Tom-n-Cheryl

Perhaps I'm biased - but I prefer our "home port" here compared to all the others in the state. Then again, I know my way around pretty well! I find parking easier here too (and no hour long back-up trying to get of the parking garages like down there sometimes)! Tom

I figured it was only a matter of time! LINK Tom

Part of what I received back from Carnival regarding my follow up to their email: Correct; your suite will be ready for you upon boarding and you can proceed to your suite even if you find the hallway doors closed off from the elevator area. Tom

I'll have my get-out-of-jail card (printed correspondence - confirmed access upon embarkation), just in case I need to show I'm good to go... errrr.. stay ! 🙂 Tom

I know that, over the last few months, they (BCC) were moving puzzle pieces around. At one point I was told no 60% discounts on Edge class ships, then it was "yes, you can get the 60%, but only at the Sky Suite level, not higher". Then I was like... ok - I rather like the lower/end magic carpet sky suites. So, I called them back --- no dice. Sometimes it seems like they all (whoever might answer the phone) have different criteria. When I tried to pin down (reconnect) with a couple of those who had extended the 60% option, I never was able to get in touch with them again. In retrospect, if they float a good offer - don't take time to think about and get back to them, JUST BOOK IT (as they're refundable anyway)! Tom

Did you inquire about the cost to bump up to a suite (if that's of interest to you)? Tom

They'll let you steer the ship at 500K+ points LOL Tom

I guess that just goes to show you how skewed the rating method/system is for BJ. It's a piece of cake in slots - they have a record of every "spin". I will vary my bets over the course of play and, I'm sure this is just my selective memory, but it seems that the pit folks never come around to update your bet amounts except when you're near your minimum! Also, I always play two hands (identical bet amounts) and I have a feeling that sometimes that's not properly noted... do they basically give you credit for double your single bet every hand? I have, on a few occasions, asked after the fact (end of cruise, or after a sailing) what they showed as my average bet - and many times it is my base bet, at best. Tom

Aft corner deck 9 (yep, I know!... lol) Tom

With other lines I'd say they'd scrap 'em. Though, at this point with Carnival not lining up future builds - they may just hold on to them. If they're turning a profit on those tubs, stick with it. Tom

I had booked the RS on the Reflection (for the two weeks over Thanksgiving '22) during our 2/22 Reflection sailing. I had the card in our room for a free balcony, but at the future cruise desk I was able to get 60% off a suite. That worked out to about $5k/week for the RS (at the time). I thought that was a great deal. Sure, a "free" balcony would have been a great deal too. 🙂 I'm not really sure - but over the two weeks my loss was likely close to $5k. The swings were not very significant on that sailing. Heck, I've had plenty of sessions/days that were like that or worse/better. To enjoy the "highs", you must endure the "lows"... Tom

Hey there - We're going over our packing list for Saturday... When we were on the Mardi Gras last, they had binoculars in the cabins - nice enough that we took them up on the offer to purchase them. Obviously, no need in packing ours if they're still providing them! @jimbo5544 - were they in your cabin? THANKS, Tom

What does he play - and how many days did it take to hit that number of points? I can see how they felt my 20,000+ points over 14 days didn't get their attention. Having said that, I was pretty much the highest level BJ player there both weeks (not in total hours on the first leg though - some of those guys are machines)! Tom

We received "the card" for a free balcony, but since they were not extending any discount (other than 10%) to upgrade to a suite, we passed. Perhaps when we retire I'll downshift to non-suites (I already do that to some extent on Carnival, as a suite does not carry any benefits to speak of). Tom

Thanks for all the feedback - I heard back from Carnival, and was assured that when we board (they tell me boarding has been starting about 10:45-11 on the Mardi Gras) our cabin will be fully ready for us to enjoy. Cheryl decided, knowing that, to go ahead and book a facial and blow out for early that afternoon. So now, we'll just make sure we get on early enough to get settled in and enjoy a MDE sandwich from Big Chicken 😄 Tom

Looking at my PUP History - I see 3 points in October (Alaska webinar) and the next one was 5 points in December (deployment webinar). Tom

When this happens I wonder how many people never pick up on the increased amount due, and just pony up. Strange way to conduct business - but apparently the rules are different here. Tom

Good to hear this! I suppose it's best that you didn't know they were missing, until you were informed they were found. 🙂 Cheryl thought she had lost a John Hardy bracelet once - and she liked it so much, we purchased a replacement on a subsequent cruise. Fast forward a year or two, and guess what we found? ! Tom

Interesting, and not surprising 😞 Tom

That's not bad. I was hit up for $2,250 for our 8-night sailing on the Celebration in May... and with tax/fees/whatever it totaled $2,655... yikes Tom

I might be confusing this with reservations for our group in Aruba (beach dinner at Passions on the Beach).

Yeppers (but, was it me or you?) 😄

Looks like I have PUP's to thank for 41 points 🙂 Tom

I don't believe they charge your card - they only take it in case you no-show, then they'll hit you up for that (if I recall correctly). Can someone confirm that? I just know we were not charged when I sent it in a couple of months ago. Tom

I think Carnival states that suites have "early access". That, however, sounds rather vague - likely intentionally so. Tom