ali-ali-oh

If you like flash mobs you'll love this. I came across this earlier this month. I assume it's a US TV show of some description but it's a huge flash mob

If CC clips the link Google YouTube Biggest Surprise Ever it's really worth a watch.

I remember the days when there was a harpist or strings in the speciality restaurants on the M class ships every night and at the top of the stairs in the main restaurant on formal nights, also a thing of the past

They have written in DH's dress shirt when we sent that our to be laundered after 1st formal night. They wrote the cabin no on the inside of the seem with the buttons at the bottom of the front of his shirt. Wasn't an issue as he should always have that tucked in. Haven't noticed on subsequent trips but did worry in case it ended up at the wrong cabin if they looked at the previous cruise's cabin number!

great idea, I've sent an email to captains club - let's see what happens - I bet I get the - 'I've sent your email to the sales department who can handle this'.

 

After all I'm not asking for anything for free, I'm asking to pay the difference between a balcony and concierge to move to another cabin

Hi Jan

We've fallen foul of this rule too in the past! The Ts & Cs state:

"For all changes that we consider to be minor changes (such as

change of stateroom or name changes on an existing booking

by way of example only), outside of 56 days from departure

(such as change of stateroom or name changes on an existing

booking), an amendment fee of £35 per guest per booking

will be payable together with any costs incurred by ourselves

and any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our

suppliers."

When we wanted to upgrade we had to pay the £70 plus the difference in cost. The only other option was to cancel and rebook which would have meant us losing the entire deposit.

Not a good solution by any means, but that's how it is these days it seems.

We're also trying out a US TA for our next cruise to see if that is any better.

Did you not mention that you usually use a US TA when we were chatting back in August (or am I confusing you with someone else)?

Alison

Not in the UK, they refuse to move you - last time I was told 'It's not worth my job' We even tried captains club and pointed out that both canada and use passengers can change theirs and they said 'no can do'

This is true in the UK. The Ts & Cs state:

"...For all changes that we consider to be minor changes (such as change of stateroom or name changes on an existing booking by way of example only), outside of 56 days from departure (such as change of stateroom or name changes on an existing booking), an amendment fee of £35 per guest per booking..."

If there is a price drop you can cancel and rebook but lose your deposit. Even if you want to upgrade you have to pay the £35 admin fee per person plus the price diff on the cost of the upgrade. Although this has not always been the case and we had been able to switch rooms on previous bookings it did happen on our last cruise and is the reason we have booked with a US TA this time.

I I can't comment on what's in elite+ Perks, but no one can at this point. I'm sure when they are announced, everyone, including me again, will say we should get more.

I know it's not official yet but this is what I copied the other day:

Our Elite Plus members** In recognition of our most devoted Elite members, we have created Elite Plus - delivering a higher level of recognition with greater benefits, including additional beverage and specialty dining discounts, complimentary 200-minute internet package, cappuccinos, lattes, and more.

Our Zenith members** The highest of Captain's Club membership - Zenith - is designed exclusively for our most loyal guests, offering the qualkity benefits and perks befitting this ultimate level of membership, such as complimentary beverage package, access to our exclusive Michael's Club Concierge Lounge, complimentary laundry, and priority seating in theate "

Typos X's not mine :)

Thank you, that is great to know. Its such a silly thing, but sometimes its nice to have a bit of "normal" home with you on a holiday! I am bringing my husbands favourite PG tea bags and digestive biscuits too, last time we were on board we requested tea with biscuits, we got Lipton tea and a small box of "Fruit Loops"!! This still makes me laugh even now, when I imagine my dear husband trying to "dunk" them!!! :D

My DH is the same - we never travel anywhere without the PG Tips! The waiters soon get used to us in the MDR and no longer bring out the wooden box of tea bags for us to choose from. The most difficult thing (regardless of which tea bags you use) is to get them to bring "HOT" water rather than lukewarm. I know I can't expect boiling water these days, but sometimes it can only be described as tepid - yuk!

You can get biscuits on the X ships - but you need to ask for "cookies" and I know they have digestives because DH always gets them with his after dinner cheese plate.

Guess it's an eccentric English thing!

This is my solution, thank you! :)

Hi Louise

They did have hot milk at breakfast on the last X cruise I did - in a pump type dispenser near the hot water/coffee station. They didn't have it the rest of the day. Also, as a child when we did not have microwaves, my mum used to make ReadyBrek just by pouring hot milk over it in the bowl - it never went anywhere near the pan and I believe that's why the "bits" are so small so they don't need to be heated and soaked like traditional porridge/oatmeal. If you like it slightly thicker you could use a bit less milk. I have also been able to ask for hot milk in the MDR before - so this could well be an option for you. Why not try this method before you leave?

As an alternative, I have had the equivalent porridge/oatmeal in the MDR and although it's a thicker consistency to ReadyBrek with a liberal sprinkling of sugar, it's not that bad.

Personally, I really don't like oatmeal made with water - I remember my grandmother making it for me once because I insisted I wanted porridge (meaning ReadyBrek) when I stayed at her house - real porridge (despite her best efforts) was not a suitable substitute - yuk!