Has Anyone Ever Seen TA Ship Tours Taking Place?

[IMKTDQT810]

I love my TA and she is very informative about Carnival and will always get back to me with quick responses. She knows I am in-between booking Fantasy and Pride for a cruise next year. She has never been on Pride and JUST told me this morning that she will be taking a "Ship Tour and having Lunch" onboard Next Sunday- Aug 18th. She will be in the area for a family gathering and just signed up since she will only be 30 mins from the ship. She said it's from 10 to 3 or around that time..maybe a 10:30 start? I was just wondering...has anyone ever SEEN a group tour on a ship the morning you embark? I'm just curious as to what they get to tour and see. Plus if they eat lunch on board is it at MDR or Lido. Let me know what you've seen...I'm just being nosey.

[LittleJeanne]

I love my TA and she is very informative about Carnival and will always get back to me with quick responses. She knows I am in-between booking Fantasy and Pride for a cruise next year. She has never been on Pride and JUST told me this morning that she will be taking a "Ship Tour and having Lunch" onboard Next Sunday- Aug 18th. She will be in the area for a family gathering and just signed up since she will only be 30 mins from the ship. She said it's from 10 to 3 or around that time..maybe a 10:30 start? I was just wondering...has anyone ever SEEN a group tour on a ship the morning you embark? I'm just curious as to what they get to tour and see. Plus if they eat lunch on board is it at MDR or Lido. Let me know what you've seen...I'm just being nosey.

 

The 1st time I saw it was this spring when we were leaving out of Long Beach. There was a large group of TA's waiting near the doors and once they were done departing all the previous guests they took them inside the building. (You have to wait to board outside in LB). They got to go inside a gods 20-30 minutes before they started taking the wedding passengers and platinum guests. I did see some of them up in the Lido buffet area eating when we got up there. However, that's as much as I know. I have no idea what they got to see on their tour.

[okgirl]

I've seen it several times. It's a guided tour than takes them through all of the restaurants, lounges and public spaces. They get to look at a variety of cabins and they have lunch in the Lido.

 

They can't do any onboard charges and I've had a couple of guys pay me cash money to purchase them a beer.

[IMKTDQT810]

Kinda neat to know...thanks for the reply. When you think of it, it is VERY SMART of Carnival to do this. I'm sure all cruise lines do it, but just think of the knowledge the TA gets from walking around and then going back to tell their clients about the ship. I'm lucky that my TA is going on this one. I know it will benefit her MORE then just me, it will be an experience she can take to any client who wants to book on that ship. Very smart Carnival...very smart. I bet they offer them perks while on board also...never know.

[MrPete]

I love my TA and she is very informative about Carnival and will always get back to me with quick responses. She knows I am in-between booking Fantasy and Pride for a cruise next year. She has never been on Pride and JUST told me this morning that she will be taking a "Ship Tour and having Lunch" onboard Next Sunday- Aug 18th. She will be in the area for a family gathering and just signed up since she will only be 30 mins from the ship. She said it's from 10 to 3 or around that time..maybe a 10:30 start? I was just wondering...has anyone ever SEEN a group tour on a ship the morning you embark? I'm just curious as to what they get to tour and see. Plus if they eat lunch on board is it at MDR or Lido. Let me know what you've seen...I'm just being nosey.

 

I've been on one. A coworker had a friend that was a TA, and invited us to tour the Triumph when she came to town.

 

We walked right onto the ship without any ID, were escorted around the different areas, and then ended at the Lido restaurant, where we had lunch.

 

Felt kinda funny being on a ship without a room to go to, so when we were done lingering, we left.

 

And we cruised on her 2 months later.

[mrsdoc3]

Waiting to board Celebrity Solstice a couple of years ago, there was a large group getting a tour. I assumed they were travel agents, but I don't know for sure.

[BallFour4]

.

We've been aboard for the ship inspection at the invite of our travel agent for every Carnival and Royal Caribbean ship that has sailed from Galveston and three in Ft. Lauderdale. The best one was spending the night aboard the Magic on her first call. The most weird was the MSC Opera.

 

A close second was the 2 night cruise to nowhere aboard RCCL's Freedom of the Seas. Imagine open bars, no kids and no credit card put down to board.

 

They differ in tour length, and free time to walk around. Here's what we experience most. Upon boarding we are given a list of open cabins by class and a time when lunch is served in the main dining room. Usually a sales manager from the cruise line talks about what's new, what changes are planned, etc.

 

Carnival sent us on a scavenger hunt on the Magic, and as you visited each spot they stamped your "cruise passport." Once complete we exchanged it for a funnel shaped container with Carnival Magic Inaugural and the date.

 

Photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leeusry/sets/72157628129712752/

 

Most of the time we just walk aboard and are turned loose to look around the ship.

 

.

[RhondaC]

I've been on a few TA ship tours. They're great! Get a nice tour of the ship's highlights, then lunch in one of the dining rooms. My favorite one so far is the Oasis (RCCL)! Beautiful ship! But expensive. Lol

[Aplmac]

I've been on two TA tours

-and another one catering to a bunch of local hoteliers!

