Elaine5715

There is water, sometimes,  at the Diamond/Suite terminal waiting area but nothing onboard unless you mean Family Harbor. 

On 5/6/2024 at 9:48 PM, njhorseman said:

I couldn't say if that's the case but I have no reason to doubt that you took it in the past. It doesn't change my mind about it not  being a good choice for mobility impaired people, even more so given San Juan's heat and humidity.

I know but they sure are stubborn..

21 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Not.  That’s the PVSA fine, which is actually about $940 now.  The cruise lines do not like to have people debark downline because it screws up the manifest and makes the entire cruise no longer closed loop…for everyone.  Much annoying paperwork for CBP.  And can slow things down for the final debark in the home port.  EM

Not?  

4 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

Fine you for what? It's not a PVSA violation.

 

Carnival can't hold you hostage. If they won't approve an early debark in advance, just have a family emergency the night before and go to Guest Services telling them you need to disembark in Aruba.

You still pay the fees incurred by Carnival,  no matter what reason you use.  I think it is about $800 pp. 

9 hours ago, Sea Raven said:

On my last several cruises on the Magic, the cabin temperature ranged from comfortable to downright chilly if you didn't watch it. Public areas were all comfortable except the theater, which was actually cold. I worked for a mechanical contractor for 43 years, so I am always somewhat interested in the HVAC workings on the ships. I am looking forward to my first Excel ship experience with my b2b on Mardi Gras in a couple of weeks.

You should search these forums for posts by Heidi13 and chengkp75.  Both provide excellent insight.  For example-

Older ships have an issue when balcony doors are left open

Many times... Love the forward portholes

You will heat the anchor if deployed and certainly the thrusters during docking.  Less noise on Deck 2 than Deck One. Trade off is little to no foot traffic, the further forward.

Coming on board at port is wonderful, short walk.

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

If you are sailing solo, there is nothing wrong with an upper/lower cabin.  More space, ask your steward for a chair.  I did, and got a blue velvet reject from one of the MDRs.  EM

I love A1s as a solo.

Just now, MsTabbyKats said:

The cruises they're offering me are for "within" 2 days!

 

So, the question is, if I book today for a cruise that leaves tomorrow, and they assign me something awful....I guess I'll just be out my $50/pp.

You also risk no longer getting casino offers.  I haven't seen it tested for a solo but there is new language saying "no shows" will be charged under "Terms and Conditions" 

1 hour ago, LDL1220 said:

Thank you.  I guess the proper terminology is upsell.  Also, can you explain your answer for #4.  Is there no compensation for rate drops?

Very, very, very rarely.  Most offers say for "New Bookings Only" The casino offers now come with a "non-transferable" "nonrefundable" statement.  The days of booking Early Saver then immediately switching to a casino offer is gone.   

3 hours ago, lostsoulcruiser said:

Congratulations on your getaway and here's to having a great cruise.  

1. Here is my experience regarding your questions:
2. 1. A PVP made contact with me after my first cruise. Their job is to get you back on another cruise.  If you don't make a connection with the first one, you can request another. 
3. 2, Sometime before your vacation starts, the upgrade fairy will call you with this absolutely fantastic offer (ask them, they'll tell you it's fantastic).  Some are good, some not so much (my offers not so much), it depends on the specifics of the offer, your satisfaction with your present booking and the availability of cabins available for upgrade.  No set rules here. You may not get an offer if the ship is full.
4. 3. You have be vigilant of prices for your cruise for price drops.  If the price drops for you cabin category, you get an on-board credit (OBC) for the difference.  
5. 4. I have never purchased the Cheers package so I have no first hand experience to share.  I had dinner once with a couple who had the package and he was cut off at 15 drinks.  How it relates with casino freebies  I have no idea.  It makes me curious about your cruise and are you on a special casino rate? That may change some of these answers.

 

2. Not true at all.

3. Also no longer accurate.  

Upsells aren't random.  They are based on your booked cabin type and location and the desire for the cruise line to sell you into a under selling category then resell your cabin.  If you actually mean a free upgrade, that is a myth sold by clickbait authors who have never sailed.  

