LUGGAGE TAGS: I’m sending BajaBoyz luggage tags out today, to everyone who I don’t know for sure you will be at the pre-cruise mixer at Bamboo Lounge. You can use these on your luggage tags of course, and/or you camera, beach bag, pool towel… anything you may lose on the ship and want returned.

BUNJI CORDS: If you have a balcony room, consider taking along bunji cords to help keep the balcony doors from automatically shutting. Of course, that’s if you want to keep the door open!

WHALES: We’ll be sailing through the peak of whale migration in Baja, so consider taking your binoculars. Thar she blows…

LAUNDRY: There are laundry bags in your cabin, and you can pay per piece and your panties will be laundered and returned to you. Mid-way through the cruise, they will announce in the Carnival Capers an “All you can fit in the bag” laundry day… I think they charge about $15 for the whole bag, which is a savings. They also have dry cleaning. If you want to do your own… they do have washing machines located where you can go do your own. (I used to be that limber.) You may want to bring small sizes of detergent etc., along with you to save $. I knew someone who saved all of their old underwear for trips, wore them one last time and threw them away. Made for lighter bags on the way home and room for something new.

WEATHER REPORT: Last night’s San Diego weather report predicted sunny and 70’s for the next week. The weather gods are smiling upon us once again.

PRE-SAILING MIXER: Cruiser Ralph has arranged a mixer for us at the Bamboo Lounge in Hillcrest, San Diego’s gayborhood, on Thursday, January 27th, at 6 PM. We will meet in a private room adjacent to the patio, and Ralph is graciously hosting snacks for your enjoyment. I will send a separate email that will include links to maps, etc., for those who don’t know exactly where Bamboo Lounge is located, but it is easy to find, right on University Avenue where you can walk to dinner or other clubs if you find you can’t wait one more night to get better acquainted. Of course, food is available at Bamboo. FYI: http://sdbamboolounge.com/ Please schedule this right now, and plan on attending!

HOTEL: Cruisers Bob and Tim have found a good rate at the Ramada Inn, located in Hotel Circle. FYI: http://www.ramadaplazasandiego.com/

FUN PASS: Carnival has reminded me that some of you have not yet completed your FUN PASS. You still have time, but please take care of this and PRINT OUT YOUR LUGGAGE TAGS. TIP: After you print the luggage tags out and fold them as instructed, you may consider laminating them or using clear packing tape to reinforce them. If flying, don’t put them on your luggage until sail day, or at the port. If you lose your tags or they are destroyed, ask the porter to assist you with another set. Of tags… not luggage. If I have your mailing address, you will receive luggage tags from me prior to sailing.

DEPOSIT FOR YOUR SIGN AND SAIL ACCOUNT: I am also advised that for a 9 day cruise, Carnival suggests a deposit on your Sign and Sail account in the amount of $350.00. They will request your credit/debit card, make an imprint, and charge the amount you authorize during the pre-boarding check-in. If you have paid your gratuities in the amount of $90.00 per person, you may reduce your Sign and Sail deposit accordingly if you feel $350 is more than you will spend… or leave it as is… any amount you do not use will be credited back to your credit/debit at the conclusion of the cruise. If you prefer, you can also leave a cash deposit, and collect your refund from the Purser’s office on board, or in the casino for the lucky among us!

WELCOME: I know you will all help me welcome Jay and Al, who have booked independently but will be joining us as often as they can tolerate us! Every cruise we find new friends, and this one will be no different. They have already signed up for our Puerto Vallarta Shore excursion! Bienvenido Jay and Al!

Cruiser John requested information about WiFi on the ship. Here is what Carnival says… but in short… it is slow and costly. Unless cost is not an issue, most will find an internet café while we are in port.

What fees apply to use my cell phone while on board?
Carnival Cruise Lines, through agreement with Wireless Maritime Services, proudly offers an advanced roaming network on board Carnival Cruise Lines ships, allowing you to make and receive calls while at sea using your own mobile phone and telephone number.

International roaming charges will be conveniently billed to you by your home mobile carrier. Mobile phone service will be available for use while the ship is at sea.

Service Requirements
The mobile networks on your ship are accessible by most mobile phones. The WMS mobile network – http://www.cellularatsea.com – is accessible by most mobile phones supporting both GSM and CDMA technologies. CDMA users should ensure their phone is set to allow roaming.

You must have service with one of the more than 340 carriers worldwide that have a roaming agreement with Wireless Maritime Services. Not all prepaid phones are currently supported.

When the ship is sailing out of range of band-based mobile phone networks, mobile phone service will still be available. When the ship is in port, you can connect to local roaming networks as permitted by your home mobile carrier.

Calls to USA, Canada and the Caribbean
Dial “1”, the area code and number just as you would at home
Calls to Other Countries
Dial “+”, the country code and the full number (Verizon Wireless/Sprint users dial “011”, the country code and the full number).

GPRS Data Service
If your home carrier supports GPRS data service, you can use mobile phone service with compatible GPRS data capable devices to check email, surf the web and share photos while traveling just as you would at home. Charges will be conveniently billed to you by your home mobile carrier.

