Jasp 0401

Hi,

 

Has anyone experience of dining at Chefs Table on embarkation night ? We are considering doing it as I like the idea of 20% back in OBC and we are not in port until 10a.m next day.

Do people usually dress as they would for formal night i.e cocktail dress and shirt and jacket for DH. Just concerned in case our luggage does not arrive in time.

 

Thanks for any input,

 

Catherine

Sorry can't help with on the first night . Everyone was dress in smart casual ( some men had no jacket just nice buttoned shirt ) and it was a wonderful experience.We all had a great night never felt rushed and food, wine and talking went until about 11.30pm. Then we all went out for more fun with the lovely new friends we made until late. And we would do it again as it was worth the money as long as we did have early start the next morning.

Cheers Trish

We used Good company tours twice and they were fantastic . They meet you at the ship and take you in to catch the train and then at the end of train trip you get a sight seeing tour of Dunedin and then they returned you to the ship. For us to book a train and city sight tour through the ship for 2 adults and our 15yr daughter was going to cost US $816 . Good Company was only NZ $268 and the only difference was we took their very comfortable bus to the station and didn't catch the train from the pier in to Dunedin train station.We also bought our own lunch on the train for about NZ$20 . We had a great time and our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable of the local area. It was great value and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable tour company in Dunedin

http://www.goodcompanytours.co.nz/cruise.html

Hi everyone! I've got another few newbie questions for all of you seasoned cruise people. I spent a while searching for answers here on the forum and just by Googling things, but I wasn't quite able to find specific enough answers.

 

My g/f and I will be on the Allure of the Seas on the 6/8/14 eastern Caribbean sailing for my g/f's birthday. She's never been on a cruise, and the only cruise I've ever been on was Premier's Oceanic back in 1994 when I was 13.

 

Anyway, I was wondering if we are allowed to pack bottles of water in a suitcase (or if it's even worth it to do that). We both have non-rev travel benefits to get to Ft. Lauderdale, so checked baggage will be free for us. Given that, would anyone suggest that we do this, or can we snag any free water on the ship?

 

Additionally, I'm trying to figure out if we should try some of the specialty restaurants. However, before I make any reservations, I'd like to know what the day's menu will be for the MDR. That way, if the menu is a repeat or doesn't sound all that interesting, we can head to Chops or something instead.

 

Thanks for any info you can provide!

No you can't take water on board but it not to expensive to buy bottled water on board or they have iced water by the glass for free around the ship. They post the daily menu outside the restaurant each day. Or if you are in a suite it is delivered in the morning to your suite.You could check it at lunch time and decide if you want to go to a specialty restaurant. The only problem waiting to book for that night is they may already be booked out or you may not get the time you want.

Hello! We just booked our first Royal Caribbean cruise on the Oasis. The RCI rep said that the only restriction with having the kids in another category is the use of the concierge lounge, which is totally understandable.

 

He said that that other than the lounge use, there should not be a problem. We're just wondering what has been your experience with having two different categories within the same immediate family? Will we be allowed check-in for both rooms at the suite area? And can we book our shows and specialty dinners so that we will be together. TIA!

A few years ago we looked at booking an OS and a connecting JS and was told that kids staying in the JS couldn't using any of the suites privileges. No early check in,reserved seating,tenders or CL. So we went with two GS as it was only a little bit more at the time. We didn't care about the CL access but check in, tenders etc that we cared about. But I have heard since that it depends on the Concierge when you get on board as he/she sometimes will allow children the same access as their parents .As long as their cabin is connecting to their parents suite. When it comes to check in it depends on the port if the cabins booking are linked and your there parents they let you check in together with the suites. Some port make you check in together with which is ever cabins latest check in time. If your rooms are linked it is easy to go online and make booking for restaurants so that your all at the same table etc.

It has been so long since I have traveled with a little child, that I never realy gave thought to the decline in frequency of the towel animals.

That being said, my sister in law is bringing her little one...

 

Has anyone had experience with maybe getting an extra towel animal or whatever once the steward knows you have a little one with you?

 

Not a make or break deal, but the kid is so danged excited about it, I think she is more excited about that than anything else on the ship!

