Mailman055

On 4/16/2024 at 12:05 AM, uktog said:

Lunchtime pool deck music used to be pleasant eg piano player from the Den or a guitarist. The use of the band from the living room only works if they play at half the volume they assaulted our ears with. Yesterday it averaged 130 db of music that wasn’t the more relaxing popular stuff for over an hour. 
Today there is no music, it’s a beautiful day and everyone is relaxing. I don’t hear anyone saying this needs music 🎶 

130 db? That is the equivalent of a NASCAR race. That seems awfully load. How was that measured?

On 4/8/2024 at 6:16 AM, tgg said:

Think you have an extra zero, but your point is spot on. Azamara doesn't price suites at $180 p/p. Anyone who has priced a cruise will recognize the OP's price as a clear mistake.

Interesting that a person making a point about typos would make a grievous typo themselves to further their point. 

The fact is, NOT ONE OF US would hesitate to insist on purchasing a vehicle that was mispriced or even a can of corn at the grocery store. The company is responsible for pricing and advertising their product. The consumer is NOT responsible for figuring out the motives or the honesty of that pricing. A transaction (agreed and paid for) made at the agreed upon price is what matters. For those of you that think "leagaleze" protects companies, STOP and think about the can or worms you are opening in respect to consumer rights. 

I realize there are cruise line "homers" out there. As a frequent Regent (former Radisson) cruiser, I see it all the time. Oceania in particular is not a line I would consider because of the passive aggressive behavior displayed on that forum. In the posts on this thread, I see no evil intention from the OP to smear Azamara. Instead, I see a lot of flat out innuendo ($1200 for a CC 7 night, nobody made that claim!) and strawmen arguments defending what is pretty much indefensible, as originally reported. 

I am booked on my first Azamara cruise after 12 Regent/Radisson trips and I sincerely hope this story, nor the guest experience I am reading is what I am stepping into. 

When we went to Cuba last year we had changed our US dollars for Canadian pre cruise to avoid the extra 10% exchange rate for US dollars. It was easy enough to exchange the Canadian dollars at the port terminal.

While food and drinks are cheaper than resort prices, you can still expect at least a $2.50 beer or $4.00 mojito in the places around the dock (boy those mojitos are good though).

Rum was ridiculously cheap compared to the US, with 750ml bottles being less than $7. Cigars are a bit more of an issue since they are government controlled and not that much different than US (they know we all want some). It really pays to google Cuban Cigars to get current pricing to know what is right. Maybe think $6-$10 each per for something decent for ballpark prices. You can get them for less (3_5), if that is what you want to give, of course.

The people of Cuba are very inviting, proud and friendly. It was a great visit.

so my house burns down, I should get the insurance (Disney refunding the money), plus the premiums I paid? (the cost of the travel insurance)?

Probably not likely.

The Insurance premium you you pay is for the likelyhood of catastrophic events. Not if it happens or not.

getting priority reservations, the hotel the night before is included, I get a discount on the better wines (which my husband and I will probably order quite a bit of), and the silly idea that if someone is going to score an upgrade to a PH suite, being the next category down would seem to me, to be a logically person to upgrade

This is it EXACTLY. Having done the Mariner recently, there really is not any other reason to book concierge if these items are not important to you. Priority reservations are pretty golden, however.

We did Alaska in 2004. It was awesome, well, since I was born there and it was the first time my mom was there since then. SO.....

We also just did the Cuba trip in April this year. We love the Mariner, great size, wonderful crew, nice cabins.

Between the two cruises....nightlife is bereft. Nothing.There was a HUGE difference in demographics between our cruises (over 13 years ago, I get it), but still the nightlife is really weak, especially for 30s something. Even back then, the nightlife was limited to casinos.

The food and all inclusive nature is great, but if they are looking for nightlife, unless they can make it happen for themselves, I doubt they will find it.

I agree with ChatCat. Complaining is not what I am paying for.

Unfortunately,the policy will never be applicable for the ones that ALWAYS want to push the edges.

ohhhhhh.....a NOTICE! Way to make an impression, Regent!

