mitz18

On 3/28/2023 at 10:16 AM, tfred said:

We are booking our first SS cruise. May 2024 Venice to Rome 10 nights 

 

We have been cruising Celebrity Retreat (suite) rooms after we retired and like it.  The Med cruise on SS was actually the same price as a Celebrity Med Retreat 10 nighter, the bonus was that SS had excursions and airport transport included.  The Celebrity port choice was also the bigger ports with all the big port hassles of bus rides and more people

 

Some questions

 

We are probably going to book direct (as we normally do - also no real relationship with a TA.  We have a neighbor that does it but I dont know the advantage to us - other than him getting the commission )   Any disadvantage booking direct?

 

We would book Classic Veranda.  Any advantage booking next level up?

 

The flight program wasn't available for some reason.  We would spend a few weeks before and after anyway.  My concern in general is weird routings - has that been an issue on SS?  Its a year off so I dont have an issue finding flights on my own

 

Prices ever go down or special promotions that I would be protected on?

 

Sport coat needed?  Acceptable? on this route

 

General quality of the included excursions on SS?

 

Thanks 

Just FYI - personally I'd take a coat & a tie.  There are places to eat every night where you don't need one or both, but why limit yourself just to avoid taking 2 articles?  I think you'll enjoy yourself more if you have them just IMHO.  enjoy

1 hour ago, RichYak said:

Those $14.40 drinks are costing you $4.40 a pop additional. That’s where your math fails. You claim to break even at 7.41 drinks but it cost you another $32.60 to do so. 

In this example it was a $12 drink plus tip which equals +/- $14.40.  Again my post said hypothetical numbers. A $14.40 drink + tip = $17 & if the cost is $107 then the break even is 6.29 drinks.  Doesn’t really matter.  First one has to figure how much they drink, what they drink & est the cost of those drinks, then compare that to the cost of a bev package plus/minus the “ convenience” cost of same and decide if it is worth it or not.

1 hour ago, neverlaysup said:

Your math is off....the Classic package is $89 a day plus 20% gratuity so the cost is $106.80. The $12 dollar drinks mean you will pay $2.40 extra per drink as well. You would need to drink 11 $10 dollar drinks a day or supplement a few of those with water, coffee or soda. Even if you drank $20 a day in water, soda and coffee, you would still need to average 9 drinks a day....every day....to break even. For the Premium package, the total daily cost including gratuity is $130.80 so the same math applies if you are drinking nothing but premium drinks. I can keep up for a few days before my liver says STOP! I am glad the AI pricing is much cheaper.

I disagree.  Using your numbers, the package cost $106.80 and the drinks are $14.40 ($12 + $2.40).  So $106.80 divided by $14.40 = 7.41 drinks at $12 + tip.  Where is the math off?  My DP and I have a couple of mimosas at breakfast, a couple of glasses of bubbles for lunch, misc drinks during the afternoon and then drinks at dinnner and in the evening.  Believe me we’ve done the math and it’s close.  If the cruise is port intensive and you’re going to go onshore every day/all day the the package does not work.  If you are staying on board most of the time (&/or want the convenience of not signing recipes for every drink) the package works.  Besides, it seems the AI increases the rate by about $90 (+ gratis) but includes the tips and Wi-Fi.  So even with the $10 pd upgrade to premium,it’s not $106.80 for the drinks.  Any way, each to their own and just pick what works best for you

56 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Occasionally, very very occasionally, you might see a “children sail free” promotion.

OMG - nooooooooo.  Not on X. 🤮   😁

Using hypothetical numbers for discussion:  Lets say the package cost is $90 pd and your average drink cost is $12.  That means 7.5 drinks pd is the over/under.  The convenience factor is a personal calculation.  We've tried both with and w/out a package and the final outcome is usually close; but will admit the paper receipts and signing does get a bit old...... 

I loved the Beyond, but did not like the Infinity "balcony".  The only day it was nice was the rainy day where the area became an extra inside space.  But I like the traditional balcony, rain or shine, and missed the true outdoors.  We only will travel with balconies and the Infinity soured our opinion of the Edge class ships and probably will avoid them going forward.

In recent years, the Radiance has done the Panama Canal Transit E.Bound (Tampa/LA) in April.  I presume that will continue so wondering if anyone might have an idea when the 2025 itinerary for the canal/south america might come out?

TIA

We've done a couple trips on the Dawn now and love her; our new favorite.  Now we are thinking about a trip on the Moon which we've never been on - for those that have been on both;  how much of a difference will we really notice?
TIA

8 hours ago, CoolChange37 said:

Very experienced cruiser here but stumped... If we are booked in a large balcony cabin on the Odyssey and want to upgrade to a Jr Suite (just because its more room for a 2 week cruise), do we loose all the excursions and packages we have booked or do they just change our cabin for us? Or would it be better to wait til the upgrade offer (assuming there will be one)? And then, do they just change the room without loosing all the prepaid stuff we have? TIA

were the excursions/packages booked with OBC or did you pay for them? If you paid for them, they should transfer as paid excursions have nothing to do with the room charge.  Could be different if you used some OBC that came with the original price.   I agree with Oceansaway that you should call RCL or your TA and just ask - but I believe that if you want to pay full price to upgrade categories, they will take into consideration what you have now to give you a new price.  FWIW, a Jr Suite would be nicer for 2 weeks + double points.

