sbrayr

I don't know if this has been mentioned. If you get onboard credit of say $300 with your cruise, you may get more $$ with a b2b than with one long cruise.

1 minute ago, Boatdrill said:

I doubt nearly everything said on network news regarding emergencies such as this.  Yesterday while the Sky was still anchored at sea, a friend texted me and said the ship was now in port. I asked where did she hear that??  "On the national news".

 

The network news apparently picked up this same information reported here.
http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2019/03/update-cruise-ship-viking-sky-underway-after-extremely-close-call/

I located this source of information regarding distance to striking an underwater reef ("rocks"). The US news was merely sharing what had been stated below. The quote appears in the blog of a UK sailor at the link below the quote.

"Norwegian Coast Guard officer Emil Heggelund told newspaper VG that the ship was 100 meters (328 feet) from striking an under the water reef and 900 meters (2,953 feet) from shore when was able to anchor in Hustadvika Bay. For context, as the ship is 228 m (748 ft), it was less than a half a ship-length off the rocks before it was able to anchor."

http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2019/03/update-cruise-ship-viking-sky-underway-after-extremely-close-call/

Reported on US network news tonight that the ship was within 300 ft of hitting rock. Is that mentioned already in this long thread?

How many people were actually evacuated versus the number who cruised to the port?

2 minutes ago, Phnxgrl said:

Per latest report from my mom and sis, still in muster stations and many cabins are trashed. Also, they are being told it could be days before they get to port. That they are heading out to sea to get away from the waves, and the rugs will not be able to hitch up before daybreak as it’s too dark and rough. 

So glad you can be in touch getting personal updates from your mom and sister. I am upbeat that they will all be okay and with interesting vacation stories to share.

Then the Windstar Cruise Director was misinformed.

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Thanks for the good wishes.

 

Just a thought here. My son is VP of Global IT for a Re-insurance company and insurance is all about risk, profit, analyzing who and what is "the best bet" more or less. So for the move up. Who gets the letter? Who gets the move up acceptance.

 

His take is it's the "Gamification" (application of elements of gaming) that kind of can suck a person into the whole process. Who doesn't like a good game. I WANT A LETTER! I want to try. I want to see the bid-meter go into the green! Even the X process w/ the SLIDE for your bid and the meter going from red to green as your bid gets stronger. Gamification.

What is taken into account? Loyalty? Do they reward loyal X cruisers? OR...... NEW CRUISERS! They know we're repeaters but if I were able to cruise in a PH on my first cruise on a "bid"? I'd be forever an X cruiser. New cruisers also tend to do more ship excursions, buy more in the gift shops and spa. So do they reward loyalty or hook a new customer?

What about gambling? Is that part of the algorithm? Is favoritism given to one that spends in the casino? IN THAT CASE I"M GOLDEN!!! :D :D :D

 

He also said he can't imagine why Celebrity would be likely to let anyone know other than the 11th hour (72 hours before sailing). What do they have to gain by telling us sooner? They can have everything in place for any eventuality. Once final decision is made at at the top of the food chain, then just click SUBMIT and one click puts all the move ups into order...so they don't need tons of advance notice.

 

The entire thing is fascinating. And it's made me OLD BEFORE MY TIME! I can't stand the suspense. I have AGITA I tell ya! I'm verklempt. CAVALO.... and ... OY VEY and all that!

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is the ships water tank safe to drink?

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A 1liter bottle is about $4 purchased in the gift shop. You can pre-order and have it delivered to your cabin for $3.00 a liter (a six pack is $18). A glass of water at the bar is free, its from the ship’s water tank. There are also water dispensers in the buffet.

 

 

 

 

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Traveling in late August and looking for info on the cruise and excursions.

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FYI - a crossing without passengers is known as "wet dock."

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I do wish the individual Roll Calls we're more active. Difficult to get small group excursions planned ahead.

Speaking of ... Anyone on the Wind Star Greek Isles cruise departing Aug. 28, 2018?

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Anybody have recommendations for Abu Dhabi. We have looked at InterContinental because of beach being close. End of 30 day cruise/land (Insignia Singapore to Abu Dhabi with a week prior in Dubai). Would like hotel recommendations and tour guide suggestions for 3 adults private tour.

Arrive May 2,2017 and leave May 4, 2017. Al Ain and city tour first choice.

