RoperDK

1 hour ago, Daddymikey1975 said:

So, if you're vaccinated but haven't gotten a booster yet - if you wait to get a booster (for whatever reason) and after February carnival decides to include that as a mandate then those of us cruising in June (who currently comply with their mandate) would no longer qualify and would not be entitled to a refund. 

 

Is that what I'm understanding? 

Yes, that is how I am reading the documentation on the website.  I don't have a quote, but it basically says that fully vaccinated will be required and they will follow what the CDC says is fully vaccinated and that could include boosters.  Please review the website documentation.  We are boosted, but decided to cancel an upcoming cruise because of changing restrictions and masking rules.  In the future we will book last minute when we are fully aware of current rules and variant activity.  Everything is a moving target.    

I am the OP.  I slept in my recliner thinking I would wake up during the night and check in and then go to bed after.  Well, I guess I have a comfy chair as I didn't wake up until 5:30. Lol.  I still got 11 am check in, so all is well.  I guess 11 is the earliest time?  When should we show up at the parking deck?  I hear Port Canaveral parking can be difficult.  If we show up at 10:30ish can we drop off our luggage then and hang out in our car until 11?   

Well heck, just checked the app and it says "check-in closed".  Earlier today it said Jan. 26th.  Anyone have experience with this? 

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

How desperate are you for earliest check in time?

Well, we do want to be early.  We are usually Carnival cruisers (Platinum) and used to getting on board first thing.  On our other Royal cruises, pre covid, we were in suites and just arrived when we wanted to.  We are in a suite for this cruise, too.  Just wanting to understand if there is a rush to check in or if I can start in the morning and not be at 1 or later.  

Scheduled for check in on Jan. 26th.  Is it necessary to check in at midnight to get a good boarding time or is early/mid morning still good?    

6 hours ago, Riemercruisin said:

After Carnival's announcement of the new protocols, I'm sure there are many cancelations. 

We're vaccinated but wanted to cancel our bookings and wait for the worst of the pandemic to be over.

The casino dept rep is telling me that the only reason for cancelation with full refunds is if the guest is not vaccinated. 

What's your experience?

I just canceled an October casino rate cruise for a full refund.  We are fully vaxxed and boosted and have cruised with Carnival recently, so they know our vaccination status.  We were able to cancel our October cruise with no questions asked.  I wish the casino department would quit being so difficult about cancellations.  Don't mean to pry, but if you aren't boosted, you can bring up that as a vaccination concern.  Carnival is clearly stating that boosters may be required to sail.  Heck, maybe 2 boosters will become the protocol.  No one knows.  That is why Carnival is allowing you to decide what you want to do about future cruises until Feb.15th.  After that, you accept whatever protocols they decide to implement.    

I just canceled an October 2022 casino rate cruise for a full refund.  I also have a January 2023 cruise that could have been canceled if I wished to do so.  I was also able to apply an FCC to my existing January booking.  It was supposed to be used for new bookings only.  The casino department was quite accommodating.   

51 minutes ago, 2wheelin said:

I think most people would have a problem with them changing the requirements after booking and not getting a full refund option. That would be like suddenly saying no one under 65 can cruise and by the way, thanks for your non refundable payments everyone.

I believe they are allowing a full refund for ALL future booked cruises because of the indefinite new protocols.  When you book from now on, you will be held to those protocols.  Basically you are giving up your right to cancel when they tweak future protocols, particularly vaccine requirements.  I doubt they could tighten testing beyond 2 days and you are supposed to wear a mask at all times indoors unless actively eating and drinking.  You have to follow their quarantine protocols which are excessive.  What more could they require?  You basically have a get out of jail free card until Feb. 15th.  After that you need to book with eyes wide open.  I don't really blame Carnival, they can't keep having these booking swings every time something changes.   

7 minutes ago, alrose251 said:

Nope, my sister got an email and she is on the same cruise as me.

