kmc500

It's funny, hypothetically, I always thought the steel drums would be nice to return.

 

But last week, the live steel drums in port during the 15 minute wait for a tender for return back to ship, was at least 14 minutes too long. What was I thinking??!? :(

Ditto. A couple of years ago my wfe and I were eating on the second floor of a restaurant in St Maarten, on their outside balcony. Outside were a couple of young men playing steel drums extremely badly. After about ten minutes of this they took a break, and received a fair bit of applause from the diners (I believe for stopping)!

When they are well played, we love them, but this was like nails on a chalkboard!

Kevin C

Would the business simply die because he wasn't there? Sorry, but to me, working on vacation isn't a vacation.

Funny. Working on vacation sucks, but I have had to do it for the last 20 plus years. If the alternative is to not go on vacation at all, which would you choose?

I cruised in the 90's with a satellite phone. Nice now to have more modern methods to communicate when necessary.

Like the OP, I also am disappointed that the unlimited internet did not spread fleet wide. I will be paying $159 for 8 hours of access on my cruise this month, and am hoping I don't need to use it all!

Kevin C

We were in cabin 9202 this past week,03/23-30/2014, the Captains Suite, we had the plumber in our room 3 times though, twice to fix one of the non flushing toilets and once to fix the sewage that came up from the floor drain after we left st maartin. Always smelled sewage in the one bathroom, so I'm wondering if anyone else may have experienced this as well?

We sailed in the port side Captain's Suite on the Valor way back in November 2012. We also had issues with a slow shower drain in the smaller of the two bathrooms. More than once we came back to the room to find the bathroom floor flooded.

I must say it was a minor inconvenience to us, and maintenance was quick to fix it (until the next time!). The room was fabulous, and we did not suffer the sewer smell thankfully.

Kevin C

If not for FTTF, early cabin availability and priority luggage would not exist for Platinum and above. Those are strictly FTTF perks that were extended to Platinum and above. Those who are opposed to FTTF are free to boycott those perks.

Excellent point! Looking forward to those great perks in 21 days!

Kevin C

I decided to take a peek at passports. His was fine, but mine was my old expired passport that I kept as a souvenir.

Yikes is right! Great catch there. Years ago my wife and I were heading to St Maarten, and drove all the way to Boston from NH, and got to the airport when I discovered I had left my cash home. This was in the days of few ATM's, and no debit cards.

Seven more days if I can survive them.

Have a great trip!

Kevin C

I understand that the balcony brings new meaning to the word "mini" but if anyone has some first hand pics of the balcony or mini suite itself I'd be grateful. Cabin # is V5.

!

We were in V1 on a B2B last April. We love the Verandah deck on Fantasy class ships, and loved V1. Here is a picture of us taken by the photog on our balcony during sail away.

Here is the only picture we took of the cabin, hope it helps.

Kevin C

I wish I would have thought to do that - we have 6 tervis now and I don't really use them.

They sell on eBay with the packaging for incredible prices. Around $35 plus for two unused tumblers.

Kevin C

Does it also have the Faster to the Fun logo? Here is a picture of ours

 

I would suggest not posting anything with your booking number on it.

 

Sadly, good point.

 

Kevin C

My understanding of all comps in every casino it is based upon the amount of time played and the size of your wager. Obviously someone playing $500.00 blackjack doesn't have to play as long as someone playing $25.00 Blackjack for same amount of comps. It supposedly has nothing to do with how much you win or lose.

 

I will say it makes more sense for the casino to comp you if you are winning because they want to do everything they can do to keep you coming to their property.

It really does not matter to the casino whether you are a winner or loser, only how much you wager, and for how long. This is the case with comps at any casino, land based or cruise line. The reason is mathematical. The longer you play, and the more you wager, the more likely it is you will contribute to the casino's bottom line. There is no game that you can play that does not have a house advantage. Said advantage will eventually get all of us.

The reason you tend to see more comps given to winners is because of the money wagered/time spent betting issue. The more one wins, the more one is likely to bet, increasing the amount of play.

Kevin C

We are first time platinum on our April cruise. Luggage tags have priority on them.

