~ Cruising (travel by Waterways) megathread ~

Mike Litoris · 10-08-2015 4:45pm

hdowney wrote: »

Cruising is EXACTLY like marmite and tattoos! You either love it or hate it. First cruise done you either vow never again or you are itching to book another!

Hehe, my 1st was a Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean and I hated it. Didn't really like the atmosphere, wasn't crazy about the food, hated the days at sea and it didn't port at St Maarten because a storm was nearby. I absolutely loved getting off at the islands but I swore I'd never do one again.

The following year, against my better judgement, we booked another with Carnival (we normally combine Orlando with something else like Vegas). I loved it! Everything I didn't like about RC I liked about Carnival. Atmosphere, food, more stops plus it was a fair bit cheaper for a balcony. Only negatives are the boats are nowhere near as snazzy but that counts for nothing when you're having a good time.

hdowney · 10-08-2015 5:31pm

Had to be different didn't ya!!! :P

Mike Litoris · 10-08-2015 10:57pm

hdowney wrote: »

Had to be different didn't ya!!! :P

Doing the 7 day 4 stop western Caribbean job in September. 6 weeks to go!

Anyone been to Costa Maya in Mexico. That's a new stop for me.

nualaonthewall · 20-08-2015 4:32am

Going on a Royal Caribbean Greek Isles cruise in November - can hardly wait

One of the tours we booked (not via RCI) is to be paid in dollars and we'd also like to take a bit extra with us for random tips, drinks and things. Where is the best (cheapest) place to purchase dollars before we go?
We're not huge drinkers (luckily, given the huge prices!) and might even opt to buy what little we do 'as we go' with dollars rather than use the onboard credit option. RC charge a higher commission on credit card euro to dollar exchanges. Some posters on Cruise Critic have claimed that trying to use your own bank's exchange rate option is often studiously ignored by RC, causing hassle at the end of the cruise. Anyone any experience of this or recommendations for buying dollars?

angeldelight · 20-08-2015 8:41am

nualaonthewall wrote: »

Going on a Royal Caribbean Greek Isles cruise in November - can hardly wait One of the tours we booked (not via RCI) is to be paid in dollars and we'd also like to take a bit extra with us for random tips, drinks and things. Where is the best (cheapest) place to purchase dollars before we go?
We're not huge drinkers (luckily, given the huge prices!) and might even opt to buy what little we do 'as we go' with dollars rather than use the onboard credit option. RC charge a higher commission on credit card euro to dollar exchanges. Some posters on Cruise Critic have claimed that trying to use your own bank's exchange rate option is often studiously ignored by RC, causing hassle at the end of the cruise. Anyone any experience of this or recommendations for buying dollars?

We are looking at booking a RC cruise in November too. Very last minute decision, will have baby with us so will be a different type of holiday! Who did you book through?

whippet · 20-08-2015 11:28am

angeldelight wrote: »

We are looking at booking a RC cruise in November too. Very last minute decision, will have baby with us so will be a different type of holiday! Who did you book through?

be careful when you do book that the pool will allow a baby in, they have a no nappy / swim pants rule for babys .. in essence the child has to be toilet trained to go in the pool.

I saw many an annoyed parent on the first couple of days on the cruise who were told to take their child out of the pool.

hdowney · 20-08-2015 12:47pm

nualaonthewall wrote: »

Going on a Royal Caribbean Greek Isles cruise in November - can hardly wait One of the tours we booked (not via RCI) is to be paid in dollars and we'd also like to take a bit extra with us for random tips, drinks and things. Where is the best (cheapest) place to purchase dollars before we go?
We're not huge drinkers (luckily, given the huge prices!) and might even opt to buy what little we do 'as we go' with dollars rather than use the onboard credit option. RC charge a higher commission on credit card euro to dollar exchanges. Some posters on Cruise Critic have claimed that trying to use your own bank's exchange rate option is often studiously ignored by RC, causing hassle at the end of the cruise. Anyone any experience of this or recommendations for buying dollars?

Can I ask you to clarify what you mean by the part I have highlighted in bold? Do you mean that if you want a drink you'll go up to the bar, order your g&t (or whatever) and hand the barman dollars to pay for it? Cos AFAIK you can't do that. The entire ship, bar the casino works on a cashless system. They swipe your S&S card and debit it to your account. You can't pay with cash for drinks etc. Or do you mean you will set up your S&S account with cash rather than with credit card?

whippet wrote: »

be careful when you do book that the pool will allow a baby in, they have a no nappy / swim pants rule for babys .. in essence the child has to be toilet trained to go in the pool.

