8 Bells
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Posts posted by 8 Bells
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I have a cruise booked on Regal Princess for January '23. I just checked the Princess website and did a "dummy" booking for the same category cabin, and the price has dropped by $161, so I had a chat with a Princess rep about the price difference. She said they cannot make price adjustments. It's been several years since I last cruised with Princess, but I know they have done this in the past. What recourse do I have? Any suggestions would be appreciated. TY.
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@TruckerDave - thanks for the good news on the birthday tip. I applied for ours a few days ago, so hopefully will be able to schedule an interview around an upcoming birthday.
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Thanks! I didn't know about the Buffalo or Ontario offices - they would be closer. Would the Ontario office issue one, since I am an American citizen?
@slidergirl - Cayuga Lake isn't far from where I live in Skaneateles. All the lakes are beautiful!
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Thanks for all the advice. I live in the Finger Lakes area of NY, nearest cities are Syracuse & Rochester, neither one has GE office. I will go to Philly or NYC, unless more offices open closer to home.
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We are going to purchase Global Entry cards for a trip next year. Our passports are up for renewal, as well. Should we wait to purchase the Global Entry cards after we renew our passports or won't it matter?
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As someone else said, it's a public, open place. Just because a table is occupied by some card players doesn't mean you can't sit there, as well.
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I looked on the theme cruise finder and did not see anything. Being the cruise is in 2017 I would call princess and ask them why so many are sold out or blocked out. I would like to know if I where on the trip also.
I called Princess and asked the person if she knew why so many cabins were booked so early on voyage E706, and she said it could be a number of reasons: a large group that wants cabins near each other, or TA's booking blocks of them together, or simply individuals booking early and wanting cabins in the most desirable section of the ship. Most of them are midship balcony cabins. She said the Aus/NZ cruises are very popular, and wasn't surprised that the cabins were filling up so quickly. Also said she wants to do an Aus/NZ cruise but she is too young to go by herself, lol. She's only 20. :)
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I would check to see if it was sold out to a charter this does happen on some trips. What trip are you looking at?
@Tempo, I am booked on an Aus/NZ cruise in '17
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I was checking to see if the price has dropped on a cruise I have booked that doesn't take place for well over a year from now, when I noticed that there are blocks of cabins already sold. I was wondering if TA's block these out, or is the cruise really selling that well so far in advance? If held out by the TA's, what happens to the rooms that they don't sell?
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Any of the dessert soufflés! Love them!
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Thank you for sharing your trip with us - enjoy reading about all your adventures! :)
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Thank you for posting the menus. I love the soufflés on Princess!
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We have just started exploring the idea of doing a world cruise in 2017. I know it's too early for itineraries, deposits, etc., but was considering HAL for this one. I looked at their itinerary for the 2014 sailing and liked the variety of ports. Would like to hear opinions from others who have done this cruise. Also, do the itineraries on a world cruise usually stay the same from year to year?
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Anni, as others have said, your help and knowledge have been priceless! I hope you have a great trip, and wish we could have met in person. You will be missed! Bon Voyage!
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Make that last word, "are"!
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Open the frig, stare at the empty shelves, go to the pantry, state at the empty shelves, watch the dog eat and wonder why she can't cook, then order a pizza! After all that, I go to the bedroom and wonder why the bed hasn't been turned down, and where the mints ar
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Hi Anni! Just wanted to let you know that I got our tix online for Rostock to Munich on Aug. 11. I was able to get 2-first class for 139€ - that was the special fare. Thanks again for helping me figure out the DB Bahn! :)
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Hi, thanks for the title! My favourite fruit, I'm flattered.
It is a matter of personal opinion of course but I have travelled in both 1st and 2nd class on ICEs and really cannot see a lot of difference. The main space difference is width, 1+2 seats across in 1st, 2+2 seats across in second. Leather seats in 1st and upholstered seats in 2nd, both very comfortable.
Compartment seating is 6 or 8 seats in an enclosed space, two sets of 3 or 4 facing each other which cuts down on leg room. OK for a family or group of friends but the chances of getting one to yourselves is virtually nil. Compartment seating is often used by families with children and does not have luggage storage other than overhead racks.