 

All three visits were to Royal Caribbean vessels.

 

 

The hoteliers tour went behind the scenes, into freezer rooms (above ^ )

 

 

-and the grunge dept. where all the cardboard boxes get flattened,

glass get shattered and then stored until disposal ashore etc.

 

It was very interesting!

We got to learn all about GreyWater and BlackWater (don't ask!)

 

 

All three times we did not eat in the MDR, but rather in Windjammer (Serenade of the Seas)

and another time(Mariner of the Seas) in their CHOPS Restaurant, which was very nice!

 

.

.

[True Texan]

That is how we got hooked on cruising. Our friend is a TA and he took us down to Galveston to tour the Conquest and have lunch. It was so hard leaving that ship at about 3:00. We booked a cruise the next week and the rest is history.

[sjcruiser]

On the Pride in March there was a group of agents from the DC, Philly, B'More and NYC areas. They were touring several areas of the ship when we were walking around, getting use to the ship, or noting the differences between the Pride and Miracle which we had sailed on the summer prior. When we decided to grab lunch at the Lido, they were sitting across from us jotting down notes, talking, eating, etc., and two of the ladies were scheduled to do a tour in NYC the following week.

[serene56]

We toured Crown when it was docked in Phila We needed all documents as if we were sailing on the ship. We were issued temporary sign and sail cards. We were given a list of available cabins we can go visit. We had lunch at the buffet.

we were able to tour the ship as we would if we were sailing that day. None of the non public access places were available.

 

From taking that tour we knew NCL will never fit us and I thank the person for the opportunity to try this.

[BallFour4]

From taking that tour we knew NCL will never fit us...

 

I'd really like to hear your opinions on this, and for selfish reasons. We live under an hour from Galveston and have cruised from there at my count 16 times. NCL is bringing the Jewel to the Bayport Terminal and that's about a 15 minute ride for us. I've never stepped foot on one of their ships and value your posts. I might not agree all the time, but the experience you had is important.

 

Sometime in the future I will figure out a way to talk with you or email and get your opinions.

 

Thanks,

 

lee

[fofita01]

It's a perk of Carnival shoreside employees to have lunch onboard the ship(s). You are allowed to bring 4 guests and can visit a ship every 3 months (at least that was the frequency when I was a PVP).

 

As employees we weren't escorted around, so we could venture off anywhere we wanted (public areas) and eat lunch on Lido.

 

That's one of the things I miss from working at CCL.

[Cnote]

I've done a few & never ate on the Lido, always in one of the dining rooms...We board the ship, get a map, get an itinerary which has the rooms open for us to view, we meet in 1 of the lounges for a 20-30 minute presentation, then we go to the forward dining room, eat lunch & leave

[shippmates]

We toured the Pride several years ago. It was great as we had a guided tour of the clubs, dining rooms, and the different types of room. Once the tour was complete we were served lunch in the main dining room. It sold us on the Pride. The only thing we did not like was we had to get off before the ship set sail. Can't wait we are on the Pride again in 3 weeks.

[Aplmac]

Just remembered another tour I did

it was Regent Seven Seas Voyager.

 

Decor was muted (dull) - Overall, I wasn't impressed.

Rich people's ship. Everything on that ship was 'free'.

Free alcohol, free tours ashore, free everything!

Of course it was all "free" when you pay $8,000 per person to cruise. :eek:

 

 

Their nice Versace-design dining room on board was probably the highlight of the tour

 

 

 

 

.

[serene56]

I'd really like to hear your opinions on this, and for selfish reasons. We live under an hour from Galveston and have cruised from there at my count 16 times. NCL is bringing the Jewel to the Bayport Terminal and that's about a 15 minute ride for us. I've never stepped foot on one of their ships and value your posts. I might not agree all the time, but the experience you had is important.

 

Sometime in the future I will figure out a way to talk with you or email and get your opinions.

 

Thanks,

 

lee

 

my email is serene56@aol.com

 

the Crown is a very old ship and I guess that touring that one ship kinda muddled my brain. I dont even look at pricing because of that tour.

 

We toured an inside cabin, a balcony, a oceanview and the suite.

 

the inside cabin-- wow was so tiny. if I stayed in there for an entire week I would have to leave the cabin to change my mind it was that small.

while we were in there a honeymooner couple came in-- it was their room. (poor kids- but its their first and have nothing to compare it too)

 

carnival inside cabin is 185 sq feet. I think the crown inside cabin was 114 sq feet.

I sailed with 5 of us to an inside cabin-- so i respect size--LOL

 

the mini suite was 265 sq feet (and came with a mini price tag.)

the penthouse-- was amazing.

 

I do see the Jewel has 143 sq feet for an inside cabin so the cabins got bigger over the years--

 

But I did get prejudiced with that first tour. sorry

[Rirruto]

I've been on one. A coworker had a friend that was a TA, and invited us to tour the Triumph when she came to town.