I think I understand.  You should have received a letter for the prior protocols (Feb and Mar) cruises, but didn't.  I have the same problem.  I booked the cruises with my e-mail offers and get the booking e-mail but only my husband receives e-mails for that booking's check in and cruise planner info.  Go figure.  🤪 

17 minutes ago, alrose251 said:

I didn't get an email either for my March cruise😕!

It is only for cruises departing after April 2022.  It is for the new protocols just announced for future cruises.  The prior announcements covered cruises through March 31st. 

6 hours ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

I recently cancelled three Carnival cruises, all casino offers.  2 had a NR deposit of 198 (for 2 people) and the third was $300.  The next day I received an email offering us a FCC of $148 x 2, and one $250.   So if we use that we have only lost 150 rather than almost 700.

 

they are really hurting and I think they are doing everything they can to fill those cabins.

 

BTW, the direct number to casino sales is 800-906-7603

Thanks for the direct number.  That should be a great time saver!

I called this morning to cancel an October casino offer cruise.  It was canceled for a full refund no questions asked.  I explained to her that I had incurred a penalty for canceling a cruise that a couple of days later would have been fully refunded.  I then asked if I could apply the remaining FCC to an already booked casino cruise as OBC.  The FCC was supposed to be only applied to a new booking. She put me on hold and came back and said they would reinstate the whole amount as OBC on my already booked cruise.  I was a happy camper.  I agree that Carnival is hurting and I still have one booking scheduled for next year.  The casino offers are so enticing, but we are putting on the brakes for now and will only book last minute if the virus spread is reduced.   

On 1/21/2022 at 12:50 PM, pnwredhead said:

I'm sure we all got this email, but I am wondering if we are all understanding it the same way. 

 

It sounds like Carnival will not be going back to non-vaxxed cruising. Is that how you read it?

And why did I get 7 copies of the same email?

 

Just trying to make plans for the cruises I have booked with non-vaxxed people later this year. I'm not sure if I should suggest we push it out another year so they don't lose their OBC for the last canceled cruise or if they should call it a wash. 

 

Thanks for your thoughts on this. 🙂 

pdf.pdf 481.33 kB · 95 downloads

I don't have any inside information, but I understood the letter to say that you have until Feb.15th to cancel your post April 22, 2022 cruises if you aren't going to comply with their vaccination requirements.  That will include a booster fairly soon according to the wording on Carnival's website. It sounds like the days of moving cruises without penalty are going to be over.  If your non-vaxxed members aren't going to get the shot before the cruise they stand to loose whatever funds are already paid on the cruise.  It might be a big gamble to move it out a year thinking that vaccine requirements will be removed.    

8 minutes ago, mondello said:

Wonder if both spouses can use their 25% OBC perk on same booking if they reach Milestone together?

While we haven't actually cruised yet, both my husband's and my OBC were approved to be applied on the same sailing.  It hasn't been posted to my cruise yet, so I can't 100% verify.

17 minutes ago, riffatsea said:

Unless they are vaccinated the answer is no

Before there were vaccines available for school age children families had their cruises cancelled by Princess 

It is true that Carnival caters more to families with young children 

That's probably why they allowed some exemptions

Since NOONE is allowed on Princess without being completely vaccinated there can be no young children on board

 

 

Thanks for the info.  We have a Princess cruise booked later this year and are glad to see that unvaxxed aren't allowed.  We don't travel with young ones, so we are flexible.  Of course, Omicron doesn't seem to follow the rules.  Hopefully, we can move on soon.    

37 minutes ago, riffatsea said:

On this board there are lots of questions about exemptions

On the Princess board there are no similar discussions because there are NO exemptions

No vaccine= no cruise

Just curious....are any young children allowed to cruise on Princess at this time? 

18 minutes ago, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

Penalties are going to apply moving forward per JH as they should. Protocols ext have been around long enough for everyone to know what’s going on.

The "letter" states that you have until Feb. 15 to cancel for a refund on future cruises.  No exceptions were listed.  Recently, I have had to either move or get a penalty for deposits on casino rates.  Everyone else could cancel for refund or move without penalty. Maybe my timing is off. I will call early in the morning and see what they say.   