 

Hm...do they still offer towel animal classes? Maybe I should sign her mother up :D

On our pass cruises we have gotten them every other night . And our room steward Phillip Santos showed my daughter how to make a couple as we were his last cabin for the night . We had tipped extra at the beginning of the cruise and again at the end . As he was so good

We will definitely try a suite at least once to see if we will like it but realistically that won't happen anytime soon until we are in a better financial position. Thanks for the advice Dave!

Smart thinking. Any cabin you can afford on a cruise ship is a good cabin and you will have a great time. We were married 21yrs before we got our first suite and I think we enjoyed it a lot more because we had waited until we knew we could afford it. Keep your dream of one day cruising in a suite it is worth it and you will love it when you finally make it.:)

Cheers Trish

Hey guys,

 

My boyfriend and I are planning on taking our 3rd RC cruise sometime in 2016 (my boyfriend thinks RC is the best and won't do anything else). We wanted to do Anthem of the Seas because we're in the NY/NJ area but those prices are way out of our price range so we're most likely going to do an older ship.

 

We've done a balcony room on the last 2 cruises but we've always wanted to do a suite. I saw youtube videos of the owner's suite on the Freedom & Liberty and I think I'm in love.(Personally, I don't think the JS is that much bigger to justify paying the extra cost over a balcony) Just went to the RC website and the price of the owner's suite on Freedom in April 2016 is about $4200. Not a lot of money for what you get but my boyfriend and I are regular everyday people. I have tons of student debt and my job requires me to live in NYC which is growing more expensive every day :(. I work very hard so when I go on vacation, which is rare, I want to have a good time.

 

For those CCers who have done a suite on RC, (1) do you think it was worth it, (2) how were you able to afford it and (3) are the prices cheaper during certain seasons/months?

Hi

As we are a family we like to book a Grand suite and for us we think its worth. As with 3 people its nice to have the extra room and we enjoy spending time in the suite and on the balcony. When we start cruising by ourselves we will probably go down to a JS or balcony. How do we afford a suite I am a planner and saver and put money away each week to go towards our yearly holiday. And we don't gamble or smoke and we only drink occasionally. We always book our cruise early so we have more time to save and they also offer a discount for early bird bookings. We also always watch out for sales and for price drop.

Cheers Trish

We are looking to book the wine and dine package and wondered how this works. Can I have rose and my husband have a glass of red? What happens if we dine somewhere different the next night? Do we have to finish the bottle that night or can we save it for the next day?

 

Any advice gratefully received...

TIA

When we have gotten the wine package in the past we have been able to pick any wine from the list . You are given a choice to either take the rest of the wine bottle with you or they will keep it for another night . We have also been able to have more than one bottle open at the same time for example a red and a white.

Thank you for the quick replies.

 

I will be calling a travel agent soon. Might be nice to get the adjoining rooms. Will have to see whats available.

 

--Michele

When looking at what cabin to book consider the age of your children .A friend of mine liked the family ocean view when her kids were younger . But now she has 2 teenage girls and 8yr old boy they get connecting cabins so they get 2 bathrooms.

as a Suite Guest they will get a gold card which will let them into both

 

On Grandeur there wasn't any difference between the two. In the past the Diamond event got you just beer & wine with 25% off mixed drinks. RC seems to have added DL's to most ships and offer the same drinks as the CL as well as the same food. The DL Concierge can do all the same stuff as the CL Concierge so not sure what the difference is any longer. There may be a ship or two without the DL so those would be the only ones that are different.

We like to sail in Grand suites and have never known this to be the case.As suite guest we could only use the Concierge lounge not the Diamond lounge until we became diamond and then if we are in a suite we can use both.

Complimentary pressing service on formal night

 

 

For anyone that has used this suite perk, what are the logistics of doing this? With two formal nights on our upcoming Allure trip, can we give the items to the cabin steward at the beginning of the trip, for both future formal nights? Also, what all is 'covered' in the free pressing listed....assume that my shirt and pants would be included..

 

Thanks

 

David :D

We have stay in GS on the Radiance and the Voyager and they only do the free pressing on the first formal night. The room attendant will collect the clothes in the morning and return them to you by about 5pm.You can send them your complete suit and formal dress etc. On our last cruise my formal dress didn't need pressing so I sent them something else that needed pressing and It was no problem.