I saw many an annoyed parent on the first couple of days on the cruise who were told to take their child out of the pool.

Very much this. And AFAIK if they do catch a non-potty trained child in the pool they evac the whole pool and drain and sterilize and whatnot to minimise the risk of infection.

Also just for your info it is a blanket ban on non-potty trained kids in the pool. They don't even let them in wearing them swim nappy things. It's just a straight no.

I know some folk bring those mini inflatable paddling pool things for their napppy wearing children. So this could be an option. Just be wary of where you put it once inflated. If you block a pedestrian or perceived pedestrian walkway you could get some aggrieved folk being not so nice to you about it.

Hope you have a fantastic holiday with the bubs and become a cruising family

coylemj · 20-08-2015 2:51pm

nualaonthewall wrote: »

RC charge a higher commission on credit card euro to dollar exchanges. Some posters on Cruise Critic have claimed that trying to use your own bank's exchange rate option is often studiously ignored by RC, causing hassle at the end of the cruise. Anyone any experience of this or recommendations for buying dollars?

This is not an issue exclusive to cruises, hotels in the UK will attempt to do the conversion to Euros and expect you to accept it. Even Amazon try it on with me every time I'm buying from their UK website.

Always pay in the vendor's own currency, the rate they try to get you to accept will always be worse than the one you get from the credit card company. Stand your ground and refuse to pay in Euros if the original charge is in another currency.

On a cruise ship you'll likely be in a queue settling your account on the last day so all you have to do is to proclaim for everyone to hear: 'that's a rip-off exchange rate, I'm not paying it that way. I will pay you in US dollars which is the currency I was quoted for the cruise.'

angeldelight · 20-08-2015 5:22pm

Thanks guys, I wouldn't have her in the pool anyway as in November it wouldn't be warm enough for her, she'll only just have turned six months. We're complete cruise addicts so baby will have plenty of time to spend in the pools in years to come

Edit : Just in case it helps someone else who sees this babies are allowed in the designated pool on the ships that have baby pools - Freedom class & Oasis class definitely have them not sure about the others

deisemum · 21-08-2015 9:37pm

I booked a cruise today, I'm flying to Venice then heading to Bari, Katakolon, Santorini, Piraeus/Athens, Corfu, Kotor and back to Venice where we'll stay a night in Venice as the flights are early in the day. I've just got to book a hotel. We're going on the MSC Orchestra.

Thoie · 21-08-2015 11:38pm

Whoever was asking about buying dollars - many Post Offices sell dollars and sterling these days (you can check the anpost site to see where you nearest one is). They advertise no commission, and I've used it a few times. Not sure how the exchange rates stack up though, check it out for yourself.

oakshade · 22-08-2015 9:42pm

Cruise with kids...

Hi all,

Have cruised previously with RC (as a couple) but now we have a 5 and 6 yr old to add to the equation. We are looking at a Med cruise with either RC or MSC.

What are your recommendations and previous experience with your own kids? Are the rooms quite small for 4? Have you done shore excursions etc?

Thanks a million

SweetSand · 22-08-2015 10:15pm

Hi Oakshade,
We never cruised with RC, but did twice this year with MSC. We have 2 kids: 4 and 2yo and we truly enjoyed both cruises with them

I think it all depends on your budget, from what I read RC rarely have deals for kids ie they charge almost full price for kids, even if they are only 3rd and 4th passenger in the cabin so often it is worth pricing 2 cabins, it might work out cheaper. On the other hand MSC always have deals for kids, we got last minute deal in May for €399 for 4 of us in the Balcony cabin (Eastern Med), which was amazing (booked through seascanner.com), plenty of room for 4 of us and great kids club for 4yo, she kept asking me to "deliver her" to kids club after breakfast every day (her words:) and they have an option of looking after kids in kids club when you are gone on the shore excursion. We did this once when she didn't want to come with us. The most I saw MSC charging for kids under 18 in the same cabin as adults was €139pp. But then it looks like RC has a bit more to offer for kids, but I guess it all depends on the ship. We were on Splendida and Poesia and found both of them brilliant for kids, and both times we were in the Balcony cabin, which was great. I think you ll have plenty of space in 1 cabin with your kids; if they were teenagers I guess it would be a bit tight

We didnt book any excursions through MSC but got out of the ship in every port and had a great time sightseeing, walking, absorbing the atmosphere and etc

coylemj · 24-08-2015 12:40am

deisemum wrote: »

I booked a cruise today, I'm flying to Venice then heading to Bari, Katakolon, Santorini, Piraeus/Athens, Corfu, Kotor and back to Venice where we'll stay a night in Venice as the flights are early in the day. I've just got to book a hotel. We're going on the MSC Orchestra.

