Cruise Tips - Luxury Cruising

Carnival Cruise Drink Packages 2024: The Ultimate Guide

June 14, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Carnival Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Food and drink

When you book your Carnival cruise, you must decide whether to buy the drink package or pay for your drinks individually. In this thorough guide, I’ll give you the facts you need to make that decision.

If you’re short on time, just use my Carnival drink package calculator. Choose which drink you’d like and it will work out how much you’ll spend with and without the package.

Carnival Cruise Lines offers two drink packages. The Cheers package includes virtually all drinks up to the value of $20. The Bottomless Bubbles package includes only sodas and juices.

Let’s take a closer look at exactly what’s included in Carnival’s drink packages…

Cheers Package – From $59.95 per day

Includes:

Cocktails
Spirits
Beer by the glass
Wine by the glass
Sodas
Zero-proof frozen cocktails
Energy drinks
Milkshakes
Smoothies
Juices
Specialty coffees
Hot tea
Bottled water (500ml)
Other non-alcoholic bottled drinks

The Cheers Package also gives a 25% discount on drinks priced above $20, bottles of wine and champagne and drinks classes and seminars.

Carnival’s Cheers drink package limits guests to 15 alcoholic drinks per day. A day is considered to be 6 am – 6 am. There is no limit for non-alcoholic drinks.

What’s not included?

The Cheers package does not include:

Drinks in souvenir glasses
Bottles of liquor
Drinks offered at the gangway
Room service or mini bar
Sharing cocktails, pitchers, floaters, tubes and buckets
Self-service wine machines
Freshly squeezed orange juice in the Havana Bar
Drinks purchased off the ship including Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay

Bottomless Bubbles – From $9.50 per day ($6.95 for kids)

Includes:

Fountain soda by the glass (16 oz)
Juice by the glass (10 oz)

Soda flavours may vary but generally include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Caffeine Free Pepsi, Diet Pepsi Caffeine Free, Sierra Mist, Sierra Mist Zero Sugar, Mug Root Beer, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, Bubly Lime Sparkling Water, Bubly Grapefruit Sparkling Water, Bubly Orange Sparkling Water

Juices include orange, cranberry, tomato, pineapple and grapefruit.

The Bottomless Bubbles package does not include:

Non-alcoholic beverages other than soda and juices
Drinks in souvenir glasses
Bottled water
Hot drinks
Drinks offered at the gangway
Room service or mini bar

Bottomless Bubbles Package Terms and Conditions

More info on package prices

Cheers Package

	Buy on website	Buy on ship
6 days or more	$59.95	$64.95
5 days or less	$69.95	$74.95

Carnival’s alcohol drink package costs $59.95 per person, per day, if you buy it before your cruise or $64.95 per person per day if you buy it on board the ship.

For cruises of 5 days or less departing after December 1st 2023, the prices are $69.95 per person per day for advance purchases or $74.95 per person per day if you buy in on the ship.

You will also have to pay an 18% gratuity on top. When the ship is within US waters (docked in port) you will also have to pay an extra 10% sales tax on each drink.

For a 7-day cruise, if you pre-purchase your drink package, you can expect to pay $495 per person for drinks on your Carnival cruise including gratuities.

If your cruise departs from Texas or New York, state laws mean that you cannot use a drink package on the first day of your cruise. In this case, you will charge drinks to your account on the first day, and the Cheers package will start from 6 am the following day. You will not be charged for the first day.

Bottomless Bubbles Package

Drink	Price	Drinks to Break Even
Cocktails	$10.50	6
Beers	$7.50	8
Wines	$12.00	5
Sodas	$2.75	22
Coffees	$3.50	18
Energy Drinks	$5.00	12
Smoothies	$6.50	9
Water	$1.50	40

Source link

MSC Cruises Cabins to Avoid 2024 (Some Don’t Even Have Real Beds!)

June 14, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers a cross between American and Italian-style cruising, with a fleet that’s growing rapidly. Across the 22 ships currently in the fleet, there are some amazing experiences to be had. But it can all go a little bit wrong if you book the wrong cabin.

The thing is, the MSC ships are all quite different. The smallest ship in the fleet is around 30% the size of the biggest – that’s quite the difference. And the accommodation options across all those ships are pretty inconsistent, too.

Normally, when I write these cabins to avoid guides, like the Carnival cabins to avoid, or for individual ships like Wonder of the Seas cabins to avoid, I’ll say the same thing – there aren’t really any “bad” cabins, just ones that are suited to certain cruisers, and less so to others.

But with MSC, there are a couple of cabins that arguably are outright bad, and you might not be aware of them when you book.

Most of the cabins on this list are subjective, so relax – you’ll normally have a great time regardless, with maybe a minor issue that only slightly dampens the cruise.

Still, it’s good to be prepared, so here are the cabins to avoid on an MSC cruise.

1. Bella Balcony Cabins with metal fronts

When you book a cruise with MSC, you have the choice of three different cruise fares (though you may not be offered all three, if some of the fares have sold out). There’s Bella, Fantastica and Aurea.

Bella is the lowest rate, and part of the deal is that you get rooms in less desirable locations. You also don’t get to choose your cabin – it’s assigned to you by the cruise line.

If you book a Bella Balcony Cabin, there’s a high chance you’ll get one of the balconies that have a metal railing rather than a glass one. You can see what these look like in the photo below…

A metal railing is hardly the end of the world, but it’s a minor inconvenience that you’d rather avoid – it means that, when you’re sat on a chair on the balcony, you can’t see out – you get a lovely sky view, but you want to see the sea.

If you just want the fresh sea air, then a Bella Balcony is fine, but if you want to be able to enjoy the sea view without being stood at the railing, I’d recommend booking at least a Fantastica room.

I booked a Bella balcony on MSC Virtuosa, but when I saw what it would look like, I paid £160 extra to upgrade to a Fantastica balcony so I could pick my own cabin number.

As we were cruising with small kids, I wanted them to be able to see through the glass on the balcony. If they couldn’t, my fear was that they would be more likely to climb up to see over it.

The locks on the balcony doors are so low down that my six-year-old could easily open it, so we couldn’t take our eyes off them for a second.

My kids opening the balcont door on MSC Virtuosa.

2. Junior Aurea Suites that just aren’t worth it

Some of the newer MSC ships (MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, MSC Seascape, MSC World Europa) have a suite option called the Junior Aurea Suite.

It’s similar in style to Junior Suites on other cruise ships – intended as a sort of entry point into suite-level accommodations, though without all the fancy bells and whistles that a better suite would get you.

However, a Junior Aurea Suite isn’t quite the upgrade on a Balcony Cabin that you’d hope it would be. The only real difference is that the balcony itself is larger – potentially by as much as 11 square metres, sure, but is that worth a potential extra £500 per person or more?

The stateroom size is identical – 17 square metres for both a Junior Aurea Suite and a Deluxe Balcony Aurea on MSC Seashore, as an example. And you don’t get any of the suite perks you’d get for booking a better suite.

As one past guest discovered, you can actually end up paying more for a worse position if you upgrade – and then MSC will try to charge you more again if you want to reverse your decision:

If you were looking at booking a Junior Aurea Suite, I’d consider saving yourself the money and picking a Deluxe Balcony Cabin instead, especially when you consider which side of the ship you want to cruise on as that passenger did. Or, splash a little extra to choose a higher suite class.

3. Accessible Cabins that aren’t really accessible

On pretty much every cruise ship sailing for the major cruise lines, a handful of rooms are converted for wheelchair and scooter users, designated as Accessible rooms. They can be any class – cruise lines tend to offer a small variety of inside, oceanview, balcony and suite options so that guests with accessibility needs aren’t limited in choice.

However, some of the accessible rooms on MSC ships aren’t actually very well designed. Technically, they are accessible – they will have the necessary bathroom adjustments, and they will be big enough for a wheelchair or scooter to manoeuvre through, but only just.

It seems like no thought has been put into making the rooms comfortable or easy to use.

Check out this video from MSC Virtuosa to see what an Accessible Balcony looks like – the wheelchair barely fits down the end of the bed, the fold-down bed on the wall makes it hard to get past, and the ramp that’s been fitted to the balcony isn’t flush to the floor so gives quite the bump.

It’s not the only video review I’ve seen complaining about the comfort of these rooms, which seem very much like an afterthought on some MSC ships. Sister ship MSC Grandiosa has the same issues.

Here’s another from MSC Meraviglia too:

But on some of the newest ships, the rooms seem to have a much better layout. The thing is, if you book a wheelchair-accessible room, you need it to be accessible, right? There’s just no excuse for such poor design here.

4. Cabins without a bed!

If you were to list off the essentials for a cruise cabin – something that all cabins should have as a bare minimum – I’m fairly certain that “a bed” would be very close to the top of the list.

And yet…

If you choose selected Studio Solo Inside cabins on MSC Meraviglia, designed for one passenger, you might find that instead of a bed, you get a single sofa bed.

Sofa beds in cruise cabins are a pretty common feature, but as a second bed – they always have a proper bed for the first guests. Not so in these rooms, though, as my friend Fraser demonstrates…

It appears to be a particular design quirk of MSC Meraviglia only. I’ve checked other deck plans and there don’t seem to be the same rooms – even on Meraviglia’s sister ship the MSC Bellissima.

Here’s the MSC Meraviglia deck plan – check the light pink rooms 10003 and 10004 at the front of the ship, and 10074 nestled among the other inside rooms:

And here’s the same deck on sister ship Bellissima:

5. Cabins next to crew stairwells

MSC Cruises’ ships are generally ‘busier’ than most other cruise ships – and it’s not because they cram more people onto each ship, or because they build massive ships.

It’s because MSC runs itineraries a little differently to other cruise lines. Instead of every cruise having a set embarkation and disembarkation port, many actually have extended sailings with different start and end ports.

So, your cruise might begin in Southampton, but then when you reach Barcelona, your cruise is only half-complete but other people are boarding the ship to start their cruise.

This can mean that, on some itineraries, there are people boarding and leaving the ship almost every day. And this can cause issues if you get a cabin next to a crew stairwell.

See, every night, guests who are leaving the ship will place their suitcases outside their stateroom door, and the crew then move them ready for disembarkation. And that’s not a quiet job, with cases being lugged downstairs every night.

That means that MSC’s crew-stairwell-adjacent rooms tend to suffer much more disturbance than they would on a regular ship, as is explained in this video…

To avoid these rooms, you should look for cabins that are adjacent to a stairwell or a blank space on the deck plan – as sometimes the crew stairs aren’t marked on the deck plan. Instead, try to book a cabin surrounded by other cabins.

Here’s the MSC Preziosa deck plan with the cabin featured in that video (cabin 12079)

6. Cabins that run parallel to corridors

Another point that the video above makes is about cabins that run parallel to corridors, instead of perpendicular. By that, I mean the long cabin wall is next to the corridor, rather than just the doorway.

Examples in that MSC Preziosa deck plan image include 12064, 12076, 12079 and 12091. You’ll find rooms in similar locations on MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, and in other locations on the rest of the fleet.

If you choose one of these cabins, you’re much more likely to suffer from noise disturbances whenever people are moving around. Instead of them just passing by your door (which is one of the better soundproofing parts of a room), they’re walking all the way along most of the wall.

So, if your ship happens to have a lot of early risers, or late-night party animals, or just plain rude people who don’t keep quiet in corridors, then you’re going to hear them a lot.

7. Connecting cabins (if you don’t need them)

Connecting cabins are found on many cruise ships. It’s where you have two adjacent cabins with a door between them that remains locked throughout your cruise. However, if your party books both rooms, you can have the door unlocked and turn two cabins into one, larger shared space.

The problem comes if you only book one though. The connecting door isn’t the thickest material and does a worse job of soundproofing than a regular wall. If you end up with noisy neighbours, you’ll hear them much clearer and louder than you would in a non-connecting room.

And, of course, if you’re loud during your cruise, it means they’ll hear you, too.

These are great cabins if you need both together, otherwise it’s best to look elsewhere on the ship.

8. Cramped Oceanview Cabins with barely any light

Some of the Oceanview cabins on older Lirica-class MSC ships are particularly small at around 13 square metres or 140 square feet, and feel even smaller if they’re rooms that can sleep up to four guests.

Oceanview cabin on MSC Armonia
(Expect similar on MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Opera)

The Pullman beds in these rooms are the fold-down options, rather than those hidden in the ceilings, so even when they aren’t in use, they take up quite a bit of space.

When you then add in the fact that the rooms have a picture window, you end up with a cramped space that, at times, might not get much light. You’ll get some, sure, and it’s better than a porthole, but you should be prepared for a room that might feel a little claustrophobic if you prefer to have lots of space to get ready.

You may prefer to just get a cheaper Inside room and save a little money.

It’s not so much an issue on newer ships – even the Musica-class (MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica) have bigger Oceanview cabins.

9. Obstructed view cabins

Most cruise ships have rooms with an obstructed view – or as MSC calls them in the deck plans, “Cabins with a partial view”.

This is where either your window or balcony view will be obscured by something – either a part of the ship’s structure or, quite commonly, the lifeboats outside the ship.

Lifeboat on MSC Virtuosa — Balconies behind a lifeboat on MSC Virtuosa

These aren’t bad cabins, since you’ll often be able to get them at a discounted rate. But think about whether they’re worth booking anyway, and what you want from the view.

If you are booking a balcony to be able to look out to sea, would it maybe be better to choose a cheaper Oceanview cabin that isn’t obstructed?

10. Cabins that can be worse for seasickness

If you’re prone to motion sickness, then you may suffer from seasickness when you’re on a cruise ship. There are ways to prevent seasickness, and one of those is choosing a cabin in the right location.