The obvious fact is, some guests could give a rip about the NOTICE. It is great that some crew enforce the rule, but others don't. What to say for the ones that offer a cruise amount, but are overruled by the ones that pay more, the ones that are "special" because they can pay more? Hello caste, Titanic (sorry for being pedantic).

The point is, how does one politely say what is unacceptable behavior?

I would say.....you cannot. You never will....tolerance goes both ways. For instance, you might hate the cap at lunch, while I hate your scowls. If my cap ruins your lunch, is it my problem or you? The hate.....maybe I equally hate your attitude....its an unseemly situation...its condescending. Just saying, think of that while you hate my cap. On the other hand, it does not excuse those that expect that it is "their" vacation and the heck to anyone else.

Wearing a baseball cap for lunch (I have bad hair)....get over it. Wearing a baseball cap for dinner.....I wouldn't even think of it and anyone that does, deserves a beating (figuratively of course). I realize that common sense is not so common, but really, why does common sense have to be so difficult?

Just asking, rhetorically.

Honest Question:

Has anyone's cruise been ruined or otherwise disrupted by another guests attire?

I don't mean the obvious...shorts and t shirt at dinner or swimwear at the inside bar. Please be honest with your comments.

I am only interested on our upcoming cruise for 2017 and did not look for the 2018 Harvest Caye schedule. A quick google search does not turn up a 2018 schedule. Perhaps you can ask Deepfreeze where they got their information from.

P.S. Yes, one could probably spend less to fly somewhere else to find a beach and I am perfectly able to decide when, where and how I will spend my money to do that. It just so happens that we choose this particular cruise and Harvest Caye is on the schedule and I intend to make the best of it. If one does not want to go, don't book. Or book and don't get off the ship. Nobody will really care much either way. Just a thought.

IMO, no one can force another person to like or dislike something. However, factual data such as the fact that there will be 7,000 NCL passengers on the island along with a Regent ship could certainly sway people in one direction or the other.

Your "factual data" would not be quite factual actually. According to a Harvest Caye ship schedule page, there will be NO NCL ships at Harvest Caye on April 22nd when the Mariner will visit. Your point that there could be other NCL ships in port does not mean there will ALWAYS be NCL ships there at the same time as Regent.

In my opinion, at best people are making much ado about nothing and at the worst making some assumptions that do not seem to be founded. I was initially disappointed when I found out the Mariner was not actually going to Belize main, but Harvest Caye looks like a pretty nice beach day regardless if I have to pay for a few drinks. As others have said, if the facts change when I get there, I will change my view.

Prior to 11:00 only private cars and DCL buses can enter the port area. Unless the private shuttle service you use is willing to pay a premium to enter during that time. After 11:00, it's basically first come, first served. Everyone enters the port area as they arrive.

 

To enter the terminal, that's what the Port Arrival Time is for.

 

That said, if you arrive anytime after 12:30-12:45, it's quite likely that you will be allowed to enter the terminal, regardless of what your PAT is.

On our last Disney Cruise, admittedly during a difficult time for the port, during Hurricane Matthew, the taxi/limo/bus line was pretty long. We had a 1045 PAT, pretty early. At that point, there is NOTHING the driver can do that I am aware of. We were lucky that our driver was a hustler and dropped us off at the crew pickup area and we walked 200 yards to the check in. There is the possibility you might not make your time. I don't think there is a "cut ahead" line for people who arrive late, but I don't know for sure.

Many wiser Disney cruisers than I have mentioned, your early PAT is nearly useless if there is a Port event (crowds, other ships) out of your control. Yes, its great if you can get one, but in the big scheme of the cruise, if you board an hour later, it is no big deal. REALLY! 1 hour of 168 is not going to ruin anyone's cruise if you can deal with changing conditions.

I am sitting at a lovely table by the pool at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando. There is a snow storm in the northeast and the news said 2000 flights have been canceled for today. We board the Dream tomorrow. My cruise club is jam packed with really freaked out people.

