PhillyLady

I love to cruise, but I never try to be the first one on board the ship--I am not sure why.  I am always trying to squeeze in one last sightseeing experience on land.  Usually if you board later in the day it is also quite easy to walk on board and avoid lines as well.  Sometimes we have been so late we even missed the muster call, and had to do it the next day.  Of course, it is no longer required to put on the lifejackets all together on most cruise lines anymore, which was always a hassle and interrupted the flow of the first day.

The best thing about early arrivals is possibly getting to eat in a nicer dining area, rather than the always overcrowded Windjammer/Lido cafeteria style line-up that everybody swarms.  Of course, it is nice to get a good deck chair and relax a bit the first day, but usually I am in a nice hotel the night before anyway, so I am not in too much of a hurry to leave.

One thing I can proudly say is I have never missed my ship for either boarding or at a port call!

I have been buying photos on ships since the days when all they had were black and white prints that they displayed on boards.

Then a decade and a half later they moved up to color prints, and put them in slots on walls.

It was always a pain to walk around and search for your face.  Sometimes they missed some of your photos and stuck them with someone else!

One time I purchased ALL photos, and came home with 200 prints that weighed a ton, and many of the shots were not that great.

Now you find you photos online on a computer, and purchase digital and/or prints.

I stick to about the package of 10, and I always include my formal night photos, often our boarding photo, and maybe a dining room photo.  Sometimes we also purchase the port photos where you pose with the name of the place on a sign.  Many of the professional photographers take excellent photos, and they help you pose.  We try different backgrounds just for the fun of it.  Depending on the cruise line, some of the prints are exceptionally nice, and they also give you a cardboard display folder. 

I usually pre-purchase the package, just so I do not have to worry about having the costs added to my bill at the end. 

Do not wait until the end to purchase--check your photos out regularly so you have an idea what you want, and allow enough time to have them ready for you (usually the night before disembarkation). 

Enjoy your first cruise!!

I am not a long time poster, but I am certainly a long-time cruiser! 

I did not join any travel forums until the past few years when my work schedule became less crazy.

My father was in the Navy in WW II, and his love of water meant that our whole family cruised together starting more than 50 years ago!  Those were the days--one dinner time, one restaurant, no televisions, no casinos, bunk beds,--it was the ship, entertainment, and ports.  I guess it helped that our first cruise went from Venice all the way to the Black Sea for multiple weeks.

So, EVERYONE in our extended families after marriage and children has been on a cruise multiple times, many different lines.  In fact, I can name at least three or four lines we cruised on that no longer exist! But, we always liked the full-service cruises with all the bells and whistles.

This past year brother and I both did different Viking cruises (me-river, him-ocean). Okay, the river cruise boats are so small you can see the whole boat in about an hour!  Yes, it is kind of fun and relaxing, but extremely cozy, and it is a week without any kind of fun evening activities (many people just sit at the bar and drink).  We took a walking tour every day, as every day is a port.  Brother said he missed the non-stop evening activities on Viking Ocean, he missed the art auctions(?!), and also the dress-up night with photographers, although they enjoyed the tranquility.  Again, a different port every day.  The adults-only did not really affect us, although I am not sure that I would want to cruise on a ship that was more than 50% children. 

I have to say that depending on my travel mood or interest at certain years, different types of cruises will appeal to me at different times, including destination, cruise line, itinerary, price, etc. Just to be clear, we do many other different types of trips--all inclusive resorts, driving trips, tours, etc., etc., but I 100% agree that the serenity of the ocean and the glorious sunsets, the night sky full of stars, and all the great ship activities make us totally loyal to the cruise experience. 

I like RC just because of the big ships and all the crazy activities (husband ALWAYS attempts the rock-climbing wall!), and it is fun to hear what is happening currently on this forum. Last Summer we cruised the Med on Princess, this Summer back in the Med on Cunard, next Spring on RC in the Caribbean, and in-between several other types of travel and adventures (ski trips, tours).  We usually do an A-I resort every few years or so--we have great prices and great connections here on the East coast. 

