newcruiser1956

I have only been on 2 other cruises. I though the service was exceptional both times so I gave them $20 at the end of the week. (And the automatic gratuities). Is that seen as a crappy tip? I may not be up to date on my tipping amounts!!

 

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Forums mobile app

I also tipped $20 extra (I was a solo traveler, they only had to do the room 1 time a day, all I asked for was ice and I tried to keep the room tidy to keep the workload down) Your comment made me wonder the same thing,

Has anyone heard of people getting parasites from swimming at the Blue Hole? Maybe I'm paranoid and watch too much Monsters Inside Me, but I also read that freshwater in Jamaica does have these parasites/worms. I have only been able to find 1 person in a forum reporting getting sick from river tubing (after peeing in the river which he was told not to do). What say you????

Thanks :)

I was tubing there, came home, still fine several months later, no parasites to my knowledge.

If I'm reading correctly....

 

Was $13.50pppd...now $13.99pppd

Was $15.50pppd...now $16.99pppd (suite)

 

Sky only

Was $13.50pppd...now $18.99pppd

Was $15.50pppd...now $21.99pppd (suite)

Since the SKY is all alcohol included, they are making it higher to make up for the bar employees not picking up 18% would be my guess. $5. more is not going to kill me :) That is less than I would paid on 5 drinks

Hi everyone!

 

DH and I have only cruised Princess (no. 11 is coming this summer). This is because (1) we've been generally happy on Princess and (2) the loyalty program is such that it makes sense to keep sailing with what makes you happy.

 

Like many others, DH and I have noticed a significant down-tick in the Princess cruising. Dilution of loyalty program benefits (we are Platinum), unfriendly staff, lack of good shows, etc. We are thinking of trying another cruise line, but don't really know where to start and would love some advice.

 

As for what we like - we are generally in the same demographic as other returning Princess cruisers, i.e., no kids (on the ship), middle aged. We enjoy being active, could not sit around a pool all day (although I don't begrudge those who do :)).

 

We took a peak at Oceania, and just about died over the prices...but DH thought Oceania covered more with the initial cost then other lines do with the base price?

 

Anyway, any feedback you can give us would be very helpful, and thank you! :D

How about Viking Ocean? No kids, no casino, port every day and only 900 passengers.

Dasani tastes like dirt. the ship water is far superior in taste, especially when you put some sliced lemon in it. i drink a gallon of water a day, we just bring our Nalgenes and fill them.

Shows the difference in taste buds, ship water tastes chlorinated to my taste buds. I like Dasani :)

I purchased this on NCL for my upcoming cruise

Bottled Water Packages 12-pack (1-liter bottles)

Hydrate yourself! Pre-order Aquafina® bottles of water that will be delivered directly to your stateroom.

It cost $33.54

That is a much less than you TA is telling you.

And I agree it is a rip off price, but I am like you, I like bottled water

How much did you tip him? Need to make sure I get enough Cuban money.

Hi! Can you share your list of places? We are booked on the June 25 cruise and I'm starting to plan now. Thank you!

I am a simple person, I do not really want to be where most of the tourist are :)

I would like to visit the Forts, The Napoleonic Museum, The Christopher Columbus Cemetery, Revolution Museum, Visit a cigar factory,

I would also like to see the real Cuba, where people live, kids go to school, visit a grocery store, and a 15 minute stop at the beach so I can say I put my feet in the sand in Havana. I really really want to see the real Cuba, not the tourist Cuba.

It is drinkable but I felt it had a chlorinated taste to it. I bought the water bottle package when I booked. They were waiting in my cabin when I arrived.

I left my $20. cash on the bed with a short note saying thank you to my room steward for taking good care of me at the end of the cruise.

I did leave the service charge on, but he did a nice job and they don't make much money

Find out how much excursions will cost if you want to take any of them.

This will be our first cruise and plan to go to Magens bay at 1 port and a snorkel trip at another. Where do you keep your I.D.'s, passports, kids birth certificates, phones etc. when doing these excursions?

Buy a waterproof phone case (example) https://smile.amazon.com/Waterproof-Phone-Pouch-Universal-Cell/dp/B072Q6RZSS/

You can put your cards and phone in there. These run $25 on the ship. Much cheaper from amazon. I used one on a float trip, got dumped in the water, phone and everything stayed dry.

Hi! Im going to be a first time cruiser this summer, going on the Norwegian Gem, leaving out of the New York City Cruise Terminal.

 

I've been doing some research and found horror stories of checked bags not making it onto the boat, and guests having to go 7 days without their clothes and other personal items. :eek:

 

To avoid this, and because I didn't wish to pay the $89 per person travel insurance, I want to just keep my suit case with me as I embark. Has anyone else done this? Would you recommend it? Is this allowed? or do they force you to give your suit case to a porter? :eek:

 

PS: I will only be bringing my tote bag and a small suite case.

