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Thanks everyone. Just seemed like last time I got there so much earlier than my flight but couldn't remember what time that was.

Assuming the ship arrives on time at 0800, what's the earliest flight you have made?

Thanks

I googled 'Cruise the Vineyards program' and got all the info including a list of what wines are in each level. I am planning to buy mine onboard 2nd day, as we are sailing out of Texas and I believe there's an additional tax if you buy it the first day. I plan to put my gift cards on my s&s account once we board, and charge the wine package to my account. Of course, I've never done this so I'm only telling you what I've read on the internet. And we all know if it's on the internet, it must be true! Hahaha

Yes, it's all true although I'm not sure about the Texas tax but just check when you board. Sometimes they just hold the charge back until you're out to sea.

I was just stating that maybe this situation is a reminder to all of us to take some extra steps in case of an emergency.

After all it was the OP that stated they were off the ship with no ID and no money.

Yep, and you know me all so well. I have had the same life experiences as everyone else and should be ever greatful that people point that out that I have no empathy.

Wait.. I am the one who has had to live with a heart condition since I was 19. I am soooo high and mighty. Thanks for reminding me of that!

 

And thanks for reminding me why I don't post often. Because instead of opinion posts the boards are full of attacks!

Yes, it was a wake-up call for me. I always carry my little nylon sportsbag/backpack with me with my kindle, mags, lipstick, etc. Now I will toss in my dl and a credit card...certainly won't add any weight.

I always wear my S & S card on a lanyard (in port I have it in a little clear plastic case with my dl behind it for id) It may look tacky to some, but after an experience in Malaga, where I left my wallet on tour bus with my passport and credit card in it). If I hadn't had my S&S card around my neck, I couldnt even get into terminal. I was traveling alone so pretty scary. Don't want to divert from thread...but stuff happens!

Wouldn't ya love to be on the Liberty for four days with only 1500 people? Room at the pool, no lines at the Lido or Guys, and you can play the 'good' slots now :D:D:D

For those interested: A you tube video about engine fires on a cruise ship.

 

Fascinating, thanks for sharing. Also shows it could be a big thing, or not such a big thing.

Thank you Pauley for keeping us so well-informed through this situation. It really was helpful...no speculation, no false rumors, etc...just great reporting.

Thanks again.......Liberty's one of my favorite ships.

I tried ATD as a solo and hated it. I switched to a large table at late dining and was much happier. It was more comfortable to have a little structure for dinner and have a steady rapport with the servers.

Plenty of opportunities throughout the day to chat up new people. I'll be solo again for the fifth time in October and have met others online and arranged to sit together as a group. Check out your rollcalls and groups.

:)

Do you have to call to get these cabins? They don't seem to be shown on line for the Sunshine.

 

All they show are decks 6 and 7. Thanks for any info.

These are Category 4J. They're considered interior and are very popular because they have windows and are close to an outside deck. Usually they're at the very front of the ship on other ships but Sunshine has them on Deck 3 as well.

Is the free bottle of wine only if you book a reservation on ship or can you book ahead of time. I know the reservation has to be for the first night of the cruise. TIA>:)

 

Also, on our last cruise, on the Sunshine, we ate at the steakhouse and loved it!!! Best meal ever!! The steak was good but the sides and appetizers were amazing.

You can book ahead of time for the steakhouse. Free bottle of wine included. It took me a long time to decide to spend extra money on dining but I think it's worth every penny. It's a really nice experience. And the tip is included in the $35 although some tip a few dollars extra if service was excellent.

And now I'm a Chef's Table fan also. And to me, that's worth every penny as well, especially if you like free-flowing champagne and wine. :D

We have mostly been on NCL and RCL so we are newbies on Carnival. For what I believe I saw was 'elegant' nite, do men new need a suit or sports jacket? What is the dress code for the other nights for men?

 

We are on the Sunshine and I understand many of the cabins do not have mini refrigerators. We drink lots of bottled water, can we bring a small collier on board for water? Can we order a case of water to have in our cabin? On NCL, we would refill bottles from the bathroom sink, I assume Carnival ships tap water is perfectly fine to drink.

All the new cabins and spa cabins have mini-bars. I believe the cabins are listed under FAQs on Carnivals website. The tap water is fine and the bottled water deal Carnival offers is a great price.

If you don't find an ice bucket in your cabin, just ask your cabin steward. Seems like different ships have different policies about placing ice bucket automatically or by request.

Also be aware of Carnival's new policy about bringing bottled drinks onto ships ( if you were returning to ship in port, you'd have to dump you bottle of water). As a newbie, it would be helpful to read thru the FAQs, they are a wealth of information.

