mistycruiser

I've used Carnival transfers in several different ports, most recently in January in Houston to get to Galveston. Carnival will use regular full size busses that hold approx. 50 people or so. They've always helped with luggage when I've used them and as someone mentioned you would meet the Carnival person in the baggage claim area. Yes, they will normally wait for a full or nearly full bus before they leave the airport but I've never considered it that much of a hassle. I guess I just don't sweat the small stuff. JMHO.:)

I had the same problem about a month ago. I just called in and they manually applied the credit. Might try that.

We used the Carnival Shuttle from Hobby in January. No problem at all. We had flown in the day prior and took the shuttle back to the airport in the morning. Waited by baggage claim about 30 minutes or so for the shuttle and then headed out for Galveston. Just because someone had a bad experience once doesn't mean it happens all the time. Have fun on the cruise.

Yes you need to call to have the prepaid gratuities added if you didn't request it upon booking.

You should have received an e-mail confirmation when you booked the cruise. On the front page it should list the name of the PVP and an extension number. Check there for the ext. and call back.

The dancing still revolves around the desert time for set dining so if you want her to see the dancing, arrange your dining time to coincide with set dining desert time.

I agree, can't save seats on SWA. If you want to sit together, fine. Then both purchase Early Boarding. Hubby and I do.

You used to be able to print them all but it's been done away with. I miss it too because hubby doesn't use a computer and it used to be an easy way to compare excursions. Oh well. :(

Since you mention a "husband" I'm assuming you did a name change with your marriage so the name on your BC will not match your photo ID (driver's license probably). Bring your marriage certificate also as the bridge document for the name change. If you kept your maiden name, no need for the marriage document because the name should be the same as your BC.

From what I understand if you haven't picked a time, whether you are priority or not, Carnival will pick a time for you on embarkation morning. So the person that is just "planning on showing up because they are priority" will still have a time assigned anyway. At least until they make a change (which was mentioned) that priority doesn't have to pick a time.

They also have kiosks onboard you can use. Easier sometimes than waiting in line at guest services.

I would also suggest a rental car. If you are a Costco or AAA member they usually have good rates. I'd probably drive down the night before and then turn the car in at FLL in the morning and take a taxi to the port.

You can also use cash in the casino not just your S&S. But you do want to put your S&S in the machine and set up a pin because that's the only way to cash out when you're done playing or want to go to another machine. The casino hosts can help you to set up your player's bank with your card.

Rather than going through check in and then leaving to go for breakfast, I'd just wait to eat once you get on the ship. The Lido buffet will be serving lunch as soon as you board.

I've heard that the holds are placed embarkation morning before you get to the port. Could be wrong, but that's what I've heard. Why not just set up the account as cash to begin with in your on-line check in and not have to have any holds at all?

If it was me, rather than worry about a shuttle I'd just do what someone else suggested and catch a cab to the rental car center at MIA. Like someone mentioned, it's only around $27 or so. I know you said you don't have Costco but do you have AAA? I check rates between both of them whenever we need to rent a car and both are usually pretty good on prices. Also, since they have toll roads in FL you may find yourself on a toll road. I've found Alamo is usually less expensive with the daily toll usage charge. JMHO

I've used TravelGuard in the past and just called to update the additional amount and in some cases even ended up extending the dates plus updating the covered amount. Just paid the difference in price when necessary.

For sitting together for dining, it's only necessary to try to notify the Maitre D if you are booked for either early or late assigned dining. Then you would want to be sure that your booking numbers are all linked so that you'll be placed at the same table. Also make sure that you've all selected the same dining time.

If you have all selected Anytime Dining you don't need to do anything special. When you show up at the dining room you just ask for a table for 6. It's still a good idea to link your booking numbers so that if someone is waitlisted for the ATD it might help for all to get ATD.

When DH and I have booked 2 rooms, rather than switching the S&S cards around, we've just asked at guest services for a separate key to open the door.1 person per room needs to request this. Then both cabins are considered platinum and will receive tag 1 for disembark.

Like firemanbob mentioned, check to see if you prepaid the gratuities. They lump them together in certain places on the booking. To check the correct amount of taxes you paid log into Manage Your Booking, and check the cruise docs like you were going to print them, and then look at the invoice. Taxes and gratuities will be listed as separate items there.

If you booked non early saver and it's prior to final payment date, then yes you can request the lower rate. After final payment date, no. But if a higher category cabin is available for the amount you paid or less sometimes you can get an upgrade.

I love those too and I'm not sure what they are either. To me they seem like a brown sugar, sugar cookie. But that's just a guess. I've had the casino deliver me plates of cookies but they usually come with a card so you know who sent them. Did you play in the casino during the trip?

So far this year we've only received the Premier offers. We leave Sunday on the Magic with a casino rate from an offer last year and don't have another cruise booked except for that one. Maybe we'll get some more offers once we get back. Hoping for Pack n Play.

Each country has it's own laws about taking food into their country. The normal rule is that it must be prepackaged, unopened items. Yes they will make you throw it away and sometimes you'll even see dogs sniffing for food as you exit the ship.

Also to the OP, each cruiseline publishes a daily newsletter for each days activities. I know Carnival publishes on that newsletter the port contacts name and phone number on the newsletter so it's recommended to bring that ashore with you in case you run into problems while in port.

We'll be boarding the Magic next Sunday so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will be on our side and not delay boarding. But at least I booked return flights for the following Monday in case we're delayed on the return.