ededmd

[quote name=English Voyager;48642331

However I hope to attend the February Show' date=' and have the opportunity of discussing Europa cruises direct with Hapag-Lloyd.[/quote]

Please do report on your findings.

Best for a great Cunard cruise.

As you noted, I was responding to the OP directly in their circumstance. Not in a general advise sense.

 

Given 22 Concierge Staterooms, 25 cabana's, then having emailed Shoreside Concierge before their booking window opened, I feel confident they will get one.

That said, I did explicitly say

And it wasn't until post #5 that children and "oldsters" were mentioned.

 

The OP hasn't responded any further on the thread, but still I think they will be fine, and hope they have an amazing cruise.

 

ex techie

Yes. I get your point. Mine was directed at some future reader of the thread who may not have noticed the OP was on the Magic.

And that there is no general guarantee that because one is concierge that one WILL get a cabana.

Also, I think you missed the OP's comment that s/he did NOT make contact with Shoreside prior to the booking window opening.

"My problem is that I was not able to contact Shoreside Concierge before my booking window opens, tonight at midnight. So I guess I have to stay up and try to book myself."

Suspect the OP is long gone from the thread. I think we're just clarifying for the thread's own posterity at this point.

Agree with moki'smmmy.

For "most" sailings will not be a problem.

My experience of NOT having a request fulfilled was despite all suggested procedures followed and was - importantly - on the Fantasy during our schhol's March... Spring Break.

We had a great time nonetheless. Did the jet-ski excursion which was great fun.

The point of my posts is merely to dispel the "don't worry, you're concierge, you will certainly get a cabana advice".

If you want one during peak periods on the larger ships be prepared to follow all pre trip procedures including shoreside concierge request prior to the booking window opening and diligent follow up if not assigned at that time.

And above all be flexible and have a back up plan if you are ultimately not granted a reservation.

We've done with a cabana and without. Every experience good - just different..

You will get a Cabana as a Concierge Guest.

 

Possibly not exactly the one you want, but you WILL get one.

 

ex techie

This is not true in my experience.

My last Fantasy cruise was in a 1 BR concierge stateroom.

Requested a cabana. Did not receive - sold out...

I do note the OP is on the Magic and with a smaller # of competing concierge cabins agree that a disappointment is not likely.

I've done it.

Boat takes you from Tortoa to Jost.

Stops a short ways from the shore and those who want to dive / jump in and swim to shore can.

Motor trawls the boat a little closer to shore where they drop a ladder into the standing depth water and you walk to shore. A "wet landing" as it were.

Day is nice. Plenty of loungers. Many shaded. Included.

Lunch included - some kind of salad, a meat/ fish, a beverage.

Non motor water sports included. I remember kayaking. I also remember a large water trampoline.

Not being sure of your parameters, I'll just share that we very much enjoyed our stay at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. One of the best rooms in which we've stayed as a family.

We have not eaten in Sakura, just not enough time, or desire to make it a priority to go eat "California roll" when we are surrounded by good ones back home, plus they are only open for dinner. However, I thought similar things about Elements.

 

But we only have 3 nights left: New Years Eve (where all the menus are the same, not sushi, not announced what yet;) 1/1 (probably some extra festive stuff; and 1/2, the day before departure, which will be right after an all day excursion down the Cape, then have to pack.

First, only 3 more nights? Nooo! Have enjoyed your cruise (almost) as much as my Med cruise. (Not really, but the closest I can get for right now - and the closest I'll get to Africa for a while - so won't be choosy.). You've done a great job with sharing and I've very much enjoyed your husband's photos.

We found Sakura to be the least impressive of all the venues. Nothing wrong with it at all. Just not really special compared with all the other options.

I was similarly skeptical about Elements but like you enjoyed my meal there and given more time would have returned and will revisit next time.

We spent far more time in Yacht Club and it seems you've overall preferred the quiet civility of Weltmeere. I'll have to give it a shake for a meal besides dinner next time.

Happy New Year!

Catlover54,

So excited to read your posts. Thank you for sharing your time.

A few thoughts -

The bear = Captain Knopf. He is the mascot of the children's program. However much like Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World he seems as popular if not more so with adults for a boarding photo opportunity.

Asking about occupations - in my experience the purpose seemed to be to invite one to a social gathering with similar professionals. I was invited to a coffee / cocktail hour with the ship's doctor and other physicians and surgeons.

Regarding Tarragon - I must echo a prior post recommending you try the beef tartar (as spelled on the menu). It was delicious.

Regarding wine - I found the value to be quite good and enjoyed the opportunity to try some German red wines which don't seem to make it to the US. Our sommelier in Weltmere was especially helpful and seemed genuinely excited we were interested in trying the German reds.

Glad you are thus far satisfied with the bed. Hope you slept well.

Thanks again for posting!

Catlover54,

If you find time and have the inclination to live post during your voyage, please do. For those of us who love the Europa2, it will allow us to voyage with you until we can be sail on her again ourselves.

Regardless hope you have a wonderful cruise!

 

I hope anyone contemplating a cruise on the Europa 2 will not be put off by the comment in the article:

 

'Who Should Skip

 

•Luxury cruise aficionados familiar with the superior competition'

Agree with English Voyager.

