startrek77

14 hours ago, NSW519 said:

My first solo cruise will be on the Celebrity Apex - August 13 - Norwegian Fjords.

My next 3 solo cruisers will be 2 out of Flordia September 2022 Symphony/Allure  and 1 transatlantic 14 nights April 2023 on Odyssey. I did my first 2 solo cruisers last year and loved every minute of it.

I had the UDP two times and had to go to a restaurant to book was not allowed to book on app and make sure you do it as soon as you get on ship the good reservation times go quick.

We bought euros before we left and brought them with us. I checked with both banks we have accounts with and each of them charged a percentage transaction fee to use ATM's in foreign countries even at banks they had agreements with. Plus with paying cash for our tours and paying for 4 people I would have been having to go to an ATM every day and hitting the maximum withdrawal.

 

I got an exchange rate that was 1.19 euros to the dollar so not hideous but not the best but there was peace of mind that I had the money I needed. My bank didn't charge a fee to get that money (made it up in the exchange rate) we just had to order it about 2 weeks before we for sure needed it to give us time for any snafus.

 

I think if you just need a little cash (like you're paying your tours with credit cards or paying ahead of time) the ATM's in Europe will give you the best exchange rate. (Just heed all the cautions about using in bank ATM's when the bank is open.) But if you are paying for lots of tours and there are more than 2 of you, I'd bring the money from home.

Thank you so much for the reply we will take your advice on this and it feels good to know what to do going forward.:)

Thank you for the Great review so happy you had such a good trip and hope ours will be the same.

My one question is about the exchange rate and where we should exchange our money. Did you do your exchange to euros in the U.S before you left or did you do it when you got to your first stop.

It's hard to find a direct answer to this question, can you please let me know what you think is the better way to go?

We are debating on whether to go with the classic or premium package.....I saw a few posts that mentioned paying the difference for a more expensive drink but I am sure I have read somewhere that you can't do that - its either covered in your package or not.

 

Can someone please clarify? I don't think we'll need too many premium drinks but there are a few I'd like and I hate to pay full pop when I have some sort of package.

 

Thanks,

Melissa

Melissa,

Yes you can now pay the difference for a drink over $12 with the Premium package only.:p

Okay...this may be a really dumb question but I have to ask....

Where can you get bottled water, canned soda or bottled juices on board?

And whil I'm at it...

Are there any restrictions if you get the package (like I cant get bottled water at the pool?)

What about beverages in the Theather??

Do they serve beverages during the shows and are the plans good there as well?

 

I apologize if the answers are posted....I did try to read through them all!!

Cathysmom........you can get bottled water everywhere bars-pool-on your way off the ship and all dinning rooms. Same for canned soda now that they are once again using cans not sure about bottled juice I think juice is by the glass.:confused: **Can't get soda or juice when leaving ship only water.**

There are no restrictions if you have the package but there is a difference in the type and size of bottle water you get depending on which package you buy. Yes they do serve beverages durning shows with or without the package you ca pre pay as in a package or pay as you go.:rolleyes:

The plans are good everywhere.:D

The package worked very well for me on my last cruise and I have it for my up coming 11/30/11 sailing but only you know if it's for you or not.:eek:

Have a good trip.

I am going on the Silhouette on 2/22/12. They have the beer bar. Does anyone know if the premium beverage package includes all of the beers at Michael's Club Craft Beer Pub? At the celebrity site the premium package reads, “you can enjoy our entire selection of Beers”, but I saw someone’s picture of the menu and the larger bottles of beer, that only come in large bottles, are more than $12.

 

MArk

Mark,

The premium package will only cover beer up to $12, if you want a beer over the $12 you can have it but you will have to pay the difference in the price. Example-Beer $15, you pay $3 for it.:mad:

Enjoy!:rolleyes:

Hi:

 

I have tried a search on the forum related to this in a number of ways and I am sure it has been answered numerous times but I cannot find the answer to the following.....

 

I have purchased the Premium Alcohol Pkg:

 

1. Does it apply to room service? ie mimosas at brekkkie and wine pre dinner and maybe a nightcap?

2. Conflicting info re specialty dining - can we have wine refills with our pkg.

 

Not Premium Pkg related...but if someone can answer this question (great)!

