fresnel468

On 10/12/2022 at 3:53 PM, kayjaypea42 said:

How was the beach itself?  Is it an easy entrance to the ocean, no sudden drop-offs or steep declines into the ocean? How was the clarity of the water?  Thanks!

The beach was clean and sandy with no sudden or steep drop offs.  I would say the water clarity that particular day was "slight cloudiness - not snorkeling quality". 

The view of the horizon was obscured because so many inflatable slides, jumps, rafts & etc had been brought out that day. 

20 minutes ago, kayjaypea42 said:

Thank you very much! That helped me strike Paradise off my list.  I'll be going in Dec with a large group, so we're just trying to find a good all-inclusive that has other things to do besides sit at a beach and eat and drink.

The pool was totally drained and workers were all over it with repairs.  I would imagine getting that pool back in service would be high priority for them.  They tried to compensate with free access to the beach toys that are normally at extra cost.  

9 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Did you get a discount? That would have annoyed me.

No discount, but they allowed free use of the normally extra cost water toys...if you wanted.    We didn't.   

Went to Paradise Beach on Oct 4th and was informed upon arrival that the pool was closed due to ongoing repair.  They claimed to have sent an email informing about the closure but one was never received.   I would have cancelled for a refund if this had been known ahead of time.   The experience was OK but we will not be going back. 

16 hours ago, Big_G said:

 

 

We've been told by a whiskey connoisseur that the supply chain disruption is with the bottle companies. They haven't been able to produce enough bottles.

This is what I heard from management of a large liquor store chain. 

5 hours ago, Supershot said:

I was booked on the Oct. 2nd cruise and really looking forward to not having to mess with flights before and after as I live in San Diego.

I've gone for the full refund as I think there is trouble brewing with Princess Cruises and a FCC from a company that has gone under is worthless. The insulting pittance of $100 is not enough to make me take a chance. Also, who want's to give business to a company that has just screwed you over.

I cancelled requesting a full refund.   The departure port of San Diego (great place!) was a big reason we booked the Diamond 16 day Hawaii cruise.   If I wanted to leave from LA on a lame ship with one less day, I would have booked it in the first place.  No way am i leaving thousands of dollars on the books with this outfit.   This was to be our first Princess cruise but highly unlike to try them again. 

5 hours ago, youngkona said:

For anyone taking the refund option, can you please confirm when your account shows the refund- thanks!

The fine print said refunds should be expected 30 days from submission or 30 days from the (September 8th) deadline to chose - whichever is earlier.  I submitted the online form requesting a full refund yesterday.  The response said the request was received,  but please be patient because of blah, blah, blah.   The countdown has started....

3 hours ago, dannywads said:

Going on the Dream in a few weeks, are there really no more taco bowls at Blue Iguana Cantina??  That is literally one of the reasons we booked with carnival again. 

No taco bowls on the Vista last week.  

The Bacardi I received recently actually was 1.18L/40oz.    It was not bottled in the US if I recall correctly. 

Corkscrew with a 1 inch foldable "knife" in the handle was taken by security in Galveston last year.  They said the corkscrew was OK but the built-in knife was not.    I am sure it would have gone through without issue in checked luggage. 

Cruise in 11 days and no letter/email on Platinum/Diamond modifications.  Did receive an email today and buried amongst the Steakhouse promo and "don't forget your flip flops" static was a link to learn more "Our Commitments to Health, Safety and Fun Vacation" in which was described the major protocol changes upcoming.   This is the only information I've received about the change in protocols directly from Carnival.

Really disappointed in Carnival and the lazy communications of these major changes (at least to me).   I'm sure there will be a few if not many showing up at embarkation without a clue about the changes. 

1 hour ago, James4me said:

Learn something every day.  Never heard of this rum.  Is it smooth tasting?

Kraken is a spiced rum.  Pretty tasty if you are looking for that sort of thing.   I would not be happy if I asked for a rum & coke and received Kraken (or any spiced rum) & coke instead.   

Recently on the Dream,  the HUB app would only allow up to 8 people on a single reservation.   Was also advised that there was only one large table that would seat up to 12 people max.   Adjacent tables could be used to accommodate larger groups.  

Disappointed with Falstaff after using them for last week's Dream cruise.   I wanted to try Falstaff after a bad experience with Lighthouse last year.   

