Cruiserbillyboo

These art auctions are an absolute total 100% ripoff.

HOWEVER - they are obviously very effective revenue generators for the cruise lines. All things considered, cruising is still one of the best travel bargains out there. Hence, anything that keeps the revenue flowing into the cruise lines is OK by me. It may be the casino, overpriced shore excursions, overpriced travel insurance, overpriced internet connection at sea, overpriced spa, overpriced beverage packages, specialty dining venues, unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates, and many many more. All often justified with the "for your convenience" addendum.

None of these are required. Those passengers who patronize these auctions and other optional cruise line revenue generators are supplementing my cruise travel. To them, I say THANK YOU!

:D

With all due respect to the OP, this isn’t a topic that lends itself to a poll. On a cruise, you don’t have to pick port vs. sea days, either one to the exclusion of the other. That’s why virtually all cruises have some sea and some port days.

Nonetheless, it’s a great topic for discussion! (Just, IMO, no need for a “vote”).

What people like, or don’t like, about sea and port days is a terrific topic, with lots if interesting nuances, so keep discussing! I am enjoying reading!

PS – golf lends itself to a relevant analogy. All golf courses have some par 3’s, some par 4’s, and some par 5’s. Each hole requires different club selection, different strategies, different mental attitudes, and different skill sets. A great round of golf includes a nice mixture of each. Just like port and sea days on a cruise!:)

I have a cruise booked for next summer. Booked a month or so ago, at a time when there was no WOW sale. Now WOW is on, and my cruise is eligible.

What is best way to get whatever perks or discounts may be available?

We booked through a TA. Obviously we are well before final payment.

Thanks!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the eggs Benedict at breakfast. Delish!

One of HAL's specialties!

Worst - not sure. Some steaks in MDR are a bit tough.

Very important.[/color][/b] During the cruise you'll be given a form asking if you'd like the ship to convert from dollars to sterling before charging your card "for your convenience" :rolleyes:

Decline that offer - ship's exchange rates are awful & your best value is always to allow your card to be charged in ship's currency and for your card issuer to convert to sterling at a much better exchange rate.

Some places ashore might offer the same. Always decline. Always have your card charged in local currency as billed, & allow your card issuer to do the conversion.

A general rule of travel, whether by cruise ship or land-based or any other kind of travel: When something (anything!) is offered "for your convenience", this should throw up a huge red flag! Don't take it! It is almost NEVER in your best interests or "convenience".

You will find US and European connections. Bring the adapter for one of those.

Yes. Bring an adapter, even though they have US connections. This allows you to use the European plugs too which effectively increases the number of outlets at your disposal.

:)

We have not done a Baltic cruise, but we have one planned for next year. We have been doing a lot of research on both of these ports, and I agree with all of the above re: taking a private tour rather than a ship's tour for both ports.

One thing that I have found in my research is that there are a number of very good reputable companies that do tours in BOTH St. Pete and Berlin/Warnemunde. If you book the same company for both ports, they usually give a little discount.

Every little bit helps!

:)

PS - all of the St. Pete tour companies have 1, 2 and 3 day options, depending on what you want to do and how much time you have there.

A serious issue with that study is that perhaps people who are sensitive to motion sickness will preferentially book midship cabins, and those who are less sensitive will book anywhere, even far forward or aft.

Hence, a serious confounder limiting interpretation of these results.

Oh I do like that ideal, didn't know/think it possible. Thank you!

Straight from their website:

http://www.ephesusshuttle.com/payment-info/

Well all the travel tips say to pay with credit card in local currency OR in local currency itself....Not to have credit card paid in USD, and to pay in Euros for Turkish lira charge sounds like a good way to get ripped off. Just want to keep it simple.

In my opinion - assuming this works for you - best way to "keep it simple" is USD in cash. When we used Ephesus Shuttle back in June, they were very happy to take USD cash. Their prices are all quoted in USD anyway on their website. Just bring enough cash with you for the fee plus tips. This way you avoid any foreign transaction fees on your credit card, or any possible foreign exchange rate issues if using other currencies or a credit card.

