Pjran

Some time ago and on a different cruise line, Cunard actually, I bought some OBC and it was charged at the rate of when I booked the cruise not the current exchange rate. To my delight it was in my favour.

Shame Celebrity don't do the same. Our cruise was booked many months ago when the rates were better for us uk passengers. With such a poor rate I'm seriously considering booking our next break with P&O, not as slick as Celebrity or Cunard.

Thank you to all of those who replied, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

Take care x

I was hoping that Celebrity had introduced a card like Princess ships use. On Princess you can have filter coffee free in their cafe if you are a card holder or you use one punch of your card for a speciality coffee.

Cruise lines often copy other lines offers or enhance them but appears Celebrity are not adopting this one.

I'm sure someone will know but is it possible to buy a coffee card without having to purchase the full nonalcoholic package please? The cost for the classic package is about £400 for our 13 night Eclipse cruise and I'm not sure if that included the 18% gratuity.

We would need to drink an awful lot of coffee to make that package worth while!

Thank you.

We were lucky too to have Elite membership on our first Princess sailing due our previous P&O cruises. I loved the free internet and coffee cards, such a welcoming bonus.

BUT why do Carnival Corp not recognise all sailings on their brands eg Cunard, P&O all as one loyalty club?

Thank you Presto2 that's really good to know. We're due in that port early October and my husband would enjoy a coastal walk rather than me asking to go into the town. He likes to avoid all shops, well it's me he steers clear of shopping :D

Do you think the coast walk would be possible pushing a wheelchair? Your thoughts would be appreciated please.

Soda package is still available.

 

Enjoy unlimited sodas during the duration of your cruise. Simply present your SeaPass® Card at any bar, lounge, or restaurant to receive your canned or fountain soda of choice.

Thank you very much, I couldn't find that page:rolleyes:

I love all people who reply to Cruise Critic questions, you're such a knowledgeable lot.

Hi

I'm checking the drinks packages online and can only find Classic no alcohol package on sale at $18 + 18% gratuity. Have Celebrity stopped selling just a soda package? I bought that package on our previous cruises but after our last cruise and not finding a seat or being served in a timely manner for coffees I thought would just buy a soda drinks deal but can't find it. Please help.

Hi.

Oceana is my favourite ship one of the reasons being I know my way around so I don,t get lost! Yes you can still eat in Cafe Jardin for breakfast and lunch no booking required. The staff are great and good variety on the menu.

Thank you, im pleased to hear you liked the cafe too. Any other tips for the newbies would be most welcome.

Only did breakfast in Le Jardin one day and it wasn't brilliant so went back to main dining room or the Plaza for breakfast or lunch on a sea day.

 

Not sure if there are any other places to eat in addition to Le Jardin, if there are I didn't find them.

Oh dear. Gosh I know I'm going back a few years but I liked the fruit there and although it was a limited selection I usually found something I liked.

Hi, I've not sailed on Oceana for a long time and a friend is going soon on one of the summer fly cruises and has asked for some hints so would appreciate your help.

I remember having breakfast, lunch and tea in a midship cafe, the only one I can find on a deck plan is Le Jardin. Can you still eat in there during the day free of charge please? I know they charge for dinner.

Any other useful tips please would be helpful. Thanks.

Princess Uk would NOT accept an email request for our cruise in April. Our shares are held in an online account, the first time in over 10 years that we have been advised to Fax or send proof by post, to obtain the shareholders OBC.

 

Another member of our roll call had his shareholder OBC, applied by the Princess cruise specialist, so I believe the way the shares are held has some bearing on how you can apply.

 

In future I will just send the request by post, it was actioned the day they received the request.

You're absolutely correct.when I emailed my request it was rejected because they can not open any messages with attachments although previously an email was accepted.

Post a copy of your proof of share holding to Carnival offices in Southampton. Remember to delete any private information and request confirmation by email to put your mind nod at rest.

Thanks for your replies, seems offers are still available.

What is the usual price per person for the specialty restaurants please? Last time we sailed Bistro on 5 was $5 and I can't remember the Italian restaurants price but do recall having a fabulous meal.

