eddiethekub

If you are saying you are a travel agent, you might want to read the community guidelines.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/faq.php?faq=guidelines

What's your point? They didn't advertise /solicit

[quote name=nolesrule;50148018

If my math is correct' date=' this doesn't appear to be a better deal if you have 3rd or 4th pax and can't take advantage of the KSF, as the current promo has 60% off 3rd and 4th[/quote]

My understanding is that the 60% is for the 2nd pax. Third and fourth are regular fare.

It's on RCCL website. Just do a mock booking search for Rhapsody April 2017- October 2017. The NJ cruises are showing sold out, and there are new sailings from Venice. When I checked earlier the October 2017 repo was still showing as able to book, but it also showed an October 21, 2017 and October 28, 2017 sailing from Italy. All the other cruises were showing sold out. Unless RCCL has magical powers, there is no way the ship can be in NJ and Italy at the same time.

There is something screwy on the web site. If you look at August 2017, it shows Rhapsody doing sailings out of Venice and Bayonne. But it also shows Legend doing the exact same Venice itineraries on the exact same dates. I've got to believe only one of them is doing the Venice itinerary.

And fly into EWR.....much closer to the port. Unless you're planning to spend a few days in NYC pre-cruise. Then it is a bit more of a toss up.

We were in 1080 last fall for a back to back (4 weeks total) and never had a problem. Just got back from a Baltic cruise in 1243, right off the elevators/stairs, and never heard any noise, except for our neighbors, who constantly slammed their door.

I am surprised by the complaints. We were on Silhouette last fall, B2B. Always ate in MDR and had terrific service from the wine steward. Always showed up promptly after we sat. We were on the classic package for the first cruise. There were a number of reds and whites available, and the sommelier made recommendations and always kept our glasses filled. We usually had to stop him from overserving us. Second cruise was a TA, so we bought by the bottle. Again, prompt, courteous service. We could not have asked for better.

Every time I've sent any type of button up shirt to the laundry (or dry cleaning for silk shirts) at the regular piece rate (or with a captain's club coupon good for itemized piece rate laundry) they have been returned neatly pressed on a hanger. I've done this at least 10 times or so on different cruises. If you send them in with a "bag of laundry" special then they'll almost always come back folded in a bag and unpressed.

 

Even when I've sent polo shirts in for laundry at the piece rate they have always come back pressed on a hanger except for one time and I had the steward take it back to get it pressed since I'd paid the full rate.

 

You do not have to pay the extra pressing charge. The pressing rate is a pressing only rate for clean items that don't need to be washed.

Wow, I feel cheated. On my last Silhouette cruise, a B2B btw, my shirts weren't pressed even with the Captains Club itemized coupon. Happened on both segments. Guess I'll be more vigilant on my next cruise.

Like others have said, straight laundry results in a clean wrinkled shirt. Questions:To get it pressed, do you have to pay the pressing charge too? That would make for a very expensive clean shirt.......I get the laundered AND pressed at home for less than 2 bucks!

We were on the Greece / Turkey / Israel cruise last October (Israel cancelled at the last minute) and never surrendered our passports. We were also on this cruise in October 2014, but disembarked early in Greece due to a medical issue.....but we never surrendered passports on that trip either.

OMG! Surely you just! You mean there is still somebody on earth who believes in personal reponsibility? We tip our hat to you (we have a lot in common). On the other hand, if one dares preach "personal responsiblity" they will probably be told they are "offending" the listener who spends most of their being relying on somebody else to lead them by the hand.

 

And this post is in no way meant to demean the OP but rather a generalization about many folks who expect constant "hand holding."

Hank

Yup, sometimes you just have to assume responsibility for yourself. In our case, Celebrity gave us the port agent contact info, and suggested we leave our luggage with them. We opted to take it with us, we wanted to be in control of our destiny. When it was confirmed that her retina was detaching and surgery was needed within 24 hours, we grabbed a cab, went to Athens airport and bought tickets to NY. Sorting out who was going to pay was secondary to saving her sight. She had her surgery, eye is fine, and Crusie Care eventually paid the airfare home, plus other expenses. AND we are taking the same trip this October. Hopefully we complete it this time.

