Leo Jay

This is why I buy my luggage t Costco... Not only is it relatively cheap, but they will replace it.

Really? If damaged by an airline/cruiseline? Under what limitations/conditions? Anyone else have experience with this? Thanks.

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Thanks for the tip.

I picked up my suitcase from the carousel, just off an Airtran flight. There was a hole in it. I brought it immediately to the Airtran office, on the same floor of the airport. They brought me into a room filled with new suitcases, all sizes and colors, and told me to pick one out! :)

Good to know some companies still believe in good customer service; I hope the replacement options were of comparable quality to hour original bag!

RCCL cancelled the drink packages on sailings from the uk because they were being abused.

On my last cruise I had to make it clear to the bar steward to charge some drinks to my seapass card as the drinks were for other family members.

Folks will always try to scam, and coming on here and asking is it OK somehow gives comfort. They know it is wrong otherwise why ask?

I just wish some of the bar staff would grow some and confiscate the cards.

I think one can reasonably assume that RCCL cancelled the drink packages because they didn't deem them sufficiently profitable; it seems quite a leap to assume that the decision was made because it was perceived as being abused.

And if the issue is 'abuse' (as distinct from an explicit 'policy violation'), one could say that people who willfully over-indulge, simply because they have an all-inclusive card, are abusing the package. Would that behavior also be wrong?

RCCL cancelled the drink packages on sailings from the uk because they were being abused.

On my last cruise I had to make it clear to the bar steward to charge some drinks to my seapass card as the drinks were for other family members.

Folks will always try to scam, and coming on here and asking is it OK somehow gives comfort. They know it is wrong otherwise why ask?

I just wish some of the bar staff would grow some and confiscate the cards.

Because they're unclear, see the ambiguity, and are seeking clarification.

In fact, the more salient question is "if someone were really determined to willfully violate the policy, why on earth would they bother to ask?"

au contraire! Celebrity's policy is pretty clear on the sharing aspect:

 

Packages are sold on a per cruise basis, are not sold on a per day or any other basis, and no refunds will be issued for unused amounts. Packages may not be shared, and do not include beverages sold in gift shops, mini-bar or room service. Ordered packages may be modified up to four days prior to sailing by canceling and reordering the package.

Again, while the policy expressly forbids sharing of packages, it fails to go so far as to forbid the sharing of drinks. As said previously, it does not seem reasonable to imagine that X's failure to expressly forbid the sharing of the odd drink is simply an oversight on their part.

I think the point being made is that many members of the board seem to hold some regulations (such as "sharing" drink packages) to an absolute, and make it seem like the worst offense in the history of cruising, when in fact there are areas of gray ... and the same posters most likely break other regulations (such as speeding or j-walking) on a regular basis, and have no problem with that. Why is it okay to "bend" the rules in some cases but not others?

 

Now if I actually "bought" a drink (say a $12 martini at the martini bar) ... can my spouse share that? I would think that if I buy a drink, I should be able to do whatever I want with it ... even if it means letting someone else try it.

But you buy a drink under the terms that you may dispose of it as you wish; you buy a package under the specific terms that you may not share it.

I do, however think it is reasonable to assume that while Celebrity's specific intention is to disallow sharing of packages ("oh, I'll just put your drink on my card") they probably think it perfectly within reason for someone to share a drink purchased on a package, as long as it is not abused (i.e., violating the spirit of the policy - pardon the pun).

Although since I have no dog in this fight, I'm open to a reasonable argument otherwise.

:D

This is from RCI's website with regard to the alcohol drink package test on the three ships sailing out of the UK:

 

Q. How does the guest buy the package?

A. The alcohol beverage packages will only be available for sale onboard. A package must be purchased by all eligible guest’s in a stateroom (Please note, exceptions

may apply). There will be at least one desk set up where the guest can purchase the required package and they will have a sticker affixed to the applicable room cards

to show they have the package and what type it is.

It states in a RCI press release that this package has not been rolled out to all ships, yet.

Such a policy would at least put the issue to bed.

No one is suggesting that a sip or a taste is breaking the rules. [clipped]

In fact, some have been saying precisely that.

There is actually an interesting moral debate to be had here (because there are, in fact, some legitimate shades of gray) but sanctimony only pollutes it.

:D

It's funny how you would reward an act of kindness by trying to get him fired.:confused:

 

I might as well cancel my reservation not to have to get stuck on a boat with people like this.

Not to mention having implied that the passenger bribed the bartender to do so, when the post made it beyond clear that the bartender did this of his/her own initiative!

How many times do I have to remind myself that the cruiseboards give a vastly skewed perception of just how elitist, judgmental, self-righteous and downright insufferable the cruising public at large is...

:D

To my mind, the moral decision is based largely on whether the initiator of the policy (X's Corporate Offices) would perceive the action to be within their specific intentions and revenue expectations.

