Nic6318

28 minutes ago, Yellowlily said:

Thank you. It is a wheelchair, not a scooter  It’s powered and folds in half compactly. 

Hi

If that is the case, you will more likely be able/allowed to do the tendering process. The main concern is the weight of the chair. Your husband will need to take the step from the cruise ship onto the tender boat, and then one of the crew would carry the chair or pass it over that same threshold. So, if it isn't too heavy, they shouldn't have any problem.

Hello

There will almost certainly be times when you may not be able/allowed to use a tender with a powered mobility scooter. 

My main observation and experience is more the fact that in many ports of call, there are many obstacles to using a mobility scooter once you are on land. Uneven sidewalks, or none at all. No ramps to get on the sidewalks. Other obstacles on the sidewalk, even, just crowding. 

What I would suggest (if at all possible), bring (instead of or as well) a folding wheelchair. It allows the user to more easily get up walk up or down or around something and get back in a chair, and can most always be brought on a tender.

have a great cruise

18 minutes ago, Mimie03 said:

We are looking into a walker that can double as a transport chair, if necessary. I think that would give me more flexibility.  I can walk, with a cane, but my foot can’t handle long distances. (Surgery in January) Thanks for your response. It’s pretty much my thoughts too.  

Hi

I understand. That would be my second choice, but whichever works best for you. Either way, you will be able to go places and enjoy the islands.

😀

On 8/7/2024 at 4:58 PM, Mimie03 said:

We are seriously considering renting a scooter for our upcoming cruise on carnival celebration. We have stops in Costa, Cozumel and Roatan. I think Roatan is not going be much of a problem, but the piers at the other two are long enough let alone if we wanted to go on an excursion. Will a taxi or a bus take my scooter or will they let me store it at their office and then I could do the excursion with a cane? 

Hello

I have to mention that if you are looking to go on excursions, a mobility scooter makes it extremely difficult. 

If you have some mobility and there is someone in your party that is capable of pushing you, you would be much better off taking a "folding" wheelchair. With that you will be able to navigate the streets in most Caribbean island. You will certainly be able to easily put it in a taxi, and I have found that some excursion operators are able to accommodate a wheelchair on their bus. (call them and ask when you are booking)

have a wonderful cruise

20 hours ago, kmparamore said:

That is what we were wondering.  Our grandtwins graduated and are 19 (will be 20 in December) and want to take them on a cruise.  Maybe it is better to wait until they are 21 and could have more fun?

 

Hi there

I am not sure, but I don't think there is anything that you can do on a cruise at 21 that you can't do at 19 or 20, except drink alcohol. If this is the "more fun" that you are talking about, they would be able to do that at most ports of call.

Mainly, I would suggest that Celebrity isn't set up or trying to appeal to a younger crowd. That is why many times there are few young people on board. That is why many people choose to sail with Celebrity as well as some other similar cruise lines. There are many other cruise lines that specifically try appeal to young people. If you want to take them on a cruise and you want them to have fun, consider looking at one of those cruise lines.

Hi

My experience is that as long as you have a smaller scooter type, you will be fine. 

The larger(wider) scooters, just won't fit through some doors.

Just a reminder, if you need to ride the scooter all the time, you will need someone to open/hold the cabin door for you. If you can move around a bit, you would be able to accomplish this if you bring a door stop (tie a thin string to it and you don't need to get up again when leaving the cabin).

Depending on your situation, you might consider a folding wheelchair. (you can typically buy one for the price of a scooter rental for a week) If your friend is able to help, it might be a better choice, especially for doing things off the ship.

have a great cruise

8 hours ago, w&k said:

Hi folks-

 

Doing a B2B in a couple weeks, and we are planning to bring 4 bottles of wine for the 2 of us. 

 

According to the FAQ this is fine, but they are supposed to collect the 2nd cruise bottles, and bring them to us.  Does anyone know who/where collects them?  Or are we supposed to go somewhere to turn them in? 

