phoebecat

We were on this cruise and I'd like to heartily agree with everything the OP has said. The cruise was fantastic, ship in tip top condition, food excellent, we didn't hear any whinging, but the odd comment here and there never surprises me!

 

I'd also like to thank the OP for his port reviews. We nearly did the Portofino jaunt, and decided it looked too much like herding sheep. So glad having read the review that we did our own thing.

 

Villefranche and Pisa were our highlights. Loved them both.

 

We had a drinks package but didn't utilise it anywhere near enough to justify paying the extra celebrity want for the same next year. Instead we are booking an inside cabin as the £2k price differential to ocean view which includes the package isn't worth it. No way our bar bill will be £2k!

 

One final, and sadly sobering point. Lisbon. A favourite city of mine since I first visited as student 20 years ago. Our return this time was marred by the terrible state of the city, graffiti, weeds growing up through the pavements, generally dirty and derelict buildings and, worse of all, five mins outside the port, hubby had his rucksack opened and rifled through. Thankfully, his valuables were hidden deep down in an inner pocket, but on turning round to confront the individual, the alleged thief 'posed' with his girlfriend as a tourist, reading a map, and when hubby went to say something, suddenly scarpered.

 

Never happened to us anywhere before now, and an experience that for us, at least, ended with no real harm done.

Was it just 1 passenger who was "out of control" or the whole ship?

 

Were they fighting? Throwing the furniture or were they just drinking more than you would drink?

 

And did it really affect your cruise?

 

Sorry to ask but I have never experienced anything "out of control" on a ship.

 

The only time I witnessed anyone really drunk was on a RCCL ship BEFORE they introduced the beverage packages. The passenger (who was sailing solo) clearly had a problem and would drink to excess if he had a package or not (and he did):D

 

He started drinking at 9.00am at the pool bar (we passed him on our way to breakfast). By mid afternoon he was very drunk and at 5.pm he was passed out in the Schooner Bar. We then saw security escorting him away-presumably to his stateroom.

 

Did it affect our cruise-no of course not. We found it amusing to watch him in the beginning and then we felt a little sorry for him.

 

I just wonder things were really "out of control" as you describe on your cruise:confused:

 

I'm the OP and asked the question in part because of the following ...

 

Our v good friends cruised p and o not so many years ago and drinks package not included, witnessed the ugliest scenes when a fight broke out between drunken passengers and deck chairs were thrown overboard. I think the incident has been alluded to on these boards before.

 

That, I have to admit, was at the back of my mind when I posed the original question ....

All for your replies!

 

We are soon to be sailing on Eclipse, and we wondered what the situation would be. Doesn't appear it will be too boozy or riotous, and just general good natured bonhomie! Of course, if that isn't the case, you can be sure I'll let you know back on these boards!

 

Cheers!

Hic!

Purely a question of observed behaviours ....

 

Have any celebrity cruisers noticed any change in behaviours onboard since the introduction of the 'free' drinks package incentives?

 

Lots of boozing? Or restrained drinking?

Bad behaviour or generally the usual refined and civilised ambience?

 

Interested to hear your comments!

At the risk of putting both feet right in it ...

 

Chocolates roses, q tips, ice buckets, etc etc .... They are all nice things to have, and once you've had them, it's only human nature to look forward to, and expect them, again. When they don't appear, it is disappointing, and it makes us worry about what's next to go.

 

I've been a little surprised to be told there is no shower gel anymore on Eclipse! But, I've packed some for DH cause he isn't a fan of bars of soap, and as we are sailing from the UK it's no biggie to add two lots of gel to the ever increasing mound of stuff to be packed!

 

But, and this is my point really ... It's not just Celebrity, these changes, cuts, reductions, call them what you will, are taking place across the board. We've seen the size of the Cunard pillow chocolates literally shrink before our eyes! One night they were the regular size, the next, half the size! They'd swapped them over mid voyage! Royal Caribbean phased them out completely some years ago. We've seen the rise of refillable wall dispensers for toiletries on certain lines. There have been smaller portions in the MDR, less good quality cuts of meat, a distinct veering of guests towards the paid for speciality restsurants by cutting down the offerings in the MDR ... I can go on, you get my drift.

