redlac

On 5/21/2019 at 1:57 PM, jtnokia said:

I will admit that I didn't read all 14 pages of the posts for Medallions. I was wondering do you get a new one for every cruise? Is the Ocean apps the Princess app? 

Hello jtnokia
Yes, you will get a new Medallion with each cruise; the medallion shows your name, and the name of your cruise.

Yes, you will download "Ocean Ready" to your cellular device (phone, iPad, etc.)   Click Medallion FAQ to view a quick outline of some of the basics.

1 hour ago, beerxtaco said:

....I believe the thing about "you may need a visa" is a standard thing that is always there, it's just informational. 

As mentioned earlier, I was green light "Ocean Ready" up until yesterday, and the the visa IS required to go ashore in Russia.

No hurry, no worry... just a curiousity.   All will be fine.

I've downloaded to my iPhone the programs needed for my Medallion, and been "Ocean Ready" for weeks.  Suddenly today my  "Ocean Ready" is incomplete.    The section titled "Add required documents for travel" now says, "You may need a visa for entry."

I believe this is due to the fact that our ship will stop in Russia, and a visa is mandatory to go ashore.     We have already booked to take a Princess excursion, the visa is included in the excursion price, and the system should know it.

I'm curious as to whether this issue balances out before we embark next month.   Has anyone experienced similar?

12 minutes ago, dockman said:

yes i guess it was there but i always removed the paper.....and paper seemed less obvious/ obtrusive....if i were two single gals in a room i wouldn't really want to advertise it with names on door....

Do the passenger names stay visible 24/7?   Or... do they appear when that passenger's medallion is near?

On 4/29/2019 at 5:22 PM, Doug R. said:

... You can use your phone to access the features aboard, without incurring charges by placing your phone on Airplane Mode while onboard.

Excellent..... so, to re-confirm, when using my phone's airplane mode while on board, I will only access Princess'  free intranet, which will activate my downloaded Princess "OCEAN" features without using my on board internet minutes? 

Hello easyboy... Hope you have a wonderful river cruise! Here is a photograph of the Bellejour beside a full size ocean cruise ship.

Just home from an excellent river cruise aboard the Bellejour.... Striving to post a review, and I find that it is not included in the list of ships offered in the "write a review" section.

Thus, I will offer my feedback here.

We travelled the MS Select Bellejour in June 2017, on their Magical Rhine (Basel to Amsterdam) trip.

Built in 2004, the MS Select Bellejour has 90 cabins welcoming a maximum of 180 passengers. While the lower deck cabins have port holes, the middle and upper deck cabins each have a french balcony. The single beds are each covered with a single duvet; a top sheet on the bed can be provided on request. (Single beds are pushed together for couples.) Note in the photograph below the difference in size between the Bellejour and a typical ocean cruise ship.

Dining on board the Bellejour is excellent. Breakfast is offered buffet style, with a chef on duty creating personalized omelettes made to order. Lunch and dinner offer selections via a menu. The dinner menu offers three main selections; meat, seafood or vegetarian options. Seating in the dining room is arranged in advance. The food was very, very good.

The majority of passengers aboard the Bellejour are German; in total, passengers from nine different countries were on board. All announcements and speeches were delivered in German language and English language. The average passenger age when we were on board was probably 70-75. There were no child passengers.

The Bellejour staff were amazing. Rather than the "pecking order" seen on larger ships, these people seemed to really work together to make the ship hum smoothly. In the dining room, courses were served then dishes were taken away with amazing precision.

A Bellejour Newsletter was delivered to each cabin while the guests were at dinner. This Newsletter announced and described the next day's destination, and what tours and excursions were available. Passengers smoothly come and go from the ship at each port... no lineups, no waiting.

We have travelled many ocean cruises... this was our first river cruise. The Bellejour has certainly delivered a quality holiday. Highly recommended.

Another question about the Bellejour if I may...

I am curious as to how much they charge for WiFi access onboard a 7 night Rhine river cruise?

I have asked two different travel companies, based in two different countries, and have received two VERY different answers.

Answer Number One:

The Bellejour does haveWi-Fi and the cost is 5 euros per day or 15 euros for the week.

Answer Number Two:

Limited Wifi isavailable on-board, notably in the bar/lounge/reception area. Internet log-inpasswords can be purchased at the reception, including instructions on how toconnect.

• 1-hour for €5,00
  
• 3-hours for €12,50
  
• 24-hours for €19,50
  
• Up to 7 nightsis € 47,50
  

During a follow up telephone conversation with the author of Answer Number One (who is actually the agent I am using), prices were again confirmed.

As I do not speak the german language, I am unable to research further. Can anyone find further information on this?

You can find German reviews on online travel agency sites that we are not allowed to link to on Cruisecritic. google for MS Bellejour Flusskreuzfahrten.

 

notamermaid

Perfect and thank you, notamermaid. Searching for "MS Bellejour Flusskreuzfahrten" then with a click of "Google Translate" I was able to read all of those reviews.

Seems like a lot of happy customers!

Just for interest's sake, here is my saga of the time I took the train from Frankfurt airport....

After that experience, I find that I'm not quite as anal about arrangements as I used to be.

Now THAT is the way to travel! Be able to seize the day and make it succeed. Nice work!

We're booked on the MS Bellejour in June 2017. Many of the MS Bellejour's sailings are sold out... yet it's like pulling teeth to find reviews anywhere.

I hope that folks will start sharing their feedback!

*chuckle*

Oh yes, I'm mellow. Except when I have every detail about our holiday nailed down, except for the train. No need to fluster, I know... but I'd love to cross this off of my 'to do' list.

I'll sit back and watch the end of the Canucks game... that will help.

Much appreciated, everyone. Yes, I must admit that I felt that if SOME of the scheduled trains were available, then ALL should be available.

I promise to take a deep breath and be more mellow.

Promise.

Hmmmm no.... When checking the same day of the week later in the month, the 10:23 and 12:23 are not offered when clicking to purchase, though they show on the schedule.

We will be travelling by train, Paris France to Basel Switzerland nonstop, on a Thursday in early June 2017 to then board our river cruise.

The www.tgv-lyria.com website shows these departures: 07:07, 14:23 and 18:23

When downloaded, the TGV-Lyria Timetable shows departures at 10:23 and 12:23 as well.

Is it typical that the 10:23 and 12:23 appear to not be offered to purchase in advance?

Thanks in advance for your assistance!