downundermatt

Am looking at a Royal Cruise this May with an overnight in Havana.

The Cruise starts in Fort Lauderdale.

Has anyone done this cruise ? Will Royal sort out the visas ?

I know airports in Mexico and Canada sell visas at the airport,

just don't know about the Cruise Terminal, especially departing the USA.

Thanks.

I live in Sydney and have booked over 20 cruises thru major on line agencies in the USA.

(some have toll free numbers, and no booking fee but the major benefit is they honour

price drops, unlike Aussie agents)

I have never booked Princess myself, but have had no issue at all with Celebrity, Royal, Norwegian,

Carnival or Cunard.

So we were looking forward to our two days in Cuba on Majesty of the Seas this May.

Turns out we are scheduled to depart at 0530 (so in fact are in Cuba less than 24 hours)

Just wondering has anyway done this cruise, have heard mixed reviews of Majesty.

And I know Cubans party late, but the 0530 departure midweek has me totally confused.

And as an Australian, am I best to get the visa via the Ship or in advance ?

We booked this cruise primarily because of the two days in Havana.

Turns out we depart the second day at 0530am - very early sailaway, so much for two days in Cuba !

My husband speaks Spanish thankfully. just wondering if its safe to be out late the Gay Bars in Havana.

(especially because this our only stop in the country)

Any advice appreciated, i can't see any great reviews of the ship - are we best to get the visa via Royal ?

Suppose we have been overly spoilt on Celebrity, so am not expecting much.

We too were hoping to take advantage of the same promotion for the Mar 28th, 2020 Dubai - Athens cruise on Quest.

When I made a dummy booking there was no discount whatsoever.

This is rather disappointing and misleading, and yes i know Royal regularly do the same.

We normally are Celebrity Cruisers but have upcoming cruises planned on Azamara and Royal in Europe.

I know Celebrity sometimes offer a deal to  stay on board the last day til around 90 minutes prior to sailaway

(for a fee of course). This is regularly offered in Europe.

Just wondering if Azamara and or Royal offer a similar deal as we have late night departures.

(not sure if I should have posted this on the Royal/Azamara threads)

Thanks for the info, we are flying in the day of the cruise from Nice with a small luggage allowance, hence the need for some last minute items - my understanding is Celebrity still allow soft drinks and two bottles of wine per cabin ....

Lidl may well be the best option to avoid downtown.

We arrive into Barcelona the morning of our cruise and need to pick up some last minute items (wine, toiletries, soft drinks) prior to boarding.

I hear you can buy wine at the port but was hoping there might be a supermarket with more choice between the airport and the port en route.

(Am looking for Sauvignon Blanc)

Hoping someone has a suggestion, our taxi can take a small detour to.

Thanks Heaps

Was on the Eclipse in May and they didn't offer tender tickets (too many Elites and above).

Thankfully back on Eclipse on November for the crossing and no tender ports.:)

Hi - the amount they quoted was ISK 133900 for twelve pax (USD128) just bare in mind this was quoted in February and I think there has been some currency adjustments over three months.

Good Luck - this tour was truly a highlight at a great price.

Hi Aloha3

Saga Tour tailor made a tour based on our 1030 arrival and each couple payed 17,100 ISK direct to Saga in advance (USD164 for two) This was based on 18 pax , They also quoted for twelve pax but the cost was much higher (still much cheaper than the ship)

I found it really easy to get 18 pax, I liked the fact people payed direct because it took the pressure of me (people changing their minds) and put the responsibility on each party. (I wasn't trying to locate 18 people on board for stressing over payment)

I suggest you email them - tomorrow is what they sent me, and we had a great day.

Good Luck

Service: Private Lake Mývatn from Akureyri Port

Pick up: Akureyri Harbour @ 10.45

Departure: @11:00

Duration: 5 - 6 hrs

Highlights: Goðafoss Waterfall ● Skútustaðagígar Pseudo Craters ● Dimmuborgir Lava Formations ● The Rift Between the Eurasian & American Continents ● Mt. Námafjall

Witness the Wonders of Lake Mývatn

We begin our day by stopping at Goðafoss Waterfall on our way to Lake Mývatn. Goðafoss plays an important role in the Icelandic history, particularly in connection with the introduction of Christianity. We keep on going to the mystic Dimmuborgir Lava Fields (Dark Cities) full of lava-pillars and formations that are rich of mystic sagas and tails. We come to the warm underground river in Grjótagjá Rift and head to the geothermal area of Hverir with boiling mud pools, steaming fumaroles and sulphur pits. We then return back to Akureyri in time for your ship’s departure.

