*~ Cruising (travel by Waterways) megathread ~*

coylemj

spurious wrote: »

Round about the 8 dollar mark, plus expected tip.

On MSC it's made clear to passengers that the floor walkers/waiters who serve drinks are on commission so there's no need to tip and nobody did that I could see - up on deck or in the lounges in the evening.

spurious wrote: »

I think you'd want to be a fairly serious daily drinker to make money on the alcohol package. Mind you, some people were certainly giving it a go.

+1 Sad when you're walking to breakfast at 9/10 and see people sitting by the pools knocking back pints and cocktails. Being on a drinks package is also a disincentive to go ashore every day when you could be at the bar drinking 'free' booze. You don't drink half as much on a cruise as you think you will which is probably why the cruise lines push the drinks packages so much. No doubt there's a hard core for whom it makes economic sense but for most people you're as well off operating on a 'pay as you go' basis.

Poochie05

maebee wrote: »

A friend recommended them to me a few months ago. I asked them to quote me for flight Dub-Toronto (staying there a few days), flight Toronto - Vancouver (another few days there), cruise to Alaska, flight from Vancouver - Toronto, Toronto - Dublin. They came back with a quote of €2,200, which includes upgrade to Verandah stateroom on the cruise + $200 spending money onboard. All gratuities are included.

When I received their quote, I went online and priced the exact same flights and cruise (thinking I could do it cheaper myself). Wrong. It came to €2,650 :eek: I was very surprised. That's a massive saving of €900 for the 2 of us

Whoever you book with, check if gratuities are included as they can add a few hundred to your final bill.

This will be our 7th cruise. This one will be the first with Holland America. We've cruised with Royal Caribbean the most and couldn't find fault with them.

I heard the Travel guy on Newstalk last week saying that the prices of cruises have come way down and that they are quite affordable now.

Any other questions you have, ask away.

Hi Maebee, We're planning this trip for 2016 so would love to hear how you get on!

Thoie

Suarezistheman wrote: »

Just booking a Royal Caribbean cruise. The drinks package works out as an extra €900 for the 2 of us so I don't think it is really worth it. Anybody experience of how expensive drinks are on-board?

spurious wrote: »

Round about the 8 dollar mark, plus expected tip.
I think you'd want to be a fairly serious daily drinker to make money on the alcohol package. Mind you, some people were certainly giving it a go.

We got the fresh juice, decent coffee, bottled water and non-alcoholic drinks package (Royal replenish) and we felt we got our money's worth. It included non-alcoholic frozen cocktails.

The alcoholic cocktails that we paid for certainly had a good lash of drink in them.

See some prices here: http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/royal-caribbean-2014-drink-lists/

On RCI the drinks are around $8, but the tip is built into the bill you get, so that's 8+15% ($9.20) - that always catches me out. I usually go for the Royal Replenish too, and get my money's worth from that between fresh OJ, coke and coffees, and just buy a cocktail here and there as I feel like it.

Royal Caribbean are running a promo at the moment. €60 deposit per person, + "All Inclusive" which gives you free beer, wines up to $8, soft drinks and your tips for the cruise are paid as well - it's working out quite well for me. I'm not a beer drinker, but I can upgrade the drinks package once I'm onboard to the next level up. It will end up costing me roughly the same as the Royal Replenish alone would, and for that I can get cocktails/spirits as well.

Take a look here and see if your cruise is included, or if you fancy any of the included cruises instead maybe: http://www.royalcaribbean.ie/cruise-deals/all-inclusive/

Two of you, at $12 a day for tips, for what, a 7 day cruise? That works out as another $168, and the value of the drinks packages you'd get is around €450.

If you are going on a 7 day, at €900 that looks like you're looking at the most expensive drinks package. There are two lower levels - Select (part of the current promo) which is beer, wine, non-alcoholic cocktails and soft drinks ($40 per day). Premium gives you spirits and cocktails and some extra wines and bottled water ($55 per day) and the Ultimate is $65 per day and gives you the coffees, fresh OJ, more expensive spirits and a partridge in a pear tree.

