hiworldtraveler

You folks always provide such valuable information at this site so I know you have some ideas for me on this situation.

I have friends who are booked on an Australia/New Zealand cruise in March 2016 with final payment due in December 2015. I believe EZ air and pre-cruise stay is also included in the plans. All booking was done through Princess. Unfortunately, the wife is strickened with cancer among other health issues and currently going through chemo so the trip needs to be cancelled.

The cruise was booked with FCC (which expires at the end of the year) and a lot OBC from veteran, missed ports, etc. What would be the best way for them to preserve their FCC & OBC? Cancel the trip or roll it over to another cruise? Their son and daughter-in-law are also part of the group, what would they lose since they are not sailing without the parents? What can they do to preserve their investment?

Looking forward to your suggestions.

The world sure does punish you for being alone! single supplements, higher train prices, I need to find more friends with time and money and no children at home -

I know the feeling. Every time I am in the same situation so in 2014 I decided to put out the additional money and travel solo. No regrets! I enjoyed the freedom & flexibility plus saved money with accommodations/meals because it just had to meet my standards. Traveling solo again this year, didn't even bother searching or asking for a travel partner.

Join the roll call for your sailing; I met a lot of nice CC people who I met up with for shipboard activities as well as on shore last year. Cruisers are a great, fun, bunch in general & it is easy to connect with people.

A Maitre'D listing is among the postings that are updated and reoccurring so everyone has an idea where these individuals are. Perhaps create a similar one for Head Waiters. Understandably there are many more HWs, especially on the larger ships; however, at least for those HWs that are in high demand (constantly asked for). Just a thought.

Once again Travelanni a big thank you for all of your advice, you are awesome!!

Hi Travelanni,

Something came up and I may need to change my original cruise date. Should I have to do that and my embarkation/disbarkation is on a Saturday or Sunday, what is the frequency of the trains between Berlin and Rostock/Warnemunde on weekends? In addition, what is the frequency between Rostock and Warnemunde?

Thanks.

Travelanni,

Once again, a big thank you!

Hi Travelanni,

Thank you for the quick response. One more question I forgot to include in the previous posting. What are the rules for luggage on the train? I am only traveling with a 4-wheel carry-on & a 25 inch 4-wheel suitcase. Since I am a solo traveler, I travel light. With a standard ticket, do I need to drop off my luggage at a particular area/baggage car or do I take the luggage on board with me next to my seat since there are no seat assignments?

Same here. I almost always get a response within an hour or so even if it's to tell me that she'll get back to me.

 

As for why I use a TA, there are several reasons why I use a TA: advance notice of sales, advance information when new itineraries are released, savings of 10-20% over Princess fares, OBC and other incentives, and finally, an advocate. I can't think of a single reason to book directly.

Pam, I agree with you. I had an excellent TA who was on the ball & always had everything in place plus was in constant communication with her clients. I never had to worrry about any last minute "surprises" with my itinerary. Unfortunately, a few years ago she lost her job due to the poor economy & didn't return to the industry. As a result, I have been looking for another great TA, but have not been successful & encountered the same issues that others have. It can be stressful when a TA doesn't return your call or knowing you can be missing deals because of the lack of response time.

Therefore, I have learned to do my own research using CC as well as other Internet searches to put together my own travel packages. It is very time consuming; however, in the end I do get exactly what I want, educated in the meantime, & cheaper than Princess. Yes, I am sure I am missing out on discounts that TAs have, but everyone I know does their own itinerary & CC does not permit exchanging of TA contact information.

Hi Travelanni,

I looked at your website and need some clarification to be sure that I purchase the correct tickets. I am embarking/disembarking in Warnemunde and staying in Berlin. I am a solo traveler and in an earlier posting you mentioned buying a standard ticket.

Would I purchase 1 Quer-Durchs-Land ticket (each way) at EUR 44 each way? Does this ticket include the connection between Rostock and Warnemunde or would I need to purchase another ticket for that segment? Just asking because the connection would take place during the time period (9am-3 am) allowed for the ticket.

Also, once I check-in at the ship, I plan to tour Rostock and then return to Warnemunde to tour. Will the Q-D-L ticket still be good since it is in the time alloted? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to double check that I am understanding what I need to do.

All your help is greatly appreciated!

I am booked on the Caribbean Princess sailing from Southhampton on Sep 5th, 2015. I need to get from London to Southhampton and understand there are limos available. I also hear that sometimes limos do not show up at the airport even though I have booked them in advance.

