M5M

Thanks to both Anne and ssdd….I nearly booked the Millennium Plaza as it looked fine....then I happened on a link to some guest houses....so I'm back!  There are three different guest houses, all three apparently in the Historic District..one is close to Metro Ghubaiba, one near La Ras Metro, one close to the Abra Dock.  We love the idea of old, authentic, historic...any thoughts before I move towards one of these?

Anne, I've read this thread, picking up various bits of information.  We will be in Dubai in March and I'm hoping to butt in with some new questions....  We will arrive on a Friday following a land tour of India, and will have Saturday and Sunday for a quick tour of Dubai.  Then on Monday we board the ship in Abu Dhabi, and our first port on Tuesday/Wednesday is....Dubai!! I was thinking we would keep the Dubai sight seeing all in a close time frame.  So, a couple of questions, if I may.  I noted your approval of the Millennium Plaza Hotel on SZR, mentioned by the OP.  What would be a good transport airport to hotel if we booked there? Could we take metro? We will have 22" luggage.  Another hotel option would be the Novatel Al Barsha, also on SZR, supposedly a five minute walk to Sharaf DG metro.  Can you comment between the two?  Thanks in advance!

Thanks to you both for the comments. I did find some options on HAL finally...and we booked. Maybe I’ll be the one to start the roll call!

We are looking at a cruise tour package that includes a 3 night and a 7 night cruise, and a land package in between.  Its Alaska based, on Holland America, on the Volendam and the Noordam.     Only one TA has it, I can't find the individual cruises listed,  I am wondering if anyone has ever done one of these?  Maybe the agency books the entire ship?  They apparently do a lot of business for American Express also.  The price is good, not overwhelmingly great, but there are some nice perks and the itinerary is good. We would appreciate any input.  

Thanks to you both, I will keep watching....I really think prices will drop more, I am just excited about the thought of a bigger cabin.  And yes, apologizes to Bruin Steve the OP, it was his interesting thread that got me thinking I would get some good  insight.  We've never done a bid as we always book via TA, but we have changed cabins before without a cancel and rebook scenario.  Maybe it is something to do with not being at final dates yet. 

We would give up $450 in OBC, but gaining beverage package which isn't of much value, we have status for evening drinks.  But we would keep $300 in OBC, which is enough for a couple of specialty dinners.  I think we would love the bigger cabin, back balcony, etc.  ….even though we have several ports, its always nice to have more room!

Well, I have a question about changing cabins, but a little different scenario...hopefully your insight will help.  We are booked in a balcony (fine location, very pleased) for March and keep seeing a FV (family cabin) available at a price within $20 of what we paid. I asked my travel agent to move us and she says I'd give up some perks, get others....and apparently we have to cancel and rebook to do this?  Also, she says the cruiseline "could" move us from the FV to somewhere else if they have a family that wants to book.  (There are three of these available, by the way. )  I don't think she is being difficult, I think I don't understand the process.  Am I unreasonable to think I should be able to move? We are OK giving up some OBC as we have plenty for this trip. 

Thanks to you both!.  I'm going to try it if the cabin we want is available in the sales, I will "hold" on X and then sort it out with my TA.

We are watching prices on a cruise we have already booked for 2019.  I anticipate that there will be some better pricing over the Thanksgiving holidays, and want to take advantage.  My TA suggested I place a "hold" through Celebrity, and then transfer the booking to the TA. How will I know for sure what perks we will acquire, and which we will lose? Has anyone done this recently, how does it work? Thanks

Flyer Talker, thanks for the information. I've made note of the Careem promotion. There is not a cruiseport to airport shuttle, only hired car, so that runs price up. Maybe Abu Dhabi is best anyway. We will have had a little time in Dubai from the cruise. We're thinking pretty heavily about breaking our flights into parts to avoid the super long flights. Flying economy, that's another reason to break the trip. Yesterday I had an itinerary that was--- $1200 pp-- without the Mumbai flight......tried to book it and it was expired! So now I'm aggravated of course, and know we will not likely see that pricing again. I also have thought about booking Texas - London RT as one portion, the the other portion separately. Trip is not till Feb-March so I know I have some time to look. Suggestions appreciated...!

Overall, we're thinking something like this:

Houston or Dallas to London (or other break)

48-72 hour break, see a play...

London to Delhi for a land trip

Mumbai to Abu Dhabi for cruise

Abu Dhabi or Dubai to London (or other break)

London to Houston or Dallas

We are ending a cruise in Abu Dhabi, the ship docks on Sunday afternoon at 3 PM but disembarkation is not till the next morning.. I may have a better flight option leaving that day from Dubai at 11:25 AM. Is there any reason not to use this option? I know I would have to shuttle from Abu Dhabi port to Dubai.

We are ending a cruise in Abu Dhabi, the ship docks on Sunday afternoon at 3 PM but disembarkation is not till the next morning.. I may have a better flight option leaving that day from Dubai at 11:25 AM. Is there any reason not to use this option? I know I would have to shuttle from Abu Dhabi port to Dubai.