For eddiethekub: I was alerted to your very helpful message about your experience with Celebrity and "X's insurance." That will take me back to look at all the comments in this thread. What I want to be completely clear about is your saying "X's insurance." And did you mean that "X's insurance" is the insurance covering everyone who is a paid cruise passenger? Or is it some other add-on insurance purchased from Celebrity?

Mbsails, sorry for not being clear......the insurance was CruiseCare, an add on package sold by Celebrity, as correctly noted by "Cruising is bliss"

Sorry to hear of your unfortunate experience.

We had a different experience with X. We were on Silhouette last fall. On a sea day, sailing towards Athens. DW had a vision problem that was suspected to be a detached retina. Saw the ship doctor who was not equipped to confirm the diagnosis. Doc suggested bed rest and made arrangements to see an eye doctor the next morning in Athens. Assuming we would not be re boarding, we packed our luggage. X arranged for an ambulance to meet us at the pier. X alerted the hospital where we were taken.....they were expecting us! Detached retina was confirmed. Alternative was surgery in Athens with no flying for a month, or get home ASAP. Taxi to the airport, throw down the credit card and say....get me to NY......sometimes you just have to fend for yourself....and sort things out later.

However, X was terrific with follow up. Pre paid Excursions and speciality dinner charges were refunded immediately. Reimbursement for unused cruise days was quick. Airfare took a bit longer, but in spite of the ridiculous one way same day prices, we were reimbursed every penny. This was with X's insurance.

The only money we needed that day was minimal charges from the hospital, under $100, and they accepted credit cards; and taxi fare to the airport....reimbursed by X's insurance. All in all, we were very satisfied with how X handled everything.

I recall being part of a hearty group at the tip of Pier 39 on that January Sunday morning in 2007, when the QM2 arrived on her maiden call to SF. She was magnificent, clearing the fog banks and celebratory spray. On that morning, I turned to my partner and pledged that within a year we'd travel on her. Interestingly enough, that last Sunday in January was notable throughout the nation as Superbowl Sunday. However, in SF (since the 49ers weren't playing) the QM2 was what dominated all the talk and the news reports that day - and kept a steady traffic jam along the Embarcadero, trying to get a glimpse of her majesty, nosed into the pier.

Just a couple of clarifications.......I was on QM2 for that magnificent entrance into San Francisco. It was Sunday Feb 4th. We sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge at about 4:00 in the afternoon, welcomed by hundreds of ships and boats. A sunny crisp day. We were delayed tying up to the pier due to tides. We overnighted on the ship and disembarked on Monday morning.

It was a note worthy entrance into a beautiful city.

You can go thru Staten Island, Goethals Bridge...

Thanks for posting!

Gothals Bridge won't help you from SI. That takes you to the NJ Turnpike by the airport. Would then have to go north to Exit 14, over the bridge and get off at 14A....the very exit you were trying to avoid.

Instead, use the Bayonne Bridge from SI.....but be warned there is major renovation work on the bridge, and it is subject to closures. Check ahead of time.

If the ticket is non-endorseable as some consolidator tickets are, you won't be put on another airline. .

The days of endorsing tickets from one airline to another are long gone, just a distant memory like Rule240.

They stop traffic at the street at the airport/beach when planes leave, so factor that traffic jam into your plans as well..

We've been going there every year for the past 20 years, and have NEVER seen anyone stop traffic at the street/beach. Actually, the street by the beach where the planes touch down is not a main thoroughfare and has very little traffic. It is not a factor in the traffic flow around the airport. The other end of the runway is close to the main drag, but usually planes are already pretty high in the air....unless there is an unusual wind condition and they take off from that end.

