Waltershipman
-
Posts
926 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by Waltershipman
-
-
7 hours ago, Hlitner said:
My answer will surprise some, but we think the best way is to simply socialize on cruise ships and ask folks how they book their cruises. I used to joke that liking to share larger tables has probably saved us over $100,000. What we learn from fellow cruisers, over more than 50 years of extensive cruising, has saved us a lot of money. The bonus is that it also enhances our knowledge about which cruises. ships, and cruise lines to book and avoid.
Also keep in mind that one person's good TA may not work for others. For example, we need no "hand holding" from our cruise agents, so our priorities for cruise agents are good service and the best overall deals. The deal thing is quite interesting because it is possible to save 7-10% + on many bookings by simply shopping around for the right agencies. On some of our longer cruises, the savings by using the right cruise agency can mean saving thousands of dollars (on a single booking) versus booking directly with a cruise line. We sometimes remind our favorite cruise agents (we currently have two) that our loyalty is only as good as the last deal.
Hank
Great points Hank
I have mostly been using although not totally exclusively a TA that was referred to me in the hall way on a cruise over 20 plus years ago
- 3
-
3 hours ago, CJANDH said:
If you enjoyed the beaches when on your hotel based visit to the Caribbean, you should consider just going to beach resorts for the day at some of your ports of call. You can do this independently for far less that the Explora tours and can set your own times. Check our resorts near the port before you go on your cruise and see which offer day passes. Then take a taxi from the port. Or you can visit Shore Excursion sites and pay a little more to have it set up for you.
Enjoy your cruise.
Many times we will meet some fellow passengers as we exit the ship and agree to share a taxi tour which usually works out great
Just allow time to return and board
Enjoy
- 1
-
6 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:
fairness.... The perfume shop has only custom made perfumes. Nice but if you like a scent you better buy a gallon because you will never see that scent again..
The sundries are in a closet.
@Waltershipman we had 1100 Euro in OBC from Explora. We were not able to access it ahead of time -- that was in Jan (so do not know if they have changed)
Thanks Paul
-
1 hour ago, PaulMCO said:
You can use them for the Spa, decent wines, decent champagne, transfers to the airport, and most shops (except for the watches).
If your OBC is Travel Agent provided -- so called refundable, then you can cash this out on the last day of the cruise.
Thanks Paul
Has anyone been able to use OBC as soon as they are available for excursions prior to boarding either on line or through the Ambassador
Thanks
-
17 minutes ago, GregoryPaul said:
Interesting discussion, especially as the FAQ section of their website states;
If I book now and the fare is further reduced, will I get the discount?We do not have a discounting strategy however should your fare be reduced for any reason, we will adjust your fare accordingly.
Great info thanks
-
18 hours ago, shrkdive1 said:
Alaska Airlines changed their policy in 2018 and now only gives you a credit if the price drop occurs within 24 hours of booking.
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/deals/special-offers/price-guarantee/price-terms-another-site
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/alaska-airlines-changes-terms-price-drop-guarantee
Hotels such as Marriott will honor the lower price because your credit card has not been charged and there is usually free cancelation up to 24 hours before date of arrival.
Yes but in practice I have found alaska airlines gives you a 1 year future flight credit for the difference deposited back into your account when it go lower however they don't just give it to you one needs to call and ask
I look at my flight prices all the time when sales are advertised
- 1
-
24 minutes ago, shrkdive1 said:
Not sure why anyone would expect the cruise line to give you the lower price if the fare drops after booking. This is normal supply and demand as they try to fill cabins on a cruise line. Just like booking an airline and trying to fill seats. If the price drops after you booked your flight you would not get the lower fare.
Actually I have many times contacted an airline or hotel after a price reduction and they do extend the reduced price. Examples are Alaska airlines and Marriott
I find it's always worth a few phone calls. Just did it this week on two bookings
- 2
-
5 hours ago, Jim Avery said:
Ask your travel agent to inquire from EJ about taking over your booking. Might be too late from original book but a good TA will know how to do it if possible. Then work through your guy. Much nicer and less high blood pressure for you.
