cruisecraze96

I didn't see anything for those dates when I googled it. But also check on the roll call for your cruise since they might have more info as well.

 

For the TV, they had free movies playing everyday. I would normally turn on those at night when it was time to wind down.

 

 

 

 

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In November I had FTTF and my mom did not. They allowed us both to go through the faster security line and then we split up into the 2 check in lines. After she checked in she met me over by the gangway an we walked in with my priority boarding number.

 

They did not have a problem with this, they didn't even give her a boarding number since they knew I was waiting for her. I made sure they were okay with that at the entrance and was told not a problem. Now, we were only 2 people and it wasn't like I was trying to bring on a whole team.

 

This trip I also moved my DD 11 into my Aunt's room since her DD was not able to go and it helped with the fare. I had already bought FTTF for my room and they said the same, she would have to go through the line and then I could wait for her so we could board with my priority pass. Luckily my roll call let everyone know that they opened up an additional 20+ FTTF tickets so I was able to snag one for her room so we won't have any problems now.

I always do the prepaid tips but then tip my room steward additional (usually at the start) and then this trip since the kids are coming I am putting aside money for the camp carnival room as well.

 

I try to put my tip money aside from my spending money that way it is there. The first and last day of any trip money just seems to go left and right with all the people making sure to assist you :)

I forward my cell to my Google voice number and have it text me the transcript of each voicemail. Receiving texts anywhere is free but sending costs. That way, if important, I can either text or call. Ship phone is pretty cheap comparatively.

 

 

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Good idea, I leave my text and calls on for emergencies and didn't think about this. I turn off data of course :). Last cruise I just had a couple outgoing text and 3 calls for 1-2 minutes.

 

 

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The hair dryer is in the drawer at the desk area. If it is not in there, just ask your steward. There is both soap and shampoo located in the shower on the wall in a dispenser. If it gets low, just ask steward to refill.

 

One thing you may want to consider for the cabin, however, is a multi outlet plug as the cabin only has one by the mirror/desk and the other way up high over the mirror in the bathroom (which I couldn't even reach because I am short:(). I pack a Belkin strip (it swivels which comes in handy when needing to change the direction of the strip) which has three regular plugs and 2 usb plugs on it).

I liked the hair dryer, it seemed to get the job done and I was able to style it as well on formal night :)

 

If you bring a strip make sure it swivels...I grabbed one and didnt' realize it did not swivel so was unable to use it due to how the plugs are set up.

Depends on the rate you have, if yo have ES then you would be out $50 plus the rest of the deposit will go toward a future cruise so you would be paying $250 to change names. For most other fares it is a $50 change names after final payment. My MIL went on one like this, another family memeber did not have insurance and her work told her to stay or quit, so my MIL paided the $50 change fee (and airfare) and took her place.

 

Yes, your grandson would have to pay full fare for the 3rd person in the room. It would be less usually and the ship has to have room for the 3 in the cabin. Even if your cabin is setup for 3 if they already have too many they can say no more people in the room.

When we were on the Freedom in November they even had a contest on the ship, the best doors were then shown on the TV that day.

[quote name='Gamecock_Cruiser']If you purchase FTTF, is one good for cabins that are linked or do you need it for both cabins?[/QUOTE]
It is good for one cabin, if you have more than one cabin you have to buy one per cabin.

[QUOTE]wow people actually buy this? Don't mean to be negative here but I'm surprised by the enthusiasm. Because you are impatient you choose to spend more money? Again, this is a question, not a put down. [/QUOTE]

One of my reasons for this is that I don't want to worry about carrying a bunch of things around with me when I have 2 kids. Yes I know I can just board later with them but it helps to make the transition a tad easier. If it wasn't available, I would find a way to deal with it :)

I am also one of those people that hates waits :) when we go to Universal we spend more money and stay at one of the onsite hotels so we can get the unlimited express pass too. There are many who think those of us that do that are crazy too!

I just put the cost of the FTTF as part of the cruise cost and build it in that way, so just like the person who spends more to be on the Spa deck in a Balcony room I just choose to have express access to drop things off in the room.

We are on the Dream on the 15th and they have showed sold out for months, just a few days ago they opened 20 up. One of the members on the roll call for that date was nice enough to let others know they opened up.

 

I would just keep looking, and make sure to join the roll call to since that could help keep you updated.

Hi,

I often do port day special massages but I don't think that I've seen a couples massage listed.

I have also never seen a tip automatically added onto the spa bill!! You always tip a masseuse( If you liked the massage!)after the massage whether on board or on land.

You have to ask for the couples....they are not listed and they can say no.

 

They did add the auto gratuity to my bill, I was going to make sure to tip and they told me that it was already on there. Maybe it was a special package thing, or a freedom thing, or they just felt like it :) I usually tip 20% of service but since they did the auto of 18% that is what they got that time.

Yes they offer specials everyday when I was on the Freedom and I saw another post recently of a couple that booked one on a port day for first thing in the morning and they were able to make it a couple's massage.