4 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Our daughter & her husband are sailing on Wonder of the Seas & reports back great food quality & assortment ,when they sailed on  Navigator if the Seas the report on food quality  was quite negative . 

What has beeb your experiences with RCL ships  with regards  to the food quality ,portion size etc 

Like most restaurants anywhere in the world it depends on the night you go.  Quality of food and service can/will vary night to night & no doubt ship to ship.  For the most part, the last couple of RCL cruises we've been on the food has been good (we still set service aside due covid and staffing issues) & no real complaints.  Was the complain on Navigator with the main dining or also the specialty dining?  

On 4/10/2023 at 9:06 PM, chatuga said:

On sea days are art classes?

If you consider cooking an "art", there are classes in the SALT Lab 😄

On 4/13/2023 at 9:59 AM, PTC DAWG said:

Yes.

well that says it all 😁

On 4/11/2023 at 8:28 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

You should probably re-read what you saw as there isn't one in the way RCI has a Diamond lounge

 

On the Beyond there's a dedicated CC desk but no one would consider it a lounge

and seems RCL is making changes.  Diamond plus no longer able to access suite/concierge lounge.  I'm Elite and don't mind there is not a lounge as lounges are typically over crowded,,,,,,,,,,,,

just clicked on X site:  https://www.celebritycruises.com/company/customer-support/conduct-policy#alcohol-policy

Guests are not permitted to bring alcoholic beverages onboard; with the exception of embarkation day when each guest (of legal drinking age) is permitted to bring onboard up to two (2) 750 ml bottles of wine (which are subject to a corkage fee) per guest.

Late to the party but we have never utilized the services of the butler(s) very much.  Other than a request for a bottle of champagne & ice bucket each day, don't really need them.  Of course I'd rather unpack myself, I show up with shined shoes and tend to be very self sufficient - although having said that I'd hate to see them gone.  I may not use the service, but has always been nice to know they're there in case needed.......

On 4/9/2023 at 3:43 AM, Unibok said:

The Dawn is gorgeous

After our trip in January I must admit I think she is our new favorite......

On 4/13/2023 at 2:48 PM, Strumdatjag said:

Isn’t Champagne always available?  And I believe it’s a pretty good one. 

we usually had Pommery, but did buy a higher end bottle or two. 

On 3/30/2023 at 10:09 AM, West Windsor girl said:

What type of electrical plugs are on Dawn. What is the SALT restaurant like?

side note - if you have a chance to do a cooking class in SALT, do it (take a glass of wine).  It was a great time & learned new tricks.

I'm not from Napa but for years visited 2-3 times per year and love big bold cabs.  That being said, I'd never take my own wine on SS as it forces me to try their variety of wines.  The sommelier / wine stewards were very helpful and willing to offer several options for trying.  One night he even left the bottle on the table after seeing we enjoyed it.  You're on a new adventure, why not be willing to be open to new wines.  Some you won't like, others you will.

On 4/3/2023 at 10:01 AM, brwneyedgirl72 said:

I'm curious about the Chef's Table on my next cruise on Summit - has anyone does this in the past?  Is it worth it? Is it worth the price?  Any feedback would be much appreciated!  Thank you!

Hard to say if it is worth it to you as everyone is different.  Some will see the worth, others not.  Why not try it once and decide for yourself?

I'd only do that if there was no other option, financially or other.  Four in a room would be very uncomfortable and seems to me would add un-needed stress to a vacation.

6 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

a number of  sailing where PE is available  for an extra fee

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/airfare-package

Thanks all.  Have also seen it as "Purchased Excursions" LOL.  We have never sailed Oceania (usually Celebrity & rare occasions Silversea) so I am enjoying reading the treads to "get a taste" as considering Oceania - especially the issues of O'Life, no O'Life, flights/no flights, etc.  😀

Thanks again

1 hour ago, mcgorr said:

Thanks everyone.  Special Needs did get back to me and tests can be done on the ship and we are also on the hunt for a machine to self-test.

Just curious - did they indicate the cost for the onboard testing?

Just now, LHT28 said:

Premium Economy  usually on flights to/from Europe

got it - thanks.

On 3/25/2023 at 2:01 PM, ak1004 said:

Most of the time O air is not a good deal, you can usually book cheaper on your own. Some cruises have special rate for PE, this might be a good deal. 

ok sorry - what does PE stand for in this case? 🤔