 

But, it's not only the cruise industry this happens in. We've been to hotels year after year and seen some of them improve, but others, more often than not, decline in terms of offering and quality. And I'm not talking about roses and q tips and chocs here! They are, really, quite minor details. And in the space of one year, we went from raving about a certai river cruise company and it's amazing service, food, cleanliness and overall product, to find that by the next year, having flooded the market with new ships, they couldn't keep the same standards going. And that was within the space of 12 months.

 

Change happens. It's usually driven by cost, bottom lines and share holders. It's a fact of life. But it's cruise industry wide, so I'm afraid that whilst the good news is, Celebrity isn't the only ones doing it, the bad news is ... celebrity isn't the only ones doing it!!

 

Things rarely improve from a height of excellence. The odds are, they can only go downhill. It's just the reality of life, peeps.

Shortly to sail on Eclipse. Wondered if they had a small auditorium or screening room ... Like on Constellation ... Where they showed film in an afternoon or evening?

We were very loyal to Cunard for five years, taking 10+ cruises and gaining Platinum status. We even renewed our wedding vows onboard QV in 2011, and it was quite simply the best and happiest day of our lives.

 

But we tried Celebrity in 2012, and whilst the itinerary and the ship, Constellation, didn't overly wow us, we very much liked the ambience and the choices we just didn't get on a Cunard. For example, far more bars, restaurant choice, select dining, speciality restaurant etc. We enjoyed the younger vibe onboard and the fact the ship wasn't dead at 11 pm, as was often the case on Cunard!

 

Of course not everything about Celebrity appealed to us, and we know that in all lines, economies are made and service suffers. But we liked it enough to rebook to go on Eclipse in two weeks time. We've also done P and O and whilst it is far too 'British' for us, if the price was right, we would grab a bargain and sale with them again.

 

As for Cunard ...I think give it a try. But do the iconic transatlantic crossing, back to back if you can. It's the essence of what the ocean liner is all about, and whilst QM2 is showing her age a little, and needs a good refit, the whole dressing for dinner, cocktails, champagne bar and ballroom dancing seems to work the best on this sailing. And there is nothing, in the world, that can top, sailing into manhattan in the early morning light. It is one of my abiding memories and I'm so grateful I got to experience it. Pure magic.

Is that they don't call you direct, but through a favoured TA. We got the call on Tuesday from our TA who had been give five upgrades that morning to distribute. We have gone from an inside to a deluxe verandah for £100 per person for a fortnight. We are chuffed to bits!

Just had a phone call from my TA offering us an upgrade from our inside to a balcony guarantee for £100 per person, for our eclipse cruise departing 7 September.

 

Of course, I snatched her hand off! What an offer! She said that Celebrity contacted them this am with the offer and then she had the task of phoning and telling the lucky recipients.

 

I'm thrilled!

 

But ... I'm also curious. How does this work? Ok, it's a paid upgrade, but it's not much money. And as the ship is showing as sold out on the TA's website, where do these balcony cabins come from?

 

Anyone else experienced this offer? And any idea when we might get our cabin number allocation?

Celebrity have a three dinners in the speciality restaurants package which if bought gives a discount on eating in the speciality restsurants. Does anyone know if this package is bookable on board the ship rather than in advance. I've obc to use! Thanks.

Just received this in reply to my email asking for clarification as to What is included on Eclipse sailing out of Southampton on 7 September.

Here is the reply .....

Thank you for your email.

With our Classic beverage package, it will include: unlimited sodas (canned or fountain), juices (bottled or fresh squeezed), premium coffee's (latte' cappuccino's, espresso, etc.), non premium bottled water, beer up to $6.00 per serving & wine/cocktails/mixed drinks up to $8.00 per serving. Also, if a bottle of wine is purchased you will receive a 15% savings off the bottle. Should you order a beverage that costs more than the covered $6.00 or $8.00 amount, that drink would not be covered by the package a would be charged separately (and seperate gratuity charged) to your onboard expense account.

The Premium package will include: unlimited sodas (canned or fountain), juices (bottled or fresh squeezed), premium coffee's (latte' cappuccino's, espresso, etc.), specialty coffee's, premium bottled water, smoothies, energy drinks, vitamin water, then beer/wine/cocktails/mixed drinks all up to $13.00 per serving. Also, if a bottle of wine is purchased you will receive a 20% savings off the bottle. Should you order a beverage that costs more than the $13.00 covered amount, only the difference in price + 15% gratuity would be charged to your onboard expense account. For example, a $15.00 cocktail would cost you $2.00 + .30 cents gratuity would be charged.

