SteveinPhilly

And just to point out AGAIN. If you get an OBC from cruise line you need to use it. If it comes from agent you don't need to spend, At end of cruise it goes back on your creit card as a credit. The OBC from the two agents I use is usually = to 10% And Sometimes ppd gratutities.  So what's to be "annoying"?  😉

5 hours ago, StolidCruiser said:

 

With all due respect, I have.

 

I can get Steve’s $5200 cruise direct with the cruiseline for $4700 with a fully refundable deposit and no annoying OBC.  

 

You just have to know how to do it.

BUt will they give you the Efunable $600 OBC that one agency offered or $525 the other did?  Anyway, I put an alert in on ***** and will know IF price drops.

12 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

 

12 hours ago, DeputyDawg46 said:

I was just on the Explorer of the Seas from Seattle to Sydney and looked at different bookings with Future Cruises and unless I asked about the refundable rate they would not mention it.  

Others may disagree with me but there is really almost NO advantage to a buying a Future cruise There used to be. You used to get a $100 OBC for paying $100 and it never expired. THREE years ago RCi changed to $25 ONC for a 12 night cruise. Not worth it. ONLY time I saw it was worth it was if you had a special cabin you wanted and were not going to change. Again, just MY opinion.

29 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You haven't looked hard enough.

Damn auto correct. Sorry Biker. It should have said "can't" Sorry.  BTW I just did my final check on a $5200 11 night RCI cruise if booked today. OBCs ranged from $100 (RCCI) to $575 and $600 (both refundable) from two agencies. That was price today for a NON-refundable booking. If I wanted a refundable booking TODAY (before the change) it went up to $5.666 (or $400.)

So we'll just watch the fare over next few months and look for new promotions. I was not locking in at $400 per person cancel fee (you get $300pp credit to use within one year). Just my experience

By booking with Royal you are missing HUNDREDS of Dollar in OBCs. Even Royal recommends you use a TA. And ANY additional OBC you get from an agent. (we typically get $525 on a $3,000 cabin - is FULLY REFUNDABLE.  Cruise Compete is easist but use other on line agents too. They take reservation over phone and confirm. No one has yet shown me they got better deal or service by booking with a cruise line.  Just trying to help.

1 hour ago, LuCruise said:

It's strange too...if you book 2 rooms, then it's the opposite where it will give you the refundable price.  However, there is no way to switch (online) to non-refundable....even if you fill in all the information.

that's why you book on phone with a travel agent. 😉

That's the price TODAy. Based on what I'm seeing that refundable price - still good tomorrow will probably be $300 more than non-refundable. Prices change TOMORROW.

Still Refunadble is safe a year out.

I just learned YESTERDAY from my TA that the change takes place tomorrow (11/1/18). This may force us to make a deposit on a fully refundable deposit cruise knowing we can cancel at no fee. I will not use agencies that charge there own $100 fee - like VTG and Crucon). Also I see folks who posted are going through their booking on line to find out refundable vs non refundable price. Why? If you use an on line agent (or Cruise Compete), they will email you the options. They also talk on the phone. In my experience it NEVER pays to book with a Cruise Line direct. JMHO

Same here - I have spent significant amounts of time in Berlin and have never used US dollars - their currency is the euro.

I think you are getting off topic here. The subject was comparing the two tour companies :confused::confused:

:confused:

I was wondering if they had to accompany us because we wouldn’t have the visa, only their tour tickets.... I couldn’t find anything saying that on their website. I guess I will just email them to confirm it.

 

Yes, we are on RC Ultimate Russia and Scandinavia cruise on June 20, 2019. The 3 days in St. Petersburg and the stop in Germany are the reasons we picked that cruise. Thanks for your help!

Yes sounds like great itinerary. We did the24 day B2B Baltic and British Isles RT Amsterdam in June on Brilliance

We used alla and loved it. So you re on a cruise with three days in Russia? As Far as either guide will bevwithbyoubon train they have to be if you do not have a visa.

I think most of you missed Guernsey but I wanted to share this: Just a heads up. I thought the feature film The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Society" was not going to hit Netflix until September. We'll tonight I found it on Netflix. I'm off to watch now. I loved the book!

