Bxc53

We are looking at the Trans Pac cruises this fall, Solstice or Edge with similar itins. We’ve been on 3 Solstice cruises a few years ago and enjoyed them, but we are interested  to try the Edge class. 

So, to my point, the Edge cruise is almost twice the price.  The E is newer and larger, of course, but it seems out of proportion, especially with much smaller price differences on other E v S class similar itins.

Any thoughts on why? Am I missing something?
 

Thanks for any input 

We are planning a Transpacific on X this fall and researching  costs.  I couldn't  find a definitive price for internet.

We are probably not going with the all included as we are ‘ one a day, maybe’ type drinkers. 

Does X have fixed internet pricing, or do they use the RCCL ‘ Dynamic pricing’ scheme?
 

Any info appreciated,.

Heathrow or Gatwick for Southampton departure?

We are planning for a TA from Southampton this coming September.Coming from the US West coast, our flight options are showing both airports at similar fares and possibly available on our airline points. We will arrive a day or two prior to sail away but not looking to visit London- Did that last time, it was lovely, but we want to see some of the rest of GB. Ideally we would like to take a train for most of the transfer , if practical.

Suggestions and /or pro/con for each? 

Thanks

Thanks for the responses. 
 

Durchman, did you have a cruise booked already?  I’m looking to ‘window shop’ cruises and flights to get a rough total.

I just tried your method again, no luck without a booking number. I’ll try Florence’s Hold method. 
 

thanks 

Is it possible to check flights and prices on Flight Ease without having a booking number?  I thought you could in the past, but no luck now.

To the OP:

Thanks for the interesting and very informative reports. Your perspective before and after the dry dock is invaluable!

One question on the casino. Did the stairway removal, etc. seal the “ smoke path” to the music walk area, as mentioned in several other reports?

Very much enjoying your experiences.   The NS goes into drydock after your cruise. Any info or rumors on changes?

7 hours ago, Margggy said:

Thank you to everyone for their help. We have now booked the Nieuw Amsterdam Southbound for the beginning of September next year.

 

We are going to spend some time exploring Alaska prior to the cruise. Does anyone know the best way to get to Whittier from Anchorage on the day of the cruise?

The train would be my suggestion. The cruise companies generally commission dedicated runs.  It goes from downtown Anchorage to essentially the ship boarding area ( or reverse for a NB itinerary) . Not cheap, but an excursion in itself. 

Thanks for taking some of your vacation time to share with us!  We are on the Nieuw Statendam next Spring for the FLL to Rotterdam TA. We’ll be especially interested in the Ship-side aspects of your cruise. 

2 hours ago, MoneyGuy said:

We’re flying to Miami three days before our departure in February. Hotel is booked in Miami. I’m concerned that something might happen that causes us to miss the first hotel night without being able to cancel a night within 24 hours of hotel arrival (and not get the first night refunded, as happened to us recently on a trip to Reykjavik).

 

We’re flying Edmonton-Toronto-Miami in one day so there is a real chance something may happen. I’ll have to call the hotel to ask about their cancellation policy. 

I’ve had several similar situations where the airlines didn't get us to the destination the same day as originally promised. I have had good luck calling the hotel directly ( not the national rez center) and asking nicely for the best person to discuss a ‘ reservation modification’  .  Explaining the situation ( airline issues) always got a courtesy cancellation. 

Here’s hoping the OP’s cruise experience continues to improve. On our last cruise (RCL Vancouver to Honolulu) we arrived relatively late on embark day, hungry, and went to the buffet. I grabbed a hamburger and fries. Absolutely nasty.. probably had been in the display for hours.. dumped it and had a salad ( assembled by me), it was fine. The overall chow improved considerably after that for our 10 day cruise.

Embark day ( turnaround for the crew) stretches everyones resources and patience. 

Yep, Early is the best plan. In 25 years of cruising, we would have missed 2 cruises if we had tried for a same day flight.

To the (non) fans of Vancouver/ Canada place, be aware of another  option.  SWA flies into Bellingham (BLI), about an hour South of Vancouver ( plus border cross and general traffic) . The cross border Quick Shuttle is quite reasonable and takes you from the BLI baggage area to the Cruise lobby inside Canada place. Super easy and quite reliable. Good Hotel options in Bellingham and many near Canada Place. 

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

I have to chuckle when articles like this mention "aux power engines", when the same engines that power the propulsion also power the hotel load in port.  They are all the same.