Absolutely yes using TA is the way to go
- 1
-
1 minute ago, Sthrngary said:
@Dr. Cocktail I see your point. For me, it showed some things different from my past cruising experiences. I am taking my older sister on her first and last cruise on the Explora I. This should get a rise out of her for sure.
A few examples of things that are a bit different then my past experiences:
- Really no main dining room. The dining is smaller venues which makes it more pleasant for me.
- A buffet that is not a buffet and has nice quality and choices. For me, this approach is perfect. No passengers touching food with their hands, a nice selection of made to order items. And what looks to me to be decent sushi.
- Access to spa amenities without having a spa service done. This seems so little and petty. However, I always thought is was cheap of cruise lines to charge for thermal spas. Nice to see Explora does not. Also, lots of hot tub in lots of areas cutting down on them being only centrally located.
- Everyone on the same adult beverage program so no cabin card needed to gain a drink. It is kind of a pain, to have to pull out your card every time you wanted a drink on other cruise lines. The reason was, many different types of drink programs. I like everyone on the same plan much better.
- A lounge chair on every balcony even the entry level. This is kind of special. You don't see that much. My sister is going to love that.
- Double sinks in the bathrooms even the entry level. I have been in Penthouses and only had one sink so this is nice.
The look and feel seems luxuriously casual. It helps that there is a 1:125 ratio of guest to crew. Still, they are evolving so my hope is the future allows them to truly get their sea legs.
Cruise well and enjoy every moment.
Dinner at Emporium
- 1
- 1
-
15 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:
I found that this is the first review that really captured the onboard “feel”. I actually wouldn’t have minded it being longer so he could have included the Med Yacht Club and Marble & Co.
Thanks for posting
- 1
-
3 minutes ago, mike@sea said:
I think you will quite enjoy a 7 night cruise on Explora, and given the fact that you have enjoyed hotel stays at Four Seasons and alike, I guess you also feel comfortable to drop the idea of flip flops and shorts around dinner time, unless you stay on your balcony of course or do not intend to enter the restaurants.
People do dress up in a chic casual way for dinner and you do occasionally even see men in jackets and almost always many women in beautiful dresses at night. It just fits the situation you will find yourself in at dinner time. The ship is very elegant and so are most cruisers without being too formal or overdressed. So keep that in mind maybe.
As far as the suite goes, and your desire for a bigger balcony, you might want to look at any suite on deck 6 aft or front, where the balcony extends, or deck 7 front, where the balcony extends. Or any real aft suite, which would either be one deluxe PH on deck 7 or any of the aft residences decks 6, 7, 8, 9.You might want to check the way the sun shines in November, just to be sure, you are not in the shade the whole time, unless that is what you prefer.
There are a few chair hogs. Hard to believe in that price category, but true. Manners do not come with money. 😉
While evening dress leans on the casual side I felt better dressed nicer at night more like an evening out on land in USA at a nice upscale restaurant
- 3
-
2 hours ago, kimlet said:
Thanks for all your advice. I found reasonable hotel on the beach in Miami for good price, but haven't booked it yet.
I might fly into FLL and just go to Miami the day of or cruise day.
We enjoy the Brickell area
-
19 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:
It is. We were offered a pad, as my wife thought the mattress was too firm. They do not offer another mattress as that would be a nightmare to keep changing.
Thank you very helpful
- 1
-
2 hours ago, kej1 said:
We have not done lots of cruises but have done a number of them with Seabourn which we have enjoyed. We do enjoy cruising despite mostly doing independent land trips, but are looking to branch out in the cruising arena. We do love great food and find Seabourn’s fine but not great.
We are thinking of trying a cruise on Explorer Journeys as the food is reported to be great. ( please comment if not the case).Do they offer shuttles from port into town centers? We are not tour types and prefer to do our own thing. We often book private tours but often just want to go into town, look around and have a nice lunch. So shuttles are important to us and I haven’t seen anything about that on their website.
