okwriter

I was going to book my 10th Carnival cruise within a few weeks. Now that won't happen.

I usually cruise with my friends, and we are all gamblers. We have always booked balconies or suites, and we spent PLENTY in the casino each cruise.

Now we'll just need to decide whether to try NCL, book an all-inclusive out of the country, or book a week-long trip to Vegas, Atlantic City, or elsewhere.

I'm disappointed about the new policy, but we girls will have fun wherever we are! It just won't be on a Carnival ship! :)

I was going to book my 10th cruise within the next few weeks. Oh, well! My fellow cruisers and I love to gamble, and I expect our $$ will go further in Vegas anyway. :)

I think priority embark and debark is all. I could be wrong. That's what someone at the Carnival 800# told me when I tried to call and book.

I got the email, called 6 hours later, and it was "sold out" already for Galveston.

Smelled a little like bait and switch for it to sell out in 6 hours, but maybe it wasn't meant to be.

I got an email with the Pack and Play offer yesterday. $100 per cabin and $100 OBC. I called within 6 hours of getting the email (was out of town) to book out of Galveston, and the "special" was sold out (capacity controlled) for the Galveston sailing on the Magic. I called the casino office this morning and was told that those free cruises go very quickly in Galveston. That sux. :(

I got the offer today and am trying to book out of Galveston. It isn't showing up online like the others are. Called Carnival and they couldn't see it either. :(

Yes, they are definitely collecting it in Galveston now. It is a separate stop after you have cleared customs.

Is this another stop for *everyone* or is it based on what you write on your customs form? A cruisemate of mine likes to bring home more cigarettes than allowed and doesn't write them on the form.

I've always wanted to play but don't because of the people who play on every cruise and are sure to win. :(

I'll chime in with the other cove cheerleaders. I've always had a balcony, but this one is by far my favorite. Closeness to the water, easy on/easy off at ports, secluded, and less motion. :)

I've never had a problem staying cool anywhere on the Magic. In fact, I bought a sweatshirt last time! :)

I've been in cove balconies twice, and I'm going again in April. I've never noticed any noise from above. In fact, I've found them quieter than some other balcony cabins I've had.

I've never had an issue with a neighbor's light in any balcony cabin, so I can't address that.

Calling it "Paying for an upgrade" is a misplaced rationalization. Getting a better cabin than someone else, for example, is an upgrade that causes no effect on others. Conversely, FTTF facilitates line breaking in front of others, and that affects others, making them wait longer. Its not that hard to understand the difference.

 

All the ones who support it here are the ones who buy it, and benefit from it at the expense of all of Carnivals other customers.

FTTF cruisers don't "break in line." We're in our own line. :D

People say slots are tighter on the ships. But I've hit a "jackpot" (relative term) in two of my six cruises. Each was over $1,000, which is way better than six trips to land-based casinos for me. Both were on the last sea day, too. Still, I think it is all random...either you get lucky or you don't.

The Magic also has the Italian restaurant, which is delicious! The name escapes me at the moment... :)

I booked it for our Dec. 2 Magic sailing. We are always at the port early and get on quickly, but we are cruising with two newbies, so it will be fun for them to feel special. :)

We're considering the Magic out of Galveston for a family Christmas cruise.

Because this cruise is our Christmas gift to family members, we'll probably book the cheapest balconies which seem to be cove balconies. I'd like feedback and your opinions on whether or not to bite the bullet and pay for balconies on higher decks. We'll have two children 7 & 8 in our group and am also wondering about the kids' club. Thanks ...

I can't speak for Camp Carnival, but I just returned from a Magic cruise and LOVED the cove balcony! I've had an aft balcony, an extended balcony, and regular balconies, and the cove was my favorite so far! ;)

have a great cruise, the magic is beautiful.

Ditto! Loved this ship! :D

Good info. Thanks.

I've been on four cruises. Only ONE was with DH.

Two were "girls cruises" with my best buds.

One was with my sisters.

I love DH, but there is nothing more FUN than a bunch of giggly women!

You could simply take what you want to spend and then budget your activities around that. :)

I've left from Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Galveston. Loved them all! My favorite for "pre-cruise" atmosphere was Galveston! :)

My two friends and I played it on the Ecstasy earlier this year. Had a BLAST! Gave the bottle of wine away to a couple who had helped us win and instead snagged a Ship on a Stick and a medal for myself! :)

I don't necessarily have strong feelings either way about others attending the muster drill. For me, it really marks the beginning of cruise. I have a picture of the muster drill from every cruise I have been on. I am grateful that we don't have to drag our life jackets with us anymore. :)

I like this! :D

It's not a big deal to attend, especially if you just have to go to one of the lounges. ;)

Do the points carry over from cruise to cruise?

Nope, but I wish they did! :D

OP: As others have explained, I think you are assuming that you would put $1,500 in and never win anything. On the contrary, you might only spend a little of your own money, but if you are putting the money you win back into the machines, the points add up without you digging deeper into your own pocket. :)