Donh44

If we choose not to prepay gratuities when booking our cabin, do we get charged later into the cruise or would we just be able to tip in cash as we go without having to remove the gratuity charges later?

I have always prepaid the tips as there are so many people involved who help make the cruise a pleasant experience. I usually tip my cabin steward extra as there is more interaction with him/her than with anyone else. There was only one cruise that I took that the cabin steward did not get extra from me because he was never around when I needed him, nor did anything extra when I asked. Barely even spoke when I did see him. Therefore he only got the portion of the tip that I had prepaid and not any extra from me, and I am a very good tipper, especially when the service is exceptional.

We are sailing on 4/22 out of Port Everglades. What would be the earliest time you would go to the Port if you had FTTF?

With FTTF, you can arrive as early as you want. You will be admitted into the terminal and you will board the ship after Platinum, Diamond & weddings. FTTF gives you that priority.

Just curious what everyone else does, I've done both and was wondering if the quality of service is affected if the staff already knows they have been tipped or if they know at all that you haven't pre payed your gratuities

Always prepay. When I step on that ship, I owe nothing. When I find that service is exceptional or that I am happy with, then I will tip extra at the end.

Good it's a wasted space.

In my opinion it is not a wasted space. Sorry you feel that way. I travel alone and have an inside cabin which does not have a comfortable chair in which to read. I love picking different places to read on the ship and the Library is a very nice QUIET place to spend some time. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes but I wouldn't downplay things that others enjoy.

Doesn't their 110% guarantee allow for this? They'll fly you home from your first port?

I would consider that abuse of the guarantee policy.

I have just used an old used gift card for years. That way if I forget it in the slot it is never a big deal.

 

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There are always people who want to skirt the system. It is done for a reason, but so many people think they are different.

I hope that naval captain meant Gulf Stream, not Jet Stream - if you are impacted regularly by the jet stream, you are on a really (really!) tall ship...

 

Anyway, I would say it is probably very weather dependent, but I will now go do some offline research about whether the gulf stream really is that variable along the FL coastline.

Jet stream were my words. I meant to say Gulf Stream.

I went on a cruise from Jacksonville to Bahamas, and I recall the seas being so rough the night we headed back to Jacksonville. Is this typical? I vaguely remember some talk on seas being characteristically rough in that particular spot. Always rough or usually smooth sailing?

I was on a cruise out of Jax a few years ago and had a former naval captain seated at my table. Shortly out of Jax we encountered a bit of roughness and he said that happens in that area a lot because of the location of the jet stream and how we were crossing it. I did notice the same thing on our return so I guess he was right. I have been on 2 or 3 more Jax cruises and felt the same thing. Some were a little more rocky than others.

I would think that would be a tiring cruise. You will need some time to relax and recoup when you get back home.

Do you have a special saving system, a money making hobby, a sugar daddy? How do you save up during your land life to pay for time on the open seas?

I have a Carnival Master Card. I charge the cruise on it whereby I earn 2 points for every dollar spent on a Carnival purchase. I usually book about a year ahead of time so I take the balance owed and divide it by 12 (or however many months until final payment is due) so that it is paid for before I go. Thereby I get the advantage of earning the reward points and pay it off as well. Has worked fine for me many many times.

Just do a mock booking. Very simple.

Not that simple. I have been trying to find out a price drop ob my upcoming cruise. Very difficult as I have a Category 4H and I can only compare it to another 4H. Hard to do.

Now that they have discontinued the fare viewer, how does everyone check prices?

I find it hard and a waste of time trying to find a lower price by "mock booking". Talking with my PVP, was told that it is difficult to find lower prices as it is hard to compare category for category, which is what you must do. Very frustrating and the PVP told me that a lot of complaints have been made. Makes no sense and makes it easier for Carnival to hide the price drops. Maybe someone on here may have a better way of finding lower prices.

Long beach, inspiration.

 

We embark monday the 12th. When I was doing my On Line Check In it gave me a 1.30-2pm check in time.

 

We usually are in line at 9am to be the first on the ship.

 

What is with this? If I go early will that be a problem? I've only done one cruise with Carnival several years ago. If I show up at 9 or 9.30 will they make me wait till the afternoon?

You will not be allowed in the terminal until 1:30 (and this is enforced). Purpose being to cut down on everyone arriving early and causing horrendous lines and waiting times. Staggering them will make the boarding time much smoother. These new rules will allow you to go through the boarding process much quicker and smoother. Also, your cabin will be ready for you by that time as well.

