travelin_nat

We are leaving on the Allure on Sunday. There is a change that my husband will have to stay home. If this happens, am I better to just show up without him, or try to cancel his portion? Not sure if he cancels, if my price will go up at the last minute. Thanks for your help!

Not sure which is better, but if he cancels, you will still have to pay for him. Could you bring someone else with you? Not sure how late you can switch out passengers. Someone else will know.

Just ordered 2 from Amazon - $45 each.

I always get excited seeing the ship when we drive up - pure adrenaline rush.

Once we are on board, we head to the WJ for lunch, then find a table by the windows on the pool deck and order the drink of the day. Although I've just learned about the so popular Miami Vice - will have to give that one a try. Next we head to our cabin to drop off our carry-ons.

Is it time to go yet???

I'll add that on our most recent river cruise, we tipped the tour guides and drivers the suggested amount with one exception. We had one tour guide that we enjoyed immensely and he stood out among his peers. Several people were handing him big bills, and he was quite surprised and obviously appreciative.

Suggested tips are usually pp. At the end of the day, the amount you give, if any, is totally up to you. I wouldn't suggest not tipping at all, but if you are asking about tips above and beyond what you are already paying, do what feels right to you.

It was the end of RCCL when they ended the mints on the pillows. Come on people be happy your on vacation. I own a business and you either make a few cuts or you raise the prices. The masses would rather take a few cuts then the prices sky rocket. RCCL does a great job of trying to keep everyone happy and I for one love RCCL. If the Filet is gone than I will order something else. If the raise the prices in Specialty Restaurants then I will either pay it or go to the main DR. RCCL has to do what they think is best for the company and the stock holders.

 

I just can't fathom while people complain about such trivial things. Enjoy your vacation people and don't sweat the small things...

Bingo! Many people, myself included, keep watching for price drops or an opp'y to snag an upgrade cheap or free. You can't have top quality with rock bottom pricing. I know they are not the cheapest, but you get the point...

Thank you for the information. So glad to hear water level is good in Basel. We will be on the Viking Kara on Nov. 13th from Basel. You mentioned that you were headed out for a tour of Basel - is that included or are you doing it on your own? We did not get any information about a tour. I'd love to do that too. Thanks, Jan

It's my understanding they offer a walking tour at 1:00 and 3:00 on departure day. Maybe someone else can confirm.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why people feel the need to be nasty in their reply. If I were OP, I would be hoping for the same, fully aware of all the "contract" stuff.

I would call back and request to speak to a supervisor, or call C&A like someone else suggested. Be as nice as you possibly can. If they still won't budge, at least you know you gave it your best shot. If they won't give you what you are looking for, consider letting the deposit go and booking on a line where you were given goodwill treatment - reward them for their good practices.

Would love to hear details of your river cruise, especially since you loved it so much. Thanks in advance:)

We sailed on Viking on the Tialfi. We started in Basel and cruised to Amsterdam. We had the red carpet treatment from the moment we stepped out of the airport until the Viking crew made sure we connected with the cab they arranged for us at the end of the cruise (we did a 2-day extension in Amsterdam on our own as opposed to through the cruise line - cheaper that way). The ship only holds 190 passengers and 50 crew members. It was a very port intensive cruise, with guided walking tours included in every port. Some ports we paid for additional tours. In addition to the tours, the cruise fare also includes beer and wine with lunch and dinner. We also got a tour of the bridge and the galley.

I can't say enough wonderful things about the crew. They are all so friendly, they anticipate your every need, and they just want to make sure you are having a good time. With such a small crew, it's easy to get to know most of them. They all pitch in and help out, too. We saw the cruise director and the head chef carrying off luggage at the end of the cruise.

If you have some time to do some reading, here is a link to a review by someone who took this cruise in August: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2403595

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

I concur it is what you make it, and all about your attitude. I'd rather suck it up and stay in an interior room than not cruise at all. We just got off a river cruise and that room was TINY - 135 sf, but it was the best cruise we have taken by far. We only slept, showered and changed in the room. If we had to pay for a big room with a nice balcony, we couldn't have afforded the trip. :)

I did that once. We were in a balcony and was able to up grade to a Grand Suite. DH husband loved it but we can never go back now :eek:

That's my biggest fear. ;) Although we did recently take a river cruise and managed to survive in a 135 square foot cabin. :eek:

I'm looking forward to my DH's reaction when he realizes I upgraded our room. Fingers crossed I can upgrade again for little or no money - ship still has a LOT of unsold cabins and we are just a little over a month away. And looking forward to being in the water. I would live at the beach if I could. :D

Same here - no cancellation fee. I just upgraded our room for our cruise in December. We are after final payment. I just paid the difference between the current rate for the upgraded room and what I paid for my original room.

For those of you that got the upgrades "free" or for a steal, was it based on pricing published on the website, or were you able to negotiate something better?

You're welcome. We really like Junior Suites for the larger room and balcony, tub with shower and the double cruise points. But unfortunately, they don't provide access to the suite lounge. :)

What's kind of funny is we just got off a Viking cruise where our room was 135 sf, and we managed just fine. However, we were literally only in the room to sleep, shower and change. We did love the bathroom - heated floors and a much bigger shower than RCI.

On this trip, I'm looking forward to just hanging out in our room for a while, and would love a balcony. If I'm going to spend the money on the balcony, the JS is not that much more.

Grand Suite or above.

Thank you

Are the free drinks in the lounge for all suite guests, or just a certain level of suite? We are considering an upgrade to a JS, so just curious...

We were in the same situation ans you are, a several weeks ago. We upgraded to a Jr Suite 10 days ago FOR $2.00. You read that right.. Wait a little longer.. I'm sure the prices will go down for your cruise as well... :p

Dang! I can't see your signature on my phone - when are you sailing? Was that going from OV to JS, or did you have a balcony booked?

I had an aft balcony on Enchantment before. If you could somehow score one of those, that's a deal. Had to be one of the best and deepest balconies in that price point. Enchantment is a nice ship that has had some relatively recent improvements. Enjoy yourself. The crew there really seems to be better than most.

Good to hear about the staff! We scored an aft balcony on the Liberty next summer - looking forward to it!

Best I can tell they have about 16 JS's still available. I'm betting price goes down a little. Going to wait a week or so.

I think priority boarding, larger cabin, with tub and a balcony is well worth $500! Maybe, it's just me!

Apparently I can't add or subtract. It's actually only $330 more. Just may need to surprise the hubby and treat ourselves....

Thank you both. I think I'll pass and spend the money on the alcohol package. ;)

We are currently booked in a Lg OV for a 3-night cruise on Enchantment. I can upgrade to a JS for about $500. I'm having a hard time finding out what added benefits you get for a JS. Trying to decide if it's worth it, and if we would spend enough time in the room on such a short cruise with long port days. What else do you get with a JS besides lots of extra space, a tub, and a balcony? TIA!

In April we sailed from Port Everglades but flew home from Miami. We did a one way car rental picking it up at FLL and returning it to MIA. We had a late afternoon flight and spent the morning at the outlet mall. The retail was cheaper than a shuttle or taxi would have been

 

 

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We're going to do the same thing. We sail in to Miami and fly out of FLL. Just checked and a car for the day will be about $40. This will allow us to sneak in a little more beach time before we have to head home.

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