Does it also have the Faster to the Fun logo? Here is a picture of ours:

Kevin C

You must have had poor wait service once I got mine on the 3rd day I think I would let the waiter know to go ahead and bring another one in 15 mins which is the minimum time you have to wait before drinks so there were times I would have 2-3 drinks sitting at the table.

That has always been my experience as well, whether paying, or using the Drinks on Us card. Once I receive my first drink, I never have to wait or look around for the waiters - seems like they are at my elbow when I want them.

I guess YMMV, but it has been that way on every Carnival cruise we've taken.

Kevin C

I just printed boarding passes and for the first time it does not say fttf on tickets. We are platinum and did not buy any fttf.

We are also platinum and I just checked our luggage tags for our April cruise out of Miami. They do say Priority and also have FTTF logos on them.

What port are you cruising from? Possibly there is no FTTF?

Kevin C

What it says is that it is not included in the program, not that you cannot purchase it, along with cocktails that cost more than those included in the program.

Kevin C

No, you cannot. In my experience if you have Cheers they won't let you buy anything off the plan. No more buckets of beer, etc, even if you are willing to pay (and are relatively sober).

That makes absolutely no sense. Buckets of beer (among other even higher end items) are not included in the cheers program, so Carnival will not sell them to someone with the Cheers program? Huh?

The fact that they are not included for free within the program certainly does not mean you cannot buy those items separately. What if you wanted a bottle of wine at dinner? Can't buy it because it is not in the Cheers program?

It is amazing how much disinformation is presented here as fact.

Kevin C

I have a question that I am sure someone has answered and I probably looked over it but I thought I would ask anyway. How do you accumulate your points when you are playing at the tables? :confused: I understand the whole slot machine thing but wasn't sure about the tables.

You give your S&S card to the boxman (at the craps table) or the dealer (at other table games) and they call a supervisor to rate you. At that point is out of your hands and in the hands of the subjective observation of the supervisor.

I believe to earn anything at the tables Carnival expects a minimum bet of $25, and at least an hour a day of play, but who other than the supervisor really knows? I know my wife often earns more cash in the casino cage than I and I believe only plays $5 roulette, so who can figure??

As has been said by others, both my wife and I play for the enjoyment, and know what we can afford to wager. If we get something in addition from the casino, it is all gravy!

Kevin C

Amen, amen and amen. It never hurts to be nice. On my last cruise I got to know the pit critters right away. I jokingly said the minute I qualify for free drinks give me the card because my bar tab will be higher than my gambling losses. We were in the casino every time it was opened. We like to drink and gamble.

Well said, ditto your amen. It is incredible how nasty some people can be at the tables. I guess negative attention to some is as important to them as any attention. We had a gentleman (and I say that loosely) who argued with the crap table crew incessantly about everything. The next day we were at the table and I was offered a free drink (four day cruise, thus no Drinks card) and he went off on the pitboss, the boxman, the casino host and anyone else who would listen about how much money he had lost (completely irrelevant) and how he "deserved" more.

Dumb and dumber.

Speaking of being nice many times in casinos I would kindly tell the pit boss I know I haven't been here long enough to get a decent meal but anything you can do is appreciated. Usually they come back with at least a free buffet or a partial comp to a restaurant. In Biloxi several times I would get a $60.00 food comp just for asking. Yes it never hurts to get to know the pit critters and be friendly.

Friendly is the key. Reminds me of the 80's and 90's in Las Vegas. We were treated incredibly well for a long time, until the bean counters finally took over the town. Now, not so much. Off topic, but we were in Las Vegas in October and the desk clerk checking in told us she could not take a tip! The end of Las Vegas, at least as I knew it!

Kevin C

Thanks for all of the feedback. I will probably skip the steakhouse this upcoming cruise as we will be a group of 5. Plus there's one cheapskate in our group who wouldn't want to do it :rolleyes:.

 

Sounds like it might work out better with just 2.

On our upcoming Conquest cruise in April, 10 of us will be dining together in the Point Supper Club on our Belize port day. Wife and I have an excursion to Xunantunich, and may be late getting back for early seating, so most of our crowd will be together at 7 PM in the steakhouse. As much as we love it, we're looking forward to the change of pace from the MDR.

