welwyngirl

2 hours ago, yakcruiser said:

I've heard you British folks aren't too popular in Argentina.

More popular than Americans in Hiroshima, I would think!

How much was it to upgrade to premium beverages, please?

1 hour ago, 1985rz1 said:

You need to remember that you're paying about $40 pp (actually a bit less, if you price it out on a daily basis) for the basic  package as an OLife perk.   So if you drink enough wine and beer at meals to use the perk fully, the $20 pp upgrade is a good deal if you drink enough outside of meals to exceed $20 pd.  But if you don’t drink much wine or beer at meals, then you need to factor the OLife cost in to estimate the true cost per day for the spirits upgrade.

Good point, thanks.

1 hour ago, jondfk said:

If you have the OLIFE package and drink only a couple outside of meal times you'll quickly break even.

 

However, it's important to consider when you actually drink.  For example, if you, like me, are a cocktail or two before dinner sort of person, the upgrade might not make sense. Why?  O has a 2 for 1 cocktail hour every night from 5:00 - 6:00.  Pay for one, get two (or get a double) which is generally enough for me.

Also, every sailing there is a captain's cocktail party before dinner too one night when most drinks are on the house.

 

On the other hand, if you're the sort who likes a bloody mary in the morning, a couple beers by the pool mid day, a drink or two before dinner and a nightcap before bed - the $20 uncharge is a great value.  I've done both within the past year, for sailings with a lot of sea days, I definitely found value in the upgraded package.  For sailings with lots of port days, not so much. 

Thanks Jon.  Yes, we're more the few beers round the pool, several cocktails before dinner and a few nightcaps after.  We tend to eat late too so the happy hour wouldn't work for us as we're early getting changed around that time.  We'll definitely upgrade which will be great value for us.

Thanks for the responses.  Good to know.  We'll definitely upgrade.

Hi

We are sailing on Regatta on 21st  November Singapore to Sydney.  We are told we have included drinks package.  Does anyone know if this will include most of the regular martinis and also how much to upgrade to a premium package.

Thanks in advance.

I'm having problems with the NCL website.  Although I've logged in it's not showing my current booking.  Has anyone else had this problem?

Hi

We have 2 x specialty dinners included in our cruise fare.  Does anyone know if this would include Rudi's, please:

Thanks.

21 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

It seems to apply only for cruises departing from Greece. 
Ivi

Yes it looks so.  Just shows what a complete mess of confusion it all is.

Just now, welwyngirl said:

Please check out the Azamara website page on Explore Well at Sea for your desination. We are on Pursuit tomorrow and have paid for tests including taxi fares and have just discovered these are no longer required from May 11th.  I only found this out by looking at their website I have received no notification from either Azamara of our TA!  

i should add not required for fully vaccinated travellers.

Please check out the Azamara website page on Explore Well at Sea for your desination. We are on Pursuit tomorrow and have paid for tests including taxi fares and have just discovered these are no longer required from May 11th.  I only found this out by looking at their website I have received no notification from either Azamara of our TA!  

To be frank, I'm getting a bit tired of the excuses many companies make for Covid being the cause of poor customer service.  We've been living with Covid for well over two years now and it can't be an excuse for poor service forever.  I realise Azamara is under new management but surely they should have sufficient call centre staff to at least attempt to answer queries.  I sympathise with islandwoman.  If I had booked that many cruises and have not received satisfactory customer service I would be tempted to vote with my feet!  

25 minutes ago, yogagal47 said:

Found this link: https://travel.gov.gr/#/.     It appears that fully vaccinated passengers do not need a test. Also this from the Azamara Greece info page:

• PCR Test Result
  Travelers must provide evidence of a negative result from a PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 that has been conducted within the 72 hours period before your arrival time in Greece. Proof of a negative test is not required however for all travelers that have completed their vaccination(i.e., 14 days have elapsed since the last vaccination, depending on the doses required) and hold a vaccination certificate.

I'm trying to contact Azamara now as I received notification a week or so ago advising tests were required prior to boarding at passengers' expense.  Just gone to check in and notice says complimentary tests will be given and details of how to register for this will be sent.  We embark on 17th May and have heard nothing.  It's completely confusing.

