Carnival Magic/we upgraded, they didn't

[WeWant2BCruzin]

It sounds to me like you should not have invited them to go with you. You do sound rude in your comments about them but that JMHO. If you act to them like you are talking on here it will probably be their first and last cruise with you and I know it would be mine if I were them..

[First and Ten]

I don't see why the suite announcement is such a big deal. Both couples have separate rooms anyway. I think if the 4 of you are going to port together, it would be kind of cold to say "Well see you on board"....what's the big deal in staying back so you can board together

 

 

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Edited September 13, 2016 by First and Ten

[MissCruiseAddict]

Suites have bigger balconies - I would invite them to share it with you for sail away and/or a pre-dinner drink a couple of times. This way they get to share in your upgrade.

 

Your room will also be ready when you board - perhaps offer to meet them when they board (if it is still going to be awhile before their room is ready) to take his carry on to your room so he can move around easier.

 

 

This is a great idea. I'm sure that they have their own expectations of what they want their cruise to be. Like I said earlier if you guys don't spend every millisecond of the cruise together no big deal that is what dinner is for to catch up on things you all did that day. Who knows they might be really into watching the shows at night whereas you guys like to hit the casino.

[cruizinisthebest]

I don't think the OP is a jerk in the least.

 

I always travel with family and friends but we don't always board together. We also don't spend every moment together on the cruise either. Don't see the need for any of that. You can most certainly take a cruise with friends, not board together and enjoy the perks you paid for, and have a perfectly enjoyable time together otherwise. It's one instance of the entire cruise experience. Enjoy your perks, let your friends know without making a huge deal about it, and I doubt they will either.

 

A group of us just came back from the Magic. Only one couple upgraded to a suite. We didn't all arrive together. Some had fttf. Some didn't. We agreed to meet on Lido by a certain time - once we knew everyone would be onboard. Worked out perfectly and I'm 100% sure no feelings were hurt by the couple who had the suite.

[vamartha]

You shouldn't have booked with another couple if you weren't ready to cruise as they do.

 

I don't agree with this answer.

 

My answer would be you will just meet up onboard. They are adults, this isn't their first cruise and likely they don't need you to hold their hands. I would however offer to possibly let them use my suite to drop their luggage providing they board before their cabin is ready. I'd also probably have a cold drink waiting and I'd keep in touch via cell phone to know when they are headed up the gangway so I could enjoy the ship until they board.

[suzycruiser2]

 

I have suggested that they may possibly want to cancel and rebook for another time when he will be more mobile, but they both say they really want to go and will not cancel. They are booked past guest, so no penalty if they did cancel and rebook.

 

What would you do in this situation?

 

If you are sailing in October, there would be a penalty to cancel at this point. (Unless they have insurance and file a claim.)

[Mrs.C05]

Thank you all for your replies. I guess I made it sound like we're jerks. I didn't mean to, but it does sound that way. We booked the cruise over a year ago. There was no broken ankle, and no suite upgrade then. We didn't talk them into it, they have cruised before. We decided together to take this cruise.

 

If we were in the same situation, we would have cancelled. I have had to cancel a cruise before, due to an unexpected surgery. There wasn't enough time to recover before the sail date, so it was rescheduled.

 

We have been friends with these people for a very long time, so will talk to them, explain about the suite(before we get to the port), and go along at our friends pace.

 

After all, life happens, and we have to go with it!

Why not see if they can join you worn your "suite" perks of getting on the ship faster than standing in line with everyone else?

 

We met some people (who have became good friends) on a cruise, and they were able to join us in the VIP lines, although they weren't VIP. We were told this was possible from our concierge on NCL. I don't if this is ok with Carnival and/or RCCL though so you'll need to ask.

 

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[Mrs.C05]

Why not see if they can join you worn your "suite" perks of getting on the ship faster than standing in line with everyone else?

 

We met some people (who have became good friends) on a cruise, and they were able to join us in the VIP lines, although they weren't VIP. We were told this was possible from our concierge on NCL. I don't if this is ok with Carnival and/or RCCL though so you'll need to ask.

 

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And now I see you're on Carnival Magic. Still I'd ask if they could join you in getting on and of the ship for easier mobility.

 

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[crusing48/51]

I think we are going to have another issue. The woman who is married to the man with the broken ankle told us she has been diagnosed with a kidney stone. They have her on antibiotics, and are going to watch it to see what happens.

 

Aren't kidney stones painful? Hope and pray she passes it before we leave!

The best laid plans...........

 

Thanks to all who understand our issues. To those who think we are jerks, we did not intend it that way. We want us ALL to have an enjoyable vacation.