Included

● Fully guided private tour

● Transport

Not included:

● Refreshments

I think the luggage will be OK (LATAM give us 23 kgs) and I think we can manage with this.

I note Celebrity have a tour leaving the ships for an expensive day trip, I dare say they will get priority.

We have previously experience the chaos and taxi mafia in BA on arrival :(

Our Transatlantic finishes in Buenos Aires this December, and we wish to head straight to Iguazu Falls.

The ship is scheduled to dock at 0500, and we are looking at a 1145 departure from AEP (Jorge Newbery Airport, which I understand is closer to the cruise terminal than the other airport EZE.

Am i being overly optimistic, I really want to make the most of our two days at the Falls.

I understanding arriving in BA can be problematical. (Taxis etc)

I have just returned from the Celebrity Eclipse and felt to compare to share my positive experience with Saga Travel.

We enjoyed a fantastic six hour tour from Akureyri Port to Lake Myvatn for 18 passengers.

I decided to arrange a group through Cruise Critic, and initially Saga wanted me to pre pay for 18 people, which I was reluctant to do. (the price around USD85 - very reasonable for the region, compared to the same tour offered by the ship)

After some too-ing and fro-ing Saga sent a link for payment to each individual to pay the company direct, which every did within days. This really worked well. Everyone showed up and I did not risk being out of pocket.

I would I recommend the tour and the company without reservation.

Hope this info is useful, didn't want to break any rules but to share some recent info, about a seemingly obscure port

We are Elite Members approaching Elite Plus later this year, and normally book with a liquor package.

Therefore the nightly CC drinks are virtually no benefit - I think Celebrity should offer Elite Members something else instead - like a specialty restaurant (or two).

Whilst the internet and laundry perks are useful, the nightly drinks seem useless to me and to non drinkers - hence my suggestion of a specialty restaurant.

Last year on our Transpacific Crossing on Millennium, Celebrity were offering buy one get one free drinks packages the first few days. Whilst this seemed like a good deal, it really annoyed those who had paid full price in advance. (We didn't bother as we had the Elite Drinks and Michaels Club so didn't need more !)

Just wondering if anyone else had heard of these deals been offered recently on X, as I know it is rare to get liquor packages as a perk on repositioning cruises and am hoping it may be offered on our next crossing.

Cheers :D

After eight months no responses, time to bump this post ...... don't be shy !!

I noted a Concierge Guarantee was cheaper than I had paid for my balcony, so asked the question of my agent - and he contacted Celebrity low and behold my Cabin was changed and I kept my perks ......

So there was a decent price drop on my forthcoming Iceland cruise and I got upgraded from a Balcony to Concierge Guarantee, keeping my current perks. :)

I am happy with the new Cabin assigned, is there a chance they will move me again ?

And I correct in assuming I will get just the three Captains Club points for a Balcony, versus the five offered for Concierge Class ? (as originally paid)

Appreciate some advice as its my first time I've taken advantage of a price drop.

I know there a few companies that offer a transfer to the Blue Lagoon direct from the cruise ship.

Do any go direct from the cruise terminal to Blue Lagoon ?

Am thinking they do a shuttle downtown, along with other shuttles where you transfer to the main coach

(which leaves on the hour)

Have email Reykjavik Excursions a few days ago, but other than an automated email still no reply to my queries - not a good omen when I am ready to book

Hi Mark and Ken ... looking at my tour for Akureryi, Iooks like I have four male couples joining us .....

Just wondering if anyone has used cruisingexcursions for Iceland (Akureyri).

They have an itinerary i really like, but I am concerned about their very mixed reviews on Cruise Critic/Tripadvisor.

Hoping someone may have used them locally. Thanks

I have been looking into excursions for Akureyri and was thinking of booking through Cruising Excursions.

Their reviews on Cruisecritic and Tripadvisor rate from very bad to very good.

I was hoping someone may have had experience with this company specifically in Iceland and can provide a review.

Many Thanks

Can you pay for $5 for Aqua ? (space available)

I didn't think so, but according to Cruise Critic Australia you can on Solstice ??

• Blu is exclusive to Aqua Class passengers, although other passengers can pay a US$5 surcharge (AU$6.86) and book on a space-available basis.
  

As a repeat cruiser to the Pacific this time I am looking for Hotel Day passes for the day in New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Any suggestions appreciated - or do you think they are really necessary, just want to escape the crowds and ensure we get some shade ??

Thanks Heaps