Magic City Cruiser Posted January 11, 2019 #1 Share Posted January 11, 2019 It's been a couple of years since I have cruised so I'm wondering what changes I have missed. Sailing on the Triumph in a few weeks out of New Orleans. I was surprised to find that whole "check in time" thing. Being Platinum, I'm used to boarding with no issues around noon but now my "check in" is 1:30. I understand it's because Triumph is going into dry dock soon and they are getting the jump on some renovations. Next, I read an article about Carnival charging for Room Service which they quickly changed back to not charging but it's got me worried what HAS changed since I last cruised? And any comments about changes on the ship from recent Triumph cruisers appreciated as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted January 11, 2019 #2 Share Posted January 11, 2019 As platinum, that check in time assignment has no relevance for you, come as early as you want. And it has nothing to do with the pending drydock. It is to try to control the crowds that tens to gather as soon as the doors open...EM 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic City Cruiser Posted January 11, 2019 Author #3 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Thanks for your reply. I've read elsewhere that the check in is specific to Triumph and one other ship due to dry dock issues. I've also been told they won't allow boarding until 1:00. I hope you are right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie562 Posted January 11, 2019 #4 Share Posted January 11, 2019 What has changed? The Mardi Gras is making a comeback 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliot Ness Posted January 11, 2019 #5 Share Posted January 11, 2019 I think you're pretty well caught up. All ships have the assigned boarding times now, but as a platinum you won't have to worry about it. Well, there have been some price increases with the auto-tips and gratuities added to the Cheers and Bottomless Bubbles program as well as individually ordered drinks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanmarcosman Posted January 11, 2019 #6 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) Afternoon tea is still included but a specialty tea bag will now set you back $2.95. The ship's tenders are now being referred to as shuttles. When a cruise has X number of plats and diamonds you will not have early access to your cabin due to the labor pressure on housekeeping. The room service menu, for now, is complimentary except between 10pm and (I think) 5am. Also, there are now some menu items that come at a cost any time of day. Carnival will now deliver a pizza to you for a $5 fee to your cabin and on select ships (for now.) You can use the Hub App to have a pizza delivered to you anywhere on the ship, again, for a $5 fee. The pizza itself is still included in your basic cruise fare. Welcome Back to Carnival. Edited January 11, 2019 by sanmarcosman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglinc@msn.com Posted January 11, 2019 #7 Share Posted January 11, 2019 You can no longer take soft drinks aboard in your checked luggage, they must be in your carryon, we found this out the hard way, they took them away from us. (something that is perfectly legal to take on board) I think it's a terrible policy, it's really hard for older people to try to carry all this in their carry on bags.. Carnival is not nearly as customer friendly as they used to be. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Shoes2Go Posted January 11, 2019 #8 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Pack your patience for going on Triumph. We found that guests aren’t allowed into the terminal until noon, regardless of parking in the garage. We waited, standing outside on the pavement. Boarding began at 1:30 and was frantic. Memorable, but not in a good way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic City Cruiser Posted January 16, 2019 Author #9 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Thanks, all. By the time I found out about the new "check in" process, first available was 1:30. That really doesn't concern me since we will be spending the night in New Orleans but I did prefer to get there when I wanted and to zip through with my Platinum privileges. That said, I was cruising with about 10 friends one year and I and my cabin mate were the only platinum. We got into our Priority Line and proceeded to watch all our other friends board the boat about 15 minutes before we did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanmarcosman Posted January 16, 2019 #10 Share Posted January 16, 2019 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Magic City Cruiser said: Thanks, all. By the time I found out about the new "check in" process, first available was 1:30. That really doesn't concern me since we will be spending the night in New Orleans but I did prefer to get there when I wanted and to zip through with my Platinum privileges. That said, I was cruising with about 10 friends one year and I and my cabin mate were the only platinum. We got into our Priority Line and proceeded to watch all our other friends board the boat about 15 minutes before we did! As Platinum you can arrive when you want regardless of your assigned time. Edited January 16, 2019 by sanmarcosman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic City Cruiser Posted January 16, 2019 Author #11 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Yes, I think you're right sanmarcosman, but this time I'm traveling with family and new cruisers so I'll need to stay with them :-). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovefuninthesun Posted January 16, 2019 #12 Share Posted January 16, 2019 On most (all now?) ships, you no longer receive your sign and sail card at check-in. It is at your cabin, either in the mailbox or tucked into the doorframe. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProgRockCruiser Posted January 16, 2019 #13 Share Posted January 16, 2019 On 1/11/2019 at 3:33 PM, douglinc@msn.com said: You can no longer take soft drinks aboard in your checked luggage, they must be in your carryon, we found this out the hard way, they took them away from us. (something that is perfectly legal to take on board) I think it's a terrible policy, it's really hard for older people to try to carry all this in their carry on bags.. Carnival is not nearly as customer friendly as they used to be. Unfortunately, you can blame your fellow passengers for that policy change due to too much smuggled booze. Look at it this way: add the price of Bottomless Bubbles to your cruise fare. No need to carry on soft drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic City Cruiser Posted January 19, 2019 Author #14 Share Posted January 19, 2019 On 1/11/2019 at 8:42 AM, Essiesmom said: As platinum, that check in time assignment has no relevance for you, come as early as you want. And it has nothing to do with the pending drydock. It is to try to control the crowds that tens to gather as soon as the doors open...EM JUST an FYI, I just got my letter from Carnival: Dear Carnival Triumph Guests, We will be boarding later than usual for your cruise due to the loading and offloading of materials that will be taking place. Due to terminal capacity limitations, all guests (including Diamond, Platinum, Faster to the Fun and Suites) who arrive earlier than their Arrival Appointment will be asked to return at their assigned time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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