sarahleebones

I am cruising with Emerald in October 14th (Jewels of the Rhine) so the same itinerary, just going from Basel to Amsterdam. Emerald was actually rated the best overall value for River Cruising in 2016. We booked Emerald strictly because of the overall value as we are going with a group of 4-5 couples. Plus I have talked to a few people that have cruised both and say they would book Emerald over Viking in the future. The main reason.....gratuities are included/transfer included even without purchasing their air, boats are all new. Emerald is owned by Scenic Waterways, and they have carried over their open air balcony concept, rather than the french door balcony. So if you are looking at a balcony, Emerald may be preferable. It's a balcony within the stateroom. There is a button on the wall and when you push it the top part of the glass comes down so it gives more of an actual balcony feel rather than a sliding door opening to a rail - where only half the width of the cabin is open. Google the Viking french balcony and Emerald Waterways balcony in images and you will see what I mean. This was also a deciding factor for me as I love a balcony and still want the feel of one on a river cruise without going to a full suite.

Right from Viking's website - Tipping guidelines:

From the Hotel Manager to receptionists, from restaurant servers to housekeeping, Viking’s onboard staff are 100% dedicated to serving our guests. Tips are not included in your cruise price, but are a voluntary way of showing satisfaction for good service. You may tip onboard staff in cash if you like, or you may charge your tips to your credit card at the end of the cruise (everywhere except Egypt, Southeast Asia and Portugal). These gratuities are distributed among the ship’s staff. The Tour Escorts or Program Directors that travel with you do not share in the onboard staff gratuities. It is customary to tip them separately in cash.

The following guidelines are based on typical amounts; they vary by region so please read the section for the region to which you will be traveling. Please note that local city guides and coach drivers are not included in the onboard gratuities; any tipping should be done in cash on the day of the tour as you are not likely to see them again.

Europe

In Europe, we recommend that you tip in euros. Guidelines:

Program Director – €2 per guest, per day

Onboard staff – €12 per guest, per day

Local city guides – €2 per guest, per day

Coach drivers – €1 per guest, per day

If you add it up - you are looking at the recommended extra in tips to be 17 Euros/day/person. Over the course of 7 days you are looking at an additional 238 Euros. (approx. 260 USD / 335 CAD). That said, I will more than likely tip a bit extra to our cabin attendant/waitstaff/bartenders. However it's not expected on Emerald where it is definitely is on Viking.

Another thing is that long transfer in from Basel to Zurich. It's included with Emerald even if you do not book the air through them. Remember, you do NOT need to book the air through them to do this.

Also, when booking your own air, you typically will get a 1000 rebate/pp for air credit (may be less in USA - I'm Canadian so that's what they offer here).

Anyway, that's my 2 cents :)

Tell me how to use it properly! Pretty please...

No real proper way - just plain ol' luck IMO. It's literally a gamble ;)

Our agency usually gets a box of these. We haven't rec'd any current ones though. The last batch expired Dec. 2015. Not a whole bunch of "deals" in them though....I get better ones attached via C&A. BOGOHO a drink, BOGO milkshake, 15% off Royal Logo wear, 5$ matchplay...etc. And those are the best ones IMO. The vast majority were things I have no interest in.

My last cruise I had a bunch and gave to my cabin steward to hand out to the next batch of cruisers as they were expiring in 2 weeks.

I use Google hangouts free calls using wifi

ME TOO! Calls 100% free - other than the internet package....but free once you have the wifi.

My dad did it on the Liberty last year and said is was a BREEZE! WAY less people.

I was on the Liberty from BCN a few months after him. I did not notice a thing....and either did he.

This is from a few years ago....not sure if it's changed though. Realize that adults can order from this too if they want :)

They sure do!

EXCELLENT! See you onboard next week!

Because people keep paying the high prices.

So true! Just like the Cabanas at Labadee.....

There is nothing to say you have to be in the kids club to make new friends. It's not like every kid lives in there all day long. Yes, you will find lots of events that they can participate in together - just not kids club ones, which at those ages, might not matter that much.

Thanks so much - I know have a bit more hope :) There's been talk on our roll call re: a kid meet and greet so hoping that come through!

Wow, you are handling these judgemental responses better than I would be! Since I don't think that you are looking for info re: your child's behavior, I will stick to your question...

Don't give up all hope that they can be together in the kids club. One year we did a cruise with our cousins (during busy spring break), and they let us have our girls move down to the younger kid group. They had just turned the age for the next group level. The younger cousin was not allowed to be in the older group but they did let my 2 girls go into the younger group so that they could be together. Of course it is more fun if they are together! Why would your daughter want to go to the kids club without her best friend? And if having her best friend there gives her the courage to join a new group and see what it is like to put herself out there in a new situation, that would be wonderful! Enjoy! :)

Thank you for this. Actually, this was my first and last thread I posted on the NCL forum here on CC...almost a year ago, until now. I didn't get a very friendly feeling from the responses. I was a little offended that people were accusing me of using it as daycare. At 12/13, it's hardly daycare. My daughter is shy on her own. When she is with a buddy, she is not. You hit the nail on the head with "of course it is more fun if they are together, why would your daughter want to go to the kids club without her best friend" My daughter has asked me numerous times if they can go and I keep telling her that they won't be allowed unless they are willing to be separated. Which of course, they are not willing. I'll politely ask when we board but won't be offended when they say no. I've already downloaded a bunch of scavenger hunts and will set those up for sea days for them. We will just have to make our own fun for them.

