little britain

I always used to book direct - now they are in Guatemala I use an agent!

However how it was explained to me.....the prices on the website are their best prices (naturally). The website has no way of knowing whether you have a booking already or not.

So sometimes these best prices are for new bookings only...what you need to do is to ask the agent to see if the price is 'convertible'.....this means that the price can be for new bookings or also for existing bookings.

If the price is 'convertible' they should just swap it over and bingo - you get the new cheaper costing.

Sometimes you get the cheaper costing and miss out on what ever offer you had at the time you booked (drinks package/car park) so it is up to you to decide what is the best deal for you.

Alternatively if the price is only for new bookings, and is more than £150pp then it is worth taking the hit, cancelling, losing the deposit and rebooking IMHO.

Good luck with Guatemala. Every TA I have spoken with has not been overwhelmed.....:rolleyes:

One begins with Q and one begins with J.....honestly cannot tell the difference:D

As this so call humor is going out to 1000 people on a ship. Might some of the 1000 people not understand, like or perceive it as humor. My training at work has said. It is not what you say, it is how it is perceive. Richard

There are actually just 694 guests on board Azamara at maximum occupancy; and I would dare to suggest that the OP deliberately chose to have a 'sense of humour bypass' as he appeared to be determined to find fault in everything.

I wish him well on Cunard or HAL. I know I will enjoy my forthcoming Azamara cruise and will look forward to the midday announcements about sextants or socks....

Welcome to the addictive world of cruising! Make sure you join your Roll Call!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=256

This is where you 'chat' with others on board, and can organise private excursions etc. Good to feel like you 'know' people before you get on your floating city!

From this article though http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/bold-quantum-move-has-strategic-sizzle-in-china-sparks-doubts-in-us.html it says that its only 15 nights for the WHOLE repositioning. Which is why i was wondering that this is going to be rather short. And it would be such a shame that this repo cruise would end up being more of a sea day intensive one. Or even worst not open it to the public?? Certainly hope not.

15 nights to get from NYC to Shanghai.....someone will have their foot on the gas :rolleyes:....unless she goes through the Panama Canal, which I thing would be a bad move as the potential for a European/Suez Canal repo would be far more interesting, and revenue generating. IMHO.

Ok We are D+ and I checked the Vision 1/10/15 7 days - Outside Cat H

 

Got base rate of $529 each less a $71( Total of $142 ) discount each for a net rate before taxes of $458 each.

Just FYI......

I am D.

On the UK site the cost for Vision 1/10/15 7 days - Outside Cat H

is £437.08pp :eek::eek::eek:

No discount showing

That is US$733.73pp.............no wonder so many book through the US.

The new program has been defined in the section under Special Offers. Key feature is that sailings can be added on a regular basis and auto posting for the C & A member and level.

 

Our Crown & Anchor Society Exclusive Rates offer you great rates on over 100 cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Europe and more!

 

 

More savings.

 

Discounts applied instantly.

 

New sailings added regularly.

The UK/Guatemala site is blank when you click on the Special Offers section.

I was not even aware of this change as I have not received any emails about it...quelle surprise....

Anyone in the UK been able to access the site to see where these savings applicable cruises are listed? If so please share how I can find them because I'm darned if I can!!

Poor training even extended up to the ship’s captain, who engaged in a running commentary in his noon announcements on the difficulties two of his bridge staff were having using a sextant. I assumed that he was referring to bridge cadets, and was appalled to later meet one of the poor sextant-users and observe that he was wearing third officer stripes. I don’t find public criticism of someone’s professional skills by their manager to be amusing or acceptable.

...I believe this is called 'humour'.....:rolleyes:

Now i'm eager to see what new itineraries Quantum has in store for us! Can't wait. :D It feels good to have such a groundbreaking and innovative ship so near to me now. :)

I wonder how she will be getting from NYC to Shanghai.....now that would be a cruise:D

Why on earth would you want to cancel.

It is far healthier being on a cruise ship than it is being in your local junior school or your local hospital.

In 2013, there were 3 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships departing from U.S. Ports involving a total of 706 passengers. By contrast, the CDC reports there are up to 21 million norovirus cases in a typical year in the United States. To put that into perspective, approximately 10.1 million passengers embarked on CLIA member cruise ships from a US port in 2012 so this figure represents approximately 0.007% of passengers

We had the same house wines on our February Journey cruise as we had on our fall 2013 and fall 2012 cruises on Quest. And they were uniformly good. We were also able to ask for what we wanted if that night we preferred a Riesling to a Chardonnay, or a Pinot Noir to a Cabernet. No problem at all with the wine or the choices.

Ditto. I was about to say exactly the same thing... the selection of wines has been identical from my March 11 trip to my trip last year and I expect to see the same wines when I board in July. The NZ KAto is excellent. So I'm afraid I also do not buy the line "Even the quality of the complementary wines on board have declined" as it is the same wine that is on offer. In fact the selection has widened as they now also offer a very good rose.

I seem to remember last year there was great confusion about the boarding port in Venice with people being given conflicting information right up to their day of travel :eek:

Also on the same July cruise and hotel conveniently situated between the 2 ports....but would also like to know which one to head for!

Thanks for commenting. I wasn't aware of The Following until you mentioned it. Do you recommend it?

 

Regards

megacruiser

Possibly the best TV series I have ever watched. English actor James Purefoy's performance is mesmerising as the cult leader Joe Carroll. I think it is better than Breaking Bad! It is very violent but addictive. You can download the box set on Sky.

