wannagonow123

I am a pretty smart individual, but I am having a problem understanding the renewal policy. Please tell me if I have this correct.

I fill in the DS-82 and have recent photos, and my old passport then take to the post office, so they can accept a credit card, correct?

Now, I do see that under photo requirements, they state that both eyes must be open. On my current passport, one eye is closed, as when a flash is used, my left eye automatically shuts. (It's great with family group shots.. I'm usually the one that takes the photos). Anyhow, does anyone have any experience using the website photo app?

I am a smoker, but I feel really sorry for non-smokers on ships built like the Triumph & Splendor. When you get off the elevator on deck 5, you are greeted with a wall of smoke, and have to walk through the casino and bar smoking section to get to the walkway. The only other solution is to get off on deck 4 and walk up.

Again, I know I contribute to the smokiness, but it has got to be frustrating.

Trying to remember our journey crises.....

One day is really big on the 80's, where the entire entertainment crew dresses 80's style all day. Big hair, leg warmers, Richard Simmons... Really fun. The photos at night also promoted the 80's with wigs and other clothes they put on you.

White Out was held in nightclub/disco. Women who wore all white got a free vodka drink (kinda like DOTD).

One of the Gala nights had a really nice meet the Captain & staff. Free bubbly, whatever it was. One of the most popular events.

Stick horse racing, and a frog race where you buy a frog. Proceeds goes to St. Judes.

When you get off the sip at ports, instead of just photographers (yes, they are still there) chances are there will be some local entertainment, dancers and bands. Many nights have a local dish in the dining room corresponding to where you were. Also local cooking seminars. They always have a port they usually do not stop at. (In June we will go to Martinique)

Sea days also had crafts that were free. We had luggage tags something else I don't remember.

Beautiful Midnight buffet one night. They had about 45 minutes for you to take photos before eating. Was really nice, but a waste, as most people were full from dinner.

That's all I can remember....

As long as your cabin mate is over 21, then yes. They will also be eligible for "Premier" drawings also.

Last year we went on a premier cruse before we turned platinum. We were not entitled to the "short" security line. When we made it to the check-in area, there was a special area for us to check in and wait in a special area until the folks that "qualified" for priority boarding were done. At that point we were allowed on. I think it was Zone 1.

As for the comment about boarding before FTTF, those folks pay a lot for that perk, in addition to their cruise fare. You have no idea what price they paid, and your Pc3 (or whatever it is) is cheaper than standard published fares. No, I never paid for FTTF. I can use the money elsewhere. (probably in the casino).

In your room you will get your first gift, usually a coffee mug or some sort of beverage vessel. Also there will be a VIP lanyard for your free drinks, and an invitation to a party. Nice party, but the casino opens while you are celebrating. You will then get other gifts throughout your cruise.

There should be a Big poster welcoming "Premier Casino guests" with a Host/hostess.

Boarding is first group after Weddings/ Plat & Diamond and FTTF. Whatever boarding group that is. You will get an invite to party and your first gifts when you get to your room.

The Magic had nightlights in November. They are great. Really bright.

Pull up the website from the Department of Justice on Service animals, and the short, one page document spells out everything. (2011 revision is most current)

Service animals recognized are dogs an miniature horses only.

Owners do not need to disclose their illness or reason, but they must answer what service the dog provides. Comfort animals are not service animals under the law. (except PTSD) The owner need to be specific when questioned by a representative of the company. The owners cannot say " it is my seizure dog". The owner must say as an example " the dog senses a seizure and alerts me by bumping my leg so I can take medications".

Service animals are not crated, or caged. They are not required to wear a vest, and documentation is from the agency that trained the dog, and the documentation will be specific as to the dogs training. If a person with a service animal says they have a note from their doctor, that is not proper documentation. The dog must always be controlled and under control.

Most business owners don't want to appear confrontational, and that is why the abuse is out of hand. Easier to turn a blind eye, no pun or offense meant.

Does anyone know if you can put more than one passport per phone? Mine is done, but I cannot figure out how to do the 2nd. My husband does not have a smartphone.

Can anyone tell me the prices of current internet packages on the Konigsdam? (sp?) Looking for a daily price, or 10 or 9 day package. We are doing a 19 day in December 2016.

