PM, RocketMan275 said:

I really don't think most cruise ship passengers are on the leading edge of fashion.

Full skirts aren't that popular on cruise ships.  You see mostly rather tight shorts where lines will show.

Ask your typical woman why she gets her male companion to carry her keys, etc.

BTW, I haven't seen a lot of men on cruise ships carrying manbags.

Even on a nude cruise you hardly see men carry any sort of bag. The women do, very often, and they usually carry their husband's stuff also. I remember one guy you had a fanny pack or what ever you call it; though this was just for his pipe and tobacco.  I have been on 19 nude cruises.

On 5/4/2023 at 9:58 AM, ziggyuk said:

 

Do NCL do those type of cruises
The pouch for the key card dare I ask 

 

 

 

 

Not so far on NCL; however, they used to have a clothing optional sundeck, but I assume they had too many complaints and closed it.  Carnival has a lot of practice with the nude cruises, they would be hard to beat. Also, many of the ports we go to are exclusive to our group when we go and one can be nude at the port as well.  It would be very hard for another Cruise Line to get up to speed. Actually, Virgin Voyages approached the tour operator, but they couldn't provide the nude ports. Still, I would love to see a nude cruise on Virgin Voyages. 

39 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Correct. Just touch the card to the door fob lock thingiemajig! 

 

Since the thread has now turned to lanyards....meh, I'll just keep putting the card in my pocket. I'm a member of the no lanyard club!

I go on many nude cruises, it’s pouch with a lanyard or just a lanyard or no key.

46 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

 

The magnetic strip is for use at the till points.

Strange, there are a lot more doors than Card readers at registers. I would think they would have both been updated.

Regardless of the card type, I never punch a hole. I use an “aquapack”

Waterproof Card Case

I’ve been using these for 20 years.

15 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

RFID with a stripe and bar code. Shouldn't punch a hole for your lanyard (if you do this) as it may disable the card.

So there is no putting the card in the slot in the door any more on the Getaway, you just hold the card against the reader. Correct?
 

(None of the RFID cards I have had in hotels also had magnetic stripes, virtually every hotel I go to now uses only RFID and most allow me to use just my iPhone. At Disney World, only my Apple Watch is required.)

Does anyone know if the Norwegian Getaway has the new RFID cards or are they still using the old magnetic stripe cards? I was Just on Carnival Pride and they still use the old cards.

Not that it makes a difference, but the RFID cards are so much more reliable.   

On 4/23/2023 at 5:56 PM, BirdTravels said:

 

 

Guys, you are answering a question asked 7 years ago. And that is why it is bad to bump a long dead thread. The Vibe pass process has totally changed since the question was asked 7 years ago. 

So your are saying just leave incorrect information for people to find? It's bad to prevent people from learning incorrect outdated information? The reason to respond to a question from 7 years ago is because "The Vibe pass process has totally changed since the question was asked 7 years ago."  When I searched for information on the Vibe Beach Club, this thread popped up. If I hadn't landed here looking for information about the Vibe Beach Club in 2023, I wouldn't have updated the information.

Also, the specific question that I answered was never answered before. 

On 4/4/2023 at 8:38 PM, BirdTravels said:

It's a private sundeck on big ships. NCL is selling you something that is free out on ocean avenue with a lot better seating. They sell between 80-300 passes (depending on the ship) for the 4500 passengers onboard. 

 

There are a few people who consider it a must. We consider it a waste of money (along with the other 4420 people on the ship). 

Certainly, if you don't want to be on deck or go to a pool bar, use a jacuzzi, or find a chaise lounge or have a convenient shower to cool off or generally be pampered it is a waste of money. Since they have always sold out on every cruise I have been on, clearly, many people do not feel this way.

Also, does Ocean ave have a hot tub, showers to cool off and always available very nice chaise lounges?

Also, if the Vibe Beach Club was ever overcrowded, that is, they sold too many passes, no one would ever buy Vibe Beach Club passes again and they would do away with the entire concept.  Certainly I have found value in the Club, or I would not keep buying it.  I assume you had a bad experience purchasing the Posh / Vibe Beach Club in the past; when was that cruise? 

On 4/14/2023 at 10:58 AM, redmomof4 said:

We were able to book the Vibe online (like you first time not rushing to headliners to purchase) in October for a May cruise on the getaway 

I had to book over the phone, this was probably because I have a back to back cruise booked under the same booking number. But, I think they did tell me that one could only book over the phone, it is possible they were only talking about me. I paid a total of  $578 for all 20 days. Getaway (SAILING: 16-Feb-2024 to 7-Mar-2024).

