Cruisin'allovertheworld

Honestly? Anything up to 12. I enjoy dressing up! I just thought because there were 3 in 10 days it may be possible that there would be (up to) 5- in which case I'd have an excuse for some shopping, potentially.

Thank you both. I was previously on QE for 10 nights and we had 3 during that time. This will be QE again for twelve nights - just beyond what is currently visible on that fabulous document you linked me to at this time.

Hi, On a 12 night cruise how many Gala evenings can I expect?

See this is where the US attitude starts to really get to me (I'm Australian). I show appreciation for a musician by LISTENING to and APPLAUDING their performance. I don't think money demonstrates appreciation in any way that matters-If they're on a ship they're earning money- they are already being paid for their time/effort. From my conversations with individually-contracted performers on multiple lines (Holland America and Cunard, in addition to Royal Caribbean) what is more valuable is that they get positive feedback in surveys- so they get another contract! $20 doesn't keep a roof over your head- a new contract does. Street performers? Yes, I'll tip them if I stop and enjoy. In Australia that is much more likely in general to be a couple of coins (generally between $2-$5 total value) than a note.

My view (as a Dec '86 baby) is that I'm all about itinerary- as are everyone I know who cruises is. Most of our friends have not cruised, most of our friends have children. Those that have children and have cruised did so before their children. I have never wanted children and my husband isn't fussed- so we have no children and no plans to ever have any. I don't particularly enjoy being around children and particularly not a whole heap of them. I am on the spectrum and easily irritated by what I perceive as the frequent misbehaviour and noise that children bring, also. We live in Australia, though and our particular location (Perth) means that essentially if we ever wish to cruise we have to fly. So would I choose to spend the time/effort/money to go cruise with a whole tonne of children and a whole other tonne of big drinking etc parents who may be ignoring their children? No. I've been cruising with Cunard lately...but now they're leaving Australia. All it means is that I will continue to less frequently cruise and less likely to cruise with RCL. I will/would spend more, ultimately, to be away from children.

I am fascinated by this. Can you give an explicit example? You beat me to it!

You've misunderstood. I don't live somewhere the water is good for me- my system handles it because it is what my system is used to. I can gradually adjust to different water (provided it is consistently the same different water) with little negative consequence if I do it over multiple stages over time (weeks, rather than days/hours). Bottled water can be a problem for me too, yes- I have to check the label to check the source. 2 of the 4 types of bottled water don't help or prevent the situation. Fortunately in these days of late-stage capitalism it is generally possible to be prepared. Like I said- I navigate a lot of health issues.

And yet every time I have drunk the tap water from any cruise line (Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Holland America) in any location (Asia, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada) I have found myself (and my digestive system) could not handle it correctly. All water is not the same. If it isn't my daily water (from the tap in Perth, Australia) I need to buy bottled water or double boil it and let it cool- even for a trip within 4-5hs of my house. Having said that at the ripe old age of 37 I find myself with a lot of unlikely (and unlikely-combined) health concerns- from birth I've been allergic to oranges and tomatoes (and sensitive to all nightshades) and it only got worse from there!

100% 100% Was so disappointed in July last year as I've not done many cruises and had more than 1 person I know recommend the line because of the talks!

It is my understanding that you cannot. All people in a cabin on a cruise must have at least the lowest drinks package themselves if someone in the cabin is having one (regardless of type).

Hello and thanks in advance, all. In 25 days I'll be boarding the Queen Elizabeth and I am considering if a drinks package would be a good idea. I don't drink alcohol, but I'd like to have 2ish cans (375ml) of soft drink per day (or equivalent) on my holiday. Do all people in the same stateroom have to have a package if one person has one? How much does a can or glass of soft drink cost onboard? I will only drink sugar free varieties- are they available onboard? I assume it is American Dollars onboard? (I'm Australian) Is it possible to bring your own soft drink? Thanks, Kathleen

Thank you everyone. My travel partner and I (my mum!) are night owls.

