CapeCodCruiser

This was our group on the Breeze a couple years ago:

Amsterdam center is small and very walkable - there will be plenty to see and do after your visit to the AF house. Spend some time checking out the google map of AMS, get an AMS guide book, watch some travel videos. It is a very easy place to visit without a guide. Definitely book your tickets ahead.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.

 

Unfortunately, the travel agency is located in Orlando, FL so I would need the US equivalent contact information for the Association of Travel Agencies.

 

I am going to speak to the Resolutions Dept. at Celebrity to see if anything can be done. I believe once the travel agency cancels the reservation they cannot get it reinstated, but as Curt advised Celebrity probably can.

 

The travel agency is completely ignoring my emails so there's not much I can do in dealing with them. However, you better believe I will be sharing their name with everyone I meet on the 10 cruises that we have booked over the next 18 months! ;)

Have you tried calling the agency? US travel agents have errors & omissions insurance that should cover for them to re-instate your cruise even if it is more expensive now. I would request they provide you with proof that you authorized the cancellation and when they can not let them know they need to reinstate it and pay for any additional costs or you will file a claim with their E & O carrier.

I love the Holiday Inn Port of Miami - get a port view room and watch your ship sail in in the morning!

Quote:

Posted by aubreyc1988

The lobster fee in the MDR was 20.00 I believe, for a whole lobster, which is still a better option to me than going to Chops"

 

Thanks for that but on this thread .and confirmed by ERY it says there are items you have to pay for.

I think you are confusing two things. There has always been the one night on every cruise (usually a formal night) when they serve lobster tails (the small ones) in the MDR and you can have as many as you like and they are all free. That is still true.

In addition:

You can order a whole Maine lobster from Chops - the specialty fee based OPTIONAL restaurant which is $39 if you go to Chops. This choice is available every night

For every cruise bargain hunter on board there are 5 who spend on the other revenue centers - Bars, Casino, Spa, Excursions, Specialty Dining...the list goes on.

I agree the sip is gorgeous! However, I disagree with last nights dinner. dH had the pork cop and I had the prime rib and both could have been used for shoe leather!!

Did you ask for a new one? I sure would have.

Can you please post a photo of the wine packages being offered - 3 or 5 bottle. Thanks

It was gone from mine as well. I just called and cancelled my Ultimate Package and purchased the new Deluxe - saved $40 on each package.

Maybe a champagne set up for sail away

Wine is going to run you between 8 (very few 8 dollar glasses) to 13.00 per glass. A gin and tonic will run approx 6.50. I did not include gratuity in those prices because you will still pay gratuity on the drink package as well.

Really? $6.50 for a G&T?

Must be rot gut gin?

You can email them & ask:

info@sunsetsxm.com

Shuttle probably cost's more. Tell them you want a rental from and to MCO but want to return it whilst on the Cruise and see if they give you a break.

You just book 2 separate cars. One way rentals are fairly common between MCO and Port Canaveral. Most companies do not charge a fee for dropping off in another city.

The last Alilaguna (the airport boats that cross the lagoon to Venice) Orange line, departs the airport at midnight and the Blue line at 00:15 (12:15 a.m ); see http://www.alilaguna.it/en/lines/line-timetables. You would then need the Vaporetto or a private water taxi to take you from the Alilaguna stop to a stop nearest you hotel.

The last bus departing the airport to connect you with the vaporetto system is about 00:40; see

http://actv.avmspa.it/sites/default/files/attachments/pdf/UM/U-5.pdf

and then boat schedules at

http://actv.avmspa.it/en/content/water-bus-service-timetable-0.

The most expensive option is a water taxi - appx Euro 100 - that would take you from the airport to a dock nearest your hotel.

If you are just changing planes in LHR you will go through a passport check - follow signs for connecting flights not customs & immigration - this is a much quicker check. FYI - The UK while still an EU member for the time being it is not a member of the Schengen countries for immigration & visas.

You will go through immigration & customs in Venice.

Congrats!

Price both ways ...then decide

Remember the shuttle fares will be X3

I would have definitely spoken with the housekeeping supervisor anyway. My guess is you had a steward who was at the end of contract.

Hi Janet & Dave,

 

What commitment are you making over 12 months ahead?

Will there be any commitment more than your cruise deposit?

Whilst that deposit will be forfeit if you cancel (nb - the OP is booking from the UK), it's usually only about £150 per person - the sort of money no-one likes to throw away, but small-beer if something happens in the next 4 months to prevent you from taking that cruise.

 

I can't imagine the cruise selling out 12 months ahead, but if you want to book now to secure a particular cabin or promotional offer your risk is only about £150 pp for a few months if you don't take out insurance until January.

 

I'd be inclined to use other criteria to compare & choose an insurer.

 

Just MHO as always

JB :)

Most travel insurers will only cover pre-existing conditions if the policy is purchased within 10 or 15 days of booking. That is reason enough to purchase it even you have only spent a refundable deposit.

Many people book more than a year in advance - sometimes 2 - my next TA was 17 months out when I booked and all of the suites were already booked. :(

I would not get a DT massage for the first time on vacation - they can trigger further issues with nerves and you could end up in pain for your whole cruise.

I would go with the hot stone - very relaxing and does not risk further injury.

Actually any massage therapist who would do a DTM on you as a first massage with back issues would cause me to run - fast & far.

Definitely ATM. Ask your bank if they will raise your daily ATM limit while you are gone. Don't forget to inform them and your CC companies of your travel plans

What a pain that must have been to have no lights! I am surprised they did not offer you a flashlight or two at the beginning. Were they aware the emergency lighting in your cabin was not functioning?

Did you need treatment for the cut on your knee?

The fact that you had zero light in your cabin was a real safety hazard - it does not seem they took it seriously.

We have always mixed it up. A dozen (well next month) cruises, 9 or 10 land trips to Europe - we've started using TA's as transportation one way, 6 or 7 trips to Mexico and countless trips within the USA.

I would get bored with the same thing every vacation!

In most municipalities the local government does have a bureau that hotels must apply to for licensing. When they submit for the operational license they must typically submit what they maximum daily rate is. They usually inflate it to some exorbitant amount, and most municipalities require hotels to post the rate, along with fire safety information, on the inside of the room in a clearly identifiable location.

 

I'm not aware of the cruise lines having a similar obligation, other than the FTC will require them to disclose the full "brochure" rate upon request.

 

I was merely using the hotel "rack rate" as a comparison to cruise line "brochure" rates that are the peg that all other prices are determined from.

It was the part that said rates were "determined in accordance with local regulations" - that is not true - the hotelier can set the rate at whatever it wants - that is not regulated. Posting the "rack rate" is required most places.

Having held a lodging license for 9 years I can say we did not have to submit our rates and were free to change them at will. True some municipalities require submission of room rates but I do not know of any that regulate the rate.

The problem is too many people do not wash their hands well or at all:eek: after using the bathroom.

Every cabin on every cruise has a "brochure" price which is equivalent to a hotel's "rack rate" which is the highest rate they are allowed to sell a room for (determined in accordance with local regulations). Few ever pay this rate. Any promotions, discounts or offers represent a reduction off of this rate. The cruise lines must, by law, provide you with the brochure rate for your cabin type upon request.

Brochure pricing and hotel "rack rates" are not "determined in accordance with local regulations" - they are set at what ever the company wants them to be - at least in the US - there are no regulations.