pilotboy1985

I know personal preference plays a part, but are there distinct advantages to eating at 6pm vs 8pm?

 

Also, does any of RCI's ships have midnight buffet? The last cruise I was on was 10 years ago and I remember taking a lot of photos.

For me, I like early seating. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada, which is +1 hour ahead of eastern time. so an 8:30pm dinning is actually 9:30pm for me, and that's too late :)

thanks for all the comments everyone, by the sounds of it I shouldn't worry about it now as it's 5 months out, but perhaps closer to the time I can start stressing about it, lol.

Hi everyone,

I normally book my cruises far in advance (1-1.5 years)

However I had to change one of cruise, and rebook for a later date due to a scheduling conflict.

Because of this, I only booked 6 months out, and the 6pm early dining is not available, so I'm wait listed.

Anyone have experience with being on a wait list and clearing it? how far out did you clear it?

For those that did not clear it, did you have success when on the boat trying to clear it with the dinning room?

If it helps, I'm emerald and it's sailing on the Jewel. I'm not booked in a suite.

Thanks

For those of you who missed it today, it will rerun tomorrow (Monday) at 5pm EST. I set my PVR for tomorrow.

Good to know!

I play the $5 table at my casino and would like to stick to that as I'm still a beginner.

At my casino we have a side bet as well that ca. Pay anywhere from 4:1 up to 1000:1 depending on what your first two cards are.

Anyone have experience with single card black jack? Is it better than the 6 decks I'm used to?

hi everyone ,

I've recently started playing blackjack at my local casino every once in a while. I've been on several RCCL cruises but never paid attention to the blackjack tables.

I'm sailing on the Jewel and was wondering

How many blackjack tables are there?

What is the minimum bet?

Thanks.

Galveston is the worst, hands down

One of the better ones would be Barcelona.

Fellow Canadian here..

think you have it bad? Try living in Halifax! Add min $150 onto the airfare, plus an extra stop usually in Toronto or Montreal.

When the US$ and CAD$ were the same, the prices were much more reasonable. Since the Canadian $ has tanked, the CAD prices have been going up. As much as 25-30%. The problem with that? I don't make 30% more now than I did back in 2013...which means, not as many cruises for me. :(

Anyone taking bets on if they'll inflate the prices so much, that the BOGO would of been a better deal?

to play it safe I have a cruise on hold, so if prices go up, I'm still secured under the BOGO rate. If the prices do decrease, I can get the 30/30

Perhaps I'm just not booking soon enough

Hi everyone!

I booked my first Transatlantic Cruise back in 2012, it was a 16 night Rome - Galveston. It was, to date, the best cruise I've even been on.

So much so that the following year I booked one from Barcelona to Galveston (14 night)

One thing I liked about these cruises was the price. I found it a great value as you were getting two weeks worth, usually for the same price, if not less, than a one week regular cruise.

For a balcony cabin I was paying about $2000 all taxes in for two people.

I couldn't do a TA last year so I thought I'd look into doing one this year, or next year. Much to my surprise the prices are way up. atleast 50-60% more than just a couple years ago.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Is TA the new "in thing" and everyone is booking them? What gives?

If my partner wasn't so shy, I'd try and get us both on!

I haven't seen any same sex couples on the show yet, however I'm sure it happens.

My November cruise on Oasis is showing "My Time Dining" I asked my travel agent to try and change it to 6pm. We shall see what happens.

I really dislike sailing out of Galveston. However when I do sail out of there, I stay at The Tremont House. It's a lovely hotel with a view of the cruiseships.

Below is a picture from our room.

I paid $1350 Canadian per person ($1180 US PP) Including all taxes, fee's, etc.

This is for a Junior Suite on Oasis Eastern Caribbean cruise.

For me, I thought this was a good deal so I booked... It works out to $168US/night per person inclusive of fees.

My goal is normally to spend $2500-$3000 on a cruise, I get the highest stateroom I can for that price. If $2500 only got me a window room, then so be it, if it gets me a Junior Suite, then so be it. My budget is my budget, regardless of room category.

My husband and I have both embarked and disembarked in Halifax after trans-Atlantic cruises.

You would be surprised at the number of passengers that do that. On one cruise there were over fifty of us. Nice to only fly one way!

 

Have never had any problems. Would freak if it didn't dock, but I guess you always assume that risk. Just always have a plan B!

I'd like to find out more about this process as I'd be interested in doing this. Is there not a way I can PM you to find out more info?

Wait, you can board cruises in Halifax? I didn't think they could accept new passengers in Halifax.

I live in Halifax. The winds here sure are strong this morning.

This is a webcam showing where our cruise ships dock.

http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/pier-21/

Tomorrow is the day!

I know the meeting is 630pm but I have first seating so may not be able to join you but I will look out for you guys.

I agree - well worth the $321.

 

pilotboy - I see from the other board that your mom plays bridge - I love the game, wouldn't mind playing some on all those sea days.

I hope you and her can meet up and find some partners to play. She really enjoys playing the game. :)

In two weeks today I turn the big 2-8!

This is also the same day we start our trip! We're flying to Montreal Tue Nov 5th, spending the night in Montreal than catching a BA flight from Montreal - Barcelona on Nov 6th arriving Nov 7th. This gives us the 7th, 8th and 9th in Barcelona to explore.

These two weeks will fly by.

As most are aware Galveston has yet to secure a car rental company that opens on Sunday.

However there is a car rental station open on Sunday's in Texas City.

I'm just wondering if anyone has used them? How was it? How did you get from the cruise terminal to the car rental? They car company is offering me a $50 shuttle.

will not flying in to Barcelona until the 10th early in the morning, so have to see all of you on the ship.

Looking forward to meeting everyone:D

I think arriving on the same day of departure would cause me to have many panic attacks! lol.

If I could get over that though it would be great, less time off work, less expenses and less planning! One day I'll work up to it and try it.

Last year on the Mariner fall TA we were leaving the same day Hurricane Sandy hit. It was really rough flying out, and right after our flight took off, they closed the airport. If my flight was just a minute later, we'd be stuck for days. Glad I made it!

Getting closer to sail date!

We leave Nov 6th and arrive Nov 7th.

We're staying at Hotel Universal Barcelona. It's opposite the Parrell subway stop.

Just wondering, anyone who has posted here already, were any of you on the Mariner TA last fall? Just wondering if I'll see some familiar faces.

 

Waiting for a price drop on Choice Air - if it doesn't get cheap again, I may have to change my plans... :eek:

I seen some fares on choiceair from IAD-BCN for $442 one way, all taxes in. How low was it before?

Is it time to go yet?