 

Thanks so much for your help!

 

Alcohol and Beverage Policy
Guests sailing with us on back to back cruises are entitled to bring on board the same quantity as stated in this policy, per cruise. The additional quantities will be stored for safekeeping at the start of the first cruise and will be given to the guest as each following cruise begins. 

https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2633

Hi 

Don't worry, they might or might not ask to keep your extra bottles. They haven't asked to keep mine lately, either. If they don't allow you to keep your extra two bottles they will show you where to give them in. If they do, they will either deliver them to your cabin on the last night of the first cruise or you will be asked to pick them up.

One benefit of the B2B cruises (whether they collect extra bottles or not) is that they give back extras at the end of the first cruise. You can buy more during that cruise and they will give them back after that first cruise. I imagine, that as long as you don't make it look obvious, you are able to bring on whatever you want, either at embarkation day or during the first cruise, and have anything they confiscate available for the second cruise.

I have brought 4 bottles of wine, without them confiscating the extra two, and consumed them during that cruise, and purchased additional bottles during that cruise that were available for the next.

Hi 

Has anyone used or seen where the abouts of a Hertz car rental location near the cruise port? 

I am looking for any input. A location seems to be there on the google map, but it doesn't show a building. I haven't called the company, but would like to hear of any experience before.

thanks 

Hi 

Currently, it is prohibited. They do have dogs sniffing all your bags. The contract that you are presumably accepting when purchasing the cruise, state the penalties. It's in the fine print. You are accepting their rules. 

It is illegal to cross the Can/U.S. border with cannabis products. (even though it is legal to use within the country)

People smuggle a kinds of things every day, but, is it worth it for the sake of a cruise?

52 minutes ago, memoak said:

Remember those people who gamble a lot are paying 30% to 100% less in their cruise  fare than you did

Hi

You don't need to contribute much to get casino offers and I have received a number of free cruises as well, but that has no bearing on the value of the plus packages if you don't drink much, and especially if you don't need an internet plan.

18 minutes ago, Drew B 58 said:

It depends how you define justifying it financially.  For my seven night cruise, Premier will cost me $560.  

Will I get more than $560 in expenditures?  Absolutely.  I will make sure of it!

 

Would I spend that much without the package?  Absolutely not…

 

So is that financially justifiable?  I guess that’s up to each person to decide…

Hi

This is how it usually adds up. 

The bottom line is that if you don't drink (much), there is no way any package of this sort makes sense financially.

I don't need specialty dining, or the internet. Certainly don't need any extra deserts. 

I can buy what I want, when I want, and don't have to worry about how much I am spending, because I am just not spending that much. I control my spending to what I need when I am at home and I can do the same when vacationing. Now that I am retired, that is a lot of vacationing. I am not going to give away hundreds of $$$ each trip just because it is convenient.

A long time ago, I realized that people who drink and gamble on cruises are subsidizing those who don't. All those upgrades and extras are how the cruise lines make that extra money and are able to keep down the costs of housing, feeding, and bringing us to all those destinations. Most of the time I find myself spending more on the pre and post accommodations and transport, than I do on the cruise itself.

If someone wants to treat themself, good for them. Enjoy. Just don't lose yourself in the excitement of it all. It's your money, be a smart consumer.

Hi

I believe you get $2 off buying a bucket. The total cost would depend on which beer you buy.

Hi

I have done this in the POM. It was easy there. The ships only had one berth between them. It was an easy walk, and not raining. I would think the ease of getting between ships will make all the difference on how convenient it is. 

I have had two cruises departing from different ports, that was more the same as two separate cruises, since we had to take an Uber between ports.

22 hours ago, dlphn501 said:

 

I know the adult comedy shows fill up quickly, but what about the PG and PG-13 shows?  One of the videos I saw said to show up an hour early, but I didn't know if that was for the adults only or all of them.