 

We walked right onto the ship without any ID, were escorted around the different areas, and then ended at the Lido restaurant, where we had lunch.

 

Felt kinda funny being on a ship without a room to go to, so when we were done lingering, we left.

 

And we cruised on her 2 months later.

That's got to be the biggest tease. Enjoying your Lido lunch while passengers are coming on board and you've got to get off. I'd be tempted to be a stowaway haha

[MrPete]

That's got to be the biggest tease. Enjoying your Lido lunch while passengers are coming on board and you've got to get off. I'd be tempted to be a stowaway haha

 

I'm kinda used to it.

 

I used to go to all the Bon Voyage parties in the 60's for my grandparents and parents. It was very reminicent of that.

[jakesnana]

.

We've been aboard for the ship inspection at the invite of our travel agent for every Carnival and Royal Caribbean ship that has sailed from Galveston and three in Ft. Lauderdale. The best one was spending the night aboard the Magic on her first call. The most weird was the MSC Opera.

 

A close second was the 2 night cruise to nowhere aboard RCCL's Freedom of the Seas. Imagine open bars, no kids and no credit card put down to board.

 

They differ in tour length, and free time to walk around. Here's what we experience most. Upon boarding we are given a list of open cabins by class and a time when lunch is served in the main dining room. Usually a sales manager from the cruise line talks about what's new, what changes are planned, etc.

 

Carnival sent us on a scavenger hunt on the Magic, and as you visited each spot they stamped your "cruise passport." Once complete we exchanged it for a funnel shaped container with Carnival Magic Inaugural and the date.

 

Photos here:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leeusry/sets/72157628129712752/

 

Most of the time we just walk aboard and are turned loose to look around the ship.

 

.

 

So you were with me as part of the craziness that was the 2 nt. cruise to nowhere on the Freedom of the Seas, when it first came out. OMG, that was totally over the top. You would have thought that the majority of those peole had never had a free drink before. I think RCCL learned their lesson on that sailing, as I don't think they've done one since that offered open bar for the duration of the cruise. It was kind of fun to watch the drunks try to do the Flowrider :)

 

I have done Ship Inspections on Carnival, RCCL, NCL, Princess, Holland America, Costa and MSC. On all of them, we have had lunch in the MDR, usually accompanied by bottomless bottles of wine. It is a great way to spend the afternoon, if it doesn't involve too much traveling, and I have taken clients on several of them (I live in FL). It works to get people hooked on cruising, as they have no concept of what to expect, until they actually experience a ship. Once they see how big and beautiful the ships are, they are usually ready to book :)

[True Texan]

 

I'd really like to hear your opinions on this, and for selfish reasons. We live under an hour from Galveston and have cruised from there at my count 16 times. NCL is bringing the Jewel to the Bayport Terminal and that's about a 15 minute ride for us. I've never stepped foot on one of their ships and value your posts. I might not agree all the time, but the experience you had is important.

 

Sometime in the future I will figure out a way to talk with you or email and get your opinions.

 

Thanks,

 

lee

 

We are booked for the Panama Cruise from LA to Houston (brings the Jewel to Houston for the first time) in Sept of 2014. We also have never stepped foot on a NCL ship but the price was right expecially not having to fly home. The Panama Canal is on our bucket list so we are going for it.

[IMKTDQT810]

Thank you all so much for in the info (and Pics). You would think that more lines would offer ship tours to anyone who was interested in seeing them prior to sailing. I guess it would be too much work though for just "anyone" out side of a TA capacity to go on their own. Too much security involved and prolly a headache for the cruise lines also. Thanks for all the info though, I'll pass it along to my TA.

[MCC retired]

Been on many of these TA tours when I was a TA.

Generally occur when a ship is new , new to a departure port or returning to a departure port seasonaly.

Usually a guided tour , sales talk & luncheon w/wine in the MDR . Usually time left to tour on your own before the "all guests ashore " announcement.

Having toured a ship is invaluable info when qualifying a clients questions .

Also , these tours are a must do on the way to earning CLIA Certification as a Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) .

Sometimes TA's are invited to bring along their potential "group leaders ".

[teetee6263]

Thank you all so much for in the info (and Pics). You would think that more lines would offer ship tours to anyone who was interested in seeing them prior to sailing. I guess it would be too much work though for just "anyone" out side of a TA capacity to go on their own. Too much security involved and prolly a headache for the cruise lines also. Thanks for all the info though, I'll pass it along to my TA.

 

Princess does this on select sailings, its called Bon Voyage Experience. Its $39 pp & includes priority embarkation, a guided ship tour (we just toured on our own & never saw guided tour), a souvenir photo and a four-course lunch (wine included) in one of the beautiful dining rooms. You also receive a $39 Future Cruise Credit to be used as a discount on their next Princess cruise. My DM & DD did it when I was sailing & really enjoyed it but of course hated when it was time to leave. I know at one point this had to be done with a sailing guest, but now its open to anyone.

 

TeeTee