dreamin'ofthesea

On 2/27/2024 at 10:02 PM, buchhalm said:

I call B.S. on that one.

Convenient excuse.

Reason are probably boring itineraries and extremely limited schedules.

If it was the price of blueberries in Canada, they'd spinn a story. 
 

I agree. As soon as I read their excuse. It’s like blame everything on Covid. Ooh I’ve lost a button must be Covid, wait no it’s the houthis in the Red Sea. Last time I looked the Red Sea is a bit of a way from Australia. Are they cancelling their voyages in the Med?

I think their bookings are low so any excuse.

hopefully another line takes their berth spots in Melbourne. 
We’re crying down here. Every one pulling out of Melbourne.😭

 

I did exactly that before my November cruise. Had already paid in full. Was maybe 6 weeks out. Just paid the taxes and the extra for Princess plus. 
I had make enquires months earlier also the difference was the same.

I had expected maybe to pay more if the price had gone up but only taxes and the Princess plus.

On 12/25/2018 at 5:06 PM, Russell21 said:

Having discussed this problem over Xmas NSW, registry offices will issue ID cards for kids due to the need for various purposes. I'm sure Vic roads would do similar.

Thanks Russell21 I can't see that they do but I will enquire further

39 minutes ago, trishh said:

We've travelled to NZ a number of times when the kids were under 18 and you've really got no choice but to take the passports ashore with you. There are only a couple of ports that actually ask for the ID but when they do we've always had the passports for the kids. Drivers licences are fine for adults.

Trish

Thanks Trish

Very helpful. That's what I'll have to do

11 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Good luck.

Thanks Mic

15 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Perhaps you or their father should hold their passports for them, you only need them to get back onto the ship / into the port area (unless something bad happens while out for the day).

Might do that thanks

Electronic copy a good idea thanks.  They probably can be responsible but I just don't want the hassle if they lose it. its only a 2 week holiday.  Many years ago (before the internet and email - yes I know I'm ancient) I travelled with a friend who left her airline ticket behind at a hotel in France but didn't realise until we were at the airport presenting for a flight (a week later).  Being a weekend, with travel agents shut and with no electronic records it was a pain in the ......... And a passport is pretty fundamental to getting home.

Thanks every-one for your replies.  I'm concerned about the kids (teenager and two young adults) losing passports if they take them onshore.  They may not always be with either their Dad or me in ports for me to hold onto their passports.  Passports are bigger than ID cards and being boys/young men they don't carry hand bags.  I had read other posts where Posters advised leaving passports on board and they  just use drivers licenses to get back on the ship (for our NZ cruise we visit several ports between first and last landfall), hence my question.  Thanks for the suggestion MrandMrsCookie, I'll definitely photocopy passports. I guess we'll just use passports and hope they don't lose them

Travelling to New Zealand with family (first time cruisers).  We would like to leave passports on board.  Adults all have drivers licence to use as alternative ID but what can I use for my son who will be 14 when we travel?  The Key Pass photo Id in Australia is either for 18+ or 15 to 18yrs.  I can't find anything for younger children.  Since I have read photo ID is required to get back on ship what have you all done? Thanks

Thanks for all the input. I've had a great conversation this morning based on some of your feedback and we're moving forward. Some have asked about my comment about the guests not offering to pay and I think it's intent was misunderstood, please understand that's just explaining the situation to get best feedback from you, I would never offer something such as this and expect any reimbursement or anything in return.

 

Thanks again to all who have provided your input, it truly did help me a bit and to avoid any awkwardness.

 

Keep Calm and Cruise On.... :-)

That's great. Hope you all have a great time.

I personally would be insulted and not go with you. I probably wouldn't think much of the friendship either. While you enjoy the perks of a suite your friends should stay at bay in an inside or porthole cabin. What it says to me is that they are there for your entertainment, not as equals like friends. If you can't afford to pay for them to sail in the same category as you then you should sail in an outside cabin like them. I recently took a cousin on a cruise for her BD and even paid her gratuity. She had no expenses required but chose to play a little in the casino on her dime.

