squadron

The exact same thing happened to me. We bought 2 of the glass dolphins on the Navigator, got home and opened them, one was broken right at the tail. I was giving them for Christmas gifts so I kept that one. I still have it in the original box. Not sure what to do with it. I could probably glue it back like you did. Just haven't done it. Lesson learned....Next time I will open the box and INSPECT the contents for sure!! :cool

 

Don't discount the possibility that it was broken in transit home. I don't think staff would pack a broken one and do believe that suitcases get a rough trip home. A bit of scandal in Canada now about a video made of Air Canada workers tossing suitcases down eighteen feet to a bin below.

We also used SPB Tours, but only for St Petersburg. Our tour package came to $600 which we paid with crisp US Dollars (we had 6 $100 bills). As per what we read on CC, a 10% tip is usually the standard and we divided it $40 for the guide and $20 for the driver. We have found some people give more and divide it anyway they like, that's up to you.

 

Cheers

 

Len

Do you mean that you can give the 10% upfront when you pay and then Alla divides it for each driver and guide in each country - assuming that you book the Baltic multi city tour?? I was wondering if I had to sort out each currency in each country for guide and driver. It would be easier to just pay when paying for the tour package. Or do I have it all wrong?

Any financial advisor would tell you to pay off your debt first which is getting bigger daily with interest. A suite is not a necessity in order to enjoy a cruise.

We are not expecting poor service, we had amazing service on Carnival. Yes I believe they deserve the tip. Has anyone noticed that tips are increasing every year? In my 2010 guidebook it lists as 10 bucks a person a day and now it is 12!?

 

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Think about everything your buy plus car and house insurance, utilities, entertainment fees even fast food restaurants go up constantly so that is the reason tips have gone up a measly $2.00 per day.

We are looking at a Baltic cruise in May 2015. Prices seem pretty high right now. Any ideas about when the best time to book would be? Thanks!

I booked for May 2015. Prices are high but you have until about next Feb to either cancel or rebook if the prices drop. The prices for 2014( last minute I realize) are all yellow flag specials on the web site - possibly due to the political situation. Depending on sanctions or deployment of NATO countries to the Ukraine area the same may also happen next year - or St. P. may not even be on the route which would make many people cancel before final payment.

When we got on the Explorer last month and I got my gin & tonic with a lemon I thought it was odd....bartender said he didn't have any limes yet....then as the week went on a few limes cropped up here and there.

 

Ultimately when we got home we heard about the lime shortage....will have to adjust our summer drinking choices ...LOL

Limes have jumped to $1.29 each when I checked in a supermarket today.

I agree- you can't even go by what price shows up until you follow thru the whole process- and different categories have different savings. I checked a G OV and then an H OV cabin and the savings are different. Too much work!!!

I think the new way makes it much harder to find what sailings have discounts. It works if you are tracking a particular cruise but if you are searching for a "good deal" it would take hours to find one if you aren't fussy about either date or shop - for example in the Caribbean.

Does anyone know of a credit card that does not charge an exchange fee for US dollars to KR or DKK?

I think the Sears MasterCard advertises that it has no foreign exchange.

Log on to Royal's website, go to the C & A portion and click on Special Offers, then click on "New! Crown and Anchor Society Exclusive Rates." Once there click and View Cruises and you will find a very long list of cruises with special C&A member prices. We just snagged a heck of a deal on a January 2015 cruise on Serenade.

Thanks - just the sort of useful information I and probably others wanted.

Swedish ATMs usually only have 100SEK ($15) and 500SEK bills or sometimes only 500SEK ($75) bills.

 

In the first case 100SEK is the lowest possible amount and 500SEK is the lowest in the second case.

This is exactly the info I have been wanting. Maybe someone else could give the same for the other Baltic stops.

You might want to check (on Alla's policy)...we paid with cash for our 2 day private tour with TJ Travel on the 2nd day and did receive a discount for a cash payment. ;)

Interesting - think I will use Alla so am wondering if anyone has had a discount for cash. Do American Express travellers cheques count as cash or are they too old of a way of payment. I have at least up to 2 yrs ago cashed them on board ship.

Try ebay.

 

In my experience, there is almost nothing in the universe that can't be found on ebay.

 

:D

Make life easy - don't need to go to ebay. Any sports store will have them. Even my bank gave me one on a promotion. Anyone you know go to a convention - lanyards used for ID. Even school sell them as a promotion for sports teams.

Within 5 years there will be no free or as RCCL puts it complimentary food options they will all be charge to eat here! YES this includes the MDR and windjammer s.

Don't look like ill be cruising much after this takes effect.

RCCL Diamond +

Opinion or fact?????

I agree there are some that join just for a freebie, and quickly hit the door, it is sad because there are so many new and unique people out there.

 

But, there are some individuals who just by attending the meet and mingle is an accomplishment. For them standing up and going over just to say hello is a hard thing to do. So if you are that outgoing type, please make an effort to pull some of the shy ones out of their shells, by going over and at least saying hello and acknowledging them attending. I hope to say hello to at least 5 new people at my upcoming meet n mingles, my DW, that is a different story.