When the Classic or Premium beverage package is purchased there is a 15% gratuity that is added at check out. The gratuity is charged off the package price, not per individual drink that is ordered. The exception to this is, if a drinks is not covered by the package.



Sincerely,



Sonja Emerson
Customer Service Representative





Hello!

I personally agree with your decision and your view that it's great value - you won't be sorry. The molecular bar drinks are $12 before the 15% gratuity - on European cruises, the price lists show the price with the 15% added in. You will not have to pay extra. Enjoy!

 

Thank you for this, and I'm sorry if I appear terminally stupid but ....

 

The wonderful Preismans on their eclipse diary of last year have a copy of the bar menu listing the molecular cocktails at $13.75 a go. So that's not going to be covered under the premium package with or without the 15% service charge!!

 

Help!!

We are sailing on the Eclipse out of Soton in September.

 

When we booked nearly a year ago, we got an excellent deal with Iglu. Car parking paid, gratuities paid, plus the classic alcohol package each complimentary.

 

I did a bit of research yesterday and came to the conclusion that the classic package wouldn't really cover our love of martinis and slightly more expensive wines, so I rang Celebrity this am to find out if we could upgrade our complimentary classic package to a premium and how much it would cost.

 

I was very pleasantly surprised when the young man said yes we could and it would cost us £198 for both of is to upgrade. I've paid up, as I think it's fantastic value, we have paid £198 for what would be full price £1240!!

 

So I'm very happy and not complaining ... But confused ...

 

The premium package offers us all inclusive spirits and wines and cocktails up to $13 per serving .... But according to the molecular bar menu from the eclipse 2013, the cocktails in that bar cost $13.75 each. So do we have to pay another 75 cents!?! Am I coming to the correct conclusion that even with the premium package, we still can't 'afford' the cocktails in one of the bars!?

 

Your thoughts and opinions please!

NOT ALOT OF GOOD NEW,S FOLK,S WORKING WITH VICTORIA TODAY 28.4.2014 HAVE STARTED DIGGING UP OUT BOUND ROAD AT GATE FOUR AND WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEK,S. GATE FIVE IS IN OPERATION AND WILL BE USED OVER THE WEEKEND IN AND OUT AZURA AND EMERALD PRINCESS ARRIVING SATURDAY WILL KEEP TOUCH. :eek:

 

Just had an email from P and O saying we are to use Dock Gate 4 on sat 3rd May. Are they wrong? Terribly confused here! Please advise!!

Dear Hubaru,

 

We wanted to follow-up again on your concern regarding the Gabcikovo Lock and whether or not it will have an affect an any Viking sailings, including your June 16 Danube Waltz cruise sailing from Budapest to Passau.

 

Slovak authorities have confirmed that the electrical system of the Gabcikovo Lock sustained some damage and is temporarily closed for repairs. Lock operations in the upstream direction will resume on Saturday, June 15 and therefore the closure is not expected to affect any Viking sailings departing from Budapest this weekend. The downstream side will likely require a slightly longer closure, but Viking sailings departing from Nuremberg this weekend will not be in the area for another week and therefore we do not expect these sailings to be affected either.

 

Thank you for your patience as we awaited official confirmation. If you have any other questions or concerns, you can contact us directly at TellUs@vikingcruises.com.

 

We hope you have a wonderful cruise!

 

Kindly,

Viking Cruises

 

This detailed reply, the outstanding customer service and personal approach Viking has taken on these boards during the recent events in Central Europe, is something to behold.

 

I'm incredibly impressed, and can't wait to get back onboard with Viking in just seven days time. Yep, im counting sleeps!

My wife and I are interested in booking the Rhine Getaway cruise with Viking.

How the day starts is important to us, and we'd like to know when tours are scheduled to leave the ship, etc.

It would be a great help in our decision making if someone could give us an idea of the daily time schedule. I've searched Viking's website but can't find anything more specific than the cruise itinerary.

I realize of course that sometimes circumstances beyond anyone's control effect plans, and timetables need to be adjusted.

 

Dad and I did it last July, the previous way around to the last poster. So ...

Embarkation day Amsterdam, sailed that evening

Sailing next morning, short lecture on holland and dykes

Arrive kinderdyke approx 11 am walking tour to take as long or as short as you want really. Can do it on your own. Ship left about two pm, sailed rest of day.

