Atlanta07

Anyone else joining us?

Hans and Brett

Hi all - We are looking forward to joining you on this cruise. We live in Ft. Myers, FL - moved here from Atlanta. 

Glad there is a thread!

Hans and Brett

1 hour ago, ShawninFL said:

From the sound of it, you already know what you want to do.  Yes, you're going to lose some money by making the switch, but I think you'll get at least that much in additional enjoyment with new itinerary on NCL.  Although Celebrity is my preferred line, I do like RCCL as well and although you don't think you'll use the future cruise credit on Royal, I bet you do eventually.  Like most people I don't like to lose money, but in this situation with how much you're already spending, what's a few hundred dollars to get what you really want?

I agree with Shawn - Ideally you can use the cruise credit for a short getaway - so you are not throwing away $700, but spending $200 for a lesson learned and now you have a forced savings account vacation with the other $500. My preference or "our" preference doesn't matter except to tell you our experiences. In this case, you've answered the question - NCL is preferred because of the great price drop, perks, and most importantly the destinations are what your daughter wants. Book it before the cabin or deal is gone and move on. 🙂 Happy travels!

Hans

Another misleading post and especially a headline. 

https://www.thelocal.it/20190810/no-venice-isnt-about-to-ban-cruise-ships-from-its-lagoon

This title is so misleading - and frankly irresponsible. Read the articles - do you research. Yes - there are going to be changes and cruise lines may indeed go to close by specific ports - however ships are not being banned. They are looking for a reasonable amount of ship activity - especially for locals - that locals will participate in for those decisions. 

https://www.thelocal.it/20190810/no-venice-isnt-about-to-ban-cruise-ships-from-its-lagoon

1 minute ago, brookie848 said:

 

And we were able to get three bottles that weren't on the list! I would just call and ask.

Right - absolutely will. 

I know when we had a similar room we requested a few that were not on the list and received them without issue. But requesting in advance is great advice. I like to get all the "paperwork" out of the way as soon as possible so we can enjoy the cruise. 

On 7/21/2019 at 12:47 AM, Chervil said:

We usually take a cruise for our anniversary.
They give us a very small, but very rich, cake with a candle.
They sing Happy Anniversary and had us kiss each time they said Happy Anniversary.
It was silly but fun.

Thanks for the heads-up. This just made me delete the special occasions celebration in our profile. Awesome that they celebrated you all but we'd likely leave (run) if we saw them coming in a group singing. 

53 minutes ago, brookie848 said:

We never got a list in the mail. When I called the pre-cruise concierge, I got a really awesome person on the phone. I made our pillow requests and a few other things. I said I wasn't sure if I should request the alcohol now or on the ship. She told me to let her know what we wanted.

 

We requested two bottles of Tito's and one of Captain Morgan. She then listed everything we could potentially want to mix the vodka with so that we would have it all in the cabin. When we checked in at the pier, our butler came to tell us that the Captain was in the cabin, but the Tito's would arrive later once they were re-stocked.

 

I think if you want a particular bottle, call and ask before you cruise. I have no idea of those bottles are on the official list of not, but we received no push back. 

Perfect, thank you!

5 minutes ago, gaabbee said:

Thank you all! I think I will try to search for a list of the included bottles. Good to know about the lights! Hoping for working ac as I remember how hot the spinnaker lounge was on the jewel.

I did find the list - there is wine on the list too, but I think for the perk, most are interested in the liquor...so here's the list:

Beefeater Gin

Grant's Blended Scotch Whiskey

Smirnoff Vodka

Jim Beam Bourbon

Seagram's 7 Crown

Bacardi Superior Rum

Cazadores Blanco Tequila

Dry White Vermouth

Sweet Red Vermouth

Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry

Sandeman Reserve Port

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Kahlua

🙂

38 minutes ago, brookie848 said:

We were in one of of the DOS in February and did not miss the balcony at all. We were in 12500, one of the DOS with the second bedroom (and therefore the smaller living room). We thoroughly enjoyed the forward-facing view. 

 

Before you get on board, call the pre-cruise concierge and request your three bottles of alcohol and mixers. They were in our cabin waiting for us. You will enjoy the breakfast and lunch in Moderno!

 

This is definitely a good choice and you will have a great time. 

Did you by chance take a photo of the options for the bottles of alcohol? This is a great idea to ask in advance - but I do know from the past that they have a list to chose from. 

Call a limo company. Often the same price as two taxis. We went through a limo company with a large group and ended with a party bus that held 9 of us and our luggage without issue.

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Rent a one way limo. Works beautifully and isn't as much as you'd think.

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Hit $1284 on Serenade of the Seas yesterday. Rhino machine at $4 bet. You can tell that it doesn't happen often based on their lack of experience in completing paperwork.

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Probably best for everyone to just stay home in their own happy world, with their own rules and beliefs. [emoji3]

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Greatly?? How so? I don't mean in theory. I mean actually right then and there?

