jaykayham

Thank you, much appreciated! The procedure still the same? First I need to register in order to obtain the ticket?! With this tickets in hand, do I get the money or chips which I have to exchange?

On 11/16/2017 at 9:45 AM, Beamafar said:

You could certainly get it through the slots in the casino. Just register your cruisecard in one of the machines, request an amount to be charged to your onboard account; when the machine shows the amount has been transferred to it, press the payout button. The machine will issue a ticket in the amount which you can then take to the cashier for payment in cash.

Hi to you all. Sorry to "warm up" this old post! 

Just received from MSC OBC for the next cruise as compensation for problems and troubles on a previous cruise. I was thinking to turn part of the OBC into ca$h - is it still possible to do so in 2024? Anyone with recent experience? Any help is much appreciated!!! 👍 Thank you!!!            

Happy new year to you all.

How much does the WiFi cost per day, or is even limited access free? Also what about non-alcoholic beverages, what are the prices for soda and water?

Long story, cut short, I am not drinking any alcohol at all, so I am not sure if the All Inclusive package is worth to add in my case!

Happy cruising, hopefully soon!

I finally decided to book the Transatlantic sailing on Wind Star from Lisbon - but the way to do so was very long. I contacted Windstar by Email and guess what, never received a quote! Finally, after weeks and several reminders, I received an Email to call their reservation department in the US!  Living in Europe, the phone costs are way too high to do so - but still, no quote! What's the problem? Is it so much a problem to do a sales offer on-line nowadays? 

Back to the, homepage of Windstar, searching for ages for a qualified GSA General sales Agent in Europe. Smart move, someone might think, but the links and Emails provided by Windstar are outdated and no longer working. ☹️☹️ 

After almost all Email returned ("the host is no longer available...") I finally made it! Yeah! But worst to come! As the agent is located in Europe and I am a resident of Europe, Windstar isn't willing to offer the same benefits (read OBC, booking conditions) like to say US residents. ☹️☹️

So as a European I am punished twice: poor customer service for higher prices! And now, some say the cruise will finish in Barbados, other in Phillipsburg... My passion is sailing, that's why I stay to Windstar and that's why I finally booked the cruise, but I would love to hear from Windstar, why they sacrifice the service. Especially in COVID19 times, a travel company should stay behind their future customers by answering Emails within 48hrs or even by telling the correct, working Email address of the GSA!

@Heartfelttraveler

Thank you! Will contact the nearest office for booking...

Thankfully I came across this forum...

I am planning a very special trip in 2021 and decided to have a look on Windstar! I requested a quote, but never received an offer. 

So I contacted the company by Email - again no response.  Finally, after several failed attempts, I received an automatic reply to contact the company by phone - which is useless, as their office is 9 hours ahead and I don't want to wake up at 3am just to get a simple quote. Never experienced such poor customer service. 

So, does anyone of you have a direct Email address to the "Vacation Office", or maybe a "real" person I can contact? ThanX!!

Just a short update regarding my cancellation.

Fred Olsen customer service was outstanding and most helpful. For a rebooking fee of as little as 5GBP I was able to rebook the cruise for next year. On top for my loyalty,  I received a free cabin upgrade, tips included and all-inclusive drinks package. In the end, all the benefits combined are more worth than a free cancellation and new booking with 25% future cruise credit - as the cruise was already 25% more expensive than this year cruise. On top, I will keep my ABTA coverage and full refund protection if the cruise is cancelled again by Fred Olsen due to any unforeseen circumstances (like e.g. itinerary changes). I think all in all, Fred Olsen handled the situation very well and I am looking now forward to 2021! ☺️

Thank you "tring" for taking time! ☺️

I found the exact same cruise one year later in the 2021-2022 season. I will try to convince Fred Olsen for a free re-booking (without fees and supplement) to this date. I think it is a win-win for both sides, I will keep my ABTA coverage and Fed Olsen my money (as the cruise is full paid in) as working capital. And finally, Fred Olsen will keep one more happy customer! 

