GEORGET

On 9/17/2019 at 3:18 PM, ravenrob said:

Will be on Allure on May 24th and returning on May 31st.  I found a great fare on United Airlines and the departing flight from Barcelona is at 11:15AM.  Is this flight too early?  Or can we make this flight home?  Thanks in advance.

Plenty of time as journey is max 30 minutes.

You could pre book a taxi but there are plenty waiting at the cruise terminal and check the current flat rate fare on the web. Make sure you know the terminal and departure letter.

Recommend you write it down for the driver as some do not speak English.

this also applies when arriving at Barcelona, ie port address and ship name,

there are vip lounges and you can check if they have fast track security on the airport web site as well.

enjoy

j

As first timers may I recommend that you join the meet and mingle party before the ship sails. There are usually new cruisers in the group. Other tips do not let rccl convert the bill to your currency unless you are American let your bank do it.

you could join a large dinning table as likely be people on it to give tips.

you will receive the daily programme of events the night before so you can plan what you want to do. look out for daily offers,

you can take on board two bottles of wine on embarkation day for your cabin.

do not sign up for anything first day, remember if sailing from uk drink price includes the 18% tip in the price.

the staff are there to help, do not be afraid to ask they are used to it.

have a great cruise j

Days at sea check out the lunch in the MDR, used to be a great salad bar.

You will enjoy the Suite, The Concierge should send you a welcome email with tips etc.

the suite cabin allows you access to the new Suite only lounge on deck 14

tip lift only goes to 14 on one side of the ship port side

In the cabin will be a welcome pack and a book showing what you can order for free from room service, brilliant breakfast, meals in room from dinning room and what reserved areas are onboard etc.

Windjammers has a reserved area in the Italian or chops just look for the GOLD card sign outside..

the Concierge will help with bookings for dinning and excursions and is the person to ask for anything you are not sure of.

you will enjoy

You can only smoke on deck now, Casino while out of UK is also no smoking.

there is a door onto the deck by the casino and most used area near the Fish and ships.

hope it helps j

will we go back probably if the price is right but prefer smaller ships

j

anyone been on Harmony or Serenade lately to know if the blackjack games use shoes or the continous shuffle machines ? and what $ tables the games pay 3/2 as opposed to 6/5 for blackjack ? thanks

Just off Navigator the 3 to two was the $25 dollar table with a shoe, lower stakes 6/5

hope it helps j

Please note that Civitavechhia is a fair distance from Rome so take this into account.

Also arrange transfer from the ship to Civitavechhia railway station as the port bus drops you at a small bus station where you then transfer to a local bus to the station.

it all adds time

hope it helps and have a great holiday

j

Check in and bag drop for BA at Heathrow will be available any time you want that day, there isn’t an X hours before limit. If you’re definitely just heading to the airport book a lounge pass and hang out in there for the day. The last Heathrow one I went in had food, drinks, showers, a TV room, some of the lounges do have a time limit when they are busy so check the details before you book.

This is a good idea. BA terminal 5 ASPIRE lounge is one you can book, 3 hour time limit but rarely checked.

Check on line before you book that this is the right terminal for your flight and is suitable..

free drinks, snacks papers etc also check out discount sites and Heathrow airport for any offers on price.

hope it helps j

Hi George,

Was you on Brilliance 2011 eastern med ?

yes

That was a long time ago the old memory plays up now G&J

When we were on the Jewel last year - all EU ports (because Turkey was cancelled.) I remember paying taxes for on board shopping of gift shop merchandise. (Don't need another magnet...) I think the liquor store was not open on the cruise. I think I remember if we had bought a specialty dining restaurant on board there was extra tax charged. Is this still all the same? Have a cruise coming up an all EU Med. cruise. Thx...

If any cruise ship starts from an EU port and DOES not visit any Non EU port you will be liable for VAT additions to purchases on board.

The duty free shops on board and ashore will be closed.

To avoid this the ship has to visit at least one non EU PORT like Gibralter ,Turkey, Montenegro etc

ships leaving Spain are charged a port tax of 10% which remains if again the ship stays in EU Waters.

Non EU residents can reclaim the Vat, at the airport , on large purchases by asking the retailer for the reclaim form.

