whynesnob

On 10/12/2019 at 11:28 AM, SuzCruise said:

Can we use our OBC for gratuities?  Our only other river cruise was with Crystal and we were able to use the OBC from our TA to tip the staff that had most impressed us.  Since tips aren’t expected on Crystal, and are on AMA, I would assume using OBC for gratuities would be common practice, but thought I’d check to make sure we have whatever cash is needed.  
 

Thanks!

Yes you can. Last month I had some leftover OBC that they applied to my gratuity payment.

We did the Rhine cruise a couple weeks ago on AMA Serena, first river cruise and best trip ever. Here is an odd question. The last night we were invited to dine with captain at his table and I forgot to ask cruise manager or anyone else......why us?! Anyone know how they select the 3 couples? 

I have been looking over our Rhine River cruise excursions. We are avid bikers and hikers. It looks like all biking tours need to be booked once on board. If you select an alternative excursion, does that exclude you from changing to a bike tour once on board?

For those who have done the Rhine cruise with AMA, what tours were your favorites?

September 8 on Rhine river, Ama Serena Basel to Amsterdam. First river cruise after several mega ocean cruises. Doing 3 nights pre cruise in Lucerne for some mountains and Oktoberfest. 

You liked the pizza?

Mushroom soup from Chops and I have been succesful getting this delivered to the MDR (not on menu).

Going on our first river cruise this year (Rhine/AmaSerena) and wondering if you can do a morning tour, then another one in afternoon if schedule permits? Also, is there ever a shortage of bike some days in port?

I booked the deluxe beverage package for myself and my wife, at the current rate of $45/per day a while ago...paid it off right away...Today, I had my travel agent (friend of mine) change the names on our reservations to have myself and one of my kids, and then my wife and other kid in separate rooms, whereas before it was myself and my wife, then my kids in an adjoining room. This way, we can take 4btls of wine on the ship...

 

I get an email from RCCL that they had CANCELED my beverage package!

 

After being on the phone with them for 45 minutes and getting to a supervisor, they did NOTHING to help me out except make me pay AGAIN for my wife's package and hold my money AGAIN until I get my refund. I was expecting ANYTHING....$50 OBC? ANYTHING, but NO! They did NOTHING except force my hand to make me spend the money again! I know I have a choice to wait for another sale, but I was just trying to get SOMETHING out of them....

 

Needless to say, I've had pretty bad experiences so far with booking this cruise and nobody on their end is making me feel any better about it. Sorry bout the rant, but being in a sales job all my life, all I do is try to make my customers feel the love....

Being in "the wine business" you must be totally against buying Bordeaux futures and letting someone hold your money for a couple years before you get the bottles. Several Napa cabs (like Harlan, Schrader, etc.) are sold a year before release as well. Many people pay for their cruise a year in advance. Lots of people hold your money for a long time.

I'm on Mariner OTS right now and the pizza in the promenade is really bad. Pizza on the Oasis previous 2 times was at least decent.

I have not read every page of this thread in case this was covered and I do appreciate being allowed to bring 2 bottles of wine on board (see my user name) and every land restaurant that allows corkage. That said, if you PURCHASE a drink package which is unlimited drinks does bringing more wine on board affect them or is it figured you will just BUY more bottles at a discount? For example, Vegas casinos love that I bring my own bottle to a BJ table versus them buying my drinks and even pre 9/11 some airlines opened my bottle in first class as opposed to using their wine. Obviously if you were just looking to drink any glass they offered in MDR with a drink package for instance, would it not benefit a cruiseline to let you supply your own? So if you bought a drink package before cruise, why not allow extra bottles?

Typically the assistant waiter takes the drink orders shortly after you sit down, especially half-way through the cruise when he/she "knows" you'll be ordering wine.

This has been my experience. Last cruise he brought some sparkling wine right after we sat down by the third night. Previous cruise before that we were in a larger group he pretty knew what everyone wanted by the glass. We typically had a bottle or two of our own every dinner (large group - not everyone drank wine;p) so the waiters had a good feel for us in no time. **notice my screen name?