The truth is, I love to travel, and I love to cruise, but remember, variety is the spice of life, so don't be afraid to try different travel experiences whenever you need a change! The ocean will always be waiting for you to return.  Bon voyage!

Okay, errors happen all the time, but if you do not have a travel agent to oversee this, then you have to stay calm and try to negotiate what will be in your best interests.

Saying you will never set foot on a RC ship and they are a horrible company does not get too much cooperation from an agent.  Calm down, take a deep breath, and consider the options more rationally.  Yes, it was their error, so yes, they need to make it up to you as you are a loyal customer.

You also should ask to have the situation escalated to a supervisor.  If you do not go on the June 6th cruise, it will not be the end of the world.  Instead, you need to see what is the best possible alternative RC can offer you--upgraded cabin, additional onboard credit, bigger ship, longer cruise--see what else is out there that could be of potential interest. Maybe book two cruises for the price of the one you miss! Also, in the future, check your reservation every week or so, which is what travel agents have to do.

I mean, the ship could have had to go into dry dock for some kind of issue, and you would still miss the date, but you would probably not have to be so furious.  I have lost so many trips the past few years due to Covid, war in Israel, Russian invasion, etc., that anymore I consider it great if everything does work out perfectly.  Hopefully there will also be future opportunities for more travel!  Best wishes!

Okay, there has certainly been a lot of hype about this ship, and a colleague (adult) is doing a back-to-back with her mother (senior) this Fall, so I was somewhat interested in learning more about the huge new Icon.  I have to say, I skimmed through your video just to hear at the end that in your opinion the ship is not too adult friendly.  We, as a mature couple, have always had a good time on our previous RC cruises, but there were a nice mix of ages.  We are not really into adult-only cruises, but we do not necessarily want to be on a cruise which is completely child-centered.  Did you do any grown-up things, like go dancing, listen to a band, or attend a comedy show, or anything that was not focused on the young one? Is there good shopping variety, or are there decent spa services? 

Anyway, it was a very nicely constructed video, and I cannot believe you even did pricing--very helpful to those interested in a future booking! Your shots were clear and interesting, your pace was great, the narration was smooth, and you covered a nice variety of topics. 

Yes, I agree the ship is probably way overpriced--that is what happens when there is a lot of demand.  

Sorry I cannot subscribe--your video is actually one of the few cruise videos I have ever watched on Youtube! After fifty years of cruising I rarely have a need to look at those types of resources.  But, I do like chatting a bit on this forum, so thanks for sharing.

I know your son will look back on these experiences and treasure them all, along with his father's excellent documentation.  Best wishes!

 

 

 

I can't get in either--just tried right now--I will wait a few days to use the change the password option. I have actually had the same RC/Celeb password for years and years--and I do work in a job where I have to change my ten different system passwords every 30--45 days, so count me in also as lazy with RC!

I have something in my RC cruise cart right now, and it has been sitting there for a little bit without my payment.  I have another cruise booked with a different line, and they offer a wishlist, but that does not mean anything goes into a cart.

Carts are just temporary, and it is very easy for others to make the purchase, and then the item will be sold out, and your cart will be worthless because the item will be removed. If you think something will become sold out, I would purchase it as soon as possible. For example, husband scuba dives, and spots are usually limited. 

I understand about trying to see if prices drop, but you have to balance that out with the risk of not getting what you really want.  There are probably some items that rarely or never sell out (drink packages?), so then I would wait for the best price!

(One way to help with the budget is perhaps try to buy one item you really want in priority order every few months or so.  That way all will be prepaid by the time of the cruise!)

Best wishes!

