SEA DOGY

16 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

We purchase the dining packages in different options frequently and in our experience purchasing them in advance through the planner has provided the best pricing.  Once purchased, you can also watch to see if the price moves lower, and if so, you can cancel and rebook without penalty to get the better price.

 

Check the published individual restaurant pricing to compare to the average combined price per the option you choose to see the plan value.  Typically that pricing is close to the lowest specialty fees and measurably lower than the highest usually making the deal better than if you purchased each separately.  As Izumi is a la carte, we don't include that restaurant as part of our selection as in our experience, the fee credit allowed is often higher than the a al carte purchases would be and is better placed on the more expensive venues where there would be greater value. We do, however, eat there a la carte.

 

While there can be on board specials and you can also find maître d's who will offer attractive pricing, in particular on repeat visits, in our experience this has not been consistently as attractive as the pre sailing pricing through the planner and is also hit and miss with being offered.

 

The planner will provide a placeholder reservation for one restaurant typically for the first night once you purchase the plan and you cannot make individual reservations in advance through the planner.  However, once you board if you go to any of the specialty restaurants the maître d can schedule all of the restaurants for you, including rearranging the first night placeholder, in a matter of ten minutes or so.  We typically go the the placeholder restaurant since that is where our "reservation" for the first night will be, but any specialty restaurant can provide the scheduling for you.

 

The galley tour you reference would likely be a separate purchase and in our experience is not typically part of any dining package.  That, too, may be hit or miss in being offered.

 

You don't say which ship you are on, but typically your 12 night cruise is the perfect opportunity to experience one of the offered dining packages.  However the restaurant choices vary by ship with some are more limited in the variety and number of options than others.  I think this can play a part in which option you would choose.

 

 

This is our first time sailing R C Anthem of the Seas 12 nights  in Sky Class our restaurant on board will be the C K.  You think we should buy a Dinner package’s around $300 for 2 

TIA 

11 hours ago, George C said:

Love grand suites on oasis class , WiFi has been explained, tell concierge if you want to eat all meals there , you also will get a 3 hour happy hour with unlimited drinks normally from 5 to 8 but can very . You can also get free water we , soda or wine all day in suite lounge.

The grand suite and the owners suite are both Star class or Sky class … TIA 

7 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Ever since the transition to Starlink, there’s only one tier of service 

Thanks 

10 hours ago, Biker19 said:

The price in the planner varies but a single device one (which you can share) is anywhere from about $16-23/day. 

Is Voom the highest?

Got it thank you 

2 hours ago, Blue and Green said:

We have never had to cancel, but this is from the Blackberry Cars website:

Cancellations
5.1       Blackberry Cars Ltd is contracted for the provisions of the Transportation Service and all cancellations must be made directly with Blackberry Cars Ltd.

5.2       Any cancellations made within 24 hours of the journey time must be cancelled by phone by calling 02072543344.

5.3       For cancellations made 24 hours or more before the journey time a full refund will be issued.

5.4       Any cancellations made less than 24 hours before the journey time a cancellation charge of 100% of the full fare will be levied.

5.5       Any claim for a refund must be made within 1 week of the journey date.  A claim will be deemed to have been made when you cancel your reservation.

5.6       If the Passenger does not show up for the Transportation Service the booking will be treated as a “no-show” and 100% of the fare will be charged

5.7       If you cannot locate your driver and seek an alternative method of transport without first contacting the Provider to try and resolve the situation you will be charged the full fare for the booking.

On 1/14/2024 at 1:55 PM, Globaliser said:

 

Unless you have vast amounts of luggage (in which case you could exceed the baggage limitations for National Express), dealing with luggage on these trains isn't difficult. Millions of people travel on trains with their luggage, all over the country. It may sometimes require a bit of improvisation, but we're all doing that all the time.

Ya but for elderly   Folks It could be very challenging.    Just saying 

On 12/1/2023 at 11:09 AM, kurtp13 said:

I would like transportation from Southampton to LHR.   My flight is 4 pm.   Standard transportation would get me there by 11 am based on what I have been reading which is early.    Tour transfers would arrive too late.  

 

Are there options for a trip which would have a brief stop somewhere?   I want to minimize my baggage handling so I don't want a multi step trip to London and public transport from there to LHR.   

This is exactly our situation for this coming September 

On 3/9/2024 at 4:36 PM, bjkTX said:

We also used Blackberry on our trip last year and agree it was easy and the service was great.  It was getting pricey just after we booked them - I haven't checked since.

Hello. When you make your reservation. You prepay if so  how about if you need to cancel. TIA 

4 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Maybe you want to look at purchasing the Refreshment package that includes, bottled water, specialty coffees & teas, mocktails, soda and fresh squeezed juices.     Then bring onboard your own wine and pay for beer or cocktails as you go.   

 

All cabins on Anthem have a tea kettle in the cabin and you can grab free tea bags from several different venues (windjammer, solarium bistro, cafe 270, etc etc).

