leaveitallbehind

I'm with you - no offence to those who do so but its just not for us. Do those who do so also decorate their hotel doors at land based resorts? Not being snarky - genuinely curious. But in all sincerity, to each their own. We used to cruise with a couple that always did it but we never understood why - other than they just liked to do it.

Other than with Maui, which was a tender port, there were no issues at all with getting off the ship or with finding transportation in our experience. With that tender port there was somewhat of a delay with the initial off loading as the tenders were sequenced at two ship board departure stations, which took some time for each tender cycle. It is no more difficult or time consuming than with any other typical itinerary port of call.

GTY's can be a good value and not always with the result of the "worst staterooms on the ship" being assigned. (Of course that is somewhat dependent on category selected). We have done it frequently when the GTY fare was attractive enough and have not had any issues. In fact we have had a couple of instances when we were assigned an upgraded category. Rare, but it can happen. Our experience has been that they assign the staterooms anywhere from 3-4 weeks prior to the sailing date up to 5 days prior. (In theory that can go to day of, but not in our experience). Also, as mentioned previously, if you are not happy with your assignment, you can also request a change to a different location based on remaining availability within the assigned category. It certainly is a personal decision, but if the fare is attractive, the risks IMO are minimal.

Glad this worked out favorably for you. BTW, with Celebrity, if for some reason you are not happy with the current C2 assignment, you can ask to have it moved to a different available C2 location if you want. Your TA can assist with that if you used one. If not, Celebrity can assist directly.

It would appear that any discrepancy is with the information source that provided you with stateroom 1263 as a "C3". Agree with @Essiesmom that there are no C3 Concierge category staterooms on Eclipse. GTY staterooms in the Concierge category are listed as XC when booked, and the three available sub-categories are C2, C1, and SC in ascending fare order based on location. The only difference between a C2 and a C1 is deck location, with C1 being the higher fare of the two - otherwise they are the same stateroom. An SC is an aft facing location in that class, and as such carries the highest fare. Typically the GTY will result in a C2 or C1 assignment, as SC's are very popular and typically are booked full independently. C2's typically are assigned first. So in your case you received a deck 10 C2 aft location behind the "hump", which is a good location not far from the main elevator banks. C1's typically are "hump" and mid-ship locations.

Yes, in this case where it was indicated when someone was seeking available excursions for their cruise. But, as a rule, the cruise lines do not "announce" large group bookings when you are looking at specific itineraries for a cruise you are interested in. Certain large groups and organizations will advertise for their membership with itineraries they are booking. You can also google different organizations, etc., who may be sponsoring a group, or have group bookings planned, for different itineraries to compare those schedules to itineraries you are looking at. But in general you don't normally have a way of knowing what groups are on board in advance of your sailing.

Agree - that would provide a one for one comparison and value measure. I think I was saying that there have been others who have (at least to my interpretation) suggested that when you consider all things included with the premium line v all the extra money spent for specialty restaurants, beverages, excursions, an in some cases airfare, that the premium lines compare favorably to the mass market lines. Perhaps they do in value, but I'm not sure they do in total cost. (Daily value or otherwise). But to be fair I have not put together a spreadsheet comparison, so this is just my presumptive opinion.

Others, however, have made comparisons in a similar manner to the more premium/luxury lines such as those you reference. I'm not sure those comparisons would be apples to apples, however, as they provide a different cruising experience.

I find it interesting when people who have no direct experience on a given subject also are the experts on that subject to support a distorted view that they have on that subject. Happens all too frequently.... Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

It's not terribly uncommon for large group bookings of several hundred in the group (corporations, organizations, clubs, churches, etc.) to have as part of their group package certain excursions included. When this occurs, those excursions will show as closed as the group involved has secured the full capacity of the excursion. (It also is not uncommon for any excursion to book full, either with early planner bookings or on board, which would close them to remaining passengers). The other issue with groups is if large enough, they tend to dominate certain venues on board which can make it harder for individuals to enjoy those venues as well. Some are closed at certain times intentionally for a given groups' function. And as mentioned by @CruiserBruce full ship charters are closed to general passenger bookings, so you would not be able to book that itinerary in the first place. And regarding the vaccine situation which occurred during the restart, many cruise lines had those restrictions and exceptions in place - most of which were driven by port of call regulations at the time.