A gift doesn't come with contingencies.

That was my concern too that they may think that so that it really depends on the person. To make clear here. I don't think there is anything wrong with some-one accepting and think its great, or another person not liking someone else paying. Every-one is different and the end result is you want the wife to have a great Birthday, everyone to have a great time and the friendship to be intact at the end.

Hopefully you are good enough friends with them to have that conversation, because I agree that it's slightly awkward. But, I would ask if they prefer an interior near your cabin or an ocean view.... I personally won't sail in an ocean view because I am concerned the low floor cabins will be too noisy, near public areas, crew areas, and engine, so I would prefer a higher deck interior. Although, if they would be willing to pay to upgrade to a balcony, the ocean view to balcony will be less of a price jump. I might phrase it as, you don't have a budget for two balconies but are planning on getting a room with a large balcony so there's room for everyone to enjoy it.

 

 

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Good suggestion

Hi all,

 

 

Just need the consensus of the experienced group here.

 

Wife's 40th coming up. Decided to do surprise bday cruise and vacation. Her friend and their family recently moved to FL. We are in New England. So I'm planning a 3 day Sky cruise, don't have time off from work and life for any longer than that. I am inviting her friend and husband to join us as I know how much it will mean to my wife.

 

This couple has never cruised before. They have not offered to pay for any portion after I explained the idea and my offer to pay their fare as part of the gift to my wife.

 

 

 

Is it socially acceptable and not disrespectful to book them in a oceanview porthole or inside room and for my wife's birthday book either a rear facing suite or large balcony? I will offer the couple their option of paying for the difference to a higher grade room if they wish.

 

I know this has zero to do with NCL but we travel frequently out of NY (hence my screename) but wanted the majority consensus from the group. With Sky the fare will relieve them from all drink costs as well.

 

Thanks for your input.

I think this is actually quite fraught with difficulty. For instance, this is YOUR gift to your wife, not theirs. Do they have the money to pay any of an upgrade or extras (their are always extras).its sounds a bit like you think they should have offered to pay and you're a bit miffed that they didn't. Would your wife enjoy a suite knowing her friends are in an inferior class because they can't afford anything more expensive? And they are their because of her? As I say, it depends how your wife and her friends would take it?

Another poster said they should be grateful, but some people have pride and may see it as charity. You say they have never cruised before but you don't say whether they want to. Perhaps they have never cruised before because they can't afford it or it has never appealed to them, so they would only be doing it to please your wife. It really depends on the people.

Me personally, see too many areas of conflict so would not do it it unless I was really sure of my wife and her friends responses.

My cousin loved a soft boiled egg with toast with vegemite about half an inch thick.

😮Half an inch. Can't be Aussie then? In my experience the reason non Aussies hate vegemite is they spread it like jam. Just a smear for me. And agree - nice with an egg on toast.

I don't think Royal is promoting poor etiquette. People do that themselves. I saw a young man with a purple card swap places with an older lady with a walker who seemed to be struggling in line. As he was walking up to the theater instead of waltzing right in, he asked her if she was ok and when she said she was just getting tired, he sent her in and stood in her place. It was a very thoughtful thing to do that did not hurt anyone else. I've seen others act like pompous fools talking down to people.

 

It's up to the person on how they act.

Great story. Good to see that for every "passenger behaving badly " story there's also some which show the better part of us. Maybe that would be a good thread to do. What kind things have you seen fellow passengers do.

It probably isn't & likely will not be a problem. The way I see it is that it would be like a Fast Pass at an amusement park, where you get to skip the line on the popular rides. Some rides you have a separate line where you basically get to the front, while some simply merge with the regular line as you get closer. It's not like you get to keep going as many times as you want while the regular customers have to keep waiting.