Steve

For those who are still subscribed and may want to relive some memories

Steve After (literally) days of work I now have ALL the videos Icreated(from still photos) and video clip of our 24- night Back To Back Cruiseto the Baltic and British Isles (plus an extra day up front in Amsterdam) fromJune 9th to July 3rd. Most average 20 minutes in lengthbut a few are longer because of music sequences. Only two have backgroundmusic. I’ve put them in a Youtube “Playlist”. There are 19 of the inchronological order You

I’m sharing them with those who always ask “ Well tell meabout your trip” though I did it mostly so my memories will remain in “thecloud”. If you have a Smart TV or a Roku or Fire Stick you can watch on yourlarge TV. (If you have problems, let me know). Anyway I hope you enjoy (someof) them. It was a cruise of a lifetime – not because of the ship – but theamazing ports (and PERFECT weather). And that I planned the shore excursions onmy own. We had a great time.

Here is the Playlist link:

Steve

I'll be glad to.... Try to get them to sign up and go to the CC meet and mingle party.

Afraid they like to be independent. I know they have a private tour burgh (and tix for the Tattoo) and told them they better confirm which port if guide is going to meet them. Anyway they are with another couple but you can call their cabin and invite to the M&M. Nice folks

Okay just a k question forbtartsn exile : when we were in last month it was only for the day and we rendered at queensferry.

Since x is overnight and they will have to tender if queensferry, how do they handle the tender after dark? How often do the tenders run? Especially folks staying on Edinburgh for dinner or such.. Just curious.😌

Quick question

Someone on our roll call just reported that they were told by Celebrity that the Eclipse will be docking at Leith Cruise Terminal, not Queensferry as had been reported by everyone else! She is arriving on August 9th for an overnight stay.

Do anyone there in Edinburgh any information on this? The websites I have been using still say it is Queensferry.

Not quite accurate. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe will have finished by then as it is only 3 weeks during August and things are much quieter round the city in September.

 

Anyway you'll love Edinburgh - and there is never enough time there!

Many thanks for the responses. We are not going to tour the castle on this trip, just leisurely walk down Royal Mile and little side streets, see the Cathedral and Parliment, grab a bite for lunch somewhere, then HoHo and back to the ship. At least that is the plan right now.

Just remember that the shuttle is independently rci. If you caught the lady shuttle back and it wasn't there in time and all the rci tours are back. The ship is leaving. Is use 3pm as cut off. And honestly if you have to use the hoho bus 20# combo. You probably want to do the hoho2 first and stay on until it gets to castle. The loop takes 90 minutes and is not always on a schedule. Then dobroyal mile and parliament. Allow 25 minutes to walk to shuttle from parliament.

I only mentioned castle because if going early is best. And I really suggest you listen to Rick Steve's Edinburgh walk audio, even if you don't take it. Its FREE!

Be aware that the fringe fest may be on then and there will be crowds

We are there in early September on MSC Magnifica. One important thing, our ship leaves at 17:00, so all aboard at 16:30. What time do you suggest we get the shuttle for the return trip back to Queensferry? I was thinking about 14:00??? We are thinking about doing the HoHo portion first. We we then be able to stay on board and ride UP to the castle to begin our walk DOWN the Royal Mile?? Thanks for any suggestions.

Okay just my opinion but if you want to tour the castle - and I think you should. Then I would suggest following. Take early shuttle in and buy return. Then share a cab to castle with someone on your shuttle. About 6 # and you can charge. Go to castle at about 9:30 and get audio tour. You'll spend 2 hours there at least. Then walk down the royal mile. Highly suggest you download free audio tour by rick Steve's. Make sure you stop at the writers house museum and museum of childhood. Both free. Thus will take you today least 13:00. Make sure to see the new parliament building. Then walk back to pick up bus -25 minutes - or take a cab .and be at shuttled by 14:30 at latest. If seeing castle you have no time for hoho bus. Trust me. Time is limited. I posted video of the above plan on YouTube if you want to see.