To me, it is not at all reasonable to believe that X intended to forbid a purchaser of the package from allowing a friend or family member from consuming a portion of a covered drink.

It seems reasonable to me to assume that X made the specific decision to state as policy that "packages" may not be shared, and that they specifically rejected as unreasonable (and/or unrealistic) the notion that "drinks" may not be shared. It simply cannot be that the distinction never occurred to them.

:)

Although we love Blu, we also go to a couple of the specialty restaurants per cruise, and some nights just order room service and eat on the balcony, if the MDR menu appeals to us.

So am I to understand that the MDR dinner menu is available via room service?! I had assumed that only sandwiches and the like would be available.

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We're booked in AQ class for our first X cruise on the Summit this coming May, but I'm just wondering about the Main Dining Room. Is the food and/or service mediocre? Would there be any reason (menu variety, atmosphere, etc.) to opt for the MDR on a given night, as opposed to Blu or a specialty restaurant? I do know that it's possible to order from the MDR *menu* while *dining* in Blu...

Thanks.

Yes they most certainly do - I believe they are designated with a 'diamond' shape on the deck plans. Also you can still get the 'special' cabins with the 2 oceanview windows on the Victory and Triumph(2444, 2445) and the Destiny (2334, 2335) as I believe they are still classified as 1As.

Excellent; I'll have to see if anything is available anytime soon. Need a vaca desperately! Thanks very much.

Been out of the CC/CCL loop for a while -- can someone tell me if CCL has any porthole cabins still classified as 1As? I'm looking to minimize the cost of a solo cruise, but don't want to go without at least a porthole. Thanks.

Leo: They are also different heights, or at least they have been in those I've previously booked. I considered it in one cabin and then realized it would create a 'ledge' so I abandoned the plan.

Another good point. If the different lengths aren't necessarily a deal-breaker, the different heights probably would be. Thanks.

Well, the bed doesn't move for what ever reason, or else it was quite hard to move and seemed permanent. Also, the sofa was shorter than the upper bunk, so to lay on it, your legs will rest on the arm rest and hang over the edge.

 

The bed was not too small for a few nights.

Ah, interesting. Thanks.

Actually, yes, that was my cabin and my pic. You DO get a sofa and also get a bunk as well. The bunk SHOULD have been hiddden, but the upper bunk was left open for the pictures, but it does fold up and out of the way.

 

Just one single bed, a sofa, a fold-up bunk and two porthole windows. Same exact bathroom as the other cabins. I would get this cabin ANY time if it were available. Quiet, spacious for one or two people.

Just curious, since the sofa is the size of a twin bed (correct?). is there any reason a couple couldn't shove the twin alongside the sofa to make a Queen?

I don't mind being wrong, but it does irk me when people use "lols" and unnecessarily patronizing tones to try to make others appear the idiot. But whether directed at me or not, I'll accept the apology.

:p

Well actually there is no hidden bunk lol. Yes, you have a convertible sofa bed and one twin bed, no bunk. If you look at the first post, it says what is in each cabin for each class, go to Triumph class and look at your cabin #. Nicely done, all spelled out by ship class.

What's the thing coming out of the ceiling in the pics? Lol.

Here are pix of 1201 on the Carnival Victory: http://travel.webshots.com/album/560272286DDJgAl?vhost=travel

Ah, so the bunk bed is hidden, and I do get a sofa, I guess! I'm in 1202 on the opposite side next week. I'll assume the setup is exactly the same. This is great. Thanks.

Great review. Interesting that your steward 'customized' your towel animal repertoire -- I'd assumed every cabin got exactly the same animal on a given night. The novelty's worn off for us at this point, so we left our steward a note telling her not to bother if it would save her time, but they kept coming. Don't know if they have to do it, or if they're so fast at it that it takes them no time whatsoever...

Hi,

 

You're thinking of a "thin skin". this is a stretching outfit you can wear for sun protection and underwater stings. The shorty is 3 millimeters (3mm) thick (about 1/8"). It's typically made of neoprene and is worn OVER your swimsuit and/or t-shirt. Check out this link to show you what we've been talking about: http://www.diversdirect.com/group/Shorty_ID167.

 

Hope this clears up in your mind what we're recommending. :)

 

Randall

Yes, those were exactly what I'd been looking at/thinking of -- I guess I just imagined them to be stretchier and more close-fitting than they are. Thanks for clarifying.

You wear shorties over your swim trunks. Other way can't be done. Shorties are just a wet suit with short pants. Or there's wet suit jacket, put it on like any sweater or jacket. Will do the same thing.

Not clear why you can't you wear trunks over them -- they're skin-tight, right? And since they're so tight, wouldn't it make more sense to wear a speedo-type suit under them, rather than trunks?

:confused:

Sorry if I'm missing something, or misunderstanding...

Is it ridiculous to wear swim trunks over a shorty? Being new to them, I think I might feel a bit self-conscious walking around the beach with every contour in view...

:D