Reserved online 3 specialty dinners.....not able to do the wine and dine pkg online....will they make the adjustment once on board?

Thank you.

 

Nancy

Hello Nancy,

The Premium pkg does not cover room service.:eek: Yes you can mimosas at brekkkie and wine pre dinner (by the glass with refills) and all the nightcaps you like but not in your room.:(

If you have the Premium pkg why would you want to pay again for the wine and dinner pkg?:confused: Once again you can order all the wine you want by the glass up to $12 and if you want a wine that is over the $12 you only pay the difference in price (example- wine $16 a glass you pay $4 for it because it's $4 over your $12 limit).:rolleyes:

If you still want to buy into the dinner and wine pkg, then yes they will make the adjustment once on board?

Hope this helps and have a great cruise.:D

Linda

Hi There!

BRAND SPANKIN NEW TO CRUISE CRITIC!

 

I've tried to search for a former posting with regards to this question but, alas, there are sooooo many postings and truly not enough time in the day. (My husband already thinks I'm addicted to this board).

 

I'll be sailing Alaska on the newly refurbished Infinity in May '12. I'm sold on buying the drink packages for myself and my familial traveling group of 6 adults and two children.

 

Being the "Travel Coordinator" I'd like to have my answers straight when I pitch the purchase to the group... so my question is this:

 

When you buy (any) drink package, is the service charge that you pay based on the price of the drink package or is it tacked on at the end based on how manny drinks you ordered?

 

Thanks so much

 

W. T.

Welcome,

The service charge is based on the price of the drink package not the number of drinks you order. :D

So if you order 50 or 100 drinks the service charge is already paid for and does not go up.:rolleyes::o

I haven't seen this answered in this thread...

 

My wife and I are both getting the Premium Package.

 

I do enjoy a nice beer with a snifter of sambucca on the side. Do you have to order one thing, consume it, then order another, or can I sit at the bar and order both at the same time? Can I walk away with this combo or will I be flagged as a potential cheater now having security tail me throughout the ship? :D

 

I don't want them (or anyone here for that matter) to think that I am trying to pull one over on X, that's why I wrote that we are BOTH getting the Premium Package.

 

Thanks,

MrJulius:)

Once the bar tenders know you both have the Premium Package they will give you what you want. You may run into a bar tender here or there that may say no, but just move onto the next bar tender. Once they get to know you and they will you will not have a problem.:eek:

Been there done that with no problems, be nice to the bar tenders and give them a extra tip here and there and it's all good.:cool:

Don't let the no souvenier glass rule stop you from getting the Premium Package, just buy one in the gift shops pack it away and enjoy yourself.:rolleyes::D Buying the package on my last cruise was the BEST.:o

Do not let a souvenier glass come between you and getting your Drink On.;)

Terry,

You are AMAZING!:)

I've asked this question before and unfortunately have not been able to get an answer. Does anyone know how quickly after finishing your drink you can order another? I'm asking for the specific purpose of chasing my shot of Patron with a nice cold beer (a vacation favorite :D)

You can order your next drink as soon as your current drink is gone, you do not have to walk away from the bar and come back. Yes you may also get a bar tender that will just give you both at the same time. I had the P-Package and had no problems getting as many drinks as I wanted in most cases if I was hanging out at the bar my next drink would be there without me asking. Once the bar tenders get to know you and your drink they will take Great care of you.:D

P.S. I always give a small tip here and there not with every round but the service would have been the same if I had not. I felt the bar tenders worked hard and they do not make much so every tip helps.:cool:

Buying the drink package was the best and has made Celebrity one of my Top picks for cruising.

Hello all,

This is a cry for help, it's time to start thinking about what to pack for this trip. I will be gone for about 16days in all and I do not know what is right to pack.:(

First question are there formal dress nights on this cruise? If so do anyone know how many if not then what kind of dress is best, I like to dress up a little but if every one is dressing down then I can go that way also.

So I will start with just this question for now, what kind of clothes do we need to pack for dinner's, we plan to use all the restaurants on the ship.

PLEASE help if you can, I have been on one other NCL ship and some dressed up but most did not, but this being a Mediterranean cruise do you think more people will dress up or down HELP:confused:

Thanks,

Linda