Hi All: I've been posting Youtube videos of the ports we hit on both the Baltic leg and the BI leg and thought I'd cross post in case anyof you have the time and interest.

Actually I'm still finishing up my port videos from the Baltic leg of the cruise but I jumped ahead to do Holyhead Wales with Busybus tours. Which ranked up as one of the TOP private tours on the cruise. It runs about 22 minutes and will be of special interest to those who used Busybus. You'll enjoy the music.

I'm not as professional a videographer as Sondra (and I include more sound video) but I do it for me and just share with others. Stay tuned for the other ports.

Steve

We used the x99 service in Edinburgh on the June 18 Royal Princess cruise. One big note/tip. We did NOT want the HOHO option; we wanted x99 plus the day pass for the city services (we knew exactly where we wanted to go and in what order). The agents next to the buses with the handheld ticket machines (and the frenzied crowds around them) CANNOT print day passes, or at least could not then. We had to buy them from the bus driver. This meant we missed one x99 on the way in and had to take the next. But that was no issue, as they came quickly.

 

We found that on a weekday in June, the 40min quoted time was very close to accurate. Traffic was BAD.

 

Another tip - if you plan to walk down the Royal Mile from the castle, so far as we could determine, the only buses that take you close to the castle are the HOHOs. In our case, we didn't mind walking up the last bit and we had other plans that required the day pass instead of the HOHO. So we went with the Day pass. In the end, the Royal Mile was so incredibly touristy and overrun (not to be outdone on our entire trip until the streets near La Tour Eiffel) that we pulled the eject lever very early and stepped off to side streets.

We just asked as we goty off shuttle if anyone else was goijg to castle. We shared a cab with another couple for 6# total. Really cheap and saved us the wal;k. Also were at castle by 9:30 and got right in.

And you MUST see the new Parliment Bldg. Amazing and open every day. At Bottom of Royal Mile

That was fast!!! When I click on this is gives me the dreaded 404 message! LOL! But you answered the credit card question - and good to know to be back by 3:30 - is the fare in fact 6 pounds round trip - or is that one way?

RT. 4 one way.

And if you are doing other castles - like Stirling and Urquhart, it pays to buy an Explorer pass on line. BTW, The Audio tour 2-3 pounds is well worth getting

S

For some reason I can't pull up the shuttle website - my computer says "not a secure site" - I just wanted to know - is the price 6 pounds ROUND TRIP? And do they take credit cards? If so where/who do you pay?

Here's the brochure. They have staff standing there with credit card machines outside the buses. JUst make you are at the square by 3:30pm to not catch last bus.

https://www.lothianbuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/X99-Cruiselink-WEB.pdf

Steve

Thanks, Steve. Yes, I'm on roll call for the July 25th sailing. I'm traveling with 22 friends - we are booked on Busy bus in Wales - Invergordon Bus Tours there - and Butlers in Cork - each tour just our group. The rest of the places we're just exploring. There are so many things I've written down for Edinburgh including a free 2 hour walking tour - I was concerned about how long it takes getting back and forth which would even more shorten that day. Thanks for the info!! I've kept your email!

Will ply from home. Was in Canterbury today and it was at and cheap on my own tool cab from ship to train 8# for up to 4 people - I was just me - train to Canterbury 16 minute ride was 9#. Return. Took walking tour for two hours for 7#. You should previous and break up group into 11 each.

More to see here and catch train back

We'll be on the Brilliance July 27th. How was the tender process at that port? And how long to get on the shuttle and then how long to get downtown? Any other tips?

We were off ship within 30 minutes. Easy process. They hire large sightseeing boats and at least 3 or 4 buses waiting. Super easy. Btw tomorrow well see how tender in Guernsey. Are you on cruise critic roll call for your sailing? Ill try to join when I get home Wednesday and answer port and ship questions. I only have Wi-Fi today. But you can email me questions to answer next week at stevenramm at aol dot com.

Best rec for Wales is with busy bus tours. Better than rci's. Book now on line and request small bus. Mention Steve from last brilliance. They now know me. Sorry if some of this is off topic 😁