Thanks so much for the information. I am really rather skeptical about Bananarama because every interaction has been so careless. Thinking I'll contact Mayan Princess...I think they are next door.

I am in the midst of booking for Roatan also. It took me several tries to get a full answer from Bananarama, I slowly got pieces of information...finally today got the full information by messaging them via Facebook. Give them details when you want to come and an email address, they will send confirmation and payment form. I think it was language difficulties, I was getting a little annoyed. Booking directly is a little less than through excusioneer, and I like the idea of having the transportation arranged.

We booked a guarantee, and have been assigned a cabin which some schematics show as handicap. Does anyone know if Liberty of the Seas 6614 is designated handicapped or not?

Thanks to all who replied. We are Diamond on Celebrity, so that equates to something on RCCL....do we get entry to the diamond Lounge....if there is one on Liberty? Or does Liberty use the drink voucher system? And, free specialty coffee anywhere? And, what about the same questions for Anthem of the Seas?

We are considering a Junior Suite on Liberty of the Seas. I read that the main difference in this class (both J3 and J4) is that the cabins are bigger than a standard stateroom. However, I am uncertain about dining. Do the Junior Suites get dining in Coastal Kitchen? For what meals? Any other

"perks"?

I'm trying to plan a dinner in Qsine on our upcoming TA Fll to Civitavecchia in April.... Boarding on Friday April 13, first stop is Sat April 21.

Hopefully someone knows.... when should the chic nights be? Thanks!!

CC people are so great!! thanks for the input....I thought it was too much, but don't have a good grasp of the geography. So if I zoom in on Zeno's ideas.....can someone help with some more details....Is Haleakala north on Hwy 30?

From Lahaina:

1. FIRST Drive up Haleakala stopping at all the sign- posted short hikes - the views will amaze you, stop at Makaweo on the way down

2. Drive north of Lahaina

3. IF you have any time left spend a short time in Lahaina after you return the car

Here is an itinerary I picked up from CC posted a few years back. Will this work in the 8A to 6P tendered visit on Dec 12? Suggestions welcome!

Pick up rental car, drive highway 190 to Waimea then 250 to Hawi.... Enjoy stunning views, then explore the rainforests there before heading down 270 to 19...

Passing Hapuna, Waikoloa and Kua bays with their resorts........

Stop and see the Hilton. Then back to Kona at the pier to drop off the car off.. it will be about 4 pm ??.........

We arrive on HAL on Saturday, Dec 9, I'm trying to line out a rental car drive. We dock from 8 AM - 10 PM. Maybe I have gotten some of this out of order, hopefully someone can comment. Is this too much for the one day? We're not swimming or snorkeling, just stop and look:

Lahaina...Whaler's Village...

Kaanapali... Kapalua Honolua Bay,

Dragon's Teeth at Makahia Point,…

Through the Honokohau Valley, arrive at Nakalele Point and Blowhole, Olivine Pools, Ohai Cliffs.

Where does the road get tricky? We want to stop at that point and turn around, heading back to Lahaina,

on to Īao Valley, Kahakuloa Village,

Valley of Makamaka'ole, Tide Pools,

turn around and back to Lahaina, turn in rental car.

Whew!! Thanks!!

My TA said HAL is "trying to rebrand".....with all us seniors approaching the retirement /nursing home stage, they want to open their collective arms to a new market. Involving Oprah will likely introduce a wider audience than just us old folks who like libraries and afternoon tea..

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Solutions, thanks for the explanation on Cruise Later. Your description fits my situation exactly. so I guess we may go ahead and do the booking now, I was aware of the Dec 30 deadline. We can always change, but my travel agent charges a change-booking fee of something, maybe its $50....but it aggravates me. Thanks for all the input.

Thanks, cruise raider, and others....interesting....at this point I'm considering an April 15, 2018 transatlantic ...Miami to Dublin...for $1689. Supposedly I'd get all for perks with a 2D balcony. So I guess that's OK, we'll use the beverage package and other perks on a TA.

But for the other Future Cruise option I bought, the 2018/2019 New Deployment Cruise Later.....the most appealing cruise is in 2019, from Abu Dhabi up through some India ports. The price is $2749 for a 2C balcony....we won't use the beverage package or mush internet as there is only one sea day. So, I'm considering let that option just lapse into a "Standard Cruise Later " option and take my chances at a better price on some sailing I like, even with fewer perks. What do you think?

Thanks for the notes. According to my Future Cruise letter, we get $250 for purchasing the FC credit on board, AND two perks. So now I want to move this to my TA and book a 2019 cruise. According to the TA current promotion, I expect two additional perks and additional OBC. So that's all fine.

But.....what if.....what if....I don't do anything with this credit, and it (according to my letter) turns into a "standard Cruise Later." ???? What does that give me? Is it just that I put $100 down towards some cruise to be chosen later....? Do I lose the $250 OBC and two perks?

Essentially, my question is what does a Standard Cruise Later promotion offer.?