duckman715

our 9 day glacier bay cruise on 5/7 has at least 15 open cabins in each balcony and mini suites category. we currently have a BC balcony for $1179 per person. ncl did a huge price reduction last week and still there are many open cabins. I was thinking of canceling our cruise today (final payment is due 2/20) and hoping to rebook in a week or two at a lower price. I do not want to lose our UBP unless the price drops by more than $200 per person. Do you think its worth to cancel the cruise and rebook

Rather than taking a chance of losing out by cancelling your reservation in hopes of getting a better deal, we have always been successful in contacting our booking agent and informing them of the price reduction. Without fail we have been able to get the reduced price on our existing cabin. We have taken more than 30 cruises and while this has only happened a few times we have been 100% successful in getting the reduced fare applied to our previously booked cabin and having the difference credited back to our credit card. We have had the choice of taking the difference as an on board credit as well.

Bottom line here is talk to you agent before cancelling. We have even been successful at this when we booked directly with the cruise line, but I believe this is the exception rather than the rule

We will be on the same Pearl cruise 4/6. We generally do not add extra tips for bartenders. If a bartender happens to remember what I drink and/or my name during the course of the cruise then yes, I will add something extra for such personal service. We also do not tip extra in spas as there is an 18% gratuity added. Only extra tip we normally provide is to room stewards as, in our opinion, they are the hardest working folks on the ship.

My thanks and appreciation to all who have taken the time to reply. Actually the review I read was not on Trip Advisor but I have since read that one as well and have contacted several previous customers of this firm. I do not have a problem with trying someone new but will take your advice and research several companies before making a decision. Again, my thanks for your postings.

Has anyone used Tailored Tours (Timofey) to tour St. Petersburg, Russia?

I know I read a review somewhere which was quite positive but I'd like some other reviews before deciding on whether to use them.

I've read a lot about Alla, Red October, TJ Tours and a few other larger companies. Tailored Tours is a smaller outfit with better prices and has put together a personalized itinerary for us which covers everything we want to see and nothing we don't.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Three weeks ago there were four blackjack tables, one Caribbean Stud table (where my friend won $5,000), one Let it Ride table and one Three Card Poker table in addtion to the Craps & Roulette tables (one each)

Well, you might know after planning this trip almost a year in advance, booking the famed Turquoise Cabana just about the day they released them and springing for the butler package, I was sick as a dog and didn't even set foot on HMC.

 

But the good news is that our friends WERE able to go over, armed with a bottle of wine that they had bottled and a poem warning of serious consequences if you should take the booty without leaving something in return. When they arrived at the cabana, first thing they started looking for the booty. They found it!!!! Some small bottles of rum and a bottle of bourbon. Who left that for us?

 

When my friend started trying to bury her loot, the butler volunteered to do it for her. I've got the photo but it says the file size is too large.

 

Whoever finds ours, please let us know.

Shonuff - The treasure was buried by your friendly Virginia pirate - Duckman715 & his hearty band of brigands. The bourbon was a special treasure as it was the "Virginia Gentleman" brand. We were on shore at HMC 1/5/07. So very glad to hear the treasure was found by a member of the crew of "Ye Mystic Order...", especially after all the rumors of pirates making off with what's really ours.

Hope the prize was properly divided amongst the crew and enjoyed by all

Smooth sailin' to ya lassie

Duckman715

Visited HMC today, no treasure found. New treasure left buried a few inches down just in front of and a little to the side of the left rear deck support post.

Regards from Maasdam

We will be there on 1/5 with treasure in tow. So sorry to learn that there really may be pirates in those waters who have no qualms about taking another's stash.

So, where is everyone? Is this Board "on vacation?"

Anyway, we are off on the Volendam on Sunday and we have our "treasure" ready to be buried! Hope it get's found.

 

Lon

I hope they're just too hung over after finding the loot to write.

We'll be there Jan 5th, treasure & shovel in hand.

OOoooh! How fun, Ziggy! It reminds me of the clues for finding the hidden immunity idol on Survivor!!

 

Y'all can count me in on this deal! I don't post much but I read this board every day. My mom, sister and I have upgraded to the butler package (la-di-dah for us!) and will be visiting the Turquiose Cabana on Jan. 3, 2007. We are almost beside ourselves w/excitement-- this is the first cruise for any of us!

 

Note to Ziggy-- Helllloooo to a fellow Orange Countian! I'm in Northern OC-- how about you?

 

aggie/1/ca

Just remember the code o' the crossbones Lassie and if ye be taken treasure then treasure ye best be leavin if'n ye don't want to feel the teeth o' the Kraken. Tis grog & dubloons and perhaps a few other things of value as well, we'll be stashing fer them what comes after our visit Jan 5. (we hear tell there be games o' chance aboard the ships what sail these waters and these dubloons be what they seek)

The bottle of Virgin Islands Rum I promised to bury at HMC is resting peacefully in my cabin. We arrive at HMC tomorrow morning and the rum will be "hidden" by the left rear support facing the cabana from the beach. Best of luck to all hunt for this treasure! (By the way, this is the best cruise we have ever been on; everything is great!) More later-

jes2245 - Glad to hear the trip be a good one, for ye be worthy o' shippin' on any man's crew. 'Tis proud to to know ye we are. AAARRGG

jes2245 - are you feeling the pressure of being first yet?

I can't wait to arrive on HMC on December 11th and see the trench that's been all dug up around the turquoise cabana!!!!:D :D

 

They're going to think they have gophers or something!!!! LOL!:D

Some very mellow & slightly tipsy gophers methinks.

I sure hope none of the HMC cabana staff are reading this thread. They might be tempted to dig up the treasure & join the gophers in partying with our grog.

My wife and I are the first ones to visit (at least on this list), so I intend to leave a bottle of my favorite Virgin Islands Rum buried next to the left rear corner (looking at the cabana from the beach side). Perhaps Djallar on Oct. 30 or even Ziggy 7 on Nov. 3 will be able to claim this prize. Best of luck!!!

Jes2245 - you set a "high" standard for the rest of us. I'm sure we'll all prove worthy

"Ohhhhh sixteen chests on a dead men's rum,

yo ho ho and a bottle of de chest.."

(Chief Ins J. Clouseau)

For those members of the Royal & Ancient Order of Ye Mystic Inhabitants of the Turquoise Cabana who come after our stay on 1/5/07 you might wish to dig a little ways down in the sand just inside the left rear support post. A caution though... remember 'tis said evil befalls them what's takes a seaman's grog and don't replace it. Legend also has it that good things come to them what do replace any treasure found. Aarrrrggghh

For those who follow us (Duckman715 on 1/5) I will leave a small - airline size - bottle of rum, or two. Jodster, I believe that is you. If someone who is using the cabana prior to 1/5 could indicate on this thread where a good place to leave this elixir might be, I (and Jodster too I imagine) would be grateful. I hear there be pirates in those waters who might be tempted to swill another's grog if'n it not be properly secured.

Bill & Sandy

Please add Duckman715 (aka Bill & Sandy) to the Royal and Ancient Order of Inhabitants of Ye Mystic Turquoise Cabana. We have it booked for January 5, 2007.

The guestbook is a great idea by the way. I'm sure HAL would not mind if we left one there for members of this (not so) secret society to record their deeds of glory and/or rum whilst in attendance.

Bill

My family sailed on Raffaello in the Summer of 1968 from NYC to Naples. My first cruise at 19. Must admit, while I still greatly enjoy the cruise experience of today, that first trip on Raffaello set a standard which I have not found equalled since.

Bill