tea4ular

I was calling my TA to ask if I could pay down my cruise using Carnival gift cards (the answer is yes, by the way), and while we were chatting I did a mock booking, and WHOOP! $100 cabin price drop! :p She was getting ready yo hang up when I stopped her! :eek:

That's $300 dropped for our spa balcony on the Magic from when we booked in mid-January for this upcoming October! :p

Just wondering if anyone has? If you buy outside insurance, what has been your experiences? Ever used it?

One other thing. We never buy from the cruise line, always an outside source. And actually, one trip, my H had his computer drop off a conveyor belt (security footage showed that the TSA misplaced it in their attempt to "help") on the way to the x-ray machine, and broke. Insurance claim filed, and new computer was able to be purchased within 10 days.

I have. And I haven't. What determines (for me) the purchase is the "risk" involved.

Examples:

My H is disabled, it's a "preexisting condition" - when we cruise, we ALWAYS buy insurance. We're "young" and "healthy" but the risk is great, so the (relatively small) cost is worth it.

When my BF & I cruise from our home port, we do not buy insurance. We're "young" and "healthy" so the risk is lower. We do NOT purchase insurance.

Now coming up, my BF & I are cruising together in Oct. We DID purchase insurance. Why this time? Because it's way in the future, and we're flying to a different city. So even though we're "young" and "healthy" we both feel the risk is higher, so for the equivalent of $65 each, we've covered all bases.

I say it "should" be based on "risk" involved.

LOL, no problems with kids escaping anymore, but I like to bring a doorstop when I travel anyway.

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Master-Big-Foot-No-slip-Doorstop-Non-skid-Base-Prevent-Scratches-Rubber-1.3-X-2-X-4.5-Brown-MAS00920/40253585

How does the "door stop" prevent a closed door from being opened?

WOW! My best friend can hardly open the cabin door due to its weight. I suggest putting a chair or something in front of it, and maybe securing the chair to the doorknob with a bungee or something. Better not get a balcony cabin, and I am not fooling!

If you don't already own the shares it may not be worth the purchase. However, as a long term shareholder I have been rewarded several times, including on their "family of lines" (Holland and Princess). :) Do your research.

We have sailed twice on the Splendor, both times with a spa balcony cabin. We now are booked for the Magic...again a spa balcony cabin. WE adore the spa! Every afternoon around 4, when the bulk of passengers seem to be winding down and getting ready for their evening adventures we would head to the spa (far less crowded at this time). We'd spend about an hour or so, going from spa room to spa room, and finally make our way to the heated loungers, and just melt. My friend LOVED the showers in the spa area so she would finish up there. By around 5:30 or 6 we'd be back in our cabin getting dressed and ready for the evening, go to dinner, (we have ATD), maybe catch a show (we like the comedy), dance a bit, maybe hit the piano bar. And finally make our way back to our cabin to sit on the balcony and star gaze.

I may be mistaken, but the fee is not $300 per person, per week. It's more like $250 per "couple" (and a "couple" can literally be any 2 people on the ship) per week. The spa cabins are lovely (with a sort of zen feel) and in a very quiet area of the ship.

If you think this sounds like something you and your mom would enjoy, go for it. Try it. It seems that most who try it are hooked.

By the way, just as an FYI - the spa area is co-ed. I heard about a passenger who was unaware, thinking it was men and ladies separate...whoops! :eek:

Elation is just moving to Florida, Fort Lauderdale I believe. New Orleans is getting Triumph in its place. I think the swap will take place in 2016.

I clearly misunderstood! :p

Wait! What? The Elation is going away? It's not nearly as "old" as some of the others! It was the first ship my H & I sailed on as a couple. It was the sailing after its maiden voyage. So maybe 1998? Oh I'm sad. She was a beautiful ship.

I used to love it when it was free. I can't quite muster up the same enthusiasm at close to $100 per person on our Magic trip. But it WAS amazing!

OMG!!!!!! My favorite little guy is back!!!! I love me some "H" What a great way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon! Mommy, thank you for allowing him to write another cool review. Little man is just too cool. :D

INCHARGE: Can you tell me what ship/cabin your signature is "playing"? It looks amazing!

Thank you.

We bought inexpensive snorkel & mask at Walmart - we (like others) don't worry about the fins, but yuck on the snorkle & mask!

Oooh! Great point! I hadn't thought of that. We are crusing in one of the hottest months of the year! My debate was whether or not to get us 'commemorative' waffle robes (i.e., lightweight) to bring ourselves (first girls' cruise with my friend of 20 years!), or just to use the ones in the cabin. We're totally different sizes- she's short, I'm tall, and we're shaped differently, but we were both worried about fitting in the One Size robes (which never REALLY fit all).

 

I hadn't even thought about the weight. I assume we'll be wearing them on the balcony as well, where it is more humid. Bam. Dilemma solved. Waffle robes it is. :D

 

Thank you all!

I do get some interesting looks :eek: :confused: when I wear my Holland robe on Carnival! Yes, MY recommendation is exactly what you will do, buy some in advance, and bring 'em with. :p

There is green tea available. :)

Informative AND adorable!

I love my spa balcony cabin, but the robes (in my opinion) are TOO long AND heavy! I like the robes on Holland, they're terry lined waffle and the belt is sewn on - as a 5' 2" size 10 the spa robe is uncomfortable for me - except at night on my balcony!

Nope. The cruise lines don't say "if you book an excursion from someone other than us then xyz" nor does it say " you can book only one excursion from someone other than us" - there's no comparison, and I'm a shareholder.

On Cruise Critic Main page, scroll down below destinations to "Useful Link" there you will see "Price Drop"

Will do.

Thanks! :)

Where on Cruise Critic does one sign up for price drop information? I never knew there was that feature.

Thank you!

This is an amazing story! I'm sorry for all you've been dealing with and hope for a steady upward trend for your family!

We prefer ATD and have requested it for our next trip as well. Echoing "early is too early and late is too late" in fact on one trip we tried late seating and eating that late made me physically ill so we just stopped going. One afternoon our waiter saw us as we were floating around the ship. He asked if he had done anything "wrong" and I explained the situation. He invited us to join the table "just for dessert" any time we wanted. We did, actually, on the last night. It was a 10 day trip and it was wonderful. BTW we kept the tips in place for him as he'd done nothing "wrong" and hand tipped our ATD crew at the end (we were fortunate to have the same wonderful team there).

I sent mine priority mail, which ensures it'll get there within (I think) 3 days, and gives you tracking details too. And I took it directly into the PO not dropped in a box somewhere.

Read the entire thread - now I feel crazy!

We cruise Oct 25th - 7 day cruise. Our paperwork says final pay date is JULY 17th! That's almost 100 days before we sail. :eek:

:confused::confused::confused:

Bring a waterproof mattress cover - don't expect the cruise line to have something to protect the mattress. Also, many kids who are newly trained flip flop for the first year or so, especially in new surroundings.

While I am aware that a passport is not a requirement, I would recommend that your grandson have one. Should an emergency arise for either of you, while out of the states, and need to get home (US) quickly, a passport becomes necessary. It's a (relatively) small price to pay for peace of mind.

One thing I've noticed on all my cruises, is that somehow they have managed to seat us in the dining room with like-minded travelers. IE: One time it was 3 best (female) friends, and our table mates just happened to be 3 best female friends. Another was just me & my D (she was 8), and just happened to be seated with a mom & her D (who was 9). Never asked, it just happened.

Every trip my D took with her grandparents was a smashing success. I just know you and your grandson will be making memories that will last a lifetime! :)