mfs2k

Thank you both. Helpful information

Im a bit new to the Gift card thing and 252 pages is a lot to read so I'll ask a question probably asked on page 14 of the thread. Can I put $1000 in gift cards on my account a few days before the cruise as gambling money and cash out anything I don't lose from the slot machines?

There is an awful lot of customer generalization in this thread.

I consider myself fortunate to have been grandfathered into Platinum years ago before they counted nights and counted cruises. 10 cruises did it. And two of mine were 2 night cruises to no-where.

That’s not bad I can cash out OBC in the casino.

I’m buying all the gift cards I need, to apply to payments when due, for my cruise final payment, beverage and WiFi packages. I’ll save $500 plus earn credit card points. I think the $9 a year AARP membership is worth it.

Drinks are hugely profitable and cruise lines are in business to maximize shareholder profit. It’s a balancing act. The offer of free drinks sells cabins but giving free drinks away reduces potential beverage revenue.

Thank you. Assumption confirmed. I’ll use the gift cards for final payment, drinks, and Wi-Fi.

I want to book a few Carnival excursions for our September Mediterannean cruise. I have AARP Gift Cards which I got at a 10% discount and am considering using these I'm afraid if the excursions get cancelled by Carnival at the last minute due to any number of possible reasons, I will be refunded by gift card, which I don't want. Should I pay for excursions by credit card so I get refunded by credit card if they are cancelled?

In this case, she's not asking for anything that isn't hers too. We don't have separate finances. My money is her money too. She's my wife. That's how we roll. I just make the travel arrangements. Nothing stopping her from buying the cheers package with the same joint credit card if she really wanted to. I'd rather convince her than ignore her.

Thank you!

Is this true? I only have to buy the package for her if I already have comp casino drinks? That would be great!!! Excellent compromise. Can someone confirm this please?

I remember also. My first cruise was on Tropicale in 1985 or 86. All those souvenirs look familiar to me.

My wife and I are going on a 10 night Med cruise with 7 days in port. I have free drinks in the casino. For years we went on Carnival Caribbean cruises before beverage packages and we were always conscious of ordering drinks because we knew there would be a bill at the end showing us exactly how much we drank. Since then we discovered All inclusive land or sea vacations and we never had to think about paying for drinks. The cheers package will cost $60 per day (or night) so $1200-$1300. There is NO WAY we’re going to drink that much considering my free casino drinks, the ability to bring alcohol back on board on European cruises, and the exhaustion I expect in the evenings after strenuous days in Med ports. Yet my dear sweet wife INSISTS I buy the Cheers package for us. She says she doesn’t want me scrutinizing every drink and doesn’t care if it’s worth it or not. So, honest CC pals, I ask you… Do I spend the $1,200 willingly, knowing I’m throwing about half of it away, for my wife’s peace of mind, or do I continue to debate the point just because I think I’m right and I hope logic will prevail? PS. I think I answered my own question.

I guess we should celebrate our 25th anniversary.

My wife and I got married while sailing on Imagination in March 1999. The wedding was arranged by Carnival. We got married during the port stop in St. Thomas. We were taken to St. Thomas city hall to sign documents, then had a beachside ceremony on Emerald Beach. It was a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise.

The funny thing is every cruise has different passengers. It sounds like the ones with the good seats and the song requests really want to be there, are into it and having fun. Maybe you should just get there earlier if you want to have as much fun as they’re having.

Scary to think I go back 38 years to Tropicale and the first Jubilee. It feels like yesterday. I don’t remember the food but I remember the people and having fun.

Can you book Carnival excursions before you make the final cruise payment? I know the benefits of booking excursions early. Are there any reasons not to ? Also, while we’re here, can you make dinner reservations in specialty restaurants before final payment is made? Do you prepay for the dinners or are you charged the night you eat ?

I dont know specifics for your ports. Every port is different. I usually look on Yelp or TripAdvisor for spa recommendations

Not to mention the people who have lost their jobs.

But… Did they call it a pig butt or pork butt?

Congealed fat doesn’t work for me either. Maybe put it in a ziplock bag and use the hair dryer on it for a while

And that’s why my cruise ship steakhouse expectations are lower than at a land-based steakhouse.