SATXLady

Another point of view - if the USB ports are not disabled, I don't think I would want to plug a USB drive into a public computer. You have no way of knowing that computer is virus free. Your thumb drive could be infected and guess what happens when you plug it back in to your computer at home - yep, your home computer also gets infected.

If something that important needed to be taken care of on the cruise, I'd drag the computer along to be safe.

But that one stop was the only reason they booked that particular cruise so surely Carnival owes them a full refund! For their airfare as well. Plus the inconvenience of it all. Carnival should have known this might happen. It's all Carnival's fault.

Drive up, drop off the luggage you wish to check with the porters. Then go park your car and do whatever.

The only problem will be if you have carry-on luggage that you don't want to take with you. I'm not sure if they will let you back in the garage after you park your car. I've never tried that. You might want to call Galveston Park & Cruise and ask if you will be able to get back in the garage to get things out of your car after you park it.

If you only have small carry-ons that you don't mind taking with you to the Strand, it won't be an issue.

We Have a group of 12 on a Christmas Cruise, What is your thoughts on Anytime dining with a group this large?

Doable but be prepared to wait a while if you all want to sit together. Cannot pr-arrange. Better luck, less wait, if you choose early when they first open. If you go at prime time, wait longer.

Good part is that if someone doesn't want to wait with the group one or more nights, they can choose their own time to show up.

I believe you will be able to use a UK issued debit card onboard a Carnival ship however you should check with your bank.

My answer is based on me having no problem using my US debit card while in London (and other countries overseas) so I think the answer is that the card has to be on one of the networks that the ATM is tied to. I'm going to look to see if I can find anything in the FAQs which address the networks used by the on-board ATMs.

Update: best I can find ref onboard ATMs is here: https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/category/~/money-and-gratuities/~/financial-access/c/485

Carnival's FAQ isn't clear as to what the rules are ��. From the carnival FAQ

 

"Guests are prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages onboard that are packaged in bottles.

 

A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, and milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought onboard on embarkation day and must be in the guest's carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person." https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2633

 

At first glance that is a little confusing, they should word it differently

Sounds clear to me.

1st paragraph says nothing in bottles.

2nd paragraph says you can bring up to 12 cans or cartons of 12 oz or less each.

And, yes, canned water is available. Not widely, but it is available.

Our Conquest cruise for the same date (Jan 17) has been sold out for a few weeks now. Crazy! I have no idea why that weekend is so popular. We've done many January cruises and have never seen the ship fill up so early. So much for early saver price drops :(

Could be because January 18 is a federal holiday (MLK day) and many people have it off so they save a day of vacation time compared to a different week.

My apologies. My email had an attachment that was very clear and precise about what to do. Given the complaints that others had made, and the fact that you said you were able to get it done quite efficiently and effectively, I thought perhaps your attachment was as clear an non-confusing as mine. (See attached letter...assuming I can upload it without messing up). Therefore, you were being "sarcastic" in speaking of confusion.

 

My email had no text in the body, only the "STAGGERED CHECK-IN" subject line and the attachment.

 

My mistake was thinking Carnival was being at least somewhat consistent in the letter going out. Again, my apologies.

Too bad they weren't consistent. What you received was clear. The message Badfinger and I both received is cryptic at best. I feel sorry for the uninformed receiving a letter like mine.

Must not have been that confusing, sounds like you figured it out pretty quickly

To a person who is not active on these boards and is not aware of the new staggered check-in time, it would be very confusing. The following is the text of the email (I also received one). I dare any one to figure out what the heck it means if they weren't already aware that it was going to happen. (I replaced numbers with n's - I don't know what the numbers mean but don't want to give out my booking info by accident.)

//BEGIN

docnum nnnnnnnn

quality N/A

fax

voice 000000000000000000000000

company

comment STAGGERED CHECKIN

contact

owner CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES;

termid

tranid nnnnnnnnnnnn

user1

user2 " Nnnnnn

user3

date 12/21/15

time 15:30:56

pages 1

rti

tti ^tti ^

numretry 0

maxretry ^maxretry ^

callnumber ^callnumber ^

retcode success

realretcode ^realretcode ^

transdate 12/21/15

transtime 15:30:56

humantranstime Monday, December 21, 2015 15:30:56

callmode ^callmode ^

duration 0

pagessent 0

card ^card ^

remotecsi ^remotecsi ^

remotensf ^remotensf ^

//END

My biggest fear is getting a great haircut onboard. Now that would be an expensive next appointment.

