ratacake

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Have a wonderful time with family and friends - Roy and I will have a glass and raise it to all who travel on the high seas.

 

ratacake xxxxx

I received the Survey for the first time yesterday. Great I thought - a chance of an upgrade if I fill this in - do you think??? Yeh, sure, Got to the Income question - and I WAS upset........ no space for my answer - PAUPER!!!.

 

Also my friends , DH Rory and I are from OZ so I wasted time trying to find one of the States - NSW wasn't on it. Pity there is no-one there with a bit of common sense. I spent time trying to fill out a wretched, no thought given, silly, waste of space! I should have realised - this Survey would have come from the people who do the Web site!

 

Thank God the Solstice is so great, otherwise Celebrity would be right stuffed.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I lurv it when I ask a question and so many people reply, and are so helpful.

 

Gotta love all the posters on CC!!!

 

Think I'll wait a little while before rushing in and buying......

 

Kind regards and thanks again,

ratacake

Good morning fellow cruisers,

 

Could anyone tell me if Celebrity are still offering good exchange rates for onboard credits purchased before the cruise?

 

Once upon a time in the good old days they gave $A for $US at parity, but I think that may have gone the way of the dinosaurs.......:confused:

 

Would like to buy some and have it safely put away till our cruise in March.

 

Only 6 more months (sigh).......:rolleyes:

 

Kind regards and happy sailing everyone,

ratacake

Dear Peter and Kath, and messej01

 

Thank you both for your interesting and helpful replies.

 

We've taken note of everything you've said, and we're going to get to as many of these places as we can. We get to Santo early Wednesday morning, and don't leave till Thursday afternoon, so we'll give it our best shot!

 

It's wonderful that CC'ers like you guys impart you knowledge to the rest of us, and we sincerely thank you for that. :)

 

ratacake

 

PS - messaj01 - We're going on the same cruise on Celebrity next March as you guys - hope we can catch up.... and Peter and Kath - thanks for the heads-up about Unity Park.

Hi friends,

 

We're off on the Pacific Dawn on the 16th of this month. YAA!!!

 

For the VERY first time for us, our cruise is overnighting in Santo (Luganville).

 

Anyone been there, any recommendations for sightseeing, eating out etc.?

 

We realise that it's not a cosmopolitan port, and the only time we've been there was early in the ninetys when Vanuatu celebrated 25 years of independence. All the various tribes came down from all around - it was a great spectacle. However, it was only a short day trip.

 

Also, as long as I'm not trying your patience - we're also going again to Port Vila, but does anyone know about a duty free other than Fung Kwai? (for cosmetics and perfume, etc). It's usually the only one we go to for supplies. :)

 

Thank you all in advance...

Kind regards and happy cruising,

ratacake

I completely agree with you, Sarah.

 

DH and I cruised on the Legend last month and I thought it was probably the worst ship I've ever been on ...... creaks, rattles and swaying, and that was only from me!

 

Seriously, I won't miss it when it goes. Even the bars weren't good, lots of bogans on board (I don't qualify, I'm too old) and the food wasn't great - mostly cold :(.

 

Give me the Solstice any time, and the money to spend on it!:D:D:D

 

Regards,

ratacake

Hi there,

 

SOLSTICE, SOLSTICE, SOLSTICE!!! :D:D:D

 

We've (DH & I) just come off the Legend of the Seas on Thursday last, the 18th. To say we're underwhelmed would be close....... Only due to the age of the ship primarily, lots of rust visible, but also the decor inside was very dated - our cabin was slightly foward from midships, and sitting on our balcony we could feel vibrations all the time. Food so-so but staff wondrous. Enclosed pool great with adults only (under 16's) loungers. Drinks expensive when prices converted to Oz dollars - $11 plus for a glass of Pinot Grigio - around $12 plus for any spirit!

