DocJohnB

Dumb question.

 

Post it here or start a thread?

 

I haven't been to the HAL boards in quite a while. :p

There are approximately 3000 passengers on the S class ships.

(OK so it might be 1500 couples) but even 1500 x 2 minutes each is 3000 minutes which translates to 50 hours!

Let's say there are 20 porters (and I don't really think there are that many writing tags) - that's 2 1/2 extra hours!

If everyone took the advice to have them put on at the port the lines would be absolutely awful!

 

That would be a good possibility if everybody arrived at the port sans luggage tags. However, luggage tags are available online along with the express pass necessary to board and from my observation over many cruise recently are being utilized.

Have you experienced getting luggage tags in under 5 mins??

 

Every time (4-5) I used the porters it took less than 2-3 minutes. And I normally arrive when it is quite busy.

Doc - really? How does it take you extra time to show you documents to the porter - you need to do that anyway - and have them write a cabin number on a couple of luggage tags? Certainly faster than ordering them online and wastes less paper too.

 

Az_tchr - please re-read my post. I was quoting a poster who stated it was a hassle. I have never thought so.

For those asking why it's such a big deal, and why we can't just print them online to use, or why not just get them from the porters, let me state my reasons against this which I am sure are the same concerns others have....

 

1. If I print them online I have to somehow find a way to attach them to my bag. This either involves buying the luggage tag holders (additional expense for me) or jerry rigging something out of packing tape to "laminate" them and attach them to the bag.

 

2. Getting them from the porters is a hassle and takes additional time for for me and the porters. We live in a society that doesn't want to wait for things, we want it now. Sorry, it's just the way the world is these days.

1) (additional expense) - One can get these on-line for roughly $2/per. So one has spent an additional $10-$20 on an item that can be used repeatedly. In the scheme of a $2K - 10K vacation that is peanuts.

 

2) Can 1-2 minutes of YOUR time be all that important. If it is, you probably should not be taking time out for a cruise. And 1-2 minutes is actually all it takes . . . . . . been there, done that.

We became Elite after the first half of a B2B on two different ships. The CC hostess on the first cruise advised the CC host on the second ship and we were welcomed as Elite with no problem. We walked down the dock at FLL and our new seapass cards had Elite printed on them.

 

Thanks, that is good to know . . . . . especially from one who was there and did that!!

 

2016 cruise is past final payment so we're going but after that.......

 

(And I know this is a REALLY small thing, but a lot of drops of water make an ocean and Celebrity is drip, drip, dripping......)

 

Wow!!! So then, I guess you could say in your case not having "luggage tags" mailed to your home is the "final straw" Wow!!!

 

It is just not that big a deal. You obviously use a computer. You have to print out your express pass. All it takes is another click of the mouse thing and you can print 1, 2, even 50 luggage tags if that is your desire. You can buy permanent tag holders online for a couple of bucks a piece.

 

All the lines are drip, drip, dripping, all of them.

Thanks all. The C/C rep did mention talking with the C/C host on the 2nd cruise, but did not suggest the first one. Great idea!

With all of the problems facing us in today's world, my question has to deal with a possible problem that is so picayune as to be almost non-existent.:p But, I am going to ask it just the same. :D

 

I have two cruises booked that are almost back to back. The first on the Reflection ends on 1/30/16, the second begins on the Equinox on 2/1/16.

 

My curent C/C status is Elite @730 points. As I will be a single supplement in concierge, my status will change to Elite Plus after the 2nd full day. I know that status WILL NOT be honored on that cruise, however, how do I ensure that it is honored on the 2nd cruise.

 

Now, I did talk to a Captain's Club rep who ensured me that there would be no problem as it happens quite frequently. That was all well and good until he qualified his statement with "but, if there is".

 

Has anybody here suffered such a horrendous fate? If so, how were you able to resolve it. (TIA)

Here in Australia I saw a promo today advertising Azamara Club Cruises with the comment, "Singles pay just 125% of the total cabin fare on selected European cruises. Book by 31 August 2010." I assume they mean 125% of the per person rate.

