Joe33472

Just wondering when specialty dining packages usually go on sale and how far in advance can you make reservations? I read online that there are usually onboard sales (outside the buffet) but I’m thinking that if reservations can be made before boarding that it might be worth purchasing the package in advance and/or if there really isn’t onboard sales. Also wondering if these prices look current? https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/Tradeshow_in_a_Box/12029863_CEL_DiningPackages_Pricing_Flyer.pdf

I looked at the annual policies too, and couldn't find anything that made sense for us for the trip I was looking to insure, since it is a long trip and costs well above the limits of most annual policies. But, I have an annual electronics insurance policy that coverage all of my electronics and that has worked out great over the years. It's cheap, like $150 per year for $5,000 in coverage. I've made a few claims and they paid right away without a lot of hassle. I dropped an iPad and it was unfixable, and they sent me cost less deductible (after proving it wasn't fixable). Apple had no problem saying it wasn't fixable. So, I could see where an annual travel insurance policy would be very appealing.

This post is great. I learned about tripinsurancestore from CC and I am totally happy with the service I have received and purchased a policy today. I've been emailing Steve over the last few days and he's been super responsive with all my questions. He provided me some links to his blog for some articles that were extremely helpful. I had read his blog, but missed a couple of the articles in particular.

Yes, it would have been great to say hello, but I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip and your PG experience. Hope you have a great trip.

Thanks! I signed up for the roll call. Just realized that we’re not on the same crossing. I am on the 2024 June 23 crossing and I think you’re on the 2023 crossing, right?

I was wondering about this too. Even with Starlink, it sounds like I will have to have realistic expectations on our TA crossing. The fact that you had really good coverage on your trip is promising for cruises close to land. I was really hoping to keep in touch with friends and family via FaceTime audio and/or WhatsApp. I’ll just have to let everyone know that I might not be reachable. It will be nice to have a break….

Did a quick search and noticed that Carnival is the latest cruise operator to sign with Starlink for a fleet-wide deployment of Starlink's satellite internet service and just wondering if anyone heard plans when this might reach Cunard. Also wondering if ships have to dry dock for the equipment to be installed or the hardware can be installed in port. I'm thinking the former, but maybe it's not a big deal.

Terrific! Thank you. I figured I was over thinking the drink issue. Thanks again!

I understand that the drink package can only be used in restaurants, bars, and other public spaces and not applicable to cabins. What I’m wondering is if any beverages are included with room service (e.g. coffee, tea, milk, juices, etc.)? We will be saying in PG and it says that spring water will be replenished throughout the trip and that there are tea and coffee making equipment. But I’m wondering about cream or milk for the coffee? Is it possible to get a small container of milk in one of the venues and bring it back to the room to leave in the mini fridge? How about a can of soda for the morning?

Update: Called customer service and they said they would send me a "special service request" noting that the drinks package and gratuities would be included in the fare if I called up after I made the booking. So, I made the booking, called up, and they said they would send me an email confirmation. Haven't received the email yet, but I still haven't received an email confirmation that I actually booked the cruise. The sailing shows up in my booking summary, so I think things are okay. Thanks everyone for all your help about the room selection and for the heads up about the grills promo. That really made the difference in the decision process.

That would be pretty amazing. Haven't booked yet, but getting much closer. I need to call the reservation center and can't do that this morning. Hopefully there will be some PG rooms left this afternoon or tomorrow morning. I saw your other thread on the luggage forwarding and that is PERFECT. We are going to send a small bag in advance with some formal and semi-formal wear. Just not the malware... 🤣

Thanks ExArkie! I've done so much reading and looked at the booking site numerous times, going back I see this on the landing page. I missed the part about the drink package and tips thing, and didn't know about this promo until others mentioned above (so glad this promo was mentioned). When I select PG, I get this, which doesn't say anything about a drink package and tips being included. When I click on "Book Now", I get this, which says nothing about drinks and tips included in the "Treat Yourself" fare. But, I do think that drinks and tips are included in the Treat Yourself fare. But will probably call today just to be 100% sure that I don't have to book through a travel agent. Thanks again.

Thanks again! I've reached out to Cunard to see how I make the reservation with the offer online. I'll see what they say. Although I'm not opposed about going through a travel agent. I see a lot of discussion on the various boards here about the benefits of using an agent, but I'm a control freak. I'll have to read more about that. I'm going to make the booking tomorrow or Saturday. I'll post how it goes. Hopefully Cunard respond to my email about how to get the offer if I book online. I'm happy that the decision is finally made. PG it is... Now, I just have to figure out how we're going to comply with the dress code. Or at least not feel too underdressed. We'll be in Europe for the 7 weeks before the TA and I told my SO that she's "allowed" a 24' suitcase and backpack. Can't be lugging a tuxedo and gowns across multiple countries. I originally said a 22' suitcase for each of us and each having a backpack. I'm not lugging two 50' luggages on trains. At least, that's what I say now.

Thank you all for posting. This is a huge help. I had no idea about the "Grills Suite Offer".... Do I have to call reservations to get the promotion? I see nowhere online to input the code... NE John, thanks so much for this great post. I've been thinking that since the crossing has so much time onboard with no stops, that we could really use the extra space. I've read a few other posts that suggest that PG is the sweet spot. I really don't need two bottles of booze refreshed all the cruise and a stocked mini-fridge in QG. I think it would be way too much temptation for me. The evening canapes sounds good. I think that does it. I think I'm going to go with PG, especially if I can get the offer mentioned. Thanks again everyone!

