Newbie cruise questions (generic)

[VPS]

Thanks - not really urgent at my end so please don’t feel pressured. Glad you’re getting things done!

Is there any way to find out the cost of drinks on board before making the decision on drinks packages?

For example, I would probably have 2 coffees or more per day, so coffee package is probably worth it. For alcohol, I’m a very modest drinker and would call 3 drinks in a day a pretty heavy day - some days I just don’t drink at all. So how would I find out what that would cost to pay as you go for days when I might want a glass or 2 of bubbles?

And re the water - if I just want to drink water with a meal, do I have to buy the water package or is water free?

Sorry, so many questions. Cruising seems very opaque to me.

If you've narrowed it down to Silverseas or Viking then you probably don't need to worry too much about drinks packages. If you go with one of the others then Cruise Critic or the Facebook groups are good for info or even ask here

 

[Pushka]

Thanks - not really urgent at my end so please don’t feel pressured. Glad you’re getting things done!

Is there any way to find out the cost of drinks on board before making the decision on drinks packages?

For example, I would probably have 2 coffees or more per day, so coffee package is probably worth it. For alcohol, I’m a very modest drinker and would call 3 drinks in a day a pretty heavy day - some days I just don’t drink at all. So how would I find out what that would cost to pay as you go for days when I might want a glass or 2 of bubbles?

And re the water - if I just want to drink water with a meal, do I have to buy the water package or is water free?

Sorry, so many questions. Cruising seems very opaque to me.

Yes there is. On Viking anyway. When You've made a booking and in their website in Onboard Experiences, there is the option to buy the Package. It then has a downloadable PDF of all the drinks available. In ocean cruises these are in USD. In European river cruises, they are in Euros. You can buy the package right up until you board the vessel, I think in all cruise lines. On Ocean ships, coffees are free. On rivers there is a coffee machine which is pretty good but coffee outside of meal times is charged.

Also on Viking you can bring onboard any alcoholic beverage you want. It will be opened by crew and there is no corkage fee. Many on the river cruises buy a nice bottle from the region they've just visited and enjoy that onboard. Many cruise lines will confiscate alcohol on boarding. They search for it.

This is River. And then Ocean.

 

[tgh]

A tad topical :

This is how I know which cruise line is the best

For almost two decades, our firm has been evaluating the world's top cruise lines. We publish an annual list, World's Top 10 Cruise Lines, and the lines on it are the only ones we choose to represent.

www.travelweekly.com

 

[Lat34]

Yes there is. On Viking anyway. When You've made a booking and in their website in Onboard Experiences, there is the option to buy the Package. It then has a downloadable PDF of all the drinks available. In ocean cruises these are in USD. In European river cruises, they are in Euros. You can buy the package right up until you board the vessel, I think in all cruise lines. On Ocean ships, coffees are free. On rivers there is a coffee machine which is pretty good but coffee outside of meal times is charged.

Also on Viking you can bring onboard any alcoholic beverage you want. It will be opened by crew and there is no corkage fee. Many on the river cruises buy a nice bottle from the region they've just visited and enjoy that onboard. Many cruise lines will confiscate alcohol on boarding. They search for it.

This is River. And then Ocean.

This is excellent info, thanks Pushka. We have Viking into the midnight sun cruise next June; only other cruise experience was Silversea to Antarctica in Feb this year. Helps explain things very well

 

[Pushka]

This is excellent info, thanks Pushka. We have Viking into the midnight sun cruise next June; only other cruise experience was Silversea to Antarctica in Feb this year. Helps explain things very well

That's a fabulous itinerary.

 

[Pushka]

A tad topical :

This is how I know which cruise line is the best

For almost two decades, our firm has been evaluating the world's top cruise lines. We publish an annual list, World's Top 10 Cruise Lines, and the lines on it are the only ones we choose to represent.

www.travelweekly.com

I wish they showed the top 10.

 

[Daver6]

Just prior to Covid we did a Bergen-Kirkenes return cruise with Hurtigruten. It's covered here Norwegian cruise, London, Bavaria and the Maldives If you have specific questions about Hurtigruten I can probably help.

And yes, excursions aren't cheap. I suspect that's partly just Norway being expensive.

 

[Seat0B]

Just prior to Covid we did a Bergen-Kirkenes return cruise with Hurtigruten. It's covered here Norwegian cruise, London, Bavaria and the Maldives If you have specific questions about Hurtigruten I can probably help.

And yes, excursions aren't cheap. I suspect that's partly just Norway being expensive.

Thanks @Daver6. May come back to you.

 

[drron]

I wish they showed the top 10.