I'm familiar with the competition and don't find it superior.

My spouse won't even look at any other line's itineraries now- just "no interest" in doing anything but Europa 2 for the indefinite future.

This is rare - I am quoting myself. Just need to comment that I received a tacky, ugly flyer from NCL (or they claim to be NCL). It is offering a 7 night cruise plus 2 nights at a major hotel for........ nothing (of course). Where did they get my address? Who knows (I do not go into the NCL website). Now that I vented I will shred it. :eek:

TC2,

Doubt this was actually from NCL.

I have sailed with them before and receive promotional materials from NCL.

This sounds more like those random "free vacation" flyers I'll get on my fax line - the equivalent of paper spam - and not from NCL.

I endorse (knowing your published preferences) that you would not enjoy NCL - even in the Haven. It was a cruise I am glad to have done but am not at all eager to go back to the line.

I missed this somewhere along the line - who is shauna?

Daughter of (Mr Rumor) Rich & Ginny

See post #62

Yea! For the continued live blogging through Oct 5!

You all have done a great job taking the rest of us along (in spirit).

Thanks to all!

Hi Poss,

In all fairness to the Regent rep - both answers *may* be true.

We were on a southbound cruise which had Tracy Arm prior to Juneau in the itinerary (similar to the cruise I suspect you are reviewing).

The northbound itineraries I reviewed also visit Tracy Arm before Juneau.

However if a cruise were to have an itinerary where Juneau is prior to Tracy Arm, the excursion folks leave from the dock in Juneau on the catamaran and rejoin the ship at sea - the reverse of what I described.

The ship does wend its way up the fjord but doesn't get nearly as up close and personal as the catamaran. Some of that feeling is the actual proximity and some of it seems to be the scale of being on a catamaran versus the ship.

When we revisit this area I plan to do the excursion.

Happy decision making!

To answer your question about the Navigator - when I was on they did have a separate Tracy Arm excursion.

It was 6 hrs long and did have an extra charge - I'm recalling $129 pp? Looks to be $149 pp now.

We did not do the excursion because our children were too young at that time to subject them (& fellow passengers to them) being on a 6h excursion.

If appropriate I certainly would have done this excursion.

You had earlier asked what the rest of the passengers do if staying onboard (not taking the excursion).

Basically the excursion passengers offload onto the catamaran while the ship "treads water".

The ship proceeds on to the Juneau port / dock. The excursion passengers are brought by the tour company (Allen Marine) directly to Juneau to rejoin the ship later.

One other note, if they can't get into Tracy Arm they say they will substitute Endicott Arm. Haven't read much about that location specifically on this board.

My thoughts on the soft goods on Europa 2 from July 2015.

No complaints at al...

Mattress had a firm (not hard) base with a plush soft top.

Like sleeping in a well supported pillowy wonderland.

I slept well despite sharing with my 6' 12 year old snoring son.

I enjoy the joined twins with the European duvets - each get their own space.

The lounging couch was quite comfortable- so much so that my 6'1, 220# spouse chose to sleep there most nights versus sharing the bed with a 10 year old who likes to lie sideways across both sides of the bed.

Hi Poss,

The National Park Service limits entry with a daily vessel limit of 2 cruise ships per day. There are additional restrictions - # vessels per season (shoulder versus prime).

Only five companies are authorized to provide service into Glacier Bay:

Princess

Holland

Norwegian

Carnival

Crystal

The very last thing that my DH would want to be is Mr. TC2

Reading your comments about your husband over the years, consider:

TheBritWit

Happy cruising. Hope Olga can make you a chocolate martini to your taste!

Sorry if this is old news for you but was thinking about members of this board while reading Seatrade Insider.

Apparently Ms. Bettridge is leaving Dec 16 to be replaced as GM by Kristian Anderson.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Wendy!

Mr Rumor

Thank you for the trip report.

It is joyful threads like this one which keep me logging in.

Stay warm.

duplicate

 

I wanted to go snorkeling in the lagoon area, but I soon noticed that everyone was wearing vests. I thought about renting one, but the water was awfully murky. My guess is that there was a lot sunscreen in that water, so I decided to just skip it. So I went around and took some extra pictures of the area.

 

Enjoying your review!

Just wanted you to know for next time, while Disney does require you wear a vest to snorkel they don't charge for the vests.

You just go pick one up from the rental station or oftentimes they are hanging at the lifeguard towers.

If you don't bring your own and need a mask / snorkel / fins, that you would rent. The vest is a "free" use item.

Joined Dec 2011... Just 5 posts

Wow -- that is surprising. She is apparently new to CruiseCritic. Really hope she follows through and advises us of the issues. Otherwise, I would question her post.

Could someone explain to the folks who do not feel the need to comment endlessly or who are not glued to the CC screen exactly what the correct number of posts are in relation to the year joined, etc etc.?

While those of us who avidly follow these boards and post with varying frequency seemingly cannot fathom being as informed (or informational) as possible, nearly everyone who cruises is NOT on Cruise Critic (I think I've seen figures on the board that about 5% of total cruisers are on Cruise Critic).

I agree that not everyone feels the need to respond to every thread or even (horrors!) log in every day.

So Bacardi 151 would work fine then?

Yes.

And thank you.