We are leaving from F. Lauderdale next weekend. I got one of those deals we really could not pass up. We get off the Oasis, go to Port Canaveral to take a Carnival Cruise.

Miami is where I have boarding problems, and it has happened more than once. A few years ago we spent almost 3 hours trying to get on Carnival Glory. August- boy was I stupid! A few weeks ago, again on Carnival, 1.5 hours, and we have priority platinum boarding. Maybe it is just Carnival in Miami, but never again. (In Miami).

I want to thank everyone for their relies. Little scary getting on such a large ship, but I know we will have fun. Halloween should be a hoot.

I have sailed on the Grandeur earlier this year, and really did not enjoy myself. Was my first time with RCI, and just did not have fun. I am going to give RCI another try, and trying out the Oasis. I do have some questions that maybe you folks can answer. I tried to search for te info, and did not really find what I was looking for.

-Looking at booking a D/3 balcony. Compared to other lines, how large are the staterooms. I have read there are problems with floor space. Is there a small couch in the room?

-Do the rooms have mini bars? I will have insulin that will need to stay cool.

- I purchased a beverage package on my last trip that included sodas/ virgin drinks and coffee at Lattetudes. On the Grandeur, they serve Starbucks, so I got my money's worth. I read on RCI website that the card is not valid at Starbucks on the Oasis. Is there another venue on the Oasis to get specialty coffees that the card will work?

- How is boarding/ debarkation on a ship this large? Not really worried about getting on. ( Nothing can be worse that Carnival's general boarding. That goodness I get priority boarding now). My big concern is getting off. We will handle our own luggage, but we will need to get off the ship somewhat quickly to travel up to Port Canaveral for a different cruise. Won't work if I can't get off the ship until noon.

I appreciate any answers I can get. Looking forward to trying out one of the larger ships.

I guess I'll just get the ice myself. I will say, I use an insulin pump, and my physician told me to keep the insulin refrigerated whenever possible, open or not. I hand warm when filling the reservoir.

I really don't think I am being unreasonable requesting ice 2x a day. They are right there in the morning and in the evenings. We are not messy folks, and on numerous occasions, have told the steward to not even service our room. They sure take advantage of that.

If I have to store insulin at guest services, will I have to stand in the long lines in order to get my medicine when I need it? I will not have a mini bar for an upcoming cruise.

Earlier this year we were on a B2B on the Triumph with the worst cabin steward we ever had. When we found that we had no mini bar, we explained that we needed ice for my insulin 2 times daily. I was told had to choose day or night cleaning and he was not allowed in my cabin any other time. I asked how this could be, that I was allowed both cleanings, and I was told to take the matter up with GS. They confirmed his claim, but would bet with the Hotel manager. Needless to say, every night I had to go get ice to keep my insulin cool. Half of the time we did not get a daily planner either. When we did, it was left on our bed. (After he said he was unable to enter our room.)

I know Carnival has to make reasonable accommodations for this. I don't think there would be a problem with Guest services keeping my insulin, but I have seen the line stretch down the hallway, and I believe I should not have to wait in that line. I have cruised quite a bit, on different cruise lines. I have never had to figure out my own way to keep my insulin cool. I enjoy traveling with Carnival, and will be platinum shortly, however my next cruise will be on the Sunshine, that has no mini-bar.

Any suggestions?

Tough crowd.

In addition to maybe taking some of their carry on stuff, get a table for lunch for everyone so he does not have to juggle food and trying to find somewhere to sit.

Every year we cruise with a couple that could not be more different than us. They are quiet, frugal and like a lot of downtime. Us, always on the go, love casinos, and willing to try new things. The first time we cruised with them, we found they just so not have the gumption to try new things on their own. My husband & I figure out what we plan to do and then let them know. 95 % of the time, they join us and have a great time.

Will be on a 19 day sailing, so I will be using laundry service. One problem. I do not stick jeans in dryer due to shrinkage. Can I request that jeans be delivered to me damp out of the washer so I can dry them in my room?

My husband got invites to 2 premier cruises, which I did not. He got cash, I did not.

I got the invite for the Ultra. He did not! I never got close to 7500 in one sailing. Combined, yes. One sailing, no.

Do you use your card for lights and TV, or can you just use a switch. Also, do they have DVD players still? Sometimes we like to chill out and watch a movie in our room. ( I bring a few classics along).