I am going to disagree that Air2Sea has no role in flights, although they cannot control airline itineraries. First of all, the most important thing is that you are supposedly guaranteed "assured arrival" to connect with the ship.  This is a very important issue, although any more I arrive multiple days before my cruises depart, just to ensure luggage arrival, good flights, and sometimes, jet lag recovery. Next, you are told you get the lowest airfare.  Remember, lowest cost does not necessarily mean best connections or best flights.

September is still a way off, and there may be multiple changes before that. I have booked non-stop flights the maximum amount of time in advance (approximately 11-12 months), and half a year later the nonstop flights were completely eliminated and my new flight turned into a terrible connection (I had to cancel, and completely rebook--luckily I used miles).  

I am sorry to say that I do not consider a few hours a major change for flight travel, although of course it may be a bit of an inconvenience.  

You have been keeping an eye on the schedule and all the changes, so that is a very good thing. You should review all the other airlines, and schedules, and become familiar with the various options to your destination. It is always appropriate to call the air department and check in and ask questions. As the date draws closer, you will need to make your final decision. Remember, flying is just the first, sometimes inconvenient few hours of trying to get to the wonderful cruise!  Best wishes!

Dear Someone_else,

Well, welcome to these boards and discussions about RC.  There are dozens of cruise forums, and more than a dozen cruise lines, and there are always complaints, questions, reviews, and discussions.  Some people post the same question on different sites and responses will vary. Often folks disagree, and everyone's experiences are individual and unique. Remember, all these forums are used by fellow cruisers, who are busy with their own lives, but do enjoy sharing their cruise experiences. 

You were seeking feedback with an issue, and you received a lot, so you can either use some of the advice for your situation, or just realize your concerns will never be resolved.  Then the choice is cancel the cruise and choose another ship, or another cruise line, or do some other kind of vacation that suits your family better. Unfortunately, in no way, shape or form is this a "government" issue (I know, I worked in government at one point in my life). You are simply a dissatisfied consumer. 

Remember that cruises today are mass market experiences, and the cruise line has no responsibility to meet every person's needs or wishes, nor do they try.  Sometimes negative publicity pushes an event toward a more positive outcome, but also having worked in the travel industry at a very early point in my life, kindness and friendly relationships are a better choice in the long run. The bottom line is no one is making you spend money on a RC cruise, so if you are not happy, spend it elsewhere.  Please continue to participate in forums and share your cruise experiences, because that educates others, and hopefully, will create future improvements. Best wishes.

Yes, just like I said on a previous thread where people were complaining about cruise prices, there are still  bargains available.  I have seen similar prices on MANY RC cruises for next year across the spectrum of all of their cruises. 

I agree, you just have to be flexible.  Since we have dogs to board it rarely works for us.  However, I wish those who score great prices a wonderful cruise!

 

First cruise:  1973 (Two Week Mediterranean and Black Sea). First RC:  2002 (Caribbean)

How interesting that this same type of conversation is happening across many different cruise lines, and across many different types of vacations.

Finding bargains is never a one-shot easy experience anymore, but yes, they are out there.  It takes patience and diligence, and sometimes flexibility.

Often cruise lines send out oodles of emails to customers when they try to fill ships last-minute at super-cheap prices. Yes, I always get a lot of those offers, but work schedules and boarding our dogs does not allow for last-minute travel. I also agree to look ahead a year or two to check out pricing.  Off-peak times are still much cheaper in price than on-peak times, so consider a variety of calendar options.  

If you have your heart set on one specific ship or itinerary or date, that could also be the issue.  

Yes, it can be a bit of work to try to save money, but it is always worth it, because then you have savings for the next trip!

P.S. I have two upcoming cruises, and my pricing is phenomenal IMO.  Just came back from Switzerland from a ski vacation (end of season), and booked again for December-(beginning of season)-double the hotel cost--so dates always have an effect.

Thanks for the nice summary.

