ausguy73

Of course they do...prices are in a constant state of flux....both up and down..:eek:

 

Bought any US dollars lately?

 

Hows your BHP or Woolworths shares?

 

If RCL were running a scam , no one would book. As it is if you turn down a deal the person behind you in the line will grab it. Such is the demand for cruising.

 

 

 

 

 

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I totally get that prices do fluctuate with currency rates and especially as ships fill and demand increases but it appears that during this sale the prices leap by around $1000 - $1500pp then when they apply the discount the rate ends up being around the price you get when there is no sale.

Prices seem inflated to cover the discounts. Doesn't seem like genuine offer. I've never seen prices this high when the offer is not on. Thoughts?

Ditto the others. I enjoyed the brunch but sadly it is gone. Solstice in Jan I kept waiting for it. Then turned up at the Oceanview on last sea day for lunch and found ice sculptures a few extra items, chocolate fountains etc. better than nothing but not anything like the spectacle of the brunch. CCL seem to be dumbing things down for the average cruiser and increasing paid for premium services and pushing people more to suite classes.

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Hi,

I'm planning my first ever RCCL cruise this June and I've only ever cruised Celebrity. I usually go interior cabin cause lets face it I don't spend a huge amount of time there, but I don't want to feel like I'm in a coffin either!

According to RCCL Independence of the seas interior is 152 square feet

on the M Class CCL ships interior is 170sq feet and on the S class it's 183sq feet

I'm a bit worried I'm going to find the 152sq feet just a tad too small!

Any thoughts?

Hi. Anyone who did this years New Years cruise on the Solstice mind filling me in on what events or celebrations they had onboard?

Many thanks.

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Wow a lot of people talking about what they don't know!

Ok so the main reason your pre-paying your gratuities is that this is a condition of the 'my time' dining. This allows you to dine anytime you want rather than fixed time dinner seating.

Also contrary to other posts if this is your honeymoon it increases the chance of intimate dinner for two. 'My time' diners are seated in their own part of the dining room and in most cases there are many more smaller table groupings. You can actually book ahead your time and table preference and you can change it every night.

Some cruisers complain they have to wait for tables. And yes at peak times it gets busy especially for people showing up with larger groups. But for a couple wanting table you should have no problems.

The other reason to pre-pay is the cruise line will charge you the same gratuity at the end of the cruise which you have to go and 'manually' adjust if you want to reduce anyway. Staff on board are paid minimum wages so the gratuities form a central part of their earnings. You can still ask to have your pre-paid gratuities adjusted if you really feel the service is bad. Pre-paying is easy and takes all the hassle away and no unexpected costs at the end.

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Hi,

I'm travelling the AKL to SYD Celebrity Solstice itinerary. in Jan 2015. Its 14 nights and I was trying to plan my dining choices around the formal nights. If anyone has done the itinerary and could let me know what nights they were that would be terrific!

Thanks

http://www.sydneygreatescapes.com

Try these guys. Rated pretty highly on trip advisor.

Also depends on what ship your on. If your ship docks at the overseas passenger terminal in circular quay you can always walk like 5 minutes to a nearby hotel such as the four seasons and get picked up from there.

As the ship is overnight in the departure port I'll be permitted to board late but I will have to clear immigration the next morning before departure. I may just have to carry my own luggage onboard etc. They gave me the assurance in writing so that's good enough for me!

Thank you all for your replies. I have been in contact with Celebrity direct. They put me onto their emergency management team who deal with these things who have been able to help me. Thanks everyone!

Hi all,

I think i'm in a bit of a bind and am looking for any suggestions/advice

I'm cruising on the Millennium out of Singapore. We board on the 7th of December, Stay overnight in the departure port and then actually leave Singapore on the 8th at 2.00pm.

My problem is I have to work the day before and I managed to get an earlier flight the day of the 7th arriving at 3.00pm. So assuming no delays I should get to the ship around 4-4.30.

I checked this with my TA who said that s the ship won't be actually departing til the next day, people would arrive at the ship throughout the day and my arrival shouldn't be a an issue.

My Cruise documents however that I have just received state that checkin is between 12-4 on the 7th. Failure to checkin at those times would mean I would be denied boarding!

Im pretty stressed because If I have to change my flight at this stage it's going to be hugely costly for me, and I have issues with work the day prior.

Whats peoples experience? Surely there is some leeway for arriving international passengers. There may be flight delays etc. I mean the ship doesn't leave til the next day.

Is it an issue that checkin people will close at 4.00pm? Immigration officials won't be there? If alot of people arrive say at 3.50? surely they don't just stop checkin at 4.00pm? What if someone has a flight delay?

Any assistance would be appreciated

Stressed Cruiser

Hi. How exciting first cruise! The Solstice is a beauty too! In my experience I've never been sent away from boarding. I've just queued with everyone else even when I went earlier. To be honest I've never turned up for the allocated boarding time so I guess it depends on how things are on the day.

With the drinks package. Again in my experience you have to drink a lot and regularly to make it worth your while. If you are not large drinkers its probably really not worth it. Drink prices on board are quite reasonable. You can bring on your own soft drink and bottled water. I've seen people carrying on cartons of water and soft drinks! They are only meant for consumption in your room though. You can also ask your stateroom attendant to provide you with iced water in your room. The 'tap' water on board is totally fine to drink

In the MDR you'll get water served but will usually have to purchase other drinks there as the 'complimentary' stuff isn't readily available.

The Oceanview Cafe (buffet restaurant) is the place to go for round the clock tea, coffee, water, lemon cordial (they call it lemonade) fruit punch and orange juice. This is all complimentary and all very casual and informal. People come and go from there all the time with drinks and food etc. There is no complimentary fizzy soft drinks. The coffee is american style filter coffee and there is the full range of tea and herbal teas.

You can also find tea and coffee dispensers as well as some of the fruit punch or cordials in the Aqua Spa cafe in memory serves me right which is handy for the pool etc.

If the American coffee is not your thing you can go to the paid Bacio Cafe for a hit of Espresso style coffee which is about the same as paying for coffee at a cafe anywhere in Oz or NZ.

Have an awesome cruise!

Have cruises the Solistice. Beautiful ship. I found the food excellent. Maay don't realise that RC and Celebrity are the same company. They buy everything in bulk from the same suppliers. Its the same food on all the RC and Celebrity ships just prepped differently by the chefs on board. This is how they can make profits and offer competitive pricing.