The higher you are on a ship, the more you’ll feel the movement of the waves. The same also applies to how close you are to the front (forward) or rear (aft) of the ship.

A high forward or aft cabin on your cruise ship could therefore be one of the worst options, if seasickness is a concern. Instead, choose a cabin that’s on a lower deck, as close to the mid-ship as possible.

Aim for a room with a view too – either an Oceanview, Balcony, or Suite. Focussing on the horizon can help, as can fresh air, so a room with a balcony could be ideal.

11. Overlooked Balcony Cabins

Privacy is not always guaranteed when you book a Balcony Cabin or a Suite on an MSC Cruises ship. Many of the ships have a design that includes a wider central section, which results in a handful of rooms having larger balconies.

Here’s an example of the MSC Seaside deck plans…

If you look a little closer, you’ll see how rooms like 10071 and 10075 have larger balconies, but that means they overlook the balconies in rooms 10065, 10067 and 10069.

The problem is worse from higher decks too – so 11071 would have an even better view into those 10th-deck rooms from above.

On some ships, the lower balconies jut out from the ones above, so anyone looking down will see straight on these, like this…

looking down onto someone elses balcony on MSC Virtuosa

With any balcony, always check the deck plan for the design of the ship – this will help you identify where other balconies could overlook your own, if you would rather avoid having someone else being able to see into yours.

12. Cabins with ‘private’ whirlpools

Many of the modern MSC ships are advertised as having a private whirlpool on the balcony for guests to use, which is a really nice feature. The whirlpools are a decent size too, with enough space for a couple to share in comfort.

The problem with them is that they aren’t very ‘private’. Because of the shape of these balconies, they’re also overlooked by guests with other suites nearby.

It might not be that important to you, but a lot of people will want to enjoy a whirlpool in their swimwear in a little more privacy – otherwise, you might as well just head to the public whirlpools on the pool decks.

13. Rooms below the pool deck

The most common advice when choosing a cruise ship cabin on any ship is to try to book one with cabins above and below you. Even if you are on a ship with a particularly rowdy crowd, ‘people sounds’ tend to be the quietest on a ship.

Choosing a room below the pool deck can be one of the worst locations, especially if you like a lie-in each morning. That’s because the sound of loungers being dragged across the wooden deck will really reverberate through your ceiling and sound pretty nasty.

Of course, if you’re going to be one of those early risers who want to secure their lounger, then the closer to the pool deck, the better.

After all, crew members don’t enforce any rules about reserving loungers on MSC ships. So if you don’t get up at the crack of dawn and put your towel down, your other option is to move other people’s stuff when you want to sit down.

14. Rooms under the buffet

The buffet restaurants are another area of MSC ships that seems to be particularly noisy. Not just from the guests, but the kitchen spaces for these restaurants can be quite loud, and is often heard through the ceilings of the rooms below.

It’s not a huge issue, since the buffet isn’t open super-late, but it’s another one to bear in mind if you want a good night’s sleep.

15. Rooms above the theatre

A room above the theatre is always one to avoid on any cruise ship, MSC Cruises included. The reason for this is that they can be very noisy, not only during performances, but during rehearsals.

The shows on MSC Cruises can start very late, and often go on well past 11 pm. So if you like to go to bed early, then a room directly above the theatre will certainly be one to avoid. Be sure to check the deck plan for this.

16. Shaded balconies

If you like to sit on your balcony and enjoy the sunshine, then you’ll want to avoid any balconies that an under an overhanging canopy, like this…

As mentioned earlier, many of the ships have wider and narrower sections. If your balcony is higher up and in one of the narrower sections, then you can expect to not have any sun shining on it at all.

This could be an advantage if you prefer the shade. And if it’s rainy on your cruise, it can be great too, as you can sit outside without getting wet!

Final word

Whether you’re booking a cruise on the oldest MSC ships, such as MSC Armonia, or one of the newest, like MSC Euribia, there are a few key cabin types you might want to avoid.

Some aren’t going to be an issue on every ship, but with this guide, you should know what to look for when you check the deck plans.

If you’re concerned about your room, I’d recommend booking a Fantastica or Aurea cruise fare, since you’ll get to choose your cabin number – if you opt for the cheaper Bella rate, you could end up with something you really don’t like.

Links to MSC Cruises Deck Plans:

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest MSC Cruises offers…

If you found this interesting, please share!

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Source link

Marella Cruise Myths Debunked

June 9, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Marella

This is a sponsored post for Marella Cruises.

If you’ve never cruised before, you might have some misconceptions about what cruising is really like.

Maybe you’ve heard stories from others, or you’ve just made an assumption about cruise holidays in general that just isn’t quite true.

A Marella cruise is an amazing holiday, and will prove many doubters wrong – so let’s look at some common cruise myths, and how Marella debunks them by offering a fantastic experience.

1. Cruises are too expensive/there are lots of extras to pay for

One of the most pervasive myths about cruising is that it’s really expensive and laden with hidden costs. However, Marella Cruises offers exceptional value for money, dispelling this myth entirely.

Their all-inclusive pricing model ensures that the cost of your cruise includes meals, drinks, tips, and even flights and overseas transfers. This means guests can enjoy their holiday without worrying about unexpected expenses piling up.

Additionally, Marella frequently runs special promotions and offers, making cruising more accessible than ever. With a range of cabins and suite options, there’s something to suit every budget.

2. Food options are basic and limited

Another common misconception is that cruise food is basic and lacks variety. Marella Cruises challenges this notion with an impressive array of dining options that cater to every palate.

Each of the ships features at least seven restaurants, offering everything from casual buffets to fine dining experiences. Guests can enjoy international cuisines, including Italian, Asian, and classic British dishes, all prepared by talented chefs.

And if you are sailing with fussy eaters, there are always plenty of basic options too, if that’s what they’d prefer. Everyone will enjoy their meals, regardless of tastes or expectations.

3. Cruises aren’t fun

Some people believe that cruises are boring and lack engaging activities. Marella Cruises proves this myth wrong with a wide range of entertainment options designed to keep guests entertained throughout their journey.

From West End-style shows and live music performances to comedy acts and themed parties, there’s always something happening on board.

For those who enjoy staying active, Marella offers various sports facilities, including gyms, swimming pools, and even rock climbing walls.

There are also numerous classes and workshops available, ranging from dance lessons to cooking demonstrations.

Families are well-catered for with dedicated kids’ clubs and family-friendly activities, ensuring that guests of all ages have a memorable and fun-filled holiday.

4. You don’t get enough time to enjoy the destinations

You definitely get enough time to explore each port of call on a Marella cruise, with several hours to either wander on your own, or to book one of the exciting shore excursion options.

Marella’s expertly curated excursions are designed to give passengers an immersive experience of each destination. Whether it’s a guided tour of historical landmarks, a culinary adventure, or an outdoor activity, there are options to suit all interests.

Still want more time on land? Marella makes it easy to book a cruise-and-stay package, with a hotel break before or after you sail (or both).

5. You have to dress up all the time

Another myth is that cruises require formal attire at all times. While Marella Cruises does offer elegant evenings for those who enjoy dressing up, you aren’t forced to take part – there’s always a casual restaurant option.

Guests can choose to dress up or down depending on their preferences, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy a laid-back atmosphere.

Daytime attire is typically casual, with comfortable clothing suitable for activities and excursions. Evenings offer a range of options, from smart-casual to formal, allowing guests to decide how they wish to dress.

So no, cruises aren’t stuffy with everyone in tuxes and dresses all the time. But you can get dressed up all fancy if you still want to.

6. Cruising is only for old people

Marella Cruises caters to a diverse demographic, with activities and entertainment options designed for all age groups. From energetic teenagers to adventurous young adults and mature travelers, everyone can find something to enjoy on a Marella cruise.

Families with children are especially well-catered for, with kids’ clubs, family-friendly activities, and spacious family cabins. For younger adults, there are vibrant nightlife options, including bars, clubs, and live entertainment.

And if you do want to cruise without kids onboard, Marella Explorer 2 is an adults-only ship.

7. Cruises just aren’t for me

Many people assume that cruising simply isn’t their style, but Marella Cruises caters to a wide range of interests and preferences, making it easy for anyone to find their perfect holiday.

Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple seeking romance, or a family looking for a fun getaway, Marella offers tailored experiences to suit everyone.

There’s so many different ways you can enjoy a Marella cruise, that you won’t ever feel like you’re out of place.

Final word

Marella Cruises dispels the myths surrounding cruise holidays by offering a diverse, affordable, and enjoyable experience for all types of travellers.

With their all-inclusive fares, varied dining options, engaging activities, and flexible dress code, Marella proves that cruising can be the perfect holiday for anyone.

If you found this interesting, please share!

Read more about me

Source link

Best & Worst Cabins on P&O Cruises’ Arvia

June 7, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips P&O Cruises

Arvia is P&O Cruises’ stunning mega-ship. It has 2,610 cabins to choose from, and some of them are much more desirable than others.

I cruised on Arvia’s maiden voyage. We booked an inside cabin, but when we arrived we had a look around it before heading to Guest Services and paying to upgrade to a balcony!

I’ve also stayed in Sea View cabins on sister ship Iona (the rooms are identical to Arvia). So, it’s fair to say that I have plenty of experience when it comes to accommodation on Arvia.

I’m something of a deck plan geek and have spent hours looking for the best and worst cabins, as well as reading cruise forums and Facebook groups to see what others had to say.

In this guide, I’ll show you which Arvia cabins to avoid and point out the best cabins that you’ll want to snap up, should they be available when you book.

Arvia Cabin Types

Like most other cruise ships, Arvia offers four main cabin types:

Inside cabins – Single, standard or larger
Outside cabins – Standard
Balcony cabins – Single, smaller, standard or deluxe
Suites – Conservatory mini-suite, family sea view suite or suite

Arvia’s Inside Cabins

The cheapest cabins on Arvia are inside cabins. Located in the interior of the ship, these cabins have no windows to let in natural light. If that doesn’t bother you, inside cabins can be a great choice as they offer the best value for money.

I booked an inside cabin on Iona, and while there was nothing wrong with it at all, we chose to upgrade while on board as we were cruising for two weeks at Christmas, and we wanted to treat ourselves.

I’ll give you more information about how to upgrade (and when’s the best time to do it) later on in this guide.

The standard inside cabins on Arvia are 135 square feet, which is a little smaller than average. If you’d like more space, you can upgrade to a larger inside cabin which is 40% larger at 190 square feet.

Most inside cabins on Arvia sleep two people, but there are some that can accommodate three or four. These have a sofa bed for the third passenger and some also have an extra bed that comes down from the ceiling (called a Pullman bed) for the fourth passenger.

Not all inside cabins are the same on Arvia as some are square and some are rectangular. If you have more than two people in your room you will be assigned a square one like in the image above.

Also on Arvia’s maiden voyage with me were cruise YouTubers Tom and Dom. I had a drink with them and they explained how their rectangular inside cabin was quite different to mine.

They’ve made this video of their cabin which is worth a look if you’re trying to decide between the square and rectangular options:

Arvia also has single inside cabins for solo passengers. Wheelchair or scooter users can book an accessible inside cabin, which is 213 square feet in size and features a wet room.

Arvia’s Outside Cabins

An upgrade from an inside cabin on Arvia would be an outside cabin. Also known as sea view cabins, outside cabins have a window. But the natural light isn’t the only bonus you get with an outside cabin onboard Arvia.

At 210 square feet in size, Arvia’s outside cabins are 55% larger than inside cabins, and they’re also noticeably larger than balcony cabins!

These cabins have the same amount of space as deluxe balcony cabins – making them one of the best cabin types for families, or for cold weather cruises where you may not want to sit out on your balcony.

The location on Deck 4 or 5 is pretty handy too. Midship on Deck 5 is the best spot as it’s just one flight of stairs up to the atrium. There are only four of these though, so you’ll have to be quick!

Outside cabins on Arvia can accommodate two, three or four passengers, depending on whether the cabin has a sofa bed or both a sofa bed and a Pullman bed.

Suggested read: What is a Pullman bed on a cruise ship?

This is my favourite cabin type on Arvia. I’ve stayed in two of these on sister ship Iona and would have also chosen it on Arvia if one were available.

Accessible outside cabins onboard Arvia are huge, at 307 square feet, which gives lots of space for those who need it to accommodate a wheelchair or scooter.

Arvia’s Balcony Cabins

There are 1,334 standard balcony cabins on Arvia, making this the most popular cabin type on the ship.

As Arvia will be mostly offering warm-weather cruises, a balcony can be a great choice as it will enable you to enjoy your own private space in the sunshine. This is the cabin that we stayed in for two weeks…

As well as the 170-square-foot standard balcony cabins, there are also 120 deluxe balcony cabins to choose from. These have a footprint of 210 square feet, making them 24% larger.

If there are only two of you, you may wish to opt for a smaller balcony cabin. At 150 square feet, these are only slightly smaller than standard balcony cabins but will be a little cheaper. The balcony itself will be the same size, you’ll just lose a little space in the interior.

Some standard balcony and deluxe balcony cabins on Arvia are wheelchair accessible and these will be larger.

Whichever balcony cabin you choose, you’ll enjoy sliding doors that lead out to your private balcony, where you’ll find two chairs and possibly a small table.

It’s important to note that some balconies on Arvia are much, much bigger than others. You can read more about that later in the ‘best cabins on Arvia’ section below.

And you should also note that not all balconies have views of the ocean and not all are private. Take a look at this one below, which I would say is the worst balcony on Arvia…

Be sure to read on to the ‘worst cabins’ section of this article for a list of rooms that you would do well to avoid if you can.

