Royal has a nice selection of flavors (at least 8 different ones) for tea available at the self-service stations and from room service, unfortunately I don't remember the brand. I do remember that the teas offered at the specialty coffee bars were from Tazo, and a tall ran about $1.95 plus auto-gratuity. 

I don't drink that much alcohol, but I will get 2-3 chais a day plus at least 3 virgin daiquiris/coladas and fresh juice or soda with meals, so the refreshment package works well for me.  My mother on the other hand only wants her maybe 1-2 espresso or cappuccinos daily and otherwise only drinks water (she will bring her MIO flavors pods) so she gets the coffee punch card. 

Choice of arrival appointments only becomes available 90 days out from the departure date. So unless sailing before Aug 30th, today is not a day you can pick your arrival appointment.

2 hours ago, HeavyMetalDeacon said:

Cloud 9 has unlimited access to spa areas (sauna, thelasotherapy (sp) pool and discounts on services) GS is a great room definitely larger. It all depends on what you want 

Unfortunately the Vista does not have a Thalassotherapy Pool, just a private for pass holders hot tub in the tile loungers seating area. Vista class ships also have a  different setup for the thermal suites, instead of interconnecting rooms or being next door to each other they are spread out off a central hub, the heated loungers and hot tub area, with either the rainforest showers or towel station being in between each. The type of seating is also different in the sauna and steam rooms being more like tiled benches and except for the central hub & 1 steam room all other areas lack windows.

2 hours ago, Shaded Lady said:

 

@maryred To clarify, do you mean the limitations for wine & soda, or for carry-ons? I've never heard of any limitation on the number of carry-ons, as long as they fit, as you said, through the x-ray scanner and you can transport them, you can have as many carry-ons as you like. Sorry if I misunderstood.

Don't be sorry, I am referring to to quantity limits for the beverages as well as the size limit for the bag or apparatus it's being transported in/on to fit the scanner. It's still OK to bring as many carry-ons as a person can handle in 1 trip through the process. 

2 hours ago, markieb said:

 

Very interesting, I was one that did not realize that!!  Question:... When you say we can restock our non-alcoholic allotment, are you and Carnival meaning that EVERY PORT we stop at we can bring in up to a 12 pack of soda (per person) or is the intent that each person can only bring a total of 12 cans on throughout the entire trip? (not sure how they would keep track, so probably not the case) 

Yes you can bring on another 12 count of any non-alcoholic beverage that is sold in a can, juice box (tetrapak, or juice pouch at each port of call. The only difference here ship's security will be doing the scanning.

Beyond making sure you carry them on in some way, shape, or form, as opposed to placing them in your checked luggage, there is no exact procedure. Even at the same port because different personnel maybe manning the security screenings for different sail dates you will get  a bit of variation on how the details go.

You can choose to carry-on on your beverage allotment anyway you find comfortable, as long as it doesn't exceed the limitations for carry-on bags, and are able to place up to the x-ray scanner or screener's table. Depending on the port personnel they make take your non-alcoholic cans out of their master carton for individual inspection, so I recommend not just carrying the carton or rolling it on a small hand truck or strapping them on top of other full carry-on. Having them in some sort of bag  or backpack that's strong enough for all that you are planning to take on. Additionally, unless you have priority boarding or boarding later in the day, your cabin will not be ready until 1/1:30pm  and your carry-ons must stay with you. 

Also many don't realize that at each port of call you can restock your non-alcoholic beverage allotment, following the same restrictions  as on embarkation day. So if you want you can either board with your full allotment or break it down, for a lighter load, to what you think you will use until you reach a port of call where you can affordably purchase more.

Optimally you should of included the request in the special notes section when booking, but if you used a travel professional either a Carnival PVP or face to face TA you can just call or email them to add this request in now. The request usually needs to be made 2 weeks or more prior to sailing, after that there is no guarantee that it will be honored, and you would need to request one from your cabin steward (first asked frist received).

On 5/29/2019 at 1:31 PM, CruiseFamilyx1215 said:

I don't exactly know why the rooms were set up this way. My MIL did mention that because four of us are from Colorado and the other three are from Missouri, they had to split us up dependant on that information - I don't think that would matter but she is just going off what her travel agent told her.

Sounds like there was a state resident specific fare reduction rate being offered. If that is the case having the occupants of the cabin switched prior to check-in at the departure terminal could cause a fare increase.

