islandterrace

The Bad: Last spring we flew Delta to the Caribbean to catch a Transatlantic to Barcelona. Delta cancelled our flight out of JFK ten minutes before departure time. After our reschedule, we arrived with the ship at the dock, but they would not allow us through the gate because customs officials left early. We watched the ship sail without us around 11:00 PM. The driver who picked us up at the airport did not feel it was safe to drive to the next port at midnight. He found us a local room, picked us up the next morning at 7:00 AM and delivered us to the ship before noon. Customs would not allow us to board without ships ID card. Finally we got the attention of a ships officer, and he arranged our boarding.

The Good: We got a Saturday night city tour of Santa Domingo, a coastal excursion of the Dominican Republic the next morning, 40,000 Delta miles, with all out of pocket expenses reimbursed by Delta. Since we did not embark at the cruise origination point, ALL of our port charges were refunded.

Even though we are approaching our mid eighties, we are repeating the same cruise this coming spring. One difference, we are arriving and staying 4 days ahead of departure.

The preceding year our luggage was lost on the way to another Transatlantic cruise - that's another story -----

I'm sure this will be a learning curve for a number of us, possibly for VTG also.

Got my official ticket today from CDF for the T/A on April 11th, states unlimited drinks on it, I'm not a big drinker but it looks like being a happy cruise............if I was on Princess again it would have cost me double for the cruise even after my large OBC and another $800 or so for the drinks package.

 

I'm going to miss my free internet and laundry but can live without it.

 

And the Euro is sinking like a lead balloon now, so we are doing OK with this ship and itinerary and destination. Will probably be a dollar for a euro before long the way its going.

Not so fast Griller, take a closer look at the "ticket". Says 7 nights of all inclusive drink package. Wonder if I can take mine one night on, one night off?

We are traveling around Europe for a week after the cruise, so the drop in the euro is welcome.

DrJay, in addition, as printed from the English translation off the CDF site "For all departures effective April 22, 2015, cruises are offered now in full Board with the possibility ' buy beverage packages"

I believe this is the first CDF cruise departure in the Mediterranean after our departure on April, 11, which would further clarify that our cruise is the "last" to offer a beverage package at no charge.

Kati and I (Don) would like to join you during the sail away. It will be interesting to see how many English speaking cruisers are on board. We arrive shortly after noon on the 11th via Kennedy. Haven't located the CDF excursion offerings, however on previous relocation cruises we have found extreme end of season price reductions by local operators in port, as low as 1/4 the cruise line price.

4-11-2015 ta - sold out

I'll muddy the waters on the AI for the TA in April to Barcelona

CDF is owned by Pullmantor and Pullmantor shows "Your Way" not including any alcoholic beverages on all their cruises. Currently advertised CDF winter 2015 cruises in the Caribbean by a Vacations to Go affiliate clearly state a limited selection of alcoholic beverages are included.

A few weeks ago, I found a French article with a Google translation discussing CDF's change to Pullmantor"s "Your Way" policy on Saturday, April 25. 2015 on all Mediterranean cruises after the arrival of the TA cruise. It provided a detailed listing of current AI brands at no charge, and prices of premium brands, and also the "Your Way" priced packages which would apply after April 25.

Don

Re all inclusive - My TA indicated wine and a limited list of alcoholic drinks were included, however a $12.00 or $12.50 PP per day service charge would be added to your bill on this cruise. We shall see, regardless this seems to be a good deal.

For what it is worth. When we purchased our Delta tickets, they offered their AMX Gold Delta SkyMiles credit card. $50 off the flight, free 1st Bags, and priority boarding, plus 30,000 SkyMiles after spending $1000 within three months. Free for the first year, $95 a year thereafter if you continue holding the card.

Hi, CrossBluePerchance. Thanks for the reply. We have settled on a Delta flight that will arrive on Saturday, the 11th around 1PM.

Booked the 4/11/15 TA a few days ago. Attempting to find flights out of Portland Maine or Boston. Jet Blue has a decent price out of Portland, near our home, but arrives at 2AM on the 11th! Has anyone found a hotel or B&B that provides transfers from SDQ and/or the cruise terminal, if arrival is during the day on the 10th?

Does anyone know how early we can board, with the 10PM departure?

Can't seem to change the "signature" showing cruises, but returned last month from a 14 day NCL repo Boston to NOLA. Was booked on the NCL Star Miami to Copenhagen 4/27/15, but cancelled for this lower cost, different type cruise adventure.

Looking forward to the posts during the next few months.