 

We did a part-circumnavigation of Oz in February last year on Solstice - a magic ship - Sushi free and freshly made at 6pm at the buffet upstairs, Eggs Benedict while you wait at breakfast (buffet too), the glass show upstairs a couple of times a day, Boche on the grass upstairs, absolutely lovely decor and fab glass lifts! :)

 

We've booked on it again for March next year. (Let's hope weather ok as we're going to Fiji). :eek:

 

Good luck with your choices, but I think your daughter and your good self would have lots of fun together on Solstice.

 

Kind regards,

ratacake

Dear J T,

 

Thanks so much for a balanced, well-thought about review.

 

We're off in a month on Legend, and can now relax and get ready to have fun! What with the US dollar comparison and the other reviews before you, I was convinced our first trip with RCCL was going to be a dud. Also, our last trip was on the Solstice, so it seemed we were about to go on the ship from hell by comparison..:eek:

 

Again, thanks for your wit and kindness and balance in your review.

 

Kind regards,

ratacake

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE CC'ers!!!!!

 

May all your troubles be little ones, and your cruises often........:p

 

Lurv,

ratacake (and royboy)

2015

:D

Thanks very much for your quick replies.

 

Unfortunately, there are not many cabins left and they are a long way forward. I've just had a quick look. The price has also gone up since we booked it.

 

I wonder, can I transfer to another cruise and cruise company through the same TA? We were considering Princess 29 January before we saw this one and it has a cabin definitely just over from the lift. Unfortunately, it would mean travelling to Sydney instead of Brissie - a bummer cause Brissie has great parking and cheap too! The cruise is very similar, but 2 days longer, and is on Dawn Princess.

 

What do you think? If we decide to do it, will we lose our deposit - we paid $500 and we can't afford to lose it. On their paperwork it says any transfer will cost $25 per head, but I'm not sure if they mean another company's ship. Maybe they've already sent the deposit to Royal Carribean. I can't find out till Monday and I'm stressing now :mad:

 

Thanks again,

ratacake

Hi everyone,

 

We're booked in Cabin 6610 of Legend's February 2016 cruise - first time on Legend and with RCCL.

 

I have a mobility problem in that I can't walk too far (I have a cane) and I chose this particular cabin (don't remember where I originally saw the Deck Plan) because it looked to be close to an aft lift, thus getting hubby Roy and I to all the restaurants, etc.

 

I have just today been looking at the official Deck Plan for RCCL and the area doesn't say specifically "lifts" like the forward and central lifts do, it just shows what looks like a boxed in area.....:confused:.

 

Have I made a blue? Would very much appreciate your HELP PLEASE if you've been on the Legend.

 

Many thanks

ratacake

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. We have now booked with RCCL for a February cruise.

 

Legend of the Seas looks nice, and it only carries 1500 people, so shouldn't be crowded, and it has the added advantage of a Solarium with a walk-in pool, which is great for me with my dodgy leg! :D

 

As Inspector Clausau would say - "problem sol-ved!"

 

Kind regards

ratacake

Hi everyone,

 

Hubby and I were planning a trip on the Aria next year, and we did all our homework, worked out prices and deposits, and made a firm decision to book with P&O.

 

I went to all the websites, looked at deck plans, and rang one of the big online agents. We had some email discussions with them, and chose a cabin. We had a Future Cruise Deposit from an earlier cruise, and used that for the deposit.

 

All wonderful so far - but then I looked at yet another online agent and was horrified to discover that their ads said there were only showers over the bath in all the Balcony Cabins. I have a limited mobility problem in that I can't bend one knee well, and I cannot get into or out of a bath (and I'm only 70!). We had just assumed that because the Aria was a refit, that there would be walk in shower stalls. (I don't need a fully accessible cabin).

 

I contacted P&O, thinking surely this is wrong, but I got fobbed off for a while before their rep. admitted that they only had "jacuzzi" baths with shower over, and I would have to climb in and out. (I have a transcript of the conversation).

 

Apparently the only walk in showers are in the Outside and Inside cabins!!

