Spender Nui

Mass market cruising is no longer luxurious. If you want a true luxury experience, go on a high end cruise lines. Why can't some people get this basic concept.

I have to agree with you. The luxury that once was cruising no longer exists.

Do the credits automatically terminate and the refund issued?

If your credit card and address has changed how is this handled?

Has anyone cashed in their credits before the 4 year date?

Another conformation of what others have said, 2 tops are available but small and don't provide privacy.

Because the cruise lines well know all this, they will not tell us even when asked directly. We were once aboard with a very large group and it was dreadful. We learned a very hard and costly lesson that cruise. It doesn't really matter what the group is as what matters is the rest of us feel like we are in the way. Well, actually, all those not a part of the group are in the way.

 

Venues are closed for their private use, sometimes full dining seatings are reserved for just them and a host of other inconveniences and worse.

 

Been there more than once. On one cruise even certain elevators were restricted and could only be used by the group. Entire upper dining room was reserved for first seating … and they were all 30 - 45 minutes late.

cruising AIN'T what it used to be!

As I think about it -- I see the cruise lines charging for every item you order -- no more free food. They may even charge for butter and rolls.

You will pay to see the shows.

Just like going to a restaurant.

And can you imagine what that will do to the already abysmal service?????

Great job. Thanks for sharing.

We have been on HAL (Dutch Registry ship) when in Curacao with a late sailaway. It is a Dutch island and have given the ship permission to open the casino and shops in the evening while we were still docked. That leads me to think it is at the option of the port to grant permission or not?

Not related to casino but I remember years ago sailing on the beautiful (old) Rotterdam late and having an extraordinary fireworks display as we sailed. One of our favorite cruise memories.

On the M class it's balcony size (C1) and … location, location, location.

Been a long time since I've seen anything other than cheap drinks and cheaper champagne with a few nuts in small carafes.

Haven't been there for a while but used to stay at the Krasnapolsky (grand old hotel) and the Sonesta, which I think is now a Marriott and close to Central Station. I used to walk it.

Thanks for the replys. I loved going for breakfest there as they had the best things.

Interested in what they offered. Can you share?

Seems as if X doesn't want you watching movies. They had nice theaters on the M class ships but removed them to make more $$$$ possibilities.

This might not help you, but maybe others: Did you have any identification or contact info to help them find you?

 

I've seen lost cameras found by honest people only to remain lost because there was no way to find the owner.

 

I do two things with my cameras:

 

1) The first picture on each card is one of a computer screen, or piece of paper, showing "If lost call xxxxx at Mobile phone # (###) ###-####"

 

2) I put a nice looking label on it with my name and mobile phone number. Every few years a buy a nice sheet of good quality ID labels for $10 from this company: http://www.mavericklabel.com/products/id-my-stuff.html

 

 

 

Also put the same labels on anything expensive that might be lost and found like iPad, cell phone, binoculars, etc. This might not help at all if the item is found by a dishonest person, but it gives me a good chance if an item is found by an honest person.

Good idea.

Hope OP gets her camera back.

Did he leave the ship voluntarily or was he put off?

Thank you for all your replies. I've wanted to see Bermuda for a long time. We don't dislike children...we have grandchildren....what we do mind is children who misbehave and their behavior is allowed by their parents. 200 children is a lot...will definitely be doing more research in the upcoming weeks.

If you're concerned about kids consider going early or late in the season when they are in school.

Debbie, there was no website error. There existed a record of this purchase in my file (and I got a refund as a shipboard credit). The explanation was that Celebrity has missed a scheduled supply delivery in Valparaiso of these and other drinks. And yes, I had an email confirmation on my phone, which I had to show to guest relations personnel, who were not quite sure that there are beverage packages other than the usual drink-inclusive ones... ;)

You should have T least gotten a cash/credit card reimbursement, not a shipboard credit.

I agree with "it should be reported". Unfortunately when it is it's just another rule that's not enforced.

They told me my 11 month old could not be in the pool due to having a swin diaper. I said fine and got him out and removed the swim diaper. The look on the pool attendants face was priceless as we got back into the pool. :)

Disgrace. Never if you're only,kidding it's not funny.

what i find more amazing and totally illogical is that hal still permits smoking on all balconies, the aft pool, the observation deck and the promenade deck. Before my 12/1/13 cruise i read the smoking policy on the hal website. It stated that smoking was permitted on designated outside decks and then listed the observation deck and the aft pool. I called hal twice to verify that smoking was no longer permitted on the promenade deck. You can imagine my surprise when i saw ash trays placed all around the promenade deck. I consulted with guest services three times, mentioning their published smoking policy and my assurances from the hal reps before sailing, but they insisted that they were in compliance with hal policy.

 

Smoking and second- hand smoke are a universally accepted health risk to all, more so to those with allergies, breathing disorders and children. How illogical is it that hal pretends to be concerned about guest well-being and safety with so many ship policies: Hand sanitizing, gluten and lactose- free menus etc., yet permits smoking on all balconies, the open decks mentioned allowing those who continue this filthy habit to pollute and invade the air of everyone near them.

 

Is it fair that your own balcony, the promenade deck, and the aft pool be polluted and rendered a health risk for all? Thus, you the paying health- contious guest are denied the use of your balcony if a smoker is in a near by balcony, the use of the beautiful promenade deck, and the aft pool area.

Smoking is not like other drugs that people inject, snort, or eat - self destructive.

Smoking invades the air and space of those who are near-by.

 

The sail-away party in the aft pool area allowed passengers to smoke everywhere as the portable ash trays on the railings are moved at will to wherever the smoker wants them. The same is true on the promenade deck.

 

Smoking is now prohibited in all public buildings, parks, and even

university campuses like ucsd where i live. Some employers require prospective employees to take a blood test to prove that they are nicotine free.

Princess, celebrity, and now rci have implemented very strict smoking policies.

 

Smoking is not a matter of preference. It is an unhealthy habit that

invades and pollutes the air of all those around it.

 

It makes no sense for hal, to continue with an antiquated and harmful policy that

causes discomfort and threatens the health and well-being of its passengers.

 

I love cruising on hal and am hopeful that they will soon do the right thing to protect the well-being of all guests with a more restrictive smoking policy.

amen!

Dining room to avoid the Lido hassle.

Take your political stripes off. It is not a conspiracy. Smoking causes cancer. Cancer kills.

I agree 100% and thinking smoking should be outlawed.

That said, there are no stripes showing, just a response regarding government. Many other examples could be sited. My last comment, i won't get into a political (or any other kind) of hassle.

It probably wouldn't be showing the best judgment if a hospital were to make that decision, but it would be their decision to make.

 

When the government starts interfering in personal decisions, we are less free.

Like mandating questionable health care?

I have not seen them banned here in Virginia. BUT... I always wondered why a health store/pharmacy would sell cigarettes. Interesting.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Nice to see this working out.

Looking forward to cruising along with you.