It costs a fair bit to find out. I googled the author and he is a travel agent. however to use their services costs you $US 500 a year to use them.

Home Login |

They do have a public blog where you can ask questions but it is not very organised.

https://traveltruth.com/

I did find a couple of questions about cruises. here is the answer to one such question -

• BEST DINING AT SEA OVERALL – HAPAG-LLOYD
• BEST DINING RUNNER-UP – SILVERSEA

We really hope this is helpful. Please note:

• Hapag-Lloyd appeals to a German-speaking clientele.
• If you are sailing Silversea try to book one of their vessels where the S.A.L.T. Program is operating.

The other question was viking advertises it has been the leading cruise line for some years So are they lying or are you.
There was a link saying click here to find out the top 10 cruise lines but is just a link to their website. They do say they publish that list but not that is is free.

 

[RooFlyer]

Polite but firm opinions in this area always result in sommelier interest and better plonk in the glass...

Similar on my Ponant cruise. When I got a bit annoyed at the quality of the free/package plonk and looked closely at the for-sale menu, the sommelier became my friend. More attentive when they found they didn't have my first 2 white choices or my first red choice. Got a sort of tasting glass of French wine most nights after that.

 

[Lat34]

Also on Viking you can bring onboard any alcoholic beverage you want. It will be opened by crew and there is no corkage fee. Many on the river cruises buy a nice bottle from the region they've just visited and enjoy that onboard. Many cruise lines will confiscate alcohol on boarding. They search for it.

Question from +1 wanting to double-check bring on board beverages could include any duty-free wine/ spirit plus eg six-packs of local beer??? Viking FAQ seems to indicate "yes" which will also make travelling companions very happy as one is a dedicated Bundy fan (why, I have no idea).

Can I bring alcoholic and other beverages on board?
Guests may bring alcohol and beverages with them, purchase alcohol ashore at destinations that sell alcohol, or purchase them from the onboard shop. Alcohol can be consumed in the guest’s stateroom or in public spaces, including the restaurants. There is no corkage fee.

 

[Pushka]

Question from +1 wanting to double-check bring on board beverages could include any duty-free wine/ spirit plus eg six-packs of local beer??? Viking FAQ seems to indicate "yes" which will also make travelling companions very happy as one is a dedicated Bundy fan (why, I have no idea).

Can I bring alcoholic and other beverages on board?
Guests may bring alcohol and beverages with them, purchase alcohol ashore at destinations that sell alcohol, or purchase them from the onboard shop. Alcohol can be consumed in the guest’s stateroom or in public spaces, including the restaurants. There is no corkage fee.

You can bring on anything!

Post automatically merged: Aug 10, 2023

It costs a fair bit to find out. I googled the author and he is a travel agent. however to use their services costs you $US 500 a year to use them.

Home Login |

They do have a public blog where you can ask questions but it is not very organised.

https://traveltruth.com/

I did find a couple of questions about cruises. here is the answer to one such question -

• BEST DINING AT SEA OVERALL – HAPAG-LLOYD
• BEST DINING RUNNER-UP – SILVERSEA

We really hope this is helpful. Please note:

• Hapag-Lloyd appeals to a German-speaking clientele.
• If you are sailing Silversea try to book one of their vessels where the S.A.L.T. Program is operating.

The other question was viking advertises it has been the leading cruise line for some years So are they lying or are you.
There was a link saying click here to find out the top 10 cruise lines but is just a link to their website. They do say they publish that list but not that is is free.

I think their claim is based on customer reviews and not the travel pros. I can't imagine they are the best tbh but they are pretty good.

 

[Flying Fox]

So following on from my post in 2024 Travel Plans thread, we (Mr Seat 0A and I, plus Seat Sister 1 and hubby, and Seat Sister 2 and hubby) are all celebrating 40 years of marriage in 2024 and are looking at maybe doing a cruise around Norway/Iceland or similar to see the northern lights in celebration. Edited to add: looking to travel September, October, November

We are all cruising newbies, so after my first foray onto the interwebs today, I have a bunch of newbie questions. Thought I’d throw myself out there and see what the hive mind on AFF recommends.