Arrive Cologne during night, walking your about two hours from nine am Ish, then did our own thing that day.

Left Cologne late thst evg, about midnight

Arrived at Koblenz early next am. Left ship about nine am for the tour to castle, name escapes me. Lasted about two, three hours. Dad stayed in the ship as it sailed to Braubach where the castle tour people rejoined. Left about midday, and sailed down Rhine gorge all pm. Arrived Rudesheim about four pm Ish. Had three, four hours there to do own thing. Left about nine or ten pm.

Arrived at Mannheim next am. Heidleberg trip, left about nine Ish and returned about one pm Ish. Ship sailed in our absence to Speyer where we rejoined it. There wa a walking tour about 3 pm Ish but we were shattered and didn't partake. Back on board about sixish for those who did it, and then sailed.

Arrived at kehl I think it was for Strasbourg. Tour left about nine ish and back just after one, but you could stay in town longer if you wished, I think. We didnt, came back to boat for lunch and then walked along the pretty gardens and over the pedestrian bridge. Sailed in the late pm.

Arrived Breisach. Tour for Black Forest left about eight thirty and back about one pm. We then did tour at two pm to Colmar and back about six.

Arrived next am at Basel. Hope thst helps!

Austria: Altenwörth Lock

According to the Austrian authorities, the Altenwörth lock, which is located on the Danube River between the cities of Vienna and Melk, was damaged during the recent flood. The lock is currently closed for repairs and is scheduled to reopen on June 20, 2013. Depending on sailing schedules, this closure may cause delays for those who are scheduled to be sailing in the area around June 20th, or may require switching of sister ships for those who are scheduled to be in the area before it reopens.

 

Germany: Danube River Between Regensburg and Passau

Conditions continue to improve along the Rhine, Main, Main-Danube Canal, and most areas of the Danube. In Germany, between the cities of Regensburg and Passau, the water levels of the Danube River are still comparatively high. Depending on sailing schedules, this may cause some possible delays in the coming days and we will continue to monitor the situation and make any minor itinerary alterations, as needed.

 

Viking have a large fleet and will no doubt be using a ship swap to get around the lock closure. As to the Danube river, the German water authorities web site gives an hour by hour update on the code status of the river at these points. In all instances where it is currently orange or yellow, it is predicted to go down to green by tomorrow - Saturday or Sunday. I am sailing on 22 June and I dont expect there to be major problems. And if there are, Im confident Viking will get round them with ship swaps.

I reckon they will be going ahead and you might end up with a boat swap. Watching the river levels come down, things are definitely back in the right direction. Try this website, and you can see the individual stations where they measure the height, and you can get an idea of the trend.

 

http://www.hnd.bayern.de/

 

Meantime, Dad and I are just determined to have a good trip no matter what. As long as I get my fair share of German and Austrian cake, and lots of strudel in Prague, Ill be happy!

We are already in Europe for this cruise. Need to know by Friday whether we should cancel the train ride and hotel room in Nuremburg on Saturday. Sure, ok, I guess I will call the 800 number.

 

The status has not changed in days for this cruise and it is ambiguous at best. To a first time cruiser, it sounds like 'we don't know if we can get a boat there, and even if we do expect to be bussed around for a few days.'

 

Anything to share? Just wondered if you had heard from Viking, and whether your cruise is going ahead. Do hope so, as we are on the next week's sailing!

Best of luck.

I just did this in June. It was held in an old palace, nice but little air ventilation and it was hot, especially as the chairs were very close together (narrow rows, too). It was a string quartet and a piano I think, plus dancers. I liked everything but being too warm. I was glad I did it.

 

Thanks so much for getting back to me. You mentioned dancers? What sort of dancing? ball room? and the music? was it classical and well known or more modern? Thanks.

Dad and I are contemplating booking this cruise for next year. Dad particularly wants to do this optional tour, but would like to know exactly what it entails. Has anyone participated? Can you remember where it was held? Which orchestra or ensemble played? And what music in particular was included. And approximate price? Many thanks.

Phoebecat,

 

Thanks for this post and your thread on the Viking Sun. We're going on the Sun at the end of November and I was excited to see a good review on it. Viking seems to be taking a beating here lately with some of the posts, although some I do take with a grain of salt.