The Premium package would still come to over €600 for the pair of you for the week. Are you sure the €900 wasn't $900? That would still be €750.

spurious

One big surprise I had following the cruise was the very cheap prices I was being sent in offers. Admittedly, it would probably only suit those who were quite flexible in when they went, but there were a couple of really good offers.

Milltown17

Hi folks.just looking for some info regarding a med cruise on the norwegian epic. Its a 7 night cruise from Barcelona with them.im just wondering what this cruise liner is like.i have travelled on two cruises with royal caribbean could anyone tell me what are they like compared to royal caribbean.

spurious

You might find more people in a position to answer on a board like cruisecritic

Atlantic Dawn

Looks a modern cruise ship, no major incidents since launch...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Epic

deisemum

Just looking for advice and some recommendations on what to do when we disembark. What time are you expected to be off the ship? Our flight home isn't until nighttime at 10.45pm. It would be nice to spend some time having a look around Barcelona but as we'll have luggage what are the best options?

Also what time can we board the ship when we travel to Barcelona? Our flight arrives in Barcelona at 10.10am.

jhegarty

We usually rent a car if we have a late flight. That way we have somewhere to store the bags for the day.

Thoie

deisemum wrote: »

Just looking for advice and some recommendations on what to do when we disembark. What time are you expected to be off the ship? Our flight home isn't until nighttime at 10.45pm. It would be nice to spend some time having a look around Barcelona but as we'll have luggage what are the best options?

Also what time can we board the ship when we travel to Barcelona? Our flight arrives in Barcelona at 10.10am.

I've forgotten what cruise you're going on, but on average...

They will usually kick you off the ship on disembarkation day as early as humanly possible - you'll generally be assigned a disembarkation time, and will be shooed out of your cabin early (7am kind of early sometimes) and sent to a lounge to wait until your number is called. I'm going in to Barcelona in April, and am catching a 10:50am flight home, and I'm not worried about making that flight. Check back in May to see if I've had to eat my words.

A number of people on my cruise are arranging a day tour with www.BarcelonaDayTours.com (through Cruise Critic forum), which doesn't look bad if you're hanging around all day with luggage - they'd pick you up at the port and drop you off to the airport at the end. Unless you book a day room in a hotel somewhere I'd say you're going to end up early at the airport. The day tour at least lets you leave your luggage on the bus (I believe) and you get to see the main sights.

If you're arriving in to Barcelona at 10am, and assuming a sailing that leaves around 5-6pm, I'd just go straight to the port. Most of your documentation will say something like boarding at 1pm (for a 5-6pm sailing), but certainly in the US they let people board as early as 11:30 or midday sometimes (depending on whooshing the departing passengers out early). Most places have a kind of "lounge" (which may anything from a tent to a building) where you can hang around waiting until you're allowed on board.

One thing to note is that even if you're allowed on early, your cabin probably won't be available until 1-2pm, so be prepared to carry your hand luggage around with you until then. Another option would be to head to the port, drop off your suitcases (I'd imagine the porters will start taking them relatively early), then head back into the city centre and come back and check in and board later.

I've never sailed out of Barcelona, but most places you seem to drop off your suitcases outside (you print out special tags to say what part of the ship they should go to), then head inside to queue to check in, so it's OK to leave your main suitcase and come back later. Once again, any hand luggage you'll have with you will need to be carryable.

Generally your luggage is delivered to your cabin before dinner time the first night, but there can be delays, hence all my talk of hand luggage. On my first cruise I didn't get my suitcase until after 11pm, so I've started bringing a wheelie cabin bag size carry on as well, in which I keep toothbrush, togs, two changes of underwear, a change of clothes, medicines, toiletry/makeup bag etc. Enough that I could struggle by with for the entire trip if the absolute worst came to the worst. Obviously a lot of that stuff can't be in hand luggage when flying, but I have my bags prepared in advance so I can do a quick swap over in the airport on arrival (swap that pair of shoes for the toiletry & makeup bag, for example).

If you board early, there's usually at least the self-service place open for lunch. Some, but not all, of the bars will be open (various laws about selling alcohol when docked, ditto for the casino). You can make use of the swimming pools or generally amble around the place.