Thanks again for the great review.

Where did you see the E1 price please? I'm still not seeing anything except the front page header and to make matters worse I've just received an email from RCL with the same link that doesn't work.:confused:

I called a TA!

My friend also has just got the email with the link that doesn't work.

I haven't even got the email....:rolleyes:

Oh well, unable to book or even check prices as, despite the front page header advertising these cruises, and following the 'book now' link; the UK site does not list these cruises.......:rolleyes:

£940.40pp for E1 - I'll wait............

Love dubai and the splendour-where did you get it's info from as not noticed anything else re this-hope it is the case

DUBAI

Splendour of the Seas

7 NIGHTS

14, 21, 28 Dec 2015;

4, 11, 18, 25 Jan 2016;

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Feb 2016;

7, 14, 21, 28 Mar 2016.

Ports of Call: Khasab, Oman; Muscat, Oman; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Dubai, UAE

From £399pp*

Cruise Only, Based on 4, 11, 18 Jan 2016

Bookings open tomorrow:D

Good evening Lotus Girl,

 

Thanks so much for your comments and delighted my review is also being Followed this side of the pond. I am seriously considering Oasis Eastbound Transatlantic in September such was my enjoyment, and 12 nights could very easily be passed with so much on offer.

 

You have some wonderful times to look for forward to. I looked into the Allure for 2015 but prices are high at present and the single supplement is 100%, so I'll bide my time for now.

 

I have spent the night sorting through photos for tomorrow's Deck 6 tour and I realise there is quite a bit more to it than just the Boardwalk. With so little sleep last night I can feel my eyes closing, so signing off shortly.

 

Nice to hear from another Scot.

 

Lang may your lum reek!

megacruiser

Only just found this review. We are doing the same as Lotus Girl! Loving every minute of this! Thanks for all the info.

And I'm a Follower (do you also watch the TV series I wonder??)

Nothing yet on Splendour :rolleyes:

DUBAI

Splendour of the Seas

7 NIGHTS

14, 21, 28 Dec 2015;

4, 11, 18, 25 Jan 2016;

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Feb 2016;

7, 14, 21, 28 Mar 2016.

Ports of Call: Khasab, Oman; Muscat, Oman; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Dubai, UAE

Splendour to Dubai Winter 15/16.

We've never managed to get a price drop but it never hurts to ask. We have, however, twice got a very cheap upgrade because of price drops. I'd check the website to make sure the cabin/price is still showing then give them a ring, you have absolutely nothing to lose. You wouldn't get any money back but you may end up with a better cabin.

 

RCI say that UK customers don't receive the benefits of price drops because of the other benefits and "protection" that UK law gives us but I have yet to find out what any of those benefits are!!!

 

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

Gill

I always used to book direct - now they are in Guatemala I use an agent!:rolleyes:

However how it was explained to me.....the prices on the website are their best prices (naturally). The website has no way of knowing whether you have a booking already or not.

So sometimes these best prices are for new bookings only...what you need to do is to ask the agent to see if the price is 'convertible'.....this means that the price can be for new bookings or also for existing bookings.

If the price is 'convertible' they should just swap it over and bingo - you get the new cheaper costing.

Sometimes you get the cheaper costing and miss out on what ever offer you had at the time you booked (drinks package/car park) so it is up to you to decide what is the best deal for you.

Alternatively if the price is only for new bookings, and is more than £150pp then it is worth taking the hit, cancelling, losing the deposit and rebooking IMHO.

Splendour of the Seas® sailing from Dubai from December 2015. On Sale 10 April 2014.

With its stylish bars, luxury shopping, cutting-edge architecture and sizzling temperatures all year round, Dubai is one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. And we can’t wait to return to its glamorous shores in winter 2015.

The enhanced Splendour of the Seas® will be sailing from Dubai on fantastic 7-night itineraries from December 2015 until April 2016, calling at scenic Khasab, historic Muscat and the UAE’s bustling capital, Abu Dhabi. There are also fantastic new Suez Canal itineraries

Great news for Europe and those who have missed this itinerary during the winter months.

Is this something new? As far as I know and from our experience last year on splendour of the seas we had to pay 15% tax on all drinks on board. Are you saying it is on top of that. We called at Dubrovnik last year but not sure if that is classed as non EU.

 

We are due on Liberty of the seas on june 8th sailing and returning to Barcelona

with all the ports of call in France and Italy. Does this mean we pay the 15% as of last year plus this 20% you mention.

 

Surely if Spain has levied a 20% charge for port facilities then that would be reflected in the holiday price?

 

Brian

The 15% you refer to is the service charge (tip) whenever you buy a drink on board.

The Spanish VAT is in addition to the base price of the drink.

It will be broken down on your drinks bill - so a $10 drink will have 20% VAT ($2) and 15% service ($1.50) making the total charge $13.50.

It is added whenever a ship sails from Spain and does not visit a non-EU country. Therefore your cruise to Spain and Italy will incur the Spanish VAT for the entire cruise. There is no concept of being in International waters.

To get round this your cruise has to stop at one non-EU port - why do you think so many ships stop in Gibraltar :rolleyes:

Unfortunately Azamara no longer have a UK operation, it is all handled by Guatemala. Good luck!!

Ps: hope you are both well Xx

Ditto! I got one too! Now of course the hard decision is which cruise to book ;)

And will anything be open on a Sunday? I am guessing the church will only be for those attending services.