I was originally planning a fall 2023 TA with some time in Europe, but that doesn't seem to be working out with my work schedule. Now I'm planning spring 2024 trip, which is actually a good thing, since there are a lot more options. So, here's the situation. The trip will involve taking the QM2 from Southampton to NY on the 6/23 crossing and I don't know what type of room to book and I've been reading for hours. We haven't been on cruises for years, but our main sticking point in the past has been the fixed dining and dining with strangers at the same table. It's not that we're unsocial, but we'd probably prefer to eat by ourselves and also eat at a time that wasn't fixed. So, I was thinking PG or QG, but for the price, I think it's pretty expensive for what you get. I might be missing something and I'm willing to spend the money if that's what it takes, but compared to other lines, there doesn't seem to be a lot included for the price for PG or QG. On the way to Europe, the plan is to take Celebrity in the retreat and I think that that is a way good value for the money. This return trip is a lot of money and I would have to pay for Internet and a drink package? We're looking at $10K or $12K for Cunard for one week plus extras and I think we can do the Celebrity cruise for about $13K for 2-weeks all-inclusive (tips, drinks, internet, etc.) I was then thinking that maybe Balcony Club might fix the dining issue, but the rooms are small and on the QM2 appear to be high in the ship and towards the front. We're both prone to a little bit of sea sickness, so not sure if that's a great idea. We could do PG and that would solve the dining issue, but for $4,000 more than BC, that's a lot. It's not like the Grills Lounge serves afternoon appetizers and free cocktails. Am I missing something? Am I over thinking this? Should I just book PG and call it a day? We're not heavy drinkers, although I enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner, but my other half doesn't drink at all... The $2K more for QG for two bottles of liquor and mini-bar doesn't seem to be worth it. Any advice would be great! Thank you...

I would LOVE to do this, the videos I've watched put this type of travel right up my alley. But I think I'm going to have a tough time selling the idea when we've all been talking about a TA cruises. If the fall schedule doesn't work out, I may try to plan this trip in spring 2024, but I think I'm going to have same problem in reverse. Not many options on the westbound return to US in June/July...

Hi- I'm trying to plan a round trip TA with about 4 to 6 weeks in Europe. The trip would start in the US in September and return to the US in late October or early November, there are a bunch of cruise options on various lines coming back to the US, but from what I see getting to Europe is a bit more problematic. I can only find three possibilities: Cunard out to NY to Southampton on 9/11, Cunard out of Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona on 9/5, and a Carnival cruise out of Orlando to Barcelona on 9/21. I'm wondering if anyone is on a TA in September going east to Europe besides the three above. Thanks, Joe

Thanks! I'll have to take a look at these rates the next time we have some free time and want to do something in the Caribbean or something in and out of Florida. I think I was looking too close to departure dates. I'll look in the 2-3 week range. The trip I'm planning now is TA round trip with about 4 to 6 weeks in Europe. Coming back to the US in late October or early November, there are a bunch of cruise options on various lines. Getting to Europe is a bit more problematic. There are only three possibilities as far as I can tell. Cunard out to NY to Southampton on 9/11, Cunard out of Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona on 9/5, and a Carnival cruise out of Orlando to Barcelona on 9/21. Although, I'm not opposed to Carnival, between that and Cunard, I think Cunard is more our speed. We're both in our 50s and traveling w/o kids. Since we would spend some time in Europe after the first TA, I'm thinking we need to pack light. That really doesn't lend itself to tuxedos and gowns. Beside the fact that I have an unwritten rule about not putting on a suit or dinner jacket when I'm on a vacation. But after reading the posts on this board, nothing gets people worked up more than dress code policies. So, I'll stop here 🙃

Thanks Ace! This is very helpful. I'm happy to hear that any cancellations end up back in inventory for a good amount of time. I think I'll wait until I find out about my time off request and either pull the trigger (if it's still available) on the penthouse suite and if not, wait until 5/8 to see if anything opens up. The cruise doesn't appear to be fully sold out, so if we ended up in a balcony room, so be it, and we could save some money. I've often wondered about last minute cruises (literally showing up at the terminal) and if there would be any good deals, since we live in South Florida and not far from Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, I've thought about it. But definitely wouldn't show up for a TA on the day of the cruise. Thanks again.

I have a question about availability on transatlantic Cunard cruises and if there usually some cancellations around the final deposit date, or if people tend to keep their reservations or if that just varies from cruise to cruise. The reason I ask is that I'm waiting to hear at work about some time off this fall 2023 and we would like to take the TA cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona in September. Right now, there looks like one queens grille suite is remaining on that sailing, but it's in a penthouse suite and I think we'd prefer just a regular Queens suite. I see that "final deposits" are due May 8th, so I'm not sure if I should just wait until then to see if anything opens. I think I run the risk of the penthouse going away, but I just won't know about work until sometime in late March or early April. I guess I could make the decision until then, but I'm not sure if I should just wait until 5/8. I also searched the discussion boards to see if Cunard has an upgrade option (in case I wait until 5/8 and all that's left are balcony rooms). I'm wondering if upgrades happen closer to sailing. I guess my question is if people do cancel around May 8th, will those show up in inventory or are the cancellations offered as upgrades. Thank you for any thoughts or suggestions!