If you have sailed on Horizon recently, could you provide some insight please??

I agree that the shows do fill up, but I wouldn't say that you need to show up an hour before. First of all the shows are only 45 min. long. They run multiple shows one after the other. If you arrived an hour before, you would be there before the one before yours started. 😀 I would say 1/2 an hour is more reasonable.

If there are 2 or 3 shows in a row, they empty the venue before they start letting people in for the next show. If you leave after one show is over and get in line for the next, you will get seating.

The comedians repeat shows. Watch for this. It says if the show is a repeat in the app. So, some of those PG shows put on in the afternoon, might be a repeat from the previous day, and you wont necessarily get a full house. 

I would say pretty much all the shows (comedy or production)  put on in the theatre get filled quickly. They do the late night comedy shows there. For any show done in the main theatre, show up a little earlier still if you want good seats, otherwise, at least 1/2 hour ahead. If you come later, you will likely be sitting behind a post, if you find two seats together at all.

have a great cruise

6 hours ago, vwgolf2 said:

Thanks - is that 3:30 or 13:30? Either way we should be back in time to check in for our flight. I don't really want to rent a car; I've not driven in the US before and not sure that getting in a car straight after a relaxing cruise is the best time to do it! 

Hi

You will get to the airport by 1:30 p.m.. So, you will still have lots of time to kill.

On 2/25/2024 at 8:11 PM, Shidah said:

We are the opposite, we have only cruised NCL because of the free style dining.  Trying our first Carnival cruise and already worried it is a mistake.  We are waitlisted for YTD, but the only option we had was late time seating, which for a variety of personal reasons does not work for us.  I have called a few times each week to see if we got off the waitlist, so far no.  This is literally keeping me up at night and makes me really miss NCL.  

Hi

If you don't get the change before, go to the dining room and speak with the maitre d' when you board. Ask the crew when they will be available. There are always many people doing the same. They pretty much can always help you out. 

Don't lose sleep over this. 😀

have a great cruise

On 2/26/2024 at 5:13 AM, vwgolf2 said:

Has anyone any experience of excursions on the day of disembarkation? Ships normally dock around 08:00 but our flight doesn't leave Miami until 18:45. I was thinking of a trip to the Everglades followed by an airport drop off. Will this give us plenty of time? Check in for long haul back to the UK is three hours before the flight, so 15:45.

Hi there

They will typically get you back to the airport around !3:30. 

Your main alternative would be to rent a car. You would be able to do the same tour and see more for a lower cost (especially if there are more than two of you). Doing it on your own would be less convenient and require more planning, but possibly more fun. I have done both. 😀

have a great cruise

On 2/21/2024 at 2:50 PM, BlerkOne said:

You can request a table and then join the queue.

Hi

Yes. You can check in whenever you want (through the app), and go to the dining room when your table is ready. The app lets you see approximately how long the wait would be, so if there is a longer wait time (sometimes on the "elegant nights), you just have to adjust the time you check in. There is no requirement to wait in any sort of line. 

On 2/19/2024 at 2:59 PM, PirateAt45 said:

We are cruising on Carnival Panorama in July 2024. Six adults (3 couples: 2 sisters, 1 brother & spouses).

 

One couple prefers set time dining, one prefers your time dining, and one sees pros/cons of each. What is your experience with YTD on Carnival ships. I've only been on one carnival cruise so far and heard people complain about wait times for tables, but looking on other questions on this topic, it sounds like the wait is minimal, but service is inconsistent. What is your experience with dining and pros/cons of each type of dining. I'm a set dining/late dining person.  Used to be an early dining person when we had a younger kid.   

Hi

Welcome to cruise critic.

I think one of the questions you ask first is, are you expecting to eat as a group everyday?

The main benefit of the set time dining is that after your first evening you just show up at your table every night at the same time. If you don't make it, you have the buffet.

