AllenF

Just my opinion but casinos are everywhere now compared to years ago where LV and AC were  the place most went to gamble. So I'm guessing cruise ship casinos have to do something to get gamblers onboard now since in some states you have slot machines on every corner. Hence the *free* offers. Now me personally when I use to play cards a lot I went to LV because of the *bigger venues* and variety. To me gambling on a cruise ship is like buying your groceries at a 7/11  instead of a major grocery store but hey what do I know both have food. But I do agree that there should be 2 loyalty programs one for cruisers and 1 for degenerate gamblers j/k on the degenerate part couldn't resist , But if you enjoy cruising and love to gamble which many do I can see the appeal  and I also understand the frustration some who cruise to cruise pay full price and get the same loyalty program. But most gamblers lose so the cruise really isn't free free I don't care how many say that they win. Back when I was a degenerate gambler if I broke even over a few days in LV I counted that as a win too 😉 unfortunately I usually lost what I took to lose which is most likely the case with a lot of people. Hence the *free* offers

Hmmm very interesting comments and points made. So I travel  a lot for work racking up close to 120 nights or more a year in Hilton properties with top status Diamond the same with my airline of choice AA Platinum executive. So at least once sometimes twice a year I am able to book free airfare and an all inclusive because of my points accumulation. For Diamond status with Hilton if you book 4 nights with points you get a 5th day *free*. It would be nice if Carnival did something like that perhaps every 5 or 10 cruises you get 1 free based on what type of cabin you always book.

I reached Platinum on Carnival back in 2011 and just recently in the last 2 yrs have we done cruises with them out of Dover twice. Not a fan of cruising the Caribbean anymore. Both of the European cruise were full of platinum and diamonds and we got letters before hand stating that *perks* might be limited the only perk we even used was the laundry. So if Carnival switched to a loyalty program where you get some type of free cruise based on the cabin type and amount of days or money spent to me that would be a real loyalty program.  Just my 2 cents feel free to tear my opinion apart 🙂

Wow we have only cruised Princess once and it was 14 yrs ago so you can imagine my surprise on all the *new* changes we will be cruising on Emerald May 8th 2025 14 day Baltic. I will say this if someone ask me what was the last book I read I will say it was this thread. We usually do not do TD because we do not want to reserve a table when we don't always eat in the DR every night so I do agree with some of the comments on here about that on not reserving a table if you don't plan on using it every night. Anytime is what we are accustom to when cruising. Looking at port times also plays into when we eat so it is nice to see Princess in providing lots of options even if it is a little confusing. 

I just did a 12 day Iceland cruise on another line and the drink package was around 1750.00 US for 2 that price included tips I decided to cancel it and just pay as you go. Our total drink bill for everything was around 900.00. I am currently booked for an 11day cruise on Apex and the total with 5% discount was 1759.00 then 351.00 added for tips for a grand total of 2110.00. Think i will pay as I go. On other cruise bought 12 pack of water pre cruise for 10 to 15 dollars Celebrity wants over 30. It does seem that Celebrity charges a bit more for everything and it has been a while since we cruised on Celebrity (have only done 3 but were 12 day) We would need to drink 5.6 drinks at 17.00 a drink to break even at the most I might drink 4 my wife even less. Regular coffee is ok with us so no need for specialty coffee and maybe a soda or 2 a day. I don't drink beer either prefer bourbon or martini and the prices I have seen for beer were 8 to 10 bucks .

Now I know there are some who can really take advantage of these packages and get there money's worth for us it is not the case I would do the math before buying drink package. For us we might have 8 drinks between the 2 of us at the most in 1 day which is enough below the 11 drinks per day to break even. 

I also have used BlackBerry Cars many times highly recommend

We walked this trail back in 2018 on a private tour it is a very easy walk if you have no issues walking. There was 1 person in our group who had issues and had to stop at the golf course and had to be picked up. I highly recommend walking it. 

Interesting conversation first let me say I am always nice until it is time not to be nice.

