natshala

We just did our first Viking cruise and opted for the post extension in Rome. Although pricey, we enjoyed the post ext with fellow travelers we had met onboard on our long journey. In fact, we arranged for a wonderful city tour with another couple with whom we became friends. We knew it was no bargain, but to us, it was worth it at least this one time.

We’re just off Mars and found the breads  delicious. Yes, there were crusty baguettes. I wish I could have resisted them.

Wow. Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I love this forum!

I see you’re in the UK. We’re from the US and just returned from Rome. In our case, Viking used Air Canada. 

Viking offers a pre cruise extension in Budapest for our December river cruise (yes, I know I’m on VO). Just wondering whether anyone has done this and if there’s enough to do in Budapest to make it worthwhile. The hotel looks amazing. Thanks!

We had birds on Mars last week.

We just completed our first VO cruise—Ft.Lauderdale to Rome after many, many Celebrity cruises. We’re hooked and booked 4 onboard! Too many reasons to count…upscale, peaceful, interesting fellow pax, fabulous food, enrichment, etc. We’ll never go back to mass market.

Thanks, everyone, so much for your insights. I love this board.

Hello all,

we’re very excited about our first VO cruise beginning March 2. Does it make sense to wait until we’re onboard OR to book our next cruise now what with the special ending 2/29? Any opinions welcome. Thank you.

Hi all,

We’ve booked our second Royal cruise. Our first was many years ago. We’ve been sailing Celebrity and are Elite+. Can anyone explain the perks offered by Royal to X Elite+ . I think we’re Diamond on Royal but not sure.

Thanks much!

If you’re a foodie, be sure to try Eden. We thought it was amazing!

No.

Heartwarming post. Glad everything turned out well. It’s very encouraging to hear Crystal handled things so well.

Just off Beyond 1/19. Everything was packed to capacity. The pool deck and solarium loungers begin to fill up at 7am. Wall to wall bodies. Poster upthread is correct. Get to venues at least 30-40 minutes in advance to get a seat.
 

Pax on my cruisers were primarily older folks, so most cabins had 2 occupants. I can’t even imagine a cruise with families with children.

Crowd and loud, pulsating “music” everywhere. Yikes! I’m Elite+ and moving on. 
 

Forget about Marley and any steel drum stuff. Didn’t hear it once in 11 days.

Great suggestions! Gear music to the pax. As it is now, it seems only the Activity Staff enjoys the selections. They’re mostly 20-somethings.

5 minutes ago, Hawkstar33 said:

Celebrity needs to train their music staff.  Train them to play music in accordance with the time of day. Nobody wants anything loud first thing in the morning, nor after 8pm, unless at a venue.  Some nice track walking music might be suitable before 11am.  Then you can amp it up with a little Bob Marley etc.  Work the crowd from there. Lunchtime to 3pm, a bit louder, as the crowd has a few cocktails in them, and should have loosened up some by then. Most important would be to teach them to choose song selections, by looking around and seeing the age group of the current cruisers.  When school is in session, and only a few young kids onboard, they need not play loud rapp music, or puh puh poker face, etc. Adjust accordingly.   Our trips are mainly when kids are in school, for the most part, but we enjoy most music...BUT not overly loud, as a couple Royal trips have been in the past.   

I didn’t realize the “music” is pretty much an e class problem and, frankly, was thinking about canceling my three upcoming cruises on Ascent. We avoided the Grand Plaza, especially at night, bc we couldn’t carry on a conversation.
 

Maybe I’ll try to move my deposits to S class ships. Hmm.

Just off 11-night January 19. We had another enjoyable cruise. The demographic was a pleasant, older crowd. Why oh why the loud pulsating noise constantly? And they turn up the volume in the evening. Not classy at all. 

On 1/19/2024 at 8:29 AM, bnurick said:

Good morning. It’s boarding day and we expect to leave at 1045am. First stop will be Luminae (burger) for lunch with friends we met on a Bermuda cruise in June 2022.

 

In reviewing the App to finalize a dining lineup, Luminae’s menu is terrible. I foresee a heart to heart on this sailing. Bottom line, for $1,500 a day, the everyday menu should have a filet mignon. I expect us to dine 3 or 4 nights out of 10 there.

 

Yesterday we did visit a fine wine store to grab two bottles we really like. I did see the Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon for $21.99. We will see if it’s available on the Premium Beverage Package.

 

More to come…

   

Just off Beyond January 19. Sommelier told me she’d need to charge an up charge for a glass of Decoy on my premium package. I think it was $2.80.

17 hours ago, dateacher said:

yes there is (or at least there was in March)

I got off December 1. WCB was there and we enjoyed it very much.

1 minute ago, SharonK said:

Is the lunch in Eden included or is there a fee?

No fee except for a few upscale items that are clearly marked.

I had 3 Beyond cruises in 2023 and Eden cafe was only open on sea days.

12 minutes ago, 39august said:

Are any of the drinks at WCB currently covered under the "new" premium drink package? My go to drink is the Zacapa Old Fashioned. 

Trying to understand. Are you saying there is a NEW premium drink package or are you referring to the fact that X increased some prices over and above the $17?  

Our first VO cruise is coming up in March. We’re planning to book a future cruise onboard and transfer the booking to a TA.

We have never had a TA before. I know they cannot be recommended specifically here.
 

My question is: when interviewing a prospective TA, is it appropriate to ask a question like “if I book a $20k cruise, what OBC would you provide?”
 

 Or, is the OBC considered some sort of surprise gift? (We’ve always used a big box travel provider who doesn’t book VO.)
 

Thanks!