Dealbreakers for booking a cruise

[deladypilot]

As we have begun to look at other lines for some future cruising the only lines that we will not go on are the one that only have traditional dining and require everyone to be real fancy at dinner. I dont mind putting on a nice pair of slacks or even a dress 1 night but im on vacation, the last thing I want to do is get all dressed up.

 

The only thing else that would be a strike for us is a ship that had no live music to listen to in the evening. We truly enjoy having a glass of wine and listening to music

 

Im about to give the Mega ship thing a try but I have to say, in the back of my mind I already know that I love the smaller ships better. I guess I can't knock it til I try it though

[Sea Hag]

Dealbreakers or near dealbreakers for me are:

 

1. liberal smoking policy
   
2. non-refundable deposits - I don't book and cancel, but I want that option
   
3. No decent, wrap-around promenade deck - this one's really a deal breaker for me since my favorite part of cruising is all those laps around the promenade deck
   

[GUT2407]

price is the big deal breaker for me.

 

But no matter how cheep it must be a line I enjoy sailing with.

 

But no matter how much I like a line if price gets too high, they will loose me.

[Flamencacha]

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Edited August 1, 2016 by Flamencacha

[Markanddonna]

For those of you who love a wrap around promendade deck and it is a deal breaker to not have that on your chosen saiing, be aware that on our last sailing that the bow was turned into the "dog potty area" and closed off to foot traffic. So, folks had to turn around and head in the other direction. One of the three dogs was "legit" and the other two were dressed up foo foo dogs.

[flyingv4me]

I have two:

 

1. VERY large groups. I will cancel if I find out there is too large a group on board. When 1/4 or more of the ship is reserved for any group, I'm canceling.

 

2. Liberal smoking. I love my clean air! :)

[VennDiagram]

Our dealbreakers are large groups, and not being guaranteed that we can have late traditional dining.

[AZ Ocean Lover]

There were four of us that had booked a cruise only to find out they did not have Anytime Dining, only assigned seating. We could have easily selected a table for 4 so it wasn't the fact that we would be sitting with strangers but the deal breaker was that there were two seatings 5:30 and 8:00. One was way too early and one was way too late.

 

We did end up cancelling and booking another cruise.

[Flamencacha]

My deal breaker, is not being able to afford better than interior cabin.

 

And no lower decks.

 

Prefer Traditional to anytime. But if I can't have a window, preferably a balcony, paying double as a solo I PASS

 

I

 

 

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[Sequim88]

Deal breaker is not being able to book a wheelchair accessible cabin. These book up so fast we have to book a year or more out. Especially for one-off itineraries like transatlantics.

[CELTICGIRLCRUISER]

Biggest deal breakers for me are

 

1. Balcony smoking

2. Anything on the "party line"

3. Sailing whilst the schools are on vacation

[MrsPete]

I'll throw out a couple new ones:

 

We have to be able to drive to the port city. Driving is a massive savings.

 

We'll never sail on a holiday again. The ship sailed at more than 100% capacity (which means they had 2 people in every room ... plus more, including many children). The price was high, the ship was crowded, and we were seated in a side dining room instead of the main room. Yes, we enjoyed the cruise, but the crowds were an issue.

 

We'll never sail if we can't have My Time Dining, Any Time Dining, or whatever the particular line calls it.

 

As for rooms, it has to be what I'd consider a good value. I can't put a number on it because it'd depend upon time of year, category, length of cruise -- but I won't splurge on price. Not when cruises are a dime a dozen and good prices are available elsewhere.

[Flamencacha]

I'll throw out a couple new ones:

 

We have to be able to drive to the port city. Driving is a massive savings.

 

We'll never sail on a holiday again. The ship sailed at more than 100% capacity (which means they had 2 people in every room ... plus more, including many children). The price was high, the ship was crowded, and we were seated in a side dining room instead of the main room. Yes, we enjoyed the cruise, but the crowds were an issue.

 

We'll never sail if we can't have My Time Dining, Any Time Dining, or whatever the particular line calls it.