I haven't had much luck with getting full refunds in the last couple of months.  I lost my deposit on one and was able to move another, but had a note on that booking that no more action would be allowed and I would lose my entire cruise amount if any further changes happened.  All of my recent cruises were casino rates and if I call the Carnival number they won't handle my booking, but transfer it to the casino dept.  Double wait times! I want to cancel a cruise for this fall.  Sorry, but we are just done with waiting on protocols and wondering what to do.  We booked these cruises long ago thinking that covid would be a distant memory. Going forward, we will only book last minute when we are sure about the covid numbers and protocols so we won't have any more surprises.  Well, I guess this has turned into a rant.  Sorry.  Here's my question.

Are casino booked cruises also allowing full refunds after "the letter" or are they holding out the deposits?  

9 hours ago, riffatsea said:

Princess has been doing only vaccinated cruises and so I am VERY happy that Carnival is now doing the same!!

I would not sail on any ship that allowed any large number of non vaccinated people on board

 

Carnival has been operating vaccinated cruises, also.  Less than 5% onboard are unvaxxed. That followed CDC quidelines for fully vaccinated cruises. The exceptions were for children too young to get the shot and exemptions for those who medically were excused.  Either way, those guests made up less than 5% on any sailing.    

Are you able to cancel only because of vaccination requirements or because of all of the protocols (vaccination, testing and masking)?  The email said if you could not meet the vaccination requirements you could request a refund.  It didn't say you could cancel if you didn't agree with testing or masking protocols.  What is the reality?  We have a cruise in October booked and don't want to go through the testing stress and full masking situation.  Been there, didn't enjoy that.  We are fully vaccinated. We've already sailed, so they know that.  What can I expect them to say when I call and wait on hold for hours?     

4 hours ago, topnole said:

Given all those bells and whistles are included for all categories, it is Interesting that families pay more for less suite benefits relative to those  without families (or more typically empty nesters/retired) in Celebrity.   If I didn’t love the flowrider and my kids were grown, I would definitely do Celebrity if the suite benefits are that much better than sky class on Royal.   Again, seems like a no brainer to me.  

We have been considering a Sky Suite on Celebrity Edge class because the pricing is better than Sky class on RCCL.  I've asked several Celebrity cruisers what they did for enjoyment during their cruise.  Most said they relaxed, read, lay out by the pool, eat, and drink.  We are too old for most of the activities on Royal, but we do enjoy watching and the fun vibe.  Our perception is that we would be bored on Celebrity.  Still gathering info so perhaps our perception is wrong.    

44 minutes ago, topnole said:

Does it add any extra value other than being a different section of the same restaurant.  Different menu for example?   Free drinks?  Not familiar with Princess suites program.  

Suites and Club Class Mini-Suites have a private section of the MDR reserved for them.  No reservations required.  Just walk up to a special line and be seated on arrival.  It is a more intimate experience with better service.  A step above the MDR experience.  They have the same menu as the MDR with added "specials" each night.  

Is it surf or surf and stream? Thanks!

2 minutes ago, hurricane0226 said:

 

Was on the MG. in November, there was shuffleboard and two foosball tables back at the Pig and Anchor, and the Veterans bar.

Oh yes, now I remember the foosball at Pig and Anchor.  I never saw shuffleboard. I assume it was outside?

8 hours ago, JEANMR1 said:

Does anyone know if there’s either ping-pong or shuffleboard on the carnival Mardi Gras? I watched a few walk-throughs of the ship but didn’t notice seeing them.

 

Thanks

Was on Mardi Gras a couple of months ago.  I didn't find any ping pong or shuffleboard.  We enjoy ping pong, so we were looking for it.  We did find putt putt, a pool table, and cornhole.  They were on the top deck and forward.

EDIT:  It could have been aft. Lol. Still get turned around on that ship! 🙃

11 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Defined MDR, no interest in CK anymore

Why? Is CK not performing up to expectations or just been there done that?