If only 5 hours in Corfu, then just go into town and walk around. Lots of cool sites to see, right there, all within walking distance of everything. The town is roughly 15-20 mins walk from the cruise terminal, or a very short shuttle ride. Absolutely no need for a ship's tour, or even a guide. If only 5 hours there, this is a definite DIY port. These links might help:

http://www.allcorfu.com/we-corfiot-0410.html

It's a lovely port.

:)

Think I will do the Ephesus shuttle tour and pay with credit card at end. I don't plan on having any local currency since I'm only around for hours. Shouldn't be a problem to tip in Euro's right? Free money is free money, right?

HIGHLY RECOMMEND Ephesus Shuttle. We used them back in June, and it was a fantastic tour. Tips in any currency are fine, and appreciated.

Stairs are all man-made. Yes, there are quite a few. If mobility-limited, it may be an issue. Depends just how much the limitations is.

However, if possible, the Terrace Houses are definitely worth a visit as part of the Ephesus tour. Ephesus was the highlight of our med cruise, it is extraordinary.

Consider yourself lucky to be going, since so many lines have cancelled this stop. Have fun!

:)

This has been done on every cruise I have taken (12) on multiple lines.

My favorite is:

"Does the crew sleep on board?"

:)

Almost all ships have both American and European outlets. (Exact location in cabin is another story....) But one of my favorite tips is to bring one or more European plug adapters. Then you can double the number of plugs available for your devices! :)

This has been discussed many times on these forums. Use the search feature to find the threads. For example, 19 pages worth of discussion here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1560551

:)

May I ask what turns you off about Katakolon and Mykonos?

I've been to both.

IMO;

The Olympic site and ruins in Katakolon is spectacular, and especially with a guide who will make the sites come alive with amazing history.

Mykonos is one of the loveliest spots in all of the sea, Mediterranean or otherwise.

Those were two of my favorite ports on our Med cruise. Personal opinion, of course, others may differ. Just curious what concerns you about these?

Thanks.

 

As that website says, a wide range of teas. So, I am wondering what HAL has from this brand?

The only PG Tips kind I saw was regular black. But it was a good, solid, decent respectable black tea!

I need some enlightenment from the experts!

 

PG Tips: never even heard of this tea! Sheeesh!

 

So, I'll want to try this brand on our next cruise. Any info about how many types HAL uses and any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

I love Harney and Sons, but am happy to hear about a new-to-me tea, on HAL!

I never heard of it either until my first HAL cruise!

More info here:

http://www.pgtips.co.uk/en-US

Personal opinion, other's tastes may differ:

I had never had PG Tips until I did a HAL cruise.

It's fantastic tea, IMO.

And I am a regular tea drinker and pretty particular about my teas.

:)

And you transferred your booking back to that TA ???????

Unbelievable loyalty to a lazy TA.

Many previous good experiences with this TA.

I don't believe in "one strike and out".

I'll be watching closely in the future.

Three strikes and we'll re-visit the relationship.

:)

Thanks everyone for the advice and insight.

I called HAL directly.

Said I wanted to book without E4.

They said fine, no problem. Didn't give me a hard time about it or anything.

Booked for $600 less than the TA was quoting, and then transferred the reservation back to the TA.

All is good!

:)

Looking at booking a HAL cruise. We don't drink, don't need nor like specialty coffees, and don't need nor want bottled water or any of the other so-called "perks" of Explore 4. TA says it's "included". I'd like to book without this package and get a commensurate price reduction, but TA says cruise price is essentially the same, even without Ex.4.

Advice?

Hi;

This is a general question, not specific to any line, but it would apply to almost any line. I see many promotions for various "drinks packages" and one of the usually mentioned advantages is that this is "convenient".

Why is it "convenient"?

Whether you have a package or not, you still have to order your drinks. They bring the drinks and you still have to sign some little piece of paper, package or not. Individually ordered drinks (if you don't have a "package") all go on your room tab anyway, which you pay all together one time at the end of the cruise, along with any other charges (shore excursions, gratuities, other purchases, etc....) you may have incurred.

One total inclusive bill at the end for everything.

So why is the drinks package "for your convenience"?

Assuming no mobility limitations, then IMO no need for the HOHO. The town center is about a 15-20 min walk from the cruise terminal, or a 5 min shuttle ride if you prefer. Once in town center, everything is walking distance, and very closely packed together. Given your limited time in this port, I would just walk or shuttle to town center, and then walk around on your own. It's a very cool port!