cublet

13 minutes ago, cublet said:

Hello,

 

The latest I have for Royal, X & Fred. is PARK2024 but the accompanying email says valid until May 2024 - but you never know.

 

You do know that, if you want to book a B2B, you book by 'phone and get 10% off one and 25% off the other?

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Hello,

You could always telephone and ask to be put on the mailing list and at the same time 'sweetly ask' if there are any current discounts available. If you find yourself speaking to Karyn Alford she is very helpful.

Regards,

Cublet

1 hour ago, sgmn said:

I've just tried this code but for a Royal Caribbean cruise and it came back invalid. 

Anyone know of a generic promo code that works for other cruise lines

Thanks

Hello,

The latest I have for Royal, X & Fred. is PARK2024 but the accompanying email says valid until May 2024 - but you never know.

You do know that, if you want to book a B2B, you book by 'phone and get 10% off one and 25% off the other?

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

As does P&O though the more modern ones (Iona & Arvia) have fewer.

I've never used them but if cruise prices continue with their upward spiral I'll have to start taking-in washing.

Regards,

Cublet

7 hours ago, cellfree said:

Yes they do.

And most recently, on the Magnifica last month, they also had a sit down lunch in the Main Dining Room on Embarkation Day, it was very nice, avoided the crowds at the Buffet. 
 

Hello,

My last two out of the UK replaced Breakfast and Lunch with a 'Brunch' on sea days.

Not keen.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

To be fair, it's easier to police a blanket "No" than it is to police an "It all depends".

Someone in YC or with the top drinks package would be saving MSC money if they brought, and drank, their own drinks of any type in preference to what MSC was serving.

Regards,

Cublet

1 hour ago, detwings said:

MSC does not allow you to bring any alcohol/wine of any kind on board

 

Hello,

It's not just alcohol - it's everything:

Non-alcoholic drinks, such as water, soda and juices, are prohibited to be brought on board either as carry-on or checked luggage on both embarkation and port days.

Regards,

Cublet

52 minutes ago, little britain said:

I don’t think a balcony in the Med in Feb would get a lot of use! 🌧️ 💨 🌊 

Hello,

Good if you wanted fresh ice?

A rather roundabout way of finding underselling cruises is to look for 'single specials' as that's the first act of desperation to off-load inventory.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

I don't think anywhere compares with the library on QM2.

Regards,

Cublet

11 hours ago, drakes2 said:

Some of the GR agents are just blunt. I sometimes feel it depends on their culture. They don't even realize they are being rude or come across that way until its pointed out. 

Hello,

I think there is a slight contradiction in your post. On the one hand you said "it depends on their culture" but on the other hand you said "they are being rude" - I do not think anyone's culture is 'to be rude'. I used to spend half my life (until I gave up) defending MSC against claims of 'rudeness'. What neither Italian or Spanish culture or language do is pepper their speech with lots of "please" or "thank you" as we (more) north western countries do - a nod of the head or 'vale' is as much as you are going to get.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

I've used 'Nordicvisitor.com' in the past and found their prices reasonable and service excellent.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

2 hours ago, edinburgher said:

It is usually better to book direct with the supplier (in this case Reids) than through a third party, because, as you have discovered, third party cancellation policies are not usually good for cruise passengers due to the uncertainty of potential late arrivals or the ship not making the port call.. There are many threads discussing the use of third parties and the pros and cons of booking through them.

Hello,

For years I used to book direct with a named individual but she has left/retired.

Regards,

Cublet

3 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

Or take afternoon tea in the terrace of the Cliff Bay.
https://www.portobay.com/en/hotels/madeira-hotels/the-cliff-bay/experiences/afternoon-tea/

Hello,

Many thanks for that.

I did look at The Cliff Bay but after a while didn't know what, or where, I was looking. The name is too much like a hotel I stayed in (but now closed) in Torquay.

So looking afresh: Have you experienced it? I wondered whether the à la carte offering, despite the cost, is better than the table d'hôte.

I see no mention of it, but do they have a dress code? I've seen it enforced a Reid's where they asked a guest to sit inside and not on the terrace.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

When sailing times allow I take Tea at Reid's - direct and not by a ship's excursion. I have just booked for this September but noticed a couple of changes.

Firstly the booking was taken via a third party called SEVENROOMS whose acknowledgements now require a 48 hour notice of cancellation and, secondly, the imposition of a 'penalty fee' of €50 pp if you fail to do so. Initially I thought the €50 'penalty fee' was a bit steep compared to the €39 cost of Afternoon Tea last year, but, no, that is the cost this year of Afternoon Tea (a glass of Moet is an extra €28). The increase is probably to pay the cost of employing SEVENROOMS that will probably only tell Reid's what they already know.

I have pointed out that for cruise passengers, we might not have the opportunity to give 48 hours notice because of adverse weather or medical emergency diversions delaying or even cancelling our arrival and asked for a re-think or special consideration. Two such requests have gone unanswered.