When you book choose 'open saloon', not 'open saloon with table'. The table cannot be moved which makes getting in and out awkward and you have 2 other seats facing across the table so the leg room is cramped. The 'open saloon' seats are in pairs so you have more privacy and can stretch your legs under the seat in front. In both 1st and 2nd class these seats are airline type, good recline with fold away arm rest and a let down table in the back of the seat in front plus electric outlets for laptops etc. You will automatically be given a pair of seats, side by side if you leave the other choice as is. I'm afraid that you cannot choose the exact place within the car or the direction in which you face but that is immaterial as the train changes its direction of travel at least twice between Rostock and Munich.
This web site has some nice photos of ICE interiors.
http://europeforvisitors.com/germany/trains/ice-trains-photos.htm
Happy cruising :)
Anni
Many thanks for the website -- it's exactly what I was looking for!
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Hi, as promised I have been in touch with DB. This is the answer which I was given.
A glitch in the system meant that incorrect trackwork warnings were in place for the ICE Warnemunde to Berlin for the months of June, July and August
This has now been corrected and the present on-line timetables etc. will apply for the rest of the summer.
From June 1.
ICE Departs Warnemunde 6:58 Mon - Fri, 9:01 Sat. No service Sun.
So you will have plenty of time to catch the ICE 1611 direct to Munich (changes in Berlin are during June only) departing Warnemunde 9:01 arriving Munich 18:42. This information was obtained from the DB Travel Office but please check on-line nearer to your travel date.
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query2.exe/en?ld=9667&country=GBR&rt=1&OK#focus
Sorry about the confusion but I can only give the information which DB gives to me.
Happy cruising :)
Anni
Anni, you are a peach! Thank you so much for checking this out. We will plan to take the ICE 1611 on Aug. 11 to Munich. I was looking at the DB website and entered a "dummy" booking, just to see what it gives for the seating configuration. Since my husband is quite tall, we thought it would be more comforatable in first class.
If we want to have two seats next to each other, similar to airline seating, what would we request? Open saloon? What is the Compartment seating? Sorry to sound so ignorant -- just want to get it right when the time comes to make the reservations. Thanks again for all your help!:)
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Hi, so sorry to have missed this question, when there are a lot of posts on the same day it is very easy to miss one. (My excuse and I'm sticking to it!)
The daily ICE from Warnemunde does normally go straight through to Munich but on your date, 31/08, it will start at 6:24 in Rostock which I assume would be far too early.
The next best option is to go via Hamburg. The ICs from Rostock at 10:25, 12:43 and 14:25 all make good connections with an ICE to Munich. Total travel time from Warnemunde just over 9 hours. Travel time to Munich via Berlin is longer unless you can use the ICE.
I don't think there would be any advantage in a rail pass but you would be better advised by a USA web site on this as rail passes once you are in Europe are different, tourists get a better deal buying in their home country! A limited number of discounted standard fares are for sale on-line from 92 days before the date of travel. http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query2.exe/en
Once again, apologies for the delay
Happy cruising :)
Anni
Hi Anni! A couple of questions I am not clear about .... where do we put our luggage on the train? Is there a separate rail car just for luggage, do we check it before we board the train, or keep it with us at our seats?
Also, for the Rostock-Munich trip on Aug. 11, there is a train from Rostock Hbf to Munich leaving Rostock at 9:29, arriving in Munich at 18:42. The website says there are no connections, so I'm assuming that we just stay on the train until we get to Munich. Our ship docks at 7:00 the morning of Aug. 11. Do you think we will have enough time to make the 9:29 to Munich? The website also says, that due to construction, the train will leave 25 minutes early, so that would make it around 9:04. Too early?
You mentioned the limited number of standard fare tix on sale 92 days prior to travel date. Is the standard fare the same as 2nd class?
Sorry for all the questions! Your help is greatly appreciated! :)
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Ok, Anni, I'm the person who will be going to Berlin from Warnemunde on a Great Weekend ticket. I just want to make sure I understand what I need to do here. My ship docks at 8 and since Oceania usually docks early and uses (I think) their projected "docked and cleared" time as arrival time, I would think I could get off at 8:15. I walk to the train station (thanks for info on your site) and buy a Great Weekend Ticket which allows my husband and I to get from Warnemunde to Rostock to Berlin on any RE train. (I simply buy a Great Weekend ticket, right, without having to specify where I'm going? Can I use a ticket machine there in Warnemunde? Will it accept a chip-less credit card? If not, there IS a counter in the station, right, that I can go to? Would you know if the ticket machine has an English option?) Anyway, continuing with my scenario and questions, I hopefully make the 8:37 train to Rostock, use your info to find the platform for the next train to Berlin and hopefully make the connection (think it's 9:07, but forget). Once in Berlin, I can use the ticket for public transportation there (although we'll probably just take the Hop On bus, since my husband's feet aren't as energetic as mine!) If we DO take the metro, do I just wave the ticket, or what? Are there special lanes or anything?
I will probably take the 4:45 train back to Rostock, and then a train to Warnemunde, just to allow time for unforeseen emergencies, since I don't want the ship to leave for Bornholm without us! (I think the ship takes our passports, so being without one and trying to get to a Danish island would ruin my day!)
Oh, other questions: Is there food for purchase on RE trains or should I get dinner in the Bahnhof? Does the Warnemunde lighthouse have a working light that I might be able to see from the port? What is the port web site, by the way? I'm still trying to figure out how many ships will be in port on the day we're there (Aug. 12).
Thank you SO much for this help. I really appreciate it!
roothy123, use this link for finding out how many ships in port:
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Hi, Thank you for your appreciation. I'm happy to hear your plans are going OK.
The latest info is that you will have to take the RB from the airport to Berlin Hbf (main station) and then the RE to Rostock from there.
The train station is right under the new aiport terminal and the trains to Berlin leave every 15mins taking 30mins to the Hbf.
Ignore the #180914 as Berlin Schoe.flug will have ceased to exist after June 3 when the new Berlin Brandenburg opens.
The REs to Rostock are as you noted, #4356 at 10:45 arrive Rostock 13:04 and #4358 at 12:45 arrive Rostock 15:23.
The 10:45 might be a bit of a squeeze, I would aim for the 12:45 but I hate to be rushed, especially when navigating an unfamiliar station. Berlin Hbf is a fantastic place, built on 6 levels with plenty of shops and eateries, all open on Sundays too.
Happy travelling :)
Anni
Thank you so much for this information! It will really help in our planning! :)
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Hi Anni! We finalized our flights today, and will be arriving in Berlin at 8:25 a.m. on July 29 (Sunday). Will we be able to take a train from the new airport to Rostock? I looked on the website for Rail Europe, and it looks like there is a train #4356 at 10:45 from Berlin Hbf. Is that the main train station in Berlin?
There is another one #18914 at 11:20, leaving from Berlin Schoe. flug, going to Berlin Hbf, then transfer to #4358 to Rostock.
Thanks in advance for your help! Your tips and information to everyone is so helpful. :)
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Hi, very 'do-able' indeed!
As you plan to spend a few days in Berlin post-cruise I would be inclined to travel to Rostock on the same day. Depending on your flight arrival time in Berlin of course. The RE trains depart Berlin every 2 hours, the ICE usually departs at 18:13 Sun - Fri, not Sat.
You did not give the dates on which you would be travelling but I guess it is during the summer months when the normal departure time of the ICE from Warnemunde on Saturdays is 9:01, arrive Berlin 11.48.
However, there are track works this summer affecting the ICE but if you would care to give me your exact dates of arrival in Berlin and departure from Warnemunde I will check for any changes and pass them on, they are already gazetted.
Happy cruising :)
Anni
Thanks so much for the info! Our travel dates will be: arrive in Berlin on July 29 for cruise leaving July 31. Cruise ends in Warnemunde Aug. 11.
We are now thinking about going to Munich instead of Berlin after the cruise. Do you know if we can take the train from Warnemunde/Rostock directly to Munich central station, or will we have to go to Berlin and change trains? Also, would it be more economical to purchase a rail pass?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Are all Princess menus the same?
in Princess Cruises
Posted
Just curious if the menus are the same on all the Princess ships, or do they change according to the destination?