 

Ironically, all the cruises listed were "2 for the price of 1", so we single travelers are being ripped off again. 125% of the per person rate I'd normally consider a fair deal for singles but not when it is 25% more than they are charging for a couple.

 

glengavin :mad:

 

Actually, it is 125% of the per person rate. I booked next year's transatlantic on Journey at this rate.

That's a shame. On all the CC meetings I've attended it have been nicely run. Perhaps it was an off day with other events happening or maybe it was the personalities involved.

 

I have to say that with the behaviour of the odd cruiser at the meeting it has made me feel somewhat embarrassed to be a part of Cruise Critic. A bunch of complaints from people who didn't feel well treated makes me cringe to be honest and sure won't help the dislike if it exists. I've been part of too many roll calls that consider being a member of Cruise Critic gives them more importance. I don't think we should put too much onus on the cruiseline if it's a bit flat at the meeting. It's up to all of the CCers to get the most out of it for themselves. Just my opinion.

 

Phil

 

As always, a voice of reason, Phil.

 

While I think the Amazing changes are anything but, I agree that because of the whining that goes on at some of these CC/MM's have become uncomfortable enough to the point that I normally pass them by. While in a minority, some of these "self important" folks seem to dominate the get together. What they don't seem to realize is that the good folks from these boards are but a small minority of the cruising public.

Wow is right!

 

I recently booked my first Azamara cruise on the Journey's transatlantic next November. I do enjoy Elite status on Celebrity.

 

I booked the voyage, not for the benefits of Discoverer status but, for the single supplement of 125%.

 

However, I did take note of the benefits and because it is a 15 day voyage, looked forward to the 'free' laundry/week and 'free' internet. Even though the price is higher than what I would pay for a 'single' veranda, I was looking forward to the 'small ship' atmosphere and amenities.

 

I certainly don't have as much time/points invested in my loyalty program as most others, so perhaps my 'voice' won't ring as loud as (what appears to be) the vast majority of Azamara cruisers. However, I will add, my voice to the ring of "Thumbs Down".

 

I have read through these various threads and posts. Especially interesting to me were AzamaraJoel's posts and his latest with the comparisons and explanations on how this would be "better" for the Azamara cruisers. It is, IMO, nothing more than the old shell game. A good one, but still a shell game. No matter how Joel and Azamara try to convince its public this is for their good, that just isn't going to happen.

 

One of the mightiest gambits in free market economics is to complain with your wallet. That is exactly what I plan to do . . . . . but I will give them a reasonable amount of time to come to their senses. I am doing a Celebrity transatlantic in November, that gives them about 2 months as I will book something on board.. I am almost positive they will not turn over on this policy and it will probably cost me my $25 cancellation fee, but that is a cheap lesson IMO.

And don't worry. Up to 3 1/2 hr a day of free alcohol will wipe out any stress!

 

Enjoy!

 

Raina

 

That certainly works for me. :D:D:eek::D:D

Maybe you don't quite understand what you are getting. Think of it this way, you bring your Ford Fiesta in to the shop for repairs and they accidentally sell it. Upon realizing their mistake the give you a brand new Mercedes. They even throw in some free gas to show you how sorry they are. Sure, maybe you don't need a Mercedes and were perfectly happy with your Ford but hey it's a big upgrade from your original car so why complain?

 

I honestly feel that people now a days have a feeling of entitlement and at every chance they get they want more and more for free.

 

I would stop creating more stress for yourself and just go and enjoy your cruise in the Mercedes of rooms!

 

Nice analogy . . . . I love it.

So RC has given us the upgraded room, paid for the extra gratuities and given us a voucher for only 2 of us for dinner. I have already spent over 4 hours dealing with this issue. I somehow thing for all the stress they put us under we should have a voucher for a massage or something like on board credit. RC feels that the upgraded room is enough. I still have to rebook all of our shore excursions, re-do our online check in etc...

 

What do you think is fair?

