flyboyswife

16 minutes ago, Techno123 said:

Thank you! I took everyone’s helpful tips and did better on the website today! It seems her gold status doesn’t do much for her if she’s already booking concierge level- AND since she wants Regent to handle air/hotel, we’re limited to that level or above. Let me know if you disagree.

As we are new to regent, is there any benefit to her booking both rooms using her gold status? Or do we have to start fresh? If that’s the case, then that’s likely another reason for the concierge level minimum.

I suppose I should price out the penthouse difference- if it’s nominal (relatively speaking over 14 nights), maybe the butler is the way to go.  Thank you all! I look forward to learning more on this page in the months ahead!

2 hours ago, Techno123 said:

If you go onto the RSSC website it gives you pictures, 360 tours, deck plans and suite perks for each ship (perks are the same but suites are different depending on the newer or older ships). Concierge gets you the overnight hotel and you can book speciality restaurants and excursions earlier than those in 'lower' category suites.
 

Worth checking out the suite and ship on the sticky at the top of this board as some suites in the same category are better than others ie suites aft (rear of) on Navigator have vibration issues and you can make sure you are close to (or far away from depending on your preference) things like dining rooms, theatre, not under the pool deck etc. or midships if mal de mer is a problem.

 

the other thing to check is the ambassador referral programme - so if your mom refers you, you both get a discount on the cost of the cruise.

Thank you; I’m finding their website absolutely overwhelming and really not the helpful for this particular piece. Understand about the concierge level - but doesn’t her gold status do the same? I’ll keep looking and I’ll definitely inquire about the referral program. Thanks again!

3 hours ago, flossie009 said:

On which ship are you intending to sail?

Voyager in April- TA to Barcelona 

My mom is gold status and wants to take my husband, daughter and I on a cruise (lucky, lucky us!).  She’s asked for my help with the booking and I’m trying to be a good steward (though I’ve never cruised this line before).

With that in mind, she is adamant that Regent handle air and hotel the night before sailing. She called Regent today (she doesn’t have a TA) and reserved a “Category E - Concierge Suite.”  I’m trying to determine whether this seems appropriate…should we be considering a higher category? Lower? Are we a nominal amount away from some phenomenal perks (butler?) or is her gold status getting us what she “needs” (air/hotel) and we’re getting a great deal?

I’m struggling to understand the difference between the room categories since they all seem better than anything I’ve experienced  (we’ve only cruised the lower brow cruise lines!);  I welcome your guidance!  TIA!

Greetings all! My husband and I have decided to try a river cruise and I have just begun my research. I thought this would be easy as we wanted high end and were of the impression that Viking was our best option. However, after looking at several of the posts here, I’m wondering if we should be looking at AMA, Uniworld or Scenic. We’re looking for a departure on July 30 (2023) for 8 days - our daughter will be on a school trip in Europe so we’re treating ourselves!

Ideally love to find something with food/wine related excursions or culinary programs onboard. My husband likes a room with a balcony on ocean cruises, so I’m feeling somewhat pressured to get him the same experience. However, many of the trips I’m looking at are already showing no availability for balconies!  From the posts I’ve read here, it seems like we would enjoy more all-inclusive lines and not be limited, for example, to only wine and beer at lunch or dinner. I could see us coming back from an excursion in the afternoon and wanting to grab a refreshing cocktail.
 

We are in our mid 50s and somewhat active, we could certainly hike or go on a motorized bike excursion. In the past for our ocean cruises, I have typically booked with a travel agent who only sells Uniworld, so I just want to make sure I’m selecting the best line for us! Welcome your guidance on what might be the best fit.  TIA!

Has anyone used Bahamas Dolphin Tours in Freeport?  Debating between the knee-high pool encounter or the swimming experience.

https://www.swimwithdolphinsbahamas.com/freeport-bahamas-dolphin-programs/

First time on the Liberty. Any tips or things not to miss would be appreciated.

Thank you - this is perfect!

Looking for a private excursion to Atlantis vice going through the cruise line. Is that a thing? Pros/Cons? We’ll be getting off the CCL Liberty and will have from 0800 - 1700. Just booked today and we’re leaving on 30 December so I’m BEHIND.....

