Little Buddy's Mom

55521208[/url]]Hey everyone' date=' I started this thread to get information, not so everyone can make digs at each other. If we all met face to face and saw how nice everyone probably is, would you make rude comments to them? Probably not, it should be the same here. Think before we post.

Thanks for all the information that was posted, it helped me make my decision on when to book.[/quote']

 

Glad you got your question answered. I was just curious as to why someone would pay a larger deposit than they have to. Didn't mean to hijack your thread. Cheers.:p

"]55518178]To me the reason to do this is to save some money. I watch the exchange rate and make payments along the way whenever the exchange rate is a good deal. As there´s always some fluctuation and sometimes it gets even better and sometimes worse. .

Your explanation does make sense. But for someone who doesn't have currency fluctuation, why don't people just put the money in a separate account, instead of giving it to RCCL, before payment is due? That way they can control it, instead of the cruiseline.

I have been known to put more then the asking deposit. to reduce the final payment amount

This doesn't make sense to me. Why would you give a cruiseline your money sooner than you have to? :confused:Especially, if you're booking two years out. I hold onto my money as long as I can.:D

Personally I found your response to be much ruder. Sail on a different line if the great unwashed are so offensive.

(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

Hello,

 

We haven't done a Transatlantic Cruise and are thinking of trying one.

Is the water rough in the Atlantic Ocean during April when cruising from the US to Europe?

 

 

Thank you.

Danny

We've done several crossings, both east and west. In April, you won't have to worry about Hurricanes. It will probably be a little cooler in the spring, so a jacket is usually necessary on deck.

We book a cabin on starboard (right side) for east bound sailings and port (left side) for westbound sailings. To get more sun. :)

Be very careful about any "competition" website.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

It's no different than calling different agencies for a quote.

I've gotten quotes from them. A person should check out any agency before they book.

Now there shows no balconies available. An hour ago there were over 100 balcony cabins available. Frustrating.

Just keep an eye on it. They may be updating inventory.

There is a website where agencies Compete for your business. You put in the date and the ship you want to cruise on and you will receive several offers. Sorry, I can't mention the name but I think you can find it.

Maybe there's an agency who still has some inventory at the old price. :) Good Luck.

Most brick and mortar travel agencies have gone out of business. They couldn't compete with online agencies. I transfer my bookings to an online agency, who gives me very good shipboard credit. I would book direct with the cruiseline if I didn't receive perks. It can add up to several hundred dollars.

We've taken National Express and have had a private car transfer to Southampton. I'd choose the private car, even if it does cost more. It was so nice having our driver waiting for us, after we picked up our luggage. After a long flight, it was good to just relax and be on our way. Private driver takes you to your hotel or port, if flying in the day of cruise.

With National Express, you have to make your way to the bus terminal and wait for your bus. Then it was a mad house getting on the bus. It's about a 10-15 minute walk, from where National Express lets you off, to the port. Not always easy with luggage but we've done it twice.

It sounds like the main complaint of the O.P. was, they had to get their own drinks in the Windjammer. Really? On very few occasions has anyone brought us our drinks there. We're just used to picking them up, at the same time we get our food. Sometimes, we'll be asked if we want a refill. Now, if we don't get our drinks in the MDR, I become unhappy. :(

Since we have to fly everywhere to catch a cruise, we do longer cruises and B2Bs. We count days, so between 2003 and 2016 we've been at sea 440 days. Nothing in 2017 and probably none in the future. It's not the cost, we just don't enjoy it anymore. We refuse to accept the cutbacks and changes that have been made over the last few years. I would guess the total spend, including cruise, tips, air tours, hotels, etc., it would be a little over $100k.

I guess it's called cruise burn-out.

We started cruising about 25 years ago, so I can relate to how you feel. Cruising has changed so much over the years, it just isn't the same, as it used to be. It used to be so special, I could hardly wait until the next one. We haven't cruised for over two years, although, I've booked several and cancelled them. It's really not about the money and I've never added up how much we've spent.

We have a cruise booked for next year but I don't know if we'll go. Flying is such a pain, it hardly seems worth it.:(:(

In our case, the Coast guard advised the Capt of the Serenade that at the time of my husbands heart attack we were to far out from Halifax and advised them to head to Newfoundland. They also felt it would be safer for him to not go in the helicopter. What caused the greatest problem for my husband was the down time in getting a heart beat back. ( 26 Min ) I knew before we ever left the ship that the chances of him coming out of this was slim to none.

26 minutes is a really long time to get a heart beat. Was CPR started immediately?

My vote is for the Anthem. I love sailing in and out of Cape Liberty and seeing the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline. The LOS is nice but I was amazed by the Quantum. I have never sailed out of Galveston and probably never will. :) :) :)

Not an advantage plan. Supplemental plan "F" which presently costs me $212+ (discounted for AARP membership) per month in addition to my Medicare premium.

