Room Swapping//Sail & Sign Cards

[jdjaguar]

We are cruising w/ another family in 2 weeks and we booked 2 suites and 2 inside cabins near the suites.

 

The situation is we booked 1 adult/1 child (under 18) for each suite and 1 Adult/child in each inside cabin to adhere to CCL rules.

 

Obviously all 4 adults want to stay in the suites and the boys will be in the inside cabins.

 

Question is...can an extra sail/sign card be had to allow easy swapping ( not to mention reboarding/liquor buys)?

[cruisenk]

Yes, just see the purser once onboard. They can either switch the names of the people in the room or issue you extra entry cards. I think you may all have to go to the purser together or at least have all the S&S cards to make the switch.

[jdjaguar]

Can we do that at the Skippers Club before we board?

 

Thanks.

[spaceguy]

We had two rooms and needed to switch people on the Miracle in Jan. We had to wait until we were on the ship. At the Pursers desk we told them who we needed in each room. They issued us extra cards to unlock the doors but kept the sign and sail accounts matched with the original rooms.

 

Let the room stewards know and they can switch any papers that are going to the "wrong" room once somebody changes.

[mitchpam]

We were told to do it on the ship at the pursars desk. We went directly to the pursars desk after arriving and they asked us to wait a few hours until everyone had been checked onto the ship. My SIL and nephew needed to change room #'s, but there were no accounting changes involved since she was paying for any charges to his card anyway. After the first day we realized we, the parents of the boys, needed a key of our own to access the room so we could check to make sure they were in the room at the time they said they would be. Went to the pursars desk and asked, they made up a spare key to share. We left the spare by the TV and it came in very handy... Glad to report no mischief! :)

[wwakla]

mitchpam - standing ovation for caring and wanting to know where your children were at all times. :D

[sharonella]

We are cruising w/ another family in 2 weeks and we booked 2 suites and 2 inside cabins near the suites.

 

The situation is we booked 1 adult/1 child (under 18) for each suite and 1 Adult/child in each inside cabin to adhere to CCL rules.

 

Obviously all 4 adults want to stay in the suites and the boys will be in the inside cabins.

 

Question is...can an extra sail/sign card be had to allow easy swapping ( not to mention reboarding/liquor buys)?

 

Not sure why "everyone" (so far) thinks there will be "no problem" in switching this around. While I'm pretty sure they'll allow you extra keys to get into each other's cabins (like cruisenk says, you may need everyone to go with you to the purser's desk to sort it out), you don't say how much under 18 your kids are. If they are under 16, you may indeed have a problem, if these are not adjoining rooms that share an inside door.

 

Carnival may have a problem with knowingly putting minors by themselves in a cabin, even tho you are "near". That's why the rules are in place. To be sure that there is officially one person over 25 being responsible for each person who is not over 25. Putting all the minors in their own room(s) after boarding kind of defeats part of the intent of this rule.

 

Hope it all works out for you!

[mitchpam]

TYVM... I have a hard time believeing that others don't seem to care. We had 17y/o and 15 y/o boys who hung out for the most part on their own throughout the day. We all had dinner together, and we would have them check in with us every few hours, but we gave them a time to be in by every night, even if we weren't going to be back.... which is why we wanted the extra key, to see if they were in bed sleeping... and also to get in there to wake them up!!

[jdjaguar]

We had two rooms and needed to switch people on the Miracle in Jan. We had to wait until we were on the ship. At the Pursers desk we told them who we needed in each room. They issued us extra cards to unlock the doors but kept the sign and sail accounts matched with the original rooms.

 

Let the room stewards know and they can switch any papers that are going to the "wrong" room once somebody changes.

 

 

 

So I gather the Pursar doesn't care if you switch a minor into a room with another minor?

 

Was just hoping to avoid the 1st day crush at the Pursar desk if possible.

 

Thanks for the responses.

[mitchpam]

sharonella... I do not understand the Carnival room policy either. Why not just let people book the cabins as they are going to use them? Makes no sense to me to go through all that extra work, seems as though someones butt gets covered somehow by doing it the hard way....

[big_duck]

Not sure why "everyone" (so far) thinks there will be "no problem" in switching this around. While I'm pretty sure they'll allow you extra keys to get into each other's cabins (like cruisenk says, you may need everyone to go with you to the purser's desk to sort it out), you don't say how much under 18 your kids are. If they are under 16, you may indeed have a problem, if these are not adjoining rooms that share an inside door.

 

Carnival may have a problem with knowingly putting minors by themselves in a cabin, even tho you are "near". That's why the rules are in place. To be sure that there is officially one person over 25 being responsible for each person who is not over 25. Putting all the minors in their own room(s) after boarding kind of defeats part of the intent of this rule.

 

Hope it all works out for you!

