euroguy

@Cruising Caribbean yes i receive incentives from the casino like free specialty dining, free play $, specialty perks like premier and ultra cruise offers which are only for casino players, tournament cruise offers etc. It's sometimes a bit of a blur about the free drinks everywhere on ship and free balcony cabin offers as to if it's casino or CCL. I suspect both are directly tied to the casino but I'm not always sure as I also receive some less rewarding offers from the casino. As for not playing in the casino...good question, I'm not sure but I suspect that if I didn't play in casino I would still get offers as they would want me to return... hmmm that makes me think maybe I skip the casino and then they would up the ante by offering a suite to lure me back 🤔

@Cruising Caribbean im glad that other cruise lines are taking a proactive approach to the situation with Haiti which boarders Domican Rebulic. I know others have said that Domican Republic has a strongly enforced boarder and John Heald posted that Amber Cove is 200 or so miles away from the boarder, but when people get desperate i.e. starving or bad actors a strong boarder can only be so strong and probably has weaknesses and I'm certain that some have already gotten across into D.R. it doesn't take many to cause issues. Look at what has happened here in the U.S. how a few bad actors can cause chaos and worse and thwy travel hundreds of miles. Just my two cents. I personally wouldn't go back to D.R. right now as you just don't know what will happen and the situation is a powder kag.

I suspect the CCL will not do loyalty matching across its lines. The reason being that each of CCL sister lines are sub corporations of the mother corporation of CCL and each of the each of those other lines have their own niches and target audiences. Then comes the logistical nightmare of trying to figure out what loyalty level you get on another ccl line as each line has its own separate requirements for each tier level. Final note, the loyalty match isn't a button that is being pushed by many lines at the moment, so I don't see CCL Corp to be overly concerned with it and making it a priority. Furthermore let's face facts, all cruise lines not just CCL are revenue generating machines and they have perfected the ability to set the stage to get guests to spend, thus I believe that one of the changes that will take place is points based which include additional spending on board will count toward your loyalty level. By doing this it will change the mind set to its okay to spend on specialty dining g or shore excursions or bingo or jewelry etc.. as I will move up the tier level quicker and actually count for something beyond the item spending for. In the consumers mind it's a win win and CCL will see an increase in on-board profits. It would be great if it included the casino but highly doubt that will happen as the casino already offers many items to people including free cruises.

@RoadTravelled I agree 100% what you outlined and has been pretty much the case for myself when dropping bags off with the red caps. Now keeping in mind my bags are tagged priority. I do carry a back pack with a few essentials but drop it at my cabin once I'm on-board, so then I'm free to explore the ship or have lunch without it, which is nice.

@Cruising Caribbean the offers I receive are usually good for 2-3 months to which I can book usually atleast 1-1.5 years out... might be 2 years out but I've never looked that far out as ships and itineraries seem to change frequently, so I try to book no more than a year out. I literally have hundreds and hundreds of cruises to chose from for the free balcony cabin. It comes down to how much time I can take to go on them which limits some of my choices for now 😆 Yes I do take advantage of the free balcony cabins every time but I'm hoping maybe I will receive a free suite offer v. a free balcony offer in May. If I only receive more free balcony offers that's okay with me and book them, as it's hard to say no to free balcony cabin lol And when I say free ... I do have to pay port fees and gratuities for cabin steward, usually around $200ish for 7 day cruise and $250ish for 8-9 day. But I do get that back in the form of onbaord ship credit... so yeah I guess it's still free 😆 🤣 I do feel very fortunate to have the offers I get, the benefits I receive on ship and having a CCL personal assistant for all things cruising on CCL. I do get treated very well by CCL which is one of the main reasons I cruise only CCL. I highly doubt another cruise line would do the same for me immediately, which would make me feel like I've stepped backwards.

