Any Cruisers on Board?

[Avista]

We recently signed up for 2 cruises. The first one will be in Jan--The Monarch of the Seas--out of Port Canaveral to Bahamas--4 nights. The second will be on Radiance--7 nights out of Tampa. My husband has a new hobby--finding good deals on cruises! <smile> We've used a lot of good info found here from other posters and also Cruise Critic which was suggested.

[OpusX1]

We are Cruisers too. We have been 35 times so far, all 7 or 10 days. Haven't been in a while but with so many bargains out there now we may have to hit the high seas this Jan or Feb. I recently got an e-mail for a Princess 7 day out of Lauderdale for $396 inside and $799 balcony. I think it was for 1/7/10 or around that date.

[swrinfla]

At least twice a year, if I can.

Next week (11/23) aboard the Zuiderdam for 10 nights.

March aboard the Ruby Princess for 10 nights.

SWR
:beer3:

[784caroline]

Elite Captain Club members on Celebrity. Just got back from a 16 day cruise from LA down the mexican riveria, costa Rica, through the Panama canal , Colon, Cartegena Columbia , Aruba and ended up in San Juan. GERAT CRUISE.

Last Year we did a 14 day from Barcelona, Rome, Naples, Istanbul, Athens, Mykoynsos, Split Croatia, aand eneded up in Venice.

Favorite cruise is Alaska which we did twice!

[MelZ]

Wife and I have cruised about 30 times over the years. We did TA's ( British Isles to NJ) this year and last year( Barcelona and the Med to NJ). We are taking 2010 off to relocate to our Hadley house. Then we have a 14 days South American to Ft. Lauderdale booked for early 2011.

Is there any other way to vacation?:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot:

[Bonny]

We are big cruisers. We've been on 36 with 3 more booked. We are going on Royal Caribbean's new Oasis Of The Seas for the inaugural.We'll be on from Dec. 1st. - Dec. 12th. That will be awesome. :MOJE_whot:
Then we'll be on our Rock & Roll cruise with Rocky & The Rollers Jan. 24th. on The Freedom Of The Seas.
We also have a large Cruise Critic group going on The Oasis. You can see if there is a roll call for your cruise on Cruise Critic. That way you can hook up with a fun group. If a roll call isn't started, you can start one. It's always a fun group of people.

[784caroline]

I would love to hear your review of the Oasis and how you get along with 6000 other people.

I just picture a disaster at embarcation and debarcation. TOO BIG for me and I think RCL will have a difficult time after the "honeymoon" period to sell out this ship. Passengers are now paying premium prices to cruise on the Oasis...I certainly hope they get their moneys worth.

[swrinfla]

I must admit that I'd love to see the Oasis, but it's itinerary for the moment is, frankly, boring!

I suppose they think the guests won't want to go ashore, but will be too entranced by the seven "neighborhoods!"

I'm happy with my under-2,000 ventures on Holland America vessels!

SWR
:beer3:

[Avista]

Bonny, I can't wait to hear your review when you return from the Oasis! Does The Villages have a Cruising Club or group? We've been on 5 cuises and are really hooked.

[emc101]

sailed once on the Queen elizabeth 2. more recently once on carnival glory.

last year for 26 days on holland america through the panama canal and central america. really enjoyed it.

soon going to southern carribean.

now that we are retired we try to go on a long cruise at least 14 days once a year.

like holland america's smaller ships and crew. they also go to interesting places that others often don't like san blais islands.

oasis of seas just sounds too big.

[Avista]

Bonny and Others, We have done about 5 cruises, so are not completely new, but do have some questions.
The first 4 cruises, we went through a travel agent. With the cruise we currently have booked, we went through Royal Caribbean's web site and bypassed the TA. Those you you who are very experienced cruisers--do you always use a TA or book your own cruises? What are pros and cons?

Second question is concerns insurance. First 4 cruises we purchased insurance. This last cruise is only a couple months away and so far have not purchased it. Our Medicare Medigap Insurance covers out of country illness, but that is all. Do you ever take a chance and cruise without cruise insurance, or do you always purchase it. If you purchase it, do you get it through your cruise line or some place else? Thanks.

[Becky]

Love cruising! Have been on 22 so far but have found that I don't have the urge to cruise since I moved to TV. Maybe the beautiful weather here.
Avista, regarding cruise insurance, I always get it. Use Insuremytrip.com. You are able to see different quotes to meet your needs.

Becky

[Bonny]

Bonny and Others, We have done about 5 cruises, so are not completely new, but do have some questions.
The first 4 cruises, we went through a travel agent. With the cruise we currently have booked, we went through Royal Caribbean's web site and bypassed the TA. Those you you who are very experienced cruisers--do you always use a TA or book your own cruises? What are pros and cons?

Second question is concerns insurance. First 4 cruises we purchased insurance. This last cruise is only a couple months away and so far have not purchased it. Our Medicare Medigap Insurance covers out of country illness, but that is all. Do you ever take a chance and cruise without cruise insurance, or do you always purchase it. If you purchase it, do you get it through your cruise line or some place else? Thanks.

A lot of times I book with the cruise line, then turn it over to my TA at AAA. Either way is good. Just make sure it's a TA you can contact at any time if there's a problem. There are some companies where you don't have your own TA. Always someone different when you call. Much better using someone you can talk to directly or book with the cruise line.
I don't always get insurance. If it's an expensive cruise, I always do. Definitely with my 12 nights on The Oasis, I got insurance. Also alot of people that are taking care of elderly parents, etc, might want to get insurance. Some times we get the cruise ins., sometimes we get it through AAA.