Thanks so much for all the opinions and input! I took the advice of several here and asked my folks--they're pretty excited about the idea of a suite! We've camped and traveled together plenty of times, so we're used to each other's sleep patterns, etc. And they'll be heading down to Florida ahead of me to enjoy the first week of retirement alone together sans kids. They might actually miss me by the time I get there ;)

 

Thanks again! I'm pretty much decided on the suite and SUPER excited! The only problem--this is my dad's first cruise. He'll never want to go back to a balcony now! :D

Wonderful you will love having a Grand suite .And yes once you have been in a suite your hooked and it is hard to go back down to a balcony. Enjoy your cruise

I'm thinking of taking my parents on a cruise for my dad's retirement. Playing around with dummy bookings, it looks like I could book a grand suite for all three of us or two balcony cabins for a very similar price.

 

I've never sailed in a suite before but I like the idea of having a bath tub (my mom loves to take a bath to relax). We'll be stopping in Labadee and the idea of the suite beach is appealing as well. Has anyone ever done three adults in a suite? Would the space be sufficient for three adults? Would the suite perks make up for having a bit less privacy? Any insight is appreciated!

If it is not a surprise ask your parents and see what they would like. But it is do able to fit 3 adults into a Grand Suite.We have booked 2 GS before with my in laws in one suite with my 21yr old daughter and we had the other one with our other daughter. We had no problems with privacy and both my daughters said the sofa's were fine to sleep on . But you can ask your room attendant for a topper if you find any of the beds/sofa not comfortable . All the suite benefits and the lovely cabin makes for a wonderful cruise. Which ever way you choice I am sure you will all have a wonderful time.

No further payment is due unless you book a GS or above and then regular deposit is required less the $200 that you paid.

I think it depend on the certificate they are selling at the time. As we have booked GS and had to pay the full deposit and gotten onboard credit. As well as been able to book GS and only had to pay $100 pp deposit with no further payment due until final payment. :)On our next cruise we have 2 suites booked and still only had to pay $100 pp deposit.

That was Yang Yang - but she was good at sending bottles of cheap red plonk and chocolate coated strawberries every time she mucked something up:rolleyes: we actually did get a letter from her and always get one on the Radiance and Rhapsody.

 

Congrats on becoming Diamond Trish:D

 

Cheers

Di

Thanks Di,Now we just have to reach Diamond plus.

Yang Yang was really bad on the Voyager. When my sister cruise on the Voyager they had 4 suites booked and the only one in their party that got an email was the one who was Diamond Plus . The rest got nothing so maybe with Yang Yang it is what level you are. The 2 bar men where great and tried to make up for her being so useless.So we tipped them very well and only gave her a token tip.JD on the Radiance is lovely and always seems to go the extra mile to make your cruise great.

Cheers Trish

We've sailed in GS three times and never received an email from any of the concierges. Those of you who do, are you Diamond or higher? Our Freedom cruise in October will be our first GS as Diamond so we'll see if that makes a difference.

We have only just turned Diamond and we were only Gold when we sailed in our first Grand suite and we got the welcome email. I think it just depends on the concierge if they do it or not. We were Emerald on the Voyager and didn't get anything and She wasn't much help on board either .

Does the concierge always e-mail you before the cruise?:)

Most do send you a welcome aboard email like this one JD sent us on our last cruise

Dear Mr. & Mrs.

It is my pleasure to welcome you onboard the beautiful Radiance of the Seas. We are honored that you have selected Royal Caribbean International for your cruise vacation.

My name is Juan Diego Miranda Allen, your Concierge onboard from Panama. I am here to assist you with any requests you may have throughout your cruise vacation and I am available daily in the Concierge Club lounge from 8:00 am – 11:00 am and again from 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm.

As a special Suite Guest you are offered exclusive amenities and services not available to other guests onboard the Radiance of the Seas. Use of the Concierge Club located on Deck 13, mid ship.

Continental breakfast served in the lounge daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

Hors d’oeuvres, petit fours and complimentary bar setup served in the lounge every evening before and after dinner from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Daily snacks served in the Concierge Club around 12:30 pm.

He then listed more amenities and gave us his phone numbers and pager number. Also offering to pre book any specialty restaurants ect. Even if you don't need anything pre booked it is a very nice touch when they make that extra effort. We always tip the Concierge's that send us a welcome emails more than the ones that don't.

Diamond status after the first night of our next cruise? Will we get diamond lounge access after first night?

 

Thanks for any thoughts :)

We turned Diamond during our last cruise and no they didn't up grade our status . Because they don't give you your points until you finish your cruise.It is there rule and they have to follow it because they get a lot of Diamonds and above on board and the lounge fills up quickly.