Well, I have been on many cruises and I always have an excellent time, but I cannot think to ever bring any of my dogs or cats or parakeets with me, nor do I buy them souvenirs, although they are all pretty spoiled. Our friends sailed the Cunard Queen Mary 2 to Europe, and their dog had to stay in the kennel on the ship. 

I am glad you enjoyed your experience on the Icon and time with your family. I would like to go on that ship, but I would prefer to have less stops, and more time to enjoy all the amenities on board.

Hopefully you will now continue to cruise and cruise again!

P.S. Most people use an avatar identity on this website, not their real name.

I highly doubt this cup will really go for auction, because how and where would it be posted, and who would really bid?

But every day Americans do like their status items--fancy phones, big trucks, large diamond engagement rings, sports cars, etc., and will sometimes splurge for something they feel brings "cachet" to their lives.  Truly wealthy people will be on a private yacht without strangers milling about.

I am not sure I would ever buy and/or wear a RC diamond necklace, although I do love diamonds!

What a thoughtful and nice gesture!  A very Happy Birthday to your mom!

 

P.S. I am sure she will insist on sharing!

I am not sure I would classify this question as tough at all--it is just purely a matter of energy, choice and interests.

We almost always squeeze in morning sightseeing wherever we are before we board our cruises. Also I can never pass up a bit more souvenir shopping! 

It's a nice little cruise jumping from country to country, but you do not really experience an overall Greek islands cruise, which is one of my favorite places in the world to travel by water.

For us, being in Greece means seeing as much of the history as possible.  The Acropolis, the museums, shopping in the Plaka-- already a few days in Athens gone.  Next a day trip to Delphi--and what about Mycenae? This past Summer when we were in Athens I REALLY wanted to get to Meteora, but it will have to wait until next visit. 

In terms of the islands, we like all the trendy shopping in Mykonos, and lunch by the windmills, but I always want to head to sacred Delos first. Mallorca is a great island to visit--we will be traveling there this Summer, also. 

So, you just have to decide if your priority is trying to see more/do more, or just head to the ship early for a relaxing lunch.  No worries--on your next cruise you can see whatever you miss this time!

You are probably just too early.  It takes a bit sometimes to load international excursions, because they have to confirm with local operators and guides. 

See if you can view the excursions for your same cruise for an earlier date, so you have an idea of all the different excursions and the costs.  That way you can be prepared to purchase when your excursions do start popping up in your planner.  I have sometimes been able to book Med excursions more than a year ahead, depending on the cruise line. Some ports are more popular, and some excursions more limited than others, so it depends exactly where you are stopping.  You may also want to get a good guide book and read up on the different islands to see what are some of the key highlights.  Cruising in the Greek islands is one of my favorite cruises in the world!  Have a fantastic time!

Wow, a little late to ask the question if your cruise is next week. 

Did you book air on your own or through the cruise line? If on your own, everything is your responsibility. Not sure what the cost might be to change the flight, but probably substantially less than missing the cruise.

Sometimes I have heard of cruise ships with overnights allowing passengers to embark late, but I believe it should be prearranged and approved.

However, I do not know all the rules in Hong Kong, not where you are from, nor how long the plane de-boarding,  luggage claim, immigration, transfer time, etc, will actually take, depending on lines, traffic, etc.

I certainly agree with others that arrivals should be multiple days in advance.  I have crossed the international date line before, and the jet lag recovery also has to be factored into the travel experience.

I will keep my fingers crossed that all goes well, but I would definitely have a conversation with the cruise line in advance to review all details and contingencies.

 

You can check on Cruise Critic under Italy ports for all the discussions.

Many travelers on a budget opt for the train, but then you need local transportation from the train station to your ship.

Taxis have a set price, which is around 125 Euros. 

Private shuttles may be a bit less or more, depending on the company.

I opted for a shared shuttle, and I thought the price was fair.  The trip is less than an hour, right to the ship check-in.