 

How many port days?   

Due they have mini refrigerators? 

6 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

I usually suggest the two mentioned by @Blue and Green plus https://www.aquacars.co.uk/

They're all based at the Southampton end.

You could also browse the sticky thread at the top of this board - browse it from the last page first https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2968902-southampton-london-transfers-airport-lhrlgw-new-thread/page/5/#comments

 

 

Even tho it's the tail end of the season I suggest you book several months out - they'll be taking bookings now for October.

 

JB 🙂

 

Thank very vet much 

31 minutes ago, John Bull said:

 

Yep, port website shows Anthem as the only arrival that day - but she's a big lady.

The only Nat Express that would suit is the 9.45am, arrives Heathrow between 11.30 & noon depending which terminal.

if you plan to use Nat Express I suggest you book it soon.

 

JB 🙂

 

Thank you we are thinking private taxi less hassle and maybe easier 

do have any suggestions and how soon we should book it  

We appreciate you help thanks 

6 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

Arrivals in Southampton are usually 5am to 7am, so 8am is probably first disembarkation. 

 

Cheapest is Nat Express as per @sddsddean's post - you will want to be at the airport about 2.5 hrs before your flight time, 90 minutes is the bare minimum, so book an appropriately-timed coach - they do book out early.

Add up to £10 for a taxi to Southampton coach station

 

Ship-sponsored coach transfers are rated by the cruise lines as fine for flights after 12.30 / 1pm / 1.30 (depending on which cruse line) so with a 3pm flight you have a wide window.

Some ship-sponsored coaches (incl. Cunard, RCI and Celebrity) are expensive - I've seen over $100 pp - so usually more than a private transfer for two.  Princess offer probably the best value at around $65 pp

 

Pre-booked private transfers (check the top sticky on this forum for suggestions) cost about £140 to £150 for a sedan

 

There is no direct train route Southampton - Heathrow, train travel for this journey is complicated, slow, and expensive.

 

Drive-time monday thru friday is about 90 mins to 2 hrs, much quicker at weekends.

 

JB 🙂

Thank you we are sailing Royal Caribbean arriving in Southampton October 2 Wednesday and I think we are the only ship arriving that day I hope this makes a little easy for us.   Hoping 

4 hours ago, Blue and Green said:

@John Bull always gives thorough, helpful responses. He is the expert and I have learned so much from reading his posts!

 

The only thing I would add is that for us, the easiest and fastest way is always booking the private car transfer. Mr. Blue has some mobility issues so having a driver handle our luggage, and provide door-to-door service, is worth the additional cost. You also aren't waiting on others or making other stops. Takes the stress out of vacation travel. 

 

When leaving Southampton we will use one of the car services based in Southampton such as Gunwharf Executive Travel

https://gunwharf-executive-travel.co.uk  or West Quay Cars https://westquaycars.com

 

Thank you very much we are a bit nervous about this transfer we are not young and this will be our first cruise out Southampton I’m trying to get all the information 

17 hours ago, Blue and Green said:

We used Gatwick once, then took a train into London...but that was a loooong time ago. Now we always fly into LHR simply because that is where we get direct flights (ease of travel for us). 

 

We use a car service to get us from the airport to the hotel (whether it is London or Southampton). Doesn't get much easier than that. However, if you are interested in trains, buses(coaches), or cruise ship transfers, there is a lot of information about travel to Southampton at the top of this board. 

 

I don't know about B&B's near the port. Hotels--depends on your budget and your preferences. Premier Inn West Quay was reasonably priced, basic but clean, and easy to get a cab to port. Many on this board also seem to like the Holiday Inn and the Moxie hotel for proximity to the port and to shopping/restaurants. 

 

Once we used International Friends as a transfer from the cruise port to a London hotel post-cruise and they include stops at Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, Windsor Castle. It was a busy, full day and the stops felt a bit rushed, but it was an efficient way to see 3 great places. Highly recommend all three. I think International Friends also offers transfers and tours to Southampton. https://www.internationalfriends.co.uk

 

Hello. 

We will be arriving in Southampton our arrival time is around 8 AM our flight back  home U S is 3 PM same day  What’s the easiest and fast way to get Heathrow we just don’t miss our flight TIA 

18 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

They have been looking for a recent update like this.

 

1 voucher = 40% off under $100 

1 voucher = 20% off  $100+

2 vouchers = 80% off under $100

2 vouchers = 40% off 100+

3 vouchers = 100% off under $100 with 20% OBC

3 vouchers = 60% off 100+

4 vouchers = 100% off  under $100 with 60% OBC added to account

4 vouchers = 100% off 100+ 

D+ and Pinnacle all wine N/C with $14 OBC with each voucher used. 

++++ goes without saying this is per person per day++++ 

Ship dependent as to being valid on debarkation morning 

*******please disregard if you lack the ability to see satire***** 

19 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

They have been looking for a recent update like this.