Arvia’s Suites

For those who like a little luxury, a suite can be the best choice with more space and, depending on which suite you book, some very special perks.

Arvia Suite — Photo credit: Richmond International / P&O Cruises

There are three types of suites to choose from on Arvia:

Conservatory Mini Suites
Family Sea View Suites
Suites

1. Conservatory Mini Suites

Arvia conservatory mini suite — Photo credit: Richmond International / P&O Cruises

Conservatory Mini Suites are the cheapest suites on Arvia. These don’t come with any of the extra perks that you get with a suite. I would say that Conservatory Mini Suites are actually more similar to balcony cabins than suites.

What you do get with this type of accommodation is a conservatory area in between the bedroom and balcony. As well as the standard sofa (which converts into an extra bed in some cabins), you’ll get another sofa inside the conservatory area. Here, you have bi-folding doors that lead onto the balcony.

At 255 square feet, Conservatory Mini Suites are 50% larger than standard balcony cabins. This type of room is a good option for families, as you can leave the sofa bed set up as a bed, and still have the L-shaped sofa in the conservatory to sit on.

There are no wheelchair-accessible Conservatory Mini Suites on Arvia.

2. Family Sea View Suites

There are only two Family Sea View Suites on Arvia, but this rare type of accommodation offers a great option for families of three or four. The Family Sea View Suites are located on Deck 8, which is the Promenade Deck.

These suites don’t have a balcony, but instead have large windows overlooking the promenade.

For parents of young children who want the space of a suite but would prefer not to have a balcony for safety reasons, Family Sea View Suites are ideal. They’re very spacious at 300 square feet. This is 43% larger than an oceanview cabin and more than twice the size of an inside cabin.

Family sea view cabins have a sofa bed and a Pullman bed. However, there’s no reason why you couldn’t book one of these for only two people if you desire.

3. Suites

Photo credit: Richmond International / P&O Cruises

Arvia has 25 suites to choose from. These are the largest and most luxurious of all of the accommodation types on Arvia, with at least 434 square feet of space. You’ll get a separate bedroom and living room as well as a large wraparound balcony.

Arvia’s suites can accommodate either three or four people, with a sofa bed and the option of an extra Pullman bed, depending on which suite you choose.

Suites on Arvia are located at the forward or aft corners of the ship on decks 9 to 15. These locations aren’t ideal for anyone who suffers from seasickness, so if you’re worried about that, you may be better off opting for a conservatory mini suite in a mid-ship location as you’ll feel less movement here.

I would say that the aft suites (at the back of the ship) are better than the forward-facing suites because they are more sheltered from the wind and have glass balconies rather than steel, so you can admire the ocean views while sitting down.

There is one wheelchair-accessible suite on Arvia.

As well as the extra space, suites on Arvia come with a whole host of perks. These perks also apply to guests staying in family oceanview suites, but not conservatory mini suites.

Arvia Suite Benefits:

Priority check-in
Access to hospitality lounge with drinks and pastries while you wait to board
Get on the ship first
Welcome reception with canapes and drinks
Welcome Champagne, water, chocolates, fruit and flowers in your suite
Butler service
Daily canapes delivered
Use of bathrobe and slippers
Premier toiletries from The White Company
Breakfast in the Epicurean restaurant
Use of atlas and binoculars
Selection of magazines
Coffee machine
Pillow menu
Free room service
Option to enjoy the main dining menu in your suite

Butler service explained

Some of the things you might ask your butler to do on your cruise would be to pack and unpack your suitcase, make reservations for dinner, bring room service, book spa sessions, book shore excursions or organise your laundry.

Choosing the best cabin on Arvia

I’ve made a checklist of everything that you should look out for and possibly avoid when choosing a cruise cabin. If you’d like a copy, just enter your email below and it will be delivered straight to your inbox for free.

Alternatively, read on for more information about the Arvia cabins, including the best and worst cabins on this ship.

Arvia Cabin Grades

The cabins on Arvia are grouped together into grades for pricing purposes. Cabin grades are two letters (e.g. PF) or a letter and a number (e.g. B4). Each grade is shown in a different colour on the Arvia deck plan.

To decode the cabin grades, you must know that the first letter refers to the cabin types (e.g. P = inside) and the second letter or number refers to the location on the ship (e.g. F = high or low deck, forward location.

Here’s a table of the Arvia cabin grades and what they mean…

Cabin Type	1st Letter of Grade
Suite	B
Conservatory Mini-suite	C
Deluxe Balcony	E
Balcony / Smaller Balcony	G
Sea View	L
Larger Inside	O
Inside	P
Single Balcony	Q
Single Inside	S

Cabin Location	2nd Digit of Grade
Mid decks. Midship location.	A
All decks. Mid-forward, mid or mid-aft location	B or V
High or low decks. Mid-forward or mid-aft location.	C or W
Mid decks. Aft location.	D or 4
All decks. Forward or aft location	E, Y or 5
High or low decks. Forward location.	F, Z or 6

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest P&O Cruises offers…

Arvia cabins to avoid

Now that we know which cabin types are available on Arvia, let’s take a look at those cabins which you may wish to avoid. Then, I’ll list some of the best cabins on Arvia which you may want to look out for instead.

I’m not saying that there are any bad cabins on Arvia. What would be an undesirable cabin for one person, might be a wonderful cabin for the next. Everything is subjective and you should choose a cabin depending on your own priorities.

1. Noisy cabins

One of the things that people complain about most often on a cruise is when their sleep is disturbed by noise either late in the evening or very early in the morning.

If you like to go to bed quite early, you may wish to avoid cabins numbered 8140 to 8235. These are located right above the Headliners Theatre. Shows may go on until close to midnight and there’s a chance that you may be able to hear some noise from the speakers.

Another location you may wish to avoid is right above the nightclub. These cabins are numbered 9701 to 9744.

As Arvia has a retractable roof, if it’s open at night then you may hear the noise from the shows if you stay in a midship balcony on Deck 14 or 15.

If you like to sleep in late it’s generally wise to avoid any cabins that are located directly below sunbathing areas. When people start to move deckchairs around in the morning, if they drag them along the floor you may hear this from the cabins below. For this reason, you may wish to avoid all cabins on Deck 17.

Another location that you may wish to avoid is beneath the gym. This is because you may hear some noise from treadmills or weights being dropped early in the morning. These cabins are numbered 4201 to 4532 (odd numbers only).

2. Balconies that aren’t private

Many cruisers prefer to have a balcony that other passengers cannot see onto. If this sounds familiar, then there are lots of cabins on Arvia that you’ll want to avoid.

Just like sister-ship Iona, Arvia has an unusual design in that balcony cabins on the promenade deck have a public walkway between the balconies and the ocean.

This means that if you book a balcony cabin or conservatory mini suite on Deck 8, people will be able to walk past your balcony and see in.

In the image below, the brown area is the public walkway on the Promenade Deck

Deck on 8 on these ships has a really bad reputation. And yes, I would avoid choosing a balcony on this deck. The ones near the front of the ships are particularly undesirable. This is because the walkway gets higher as you walk to the front of the ship, meaning that the balcony rails are now at waist height rather than chest height.

Here’s a photo of my eight-year-old daughter walking past one of the Deck 8 balconies on Arvia to demonstrate what I mean…

3. Balcony cabins with obstructed views

Lifeboats are a common cause of obstructed views on cruise ships. Arvia’s clever design means that the lifeboats are located outside of the theatre and casino, where they don’t block the view from any balcony cabins.

However, I would say that the obstructed view cabins on Arvia are possibly worse than any lifeboat obstructions, and they don’t come with any discount in the price.

If you stay in cabins numbered 8309 to 8312 and 8322 to 8330, the obstruction is a hot tub located between your balcony and the sea!

Instead of looking out at the ocean from your balcony, this could be your view…

4. Cabins that could make you seasick

Anyone worried about motion sickness at sea should book a cabin on a low deck in a mid-ship location. When you’re on a high deck or at the very front or back of a ship, you’ll feel the movement more than you would anywhere else.

The worst cabins for seasickness on Arvia will be 17201 to 17217 and 16201 to 16240.

As Arvia is a very large and modern ship, any movement won’t be felt as much as it would on a smaller ship that doesn’t have the same stabilising technology.

Suggested read: Do big cruise ships rock less?

5. Cabins far away from amenities

Arvia is 345 metres long, so it would take the average adult around three minutes to walk from one end of the ship to the other. Of course, if you have mobility limitations or are travelling with young children, this could take much longer.

If you’re worried about walking long distances, cabins in midship locations are often the best choice.

The inside cabin that I originally had was right at the front of Deck 4. This is the worst location on the ship as it’s so far from everything. It’s one of the main reasons why we moved!

6. Cabins with balconies you can’t always use

Arvia has some forward-facing balconies. These are numbered 8101 to 8108, 9102 to 9109, 10101 to 10108, 11101 to 11108, 12103 to 12110, 14101 to 14110 and 15101 to 15108.

The problem with being forward-facing on any cruise ship is that it can be incredibly windy! In fact, most cruise ships don’t actually have forward-facing balconies for this very reason.

If it gets too windy, a storm door will be closed across your balcony door and you won’t be allowed to go outside. You’ll still be able to see out of a small window, but most people would find this to be annoying.

Take a look at this video to see what one of these balconies looks like…

The balcony itself is a little larger than a standard balcony and some people do enjoy facing forwards and watching where the ship is going. But if you’re cruising on Arvia in the Caribbean in hurricane season, then this is one to avoid for sure.

Best cabins on Arvia

The best cabins for families on Arvia

The best cabins or families on Arvia are ones that offer a little more space. These are:

Larger inside cabins
Sea View cabins
Deluxe Balcony cabins
Conservatory Mini-Suites
Family Sea View Suites
Suites

Each cabin on Arvia has a shower, except for suites (grades B4, B5 and B6), which also have a bath.

Families of five or more wishing to cruise on Arvia will need two cabins. As children aged under 16 cannot stay in their own cabin, you’ll need to choose cabins that have interconnecting doors between them.

Most of the time, with interconnecting cabins, you’ll need two of the same cabin type e.g. two insides or two balconies. However, some of the forward suites connect to inside cabins which can a good option for families with three or more children or those that are cruising with grandparents.

The best cabins for solo travellers

Solo travellers cruising on Arvia have the choice of 10 single inside or 12 single balcony cabins. These cabin types offer a cost-effective way for single travellers to cruise, but you can still expect to pay more than you would if you were sharing a twin cabin.

Solo cabins always sell out very quickly. If you’ve missed out, don’t worry. It’s worth getting a quote for a double cabin for solo occupancy as sometimes this doesn’t cost any more.

Suggested read: P&O Cruises with no single supplement

The best inside cabins

For anyone who likes to cruise as cheaply as possible (like myself), the best inside cabins on Arvia are the PF grade cabins as these are the cheapest.

Deck 9 is a good spot to find cheap, quiet, inside cabins.

The best sea view cabins

Sea view cabins on Arvia are located on Decks 4 and 5. These are all great cabins, although we don’t yet know if there is any difference in the sizes of the windows.

If you like to go to the gym or spa frequently, I would suggest booking a cabin numbered 5301 to 5321 as these are right next door.

The best balcony cabins

Some cabins on Arvia have much bigger balconies than others, for the same price. If you like to have a lot of space on your balcony, these are certainly worth looking out for.

In the example below, you can see that cabin 17219 has a huge L-shaped balcony. This is a GF grade balcony cabin, which is the cheapest grade of standard balcony cabins on Arvia. The price grade is based on the location of the cabin on the ship, not the size of the balcony.

In the example above, the lilac-coloured cabins will be cheaper than the pink ones, just because they are located slightly further forward on the ship. So 17219 will be cheaper than 17305, even though it has a much bigger balcony!

You’ll find cabins with large balconies on most decks on Iona, so it’s worth studying the deck plan to choose one of these, particularly if you’d like more than two people to be able to sit out on the balcony together.

As I’ve studied the deck plan thoroughly already, here’s a list to choose from:

The largest balconies on Arvia:

Deluxe:

9236
9239
9320
9321
10238
10245

Standard:

9714
9711
10320
10321
10525
10526
11242
11243
11320
11321
11711
11712
12242
12255
12320
12321
12711
12712
14242
14255
14320
14321
14524
14527
14711
14712
15242
15253
15316
15317
15526
15527
15711
15712
16242
16253
16320
16321
17219
17317
17320

The best suites

The best suites on Arvia are the aft suites as they have huge wraparound balconies and the best views over the ship’s wake. As you may feel the movement of the ship more in this location, aft suites on Decks 9 or 10 may be a better choice than those on higher decks.

Choosing a cabin – how it works

P&O Cruises offer three fare types:

Select Fare
Saver Fare
Early Saver Fare

Only the Select Fare gives you the option to choose your cabin number.

With Saver and Early Saver Fares, you can choose the cabin type (e.g. inside, outside, balcony or suite) but the cabin number will be assigned to you at a later date depending on which cabins are left. This is known as a ‘guarantee cabin’.

Booking the Select Fare costs a little more. However, as well as your choice of cabin number, you’ll also get some extra benefits such as free shuttle buses in ports, some on-board credit, free car parking or even a coach to Southampton.

When I booked a cruise on Arvia we got a coach for four people for the 500-mile round trip. This alone was well worth the extra money for the Select Fare. The choice of cabin numbers was a nice bonus.