On 4/2/2023 at 1:21 AM, jrlamour said:

I keep reading where people are able to buy vibe passes months in advance. When I asked (via the chat function) they said they wouldn’t be available until 120 days before sail date. Is it because it’s a new ship? Has anyone been able to buy passes for the Viva yet? I’m on April 7, 2024 sailing out of San Juan.

I don't know about the Viva or any other NCL ship for that matter. But Yesterday 4/12/2023, I was able to book the Vibe for the Getaway sailing 2/16/2024.  I have done the Posh/Vibe on every NCL ship I have been on since the year the Epic came out. This is the first time I won't have to rush to the ship, I am very happy about that. So at least with the Getaway I was able to book the Vibe Beach Club 310 days before sailing. I am doing a back to back, (booked under one confirmation), so actually that is probably at least 320 days before. However, I was not able to get a definitive response from NCL on how long before a cruise this would be possible. 

This can only be booked over the phone. ‭+1 (866) 234-7350‬ 

On the Epic the Haven members all had access to the Posh Sun deck included. I don't think the Vibe Beach Club works the same way on Breakaway class and Breakaway+ class ships.

On 9/22/2016 at 3:18 PM, kickbutt10 said:

Where do you go to purchases passes on Getaway? Is it still at Guest Services? I know that they moved it on Escape but have not heard about GA.

Thanks!

Now, you need to buy them before you board the ship. I called NCL and paid for them, the passes are now listed on my reservation confirmation. Even if you are the first person on the ship, you may not be able to get a pass.

Note: If you are getting on the ship as early as possible to get Vibe beach club passes. You may be disappointed. Even if you are the first person on the ship you may not be able to get Vibe Beach Club Passes. Because, you can now buy these in advance. My cruise is in February 2024 and it is April 2023 now and I have paid for the Vibe Beach Club and it says so on my Cruise Confirmation. So, in the past I have struggled to be the first on the ship and now I am going to meander there from my hotel room which is within walking distance to the ship "Ink 48". 

44 minutes ago, SSGFYCC said:

As someone who worked in technology in hotels there is a reason we don’t let customers play with the back of the TV. They think they know what they are doing - but they don’t have the foggiest idea.

 

In a 120 room hotel, I probably had 3-5 calls every night that the TV didn’t work. 100% of the time the cables were all screwed up or unplugged.

So you’re saying it takes a rocket scientist to plug in an HDMI cable, and change the source.  Ridiculous.  In my particular case, I downloaded the manual, it showed a panel that couldn’t be seen. Because of the lighting in the room I could not see the labels on the front of the TV. I just needed a flashlight. The buttons are integrated into the frame and can’t be felt; only a flashlight could show me there was even a place to touch for the source or anything else. Behind the tv are the ceiling lights. These TVs only have a coax connection, no other cables besides the power cable. If they had a source button on the remote, I would have had no problems. I’ve never before had any problems hooking up my iPhone to any TV in any hotel.  Trying to prevent a guest from plugging in an HDMI cable is an action that will cause guests to damage a TV. 

I love Carnival’s policy.  It is a great way to save money on travel by not going on Carnival cruises. Hotels never block HDMI ports but Carnival wants to make sure you never want to come on a cruise again. First by trying to sell you lots of stuff you don’t need. Recovering alcoholics should know that within the first 24 hours they will be asked 30 times if they want to drink some alcohol.  Then they say we’re going to piss you off even more by preventing normal use of the TVs.  Take one cruise to know how crappy cruises are. It is as if everybody that works on the ship is simply trying to eliminate guests in the future.  
 

1 hour ago, orangeglitter said:

I traveled on Virgin voyages and Holland America last year and could receive calls over wifi on the ship. when i went on Carnival the calls are blocked. What does everyone else do for phone service on the ships? I am going on the Celebration in April.

Like others have said, WiFi calling is blocked on Carnival.  I'm not sure why it is not blocked on American Airlines when it is strictly against their rules. Skype was not blocked in February of 2022 on the Carnival Pride, but Carnival said it would not work. I had the highest tier and Skype Voice worked fine, as did FaceTime Audio.

On 2/11/2022 at 8:11 PM, mz-s said:

I hope that Carnival is able to resist the urge to build a Diamonds International or duty free liquor shop on Half Moon Cay.

 

I likewise haven't heard any news of the new Amber Cove-like Freeport resort.

 

I am sure COVID has put these plans on indefinite hold. CCL (and all the other cruise lines) need to get back to "normal" before they can talk about expanding again.

I agree. Although, I assume the pier will come with a retail, (duty free), gauntlet.  However, they will need to figure how to serve this remote location with goods and personnel.  Keep an eye on Carnival's stock price, it is the best indicator of when they will continue this $180 million, (inflation), project.  

