SaltyBrat
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Posts posted by SaltyBrat
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Thank you all for the information, I'm a newbie with lots of questions! I do appreciate the answers as well.
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What is it like to sail alone and does anyone have stories of the best countries for exploring alone?
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A 14 day cruise aboard Princess around the British Isles. Sea sick sailing through the most notorious shipping channel in the world, people groaning to make it stop. Old beds had just been replaced with new ones, worst sleep I've ever had. Give me a little worn in one anytime! The ocean seemed to go on forever, I thought my feet would never touch ground again.
But when they finally did...I realized over the years, I missed the ship and the dangerous nights swaying back and forth in the North sea. I missed the lazy afternoons playing card games and sipping scotch with no land in sight. I remember getting to know the intimate details of the ship, menus, and faces all just becoming familiar.
The Isles were nothing but spectacular, while the smaller ship held her own and cared for her patrons like no other.
It was a real cruise that I would do over in a second's notice, it was a test of my unworthy sea legs. I passed.
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No expiration on Princess either.
Thank you.
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No expiration on Celebrity.
And BTW to your other post, the Celebrity balcony staterooms are as large or larger than the similar category staterooms on RCI. As to a good value with each, that would be relative to season, ship, and itinerary with regards to pricing.
It would be nice if Celebrity also offered a balcony discount. But even though the tier benefits between RCI and Celebrity are reciprocal, each program is structured separately and have their differences.
Yes, they certainly are, as my first cruise with celebrity was with balcony. Right now I'm focusing in on a 14 day cruise for next year, so I'm interested in the points. My cruising experience is quite limited, so I doubt any points will make a difference, but if all goes well, they'll add up.
Thank you for your time, this site is wonderful.
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No expiration of points in the RC program.
Do you know if Princess or celebrity expires?
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Sounds wonderful, and quaint, and I hear Germany does Christmas like no other. I'll keep this in mind for the future.
I see that Prague also does a Christmas Market. I like the idea of Prague more than the Rhine. Thanks for sharing. I've always wanted to see Prague!
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IMHO you are going at this from the wrong side. All cruise lines offer some type of loyalty program. Some are better than others in terms of what you get. But to get anything you will have to make a significant investment in cruising with that line. You want it to be a line you like. You may go on a celebrity cruise thinking they will be your line, only to find out you don't like the ships or they are consistently pushing your budget in terms of price.
We simply went on cruises with a variety of companies; and still pick them based on the cost and length. But we have a couple favorites and try to book with those lines when it makes sense.
And depending on how much you cruise not all programs are equal. Right now I prefer Norwegian. In a few more cruises we will have some perks of value from the loyalty program. We also cruise celebrity but since we don't book high level rooms, I don't see us ever getting to a level that gets more than a free ice cream, so I book with them a bit less.
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Someone here mentioned they book with a chosen online TA that gives a free cruise after so many bookings, this way they can travel on any ship. I think this is a smart way to do this, as there are so many ships to try out.
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Themed river cruise stopping at Christmas markets in towns along the Rhine. Just something a little different.
Sounds wonderful, and quaint, and I hear Germany does Christmas like no other. I'll keep this in mind for the future.
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The RCI balcony discount varies by tier level. As Bob pointed out before it goes as high as $375.00. Celebrity does not offer any balcony discount, however.
I think RCI's rooms give the most space and comfort for the price already, I would prefer one for Celebrity, that's too bad.
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How would you rate the evening tours of the ports of call? This caught my attention on their website and I'm curious how well it's done.
I see that you have booked a cruise for 2018. I have neither heard of the *Market Scene. Is this a themed cruise/destination or something else entirely?
From your signature page: *Crystal Bach - Rhine Christmas Markets 2018 Booked
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Food and service are top notch. Ships both refurbished in 2016. The only drawback for us is the smaller bathroom in the standard stateroom. We have sailed with them twice and have one additional booked. We really like the smaller ship and the drinks are included.
How would you rate the evening tours of the ports of call? This caught my attention on their website and I'm curious how well it's done.
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Royal/Celebrity/Azamara has my vote. There program covers all three lines giving you lots options; ship sizes and itineraries.
Azamara is new to me, their itineraries look very interesting, non traditional. Nice all three share!
Thank you.
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No expiration of points in the RC program.
Thank you, very helpful.
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You asked this in conjunction with Princess and we are not aware of any time limit. In fact, our cruise days with Sitmar cruises are still recognized in the Princess program (they bought Sitmar) and shows in our Captain's Club listing that is available on their web site.
Hank
This good news, I will have to do some research on past cruises and see if they still apply.
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Princess doesn't offer free lounge drinks like Royal Caribbean does. The Platinum/Elite/Suite lounge offers discounted drinks--but the price seems to keep going up. Princess offers discounts to past passengers. I can see the difference in prices by checking them before signing in and after. My favorite past-passenger perk on Princess is the free laundry for Elite level (more than 15 cruises or 150 days). It came in very handy on our 12-day cruise last month (which followed four nights beforehand in London and Southampton). Other cruise lines offer this perk. For instance, Holland America has it for 4-star Mariners (200 cruise day credits).
I'm happy we attained Elite on Princess--but primarily because we had great cruises. It worked out that Princess fits us. But we have sailed on several other lines since starting with Princess--Celebrity, Carnival, and Holland America. It all comes down to which one has a cruise we want at a price we like.
Is there a time frame *years when your cruise time no longer applies? (more than 15 cruises or 150 days).
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Having sailed with some of these lines and read the other programs they are all very similar.
What is best really comes down to what they offer that you would like.
My own view is that I would not choose to sail regularly with one of these lines because of the program. It would have to be because I like the cruise line/ship/itinerary.
Keith
Absolutely, I agree. I overheard a conversation from a couple that remains loyal to only one cruise line and was raving about the perks so I thought I would ask.
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Impressive.
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Azamara, along with RCI and Celebrity is part of the RCL family of cruise lines. It is a higher end cruise line. Here is a link to their website:
Thank you, going there now.
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Thank you all so much for your knowledge and advice. The Azamara is unknown to me, I'll check it out.
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Hello,
Of these four ships, which ones have the best loyalty programs. Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean and NCL.
Looking for more of free cruises/discounted, rather than on board perks.
How Well Do You Remember Your First Cruise?
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