Arvia cabin amenities

In each cabin on Arvia you’ll find:

En-suite bathroom with shower and a clothesline for drying
Wardrobe space
Desk and chair
Air conditioning
Toiletries from The White Company
TV
Telephone
Hairdryer
British plug sockets
Safe
Mini-bar (chargeable)
Kettle with tea, coffee and biscuits
Mineral water on arrival
Daily steward service

If you book a suite you’ll also enjoy:

Separate bedroom and lounge area
Bathroom with a bath, shower and dual sinks
Walk-in dressing area

There are also lots of suite perks which are listed further up in this guide.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest P&O Cruises offers…

Final word

Now you know which are the P&O Arvia cabins to avoid, make sure you refer back to this guide when booking your cruise. That way, you’ll always get the best room to suit you and your travelling party.

It’s also a good idea to check out P&O Arvia reviews on Facebook groups, because you’ll often get to see photos of your specific cabin from past guests.

Even the cabins to avoid aren’t ‘bad’ cabins, and I’m sure you’ll have an amazing cruise on Arvia – but the advice in this guide should help you guarantee no little issues.

More P&O Cruises Cabin Guides:

If you found this interesting, please share!

Read more about me

Source link

Everything you need to know

June 7, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Royal Caribbean

When you take a Royal Caribbean cruise, as well as your cruise fare, you’ll be expected to pay a little extra to the crew members. To make tipping simpler and fairer, Royal Caribbean’s tips policy is to collect this money from all the guests and automatically share it between the crew members.

Guests still have some decisions to make about whether to pay the gratuities before or after the cruise, and whether to tip any extra on top.

So if you’re planning a cruise with Royal Caribbean, read on for everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean gratuities.

This guide has been updated with the latest price increase from November 2023.

Royal Caribbean gratuity costs

Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $18.00 per person, per day. For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $20.50 per person, per day. In addition to this, an 18% gratuity is automatically added to all drinks, and 20% is added to spa and salon services.

These prices increased in late 2023 and the prices do usually go up every 12-18 months. If prices go up you’ll usually get a few weeks’ notice, and you can pre-pay at the existing rate, even if your cruise is after the date that the prices increase.

Gratuities for children and infants – they still need to pay!

Royal Caribbean’s standard gratuity rate of $18.00 per day ($20.50 for suites) applies to guests of all ages, including children and infants.

This may seem high, but when you think about it, the crew members do a lot of work for each baby, perhaps even more than for an adult. They will set up the travel cot (pack n play) each night, puree food as requested, clean up at mealtimes and much more.

Royal Caribbean gratuities breakdown

Royal Caribbean shares the gratuities between various crew members including stateroom attendants, waiters, bar staff, culinary staff and other hotel services team members.

This slip of paper below, shows how the gratuities are broken down between the various crew members. It’s using old figures from a couple of years ago, but it explains the typical breakdown still.

However, it’s not exact because, for example, there will be several people serving you in the dining room such as your main waiter, the wine waiter and the dining room receptionist. There are also waiters in speciality dining venues and crew members who work in the buffet.

What about the Royal Genie?

Royal Genies are Royal Caribbean’s version of butlers. They serve guests in the top suites onboard some of the ships. And their tips aren’t included in the regular gratuities, so you should tip them extra.

I’ve got a whole guide on tipping the Royal Genie, so it’s best to read that.

Are gratuities mandatory? Your options explained

Royal Caribbean’s ‘Free Gratuities’ deals

Royal Caribbean regularly has promotions to encourage people to book cruises. You may get reduced kids’ prices, included drinks, or free gratuities.

If you book a cruise with free gratuities, it means that Royal Caribbean will pay the gratuities to the staff members for you, so you don’t need to worry about paying them.

Alternatively, you may get some free onboard credit to spend. You can use this to cover the gratuities, or any of the things mentioned in this list: 15 Ways To Use Your Royal Caribbean Onboard Credit

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…

Opting out

If you don’t receive good service during your cruise, you can ask for the gratuities to be removed or reduced. To do this, you would need to go to the Guest Services desk on the morning of your departure and explain your reason.

The service on Royal Caribbean cruises is generally exceptional. So, if you do have any issues, you should head to Guest Services as early in your cruise as you can, so that things can be put right for you before it affects the rest of your cruise.

Tipping individually

Some people like to remove the gratuities and tip staff members individually. Whilst you are free to do this, it isn’t recommended.

The breakdown of gratuities is carefully worked out to be fair for all crew members. If you tip individuals instead, you may be doing a disservice to staff members who you haven’t met personally, such as the kitchen staff or cleaners.

Overpayment of gratuities is allowed but is not expected. If you wish to reward one or two crew members in particular, you could pay the standard gratuity fee and also hand cash to any crew members who you feel are particularly deserving.

Suggested read: Where To Get $2 Bills

At the end of your cruise, you’ll receive an envelope that you can use to give extra cash tips if you wish. Extra envelopes are available at guest services.

Some people like to give gifts such as chocolates or wine to the crew members. However, the feedback from them is that they always prefer cash.

Another way to pay extra gratuities is when you buy a drink. You can add an additional tip on to your receipt if you wish. Doing this is a good way to ensure that you’re served first next time!

You may also wish to give some cash to porters who help with your luggage outside of the ship, particularly if you start your cruise in the United States where this is customary.

Other ways you can recognise great service

If you want to recognise outstanding service by a particular crew member, then head to the Guest Services desk and fill out a ‘WOW card’. Your positive feedback will go on their permanent file, which can help them to get promotions and pay rises.

Ways to pay gratuities

You can usually pay your gratuities in advance of your cruise, or choose to receive a bill on the last day of your cruise. It’s up to you. However, if you want to choose the flexible ‘My Time‘ dining, rather than having a set dining time, you must pre-pay your gratuities.

Prepaying gratuities

There are several ways to prepay your gratuities:

Add them on to the total cost of your cruise when you book
Call Royal Caribbean before your cruise
Log on to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner before your cruise
Ask your travel agent to arrange to take a payment from you

Paying at the end of the cruise

When you check in for your cruise, your onboard account will be set up. This is also known as a SeaPass account. Cash isn’t used on cruise ships, so all your purchases and gratuities (if not prepaid) will be added to your onboard account.

When you check in, you’ll be asked if you wish to set up the account with a credit card or debit card. If you do, Royal Caribbean will automatically charge your card at the end of your cruise. If you don’t, then you’ll need to settle the account with a credit, debit card or with cash before you disembark at the end of your cruise.

It’s usually a good idea to prepay, but not always…

There are pros and cons to paying your gratuities before your cruise, and it’s very much a personal choice. There are some circumstances in which it would be better to prepay and some in which it would be better to pay at the end of your cruise

Prepay if: Free gratuities are on offer

If you get free gratuities thrown in as an incentive for booking a cruise, then these will be automatically prepaid. The best kind of Royal Caribbean prepaid gratuities!

Prepay if: You want MyTime dining

MyTime dining is when you don’t have a set dining time and instead, you can arrive at the main restaurant whenever you like. With MyTime dining you will sit at a different table each night and be served by different crew members.

On most cruises, Royal Caribbean tips need to be prepaid to request MyTime dining.

Prepay if: You book far in advance

Royal Caribbean’s daily gratuity rate increases every one to two years. The latest increase was in 2018 when gratuities went up by $1 per person, per day. If you prepay your gratuities, you’ll only ever have to pay the lower rate.

Prepay if: You like to pay in instalments

If you like to pay for your cruise monthly, then you can add the gratuities to your monthly payment. This makes paying for your cruise more manageable.

Suggested read: How to pay for a cruise in instalments

Prepay if: You don’t have a credit card

If you don’t have a credit card, then you’ll need to link a debit card to your onboard account, or deposit cash.

It’s not a great idea to link a debit card to your cruise account because Royal Caribbean will place a ‘hold’ on some of the money. This will reduce the overall balance you have available to spend. Likewise, carrying large amounts of cash isn’t recommended for safety reasons.

So, if you don’t have a credit card, then you should prepay your gratuities to avoid running out of money in your bank account or having to carry a lot of cash.

Pay later if: You have onboard credit to spend

If you get some free onboard credit as an incentive when you book your cruise, then you can use this to pay your gratuities. So, don’t pay the gratuities in advance and wait for the onboard credit to be applied.

If you don’t have a lot of money available when you come to pay for your cruise, then don’t worry about paying the gratuities right away. Waiting until the end of your cruise will give you a few more paydays to save up the money.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…

To conclude

You don’t need a fancy Royal Caribbean gratuity calculator to work out the tips you need to pay – all you need to do is multiply the daily gratuity charge by the number of nights and the number of passengers in your party.

Whether you pay your Royal Caribbean daily gratuities before or after your cruise is your choice, but it’s never recommended to remove them.

If you found this interesting, please share!

Read more about me

Source link

Royal Caribbean Drink Package Guide

June 4, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Food and drink Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean drinks packages let you drink as much as you want – for a daily fee. Enjoying all-inclusive drinks on your cruise is fantastic – but it’s not a good deal for everyone.

Royal Caribbean has five different drinks packages to choose from. And they’re so confusing!

In an effort to decide whether to splash out hundreds of dollars on drinks or not, cruisers often turn to social media, where you’ll find tens of Facebook groups dedicated to the topic. Some of these have over 50,000 people, asking questions daily!

My daughter and I on a Royal Caribbean cruise

I’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean many times over the past ten years, and in this guide, I’ll share all the details you need to know, so that you can enjoy your cruise without feeling ripped off.

Comparing Royal Caribbean’s Drink Packages

	Deluxe Beverage Package	Refreshment Package	Classic Soft Drinks Package
Cost	$50 to $115 per person per day	$38 per person per day	$15 per person per day
Alcoholic drinks	✔️	✖️	✖️
Non-alcoholic cocktails	✔️	✔️	✖️
Freshly squeezed juices	✔️	✔️	✖️
Premium coffees & teas	✔️	✔️	✖️
Bottled water	✔️	✔️	✖️
Milkshakes	✔️	✔️	✖️
Sodas	✔️	✔️	✔️

In addition to these packages, you also have the Evian bottled water package, which gives you 12 bottles of Evian delivered to your stateroom for $39, and the Cafe Select coffee package, which gives you 15 speciality coffees for $31

Whether the drinks package is worth it depends on the price and how much you drink. If you just want to know what you have to drink to break even on the package, then you can use my drink package calculator which will work all that out really quickly.

Royal Caribbean Drink Package costs can vary

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package has dynamic pricing. The price changes daily depending on the ship, the destinations, the level of demand and current promotions. But it’s usually between $50 and $115 per person, per day.

The Refreshment package is $38 per day and the Classic Soft Drinks Package is $15 per day. However, there are often promos which make these cheaper.

Royal Caribbean keeps the price of its drink packages secret until after you have booked your cruise.

This is super annoying because you want to be able to budget for the whole cost of your cruise with drinks before you commit to booking, right? Oftentimes, people book a cruise and then are shocked and annoyed to see that the drink package is over $100 per day. Sometimes, the drink package costs more than the cruise itself!

How to see the exact price of the drink package for your cruise

Knowing the price of the drink package today isn’t that helpful, because it could go up or down tomorrow. But, if you’re on the fence about booking, I can certainly see why you’d want to do this.

There are a few different methods you can use to check the price of the Deluxe Beverage Package without making a booking.

1. Start an online booking

I read this article on the Royal Caribbean blog that says that ‘The Royal Caribbean website now has a Beverage Package step added to the checkout flow, where guests are given the choice to add them to their cart at the same time of booking the cruise.’

Supposedly, if you start an online booking, you’ll see a screen with the current drink packages prices, like this…

Royal Caribbean drink package prices screenshot from online booking

However, I tried this on both the UK and the US versions of the Royal Caribbean website and I was unable to see it. Have they stopped doing it? I’m not sure, but if it does work, it doesn’t work for everyone.

2. Sneak into Royal Caribbean’s cruise planner

The Royal Caribbean cruise planner is where you can see all the extras that you can add on after booking – such as drink packages. I found this forum post that explains how you can get into the planner without a booking, and see the price of the drink package for the cruise you’re interested in.

You just need to make sure that you’re not logged into the planner (use Incognito mode) and then adjust the URL to match your chosen ship and sail date.

Here’s an example: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/account/cruise-planner/category/beverage?bookingId=&shipCode=AN&sailDate=20241002

3. Ask your travel agent

Travel agents have access to far more info than we do, including the current drink package prices. A good travel agent will be able to log into their system and find the price for you.

4. Join the Facebook group for the cruise

Most cruises have Facebook groups for the sailing. If you join the group, you can ask in there what other people paid for their drinks packages. This will give you a good idea of not just what the price is today, but what it has been previously.

What’s actually included in each package?

Before we dive into what’s included in each package, it’s helpful to note that none of Royal Caribbean’s drink packages include mini bar items, bottles of wine, canned sodas, bottled juices, souvenir glasses or super premium drinks. But here’s what they do include…

Deluxe Beverage Package

Royal Caribbean’s alcohol drinks package includes:

Beer
Wine by the glass
Cocktails and mocktails
Spirits and liquors
Premium teas and coffees
Sodas and soft drinks
Freshly-squeezed juices
Bottled water

Refreshment Package

Royal Caribbean’s non-alcoholic drinks package includes:

Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
Premium teas and coffees
Sodas and soft drinks
Freshly-squeezed juices
Bottled water

Classic Soda Package

Royal Caribbean’s soda package includes:

Coca-Cola (including diet, zero, caffeine-free and many different flavours of colas like strawberry, cherry and lime)
Fanta, Sprite and Dr Pepper (and zero versions)
Powerade (and zero version), Vitamin water and Hi C
Seagrams ginger ale (and diet version)
Barry’s root beer and creme soda (and diet versions)
Minute Maid orange and lemonade (and light versions)
Dasani flavoured or sparkling waters

All of these packages come with a refillable souvenir cup which you can use at self-service machines across the ship and help yourself to unlimited refills. You don’t have to use it though, you can just order fountain sodas from bars and restaurants if you prefer.