@Cruising Caribbean Sept I will be on the Firenze out of Long Beach 7 days. I'll be going to Puerto Vallarta, Cobo, and Mazatlan. Ive been to all 3 many times. The reason for once more is two fold, 1. It's close to home, 45 minute flight and super easy 2. I really wanted to try the new Italian Fun Ship, I always consider a ship as a destination. Feb 2025 I'm booked on the Horizon 8 days out of Miami going to Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao. These will be new ports for me. Besides being another new ship and locations for me I really liked how the trip was set up, i.e. 2 full sea days on front then 2 full sea days on back end v. Only 1 sea day on the back. I always feel on a 7 day cruise only one sea day on way home seems so short. As for my CCL offers all my cruises are free balcony cabins, which also includes transatlantic, journey cruises and Australia. I think I could take a total of 66 free cruises for any lengths from 7 to 22 days. Basically I have hundreds of choices, ugh. I wish I had more time available, I would be on back to backs and jump from 1 ship to the next. All the offers expire in May which generally CCL renews the current offerings and will also add some new offers appear. I'm hoping to see free suite v. free balcony. The other great thing is I receive free drinks everywhere on the ship, which includes everything g except fresh squeezed oj and full bottles of wine.

@3Sisters youre absolutly correct, i would 100% bring my passport book to different continent which you probably would have to anyways as you would need to go through customs and even CCL says on certsin sailings you will need the actual passport book and visas for the country visiting and if you dont have your papers in order you wont be able to board the ship and no refund issued. Matter of fact i just recently received an email regardi g this point. @Old Cruiser i have pre check so i can skip the long tsa lines and everytime i fly i use my passport book for all things related to flying and never anything else. takes out all the questions or issues.

@3Sisters yeah I suppose I do cruise a bit and been on 13 different ships some of which im not even sure iare around anymore...wow thats dating me ....hush !!! Lol. Ok maybe I'm becoming the "cruise king" 🤣 You certainly have been following my cruises and explorations. I am strategic and plan to optimize my experiences, the last thing I want is "oh snap i wish I would have seen or done that"... then be disappointed. So lots of research and planning, but the key is figure out what really is important and to keep a balance so you actually enjoy your time and don't feel rushed and stressed. Yep already booked a cruise for Feb 2025 (horizon) already set for another this year (firenze) in few months, looking to see what other cruises I will book for the remainder of 2025. But kinda holding off to see what other free cruise offers I will get besides the balcony, hoping for free suite...yah yah yah wish in one hand and ##% in the other and see what comes 1st lolol You wouldnt believe how many free balcony cruises I can go on right now... it's crazy so I'm being selective with my choices and time. What's your next cruise? Didn't you just finish one?

@3Sisters that's a great article and will help many travelers decide what's best for them. As you mentioned i am a big supportwr of the card hiwever with that stated i do carry both the card and book on all sailings. depending on my destination dictates which one i bring with me off ship. As the artical mentions mexico and Caribbean work well for the card.

@3Sisters yep seeing again the David statue will be going down memory lane from a time gone by. I do look forward to seeing once more and perhaps in a even more appropriate ship. Everything I hear about the Italian fun ships is that they are without question a different experience and more upscale as well as much different from the typical CCL ships. I am excited to be on it 1st week of September. Wow!!! Now I'm the "cruise king" huh 😂 Not so sure about that but i definitely take my fair share of cruises. I've already booked Feb. 2025 and looking at few more in the year. Do plan to travel on one of the Italian fun ship?

Do you think it matters who the godfather or mother is?

@Cruising Caribbean I did see the artical about who the new godfather of Firenze is, but im not familiar with him, and not sure it makes a difference one way or another lol

@Dee Dee7 yes I have been on the Panorama about a year ago. What would you like to know?

@Emrys thank you for the heads up about the up coming changes. I am interested to hear what changes they will make. i suspect that it will include some benifit for spending for items while onbaord the ship, like spa treatments, specialty dinning, jewelry etc will earn points when hitting different levels of spending. Additionally suspect since they will give points for spending on ship that go towards your loyalty level, that they will change the loyalty points needed for each tier. I know that many have wanted to see different point values earned for different cabin types, i.e. inside,oceanview,balcony,suite I'm not sure about that happening but I know other lines do offer this. In conclusion I guessing that the loyalty program very well could change from # of days cruised to a points based system as several other cruise lines do this and it also encourages spending on the ship which inturn means more revenues for CCL that's my prediction... I guess time will tell.