Example a £480 ring includes £80 VAT that you can reclaim at the airport..

Vat is like USA sales tax but has to be included in the shown price.

hope it helps j

I will be cruising for the first time in September with my husband and two kids. I’m confused how the tipping works. So I prepay the tip before cruising? Or I can opt out and tip at the end or it has to be as we go? Or I pay the suggested amount in the end like a bill?

 

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this question, it probable is 😬

if you pre pay before you travel but this cannot be changed when on board

But at least it is out of the way.

Alternatively

on board a daily charge of $14+ each is added for all cabin occupants

you can change or cancel this onboard at reception if you want and pay cash to your cabin/waiters

staff do not know if you have cancelled/changed this

last UK cruise informed 50% did this

Before the increase to $14 50 the breakdown for Gratuities was as follows

Stateroom attendant $3 75

HOUSE Keeping $1 30

Dinning room

Waiter $3.50

Assistant waiter $2.85

Head Waiter $0.75

Dinning room services $1.35

total $13,50 per person a day

or £10 a day each

additional gratuities on drinks etc 18% added unless sailing out of the UK or Australia where the tip is included in the bar price

We brits are not used to this and of course causes problems for new cruisers

to ask a family with two young children in an inside cabin to pay nearly £300 a week service charges can cause problems

I asked the CEO why not include tips in the cruise price his reply was do you want to pay more?

why would I be paying more? the total would be the same

Actually if it was included it (price) could come down as all the people who cancelled could no longer.

the staff would be happy as they will still get additional tips and a guaranteed wage.

The Americans would be happy as they can still tip more.

Just off the Indi and it looks fantastic, plenty new things for guests and families. more later.

those D , D+ that have been on the Indi before will know about the two diamond lounges on deck 14.

This has changed the larger Diamond lounge has gone and been replaced by a Suite lounge.

This is only now available to Pinnical and Suite guests .

so D+ and Diamond are all now squeezed into the small original lounge.

when asked, the CEO said that I would have too book a suite if I wanted to use it.

Hope this board can get him to change this

DIY Rome to the Civitavecchia port , allow at least 2 hours travel time. Traffic can be horrendous.

When checking in at the port they ask for your credit card and set sail details.

After i did online check-in i printed straight away and it is clearly ticked.

I usually clarify this again at check-in so there is no confusion.

The credit card rate is good but they do charge a currency exchange rate so there is very little advantage anyway.

 

Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app

I did the same, at check in and desk but they still converted, it is hard to check when bill arrives at 630am.

and customer service just ignored request of refund.

the new form I have not told my card is GBP FOR NEXT CRUISE.

Can recommend the forward suites, 10000 being our favourite although 10002 and 10052 have two balconies one forward and one at the side. these suites are large and the view when entering and leaving the ports are great.

downside the forward balconies are long and not very wide and at night there is a blackout as the bridge is above you.

plenty of extras having a suite on this ship

Hope it helps

j

being British and cruised to many times, i always prepay grats to get it out of the way.

trouble is that we brits do not like tipping and in my local club 2 other couples always remove grats and give nothing.

their response is " its not my problem, wont see them again, i have paid a lot already and the cruise company should pay them a decent wage"

i want cruise lines to include tips in the advertised price so these threads would become obsolete.

staff would be happy as still would be given extra

there is another problem new travelers are not told about them by TA so if a family of 4 are travelling in an inside are expected to pay £280+ a week you can see why they are cancelled.

just a point who is the mug me for pre-paying or the non payers saving money.

j

Thank you for this post as i thought it was only me who thinks the price of NCL suites have gone through the roof in the UK.

last year we did three NCL cruises and enjoyed them all and thought it was good value.

Was going to re book this year but even i could not justify the price difference

i know the pound has dropped against the dollar but the price hike no longer gives precieved value and we have returned to P&O and RCCL suites.

Pity we enjoyed the extra suite perks and staff.

J

Justoff this ship, had a great time.

Barcelona , be careful as pickpockets are here and Naples espesially around the Rambles.

taxi from airport to ship is a fixed cost of 39 euro.

boarding is easy and the dutyfreeshop is after security, some people hid bottles in there walk on as it was not checked again this time. it is up to you.

there is 10% added to any purchases including even if you have prepaid drinks package etc.

