rjrpar

I wonder if anyone could me help regarding my future cruise booking made with a UK TA. When I go to make the booking in the UK a deposit is required of several hundreds of pounds and is non refundable at any point, also if I book a guarantee cabin this cannot be changed. However Americans booking the same cruise do not have this stipulation and can cancel with a full refund up to about the 90 day departure point. Also if they book a guarantee cabin they are allowed to change if other cabins are available. The situation now is that we are not booking on the same terms as our American friends, booking some of the best cabins knowing they can cancel and if they book a guarantee cabin then that can be changed .To make matters even worse is if the price drops then even that is matched. What chance have UK cruisers got we are always going to get the worst cabin as the cruise lines know we cannot change.-or do I have it all wrong and this is not the case

You do realize life is by no means fair

We just returned from a week aboard the Silhouette. We have been on this ship before and many other of the Celebrity line. One of the things we loved the most on Celebrity over all the other lines we have sailed were their wonderful production shows - often including aerialists. We were greatly disappointed to find out that there were NO production shows. Is this a permanent change for Celebrity entertainment? Anyone know?

We also like the production shows on Celebrity but they don't compare with RCCL.

It is really simple, if you are not there at a certain time, the ship leaves. It is called accountability and some lack it

It's beginning to look as if Luminae is a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

If you listen to some, it's a high end restaurant, worth the cost of a suite. Funny how some enhance cruise ship food.

Tipped folks will tell you anything in order to get more tips. No worries...those who serve you get the tips they are supposed to get!

 

I would suggest that the "suggested" tips are adequate and I don't understand everyone's concerns about the employee's pay. How many of you worry how much your Wal-mart checker is making...or how tips are split at your favorite restaurant... (and they are split!)...

 

Pay the suggested amount...tip more if you feel someone has gone "above and beyond"...and be done with it!

Agree, have never understood the interest on this board re. the earnings of cruise ship employees. We tip well, as we do on land, and never think anymore about it

Agree, make a decision. Both are great cruises

Service and food quality in many of the Specialty restaurants on all cruise lines continues to worsen. RCCL never stops cost cutting across the board, even in the SRs where prices are always increasing

Without reading the entire thread cause I am at work.....shhhhhh

 

 

 

Anyone thing Royal will do the UK, Ireland?

 

 

 

Thank you

 

 

 

Kim

Good question, we are hoping so

Best way to get a good feel for the 1898 gold rush is to take the HAL cruise tour that actually spends a few days in Dawson City, where the gold rush actually took place. Just returned in September and it was fantastic.

I got 2 perks on the cruise I booked. I have the free drink package and the 300$ on-board credit. There's more advantage to take the OBC rather than the paid gratuities since 300$ is a lot more than what the gratuities cost. I end up having my gratuitites paid from the OBC and I still have about 140$ left on the OBC that can be used for onboard shopping or excursions...

True for 7 day cruises but not for 14 days

On a 14 day cruise which I think the Eclipse could be, it is a better value to take free tips. Also, you could then take the dining option you desire

Old San Juan is great in the evening, start your night by eating at our favorite restaurant:

http://www.cafepuertorico.com/html/index.html#_=_

 

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Good advice

I always arrive a day early, too much downside of your plane is late

I would say it would not serve you to try to transfer when you got the total 123Go pkg. Most agents cannot trump that one. I tried, but could find no agency that would add anything. All the goodies are already there. You might find a better rate, but risk losing all the previous bookings benies. We have that deal on our upcoming Solstice. My usual go to agencies could do nothing for us.

Not true at all, you keep your exact reservation and they split their commission with you. You need a better TA

Wow! Although I love getting a strong reaction, I think I'm being completely misread.

 

The point I was trying to make is that for some time now, its been possible to come off a super casual excursion, or afternoon up at the pool, and just not feeling like changing, so straight to the MDR on a formal night, and you will NOT be turned away. Ever actually seen anyone stopped?, well I haven't. Don't care, and what you have is a completely unenforced dress code, but at least theory it exists.

 

Now maybe I'm wrong, but I at least thought that maybe the grubby dresser had some awareness of being well below "standard" and possibly some uneasiness, just not enough to shower and dress. My point is that under the new code, this person will justify his dress as within Evening Chic.

Why do you care what other people wear?

We always get 8-10% of the cost of the cruise in refundable obc

There would be 3 on a 14 day cruise. Not sure it really would matter as Evening Chic means no shorts, no T shirts, and no swimming suits. Is that different from what you would wear to the MDR any other night. Presume you would wear what you would wear at home to a nice restaurant. Evening chic + no difference from any other night now.

Agree, essentially the same dress code. For me let's a golf shirt or a long sleeve sports shirt and slacks.

Yes

Just remember, you can eat in the specialty restaurants for about $70-100/day/couple, probably cheaper if you're a good negotiator. The SRs have much higher quality food vs Luminae. Now cabin size is another factor.

Yes

I would not miss Skagway. It is the start point of the Klondike gold rush and has a lot of history. Also would recommend a cruisetour that goes to Denali

Negotiating is not begging.

Sometimes a person has to be a little flexible. No one else on the ship will have their clothes ironed twice

Alaska is all about the itinerary. I would really suggest a land portion for your cruise. We are X cruisers but just returned in September from Alaska on a HAL cruise tour and had s great time I only remember the great sites, the culture and history, and the people we met; I hardly remember any of the details of the ship.

We took one HAL cruise and were very unhappy with many things about it, but for about 5 years after that we would get their brochures and they have GREAT itineraries!!

 

They also had great experts on the ship (it was a Panama canal cruise).

 

 

 

BUT, we will not cruise HAL. Their service was horrible, the ship had lots of plumbing and maintenance issues, and mostly their demographic was from 75-90 years old and they cater all their shore ex and entertainment to that demographic. NO THANKS

 

 

 

SO, yes, I wish X would have more exotic itineraries.

Just got off a HAL cruise in September to Alaska. Great land and cruise itinerary but agree 100% with above post regarding the ship.