Upon return, I saw a huge pile of something on the car's roof.  Thought it was massive bird droppings - instead found it to be a huge pile of large rusty metal flakes from the support girders above.  No significant damage but disturbing none the less.  Tell them no if they try to park you down that dark, dead end alley.

Next time back to EZCruise I guess.    

On 9/27/2019 at 9:34 AM, DryCreek said:

Well, the deed is done.

 

With much trepidation I booked us a room at the Motel 6 there.  The price was more than fair. I just hope the room is average at best.  The rate was $78.19 for two in a queen room.

 

You know, with us looking at $75 or so dollars for parking (prepaid, open at Galveston Park N Cruise), and the dearth of available rooms - I was contemplating a novel approach to this trip.  Since we are Texas State Parks annual passholders, we get every third night free.  And, they waive park daily entry fees.  I was really almost to the point of booking a campsite for 8 days there.  We would come down the day before and set up the motor home, unhitch the Jeep and be ready to go the next day.  After arrival back in Galveston, drive to the park, hook up the Jeep and head home.  It would have been cheaper.  The only flaw in my plan was that the wife pointed out we'd still have parking costs for the Jeep unless we got a cab or some ride sharing service.  I'm glad she's the brains of the outfit.

Not a bad plan, however Galveston Island State Park is closed the next couple years for renovation.   

Yes - they sell beer and wine.  

We did vow renewal on the Vista last year and it was great.   We had longtime friends on board with us and made it very special.   Yes – it was expensive, but we were very pleased with the coordination and event.   

You’ll work with the online Carnival Wedding Coordinator on pre-cruise information such as guest list, cake and any special arrangements.   

Once on board, the Event Coordinator will contact you to confirm the information, provide the details and give you an idea of the where/when it will be scheduled based on the captain’s availability.    Ours was on the second sea day in the library which was perfect.   Essentially, all you must do is show up. 

The Vista coordinator was exceptional before and after the ceremony.    The delicious cake was enormous, and she arranged for it to be available for our table at dinner.   The captain performed the renewal and didn’t just dash in and out.   He greeted us by name whenever we saw him on the cruise. 

Only downside I can think of was the sales pitch for photographs a couple days later.   They put together a very nice variety of photo albums and packages, however the prices were astronomical!   The photographer wasn’t pushy, and we just selected a couple for pics friends and family.    Same price as the usual pics.  One large photo was included with the renewal price. 

Was it worth it?  Yes, it was in our case.  You could certainly do it yourself for way cheaper if so inclined.   Just like a wedding.

4 hours ago, DramaQueen22 said:

Another perspective:  if you book any Havana cabin, you get access to the Havana deck area.  WHy pay for a balcony that overlooks the area?  I am sure others will disagree with me, but we booked a Havana Interior since we already got the exclusive access.  Seems silly to pay for "double" the exclusivity, but that's just my opinion.

Exactly!   We decided this was the way to go after an extended-aft Havana on the Vista.   You get the same Havana experience for much less.  

Moderate drinkers here and our last cruise (7 day) was the first to use Cheers.   Based on post-cruise calculations, we barely broke even including coffees and Perrier each day.   Not an Alchemy fan so zero drinks from there.  Literally drank the Havana bar out of 18 yr old Flor De Cana and many Patron shots over the course of the cruise.   Ordering whatever I wanted without regard to cost (for the most part) was certainly good - however I eventually felt I was drinking only to justify the cost.   Would I do it for another 7+ day cruise?  Maybe.   Definitely not doing Cheers for upcoming 5 day cruise.  

I've never given notice for cruise travel originating in the US and never had an issue.    Recently though, I've had the CC companies notify me that they have automatically applied the alert if they see a charge related to international air travel.   They haven't done that for a cruise related charge.  

Music (mostly bass) from the Havana Club Latin band was audible in our Havana deck 6 aft balcony until midnight or so.  It didn't bother us.   Loved the Havana experience but would be highly unlikely to do a Vista class ship again without it.  

Are all military from all countries welcomed or is it US jingoism at its best?

US jingoism - really? Why did you feel the need to insult Carnival for honoring US veterans?

All Citi cards are not connected to the Easy Deals program. If you have an airline card or one that uses ThankU, then no dice.

7500 points is enough for $75 dollars in Carnival gift cards. The value is the same, it just takes an extra month to get it.

Good catch. The Carnival rewards card has a really good point redemption rate right now.

My offer was to spend $350 and get 7500 Membership Reward points. Nothing about $75 back. $75 is a much better deal than 7500 points.