Royal Caribbean Coffee Package

For those who drink mostly coffee, Royal Caribbean offers a Cafe Select Coffee Card. This costs $31 and gives you 15 speciality coffees throughout your cruise. This reduces the price of each coffee from around $4 to around $2.

Before you go ahead and buy the Coffee Card, here are some things you’ll want to consider:

You cannot use a Coffee Card in Royal Caribbean’s Starbucks cafes
Grande and Venti size drinks will count as two drinks
You can share the card and purchase multiple drinks at the same time
Brewed coffee is always free from the Windjammer buffet
Speciality coffee is already included in both the Deluxe and Refreshment drink packages

Royal Caribbean Water Package

The tap water on Royal Caribbean cruise ships is perfectly safe to drink and tastes okay, although it may not always be very cold, depending on the weather. If you prefer to keep some bottled water in the fridge in your room, you can order 12 or 24 bottles of water to be delivered to your stateroom.

It costs $39 for 12 one-litre bottles of water to be delivered to your stateroom, and $69 for 24 bottles. This package is sometimes discounted, too.

Royal Caribbean Drink Prices

Royal Caribbean drinks prices are on the high end when compared to other cruise lines. You can see a price comparison of drinks across all cruise lines here.

Here are the average Royal Caribbean drinks prices:

Drink	Price
Beer	$7 – $8
Glass of wine	$9 – $20
Cocktail	$8 – $13
Soft drink	$3
Specialty tea or coffee	$4
Bottle of water	$3
Tea, coffee and hot chocolate	FREE
Flavoured water	FREE
Lemonade	FREE
Milk	FREE
Fruit juice	FREE with breakfast

You should note that these prices are before an 18% gratuity is automatically added – I’ll explain more about that later.

If you’d like to know exactly which drinks are available on Royal Caribbean cruise ships and how much they cost, you can see photos of Royal Caribbean’s drink menus here.

Before you start doing the maths to work out how many of each drink you have to drink to get your money’s worth from a package, just wait.

I have a free tool that will work that out for you. Just pop your email below and it will be in your inbox faster than you can say pina colada.

Always buy drinks packages in advance!

As the drink package price fluctuates so much, you can save quite a lot of money by timing your purchase right.

For the best price, you should always book your drinks package in advance before your cruise and not wait until you get on board the ship.

When you log into Royal Caribbean’s cruise planner, look out for special offers like this…

royal caribbean drink package special offers

Note that if you live in the UK, you’ll see your drink package prices in £GBP on the Cruise Planner. I’ve just used $USD in this guide to keep things consistent for most readers.

On the first day of your cruise, you may see signs offering Buy One Get One Free deals on drinks packages. You should know that the onboard prices are inflated, and it’s still always cheaper to buy your package before your cruise.

Promotions available throughout 2024 on drinks packages

Royal Caribbean offers a discount when you pre-book your drinks package on the cruise planner before you sail. The discount is up to 30% during promotional periods such as Black Friday.

If you buy your drinks package in advance and then see that the price drops due to a promotion, you can cancel your drinks package, get a refund and then buy it again at the lower price. It’s possible to make a saving by doing this if you have the time and energy to track the prices.

You can read more about this here: The Best Time to Buy A Royal Caribbean Drink Package.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…

More important things to know

If you do decide to buy a drink package for your cruise, then there are some important things that you must know, so as not to get caught out with an unexpected extra charge.

On Royal Caribbean cruises, sharing a drink package is not allowed. If you’re caught sharing your drinks with someone who doesn’t have a package, or cheating the package in any other way, you risk having your drink package cancelled without a refund.

2. Every adult in your cabin must have the same package

Whichever package you choose, you must buy it for every adult passenger for every day of your cruise. If two adults are sharing a stateroom then both people must have the same package. So you can’t get the Royal Cribbean alcohol package for one person and the soft drink package for another.

This is to prevent people from using their package to get drinks for other who don’t have the package.

There are some exceptions to this rule, though. Under certain circumstances, you may be able to buy the Deluxe Beverage Package for one guest and the Refreshment Package for another guest.

These exceptions include:

Medical conditions
Pregnancy
Alcohol addiction
Religion

If any of these apply, then contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean and explain your circumstances. You may be required to show proof.

3. You don’t need to buy a drinks package for children

Unlike some other cruise lines, such as MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean does not require guests under the legal drinking age to buy any kind of drinks package. So, you can get an alcohol or soft drink package for the adults without being required to buy any kind of package for your children.

Adam with water on Royal Caribbean cruise — My son only drinks water so a drinks package would be pointless for him

You have to wait 15 minutes between each drink, so it is technically possible to get drinks for the kids and then 15 minutes later, go and get drinks for yourselves. Just like sneaking your own alcohol on board the ship, this isn’t technically allowed, but people do it.

4. There’s no limit to how many drinks you can have

Whilst many other cruise lines limit the number of drinks you can order to 15 in any 24-hour period, Royal Caribbean has no daily limit. However, if you appear to be too intoxicated, the staff won’t serve you any more drinks.

5. Not all drinks are included

The Deluxe Beverage Package includes drinks up to $14 in value. That’s pretty much everything, aside from some premium wines and spirits.

However, it doesn’t include anything from Starbucks, your mini bar, some speciality beers that are shown on the menu, or anything in a souvenir glass.

The deluxe package also doesn’t include wine by the bottle, so be sure to always order it by the glass. It does give you 40% off any wine up to $100 and 20% off any wine over $100 though, if you want to treat yourself to a bottle of something special.

6. Drinks from Robot Bartenders are included

On Anthem of the Seas and other Quantum-class ships you can order drinks from the robotic bartender. These drinks are included in your drink package, which is great, as on MSC Cruises’ ships, drinks made by the MSC robotic bartender are not.

7. Royal Caribbean drinks packages work on private islands too

If you cruise to either of Royal Caribbean’s private islands – CocoCay in the Bahamas or Labadee in Haiti – then you’ll be pleased to know that your drink package works on the island!

There are some really great bars and I highly recommend the frozen cocktails. I got mine in a souvenir cup and only paid for the cup, not the drink.

8. Drinks package prices include tips

Royal Caribbean drinks packages include all tips (also known as gratuities). For most sailings, when you buy a drinks package online, an 18% gratuity charge is added at the checkout.

If you wish to recognise outstanding service by adding extra gratuities onboard the ship, you are welcome to do so.

9. The value often comes from relaxation

One of the main benefits of a drinks package is that if you don’t like a drink you don’t have to drink it. If you paid $14 for a cocktail and didn’t like it, you’d be pretty annoyed at yourself for choosing it. Yet with a drinks package, you’re free to work your way down the menu, trying new things.

You don’t need to worry about how much you’re spending, and that’s a much more relaxing way to cruise.

10. Royal Caribbean doesn’t offer free drinks packages.

While Royal Caribbean doesn’t offer free drinks packages, you can get all-inclusive cruise package deals that have drinks included.

In fact, Royal Caribbean almost always has some kind of special offer to encourage people to book cruises. This may be a ‘Kids Sail Free’ offer, free gratuities or buy one cruise fare get one half price.

If you book your cruise during a “free drinks” offer, then you will get drinks included with your cruise.

In my former job managing cruise websites for a travel agent, I saw cruise line campaigns change regularly and prices fluctuate almost daily. One thing which I noticed is that the bigger the ‘freebie’, the higher the base price. A cruise which ordinarily costs £699 might go up to £999 with drinks included.

Note the wording used. Cruise lines rarely use the word ‘free’, instead they use ‘included’. This is because the drinks packages are not actually free, it’s just that the ticket price is adjusted to include drinks.

11. Many drinks are free without a package

There are several places where you’ll find free drinks during your Royal Caribbean cruise. These are:

On the first formal night of the cruise, attend the Captain’s Toast and get a free glass of Champagne
Go to an art auction where free Champagne will be flowing
Attend a liquor tasting in the duty-free shop and get a free shot
Guests who have spent more than 30 nights at sea with Royal Caribbean (Platinum members and above) can attend a Crown & Anchor Welcome Back Party and get free Champagne or rum punch
Guests who have spent more than 80 nights at sea with Royal Caribbean (Diamond members and above) get free drinks between 5 pm and 8.30 pm for Happy Hour
Guests staying in a Grand Suite or higher can enjoy free drinks for a few hours each evening in the Concierge Lounge
Use a coupon – Buy One Get One Free deals may be pre-loaded on to your Seapass account

free mimosa at a Royal Caribbean art auction — Beware: I drank the free mimosas at a Royal Caribbean art auction and ended up buying a painting!

You can see a full list of the free drinks here: List of Free Drinks on Royal Caribbean Cruises.

12. Diamond members and above get free drinks

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society awards loyalty points for every night that guests spend on-board Royal Caribbean ships. With the acquisition of 80 points (equivalent to 80 nights at sea), guests become Diamond members.

Crown & Anchor Diamond status entitles you to four free drinks per person per day, meaning that you probably don’t need a drink package.

Read more about Royal Caribbean Diamond Benefits.

12. The drinking age varies by country

For cruises that start in North America, the minimum drinking age is 21. For cruises that start elsewhere, it’s 18. If you celebrate a milestone birthday mid-way through the cruise, you should ask the Guest Services Manager to modify your record to allow you to drink alcohol after your birthday.

So the big question – is a drinks package worth it?

When I cruise with Royal Caribbean, I sometimes get a drink package, but sometimes I don’t. To help you decide, here are some of the things that I weigh up when making my decision…

Drinking on sea days versus port days

You should think about how much time you plan to spend on the ship. Whilst you could easily drink five cocktails by the pool and then a couple of glasses of wine in the evening on a sea day, how much would you drink if you were off the ship from 9 am until 6 pm most days?

If you plan to be off the ship exploring ports most days, then not only will you not have as much time on board to drink your drinks, but you’re also less likely to want a hangover! For this reason, a drinks package may be better value on a cruise with lots of sea days, such as a transatlantic sailing.

Who are you cruising with?

My husband chooses not to drink alcohol, so when I cruise with him I never get a drink package. It’s virtually impossible to break even on the Deluxe Beverage Package if you don’t drink alcohol.

But when I cruise with a group of friends it’s more of a party atmosphere, so I would definitely buy the package and try out all of the cocktails!

Buying the package – online or onboard?

There are two ways to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package:

Online – At least 72 hours before your cruise using Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner
Onboard – Ask at any bar on the ship and the staff will help you buy it

The best way to save money on your Royal Caribbean drink package is to buy it a few days after booking your cruise. Then, log into the Cruise Planner regularly to watch the price. If it drops, cancel the package and re-buy it at the lower price.

If you need to cancel…

You can use the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner to cancel your drink package online up to two days before your cruise and receive a full refund. After that, you can cancel it when you first embark on the ship, but no later.

You can’t get wine packages anymore

Royal Caribbean no longer offers a wine package. Years ago, you could buy five bottles of wine for $165, 7 bottles for $220 and 10 bottles for $300. However, the cruise line no longer offers these discounts.

Do you plan to buy a drinks package on your next cruise? Let me know in the comments below.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…

If you found this interesting, please share!

Read more about me

Source link

Princess Premier Vs Princess Plus (2024) (with Calculator!)

June 4, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Princess Cruises

When you book a cruise with Princess Cruises, you’ll have a choice of the standard fare, the Princess Plus Package or the Princess Premier Package.

So, what exactly is included in each of these three deals? And which one should you go for?

It is a little confusing, but don’t worry. In this guide, I’ll explain it all and do the maths for you. This guide includes the newest additions from August 2023.

The 3 Princess Cruises Packages

Let’s take a look at exactly what’s included in a Princess cruise with each of the packages.

Princess Standard

This is the standard cruise fare that you see advertised, and if you don’t want any extras, it’s the cheapest way to cruise.

The standard Princes Cruises fare includes accommodation, dining in the included restaurants, and entertainment.

Every cruise comes with a wearable Ocean Medallion. This coin-sized device is a replacement for the traditional cruise card. It also allows you to find your family on the ship and have things delivered right to you via the mobile app.

Princess Plus

Cost = $60 (or £50) per person, per day

The Princess Plus package includes everything from the standard fare, plus:

Plus Beverage Package: All drinks up to $15 each
WiFi: For 1 device per person
Tips: Worth $16 – $18 per person, per day
OceanNow Food Delivery: Worth $14.99
Casual Dining Meals: 2 Per Guest
Room Service Delivery: Worth $5 per delivery
Premium Desserts: 2 per day
Fitness Classes: 2 per cruise
Unlimited Juice Bar

Princess Premier

Cost = $80 (or £65) per person, per day

The new Princess Premier package includes everything from the standard fare, plus:

Premier Beverage Package: All drinks up to $18 each
WiFi: For up to 4 devices per person
Tips: Worth $16 – $18 per person, per day
OceanNow Food Delivery: Worth $14.99
Casual Dining Meals: Unlimited
Room Service Delivery: Worth $5 per delivery
Speciality Dining: 2 meals per guest
Photo Package: Unlimited digital photos + 2 prints
Princess Prizes: Chance to win prizes from $5 to $100,000
Premium Desserts: Unlimited
Fitness Classes: Unlimited
Unlimited Juice Bar
Free Medallion Accessory
Reserved Theatre Seating for production shows

Princess Plus and Princess Premier are worth considering IF you’ll use all the perks

According to Princess Cruises, Princess Plus has a total value of $140 per day for a $60 per day cost and Princess Premier has a total value of $257 per day for an $80 per day cost.

