Cuttersmom

We went last week to Sebastian’s. We rented a golf cart and took us about an hour to get there. doing the counter clockwise southern route. Probably 1/2 hour the other direction and quicker if you take a taxi. It’s not really a swimming beach as it’s very shallow but we had a great time.

Not really sure where you’re going with this but 1) the increase takes effect February 14 2) the Early booking bonus HIA that includes crew appreciation is all part of your cruise fare-you had to have booked it when you booked your cruise so the price won’t change 3) the have it all package that doesn’t include the crew appreciation recently increased $5/day to $55/day 4) crew appreciation is separate charge from any drink or drink package gratuity. That remains at 18%. I think you’re confusing the two.

It’s very strange. Last year the gratuity increase was announced in December, effective 2/1. So on the one hand it’s weird that other than the TA email there’s no mention of it anywhere. On the other hand, I don’t think they made any announcement for drink price increase or the price increases for retreat cabanas or HMC cabanas. So I don’t know!

I received this email response from my PCC. I cannot confirm the rumors but I do suggest that if you want to lock in the current crew appreciation rate you can prepay that through Ship Services When I replied that last years increase was not locked in by prepaying them, she said she would message that department and let me know. Haven’t heard back yet.

The premium carts are supposed to be faster than the regular golf carts. They’re more like utility carts with a bin in the back that can hold your stuff.

So our cruise is 1/26-2/4. Will they start charging the new rate on 2/1? Or will it stay the same since the cruise commenced before 2/1?

There’s also shorter ones, like 11 days, starting in Rotterdam and ending in Iceland or vise versa. Ports are in Greenland and Iceland.

Have you checked if any retreat cabanas are even available. We’re on the 9 day at the end of January and they are fully booked at last check. As for HMC cabana- the price that they’re charging now, plus the cost of the butler service, will run you almost $1k. For my dollar, it’s absolutely not worth it. Used to be, but not anymore. On the flip side, if you can find 12 people willing to go in on the Private Oasis then that is 1000% worth it.

The price including the HIA is typically a refundable fare. The first is non-refundable. You can book that and then add HIA later at the $50pd

I’m also mobility challenged so I know how awful the sand can be. The tram does run all the way around. But it’s an uneven, sandy walk downhill from the road to the back of the cabana (at least to 6, 7 & 8 which are the ones we’ve always booked). You may be able to find someone with a golf cart able to get your person to the service path that is directly behind the cabanas. Then it’s another downhill walk in the sand to the stairs of the cabana. If you don’t feel you want to book the accessible cabana, another option is they do have beach wheelchairs with the big tires. Book #2 or #3 and use the wheelchair to get your person there. Best option would be find 12 people willing to split the cost of the Oasis and book that!! Works out cheaper and it makes for an amazing day!

The cabana rental price just jumped from 499 to 699, along with the increase in butler service. Ridiculous! It was worth it previously, but for 699 I’d rather stay on board. You can get butler service at any of the cabanas. Unless you book the accessible cabana, you will have to traverse sand which may not be easy with a walker. Pick one close to the restroom, which is still not an easy walk or make friends with folks in a villa and see if they’ll be willing to let your mobility challenged person use their restroom.

I just was looking at ours for early November. HMC cabana-699, villa-999, oasis-1999!!! They were 499, 699 and 1399. Just ridiculous!

Must be canned water-can find on Amazon. And yes you can bring a case of it between 2 people, 12 each.

They just had $25 deposit.

You should be able to refare but will probably lose the OBC you have. So if you have more OBC than the difference in the price it’s not worth it. Otherwise yes pursue it.