 

Many Thanks!!:*

As others have said, Yes you can carry it with you. BUT another suggestion, carry it with you until you get to the ship. Most people turn it over at the ship and they take it to your room. That way you know it gets to the ship :) And that insurance covers a whole lot more :) It covers if you need medical care and lots of other things :)

I am traveling with Viking air, they booked me at 930 am leaving Rome.. I said the same thing, she said ship docks at 5 am, you will be off the ship first and at the airport with plenty of time. The key here is I must be up, fed and ready to go by no later than 6 am.

If your mom does not cancel and put in a claim you could just go and not get hit with the double charge. Just don't say anything about the other person when you check in, she will show as a no show

Thanks, that is why I am spending many hours on here to learn :) - Trust me... that really pays off. I spent almost a year reading about various lines & cruises to see what one suited us the most. We also tend to eat early, but I don't think it will be to much of a stretch to last until 7:00. One thing to keep in mind, the dinners (from what I have hard) are longer as they are at least 3 - 4 courses, and you are there to relax & enjoy, so I don't think they rush you...:)

 

Our attitude for this trip is we are going to enjoy ourselves even if it kills us. We have heard so many complaints about rivers being low & the necessity of taking a bus to see the sights, rain, lock closures etc, that I (hope) we will be prepared for anything. I think it's all in the attitude, and if you go with one that expects enjoyment then you can hopefully enjoy.

I travel solo, a long meal with many courses sounds very very painful. I am a fast eat and run person (paramedic, you learn to eat fast) I absolutely HATE sitting in restaurants and would rather be boiled in oil than sit for a long meal.

Maybe I will rethink going on this trip on this line although I have already paid a deposit. I am now questioning if I will enjoy the experience or not.

For you that love to sit and do the whole 2-hour dinner with courses and wine, more power to you, I shudder at the very thought.

I feel confident that a request at breakfast or lunch (ie during dining hours) would produce some snacks appropriate for you from the kitchen to tide you over. There was a thread last year from someone who was a long time ocean cruiser but who obviously had not bothered to come to the river boards (which you have) who was EXTREMELY disappointed with no room service, and fixed dining hours. It is what it is; work with it and they will work with you and you will have a great time; otherwise you will be miserable. For me it would be an easy choice to work with them. Good to get these issues sorted out in advance.

Thanks, that is why I am spending many hours on here to learn :)

I will admit not thrilled at all at such a late dinner hour (I like to eat early and relax and go to sleep) Having to stay up etc later than I like does not thrill me, BUT my desire to take this trip overrules my dislike. I will just have to suck it up for the trip. That is one thing I will admit I like about ocean trips.

We haven't taken our cruise yet, but in my research, I seem to recall they always have fresh fruit out at the coffee bar.....other goodies as well, but they wouldn't work for you. If a light snack of fruit will help hold you over until dinner, you could look into that.

Thanks!

I feel confident that a request at breakfast or lunch (ie during dining hours) would produce some snacks appropriate for you from the kitchen to tide you over. There was a thread last year from someone who was a long time ocean cruiser but who obviously had not bothered to come to the river boards (which you have) who was EXTREMELY disappointed with no room service, and fixed dining hours. It is what it is; work with it and they will work with you and you will have a great time; otherwise you will be miserable. For me it would be an easy choice to work with them. Good to get these issues sorted out in advance.

Thanks, I will admit not being thrilled at being forced to eat so late.. (I typically eat early and then crash for the evening) and thus staying up much later than I like, but my desire to take the trip wins :)

I think you can find more than enough and when you are tired and had enough, have him take you back to the ship :)

On his website he clearly says, he will take you where ever you want for your tour..

Make a list, google things to do in cuba.. I have lots of places I want to see that are not tourist spots :)

Remember that many do not get sea sick at all. I was on a ship during a bad storm. The ship did do some interesting rocking and rolling. I did not see lots of people sea sick. I also had no problems at all. You are worrying about things that may not happen :)

Viking does not allow kids under the age of 16 according to the website.

I actually marked both support of cuban people and people to people...they have not sent it back

I am doing a private tour in the morning (in support of cuban people)

and then a ship tour in the evening (people to people)

I think everyone charges $75 for the visa.. I suspect that is the price :)

We are visiting Cuba sailing from miami on Ncl Sky 8n April

 

We have a British passport and need a visa for our 2 day visit

 

Any advice on the most economical way of getting one

 

Thanks in advance

 

Sent from my SM-N910F using Forums mobile app

I am on NCL to cuba, I got the Visa on NCL website.

On Carnival we were charged $75pp to our sign and sail.

NCL we were charged $75. also for the visa.