The main benefit is YTD is that you can go whenever you want. (as a group, or individuals/couples)

If some of your tablemate aren't going to join you any given day, then they would not have another option for dining in the MDR that day. 

If you don't want the flexibility of YTD the opt for set time. If all you want is to go with your friends every night and you have YTD, then at some time during the day, you just have to ask, when do you want to go for dinner, and one of your group signs you all in about 15 mins. beforehand. 

hope this helps

2 minutes ago, Nic6318 said:

 

Hi

 

Yes. Of course people will go, just as I will likely go eventually and enjoy myself. But... as I tried to suggest, were you planning on going back again soon? What I said, was that it's not like going to Caribbean. I have 5 separate trips booked for the Caribbean this winter. 

On 2/14/2024 at 7:10 PM, KKB said:

Definitely NOT true.

On Splendor now, 8 days New Caldonia & staying on tomorrow for 12 more days to NZ

MANY Americans, (I’d say maybe 1/3 of passengers)MANY doing B2B (or more!), and many paid next to nothing.

(Myself included)

Seems to be plenty of takers!

Hi

Yes. Of course people will go, just as I will likely go eventually and enjoy myself. But... as I tried to suggest, were you planning on going back again soon? What I said, was that it's not like going to Caribbean. I have 5 cruises booked for the Caribbean this winter. 

22 hours ago, puffinsmom said:

Just curious .......what age would you not go on the slides. Anyone over 65 go without problems?

Hi

I am in my 70's and enjoy going on waterslides. 

What kind of problems are you thinking would be linked to age?

Of course if you have back problems, or get dizzy, or panic easily, or maybe can't swim, you might consider not going. These issues wouldn't be directly related to age. They do have a height restriction. 

It is like anything. Would you go skydiving, or scuba diving, skiing, horseback riding, etc... at any given age? It would depend on how you feel physically and what you think you might enjoy.

1 hour ago, MisterOJ2 said:

So, for months now, anytime I just go and look to see what the cheapest 7-day cruises Carnival has (according to my offers) all the cheapest ones are always out of Australia. If I don't filter out Australia, I usually have to scroll past dozens of cruises from there before I start to see ones leaving from anyplace else.

 

Does anyone here know why that is? Is Australia just cheaper from a logistical standpoint for Carnival? Or, is there another reason?

Hi

I have been getting these offers for a number of years now, as well. They are just trying to fill cabins. 

The number of takers will be few and far between. The airfare for flights to Australia make most people think again. The flight time to get there and back will turn off many more. Now, once you get there, you will do more than a one week cruise, so the expense just keeps going up. 

Finally, even if you are interested and plan a vacation to Australia around a cruise, which would be wonderful, very few would be doing it very often. It's just not like going to the Caribbean. 😀

Hi

I don't know your situation apart from what you have just stated.

A few points. 

The thing with larger groups: Not everyone will want, or be ready to dine at the same time. Unless you are able to control this, it just wont happen. (even if you have set time dining)

If you all did try to dine together with anytime dining, and did want to all sit together (or close together), it would delay your seating process. (Think of a full/busy restaurant where you arrive without a reservation)

If you don't get assigned dining before sail date, go and see the maitre d', as soon as they are available when you board. It might not be possible to change you all on the first day.

Consider that if you do change from YTD to an assigned time for all, it might not be what everyone wants. If you miss your assigned time, you would have to go to the buffet. (which some prefer)

1 hour ago, AnnaDurbs said:

Thank you Nic6318. I wish though I knew who got what (alternate services) and how Carnival decides to disperse them. To much unknown for my liking.

Hi,

You might be overthinking this one. Mainly because the employees have a choice of where they wish to work and I can honestly say that I have never heard someone complain about their situation, beyond the fact that they work hard, and they have to spend a lot of time away from their families. I have on the other hand, heard from numerous crew members who have told me how much they enjoy their jobs.

I am willing to accept that it is a competitive industry and it is difficult for any employer to keep their best employees unless they are fair to them.