• What are the pluses and minuses of using the cruise line to book airfares. Many are offering deals of “door-to door” or “flight credit”. From what I can read, this doesn’t really look attractive (QF WP here) but am I missing something?
• from reading other threads, it seems people like to arrive at least a day ahead to departure port to avoid stress from delays getting there. That seems very sensible, and given the eyewatering prices quoted I assume most people just make these arrangements themselves and stay somewhere not associated with the cruise lines?
• the “all excursions included” model seems more expensive at first (eg Viking, Silverseas), but then when you see the costs associated with excursions where you lay as you go (eg Hurtigruten), the all included look cheap! A number of these more interesting excursions say they are a,ready so,d out, so I gather that’s just tough luck. What do people think about excursions?
• And would you ever arrange your own excursions - risks, pros, cons?
• It already looks like we may have to go in 2025 instead as 2024 is all but sold out! Really?? Or will spaces keep popping up?
• what advise about selecting a cabin - there re so many choices, it’s head spinning.
• what else should I be thinking about?

thanks, hoping to learn a lot before I make newbie mistakes!

1. Discussed previously but what I've done pricing, I can get it cheaper.

2. Departing from AUS, I normally fly in early AM for a 4pm+ cast off. Have found this works for me.

3. Plenty of excursions that I am not interested in so I select what I like and PAYG.

4. Yes I have before. I just allow lots of time to be back before cast off.

5. Sorry, I don't have any insight into this.

6. Normally we go as a family and take a cheap room as we generally only shower & sleep there. Most of the time we are out of the room doing other stuff. I prefer to save the $ for other stuff.

7. Drinks packages. For me, I used to get a soft drinks only package since no one else in my family really drinks anything but water between meals (when they provide juices etc for free). However, I now believe that they have changed the rules such that everyone in the room needs to buy the same drinks package. So that means it no longer makes sense for me to buy a package. If you & everyone in your cabin are a big drinkers, then it may make sense. I have seen plenty rush the bar upon boarding even before making it to their room. You also have to pay extra for extra fancy wine etc so you can't make the costs that way either. Keep in mind, they do this to make money and not for your convenience.

8. Mandatory tipping - This cheeses me off. Previously its on my account and I go to guest services and get it removed as it adds up to $1000+. I prefer to give tips to people in person. I also hate the wait captain who I have never seen before or has done nothing for me until the last night and he has his hand out for some $$$.

Hope that you have a great time!

 

[Port Power]

You need to choose your destination first. That is the priority.
I have done more than 50 cruises, and tastes change as you gain experience and mature. You have narrowed your preference to smaller ships. I like Azamara and Silversea. So destination first. And then, which line sails that destination at the time you want?

From Australia, included flights with Silversea are very good. Nothing like the USA experience. I am fly Singapore Airlines. I found Silversea door to door flights were no dearer than if I booked myself. Therefore the added benefit of transfers is good. I booked extra hotel nights myself, which cancelled out the transfer from the airport. However. I saved $$$, so worth it. I used an excellent Virtuosos travel agency. Added benefits of a private tour or OBC. (Private message me if interested in more info.)

I am currently on Silver Dawn and really appreciate the included excursions. Although there seems a lot of passengers, it has not felt unmanageable. If tours were not included in the base price, I wonder if I would have booked them. In the past I have arranged private shore excursions through Cruise Critic. As you are new to cruising , that probably would Be too difficult.

Research your options and availability. Silversea works for me and @drron. It might work for your group?

Edit: I am sitting in my suite at 11:00pm with green tea ordered from room service. I just enjoyed a singing show, drinking water and sambucca. I’m a happy camper!

 

[cathaana]

If you can afford it (seems like it since you mention Viking and Silverseas), I would definitely look at the smaller ships. Do consider HL's Hanseatic ships as well unless you want to avoid mainly German cruisers.

I have used a cruise line to book flights because then you are guaranteed that they take care of you when there are delays but I've also booked flights myself (usually the cheaper option). But definitely make sure you are there at least a day early if doing the latter (ensuring any alternative flight options would still get there on time).

I haven't had an excursion-included cruise. I think they are usually the basic ones though that I probably wouldn't find tempting anyway. We mainly cruise HL and their excursion costs are very reasonable compared to the US cruise lines (same goes for the drinks and spa prices).
We have arranged our own excursions but you really need to make sure that you are not cutting times close. For anything further away, we always use the cruise lines' offers.

In general, if you haven't done so, check out cruisecritic. They have piles of information on all the cruise lines and the destinations.

 

[get me outta here]

Hey cruiser, any advice plse on sending yourself a package or two, maybe to Dover?

I have a friend going on a really long Princess cruise of 100 days or so. He needs to take hundreds of incontinence pants and thinks that he can go shopping in every port which sounds very stressful to me.

 

[tgh]

If he is on the same ship i expect they will arrange to store enough cartons for his needs
Reach out to the cruise line they should help

 

[get me outta here]

If he is on the same ship i expect they will arrange to store enough cartons for his needs
Reach out to the cruise line they should help

I got very short shrift from the off shore agent.