KeithJenner

The majority of the answers you have received are talking more generally about how these things usually work, but they aren’t taking into account the specific issues raised by the ship not leaving the EU VAT zone. Unfortunately, I can’t say what the exact situation is right now as I haven’t done the itinerary for a few years, but it is very likely that any answers that just state the usual rules (tax just charged when you are in port, regardless of whether you have the package) are irrelevant for your situation. We need someone who has done the Eastern Med itinerary recently to confirm what the current situation is.

On our last cruise we had an informal meet and greet at the Great Outdoors. One of the attendees was in the Haven and didn’t drink, so they very kindly bought the “champagne” from their room with them for us to all share. It was a nice gesture, and nobody had the heart to explain that is wasn’t real champagne and we would all much rather be drinking what we had ordered from the bar. We had the premium plus upgrade and it took quite a few glasses of Veuve afterwards to get rid of the taste. 🙂

Considering the Epic was built and originally fitted out in Europe as well as having dry docked there, I’d say it’s likely that the sofas were sourced from Europe.

Actually, the thing I hate the most is when staff start singing to people in the restaurants. I’ve cruised on my birthday and anniversaries and we always make sure that we keep it quiet in case they start singing at us. Makes me cringe just thinking about it. On our last cruise (our 25th anniversary) my wife let it slip just before we left Cagneys (she thought we were safe at that point). The maitre d told us to wait so she could do something for us. We had to get quite insistent that we really just wanted to go. 🙂

Not everyone gets the wine now. It was removed as a latitudes benefit when the tiers were revamped a few months ago. A lot fewer people have to find ways of disposing of it these days.

Just as an aside, the SH didn’t used to be a club suite (Spirit has never had them). It is a full suite and will be considerably bigger than a club suite.

Things I hate that others love: Being pampered, made to feel “special” etc. most shows, spas, sitting by the pool, all that sort of stuff.

Correct on the first bit, but they don’t charge it if you have the beverage package (or at least I’m not aware that they do). I’m sure that if they were charging on drinks covered by the beverage package then it would be all over these boards, as it was for the short time that they did so a few years ago.

This cruise has very specific issues, as it never leaves the European VAT area and the tax is chargeable for the entire cruise, not just when in port. I have done the same cruise (boarding in Barcelona) a few times, but not for a few years, so am not totally up to date with it. However, the usual situation is that VAT is charged on any purchases (meals, drinks, shop purchases) that aren't covered by a pre purchased package. Things have changed from time to time. There was a very short period when it was charged on drinks covered by the beverage package, but that only lasted a few years. Unless something has changed recently then you are fine as long as you have the package, but anyone paying per drink gets stung. I also wouldn't wait until boarding before purchasing anything, just in case.

I don’t think it is clear that the ability to upgrade is an indication that rooms are actually available. They just appear to offer everything regardless. I suspect that 5 in the Haven room is probably cheaper than 4 in the Haven and a solo in a balcony. My point (in response to the post I quoted) was that some people are willing to pay these amounts for such a set up, which would suggest that they would be happy with it.

In my experience, the show including local performers in the Baltic was at St Petersburg, and then only on the ships doing regular runs (the standard Copenhagen round trip). I’ve not seen one offered outside St Petersburg.

It would have been Warnemunde/Rostock.

Itinerary changes are not unusual. We have had quite a few over the years, mainly minor but occasionally there have been bigger changes. I have always received an email notification, even if it is just a minor change to port times. My guess is that your TA didn’t pass the information on. I’ve seen a few posts here and on Facebook where people didn’t even know that their cruises have been cancelled and they are almost all TA bookings.

Whether on a ship or a hotel, filling up a room to capacity usually involves someone sleeping on a temporary bed (sofa bed or roll away). It is rarely the most comfortable solution, and if the hotel or ship offered a separate room for that person then they will very likely be more comfortable.

It is not uncommon for people to ask on this board whether it is possible for their travel companions who are staying in a balcony could join them in using the Haven facilities (or even just access their room). Of course the answer is always no to them being able to use the Haven. Those groups are paying more than the OP, as they are paying for the balcony as well as the Haven room, so I really don’t think that it is surprising that some people are seeing this as a good deal.

Without knowing more about the OPs personal situation and the relationships between the family members involved (which are none of our business anyway), it is impossible to say whether this is a good or bad change for them. All we can say is how it would work for us. Personally, it sounds great. Not having the sofa bed made up is a real advantage, as that area can then be used for it’s intended purpose, as an area for people to sit. The person sleeping there doesn’t have their own bathroom and has to basically walk into someone else’s bedroom to use those facilities, which is not ideal. For me, the ability for that person spend time with their family during the day and then retire at night to a more comfortable bed with their own bathroom at night sounds ideal. Many people in this situation would spend more money to book it that way if the person in the balcony got haven access, so this really would be a result for many people. However that may not be the case for the OP.

Butler and concierge are probably the least valuable suite perks for me, so not having the butler would have no impact on my trip.

I’ve done two transatlantics, a 7 day and a 10 day and neither of them had a port stop, so one was 9 consecutive sea days. I would have appreciated a stop, especially on the 10 day, and the next transatlantic I book will probably have a couple, but both of those were a lot of fun. You get yourself in a bit more of a routine than is usual on a cruise, and I certainly drank more than usual, but they were both great fun.

Ha Ha Ha

The upgrade is per person and gives each two meals, so if you upgrade for both then you will get two more meals for two.

Unless I'm misunderstanding you, that is what it should be.

Apparently not. See the post 4 before the one you quoted.

I have a booking which came with two free at sea meals. I have upgraded using the speciality meal upgrade to give us an extra two (which is what free at sea plus includes). If I go online and try to add another meal package it adds it correctly to our basket and I can then go to the payment page. I obviously can't test it any further without actually purchasing, but that would indicate that I can at least purchase a third package.

Sorry, I replied to your last post as if you were the OP, but looking again you were just commenting. Just wanted to acknowledge my mistake.

Yes, and I think lots of people have missed out on these deals on European cruises so it’s good to point it out. I think I and ChiefMateJRK were just trying to point out how it could be easier for people to spot the deals.