steverk

I'm thinking about a river cruise in 2025 and I've seen a few favorable reviews of TUI River. They're 50% owned by Royal Caribbean Group, which is comforting. They're also 1/3 the price of Viking.

On the other hand, my US based travel agent can't sell them as they are UK focused. Unsurprisingly,  my TA doesn't recommend them!

I'm hoping someone can give me some guidance about them. Are they good? Should I book directly with them or should I do this some other way?

Thanks!

Update on this topic:

I'm on Explorer and they did a similar lifeboat drill. The 2nd officer was watching,  so I asked about the Navigator incident. 

He was familiar with it as the incident and corrective actions were shared with every cruise line worldwide. 

If I understand correctly, the mechanics for the davits on Navigator went behind a "ceiling." I think this would better be described as a decorative panel,  but he called it a ceiling.  This made inspection of that portion of the mechanism impossible to inspect. Over time it corroded and failed catastrophically. 

They have removed the ceilings and now inspect monthly for problems. 

8 hours ago, LGCruises said:

I forgot to add one last thing!

Captain Tony did also mention that Royal hopes to officially announce this new smaller ship before the end of this year.

This all consistent with everything I've heard. It's pure speculation on my part, but I'm betting on an announcement in September or October. 

23 minutes ago, Doug_Texas said:

Please provide details/URL because I haven't seen that.  The paper receipt they bring shows no gratuity like a drink ordered for a charge does.

I agree. Please let us know the source. Everything I've seen says the bartender doesn't get an automatic gratuity on diamond vouchers.  If that's incorrect,  I'd like to know

I just used uber. Worked just fine and cost less. I uber to hotel and then to cruise port. Total was about $40 including tips.

I was at a different hotel though. Best western premiere on Flagler Street. 

Last night I used a diamond voucher for a Johnny Rockets milkshake. yummy 

2 hours ago, jessica T said:

So going on the vision of the seas from Baltimore this week! It's obviously cold for probably half of our cruise. As I understand the solarium is inside and the main pool is outside? So the kids can't even swim for half the trip?

When I sailed Radiance to Alaska, they opened the solarium to families for a couple hours each day. I  expect they will do the same on Vision.

8 hours ago, Va4fam said:

We will be sailing out of Galveston in October......and flying into Houston.  Does anyone know if there is a Buc-cees on the way?

Yes there is, but there's extensive road construction on the freeway out front. It's reasonably accessible southbound, but don't try it northbound. 

2 hours ago, Dad2Cue said:

We are staying in Humble for an overnight before our cruise.  The hotel has an airport shuttle service.  We need to get back to the airport on the day of the cruise.  We booked Royal's bus shuttle to the port.  I have no clue how this will work out.  I'm not sure where we will meet the shuttle bus and when to be at the meeting point --- in the arrivals area ... I guess.  However, our flight arrives on the day before our cruise.  Do you have any thoughts or ideas whether this plan is doable or not?

It sounds doable to me. I'm guessing you'll meet the shuttle in baggage claim at one of the terminals. Make sure you clarify this point. There are several terminals and many have their own baggage claim. 

5 hours ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

I hear this and as we are also currently booking hotels for Galveston, I have looked in these recommended areas....but we can't justify over $200 a night for a single night in what is essentially a layover spot. And that's what webster or league city are running right now.

We often land early afternoon, do errands, grab delivery for dinner and then just watch crappy hotel tv until travel day exhaustion wins and we crash....

so....for us...we're looking at the hotels around Hobby. I currently have a list of brand name hotels all of which are $150/night or lower.

I just checked Hampton Inn Webster. Since I don't know your schedule,  I selected 1 room, 2 people January 27 for 1 night. Price on the hotel website started at $80.

Let's not forget. MSC has signed a letter of intent to build another cruise terminal in Galveston.

4 hours ago, Udlisa93 said:

 

 

Steverk - 

Curious why you wound say - 

Under no circumstances would I recommend anywhere near either Houston Airport.  I am going with a group and this is what we were planning on doing in March 2024.