@Cruising Caribbean my current plan is to retire in 5 years, I a have a bit of time still. Carnival has never stated that they expect me to play in the casino, but if I'm being honest I enjoy it as it's entertaining to me, and in the short and long run I'm getting a great return on my investment by doing so. It would cost me a small fortune to take 66 cruises that are 7 & 8 days what more fir 14-22 days in a balcony. In regards to what counts for casino points, everytime you push the button the slot machine counts to you point count. On average every one point earned is equal $2 spent. It makes no difference if you win or lose, it all about the button push. So the more you win the longer you can play and playing on CCL money is amazing g as it's not coming out of your pocket. It about picking the less volatile machine meaning they consistently payout something frequently. I'm not sure what you mean by if I'm flipping a return.... if you mean am I ahead of the game.... then the answer is yes. Think about it like this... how much would it cost the average person for a 7 or 8 day cruise in balcony? I met a couple on my cruise that spent $2k for a balcony. I spent zero. Then add the cost odmf beverages i.e. bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee and alcohol. For me zero as I get free drinks everywhere on the ship. The only non free beverages for me is fresh squeezed juices and those silly drinks in souvenir cups and glasses. Then let's talk specialty restaurants, I get free specialty dinner offers for 2 people from casino host while on board,. Last cruise I went to Rudy's seafood and the meal was top notch, for everyone else it's $50 each person So let's add this up $2k balcony being g conservative $300 for beverages, $100 specialty dinner that's $2400 and that is 1 cruise. So now look at mine ... if I spend $2k don't win anything I get everything for free plus can use the same offer 3X even if i dont spend another penny in the casino on future cruises. Using same math as above 3x2400 = $7200. I rarely come home with empty pockets from the casino, this last cruise I came home with $1k so I o ly spent and lost $1k. Of course sometimes I spend more but I also win more. It's a weight and balance situation. One journey cruise could potentially cost thousands but I could go for free 3X. I know this is getting g long winded but the point I'm making is its worth the play time in the casino. I have heard people with a smaller bankroll can earn free inside and Oceanview cabins as well.

@Cruising Caribbean I too had no idea about the Premier, ultra and Elite statuses until I received the 1st premier offer couple years ago. I'm currently evaluating the Ultra cruise dates and sailings to see if will work for my schedule. As for how far away I am from an Elite offer, your guess is as good as mine as I've not seen a breakdown to what qualifies for each level. On my last cruise I acquired little over 10k points and each point is equal to 1 point for every $2 spent in the casino. Yes the basic math would add up that I spent $20k in the casino but I didn't spend anywhere near that. You have to account for how much you win and how much you actually put in the machines. In reality I spent around $2k actual cash of my own money. I can hear you already holy cow $2k yes but what have I received in return.... currently I have 22 special offer for free balcony cabins covering hundreds of different cruises ranging from 7 to 22 day cruises that are both U.S., Europe and Australia and even the south pacific. So you think wow 22 cruises that awesome... well it gets better, I can use each of the 22 offers 3 times so that is whopping 66 free balcony cruises. 😀 sounds great until you have to figure where and when you want to go... I know..I hear you already again..."geeee i feel so sorry for you" (sarcastically) 🤣 It's actually very hard to decide especially since I'm not retired yet, if I was retired well you guessed it I would be on back to backs going around the world and jumping from ship to ship and all I would have to pay for is port fees and gratuities which add up to around $200ish for a 7 day cruise but I get it back as ship credit..also that with single occupancy which, normally is more for me as offers are based off double occupancy On my recent cruise I meet a guy that has similar offers, is retired and has done 25 cruises in 1 year and had future cruises planned through the next year already. Hope that answers all your questions.