 

As for rooms, it has to be what I'd consider a good value. I can't put a number on it because it'd depend upon time of year, category, length of cruise -- but I won't splurge on price. Not when cruises are a dime a dozen and good prices are available elsewhere.

 

 

 

MrsPete,

 

What line were you on at over 100% capacity?

 

 

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[Honolulu Blue]

What line were you on at over 100% capacity?

 

I think that most ships on most lines sail at over 100% of capacity most of the time. The vast majority of cabins are sold beforehand, there are relatively few solo cruisers, there can be lots of kids, and there are a fair number of cabins that are rated for more than two people.

[Flamencacha]

I think that most ships on most lines sail at over 100% of capacity most of the time. The vast majority of cabins are sold beforehand, there are relatively few solo cruisers, there can be lots of kids, and there are a fair number of cabins that are rated for more than two people.

 

 

 

Ok, I understand they cruise sold out. Been on a few. But over capacity, means over the max Capacity of the ship. Maybe that's what the poster meant at max capacity.

 

 

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[calliopecruiser]

Ok, I understand they cruise sold out. Been on a few. But over capacity, means over the max Capacity of the ship. Maybe that's what the poster meant at max capacity.

 

 

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"Capacity" is figured at 2 people per cabin, even if some cabins have been designated to carry more. So a ship can be sold out but under capacity (if there are a lot of solos), or be sold out and over capacity (because some cabins have more than 2 people in them). That poster didn't say "max", she said over 100%....to me, that's over 100% of "capacity".

[Flamencacha]

"Capacity" is figured at 2 people per cabin, even if some cabins have been designated to carry more. So a ship can be sold out but under capacity (if there are a lot of solos), or be sold out and over capacity (because some cabins have more than 2 people in them). That poster didn't say "max", she said over 100%....to me, that's over 100% of "capacity".

 

 

 

Of normal capacity. Max is the actual amount of sleeping spots. Including sofa beds. I am sure there were tons of 3 and 4 in a cabin. I was shocked when she said over capacity. It's just a play on terms.

 

Thanks

 

 

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[MrsPete]

MrsPete,

 

What line were you on at over 100% capacity?

 

 

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Royal.

 

You have to understand what "over 100% capacity" means -- and a number of other posters are on the right track: Most staterooms are expected to house two people; if every room contained exactly two people, the ship would sail at 100% capacity. If 3rd and 4th guests sleep in some rooms, they make the ship "over 100% capacity". On a typical cruise you'll have a few empty rooms, a few solo cruisers and some rooms with 3rd and 4th guests, so they typically sail very close to 100% capacity.

 

When you're talking about holiday weeks, you're more likely to fall into an "over 100%" situation. It did have a negative effect on our cruise, but we're fast learners and have avoided holidays since.

 

Where'd I get this terminology? From the Dining Room Manager (correct title?). When we boarded, we went into the MDR looking for our table, and we couldn't find it. When we asked for help, we were shown to a small side room. We immediately said that we didn't like being seated in that second-rate area, and the Manager was called in ... and he explained that we couldn't be moved because of the "over 100% capacity" situation.

 

We were not pleased. We made the reservation literally the day the dates opened, and we ended up being seated at what felt like the kids' table. However, before our next cruise My Time Dining came into existence, and we decided we never wanted Traditional again anyway. But I digress.

Edited August 2, 2016 by MrsPete

[Flamencacha]

Royal.

 

 

 

You have to understand what "over 100% capacity" means -- and a number of other posters are on the right track: Most staterooms are expected to house two people; if every room contained exactly two people, the ship would sail at 100% capacity. If 3rd and 4th guests sleep in some rooms, they make the ship "over 100% capacity". On a typical cruise you'll have a few empty rooms, a few solo cruisers and some rooms with 3rd and 4th guests, so they typically sail very close to 100% capacity.

 

 

 

When you're talking about holiday weeks, you're more likely to fall into an "over 100%" situation. It did have a negative effect on our cruise, but we're fast learners and have avoided holidays since.