[kgb46]

Suites have bigger balconies - I would invite them to share it with you for sail away and/or a pre-dinner drink a couple of times. This way they get to share in your upgrade.

 

Your room will also be ready when you board - perhaps offer to meet them when they board (if it is still going to be awhile before their room is ready) to take his carry on to your room so he can move around easier.

 

Unless they purchased Faster to the Fun or you are Diamond/Platinum then the room will not be ready when they board. Early room access is not a perk of booking a suite.

Edited September 14, 2016 by kgb46

[cruiseonthebrain]

Suggest to the injured one that he look into getting a knee scooter for the trip. Then you will be the one holding him up as he zooms along the decks leaving you behind! No seriously they are great for ankle injuries, my girlfriend had one for 3 months recently. Suggesting they need to re-book is kind of jerky I'd say. My girl had a total ankle reconstruction this year and between the boot and cast she was in them for over 3 months, and we did everything we normally do.

As others have said, you clearly don't sound like you WANT to hang out with them so I'd discuss that prior to going. The idea that you'd wait to mention it until you are at the port is also pretty jerky, but hey.....if the shoe fits.....

 

Seriously???? I don't think the person with the injury or disability needs uninformed assistance regarding an accommodation. Maybe this is coming from a good place in your heart but it really is seriously offensive to somebody who lives with the limitation and has looked into alternatives. Do you really think a person who actually has the ankle injury has not looked at how to be mobile without pain?

[cruiseonthebrain]

I think we are going to have another issue. The woman who is married to the man with the broken ankle told us she has been diagnosed with a kidney stone. They have her on antibiotics, and are going to watch it to see what happens.

 

Aren't kidney stones painful? Hope and pray she passes it before we leave!

The best laid plans...........

 

Thanks to all who understand our issues. To those who think we are jerks, we did not intend it that way. We want us ALL to have an enjoyable vacation.

 

Clearly you should not be traveling with mere mortals who have physical injuries or infirmities. Recommend you re book with a theme cruise that only allows super heroes.

 

Know this, one day you or your spouse will be injured or sick or ailing. I hope people have more empathy towards you than you do toward your "friends".

[RicoMari]

I hate to sound harsh, but I completely agree with this.

 

Choosing to get onboard earlier over waiting for your friends is up to the OP I guess. But urging the other couple to cancel just because the OP doesn't want to be held back by the friend's injury is diabolical. Just be honest, admit you are a complete a$@hat, and let them enjoy their cruise the way they want to.

This sums it beautifully... Please, OP, for the love of God, show this poor unassuming couple, with their first balcony no less, and hubbys jacked up foot, please show them the gem of a friend they have found in you and Shallow Hal, and free them to enjoy their vacation without feeling as if they are an albatross around your neck of fabulousness.rock on with your bad ass wonder and let the little people just take itin as they can. In other words, do you, which is what you were going to do anyway. Take as many seflies as you can stand. And wallpaper your house with them when you get home.

Edited September 14, 2016 by RicoMari

[Danacat222]

Thank you all for your replies. I guess I made it sound like we're jerks. I didn't mean to, but it does sound that way. We booked the cruise over a year ago. There was no broken ankle, and no suite upgrade then. We didn't talk them into it, they have cruised before. We decided together to take this cruise.

 

If we were in the same situation, we would have cancelled. I have had to cancel a cruise before, due to an unexpected surgery. There wasn't enough time to recover before the sail date, so it was rescheduled.

 

We have been friends with these people for a very long time, so will talk to them, explain about the suite(before we get to the port), and go along at our friends pace.

 

After all, life happens, and we have to go with it!

 

A few cruises ago there was a young lady who was in a boot and using crutches, she broke her foot getting her luggage from her attic in preparation for her cruise. Obviously she still made the cruise and we saw her everywhere, she made the most of it, she was always having fun every time we saw her. I hope your friend, and you, take it in stride, it's not the end of the world.

[ekajun1957]

I would look at this as an opportunity. Knowing he is not totally mobile and will be slower I would take it as a chance to plan a fully relaxing slow pace easy cruise. Seek out excursions that would fit him and you might not have done before you knew about the ankle. While on ship let them know what times you want for yourselves and when you would like to meet up. They have a balcony, they will want time alone to enjoy that. If you can't look at it this way, then let them know that you and your husband are not truly good people and certainly not true friends and tell them they deserve better than you.

[crusinpsychRN]

I don't know where all the hostility is coming from. Didn't sound rude to me at all. I'd tell them now you upgraded. He may need a wheelchair or the knee scooter at embarkation to make it easier. Talk now about expectations for how much time you'll spend together.