 

When I did mine on the Freedom in November the tip was added automatically to the bill, but if you want to tip more then you an always add more. I don't think they would mind cash either :)

 

I did a first day package that included scalp, facial, full body with stones and after tip I think it was just over $200

I did not see them for sale on the boat when I was on the Freedom in November. I bought a nice starter set on Amazon that had great reviews from both there and on here the ports of call boards.

 

I would get one before you leave

I'm hoping to get one :) , since we wanted to be near my mom and rest of the group (4 rooms total) we did not get up on the spa deck. I am guessing it will be the first place I head to when we get on the ship.

Depends on the package you purchase, they have different rate plans for groups of minutes.

 

Here is some pricing information, but they could have increased it. I bought the 120 min package so I could facetime the kids and check emails at night.

 

Pricing

Instructions on how to create an account and pricing details are present on-screen in the Internet Café or on your laptop once you connect to Carnival WiFi. Internet pricing is identical, whether you are using the Internet Café terminals, your own laptop or other wireless devices. All Internet charges will be billed directly to your onboard “Sail & Sign” account.

 

Time Plans offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a lower per-minute rate. These Time Plans are transferable between Internet Café terminals and personal laptops/wireless devices, can be used anytime throughout the cruise until disembarkation and don’t have to be used in a single session. No refund will be provided for unused minutes. Upgrading a pre-selected pricing option is not available and plans are subject to change.

 

• 480 minutes for $159

• 240 minutes for $89

• 120 minutes for $59

• 45 minutes for $29

Last trip I carried my mom's with me so she didn't have to and they didn't say anything. We went through security and boarded together and were in 2 separate rooms.

Check out the ports of call boards too, those have been helpful for me. We will be on the Dream on 3/15 to the same ports.

 

I have decided to do

 

Chakanaab since my sister and the kids want to do a dolphin swim when in Cozumel

Cave Tubing / Zip Line with Vitalino Reyes in Belize (leaving 4 year old with mom)

Maya Key in Roatan

I think I am going to stick around on the boat in Costa Maya but my sister is going to go find a tour to see the ruins.

I have AT&T and it was $2.50 a minute if I used it on land or on the boat. I have a S4 and so turned off all data but left the phone and text on for emergencies since the kids were back at home.

 

Every time we either went to Cellular at Sea or to the local roaming carrier in Caymans, Jamaica I got a text message saying welcome and how much it would cost per minute and or per MB data.

 

It was cheaper to use the phone in the room at $1.99 minute and I also had purchased some internet minutes to facetime the kids at night, of course a couple nights the weather stunk so the internet service stunk too :(

Well they can do what I did with our spring break cruise. DH didn't want to go so he is staying home and I am taking the kids without him. Honestly for me it is a lot less stressful if I don't try to make him go when he rather stay back.

It is on the two sea days, with the first being the lobster night :-)

 

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I must agree with your conclusion about the poor communication from Carnival and Carnival's ignorance of local events that can and do affect passenger access to their ships. Are you reading this Carnival?

There are just way to many events to keep track of.

 

Who is at fault here Carnival because they should have told her that if she comes in a night early that there might be delays if she choose a hotel downtown or in X area or in Y area etc.

 

Or is the hotel at fault because they should have know the OP was not there for the race?

 

Or, I hate to say, the OP who booked the hotel and did not do the research. For me I would have done the exact same thing as OP, booked the hotel and not checking to see if anything was going to hamper my travel plans. Years ago we stayed in Cocoa Beach and had an early flight the next morning, no problems right. I forgot about the road closures due to fires and we got to the gate right as they were getting ready to shut the doors on us.

 

I hope you make it to the boat, and make sure to have several drinks once you do :)

I don't know if this is new or not but I was goofing off today looking at cruises, and I tend to look at a specific site that gives OBC. Now when Carnival capped the credit they would only allow the max of $50 but today when I was looking they were offering significant amounts more, like they used to before the cap (ex suite with $350)

 

If I missed the threads on this already, sorry. I just thought it was interesting.

 

:p

I would go with the all day itinerary :( I hate that too but would hate to just risk it. March my mom is even meeting us the night before at the port to stay at the hotel even though she lives 3 hours away so we don't have any surprises :)

 

I just figure it as part of the cost to go :) for the extra night charges.

That night we had a little incident.

 

I feel for you, my DD (4) has issues with this and I just know this will be us :) I might ask the room stewart for an extra set of sheets to just be ready.

 

Glad they liked the camp, I know it is hit or miss and I really hope it is a hit with DD (4), I know that DD (11) is looking forward to meeting other kids her age so as long as this is the case then she should be good to go :)

I just got the kids their first passport and we applied for them January 10th with regular service and got them Wednesday, January 29th.

 

So just over 2 weeks is not that bad :)

Following, we go on the Dream in just over a month and this will be my kids first cruise 4 and 11 :)

 

I agree with the transportation, I use National for work so I had several free days so I used 1 to go to the port and 1 to return. Of course we are flying in and out of Tampa due to price and family nearby.