Checking Voicemail
Most users will be able to check their messages by pressing and holding the “1” key. Please note that some home mobile carriers charge for messages deposited to and retrieved from voicemail while a customer is roaming. Please contact your home carrier customer service with any questions about your voicemail.

Text Messaging
If your home mobile carrier supports GSM, text messaging service is available on compatible GSM devices. Address your text message to your North American number with “1”, the area code and number.
As a courtesy to other guests, please set your ringer to vibrate and avoid loud conversations while in public areas.

Charges, Billing and Customer Service
Rates for usage of your cellular phone are determined by your home mobile carrier. Please note that calls to 800, 888, 866 and 877 numbers are not toll free. You will be billed by your home mobile carrier for your international roaming usage on your regular mobile phone bill. It can take up to 60 days for charges acquired while using your cellular phone at these times to appear on your phone bill. For more information, please contact your home mobile carrier customer service.

Internet Café
Open 24-hours, the Internet Café features private terminals where you have the ability to surf the Web, chat online and access your private e-mail account (Gmail, AOL, Hotmail, Juno, Yahoo, etc.) Alternatively, personalized CruisE-mail™ is available on most vessels. Please see additional information below.
For your convenience, the Internet Café Manager is available for assistance during posted hours.
Internet Café terminals run on Windows XP and are limited to Internet communication. The terminals are not equipped with Microsoft Office (WORD, EXCEL, etc), however, most files can be accessed as “read only” for viewing purposes but cannot be edited or saved. Please note, on your personal laptop you can read, edit and save files without restrictions according to the programs installed.

Wireless Users – Laptops and other WiFi equipped devices
Got a laptop, an iPad or a netbook? Got 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless capability (relax, that's just geek speak for WiFi)? The Wireless Internet Service is compatible with a Wireless 802.11b card, which is the industry standard. You may use your personal laptop while onboard, your iPhone and all other WiFi equipped devices and most software installed on them without restrictions. VPN access on the other hand is restricted to connections of the type, which are not IPSec or PPTP connections. Discuss your VPN limitations with your company’s IT department if you are planning to work while sailing. We are not able to change your settings onboard.

Pricing
Instructions on how to create an account and pricing details are present on-screen in the Internet Café or on your laptop once you connect to Carnival WiFi. Internet pricing is identical, whether you are using the Internet Café terminals, your own laptop or other wireless devices. All internet access charges will be billed directly to your onboard “Sail & Sign” Account.

Activation fee - a one-time $3.95 charge applies to each user on their first login only.

Time Plans – offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a lower per-minute rate. These Time Plans are transferable between Internet Café terminals and personal laptops/ wireless devices, can be used anytime throughout the cruise until debarkation and don’t have to be used in a single session. No refund will be awarded for unused minutes. Upgrading a pre-selected pricing option is not available and plans are subject to change.

Longer Cruises (6 days and longer)
• 250 minutes for $100.00
• 100 minutes for $55.00
• Pay As You Go: $0.75/min

Printing – available in the Internet Café at $0.50/page
Boarding Passes – you can check in online and print your boarding passes in the Internet Café; please note regular printing and online time charges apply.
CruisE-mail™ - is our personalized email service set up as a convenience for those guests who either do not have their own email or are unable to access their own service provider. There is an additional charge of $3.95 for each outgoing (sent) message. No additional charges apply for received (incoming) messages.

Laptop rental
• A limited number of laptops are available for rent for $10/day or complimentary with the purchase of a Time Plan (while supplies last); optional insurance is available for $10 /day.

Before You Go
Convert your E-mail settings to basic; you will have a better experience if your E-mail is less graphic intense.
Discuss VPN limitations with your company’s IT department if you are planning to work while sailing. We are not able to change your settings onboard.
Get the most from your cruise Internet time and your trip — make sure you're powered up and prepared before you board the ship with this handy pre-cruise checklist. Here are a few things you want to remember to pack for your cruise:
• WiFi enabled laptop and mobile devices
• Power supply for each of the devices you are bringing with you
• A charged battery for your trip to the ship
• Data cables to transfer pictures
• Headphones
• Laptop privacy screens

NOTE:
Internet access via satellite is a significantly different experience than high-speed connections on shore. Onboard Internet access is not guaranteed at all times due to the nature of satellite communications, which are subject to occasional disruptions due to weather patterns and location.

Accessing E-mail and the Internet in the middle of the world's oceans is a triumph of cutting edge satellite technology. Our investment into this technology matches some of the most prestigious companies in the world, but even so it cannot be as fast as your home broadband. This is because the data must be transmitted over a slower wireless signal to satellites 22,000 miles above the Earth, which then bounce the data back down to the exchange. At home the data is sent down your fast cable connection to your local exchange, just around the corner from your house. We are continually reviewing our investment to secure you as fast a connection as possible and challenge fjords, glaciers and other grand geographical locations, to provide you with as seamless and consistent a service as possible.