Agreed with others that if you get to be served first for checkin diining etc for paying more that's acceptable. However I think what the OP was alluding to was the scenario where regular customers do have to stand by while those who can go as many times as they want monopolise the facility. I think that would be detrimental to a cruising experience if it happened because regular cruisers would not be getting what they pay for. So in theory not a good idea - one would need to see if the repeat use thing actually does occur and therefore be a problem. Not sure it falls under etiquette though, more like a policy decisions which be be more likely to see "regular" customers vote with their feet and book with another line.

Since you are sailing Carnival I want to offer you some advice.

 

My son was 17 when he last sailed on Carnival this past August. He has such a sever anxiety disorder our home school district decided that they couldn't cope with his needs, and sent him to a school that includes therapists IN the class room if that gives you any indication of how bad he is.

 

Carnival was AMAZING about him!

 

First I would suggest getting FTTF (Faster to the Fun) for your sailing if it is still available. It was $50 per room last August. It gives you priority embarkation, debarkation and tendering. It ALSO makes it so your room are ready as soon as you board! For anxiety issues, the $50 was well worth it knowing my son could go into our room if needed at anytime after we boarded. They can sell out very quickly on sailings though. Ours sold out about 5 months before hand. If you can book it (under Excursions in Port Canaveral) don't hesitate!

 

Also if you are worried about crowds AND can provide doctors documentation of your anxiety if asked, you can contact the Carnival Special Needs Department. This wasn't our first cruise so for us it wasn't an issue to actually go to it, but we got a totally private muster drill for my son. I knew he wouldn't be able to cope with the crowd of people standing for it.

 

As for Rkacruiser's statement of "if you needs anti-anxiety medicine to embark a cruise, this isn't the experience for you!" don't pay attention to that. You can tell it come from someone w/o an anxiety disorder. My son needs acute medicine to go shopping during the weekends, heck I need it to go shopping during the Holiday season because I can't cope with that many people at once! We are fine once we can have our "space" to get away from people when needed. But the thought of locked in the embarkation zone with 1000's of others just waiting to be let on? Not something either of us can deal with!

 

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor for something to make the ability to get on the ship easier! You don't even need a bunch of them. My son's Dr from school gives up a prescription of 5 pills for travel when we go somewhere. If it is a new medicine, I would also suggest asking for an extra one or two, just so you know how it will effect you!

Well done. I applaud your post as well as those others with helpful suggestions. Fun and vacations should be available to all not just fully able, no problem's people. Getting a balcony cabin if within budget maybe helpful. Fresh air can be very beneficial if panic sets in. Cabins can be a little claustrophobic for some.

cruised many times with Princess and usually there are at least a couple of name announcements at departure time and each time Princess has waited for them at least 30 minutes.

I still feel sorry for what happened to this lady I am certain she has an explanation.Very few folks are that selfish to hold up a ship .

Anyone can make a mistake but unfortunately there are people who are selfish enough to expect a ship to wait for them. They are the same people who double park, cut in line or never apologise. Somehow they think they are more important than anyone else.

here is some more of the story.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3561131/Dramatic-moment-distraught-mum-dropped-knees-sobbed-cruise-ship-Nassau-sailed-away-children-board-arrived-late-port.html

It doesn't seem like the captain did anything wrong. If he waited an extra half an hour before leaving it means the woman was over an hour late. She was whole and hearty so did not look like she was incapacitated. Good planning means allowing for things that may happen, so not cutting it fine to get back.

Seems like the ship staff knew the kids had relatives on board to look after them. The husband got off to look for his wife so had time to consider the kids(he could have got off with them if really concerned). Of course he did the right thing getting off, not knowing what had happened to his wife. They're adults so need to make adult decisions and face the consequences of their actions. As far as cruisleine concerned the kids were safe in good hands. As the article said thousands of cruisers do the right thing and expect to be in port on time, also port berths are timed. Waiting could have delayed another ship or even port fines for late departure. Imagine the flow on effect if ships returned to pick up passengers every time. Soon everyone would be ignoring the sailing times!

