digital_curator

Thank you. I'm rather confused about Celebrity as it seems very different to P&O, we are looking forward to it though. Is there a list of bar prices anywhere so I can figure if it's worth purchasing a package?

 

 

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You can do a search on this thread for "bar menus" or check out the Preisman's travel blog (http://www.thepreismans.com)- they include menus on all of their sailings, which will give you and idea about the various drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and their costs.

Cheers,

Is Sushi on 5 open on embarkation day?

Cheers,

It costs $11.80 pp/day to upgrade. If you wait until you are onboard, you can use any onboard credit you have towards this cost. As others have said, you both don't need to upgrade and you don't have to to buy it on the first day, so you could take a day or two to decide for yourself.

The Preisman's have a great review site with menus from each bar on the ships that they have sailed, which will give you an idea. Note that some of their cruises originated in Europe, where the gratuity price is included in the drink price (and drink package limits are increased to compensate for that): http://thepreismans.com

Cheers,

Just got off the phone with RCCL they say that elite gets you nothing on RCCL and that you must earn the RCCL status with RCCL cruises alone.

I'd talk to RCCL management but the wait times are enormous and often the personnel on the ships know more than the head office anyway.

RCCL and most head office training is inadequate and the marketing people are making understanding a cruise and the benefits more complicated than the tax code. It is getting like the airlines prices and flights change in minutes.

Make sure to call the Crown & Anchor phone #, not the regular #. Not only will they know what they are talking about (:rolleyes:) but they will be able to give you your C&A number- it is not the same as your X loyalty #.

Cheers,

One of the reasons that my husband still wears a tux is because he rents it from X. It saves him packing 2-3 outfits and a pair of shoes! :D

On Refection, the CC cabins are the same size as regular veranda cabins, so the only benefits are the little bonuses in the room and the extra membership points.

The pricing will often fluctuate depending on inventory, so higher categories can sometimes be purchased for less than a lesser one.

Cheers,

On our upcoming holiday cruise, DH will be wearing a tux on formal nights. On our Summit cruise in February, about 30% of them men wore them for late seating in the MDR.

Hmmm 86 views and no responses :confused:

 

My primary question is, can I select Classic Beverage as a perk and then pay $10 + gratuity / pger day to upgrade to Premium ?

Yes. It will cost $11.80 pp/day to upgrade.

The second week of January is our favorite time- since it is after the holidays, interest is low and prices are good. There are fewer children (no offense, parents).

From mid-February to Easter one has to deal with spring breaks. I doubt that X gets a real party crowd but we find the ships fuller and trips more expensive.

Mid-April is the official start of "rainy season" in the Caribbean so if you are trying to avoid rain back home, I would not pick this month.

Of the months you suggested, I would pick February but, as others have said,pick your worst season- there really is no bad time to be on a cruise!

I have always been told that the more time a ship is in port, the more it costs the line.

One of the reasons we choose X is because they tend to have very long port hours and one can see things without being rushed. I'm surprised to see X shortening since they are extending hours on my cruises with overnights.

Could it also be due due to the number of ships in port?

In the daytime, I usually use a lanyard. I have several from conferences but bought one on Etsy for an upcoming holiday cruise with a festive fabric. I have some that easily tuck under a shirt so that you wouldn't know it was there.

If I am heading to the pool, I might pop it in my little beach bag or if I am wearing shorts, into my pockets.

At night I bring a wristlet or small purse and put it in there.

Christmas decorations and Christmas trees (love how you use Xmas) are not Christian or religious symbols. These symbols date back to ancient history where they were symbols of renewal, rebirth, winter solstice, and communion with nature. We always decorate our home (inside and out) to the nines with environmental symbolism every December and we are on the home tour every year and voted second best in our community (second to our neighbor who was the Director of Commercial Display for the Tommy Bahama chain). ;)

Actually, these are religious symbols just not Christian ones. For Wiccans and other pagan groups, these are tied to Yule, one of the four major sabbats.

I'm sorry that your service felt rushed- I find most activities do on the ship since they are trying to fit a lot of things in to accommodate all of their passengers. It is s shame that the rabbi didn't review the material in advance or prepare his own service to accommodate the time.