 

Can anyone advise me on how to book reliable transportation to Southhampton?

 

Many thanks

Cruiser25World

In September 2014, I stayed in London for 3-days (which I planned myself) prior to my cruise. I used this company to shuttle between London and Southampton with a stop at Stonehenge. Since I was never at Stonehenge, it worked out nicely. The shuttle picked me up at my hotel and there was only another couple with me. Although it was an early pick up, it was perfect because there wasn't much rush hour traffic and we arrived at Stonehenge before the large tour groups meaning we had the whole place virtually to ourselves for 2 hours! After that the driver took us to Southampton which was about 1 hour away, dropped us off right where they collect the luggage to board & then we were off to check-in. I would use the shuttle service again. At disembarkation, I used the Princess shuttle since I was going directly to the airport.

Here is the link, if you have any other questions or interested in some of the other activities which I did & booked prior to leaving home, please let me know & I will add it to this thread.

http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_from_london_shared_bus.html

I received a sticker last year during a European cruise; however, prior to that I didn't get any sticker in years and assumed it was just another thing that was discontinued. Never thought of asking the Captain Circle representative on board. I doubt that "rank" has anything to do with it either since I am an elite member.

Dear Anni,

Thank you again for the train station information. What a relief! I should have no problem in navigating those stairs with my luggage and walking to the ship. When you originally mentioned stairs at the station, I envisioned the Rome station waiting for a train to Civitavecchia and the number of stairs from street level to the platform. Lucky it was just a port of call and touring on my own with only a day bag. Older local folks were struggling with the stairs; definitely not friendly for those with mobility issues.

Once again, thank you for all the helpful information!

Hi Travelanni,

One more question... You mentioned that from Warnemunde hbf to P8 is only a 5 minute walk through a subway with steps. Does the subway have elevators or escalators? A 5-minute walk is not problem with luggage which has wheels; however, if there are only stairs, it may not be easy to carry a suitcase & a carry-on up and down.

Thanks for any clarification.

Aloha Travelanni,

Thank you for all your help! It is much appreciated!

I will be checking this thread periodically to continually keep informed.

hiworldtraveler, not only is the Princess transfer expensive but it is offered only on the afternoon of embarkation. We'd like to get up there either before noon Thursday so we can look around Warnemunde and possibly Schwerin, or the day before and spend the night. But Princess doesn't offer that option. Right now we're leaning toward taking the train up Wed afternoon and staying in a hotel in Warnemunde. We're arriving in Berlin Sunday so that would still give us 3 days in that city. The train is pretty cheap, 44 euro for 2 people, but you have to change trains in Rostock with luggage.

I have a June departure on a Monday so my plans are to take a 9 am train from Berlin hbf, arriving in Warnemunde via Rostock around 12 noon. Even though embarkation starts at 1 pm, may be I will hit it lucky and can board early, if not, I will eat my bag lunch (hotel provides the option) while I wait. Once I board it is a matter of dropping off my stuff in the room and then seeing the town with the possibility of sending a package home (Berlin shopping). At this time not planning to go back to Rostock, but things can change after more research. If I didn't have my suitcase, I would catch a really early train, tour Rostock and then later go to embarkation. Spending 4.5 days pre-cruise in Berlin since it is my first time there and possibly 1 day post-cruise. I want to do it at my own pace.

I went to the train link that bama boy shared in this posting and was able to find out more information with a time schedule. However, the ticket could only be purchased 3 months in advanced. For the stations, I entered Berlin hbf (central station) since it is next to my hotel and Warnemunde werft which is the station located next to the pier. At the time that I will be sailing, Regal Princess will be docked at P8 which is near the train station. Where the ship will dock I found out from another link on CC. There is a transfer of trains in Rostock. Since I selected a quick connection on the site, I had a 10 minute connection time. I still need to look at how large Rostock station is since it is a feeding point for many trains and this will determine how much connection time I will take into account with my luggage, finding the next track, check-in, etc.