Kevin C

P.S. Darn, apologies for resurrecting dead threads.

Not all PVPs are that great.....just a few examples in the past few weeks........(I don't mind so much that she didn't know....but that she argued incorrectly until I dropped the questions and asked here on CC):rolleyes:

I do agree. Off topic, but I must say that one of the worst things a professional can do is make a statement, or worse, argue about something that they don't actually know. I have been in the IT field since the late 70's, know more than most, and still say "I don't know let me check" fairly often.

Getting caught stating something that is incorrect is a great way to lose your credibility and your customer.

Back on topic, have a great PVP now - hope she doesn't move on.

Kevin C

Hello, I am currently a gold status member and on my next cruise which is a back to back I will become a Platinum member. However this will not occur until my final cruise day. I was wanting to know if I would be considered a Platinum member for my entire cruise or would I have to wait until the final day?

When we became Platinum last April, we did so on the first leg of our back to back, well before we actually "earned" it. If your booking summary for the first leg does not state "Priority" in the upper right hand corner, contact customer service, they can help you.

Enjoy!

Kevin C

I make no secret of the fact that I don't "get" the idea of dressing up in uncomfortable clothes to eat a meal. When I take my family to vacation in Hawaii, the only pants I'll take will be the jeans I wear on the plane. The thought of wearing pants is laughable, and of wearing a suit or tux while on vacation is absurd. I have no idea why anyone thinks differently on a cruise vacation than a regular vacation, but I respect their choice.

First, I don't find my tuxedo uncomfortable, and as has been stated by others, I enjoy the opportunity to get dressed up for dinner.

Second, when we vacation on a warm weather spot, whether it be Hawaii or in the Caribbean (we've spent weeks at both) I will never go out to dinner without wearing long pants. I feel underdressed otherwise, and would be extremely uncomfortable in shorts.

I certainly don't care if someone else wants to do so, it won't affect my enjoyment of the meal at all, and is also why I hope Carnival does not stop elegant night. Its current manifestation works for almost everyone, since the "dress code" runs the gamut from business (or cruise) casual to formal tuxedo. The only one missing out is the short pants wearer, and if they want to let them in as well, no worries from me.

Kevin C

I like to wear my tux on both formal nights.

 

Depending on the cruise, I may wear it on the last night in the MDR.

Excellent way to pick up some extra cash:rolleyes:

Hilarious, and a great idea! I wear a tux on both elegant nights with different shirts, ties, and cuff links. I will have to bring a third shirt (or use my free platinum laundry) for the last night in the MDR to help pay for the cruise!

Kevin C

I am so excited We just booked our Retirement cruise. Last day of work is 4/30. We decided to celebrate the best way we know and that is by taking a cruise. And DH suprised me by getting a balcony. We usually stick with the oceanview. Going with his sisters who are also retiring and their DHs. The Legend will never be the same! :D

Congratulations! That surely would be my choice of methods to celebrate retirement as well.

Enjoy!

Kevin C

Thanks, Matt. How long did it take him to get back to you?

I received an email from him on 2/12, a day after I sent a question to him. He has always been incredibly responsive and helpful. I hope he has not moved on.

Kevin C

I'm in a suite. Is there any reason to buy FTTF?

So far on all of our Carnival cruises we have been in a suite. Until we became platinum last year, we also purchased FTTF as well when it became available. Even though you get priority boarding in a suite, your cabin is not necessarily ready when you board, nor do you get your luggage delivered right away, or get priority tendering.

All of those perquisites are the reason we paid for FTTF. Nice not to have to any longer.

Kevin C

My wife and I, and my best friend and his wife sailed on her in 2002, we each had Verandah suites opposite each other. Loved the Holiday class, she was in great shape even then.

We had the wildest seas on that trip I've ever seen, and I am sure the size of the ship and lack of stabilizers made it worse. She was rocking!

Seemed that just about everyone on the ship was sick by the third or fourth day in. My friend and I, feeling pretty well (we never did get sick - must have been the booze) were in the casino that night, when they had to close the craps table due to not having enough dealers who weren't sick!

Kevin C