On 5/29/2019 at 1:26 PM, CruiseFamilyx1215 said:

We booked through a travel agent - does that matter?

Yes it sort of matters as all changes to a booking must be made through the TA or their office. Since the TA advised your MIL to book the cabins in this manner it would be better to wait till on board. As long as the checked luggage is tagged to be delivered at the cabin the person is ultimately sleeping in there is no need to everyone rush to have the Guest Services desk on board issue the new key only card, it can wait till after sail away to avoid the long embarkation day line.

11 hours ago, shof515 said:

 

That is strange. When i emailed the special needs department about my mobility issues for my upcoming cruise, they said that my card needs to be scanned at the assigned muster. station Maybe the special needs  department is like the carnival call center where you always get a different answer whenever you talk to someone

 

It's really no different than talking to the general CS call center #, or emailing the excursions office or other land based corp office for the cruise. They know their "specialty area" responses and how it should be handled on board backwards and forward, but when it comes to how related but adjacent procedures and other things actually work on board it's a supposition unless the person answering has personally experienced the same on a Carnival cruise.

Each passenger's VIFP number is printed on their first and each subsequent Sail-n-Sign card. A problem arises if when you booked if you didn't use the same email or login credentials at Carnival.com for each cruise you may of inadvertently generated new VIFP numbers.

Just want to point out you posted:

4 hours ago, joyce&bob said:

  Do the men have to wear long pants on the Paradise 4 day cruise on Elegant night or will dress shorts be OK.

 

This implies you are asking about adults not minors. To some regard infants through preschoolers will get away with wearing dressy outfits that involve short pants like a summer sailor suit or romper, which can make for cute family photos. But school aged through teens will still need to follow the same dress code, but will be shown leniency, as long as the adults are dressed to code, for minor alterations like if they wear a polo shirt instead of a button-down.

You will not have the option of making a payment or opting in or out of prepaid gratuities through Manage my Booking (also can't remember but the Cruise Care insurance may not be available to edit or purchase). You will still be able to edit your bed arrangement and dinner time, as well as make all other pre-cruise purchases in the Excursions, Spa Cabin Gifts, and Specialty Dining sections.

As previously posted any special perks or booking "gifts" will not show up on in Manage my Booking details or in your edocs unless it was also offered to those that booked direct from Carnival. Make sure you make a copy of any contracted perks from the TA's booking confirmation listing you "extras". Guest Services may not be able to just issue these, but sometimes they will let you call the TA without charge to find out why those were not received.

Also to note as long as the copy of the birth certificate was issued by the Department of Health or Vital Statics and has whatever security measure (raised seal, watermark paper, color changing ink, RFID strip, etc.) that the issuing state uses to deter forgeries that will be accepted as proof of nationality. 

IF it is an older copy make sure it is legible and not torn, if there is any suspicion of it not being in good enough condition get a new one issued either from the county clerk where born or through an online facilitator like vitalchek.com

Just because it's a shorter cruise, with only 1 Elegant Night that does not change the accepted dress code for dining areas. Dress shorts are only acceptable in the sit and be served dining areas on Casual nights, not Elegant Night. BUT with that said most Carnival Maitre'Ds or hostess staff will rarely send you to change or enjoy the buffet if you wear a pair of dockers/khakis and a Hawaiian or Havana style shirt to the MDR on Elegant Night.

Per Carnival FAQS:

What to Wear - Evening Attire

Following is the dress code in the main dining room(s) for both men, women and children:

“Cruise Casual” Dress Code

• Men: sports slacks, khakis, jeans, long dress shorts and collared polo shirts
• Women: summer dresses, casual skirts, pants, capris, dress shorts, jeans blouses and tops
• Not permitted: cut-off jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, tee-shirts, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire

Be sure to bring a red or blue outfit or a top for our Mega Deck Party.

“Cruise Elegant” Dress Code (formal evenings)

• 2-day to 5-day cruise: one “Cruise Elegant” evening
• 6-day or longer cruise: two “Cruise Elegant” evenings

The first “Cruise Elegant” evening is scheduled for the second or third evening of the cruise and the second “Cruise Elegant” evening is the second or third evening prior to the end of the cruise, itinerary schedule permitting.

• Men: dress slacks, dress shirts, and we also suggest a sport coat; men may also wish to wear a suit and tie or tuxedo
• Women: cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; ladies may also wish to wear an evening gown

Not permitted: jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, shorts, tee-shirts, sportswear, shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire
 

The Steakhouse: The dress requirements for the Steakhouse follows the dress code specified for the main dining room(s); if the evening is specified as “Cruise Casual,” shorts are not permitted.