If you want to see the jumbo jets, check the flight schedules for Air France and KLM, plus other European airlines. They do not fly on a daily basis either, so you may be lucky, or not. Otherwise you will see a bunch to RJs and 737s, 757s, AB 320s etc from the U.S. carriers.

A couple of tid bits of info

There is a place called Sunset Bar that sits right across the road from the end of the runway. Great place for drinks and lunch. Planes will land just off to the side of this place. Or you can sit on the beach and watch then fly over your head....be careful of the jet blast.

As to returning to the ship, getting a cab at Sunset Bar could be tricky. But walk down th road to the Casino Royale, and the hotels, and you should find taxis. You can't miss them, it will be obvious once you are there. As to timing, the shortest way involves a drawbridge that opens on a set schedule. The opening can be quite lengthy if there are a lot of boats going into and out of Simpson Bay. Not sure of the precise opening times, but the locals will know. Alternatively, there is a new causeway that avoids the drawbridge, but it is longer. A good cab driver should know which way is best at the time.

Without any traffic, you could get to Phillipsburg in about half an hour.......but there is rarely NO traffic in SXM!

As to cost, can't help you. We have a timeshare there and always have a car.

Google "Sunset Bar SXM" and you can see where the bar is in relation to the airport and to the DrAC Whatley cruise terminal in P-burg.

I knew what you meant Mrs. Sloop :)

Upgrade the new pax, give the OP their original cabin. Problem solved!

But I am certain that X knows how to run their cruise line.

I always wonder why folks feel the need to criticize another persons actions. Fill out the form ahead of time or fill it out on the pier....whatever floats your boat.

Can't we all be comfortable with the fact that not everyone is identical, and each has their own unique comfort level.

EXCEPT-- if a cruiseline knowingly allows a violation of the PVSA, the fine can be more substantial than just that $300 per person. They can be banned from entering US ports altogether for a significant period of time (I'm talking years

Is this your assumption, or is it fact? I looked at 19 CFR 4.80b which discusses penalties and did not see any mention of "knowingly", or more drastic penalties. Not trying to start an argument, just curious.

Although it would be great, I can't see Celebrity doing this. Some of the best parts of a world cruise is going to exotic ports, and large ships just can't do a lot of those. And unless a full world cruise is divided into segments, I can't see 2800 or so people booking such an expensive full world cruise. Even some of the luxury lines that do full world cruises, some with ships under 1000 passengers, are lucky to have a couple hundred who book the full world cruise, most at over 100 days long. But if they had two to three week segments available, then you'd see more interest. But with Celebrity having so few ships, and with them dedicating so much of their resources to having their ships outside the US, I don't think we'll ever see a Celebrity world cruise.

You don't need small ships. Check Cunard, they have big ships with 2000+ passengers that do world cruises. And they only have 3 ships. And yes they do segments.

Seems like the easiest thing for the OP and Celebrity is just go thru with the original plan. Yes, it's a violation of the PVSA, but the fine is $300 per person.

Celebrity ponys up the $300 per person for their screw up and everyone is happy.

"Of course, tips bring favors. From an experienced drinker that comes as no surprise and need not be mentioned."

 

Well to put it bluntly anything with class understands service in order or turn. If staff have to be induced to service correctly in such a "highly" rated ship then class and ratings become a joke. The staff are already tipped 15%, over this becomes privilege buying and is obviously the way on Celebrity. This DID not occur on the Radiance during our two cruises on that ship. Perhaps the captain and the senior officers ran a tighter operation and understood true service.

Wow...I've been on over 8 sailings with X, and over 15 with RCCL, and I've never seen or experienced such behavior on any of their ships...

well there was one cruise with a large proportion of South Americans from a certain country, and they pushed to the front of every queue.....and no money changed hands

Recently on Silhouette, we are Elite. Got a phone call on day 2 offering 2 for 1 on that night. We took advantage of it.