I'm also sorry that the times and locations weren't published in the dailies, which would have been helpful. I'm not sure what you are trying to say about the community board though- did you think that this was a disrespectful place to provide cruisers with the information?

I would suggest that you write to X about your experience with suggestions about how to make the religious services more accessible to those onboard.

We try to get to the port around 10:30/10:45. By the time we drop our bags with the porters and join the line, we either have to wait 10-15 minutes or we walk in to security. On the ship sipping a mimosa by 11! :)

Have fun!

Took my Infinity cruise last wk.and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. Usually go on Oceania,Seabourn,Regent,etc. and gave up on mass market after terrible RC cruise.

Booked a suite and very spacious with great butler service and room service.

Enjoyed the suite rest.Luminae,also Blu, but MR too crowded.Also, noticed real difference at buffets.Just too many people and too chaotic there.

The 2 theater shows were impressive,but passed on the comedian and singer after 15 mins.

Did not take any shore exc.so can t comment on them. STill not liking the nickel and dime thing,even for cappachino,etc.

May consider doing another and glad I gave them a try.We got a lot of perks,but almost as pricy per day as luxury lines ,when you figure all the extras. In general, you DO GET what you pay for on cruises,as in life,it seems.BUt a real step above Mass market lines.:)

Glad you liked it! But with the suite you should have had a premium beverage package, tips, wifi, and OBC. This would have eliminated the "nickle and diming," no? For example, your cappuccino would have been free.

Cheers,

Tricky! They are both awesome!

What do you like to do in port?

Thanks for a great review!

We will be in the Equinox. We aren't going to the concert but we are overnighting in St Maarten and I believe that the other three are as well.

I'm sure that it will appeal to many people on the cruise, though it is pricey!

As you can see from my signature, we started on RCI. I loved all the bells and whistles but the vacations were tiring!

In our late 30's we switched to X. The older ships are very similar (we are about to try the S-class ships).

I miss some of the activities (mini golf, flowwider) but it doesn't sound like you will.

We love the variety of lounges- lots of places to have a cocktail and listen to music. We find that most ships have had a Latin band, a pool band/current music, a guitarist, a piano player, and the ship band.

Things do get quiet earlier than on RCI, though it will depend on your sailing. Food is limited late at night- pizza until 1 in the buffet. Coffee and pastries at the coffee shop (closes 11/11:30?) and room service ($4.95 charge after 11). There is a thread about this right now. Many have suggested grabbing a snack from the buffet before dinner ends at 9/9:30 and putting it in your fridge.

Hope this helps!

We like the Southport Raw Bar in Ft Lauderdale

We were on the Summit in February, the last cruise before its refurb.

Were a few things a little tired in our room? Yes. A hard to open drawer on one night-table, a little rust on the balcony. Nothing decrepit and no reason to cancel a cruise!

The lounges and dining rooms were fine and I'm sure that they are even better now after the refurb!

Enjoy your cruise!

I saw a whale while playing mini-putt!

Ordered every dessert off the menu at a restaurant (I did have others help eat them!:o).

Sat on a balcony in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Had such engaging conversations with 3 other tables for 2 that we decided to all sit together on formal night so that we wouldn't have to talk so loud and disturb other guests.

Watched the Paralympic sailing completion (from my balcony).

Watch a medical evacuation by helicopter (:()

When we had anytime dining, we simply made a reservation for the same time each night and asked to be seated with the same waitstaff. Felt just like traditional! :D

Just know that if you want to eat at a really popular time, you might have to wait for a table.

any idea how much this might cost?

 

I don't drink alcohol, so have no idea what the alcohol version of drinks taste like to even know what I might like - Last few cruises I just ordered a orange juice and sprite, but would love to incorporate some new flavors this time! Thanks for the tip on the Mint Lemonade - sounds like something I would enjoy.

 

Anyone else have more suggestions of fun non-alcoholic drinks?:D

They were $5 each.

Here are the menus from a recent cruise taken by the Preismans, which contain several non-alcoholic drinks:

http://www.thepreismans.com/equinox_ta_menus.htm#programs

Cheers!

The Sunset Bar has a lovely sparkling mint lemonade and a watermelon drink that is quite good as well.