6 hours ago, bnorris10 said:

You can only buy it the first 2 days of the cruise and you still pay full price regardless if you buy it day 1 or day 2 

5 hours ago, Bookbug53 said:

You do mean the full per day price correct? Your wording could be a bit confusing.

 

Buying it on day 2 you will only pay for day 2 and the rest of the days remaining of the cruise.  Not day 1.

4 hours ago, ober134 said:

If I understand the policy, you will be charged for the entire length of the cruise, regardless of which day you purchase it. For example, if you purchase it on the 2nd day of a 5 day cruise, you will be charged for all 5 days. You will get an adjustment in sign&sail for any applicable beverage purchases made prior to buying cheers. If I'm wrong someone here will surely correct me

The problem here is all of you are right. The policy is up to interpretation of the beverage manager and that final say so wouldn't be known until already on board and subject to the higher "regular" price. Also remember ships have the special circumstances that surround the Cheers program when sailing from NYC or Galveston.  

3 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Depends on the ship.  The selling point for me was no kids.

Not true kids can be booked in any Cloud 9 spa cabin. They just can't use the Cloud 9 theral suites.The Havana section (select ships) is the only one that has a minimum age, but still if the kid(s) are over 12 a Havana cabin can be booked with them in it.

1 hour ago, NillaB said:

I thought so - thank you 😊

Btw, I didn't realize that only two classes are included. Good to know!

Yes 2 free class passes to each of the first 2 adults in a Cloud 9 cabin.

WIth the pass you are only buying access to the Thermal Suite area and Thalassotherapy pool or Cloud 9 hot tub (if the ship has either). Like the slippers and the the extra advance notice of upcoming specials the 2 free pilates or yoga classes are strictly for the first 2 adult passengers in a Cloud 9 spa cabin.

13 hours ago, CruisingBeans said:

So my immediate family and I decided to take a cruise during February 2020 break and all these other family members started jumping on. Which I’m cool with as it’s my favorite line and ship/itinerary I picked.

 

So recently my sister in law and her young son  decided to join us. So my father in law called Carnival to reserve her a cabin and was told only 20 cabins left. He was leary of booking a balcony for them (that’s what he wanted) due to the $500 non refundable deposit and there is 50% chance she’ll decide not to go. She’s never dependable (I said in law right?) So he booked her an inside room (deposit was less) and is getting trip insurance. Though he wants to try and upgrade her to a balcony later, he wanted to guarantee she had a cabin. 

 

There must be a miscommunication between the call center clerk and your FIL as the deposit amounts are not dependent on cabin class but on length of cruise. So passengers in a suite have the same deposit amount as someone doing a 1A upper/lower interior. If there is a deposit special VIFP offer or a special booking offer reducing the normal per passenger amounts in the chart below then that would be across the board as well. As for there being only 20 cabins left on the whole cruise or even only 20 cabins of a particular category then I would book now for the cabin type wanted and not waste time hoping that and upgrade is available later.

If you are talking about the Presidents/Energy Conservation week then less school districts every year seemed to be scheduling this favor of having more of flexible snow or adverse weather days available to them. (So they don't have to cut days from Easter/Passover vacation or run longer into the summer.) BUT many travel agents and vacation clubs haven't gotten that memo, and still block out more than normal winter season cabins for open group bookings leaving a cruise to look almost full up until they are forced to return their unsold inventory about 2-4 weeks prior to the final payment date. When those open group bookings are closed out, suddenly there could a glut of cabins available (category 4B and up) and the cruise line's automated pricing logarithm kicks in lowering the price, and could get the upgrade then, but it is a gamble. 

Under Early Saver you always have to pick your cabin prior to getting to the payment page., because GNT bookings are not eligible for price reductions once booked So either there is a computer glitch on Carnival's end or all that is left to offer for that particular cabin category is the Super Saver offers which are guaranteed category but TBA location and require full payment of the entire fare at booking and Carnival reserving the right to assign or change the cabin location right up until the sail away date. And yes is where having a good PVP to call or a local TA that you can face to face with that is CLIA trained makes all of the difference, sincethey can go over all the fine print of what each booking rate involves.