 Greetings shipmates! We just booked the December 30th sailing of the Liberty. It’s been a while since we sailed on Carnival and I’m wondering if CCL stock ownership still gets us some onboard credit? I seem to recall there was a $50 per cabin credit for sailings of less than seven days. Would love to pursue but I’m having trouble finding out how to do this as it’s been a few years. Thank you in advance and happy Thanksgiving! 

Went to check out my rollcall and it looks pretty quiet for a sailing only one month away. Are the various social media sites taking precedence over rollcall links now? That makes me so sad. No mix/mingle either. Bummer!

Their job is to clean your stateroom, not cater to your every whim. If you want them to go above and beyond and fulfill your every desire then yes, you should tip extra to ensure you get the service you want. These people work hours that would not be legal in the US with an insane workload, and you should not take advantage of them. If it was their job to clean every stateroom twice daily, Carnival would not be giving them the option of cleaning once. Logistically, it doesn’t work out. If you’re going to insist on twice daily then I would tip at least $20 in addition to prepaid grats. I tip this and tell the steward to clean whenever is most convenient for him. I’ve always gotten excellent service. First world problems.

Thank you rsaladin. I concur re the first world problem, but it is my one vaca and it is what I would like to have a relaxing vaca. We typically tip in cash above the prepaid gratuities on the last day. I think giving a $20 up front as you suggested is a great idea. I’ll likely give another $20 or more on the last day too. Thanks again.

wondering what the odds are that my late seating dining staff will charge corkage on the bottle I bring on board. In the past, I have not been charged (lucky!). It’s been a while since I was on CCL...have folks been recently charged? Thanks in advance!

I request twice a day and ice daily. But on my last cruise I got a bit of whining by my room steward about how busy it made him and how difficult doing my room twice a day would be for him. I did not change my mind. I was somewhat put off by his attitude. However, I must admit as usual on Carnival the service was great!

I really want both and I hope I don’t get the whine...any good tips/practices for handling the whine and still getting what you want. Leaving Sunday and traveling with my 11yo and without my husband (who’s much better at these types of things). Should I have $ ready...how much?

Thanks everyone!

About what time will I lose my cell service following our departure on the pride? Thanks!

If you were sailing on the the Pride in about one week what would you be looking forward to most?

My daughter will be cruising with me next week and I'm going to allow her to wander the ship without me this time (she's 12). I don't plan to buy the wifi package but it would be great if we could communicate in some manner.

I may be going crazy but I swear I read something about a $5/pp option to be able to text on board to other shipmates. I'd be willing to spend $10/week to be able to do this! Is this an option or did I make it up? Thanks in advance!

No form, I just send them a screen shot of my account showing the date and number of shares of CCL. It's a standard Scottrade screen. I usually get my OBC in less than a week.

Does your screen shot have your name? Ours just had acct info. TIA!

My husband is telling me that he can only give me a screenshot of our brokerage statement to send to Carnaval to establish our ownership and receive the onboard credit. Apparently, we don’t get hard copy statements. Does anyone know if this is sufficient?

Also looking for the most recent contact information to submit said screenshot. In the past, I have sent proof of ownership via fax, wondering if they might accept via email ... since it is 2018.

Thanks in advance for any guidance & information!

I definitely do not have the cajones to pull off the FTTF switch! Thanks for the laughs!

Hi

 

It doesn't quite work that way. You can always give your TA a call, who knows.

 

I would suggest, just arrive after 1 p.m., there will be almost no wait, and by the time you get on the ship your cabin will be ready.

 

hope this helps

have a great cruise

Thanks! 1300 is better than 1430!

What ship and port , yes it matters .:)

Baltimore- Carnival Pride

we booked fairly last minute so check-in time is ... not desirable. Any tips to trying to change? I looked at profile to see if I could edit that part of reservation and ... no-go. Was hoping if someone with early time wanted later, I could switch. Is it worth a call to TA or CCL? I guess that’s a drawback to booking last minute.

That’s a bummer. Thanks everyone!