 

Sooooooooo, If you're infirm, elderly or have a disability, DON'T BOOK A BALCONY ON ARIA! :(

 

Disappointed and angry too - we could have paid our deposit unknowing there were unusable (to me) bathrooms. The big agency we used didn't know either, they were horrified and said they'd have to email or contact the people who'd booked to check they could use the baths.:confused:

 

DISAPPOINTED in your lack of information P&O. Naughty, naughty for omitting the facts from all the ads you've put onto the market for the "new" Aria.:mad::mad::mad:

 

ratacake

Hi everyone,

 

I must have been too tired when I wrote my begging letter to you all last night! The ship actually sails out of Sydney, not Brisbane.

 

I think I was also brainwashed about Brisbane, because we've been trying to get a cruise, any cruise, out of Brisbane around and after that period (Jan. 29, 2016). All the cruises up to June, with the exception of the new Pacific Aria, are only short ones, and I want to get my bum on for more than three or four days!

 

Anyway, grateful thanks to those who have already written trying to emphasise the positive aspects and we'll see what develops:D

 

Kind regards

ratacake

Hi everyone,

 

I've actually made a tentative booking on Dawn Princess for South Pacific on January 29. Silly me!! I didn't read any reviews on Cruise Critic first!!!! The price is great, the timing is great, but our reviewers have talked about a tired boat, crook food, terribly loud music around the pool, and then the Movies Under the Stars! Well, it's enough to make a grown Cruise Critic reader cry..........

 

What to do - listen to the people who talk about the "90's look - brown, mushroom and gold glitter hanging from the ceilings" and the BORING entertainment of a night..... or to book and see what happens.

 

I mean, its a BRISBANE departure, and we seem to get screwed by the cruise companies who say that they service all the ports in OZ so that everyone is looked after,and then we get very little choice.

 

The thing is that after the end of January 2016, there's virtually nothing going out of Brissie apart from 2 and 3 and 4 dayers, or 7 days on the poor old Pacific Dawn.

 

I've spent hours trying to find a good priced cruise, either a 10-11 dayer, at a reasonable price. Has anyone else looked but not found? I mean, Princess prices are very reasonable this year.

 

Please help - my hubby doesn't like the idea of spending extra money flying down to Sydney and back (we live at Nambucca Heads - halfway between Sydney and Brissie, but we can park at Westside?/Eastside? Parking in Brissie and be driven to the boat - so much easier than flying with all the luggage etc).

 

I really need your assistance here - any input would be much appreciated.

 

ratacake

Good on you Mic, and the other CC'ers who've taken advantage of this deal.

 

I rang through to X on Friday last, (I think) and it was showing on my credit card yesterday to be $ for $. A$300 for US$300! Fabulous :D

 

I'm just about to get some more........

 

ratacake

Mic,

 

Total success!!! You are a hero!!!!

 

We owe you a beer for that - got straight through, spoke with Lucille (Lucille, please come back where you belong!!!)

 

(Sorry, I digress - she was charming and I even stayed on the line in order to tell Celebrity how pleased I was with the service, and how lovely Lucille was) :)

 

Anyways, the upshot is $300 obc and within 5 minutes I had the email from Celebrity confirming the amount - AND IT WAS DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR!:cool:

 

Now, all I want is for it to show on my credit card.......

 

Thanks again,

ratacake

 

PS This is another example of the beaut stuff we find out on Cruise Critic.

 

PPS Now all we have to do is find a cruise where we're both on the same ship and you can get your beer!!!

Hi Mic,

 

Did you finish up buying your latest lot of onboard credit over the phone? or on the link through the Website? If you ordered it on the phone, which phone number did you use, 'cause I tried to order some through Captain's Club last week and the exchange rate was poor, certainly not $ for $.

 

I'm having a small brain day today, and I'm still not sure, even after re-reading your posts!!! :o

 

I'd love to buy some too.....

 

Could you kindly let me know when you have a moment?

