Cruise2End

7 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

I suspect they have a historical average of how may reservations ultimately get canceled, possibly down to the itinerary or excursion. Once they get to that number of waitlisted passengers on an excursion, they call it sold out because it's not likely anyone else they add to the waitlist will actual get a seat.

I noticed this as well on my Japan cruise next month.   There were a smaller number of English speaking tours than Japanese.   I took Sold Out to mean they maxed out their resources so that excursion was basically no longer available, but I did put myself on the Waitlist for another and recently was sent an email that I was now booked for the excursion.

Thanks all for the input. I board the Diamond Princess so I’ll check when I board to see what they’re offering.   Glad to know they haven’t shelved everything 😉!

It was called the Winemaker’s Dinner when I last did it but again that was 5 years ago (pre pandemic). Also have done the Chef’s Table numerous times ( that’s over the top compared to the Winemaker’s) as well as the full tour of the ship.   I’m sure that if they do have them, it would not be cheap but I really enjoyed them.

Wondering if they still have the limited but very special dinners, tours, etc.    It’s been 5 years but you checked and signed up when you boarded the ship. Anyone know if these still exist and what they’re called now??

Thanks everyone.   I will try the email and see.   I don’t have a problem using apps, but StockPerks ask for your income information and then wants you to link to your brokerage accounts.   I’m not going to do that - for me, this is a red flag from a third party vendor - not Carnival.   Just me. ☺️

Just want current USPS address to send.   Yes I know there’s a StockPerks app, but I’m not interested in giving third party that much personal info. TIA 😊

I truly am not impressed with their new method.   I submitted mine via fax per the old method on 12/23/23 and it has never shown up, so I called.   I spent much time on the phone and they called back saying I need to allow a “few weeks” for them to add it to my account.   My cruise is on 3/18.    I also do not want to give my income information nor link my brokerage account to their app.   This is obviously going to be used to solicit to invest in other products.   I will mail the info certified registered mail so I have documentation of submission… so frustrating. 

By the way this would be for one of the Snake/Columbia River Cruises .

I have cruised substantially 30+ cruises but always on bigger ships.   I’m having difficulty finding information I need to know, and the more I read it appears that river cruising is for rest and relaxation.  

What is the average age of the passengers?
Is there any kind of get togethers for single people on AQ ships?

Do you decide traditional dining time prior to the cruise?  And if so,are you able to share table with other passengers and continue at same table throughout the cruise?
Exactly how does the hop off work at ports.   I am accustomed to walking 9 or 10 miles per day, but would not want to spend time waiting long periods for tge transportation.  
On river days with no port, exactly what are the activities offered.   I do not enjoy spending time in my room, and would want to be active.

Any input would greatly be appreciated.    Thanks in advance.   

I’m elite and use the self service laundry every cruise - just easier in my opinion and not that expensive.   You can take a few dryer sheets and soap pods with you- not a huge problem.

Yes I’ve done WMD, CT and CTL many times.   I prefer the WMD over Chefs Tables because the amount of food although beautifully presented is just way too much to enjoy at one time.   Definitely will check that out after boarding.   😉

 I have read some posts indicating they haven’t been offering them since the pandemic.   Hoping they return in the months to come.

Steelers36 - I think you are probably right, so are right so although I scheduled 6:20 to share, I plan to ask the Maitre’D when I board if it’s acceptable to come later and ask to share.   I may schedule the Wine Dinner or the Chef’s Table so there wouldn’t be that many days involved and I can go with the flow.

What I find really bizarre is I’m traveling solo and the only way you can reserve with a request to share is if you choose a dining time of 6:20 or earlier.   I previously had always done late traditional which would be later.

For those that wanted to know the dining selections for their cruise, I doubt whether you could see them before the cruise? But as soon as you get on the ship you previously could go to the service desk and ask to look at the menus- not sure that’s still available.

Thanks!   It’s not the same as TD, but dining with different cruisers each night beats eating alone.   

I am planning to solo cruise.   My late husband and I always did late traditional dining requesting to be at a table for 8 or 10 persons.   I’m not traveling with a group, but I definitely don’t want to dine alone, and I enjoy the main dining room, disdain the buffet.   So when you make the reservation for a certain time, can you state you would like to share?  Are you able to select table size?    I find DMW a bit confusing.

Princess has started single supplement fares for some of their cruises, but not until they’re only a few months before departure.    You might want to check their website or call a Princess cruise planner to see if something works for you.

7 minutes ago, geoherb said:

 

I'm using Google Maps on an Android phone. My carrier (Sprint) gives me limited data for free (at 2G speeds) as well as free texts. The last couple of years, I downloaded the maps for use offline, so I did the same this year. I'm not sure if the phone is pulling the map from the downloaded version or if the 2G speed is good enough for it to create a route from one place to another. The route showed ups as a blue dotted line. Our position was indicated by a larger blue triangle along the route. It was very easy.

Thanks, will definitely try this!

5 hours ago, geoherb said:

From there, we walked back to the pick-up point through the old city and then whatever way my phone took us. The map function is working great.

Are  you using google maps on iPhone?   Or is this some type of app you downloaded?   Does it require WiFi??    

Check out R746.    It’s a wonderful location...may be exactly what you’re looking for. We had this cabin and it was really nice - lots of privacy, well covered, a bit larger than others, and close to back pool with only one flight of stairs to Horizon Court. 

16 hours ago, steelers36 said:

I have to ask... did you not investigate/research Costa before booking with them?

 

Yes, however there’s very little info out there about Costa in comparison to the other lines - sorry for any inconvenience caused. 

7 hours ago, MishelleMcc said:

We have our first Princess cruise scheduled for December so I can't compare Costa to Princess yet and most of our previous cruises have been HAL but we did sail Costa Last year.  Here is my full trip report at the time:

 

Thank you for the detailed review.    Sounds like it will be a true “adventure “ for us.    

15 minutes ago, Nosleepatall said:

Very disappointing to read that this is in fact what is happening right now on the first Royal cruise north of the season - they went west around Vancouver Island (reported in a different thread).  We planned our trip to leave out of Vancouver precisely to be able to sail through the Inside Passage vs. out to sea.  Perhaps I missed it but I don't recall seeing that disclaimer in the itinerary description when we booked in November.  I do believe it was marketed as an "inside passage" cruise.  Do any other ships that originate in Vancouver head west of Vancouver Island?

 

Is anyone currently on board Royal able to comment on this change in itinerary?  Was there any sort of announcement?  We are still excited about our upcoming trip and certainly won't let this spoil it but had really hoped to enjoy some beautiful scenery on that first full sea day instead of looking out at Pacific ocean from our portside balconies.  Many people have said that the Royal is just too big for Alaska - could this be the reason for the change in itinerary or was there any other specific reason given?  I'm just wondering if this is going to be the norm for the Royal.

You may want to check out the post here entitled  “Alaska Pilots concern about Royal” as someone currently aboard is discussing this topic.

3 hours ago, Bayouqueen said:

It's been about 10 yrs since I cruised Costa. The food was not good for the first 3 days then it improved, worse coffee I have ever drank. Announcements  will be in several languages. At that time, ship was beautiful. It was a transatlantic cruise .

 

Well it’s good to know they at least offer you coffee.    I plan to take some coffee and tea bags - assuming hot water is available.    No one on the ship would want to live with a decaffenated me !!   😂