tercar

I work with people from 3rd world countries, and one thing has always stuck in my mind. The person told me she kept a picture of a bar of chocolate and looked longingly at it because there was no way she could afford to buy it. As most of the crew are working on the ship for THE MONEY which most send nearly all of it home to keep their families, I think chocolate is something most people enjoy, however sometimes the crew would rather do without than buy it themselves, therefore I think it is a nice gesture to give them this treat. We are going to Cape Verde soon and I know it is a very poor country, therefore my suitcase has already got books,pencils, clothing etc to give to the islanders. I know they will be grateful for these items. I will also give cash too.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Reply to Tercar.

 

This has been mentioned on FB. Someone has posted a similar price for Ventura for 28th February. When I booked in July for Dream on 23 Feb 14, Ventura was much more than Thomson. I still have the quote.

 

"Ventura for 28th Feb. 2014. £1899 deck E, outside, from Manchester, including £70 obc = total of £1829"

 

Dream have only inside cabins left. When did you book your cruise? Perhaps P&O have discounted to sell empty cabins. It's a great price though. :):)

 

Edit: I have just checked the price on line and Ventura on 28th February 2014 it is back up to £1839 pp for 2 week cruise, outside cabin, including flights .

 

You have definitely got a bargain.

Yes indeed we did I have noticed now the price has risen quite a lot. Booked only about 7 weeks ago happy with the deal .Carol

Will be doing our ninth cruise with Thomson 28th Feb on Celebration.The only trouble was a couple of years ago on Celebration as i have already posted.

Never had trouble on any of other ships and saw very little anywhere,even on Dream in first season,when there were lots of complaints from "nitpickers looking for compensation". In my opinion one of the worst offenders are the ice cubes in drinks. We never use these,even in hotels. Buckets of cubes with hands diving in for ice, "YUCK" no thanks !!

Still looking forward to 28th Feb,despite all negative reports.

Shellsailor.:):):):)

You obviously we're not on the May25th cruise on the dream. It certainly was not nit picking. The smells of raw sewerage made you vomit the whole ship was disgusting, toilets were blocked and over flowing sewerage came up in the jacuzzi one day. As I have stated in other post I travelled extensively with Thomson in the past not now though. It really was off putting.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I can't remember the name of the cruise line or ship for our first cruise :confused::o.

 

Apart from Thomson the only other cruise company I have travelled with was Airtours/suncruises. This was very similar to T but I think the food was slightly better, not least because their midnight buffet was chocolate :D, I haven't seen or tasted anything as good since.

I have been on several Thomson cruises and several other lines too. I used to love Thomson ,however I have seen too many cut backs. As for tips included a lot of other lines are actually cheaper. The all inclusive say on celebrity is slightly more expensive (about £4)a night, however bottled water, bottled beers, sparkling wine, all liqueurs, and all cocktails are included. Also the safe in the room is free. Also when you cruise with them you gain benefits like free laundry, dry cleaning and pressing too. These benefits roll over to RCCI too. Been with MSC too food not so good, but their new ships are the best I've been on stunning. The drinks package on their ships is awesome £20 a day. 24 hours a day, same goes for celebrity.

I am going to the Caribbean in 2weeks with P and O first time with them, I paid £1099 for a ocean view cabin for 2weeks, Thomson is quoting £1600+for the same, on the dream. So I am sure this will cover the tips with a little left over for drinks. I say they all have some good points and some bad points it is where you feel comfortable, and of course the price has to be right Carol

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

For us we need the winning MegaMillions ticket also.

 

We were Elite are now Elite+ and light years away from Zenith.

I am Elite too, however hardly ever use the benefits. What i don't understand is anyone who becomes Zenith must be rich enough not to worry about any perks lol. Carol

I have yet to find cider on any cruise ship. Apple concentrate with added alcohol should be called just that.

Celebrity do both bulmers and strongbow ciders. at around $5 a bottle. Carol

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can tell me how much drink prices are, beer, wine, cocktails on the MSC cruises, in the Mediterranean.

 

Thanks:confused:

The drinks prices are quite expensive around 6.5 euros for a G&T +15% grats, therefore IMHO the drinks package is well worth the money, as you get nice coffees and ice creams and bottled water too. If you enjoy a few drinks and some wine with your dinner it will pay to go for the package. Carol

Despegue

 

I asked if you really expected it to be unlimited. After all, you were the one who asked the question in the first place.

 

I also never said YOUR comments were negative. Others have "made fun" of the offer.

 

A repeat my initial comment, if I were a Celebrity official- I would be angry as the offer appears to be a lose/ lose for them. They offer something that costs them $$ and folks complain. Sort of how some complain about the tote bags. Seems they might be better off not offering them at all .

M

Too true, if I had to rely on freebies to go on a cruise I think I would stay at home, We get the freebies however, rarely take advantage of them. Some people wouldn't be happy if the got a free cruise.

Are children allowed in bars where you live? Not where I live. I can't see the difference.

It just so happens they are on vacation and not at home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as I am concerned it is inappropriate on a whole lot of levels. In my opinion, children should not be exposed to the bar scene day or night until they are of legal age. Quite frankly, as someone who has paid thousands of dollars to take a cruise I do not want to walk into a bar on a ship and not be able to find a stool or table because children are sitting there. We leave in just a few hours for Barcelona to pick up the Equinox for their trans atlantic cruise on Monday.

Sorry to sound like a moron, however it is also true of people with children they have also spent thousands of dollars paying for their children to go on vacation with them. I for one wouldn't want to spend my time in the cabin "with the children" hey I am on vacation and I for one wouldn't leave the children alone at night. As far as I am concerned there is absolutely nothing wrong with children at bars, I think they have as much right as the next person to be there.