I was on Oasis Christmas week of 2016. Beside what was already posted, there is some caroling even an organized passenger one in promenade. Santa Claus does make it on the boat as well much like you would see at a shopping mall. Lots of passengers decorate their doors with tinsel and ornament "stickies", even some LED lights on balcony rails. We did a little family gift exchange in the champagne room. Specialty dining prices are doubled over the 24th and 25th too!

I have a cruise 40+ days out and within the last 24 hours I had a "banner ad" on my cruise planner yesterday for buy 1 deluxe package get the second one for 50% off. I immediately went through purchase process but that discount did not show up at checkout. Started over and then it was advertised at $43. Today it is $45. Anyone familiar with rapid changing prices like that? It was $45 last week.

Just booked for a 7 day Mariner of the Seas in SW Asia on March 22 so I am at 49 days I think. My shortest booking to cruise time yet.

I was on Oasis over Christmas and sushi in Izumi was an interesting experience. Most important, we all thought the sushi was very good. The service we had was so bad it had the 4 of us in stitches the whole time. Examples but I am sure I have forgot a couple. First, we were pretty sure the waiter apologized for the service we were about to have that evening, he kind of mumbled but that was our consensus. The orders were literally piling up in front of the chefs and no one was even trying to get them to tables. The chefs were noticeably agitated by this. Our waiter was either no where to be seen or always at his "computer". Manager was doing nothing but walking around, not helping with expediting orders even though hearing from angry chefs. Their counter was full of orders and no one was taking them. Halfway through service, someone started to fill up our waters. He ran out of water halfway on the first glass and said he would be right back. You guessed it, he was never seen again and neither was any water. Another waiter took a Sapporo order from me, came back after a while and said they were out of Sapporo. After a "wow it's only the 4th night of the cruise" from me he says "well we only have about 6 left would you like one of those?". "Ah yeah sure", he returns later with no beer and "can I get you something else?"...."OK, Kirin please". Was not that crowded but I did see a couple people going up to sushi bar and seeing if that was their order sitting there.

Yes, 6 to 5 on single deck and 3 to 2 on the multi deck.

I've played a lot of blackjack over several decades and if "bad play" by other players at your table bothers you, be ready to be annoyed. Very weak basic game strategy (as typically spelled out by aforementioned tip cards) is more prevalent on cruises. People afraid to hit on 12/13 with a dealer 10 or my favorite....SPLITTING 5s against a dealer 6.

6 until Oasis.

Will be on Oasis over Christmas and wanted to know if RC changes their December 25 menu at all in MDR? Anything special? Not a fan of the $75 upcharge at the specialty restaurants for a party of 6.

Do you think they will allow you one 1.5 in place of 2 -75 bottles?

My understanding last year is YES, you can bring a 1 magnum instead of 2 750ml bottles.

Interesting, for Oasis xmas cruise they discounted the Solarium down to $16 and Giovannis, Chops, Chef's Table all disappeared entirely. They were there with open reservations 2 days ago.

I'm sure the wine list will be linked soon but from being on the Oasis last year and seeing a recent wine list it should be similar.

Use the 40% off on sub $100 bottles and the smaller discount on more expensive with your deluxe package. As far as wine by the glass goes in your package, try the NZ Spy Valley pinot noir. Our MDR waiter had these out for our group when we sat down when dining there. Fortunately when I traveled with a large group last time, I dispersed 2 bottles per cabin around:-). Go to Vintages and try a bunch too!

Do you get the souvenir refillable coke cup with the deluxe package? It does not specifically mentioned it in the description, it just says fountain drinks.

Yes.

I totally get the OP. I'll bring my own wine glasses on occasion to dinners, why not climbing shoes to a rock wall?

My first thought, as well, was they may be holding them back for Pinnacle or even suite guests. I asked to be put on a waiting list due to a special birthday in our group. Their response:

" I have reviewed the Cruise Planner and regrettably our records show that Chops Grille is unavailable for both December 24 and December 25, 2016. I contacted the Dining Department and have been advised the restaurant is closed due to the holiday. "