Which ship are you taking? Our kids made a bunch of friends but not in the kids club. Between the arcade, the slides, ping pong, O'sheehans , etc - they found some nice kids. Even in summer on the full f kids Getaway the activities in the teen lounge kept getting cancelled due to lack of participation. The action just wasn't in the kids clubs!

 

fwiw- the 12 year old club was not suitable for 13 year olds anyway. Too many younger kids. 13 year old ( and almost 13) May have outgrown a lot of that stuff.

We are on the Gem. Thank you so much for sharing this! Since it's over March Break there appears to be a lot of kids so here's to hoping they meet some at those spots!

Have a great day! I love Labadee.....

Safe travels!

Hope you are on that flight Rich!

Our booked flights are Southwest 1445 Sat at 1:45 and 1519 Sunday at 6:30 AM. If both of those flights are cancelled, we might switch to the Jetblue flight. Baron, thank you for that info. Do you know for pretty sure that the forcast for snow won't reach that far North?

Rich

Thanks Rich. I'll be tracking it and hoping that if the Sat one doesn't take off the Sunday one does.

Ours did in December. We were in 7644.

Quick Question SarahLeeBones regarding VOOM:

 

When you say you were able to call home through Google, do you mean Google Voice on a smartphone (through Google Hangouts?) And by home do you mean to Canada?

 

The reason I am asking is that I am new to Google Voice and I understand that US/Canada calling is free for them, but I wasnt sure if this was the case whilst using VOOM onboard...

 

Many thanks for your shared insights.

 

Airbus_guy - from Toronto, Canada

OK - I've successfully downloaded hangouts on both my cruise phones (two old galaxies with no sim card). Tested the calling feature to a landline through wifi and it worked no issues. So yes, google hangouts will work!

Hoping it goes well! We are on the second leg with you :)

What's your flight number on the Saturday, if you don't mind me asking....

Quick Question SarahLeeBones regarding VOOM:

 

When you say you were able to call home through Google, do you mean Google Voice on a smartphone (through Google Hangouts?) And by home do you mean to Canada?

 

The reason I am asking is that I am new to Google Voice and I understand that US/Canada calling is free for them, but I wasnt sure if this was the case whilst using VOOM onboard...

 

Many thanks for your shared insights.

 

Airbus_guy - from Toronto, Canada

CRAP! Sorry I just saw this....

It's within gmail. If you don't have an account, just create one. There's a little phone receiver icon at the bottom left - just click it and make the call. It broadcasts over the speaker on your computer. Not totally idea but it's easy and free.

I'm not sure if it's classified as Hangouts. I don't really use gmail often. And yes, home to Canada no problem. I actually used it for quite a long call one day with no interruptions while we were at sea.

It shouldn't be an issue. We were on the Oasis last month and made our 9am excursion with no issues. However, our meeting place was under a 5 min walk from the entrance to the cruise shops at the pier. I think it depends on exactly how far away from the pier you will be going.

Great pics!

I was on Oasis last month and going on the Allure at the end of this month. It's big but never feels too big.

Did I experience everything. NO - but I did this on purpose as I knew I was going again shortly after the first cruise. Keep in mind, Allure/Oasis itineraries *usually* have only 3 ports. This gives you 3 full sea days to do plenty of exploring.

Our cabin was close to the aft elevators as well and will be on this next one. It's easy access to the Boardwalk, Central Park, Royal Promenade, Pools, Casino. If you are going to book anywhere, do it close to the aft elevators.

BUSTED! I should have called yesterday when I was thinking about it....I just called and 400 would be 560 - bummer. Oh well, I already put some on, but wanted more for the casino.

When you all cruise, do you bring your wedding rings? Also, do you bring them when you visit islands? I ask this because I recently read a crime article about heavier crime islands such as Puerto Rico and they said only bring as much cash as you need and only what you are prepared to lose (so no expensive jewelry)

Nope - never. My dad was shot in St. Maarten for my step-mom's jewelry. He's fine but he goes off when he goes through airport security as bits of bullet are still in him. This happened 20 years ago and wasn't even in a seedy area.

The odds of something happening are pretty slim, however you can prevent an invitation by leaving it at home. I just don't risk it, it's not worth it.

You can either have them added when you book (prepay gratuities) or not. They *used* to make you prepay when you selected MTD but they do not anymore. If you want them added ask your TA to add them or call RCI if you booked through them.