cruisegal3

Women who are or who may get pregnant.

 

On the news this morning they said that Brazil has seen nearly 4000 cases since October--1000x more than they typically see. Realize for most of us this is a none issue, you may not even show symptoms, or realize you have it. So to have that many diagnosed is HUGE.

 

1% of the children born there right now have are affected by it. (this via bbc.com)

 

They said it probably will spread to southern gulf states but they expect it to be less of an issue due to our improved sanitation in the states.

 

I AM trying to scare any pregnant woman from cruising the Caribbean or South America at this time; the risks are NOT worth it. If you aren't pregnant, use good birth control!

 

For the rest of us it is a non-issue.

The Zika virus and Guillain-barre syndrome are linked. The latter causes paralysis, nerve damage, possibly death. Especially dangerous for people over 50. I would suggest googling it and learning that Zika is certainly not dangerous for pregnant women only.

again - this ONLY applies to those who are pregnant or who are planning to get pregnant

 

this disease is very dangerous to fetuses. (it is not dangerous to anyone else)

 

In the affected areas women are being told to avoid pregnancy until 2018.

That's pretty extreme.

 

so again - anyone going on a cruise to the caribbean/mexico/central and south america and who is pregnant during the time of the cruise should cancel or postpone.

 

everyone else is safe. It's a mild disease. No big deal for everyone else.

but if you are pregnant, then really you must listen to the US center for disease control and not go there.

The Zika virus and Guillain-barre syndrome are linked. The latter causes paralysis, nerve damage, possibly death. Especially dangerous for people over 50. I would suggest googling it and learning that Zika is certainly not dangerous for pregnant women only.

You are not paying a "premium" fare...you are paying the cost of the cabin which is based on DOUBLE OCCUPANCY....

 

You folks need to stop looking at the "per person" price as you forget about the DOUBLE OCCUPANCY thing!

I respectfully disagree with your slant on solos not really paying a premium fare. They are. I sometimes book a cabin solo, sometimes not. When occupying a cabin alone, I am paying for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and select beverages for a second person, someone not on board to eat those meals. "We folk" do not consider it fair.

If I stay at a hotel, the room is for single or double occupancy, but that scenario is vastly different, in that the meals are not included. All-inclusive hotels do not charge solos double--- far from it. I've stayed at many.

I am not trying to slam you; hopefully, you can re-think this issue from others' perspectives, and respond to them with a bit more kindness.

Linda

Diamond Plus C&A desk rep, Steven, just told me no prepayment needed for MTD tips on Allure and Oasis only.

I saved 200.00 today on the Ruby for Sept 2016. It is not part of the Memorial Day sale, but I did a dummy booking anyway, since I was on the site.

I thought it was strange that the price I paid (before TA discount) was still listed as current, until I clicked on another Vista suite; the next page had the 200.00 reduction. My TA got the deal for me as soon as I called her.

So before this sale ends, I think it's a good idea to look at all pricing for any Princess cruises you have booked. Good luck!

Linda

SNAGGED IT!!!

 

Thanks so much to everyone who gave me such great advice!

 

In the end, I chose a different ship (Ruby), but got the equivalent Mini (731) just as soon as bookings opened this morning. I am happy, happy, happy!

 

: )

Congrats! Got my Vista Suite on the Ruby this morning, too-- AFT D736. Been in it twice before, on both the Grand and the Golden; best cabin ever!!

A happy day for many of us----

Thanks, for the pictures. The balcony cabin shown looks Spartan--no bells & whistle.

I concur. Cabins, hallways, and public areas are not impressing me whatsoever. The technological innovations look great but are not areas I would frequent.

Glad I have 3 cruises booked for April and May 2015-- after the reviews from Quantum's November and December sailings come in, I'll decide which one to pick and which 2 to cancel.

I do hope all first cruisers thoroughly enjoy the new ship!

Linda

Can you please tell us which Embassy suites?

Thanks

It was the SEATAC Embassy Suites.

Have a great cruise!

We are planning an alaska land/cruise tour for the summer of 2015. We are planning on spending a couple of nights in seattle before we leave for the cruise. I need some ideas on hotels that are close to the seattle airport as well as the train station because we will be taking the train from seattle to vancouver and we don't want to have to rent a car while we are there so, we need to be close restaraunts as well.

 

Thank you in advance for any info you can give

We stayed at the Embassy Suites; it was lovely. Terrific free breakfast buffet and afternoon snacks are included as well.

The hotel drove us to the train station free when we decided to go downtown for dinner and a little sightseeing. I believe it is a 5 mile radius shuttle.

Enjoy your trip!

Linda

We have the other corner booked..JS 8588 AFT for our cruise in May 2014. Can't wait!! They look soo nice!!

Enjoy!! They are the best!!

Just grabbed JS 8088 AFT for 4/9/2016, thanks to quick notification from the "fishy" site. My dream ship, dream cabin, dream itinerary.

I had it booked for March 21, 2014, but wanted to change because I don't want to cruise in March and its unpredictable weather.

On the Vision, Rhapsody, and any of the Radiance class ships, corner AFT's can't be beat!! You will love it back there!

Linda

I have done both Freestyle and My Time, no reservations, and remember very long wait times on NCL, none at all on Princess.

What concerns me is what I was told earlier this week when I was called to place my reservations for the Quantum, 4/24/15. I said that I would just show up at the free restaurant of my choice when I was ready for dinner, that I had no idea 12 months in advance what time /venue I desired on each day of my cruise.

The Dynamic Dining rep said RCCL was not going to operate that way, that passengers would not be able to "just show up" because the restaurants were small and I needed to make my reservations now or wait until after May 15 when everyone could book. I was fairly shocked; I did not book any reservations.

From what I was told-- and of course I have no idea whether this rep was accurate-- I was left with the impression that anyone who wants to eat when the mood hits on any given day will be dining up in the Windjammer, not in any restaurant onboard.

Anyone know of any different info regarding showing up at a restaurant and being accommodated?

Linda

Personally, I'd rather have a ship with an enclosed pool when sailing from Cape Liberty.

Jane

Ditto on the pool!

Linda

I'm struggling fully understanding the RCCL Price Guarantee.

I have read Cruise Critic News posted May 19, 2010:

"Royal Caribbean's New Best Price Guarantee: Your Questions Answered"

- several threads on this matter and RCCL Best Price Guarantee - but I have still not got the full understanding of RCCL policy or practices.

 

I have booked a cruise and full payment is due in three weeks. Price on my stateroom category has dropped US$100 and I did contact RCCL in Norway in order to take advantage of this new lower price or upgrade.

 

- the reply I got was: "If you want, we can change the price of the booking you have to today's price, but then there will be a fee of US$ 50 per person"

 

So yes - I can take advantage of the new price for a fee equivalent to the saving.

Does anyone have experience with RCCL best practices and policies for changing of booking when prices has dropped prior to the full payment date.

In the US, RCCL adjusts your total bill to reflect the new pricing with no fee at all-- it happened to me 2 1/2 months ago, just before my final payment.

But you might have different rules-- I know in the UK, for instance, they can get OBC even after final payment, which the US no longer can. But if someone in the UK cancels before final payment, they lose part or all of their deposit.

So it really depends on where you live and book your cruise. Different rules for different folk. Hope this helped.

Linda

29 days!! Radiance b2b Tampa Corner AFT Am I happy?!