Los_Pepes

A few quick insights about this topic. We took an Azamara cruise in Europe this past summer. On day one we upgraded to the Ultimate Drink Package just of habit. This was a mistake as there were pervasive out of stock on many of the spirit brands on the Ultimate list and wine was simply awful. The house brand served in the regular package was undrinkable and when we asked for a wine with our Ultimate Package at dinner, what they served wasn't much better. On the last day I used my Vivino app and took a picture of what they were serving us. The Rose from the Ultimate Package that my wife was drinking was $9USD a bottle and Pinot Noir could be bought at retail store for $8. Cruise was fantastic, but the alcohol selection with the Ultimate Package was substandard.

Same here. We called this morning and got the additional OBC. I believe as long as you do this prior to final payment they will honor the current promo.

Please keep us posted! Money well spent!!

Hang out at the bar/coffee shop area of the Sheraton. it is attached to the airport so you don't have to go outside. It is marked very well from all areas of the airport and can't be missed. Once you get together just go outside and cross the street to the train station.

You made the best of it. Thankfully you didn't pay for a French Balcony just so you could see a little higher up on that same wall!

Thanks for reply. How many nights were you docked in Bordeaux?

Nice Aunt, Everything Pontac says here is correct and spot on and I just want to add a few things. If this is her last cruise I would recommend looking at it through a different lens. Don't look at it through the usual cost analysis where every aspect of the cruise line's offering is examined for value. Go for the overall experience and splurge. Tauck and Uniworld have over the top gorgeous ships and great overall service. She will be pampered and doted on by the staff all while in a pretty luxurious setting. Any of the excursions, kayaking included, can most likely be arranged simply by stopping by the cruise manager's desk and asking. You might have to pay extra, but who care! Its her last trip. We did exactly what you are doing for my father in law this summer. He is almost 90 and we took him on what is likely his last trip. The guy is notoriously cheap and will grind a penny out of any situation. We took him a small/mid size luxury cruise to the Fjords in a great cabin, he flew business class (first time in his life), ordered fine whiskeys and champagnes that were not on the AI list, ate at all the specialty restaurants etc. No restrictions and pure indulgence. 15 years ago he would have been griping about costs and how we could have gotten a better deal if he had done X or Y instead of what we did. He had a ear to ear smile the entire time and couldn't stop talking about it when he got back. It was very special to us all and no one complained about the extra few bucks we wasted/spent. We removed, to an extent, the cost consideration, and just went for it. Best investment we ever made.

Hey Pontac, It seems like you have done this trip before. Was it on Uniworld? Even if it wasn't, any tips, insights or advice? Thanks!

Good to know. Thanks!

Thanks for reply. I couldn't tell that we overnighted at the ports they listed. It was a tad ambiguous. Now that I know we overnight at each one, I can start scoping out restaurants that we might want to try. This will be our 6th Uniworld and know that the food is awesome, but we still do a dinner or two off of the boat for a little more immersion. Thanks for the reply!

We are heading to Bordeaux in a few weeks to do a Uniworld cruise. While I have the itinerary, I am finding it hard to discern where the boat spends each night. If you have done this trip, would you please share what towns we will overnight? My wife wants to start looking at restaurants for the occasional dinner off of the ship. Thanks in advance.

Thanks!

Thinking about booking our first Seabourn. It would be a family of 4 so two cabins. Would a referral be $250 per cabin or per booking? Thanks!