So, at first glance, it seems like these packages offer great value, right?

Well yes, they do, but only if the extras are things that you want and would have purchased anyway.

So, with that in mind, let’s break down exactly what’s included in each package and how much those extras usually cost. Then, you can decide which package to go for.

To keep things simple, we’ll use the US dollar pricing throughout this article. Bear in mind though, that if you live in the UK you can expect to pay for both your cruise and the package in pounds sterling.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

See the latest Princess Cruises offers…

Princess Plus – worth it if you drink alcohol

Princess Plus costs $60 per person, per day. It includes drinks, tips and WiFi, as well as 2 casual dining meals, 2 premium desserts, 2 fitness classes and unlimited drinks from the juice bar, to the value of $140 per day. For most people who drink alcohol, the package is worth it, but it’s not for everyone.

I can say one thing immediately. If you are going to want a Princess Plus Beverage Package, then the Princess Plus cruise fare is 100% worth buying.

That’s because it’s actually cheaper to buy a Princess Plus fare than it is to get a Princess Plus Beverage package, even though the fare includes the same drinks package AND other benefits. The Plus Beverage Package is around $75 per day when the service charge is included – and if you pay for a Princess Plus fare, the service charge is still included too. You don’t have to pay the service charge extra.

It doesn’t really make sense, but there is no benefit to buying the beverage package on its own.

If you aren’t going to want the beverage package, then instead, you need to look at the other perks and decide whether it’s worth buying them individually or getting the Princess Plus fare.

Tips are included too

On a Princess cruise, everyone must pay tips, which the cruise line calls ‘crew appreciation’, to recognise the efforts of the crew members. This is automatically added to your onboard account.

While you can change the amount at the guest services desk if you have a bad experience, this isn’t recommended as the crew members work very hard and rely on these tips as part of their income.

The price of tips on Princess Cruises is $16 per person, per day for guests staying in Interior, Oceanview and Balcony rooms. If you stay in a Mini-Suite it will be $17 and in a Suite, it will be $18.

WiFi costs are significant too if you don’t get Plus

Princess Cruises WiFi costs $24.99 per day for the one-device package. If you want the multi-device package, it’s $44.99 per day. These prices increased in January 2024.

Wifi can be handy if you want to use your mobile phone to access the internet while at sea. Depending on your phone contract and the destination, you may be able to use 4G or 5G data at no extra cost while the ship is in port.

Many people prefer not to buy WiFi on a cruise and instead only use their phone in a port. Be sure to read my guide to avoiding cruise roaming charges to make sure that you don’t get caught out.

Some casual dining restaurants have a cost too…

Alongside the changes to the Plus and Premier packages in August 2023, Princess Cruises also made changes to casual dining. It simplified the costs, meaning that all of the casual venues now cost $14.99 for prix fixe dining, while individual items will have a la carte pricing.

The venues include Vines, Salty Dog Pub, O’Malleys, Ocean Terrace, Planks, Steamers, Alfredo’s, and GiGi’s (venues depend on your choice of ship). With the Plus package, you get two of these venues included per cruise.

So that could be a saving of $30 on your cruise – roughly $4 per day, if you average it out across the weekly cost.

It’s worth noting that the casual venues listed all had varying charges before these changes came into effect, although Alfredo’s and GiGi’s pizzerias were free of charge. So there was quite a bit of upset among loyal Princess fans when these changes introduced charges for the venues.

You can, of course, continue to dine for free in the main dining room and at the buffet, along with the International Cafe and the poolside venue ‘Slice, Coffee & Cones’. So you need to decide how much variety you want in your cruise – is getting two different venues included worth the extra cost? Would it be better to pay for them separately?

Premium Desserts are another extra included

The cost of premium desserts varies, but with Princess Plus you’re getting two per day – and there is a package you can buy that matches that offer. The premium desserts package costs $11.80 per day.

And you get fitness classes…

Fitness classes cost $30 on a Princess cruise, and you get two included – so that’s a total value of $60 across the entire cruise.

And finally, juices are covered too…

Most fresh juices on Princess Cruises’ ships cost $1.75 per drink. These are completely unlimited with the package, so if you had one per day, that’s an extra $12.25 of value you’re saving.

Remember that the alcohol package you get with Princess Plus costs more than the package itself, so if you plan on drinking a lot of booze, then this package definitely makes financial sense.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

See the latest Princess Cruises offers…

Of course, you may want to pay for your drinks individually, in which case you’ll want to check the prices of the drinks on the menu.

Princess Cruises Drinks Prices in 2024:

Cocktail: $10 to $18
Mocktail: $7
Beer: $7 to $7.50
Glass of wine: $10 to $19
Soft drinks: $2.50
Bottle of water (500ml): $2.50

For the exact pricing of all drinks, check out these photos of Princess Cruises drinks menus.

Princess Plus may not be worth it if you don’t drink much

Perhaps you just like a glass of wine with dinner or maybe the occasional beer in the afternoon. Is the Princess Plus still worth it?

I’ve made a drink package calculator tool that will work out exactly how much your drinks bill will be without a package. Just pop your email address below and it will be sent straight to your inbox.

Depending on how much you drink, it could still be worth getting the Princess Plus package as you could break even with just the wifi and a few drinks per day, depending on what drinks you like.

And if you don’t drink at all…

If you don’t drink alcohol, then you need to work out whether Princess Plus is worth it for you.

The easiest way to do that is for you to add together the value of the parts of the package you would use, and find out whether that comes to more than the $60 for the package.

If it does, save the money and get the package.

As a reminder, here’s the different elements listed with their value:

Included Perk	Daily Value (For Perks With A Total Cost, Estimated Against A 7 Night Cruise)
WiFi	$25
Tips	$16-18
OceanNow Food Delivery (One-Time Activation)	$2.14
Casual Dining Meals (2 Per Cruise)	$4.28
Room Service Delivery (2 Deliveries)	$1.43
Premium Desserts	$11.80
Fitness Classes (2 Per Cruise)	$8.57
Juices (1 Per Day)	$1.75
Total Estimated Value	$70.97 to $72.97

Remember, that’s the value without the drinks package. So you have to ask yourself:

Would you normally pay for all of these perks anyway?
Would you spend more than $5-7 per day on alcoholic drinks?

If you would, then get the Princess Plus fare. You’ll then get the Plus Beverage Package included. If you wouldn’t drink alcohol, then it makes sense to cruise on a standard fare and pay for the tips separately, along with anything else included in the package that you would actually use.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

See the latest Princess Cruises offers…

Princess Premier – not worth it for most people

Princess Premier costs $80 per day. It includes drinks, tips, wifi, speciality and casual dining, prize draw entries, premium desserts, fitness classes, unlimited juice bar drinks, a medallion accessory, reserved theatre seating and photos to the value of $257 per day.

But, whether it’s worth it depends on whether you would normally pay for these things and how long your cruise is.

Again, if you want a Premium Beverage Package, then get the Princess Premium fare. The package fare costs less than the standalone drinks package, just like it does with Princess Plus. The Premium Beverage Package costs over $100 per day with service charge included.

I really don’t understand why the drinks package is more expensive than the cruise fare, which includes the drinks package…

If you don’t want the Premium Beverage Package, then you need to look at the value of everything else you get instead.

Tips are covered again

As we’ve already worked out, tips (also known as gratuities or crew appreciation) cost between $16 and $18 per day, depending on what type of room you book. Those staying in a balcony or below – that’s most people – will pay $16.

WiFi for four devices

Princess Cruises’ four-device wifi package costs $44.99 per day. My guess is that most people definitely don’t need four devices per person on a cruise. But for those who need to do some work on a laptop and also want to use WiFi on their phone by the pool it could be handy.

For most people, the $24.99 one-device wifi package that you get with Princess Plus is enough, so this Princess Premier perk isn’t worth any extra.

Unlimited casual dining

Casual dining costs $14.99 per meal for a prix fixe menu – I covered the list of venues in the Princess Plus section above, so if you jumped past it, just scroll up a little.

The difference here is that you’re getting completely unlimited casual dining. So if you’re someone who really appreciates variety, this could be an excellent perk. You might get $15 of value per day out of your package.

And speciality dining too…

Princess Cruises’ speciality dining costs $29 for dinner at most restaurants, such as the Crown Grill steakhouse. So the total value of two meals is a maximum of $58 per person.

The Chef’s Table Lumiere is classed as fine dining, so it’s not included in the Princess Premier speciality dining credits.

The Princess Premier terms and conditions state that you get two meals per person, regardless of the duration of the cruise. This is important, as the Premier Package is priced per day.

So, on a short three-night cruise, you’ll get much more value from the package than you would on a 14-night or longer voyage. Then again, on a short cruise, you might be happy with the main dining room and less likely to spend extra on speciality dining.

Get snap-happy with a Photo Package

At the time of writing, Princess Cruises doesn’t offer the package with two prints and unlimited digital photos that you get with the Princess Premier Package. The nearest is the 5-photo package, which costs £64.08 (around $83).

The unlimited digital photo package is a strong offer, and I would estimate this to be worth around $100. While this has slightly more value on a longer cruise because you’ll have more opportunities to pose for photos, this is definitely outweighed by the fact that the Princess Premier Package is charged on a daily basis.

Win prizes too!

Princess prizes is a relatively new concept that’s really exciting. If you get lucky, you could win the ultimate grand prize of $100,000 cash. There are also free cruises to be won as well as onboard spending money worth $5 to $250, meals at Chef’s Table Lumiere and wine tastings.

Here’s how it works…

Outside your stateroom door, there’s a portal. Every time you open your stateroom door, you can watch it spin to see if you’ve won a prize. One in five tries wins a prize! You’ll get unlimited spins per day.

Due to gaming laws, the prize portal is only activated when the ship is in international waters. And kids can’t play.

You don’t have to purchase the Princess Premier Package to play Princess Prizes. (Wow, that was a mouthful!) Instead, you can pay a fee of $20 per stateroom per day to play.

Unlimited premium desserts… yum!

The premium dessert range on Princess Cruises costs around $5-8, but you can pay $10.80 for a package of two desserts.

With the Premium package, they’re unlimited, but how often are you going to eat more than two per day? That’s not meant to shame you – if you can then go for it! But most people will find that two a day is enough, so it’s worth around the same as the $10.80 package.

Work out as much as you want

Fitness classes, when bought alone, cost $30 but you can get a package for two that costs $39, let’s call it a value of $19.50 per class. Obviously the more classes you do, the better value you get, but let’s assume you did one per day – that means a daily value of $19.50.

Unlimited juices again

Juice bar drinks cost $1.75. Again, these are unlimited, so the value you get depends on how many you drink. Let’s call it $1.75 per day.

Plus you get an accessory for your Medallion

The Medallion accessories vary in price from $7 to $45. While it hasn’t been confirmed which accessory is included, I imagine it’s the $7 option.

Reserved seating – no value, but nice to have!

Reserved seating in the theatre for production shows doesn’t have a monetary value – you can’t pay for this on its own. It only has the value to you of being able to reserve good seats in advance.

Princess Premier – the total value

Let’s add up everything that’s included, without the drinks package:

Included Perk	Daily Value (For Perks With A Total Cost, Estimated Against A 7 Night Cruise)
WiFi	$25
Tips	$16-18
OceanNow Food Delivery (One-Time Activation)	$2.14
Casual Dining Meals (5 Per Cruise)	$10.70
Speciality Dining Meals (2 Per Cruise)	$8.28
Room Service Delivery – 2 Deliveries	$1.43
Princess Prizes	$10
Medallion Accessory	$1
Photo Package	$14.29
Premium Desserts	$11.80
Fitness Classes (2 Per Cruise)	$5.57
Juices – 1 Per Day	$1.75
Total Estimated Value	$107.96 – $109.96

The total value, when averaged out across a 7-day cruise, is around $98 per day without the drinks package. So if you would use all of the above, then the Princess Premier package would be better value than buying everything individually.

And if you want to drink a lot, it is definitely worth it!

But, let’s say that you only order drinks worth under $15 (that’s still a great choice) and you only have one device using wifi. This is the case for most people. And remember that everyone has to cover the tips regardless.

In that case, for the extras that come with the Princess Premier Package, you are paying an extra $20 per person, per day, on top of the Princess Plus Package.

Is that worth it? Well…

Really it depends on how much you care about Princess Prizes, and how much variety you want in your dining. If you want to eat at a different casual venue each day, and you’ll make the most of the speciality dining options, then it could save you money to go for a Premier package.

But you can also pay for occasional meals, and then dine for free in the complimentary venues on others.

In reality, Princess Plus is the best option for most people. But because the packages offer so many extras, you need to work out exactly what you’d use.

The verdict – what should you do?

After this thorough analysis, I can conclude that the Princess Plus package is worth it for anyone who drinks an alcoholic drink each day

If you’re not sure of the value of your drinks, be sure to grab a copy of the drink package calculator.

When it comes to upgrading to the Princess Premier package, that’s just not worth it for most people.

Instead, I’d recommend that you get the Princess Plus package. If you want the Princess Prizes, extra WiFi, extra dining options, additional fitness classes and photos, then add those on separately. It will work out cheaper in most cases.

And remember – if you want a drinks package, don’t buy one! The Plus fare is cheaper than the Plus Beverage Package!

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

See the latest Princess Cruises offers…

For more information about Princess Cruises’ drink packages, you can refer to my guide: Princess Cruises Drink Packages Guide.

If you found this interesting, please share!