1 hour ago, LDL1220 said:

What about at Princess Cays where the Cheers package can not be utilized?  Do you know? That will definitely factor into our decision on whether to purchase Cheers since we are only on a 5 day Bahamas cruise.

Drinks at Princess Cays don't count

3 hours ago, njhorseman said:

Taxis and Uber are readily available in San Juan, but I'm not sure the forts are a wise choice of attraction to take anyone who is mobility impaired. Even if they could be magically transported there from the ship how would they be able to walk once there? Take a look at this:

Doesn't that shuttle in the background run from the entrance to the castle?  Seems I was able to get on a shuttle at the castle down to the grounds entrance before?

6 hours ago, audcc77 said:

$1000 OBC?  I would put part or all of it through a slot machine, spin once, and take the cash. Then put everything on my room card which I pay with a credit card and get the points.  They are cracking down on the cashing out game including locking people out permanently from room charging  in the casino

I’m on the Vista and I put my card in the slot machine and a message pops up saying congratulations we’re giving you $200 in free play!  😳.  I was really surprised because this is the second cruise in 3 months they’ve done this and didn’t say boo to me prior to sailing.  😁😁😁. I blew it in minutes. 😂😂 The pop up free play is new this year.  

3 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

The pop up free play is new this year.  They are cracking down on the cashing out game including locking people out permanently from room charging  in the casino.  

3 hours ago, audcc77 said:

The OP said obc, not free play.  
 

At any rate, I would still try it.

 

 I do this when I forget cash for extra tips for the room steward and dining room. 

 

I’ve literally driven all the way to the port only to realize I have very little cash.  
 

On my last Royal ship I didn’t gamble in the casino much.  Realizing I had very little cash I put $700 on my room, spun once, got cash.  
 

Went home and got a free interior in the mail.  Maybe that was a fluke. 
 

If they lock my charging on my room, then oh well, probably for the  best. 🤷‍♀️

Better?

I am traveling with two mobility impaired seniors who would love to see the forts and maybe another place or two in San Juan.  Since the free hop on/off trolley isn't running, what options are there? 

3 hours ago, audcc77 said:

$1000 OBC?  I would put part or all of it through a slot machine, spin once, and take the cash. Then put everything on my room card which I pay with a credit card and get the points.  
 

I’m on the Vista and I put my card in the slot machine and a message pops up saying congratulations we’re giving you $200 in free play!  😳.  I was really surprised because this is the second cruise in 3 months they’ve done this and didn’t say boo to me prior to sailing.  😁😁😁. I blew it in minutes. 😂😂

The pop up free play is new this year.  They are cracking down on the cashing out game including locking people out permanently from room charging  in the casino.  

Is the free San Juan Trolley operating now?

1 hour ago, angelsfort said:

 

If you'll all be together most of the cruise, why not have your husband and mom get the Cheers package and then just have your mom get your drinks for you?

Because sharing isn't permitted

Use A PVP. They can see more room availability but you can usually book 3 into a 4 person room.

On 5/3/2024 at 12:12 AM, Kineticoh20 said:

Staying here for first time. I'm reading about a free airport shuttle. Has anyone used it? What was your impression?

Which Hyatt Place?  There is no charge for the one at Dania Pointe to/from the FLL airport.

Sure, you can.  You are just paying the same amount.  

4 hours ago, MRVEGAS711 said:

Win / Loss statements work just fine as well as dead scratch tickets and Yes, sweepings from a Horse track floor. 

I have W-2 Gambling claims every year. My losses don't always cover my winning, but majority of the time, 100% backed up by various forms of losses.

Won't hold in an audit so you would be responsible for taxes, fees, interest, penalties and attorney fees.  Like must be applied to like.  

8 hours ago, kwokpot said:

That's incorrect. The IRS had no definition on what constitutes a gambling session. It isn't spelled out Anywhere.

The ruling is in the above post.

3 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

I didn't say it was the same. I just explained how the pooled gratuity system works.

So you understand there is no incentive for a server to return to you for a second drink if there isn't a little something extra for them?