"Decline" of course is subjective. And as pointed out, cost control measures (and other factors) have affected the menu offerings and selection as well. But I think it is more of a shift in food quality v a decline that has been building over the years since the introduction of the specialty restaurants. When we first started cruising 31 years ago, aside from the buffet and some pizza and other snack-type offerings, the MDR was the only restaurant on board. As such, the food quality, course offerings, and menu variety were, IMO, of very good quality. As the specialty restaurants were introduced the options (at least early on with RCCL) were Italian-based and steakhouse. As they grew in popularity - as well as in level of surcharge - these venues became the more premium level of food offerings, and the MDR began trimming its options and menu variety and became more "basic" in what was offered. Over time, the addition of more specialty restaurants coupled with the cost control constraints and other factors has resulted in what I am calling the shift in quality whereby the specialty restaurants, by being able to offset the higher quality food costs with their upcharges, have become the higher quality venues v what I see now as the more basic, smaller portions, less higher end variety resulting in the MDR as the base fare inclusive food venue. This shift, at least in our taste and current preference, has resulted in our primary choice in dining now to be the specialty restaurants v the MDR, which - given the evolution of this over the years - is probably exactly what the cruise lines wanted.

In general, the up and down motion of the ship as it moves forward in the water will be felt most significantly in the forward part of the ship, and most pronounced on the higher decks. The rolling, or side to side motion, which is caused by the waves coming across the side of the ship as it moves forward will be felt the same anywhere on the ship, but also most pronounced on the higher decks. This motion, however, is the one somewhat mitigated by the ships' stabilizers. Other than with a few areas around the world where certain sea conditions consistently prevail, predicting the wave intensity for any given itinerary is next to impossible as sea conditions can change daily and are affected by different weather patterns. The area you reference tends to have more rain and windy conditions between December and February, so in general it may be more likely to have heavier sea conditions then. But again, that is very difficult to predict accurately far in advance.

As you quoted my comments specifically, I want to clarify. Although not stated specifically, my implication with having the ship "cleared" was referring to immigration protocol as the OP is describing a US based closed loop itinerary, with which this would apply. But as a cruise line requirement, since each cruise is a sperate folio, that folio would also need to be closed with each cruise, so having the ship "cleared' would be a necessary component of that. And as I was referring to the OP's question only, I did not qualify other country's procedures as a result. The method by which this is accomplished as I described is a cruise line procedure that often occurs, which I also indicated may vary by cruise line. I never said this was an "always" procedure.

Not sure what you are seeing but @CruiserBruce response only has the words "NOT" and "DISTANT" capitalized - and neither are in bold type, which typically indicates shouting. And I take those words in caps only for emphasis. Nothing hostile or shouting in his response at all. And to add, he is correct in his information.

Just to clarify the term B2B typically refers to repeat, or following itineraries on the same ship. Non same ship following itineraries I believe are referred to as side to side? (someone can confirm) B2B's are very common and typically are repeat closed loop itineraries (that include a port of call at a foreign port). They also frequently are alternating closed loop itineraries on the same ship originating from the same port. No contravention issues with that. And you are correct, if there are any contraventions resulting from a B2B the cruise line would typically not permit the booking.

@Hlitner note the comments by the OP earlier in the thread. It appears as though they have experience with longer itineraries and it seems to me that they are thinking that larger ships (on larger cruise lines) may have a more favorable scale of economy for their plans for continued long itinerary travel The issue, as has been well pointed out, is that most of the lines they've identified don't have the longer point to point itineraries and concentrate their scale of economy on shorter repeat closed loop itineraries. The alternative to this would be with their repositioning and very few world cruise itineraries. As also has been pointed out, it is typically the smaller ship (and typically smaller cruise line) higher end offering that also has the longer itineraries they seek, thus in general negating the perception of the economies they are after.

Typically B2B's are seen as two separate cruises by the cruise line and as such the ship needs to be "cleared" at the port after each itinerary. This may vary by cruise line, but what often happens is that those passengers who are booked on both segments will be gathered as a group, typically in a lounge area, on the final morning of the first cruise segment and taken as a group off and then check in back on the ship to facilitate the reboarding. This usually takes a very short time and then once back on board, the time is yours until whatever time you need to be back on board for departure for the second cruise segment. Once checked back on board, If you leave the ship you simply would show your ship pass card to exit and reboard the ship. To be sure, as it can vary, I would contact the cruise line or TA (if you are using one) to confirm the specifics of the process with that cruise line.

