wildcat68

Wildcat, here's a link which should allay your worries about single malt whisky:

 

http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/mvj/onboardbeveragemenu_europe.pdf

 

It covers all sorts of whisky (without an "e") and even whiskey (with an "e"), from paint stripper to the good stuff so should keep you happy (hic!) for a cruise or two.

Thanks for that menu. Realizing that is not yesterday’s publication and it is in euros, it’s a pretty impressive list. I look forward to seeing the current offering on an Ocean ship. Very promising!

The OP makes an excellent point. Pay with credit card. I was one who had fully paid a cruise on Renaissance to get a special price (common at that time). On September 10, 2001 we had a trip around South America we were preparing for, on September 12, 2001 we had nothing. Since we had paid with a credit card, the entire fare was eventually refunded. Renaissance appeared to be solid, but wasn’t. Remember that if paying another way.

Six months out is a long time to have your money 💰 tied up.

Some put decorations up so they know their room. I discovered something (kind of a secret) there are numbers that are unique to each room. Neither help if you’re on the wrong level :evilsmile:

Hi Wildcat68, we will be starting our cruise this coming Thursday on the Star, Mediterranean Odyssey and we have the Silver Drinks Package, I'll post as soon as I can what selection of single malts they have. I too hope they have a good selection.

Thanks Northumbrialass. That’s the response I’m looking for. It does seem odd to dwell on this but we are on a 23/24 day cruise and the 11, or 12 sea days are a time when the choices could make a difference. The information found here is often helpful but seems conflicting to me.

Highland Park and Macallan aren’t rare, or unusual, and I would expect them and several others to be on reasonably stocked bars. I don’t want to be on a 24 day cruise with only the two they show on their sample menu. But actually the prices shown are reasonable if they have a good selection and choices.

Ok, I’m a single malt scotch drinker. As I read the sample drink menu from Vikings web site under “enhance your trip “ they list Glenfiddich and Aberlour 10 yr as single malt scotch.

Are these examples, or, the only available single malt scotch whiskey on the ship? In other words, if we buy the beverage package, can I ask for a Highland Park, or Glenmorangie, and assuming it’s under $15/ drink, have it included?

There seem to be some very conflicting opinions (reference the 🍷 discussion). I’d rather bring my own scotch and forego the package if I’m limited to two choices. If there are more choices someone will know and kindly tell me here with some examples if possible.

I’d rather not carry on a case of assorted liquor as the package is very reasonable.

We've never purchased a package and felt we came out quite a bit ahead buying individual drinks. But, since the package contains fairly decent Single Malt Scotch, and I do like good scotch, does anyone have a recent price for Dalmore, or Glenmorangie, Highland Park? It seems they were about $9.00 several years ago. If they are $10 or over it would only take 5 drinks per day to make (10+1.5=11.5) X 5 = $57.50/day.

Wildcat - try asking AA again after Hurricane Maria. They may be more willing to change flights to SJU depending on damage.

I'll do that, BUT, my fare is to San Juan, not SXM, and it's in December so AA figures they can make good on what I booked. I do know I shouldn't have booked two separate fares but I did. I saved $$ at that time but now it appears foolish. Seaborne Airlines said they will allow me to rebook to anyplace they fly, but that was before Maria hit. I believe, that since they probably cannot fly us from SJU-SXM, SXM-SJU in December that I should be able to get a refund from my CC. I'll pursue that after we know more about airport status for December.

As far as the flight to SJU, WS will now (since my last posting) allow us to change to the Pride out of SJU on a Back to Back since we had a 14 day trip booked. That makes my airfare to SJU and the Hotel reservations, (if they're still standing) usable. If we decide we don't want to do that, there is always the Cruise Credit that can be transferred fee free.

I have been pleased with WS response to this whole deal. Most of us would prefer a full refund but that would probably spell disaster for the company. I like their product so will remain pleased with their options.

American did my reschedule from SXM to BGI without a change fee and the additional fare was not very much more. We are going on the 13 Jan 2018 departure for two weeks. Hotels.com is working on my "nonrefundable" hotel res.

We are on the Dec. 9th Sailing (14 days)previously out of SXM. Problem is, I booked air from PHX-SJU on American, a night in SJU and then a Seaborne Airline flight to SXM and return. Since we are flying into San Juan, American said no, we must pay a $300 pp fare to rebook, plus, of course, the additional fare. Seaborne said they will allow us a credit on another flight in the future. Altogether, about $3000 more! Any hints on softening up AMR?

Another option, would be to switch to the Pride out of SJU for a back to back, scrap the Seaborne fare if they wont budge. If WS will switch us, and, if SJU is still there and functioning, this might be the best option. WS said they are not considering refunds! A change of cruises without fee would work OK. Again, it's not us in the path of Irma, Jose, Maria etc., things could be worse.

Our experience has been that once you have experienced the smaller ships, you will never wish to return to the larger ones. One exception might be entertainment lovers. Smaller ships have a different entertainment experience.