Read more about me

Source link

Last Minute Summer River Escapes With TUI River Cruises

June 3, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Cruise News Cruise Tips River Cruising

This is a sponsored post for TUI River Cruises.

Still looking for that perfect getaway for summer? A river cruise could be just what you need – the chance to explore some of the most beautiful cities across Europe, enjoy fabulous dining and drinks, and unwind at a wonderfully relaxing pace.

There are still some great deals available for last minute river cruises if you book with TUI, so let’s take a look at your options and why a TUI river escape is the ideal way to get away for a memorable holiday.

Some of the best itineraries…

Rhine Gems

This river cruise offers a captivating journey through scenic and historic regions along the Rhine River, starting and ending in Frankfurt, Germany.

Begin your adventure in Frankfurt, a bustling city known for its impressive skyline and rich cultural heritage. Key sights include the Römer, a medieval building in the heart of the old town, and the Städel Museum, home to an extensive art collection.

Next, visit Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Explore the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, offering panoramic views of the Rhine Valley.

In Worms, delve into history with a visit to the Worms Cathedral, a Romanesque basilica with stunning architecture. Then cross into France to explore Strasbourg, renowned for its picturesque old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A visit to Kembs allows you to experience the tranquil beauty of the Alsace region. Enjoy leisurely walks along the canal and explore local nature reserves.

Then you’ll return to Germany to visit Breisach, a town perched on a basalt rock outcrop overlooking the Rhine. The St. Stephen’s Cathedral offers spectacular views of the surrounding vineyards and the Black Forest. And in Speyer, discover the majestic Speyer Cathedral, one of the largest and most significant Romanesque edifices in Europe.

Danube Treasures

Discover the many exciting ports of the Danube on this river cruise, which begins and ends in Budapest (including an overnight stay at the end of your cruise, to give you ample time to enjoy all that the city has to offer).

Your first port of call once you’ve begun sailing is Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, known for its medieval old town and impressive Bratislava Castle overlooking the Danube River.

You’ll continue to Melk, Austria, home to the stunning Melk Abbey, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture perched high above the town. The abbey’s opulent interiors and extensive library are must-see highlights.

It’s then onto Dürnstein, a charming village in the heart of the Wachau Valley. Here, you can visit the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding vineyards and the Danube River.

In Linz, you can visit the Ars Electronica Center, a museum dedicated to electronic arts, and then it’s onto the capital of Vienna for an overnight stay where you can explore the grandeur of Schönbrunn Palace, the historic Hofburg Palace, and the world-renowned Vienna State Opera.

You then finish in Budapest, where the city’s thermal baths, such as Széchenyi or Gellért, offer a perfect way to relax and reflect on your journey.

The Moselle Valley – Vines & Views

Explore the Rhine and Moselle rivers on this beautiful voyage, a round-trip from Frankfurt. After departing, you’ll head to Koblenz and then onto Traben-Trarbach, a charming town known for its art nouveau architecture and renowned wine cellars.

Continue to Trier, Germany’s oldest city, rich in Roman history. Marvel at the Porta Nigra, an impressive Roman gate, and explore the ancient ruins, including the Roman baths and amphitheatre.

Bernkastel-Kues is your next stop, a picturesque town famed for its medieval market square and half-timbered houses. Don’t miss the chance to taste some of the region’s finest Riesling wines at local vineyards.

In Cochem, explore the fairy-tale-like Reichsburg Castle perched high above the town, and enjoy a visit to Rüdesheim, known for its wine-making and the Drosselgasse, a lively street filled with traditional wine taverns and shops.

Your last stop before returning to Frankfurt, Boppard offers a blend of history and natural beauty. Stroll along the Rhine promenade, explore the medieval fortifications, and take in the stunning views from the Vierseenblick (Four Lakes View) viewpoint.

Why choose TUI?

There are lots of reasons why TUI is a great option for a last-minute river cruise.

TUI operates its own flights, and there are plenty of local airport options available, making it easier for you to start your holiday in comfort without a long drive.

This also makes the whole process much easier – from the moment you arrive at the airport, TUI will look after you, taking care of the flight, the transfer to the ship and then your cruise. If there are any delays at any stage, it’s all taken care of without you needing to worry.

Cruises are Full Board Plus as standard, which includes all your food on the ship and a selection of drinks served with each meal. You can pay an upgrade fee if you want a completely all-inclusive cruise.

And tips are included too, meaning there’s no hidden extras – the quoted price is what you’ll pay.

Those prices offer great value, especially with some last minute river cruises enjoying big discounts, though places are limited. Make sure you book ASAP if you like the idea of any of these exciting river cruise options!

If you found this interesting, please share!

Read more about me

Source link

Not Bad For A Plan B

May 31, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips Marella

This is a sponsored post for Marella Cruises.

Marella has announced the new range of itineraries for Marella Discovery 2’s winter season, following the enforced cancellation of the Asia season.

While that was disappointing news, the safety of crew and guests is always the most important thing. And since the decision was made, Marella has been working hard to create an exciting cruise season to make up for it.

And honestly, as Plan Bs go, they’ve done a great job, with some fantastic itineraries based around the Mediterranean and Canary Islands at great-value prices.

Let’s take a look at the new options, but be warned – they’ve only been launched a little while and they are already selling quick, so don’t dilly-dally if you want to grab a cruise at these prices!

Spanish Flavours

The ship will begin the winter season based in Malaga, offering several sailings around the ports of Spain and Portugal. One of those will be Spanish Flavours, an exciting itinerary that packs in six of the best ports Spain has to offer.

From Malaga, you’ll head straight to Palma on the isle of Majorca, where you can relax with a beach day or sample traditional tapas in the small restaurants down quaint streets.

It’s then onto beautiful Barcelona, a phenomenal city with amazing shopping and cultural attractions. Visit La Sagrada Familia if it’s your first visit, as it’s stunning in person.

You’ll then enjoy Valencia, which has a number of modern attractions alongside Gothic architecture. Oceanographic Park is a real highlight, giving you a unique perspective on life under the sea.

In Cartagena, the La Manga strip has an incredible stretch of beaches and offers amazing views, and then finally you’ll call at Gibraltar, known for The Rock and its Barbary Apes that call it home.

Winter Escape

Upon finishing her sailings in Malaga, the ship will transfer to the Canary Islands, and you can enjoy a great-value repositioning cruise with the Winter Escape itineraries.

There are two options – you can choose a four-night getaway that includes Malaga, Gibraltar, Cadiz (for Seville) and Las Palmas, or you can remain on the ship for a fifth night until she reaches Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

These sailings offer amazing value with the four-night option available from just £595pp. When you consider that includes flights, drinks and tips as well as your accommodation, food and entertainment, it really is a price worth snapping up.

Island Explorer

For the remainder of the season, Marella Discovery 2 will offer Canary Islands cruises including the popular Island Explorer itinerary. This will be available from two different embarkation ports – you can choose to board in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria or in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The itinerary is the same regardless – the ship will be sailing from Las Palmas to Santa Cruz, and then onto Arrecife in Lanzarote, Santa Cruz de La Palma, and then spending an overnight in Funchal on the beautiful island of Madeira.

The ship will then return to Las Palmas to begin the loop again – if you boarded in Tenerife, you’ll stay onboard until she heads back to Tenerife the next day.

The Canary Islands is a wonderful region for the winter, since it’s still warm and sunny but you aren’t having to fly half-way across the world to escape the cold back home.

If you want a great-value cruise where you can still relax on the beach and swim on the ship, while your friends and family back home are struggling with the short days and grim rain, this is the ideal option!

About Marella Discovery 2

Marella Discovery 2 is one of the smaller ships in the Marella fleet, but she is still packed with great features for adults and families alike. There are plenty of dining venues to choose from, including 47° (the main dining room), the Islands buffet, the Surf and Turf Steakhouse and more.

And when it comes to things to see and do, you can expect indoor and outdoor pools, mini golf, spa and salon, VR experiences, live performances in the Broadway Show Lounge, an outdoor cinema and loads more.

Cruise & Stay

Don’t forget that Marella’s cruise holidays are made even better when paired with a hotel break. As Marella is part of TUI, you’ll get the choice of some stunning TUI hotels in Malaga or on Gran Canaria or Tenerife.

Your package is made super-easy too since TUI will take care of all transfers for you – you just need to turn up at the airport and from there, you’re in TUI’s hands right until you land back at the airport at the end of your holiday.

So, why not extend that cruise with a relaxing hotel break before or after you sail, and really make the most of the winter sunshine?

Final word

These new itineraries for Marella Discovery 2’s winter season are great options and you can expect them to book up quickly, especially with Marella’s all-inclusive fares offering such good value.

If you’d like to enjoy a warm-weather getaway between November and March or you just want to enjoy the sights of Spain and the Canary Islands, check out the itineraries now while cabin availability is still good.

If you found this interesting, please share!

Read more about me

Source link

P&O Iona Cabins To Avoid: (With Photos & Videos)

May 30, 2024

by gary@glmarketing.co.za with No Comment Cruise Lines Cruise News Cruise Tips P&O Cruises

Choosing the right cabin for your cruise is always an important decision. If you’re booking a cruise on P&O Cruises’ new ship, read on for all the information you need to choose the best cabins on Iona.

There are some cabins on Iona that you will almost certainly want to avoid. I’ll admit that I was shocked when I saw these cabins. I can’t quite believe they were designed that way…

Iona cabin types

There are four main cabin types to choose from on Iona:

Inside cabins – Single, standard or larger
Outside cabins – Standard
Balcony cabins – Single, smaller, standard or deluxe
Suites – Conservatory mini-suite, family sea view suite or suite

Inside cabins on Iona

Iona has three types of inside cabin:

Single inside – 101 sq. ft. (1 person)
Standard inside – 135 sq. ft. (2 to 4 people)
Larger inside – 190 sq. ft. (2 to 4 people)

Inside cabins are the cheapest cabins and are perfect for those on a budget or who prefer to spend their time experiencing the ship rather than being in their cabin.

Iona’s inside cabins are between 101 and 190 square feet in size, with accessible inside cabins being 213 square feet in size.

Single inside cabins sleep only one passenger. The standard and larger inside cabins each sleep up to four passengers, with the third passenger on a single sofa bed and the fourth passenger in a Pullman bed.

Suggested read: What is a Pullman bed on a cruise ship?

Sea view cabins on Iona

Iona Sea View cabin — We stayed in this cabin as a family of four

If you’re on a budget but are worried about feeling claustrophobic, a sea view cabin is a good compromise between a cheap inside cabin and a pricier balcony room.

Also known as outside cabins, the sea view cabins on Iona are a great choice because, at 210 square feet, they are larger than both the standard inside and standard balcony cabins. The accessible sea view cabins on Iona are 307 square feet, providing ample space for a wheelchair.

Sea view cabins have a window that’s handy to check the weather before getting dressed in the morning. It’s also a lovely place to sit and watch the ocean. I loved staying in this cabin and plan to change all of my future Inside cabin bookings on Iona and Arvia to Sea Views.

Iona Sea View window seat — The window seat takes the space where a balcony would be

Not every sea view cabin on Iona has a window seat, some just have the window. Currently, there’s no way to know which ones have seats and which just have the window.

However, I do know that our cabin, 4248, did have a window seat and cabin 4461 also has a window seat. So if you want to guarantee a window seat, you could choose one of those numbers.

Balcony cabins on Iona

Iona has four sizes of balcony cabins:

Single balcony – 107 sq. ft. (1 person)
Smaller balcony – 150 sq. ft. (1 or 2 people)
Standard balcony – 170 sq. ft. (2 to 4 people)
Deluxe balcony – 226 sq. ft. (2 to 4 people)

Please note that these are approximate sizes. If you book an accessible cabin, it will be larger and there will be enough space to accommodate a wheelchair.

Iona’s balcony cabins all have patio-style doors leading on to a private (or not so private – more on that later) balcony where you can watch the world go by.

Iona balcony cabins range in size from 107 square feet for single balcony cabins up to 226 square feet for deluxe balcony cabins and 362 square feet for accessible cabins.

Single balcony cabins accommodate one passenger, smaller balcony cabins accommodate two passengers, whilst standard and deluxe balcony cabins sleep two to four passengers.

If you’d like to see videos of balcony cabins on Iona, there are lots available on YouTube. I recommend that you watch this one by Paul & Carole Love to Travel and this one by Cruises for Families.

Conservatory mini-suites on Iona

Conservatory mini-suites are only available on Iona and sister-ship Arvia. This exciting new cabin option includes a conservatory area with an L-shaped sofa in between the bedroom and the balcony.

Iona has 95 of these conservatory cabins which are approximately 274 square feet in size and sleep up to four passengers.

Steph from Cruise With Amber has made a fantastic video tour of a conservatory mini suite on Iona. Watch that below and be sure to subscribe to her channel for more videos like this one.

If you need help in choosing the best conservatory mini suite on Iona, I also recommend that you check out Steph’s guide to Iona’s conservatory mini suites.

What’s included in a mini-suite?

The conservatory mini-suites on Iona do not come with any of the benefits or perks that you get with a P&O Cruises suite, so in this sense, they are more like larger balcony cabins rather than suites. If you want to be treated like a VIP, you should go for a suite rather than a conservatory mini-suite.

Suites on Iona

Suites on Iona are located on the corner of decks 9 to 15, offering large wraparound balconies with views from the front or rear of the ship.

Iona has two Family Sea View Suites which are on the Promenade Deck. These are a little smaller than the other forward suites and they do not have balconies.

Each of Iona’s suites is between 434 and 530 square feet in size and sleeps two to four people with a separate living area.