Did that cruise with MSC in April 2014 except we stopped in Dubrovnik on the way back whereas you are stopping in Kotor.

Let me offer some advice on the various locations....

In Venice the best view (of St. Mark's Square) will be on the port (left) side of the ship departing on the first day and the other side coming back. That means that if your cabin is on the right (starboard) side of the ship, find yourself an open deck (that usually means the top deck near the pools) on the left side of the ship when departing Venice for the best view on your first day.

Katakolon is a small town with a big long street. There's space at the dockside for a couple of cruise ships and on the day we arrived there was a Holland America ship in town along with us so the restaurants were fairly overwhelmed with the flood of arriving tourists. This can lead to a situation where you sit down, order food and then you have to wait for up to an hour for it to arrive or (as happened with us), they have such a backlog of orders in the kitchen that they ignore you and won't give you a menu. In that town I'd advise you not to sit down at the restaurants with lots of tables outside, they may not be able to serve you within a reasonable period so I'd go instead to one of the smaller places with only indoor seating, that way the kitchen will probably be able to cope and you won't be waiting half the day for your food.

In Santorini you will be brought ashore by tender and you then have to decide if you will walk up the hill, hire a man and a mule or take the cable car, I'd advise you to take the cable car and then either come down on foot or by the cable car but be warned that if you walk down the steps, as you approach the bottom you will have to pass the place where the idle mules and their handlers hang out and the smell of dung is overwhelming. If it's a very hot day or the steps are wet, take the cable car down.

The evening before you arrive in Corfu you'll get the hard sell to buy a ticket for the coach transfer into the town, do not fall for this. When the ship docks, just come off the boat on foot, walk to the ferrry terminal which you will be able to see about 500m away and right outside the terminal you can get a municipal bus to the town for about €1.50.

deisemum · 24-08-2015 1:37am

coylemj wrote: »

Did that cruise with MSC in April 2014 except we stopped in Dubrovnik on the way back whereas you are stopping in Kotor.

That's very helpful, thanks for all the info. I'm interested in all the info about each port and the excursions. I got great advice on this thread before I went on my last cruise. I've still got to book a hotel in either Venice near the Piazzola Roma or on the mainland in the Mestre district for one night at the end of the cruise, somewhere that's handy for getting the airport coach back to the airport for a mid morning flight.

nualaonthewall · 24-08-2015 5:56am

angeldelight wrote: »

We are looking at booking a RC cruise in November too. Very last minute decision, will have baby with us so will be a different type of holiday! Who did you book through?

I booked with their own site - the ie one in Euros offered the best value at the time, given the dire state of sterling. That's assuming things stay the same and they don't recalculate my balance into a different rate, to my detriment. Getting clarification on the phone from a call centre is somewhat akin to translating 2 languages via a 3rd party underwater.

nualaonthewall · 24-08-2015 6:05am

hdowney wrote: »

Can I ask you to clarify what you mean by the part I have highlighted in bold? Do you mean that if you want a drink you'll go up to the bar, order your g&t (or whatever) and hand the barman dollars to pay for it? Cos AFAIK you can't do that. The entire ship, bar the casino works on a cashless system. They swipe your S&S card and debit it to your account. You can't pay with cash for drinks etc. Or do you mean you will set up your S&S account with cash rather than with credit card?
OTE]

Yes, I meant in cash at the end, keeping tabs as we go via receipts and checking the account regularly. It's not as handy, so I may just do as coylemj advises and stick to my guns at the desk.

schemingbohemia · 25-08-2015 2:25pm

We're looking at doing an Alaska Cruise next summer as our honeymoon. I'd prefer to get one of the smaller ships (1st cruise) Holland-America or Norwegian, just wondering how soon to book as presumably the balcony rooms with views onto the coastline book out first? Can you chose when booking that you're on the starboard side - we'd be going from Vancouver or Seattle to Anchorage? Not much point in getting a balcony if you're just going to be looking at the empty sea rather than the coastline/glaciers etc.

So, anyone cruised with Holland-America or Norwegian in Alaska? Would you recommend them over the bigger ships? Any other thoughts on Alaska? Would we be better booking for late August early September rather than late July-early August?