Depending on how hot and bothered I am by the time I get on board, I'll usually hole up with my kindle at a bar with comfy chairs somewhere and wait for about 10-15 minutes after they announce cabins are available (to avoid the rush). Then I'll amble to my cabin, drop off my bags and accoutrements, then either switch into my togs and go for a swim, or head for a bit of lunch.

Too much info?

maebee

Brilliant post Thoie

deisemum

Thoie that's a great post, thanks for all that useful information. The day tours look good and the tour bus leaves the port at 8.30am. When you're waiting to leave how long are you waiting for your number to be called to get your luggage so I can allow sufficient time to get to the bus stop for the tour?

I suppose breakfast is served very early.

Thoie

deisemum wrote: »

Thoie that's a great post, thanks for all that useful information. The day tours look good and the tour bus leaves the port at 8.30am. When you're waiting to leave how long are you waiting for your number to be called to get your luggage so I can allow sufficient time to get to the bus stop for the tour?

I suppose breakfast is served very early.

I never really seem to remember the departure morning - I always seem to teleport from my cabin and end up at my transport outside. I think I kind of sleepwalk the bit in between due to tiredness

If you go to guest services early in the cruise and tell them you have an 8:30 pickup they should be able to advise you. When you get off the ship the suitcases are normally grouped by the same number as your ticket, so if you're blue23 (for example), when you get off the ship there'll be a row of suitcases under blue23 and you go get your own from there - that can take a little while for me, possibly because I'm still asleep.

I mostly go for a hoor's breakfast, but I think on departure day breakfast is available from a few places, depending on the ship. I think if you wanted a 7am breakfast you might need to go self-service. If you're on Royal Caribbean, and there's a Café Promenade, it's a good place to grab a cup of coffee and some small sandwiches/pastries.

maebee

When you're waiting to leave how long are you waiting for your number to be called to get your luggage

On cruise No 3. this became a problem for us. Long story, but nearly missed the flight from Barcelona to Dublin (thousands queuing up for taxis. Now we don't leave our cases out the night before, for collection. We just leave in our own time on departure morning- bypassing the thousands waiting for their colour/number to be called.

Thoie

maebee wrote: »

On cruise No 3. this became a problem for us. Long story, but nearly missed the flight from Barcelona to Dublin (thousands queuing up for taxis. Now we don't leave our cases out the night before, for collection. We just leave in our own time on departure morning- bypassing the thousands waiting for their colour/number to be called.

Maebee, I've never arrived into Barcelona by sea before, but will be this year (April Transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona). I'm arranging to be collected from the port and brought to the airport for the 10:50am flight to Dublin. Due to bad back and overpacking, I'd prefer not to self-disembark.

Any tips/tricks for arrival in Barcelona, or what the port is like etc? I'll be on the Allure, so potentially up to 6,500 people disembarking! Though realistically she won't be at capacity for a T/A - I'd take a guess at 5,000 pax max.

maebee

Thoie wrote: »

Maebee, I've never arrived into Barcelona by sea before, but will be this year (April Transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona). I'm arranging to be collected from the port and brought to the airport for the 10:50am flight to Dublin. Due to bad back and overpacking, I'd prefer not to self-disembark.

Any tips/tricks for arrival in Barcelona, or what the port is like etc? I'll be on the Allure, so potentially up to 6,500 people disembarking! Though realistically she won't be at capacity for a T/A - I'd take a guess at 5,000 pax max.

Hi Thoie,

If you have collection arranged at the port, you'll be by-passing the thousands queueing for taxis. Have you pre-booked a taxi to pick you up? Have they told you exactly where the pick-up will be?

I think it's only a 15 minute trip to the airport. I remember that we were queueing for over an hour for a taxi and we had to go along the line asking people if we could skip, showing them our flight tickets. Very stressful.

I wonder could you request an early dis-embark?

Thoie

maebee wrote: »

Hi Thoie,

If you have collection arranged at the port, you'll be by-passing the thousands queueing for taxis. Have you pre-booked a taxi to pick you up? Have they told you exactly where the pick-up will be?

I think it's only a 15 minute trip to the airport. I remember that we were queueing for over an hour for a taxi and we had to go along the line asking people if we could skip, showing them our flight tickets. Very stressful.