Lots of things are going up on your Carnival cruise this year. Brace yourself.

Regardless, the cruise is still cheaper than other cruise lines. I would rather pay a bit more for individual items than the cost of the cruise going up. Check them out. IMHP.

Our PVP is GREAT, we are even friends of Face Book!

Same here. Possible that we have the same PVP. Always there and always helpful and not pushy. Friends on FB as well. Great guy.

Why no more fare viewer?

My Carnival PVP told me that Carnival stopped Fare Viewer. Reason Unknown.

I disagree you should put luggage tags on your carry on. If you set your carry on or backpack down and walk away without it you now stand a chance of getting it returned to the rightful owner. Better safe than sorry!

 

 

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I agree with this 100%. I put tags on everything even my camera strap. One may not intentionally walk away and leave it somewhere, but, at least, it is identified as to who it belongs to. No one knows where it would end up if not tagged.

Speaking of camera, I always take a picture of my name/address/email address etc. In the event that it is lost, someone can see who it belongs to when they look at the pics.

I agree. We were glad to pay extra for a balcony for Alaska. In general, I would grab a balcony if the price was not too much higher than an inside. However, on this cruise the inside cabins are very cheap (and knowing NYC is very expensive, that matters.)

 

I was thinking, if the cruise spends a lot of time near the shore, as it does in Alaska inside passage, then a balcony may be worth it.

I have been on this cruise twice. One of the best cruises that I have taken. I wouldn't get a balcony if you are getting it for seeing the coastline. You don't see the coastline except when entering and departing the port. I always get an inside cabin. But if it were Alaska or the Panama Canal, then I would definitely spring for a balcony. I can't justify spending that kind of money just to see water. But if you are one who likes to sit out there and have coffee or room service or relaxing, then go for it. I would rather save the money and use it elsewhere. But the NE/Canada cruise is a great cruise especially if the weather is good.

I saw a post on Pinterest that you can get a free deck of cards from Guest Relations.

 

Any other freebies? :D

That is true. I have several packs that I got from there. They will also give you a pen if you ask for it. Just like the pen that is in your cabin when you arrive.

I love doing my flights and hotels by myself. As far as the cruise I find what I want and book though my PVP. I find that way easier because if I need something regarding the booking later on it’s much quicker and simpler to call him and get it handled. I have no patience for the people at the 800 number which is who you have to deal with when booking online.

I agree 100% with dealing with PVP. I have dealt with mine so many times that we are actually friends. Nothing is ever too trivial for him and is always very accommodating never bugs me. He does call when he thinks a good deal is coming up but NEVER pushy. I also like the fact that he makes a commission on my booking.

My wife takes A1 with her on every cruise. In fact, she carrys A1 in her purse with her, wherever she goes. (Yea, it's that good lol) ... Sometimes common sense has to come into play. While it says no bottles, of course A1 comes in the glass bottle and we have never had an issue.

They have A1 on board. I always ask for it when I order a steak.

We are thinking about booking splendor because of itinerary to Mexico. I tend to like newer, bigger ships so I afraid I’ll be disappointed. Need opinions from past splendor cruisers please.

I sailed the Splendor a couple of years ago to New England/Canada out of New York. Loved the cruise. Food was great. Ate at the Steakhouse and was very impressed.

Ship was very "pink". The wall decorations looked like donuts. The ship was a very nice ship but I was just OK with it. It is the only ship that I ever sailed where by the end of the week I was still confused by the layout. Never got it figured out. But, HEY, it was a cruise. Some ships are different.

Enjoy!

Hello!

Just curious about how the on-board credit works? We received a booking perk of a $50 on-board credit. We are two people sailing with two separate sail and sign accounts in one stateroom. Will the $50 be divided between the two accounts, or will it all just go to one?

 

Thanks for the info[/qu

 

The credit is given to the cabin and divided between the two cabinmates.

Keep checking too. The first available appt time for our cruise in May was 12PM also, but I was just able to change to 11AM last week. Which is good because our flight arrives around 9AM.

I am only guessing at ths. But, I would imagine that if the general boarding area is not very busy, they would allow you to enter. But, if busy, then you would have to wait until the appointed time. It is a control measure and probably flexible. But, I would not depend on it. Rules are rules and things goes much more smoothly when everyone complies. I purchase FTTF whenever I can and avoid all of that. To me it is well worth it.

On the flip side, how early is it released? I currently got mine more than 6 months out...

I booked a cruise to Bermuda for Oct 27 and purchased FTTF Wouldn't be without it..