 

An invite to the suite as soon as they board for a glass of champagne would be nice.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Florings]

Suites have bigger balconies - I would invite them to share it with you for sail away and/or a pre-dinner drink a couple of times. This way they get to share in your upgrade.

 

Your room will also be ready when you board - perhaps offer to meet them when they board (if it is still going to be awhile before their room is ready) to take his carry on to your room so he can move around easier.

 

This is a great solution and a positive comment!

[wannagonow123]

Tough crowd.

 

In addition to maybe taking some of their carry on stuff, get a table for lunch for everyone so he does not have to juggle food and trying to find somewhere to sit.

 

Every year we cruise with a couple that could not be more different than us. They are quiet, frugal and like a lot of downtime. Us, always on the go, love casinos, and willing to try new things. The first time we cruised with them, we found they just so not have the gumption to try new things on their own. My husband & I figure out what we plan to do and then let them know. 95 % of the time, they join us and have a great time.

[StolidCruiser]

I think we are going to have another issue. The woman who is married to the man with the broken ankle told us she has been diagnosed with a kidney stone. They have her on antibiotics, and are going to watch it to see what happens.

 

Aren't kidney stones painful? Hope and pray she passes it before we leave!

The best laid plans...........

 

Thanks to all who understand our issues. To those who think we are jerks, we did not intend it that way. We want us ALL to have an enjoyable vacation.

 

Kidney stones can range from mildly uncomfortable to downright excruciating. I've suffered with them for decades (I'm told my one kidney is like a maraca.)

 

They usually pass within 24-48 hours unless they get "stuck". Pain medication, antibiotics and lots of water usually do the trick.

 

Ignore the muck-rakers. Reasonable people understand you honestly want all four to enjoy themselves (not just you).

[simplelife]

We have cruised with others and have found that it is best not to orchestrate being together for everything. You need some "aperture" time. We have boarded both together and separate -both work. You phone will work when you board (or your ship may have HUB). recently our travel partners boarded a little ahead of us. They called and let us know where to meet them on the lido.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

Unless they purchased Faster to the Fun or you are Diamond/Platinum then the room will not be ready when they board. Early room access is not a perk of booking a suite.

 

 

You are correct. It is not a perk of having a Suite. Just so happens that a couple people that have had Suites went to their cabins and saw they were ready and figured that's the way it is. It's not. You want your cabin ready before 1:30PM (legally) then you need FTTF. Doesn't matter what others say. Until it's put in writing by Carnival, Suites have no more access to their cabin than someone in an inside that aren't Diamond/Platinum/FTTF.

[louanne93]

We recently went on a cruise with friends that I knew didn't have much money. We had FTTF, they didn't, I purchased it for them so we could all board together! Something to think about :)

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

I fully understand the op's concerns. She knows her (I am assuming the she part so forgive me if I am incorrect) traveling companions, we don't. If she has some trepidation it is because she knows what may transpire because of everyone's personalities. I, for one, am amazed that someone with an injury that may slow them down considerably while on a cruise would still want to go...that's a bit selfish in my opinion, and they should be the one to let everyone else know that they don't expect anyone to go out of their way to cater to them.

 

Since we travel in a group we laid down certain "rules" before we every got near the ship. No one is attached at the hip, no activities are intended to include everyone, everyone is free to do what they want when they want to, no one is expected to eat with everyone else, no one has to participate in planned shore excursions, rooms are not booked together. Anyone with priority boarding just gets on board before the rest of us. Those in "grand" rooms don't need to share with the rest of us...get togethers are in communal spaces.

 

And for all that it is amazing how much time we actually get to spend together...not because we have to but because we want to.

 

To the OP: just tell your friends you have booked a suite and will meet up with them once on board. Don't curtail your activities to include the "injured" one, he and his spouse can just do something else. Don't "ruin" your vacation by worrying about your traveling companions, they are adults and should act like it. Spend what you want...if they don't want to spend the money, go without them to shore restaurants and activities.

 

And....have a great trip.

[sassy~one]

THIS.... I am disabled! This is why i took offence to your post!!

Clearly you should not be traveling with mere mortals who have physical injuries or infirmities. Recommend you re book with a theme cruise that only allows super heroes.

 

Know this, one day you or your spouse will be injured or sick or ailing. I hope people have more empathy towards you than you do toward your "friends".

[suzycruiser2]

Since your cruise is still 30+ days out, I would really hope that the kidney stone issue would have resolved by then. Also, when did your friend break his ankle? Those are usually healed in 6 weeks or so. Plus even in the later stages with a boot they are usually more of an inconvenience than an issue that totally stops someone from participating in life.