little britain

7 hours ago, steveru621 said:

Only if Celebrity has a better itinerary.

You’re kidding aren’t you? 🤷‍♀️

Celebrity itineraries are far better than RCI which just visit the same old same old year after year. 

33 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

It is not an argument. But I think a key point you may be overlooking is that the vouchers are not exchanged for a bottle of wine, they are for a discount on a bottle of wine.  Unlike using vouchers for a single glass, you are still paying for the bottle of wine with the voucher - it is not free based on voucher exchange. One voucher equals a discount on one bottle of wine. That is the program and why it is not a negotiation. They will not take multiple vouchers in exchange for a bottle at no charge.

 

Per the information I originally posted, a single bottle of wine priced under $100 is at a 40% discount when using a single voucher, and a single bottle of wine over $100 is at a 20% discount when using a single voucher. That is why multiple coupons per bottle would not be necessary or even able to be used.

But people have in the past exchanged vouchers for wine. I have seen it with my own eyes.

I was wondering whether this was just an amenable barman or whether it is becoming more frequent practice.

 It seems stupid to get them to pour 5 glasses ( 4.3 glasses or 3 glasses if you’re using English 250ml measures) when they could just give the bottle instead. I am very happy to hand over the requisite number of vouchers. I do not need to pay any money. 
 

53 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Sorry, I don't get it. As I said it is not a negotiation. If five are not necessary, why expect the bartender to take them? They are of no value to them and likely they won't take them as they each have to be credited with a transacted beverage. You can just leave them on your card and they will expire every day if not used - they do not accumulate.

 

They are also valid for other beverages as well, not just your wine, and if you don't use them all during the day, you can cash them in at the end of the night for unopened canned or bottled beverages (beer, Truly, soda, water, etc.) and take them back to your stateroom for another time.  They also can be used on others traveling with you, such as a spouse.  

No, you are not getting it!

2 hours ago, RocCruisers said:

We got off Explorer on May 25 in Ravenna.  We pre-purchased the transfer to Bologna train station for $30us pp. That day, there were three different departure tag numbers that went there at 7:15, 8:15 or 9:30.  

Perfect - thanks !

2 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

@little britain it is not a negotiation. The vouchers are valued at 20% off wine bottles valued in excess of $100, and 40% off wine bottles valued at less than $100.  I see no limitations on use with one voucher per purchase. 

 

From the T's & C's from the C & A benefit descriptions:

 

6_Each day of the cruise, Diamond members receive four (4) complimentary drink vouchers, Diamond Plus members receive five (5) complimentary drink vouchers, and Pinnacle Club members receive six (6) complimentary vouchers up to $14 in value ($13 on Singapore sailings and $15 on Australia sailings). These vouchers can be used at any time and at any bar onboard or onshore at our private destinations. Drink vouchers may also be used toward a discount off the purchase of any bottle of wine — 20% off bottles over $100 and 40% off bottles under $100. Every time a drink voucher is redeemed, a zero-dollar ($0) receipt will be provided and must be signed. Youth members will receive the same daily allotment of complimentary vouchers as their parents of the same tier and may be used toward the purchase of non-alcoholic beverages (including mocktails). All drink vouchers reset daily at 5:00am and are redeemable until 4:59am the next day. Excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted Milkshake Bar.

Two scenarios:

Barman please pour me 5 glasses of wine and please use 5 vouchers.

versus

Barman please give me the bottle of wine and please use 5 vouchers.

Its easier, it saves me going to the bar 5 times, it is less work for them as it is only one transaction, which leaves them more time to serve others, and it is less washing up as only one glass is used not 5!!!  

1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said:

I would imagine the variation in prices has to do with the cost associated with suppliers in differing countries. 

So getting a bottle of Whispering Angel which is made in France across the Channel to England is somehow more costly than getting the same bottle to a ship in Sydney or Miami??!

1 hour ago, Missusdubbya said:

Yes, one voucher for 40% off a bottle

But how many vouchers to get the bottle for free? I’m thinking 5 glasses in a bottle so 5 vouchers for a bottle?  Anyone successful in negotiations recently?! 

19 minutes ago, mil76 said:

Thanks everyone for the Lisbon advice.  My biggest disappointment is that our tour included Sintra/Pena palace, and I don't see many good options for that.  You can take a train, but you still have to get up the hill to the palace.  I'm hoping there is something available at the dock for that, then when we get back we can go off on our own in Lisbon. The good news is this is the longest one-day port stop we have ever had on a cruise, so we have flexibility.

I’ve never been to Sintra as cruise I was taking was cancelled; but here are my notes on how to DIY it!  Prices may be a little out as it was a few years ago. Hope this helps! 
 

You may need to check which cruise terminal you are in if Prima is at the new one? I think the new one can take more than one ship though.

Train from Santa Apolonia opposite cruise terminal 

0845 to oriente then 0858 to Sinatra

Arrive 0945 €3.75

Or

0850 to Braco de Prata then 0901 to Sintra €2,30

The 434-bus route connects Sintra train station to the Palácio Nacional da Pena and Castelo dos Mouros.  Tickets for the 434 bus to Pena Palace are €7.00, allowing you to go and return.  The 434 departs every 15 minutes, from 9:15am to 7:50pm in the summer and from 9:30am to 6:20pm at other times of the year. It takes less than 15 minutes to reach the Moorish Castle, and if you want to go straight from the station to Pena Palace you're there in less than 20 minutes.

Return

1356 to Braco then 1449 to Apolonia arr 1455

Most other trains end at Rossio meaning long walk back if earlier 

Not wanting to kick you off but…Could you please share the Ravenna shuttle options and prices please? Looking for the cost/times to Bologna centre/ train station 🚉 if they offer it this year! 
thanks x

Why do wine prices vary on the fleet?