It is doubtful even if you produce a Dr.'s note that they will let the cabin your daughter is in change muster stations. The best you can hope for is to attend the mobility and comprehension impaired muster. The only drawback here is now her cabin will be as a special needs cabin and still need to report to the casino case of a real emergency. Just to note my experience from having to do muster in the casino is they will have the passengers assigned there either standing by the tables, along the pathway through the area, or at the bar (in other words no sitting at the machines) so there is an unobstructed (yeah right when your 3-4 people deep) of the crew member leading the drill.

10 hours ago, Davey Wavey said:

Good move!

 

Your card to cash options:

-3% fee at the table ($20 or $25 minimum) using your S&S

-5.5% for amounts over $100 or $5.50 flat fee for under $100 you charge to get a cash advance from the cashier using your credit card or debit card

-$6.00 flat fee they charge to take it from the ATM

-0% load it on a player bank at the slot machines using your S&S then cash it out at the cashier*

-All the above fees are waived for invite-only people on Premier/Ultra/Elite casino cruises

 

*Carnival frowns on loading money from your S&S into your player bank and then not using it to play, and have been know to punish people for it. So some people load the money then play a few spins before cashing out the player bank.

Was informed on my last Carnival (Sept'18) cruise that since I reach the level where I qualify to get offers for the Premier cruises that the fees would be waived regardless if the particular cruise was a booked as an special invitee of the casino. 

Has this changed?

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

Very long and informative post but I doubt any of it applies to the OP. 

That is for the OP to decide. 

At no point in her (going by avatar) post does she indicate that the cabin assignments were mixed up due to indifference or ignorance on the part of the family member that made them. SO most likely there must be some sort of financial benefit or set of perks that the bookings needed to be done in such a manner. It could be as simple as they wanted every cabin to have a platinum+ passenger or a minors only cabin linked to a platinum+ booking that all of the cabins enjoy priority check-in and boarding, or there could be a financial angle based on VIFP booking offers.

1 hour ago, basicprincess24 said:

Thank you! We did book the inside on the Early Saver rate. Will that stay with us when we upgrade even if it isn't currently being offered on the balcony cabins?

This is where a good PVP or face to face TA comes in handy. They can handle the upgrade in away that will not affect  any of your original booking conditions. 

2 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

It would be a lot easier to correct this ahead of time.  One call to Carnival will fix the problem. You could also do it on the ship like the last poster mentioned, but why waste time, and potentially wait in a long line, when a simple phone call can correct the problem now. 

The MIL may of booked the rooms in that fashion because it takes advantage of the most affable financial arrangement for the family. We've had VIFP and casino offers that it was better for our family's budget to split up along odd sounding cabin assignments to take advantage of the most perks or lower pricing to be spread among us. As frequent cruisers know often a inconvenient sounding time investment can lead to significant saving or rewards. Only if there is no financial ramification is there any reason to switch the names on the booking prior to boarding.

As for the switching there is no need to even tell the cruise line before boarding or crew after boarding, beyond the steward(s) for the cabins, about whom is sleeping where. As long as they don't exceed the berthing that a cabin was booked at (even if said cabin can hold more than than it was booked as), for anyone from the family can sleep in any of the cabins on any given night. All of them must keep in mind what cabin they were originally booked in, in case, God forbid, there is an emergency requiring either a head count or muster stations, if that happens then they must report to the location they were booked at.

All this family needs to do is first make sure that their bookings are all linked online in Manage My Booking for each passengers unique login. This will to allow each of them to print out luggage tags for any of the cabins. This way each person's checked luggage can be tagged for the cabin they want it to end up at, before getting to the terminal. Then once on board and the cabins are ready (after 1:30pm) each person can go to their booked cabin to get their S&S card. Then all should go to guest services after dinner but prior to retiring for the night (shorter lines then) and request room only keys to the cabin they will sleep in.  

When, will depend on what your initial booking "deal" was. If you booked under Early Saver any upgrade is still covered, and you will not lose your right to claim the price reduction protection on your new cabin category up to 2 days before sailing. SO as long as you can afford the amount being currently asked (after final payment dates the entire upgrade cost needs to be paid as soon as you confirm the move) go for it as you can then still scan for price reductions to be given as OBC on the cruise.

For any other booking code deals you could take the gamble that the "upgrade Fairy" will call within the next couple of weeks with a deal that is less or that interest in balconies is so low that the price continues to go down. But conversely you also run the risk or the law of supply and demand running the other way with prices on balconies increasing as others luck out with their fare watchesor  get the upgrade offers and do what you want to before you can causing the prices to increase.