The segment booking is not new to RCCL - or others, for example Celebrity - who do this routinely on certain repositioning cruises. For example, Australia to Vancouver (and reverse) is sold in segments or as a whole. Our 2019 RCCL Hawaii to Vancouver was one segment of that repositioning cruise. They have also done that in the past with new launches of a new class of ship, again as a positioning cruise to it's ultimate region for cruising. Quantum of the seas had a three + segment option with it's inaugural sailing. The RCCL world cruise you reference is a new itinerary that is a truly a round the world itinerary that is sold in four segments or as a whole. You also reference MSC with optional boarding and departure ports. The interport boarding option is also something RCCL does on certain itineraries where passengers can board and depart at two separate ports of call within the same closed loop itinerary. The ports are selected with the initial booking and is locked in as such and you must complete the full closed loop itinerary. In this manner it is not an "on and off bus" concept, however. This, too, is not new for them. Ex: Barcelona or Rome boarding and departure ports for one of their western Mediterranean itineraries.

@shipgeeks what cruise line did this occur with?

All of the cruise lines you mention have casinos on their ships. Disney, however, does not. Disney, however, along with Royal Caribbean, and NCL's primary demographics are families with children. Princess, along with families, has more of an adult focus. Celebrity's demographic is adults. Celebrity would likely fit you best amongst those IMO. What you need to look at is what is the global presence of each as some have more ships and more world regions covered than others. You also need to look at repositioning cruises amongst those lines as the primary source for longer cruises as most itineraries are typically 7-night repeats. As far as a "bus to go to different places" and a "lower cost way to see the world", I'm not sure cruising would provide either. It is, IMO, a fairly economic way to see the world v flights and extended land stays and touring might be, but it is not low cost. But as the lines you reference are not considered high end luxury lines, they would provide a more cost effective way to cruise. However, some of the higher end lines would provide the longer itineraries that would better facilitate "seeing the world". I would suggest contacting a travel agent who specializes in cruises and start there with your requirements and allow them to help determine the best fit for you.

What was never clear in your discussion was WHEN this occurred, only that it occurred, which is why I asked for clarification. Having this discussion in advance makes perfect sense and would not be an issue - but that timing was not clear. And I am not making it into a negative - my responses all along were assuming it was done at the terminal at boarding - which I indicated and stated that was the reason I would not be happy. I am glad you clarified that. And unless I missed it, you still have not identified on which cruise line this occurred with you.

OK so I see that with a voluntary situation, in which case I most likely would still say no - if done at the terminal, already there, packed, have to get a flight back home, etc. - not likely worth it. But what would be the case if everyone offered said no - as I think would be a very possible likelihood. If they were truly overbooked, would they not be forced to bump someone at the terminal? How would you react to that? Or was the overbook offer made in advance of the actual sailing date? BTW - on which cruise line did you experience this?

I am not challenging your comments, but I have heard of this when a ship is being unexpectedly redeployed to a different region or itinerary, or being taken out of service for unplanned repairs or maintenance. If being oversold can happen, then perhaps we have been fortunate as in 50+ cruises over 31 years it, gladly, has never happened to us. As mentioned in an earlier post I would not react well if it did.....

There is no preferred side, and as mentioned you will likely be outside for a good part of the day, so you can go anywhere on the ship as the situation would arise. The most interesting part IMO is transiting the old locks. We did so on Jewel of the Seas a number of years ago and at the time, she was a Panamax ship with only a few feet of side to side clearance. We were on the starboard promenade deck at the time and were able to reach out and touch the side of the lock(s) when we were in them. Your balcony will also provide an excellent vantage point for your transit.

Most independent tour operators are well in tune with the various ships' times when in port and arrange their schedules accordingly. We have never had an issue in the past when we have done that, and I would not be overly concerned. You could contact the tour operator to confirm his understanding of what the ship time would be. (However, ship time is at the Captain's discretion and while it typically would be the same from itinerary to itinerary, it may not always be consistent.) I am not sure how to confirm what the ship time will be prior to a cruise other than perhaps going to the roll calls of previous itineraries and inquire there - often they remain open for post cruise discussions. That may provide some insight as to what it was on previous cruises. I will add that with RCCL you will typically be able to leave the ship within about 30 minutes of the scheduled dock time, and you will need to be back on board by 30 minutes prior to the departure time.