15 hours ago, hapytobehr said:

They are not forcing you to buy water.  They still have water available at the beverage stations.  This is if you want to pre purchase water to have in your cabin.   As far as the increase to 9.95 for a 12 pack..I'm sure many of these complainers have bought a bottle of water in the airport for $3-$5 without blinking an eye.  But paying 82 cents per bottle for the convenience of having it in your cabin is a big deal....geeeesh.

At the airport people buy 1 bottle. Not all the water they are drinking for a week or more. If I had to spend $250 at an airport for water you can bet I would complain about that as well. I'm not complaining about drinking one bottle of water for 98 cents instead of 49 cents. I'm complaining about spending $82.25 to drink bottled water on my cruise. Instead of $40.95. In fact I was wrong; I was comparing the cost before the delivery fees to the cost including delivery fees. Actually the cost more than doubled in 4 months. The base cost before delivery fees was $4.95 and now it is $9.95. And the delivery fees doubled as well, $.90 per 12 pack to $1.80 per 12 pack now.   Carnival doubled the price of drinking bottled water on the cruise. I was just in the Dominican Republic where I got food poisoning and no one, not even local people drink the water from the tap.  That doesn't exactly make me eager to drink tap water on the ship. Simply put, Carnival doubled the cost of bottled drinking water on the ship. That is obscene as far as I'm concerned.

31 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

No, when a team work together to provide a high level guest experience, team members know that guests may not reward all equally so that is when they pool and spilt.

Very often team members know their managers get all the money and they will get nothing if a tip is reported.  Corruption is everywhere.

14 hours ago, ShakyBeef said:

Each time we have gotten The Private Oasis, each couple has tipped individually.  We didn't discuss with the others how much they tipped, that's personal and none of our business, however, DH and I tipped our bartender, serving/cooking staff, and cleaning staff enough that even if we were the only ones tipping them that day (which we definitely weren't), they would each feel appreciated and thanked.

 

The time that we got the Private Oasis just for our family (price not split with others, I paid for the whole thing and it was just the four of us), I paid each of the staff a much higher gratuity then when I was part of a group because this was their only gratuity of the day.  And although they didn't have to work much for four guests (several of them said it's the best gig on the island and more like a vacation than work when the group is small like ours), I wanted to show my appreciation adequately.

 

Your group is going to be rather large, so they will be working hard for you.  And, yeah, I agree that it being a nude cruise, you should probably be a little extra generous with the tips.

I've decided to let each person tip as they see fit but I will encourage tipping.

If Carnival required tipping these people would essentially get nothing, because those tips would be shared with the whole ship including the people that work at the front desk.

10 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Odds are the crew will pool tips collected and divide.  

Generally they are always forced to do this, my hunch is in this case they would not. If Carnival wants you to tip it is usually you are forced to as you are with every single beverage.

Plastic Water Bottles have been forbidden for a long time now. Just recently they have also raised the price of a 12 pack of water from $5.85 on 9/7/2022 to $9.95 the price as of 1/19/2023 a 70% increase in 4 months. That is annual inflation rate of 210%, obscene. I just got my booking numbers for a charter which is the second half of a back to back cruise. Thank god I ordered enough water for the first cruise to cover me through the whole next cruise. That's 7 cases. I saved $28.70 by buying my water for the cruise in September. Let's see if they say they have to cancel my order for some reason.  When I first cruised, 30 years ago, one could go to the "duty free" shop and bring all the liquor back to your stateroom and drink as much as you want. Today they are now forcing one to pay extreme prices just to stay hydrated.  I am so glad my next cruise is not with Carnival. VIFP Platinum be #&%$ed.  I love cruising, but if I need to be punished for taking a cruise, I will no longer love it.  I am also a Carnival Stock Holder. Maybe not for long.

10 hours ago, CruisinTrkrs3 said:

We always get one at either private island (Half Moon/ Princess) and have never been told that we are required to tip.Lol they will mention that it's appreciated tho... That said, we always have tipped once we're 1st  there, And at the end of the Day before we go back to the ship... We've always had awesome staff at both islands... Tipping is an "individual" decision, and we've always decided to do it this way. But that's just us. 

Up to 24 of us are sharing the Oasis at Half Moon Cay. We are splitting it. There are multiple people to tip. I know they all come from the ship. I was debating to charge everyone or let them tip individually. In the past the organizer tipped 10% and added to what everyone paid. That was $300 in tips. I’m not sure how he divided that among the different people(bartender, chef, etc.) Any thoughts? (Also, since this is a nude cruise, clothing will not be worn, that might also be a reason to tip more.)

For Cabanas at the Carnival Ports such as Half Moon Cay are gratuities required or expected?