Before I begin, this is not a Customs/ immigration issue.

Back in April, we had a B2B on the Triumph. At the end of our first leg, we decided to get off in NO to walk around the French Quarter before the next leg. We were told we could get off when we wanted and come back on when the ship "zeroed" out. This was not an issue for us. We woke up early to get off after FTTF and priority folks. What a debacle! They never announced to people in the lounge that they could get off. Instead, the people greeting those that went into the lounge just disappeared. OK, lets get in line with floor One. HA !!!!! There were people getting off with old luggage tags (yes, they were on our cruise according to the dates on the tags). They were floor 6 & 7 without priority markings. No one was monitoring anything. The CD kept announcing they were only letting Deck 1 off and for people not to go to debarkation deck. Again, HA. After 90 minutes, we finally made it to customs deck, where we went right through.

The same thing happened at the end of our second week. We were Deck 2 and after the same announcements, we finally decided to join in crowds after 2 hours of Deck 1 only calls. Of course you could not get an elevator. If a US Fire Marshall had been around there would have been issues. People had 3 & 4 large suitcases that were blocking walk paths. It took us 3.5 hours to get off the ship for self-assist. We should have just let them take our luggage and relaxed.

There are easy ways to allow this process to work as intended.

Every cruise, they hand out a "How are you leaving?" survey. If you are getting off traditionally, no changes required. Hand out luggage tags and leave out at night. If you are self assist however, hand out colored stickers, one per person, that correspond with your deck, or priority& FTTF people. Wrong sticker, and you are not allowed in the disembarkation lines. Have the folks that say goodbye as you ding out , walk around a get those that don't belong in that boarding out of line!

I had a good cruise! I do not need someone saying goodbye. By the time I get to them, I am pissed.

Any chance the cabin was a wheelchair accessible one and they needed it?

I really didn't mind smoking in designated and not on my balcony until my last cruise on the Zuiderdam last Feb. Even though I have earlier expressed my thoughts on the leaky tarps they use as cover in the Seaview bar, we tried to limit our balcony smoking UNTIL they decided to remove the tarp on the non-smoking side for repairs. Guess where all the non-smokers went? If we could find a place to sit in the designated area, we had to deal with the hand waving, and artificial coughing. Did not help at all to point out we were in the correct area.

Then HAL decided to have the outdoor BBQ, which is at the Seaview bar, on the same night the Casino had one of it's non-smoking nights. Again, every table full, with not an ashtray to be found. When I saw this was occurring, I went to guest services to find out where smoking would be allowed. I was told there was an area set aside for smoking. 2 tables in the back, exposed, with everyone who smoked (and there were quite a few) trying to use 2 ashtrays).

At that point went to our balcony and sorry to say this, but be damned with what our neighbors thought. I understand the non-smokers wanted to be out of the sun with the tarp removed, but you were in my space!

We are currently booked on the Dec sailing on the Konigsdam. We will smoke on our balcony if it is still a designated area. If you want, I will post my cabin # so you can change your booking if you are near us. I really don't care anymore.

I suppose I am too lazy to go through all the pages on the 1A thread.

Thinking of booking 1401 or 1402 on the Sunshine. I know it has portholes. It says it has upper/lower bunks. How hard is the ladder to get up and down from the upper bunk? Also, is there a chair to sit on the put shoes on rather than sit on the lower bed?

Thanks.

Try Cozumel Charters. hey have reasonable rates even for just 2 people. I think the boat will hold up to 6. We always book with them figuring on 2 people, and when they get on the ship, if they meet someone they like, they make an offer for them to come along.

One time we did use the roll call to find people, as we chartered a large boat. Never again. The 2 individuals that came with them were actually more interested in getting drunk. Threw up inside the boat. Then contributed nothing towards the tip.

We use them a lot, except when using casino rate. Make sure you know wha type stateroom you want before purchasing the certificates. I deal with a wonderful person at the TA you need to use. Let me know if you want her name.

On HAL, everyone has the same card. No one would know you are a newbie with them except the # of little stars on it. Trust me, they are so small, you better be prepared to be "personal" with someone to see them.

With the exception of the "Welcome Back" luncheon, there is no real advantages on HAL until you get to 4 stars.