I wonder could you request an early dis-embark?

Someone from cruise critic has arranged a 6-seater for 4 of us with flights around the same time (we're booking a 6 seater to ensure luggage space!) We're booking an 8:30am collection.

My plan is to go to guest services early in the trip (it's a 12 night trip) and ask for the 4 of us (all travelling separtely, dotted around the ship) to be assigned the same departure slot for maybe 8am. If they can't do that, our next plan is for us all to bring our suitcases to one cabin the night before so they'll have all the same tags.

maebee

Thoie wrote: »

Someone from cruise critic has arranged a 6-seater for 4 of us with flights around the same time (we're booking a 6 seater to ensure luggage space!)

Great idea


My plan is to go to guest services early in the trip (it's a 12 night trip) and ask for the 4 of us (all travelling separately, dotted around the ship) to be assigned the same departure slot for maybe 8am. If they can't do that, our next plan is for us all to bring our suitcases to one cabin the night before so they'll have all the same tags.

If they can't do that, our next plan is for us all to bring our suitcases to one cabin the night before so they'll have all the same tags.

I'd be inclined to go for this, just to be sure that all 4 get the same colour tags.

deisemum

I'm on countdown now, we're staying in Dublin Thursday night as we've a very early flight to Barcelona on Friday. Our last port will be Valletta in Malta instead of Tunis after the terrorist attack 2 weeks ago. The ship we're going on was caught up in that attack, MSC Splendida.

Just a couple of queries. I don't plan on using my mobile phone onboard, if I switch on my phone but don't use it will I be charged or is it only if I phone someone or someone phones me will I be charged?

Can you eat anytime you like apart from either first or second sitting for dinner, we're booked for early sitting?

nc19

We did a med cruise with royal Caribbean a few yrs ago. 7 nights starting in Barcelona. We booked our own flights and made our own way to and from the ship. Best holiday ever!! The majority of the waiting staff are of Caribbean origin (in my exp) and came across as a bit too creepy and Americanised for my liking. That and the 8am captains call over the speaker were my only complaint.

spurious

deisemum wrote: »

Just a couple of queries. I don't plan on using my mobile phone onboard, if I switch on my phone but don't use it will I be charged or is it only if I phone someone or someone phones me will I be charged?

You won't be charged just for switching your phone on, but make sure Data services are turned off - sometimes phones update themselves and apps without telling you, so make sure that's off, as Data roaming rates are crazy. When you are on shore, you may find cafes and restaurants with free wifi, in which case you can turn on wifi on your phone and send free messages home using an app like WhatsApp (if your family and friends also have it). The phone can update all it wants on wifi - it won't cost.

deisemum wrote: »

Can you eat anytime you like apart from either first or second sitting for dinner, we're booked for early sitting?

I was on RC Splendour of the Seas and for most waking hours there was somewhere open for food of some description.

Have a great time.

deisemum

Thanks for that, I rarely have the data switched on.

Thoie

deisemum wrote: »

I'm on countdown now, we're staying in Dublin Thursday night as we've a very early flight to Barcelona on Friday.

...


Can you eat anytime you like apart from either first or second sitting for dinner, we're booked for early sitting?

Whee - you must be so excited! I'm a few weeks behind you, and already nearly bouncing off the walls!

Spurious already covered the data question. You'll get a daily programme (it will be waiting in your cabin on arrival, and your steward will leave one for the next day each night), and that will tell you what food options are available when. With the exception of around 2-6am you can get food almost anywhere. There's usually one place open all night.

The main dining room will serve breakfast and lunch as well as dinners, but usually only on one floor. There's a coffee bar in the main "street" which has small sandwiches/pastries iirc (I've been on Royal Caribbean ships more recently than MSC).

The cafeteria on deck 14 (pool deck) is open about 20 hours a day, and the food changes with the time of day - outside of traditional breakfast, lunch, dinner hours there'll always be fruit, usually some salads, cakes and a few hot and cold dish options. During more normal eating times there'll be a much bigger selection. Before making a decision, take a walk around, and all the way down the back - there may be something you might like down there (for example, once or twice I discovered omelettes cooked to order hiding somewhere in the cafeteria).