 

For those who thought it smart to come in the day before the cruise, it wasn't such a good plan this time. For those who chanced it and decided to come in the day of, you probably lucked out big time.

 

If you are coming from the north in the winter time, get insurance to cover the cruise cost if you can't make it!

 

 

I must be missing something......You are in Orlando a day before your cruise. Great idea, but you know that part. You are comfortable. But the people flying in the day of the cruise are greeted with crazy departure weather are lucky? What am i missing? How did they luck out?

On my first DCL cruise, we got the first PAT slot on a spring break cruise. I did online check in at midnight.

Like the line from Apollo 13......"and that is how we do THAT!"

Well we had that as a port a year ago or so and it is a toilet. I think a "sea day" is far better than trying to do that. On the other hand, Gaugin and some others have a "private Island" that is really upscale. This is a "port" that they are trying to promote..i.e. Oceania, Norwegian and Regent. Stay on the ship. All is good there. I love to be on a beach and I love the ocean, but I don't love being ripped off. LOL

Interesting. According to my searches, Harvest Caye opened for cruise ships in November 2016, not quite 4 months ago. Hardly a year. Your portrait as Harvest Caye as a "toilet" hardly fits the articles I have read or even the posts on this board. If, by chance, you were actually on Harvest Caye before as it was being built and conditions were not up to standard, I apologize. Perhaps you are thinking of Belize City, in which case your observation is simply your opinion as a foreigner in a different country.

In any case, in light of current conditions, I think your post is unfounded, highly prejudiced and should be disregarded.

I thought it was weird when Chartreuse showed up as a choice when I was making reservations for the Mariner. Simple website defect fixes are apparently not much of a priority.

My husband also hates the sports coat, but will do whatever I ask him to :) It was the most amazing meal I've had on the ship. One of us had the menu created by the French chef, the other the American and we were able to try all 7+ courses by both chefs! We won't miss it next time...

I believe that Remy does provide a complimentary coat for those that don't have one (no sense turning away an upcharge and all). Simply take the complimentary coat, walk in and wear it or not. Easy. I happen to wear one more than one night and quite enjoy it, but there really isn't a reason to pack one for a one night dinner.

Ugh! I knew some didn't have them but I thought some did. Totally a deal breaker for us. We would have been cruising with out kids. Our youngest is 17.

I don't find the lack of a casino a detriment at all and we cruise without kids. There is plenty to take in during the evenings.

As a first time DCL cruiser not staying in concierge level stateroom, it appears that we'll be doing on line check in last and therefore will have a smaller selection of available check in times. Realistically, what is the earliest time slot you have seen still open 75 days out or do people pick slots all over the spectrum? Thanks!

On our first Disney cruise from PC, we got an 1115 PAT. Obviously, the trick is to be up at midnight eastern on the day your window opens, I think. If you cannot do that I believe you will find that trying the next day the early times are taken. However, not all is lost, as Moki's Mommy has written many times....a late PAT will often turn into a 1230 boarding time after the early crowd has dissipated.

Our thought is to do:

~ Ketchikan - George Inlet & Crab Feast

 

 

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Take this for how you want, but when we went to Alaska 12 years ago on Mariner (yes, some time has passed), in Ketchikan we booked our tour with Island Wings to Misty Fjords. Michelle was the owner and was very easy to work with (although I have no idea if she still does the day to day). We had a great 30 min flight, then landed on a really cool lake that was surrounded by 1000 foot granite mountains, except for the exit, that was open and was a waterfall into another lake. We were there for about an hour where we were free to hike around. For comparison, the cruise line excursion basically landed, taxied and took off. We saw numerous wildlife on the mountains during the flight out and back and Michelle took the time to circle back to make sure we saw it all. My niece sat in the right seat both ways and controlled the voluminous amount of music selections played in the headphones.

I realize Regent has included excursions, but this would not be offered as included and was worth every penny.

...Am leery of giving up control of flight but it is cheap

would hope I would not have to pay extras to change...then I would rather do the whole thing myself...