We have recently returned from the Preziosa, and after the first night the waiter asked us if we wanted a rose wine every night, we said yes and he had 2 bottles in a cooler ready and waiting for us every night. After a few nights we asked for a sparkling wine which he duly brought for us and asked if we liked it, when we said we did he then left a rose and a sparkling wine each night it is a fantastic package. Would not cruise without one Carol

I have just returned from a cruise on the Preziosa and I saw this little caption in the crew corridor.

S= smile and greet.

M= make the difference.

I= involve yourself.

L= lead by example.

E= enhance guest's experience.

It was my first cruise with MSC, I had also read the negative reviews and was going with an open mind. The ship was stunning. I found the waiters good and the wine service at dinner was exceptional. Some of the food was not as good as other lines however, I still managed to gain some weight!!. The waiters were prepared to change food choices to suit ones needs, I. E. I have mussels for starter and main course no problem. One thing that some may not like is the amount of children on board, as I took my 2 grand children this did not upset me too much. Also the kids go free, big bonus. For the cost of this cruise I would say it was excellent value and will definitely go on a MSC ship in the future.:cool::cool::cool:

Onboard Infinity today:

 

Captain Lekkas

Chief Engineer Nikolaos Kokkalis;

Staff Captain Thomas Hinderhofer,

GRM David Gross,

HD, Djamel Benatmane,

CD Alejandro Tortorelli,

F & B Carlos Echaiz,

Chef Stephen Jondeau.

Party Band, Fusion,

Rendezvous, Sonny Rose Quartet.

CC Hostesses Jenny and Melissa.

If it's the same Alejandro as CD from Argentina (Ithink) he is very good and as I am on the Infinity soon I'm very pleased x

How many days until your next cruise?????? Hopefully it's soon, as I know we all enjoy time spent on the open seas.

 

I only have 78 days until my cruise, and I am already getting ancious to go. I wish it was sooner, then the time on the cruise would just crawl so it seemed longer, lol.

toooooooooooooooo many lol

I have been reading CC for some time. but, I have never read about the EU drink tax. Is it in all of the EU countries? or just Spain?

 

Can someone explain?

Hi, if the ship leaves from a spanish port eg barcelona and does not go anywhere outside the eec then you pay an extra 8% spanish tax on all drinks that you buy on board. so in effect you are paying 23% on top of the price of the drink. we were on the serenade of the seas in december and paid this tax. I dont know why the cruise companines cruise from the port when the spanish government put these taxes on things you buy onboard. or atleast the cruise companies could make sure there is a port outside the eec so that these rule so not apply.

Next time ask your cabin attendant if he can use it or if one of his friends could use the piece of clothing. Especially if it is in very good condition.

 

My sister and I will always ask first before we throw something that is still in almost like new condition. And we have always found that our cabin attendants were glad to get them. Either to keep the article of clothing for themself or to give to one of their friends.

I agree with you, we usually have some items we are finished with, but are in good condition and have always found a good home for them.

We were both on TOP of it! It's people trying to cheat the system that makes the package that much.. im sure they build that in to the price that they believe a certain amount of people will try to "share"

STEAL is the word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Celebrity’s drink package is so much better. $55.00 gets you premium drinks' date=' wines up to $12.00, specialty coffees and bottles water. I won’t drink 55.00 in alcohol, but I would have a few alcoholic drinks, bottles of water and speciality coffees. I won’t be getting the package unless all beverages were included![/quote']

 

Same here!!!!!!!!!!!! it is the water and the coffees that sway me to the all inclusive, I like a drink however, I love a few coffees every day too. It appears a tad expensive if there is so much not included.We love the Celebrity drinks package, and I allways get the premium package because I can have the coffeees and bottled waters.

On SOLSTICE:

Donnette Fletcher is current Captain's Club Hostess.Captain: Nestoroudis

Staff Capt: Kiousis

 

Other officers same as posted

Keep her safe we are travelling on the next voyage.. 11 days and counting x

The current CD on Solstice is Alejandro Tortorelli. He is terrific

 

Anne.

Thanks for that.. that is good news, last one was a canadian girl ummmmmmmm not my cup of tea sorry.

Now if he would only post the names of the HD and CD and the chef and the CC host.. :D

 

 

 

 

 

She just replaced John Grantham and according to another source she will not be there long. Having just been on Summit she seems to be the roaming CD for now.

 

Thanks to all. I'll update the roster soon.

I've heard she is very good, wish she was on the solstice on the 15th August, last time it was a canadian girl

Costas Nestoroudis is the current master of Solstice. :)

 

Anne

Do you know who is the cruise director wasnt keen on the last one... a lady as I remember

We got off Solstice last Sunday......March 25th. Had switched to a W suite (not specified handicapped) and we ended up with cabin #2148....and aft S2 with fabulous butler Nito, large covered balcony..................it was the BEST cabin ever and we loved it. We also visited an accessible cabin (also booked as a guarantee) by another member of CC group....think it was #2134. Other than the differences in the bathroom (handicapped shower and higher potty)...it was a huge and nice bathroom. They had a couple kids with them and loved it. Large balcony.

 

Would we try this again....in a heartbeat. The upgrade was very inexpensive (we orginally had a CC2 cabin)...and made up the difference. Got $80 credit for specialty restaurant, dined in Blu one night (fabulous), and had a huge cheese platter and other desserts and canapes daily. Hubby had shoes shined a couple times, and the butler arranged for everything we wanted...dinner reservations, shore excursions, etc.

 

We will have trouble going back to a "regular" CC or Aqua cabin!!! Go for it.

OOh you have made my day, we have just upgraded to a W guarantee suite, and I cant wait to sample the extras you get, like you I am concerned that I wont be happy with a regular cabin for my next cruise. Hope I get the same butler as you he sounds amazing xxx going in less than 2 weeks woo hoo