We friendly Alberta people!

Getting involved with your roll call makes the Meet & Mingle much more fun - you will have gotten to "know" the people here before hand and just put faces with names at the party.

I think the name says it all. Too many people "sit and wait" - never make an attempt to talk to anyone and as soon as the draw is over leave.

I wanted to share my experience. I placed a hold on a cabin for Oasis. I am a Diamond Level and I had a "Next Cruise Certificate" I needed to be added to the reservation. I called the next night to have the additional things added. At that time I paid the booking in full and was told there was a 48 hour guarantee. Two days later I contacted RCCL because there was a $200 decrease in the fare. They said it was based on when the HOLD was placed. I asked if they could provide the difference in an OBC....NO! They were willing to upgrade my cabin to another Oceanview Balcony but I already have a great cabin so that was not a benefit. I asked as a goodwill jesture if they would give us a speciality dining certificate....NO! I went all the way to dispute resolutions.

 

I just want everyone to know...the clock starts ticking when you place the HOLD.....and that wasn't what I was told. So much mis-information.

 

I'm disappointed RCCL isn't doing more.

 

I even have another cruise booked in August for a party of 14....I'm considering cancelling.

 

JMHappy isn't so happy today!!!

Don't understand why RCCI "should do more". As a Diamond cruiser I would think you would understand about "holds". A 24 hr hold is a 24 hr hold - not a mystery or misinformation. Ask if you are unsure about something. Sometimes prices do change after you buy something and you can't go and coomplain and expect to get a rebate.

Standing here waiting for muster on Indy. 15 minutes past assigned time and we can't start the drill due to people missing. Holding up whole ship!!!

 

 

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Agreed!! I once shared a dining table with a ignorant women who said she hid in her shower at muster time but was found by staff!

I wrote my tour company and will post their reply. I thought it was most helpful.

It’s true that these can very in price greatly depending on quality, but if you spend about 20-25 USD you can find something of solid quality. Of course they can also be much more expensive, into the hundreds of dollars, but a practical option is to spend about 20-25 USD. This is approximately 700 - 900 RUB. There will also be some for as low as 5-10 USD, but I’d say these would be cheaply made and not very nice.

Thanks you - just the sort of information about price and quality that I wanted. I'm happy with paying this amount. I'm not good at haggling - feel the street vendor needs the money more than I do. What is a good souvenir for boys? I have one Grandson. The three girls will get dolls.

Last time I checked, it was $95 per person.

Do many solos book Chef's table? Is it more of a "Romantic couple evening"?

Misleading or not, it's a common way to advertise. I couldn't count the numbers ads Ive seen that say something along the lines of All ..... Up to 50% off. And what it means us that they're all on saie and at least one is 50% off.

agreed. Shoes, washing machines - whatever - only a few are 50 % off! One has to read carefully. Basic reading comprehension.

it could also be that the $399 starting at fare, is special pricing for seniors, resident rates, military, police/fire. So this fare wouldn't show up for you had you not selected one of those special fares, but if you did select one of those criteria, the $399 would show up.

If you look at the breakdown when doing a dummy booking there is the total price and when you click on breakdown - you will see there will be a $ value for cruise and a $ value for port taxes. The prices quoted in ads only show cruise price.

Hello... I have "enjoyed" learning all the ins and outs of prices on cruises... One of the factors you might consider is the amount of "port taxes." Depending on what port you depart from and what are the ports of call... there can be a significant difference in the final price..... these prices are only seen at final payment mode.

 

It is amazing to see that a short 3 night cruise out of Miami has a much higher amount of port taxes than a 14 night transatlantic out of Fort Lauderdale.

 

So I am wondering if your base fare is actually the correct fare... but the port tax was what increased your final fare...

 

Ernesto

I, too, have noticed that port taxes do vary depending the ports visited. Obviously some charge more - California, Hawaii and Alaska seem to be more . Environment laws? However I noticed that the ports taxes are more now on one of my cruises then they were several months ago when I booked. They are beyond the cruise line's control.

I wonder if cabins are now classified at quads if a couple can book them, or do you need 4 people. I have tried to book cabin 1700 on the Liberty and told it required 4 passengers.

Just a thought.

Does anyone know where solos can book ? I find doing a dummy booking the web site wants to keep me only in Q. Do I assume since I'm paying 200% I should be able to book any that is for 2 people?

The cheap ones are "made in China". If you want high quality ones someplace like the Hermitage or St Catherine's Palace are a reputable place. Also believe it or not the ship will sell all sorts of souvenirs

I don't want nesting dolls made in China but also don't want to spend$100 for each of the granddaughters. Do you remember what they cost on the ship and I assume would be of reasonable quality? Anyone with experience either buying or pricing them?

 

If you search under "The Stars of the White Nights Festival" you will find that the Marinisky is indeed open during your call, but the exact program may be available later. You will also note that a site is available especially for cruise ship passengers.

 

http://www.balletandopera.com/festivals/stars-of-the-white-nights-festival/?sr=gsu&kw=white%20nights%20st%20petersburg#an1

Am I missing the price? Anyone give me an idea of what it would be?