CRUZERWANNABE

This happened to me time and time again, I had to delete cookies in Chrome, and it still kept happening. Believe it or not, IE worked best for me, who would have thought :D

I am not a big drinker, but when Hubby is on vacation, he wants to be able to enjoy himself and not worry about how many drinks he is having and the potential cost. I think I worried more than he did, and found myself skipping a drink I might have enjoyed because he was racking up our bill. :o I think we always at least break even, but the worry is gone. If we figure up the water that we drink on the ship and take off for excusrions, the specialty coffees, my 1 or 2 drinks a day and his many, it works for us...at least on Celebrity. The price we paid for our upcoming RC cruise was a very good deal, and I am sure we will at least break even.

So nothing from the MDR, have to go to specialty for a decent meal? Sounds like NCL.

Maybe start a new thread and be more specific?

We routinely check OBC (on board credit) as soon as possible. While still at the dock it's a whole lot easier for Desk to contact Princess headquarters or you to call your TA (travel agent) before ship push back.

 

I suggest all pax to double check account/folio the 2nd day of the cruise to verify YOUR charges are being added correctly. Then check at least every other day after to double check no errant charges are being added. Kind of hard to remember what bar you were in and what you drank six days ago. For fun look at the customer service desk the last night or morning of disembarkation for those who just discovered that $500 bar tab.

How do you check to see if the OBC from TA has been added to your account at the dock, is that something you can ask when checking in or will it show up in the APP?

That’s very sad. We always used room service to get coffee mid day. Would hate to get charged that for room service.

order a carafe of coffee for as late as you can get it, it looks like the breakfast menu is available until 11 am. Ask them to leave it in your room, it may still be warm in the afternoon.

Thanks everyone for the quick responses. We will leave all auto tips in place and just tip extra for serrvice above and beyond as usual.

Well, I haven't done 100 cruises - more like 50 - but ever since I was taking my card out of my purse, got bumped into by another cruiser and watched my card fall over the side of the ship I have had a lanyard. Nor am I the only one.

I also have found, as a female , most of the casual clothing I wear around the ship do not have pockets, and I do not want to carry a purse, so a lanyard or coil wristet it is.

I have not sailed NCL...yet, but have my first cruise booked on the Escape. I have however sailed on Carnival, HA, Princess and Celebrity and also have a RCI cruise booked. I have NEVER had a horrbile cruise, every cruise line has had some things that I find outstanding and then there are some things I didn't care for. We all have different wants and expectations for our cruises, what I wnat, someone else may not. That is why there are so many cruise lines that offer a different experiences. My HA cruise was probably the most sedate cruise I have ever taken, it seems like everything is shut down early, average age is much older, BUT there is so much else they do superbly. When I am older, this may be my line of choice. When we booked our NCL cruise and I started researching, I too was a bit taken aback that the specialty coffees and water were not included in the beverage package, but I did a little math and figured what I would spend , and even having to pay for them, my cruise was comparable in price or even less than other cruise lines I priced out for similar sailings. Why bash a cruise line? Just admit that line isn't for you and try another.

I have a gratuity question that I don't think I have seen asked before. We always leave our gratuities "as is" and almost always tip our room steward and favorite bartenders extra on the last day. My question is this, I know you can , I guess for a better word is"reallocate" the tips? The last few cruises we have been on, we never once stepped foot in the dining room, could we reallocate the tips for dining room to dthe buffet staff or is the buffet staff included from the get go? Sorry if this is winded, but not really sure how to explain it any better. :D

Now to find out if there is anyplace to get a root beer to make a float? And I can't carry any on :mad:

I’m just curious and new to Royal, but I have seen this a couple times on here so may I ask, why wouldn’t you want to eat in the main dining area?

 

 

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I emjoy the MDR experince once in a while, but hubby is not a fan at all. We stopped going to formal nights when airlines started charging for luggage. The past few cruises we have avoided the MDR atogether, and have thouroughly enjoyed it. We have so much to choose from, and on Celebrity there is a huge variety of sushi. We dined ( at adjacent tables) most nights with the Cruise director and staff, and one night with the Captain, his wife and little boy, We had great fun playing peek-a-boo games with the chilld. It was always quiet and enjoyable.

The only thing you might miss out on is a good price on the package. During a recent sale I got the deluxe package for $42 USD. That is a significant savings off the on-board price of $55 USD per day.

 

I'd suggest keeping an eye on the sales and, if you are able, get deluxe package. I'm not a big drinker (but hubby is) so I calculated that with one specialty coffee, one fresh squeezed OJ, minimum five bottles of water and only TWO drinks per day, I will break even with this sale price (Hubby will definitely get his moneys worth). Of course this depends on if you enjoy the non-alcoholic drinks I suggested (I plan on them every day with or without the drink package). Otherwise you have to have at least four alcoholic drinks per day which isn't too excessive. Like others have said, it's more about not having to worry about going over my budget so I'm happy if I just break even.

