galavant3

As mentioned already, try all the major agencies (we have downtown Alamo, Enterprise, Thrifty, Dollar, Hertz) and check for both their airport and downtown locations in both cities. This is the kind of circumstance where a site like Kayak is invaluable as you can do it all in one place and see who's offering the best price. They all do one-ways - they just may not at any particular time or via certain restricted deal sites.

 

The ideal is obviously an airport pickup and a dropoff in whichever part of Vancouver is closest to your hotel - or at the pier if you're driving up same day. But Vancouver is very compact - all downtown offices are within a mile or two at most from the pier, walkable if you drop bags and passengers first. Some offer a shuttle to/from the pier, or $5 credit toward a cab fare. Even airport locations are only approx 30mins away by SkyTrain - if the office is not actually on Sea Island this can actually work to your advantage as there would be no inbound extra fee so only $4 at most to get back downtown.

Very helpful, thanks. Once I figure out hotel, I'll have a better idea of drop off locations. We are arriving a day early. I'd like to see at least a little bit of Vancouver.

Thanks so much. Enterprise would not accept Vancouver for me but Alamo did.

Originally I was using the Car Rental option on USAA and I couldn't get past the first screen. Looks like I'll have more luck just going to the individual websites and booking that way.

 

A one-way car rental is often the cheapest solution, especially for small groups - in advance hefty drop fees are common, but as the date approaches those start to disappear with total rates of US$70 or less being frequently reported. Total flexibility in routing then too.

 

Good info, thanks. We will be flying into Seattle and our cruise departs from Vancouver. My initial thought was to rent a car in Seattle and drop off in Vancouver. When I tried to book the rental, I wasn't able to. Do you know of rental agencies that allow this?

Thanks!

Thank you for your quick reply & as too the afore mentioned martines I can not think of any one ruining a VODKA martini by putting a cucumber in it.

 

george35

On the other hand, cucumber and Hendrix Gin go very well together.

Interesting question. My son is Diamond (he's 21 now) and he would join us in the DL for a soda when he was underage. Now that the coupons are loaded on the card, it would make sense that they would give the kids each 3 sodas or waters.

And maybe they distinguish between over 18 and under 18?

Personally- if you can keep her in the younger age group it will be more beneficial. The next age group is teens who think they are too cool for programing and you will see they tend to hang out with each other instead.

Very good point! My kids are older now but we found them to be flexible about grouping. However Serene56 makes a valid point. That's been our experience also.

I really do try and treat everyone with courtesy and respect. I'm not always as successful as I'd like to be but that is always my goal. I would never publicly name call anyone, let alone a total stranger.

I consider myself to be an average tipper. According to what I read here, maybe a little below average.

For me this is more of a Golden Rule issue. If I were the cabin attendant, I would really appreciate knowing in advance, if someone had no intention of tipping. That way, I would not be left scratching my head at the end of the week wondering what I did wrong.

We get phenomenal service and we pay for it. A LOT. No problem for us. But if someone else doesn't want to, that is THEIR CHOICE, not yours big shot.

You missed my point entirely. I completely understand that some will choose not to tip. However, when you book a cruise, you do so with the understanding that tipping is expected (not required). That being the case, it doesn't seem right to me, for a worker to go above and beyond when the cruiser has no intention of tipping regardless of the level of service. Why not be upfront about the decision and let them know? It only seems fair.

It also lets the staff member know that the reason for no tips had nothing to do with the level of service.

And, as charming as you are, I had no doubt that you receive phenomenal service :)

Hey guess what, it's not the workers choice to choose if they want to do their job or not. They're contracted for a job and they get their tips afterwards. The employer determines their job tasks. So do us all a favor and stop talking out of your backside.

It has been my experience that they go well above and beyond that which is required. I am getting the sense that not every is receiving that same level of exception service and I am beginning to understand why.

Agree with all the others. We also bring a travel Scrabble game and cards (although they used to have games on board...not sure if they still do) and head up to the Viking Crown Lounge.

Another money grab by Royal.

We work hard, we pay our taxes and we wont pay tips.

these people dont pay tax.

its unfair on our society and its grab all by royal

we wont pay,I tell you, we wont pay.