Thanks for all your help!

hiworldtraveler

 

I have been researching the same transportation issue as you, ie, Berlin to the Port and then Warnemunde to Berlin. I don't think you'll find any mode of transportation more economical nor efficient than trains to/from Warnemunde. Look on www.bahn.de for the timetables and costs. There is also an app, DB Navigator for your tablet/phone. I think you'll find that on weekdays your best bet is travel after 9am on a Quer-Durchs-Land ticket which is E44. It will take you 3hrs 10min from the Berlin to Warnemunde with a change in Rostock. On your return you will have a similar connection and price. You can return to Berlin Hbf or, in 3hrs 45 minutes you could get to the airport. Of course you can use the Princess transfer to the airport for $100. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply Bama Boy. I contacted Princess and found out their $99/one way for a transfer expecting it would be high priced, but looking at all options available; besides, it is only to and from the airport, not central Berlin. I haven't had much success finding the time tables on the Internet for the German trains. I am looking at trains departing/returning to Berlin Hbf since my hotel is next door. The hotel was in a convenient location for all the things that I planned. I will check out the site and apps you provided. Thanks again for the information.

We received an email yesterday from Princess that says the boarding time in Warnemunde is 1-7pm. Not as early as I had hoped, but if we can drop our luggage in the morning that will help even if we don't check in until later.

Thanks Pompeii for the information since I didn't get the notice from Princess and still piecing together how I will get to Warnemunde by train. I phoned Princess and they only offer a direct shuttle only from the airport to Warnemunde at $99/one way which I find expensive. I know Princess is high priced, but thought I would ask out of curiousity. Whatever information I find out I will post here for you too.

Hi Anni,

I have been following this thread and didn’t see anyone asking for the same information I am looking for, forgive me if the question has been asked. I am staying in Berlin prior to my cruise at a hotel near the train station (Haupthauser hotel) and looking for transfer options between Berlin and Warnemunde where I will board a Princess ship at the end of June. Also, I will disembark 11 days later in Warnemunde and would need to return back to Berlin possibly for an overnight stay (still working on flight reservations). I looked at the train links you provided, but had a hard time searching the site for the time schedule or cost of a ticket. Times would determine whether I needed to stay overnight on my return or not.

Are there other options or is train the most efficient and cost effect way? I am traveling solo so don’t have the pleasure of sharing costs with others for a chartered bus or private taxi.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Other than my flight, the Berlin-Warnemunde-Berlin portion is the only piece not complete.

Hello Everyone,

I will be following this thread as I planned the same cruise with embarkation/debarkation in Warnemunde for the end of June and staying on my own in Berlin very near to the train station. I saw a thread with travelanni, but haven't had the chance to ask her about transfers. When I stayed in London, Princess was offering transfers from Victoria Coach Station to Southampton and visa versa. Does anyone know if Princess is offering the same for Berlin-Warnemunde since it is being offered as embarkation/disembarkation option? Could not find anything on their website (Victoria is not listed either.) Asked my TA to contact PC, but haven't heard from her in weeks.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Perhaps travelanni could join this thread?

All the ports have so much to visit, narrow down what you really want to see to avoid information overload.

For Athens, Acropolis is a site to see; however, no elevators, only stairs and uneven surfaces.

For Kusadasi, Ephesus is a site to see; better pathways with less stairs; however, still uneven surfaces.

For Naples, you have several choices of Capri, Pompeii, Tuscany, or the Amalfi Coast with Sorento.

For Rome, there is a lot to see so focus on what you visit.

For Florence, stick with Florence only, by adding Pisa it will be too rushed.

I have used Shore Excursion Group numerous times and pleased with the service. In all the tours that I have taken with this company, I have had never more than 12 people in my group regardless if it was a small group or standard tour. The company offers special combo packages too. You can book early for the combo packages and then if you change your mind, cancel 2 week prior. Read cancellation rules.

http://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/

There are Hop-on-Hop off buses or you can DIY in each port of call; however, that is a lot of work/research to do on your part to plan; I do this for myself now, but have been to those ports several times and know the layout and what I want to focus on. My humble recommendation would be to take tours to get aquainted with the cities as well as get the full experience; I did that several years ago when I first traveled Europe.

If in Barcelona you are planning to see La Sagrada Familia, no tour will do it justice with a 1 hour walk through. Instead purchase the tickets online prior to your cruise (make sure to get the tower & audio package) and take a taxi from the pier to the church and back. This way you can enjoy the structure, interior, exterior, basement & gift shop at your own pace. There is a lot to see. Allow 3 hours, I took 4.

http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/

For Venice, you can walk the town and just get lost, that is when you find the treasures, especially away from the tourist areas. A tour guide said there is no accurate map of Venice, that is true. Here is one tour that I really enjoyed, but you do a lot of walking and climbing stairs.

https://www.hiddenvenicetours.com/venice-tours/doges-palace-secret-itineraries-tour

Also, do not go to the bell tower in St. Mark's Square and waste your time in line and money. Instead, catch the vaparetto to San Giorgio Maggiore island across the "bay" for a better view, less cost, and no crowds. Plus the island is peaceful since tour groups don't go there.

