Cubechick

I doubt that I would insure the cost of the trip if it were that much more.

Just for giggles, I went to insuremytrip.com and the difference between my evac insurance and the cheapest plan to cover my trip is an additional $157.36.

Again, not advocating that there is any "right" way, but for myself, I will always buy the evac insurance as it is cheap and not having it could be catastrophic.

Very true, but if you can get it back in order to book another trip would that be a bad thing? I believe the last time that I looked the comprehensive policy was something like $30 more than the medevac/medical coverage only so I figured it was worth it.

Each time I have priced out full travel insurance it's been 3 - 4 times what I have paid for the medical insurance.

Even if trip insurance is only $150 more per cruise, on my 32 cruises that would be nearly $5k I would have spent in unused insurance at this time.

At any rate it's all about being comfortable with the risk you are taking, which I am.

I always purchase medical/evacuation insurance as having to be medically evacuated from a remote port could be financially devastating. Age has nothing to do with this. An accident can befall anyone at any time.

I don't usually bother with trip cancellation insurance though. Although, yes, it would stink to have to cancel a trip last minute, it would cause more emotional than financial harm (the money has already been spent after all).

Absolutely agree. I "assume" all tiers were combined as a cost savings. Just another cutback to save a few nickels.

I will be watching how they handle the Latitudes parties on my cruise at the end of the month with interest!

They cancelled the pins a few years ago too and they ended up coming back. Will be interesting to see if they really do stay gone for good this time.

Of course with FDR at the helm, I suspect the answer is yes!:rolleyes:

Have sailed the Gem a few times. In the past there was a latitudes party for Bronze, Silver, and I believe a combined Gold & Platinum. This party was always held in the Spinaker Lounge

 

We sailed the Gem this past December as a Silver. It was one combined party for all tiers. We were herded like sheep into the packed Spinaker. There were no available seats and the bar was several people deep. My bride and I looked at each other and without a spoken word headed for the door. What used to be a nice gesture was cheapened to the point that we did not waste the hour – instead headed to Magnum’s bar for a relaxing cocktail.

 

We are traveling on the Breakaway next month as Gold, but based on last year’s fiasco, we fully expect to skip the latitudes party. It was great while it lasted.

 

 

 

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It sounds like the Latitudes party should have been broken up into a couple of groups. This is how it's been handled on our sailings when there are too many Latitudes members on board to hold one party.

If you are in an owners suite or garden villa, 3 bottles are included. If you are in a regular penthouse, you can not buy on board for your suite.

Actually, you can purchase bottles on board, but at a bar (not through duty free). The prices are the same as when pre-ordering a bar set-up. I don't know if they throw in mixers when you purchase a bottle on board though.

But it's my understand that with an upset, you don't receive some of the perks? In other words. When I was offered an upsell a few days ago for $500 each, they told me I would keep my current perks (UBP and UDP) but would not get the free wifi and free gratuities. I declined the upsell. Does anyone know if this is true, that you don't get the additional perks with an upsell?

That is true. If you get an upsell, your perks at time of original booking apply. If you pay for an upgrade, then you would receive current perks.

I actually preferred aft-facing as we had a nice view of the harbor in all of the ports (instead of industrial buildings and containers). We spend the Napali Coast Sailby up at the Waikiki bar, then went to our stateroom to watch the view as we departed.

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Yes. The color is for the ship so you are all set. Just write the new number on the tags.

Thanks for posting! I can't wait to try this next month!

Perhaps your TA could just move the mini-suite to a quieter area?

I do like the extra space that the mini-suites have over the balcony cabins on the Jewel class ships so I prefer the mini-suite.

BUT I would look to see exactly where my cabin is...if you're under the pool deck you could experience noise from them moving chairs around.

They do not let you place "to go" orders from O'Sheehans...but nothing prevents you from placing an order and carrying it back to your stateroom...;)

Just contact the Access Desk to address your needs. From what I have read here, they can arrange to have all kinds of GF foods available to you. Much more than if you waited until you board.

A couple of key differences.

First the lack of waterfront or promenade on the Epic. The small space they allocated for the jogging track and shuffleboard is buried behind lifeboats. The Epic is the only ship I have sailed on where I felt disconnected from the sea. (NCL's creation of the Waterfront for the breakaway class and breakaway plus solved that problem big time!)

If you're a Haven passenger, the Epic doesn't have a retractable roof in the Haven, so that space may be unusable at times due to the weather.

Additionally the Escape just has more to do...bigger ropes course, more water slides, more dining options, etc.

I would sail the Epic again if the price were right, but the Escape is my favorite ship by far.

We tip based on usage. The butler tends to do more than the Concierge, so generally gets the bulk of the tips...but not always.

We were also on the Sept. 2013 Iceland cruise on the Star and our concierge was Armando. He was great. We haven't had a Patrick that I recall.

After I posted I realized Patrick was Panama Canal in 2011, but didn't bother correcting it!

I don't recall an Armando at all on the Star 2013...I thought it was Omar, LOL.

Roel was last week.:)

 

along with Tony Winkler = H.D

Richard Matic C.D.

Norman Anderson =Beverage manager

And Captain +=Tio Fromdabrige

Thanks for the update! Glad to see you sailed again!:)

Agreed! We LOVED Hanno. He was incredibly available and took great care of us. Patrick was the Concierge in November. I think he may have been new to being in that role. He struggled with follow up with us and had a hard time juggling our reservation changes. He made a few mistakes, which happens, but it was how he handled it that bothered us the most. I never really realized the importance of having a good concierge until we didn't have one. :)

Hmmm...if it was the same Patrick, we had him on the Star in 2013...same issues. :rolleyes:

Hi Tracy,

 

Do you know who the concierge was on the Dawn?

Also wondering the answer to this question...:)

I did this myself. I re-booked a cruise I had booked just days earlier because the pre-paid service charge was a better value than the shorex credit. I am always looking to save myself a few bucks!

Just call and cancel the excursions. Your credit card will be refunded.

It's more like your first day and last day will be on the cool side.

I have sailed to the Caribbean out of NYC four times in January. On the coldest cruise, we were still able to sit out on our balcony by the night of the first sea day. Other cruises we have awakened that first morning and found the temperature already in the 50's.

The itineraries are great and you sure do get to escape winter!

Another vote for the Owner's Suite on any Jewel Class ship.

I have never felt that I wasn't treated well as an Owner Suite occupant and we love the space in the OS and the two large balconies. I much prefer the quite of my balcony or cabin to the tiny courtyard area on the Jewel Class ships.