Hi. Was booked in stateroom 5111 on Queen Elizabeth and was just looking at my booking (departs in 38 days, yay!) when I noticed my stateroom number is now 8106. What, if anything does this mean? Will my stateroom change again? When will my stateroom be final? Am I more likely to encounter sea sickness being higher up on the ship? Is this a noisier area? This is my first Cunard Cruise and I must admit I'm a little overwhelmed by it all.

Thank you everyone- It is sincerely appreciated!

Hi, I'm going to be onboard Queen Elizabeth from the 22nd of Jan to the 1st of Feb. I am wondering if there is any way to see current or future menus? I've seen the sample ones on the website but I'm interested in accurate information! I have a few allergies/sensitivities and would love opinions on how to handle that whilst onboard. When booking the relevant information was provided but my previous cruise experiences (with Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean) have shown that can have little to no impact on what is actually available to me- more than once I've had to go to the buffet to ensure I'd actually eaten something! What makes any of the additional-charge restaurants worth it? (I'm more looking for statements regarding a better experience, service, range of options etc, rather than specifics of if you like them or not- food itself is so subjective!) Thanks, Kathleen

Hi all, OP here. Thank you for all the responses. I hadn't even thought of Club Orange but I plan on looking into it today and seeing if it is possible. It would be an upgrade paid to the company I purchased the cruise through (called luxury escapes) so I will need to ring them to see if they offer that and the price etc. In terms of 'perks', loyalty etc I'm not fussed- I've also cruised with Royal Caribbean and will soon be cruising on Cunard. We as a family do not cruise often enough (about every 2 years from 5-10ish nights, in a balcony or below cabin) to make pursuing loyalty with a specific line worthwhile. I love cruising and we all enjoy it but our family does a significantly more of our travel independently and land-based and there is no plan for that to change.

Sorry I should have said $400 US per person.

Hi, Currently booked on the Koningsdam in 4088 (an obstructed view balcony) and have the opportunity to go to an unknown Visa suite for $600AUD (a little under $400 US dollars). We are booked on the 8th-15th sailing of the 7 night Alaska cruise. Is this a good deal? What are the differences between the two rooms, aside from the obvious lack of obstructed view? Thanks.

OP here. Apologies for the lack of reply- I wasn't notified for whatever reason. January 21st is the night in question. Thanks for all the opinions and suggestions- I will be looking into them. We have family in Sydney and they always insist that I/we stay with them which is nice but this is a secret girls' trip with my mum and we'd like to be closer to the port than Clovelly and not have to deal with catching up with everyone.

No. I've never (to my knowledge) heard a song of hers. My experience with live performance is that if the artist is into it and enjoying themselves it'll be enjoyable, regardless of the performer!

Neither here nor there in regards to her, her music and her current performances (I'm a bit young) but I learnt recently that Jeff Probst (TV show Survivor host) has a net worth of 50 million. Net worth has nothing to do with ability, effort or job is my opinion after finding that out!

I think kruzerci is scornful because what you suggested was entirely unreasonable and truthfully scorn worthy. It's not acceptable to not have a room 'properly' cleaned before new passengers occupy it. The state of the bathroom sounds truly disgusting- I don't want to see my own pubic hairs in my bathroom, let alone those of someone else!

I think soliciting for good reviews is bad and I would mention it as a negative in my review if someone did that. As others have said I don't object to a friendly reminder to fill out a survey but anything more than that is inappropriate, in my opinion. I can't stand obsequiousness and unfortunately cruises are where that kind of behaviour happens most frequently in my experience.

Following also. We are on the 07/08 sailing and as it is our first time with Holland America and our first Alaska experience (we're from Australia and have only been to the Norwegian Fjords) we are keen to see/learn all we can beforehand!

Hi all, Just wanting recommendations for a hotel near the International Passenger Terminal in Sydney. I'll be there for one night before a cruise next January. Thanks.