We sailed the Surf BTB in the Caribbean in Dec 2012, and will be doing the same two cruises this Dec 9th and 16th. My opinion, those who buy the drinks package must aggressively try to get their money's worth, (and it often shows). We are pretty heavy drinkers by medical standards while on cruises. My experience is that you get a good pour and the prices are acceptable. We totaled the bill at the end and paid less for the two weeks than one week of drink package. As noted above, there were some who maximized their DP and were easily identified. JMHO

We received our assignment for the December 7 Odyssey TA a couple days before thanksgiving by checking the "my reservations " at Seabourn dot com. I really thought it would be at embarkation. We are forward on deck 6. TA contacted us a few days later.

About what time frame do they actually quit the "upsells" and assign suites? We are about three weeks out from the Dec. 7 Transatlantic and had an upsell call today from our TA. Same as before $1299 for best available V5-V6. I'm not sure this was an actual new offer or the TA was just checking about it. Now, it seems it's time to either come up with an offer people are actually interested in, or assign suites. I suppose that the inconvenience of not knowing is part of the cost benefit received by having a gty, but, at some point, it is good to know your cabin number.

We were just offered up sell on our December cruise to every kind of suite at the most absurd prices.

 

 

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Are you saying they are offering totally different categories (Wintergarden, Owners, etc.) or, different levels within the same category (V4, V6 etc.)? We got a notice about the one that came out last week but, like others, we chose to hold out for the "punishment suite". Were there multiple options and multiple $$$ to choose from?

Our experience at Port Everglades is that customs is pretty fast, but as you say, there could/will be other ships. They seem to have a pretty good organization and it has always gone quickly for us.

As you leave the terminal the taxis are lined up outside and that goes very quickly as well. I have never rented a car leaving the terminal but if you use someone like Alamo they have a facility near the port so you may not need to go to FLL. Be aware that you may wish to have a reservation rather than just expecting a vehicle will be available, both for a better rate and for assuring availability. Whoever you hire/rent from can advise you on shuttle info.

If you do taxi to FLL to get the vehicle it is a fairly short and reasonable ride between Port Everglades and FLL. We will also be on the Odyssey for your cruise.

I only was referring to the process of seeing what is still available. I didn't believe it was impacting the eventual assignment of suites. As I see it there are certain suites still unassigned that are possible for all of the guarantee pax to potentially be assigned. Making phantom reservations show those suites. Of course,we don't know how many gty pax there are, but should be able to determine which suites are not yet assigned.

You are correct lots of anticipation, and I've not seen anyone disappointed. Don't go crazy like did making phantom bookings to see which suites remain available! You can always tell when the upsell offers are flying around as certain categories go ask for availability for a few days then mysteriously reappear. Great game.

I take it that doing the phantom booking thing was just not that helpful. Since we leave a week early I may not know our suite number until we walk up to the ship.

We are sailing on Odyssey on 7 December , gty and am beginning to look forward to the actual suite assignment. A bit early but fun to watch for.

Can't you just order what you wish to drink and they make it? Seems like that's a way of not worrying about a menu. JMHO

This thread has been interesting and intriguing this last week. I tune in to see how DIVSEC did and still no solution. I'll bet we find out tomorrow.

Mostly interesting to see the process as we are in an OB for the crossing in December. I really think I'll find out our suite assignment as we exit the Taxi in Lisbon as we will be in Portugal a week prior. I doubt we will have as much drama though. Best of luck with the crew quarters:-)

How right you are. :):):)

It is sometimes interesting to read the reviews and see the cheerleading vs the reviews and seeing how NOTHING was right. I've been on cruises where the reviews are horrible and I did not have anyway, shape, or form the same experience. There are differences of opinion and certainly, differences in cruise lines, but the good reviews IMO are the ones that do provide a feel for the experience without beating a drum. Having said that, the experience we had on SB was far and above our experiences on some other lines but pretty comparable to SS.

Interesting that the up sell lowers closer to the cruise. I wonder what would happen if NO ONE took an up sell? I suppose it would all be gratis upgrades if the ship was reasonably full. The line would still do well as it is difficult to book the next cruise in a lower category once you taste the better life.

Let us know your final assignment for our information.

We did the Canal on the Odyssey last year. The weather was so warm and humid sitting on the veranda was not always pleasant. And transiting the canal itself, we wanted to be topside so we could see both sides. So, the veranda is OK, but not worth giving up a lot to get it, in my opinion.

We did it on the Odyssey in 2011-2012 and had an Ocean view suite. It was fine. The ship really is user friendly on the common decks. As mentioned above, the topside offers views of both sides. I would not be hesitant to go again without a veranda, but if you go with a Gty then the concerns some have of getting a noisy neighbor might be a greater concern than actual location. IMO there are no "Bad" suites. We are on the ship on the A prior to your sailing and have taken a GTY. perhaps my opinion will change AFTER that experience, but the cost vs chance of poor suite is in your favor. Use the money saved for excursions!

Thanks to all for responding. I did call Seabourn and she confirmed three (3) formal nights as this is a crossing. She also mentioned that was for MDR only but no jeans after six anywhere on board. Something for everyone!

Thanks Exarkie, I would have guessed two but I will plan on three.