Anyone from this forum has tried the same?

Thank you, can you explain the insurance problems re rebooking little bit more? Sorry, but I don't understand...

Hi to you all, came across this new company "Miray Cruises" - seems to be a great alternative to Celestyal Cruises for the Greek Agean coast and islands: https://www.miraycruises.gr/en

However, all my attemps to book a cruise or to get in touch with them failed, Emails are left unanswered. Does anyone have more information where and how to book?

Thank you! Chris

On 3/2/2020 at 4:13 AM, tcb13 said:

- Our cruise leaves Berlin on May 30...what weather should we pack for?

 

Ahh, Berlin is nowhere near the seas... 

You may fly in (hopefully) to Berlin - but the cruise is leaving from the port city of Rostock! 

Hi, was planning a cruise on Fred Olsen, but it seems now to be cancelled. Nothing wrong with their decision - but no information regarding my options... CMV is much clearer and offering full refund or an attractive future cruise credit of 125%! Fred Olsen on the other hand will contact the guests individually. So I am keen to know, which option Fred Olsen is offering to other forum members. 

You will know that, along with many other cruise and travel companies, we are facing challenging and unprecedented times at the moment.

With the ongoing situation with COVID-19, multiple port closures and the recent government advisory for cruise travel, we believe it is currently impossible for us to offer our guests the holiday experience that we promise.

We have therefore taken the difficult decision to pause our ocean cruise operations until 23rd May.

Our priority now is to get all existing guests and crew home as safely and comfortably as possible. Any subsequent itineraries will not go ahead once the current cruises have come to an end.

For the time being our river ship Brabant is not affected by the pause in operations and our season will commence as planned on 6^th April.

We are aware that if you are sailing with us, you will have many questions about what this means for you and we will be in touch as soon as we can.

We are likely to be very busy in our call centre over the next few days. Please bear with us, there is no rush for you to make a decision. We are working very hard for you and promise that we will deal with each and every one of your questions as soon as we possibly can.

In the meantime, if you have internet access, our website is being updated constantly with answers to the questions we are receiving so please check fredolsencruises.com and you are likely to find what you are looking for.

This is not a decision we have taken lightly, so on behalf of everyone at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, both at our HQ in Ipswich and on our ships, we are sorry for this short break in sailings and we look forward to seeing you back cruising with us very soon.

Guests who were booked during this time will be contacted separately by email and with a letter which will fully explain their options.

https://www.fredolsencruises.com/march-may-cruises

On 7/31/2019 at 4:02 PM, greg2014 said:

Phuket in season is tender port - you will be tendered at Patong Beach. After season pier for tender boats in Patong is not available, so ships are docking on the other side of the island - in Phuket Deep Sea Port.

Hi, thank you for the words! I have done everything in the past, from 2 to 5 star cruises, from CMV to Cunard - so I am prepared for everything to come. 

Regarding Phuket, nobody -not even Costa- seems to be able to answer my question. I will do Phuket end November. All Costa could tell, we will land in "Phuket Port"; no further explanation -if tender or not- was given... 

November is season, isn't it?! And where about in Patong will be the jetty; close to "Sunset Beach" hotel I heard?!

BTW. is it true that all staterooms have a fridge to use?

Did this cruise this June - 7 days. It was by far one of my best cruises in my life.

I did NCL, RC and Cunard in the past as well - but it is impossible to compare these cruise lines with Celestyal. Always very casual, except Captains Dinner, great staff and great food in the a-la-carte restaurants. It is a very old vessel with its own charm. 

The Service is OUTSTANDING - I was the only German native on-board. Not only the German hostess did a PRIVATE safety drill with me in the bar, the crew was really reading my wishes from my eyes - like "Oh I see you love todays desert, here is another one only for you my friend". 

Hi, did this year a fantastic cruise with them - everything is included! No tipping needed! 