I see the mini bar fridges in rooms, do they really keep things cold?

They will keep cold stuff cold but not icy cold. They don't get things cold as they are more of a cooler than a fridge.

We're sailing on RCL Radiance of the Seas and was trying to book a private tour with Fullers. How soon were you able to get off your ship? We arrive in port @ 8:00am. How long did the free shuttle take. The tour starts at 9:00am. RCL offers the same tour but instead of $74 for the 4-hour tour booking directly, they want $159. It's ridiculous.

We were on the Radiance last month and did the 9am Fullers Dolphin cruise. We had no problems catching the first tender off the boat (8am) as it is the early bird tender and you don't need a tender ticket. The free shuttle is waiting for you and the bus drops you off right in front of Fullers office were you pick up your tickets.We got to the office before 8.30am so had plenty of time to walk down the pier to the boat.

That is what I have been told -- need to buy the excess down. Not sure what the credit card helps with. I for years thought that in US the car insurance took care of it and then credit card took care of it and it seems nobody but ME is taking care of it:(. I just hope it is all wasted money and I never have to find out how good my insurance was/is.

We are cruising from Wellington on a 8 night fiords cruise, picking up a rental car in Queenstown returning to Christchurch flying back to Wellington and getting a second rental to tour North Island returning in Auckland. Hertz has rental offices near all of the hotels where we pick up.

 

trip totals: 8 flights, 1 cruise , 2 car rentals, 1 bus tour, 3 boat tours, 22 hotel nights in 3 countries and 4 taxis so far. A whole folder full of reservation slips. May the travel gods be with us!!:D

I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday and that you never have to claim on any insurance.

I decided to go with Hertz because I get my Gold points and member benefits, AAA discount and specials and because if something goes wrong I can call Hertz here in North America and deal with my own time zone. Perhaps a bit more expensive but then as I find in America you get a quote and a price and by the time the final line comes up there is not very much difference. Know what the deal is for second driver if needed and one way costs if needed.

 

According to my insurance agent -- you need to buy NZ insurance as US (?Canadian?) does not offer the coverage that you need for NZ. Lots of good (and sometimes confusing:o) information on the sister site -- trip advisor New Zealand forums. Hertz has downtown location and airport location. Hertz does not allow a car to go between the islands in NZ.

You need to get travel insurance that covers if you hire a car or you can pay extra when you hire the car to remove the excess .

Most if not all the car hire companies will not let you take the car between the south and north island. You drop the car off in Picton (south) or Wellington (north). Then catch Interislander ferry across to Wellington or Picton and hire a new car on the other island.

Does anyone have recommendations (for or against) rental car companies in New Zealand? Obviously I want a reasonable price, but I also want good service and cars that are kept in good repair - that's more important to me than finding the cheapest price. I'll be renting the car in Auckland after my cruise, and returning it 7 or 8 days later before catching a flight home.

We have used Omega car rentals and found their cars are kept in a good condition. We have also used Pegasus car hire and found they are great too.

Thank you for sharing!

 

Has anyone reading this combined the railway journey with a visit to Larnach Castle? All comments are welcome.

I don't know if you would have time to do both but I would recommend using Good Company tours as they are a lot cheaper than the ship. They picked us up and took us to the Train and then a local tour after the train trip and then returned us to the ship for 2 adults and 1 child cost us NZ$264 if we went through the ship it would of cost us US $840.

http://www.goodcompanytours.co.nz/cruise.html

Cheers Trish

Renting a car - I hadn't thought of that one. I think that's the option we'll take. Its good to have a recommendation so thank you... I'm googling Pegasus car rental now. It would give us flexibility to, so we could spend as long or short a time as we wanted at different places, instead of being locked in with a group.

 

Thanks Aquarians too for the excellent advice you gave. That makes a lot of sense yet I wouldn't have been aware of the questions to ask!

We have used Pegasus twice before and plan to again at the end of the year. They are really great and do a cruise ship special . When you get off the port they have a man/woman with a sign who will show you to the shuttle( you may have a short wait if you miss it) and they take to do the paper work and then your on your way. At then end of the day they take you back to the port it is so easy. A tip for you would be to hire a GPS from them as well it was only and extra $NZ10 last time .:D

http://www.rentalcars.co.nz/tauranga-mt-maunganui/