@Cruising Caribbean well if you rank high enough in the casino you will be offered special promotions and perks that come under i.e. Premier, Ultra and Elite. It's a short list of special cruises and each level provide different benefits/extras on top of my normal perks. Plus free cabins. I've been on a Premier Cruise last year and received free balcony cabin, a welcome aboard gift, few days later chocolate covered strawberrys delivered to cabin, invites special casino events to get more gifts (electronics, cameras, laptops, and so on)and cash, invites special on ship events, enteies for $100k, special door plaque, and couple night before debarkation I got a box of 18 specialty cookies (super yummy) and on last night a going away gift. Ultra is similar to Premier but upgraded Elite is way better and even includes a private car to and from airport and cruise ship. The casino and cruise ship will that you like royalty 😆 My next cruise in Sept is another Primier Cruise. I've had the Ultra offers before but haven't done one as didn't see any itineraries that I liked. So now you have the inside scoop about Premier, Ultra, and Elite cruises. I'm hoping to some day see an Elite cruise offer, which will be rockin cool 😎

@Kendall James-Vargas I don't think CCL will leave port Canaveral but in 2026 CCL is looking to change to a different location in Port Canaveral as it will be larger than the current location. This tells me that CCL is looking at the short view to increase the volume of cruises going out of port Canaveral. Its been over 10 years since i last cruised out from Port of Miami. Back then I was gold level and really don't recall how it was...it's all a blur all these years later. Now I get priority boarding and sure that would make for a great boarding experience from Port Miami. My biggest issue is trying to decide which cruise to take in Feb or March 2025. I get free balcony on hundreds of ccl cruises to select from but have narrowed it down to 4 choices. 1) 3/22-30/2025 8 day - Port Canaveral - Vista. Amber Cove DR, San Juan PR, St Maarten VI, St Thomas VI Already been to Amber Cove and San Juan, would stay on ship at amber cove, more things to see in Peurto Rico. 2) 2/15-23/2025 8 day - Port Miami - Horizon -- Aruba, Curacau, Bonaire Never been to any of these stops 3) 3/22-30/2025 8 day - Port Miami - Magic Amber Cove DR, San Juan PR, St Maarten VI, St Thomas VI Same as choice #1 but out of different port and different ship 4) 2/15-23/2025 8 day - Port Tampa - Legend - Limon Costa Rica, Colon Panama, Grand Cayman I'm leaning towards #2 but just not sure as I would like to see the Virgin Islands and #4 is an unusual cruise going g to different and unusual ports, but in few years when i retire I will most likely do a transatlantic Panama Canal cruise I'm interested in hearing others input

Prior to having a passport card, which is similar to a driver's license but for your passport I would always carry my passport... now I leave my passport on ship and carry my passport card, which is easier. Bottom line is passport or passport card is a key instrument when in a foriegn country to.prove your citizenship, divers license won't cut it. If you need to go to u.s. embassy passport is essential, especially if things go bad and it's on lockdown and you're seeking safety. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Be proactive v. reactive 😁

Per an official release from CCL "The famous replica of Michelangelo’s statue of David—a pivotal piece of Italian Renaissance sculpture—is now aboard Carnival Firenze and showcased in the ship’s atrium." It's going to be awesome to see it again in September. It's been anout 15 years ago when i originally saw it on the Pride.

@Cruising Caribbean yeah I'm still undecided. I'm getting early access to Carnival Ultra cruise offers which I can see them tomorrow. Im waiting to.see what Ultra offers i get before i book for 2025. Hpping it.will be somethi g great but we will see.

@Kendall James-Vargas well I'm currently looking at a couple different cruises out of Florida one out of port Canaveral and one out of Miami. I'm pretty sure that the brightline stop for port Canaveral won't be completed that quickly as there will be lots of red tape and funding to be gotten then construction. But eventually it should make things much better. I do know CCL is looking to switch ports at port Canaveral as they have out grown the current location and looking to make a move in 2026.

@kefthecruiser I may have made a mistake with mahogany bay being Jamaica but I'm pretty sure I saw it. I just looked up honduras which is concering.... its level 3. Below is an out line posting proble.s With that said I still stand on my concerns with CCL not protecti g the best interest of its guests Honduras Safe for Americans? Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, is common. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime.

I could be wrong but It seems I read something about the whole customes thing.

The other reason you cannot board after the ship leaves the U.S. is each passenger must clear U.S. customs when leaving and re clear when returning.