This extra was inposed until 11.30 pm.

twice they offered fill the Laundry bag for $19.99.

Liverno easy to DIY Pisa but book a trip for Florence

Rome a lot do this by train, but the new drop off Shuttle bus is a long way from the station and the traffic can be horrendous. would reccomend a tour.

Naples easy to Diy pompy and capri .

ship docks in the centre of town, but dont wear any jewellery and watch out for bag snatchers. the local train taked you to pompeii herculania and sorrento.

Mycanos, just get off and relax in this resort and look out for Pedro the 30 year old pelican.

istanbul, watch the ship approach the docks and listen to the calls to pray.

they will take dollars but a few lira will help for small purchases and haggle. take a tour as plenty to see, cover up if visiting a mosque.

kusadasi ship docks in town ephesus a must see.

Athens cheapest duty free (was) and there are three different HO HO buses out side the dock terminal, just walk out and keep to the left through the empty car park and at its entrance the buses pull in. do not buy from the tacky men as you will be conned.

20 euro price, yellow seems best but check return times.

Venice you must see the approach to venice, if fit you can walk to the centre. reccommend the secret tour of the Doges palace.

time of year, this can be cool and if unlucky wet. pack accordingly.

hope it helps j

First this applies for suites and above, not mini suites.

it starts with a dedicated booking in area and at some ports a suite guest waiting area with snacks etc, then you are escorted to your room.

The Butler is there to even help you unpack, never used, he will even clean your shoes, never used.

his main function is to make your stay one to remember. He will arrange for all your meals in the cabin , if you want and serve them.

he will bring you breakfast to order, arrange snacks to be waiting for you if you want and arrange a party in your room, if you want.

, he will liase with the Concierge to book meals, excursions etc.

you will also have free 24 hour room service, reserved seats at the theartre, breakfast and lunch at a specialst area, if you want.

Priority tender tickets, priority disembarkation, special Vip party.

Concierge , will sort any problems , like Specialist dinning, even flight ticket problems.

But remember they are not covered by the DSC .

Have a great trip and enjoy

j

UBP Was on the Spirit in feb and 10% vat was added to our onboard acount when docked in Barcelona and Malaga.

last month, same ship 10% was added to the onboard account until 11.30 pm (7pm sailing) at Barcelona.

So dont buy items onboard until then.

both cruises visited one + non eu port

hope it helps j

Is this outside the port?

 

Back in 2013 I sailed from Rome and what I saw was a bus station inside the port that would take you to each ship for free. I had to walk from the train station to the port.

this has closed and was by the fort (now a garden) and you are now dropped off at a small terminal and it is about 10 minutes along the main road which get back to the original fort entrance then onto the station.

there was supposed to be a bus to the station but we never saw it. there is a tourist information kiosk and the buses have the cruise ship names on them.

hope it helps

There is a free shuttle bus which now takes you to a small bus station, not the port gates as before.

this will add another 10 minutes walking to the station.

there was a bus service from this drop off point, to the station, but cannot comment on it as we got there at mid day. just to walk around Civitavecchia and there was no sign of the railway station bus.

Another thing to remember there was 5 ships in the port so a lot of people trying to get to the station.

would recommend you check the Meet and Mingle group for like minded travellers.

Spirit was charging $119.99 each for Rome on your own and they wonder why passengers DIY.

ENJOY THE CRUISE

J

PS if you go by train validate the ticket before you board and this ticket allows you to use the buses and Metro in Rome. Beware of pickpockets and leave valuables on board.

So if u get a drink on the UBP and you are in barcelona, would u end up paying more because of the Vat?

 

Also, are there lots of taxis at port in toulon? Did anyone go to cassis via taxi or just train? When it says we dock in Toulon at 9, what time were u off the ship as there is a train at 924?

we had the UBP and was charged the Spanish 10%Vat part up until 11 30 pm.

ie a $9.50 drink would have $1.71 grats added and then 10% 0.95 added on top.

0.95c only showed up on our bill

Cannot see you managing the 9.24 unless you are the first off and a taxi will take you to the station. back on board by 4.30.

look up meet and mingle on your cruise and you might find others to do the trip with.

hope it helps j