time2travl

I've been on about a dozen cruises. Sometimes I felt I got a great deal, sometimes just o.k. Shopping around doesn't really save you much today as prices are pretty much fixed by the cruise lines and the TA can't really cut a deal like he used to. Maybe a $25 obc or a bottle of wine, but not much more. Lots of luck and booking at the makes right time can make or break a good deal. I've booked as far as a year out and watched the prices simply climb. I always check the prices 30 days before final payment and if they went down I call my TA, cancel and rebook at the better price. Sometimes they may drop even more and I don't get the 'best' deal. It's really like the slots, lot's of luck.

The cruise I'm going on tomorrow, I booked a inside, bargain basement cabin. We now have a real nice outside I would have paid $100 more had I booked it. Best deal NO! others I know got upgraded to a balcony that would have cost $300 more, yet others got no upgrade. Same TA, 1st cruise for all on this line. Just the luck of the draw. My last cruise I booked a mid-ship inside, 2 days before leaving I called my TA and was offered an outside with large balcony for $50 more. Our neighbors paid much more for for a smaller cabin.

I did well a few times, but then again I've taken other cruise where others paid less than me. Win some loose some.

It also sometimes depends on cruise line loyalty, # of past cruise, residency, etc. The cruise I'm going on in 2 days I got on a 2 day presidents day special, I thought I did great as I watched it rise up to $200 more, yesterday I checked and it's only $10 more than I paid.

Since I'm doing a B to B my 2nd week has not fluctuated by more than $20 up or down. I had originally looked at another ship out of the same port

that was far higher when I decided to book, Now it's dirt cheap and had I known I would have booked my 1st cruise and this line & the 2nd on the other as I have never been on either and would have liked to try both.

It's just like at the casino, you always hear how much the guy won, but rarely how much he lost.

What I do wish would change would be to have the ships price posted like the airlines. Know the total price when you look it up. Some cruise look great, then you add port fees, taxes, etc. Today 2 cruises that are listed at the same price on a web site may turn out to be very different by the time you finally get the 'final' price.

If you're going to worry about who got the best price...you might as well stay home...it's cheaper

loved the Embassy Suite...a few blocks off the beach, free breakfaerst and nightly manager reception (free drinks & snacks) at a fraction of the cost of the hotels on the beach. Paid under $150/night (1 1/2 years ago)

Most airports no longer hold luggage (since 9/11). What you might think about is simply renting a car for the day. Use one of the local companies as they are much cheaper than national companies. Last year we had a car for about $25/day. Rain forest is great, but about a 45 min drive from OSJ. Evening before the kayack trip is neat, see the swamp glow as you paddle. Check tripadvisor for things to see and excursions. Have a great cruise.

The cruise director usually comes.

If is printed in the daily program does that mean it is open to anyone on the ship or is it a "private" Cruise Cric group only?

I was wondering if anyone heard if the MSC Divina will have a Catholic Priest on board for Easter Weekend.

 

If anyone has inquired about it or if anyone went over Christmas and can recall please let us know.

 

Thanks

I was just checking other treads and on page 4 near the bottom there was a thread regarding Catholic Service. A few posts indicated that they did have an Easter & Christmas service on board. It appears it became to costly to keep a full time priest aboard and there was conflict with various faiths. I do miss a regular service, but believe God knows what's in your heart. Good luck and God Bless.

I was wondering if anyone heard if the MSC Divina will have a Catholic Priest on board for Easter Weekend.

 

If anyone has inquired about it or if anyone went over Christmas and can recall please let us know.

 

Thanks

I really do not know the answer to this, but over the past 5 years with various cruise lines there has never been a pastor or priest sponsored by the cruise line. On most that cruise over a Sunday there has been a passenger that was a member of the clergy that notified the cruise line of their interest to do a service and it was honored. That being said I doubt they will have one scheduled. Then again being an Italian Line maybe. I would e-mail customer service and maybe they can help better. It's a shame it seems like a lost agenda. If they do have a service it will be posted in the daily paper.

booked Oct 4 & Oct 11 B2B...2 seniors...2 weeks under $1400. Now if I could find a $199 air RT that would be great...still time for that

Nice job....makes me long to be on her so much more...thanks

I've been on both...Breakaway has better shows...If you have a party crowd they have better dance nights...often outside...if you want outside dining, they offer that as well.

You didn't mention cabin choice...Breakaway has nice balconies if you get the ones near bumpouts.

The Dawn...I also enjoy that as well. It is smaller but satisfies our needs...It's also about $100pp cheaper on average. They also have a lobster in MDR as Breakaway does not.

Kids...it's hit and miss...on 7 day cruises you always have some...Both have a kids program that keeps most hidden from getting in the way.

It's really the toss of a coin.

you mentioned RCL Explorer of the Seas is a beautiful ship...to be honest there aren't too many 'bad' ships out there. If you stick to the major cruise lines you should do o.k.

I have found each ship to be an adventure. Each line has its + & - side. Over the years things have changed, no more midnight buffets, but often there are newer different activities. Be it big or small, I doubt I'll ever get tired of cruising. The one requirement we do look for is no matter how old the ship and/or passengers are that they be young at heart.

I lost my wallet somewhere between leaving my cabin and getting home...I reported it and a few weeks later I got a call it was found...Years ago a suitecase got lost between the airport and the ship...NCL was able to locate it in Spain, and the airline tried to catch the ship but missed...NCL helped me with needed supplies and laundry. After we returned home they followed up and finally we got the luggage back about a month later. NCL did there part, the airlines were the problem. NCL treats us right

We are considering the March 15th Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Getaway. We can book a BD balcony and get a free upgrade to BA or book a Family balcony and get a 4 upgrade to a mini-suite. Anyone have suggestions on which way to go? BA to can be on higher level; I think the mini-suites are on 9. Port or starboard? also, wondering if we should wait and see if price drops? Thanks!!

The getaway is the sister to the breakaway which we sailed on. Yes the cabins are small and so are most balconies, however there are several that are large enough to put 1 lounger on. We were on deck 12 near the elevators mid-ship and got the cabin where the ship has a bump-out. I think it was cabin 12228, but if you look at the deck plans you will note where the deck bumps out. It was a great location with ease to the elevator, and easy access to all activities. Even though it is a large ship we never tired from too long a walk. We did luck into it with an upgrade from an inside when there was a price drop for a few bucks more and to be honest it has us spoiled.;) I'd say book now and if you see a pricedrop call your TA and see what they can do for you.:D

You can start with a case at departure and when you get to your first port before you get back on simply pick up more at the local market or yes Wallmart they are everywhere and take it on then. I do that all the time with my soda as I don't like coke products and never had an issue.

I belong to CC to enjoy meeting people and obtaining info relating to a specific cruise...As far as NCL they seem to attend to CC quite well. They worked with us at setting an M&G. We also had an area set aside for a group meal one evening. They gave us a free drink coupon at the slot pull, a galley tour, a bridge tour, and always sat us where we asked for meals. In short I've always enjoyed cruising as a part of CC, I do it for the enjoyment not for the "freebees" and even though I never was the organizer I did organize some activities. I always found NCL did their best...after all many CC members post cruise and ship reviews and potential cruises often decide based on what they read. I've also had very positive experiances on Celebrity.:)