Fair point. My aviation background snuck that one in. Your profile certainly backs your statement  .

A question, if I may ?   Our last cruise was on the RCL Quantum. Being a curious type, I researched their engines.    6 total, with 2 ea. Wartsila 19,200 KW , 2 Ea. Wartsila 14,400 KW and 2 Cat  2500KW.  
 

When would the smaller Cat engines be used?
 

Seattle has had the shoreside power for at least a couple years. It seems to work well, especially as the docks are right downtown, making the aux power engine exhaust quite noticeable at times.  

A good friend was a power dispatcher for Seattle City Light and would often  set up the grid for the cruise ships. He mentioned that they, especially the larger classes , would draw a LOT of power, to the point they had to up the output at the dam(s). All hydro out here.  Powered by Rain we like to say …

Im hoping that some recent Galveston cruisers can advise the RCCL ship to airport ( IAH) transfer costs. RCCL seems to be hiding this info behind an 800 number that is hard to get a live person . 

I am aware that there are several 3rd party transfer options, I’m looking for the RCCL one before I  make final arrangements  

Thanks

Eh.. We all have bad days. And who knows how many , let’s say challenging customers have been in the line that morning.  If the coffee/ espresso drink is good and they get my order right, I’m good….

OP here. Thanks again for the reports. I expect we can find good times to enjoy the pools and tubs.  I certainly don’t expect to have one all to myself at any given time , but do want to avoid what one reviewer called “Kid Soup”.. Or the adult version where a travel group ‘ takes over’ a hot tub while making the most of their drink package.. 🙄

Thanks to all for the information. Im sure we will find opportunities  to relax in the water especially, as mentioned, at the non-prime times.

I didn't mean to demean RCL. They do a good job with their demographic. We are recently retired and are looking forward to seeing how we like the current HAL experience. Our last was the Maasdam in 2000 where we were the  newly wed ‘kids’ 🙂

We are booked on the Rotterdam TA next Spring. Our first HAL cruise in 20+ years.

Wondering what the general pool / hot tub ambience is?
 We like a quiet soak in the hot tub and pools. Our last cruise was a RCL to Hawaii. Even with several pools and hot tubs it was difficult to find any real serenity.  

Hoping the HAL experience is a bit more subdued.

Thanks for any comments. 
 

We always go at least a day early and often use the cruise line transfer for convenience . As others have said, just pretend you are arriving the day of the cruise and go to baggage claim unless signage indicates otherwise. For example Seattle has a  dedicated cruise transfer area, well marked. 

1 hour ago, limmerb said:

We had a guaranteed verandah on our March cruise on the Rotterdam & our confirmation said VF cabin. We ended up on deck 6 (our favorite deck) & 2nd cabin from the end all the way up front 

May I ask how long before the cruise you received your cabin assignment?

2 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

Or you could think about Club Orange, with comes with an upgrade to any available cabin in the V class. The separate CO dining room on Rotterdam is really nice.

Appreciate the suggestion but we are hitting the top of the budget with the HIA package , flights, pre/post hotels, etc.. Plus we would be happy with any balcony cabin other than the smoke issue.

Guess we'll see how it works out..

We are booked on the Eastbound Spring ‘24 TA with the Rotterdam. Its our first experience with a Guarantee cabin.

As I understand, we would be an a cat. VF or higher. Assuming we are assigned a VF, I see that one section of that category is directly below the smoking section at the Sea View pool area.

If we are assigned a cabin in that area, is there a process to request a same  category cabin in another area?

Thanks 
.  

We really enjoy the balcony outdoor personal space. As far as music: AirPods or similar( mic drop) 😉

40 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

 

I recall presentations about the Bermuda Triangle, the Sargasso Sea, the making of Rum/Bacardi, pirates, City at Sea (about operating the ship), ship navigation, astronomy/star gazing, Spanish history, Azores history, cooking demo with the chef and the cruise director, even a financial retirement presentation from a retired professor (no sales pitch)....And more, I'm sure, that I cannot recall.  This was all since the unpleasantness.  

 

The presenter is usually a college professor, military guy or a ship's officer or the Captain himself (in particular, the Captain was involved in the Navigation presentation).  Seems like most are at 10am in the World Stage but other venues and other times. 

Thanks very much! Just what I was hoping for. Not that I look spend all the cruise in lectures, but I aways enjoy learning something new and it makes a great counterpoint to more festive activities.