RKW

Hey All - Linda and I are booked on Celebrity Infinity bound for Alaska, round trip from Seattle, on September 14, 2012. We'd love to meet up with 'family' on this great trip to share some shore excursions to see bears, whales, glaciers and stunning scenery -- not to mention the upscale food and service provided on Celebrity ships. If any of you haven't been to Alaska and it might be on your 'bucket list', check it out and join us. Sooooo many interesting things to see and do.

Carol and Linda.

We'll be on that cruise also. Signed up for the Grgich Hills wine cruise through Costco. Our first time to Alaska. Should be a great cruise!!!

RKW

Wow, I feel like this has, indeed turned into the Olivia message board. I honestly feel that in order for someone to make an INFORMED decision, they need to be able to look at all sides of an issue. I have already agreed that the two cruises I went on with Olivia were wonderful and have already agreed that I understand full charters need somewhat of a markup. What I do not agree with is the amount of the markup. I think it is, as I said before, unjustified. When otherwise savvy lesbians succumb to the idea that "what they are doing must be fair because they are lesbians too and will always look out for my best interest" it drives me crazy. Yes, I do believe people have a choice which is why I "chose" to go on two Olivia cruises. I am now "choosing" not to go because of overinflated, unjustified costs. I would be the last one to tell anyone what to do. Just want people to know all sides. I may be completely wrong and Olivia could have justifiable reasons for charging almost twice as much than any travel company out there, for the same product. And for the record, Olivia-ites, IMHO, aren't people who simply travel on Olivia (hence that would make me one too), I was referring to those who fervently defend Olivia and once again, as on the Olivia Message Boards, have tried to make this into a faux issue of one poster (me) supposedly trying to squash other poster's freedom of "choice". Just trying to make sure others stay informed. And thanks for the posting Oliver33...and just when I was starting to feel all alone. ;)

http://ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=2206

Yes, Olivia cruises are out of control expensive and no matter how you spin it, unjustifiably so. RSVP manages to do exactly the same thing without doubling the rates. Amy is right, however, it does reflect poorly on her that she waited until she was gone before mentioning her concerns when she could have corrected the pricing issues from within. As long as people continue to put up with Olivia's substandard phone service (major complaint "I call but can never get through and no will return my call"...hmmmmm screams either understaffed or minimum wage to me) and the exorbitant pricing, Judy will continue to charge what she wants. I highly doubt that the company will dissolve, but I do think that, hopefully, those that refuse to believe they are being overcharged will think twice before their next booking. And yes, I have sailed with Olivia, 2x and had an incredible time, just will not continue to feel "ripped off".

Ok, Olivia-ites - you know who you are, you are the same ones that give tongue lashings on the Olivia Message Boards to anyone that dare speak the truth about Olivia and have now found your way over to the cruisecritic message board. It's in black and white now, still think Olivia is justified for charging what they charge?

Interesting and definitely something to consider. Thanks, Etoile, for the input.

RKW

Hello Everyone-

I just noticed on the RSVP website the pricing for their mid to upper cabins on their most recent Barbados cruise is actually less than the listed price if you were to cruise with the line directly. Seems interesting that RSVP can offer a discount, while Olivia almost doubles the price. Has anyone ever sailed on one of the Star Clippers' ships? Would it be worth checking them out on our own or should we wait for another RSVP cruise offering? Seems from this thread, everyone that has gone on an RSVP cruise has enjoyed it.

Thanks!

RKW

We're flexible, but since you're giving us choices, we would vote for Alaska Summer 2008.

Ok, we're up for a group cruise. With all these planners, it shouldn't be hard to get something going.

Thanks for the info, ladies! Sounds like there hasn't been any blatant discrimination or I'd imagine we would have heard from those individuals first. Guess it's time to start looking outside of Olivia. As far as the cruiselines, just picked those because they seem to include everything we would want (I'd rather pay upfront and get whatever I want then having to keep track of drinks, fees for special restaurants, etc. and getting hit with a big bill at the end). The ships also seem to be on the smaller more intimate side, with little to NO kids. Love kids, just can't handle the running out of control ones that I've heard horror stories about from other cruisers. Thanks again for everyone's input!

Hello Ladies-

My partner and I, I'm 38 and she's 48, went on our first cruise last year. It was an Olivia Cruise to Tahiti and we had a great time BUT we did book all our excusions separate instead of with the girls and explored on our own with the Natives instead of with the girls. We are getting ready to do our second Olivia cruise here in a couple of weeks. Yes, as everyone else who has cruised with Olivia has said, it is a great experience but I do not think it is worth the price. Why do I keep doing it....bottom line, they come to me with great itineraries. Takes a lot of the effort of planning out of it. I think we're going to try our first hetero cruise in October, but it's with the softball girls, so I'm not sure that's really considered hetero cruising. Has anyone had any problems with snide comments or passenger outright anti-gayness on the Regent, Seaborn, Silversea, etc.??

Thanks!

RKW