In the absence of Reid's response, here are two (or three) other options.

The Ritz is in down-town Funchal. A BIG plus is it's on the flat and can be achieved on foot. Afternoon Tea is only €35 and includes a glass of wine

(including something sparkling).

The Savoy Palace (and Royal Savoy but only for Sundays) are both about halfway to Reid's and less of a hike. Afternoon Tea is €40 and a glass of Champagne is an extra €18.

I have no experience of either, but if anyone does then their input would be helpful.

If I *DO* hear anything more from Reid's/Belmond, I will keep you updated.

Regards,

Cublet.

53 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

Ha! Decided to check pricing on my upcoming January sailing with these new rates and it's more expensive for drinks alone than it is for Drinks & Wifi! I suspect MSC is still working out the kinks on this one!

 

Hello,

Proof, if any was needed, that MSC has been recruiting former RCI staff wholesale.

BTW, I've not seen an offer here including Wifi.

Regards,

Cublet

5 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Ok, so you would rather "supplement" your cruise fare by 150% rather than 125%? Does it make the slightest difference if you view it as a multiplier or supplement?

Hello,

No, I would rather supplement my cruise fare by either 25% or 50%.

Regards,

Cublet

14 hours ago, firefly333 said:

125% is less than paying 150% solo supplement. 

Hello,

I know we are two nations divided by a common language but I've always looked upon a 'supplement' as an addition and not a multiplier.

Regards,

Cublet

9 hours ago, twangster said:

As a frequent solo cruiser DP340 has had a huge financial impact for me.  Over the years it's saved my thousands.  

 

Occasionally you can find 125% solo supplements here and there, sometimes even during DP340 blackout periods.  

 

If more repo cruises get down to 125% that will be great.

 

 

Hello,

I've booked the Single Special rate during the (new) 'black-out' (mid June - mid August) period but only because the muppets inputting the UK prices used the old black-out dates of (all) July & August.

You just can't get the staff these days.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

According to 'shoreside' it isn't necessary as long as the bookings are made as B2B. How that is don't I don't know as my TA makes the bookings.

However the information doesn't always appear 'wetside' or if it is it is ignored. I speak as someone that was hounded TWICE for not lodging a credit card for my second (or third) cruise. Whilst that p*ssd me off at the time, my complaint to Miami resulted in 2 x $300 OBC on future cruises for the inconvenience.

Regards,

Cublet

13 hours ago, twangster said:

They are not sailing from Amsterdam in 2025.  This has been discussed in other threads.  

Hello,

I did once suggest to the Community Manager / Host that one would only be allowed to start a thread having sat and passed a test on how to use the 'Search' function.

Regards,

Cublet

12 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

Yes, it is long gone, which is a big miss in my mind.

Hello,

Yes, yet another Royal Group IT 'enhancement'.

Regards,

Cublet

17 hours ago, mnocket said:

The first level sommelier test is offered at the end of a weekend course, and around 90% of students pass it. The next level, the Certified Sommelier, has about 66% of its applicants passing. The Advanced Sommelier exam pass rate is about 25%, and the Master Sommelier pass rate is around 5%. 

Sommelier Exam: 27 Question Categories to Anticipate (binwise.com)

 

I don't know if the "sommeliers" on cruise ships even take a weekend course and pass the Level 1 exam. Highly trained sommeliers are going to be found in fine dining restaurants, not on cruise ships.  It's theater. 

Hello,

Theatre?

It's either a Brian Rix Whitehall farce or a Greek tragedy!

Regards,

Cublet

5 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Celebrity does not have any such similar aspects.  Points and status do not expire.

Hello,

Don't go giving them ideas!

Regards,.

Cublet

2 hours ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

Is this true at the Martini Bar?  DH likes his martinis…do we have to watch with eagle eyes what they are pouring or will it be high end vodka there?  (I realize that can pour anything into a high end bottle ahead of time, but looking for people’s experience with this venue.)

Hello,

I can only speak, recently, of the Martini Bar (on Silhouette) - and it is ESPECIALLY true of them.

Regards,

Cublet

Hello,

The answer to the question as the title of this thread is "Yes".

I have been saying this for years on both X and RCI. What I have yet to decide is whether this is down to malevolent training or a lack of any training. Charge dear but serve cheap? Hmm. Do the guys serving you come from somewhere that has Champagne, Prosecco or Cava? Probably not. Without adequate training they probably think everything with bubbles is the same but with different names - including the cheap swill that is served as a 'freebie' at mass gatherings or a 'gift' in your cabin.

I use my (then) Elite Plus (or RCI Pinnacle) discount to buy a bottle of what I want and have it kept at a bar of my preference (usually Passport Bar or Suite/Concierge Lounge).

I'll tell you two places where this has never been a problem - Cunard and MSC.

Regards,

Cublet