OhioScubaGirl

5 minutes ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

Because the more people do this, the more likely Carnival is to start charging a transaction fee to charge your S&S on the slots, including for people who actually gamble with the money they charge to their S&S.

Gotcha, thanks for explaining.

5 minutes ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

Yes, unfortunately. 

I've only cruised a few times, so please excuse my ignorance.  May I ask, why is it unfortunate? 

I recall a few years ago reading that you could cash out the remaining OBC credit in the casino.  For example, you have $200 left on the last night and you go spend $10 in slots.  Can you cash out $190 at the casino?   Is this still a thing? 

We are planning to do an excursion in Cozumel and would like to add something for an hour or so before or after our excursion in Cozumel.  We will be cruising Carnival Paradise.  Is there anything interesting for kids within a 10-15 min walk?  I don't recall which place Carnival docks.  We aren't interested in shopping, but a pool, beach, sightseeing, or snorkeling could be fun.  We aren't looking for anything spectacular, just a quick fun add-on right by the ship. 

Does anyone know if Camp Ocean is asking parents to make reservations in the hub for kids? I've never used it before and was wondering if it ever gets to capacity.  I'm traveling during a holiday week when school is out so I expect many kids will be on board.  

Is the snorkeling any good at Princess Cays?  We are not doing a paid snorkeling excursion.  Any tips on the best area? 

Blue Divers is operating private dives in Grand Turk if they can get enough divers.

It’s really disappointing. I prefer to book excursions with Carnival for a number of reasons. Nassau and Grand Turk no longer have Carnival scuba excursions for my cruise next month. 

What has happened to Carnival's SCUBA excursion offerings?  They are only offering dive excursions at a handful of islands now and you used to be able to dive many tropical islands with Carnival.   Notably Cozumel, Belize, Grand Turk, and Nassau are no longer offering certified dives through Carnival. I had Nassau booked for a June trip (Freedom that got cancelled) and now I can't book it for my November cruise.  I should have checked that they were still offering SCUBA but I didn't before I booked. I'm really disappointed.  Scuba at Caribbean islands is a major draw for me to cruise.   I like to book through Carnival for a number of reasons -  schedule, vetting company, and more guaranteed attendance.  I am going to look for private vendors and appreciate any tips for Nassau.  Does anyone know what is going on?    

I called the general number and asked the Carnival employee if I could use both credits on one cruise and she said yes.  I think I need to switch to a different  PVP who can make this happen. 

I had future cruise credit from a cruise in 2020 and used it to book the Carnival Freedom for May 28. Of course I didn’t get to go on that and was given more FCC. I didn’t get a full refund like other passengers did because I paid with my FCC.  I talked with my PVP and he said I can’t combine the FCC from 2020 and 2022 and have to book two cruises in the next year or the credits expire. 
 

Neither amount of FCC would cover a whole cruise. It’s more than I want to just throw away though. I think each FCC might cover half the cost of the whole cruise. I’d still have a lot of out of pocket expenses going twice. (Flights, excursions, taxes, fees) 
 

Does anyone know if this is official Carnival policy? Is there a work around to combine FCC? 

I may have miscommunicated.  John and PVP have misstated up-to-date means boosted and stated that kids need to test 2 days ahead of time. (This was prior to the booster recommendation 5 months past 2nd shot for 5-11 year olds).   

I don't think a ship is going to leave anyone following the 2 day advice.  It is just much more convenient for those traveling early (like us) to test 3 days a head of time.  It is within Carnival's rules to test 3 days a head when you are up-to-date. I'm just counting on knowledgeable port authority.  Maybe that's too much to ask. 

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

guests who are up to date with their vaccines may take their test within three days prior to sailing. Up to date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including any booster dose, when eligible.

 

taken from https://www.carnival.com/Legal/covid-19-legal-notices/covid-19-guest-protocols?icid=advisory_cruisehealth_040122

 

if you are not eligible for a booster yet then you are up to date

 

seems simple to me

 

I don't get the controversy

Completely agree with you, but I've heard John Heald and my PVP misstate Carnival's policy. 

Thanks, I realize this is a very confusing issue.  I am not complacent with vaccines I had my 8 and 10 year boosted on Friday, the first possible day it was recommended for that age group once they were 5 months past the 2nd dose.  My five year old cannot be boosted because he just got his second dose earlier this month.  Everyone is up-to-date per the CDC guidelines - I'm just not sure that port authority understands the finer points of CDC guidelines. 

My 5 year old just completed his 2 dose vaccine series.  He is up-to-date with his covid vaccination and not eligible for a booster.  I know Carnival says he can test 3 days ahead a time. Does port authority recognize the finer points of the up-to-date definition?  It is easier for us to test 3 days ahead. 
 

I have heard many people think up to date means boosted, which is true if it’s been 5 months since your last dose. His last dose was 2 weeks ago and cruising in a week. 
 

edit: this is for Port Canaveral. 
 

I think it has to do with staffing. They don’t have enough help to invite everyone back to camp ocean. My understanding is camp ocean is still limited hours (3 hour blocks) and you must register for times, which could “sell” out. 

I am also seeing to May 23. I just called my local Walgreens and they are still doing testing. You can only book 3 days in advance now. 

Blue Waters Divers on Grand Turk is up and running private tours.   We are planning to dive with them on our cruise and wanted to let others know since the operator that formerly had contracts with Carnival is not running (at least yet).  

Sorry that nap might be tiny.  Here is a zoom in of the map. 

We are on Carnival Freedom and stopping off at Princess Cays. Our kids aren’t old enough to do the Carnival snorkel excursions but would still like to snorkel in good areas. I’d love recommendations! I included a princess cays map. Is anyone allowed in the areas marked sting rays or snorkeling?  I wasn’t sure if they were restricted (always or at times for booked excursions). Hope this makes sense. TIA! 

Per Carnival's policy they don't move kids to other age groups to be with siblings.  I would want all my kids together in your situation, so I think it is worth an ask.  

2 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I don't see why they would, all kids going to the kids club have to be vaccinated and they are getting rid of masks in schools everywhere too, even here in Cali on March 11th. It wouldn't make much sense and would peeve a lot of people off who are booking for spring break. I just don't see them shooting themselves in the foot by making kids mask when everyone isn't.  

I hear you. I literally think asking vaccinated, tested kids to mask when around other vaccinated, tested kids is a ridiculous policy….but I read in a press release that Royal was doing it. People have truly lost their minds with covid and kids. I hope Carnival chooses otherwise. 🤞

1 hour ago, 1025cruise said:

Probably won't know until after this weekend's cruises kick off.

I'd be willing to guess John Heald will post something based on Mardi Gras.

Good point! I’ll keep watching and listening to reports coming in. 

46 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

We are on the Mardi Gras now and of the areas we have been to after the 1st, people who want to wear masks are wearing them and those who don’t want to wear them are not.

 

These areas include all of the walkways inside of the ship, the comedy show areas, the theater, and even the elevators. At this point, if someone is so concerned about getting Covid by breathing the same air as an unmasked, vaccinated, and recently negative Covid testing person, cruising might not be for them at this time.

 

My husband and I have already decided that if strict mask mandates are brought back, we will not cruise during that time. The first few days of this cruise and constantly wearing masks really took away from our enjoyment. Now it’s great though. It feels just like old times.

 

 

 

Thank you so much for sharing what is actually happening on board. We don’t want to wear masks all the time on a cruise either.
 

Do you have young kids? I’m curious about the kids club. 

Any other reports about buffets,
theaters, or camp ocean?