Take a tour of Torcello, Murano, & Burano. Nice day tour.

Another way to save money is to buy a vaparetto pass for a day, two or three. You can go on and off contineously and much cheaper than purchasing a ticket for each ride. Plus it helps to ride when your feet get tired.

Mykonos is a walkable town, even if it may seem like a maze.

Unfortunately, the maps that Princess gives you on the ship are not helpful. Instead at the pier look for a tourist information desk, they always have free maps.

Any other questions, just ask.

We done Transatlantic from Southampton and then New York to Quebec on the Ruby last Sept/Oct.

We made Elite (through days not cruises), on the 2nd part of our trip.

 

I went to the launderette twice during the Transatlantic, no problem, but it was very welcome that we could use the washing perk on the 2nd cruise.

We never abused it, in fact our steward kept asking us everyday 'Why no bags?' we just felt that it was a privilege to be able to use it if we wanted too.

 

Reading this thread, it appears possibly, that no one has abused the perk, but apparently others do, I have no experience or evidence of that, but that's not to say that it goes on, so I can't comment about that.

It would seem to me that Princess need to be more vigilant about how much laundry is being sent/cabin, they know the figures as it appears on peoples accounts, if it seems that someone is abusing it, then Princess need to tackle the people concerned and ask why?....there may be a legitimate answer :rolleyes:

 

As usual on CC when a subject like this appears, you get the, "We want a Super Elite Status" brigade, that is not the answer to problems. Princess need to get to grips with abuse of perks and tackle them head on, if its happening!

Changing to days only may be one answer to slow down the numbers!

People using not abusing perks may be another!

 

For us, we are just happy to of reached the Elite status after 8 years, bearing in mind that it cost us a lot of money to get to Elite and as we are from the UK 100+ of those days involved air/hotel costs across the pond, but we don't mind that because we like Princess :)

We don't get the opportunity to get 2/3/4 or 5 days cruises in the Caribbean without air fare/hotel costs on top, short cruises in Europe are few a far between.

 

We are looking forward to our next cruise in January and yes we have to cross the pond, but we love it, San Fran here we come again, yes it is with Princess because we love it and yes we will be using the Laundry Perk...... sensibly ;)

 

"Carry On Cruising" :cool:

Well stated! I love traveling to Europe and airfare can be costly as well as the hotel plus I have to cross 2 ponds! :eek:

Hunky,

You have missed the point. It isn't whether we can afford to pay for the laundry, it the perk we earned by being Elite. This is a loyalty reward. We continue to cruise Princess because of our status. And of course we enjoy our cruises. However, I enjoy other cruise lines too but

when things are equal, I always chose Princess.

Even if I could take more luggage flying, I don't want the burden of dragging excess luggage through airports, hotels etc.We don't fly first class so wouldn't even have this option. We went from very large bags to lightweight 24inch suitcases to be able to handle ourselves.

I am an elite member and I agree with you. I have also downsized when I travel just like you have. Especially when traveling solo, it is easier to maneuver around. In addition, I am not willing to pay $100 to the airline for a second suitcase for traveling international just because I purchased a coach seat.

However, I do think something needs to be done to control the abuse. Obviously there is a log-in system to get your laundry back to you and "charged" to your account, so at that point the system should be set to red flag those individuals who are submitting a considerable amount of bags that go beyond the "normal" parameters set by PC. Whether you wear your clothes once or multiple times before sending to wash, there is no way an individual or couple can generate that much dirty laundry on a daily basis, even if you change twice a day in hot weather climates.

I think one bag per day is very reasonable. On the Royal last year, my steward told me that some of his passengers were sending out 5-7 bags a day, every day, in a variety of sizes. It's unfortunate but a reality that a few will ruin it for everyone else.

It sounds to me that some people are abusing the system by sending out the laundry from their non-elite member friends in different rooms under their account. During my 14-day cruise including a 3-day pre-cruise and 3-day post-cruise, I only needed to use the laundry service 3 times (one bag each time) during the cruise. I am a light packer traveling with one suitcase and "recycling" my outfits. I can't imagine how someone can have 5-7 bags a day, every day. Even a family with small children won't produce that much dirty laundry in a day!

If the abuse keeps up, then PC will either limit the number of times for free laundry or cut the benefit totally. As you mention Pam, it is sad a few will ruin it for the rest. :mad: