Christine Frances

During our port call at Da Nang next February, the "Hoi An On Your Own" excursion [#DE-22] prices out at US$ 74.25--after the 25% discount associated with booking in advance on-line--or US$ 99.00 if booked once aboard!

I can't remember exactly the price but I think it was $20-$30 in 2011. The Millie is offering it on our cruise in Feb/14 for $45.50

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There was no free shuttle to Hoi An in Feb 13. I think there was a low priced excursion, sort of a Hoi An on your own. Most tours to Hoi An do stop for photos at China Beach and marble shops at Marble Mtn. Our private tour gave us time to actually go up to the temples, monastery and caves on Marble Mtn....very interesting and beautiful.

Yes, that's what we used! As I posted above, I think it was $20. It was a perfect option for us - even with a full day in Hoi An we didn't want to leave lol. Beautiful town and wonderful people.

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Hi again,

 

What shuttle bus are you referring to?

 

We are in the process of booking a tour for Hoi An.

Do you remember what your itinerary was for the day? Would you mind sharing?

 

Thanks.

 

Regards,

 

Harry E.:)

It was an Azamara Quest shuttle which took us to Hoi An in the am and then picked us up later in the afternoon. Hoi an is extremely walkable, with wonderful shops, little bars and some nice restaurants for lunch. And then there is that incredible Japanese Bridge. I will see if I can find Mike Priesman's blog with wonderful pictures, port info and tour companies that he used. He did Singapore to Hong Kong on the Quest before the "rebrand" but his info is still pertinent.

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Hi,

 

What ship were you on?

Do you remember the name of the terminal in Da Nang where the ship docked?

 

Thanks.

 

Regards,

Harry E.:)

Sorry can't remember:o We, and our friends, just took the shuttle to Hoi An for the day. It was the best day ever - I think it was $20 or something. Can't wait to go back in Feb.

When we did the Hong Kong to Singapore a couple of years ago our tour guide knew what ports we were coming into before we did lol We were docked so close to town in Bangkok and Saigon that they could see us!

Just a quick question. For those of us on the August 16th cruise, are we getting reimbursed for the taxes and port fees as well as the actual price of the cruise? I am not expecting it, but will be happily surprised if we do.

Check your on board statement. I think I read somewhere that port charges were reimbursed while they were still on the ship.

We were on a back to back Millennium Sept. 13 (cancelled) continuing from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale (Sept. 22). We had tickets to Vancouver on Choice Air. Because the cruise was cancelled we needed air to San Diego. The airfare Choice Air offered us was double what I could get on my own. We are now watching to see in the Millennium will sail on Sept. 22!

Were the tickets refundable? Celebrity would pay the change fees to San Diego. Did you talk to Choice Air about the fare that you found on your own? I'd be amazed if Celebrity didn't dispute this. What am I not seeing?

We got the entire amount for the airfare. I wanted to change the air tickets and the price choice air was offering was double what I could get the air on my own. I told Chase the story and they said they would refund the entire amount. Hope that helps!

Hope that doesn't come back to bite you. The price Choice Air was offering was double to do what?

We have had some towel animals waiting for us on each X cruise we have taken. My favorite was a bat hanging on a line and it was wearing my sunglasses.

That was the creepiest thing I have ever seen :eek: Ours was a monkey hanging from the ceiling - it scared the pants off me when I turned the light on in the cabin! I have no need for them, don't know what to do with them, and much rather my hard working room stewards not waste their time on them. I think they are a wonderful idea if there are children in the cabin though:D

We take 2 CC's with us. The one with a high limit stays in the safe and the one with the low limit we take ashore in ports. I also have supplementary cards for both with different #'s in case one of them is compromised. Last minute airfare and medical expenses can be very high:eek: The limit on your card has to be high enough that you still have room over and above any holds placed on the card for hotels, cars and the daily chg on the cruise lines.

rose petals and grapefruit. no way lol

K - guess I won't make it then lol

Right, but that is not the recipe alot of restaurants are using here in CA. Its wine, vodka, simple syrup and fruit. Sometimes flavored vodka.

Its because they are making it by the glass. Its essentially a mixed drink.

 

I prefer either homemade sangria or bottled versus what most restaurants are touting as "sangria"...

 

Either way, not one or the other is on a HAL menu.

 

Www.quintllc.com best ive ever had.

I am going to have to try Sangria:D Here is the recipe from Qsine on X for White Sangria - What do you think? Is it worth trying at home?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=34644078&postcount=22

 

Jade, I put the bold in your post.. I think you ought to read their policy again in the post you quoted..It clearly states in the first paragraph, which you quote in your post, that Psgrs are limited to two bottles on embarkation..

 

cheers..Betty

It was Storyladys Post that states 2 bottles. This quote is from Cruise Critic and it has not been updated:( Jade13 did not quote this post:confused:

Unless Cruise Critic hasn't updated Azamara's Wine Policy it appears to be similar to HAL's.

 

Azamara's Wine Policy as posted on CC.

 

"Bringing wine or Champagne onboard: Passengers can bring two bottles per stateroom, but when consumed in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, there is a $10 corkage fee per bottle.

 

Purchasing liquor in port: Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call will be stored by the ship and delivered to passengers' cabins on the last day of the sailing.

 

Purchasing liquor in ships' duty-free shop: Alcoholic beverages that are purchased from Azamara's onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to passenger cabins on the sailing's last day. "

Here is the actual policy

From Azamara's website http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/plan-your-voyage/after-booking/helpful-information/guest-conduct-policy

Corkage Policy

Azamara Club Cruises® offers a wide selection of international liquors, beer and fine wines onboard. You may bring your own favorite liquor, beer or wine for private consumption in your suite or stateroom. If you wish to consume your liquor, beer or wine in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle is subject to a corkage fee of $10.

If you are given a bottle of wine that was purchased from Azamara's Bon Voyage Gift selection, then no corkage fee will apply. If you are given a bottle of wine from an outside vendor and/or travel professional, and the bottle was not purchased through Azamara's Bon Voyage selection, then a $10 corkage fee will apply if the wine is consumed in the dining room or other public area. All corkage fees will be added to your onboard account.

Alcoholic beverages purchased from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Alcohol will not be delivered to any guest under the age of 21.

Unless Cruise Critic hasn't updated Azamara's Wine Policy it appears to be similar to HAL's.

 

Azamara's Wine Policy as posted on CC.

 

"Bringing wine or Champagne onboard: Passengers can bring two bottles per stateroom, but when consumed in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, there is a $10 corkage fee per bottle.

 

Purchasing liquor in port: Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call will be stored by the ship and delivered to passengers' cabins on the last day of the sailing.

 

Purchasing liquor in ships' duty-free shop: Alcoholic beverages that are purchased from Azamara's onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to passenger cabins on the sailing's last day. "

The policy has changed - I think when they went semi-inclusive. Unless its pretty special, not much point in buying ashore and paying corkage when all alcohol is included on board (except for top-shelf)

CORKAGE POLICY

Azamara Club Cruises® offers a wide selection of international liquors, beer and fine wines onboard. You may bring your own favorite liquor, beer or wine for private consumption in your suite or stateroom. If you wish to consume your liquor, beer or wine in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle is subject to a corkage fee of $10.

If you are given a bottle of wine that was purchased from Azamara's Bon Voyage Gift selection, then no corkage fee will apply. If you are given a bottle of wine from an outside vendor and/or travel professional, and the bottle was not purchased through Azamara's Bon Voyage selection, then a $10 corkage fee will apply if the wine is consumed in the dining room or other public area. All corkage fees will be added to your onboard account.

Alcoholic beverages purchased from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Alcohol will not be delivered to any guest under the age of 21.

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I have lived in the Lower Mainland for 42 years and have never heard of Bear Mountain, Victoria. Didn't know there was a mountain in Victoria. Kindly enlighten us. Thanks.

http://bearmountain.ca/

We love it up here:D 15-20 min to downtown Victoria. I was born in Vancouver and lived most of my "young" years on Locarno Beach where my dad had a boat rental. Moved to Haney (now Maple Ridge) for High School and have been on the move for 40 yrs (DH with Canada Parks - last position Gwaii Haanas) retired to Victoria in 2000 and moved up to Bear Mountain in 2006!

Lots of mountains in Victoria - Mt Tolmie, Mt Doug, Mt Work and best of all, Bear Mountain!!

Can we get back on topic and move the "what else can they do to cut costs" to a new thread please?

 

Those saying their bookings will go elsewhere, what line has an all-you-can-carry policy other than Oceana?

Azamara

Of course I can't provide proof, but I cas assure you that all bags are not x-rayed at every port. End of subject. Believe what you want to believe.

 

They are x rayed at every embarkation port (my bold)

Holland America Line Cruises and Cruisetours only: You agree not to bring alcoholic beverages of any kind on board for consumption except one bottle of wine or champagne per person of drinking age (no larger than 750 ml) per voyage only in your carry-on luggage. A corkage fee of U.S. $20.00 per bottle (which is subject to change without notice) will be applied to wine and champagne brought aboard by you and consumed in the ship’s restaurants and/or bars. At embarkation, all luggage will be scanned for suspected alcohol in excess of the one bottle policy as provided herein. Your luggage will undergo a secondary inspection by a security team operating under CCTV (closed circuit surveillance) or in the event your luggage is locked, you will be notified and are required to attend the secondary inspection where any alcohol found in violation of this policy will be removed and returned to you on the last night of the voyage. You agree to surrender alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship’s gift shop, or at ports of call, to Carrier, which will be delivered to your stateroom on the last night of the voyage. Any guest who violates the alcohol policy, including refusal of a luggage search or screening, or any guest traveling with such items, may be denied boarding or disembarked and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. You will be solely responsible for any and all damage and/or loss caused by your violation of this policy.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/legalAndPrivacy/Main.action#

I seen this happen on NCL, but no other cruise line. I'm sure CCL has such a room, but I've never heard of anyone being called to a "Naughty Room" on PCL or HAL.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=38791211&postcount=9

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=38389649&postcount=16

Then please tell us where these x-ray machines are located - at the pier or on the ship? And please tell us this applies to every port in the world!

On the ship! At every embarkation port! Search "Naughty Room" That's where you go when your luggage doesn't arrive at your cabin. You go down into the bowels of the ship (you are usually not alone lol) and you will have to open your luggage will they search for knives, travel irons, machete's and other banned items like "alcohol" That's how "Rum Runners" make their money http://www.rumrunnerflasks.com/sneak-alcohol-on-cruise.aspx They are not seen by the x-ray scanners:D

oops ianCal beat me to it lol

Clearly Canada allows you to bring wine to a restaurant. The US, at least in the states where I eat and drink, do not. I guess it's the least they can do since you can't bring anything back into the country.

Actually we can bring a bit more back to Canada than you can to the US

http://www.dutyfreecanada.com/customs-allowances/

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That is not even the entire list. They have Reserve, half bottles, non-alcoholic, and a different list at the specialty restaurants, plus other drink lists such as martini's and cocktails, specialty teas, coffees, and waters.

http://www.celebritycruises.com/aboutceleb/tabLanding.do?pagename=footer_pages_about_celebrity&cS=Footer&ICID=Cel_11Q4_web_hp_ftr_about#footer_pages_about_celebrity_press_room_tab/aboutceleb/pressRoomDetails.do%3Fevent_date=2013-07-25&event_type=press_release&sequence_code=A&pageNumber=

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Just got off the Silhouette last week and four of us totally enjoyed our Alcove! We all came and went as we pleased but always had this wonderful spot waiting for us to come back to. I think DH had a couple of power naps up there as well lol! Just had to look down at the pool deck frenzy to confirm we made the right choice!

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Well said. When booking a GTY rate you should be prepare to take what is given to you.

True - but if other cabins are available in the same category you can switch after your cabin is assigned:D

Blu is more like a restaurant in that most items are cooked to order. The MDR is like a banquet hall where everything is prepared in advance and pre-plated irrespective of specific orders. While Blu is just as accommodating in providing additional courses, it definitely is easier to order upfront rather than to do so mid-meal. Both would generally be accommodated, but when ordered upfront it makes it much easier for the staff as well as less of a wait for the patron.

I have never had a problem in the MDR with specific orders (ie variations on menu items). The dessert I have every night is not even on the menu but after the first request I get it every night. I find they are very flexible and cater to specific food (ie allergies) very well with discussions every evening regarding the next nights menu. I think both the MDR and BLU look after their customers equally well with specific requests.

Do you receive the emails from Oceania for upcoming cruises??

 

Possibly you signed up on the website for information or to check cruises like you mentioned earlier

 

You could call and ask to be taken off the mailing list

 

I would not think they would get your address from you just looking at the website

 

Lyn

No Lyn I don't receive emails - just lots of brochures. Today I received "European Collection 2014". Thank you for the suggestion to call I will try that.

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