dennbr9

 

Reviews I've read were mostly positive because you receive a more in depth experience with a tour guide and some extra activities like the dinner show. Your day is more scheduled since you are doing more things with your group and your evenings are scheduled. Some people may prefer free time to relax on their own.

I don't think you will break even on the food component verses eating on your own but the overall experience might be worth it.

Thinking you may be right at this point.

Thanks

Dennis

Unless I'm missing something what I see as the difference is Explorer is 3 to 5 days, Connoisseur is 5 to 8 days. Comparing the two 5 day tours the difference is the Explorer's only full day is in Fairbanks and your first day is in Anchorage. On the Connoisseur as mentioned your meals are included, you spend a full day in Denali and full day at McKinley including arrival days and departure days. At Denali you have the longer Tundra Wilderness Tour plus an evening Dinner show. On neither Connoisseur 5 day tour do you go to Fairbanks.

 

If you book the cruise through Princess it is about $1,000.00 more for the Connoisseur Tour. Which I think is acceptable considering the tours, meals and longer time at McKinley and Denali.

Both levels offer much the same Itinerary, including both having a six day option in the Brochure I got on board Emerald last week. Both ones we are looking at are identical schedules of 2 days in Fairbanks, two days at McKinley and two days at Denali followed by the Cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver.

Both have the same train to and from Denali, same lodges, and a Wilderness tour included. You can upgrade the one on Explorer to match the tour on Connoisseur. Price difference is $700 pp and only appears to be "most" meals included, a wine pairing dinner, and a dedicated Tour Director on the Connoisseur level.

I have my TA getting some info from Princess too, just looking for info from recent visitors. With the six days it is about $117 a day so may just go for it but looking to be as well informed as I can. We have time as we are looking at summer of 16.

Thanks

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We did the Connoisseur Level tour in 2013. In our opinion it was VERY much worth the difference in price. Special rooms at the Denali Lodge (cooled rooms as it was in the 90s when we got there), air conditioned bus on the Tundra Wilderness Tour, dedicated rail car for our group only. Last but not least an "unannounced" wine pairing dinner on our first night in Fairbanks.

I guess the question is how many of these items were also included in the Princess Explorer Level? Probably not the wine pairing dinner but DW does not drink wine. Looking at the brochure the main difference is included meals on the Connoisseur level but everything else looks to be the same.

Dennis

Hey Dennis,

We're doing a 5 night pre-cruise tour and then saling southbound on Celebrity's Millie next July. Hope you and the misses are doing well.

Hi Mike! Good to run into you.

Hope you two are doing well also.

Dennis

Thanks, Menus help for sure.

Other two nights are in Fairbanks so other dining options should not be a big issue.

If anyone has booked the Tours at Connoisseur Level, what did you feel about the added benefits?

Dennis

Am looking to do a Princess Alaska Cruise with a Land Tour which includes two different Princess Wilderness Lodge stays of two days each.

Looking for information based on the last couple years of experience please.

Princess offers this as with and without included meals and was looking for information on meal prices at the Lodges to judge if worth the $300 a day difference for two people.

Two more days are in Fairbanks where I know I can have other options for meals, but figure the lodges are not near many other options of places to eat.

Thank you for any information.

There is a local beach right in town within walking distance of the pier. Not the nicest beach around, but it is busy with locals on weekends especially. Since we're on Costa Rica, not Panama, although often a stop on Canal cruises, there are vendors near the pier. My favorite one was a gringo who sold "Shade Lady Coffee" [not "shady lady" ... that's a business further down and one where you may get more than you pay for.] This guy buys the high altitude Tarrazu coffee, roasts it the day before the ship comes in, and sells it. I raise coffee in Panama, but always bring home a few bags of his stuff. It is VERY good coffee! Regards, Richard

Sounds good. Did not look to be any beaches nearby. May be just a trek on the "Tourist Walk" and a Ship Day.

Thanks

Looking for a Beach to visit around Puntarenas. Ideally, one with some facilities and taxi availability.

Any help would be wonderful.

Thanks in advance!

Dennis

Thanks all!

Appreciate the first hand info.

Dennis

No answer for you, was going to pose a similar question.

Anyone out there actually sail with this Promotion in place? If so, did it show as a general OBC or like asked above, were you required to use it toward an Excursion. Same question applies to the Specialty Dining OBC offered under this Promo.

Looking for First Hand Experience from someone who has been there.

Thank you

Would be nice, but would only work for us if I could buy the package and spouse did not have too like on Celebrity.

Maybe they will make adjustments to final program when they launch it.

We are on the Eclipse just a few days notice for sailing this Saturday.

 

***

We sailed on Eclipse 3/9 and found out when we saw the coupons in the Cabin the first afternoon. No big deal to me as you can find the location you like the best and still get the same drinks. Also allows you to use them and mingle with your sailmates who are not Elite.

