SadmanCruiser

Hibachi was not included on the Harmony October 2016

$30 credit for Izumi was.

Pete

Been on both ships and agree with previous posters that the Oasis is the better ship.

Food on both ships is similar but, in my opinion, Getaway has better speciality restaurants.

There does seem to be more for kids on the Oasis and the open upper decks on Oasis have a better layout.

We have been on Oasis and Harmony and had a central park balcony on both.

Pete

It was offered on the Vision Suez cruise in November 2016

My barman mentioned it but as I was only drinking Blue Moon it was not worth it to me. The cost was $79, including tip, and was available for the last 5 days of a 16 night cruise.

I saw no advertising anywhere for the card.

Pete

Was the concierge lounge very busy in the evenings? What did they have in there???

On the 7 night Adriatic, the CL was never busy. Usual snack offerings with some hot snacks.

It was busier during the 16 night Suez cruise but it was expanded into the front section of the VCL so I never had a problem finding a seat or getting a drink.

Pete

Is there any aerial show at the Atrium?

The set up is all there but we did not get a show on either cruise.

Pete

Park Café was very good. All of the usual foods available - ham and egg muffins in the morning and roast beef sandwich in the afternoon.

Plenty of ready made salads and sandwiches and the 'make your own' salad at lunchtime.

Park café was also available for a late night snack.

Just done 23 nights on the Vision and enjoyed every minute!

The ship is small and showing her age here and there but I would sail on her again tomorrow if the wife would let me :)

Chops, Giovanni's and Izumi were never really busy, the food and service was excellent, MDR was a little hit and miss on the food side and service was a little slow but the staff tried their best to please.

There were two production shows which were only OK. The Broadway tunes was not to my taste and the Boogie Wonderland was let down a little by the quality of the singers.

Cabin and bed were fine - had an inside for 7 nights and a JS for 16. Stateroom attendant in the JS was first class.

Never had a problem finding a barman or getting a drink - a bit of green with the sea-pass card goes a long way! Service in the DL and the CL was very good and the Diamond Concierge is one of the best out there.

Personally, I had more issues on Harmony in October than the Vision in November/December and would book a smaller ship over the big ones anytime.

Pete

On the crossing a beer was just over $7, a rum and coke $9 and a Jack and coke was $10

Prices include 18%

If you wanted a can rather than mix it was just over $3 extra

Pete.

I use the free version of tunnel bear

Pete

On our last trip to New York we stayed in Long Island City. The hotels are a lot better value and it is 10 minutes on the metro into Manhattan.

We bought a 7 day metro pass for $31 per person and went everywhere.

Pete

You can drink your wine anywhere, anytime.

We always ask the stateroom attendant to make sure the ice bucket in the room is always full - never had a problem keeping the wine chilled.

Pete.

Just for fun I have been trying to figure out Royal's pricing structure. Below are the price changes on the Harmony Transatlantic October 2016.

The prices are for a C2 Central Park Balcony, which we have booked - enjoyed the C2 on Oasis.

We booked on day of release at $999 per person less the C&A $350 balcony discount plus $111 taxes and fees.

In June 2015 we took advantage of the 30 for 30 sale, the base price went up to £1221 per person with the discounts reducing it to $840 p.p. again we received the $350 C&A balcony discount plus $111 taxes and fees.

2015‑03‑18 $999

2015‑03‑19 $1,019

2015‑04‑28 $1,069

2015‑05‑18 $1,135

2015‑06‑02 $840

2015‑06‑04 $871

2015‑06‑05 $854

2015‑06‑12 $871

2015‑07‑27 $1,516

2015‑08‑04 $1,566

2015‑08‑06 $1,590

2015‑08‑11 $1,615

2015‑08‑17 $1,798

2015‑11‑10 $2,499

2016‑02‑01 $2,677

2016‑02‑08 $2,652

2016‑02‑15 $2,677

2016‑02‑16 $3,825

2016‑04‑03 $2,677

2016‑04‑04 $2,390

2016‑05‑01 $2,868

2016‑05‑02 $2,677

2016‑05‑15 $2,706

2016‑06‑06 $2,776

2016‑06‑17 $2,736

2016‑07‑28 $2,925

2016‑08‑03 $2,975

2016‑08‑10 $2,776

It surprised me to see the difference between the lowest and highest prices and does show that on this particular cruise, booking early really has paid off.