 

Because Carnival has no problem with it that is why. In fact a little research before hand would have revealed they could have been booked that way:

 

(f) Carnival shall refuse boarding to any Guest under the age of twenty-one unless: (1) the Guest is traveling in the same stateroom with an individual twenty-five years or older; (2) traveling in the same stateroom with their spouse; or (3) traveling with a parent or guardian in an accompanying stateroom. Proof of age and/or proof of marriage are required. Carnival shall not be liable to make any refunds or for any damages with respect to any Guest’s failure to provide proper proof of age or marriage or otherwise comply with this provision.

 

I had no trouble booking my kids (10 and 13) in the stateroom across the hall.

[mitchpam]

jdjaguar... the pursars line always went quickly on the Liberty...they are awesome

[mitchpam]

big duck... We tried to get them to book it this way, but were told no. Did you book with a TA or directly with Carnival?

[big_duck]

big duck... We tried to get them to book it this way, but were told no. Did you book with a TA or directly with Carnival?

 

Carnival PVP.

[mitchpam]

Guess we will use that the next time we book than... much easier... TY

[GoodAsGold]

I think cruiselines tend to "look the other way" a lot. They know if they don't cater to their passengers, they won't have them. So, for "legal" purposes, they book "on paper" according to their rules. But, in actuality, if the passengers desire to switch the cabins around, it's kind of like "Don't ask, don't tell". Myself, even though our girls will be in their own cabin on our mother/daughter cruise, we also had to book the cabins so the three of us who have been past guests were each booked in a cabin in order to take advantage of the "past guest promo".

 

 

sharonella... I do not understand the Carnival room policy either. Why not just let people book the cabins as they are going to use them? Makes no sense to me to go through all that extra work, seems as though someones butt gets covered somehow by doing it the hard way....

[Donna Pearl]

We went on the Miracle last year Spring break with another family, we booked 5 cabins. 2 for the parents and 3 for the children, 2-16yo's, 2-14yo's and 2-13yo's. In fact the 13yo's got bumped to an OV. Our PVP was terrific made sure they were right across the hall from us. We alo went to the pursers desk and had copies of the keys of the kids rooms, so we could check in on them.

[sharonella]

Because Carnival has no problem with it that is why. In fact a little research before hand would have revealed they could have been booked that way:

 

(f) Carnival shall refuse boarding to any Guest under the age of twenty-one unless: (1) the Guest is traveling in the same stateroom with an individual twenty-five years or older; (2) traveling in the same stateroom with their spouse; or (3) traveling with a parent or guardian in an accompanying stateroom. Proof of age and/or proof of marriage are required. Carnival shall not be liable to make any refunds or for any damages with respect to any Guest’s failure to provide proper proof of age or marriage or otherwise comply with this provision.

 

I had no trouble booking my kids (10 and 13) in the stateroom across the hall.

 

You're right - I guess there is no problem for Carnival. Then I guess they should have let them book that way in the first place, instead of making everyone play "musical cabins" after the fact.

 

Just my opinion, but if I was traveling with minors (under 18), I'd want them in my cabin. Or I wouldn't travel with them. But maybe that's just me.

 

Sha

[jdjaguar]

Thanks for everyone's input (well just about everyone).

 

TA did not give us an option of booking minors in separate room.

 

I will get an xtra suite key for myself and an xtra inside key for my son when we get onboard from the pursar. That should solve the logisitics.

 

And Sha, I don't recall anyone asking for your opinion, but maybe thats just me.

[Gman2004]

You're right - I guess there is no problem for Carnival. Then I guess they should have let them book that way in the first place, instead of making everyone play "musical cabins" after the fact.

 

Prior to 09/14/04 Carnival would allow you to book minors in a second cabin as long as the guardian was on the ship in another room regardless of the location in comparison to the minors room. They only implemented the new policies (listed below) because people who booked gaurantees constantly complained that their XX year old kids were not assigned a cabin next to them. Rather than having to put of with these complaints on every sailing Carnival now make you book minors in adjoining cabins, next door, or across the hall. You can blame this on all the prior guests that booked guarantees and then complained when they didn't get rooms next to each other.:rolleyes:

 

Minor Guest Policy

Guests are required to be 21 years old (on embarkation day) to travel.

Effective 09/14/04:

Guests under the age of 21 must be traveling with a parent, grandparent or a court-appointed legal guardian in either,

1) The same stateroom, or

2) Staterooms side-by-side, or

3) Staterooms directly facing each other across the hall.

If guests under the age of 21 are traveling with a guardian 25 years or older, (who is not a parent, grandparent or court-appointed legal guardian), they must travel in the same stateroom.

Please note that in order for the staterooms to be side-by-side or directly across the hall, staterooms booked on a TBA basis will NOT be permitted.

The exceptions Carnival will make to this policy are:

· Married minor couple

Ø The booking must be documented that the minor couple are married.

Ø The couple must have proof of marriage at embarkation or they will be denied boarding without the benefit of a refund.