[Avista]

Bonny, We've used AAA too and have an TA there. Is there an advantage to giving her the reservation we made directly with RC?

[Bonny]

Bonny, We've used AAA too and have an TA there. Is there an advantage to giving her the reservation we made directly with RC?

It's just that I like her & want her to get credit. Sometimes using a TA you can get a little something extra. I've used Deby since we moved to the Villages almost 10 years ago. If I didnt' have a great relationship with her, I would book right through the cruise line.

[784caroline]

I have always used a Travel Agent. The price a cruise line quotes you will or should be the same as a Travel Agent. The MAJOR difference is that the Travel Agent can provide you ON-Board Credits (OBC) which are like cash to be used for all your expenses while cruising. For ex on our recent 16 day cruise through the Panama canal, the Cruise Line and Travel agencies were all quoting the same price but the Agent offered us a $375 per cabin OBC...we took it. WE are also stockholders of Royal Caribbean (RCL) and for a cruise longer than 12 nights we get an additional $250 OBC/ cabin. If you booked directly with the cruise line or while you were on a prior sailing, any OBC provided by the cruise line at that time CANNOT be combined with the Stockholder OBC. SO for this Panama Canal trip we had a $625 OBC per cabin and believe me for a 16 day cruise you need all yoyu can get. Absolutely no reason not to take advantage of such offers.

BTW : AAA may be convient but they are not known to offer the best OBC deals. Selecting a Good travel agent really all depends upon your comfort level, and how much hand holding a traveller needs ie experience in dealing with diferent TAs. As with everything else not all TAs are created equal!

Insurance...you will never know you need it UNTIL you actually do need it. I typiaclly get insurance for primarily two reasons and its not for health benefits or lost baggage.
--- Medical evacuation easpecailly for transatlantic or some place far from home or exocit location. Believe me this can be expensive and $25000 does not go very far

--- TRip cancellation/modification......just in case something happens to a family member (elderly parent, child, spouse etc ) and you cannot make the trip or continue with a trip that has already started. Very importatn if you are booking during hurricane season or travelling from the North during snow season adn your travel plans dont allow an extra travel day to get to port to make the cruise.

[Avista]

784Caroline, You're post was extremely interesting. We just purchased 100 shares of Royal Caribbean stock this morning--hoping for those onboard credits. I'm a little foggy as to when we can use them. We already have 300 onboard credits for the Radiance next Oct. Purchased this cruise while on another RC cruise but then transferred reservation to our TA I think you are saying we cannot combine another 100 from the stock program to make it $400.

We also have a Monarch 4 day cruise coming up in Jan with no on board credits. We will get the $50 stockholders onboard credit for this one. We booked this directly through RCI.

Is my understanding correct?

We have always taken the insurance. This 4 day Monarch cruise is only $500, so are thinking of not taking the insurance. If a problem, we lose $500
Maybe we should take it. Haven't yet decided.
Thanks for your input!

[784caroline]

avista

You reading of my post is correct. You cannot combine RCL shareholder OBCs with any OBCs offered by RCL directly and that includes any incentives offer for booking on board. This change just took place in January 2009.

My question to you ....the $300 OBCs are they "ALL" from RCL or the TA or a combination of both?? I assume this is a 7 day cruise so if RCL offered you $100 OBC and the TA bumped that an additional $200 (Total of $300) the $100 RCL credit would offset the $100 Shareholder credit...so you still only get $300. Be aware.... Cruise price reductions do not effect Shareholder OBCs BUT can effect (most likely reduce)a TA OBCs

Looks like you will get the $50 Shareholder credit for the Monach sailing. The RCL Shareholder OBC program has been a great deal for us. Wished I bought the stock when it was below $10 earlier this year. Buying RCL stock today simply for the Shareholder OBC program is NOT a reason to buy the stock. I am amazed that the stock has been doing as well as it has given the drastic price reductions in crusie prices but they make up for it by on-board purchases by nearly filled cruise ships.

[Avista]

Caroline, We originally planned a repositioning cruise which gave us the $300 on board credit. When we came home, we changed our minds, went to our TA and she transferred everything to the Radiance cruise in Oct. We didn't think the $300 credit would transfer, but it did.

Do you have a Travel Agency you especially like? PM me if you prefer. Thanks.

[swrinfla]

Also as a former travel agent, I'll concur with 784caroline's observations.

After I have selected a particular cruise by my own on-line research, I still book through an agent with whom I used to work.

1) She almost always comes across a special deal (the trip I'm about to leave on she waved some magic wand and I was eventually upgraded five decks and five verandah categories for no additional charge!) even after I've booked.

2) She knows exactly what I want in terms of accommodations and Cruise Connection transfers; I never have to tell her again, unless I want something different.

3) She always sends me a bottle or two of wine!

4) She's always available in an emergency and can cope with virtually any "catastrophe!"

And, I always, always buy insurance. When I was an agent, I saw too many instances where clients lost a bundle of money because they had to cancel late and didn't have insurance.

SWR
:beer3:

[Avista]

Swrinfla,

Many thanks for posting. We've had 5 cruises--just enough to THINK we know what we are doing. We'll take your advise and email TA, let her on the reservation we made ourselves and get insurance. I think we'll feel better.