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Meka3256

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  1. Interesting reaction. Gaslighting is telling someone their feelings are invalid, inaccurate, often accompanied by being critical of the fact they have them. You being hurt as a result of my words is not gaslighting - me telling you you can't be hurt would be gaslighting. It was actually you and ask mom brought unnecessary negativity - the original question was basically someone saying they were feeling worried about tipping. You can reassure that it's nothing to be worried about, without being critical aka 'surprised' that they would have these worries. I'm not really looking to start a 'fight' however in this case I wanted the OP (and others who may be browsing) to know that they can ask questions around things they are worrying about, and some people will answer kindly. BTW I'm from the north, and didn't discover tipping as a consistent practice until I moved to London.
  2. @John Bull and @mom says Is there any need to be critical about fears the OP has? They have stated they are new to cruising, and as a Brit, tipping culture is not really engrained, especially if you live in the North. There is a way to reassure, and provide information whilst not gaslighting someone's feelings.
  3. Fred Olsen and Ambassador go from regional ports. Hull and Newcastle may also be options you want to look at. Tips - it depends on the cruise line. All of them you can add to your onboard account. Some though give you envelopes where you can give cash - Disney is one example of this. Some people also just prefer to hand cash to certain people. Pretty much all lines will have suggested gratuities. So you can limit anxiety and just pay what they suggest. I tend to do that as I don't want to take anything from the invisible staff.
  4. Thanks a lot for posting You original estimate re timing was also very accurate! Do you predict lotto numbers too?
  5. Hotels will often have day rates. It's not advertised on their website, but if you contact them directly you can book a room for a day.
  6. My unpopular opinions: I like technology onboard. I like seeing everything on my phone, and would prefer to book everything through it. Plus as a way to order food and drinks. Wifi on ships is not that bad. It should be better. However it's not as terrible as some make out. Entertainment is good, but nothing I've seen rivals Broadway or the West End. That's fine as I'm not paying those prices. Some cruise lines though should stop making those comparisons. I like entrichment talks, but wish the subjects were overhauled. I'm not interested in WW2, weapons, or ships Staff onboard are friendly and providing good customer service. They don't actually care that much about who you are, and definitely aren't interested in a present from your home town. The worst thing about cruises are the handful of obnoxious people who think they're better than everyone. Type of cabin is itinerary dependent. Always sticking to one type of cabin doesn't make sense to me. Spending time in your cabin watching TV is a perfectly acceptable way to spend your holiday. Loyalty programme's are pretty much pointless. You should be able to pay for priority embarkation, like at an airport Disembarking times should be possible to prebook before a cruise.
  7. Has there been any indication when Ambassador will release their full programme for 2024? Currently sailings for the 1st quarter of the year are available, but has anyone come across anything that states when the summer itineraries will be released? TIA
  8. Thanks all for the note about Cunard. I'll wait and see what their 2024 itinerary produces - good to know that it does still happen - or at least it will in 2023
  9. Pre-covid I was sure there were Christmas cruises that docked in Auckland for the new year fireworks. I have had a look over the last couple of weeks, including the Celebrity 2024/25 programme released this week, and there seem to be no such itineraries. Am I just looking at the wrong companies, or have they just all stopped that feature of the itinerary? Does anyone still do it?
  10. I found Jamie's vlog useful - as are others on You Tube. I find them better than reading reviews, as you can see yourself what they are saying. I thought it was quite fair - he highlighted the good and bad points. I have never done Ventura before - 1st with her next year, but have done 7 other cruises with various companies including P&O. There has never been a trip where I haven't had to queue for something. This includes the MDR (although usually for dinner not breakfast), and getting on and off - I purposely choose to alter my plans to avoid trying to get off the ship as soon as you are able to. It's just what happens when you have hundreds of people with the same idea. The no tea spoons thing amused me. Can't say I have ever experienced that in the MDR, but no cutlery or plates happens all the time in the buffet. Perhaps I only started cruising when "standards started dropping", but I just put it down to large numbers being being catered for - it's the same in a large resort too. It does mean that I have never used words like 'pampered' in explaining my experiences, but I do have a good time and keep coming back. I don't feel like I am paying for a luxury experience, which is maybe the issue sometimes with reviews (generally, not Jamie's in particular) - perhaps those who have been cruising longer remember something that was more expensive, and so offered a different product
  11. Hi all, I am thinking of doing a Trans Atlantic cruise on QM2. Is the general rule that solo travellers should book earlier, relevant for Cunard? I have never cruised with them before, so just wanted to check there wasn't an obvious piece of advice about pricing for solo travellers than I was missing.
  12. Hi all, How far in advance do Celebrity publish their cruises? I am looking into booking something for Christmas 2024 in Australia and New Zealand. Is there a rough idea of when this might be released? I have never cruised Celebrity before, so am completely ignorant of their launch patterns. Any advice appreciated. Thanks 😀
  13. I am doing a Caribbean cruise next year for a big birthday. I would like to spend a night or 2 in Southampton before I get on the ship. Does anyone have any personal recommendations of hotels that are a little 'special'? I am wanting something more than a Premier Inn or Travelodge. It doesn't have to be central, as I have seen some lovely spa type hotels in Hampshire. Parking is not a requirement, so it doesn't have to be a hotel that has a cruise/stay type deal.
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