· Same-Sex Union minor couple

Ø The booking must be documented that the minor couple are legal Same-Sex Union partners.

Ø The couple must have legal proof of partnership/union at embarkation or they will be denied boarding without the benefit of a refund.

· Qualified Military Personnel (and guests in same stateroom)

Ø Minimum age is 18 years of age.

Ø The booking must be documented that the minor guest is qualified to book the Military Promotion, and therefore, is eligible to be an exception to the Carnival Age Policy.

Ø The minor personnel must be pre-approved by the Research Department pending receipt of the required documentation for the Military Promotion.

Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will be denied boarding and assessed a 100% cancellation penalty. NO exceptions will be made at embarkation.

The Group policy is slightly different because of stricter group terms and conditions including mandatory chaperones, damage deposits and other considerations.

[big_duck]

Prior to 09/14/04 Carnival would allow you to book minors in a second cabin as long as the guardian was on the ship in another room regardless of the location in comparison to the minors room. They only implemented the new policies (listed below) because people who booked gaurantees constantly complained that their XX year old kids were not assigned a cabin next to them. Rather than having to put of with these complaints on every sailing Carnival now make you book minors in adjoining cabins, next door, or across the hall. You can blame this on all the prior guests that booked guarantees and then complained when they didn't get rooms next to each other.:rolleyes:

 

Minor Guest Policy

 

Guests are required to be 21 years old (on embarkation day) to travel.

 

Effective 09/14/04:

Guests under the age of 21 must be traveling with a parent, grandparent or a court-appointed legal guardian in either,

 

1) The same stateroom, or

2) Staterooms side-by-side, or

3) Staterooms directly facing each other across the hall.

 

If guests under the age of 21 are traveling with a guardian 25 years or older, (who is not a parent, grandparent or court-appointed legal guardian), they must travel in the same stateroom.

 

Please note that in order for the staterooms to be side-by-side or directly across the hall, staterooms booked on a TBA basis will NOT be permitted.

 

The exceptions Carnival will make to this policy are:

 

· Married minor couple

Ø The booking must be documented that the minor couple are married.

Ø The couple must have proof of marriage at embarkation or they will be denied boarding without the benefit of a refund.

 

· Same-Sex Union minor couple

Ø The booking must be documented that the minor couple are legal Same-Sex Union partners.

Ø The couple must have legal proof of partnership/union at embarkation or they will be denied boarding without the benefit of a refund.

 

· Qualified Military Personnel (and guests in same stateroom)

Ø Minimum age is 18 years of age.

Ø The booking must be documented that the minor guest is qualified to book the Military Promotion, and therefore, is eligible to be an exception to the Carnival Age Policy.

Ø The minor personnel must be pre-approved by the Research Department pending receipt of the required documentation for the Military Promotion.

 

Guest ages will be verified at embarkation. Guests not conforming to this policy will be denied boarding and assessed a 100% cancellation penalty. NO exceptions will be made at embarkation.

 

The Group policy is slightly different because of stricter group terms and conditions including mandatory chaperones, damage deposits and other considerations.

 

Is this from an online TA manual or something? This is the clearest explanation of the policy I have seen.

[sharonella]

Thanks for everyone's input (well just about everyone).

 

TA did not give us an option of booking minors in separate room.

 

I will get an xtra suite key for myself and an xtra inside key for my son when we get onboard from the pursar. That should solve the logisitics.

 

And Sha, I don't recall anyone asking for your opinion, but maybe thats just me.

 

I truly apologize for sounding rude & I do want to say I would not have jumped into this post just to offer that opinion, if that was all I had to say.

 

Since I was more familiar with rule (1) & (2) and - obviously - not rule (3) - see big_duck's post - I assumed (wrongly) and originally posted earlier what I did because I thought that you were trying to get around Carnival's regulations. (Although, the extended regs that Gman posted seem to be a little more strict than just the 3 that big_duck posted.)

 

I did go on to add my personal opinion (after acknowledging I did not have all the facts) because it's a free country. I honestly don't expect it to change yours or anyone's else's mind, but sometimes when you feel strongly about something, you just have to put it out there & let people take it or leave it.

 

I sincerely hope all works out well for you & your group & you all have a grand time.

 

Sha

[Gman2004]

Is this from an online TA manual or something? This is the clearest explanation of the policy I have seen.

 

My Cruise Vacation Specialist at Carnival emailed it to me. Are you confused on any other policies? I can ask him to email that info if you need.:cool:

[jdjaguar]

Thanks for the clarification.

 

Our TA is obviously not up to snuff.

 

Do you think we will have a problem switching around once on board? The boys cabin is not right across the hall, but it is on the same deck/same side..just several doors down.

 

TIA.

[jdjaguar]

Fair enough Sha.

 

Rest assured, that we will be checking in on the boys from time-to-time, but in my opinion a little "controlled" independence from Mom and Dad is a good thing at their age.