As far as people go I don't care how old or young I can dislike any of them if they are @zzholes. I grew up holding doors open for people saying thankyou and good morning to strangers. I also grew up having no problems telling someone if they are rude and disrespectful to check their behavior. Case in point just got off a cruise my wife and I were sitting at the bar some guy just bumped into my wife almost knock her off the stool he said nothing. I switched seats with her and once he got his drink I shoulder checked him and asked how that felt he looked surprised at first but then realized when I handed my wife my glasses while I was  saying that he had bumped into her first he then apologized. When you "accidently" bump into someone you say excuse me  obviously he had never learned that lesson so I taught it to him. Also I was will to pay the tab if it escalated. In closing let me say  people are why I love animals (dogs and cats) more. 😁

Any info on going out of South Hampton is it the same as Dover in regards to taking alcohol on board at embarkation.

FYI I did not put bourbon in checked bag but carried it on in backpack and carry on 

I am currently on the Legend day 10 and last port day in Ivergordon. I had no problem bringing 2 bottles of bourbon on board along with about 12 mini bottles. The security was not carnival at the port of Dover and we all made it thru 🥃

I did not try at any of the ports with booze but did bring soft drinks on did not see any booze confiscated but was not really looking

People following rules on a cruise that's funny 😁 

I used Blackberry last summer and I am using them again in July. Excellent service provided last year. 

I had Blanton's in the Steak House on the Legend last years cant remember the exact price but  think it was under 20 also I did not have the cheers package. 

https://www.blackberrycars.com/

I choose a Blackberry cars to get to hotel from LHR not because any safety concerns but for convivence of not having to drag luggage around after flying all night. Something about a person standing with a sign with your name on it who takes your luggage and walks you to a nice car lets you just chill and relax after a long flight is nice. If you can afford it get a car service.

Last year we cruised on Carnival out of Dover but we stayed a few days in London before the cruise.

That being said I used Blackberry cars for all my transportation because I did not wish to drag luggage on the tube from LHR to Hotel after flying all night the cost for me was worth not having the hassle of navigating the walk and ride with 3 pieces of luggage. It was nice having a driver waiting for us after the flight and then picking us up at Hotel and dropping us off right by the cruise terminal door  especially after seeing people pulling there luggage on the way to the terminal which is also a long walk from any hotels in Dover if you don't get a taxi. It was the same when when disembarked driver waiting and off to LHR once again the cost for me was worth the convenience. After dealing with the crowds at airport flying in and then being on the ship dealing once again with people and crowds it was so nice having a private car and only having to deal with each other which is hard enough sometimes lol. Lets just say it was a nice and relaxing way to travel before and after dealing with the masses . Once again I will be using Blackberry in July for our cruise out of Dover to Iceland. I know Carnival also provided a transfer from  LHR  to Dover but the cost was was almost as much as Blackberry for 2 people so I choose to do it privately instead of riding in a coach/bus. So I have to say I agree with John Bull's assessment .

10 hours ago, StephPS79 said:

 

Vegas doesn't have a cruise ship.

Actually Vegas does not have an Ocean kind like a cruise ship does have las Vegas show or large casino. You say tomato I say 🍅 

Not that I am a big gambler but if I were I would be in Vegas. To me gambling in a carnival casino is like buying your groceries at a 7/11.

Jan Ackerman

The Rippintons

Any of the Rippintons  albums with Russ Freeman or Steve Morse album High Tension Wires Jan Ackerman for Jazz Fusion.  

Any Van Morrison or Steely Dan even Carol King perhaps throw in some Carpenters lots of good easy listening Music from early 70s. 

In my case I have never had any issues with platinum laundry service either. My clothes seem to shrink not because of hot water but I believe the buffet and ice cream could be the source for shrinkage. 

Just got off the Pride and if they had Texas Hold-em  I never found either version live or Pokerpro tables.

Sitting in AA lounge at LHR at 9am.

Sunday traffic was very light and we left before earliest cruise shuttle.

Check in at LHR was also quick as well as getting thru security so if you get to airport early on Sunday looks like the way to go. 
 

Our flight boards at 1125 for 1215 departure.

Got off boat by 620am with platinum perk carrying our own luggage. 

Pick time was for 7am blackberry texts you driver information so I texted him we were off boat and we were on our way to airport at 640am.

On 7/8/2023 at 3:05 AM, OneLuckyMom said:

So was that specifically your recent experience on the Pride? I've read different things lately - some say the app is working much better than before.  Others complain it still doesn't work well.  Seems to me it might be a ship thing - interested to hear specifically how its working on the Pride right now.

For most part it worked ok did use chat features