It’s  irritating that I could get Whispering Angel by the glass ( so within our daily $$ limit) whilst on Brilliance out of Sydney in January and on Oasis transatlantic from Miami last month; but on Anthem from England - where the daily $$ is actually higher) a glass of WA is still out of budget?!  

Also sometimes WA appears on the MDR menu as available by the glass: and sometimes in on the MDR menu as by the bottle only 🤷‍♀️ why?!

Another question: has anyone been successful in using vouchers to buy a bottle of wine ? If so, how many? 
 

thanks 🙏 

13 minutes ago, snaefell said:

We have done the Hop On Hop Off bus tours in both Madeira & Lisbon in the past,enjoyed them both although as happens in big cities IME in Lisbon it was somewhat long winded due to traffic

Hoho buses in old medieval cities don’t work imho. They weren’t designed for busses 

50 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

It applies every time one dines in a specialty restaurant.

 

Thank you 

cost + 18% less 25%
or

cost less 25% plus 18%

both come to same I think 

versus planner “sale” price which includes gratuity. 
Will watch out for sales! 

Ps: the witch 🧙 at the waterfall was definitely a man with a beard when we last did the train in 2011!! Look at your photos of him/her closely!! 

1 hour ago, BuckeyeMark said:

It is not far at all - the place where you get in line for the train is NEXT to the parking lot/store/bus stop for the Stegastein overlook tours. It is literally about ten steps over from the train to the buses. If you arrive at 11:30 you will have plenty of time to grab a bite to eat/shop a minute and be ready to board your bus before 12.

Perfect, thanks. I think our train arrives back 11:39 for some reason. 

16 hours ago, mil76 said:

Our worst fear of the revised itinerary came true today.  The company we booked with for our full-day tour of Lisbon told us they can't find a guide for us on the new day, so they are refunding our money.  Been looking at other providers, but everything is sold out. 

 

My Lanzarote tour operator won't even respond to my emails, so it looks like we will be scrambling to find something when we arrive at both ports. 

 

Lisbon is just a fantastic city to stroll around.  Walk to the big square with the Rua Augusta arch, up the narrow streets there to the SantaJusta “elevator” then back up the hill into the Alfama area, watch the streetcars, see the view from the Miradouro da Graça, drink Sagres beer and crisp vinho verde on the way back to the ship!

Enjoy. 

@BuckeyeMark thanks for review. In Flams we are also on the train that gets back at 11:30 then taking the 12:00 noon bus to Stegastein… how far is bus stop/station from the train station please? I’m guessing not far but which direction do you head when you get off the train? Thanks x

Is the 25% discount a one time use thing or can you use it on multiple reservations? 
thanks 

37 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Just got of the phone with Celebrity - removing the AI internet and drink package and repricing to cruise only just saved us $1,680 on our Ascent cruise for next December😇

My guy is just downgrading me to Cruise only and saving me $800.

You win! 

2 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

it's an interesting program, but not new.  Power Up Points have been around for several years

Power Up Points was introduced during Covid to keep up interest in cruises whilst no one could sail.
My friend got so many PUPs she actually moved up a tier without setting foot on a ship! 

Following along and looking forward to meeting you on the Norway 🇳🇴 leg!

Love Lisbon - being there till midnight is a treat! 

4 hours ago, TourDeCruise said:

 

We are Zenith on Celebrity, since early 2020. We have had to book specialty dining once onboard to get the 25% off; however, on one of our cruises, the 25% discount showed up pre-cruise so we were able to book specialty dining that way pre-cruise. We haven't been successful getting the shoreside concierge to help with dining reservations guaranteeing the 25% off, but it is certainly worth asking pre-cruise to see if they will help you.

 

But booking on board they add 18% service so when you take your 25% off it’s really only a 7% saving 🤷‍♀️.

So isn’t it better to book via the Planner when they are having a true 20% off sale as tips are included in the Planner? 
 

I haven’t sailed on X for years so not sure how it works. 

19 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Is AI a U.K requirement? In the U.S. we have the choice of cruise only or AI. If I can drop the AI internet and drinks add-ons and revert to cruise only on our Ascent cruise it will save us almost $1,500.😇

No it’s not a requirement - it’s a choice. 
 

2 of my cruises are sold out so I don’t have an option to reprice to cruise only; but I am just checking out the 3rd… 

Sudden panic attack…. It doesn’t mean that this only applies to cruises booked after June 5th does it? Cruise booked prior to this date are grandfathered in 🤞? 

10 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Please post back on how that works out or if there are any glitches. We don't have an X cruise booked where it will make a difference until December 2025, but if we can drop the drink and internet packages sooner than later, maybe it will save us a few $$

Is that because it was a group booking, or possibly because it was booked a long time ago before prices went up.

The cruises come with the packages as standard.  So I am just going to cancel the upgrade to the better drinks and to the better wifi, so it will still leave me with the regular Classic drinks on the booking and then with the Premiunm drinks as a Z.

The laundry is going to save me hunting for laundrettes ashore too!! 

13 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

 

 

Zenith

 

Featured Benefits

 

• Access to The Retreat Lounge/Michael’s Club(*see FAQ for reciprocal*)
• Upon reaching the Zenith tier, receive a complimentary 7-night Caribbean or Bermuda cruise (in a Veranda stateroom only)+++
• 25% off Specialty Dining cover charge
• Complimentary Laundry
• Complimentary Premium Drink Package
• Complimentary Premium WiFi

 

 

Off to cancel the Premium drinks package upgrade and the wifi upgrade! Save a few $$

I have 3 X cruises booked so very happy with this news!

The cruises usually come with basic drinks package and wifi when we book them.