We are sailing on Pursuit on 17th May but spending five days prior in Mykonos.  Has anyone any experience of availability of Covid testing at Piraeus port or even Mykonos, please?  

On 4/7/2022 at 11:02 AM, excitedofharpenden said:

I'm not as fearful of covid as I was, certainly as long as the vaccines remain effective.  We are going to have to learn to live with it. Trouble is the likes of Azamara and other travel companies still fear it and the reputational damage so the cost and inconvenience to you if you do catch it is real and can spoil your trip. That's why I'll do my best to limit the risk as much as I can and wear a mask. They've been doing it in Japan and other parts of Asia for years and is part of the culture.

 

Phil 

We're just back from a 35 night HAL cruise round Hawaii and French Polynesia.  We were tested prior to embarkation and masks were recommended in some areas and required in others.  We wore them always unless eating or drinking,  George tested positive towards the end of the cruise and had to isolate in a separate cabin for 10 days.  

43 minutes ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Hank will be the Hotel Director 2/13 foward. And Ian will be back in about 15 days as Cruise Director.

Many thanks.

Does anyone know who the current Cruise and Hotel directors are on Zuiderdam or if there is a list somewhere with this info, please?

Ship - Grandeur OTS

Deck -8

Stateroom # -565

Stateroom Category –Inside

Starboard or Port Side -Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) –

Yes

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? -No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. –N/A

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? -

Was wind a problem? -

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? -N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? -We often book inside cabins but this is the tiniest cabin we've ever had on any cruise line,  There was also an armchair wedged in between the wardrobe door and bathroom making it impossible to properly access the very small wardrobe and hanging space.  A small round table was also in the way of the door and bottom of the bed,  We asked if these could be removed since we could not get another cabin.  

10 hours ago, Bo1953 said:

While ultimately up to you, I Am vegan and have had wonderful meals prepared for me in Murano.

 

Let them know at least 24 hours in advance of your dietary preferences and what you would enjoy having that night and I believe you will be delighted.

 

With Murano it is not only the food, but service and ambiance too.

 

Also, it does make a difference if you are dining with others or alone, too.

 

bon appetit and bon voyage

Thank you Bo1953.  Will definitely give it a try.  My husband is not veggie, but one of the friends sailing with us is, so I think we'll definitely go for it.

Hi.  Are there any vegetarians that have eaten at the Murano?  If so, is it worth the extra charge or should I just stick to the MDR.  Thanks.

OH and I are waitlisted for a cruise in November 2022 Singapore to Sydney. Booked direct with O for the five lowest cabin categories and we were told it was a good chance we would get offered a cabin.  How do you find out what number you are on the waitlist.  Anyone know, please?

We are booked with the Classic Beverage Package included.  I've today received an email offering a discounted rate for the Premium.  Husband and I both enjoy cocktails, ie Cosmopolitans, Espresso Martinis.  Does anyone know if they would be included in the Classic or should be upgrade to Premium?  Many thanks.

Well, I live in Welwyn!  The 'girl' bit is a tad tongue-in-cheek.  We hedgehogs from Hertfordshire must lack some imagination excitedofharpenden!  

I have been to Venice on cruises but, to be honest, I think the Venetian authorities should ban cruise ships.  The impact on the city with large numbers of passengers is not sustainable nor is the damage done to the lagoon.  There are other ways to visit Venice.  I'm ducking!

2 hours ago, Charlies Aunt said:

I have just received this

Royal Caribbean Cruises have today announced that they will be offering Summer 2021 cruises departing from Cyprus on board Jewel of the Seas.

These 7-night cruises will give guests the chance to explore the Greek Islands on board one of their Radiance class of ships. Filled with unforgettable on-board experiences but small enough to allow access to ports including Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes.

Starting from 10th July and running until 23rd October 2021, these cruises will be offered on a fly cruise basis with flights from multiple airports across the UK. Adult guests will be required to have had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, with children needing a negative Covid test before boarding giving families the chance to get away together!

On sale from the 7th April but you can advance register with us today to secure your place on board. We know these cruises will sell fast! Advance Register Today.
We’re here to help you plan your holiday, we’re Royal Caribbean experts with over 11 years experience and the security of being part of the world’s largest cruise retailer.

It sounds promising but will depend on whether we are permitted to travel then.  If not, travel insurance is invalid and fines are hefty.