 

 

 

Where'd I get this terminology? From the Dining Room Manager (correct title?). When we boarded, we went into the MDR looking for our table, and we couldn't find it. When we asked for help, we were shown to a small side room. We immediately said that we didn't like being seated in that second-rate area, and the Manager was called in ... and he explained that we couldn't be moved because of the "over 100% capacity" situation.

 

 

 

We were not pleased. We made the reservation literally the day the dates opened, and we ended up being seated at what felt like the kids' table. However, before our next cruise My Time Dining came into existence, and we decided we never wanted Traditional again anyway. But I digress.

 

 

Thank you Mrspete. I would have been upset also. That's why I asked. Also I am doing my first Holiday cruise this year on X. I love Traditional Dining, but if I get placed in the kiddie section( that's what I would call it too) I will be very angry. Hopefully as a SOLO they will squeeze me somewhere.

 

Thank you for sharing.

 

 

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[Piggeldy]

For us I think it would be

 

- ship wide smoking

- a bad (for us) value for money

- nude / swinger cruise

- bathtubs (DH has mobility limitations, we could handle a bathtub but really don't want to)

- having to go through our current TA again

- traditional (shared) late dining only

 

I think if the price and itinerary were right, we could come to terms with a lot (I even did late dining at a shared table because the price was amazing) but if I could avoid it...

[tbmrt]

I wouldn't call these dealbreakers, but some annoyances are:

 

-Bad smoking policy....Cruised on the Equinox twice...loved the ship and service, but could not deal with walking through areas set aside for smokers on the track! Also dislike having to walk through or out of our way to circumvent a smoky casino. Thankfully, we've never encountered neighbors smoking on their balcony...That would really be awful and we'd surely complain.

 

-Crowded holiday or spring break cruisers.

 

-Cruising when children are out of school.

 

Prefer cruising from ports in FL where we live...So much easier and less expensive than flying to other ports.

 

This year we decided to do something different and will be cruising on the Oasis, our first huge ship, and also a Windstar ship with just 300 people. These will be different from our usual cruising style. Not booking anything for 2017 yet in case we want to do one of these size ships again next year.

[flyingv4me]

I wouldn't call these dealbreakers, but some annoyances are:

 

-Bad smoking policy....Cruised on the Equinox twice...loved the ship and service, but could not deal with walking through areas set aside for smokers on the track! Also dislike having to walk through or out of our way to circumvent a smoky casino. Thankfully, we've never encountered neighbors smoking on their balcony...That would really be awful and we'd surely complain.

 

-Crowded holiday or spring break cruisers.

 

-Cruising when children are out of school.

 

Prefer cruising from ports in FL where we live...So much easier and less expensive than flying to other ports.

 

This year we decided to do something different and will be cruising on the Oasis, our first huge ship, and also a Windstar ship with just 300 people. These will be different from our usual cruising style. Not booking anything for 2017 yet in case we want to do one of these size ships again next year.

 

When did you cruise on the Equinox? Admittedly I've only been sailing since 2012, but Celebrity has had no indoor smoking (or on verandas) since I've been cruising. Thanks! Edit: I see you cruised Equinox in 2014 and 2015. There shouldn't have been any indoor smoking, including the casino. I'm confused.

Edited August 3, 2016 by flyingv4me

[tbmrt]

When did you cruise on the Equinox? Admittedly I've only been sailing since 2012, but Celebrity has had no indoor smoking (or on verandas) since I've been cruising. Thanks! Edit: I see you cruised Equinox in 2014 and 2015. There shouldn't have been any indoor smoking, including the casino. I'm confused.

 

With the Equinox the smoking issue pertained to two spots along the "jogging" track only. The other comments about smoking in casino and on balconies pertained to other ships.

 

Sorry for the confusion.

[flyingv4me]

Gotcha. Thanks! :)

[Flamencacha]

With the Equinox the smoking issue pertained to two spots along the "jogging" track only. The other comments about smoking in casino and on balconies pertained to other ships.

 

 

 

Sorry for the confusion.

 

 

 

Thats ok, It does apply on the EQUINOX you could smell the smoke in the hall way from the Veranda Cabins.

 

They just pay the cleaning fee. I don't go on a cruise to police anyone. As long as I don't smell it in my cabin.

 

 

 

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