 

Ninaks,

 

Hope you have a wonderful and safe trip and hope you're able to post on your return.

 

Happy sailing,

Tim

 

Tim, I agree with you entirely that Viking are taking a beating and to be honest I don't know why. I think a lot of river cruisers are first timers and having done an ocean cruise or several before compare it unfavourably. They are two entirely different breeds so it's unfair to do that. I think too that Viking make a rod for their own back in entering into correspondence on here with complainers. I did mention this in my follow up call from them and suggested they concentrate in the positive reviews and customers and not the moaners unless they have a genuinely fixable problem. Low river levels are a fact of life on river cruises and I'm afraid that isn't a justifiable reason for compensation which I believe is what many of the whingers are after.

 

There was no one on our cruise who had a bad word to say about the ship and the service and the itinerary. It was a great cruise and I loved every second of it. I'd go again in a heartbeat! Bon voyage for your trip and have a wonderful time,

We are going on the Viking Rhine Getaway On Sept 16th from Basel to Amsterdam. There are 4 optional tours I am hoping people who have done them can let me know if they are worth doing or not. The tours are Colmar, Alsation Wine Tasting , Rudusheim evening mini train tour and Beer culture tour. thanks for your help!

 

Just back from this same cruise and we, along with our table companions covered off all these tours, so here are our thoughts ...

 

Colmar is pretty but not as lovely as some of the other places you will visit that are included. The guide, Martin, was rubbish. Long winded and very slow. You go on this tour and you will miss out on doing Breisach where the ship is moored, on your own. Opinion was that Breisach was superior to Colmar and it's not with the money paying for the optional excursion.

 

The same time there is an excursion to WW2 sites near Colmar. This was very well thought of, excellent and knowledgeable guide, but as you don't mention it, I wonder if it is offered!

 

Alsatian wine tasting was deemed to be superb and very enjoyable. Our table mates did it a d enjoyed some good wine and fabulous scenery.

 

Rudesheim mini train, dinner etc, don't bother. You can do all that on your own at a fraction of the price of you research it. To be honest, the best thing in Rudesheim is the cable car from the town to the pleasure park, and then walk down the Drossellgasse on your return, calling in at the Christmas shop at the top of the street, and listening to the percussion bells play from the building when the hour strikes.

 

Beer culture tour .. Again this is just a glorified pub crawl and you can do it on your own after dinner no problem. You will be moored very close to what was the old town in Cologne, and within five mins walk there are good beer kellers and stubels, so save your money for more beer and do it on your own!

 

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

I did this exact same trip on 29 July. As you may know, Europe hasn't had a brilliant summer and I was very unsure as to what to take clothes wise. This is what I packed, and it worked a treat. Our westher was cool and cloudy through to hot and sunny and humid with the odd shower, and I felt I had all I needed to cope with the weather mix.

 

One pair sturdy trainers, you will need these for the Marksburg castle tour, very uneven terrain. Two pairs pretty rubber soled lace up pumps, these were great for city tours, one pair flat sandals for round the boat and two pairs dressy sandals for evenings.

 

One waterproof light weight jacket which was never worn in the end! One small umbrella. Two cardigans and one hoodie for round the ship or stuffing in bag to take out for the day.

 

Seven tops, mixture of t shirts and stroppy vest tops to go with ...

 

Seven bottoms, mixture of shorts, linen trousers, silk trousers, play suit, casual jumpsuit and leggings

 

I deliberately took enough clothes to have something clean on every day in the warm weather.

 

Pure cotton socks to help with tired feet!

 

For evening I took a dressy all in one, two short light summer dresses and a slightly more dressy little cocktail dress for captains dinner, but this was personal choice. There was a mix of evening attired, just wear something you're comfy in.

 

Finally, I took two cotton sundresses and a bikini and yes I wore them all. The bikini with shorts in the sail down the Rhine gorge was perfect as it was warm and breezy and I got a lovely tan! The sun dresses were perfect for the evening in Rudesheim and the late sail away in cologne.

 

Oh, and a wide brimmed sun hat, invaluable. Great for the sunny days, but so useful to all other members of our tour grup as they could easily spot me, and follow me and the guide!

 

It all fitted along with underwear, toiletries etc in a hard case thst in total weighed 18kgs so no issue with luggage weight.

 

Hope this helps, have a fabulous cruise and do enjoy!