BUT, I did it anyway. The stateroom stewards, 2 really outstanding guys, and MY waiters in the restaurant. It is open seating, no reservation possible. After 2 days I found the perfect table with the perfect waiters. After some tipping, these guys blocked the table for us and drinks were waiting when arriving. 

On 5/7/2019 at 10:47 AM, greg2014 said:

I was on Fortuna in January 2019 (14 days from Singapore). In my opinion ship is below Costa standards comparing to its vessels in Europe. ... in my opinion is not good for the ship - cruise line does not control everything like during cruises organized by the line. 

Hi, found a good offer for the FORTUNA direct on COSTA's own web-page, so I guessed it is "organized by the line"?!

According to COSTA, the FORTUNA was refurbished in December 2018 - with new Shops, Restaurants, Atrium and Spa-Showers in Premium Staterooms, so why is the FORTUNA below COSTA standards (only the Service or the fittings/furnishings)?

Where did you booked your cruise - if it was not "organized by the line"?

BTW. which port was used for docking in Phuket? Is Phuket always a tender destination with COSTA?

Thank you for the quick reply... 

Chris

Hi to you all, 

any idea which Terminal Costa normally use for embarkation in Barcelona as I need to pre-order transport.

Thank you!

Hello, 

COSTA is offering "RELAX ON THE BEACH" excursions in Goa and SriLanka which sounds tempting.

However, the description just read: "we will arrive at the* Hotel*" with no further information given - and COSTA is very shy about which "Hotel" it will be. 

Anyone who did this excursion can tell me more? Are these nice places(hotels) right on the beach?

BIG thank you!

Always SAFETY FIRST! Yes, that't true!

BUT, what a poor customer service again by RCL! Despite having my contact details entered in the Manifest, I was NOT contacted by RCL - instead, most obviously, an email was send to my travel agent (which is useless, giving the fact that It is weekend)!  Also, I logged into my Profile on RCL and found NO Information or whatsoever, NO updates about the new itinerary. I am so happy that I have you guys in this forum - otherwise I would have been lost!  

I am very lucky that I visited the Azores and other ports before, but I know many people are now left in the rain with useless non-refundable car rentals on the Azores, tickets for museums etc.! I hope, but knowing the poor customer service received in the past cruises I doubt it will happen, RCL will compensate with some free amenities, like a voucher for one free speciality Dining or something else.

Nevertheless, the re-routing was the right decision, but the handling to inform the passengers and offering assistance were again a nightmare. In three words: sad, sad, sad... 

Thank you!

Finally received today an email by MSC that everyone is self responsible for transport; so National Express it will be! :D

Hi, I do have the same problem! ;)

Will do a cruise next on MSC, ending in Southampton. Unfortunately, looking for MSC shore excursion, it seems not possible to book a transfer from the port to Heathrow airport after the cruise... :(

Any previous experience with MSC - maybe the transport is only available to buy on-board? If not, any recommendation to get from the port to the airport (public transport)?

Thank You!!

Hi to you all!

Will do a cruise next on the COSTA FORTUNA, ending in Barcelona. Unfortunately, looking for Costa's shore excursion, it seems not possible to book a transfer from the port to the airport after the cruise... :(

Any previous experience with Costa in Barcelona - maybe the transport is only available to buy on-board? If not, any recommendation to get from the port to the airport (public transport)?

Thank You!!

I have picked it ... for the price which was very cheap. As long as I have a clean bed and something decent to eat and the wine is drinkable, I will be fine!!

Yeap - I am sure you will LOVE it, if you keep this in mind! Keep this attitude and you well enjoy every single minute onboard! However, you can't compare this to any other cruise line and you have to lower your expectation what you did and as a first timer onboard you are not ruined from the glory old days (like me!).

Thank you, done mock booking - using "Fred"'s web-page I do have more options... Question is, will it be worth to pay more?! Or better to save the money and spend it elsewhere (like excursion)? A decision I have now to make!