The Black Oil · 25-08-2015 6:21pm

I'll say again, Alaska is beautiful. I was camping there a few summers (June) ago. Didn't rain much then, otherwise it was overcast or sunny. Needed a splash or two of sun cream, but it was no more than 18-20C, I'd say.

It's not like other parts of the US in the sense that there's no Starbucks on every other corner, thankfully. It's also the largest state, which surprises many who understandably believe Texas holds that particular crown. Do try some sort of outdoor activity like fishing, walking in a park, hiking or getting up close to a glacier.

Thoie · 26-08-2015 1:48am

schemingbohemia wrote: »

We're looking at doing an Alaska Cruise next summer as our honeymoon. I'd prefer to get one of the smaller ships (1st cruise) Holland-America or Norwegian, just wondering how soon to book as presumably the balcony rooms with views onto the coastline book out first? Can you chose when booking that you're on the starboard side - we'd be going from Vancouver or Seattle to Anchorage? Not much point in getting a balcony if you're just going to be looking at the empty sea rather than the coastline/glaciers etc.

So, anyone cruised with Holland-America or Norwegian in Alaska? Would you recommend them over the bigger ships? Any other thoughts on Alaska? Would we be better booking for late August early September rather than late July-early August?

Have sadly never been to Alaska (but it sounds fab). When you're booking you can choose your cabin (of whatever is available). Type in your ship name and deck plans and you'll find a deck by deck map. If you're going (for example) Seattle - Anchorage, then yes, a starboard balcony would be best. Remember though that the ships don't constantly coast hug - they usually head out into international waters between ports so they can open the casino/duty free shops etc.

When you're in port, you never know which way the ship will pull in. You could be looking at something amazing, or you could be looking straight at a big pile of containers.

Basically if the price/itinerary and everything else is right, but you can't get a starboard balcony, don't despair. Once you've picked the cruise you want, get familiar with the deck plans before booking. Maybe you'll want to be close to the pool deck, but not under it (because of noise), or perhaps you'd like a spot closer to the dining room.

schemingbohemia · 26-08-2015 11:24am

The Black Oil wrote: »

I'll say again, Alaska is beautiful. I was camping there a few summers (June) ago. Didn't rain much then, otherwise it was overcast or sunny. Needed a splash or two of sun cream, but it was no more than 18-20C, I'd say.

It's not like other parts of the US in the sense that there's no Starbucks on every other corner, thankfully. It's also the largest state, which surprises many who understandably believe Texas holds that particular crown. Do try some sort of outdoor activity like fishing, walking in a park, hiking or getting up close to a glacier.

Thanks, the plan is to spend some time in Denali National Park after the cruise. Also hoping to do this train/cycle trip in Skagway
http://www.cyclealaska.com/white-pass-train-and-bike-tour

Now, just have to see which company has the best craft beer offerings on board!!

27-08-2015 1:57pm

whats the deal with the atms on Celebrity cruises?
are they a rip off?
thanks

hdowney · 27-08-2015 2:51pm

From what I gather ATMs on cruise ships all charge a fee for their use (similar to ATMs in America that are not within banks). I am not sure what that charge is (is it an amount of your transaction/a set price per transaction etc) nor if it is different on different cruise lines.

Where possible I would suggest using land based ATMs although do be aware that some of them may also charge you a fee, but should inform you of this prior to you taking out the money. Also if the ATM dispenses foreign currency be aware your bank will charge you and exchange fee, and possibly the ATM may also do so.

oakshade · 27-08-2015 4:15pm

Is it possible to cruise without a credit card, using a visa debit instead? How does your on-board account work in this case? Do you need to transfer funds to your on-board account in advance? Thank you.

angeldelight · 28-08-2015 6:21pm

Just booked our first cruise with Celebrity having been with RC lots of times. Also our first time sailing with our daughter and first time going to the Fjords. I am mega excited!

hdowney · 28-08-2015 6:51pm

I am excited for you. When do you sail? My cruises are toooooo far away!!!!

angeldelight · 28-08-2015 7:39pm

April 30th, the day after she turns one! Will certainly be a different cruising experience that's for sure. Spending the evening looking at the pretty Norwegian towns we'll be visiting.

When do you sail?

hdowney · 29-08-2015 11:51am

April 24th!!

first cruise FINALLY.

deisemum · 29-08-2015 12:03pm

hdowney wrote: »

April 24th!! first cruise FINALLY.

Snap

hdowney · 29-08-2015 12:52pm

deisemum wrote:

Snap

Your going April 24th? Ship?

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