 

What I think is fair would be exactly what they gave you. IMO, not a bad deal at all. Looking at future cruises in Australia on you ship actually tells me you got one he77 of a deal. At a minimum for 3 people the difference in price is a minimum of about $4,000. I think it is probably a couple thousand more, but as the website does not list the price for the RS, it is hard to tell.

 

Then they threw in (as they should have) the difference in gratuities for all three and a dinner for two at a specialty dining venue.

 

Yet you want more. I am trying not to be sarcastic/mean, but you sound just a tad bit spoiled (at a minimum).

 

I somehow thing for all the stress they put us under we should have a voucher for a massage or something like on board credit. RC feels that the upgraded room is enough. I still have to rebook all of our shore excursions, re-do our online check in etc...

 

C'mon that is not stress. As a recent widower, I know what stress is - and that ain't it. So you have to deal with the irritation of having to re-book, re-do some chores. As least you are able to do so.

 

Rejoice in the fact that you "discovered" the error early enough to do something about it.

 

Hopefully, you will be able to get past this incident and enjoy that "trip of a lifetime to Australia".

Personally, I don't care for the drink packages. I don't care for all inclusive resorts because of the atmosphere that's created by unlimited drinking and I see the same thing happening with these cruises.

 

This may be the largest contributor to the cuts in other areas and a major contributor to decreased service levels in the dining room. There are some bargains to be had but many of the longer cruises to more interesting ports than the Caribbean have risen substantially. There really are no free drinks folks, they are being paid for.

 

Ma Bell, you and I are normally joined at the hip in our opinions. But, not here. The cuts in other areas and decreased service levels in the dining room came about long before the 123GO promotions. Perhaps 123 added to them, but were not the cause of these problems.

 

Having cruised on all three lines, rather than just relying on hearsay, we can confirm that there is a difference between them, but the differences are mostly subtle. The time of year you sail, the ship you choose and the itinerary will have as great an influence as the line you choose.

Having also sailed on all three lines, I would tend to agree with you on this statement, but would leave off the phrase "mostly subtle" as it applies to RCI in the mix. I would also have to add to influences, depending on your mindset - i.e., what it is you are looking for in a cruise.

 

RCI are the most lively, with more passengers drinking, with practically no quiet areas. Celebrity still have plenty going on up to and around midnight, but have some quieter areas to sit and read. HAL have lovely libraries and quiet areas, but the ship mostly shuts down around 10.30pm, earlier on some itineraries.

As long as one doesn't equate "lively, drinking passengers" to out of control drunks, I would agree. One has to look for quiet places on RCI, but they are available.

 

Passengers on the whole are older on HAL, but it's absolutely not true that it's a 'floating nursing home'. In our experience the older passengers are well travelled, well educated, and full of life. It's insulting to write people off simply because of their age.

Absolutely!!!

 

HAL have a greater range of itineraries and longer cruises. They also still have many of the 'extras' that RCI and Celebrity have stopped or charge for. It's an all together more 'old fashioned' experience and the ships, whilst lovely, don't have the size and presence of the newer RCI ships. HAL ships lack facilities like climbing walls and skating rinks, but have lovely public areas and fabulous libraries. HAL has detailed port lectures, not just excursion sales, and interesting guest speakers that the other lines lack. Overall less commercial. It's more of a 'travellers' line than a 'holiday' if that makes sense.

 

Personally, given the choice, we prefer Celebrity, then HAL, then RCI, but we would abolutely sail with them all again.

In my experience, they are all equally "commercial". Depending on itinerary, Celebrity also has some superb "guest lecturers".

 

Cruising is all about choices, and while take no real exception to this post, my preferences, in order, would be Celebrity, RCI then HAL. I also would sail any of them again. (I just finished a HAL cruise and have a Celebrity and a RCI cruise booked)

Every few months we go through this discussion on these threads.

 

The hand sanitizers dispensed on the ships are noted to be non effective against viruses. However just the same as cruisestitch's "Gold Bond Ultimate Hand Sanitizer" Purell products (such as those used on ships) also claim kill 99.99% of germs if used as directed. Therein lies the rub (no pun intended), germs as alluded to in these claims are for the most part bacterial and not viral.