Would bet this is the" wave of the future" of Elite Cocktail benefit.

Think I can find something to eat if I really wanted it too;)

The sale is usually only 10%, not that big of a deal,

Hey Marc!

How are you?

10% on a 14 day Cruise buys two good dinners in Murano includin tip though:-)

Greetings

 

Almost all the other lines that offer packages require the packages be purchased by everyone sailing in the same cabin. Celebrity must believe they have sufficient safeguards in place to prevent sharing or maybe Celebrity believes that they have a more honest clientele than other lines.

 

No matter how one tries to justify it, sharing is stealing.

 

Good Sailing

Tom

Have to agree with you there. Getting your moneys worth is one thing, being a thief --well that means something else.

Likely that prices will increase or program dropped if there are a lot of dishonest folks abusing the system. Likely not a concern to some folks.

Also, if they do catch you sharing the contract reads that you will be removed from the package with no refund for remaining days unused.

Sailed on the Constellation back in January of this year. Early in the Cruise they sell a card for a $100 that gives you $115 worth of purchases from the machines. Was able to taste some nice wines. Once it gave me a short draw but SOM gave me a Credit for the full glass so I ended up with a short pull free.

I had a Wine Package for MDR, but not a Drink Package. Will try out the Premium package on the Silho in April and Wine Cellars will be on my "hot spot" list for sure.

They were having issues with the machines last month in regards to the use of your Sea Pass. SOM said they were working on it. Good old Software problems ya know.

I understand that it would still not be covered under Drink Package programs. Can order what you want from Bar there though.

Now that's a comprehensive list!

 

We opted not to get any of the packages since we don't do sodas and won't be drinking enough alcohol to make it worthwhile.

 

It would be helpful if you posted the drinks that are complimentary? Regular water, ice tea?

 

I also have a teenager who will need his milk - any chance that is free?

 

Thanks for all your work putting that post together!

Tap water is free of course and is very qood. Coffee, Tea, iced tea, fruit drinks,Condenced juices, Milk, Choc. Milk etc are free in Restaurants, Buffet, Room Service, etc.

If you are Elite, Concierge or AQ, other beverages such as Bottled Water, Fresh Squeezed OJ, some smoothies, ( wine and cocktails at Elite Cocktail hours 5-7) may also be free.

Take care.

WOW! You have been busy! lol

Really gotta love it though!

I will be trying my first Premium Package on the Silhouette in two months ( April 10th Sailing) and have been paying attention to posts and the website for listed "beverages". Took advantage of 10% discount offer a couple weeks ago too.

Thanks for your compilation!

Dennis

Looks good to me! Sail on the Silho in two months and have the Premium Package which covers most of the beers, etc on here.

Hope your liver feels it was a good deal too:-)

Just wondering. Is there such a thing as an equivalent "Pinnacle stock holder" of RCI stock--someone who owns a really high percentage of shares of RCI stock. Does such a person get special benefits too?

He should, as I doubt he has made much on the stock:D

I calculated it a few years ago based on stock prices over prior five years and the Stock Holder OBC was about all that anyone gained. Now that you can not combine OBCs, would not be too optimistic myself. MHO of course which is probably worth even less - Ha Ha Ha.

Dave...I'm in drydock! Had shoulder sugery for a rotator cuff on Wednesday, so will be laid up for awhile.

 

So your DD wants the pin and different colored seapass??? Royal Caribbean might make some changes beyond that as far as new perks go, but right now, that is what the Pinnacle Club gets you!!;)

 

Rick

Heal well and don't overlook the benefits of the PT. Good luck.

I too am surprised. I thought that number would be much higher...Just from reading threads about some cruises where the majority of folks were D+.

 

Thanks for starting this thread..Interesting info!

Seems like D+ is always expressed with a lot of Pride.

I was told specifically by RCI that it's 60 days out :(:(

Pretty much the "Company Line" and we know that is not always the case.

I booked the shows for our 1/29/11 Cruise, and I just checked when I did it. Email Confirmation from RCI is dated 10/19/10. About 102 +/- days out from the Cruise.

Here we are about 72 days out from the 2/5/11 leg of our B2B, and shows not available yet. Looks like there is not a lot of consistancy so like others have said, you just have to keep checking by clicking on your booking and then selecting "Entertainment". There it will tell you when and if available yet.

As far as why to book ahead, with 6000 passengers and lots of show choices, etc. you may find yourself wandering about a very large ship looking for one that is available. Unique to Oasis and Allure due to uniqueness of the ships themselves. But choice is yours, book ahead or wing it.

Good Luck either way and enjoy!

Dennis:)

Actual booking says two months out when you click on Entertainment for your booking. Our 1/29 Oasis Cruise allowed us to book the shows 3-4 weeks ago which was almost three months out, but the second week of our B2B starting 2/5 is still not open for entertainment bookings.