Dan1113

Hi there,

We are about to book our first ever balcony on a cruise ship - on the Vista on a Western Caribbean itinerary (Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Cozumel). First time with Carnival, as well.

We are wanting a balcony mostly for the advantage of sunbathing privately if it is very crowded on the pool deck!

I guess that since it is a 'loop' type of itinerary, the side doesn't really matter as it's likely to be sun-facing on one sea day and not on the other. But maybe then one at the back of the ship, if it is the same price, would be the best bet?

My concern though is that when I look at the ship, the balconies don't really seem to stick out, meaning that you'll only get sun in them when the sun is really low (/weak!) in the horizon. Am I correct in thinking this, or do they actually end up getting quite a bit of sun anyway?

Any tips are appreciated!

I suppose if I go for say, black chinos, with a shirt and tie and dress shoes, that should be formal enough?

Our is over the NY period, so yeah, I would hate to be severely underdressed!

My impression was that there was one formal night per week with Royal Caribbean, and that is how it was when we sailed with RC a few years ago. The website info pages says 2 per week though. Is this accurate?

Thanks!

Original poster is based in U.S. who have much better booking conditions than here in the UK.

I'm surprised!

I must correct myself though: my price was actually lower (with a bit of OBC), but the offer on with the higher price was better. I thought they'd even out but it was actually a bit better with the new offer, so I asked to switch to the higher price + better offer, but they said no to that.

I didn't realise you are allowed to get them to match a price drop? I had that happen and did email them about it and they just said no.

Europe is no less safe, and no more susceptible, to these sad events than North America.

I'm going on a cruise of the UAE & Oman later this year and I will admit, this makes me feel a bit iffy, but the UAE & Oman should be totally fine. The only thing this event really does make me question is whether it is worth arranging private excursions ourselves compared to taking ship ones like what we normally do to avoid any delays going back to the ship. Going with the ship gives you and the rest of your group a huge "hey, we are 50 people in this bus, probably all Western" label, which isn't the most attractive.

Disappointed the release has only gone up to October. :(

Im wondering the same thing Dan113

 

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Maybe winter 16/17 are coming down the line and isn't part of the releases this month?

Bit disappointed it only went as far as October. When can we expect December itineraries?

Thanks! Do both people in the cabin need to do it, or since the other has a drink package anyway, is it possible for just one of them to?

A couple friends have booked on a cruise with us and they have gotten the basic drinks package included as part of the booking offer. One of them is keen on upgrading to premium. Is that something he can do, simply by paying the difference between the normal basic and premium price, or would they charge the full amount for premium? Can he get this done before he goes onboard?

Thanks :)

Had a look in the articles which was very useful. Still have a few questions, though.

What are these like with Viking? There's almost as many days not cruising as there are cruising. Do they arrange tours for you that you have to do with the group, or is it just the hotels? Is it possible to only do with Viking for the actual cruise part, and arrange the rest yourself and do your own thing?

Never done a river cruise before and am just curious what it is like.

Was looking at the China ones over the summer but the weather there doesn't seem great then so am not sure. Viking seems to be the only ones who are daring to do anything in China during July.

Oops. Ta. :)

What are these like with Viking? There's almost as many days not cruising as there are cruising. Do they arrange tours for you that you have to do with the group, or is it just the hotels? Is it possible to only do with Viking for the actual cruise part, and arrange the rest yourself and do your own thing?

Never done a river cruise before and am just curious what it is like.

Was looking at the China ones over the summer but the weather there doesn't seem great then so am not sure. Viking seems to be the only ones who are daring to do anything in China during July.

That's pretty much our plan too. However at 25 degrees C for an avg then, it's not quite as hot as I'd prefer, haha.

Free drinks + the gratuity is indeed a good deal, and I was just checking for friends joining us on a cruise. Sadly we booked just before this offer started, so we got nothing. :(

How often do ships go into drydock for visible improvements/changes? Silhouette is still a pretty new ship.

Are you speaking of a regular cruise in the Caribbean or a cruise in the Middle East?

A cruise in the Middle East.

We are going on one, and I am curious what parts of the world people usually come from on cruises there, and the general age.

Well, this should be interesting.

Did I miss something?

Some cruises, I see more Europeans, others more Americans, etc., some much younger people, some much older people, etc., so I was just curious. Nothing against anyone.

But the $12 a day is totally separate and you still pay it, right?

So - the 15% (on drinks) is included, but NOT the $12 a day that is added to your cabin, correct?

Does that mean that the price that RC is listing for the drinks package online does not include this 15%?!

Oh right - so should I expect this from other companies when their dates come up, too?

The NY we are doing this time around is with RC and leaves on the 28th, which is a Monday - perfect for us. Hoping they might be the same with other itineraries for the next year.

Just curious! What is the usual mix on these?

Did I understand correctly that this is included in the price of the drinks packages, if you buy one of them?

Is it also included if you get a drinks package via an all inclusive offer?

Thanks!