 

Does that mean that spritzing your hands frequently with these products is futile in preventing infections. In my opinion the answer to that is NO!

 

The best way to "TRY" to prevent getting norovirus is to be acutely aware, especially when it is known to be a possibility. Wash your hands frequently, avoid facial contact if possible and act as though the person in front of you is already infected with the virus. But I am here to tell you that even with all these precautions, you could still end up with frequent visits to the bathroom.

 

I try to be vigilant during the season (and norovirus is nothing more than a flu like illness . . . . in fact it is known in some circles as the stomach flu). When cruising, I wash my hands frequently, I will wipe down my stateroom after the steward has cleaned with WetWipes or something similar. I am particularly vigilant in the public restrooms. However, in the hopes that it doesn't hurt, I will spritz my hands anytime I go by a dispenser.

 

I cruise frequently. I have been on 3 sailings that either had active noro onboard or had just completed a sailing with a noro outbreak (with resultant delayed boarding while crew did a herculean cleaning effort). I have yet to contract noro. Having said that, I have no doubts in my mind that sometime in the future this damned thing will have me visiting my stateroom bathroom frequently.

Thanks for the answers to my questions.

 

And thanks for the suggested times to use. :D

I plan to use the laundry on the Veendam on my upcoming cruise. However, I have no idea of cost, etc.

 

How much does it cost t was a load? Dry? Is soap available, or should I bring some of my own?

 

Thanks.

My first was on the Celebrity Zenith in 1993. In 1996 I sailed on a 10 day Southern Caribbean on the Statendam.

 

Zenith is my first love and Statendam is my second. They were so very similar. Small, cozy and gracious. Tramp that I am I loved them both almost equally.

I understand they have launderette's on some HAL ships. I am cruising on the Veendam and see they have one basically outside my stateroom.

 

What is the cost? For washing? For drying? Coin or paper cash?

 

Thanks.

When I originally booked an upcoming Veendam NE/Canada 14 day, I asked my t/a to try to book early seating. I initially was waitlisted, then all of a sudden my booking showed "Anytime".

 

I actually think, as a solo, I will enjoy that more. It gives me the opportunity to dine when I want or not show up if that is what I desire. I do enjoy the assigned dining concept, but will have to see how this works out for me.

Ruh roh….think we are going to change our cruise. Happy that we recently booked another cruise so... Started a roll call on Cruise Critic for an Equinox Ultimate Caribbean Cruise for March 27 to April 6, 2015 and nobody has joined. I thought it odd that the roll call remained at (0) hits. Hmmmm????:confused:

 

Decided to google the cruise date and found that it is a THEME cruise. :eek:Entertainment and Travel Alternative Motorcycle Cruise! EEK! Spaces for them and their bikes are sold out. WOW! We have nothing against motorcycle groups but…well might be a different cruise experience? Not sure if we would fit in or feel comfortable with this "theme cruise" group? Wonder how many are going?

 

We are two retired school teachers (elite level)and think we may feel a bit uncomfortable on this cruise. Guess we are going to call Captains Club or our TA for suggestions on a different cruise. Sad…we had one of the larger aft cabins…oh well. We will work on that today and try to get more information.

 

Actually did the exact cruise last year on Equinox in early February with a group of "bikers". I believe about 25-30 bikes.

 

Not a problem, ever!! Their bikes were stored on deck two and the bikes were usually lined up on the dock prior to general disembarkation. It did seem that the "bikers" had priority in disembarking, but I could be wrong. In the evenings they would ride up to the ship and have the bikes on board well before departure.

 

Saw the "bikers" throughout the cruise at various venues and never saw any type of problem.

 

I would go on any cruise with these folks.

I thought I saw a large one a couple of times, but it turned out to just be my wife. :D:eek::cool::p

 

You do realize she reads these boards, right? Just in case she missed this one - I sent it to her in an email.