O.K. - I know what you're talking about. We used to have Plan F with Blue Cross and had to pay a monthly premium before we switched to a Medicare Advantage Plan. We pay NO extra premium per month for the Advantage Plan.

This is Off Topic and I'm not in insurance sales but a Medicare Advantage Plan is worth looking into. United Healthcare does offer one. You will just have to see what's available in your area. Some plans do have a monthly charge but not as much as what your presently paying.

On a side note, we have AARP/UHC supplemental plan that picks up the Medicare 80% of healthcare costs outside the US. However, we're still responsible for the remainder and don't know if they pick up any medical transport costs.

It sounds like you have a Medicare Advantage Plan with United Healthcare and it does pay for emergency care worldwide. Most insurance plans do have a maximum out of pocket expense.

I have Coventry Medicare Advantage Plan and my maximum out of pocket is $5700. In most cases, for emergency care outside the U.S. you will have to pay the bill and file a claim with your insurance company.

On our last cruise we purchased the cruiseline insurance, plus we bought GeoBlu, annual policy. GeoBlu does add additional medical coverage, plus evacuation coverage.

We been on several transatlantic cruises. I've seen a helicopter evacuation in the Atlantic. I'd hate to have to pay that bill.

Emergency Assistance is a generic policy sold by several companies. My advice would be not to buy it. I bought GeoBlu last cruise. We only had one small claim but they paid us promptly. It was for a visit to the ship's medical center.

Because of the port of embarkation, or because of the itinerary? I think you can see from above answers that is the less popular route but lots of ships from Florida visit the same ports, especially right now.

 

I also prefer leaving from Florida but since OP probably lives in Texas from their screen name, Galveston is probably a more convenient option for them, as it is for ups.

Sounds like she didn't like the embarkation port or the itinerary. Galveston seems to be a drive to port, with most of the cruisers coming from Texas or surrounding states.

Seriously :confused: :eek:

I believe if I wanted more ice, I'd just ask my cabin attendant and give her/him an extra tip. The thought of carrying a cooler, to the Windjammer, doesn't appeal to me. Even if I was Pinnacle, wearing my pin. :)

OP - just to let you know that if you are entitled to any freebies/info as part of Crown and Anchor they may well get delivered to your original cabin so you may need to chase them if they don't arrive.

You probably missed it but this is their first cruise so they probably don't belong to C&A.

You're on a ship with thousands of people. So unless you wear something really outrageous, no one will notice. I personally take my summer wardrobe. About the only thing you wouldn't want to take is heavy winter clothes for a Caribbean cruise. Enjoy.

I set up a separate acct just for cruises, and keep regular deposits in it so any expense for that trip comes out of the funds in the acct. I keep track of all expenses on a spreadsheet Cruise payments, Hotel, Flight, tours, on board expense. I also pay off our cruises in full no later then 1 month before final and check the Credit Card statement online to verify it has been paid and pay the credit card off before we leave.

That's sounds like a lot of work. Separate accounts, spreadsheets, etc. I'm afraid I'm too lazy for that.:)

I make two payments on my credit card. The deposit, when I book the cruise and the final payment, about a week before it's due. My credit card is set up to automatically pay in full monthly. My life is so simple.:)

I imagine if you were booking air today, you'd do things differently. It's always easier to have your luggage checked through to final destination.

We usually don't book our air until we make final payment but we take last minute cruises. So far, we've been able to get reasonable prices. AIr2Sea prices usually remain pretty stable. Most air is non refundable or have high fees to change, as you've found out. I probably wouldn't have paid $600 to get in 45 minutes earlier but that's just me.

I'm sure everything will work out. Enjoy your cruise. :)

Hi, I'm helping a friend find air next year, to Copenhagen and saw your post. I'm wondering why you didn't just fly from Palm Springs to S.F. and then direct to Copenhagen? Air price seems very reasonable (around $500) and only one stop. You could then get one way air from Boston to PSP. (under $300).

Of course, it's too late now but just curious. We always try to find international flights where we only have one stop. Less to worry about.

For our cruise next year, we have decided to come in 2 days early since our flights won't get in from Calif until after 4 PM. this will give us an extra day to relax then will spend another 2 days post cruise to see DW. . It will be our first time from Port Canaveral.

It's nice you're able to do this but I don't think your answer has anything to do with O.P.s question....:rolleyes:

 

Not meaning to be rude (and I know that some people won't see themselves here) I also don't bother to post anymore when people take over the board. Why should I even bother if X will jump on every single posting immediately so that X can welcome everyone, be the "organizer," know-it-all, social host etc? This certainly doesn't happen with every roll call, but it seems to be a more and more frequent experience in my 15 years of familiarity with CC.

You're so right. I have a few cruises booked but haven't posted on any of them. I had a bad experience on one roll call, where the organizer tracked me down, about an activity I had signed up for. It wasn't a tour or anything, just a shipboard activity. I felt like I was being stalked. I haven't joined a roll call since. Some people take this roll call thing far too seriously. It's just a cruise, for pete's sake.:o