I understand that some people are just philosophically opposed to tipping. If you choose not to tip, I hope that you will notify all servers and attendants at the beginning of your cruise. That way, they can provide the bare minimum of service and give their attention to those that will appreciate it. It has been our experience that the staff goes well above and beyond what is required to make our vacation special.

Personally, in many cruises, on many lines, I feel that the recommended gratuity of about $12-15 is the biggest bargain out there. We are treated so incredibly well by every one we come into contact with.

So, please, as a courtesy, let the staff no that you have no intention of tipping. That way, they won't wonder if you are disappointed with the level of service. Really, it is the least you can do.

I use packing tape also. Make sure you write your name on before applying the tape so it doesn't smear.

27 cruises (20 with RCCL) and we have always left wine for the next night with zero problem. Any waiter caught taking wine would likely be fired. I never worry about it. When you caught them doing it did you bring it to anyone's attention?

Same here. Always leave wine, usually a red and a white. It was always there waiting for us the next evening.

We usually tip about $5 a person. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

We will tip extra if the guide or driver helps us navigate aggressive vendors.

On a typical 7 day Caribbean cruise, not in summer or holiday, I look for $100pp/day for a balcony stateroom.

Same here. I shoot for $100 a day, after the balcony discount.

We've done many cruises on Royal and just two on Celebrity but we prefer Celebrity. Both times we were in Aqua Class and we absolutely loved it. An added bonus is when they offer the included beverage package.

We've never noticed lines at the elevators.

On our recent Explorer cruise the savory bites (all breads really) were like small, hard rocks!:mad:

I almost wish that would happen to me. The bread is so good I have a hard time resisting.

Rosemary Lamb Shank.

Hands down my favorite.

Congratulations!!!

there was someone asking everyone as they passed through and sort of indicating the table where 3 or 4 people were patiently waiting to take your money. we actually didn't have any to declare as I am quite content with going to Fredricksburg to get my fermented grape juice and I can get all the Spiced rum I want cheaper on base.

 

I am however quite sure that 98% of the ones that DID have booze were quite smug as they blithely justified not paying the tariff in one way or another. ( I'm not a Texas resident, why should TX get money off something i didn't buy there, etc)

 

just like all the people who justify removing gratuities or who have no compunction sharing their drink package.

 

every state has some wacky laws that make zero sense ( CA anyone?!) but I was raised in the "when in Rome" school so what do I know.

I'm back on the Navigator next month and we'll just pass on bringing liquor home. The prices in Texas aren't that much greater anyway so adding the tax on makes it not really worthwhile.

I'm a rule follower to a fault. I just wouldn't feel comfortable not declaring.

you are not taxed when boarding. only when you get off. they have tables set up just outside the terminal.

Duh. Thanks for clarifying. I missed that they were asking about boarding. I'm still annoyed that I was the only one paying the tax...

There should be a letter in your stateroom upon embarkation.

Thanks!

Having 3 drink vouchers on the sea pass cards for Diamond members was to enable them to enjoy drinks with their non-Diamond friends. It works wonderfully.....but these vouchers are not supposed to be usable in the MDR or specialty restaurants and usually there is one or two bars on the ship where they cannot be used as well. The Cruise Compass will generally specify it, or ask at Guest Services. That has been the way it has worked on all the cruises I have been on since we became Diamond.

 

I am not going to argue over what your agent said, or what you believe you heard --- just telling you what my experience has been, on all the cruises we have taken since becoming Diamond.

This will be the first time we've had drinks loaded onto our Seapass - which I love by the way.

Question? It seems like the policy is a little unclear. Will there be something in our stateroom outlining when and wear the virtual vouchers can be used?

Unless something changed, cigarettes and alcohol are taxed in Galveston.

http://www.galvestoncruisetips.com/new-tax-on-alcohol-and-cigarettes-to-hit-galveston-cruisers/

My last cruise out of Galveston, they had a table set up as you departed the terminal. You were supposed to go over there and pay your tax. They gave you a sticker to put on your bottle to show the tax had been paid. (not sure why). Of the thousands of people on the ship, apparently, I was the only on that made such a purchase.

We had heard about the new rule and we discussed it with the person that worked in the liquor store on board. The information he gave us was completely wrong.

Just booked the Alilass based on Roothy123's comments. It appears to be just what we are looking for. We'll be there in August and will report back.