spartac

Hi All,

Discovering this goldmine of info thanks to a fellow Cruise Critic member. However some of this info dates a bit so I'm not sure what's current.

We'll be spending a day in Costa Maya and I'm looking for a nice Beach Club, more on the ideally with a pool (but not a must) and preferably not All Inclusive (but I don't mind if it's a high end one). Thanks for any recommendations!

Sounds right for 2016.

 

The policy changed since then (early 2017?) and now you only pay the difference in price (plus 18% gratuity) when on the Classic Drink Package.

 

 

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Thanks for the info! Glad Celebrity did the right thing. The previous policy didn't make any sense, other than being extortionate. My friend, who drinks a glass of Champagne every other day, will be glad that he won't have to pay the full price but just the difference with $9.

yes, you can upgrade to the premium package...the upgrade is $10 plus 18% gratuity.....and you can do that through your TA, or on the ship at any bar or guest services when you board. I'd suggest that you may want to wait to upgrade....to see if it's really worth it. If you have the classic drink package and order something that costs more than the classic $ limit, you just pay the difference (plus tip). You really lose nothing if you wait....same price, very easy to do when you board.

Hum...on our last cruise (Silhouette 2016) we were told by a Sommelier that we has to upgrade to the Premium Package if we wanted to get the better wines. I believe the classic package capped wine by the glass at $9. I assumed I'd just pay the difference if I wanted something more expensive. However I was told I wouldn't be able to. So what she explained is that the Premium got me wine up to $13 a glass PLUS the ability to pay the difference if it the glass cost more than that.

Does it sound right or wasI just fed BS to force me to buy a package?

Personally I am not a big fan of the Canary Islands, so we always skipped the cruises including the Canaries.

The reasons are very subjective, however, and I would not discourage others to visit the islands and form their own opinion.

 

However, we really enjoyed our Dalmatian Coast cruise on Constellation - itinerary AND ship.

 

You can read about our experiences here. Maybe some of the information is useful to you:

http://travellove.one/Our-Trips/Adriatic-Constellation-1---Ven/adriatic-constellation-1---venice.html

Oh wow, amazing blog. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks all, this has been very informative, and entertaining:) I'll go with the October 10th Adriatic cruise.

As for the Canaries: is it a destination that's better discovered by traveling there and staying a few days on the islands instead of cruising? Not sure if the logistics of traveling between islands make it too much of a hassle.

Wow, thanks for the quick answers, and the wealth of information. Canaries are out, and August is out. I'm left with two choices, by preference, both on Constellation (refurbished this year?) and same price

1- 10 Day Italy and Dalmatian Coast, October 10th. PRO: Lots of new ports I want to see, work with my schedule, only CON is the weather. Clearly not swimming and sunbathing season but I guess that's fine

2- Italy Adriatic and Spain cruise. PRO: Weather, Mallorca. CON: Less convenient time, not visiting Ravenna, Kotor, Messina.

If there is not a significant risk weather wise I tend to go with first. Thoughts?

Hello

I'm looking for a cruise for Fall 2019, ideally early October. My main objective is a mix of relaxing time and exposure to a new culture. Right now here are my options, by (sort of) order of convenience:

1- Canary Island cruise (London to London, Oct 3rd, Silhouette). PRO: All New Ports, fits well in my schedule, best price, maybe some relaxing time in the Canaries? Question: are the Canaries a destination that mixes well beaches and what to discover? I have a feeling I'll be missing on culture, as well that all the 4 islands might be sort of the same, like sometimes in the caribbean (perception?)

2- Italy and Dalmatian Coast (Oct 1st or 10th, on Constellation. 9 or 10 days). PRO: interested to visit Croatia/Montenegro/Slovenia (although wondering if it's not better without a cruise?). I feel I might hit more points on the culture side CON: Slightly more expensive (but not an issue). Have done Rome and Naples and will be doing them again next year.

3- Italy, Adriatic and Spain cruise (Aug 24th on Infinity, 12 days). PRO: some ports I have not seen (Split, Kotor, Koper, Catania, ibiza, Mallorca). CON: Requires 2 full weeks of holidays and fits less with my calendar but doable.

Honestly At some point I will probably end up doing all of these so it's a bit of a toss up between mainly 1 (not sure how exotic it will be) and 2 or 3. Thanks for any insight!

Thanks guys. I will probably stick with the Solstice. Still want to try Azamara but maybe on quieter seas.

Thanks for the very useful info guys, appreciate it.

I have selected an NZ cruise for Feb 2018. But still plan to visit Fiji (probably not on a cruise) one of these days. I have lots of good advice here regarding what to expect and the best seasons.

Thanks for the respinses guys. How would you compare the dining and Wine Experience In Both? I have access to Blu on Celibrity.

Thanks for the answers

Yes I have sailed 4 times on Celebrity and like their ships and style. So no worries about doing it again. But at some point want to try the smaller ships as well. I know they will be more expensive. And see if people who did both compare the experience and think if it's worth it

Thanks

Interesting thread. I'm considering doing just the opposite. My last 4 cruises were with Celebrity. My next cruise will be a 14 day NZ cruise in Feb 2018 either with Azamara or Celebrity.

Not sure how I would feel about a smaller ship and wondering if it's not less casual than Celebrity (we like casual). On Celebrity we will have Aqua class and acess to Blu restaurant. Wondering how the dining and wine experience would compare to Azamara's standard dining (not talking about speciality restaurants here)

In term of ports they are very similar. Azamara will have more time on 3 ports however will miss Melbourne that I wanted to see (but Maybe can do as a Pre-Cruise)

Thanks for your insight.

Hello,

Not sure this is the right place to post my question but I'll start here.

I'm considering doing a 14d NZ cruise in Feb 2018, wither with Azmara (Feb 8th) or Celebrity (Feb 3rd).Has anyone done both Celebrity and Azamara and can comment on how one compares to the other.

Azamara (standard Veranda) would be roughly 35% more expensive than an Aqua Class (already booked with 2 perks and some OC), which gives access to the Blu restaurant

Been wondering about doing a more upscale cruise on a smaller ship and Azamara comes as an option. Not sure how dining compares (big thing for us), expecting a lot there but then again we will have access to Blu (more upscale dining option for Aqaua class passengers) on Celebrity . Wondering if the smaller ships won't feel too small? And also like the casual dining and wondering if Azamara won't feel too dressy?

Regarding itinerary: I noticed that Azamara will have less ports but more time at some ports. Not sure how important it is at these specific ones (Tasmania, Dundin and Napier). However it will miss Melbourn that Celebrity does and that I would like to see (maybe as a pre-cruise if that's doable from Sydney?)

Thanks for your advice

Hello,

Thanks a lot for a very detailed report, definitely helps with the planning!

I am thinking about booking a 12 day cruise (Dec21st 2017) but hesitant as it seems to rain quite a lot in December, especially in Fiji? What's your experience regarding that since you cruised extensively in the area? I would hate to go so far (I'm from Montreal) and cruise in a beautiful area but at the wrong season

I see that June/july seems to be a better season but only princess cruises at that time (and their ships have a lower rating). Maybe May is better?

Thanks for any insight!