Maybe it should be NOT getting a good haircut. I made the mistake of deciding to get my hair cut on a cruise a couple of years ago. I couldn't wait to get back to my regular stylist to fix it after the cruise. It was horrible.

...since this is currently a pilot program, then it could be continued, modified, or dropped altogether after the first of the year. We are booked on the May 29 Breeze cruise and the check-in time is not currently available in the online check-in procedures--but, if they decide to extend this program in Galveston, it might be added later.

John Heald posted on Facebook earlier today that this will be made permanent and will go fleet wide. There is another string on the first page about it.

Since I'm booked on the Breeze in August, this string explains why I can't choose check in time yet.

As soon as I heard about this I went in and filled out my on line check in and was able to choose the 10:30 time slot. This is for my cruise on the Magic in March. I haven't paid in full since final payment isn't due until January and I was still able to choose my check in time.

Do you remember where exactly you were prompted to choose the time? I filled out on-line check in earlier today for my context August and saw no mention of the check in time anywhere.

Edit: never mind. Found the answer in another string. Right now the Breeze is not included so will wait until it is added.

Prior to the cruise, if the cruise line requested it and the end result was favorable to me (upgrade, once, etc.), I'd probably do it. After boarding, no way.

As many have said, I book the cabin I want when I book. If other people don't plan as well, it's not my issue to solve.

Does anyone know if they will let you bring on more than the 1 bottle per person, if the wine or champagne is non-alcoholic?

 

They don't sell it on the ship and my wife and I don't drink, but we like to have a glass of champagne or a mimosa while we are cruising.

 

Any past information or experiences would be great. Thanks!

Agreed. They still consider it wine or champagne, even though it's alcohol-free. One bottle per person strictly enforced.

If they didn't, you probably would not be able to bring it at all since all non-alcoholic drinks must now be in cans with no bottles allowed.

Do they give you a list of the sites that you can use under the plan? I know that Facebook and WhatsApp (for texting) are included, and I'm sure Twitter as well, but what about others?

Post #11 above by Fer has a screenshot that lists the sites covered.

Cannot bring bottled beverages on board and I've never seen any for sale on a ship. You can view the Carnival beverage policy here:

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

Re. room service coffee orders - sounds like the ship's coffee cups are "tiny", when you put 2 orders of coffee on the hang tag, do you get 2 carafes? Or 1 carafe with 2 "tiny" cups?

I sail with my mother. When we order coffee from room service, we order coffee for 4 and it is just the right amount.

Would. Really does not sound worthwhile at all if this is the common experience. I may change to regular suite.

Thanks! Just booked mine for our Sept 2016 cruise.

I booked a Spa Suite for my Mom and I on the Breeze for Sept 2016. Right now, we're booked in suite 11205. While it looks like the balcony may be slightly larger than the other suites, I'm concerned that it might not be covered and will be open to the sun. I could still change to 11215 or 11221 which both look like there are balcony cabins over them.

Does anyone here know for sure? I'd be interested in hearing from someone who has stayed in a Spa Suite on the Breeze. I think Mom will like it even though it is all the way to the front on a higher floor. We've always stayed mid ship, usually on 7 or 8 on all of our cruises to minimize movement but taking a chance to experience the Spa suite.

Thanks for any input.

On our home port there is an "excursion" showing up called home port advisory. Does anyone know what that is? It's not something that can be booked and it's doesn't really have a description.

I just discovered it today because I've been checking daily for FTTF.

I believe that's where you can sign up for notices about the sailing, for example if there are delays, etc.

Wanting to add a friend, we've put down deposit.

It will depend upon 1) whether the room you booked can hold a third person; 2) the overall capacity of the ship. If they let you do this, then the rate your friend pays will be the rate in effect at the time of booking. Additionally, your friend will also have to pay a deposit as soon as he/she books (unless it's time for final payment when they will need to pay the full price).

Bottom line, call Carnival ASAP to ask.

It depends on the ship and the cabin. Most ships, it's only 4 (if the cabin is configured for it).

I decided to get the exact wording from the Dept of Homeland Security website. See closed loop cruise at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/whti-program-background/docs-land-sea

It states

a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization).

I always thought it had to be a certified copy but this is not what DHS says.

Carnival, however, states

Original or suitable quality copy of a Birth Certificate (Issued by a government agency: state/county/city) and a government issued photo ID if 16 years of age and older.

Be advised that in any case, not all government agencies issue raised seal copies so the absence of a raised seal does not invalidate the document.

In light of conflicting information, I usually go with the more stringent version

I think is you worry about noise, don't book there. I was looking at the Havana rooms also and decided it would not be good because of it. May change my mind later but I think I'll hold off for now.