Welcome to Carnival....hope you love it as much as most of us do.

First of all, you're going to love the Liberty. It's a beautiful ship.

I also question the Cheers decision. That's 6-7 drinks every day to break even. I've been mulling it over myself for my upcoming Dream 10 day and I'm a wine at dinner person too. But I think I might come out a little ahead without Cheers because: I will go to Steakhouse on first night (you get free bottle of wine). They take reservations until 7 to accommodate muster drill. I'll also purchase the 'Cruising the Vineyards' wine package. They have a 3, 5 and 7 bottle package at discounted prices. That package info was posted somewhere on here recently. You can get get wine and champagne. You get tickets for the number of bottles ordered. You then redeem for when and what you want. You can take your bottles to your room or have in mdr..You could take a bottle of champagne to your room, get OJ from room service or Lido...make your own large mimosas to take to Lido. You can also leave unfinished wine in MDR and they will bring it to you when you return.

St Maarten I recommend Bernard's Tours. They are very highly rated. Hard Rock Cafe here is one on the best. Great view of the waterfront, reasonable prices and awesome Pina Coladas. I mentioned Cosol's to you on another thread in St. Lucia.

Yes, the Steakhouse is worth every penny if you like great food and service.

Another tip: If you find a table or wait team that you really like, you can request

them every night in YTD. I usually take late dining but when I do YTD, I try to stay with the same team..it's much more personal to me.

Have a wonderful first cruise...hope you love it like most of us do.

We are going on the Sunshine on 9/11. We booked the Steakhouse for the first and last nights, but I read ahead of time when the elegant nights were and these are them.

The formal nights are never on the first and last nights. Usually night 2 and then second or third night from end.

I always book Steakhouse on first night because I can really enjoy this fabulous meal before I have overdosed on the neverending food and drinks. :o...not to mention you get a free bottle of wine on the first night. :D

I would make separate reservations also. In Nov, we went to dinner with another couple and they were only going to give us one bottle. We explained that we were just friends with separate cabins, not to mention that we are red winos and they were white.

It took serious persuasion and a trip to the manager to get two bottles. Save yourself the trouble. :eek:

I had a great tour with Cosol's in St Lucia. Check them out on Tripadvisor and/or their website.

I believe the 180 days refers to using your points as a statement credit towards any Carnival purchases. Points don't expire for five years.

Usually third or fourth week of Nov- first week Dec. Liberty last year they decorated the day we boarded Nov28. John Heald usually posts dates on his FB page sometime in October.

I had a 4J on Deck 7 on the Sunshine TransAtlantic in Nov 2013. I didn't find it rough at all. I really enjoyed the cabin and the 'private deck'. My only downside was that it was so far away from everything, but that just me....not a big walker.

One bottle of wine or champagne per adult. No for beer. Believe it's 12 cans of soda or juice. You can find all of the policies at the bottom of Carnival's website under FAQs.

$897,000...yes, that's right. On Liberty Med cruise 2006, second night, on a progressive slot (think it was dollar but I've forgotten).

They sealed the whole bank of machines in heavy plastic to be verified in Barcelona, which was about five days later. Big loss for casino in more ways than one.

The woman playing had no clue, her husband kept yelling omg,omg,omg...the Casino hosts were sweating bigtime.

Very exciting!

Last year they decorated Liberty in Port Canaveral on Nov 28 (our sailing day). Fascinating to watch with everything else going on.

John Heald usually posts the dates on his "page" in early October.

Yes, this is just when Carnival would like you to board but so far, there's been no effort to enforce. Unless there is an issue with ship, then they will send out alerts the day before or during the night.

Depending on port, I usually check in between 10-11. Almost always onboard within 30-45 minutes. The nice thing about Priority or Fttf boarding is that your room is ready. Otherwise it's 1 or 130 (I've forgotten).

I usually fax about 4-5 weeks prior. I don't remember getting an acknowledgement on my last cruise. Just checked my documents page on Carnival site and it showed up there.

I book insides when I cruise solo, but now with Carnival I have to pay for the person who isn't there as the 200% supplement is mostly in force.

 

Your proposal would actually benefit me and other solo cruisers, as we would get credit for paying for that non-existing person.

I got double points sailing solo on Princess...also double per person OBC when offered. But I like Carnival's perks better. Nothing's perfect.

I always go to the presentation (unless there's a conflict). I enjoy seeing the future plans and usually hear a few new interesting things.

I am very happy with my Carnival Mastercard. Instead of using points for gifts or OBCs, I use to pay towards my statement. You get the best rate since you're accumulating double points on sign & Sail.

If you book onboard and release to your TA, won't you still get the perks from her and the CCL OBC? It worked for me.