helen haywood

Cabin 6121 (and the corresponding one on starboard side; I prefer port sid) is our favorite cabin because it is the last one and the balconies aft of it are cut back into the ship so you have a wider viewing field from your balcony. Shhhhsss.

Just wanted to mention that our sailing in November on Divina has a scheduled departure from Miami at 7 pm. So she was delayed embarking/debarking and leaving on this cruise, but I wanted people to be aware that she wasn't scheduled to sail at 4:30 or 5 as many other ships do.

Still hope you are able to enjoy the rest of the cruise. It does sound like a terrible start.

Gosh! I hope things get better!! When you get on board go have a drink with an umbrella in it and then come back and give us a review!

TO CRUZ4US4

 

You can find more pics of an S Class Cabin with both the Upper Berth & Convertible Sofa Bed here = http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/sa_international/sa_travel

 

Find the pics there, from a different angle to be clearer on how Staterooms for more than 2 Pax are set up

 

 

 

 

Triangle = Upper Berth

Square = Convertible Sofa Bed

 

So this unit would sleep 4 people

 

The reason they have the symbols is because there are some cabins that just sleep 2 people (NO Upper Berth & the Sofa IS NOT convertible into a Bed -or- in a class such as Aqua... Cabins are designated for only 2 max)

 

Or there is a cabin for 3 but one set-up vs the other (sometimes people have preferences of Sofa Bed over Upper Berth)

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

 

I clicked on this link but was taken to the USDA 'Animal and Plant Inspection Service!

I've checked the accessible cabins. They are 245 sq ft. And I saw a picture of an inside on Eclipse that only had a chair, not a sofa. I just wish there was some way to know the exact dimensions of all cabins.

 

I know such a list existed for the Carnival ships....and I've been on the MSC Boards where someone has information on exact sq ft for those cabins.

I see the range for inside cabins (on Reflection) is from 183 to 200 feet. Of course, on the deck plans they are all the same size. Is there any way to tell what size cabin 8157 is? For example, whether it has a chair or a sofa? I checked the Sticky but this cabin and the surrounding ones aren't listed.

Back to the question about what makes the first night in the MDR "crazy," well, first there will be longer lines. If you have assigned seating the waiters will have to escort you to your table (after the first night you will know where it is and can seat yourself.) If you have Anytime Dining the line will probably also be longer the first night.

 

Then dinner seems to take longer the first night as the waiters have to explain about the different menu options, ie the ones that change daily and the ones that are always available.

 

Also, if you are doing early or late assigned dining....sometimes it takes the wait staff a day or so to find out if you are the type of people who want to eat quickly and be out and about or if you are the type that enjoys slowing savoring your meal.

 

Nothing to say that the first night should be avoided....just a heads up that it may be a tad slower and seemingly disorganized than later in the cruise.

Yes, absolutely join your Roll Call! Do you know how to do that? I'm sure there are singles sailing on your cruise and other friends you can make before you set foot on the Solstice.

And the Solstice is a really beautiful ship. You are going to have a wonderful time!

I have used Rome Shuttle Limo http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com/ many times from Rome hotel to port and vice versa. I can highly recommend them as well. Just be aware that they do require a deposit as they don't want to send a driver all the way to the port only to find you aren't there. There is no deposit requirement if you are going from Rome to the port. I definitely would not use the cruise line's transfer!

Aw, shucks. Bless your heart.

The Persian Garden and the Relaxation Room are two different venues. I'd read in reviews about the Relaxation Room and would have never known its existence otherwise. You can walk right into it and there is no sign indicating its for AQ or spa patrons only. I went there several times just to read and stare at the sea. There were never more than three people at a time present. I was never asked to show my card but I see now that may be different.

I'm sorry things didn't work out with your spouse....but probably for the best that you didn't try to "rekindle" it sharing an increasingly small cabin and bathroom.

You should be able to find a friend or family member to go with you. The beds can be separated....if its another guy one of you can take turns showering in the gym if necessary, you don't have to be joined at the hip.

Have a great time! Look to the future!

Thanks so much, Pete!

OK, then, vouchers seem to be the way to go! Hate to sound dumb, but what is the advantage of buying vouchers once onboard versus just buying a drink? I thought I read that buying them before boarding meant you didn't have the 15% gratuity added....but if you purchase them onboard is a packet of them discounted versus drink by drink? Even with the gratuity added?

This is where I learned of the everyone in the booking must purchase the package. From MSC's website.

I am sailing on Divina in November. I have been reading reviews. One mentioned a cocktail party/happy hour on the formal nights with complimentary champagne or martinis. Is this still ongoing?

 

Regarding the alcohol vouchers, are they different from the beverage packages? I mean, I read about the beverage packages that all linked reservations must purchase the package. So not just my DH and myself, but the other couple we have linked dining reservations with would have to purchase the beverage package, seems to be what I'm understanding.

 

Since I don't think they'd want to do that, I wondered if I could just purchase the vouchers for myself.

 

Thank you for any/all help!

Where would one expect to be dancing and not have people watching you?

Just be careful to book a deposit on the actual cruise...or any actual cruise. Do not buy the Open Passages deposit that you can then apply to any cruise; that deposit is non-refundable. It is good forever but still. If you put a deposit down on the cruise you think you want...even if you change your mind a thousand times....that reservation number can be changed to another cruise or you can always get your deposit back at any time. Also be careful as to what travel agent the future booking is issued to. I personally prefer to say that is to be decided later so that I have time when I get home to shop around for what travel agent will give me the best deal. If you do not tell them you want the agency left open often they will automatically write it up with the travel agent who booked the cruise you are sailing on while you do the future booking.

Don't forget, improve the website!!

OK, then I'll say to the OP, perhaps a "real" travel agent would be able to give you a better deal.

To the person who started this thread (in case someone new to Cruise Critic doesn't know that OP stands for Original Poster), I am sorry you were disappointed and your expectations not met.

 

Congratulations on reaching your 50th anniversary!

 

I just want to stress, as others have said, that regardless of the cake issue, your TA should have given you a bottle of wine or some OBC. Simply for booking the cruise with them at all, not because of your anniversary. I mean, a good travel agent will always offer something extra when you are booking a cruise. The fact that they did not tells me, if you plan on cruising again, please do yourself a favor and find another travel agent! Shop around and call different agencies and see what OBC they offer, what their cancellation policies are, etc. You deserve better service and there are agencies that would love to give it to you.

Even if they said they would monitor price drops for you, I would watch for them myself.

I'm about to join the Insiders Club! I, too, assumed we "needed" a balcony cabin. Perhaps one might on certain ships if there weren't wonderful spots to sit and read or enjoy watching the ocean go by, etc. But on our favorite ship, Celebrity Reflection, we have plenty of places we like to hang out so we're about to try an inside for our next transatlantic cruise!

 

Less $$ on the cabin means more cruises!

I still don't understand why people would pay more for a smaller cabin! Are they going to reclassify the old S1s? Because the corner S1s would not be equal to the reclassified Aqua Suites newly labeled as S1.