 

Thanks,

ratacake

:D

If there's going to be a helicopter port, how come you can't flag your personal helicopter to get to work in Fremantle for the day?

 

I thought all important, special, senior employees had their own helicopter........:confused:

 

Don't forget when you order the upgrade, the passenger name is LOUIS, and it's the Solstice leaving Fremantle on 25th February. :D:D:D

 

Thank you,

ratacake

Dear Mr Gbenjo (may I call you Graham?),

 

I was so intoxicated by your presence (and certainly not by any spirits) that I completely disremembered the timing of our cruise on the Century, which was in October, last year, not August. I may have been thinking of the Spring, and it's promise............ :eek: (Waddya reckon, MicCanberra, am I on the right track?)

 

I was expecting some tall, spiritual, spectre wearing a Gold Star for service (getting a picture now?) that I completely lost track of time when you actually appeared. :confused:

 

Of course it was October, how could I forget.... the smell of damp plaster, (I love the smell of damp plaster in the morning), your personage, the uniform!!!) - the suddenness and the glory of it - that I completely lost the plot.

 

However, it is so wonderful that you are there, still, and I can see you now - dispensing your wisdom to all and sundry. What a figure you make.

 

Thank you for being you............

 

Now, how about using your influence for an upgrade for the 25th of February on the Solstice, from Fremantle?

 

Much lurv,

ratacake

Dear Gbenjo,

 

I see you have used undue influence in your position of trust!.

 

There are those of us who have booked starboard side purely for the view! (Not me though, we board in Perth and just finish up in Sydney, :p)

 

To have this taken away from the common people just because you know who to take to lunch to bribe, corrupt (possibly even get plastered with), all for your selfish desire to have a cabin, on your cruise, which will face the Opera House!!! Is that why you built that extra bit on the wharf?

 

Shame, shame.....

 

ratacake

(Patricia and Roy)

 

PS Only kidding, enjoy your cruise and it was a pleasure to meet you when we were on the Century last August :D

Happy Oz Day to you tomorrow and to all Stralyans,

 

Hope to have a drinkie or 27 to welcome all you Yanks who are coming to Oz to have a cruise on the Solstice on the 25th Feb. We'll do the same for our mates all over our great land.........

 

We'll throw an extra snag on the barbie for youse all (burp) :D

 

Here's to all Stralyans and welcome to our visitors..:)

 

Lurv,

ratacake

:cool:Hey SOL MATES!

 

Welcome aboard!! Hope we see you at the SOL MATE sailaway - we are meeting at the Mast Bar at around 8 pm, and you need to turn up wearing (top, jewellery, hat etc.) something RED - there are approximately 90 people from the US, UK, and OZ (not to mention the Kiwis) attending. (Not a club, or anything, just people who met on the Celebrity threads, looking to have a couple of drinks and meet others on this cruise).

 

If you look at the Roll Call for the 25th February, you will see lots about the different activities and sightseeing tours that are being organised.:cool:

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise - we're just about ready after booking January last year!

 

Bring it on!!

 

Kind regards

ratacake

(Patricia and Roy)

 

 

PS Oh, by the way, your question was about coffee, wasn't it? I should have stayed on the thread....

 

I don't drink it, sorry!!! :D

Dear Embrace,

You hit the nail right on the head! :D

I changed to Google Chrome and there they all were....

How clever you are!!!

However, after my husband saw the prices, I thought he was going to collapse (LOL).

Thanks again.

Also to the tips from the other posters, I do know that some people are doing the trip privately, sourced from the Roll Call, but I have a bit of a mobility problem and I don't think I can walk too far. A tour bus right in front of the ship would have been perfect!

Also, there's always a problem in my head with doing private tours in a restricted time frame. (We don't get to Yorky's Knob ((Cairns)) until 12 o'clock and we leave at 8).

Thank goodness, there's always someone one can turn to on the CC pages to get a quick answer to a cruising problem!!!

ratacake