 

1 voucher = 40% off under $100 

1 voucher = 20% off  $100+

2 vouchers = 80% off under $100

2 vouchers = 40% off 100+

3 vouchers = 100% off under $100 with 20% OBC

3 vouchers = 60% off 100+

4 vouchers = 100% off  under $100 with 60% OBC added to account

4 vouchers = 100% off 100+ 

D+ and Pinnacle all wine N/C with $14 OBC with each voucher used. 

++++ goes without saying this is per person per day++++ 

Ship dependent as to being valid on debarkation morning 

*******please disregard if you lack the ability to see satire***** 

Very simple to understand. It sounds very good to me.    SALUTE !!

13 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

As stated multiple times.

 

1 voucher = 40% off bottles under $100

1 voucher = 20% off bottles $100+

 

Why is this so hard to understand????

Very easy. 

55 minutes ago, Mick B said:

Hi,

If you use a voucher then I believe you can get 40% off a bottle of wine up to $100.00. However, if you and your partner are both Diamond then you can get 8 glasses of wine for free which would be more than a bottle load..

I suppose it depends if you have your eye on a specific brand of wine that's not available by the glass, then getting it for 40% less is a good way to go, and a good perk.

Don't forget, though, you can share your diamond drinks with family and friends who are not diamond or above, so if you intend to buy a bottle of wine to share with 6 or 8 of you at your table during a meal, then using your vouchers for 6 or 8 glasses of wine (or any drink to the value of $14) as some of your party, if sharing, may not like wine. You can also use them for fresh orange or speciality coffee for anyone in your party who does not like, or cannot have alcohol, if that's your intention.

 

It would be nice though, if you could save up a load of vouchers daily and then several days into your cruise get a free bottle of Dom Perignon, but we can dream. But...

In the past, on a few occasions I have won some cheap bottle of wine in a quiz on board and had them opened in the MDR (for free by getting the DL concierge to make sure the MDR staff knew not to charge corkage), only for the said staff to spill the contents of the bottle everywhere upon opening them and then come back with a replacement bottle which was Moet & Chandon or similar. I can't seem to remember if I violently shook the bottle on the way to dinner or not.

Sadly, not seen too many ways of getting a free bottle of wine at a quiz these days, but you do still get one if you partake in the Love & Marriage game show, even if you don't win!

Those were the days!

 

Mick.

Speaking about wines thus anyone have a wine list with prices ? TIA 

2 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

 No, you can get 4 bottles per day at a discount if you choose to. 

In this case I’m ok with this deal I don’t know how it works for bottles over $100 using the 1 voucher  thanks 

16 minutes ago, sgmn said:

No, but as stated in post 31 and 35 you can get a 40% discount (on bottles up to $100) by using ONE voucher 

Got it.   Thank you 

15 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

No, although it’s a good thought you have. 

LOL

On 2/18/2024 at 1:30 PM, CntPAcruiser said:

We tend to visit the same bartenders/bars once we find the "best" ones on the ship, and they typically don't need to be told to use a voucher. If we're using an unfamiliar bar, we'll specify just to be on the safe side, and they will also often tell you how many vouchers you have left. You can also usually use your spouse's vouchers if you're in the same cabin/same folio. 

 

We have found that in the main dining room, they may not run the drink through immediately, so if you head out elsewhere in the ship afterwards, you may get incorrect information about the number of vouchers left. Happened to me, and guest services took care of it the next day when I had an unwarranted charge. Sometimes even when we specified whose card was to be dinged for the voucher in the MDR they would still not always get it right.

 

You can check things on the app, too. Bar charges or voucher usage show up almost instantly.

I’m wondering  in the main dining room or any restaurants I turn in my 4 vouchers a get a bottle of wine value $56 and higher and pay the difference. TIA 

1 minute ago, RFerrington said:

Yes !  Per person, per day.

Ok ….So I have 4 vouchers  value $56  can I buy a $100 bottle of wine and pay the difference $44 ? I’m just wondering if this is allowed. Thank you

On 1/30/2024 at 10:47 AM, cruiseguy1016 said:

 

The vouchers can be used to purchase any alcoholic drink with a value up to $14. If you want a drink that costs more than $14, you can use a voucher for the first $14 and then pay the difference of your more expensive drink plus 18% added to the extra cost. Most alcoholic drinks on RCI ships now cost, or are very near to, $14. So, a "regular" martini will cost $14 and you can use a voucher to purchase it. If you want a more expensive martini, you'll have to pay anything above the $14 voucher value.

Can  we use the voucher to buy a bottle of wine and of course pay the difference? TIA 

On 3/4/2024 at 12:20 PM, George C said:

We almost always book grand suites , we did allure a couple of years ago and enjoyed it , suite lounge has a 3 hour happy hour where you can order your drinks at the bar or there is table service with waiters, wine beer and water are available all day.

Whats the difference between the Grand suite an the Owner suite  are they both Sky Class 

Benefits TIA