E J food is great
-
32 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:
https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/07/new-entertainment-program-for-explora-i-revealed/
Interesting that they will now be employing veteran cruise directors who will have a greater understanding of what passengers want.
The former corporate heads of Entertainment and Onboard experiences appear to be gone.
Excellent thank you
- 3
-
23 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:
Is there a middle ground? Can they add a pillow top to the firm mattress? [There's no way to firm up a too-soft one.]
That might be the one they refer to as flexible aka journey mattress lol
-
23 hours ago, PaulMCO said:
Might I suggest you try the My Explora APP and do it on the phone to check in. Never could get the Web version to work. Do you have a B2B itinerary?? If so you need to wait until that one is also within the window. The APP says the Window is 90 days - last year it said same and was actually 60 days.
@Sthrngary love it... We have two English Bulldogs, one who is named appropriately Churchill..
@Waltershipman logged on for our January cruise, it was missing on the weekend and appeared today LOL. Was able to set the bedding and liquor preferences as well as update my passport.
Great info thank you. I noticed the mattress bedding choice was firm or flexible. I recall from our October cruise that the bed was on the firm side. Have you or anyone else experienced the flexible mattress.
I might be too micro managing my possible experiences but that may be my way of expressing excitement for a cruise that is 7 months away lol
THANKS TO ALL
- 1
- 1
-
15 hours ago, Waltershipman said:
Thanks Gary
I am able to view my reservation but nothing else to do now for a late January cruise. It does list my account owed balance. I am curious how you are able to personalize at this time as I did not see preferences or the like
Thanks
It all shows up now Thank you very much
- 1
-
1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:
@Waltershipman There is a section that shows, bedding, your choice for a bottle of wine & spirits, and a couple of other things. The first time I had access, these options were not offered. This time, the choice of twin beds are not offered so on that topic, I have to call to double check.
I hope that answer your questions.
Cruise well and enjoy every moment.
Yes thank you Gary
ENJOY
- 1
-
1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:
@PaulMCO As with your bulldog reference from your earlier post, I do love Bulldogs, we have one French and one English. My website access issue is resolved. It seems, the emails and letters sent lit a fire. Regardless, it is fixed.
I now have access to my account online, I have selected my preferences, and double checked my balance. Excursions and other items are not available as of yet.
As stated, I knew this would eventually be taken care of but the longer it took, the more concerns a guest would have. The actual access looks very nice, professional and seems to be going in the right direction. We all have to rejoiced in the little positives in life.
Cruise well and enjoy every moment.
Thanks Gary
I am able to view my reservation but nothing else to do now for a late January cruise. It does list my account owed balance. I am curious how you are able to personalize at this time as I did not see preferences or the like
Thanks
-
2 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:
Gary: I hear you but …. (and this is directed at many on these boards!)
…. post Covid, it’s a different world out there. We all know that I’m an Explora cheerleader as I simply love the onboard product.
I’ve given up trying to do ANYTHING on the Seabourn website for my upcoming cruise as it’s basically nonfunctional.
Our friends who are Regent Gold were treated ABONIBABLY by Regent this past week regarding their upcoming sailing. I’m hoping that they post their story on the Regent boards.
All the cruise lines are feeling the same pressures and are having just bizarre customer service issues.
My point?
It’s messy out there!
Yes I too am an Explora cheer leader having 1st sailed EJ in October 2023 find the product post covid to be great on board and better than most. I have found back of the house still needs work such as dealing with Ambassadors but it has improved over time.
We have been on 3 lines post covid and found O and Celebrity noticeably different with products that have deterioted a bit post covid.
EJ has been excellent and we are booked again
Enjoy
- 1
-
1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:
@JTor In my pre-retirement life, I was blessed to be both trained and to train other on the mind-set of the luxury guest. This included what exceeds the guest expectations and what upset the luxury guest. It was a life time of interesting data.