There's also room service (continental breakfast is free most of the time (but always tip the waiter), and you pay for other things on MSC - again I'm having problems remembering, but there was usually a soup, club sandwich type thing and some other cold, snacky items.

deisemum

I hate the packing and deciding what to wear. I've started making a list of things to bring and things I need to do before I go. I'll probably forget something.

Are you allowed bring a travel iron onboard?

angeldelight

deisemum wrote: »

I hate the packing and deciding what to wear. I've started making a list of things to bring and things I need to do before I go. I'll probably forget something.

Are you allowed bring a travel iron onboard?

No - travel irons aren't allowed

maebee

deisemum wrote: »

I hate the packing and deciding what to wear. I've started making a list of things to bring and things I need to do before I go. I'll probably forget something.

Are you allowed bring a travel iron onboard?

If you do, you'll have to hide it. We used a travel iron for ironing a shirt for the evening wear event. Plugged it out that evening. Left it on the table to cool. Knock on the door next morning: "Madam, you have an iron" - hand it over.

Our next cruise has no formal nights = no ironing. Happy Days

p.s. They want you to use their laundry service - i.e. they don't want you doing your own ironing.

angeldelight

maebee wrote: »

p.s. They want you to use their laundry service - i.e. they don't want you doing your own ironing.

It's also a fire hazard so in fairness they have a point!

Thoie

deisemum wrote: »

I hate the packing and deciding what to wear. I've started making a list of things to bring and things I need to do before I go. I'll probably forget something.

Are you allowed bring a travel iron onboard?

I have a tiny toiletries bag (that I got in a pound shop or somewhere) that acts as a mini first aid kit. Immodium, Motillium, seasickness tablets, plasters, savlon, anthisan, antihistamines, painkillers. Just a sheet of each (I don't bother with the boxes). Touch wood, I've never needed to open it, but these things are either difficult or expensive to get on board. Also, if you have anything that needs batteries, buy before you go. The ship's shop will usually have some, but they cost a fortune - captive market

There are "cruise packing" apps that you can get for your phone. They include everything, including the kitchen sink, so you can cross off 80% of the stuff straight away, but they can be handy for the "Oh yes, mustn't forget underwear"

If you plan on swimming a lot, think about bringing at least 2 togs with you. Nothing worse than getting back into a wet/damp togs if it hasn't finished drying completely!

deisemum

I'm starting to get excited now. I'm calm for now.

SweetSand

Ahhh, I am so jealous we just came back this Sunday from a week long cruise on MSC Splendida, on exactly same route as yours, but we departed/came back from/to Genoa. It was amazing and we loved every minute of it. We had our cabin on deck 13 which was very handy for buffet restaurant and swimming pools, outside areas. It felt crowded at times but never had problems with it, although waiting for elevator took ages at pick times. There was always something to eat in the buffet and we always had our dinner in the restaurant, first seating, but I did have a look in the buffet one evening just to check the selection of food and it was great. Overall we found the selection of food to be ok, you won't go hungry but nothing fancy. I loved pizzas for lunch there We had alegrissimo package and it was totally worth it for us as we enjoy few drinks Service was very good everywhere, especially our cabin steward who did an amazing job: cleaned twice a day, we always had loads of towels and etc. Guys at the restaurant/bars were great as well. The ship is very clean through out. We had our two girls with us (4 and 2) and they really enjoyed themselves, especially our eldest who loved the kids club. We did take a travel iron with us but never used it. Over all the dress code was much less formal than I expected, we still dressed up for dinners but I found a lot of people didn't bother. We enjoyed all the ports we stopped in, except Palermo, but i think it was more due to very bad weather there and being pestered by taxi drivers/tour sellers/umbrella sellers and etc, and usually I don't have any problems with them but they really didn't take no for an answer We loved Malta as well, we were really happy that we got a chance to visit it rather than Tunis. It was our first cruise and I did read loads of reviews prior to it, so kinda had a good idea of what to expect. I am greatful to MSC for making cruise experience so affordable but don't expect anything fancy/exclusive, for me MSC is Ryanair of cruises. But in saying all that, I would go back in a flash and was checking their web site for deals a day later after coming back ))