The area near IAH is know as "Greenspoint" but the locals know it as "Gunspoint."  Need I say more about that? If you really want to stay near IAH, stay northeast of it in Humble.

The area around HOU is another fairly rough area. Lots of older apartments. Near refineries. Just not as nice or safe as it looks.

My best advice is stay in Webster, League City or Kemah. You'll be much happier.

5 minutes ago, Momof4crazytocruise said:

I would LOVE a private tour. Maybe I can sweet talk the crew into letting me see those engines! LOL 

I was told the issue with seeing the engine room is excessive noise.

3 hours ago, Darsh said:

This follow-up inquiry raises an important question about potential fee exemptions for those who have purchased the internet bundle. Seeking confirmation from Matt on whether the $1.99 per person per day cost still applies is critical for users.Magic 8 balls

Texting through the app is now free for everyone except children.  I don't know why they aren't allowed this, but they aren't. I'm not sure what the minimum age is to use this.

38 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

Very good to know. They're low on my "brand to try" list since i don't think they rewards match but good to know all those pretty features and sales don't shine as much as they seem to

Oh, that's just the start of it.  There was a story about NCL on the home page. I put in a comment outlining even more shiny objects with NCL that don't really shine in the end.

I took the train from Seward to Anchorage last time I was there.  Wonderful! Take gold class. Worth every penny 

5 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said:

 

I have a feeling it'd probably be somewhere between Radiance and Voyager class - Maybe 120,000 GT?

I completely agree. My feeling is it will fit through the Panama Canal and be suitable for cold weather cruises.

I was on the Presidents cruise and heard the original question.  I didn't leave feeling like he had committed to building something for Tampa or Baltimore though.  Therefore,  I doubt that's in the cards. I'm not real familiar with either port. Is it possible to build a terminal on the seaward side of the bridge? That sounds like a more effective solution if it can be done 

Has anyone else noticed what a great itinerary and B2B2B combo is available with the June 2025 group cruise? @Matt really chose a good cruise for this!

The combo begins with the group cruise "Northern Cities Escapes Cruise". The itinerary starts in Southampton and hits Oslo Norway, Copenhagen Denmark, Hamburg Germany, Rotterdam Netherlands and ends in Southampton. 8 nights

The next cruise begins in Southampton "Norwegian Fjords Cruise" and goes to Alesund Norway, Nolde Norway, Olden Norway, Haugesund Norway and ends in Southampton. 7 nights.

The third cruise begins in Southampton "Spain & Portugal Cruise" and goes to Vigo Spain, Lisbon Portugal, La Coruna Spain, Bilboa Spain and ends in Southampton. 7 nights.

Now, if I can just figure out how to add a river cruise to the combo I'll have my bucket list combo!

On my bucket list, the RCB group cruise in Europe 2025. Followed by a b2b2b. Then a river cruise. 

The first 3 are booked.  Still working on the river cruise.  Has anyone tried Tui River Cruises? They're about 1/3 the cost of Viking.

I've used it for gratuities many times. Just don't prepay them an it will be handled automatically.  Easy peasy. 

On a side note, NCL doesn't allow this for obc. They also don't allow you to use it in their version of the cruise planner. 

U usually choose my own cabin, but I have done gty several times. I've never been disappointed by the gty cabins. I wish I could say the same about ones that I chose 

39 minutes ago, Biaggio said:

Got it, thanks. Double the price I paid

One of my favorite things about booking early is the feeling I get knowing that I got a better deal than almost everyone else on the ship. 

I'm not sure why it didn't show up, but it shows now. Departing on the 29th.

If "backeards" means from the Pacific to the Atlantic, it's not a problem.  I did that once and it was a great cruise. 

Enjoy!

56 minutes ago, Biaggio said:

Hello, we are sailing out of Cape Liberty on August 19th to Canada/New England. When I went on RCL website to check the price for a price difference, the cruise is not listed. Does that mean it’s sold out? Thanks 

Cruisemapper.com doesn't show any ships in Cape Liberty on the 19th. Are you sure that's the correct date?