Try 01932 834 300

Thank you x

Hi

Could anyone give me the direct 01932 telephone number for UK Captains Club please. I can only find an 08 number which costs 7p a minute.

Thanks

Pj

Carnival share price has been dropping here in the UK but the next divided is due 16th June @$0.35.

How long has the current rate of OBC been payable? When do you think they are likely to review it and hopefully increase it bearing in mind the cost of cruising these days.

I haven't sailed with Celebrity for a while and the last time we were offered discounted dining whilst attending a wine tasting. The lovely couple on our wine tasting table told me to ask for half price rather than the discount being offered, so I did and the waiter agreed. Do you think this half price deal is still available please? We're not sailing until October and would love to try the other dining options again.

If you like to drink teas and coffee then buy a coffee card. If you buy a card you get free ordinary teas or filter coffee free in the International Cafe. You can have food/meals in the cafe and that's included in your cruise price. Some couples share a card where one will have the free drink whilst the other orders a specialty coffee. I love breakfast in the cafe, yogurt fruit and doughnuts, after all you are on holiday so enjoy.

You can ask any bar tender for a glass of tap water, free of charge.

Also if you manage to board early consider going to the restaurant for lunch rather than the buffet which will be so full. Ask the staff once onboard which restaurant is open, they will try to direct you to the buffet but it's more relaxing dining in the restaurant.

I'm sure you can pick up bottled water ashore and take it back to your cabin but the water is safe to drink on board. You could have room service to wake you with tea, coffee, milk or water just ask your steward for the room service list.

Do a little research on the ports you're due to visit and decide which must see sights you would like to visit. Often you can arrange your own excursion using local buses, train or hoho bus.

If you're British carry your E111 card ashore with you. At least you'll only need Euros.

I hope you enjoy your first cruise but beware cruising can become addictive.

I'm platinum but my husband wasn't but we boarded together and I took him as my guest to the extra cocktail party. Now at that cocktail party you could actually choose a drink you enjoy rather than just accepting one from the tray. The waiter took our order and kindly disappeared to get mine made, unfortunately as he made his way to deliver our drinks he was hijacked by other guests who took our drinks. He apologised profusely and returned to get more but this time took a different route to our table.

I wish to gift myself obc for our next cruise. If, for any reason I have to cancel the cruise, I assume that the credit would be refunded to the card that was used for original purchase ?

 

Also, if this particular credit was unused (which I doubt!! ), would this be refunded the same way.

Last year I purchased some OBC at a very good exchange rate, Princess gave a better rate than our bank. Good deal for us Brits.

The Penhaligon free toiletries are lovely. I managed to pack a couple to bring home with me.

I've bought wine ashore and it wasn't confiscated but not sure if they would allow spirits but of course you could try it.

The slippers are huge so I never wear them and neither does my husband.

We exchange our mini bar set up for two coffee cards. The filter coffee and tea is free just show the card, no punch holes, but you use the card for speciality coffees.

We've just bought my in-laws a short cruise on the Queen Victoria from Auckland to Sydney. They have never been on a cruise before. I've had trouble deciphering the Cunard web page regarding dining options.

 

I know their restaurant (Brittania) is the fall back position AND that there are various speciality options for which there is a charge.

 

My specific query relates to the informal dining options for which there is no additional charge. The website indicates that the Lido is an informal dining option and the evening buffet is complimentary; but then lists 3 dining options for which there is a charge. It says nothing about lunch.

 

What real options do they have?

 

Skincruiser

Wow such a wonderful present. My daughter treated me on a mini Celebrity cruise as a Mothers Day gift, loved every minute and appreciated it.

Your in laws might enjoy a light lunch in Cafe Carinthia which leaves room for the afternoon tea in the Queens room. Of course they could opt for the occasional room service.

Happy New Year

We enjoyed our cruise but the ship wasn't great. We had leaks outside our cabin and it smelled damp and musty. The planetarium was broken and we had a fire and electrical problem with delayed sailing. The loss of time in Vigo was a bonus for us.

Sorry to sound so negative. The cruise was a lovely relaxing break before the mayhem of Christmas. I missed not sailing with Princess as they offer a complimentary laundry service, that's a wonderful benefit.