As far as I know, changing the assigned flights WILL incur the deviation charge of $175. This is exactly why we took the air credit for our April cruise. We are fairly particular about our flights. Since we are taking advantage of the pre night option (highly recommended), we did not want to get stuck with a flight that had us arriving early/late evening and just laying our head down. By taking the air credit and not paying the deviation, we saved $400 by booking on our own AND we guaranteed our own flight times to fit our schedule.

While TravelCat's points about the airport transportation are perfectly valid in many situations, we are flying out a few days early and have arrangements to the hotel and we can easily take a Lyft to the airport after the cruise. Obviously, this plan does not work for everyone, but for simple domestic flights it works for us.

Thanks all for your responses. I will give it a try at midnight and in the event it fails will call Regent in the morning!

My reservations worked perfectly when I did them last night.

Could you tell us what the exorbitant cost would be and how you have come to know the figure? It seems like more and more "luxury" cruisers are expressing their interest in televised sports. There is nothing wrong with that.

surprising to hear of this manufactured controversy....the SuperBowl, NFL playoffs, and Bowl games are scheduled well in advance of reservation of a particular cruise. How about recognizing that one has chosen their time to vacation, on a pretty cool cruise line at a particular time of year, and not stress over missing a game on the week THEY chose?

IMO, the "NCL business model" has nothing to do with Regent's decision to dock at their island

Of course it does! Regent, being part of NCL, and NCL paying a pretty penny to build out this island is totally part of bringing attention and passengers to it. It remains to be seen how Regent will treat their guests at this stop, so it is much too early to write it off. It does not appear Regent frequents this area, but it makes sense for them to avail themselves of this stop when they do.

Additionally, were this a Regent private island, I can most assure you that the limited amount of beach cabanas would have a cost (like exclusive excursions), as there would not be nearly enough to go around and demand would be high!

Much like Nassau, get off if you want. Or don't. For many Harvest Caye will be a nice beach day.

If anyone who reads this has been there on Regent, I'm wondering if you need cash? I know years ago we stopped at Princess Caye on Mariner and all the food and drink was included. With Celebrity's beach, food is included and you can use your beverage card. When reading about Harvest Caye on the Regent web site, there is a mention, in the private bungalow description, of food and drink at extra charge. Does Regent not provide food and drink on their private Island?

From what I can gather in my research for Harvest Caye, this is not a typical cruiseline private island in the sense that it is an extension of the ship and food and drinks are complimentary. Also, recognize that this is not a Regent private island like Motu Mahana, but an NCL contrived alternative to mainland Belize. The island is staffed by Belizian locals, not ships crew. The shops are run by locals, with the idea of trying to present a somewhat more upscale view of mainland Belize.

My understanding is that cash will be needed to purchase food and beverage and it is unclear if cabin key cards are accepted for payment. That appears to be a sore point from most of the reviews I have read. Menus that I have seen online show lunches in the $10-15 range and drinks in the $5 -$12 range.

The island itself looks beautiful, with an very nice looking and sizeable pool, plenty of loungers and beautiful landscaping. The walk from the pier to the main area is said to be 1/4 mile or so and very hot. I am sure Regent will provide water to guests going both ways.

We have reserved one of the beach Cabanas for the April 18th sailing. They look pretty nice and the price was quite a bit less than what the NCL ships charge. Hopefully a nice tip will lessen the heat strain on the butler fetching us bottles of Champagne and our lunch orders.

I am looking at the new policy and it say 6 beers per person, I would love to bring some of my homebrew onboard and I bottle it. So directly following there policy i see no issue with bring it on with us. Has anyone else ran into this issue?

How much do they inspect the beer in carryon's? do they just make sure you dont have more then the allowed amount? or do they pull it out and check the seal etc, I should note I reuse old beer bottles so they do have normal labels etc, only the caps are new and lack any logo etc on them.

 

Thanks for any help

Honestly, unless you are local, why would you huck a few bottles of homebrew? Why make life harder on yourself? Just drink what is there.