Luxury guests are like deposits in banks. If during their initial touch-points, they are treated well, a deposit is made. The more deposits, the more the guest will put up with a certain level of issues if and when the come up. It is very important that at every touch-point, they are treated professionally, with great listening skills, where action promised are actually done, and as you mentioned in a timely progress, reported back on your issue before the client contact the brand again.
Luxury client actually rate the brand higher if an issue happens, that issue is resolved in a timely matter, to the clients satisfaction. The client rates them higher then if no issue had ever happened. The reason is, most clients think, if an issue happens it may never be resolved. When it does and it is a priority of the brand, the brand gets better scores. Interesting stuff.
The other interesting issue is if an issue like both of our IT situations do EVENTUALLY get resolved, but it takes forever, we get NO feedback throughout the process or we fix it ourselves out of frustration; that same client could care less the issue is resolved. They will harbor resentment with the way it was handled. So fixing it is only part of the equation. Fixing it fast, to the clients satisfaction it the key. Most brands fail at issue resolution in a huge way. This is even worse when the brand marketing department make Value Statement like and I am Paraphrasing, "We will re-define the Luxury Cruise Market."
To your point in showing appreciate to the client for their patience with some sort of perk. That is ONLY needed, it the resolution take way to long and other issues happen that frustrate the client throughout the process. If the issue is resolved quickly, the client is more then pleased.
As this relates to Explora Journey Cruises. This learning curve is taking them way long. For me, I can deal with it, because I have been on the other side of this issue. I know, the actual cruise will be lovely. In addition, I have leveraged two sales that are working together. So to coin a word, "The price is right". If it was their normal pricing, depending on the penalty, I would have cancelled already.
Hope all that makes sense.
Cruise well and enjoy every moment.
Perfectly logical and well stated. I have always held the belief based on my travel experience that the beginning and end matter the most as far as how I feel about my travel experience as the middle usually takes care of itself. This applies to my hotel experiences and travel in general JMHO which may not matter to anyone but me
Thank you for your thoughts
- 1
- 1
-
1 hour ago, longboard55 said:
I just emailed them, and they responded within 12 hours, but they said since my booking was within 10 days they could just make the change. It does now show on my account.
I am still wondering if they will extend the 400 on older bookings
-
2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:
I might be wrong however, I thought the topic of this thread was "potential changes to Oceania Cruises due to cost cutting measures". The whys, pros and cons of those cuts. Funny how a thread goes down it own path and personalities tend to often clash if opinions are challenged.
Social media is designed for engagement, lively debate and sharing of ideas. Cruises by nature are in many ways designed for engagement. Some sites draw a group of people that anonymously want to always be negative. Other draw folks that want to ONLY be positive to a point of losing sight of the fact that NO cruise or cruise brand is ever 100% perfect.
Tying back to the topic that @MEFIowa authored. We as a group of like minded cruisers (We like Oceania), need to help each other set expectations. If something is added, deleted or changed; share the item with the group. This allows many cruisers that are new, current and long-time guests, to manage what they can expect on their next voyage. If you don't like what a contributor says, or they always come across as negative, as well as, always saying the same thing. Simply block them, or ignore them. I am quite sure I have been personally ignored more times then I would every want to know. "I tend to be a very sensitive person and love to be part of a group that would have me. Or would never want to be part of a group that would have me. Not sure which one."
All we can do is be open to reality, change never stops. If the change effects our choose of a product of service, we take our money elsewhere. Just nice to have a professional place to gain that information that focuses on the fact and reality instead of criticizing the contributors. Rare opportunity to keep our sanity.
Cruise well and enjoy every moment.
We were overall happy with our February cruise on the Vista. Some cost cutting was evident while entertainment was excellent. Our issue was mainly that the ship sailing full was crowded and felt crowded in many parts of ship including Terrace in the evening show room and even GDR while pretty was noisy and crowded
Enjoy
- 1
- 2
Explora Destination Experiences Caribbean
in Explora Journeys
Posted
I am wondering when excursions will be available to actually book fir Carribean 2025
Thanks