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I think this topic is fascinating. In short, my answer would be no and no. My fear is that such bans would be the end of cruising as we know it. Cruising is about escaping the everyday world where people judge one another, gang up on those not like them, and where we can go to just get away, live, explore and celebrate different lands and different people. With this must come a willingness to be open and accepting of differences. Some people are sensitive to perfume. Should we ask for the banning of fragrances and gift shops that sell them? Some families have been devastated by alcoholism. Should we seek the banning of adult beverages? Some people are diabetic. Should we persecute those enjoying a desert? Many have high blood pressure. Should we demand salt free menus for all? Smoking is bad for people... as is sugar, fat, salt,plastic, stress, and negativity. I will keep cruising with an open mind and open heart - and HOPE that doesn't get taken away from me.

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I generally take 7 day cruises comped by CAS. Recently I have been given ocean view or balcony cabins. My last cruise was a transatlantic for 13 days. I believe my theoretical loss was higher than any other cruise I have taken (all NCL). Now I am only being comped insides. Is it because my last cruise was 13 days as opposed 7?

Not necessarily- but with a cruise length about double that of your normal cruise length they'd expect your theoretical loss to be about double to get the same comp amount for future cruises. They don't expect it to be a bit higher - but 100% higher. Comp values also depend on the ship and cabin category for that ship. You'll notice that if you attempt to book a cruise that is close to sold out your comp won't be as high as it would be for a nearly empty ship. This is because they are budgeting your loss for that specific cruise and if budget has been met (at least on paper) based on other gamblers booked your comp won't be as high. Hope that helps!

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There isn't an upgrade - which is weird. On occasion you will find that a bartender will agree with it being outrageous - charge you for a drink that is covered and give you a bottled water - other times not so much.

Wishing you all good luck with this! Let us know what happens and if you end up with a happy alternative.

Just spoke with my wife and it looks like we are going to make a change. We are moving from adjoining cabins-CP Balcony Deck 11 to adjoining cabins Junior Suite Deck 8. The cost is about $200 more per person but we get cabins that are about 100 sf larger and the cabins are actually on the hump: 8642 and 8644 so we also get larger balconies.,

 

We love the Central Park area on the Allure and Oasis so we are getting the best of both worlds.

Sounds like a plan! Congrats. :)

How does it work exactly? I know you can "reserve" via a website, but are you also able to just "show up" as you are able to for main dining room breakfast and lunch services? I have two children and while flexibility is ideal, I don't wan to risk getting shut out of doable times. If like to just be able to show up. But if that isn't doable may be better off just to keep 5:30.

I'm so glad most of you have had a good experience with RCI's My Time Dining. We, did not and since trying it have stuck with specific set dining times. Maybe they changed the process now, as we tried it shortly after it came out, but it didn't work for us at all. We were asked to look at the daily schedules at the beginning of the cruise and then pick what time we'd like to eat for the reminder of the cruise and make a reservation for that time. In our opinion they missed the benefit of "My Time" dining. We liked the idea of just being able to go up and eat when we were ready or hungry - but that definitely didn't work on our trip.

Although you don't get money back in this situation - you can upgrade to a different cabin and get the reduced price - or not pay anything at all for the upgrade based on the cost of the next category.

Even if you don't want a different type of cabin, the upgrade can be a different, more appealing location. Look into it, never know.

Atlanta07

 

It was the Getaway in September and we will be on the same ship again for the Canary Islands and Morocco. :)

 

I don't know anything about junkets. If they are through land based casinos I doubt I would qualify as I rarely ever go to one. The last few years I have been going on about 5 cruises a year and lately those have been predominately NCL as CAS has been treating me quite well. Hard to pass up 'free'!

 

Would be interesting to learn more about junkets though as you just never know what the future holds.

 

 

Rochelle

Rochelle - Getaway it was! Thanks for clearing that up. I did see that we will be on the same one next year as well. That's great!

If you are getting free cruises through CAS then you are great! We are doing the same through the junket. My point was that if you are playing and are not getting free cabins through CAS then you should switch to a junket and they would make sure that happens.

Really the benefit of a junket is that your status can transfer from one cruise line to another based on the junket "vouching" for you. Other than that - you are good. Since you are usually sailing with NCL I'd expect that you are good too.

I am Golden and have never been comped a suite.

 

 

Rochelle

Rochelle -

First - I think we were just on another cruise together (maybe the Sky in January) - second, have you (and the others here) tried booking with a junket club? The comps through them seem to be better than going through the cruise line specifically.

It doesn't make sense, but it is true.

Thanks!

What a great thread! We've used a lot of these ideas, but will have to add a few to the list.

So I don't repeat, i will try to add only what I didn't notice.

For coffee lovers: Starbucks VIA is a great solution. It isn't liquid, but is quite good as a substitution for bad coffee on a cruise.

Travel Document Case: We got ours from Crate & Barrel as a gift exchange gift years ago and although thought it was a joke at the time, we love it. Put your money in one, travel docs in another. This way you are not flashing your cash while going through your travel docs.

Antibiotics - Get your doctor to write you a prescription for antibiotics to take pills with you in the event of a common issue. (strep etc.). It's great to be prepared, especially if you are going to be done for a long time.

I think everything else we take has already been listed.

Safe travels everyone!

96 - Feels like a long time! Hopefully the 23 days away from work will feel like a long time too!