I have sympathy for them and the children for a very stressful time. But as a parent don't leave any margin for error

a dark suit with tie is appropriate on formal nites

 

here we are on a formal nite, west crossing June last year

 

 

'informal' on QM2 means a sport coat with tie optional

 

or eat outside of the main dining rooms . . .

Lovely. Very stylish. I love seeing what people wear.

Hi! As I'm getting ready to book a regular balcony cabin on Carnival Sunshine (which are 185 sq ft not counting the balcony), I noticed there are some exterior cabins which have 220 sq feet & are $500 cheaper. Any thoughts on giving up the balcony for 35 square feet more of space in the cabin, as well as saving $500?

For me it's access to fresh air

Just found this thread a few days ago and thoroughly enjoyed reading of your cruise. I have had my eye on this one and like you have been doing research through cruise critic. So your review is now part of my research. Really interested how easy you seemed to be able to book the private shore excursions. Scared to miss the ship I would be really hesitant to do them but definitely think I'd give it a go after reading your account. Glad you haven't been put off going on another cruise by your hubby. Each to there own.

Happy cruisin'!!!!! Or dreamin':D

I can totally relate to how annoyed you are. You got yourself organised in advance to make something happen and someone else sabotaged it so that the thing they wanted to happen went ahead with no problem.

Something similar happened to me once. I had booked a holiday to Tasmania and was taking my car on the spirit of Tasmania. So ahead of time I booked my car in a week before for a service so that all was safe for the holiday. At the service they told me the steering needed fixing but as they didn't have the part I would need to book it in again. No problem, I booked it in for the following week and the day before the holiday. Drop the car in, go in to pick it up and they tell me "oh sorry, another car came in this morning and we put the part in their car." I was so angry. I reminded them that I had ordered the part and booked for it to be fixed ahead of time, and they also knew I needed the car for a holiday the next day. Their answer " it should be alright to drive until you get back." If that was the case why did they give the part to someone else, couldn't they wait (as I had already waited? What really annoyed me was that they had judged that person more important than me to do that [/b]and to not even ring me up to tell me. A wasted day with no job done.

It seems the same thing happened to you. Someone didn't want to front up with no flowers to one passenger were happy to do that to you. I believe they should have then gone overboard to make it up to you and your wife. You were treated badly as was I.

I agree with this as well. I know most of the older crowd enjoys dressing up as that's what they did "back then" and I am sure they still dress up every Sunday and go out somewhere as well. That's fine, to each their own. Personally, I am in my mid 30s and dressing up to me is torture. In fact, I don't own a suit and tie as I have no need for it. Dressing up for me for work is khaki pants and a polo. That's it. I wear jeans to work with a polo on a typical day (I am in the IT field, a software developer). I don't feel as though I should have to go out and buy a suit and tie for 2 formal nights on a boat. That is a waste of money in my book. Again though, everyone is different and to each their own. It would be nice to have the same meals available everywhere.

I sort of get what you're saying in that you want the great food without having to dress up, but having the same meals everywhere cuts down choice. So instead of decor, ambience or food style/ cuisine dictating the restaurant it has to

Be the same everywhere? It sort of makes sense to have snacks and ice cream where bathing suit or sarong is acceptable, pizza for casual and sit down dinner fully clothed. It seems the best way is as it seems to be now. Different cruise lines are known for formality and others for being casual. Rather than fancy dressers trying to get casual cruise lines to go more formal and jeans and polo cruisers trying to casualise the black tie cruise lines, why not just choose the one that suits you best. Then everyone has choice.

I have to wonder, what if you had kids in the Camp that stayed on board and they were young ... and you missed the ship. What would happen then? Would the ship wait longer for you? What would happen with the kids? Has anyone heard of that situation?

I seem to remember in terms and conditions of one cruise line that you could not get off and leave kids on board. An adult responsible for them must be on board. Of course cruise lines have different t& c but seems sensible to me.