There is also information on TA:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k14686912-To_From_the_Port_of_Civitavecchia-Rome_Lazio.html

 

Update--my cabin number is now listed 13 months out!! Not the best, not the worst.  Maybe I will try for the move-up later...

Well, sometimes you go outside on the deck to see the icebergs or look for whales, and it can be FREEZING. Yes, I had a hat and gloves.  I also wore those items when we went trekking on the glacier. I second a lightweight waterproof coat and lots of layers.  By the way, we went In early August, and it was overall chilly sweater weather.

Formal has always been defined as tailcoats and evening gowns. On most cruise ships "formal" wear is really semi-formal.

"Dressing my best" depends on location, cruise line, time of year.  I always "dress up,"  because I have a great cruise line photo collection.

When I cruise in colder climates, I wear darker, heavier clothes. (Navy sequins)

In warmer areas, lighter colors and fabrics take the priority (Pink lace).

On Cunard, Princess, Celebrity, etc. I bring out my loveliest clothes--very elegant, eye-catching long gowns, husband in tuxedo or very nice suit.

On Carnival, RC, NCL,  I am a bit more casual and trendy in my dress. Husband might just do a sports jacket--I may even wear a short dress.

Sadly, costly cruise lines like Viking do not promote too much dressing up. Horrors-- I have seen elderly men come to breakfast in their pajamas.

We never pay any attention to what others wear at dinner- we are enjoying our own experience too much!

Caribbean cruises are opportunities to enjoy the sun, water, beaches, and celebrate some relaxation time.  To a certain extent, one private island beach is not too different from any other beach.  Yet one should take the time to learn about the culture and history of each location.

Yes, a lot of folks seem to dislike Nassau, but we frequently book scuba diving and/or snorkeling trips while we are there, or we spend a day at a private hotel beach, or we just shop, so there is always something for everybody. Atlantis is a cool hotel to visit as well.

The challenge with cruising to semi-stable locations is that when things collapse, there is always a scramble.

When I was much, much younger I hoped to travel to Haiti to practice my French, and visit Sans-Souci Palace, the Citadelle,  and the National Palace.  The island had the potential to be a wonderful tourist destination, but its history of unstable governments, foreign intervention, earthquakes, high debt and high poverty has now created a major crisis.  

It is quite sad to see the collapse of this country. 

The only time I ever think a ship is too small is if I have multiple sea days, like a transatlantic.  By that time I know the ship inside-out, and I begin to get bored.  As long as we have a lot of great port calls, I think of the ship more like a floating hotel--there when I need it, but not my only source of amusement.

OMG--I used to collect those "free"jewelry gifts all the time when I cruised in the Bahamas when I was younger. It is a silly, but a fun experience.

You would get a little chain bracelet with the initials DI on it, and at different ports you could pick up charms like an anchor, or a ship, etc.  The jewelry is pretty low budget and has no real value, but I used to share with my nieces.

Nobody will bother her if she just goes to each of the different port shops to collect a charm, but on the cruise ship she may have to put up with a bit of sales information for about ten minutes or so.  

DI really hopes to sell you a pair of diamond studs for thousands of dollars, or something similarly expensive, so your daughter can just say Mommy and Daddy have all the money (ha ha)!

Let's see, I booked a tour of China for 2020 and that never happened, a RC cruise in 2021 that was cancelled, and a tour of Israel for this Summer of 2024 that also was cancelled.  My brother was supposed to go on a Baltic cruise that was also cancelled after the Ukraine invasion, but now most cruise lines are just doing rerouting in the Baltic. 

Unfortunately, often things get worse before they get better, and planned travel must be put on hold.

I actually went to some Dominican Republic news sites to see how they are handling the Haiti situation, since the two countries share the same island. It appears that border security has been greatly strengthened, and Haitians are being expelled.  

There is a level of chaos and violence in Haiti, especially from all the diverse gangs, that may not be able to be resolved without international intervention.  Sadly for cruisers, the issues of the port call are probably quite low in priority.