Final payment date has now passed and it will be interesting to see if any prices drop from the very high prices currently, I will be watching.

Don't know about the Voyager, but on the Independence in May the only smokes they had behind the bar were Malboro Reds at $4.50 plus 18%

Pete.

Thanks, thanks & thanks.

Travelling on the Harmony of the Seas in October - does anyone know which speciality restaurants can or cannot be used with the buy one get one free benefit?

Thanks

Pete

Hi. If I buy the SDP, how does it actually work in practice? Can I order anything at all of the menu or is there a limit to what I can order within the scope of the package?

 

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

Greetings from a near neighbour.

I did the 8 night sdp on the Spirit recently. Had no problems with extra starters but if you want a second entrée there was a $10 charge.

I paid around $145 for the sdp and when I added up the receipts, which were all zeroed out, the a la carte cost would have been $286.

The T-bone in Cagney's was superb, and I really enjoyed La Bistro, the Italian and Tepenyakki.

Pete

I would just take a taxi. There are always plenty available - no hunting around for a private transfer.

Pete

I presume you've never had a problem booking with a US TA while being based in the UK ?

We are quite lucky, out TA is also a very good friend and we have never encountered any problems. She has booked about 25 out of the last 30 cruises we have done.

Pete

Over the last few days I have booked several cruises. All have been booked using future cruise certificates.

Booking 1 Transatlantic April 2017 booked directly with cruise line in the UK.

I knew exactly the cruise I was going to book including cabin category and location. The cruise was booked under the BOGHO all-inclusive sale. After spending 75 minutes on the phone and receiving 4 different invoices, (which were all wrong) I ended the call. An email was then sent to the corporate office to discuss this booking. Two further emails with corporate and after receiving a call from them my booking was completed correctly.

Many thanks to Laly and Nelson.

Booking 2 Back to Back Caribbean August 2017 booked with a 'Big Box' agency.

Again I knew the cruises and cabin required. Very helpful agent, she asked me if I had any vouchers or certificates and even offered a small senior discount. 20 minutes on the phone and same cabin booked for both cruises. Very good service and $300 cheaper than booking direct with the cruise line.

Booking 3 Transatlantic October 2017 booked by my US agent.

Less than 2 minutes to type and send an email and 30 later an invoice is in my inbox!

Booking 3 shows why I use an agent for the majority of my bookings and only book myself when there are decent savings booking by other ways.

Pete.

OBC per stateroom – would I only get 75% of the offer;

 

D+ balcony discount – again would I only get 75% of the discount;

 

Future C&A points – would I still get double C&A points (3 for suite).

 

 

I have done a few solo (when the Wife lets me :) ) and have received full OBC and full balcony discount.

I have struggled sometimes to get the 150% solo rate.

The Rhapsody crossing in April 2017 that I booked at the weekend was cheaper for 2 than 1 - it's all in the BOGHO sale pricing

Pete

You will have more than enough time.

I travelled into Barcelona last month. I left my room at 8am, got off the ship and into a taxi, travelled to the airport and cleared security at 8.55am

Pete

Thank-you, so the two days is same as before, but the $40 seems to be less than before.

On our pre voom cruise in April the D+ discount was $80 which gave the last 4 days free using coupon. Now the daily rate for the whole cruise is $9.99, still get 4 free days at the end of a cruise.

Pete

Currently on the Independence and was going to book the Legend for May 2017.

FCC says it's unavailable and on checking websites (UK and US) all of the itineraries for April, May and June have disappeared.

Spoke to LA and she has no idea why.

Anyone know what's happening with the Legend?

Pete

We are currently on the Independence. Jacki, the diamond concierge tells us there will be 1100 d, d+ & p on the crossing. She will have an assistant and all d and up members will have DL, viking crown lounge and pyramid lounge for drinks and snacks.

Pete.

We are sailing on Jade for 19 days from 2nd May. I have just been looking through the NCL site and found out that if I had booked now, we would have paid £1000 ($1450ish) less! I am now thinking that I could have had another cruise with that. It will teach me not to be so curious in future..:(

Don't forget, as it is less than 30 days, no free at sea promotion.

If you took the drinks package, 19 days at $79 per day is a lot more than the cheap last minute fares.

Pete