Did you choose the Intercontinental hotel? The older one near the palace and the beach? We will be there Jan. 2019 and this is our first choice from research. Appreciate your reply.

I do. What hotel did you use in Dubai and/or Abu Dhabi?

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We’ve sailed Windstar 3 Times with a 4th trio reserved. Never experienced a problem getting our discount even on November flash sales. We also got the if you book another within 60 days discount.

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To give another view....

 

My opinion is that the cruise was amazing. The ship, crew and other passengers were great. We enjoyed every port despite the weather not being optimal. Iceland in early May, we didn't expect Caribbean like weather. The weather changed seemingly by the minute. When we exited the ship on our 2nd day in Reykjavik it was snowing as we walked down the gangway and was sunny by the time we made it through the customs tent!

Layers and a wind/water resistant outer layer made the day enjoyable.

We enjoyed every port, some privately planned excursions and some through the ship.

We tendered in Lerwick and were less then a 5 minute tender ride from ship to dock.

We ate dinner every night but one in the MDR and found the food to be from good to very good. Portions are not large but between starters, main courses, desserts and drinks we were very full every meal. Waitress, assistant waitress, sommelier and drinks server were all friendly, professional, efficient and courteous.

The stage shows varied with some ok and some very good. The aerialists were very good. Guest performers were excellent. House band was mediocre in my opinion until the very last night when miraculously the singer sang her heart out and the song selection improved 1000%.

Our experience with embarkation was pleasant. We boarded about 1PM. Taxi was directed to a tent. Our luggage was collected. We checked in, boarded a bus and were on the ship in about 20 minutes.

Debarkation was also good. Left the ship about 9:15 our luggage was waiting and we queued for the taxi line which took about 20 minutes. There were several accidents near the port that caused traffic delays to and from the port. Port personnel kept the queue organized and orderly.

Dublin airport for flight to the US are confusing. We had an 850AM flight and our airline told us to arrive 4 hours early. We ignored them and got to the airport at 530 and their counter wasn't even open. Customs pre-clearance didn't open until 7AM on the dot and they didn't open the door to line up for security and customs until 620AM.

Thanks so much for your review.

About the airport. In my early morning travels, I often arrive before ticket counter/bag drop areas are open trying to meet the 3-hour rule. I’m getting wiser now and knowing I don’t want to be there at 5 am when no one else is.

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So despite all the port drama, someone please tell us about the cruise itself.

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And the physics of this is?

No physics. Years of experience living on a sailboat.

What is the best way to dry a swimsuit in the cabin?

Rinse in fresh water. Anything thing wet with salt water takes much longer to dry.

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The M class are going in for an "edgefication", not sure what that will mean.

Do you have a timeline for this? We're booked for a big cruise on Constellation in January 2019 so will be great if it is renovated before then. Better than the rumblings that it could be sold by then.

I read earlier this week in a RCCL line thread about a merger of the Celebrity and Royal websites. Today while looking at my upcoming cruise it disappeared and still is not showing. Does anyone have insight into what’s happening? What is planned? Glad I’m not sailing with CCL until January but I still like information about excursions so i can research my independent options better.

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You can make an educated guess but you have to do some homework. Go on the Roll Calls that just came back that did the same itinerary and ask. Most want to write about their cruise. I also look on youtube. Look for recent postings. I was told that Captains prefer docking the same way each time.

 

 

 

All things considered equal, I also was told that for some reason the Captains prefer docking Portside . Not sure why. Maybe someone can answer for this.

And we’ve cruises on Silhouette three times including twice in Europe and the majority of our docking was starboard side. We like to watch the process from our balcony so usually book starboard forward on deck 8 or 9. Can easily see the captain, pilot, etc in the wing.

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You can use USA dollars in Mexico.

 

You'll need cash for the porters.

 

Bring cash for unexpected purchases.

 

Bring cash for emergencies.

 

We always bring more then we think we need.

 

Keith

And cash for extra tips to ship staff who gave extra service to you over the cruise. Could be your cabin steward who brings ice to your room more times than normal or a bar tender who gets to you first or tops off the drinks. For us it’s a one time thank you.

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We are booked On Constellation Singapore to Shanghai Jan 20, 2019. Getting info from this thread. Anyone done our trip before?

We’re considering leaving the ship in Hong Kong to avoid two more sea days and a return visit in Shanghai. Is that permitted? We would fly out of Hong Kong after an extended visit there.

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