ober134

Oh - forgot to mention we've never received a gift or perk

We've booked with a couple PVP's and a TA. I seem to do the leg work - ship, date and cabin we want. I'm starting to wonder why I just don't book directly. I haven't seen any particular benefit.

following along. always enjoy your posts.

Cheers includes all alcoholic beverages, sodas, bottled water, and specialty coffees. I do not believe there is package that includes all the category of extras you listed. Specialty dining each has a different cost depending on venue. There are several wi-fi packages all different prices depending on your needs.

wow... We haven't been to Disney since our son was a child... he's now 35. Thanks for the pictorial review, as I hardly recognize the "Marketplace"; at least that's what I think it used to be called. Regarding the glass artist - I wonder if he's the artist that sculped the lobby art in the Bellagio Las Vegas.

I am interested in booking a Havana cabin. As a retired person I can sail any time. Is there an easy way to search availability for just that specific cabin category? I started looking each sailing date on Horizon one by one... I gave up. I guess a PVP??

Thanks for the review. Loved following along. Safe travels on the journey home.

following. We sail Celebration in 3 weeks. Was busy with the other "Lives" and a quick trip to Las Vegas. Now time for the review!

agree. we rarely ever use pool or hot tubs as they are completely full of kids. all.the.time.

1 hour ago, figmentfreak said:

I just used it on the Dream. Was great. Got group 3 and normally I forget to go get tags and in up in a much later group. Tags were delivered to my room. All good. 

Do Plat/Diamond still get priority debark?

Thanks for review. Great pics as always. We sail on her again in a few weeks. Take care.

Following you and Sid. Good thing I'm retired now. We sail Celebration Mar 3. Sailed her last Jan.

Thoroughly enjoyed the commentary and photos. Thank you.

Any brief comments on buffet for evening meal? We are on her early March, and are planning to be casual the entire cruise and skip MDR. We hope to hit up buffet a few times. On prior sailing we ate at Chibang-didnt care for it. Ate at Cucina a couple times-good... But heard they now charge for second visit. Can you confirm? Thanks

I'm a kinda coffee snob, but unlike most others I don't find the free coffee that bad. Bring your own favorite creamer. No coffee pots allowed to be brought aboard.

5 hours ago, Petersonfcu said:

Quiz:

If your TA won't apply the gift cards to pay for the cruise, you can always:

 

A. Pay your onboard bill with them, or 

B. Get another TA/Book directly on Carnival's website.

 

I know what my answer is.  Whaddayathink?

From my original post you can surmise I’ve used 2 PVP’s with varying degrees of success. So after many cruises, and seeing ppl here on CC seemingly pleased with service and perks using a TA. Thought we would try that. So far maybe a C+. Maybe my expectations are too high. 

Update…. I told TA she was incorrect unless Carnivals rules have recently changed. Apparently “the system was glitchy” and all my gift cards got applied after calling Carnival CS.

Sailed from PC last year. Transport to MCO was an issue since we booked "last minute". Most shuttle services were already fully booked. It was unclear if taxis would be available. We booked the carnival shuttle. we found out later Uber surge was over $100. Just my experience and sorry I couldn't directly answer about taxis

Thank you all. That's what I thought, and pretty sure I've used more than 300 in past. My aggravation is I've gone thru 2 PVP'S that provided inaccurate info.... So decided to go the TA route this time. Ugh

I have a handful of gift cards left from Allstate rewards. My TA is saying Carnival only allows use max of $300 per booking. Is this true? 

I don't there is any benefit. Fairly certain there is no booking kiosk on board any longer.

Just found your review. Looks like a beautiful ship. I think I need to find a sailing on it! Will be following along now to the end. Great pics btw.

On 1st sailing post dry dock on Paradise Oct 30. As Platinum was able to check in 2 days early. At 12:01am the earliest time was 12:30-1pm. Per discussion on the nameless social media site No One was able to get anything earlier than 12:30. So not sure if this has to do with ship coming off drydock, or Tampa port crew, restocking of ship supplies etc. Someone said their PVP stated Carnival is starting to push back boarding times. Thoughts?

We just spent 8 days in Italy land trip, Milan, Tuscany and Florence. it was exhausting but great. Carryon only is the way to go! All those Cobble stone streets! We also had a Mediterranean cruise scheduled in 2020  😥. Beware of pickpockets! Its a real thing as one in our travel group was a victim. Enjoy! We cruise in 3 weeks which is our vacation from that vacation.

Alchemy on Elation where Rotterdam was works well. And I don't think a 3 week dry dock is enough time to convert the aft lounge into staterooms. I'm on first sailing after dry dock and anxious to see what will be done. I read elsewhere "new linens" and can't figure out why that alone would require 3 weeks.