besberry

Thanks for this info, Elaine. I did look at the NCL, but I would much prefer an outside cabin to see the beautiful sites of Europe and the studio rooms on the Epic seemed a little claustraphobic. :(

I'm a solo traveller and I did the BCN - Venice cruise on Serenade in June. I had a blast! http://www.mickberry.co.uk/medven.htm

I also cruised on the Epic in January in the Caribbean. I looked at the studio rooms, but in the end I was able to get a balcony for the same price as an outside on RCL or Celebrity. My first balcony :) As a solo traveller, you can still use the studio club, although I have to confess I didn't. I did see the studio cabins on the cabin crawl though, and I'd have been happy in one of those too.

If the AI package saves more than the C&A balcony discount, decline the balcony discount and take the AI package instead.

It was a lot cheaper to decline the AI, amazingly. Not at all sure how, but it would have been well over a grand more, and trust me my discount isn't that big. I also had a next cruise certificate to add to the mix. Was supposed to get $150 OBC, only got $75 so spent another 20 odd minutes getting that fixed.

Just booked on the Anthem today and was told that the AI package isn't combinable with the C&A balcony discount. :mad:

Not for ESTA allowed passport holders? $20 for ESTA free visa on arrival in USA.

ESTA isn't a visa, it's a visa waiver! It cost me $14 last month and lasts for 2 years, doesn't stop the Immigration guys treating you like dirt when you arrive though!. A visa, certainly for UK citizens, costs over $100 and entails a visit to the embassy.

So how did it get from the shipyard to Florida? :rolleyes:

They flew it over. Wasn't it in the Vancouver Sun??

If you book any shore excursions before boarding, the discount should be automatically given too. That happened to me last year on the Aurora world cruise, and I'd never even set foot on a P&O ship before :)

If you are going to wear one there are some much more sleek, less fussy modern versions out there, it doesnt have to be a grand affair.

 

 

But no, no one would bat an eyelid either way. Many men seem to think a regular dark suit with a bowtie is a black tie outfit..... I think if you are going to wear a regular suit then wear a regular tie with it and not try make it something it isnt.

Some people wear a bow tie in preference to a 'standard' tie for everyday/office use. Does that mean they should really be wearing a DJ?

It was all a bit hokey and so overacted. You didn't really get much of a chance to question the cast. Food was good and it was all a bit of fun, but expect the acting/drama all to be a bit OTT. I did on the Independence. Worth giving it a shot.

So somebody wasn't happy about his cruise and as usual all the RCI cheerleaders leap on him, calling him a troll and an obese drunk and all sorts of other things. OK, so some of his complaints seem trivial, but what's trivial to one person may not be to another and vice versa.

I was on the Serenade in June and I had a blast, but that was mainly down to the great people I met and the itinerary. The ship was great, but there were lots of little niggles. For me the service just wasn't what I was used to on RCI, the MDR wasn't hitting the mark (½ hour to take our orders?). It won't stop me booking another RCI cruise, but I may well think twice if another line is offering the same itinerary at a similar price.

And I think that if you're on the drinks package and it's a sea day, it's perfectly possible to get through 15 drinks a day. I wouldn't want to, but it's possible.

Originally Posted by Sealoveragain View Post

Why would you think I don't have a sense of humour? BTW instead of a curtsey I'd much prefer it if you offered to do my laundry.

 

Originally Posted by Besberry View Post

Hey, she never did my laundry on the 2013 worldie, I guess you're not going to have much luck. I'll be working on her in September, when we have our reunion, but I'm not holding out much hope

 

Mick, you can 'work on her' in September to your heart's content.... this lady is not for turning (into a washerwoman) :-)

 

and Sealoveragain.... you've got two chances - little -and none :D

 

PS I couldn't use the 'multi-quote' button, so had to copy and paste. Tut.

Oh you old folks! Click on the multi-quote button on the two messages you wish to quote, then click the Post Reply button. Simples (God I hate it when people say that!!)

You'll have no trouble at all changing your disembarkation time, if you're not happy with the one they've given you.

Why would you think I don't have a sense of humour? BTW instead of a curtsey I'd much prefer it if you offered to do my laundry.;)

Hey, she never did my laundry on the 2013 worldie, so I guess you're not going to have much luck. I'll be working on her in September, when we have our reunion, but I'm not holding out much hope :(

Sorry don't know how to multi quote.

You are probably right, we booked this World cruise because of the itinerary as it's going to South America. Next cruise I book will probably be with Cunard in the Grills, at least I'll feel as if I'm getting something extra for my money.

To multi quote use the button to the right of the quote button in the relevant message. You can only do two, as far as I'm aware.

Have you joined our R502 forum?

Well I'll be on the TA straight after her drydock. I count that as a notable addition. Unfortunately, only for a couple of weeks :rolleyes:

Cuba, from early morning until the sun went down. I never realized how long it was.

 

Kathy

It's the biggest island in the Caribbean, and a great place to visit.

I've had it on both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean and it was great. I probably wouldn't use it in January for a 105 night cruise :eek:, but I'd definitely use it on my 7 day cruise on Britannia next July.

I was once offered water! Being polite I drank it, rather than sending back!

Had the drinks package on both Celebrity and RCI and never had a problem. I'll be buying it again for the Oasis TA in October.

It depends on the cost of the cocktail. On the Serenade in June, some of my drinks included champagne (well sparkling wine, I guess). I was on the Premium Package. I'll be taking it again in October for the Oasis TA. More sea days, so I'll probably slow down on the evening drinking, i.e. only one Martini before dinner. But I'll be able to drink by the pool during the day.

It will be interesting what they come up with if scotland votes for independance as the new union flag will not include the saltire.

 

I have heard that one of the favourites is replacing the blue with a welsh yellow and that won't work on the ships?

The Union Flag won't change. The X shape in red represents Ireland, and they left the Union quite a while back!!

I usually sail RCI, but in January I went on NCL. The reason? I had a balcony for the same price as an outside on RCI or Celebrity with a similar itinerary. I was quite worried because all the RCI snobs look down on NCL, freedom dining, tsk, dynamic dining, great! I had a blast, I always go for my time anyway and I loved the ship, the food and the activities. The Speigel Tent was great and worth the extra. I was on the Epic and I didn't mind the cabin layout as I was solo, not so sure I'd have been so happy, if I was with someone.

Personally I think the yellow funnel is horrible. And I also disagree about them looking like Mick Mouse ships. Lot's of the 'old guard' (I'm 62, so no spring chicken :o) don't like the new Union Flag on the bow. I think it looks fine in the renderings I've seen. I'm looking forward to seeing the Aurora in her new dress, next January. More to the point, I hope they finally fix the corridor leaks and give the old girl the spruce up she truly deserves.

Well it looked OK until I got to the meat course. I don't eat pork or meat on the bone. If it's still around in October, that's put the kibosh on me doing it on the Oasis!

You just beat me to it!! :D

Just off the Serenade and I had the package. I guess I was given a till receipt to sign (with $0 on it!!), about 6 times during the whole cruise. If I was going to tip a particular bartender, I'd give them the cash, that way I know they got the money!!