CruisinCat31

I have always thought this was just a problem with the website display. Whenever I book with a reduced rate deposit it says there is still the remaining regular deposit amount 'due now'. I just disregard it and have never had any issues. It's a shame the customer service staff didn't provide you the correct advice.

After our cruise in March on Voyager, we will be Diamond members for our next cruise. As we will be newbies to Diamond lounge, I was wondering what is the "norm" regarding tipping the staff in this lounge. Being Australian we are a bit shy when it comes to tipping - that why I love the daily auto grats so I don't have to hand anyone actual money as I find it embarrassing, yet I know it is so much part of the American culture that most of you would be fine with doing this. I really would like to tip the staff in DL though as I have read that they are fantastic. Not keen to give small tips every night so any suggestions on how much to slip the staff once only towards the end of the cruise?

Hey Korky, you would be better to ask this question on the Australia board if it is an Australian cruise. Very different. As you would know, a gratuity is automatically added to drinks when you purchase them in cruises out of Aus. In the Diamond Lounge you could tip if you want to or if you receive exceptional service. You don't have to tip, the staff know it is not customary in Australia, but they still always appreciate it if you do. You will still get the same level of service whether you do or don't.

I have read some comments on this thread that the staff must hate working in countries outside of the US where it isn't customary to tip. I had just that conversation with one of the Diamond lounge bartenders on my last cruise and he said he was dreading getting moved to Australian cruises as he thought he would earn less, but he loves it as the passengers are friendly and easy going, and much less demanding. Plus he gets guaranteed gratuities for purchased drinks.

Congrats on becoming Diamond, have fun in the lounge :)

Hey Sheridan that is great! We are enroute to Singapore now, might see you onboard and discuss our fab cabins !

Goody - yes will get some pics.

Thanks everyone!

Goody - There are just 2 of us in the room, a little wasted on us I know but I don't think there will be too many families on this one, repositioning from Singapore to Sydney. We have friends cruising with us and I've told them if they come over for drinks they can just crash in our spare room :)

Mia - We are diamond.

Yep, definitely double points on RCI for a paid upgrade. Free upgrades don't get double points. I had read this previously on these boards, but did double check with them as well before I did it.

Hi all,

I've never been offered an upgrade before so thought I'd share, I think I got a great deal :)

I am off on Voyager of the Seas next week, and received a call from RCI last week offering me a nice upgrade from E3 balcony to Royal Family Suite for a good price. Well, I think it was actually a great price at $600 for 14 nights. Especially when you consider the double points and all for being a suite. We already had a bargain basement price on the cruise anyway, so very happy!!

Anyone else had great upgrades?

Cathy

They will cater for your needs in the dining room. You should give them a call before hand to discuss. Below is a link to some info. You might be best bringing some of your own suitable snacks from home to take ashore with you on the islands.

http://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/special-needs/dietary-needs.aspx

I always stay at Somerset on Elizabeth, nice rooms, great service, great location.

woohoo, Just booked the New Years cruise for 30 December 2016.:D

Hey Mic we are on that one too, booked it at midnight as soon as they were up [emoji2]

I just booked. They were up at midnight. I didn't stay up especially but was up so thought I'd have a look. Very excited! Only $400 deposit too. :)

Well a few less people this time for the meet up. I suspect Mothers Day was one reason why some people could not make it.

Anyway, next meeting will likely be in 2 months time (July).

Yes, sorry we couldn't make it, lots going on over the weekend and unexpected baby sitting duties thrown in. Hopefully we will make July, we are moving house that month so as long as it doesn't conflict with the moving weekend we will be there :)

On the website it says $55. I went on planner and also come up at $55 plus 18%

Don't know what I'm doing wrong?

Are you on the Australian website? The drink packages went up significantly a few months ago. I don't usually purchase it but had a look at the cost for my upcoming cruise and the ultimate is AUD$81.13 per day including grats. The premium isn't displayed at all, maybe they are doing some updates. Wait until after the weekend and check the website again.

I was there in March, and didn't get off the ship. I will never go there, and yes recent events have reinforced my view. Sitting out on the ship watching all the rubbish floating by was enough for me.

Celebrity Solstice and Radiance of the Seas both do a great Sydney to Honolulu itinerary in April. I've done this cruise twice (reverse itinerary) and I can recommend it. Not the Aus/NZ cruise you planned (although a couple of ports in NZ) but still a great cruise.

We were overnight in Auckland once on RCI Radiance and they had to move berths in the wee hours, so the instruction was be back on by midnight or not until 2 am, and provided instructions how to get to the 'after 2 am' berth. So they would have been open all night if it wasn't for the change.

I would say it would depend on the Port and whether it usually stays open 24 hours or late, rather than the ship.

Hi

A number of people have registered for the meet and mingle - Radiance of the Seas - December 15, 2015 but it does not show as a link. Does anyone know how to make it display?

 

Thanks

I had a look and there are only 10 people signed up for your M & M, you need 25. Once you have enough signed up you will receive an email saying it is now confirmed and you'll be able to see it in the list.

Great, thanks Cruisine, we are 1886 so expect it will be the same.

Thanks Mr Walker re the mini golf info too.

Cheers

Cathy

We will be there, but probably not until January. I'm sure everyone in Aus is looking forward to coming back, glad to hear the recovery efforts are all going well :-)

I also think the shop mix and changes on the Promenade significantly changed the feel of that region. Depends whether you liked the mix before of course!

I didn't like the mix before so hopefully I'll think it's an improvement now :-)

All the E cabins are the same size including the ones on deck 12 as on this deck plan

 

http://www.cruisecheap.com/c/deckplan2014.php?SailDate=4/15/2015&WMPHShipCode=8&DeckNumber=12#dp

Thanks, I've seen the deck plan and to me they do look slightly different to the others. From past experience the E3s are usually slightly obscured (steel balcony panel etc ) or a little bit smaller, or sometimes just poor location.

I'll find out when onboard anyway, and post details back here if no one can fill me in sooner.

Cheers

Cat

Hi,

I was on Voyager a couple of years ago and really didn't like it but due to an absolute bargain price and the refurb I've decided to give it another go. Are the E3 balconies on the deck 12 new cabins standard size? I figured there must be something about them that makes them an E3? Got it cheap so don't mind, just curious. Also, is there still a mini golf course?

Thanks!

Cat

Yes we got our $3000! Great deal, pity it's no longer available.

Was a great catch up, thanks for organising Raina. Spent most of the time talking to your lovely wife Mic 😃

Thanks for all the info here and every ones input.

Have a few Royal Caribbean cruises booked.

Can I ask if those that bought OBC booked direct with Royal or through an OZ TA?

 

Thanks

Chez

xx

I booked direct with Royal online.

I just read this and rang up and did it! So happy as we usually get cash for the casino to take with us plus all our purchases on board and this worked out much better! Saved heaps and all legit. Even with paying the 5% fee for drawing on your seapass card in the casino it works out much better than the current exchange rate. :)

Just thought about it and could draw the cash out at the service desk anyway and take it to the casino to avoid the 5% charge. It's even better!