We also got the great deal at $42. My hubby likes to relax and he always more than gets his money's worth from the package. I come close everyday with a few coffee drinks, and I drink lots of water, followed by a few adult bevvies in the evening. The biggest thing for me is peace of mind. I know going in what I have spent and never have to worry. The first few cruises we took, the drink packages were few and far between , so we did not buy one, I worried everytime hubby got a drink about our bar bill, to the point of depriving myself of something I would enjoy because I didn't want to break the bank. :tropical-drink:

IMO , NCL prices are similar to RC and Celebrity . A large % of Celebrity and NCL guests receive a drink package as a perk so for them seeing high drink prices is affirmative . Carnival's stable of brands has prices about 20% lower . Some like HAL have great happy hour deals . Finally all brands except Norwegian allow you to bring on a bottle of wine per adult , max 2 to a cabin at no charge . Plus the others allow you to bring on soda and water . Carnival sells water for a fraction of NCL and you can still bring on soda .

I'm sure some will disagree with all the above . TS :D

I agree with drink pricing being pretty much the same across cruise lines. Celebrity's drink package is so much more inclusive and costs much less if you were to buy it outright. We are taking our first RC cruise, and although they usually do not offer the drink package as a perk, they often run awesome sales (we paid $42 PP per night) for their best package and again are way more inclusive. I am more of a specialty coffee and water drinker, and the Norwegian package does not include either. Hubby, on the other hand, gets the most of his drink package :D I have yet to sail Norwegian, I figured with the "free" drink package, the total price compared to other lines, I probably could afford to buy some water and coffee drinks, begrudgingly though.

So glad I read this thread and revisited the UBP, I am not much of a drinker, but love my coffee, hot, cold or frozen and water. Neither of those are included in this package and it is almost double the price of other cruise lines package, and thier packages include the specialty coffees and water. :mad: I know it is offered as a free perk often, but wowser. Glad I haven't booked yet.

I look forward to freshly made waffles with homemade whip cream........topped with VT maple syrup that I bring with me, and lots of crispy bacon.

If you buy the soda package, can you get soda at any bar or in the dining room when you're eating dinner? Thanks.

 

Karen

I think this was answered one post below. You can get soda at any bar or dining room if you have the soda package, you will need your card.

My two cents... Horseshoe Beach, Gibbs Light House and Hamilton... although will be tight on your last day in port. Horseshoe bay is a beautiful beach and the view from the top of Gibbs Light House is amazing.... I also love St George’s, and enjoyed the unfinished church and tobacco bay....I am a beach person (not a snorkeler) so horseshoe is a stop on all of my Bermuda trips!

 

 

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Thanks for the input, this would not be our last day, it will be the middle day , so a full day. We are doing the Segway Tour and a snorkeling catamaran tour on the first day and a full day tour through the ship on the last day. We have decided to wait and see what the weather is and our wandering lust tells us.

My Husband is usually up for all the same things I am......except cruising in general. LOL He goes every couple of years to keep me happy. Therefore, returning to Bermuda on a cruise with my DH is not an option. If I could just find a cruising buddy, I would be all set, I have plenty of takers, just none with money. I can be happy with my DH agreeing to cruise every few years. :')

Thanks for the advice, It really helps just knowing the time for travel. What I really want is a 4th day in Bermuda :D. I just now have to figure out if I do St. George, Tobacco Bay and maybe the Crystal Caves or Hamilton, Horseshoe Bay and Gibbs Lighthouse. Maybe it will just be a good excuse to go back ;p I'm not sure if I could convince my hubby though, I would do it in a heartbeat....would love to spend several days just geocaching. Feel free to chime in with your preferences.

Carol

I have one day left to plan in Bermuda, and I have so many things I want to do, but I have to pare it down. I need a little help from those that have been and can tell me what I shouldn't miss. Here is my list....Tobacco Bay, Horseshoe Bay, walking tour of St. George, walking around Hamilton and Gibbs Lighthouse. We will be using the buses and ferries, so I will need to allot time for that, so based on my wish list, which of these things is it feasible to do? Thanks in advance.

Carol

I thought Hidden Gems had cliff jumping, not sure if it is at Admirality Park. You may want to check on this before you do this on day 2, you might be able to choose something else instead.

I know this has been asked many times, but my search is not revealing a lot of info. We are flying in to FLL on February 25 and need a room for one night. I know it is peak season and expect to pay quite a bit ( I just do not want to pay the same as my cruise cost. LOL) We get in about 7:30, so more than likely will grab something to eat at the airport. We had intended to stay on 17th ST to be near good restaurants and a place to grab water and soda, but now our flight gets in so late and Norwegian no longer allows water and soda to be carried on. We are now a bit more flexible in our choices, what would be a good, clean place near the airport?

So... if I am reading the threads correctly, the price of $219 is just that? No resort taxes or meals and room tax? My credit card will only be billed for $219?

How does Valutrips work if you are a party of 4, do they add an extra fee?

Thanks so much,

Carol

We are cruising on The 26th of February and will be staying overnight in FLL the 25th. We will be arriving in mid to late afternoon. We originally wanted a hotel within walking distance to restaurants and stores as I was going to purchase some water and root beer for floats, to take on board. Now that NCL has put a stop to taking water and soda on board, we do not necessarily need a hotel that meets that criteria. Can you recommend a good place at a reasonable rate? Thank so much.

I have seen a few comments about this "motel" being recently renovated and was hoping to get a review and some information. Are there restaurants and grocery or pharmacy within walking distance? We want to get some bottled water and root beer before our cruise. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks so much.