As well as the larger size, booking a suite comes with a whole host of perks including priority boarding, butler service and lots of fresh fruit, chocolates and canapes.

You can read more about Iona’s suites in this article from CruisewithAmber.co.uk

Special Cabin Types on Iona

Family cabins on Iona

Each cabin on Iona sleeps between one and four people. Three berth cabins have a single sofa bed. Four berth cabins have a single sofa bed and a Pullman bed that comes down from the ceiling.

If you have a sofa bed then your cabin steward will make it up each evening while you have dinner and put the bed away each morning while you have breakfast.

Families of five or more must be accommodated in two cabins on Iona. Connecting cabins are available. These have a door between them so that families of five to eight people or those who require a little more space can move easily between the cabins.

Children under the age of 16 years must share a cabin with an adult. You cannot put children in their own cabin unless it is interconnecting.

The best cabins for families on Iona are:

Larger inside cabins
Sea view cabins
Deluxe balcony cabins
Conservatory mini-suites
Family sea view suites

Single cabins on Iona

The single cabins on Iona can be found in various locations across the ship. Whilst some ships place all the single cabins together to make it easier for solo travellers to meet, on Iona this is not the case.

Suggested read: P&O Cruises with no single supplement

Accessible cabins on Iona

Iona has several adapted cabins which are suitable for wheelchair users. There’s a choice of all cabin types and these are often located close to the lifts. These cabins are always in high demand so if you require a disabled cabin you should book your cruise as early as possible.

If you’d like to see what a wheelchair-accessible cabin on Iona looks like, then I recommend this video by Paul & Carole Love to Travel who were allocated an accessible cabin on Iona.

I also recommend that you check out this guest post from Lin who cruised on Iona with a mobility scooter.

How to choose the best cabin

I’ve created a handy checklist to help you know what to look out for when picking a cruise cabin. Just pop your email in the form below to get a copy delivered to your inbox straight away.

Iona cabins you should avoid

There are some also cabins on Iona which you may want to avoid…

1. Balconies on Deck 8

Promenade Deck cabins on Iona are most unusual and you may wish to avoid them.

The Promenade Deck is located on Deck 8 and enables passengers to walk all the way around the outside of the ship. On the Promenade Deck, you’ll find outside dining areas, bars, hot tubs… and cabin balconies!

The image below shows part of Deck 8. The light brown striped area is the deck where people can walk in between the balconies and the edge of the ship.

Now that Iona is cruising with guests, we’ve been able to take the first look at these cabin balconies in real life. I was shocked to see just how little privacy they have.

Take a look at this video from Cruising With Ben & David to see what these promenade deck balcony cabins look like…

The promenade deck balconies really do have no privacy with chairs right outside them. The ones with the slightly larger, curved balconies appear to be the worst, as they catch the attention of anyone walking past.

While the cabins at the front of the Promenade Deck have larger than average balconies, there really is no privacy at all with people walking right past. Take a look at this point of Ben & David’s video to see…

If you want privacy on your balcony, you should definitely avoid Deck 8 on Iona. The privacy issue affects all of the balcony cabins on this deck, including forward-facing cabins and conservatory mini-suites.

If you’re wondering what the view looks like from the balcony of a room on Iona’s Promenade Deck, then take a look at this video by Cruise With Amber which shows the view from a conservatory mini suite on Deck 8 as well as one on Deck 9…

2. Cabins overlooked by neighbours

While the extra large balconies are some of the best cabins on Iona, the ones next door could be said to be the worst.

If you stay next to one of the ‘corner’ balconies, you’ll not only have to deal with looking at your smug neighbours with their much larger space, but they’ll also be blocking quite a lot of your view. This is made so much more annoying by the fact that both rooms cost the same!

The photo below shows the view from a balcony next to the larger one…

Iona worst balcony room — The view from 10318

The cabins to avoid are: 9238, 9241, 9318, 9319, 10240, 10247, 10318, 10319, 10511, 10516, 11244, 11245, 11318, 11319, 11516, 11517, 12244, 12257, 12318, 12319, 12516, 12517, 14244, 14245, 14318, 14319, 14514, 14517, 15244, 15255, 15314, 15315, 15516, 15517, 16244, 16255, 16318, 16319, 17219, 17221, 17301, 17311, 17315, 17316, 17317, 17318, 17320.

But it’s not just those directly next to the extended balconies either. Because they protrude so much, they have a few of the next 2-3 balconies on the deck below.

So you’ll also want to avoid all of these:

9236, 9239, 9240, 9243, 9316, 9317, 9320, 9321, 9514 to 9714, 10238, 10242, 10245, 10249, 10316, 10317, 10320, 10321, 10509, 10514, 10515, 10518, 10709, 10710, 10711, 10712, 11242, 11243, 11246, 11247, 11316, 11317, 11320, 11321, 11514, 11515, 11518, 11519, 11709, 11710, 11711, 11712, 12242, 12246, 12255, 12259, 12316, 12317, 12320, 12321, 12514, 12515, 12518, 12519, 12709, 12710, 12711, 12712, 14242, 14246, 14255, 14257, 14259, 14316, 14317, 14320, 14321, 14512, 14515, 14516, 14519, 14709, 14710, 14711, 14712, 15311, 15312, 15314, 15315, 15316, 15317, 15514, 15515, 15518, 15519, 15709, 15710, 15711, 15712, 16242, 16246, 16253, 16257, 16316, 16317, 16320, 16321.

3. Cabins overlooked by the bridge

Another thing that you might want to consider is that all balconies on forward-facing cabins are overlooked by the bridge (where the officers see out of to manoeuvre the ship). That’s cabins 15101-15108, 14101-14110, 12103-12110, 11101-11108, 10101-10108, 9102-9109 and 8181-8108.

I would imagine that the ship’s officers are more concerned about navigating than looking down onto anyone’s balcony, but if you’d rather not be overlooked, you might prefer to opt for an aft balcony cabin rather than a forward one.

4. Balconies overlooked at the aft

Aft balconies are always popular with cruise passengers – many believe it to be the best view. But on Iona, the ship is staggered, which means the guests in the aft balconies above are able to look down into your balcony.

How much they’re going to, I can’t tell you. But if you want privacy, you’re best avoiding these cabins:

14735 to 14742, 12735, 12737 to 12472, 12744, 11739 to 11745, 10736, 10738 to 10743, 10745, 9739, 9741, 9743, 9744, 9745, 9746, 9748, 9750.

5. Rooms with a shaded balcony

It’s debatable whether this should be in the list of the worst cabins, because it is definitely preference-based. A large number of the cabins on Iona are shaded by the cabins above, meaning you won’t be able to use them for sunbathing for large parts of the day.

However, you will be able to relax with a book or on your phone without the glare making it hard to see what you’re doing. So avoiding these rooms comes down to whether you like shade or not.

The cabins in question are:

15514 to 15537, 15601 to 15633, 15701 to 15731, 17219, 17221, 17301 to 17320

6. Forward-facing balcony cabins

Some of the cabins at the front of the ship are designated as ‘restricted access’. This means that, during high wins, you won’t be allowed to use the balcony – a storm door will be closed over them.

If you want to be able to use your balcony at all times during your cruise, I’d recommend avoiding:

8101 to 8108, 9102 to 9111, 10101 to 10110, 11101 to 11110, 12103 to 12112, 14101, 14103 to 14110, 14112, 15101 to 15110

7. Noisy cabins on Iona

The main thing which is likely to annoy cruisers on any ship is noise when they are trying to sleep. Unfortunately, like many ships, Iona can be very creaky when the weather is bad, so if you’re used to sleeping in silence then you may find that your sleep suffers no matter which deck you choose.

However, if you like an early night, you’ll want to avoid any cabins which are directly above the Headliners Theatre. These are numbered 8140 – 8235. The shows are on until around 11.30 pm so avoid booking one of these cabins if you like to go to sleep before this time.

The Club House is Iona’s nightclub which is likely to be playing music until the early hours. Cabins directly above the nightclub are numbered 9701 – 9744 .

8. Balcony cabins with obstructed views

Another oddity of the Deck 8 balcony cabins on Iona is that some of them are located right across from the infinity whirlpools. These have obstructed views because the whirlpool is between your cabin and the ocean! These cabin numbers are 8309 – 8312 and 8322 – 8330.

This photo was taken from one of these promenade deck balcony cabins…

Imagine looking forward to sitting on your balcony looking out over the Norwegian Fjords, only to find that there’s a hot tub full of people blocking your view!

Whilst it might be nice to be able to hop in the jacuzzi whenever you like, I’d probably avoid these cabins, unless you really enjoy people-watching.

9. The worst cabins for seasickness on Iona

If you’re worried about feeling queasy on-board your cruise, you should aim to book a cabin that’s on a low deck, in a mid-ship location as this is where you’ll feel the movement the least.

That said, Iona is a very large and modern ship, so you’re much less likely to suffer from seasickness on board than you might be on a smaller, older ship.

Read more: Do big ships rock less?

Cabins on high decks at the front of the ship are often the worst for seasickness as the movement can be felt the most here. That means you’ll want to avoid cabins numbered 17201 – 17217 and 16201 – 16240.

10. Cabins that are a long walk from anything

Anyone with mobility issues or young children should aim to book a cabin close to places that they are likely to visit frequently, such as the pool, buffet or kids’ club.

The Reef kids’ club is located on Deck 17 towards the back of the ship. Therefore, the worst locations for families would be on a low deck at the front of the ship, as it would be a long walk to the kids’ club. You may wish to avoid cabins numbered 4201 – 4250.

11. Cabins near the smoking areas

If you’re a smoker, booking a cabin near the smoking area can be really convenient. However, those that don’t smoke may wish to avoid cabins near smoking areas. This is particularly true if you book a cabin with a balcony and don’t want to be able to smell smoke while you sit out.

The smoking areas on Iona are located:

Deck 8 – Port Side, Between The Quays and The Sunset Bar
Deck 18 – Port Side, Aft
Deck 18 – Port side, Mid Forward

[Source]

If you want to avoid the smell of smoke on your balcony on Iona, you should avoid booking a balcony cabin or suite that’s above the smoking area on Deck 8. Affected cabins may include those numbered 9630 – 9750 (even numbers only).

Of course, the direction of the wind can have an impact, so if you have one of these cabins it doesn’t mean that it will necessarily be smoky, and certainly not all of the time.

Cabins on Deck 10 and above are set back a little and guests staying in these cabins above the smoking areas have reported that they cannot smell any smoke there.

12. Cabins with narrow doorways

On some of the corridors with cabins, you’ll see support posts. Usually, these are well placed, but there are some that partially block the doors outside rooms 5540 and 5639.

If you have a larger body shape then you may wish to avoid these rooms. As these cabins only sleep two, they won’t be available for families with pushchairs, so that’s not an issue.

13. Balconies that you cannot use

The balconies on deck 5 of Iona are a little different in design from regular balconies. Other cruise ships call these ‘cove balconies‘ or ‘sheltered balconies’, although P&O Cruises doesn’t have a specific name for them.

The problem with these balconies is that they’re a little close to the waterline. So, if the sea is rough, you may not be allowed to use your balcony at all. In the event of bad weather, a metal storm door will be closed over your balcony door leaving you with just the window. It won’t be opened until the next port of call.

Some cruisers have reported that this door has been closed for the majority of their cruise, essentially leaving them with a Sea View cabin, rather than the balcony that they paid for.

14. Balconies beneath the infinity pool

At the back of Iona there’s a lovely infinity pool. But, you’d be wise not to book a cabin directly beneath it.

The problem is that children find great fun in splashing water over the edge of the infinity pool. And when they do that, it lands straight onto the balconies beneath.

Now you may think that the tiered design would mean that it’s only the balconies directly below the pool (Deck 15) that would get wet. But as you can see from the photo below, which shows 10742, the water can splash down several decks!

So, the cabins to avoid here are 9745, 9750, 10742, 10745, 11745, 11746, 12741, 12744, 14741, 14742. These are the middle ones at the aft. If you choose one that’s next door, you’ll not only stay drier, you’ll also benefit from a larger balcony for the same price.

The Best Cabins on Iona

Everybody has different priorities when choosing a cabin. For some, the cheapest cabin is the best. Others want the biggest cabin or the cabin in the best location so that they don’t have to walk too far. It’s very much a personal choice.

The best balcony cabins on Iona

There are some balcony cabins on Iona which have much bigger balconies than others of the same grade (and therefore the same price). If you like a large balcony, these are definitely worth looking out for.

In the image below, the pink and purple cabins are standard balcony cabins. Some of these have much bigger balconies than others, for the same price. In fact, 17219 will be cheaper than 17305 because it is further forward, even though the balcony is five times as large!

Click here to see the Iona Deck Plan (opens in a new window)

The image below shows how the curved design of the ship makes some balconies much bigger than others.

Here is a list of the cabins on Iona which have the largest balconies:

9236
9239
9320 (sleeps 3)
9321
10238
10245 (sleeps 3)
10320
10321
10509 (sleeps 3)
10514 (sleeps 4)
11242 (sleeps 4)
11243
11320
11321
11514 (accessible)
11515 (sleeps 3)
11711
11712
12242
12255
12320
12321
12514 (accessible)
12515 (sleeps 3)
12711
12712
14242
14255
14320
14321
14512
14515 (sleeps 3)
14711
14712
15242
15253
15316
15317 (sleeps 4)
15514
15515
15711
15712
16242
16253
16320
16321 (sleeps 4)
17317
17320

The best inside cabins on Iona

Inside cabins on Iona are either square or rectangular. The rectangular cabins sleep only two people whereas most of the square cabins sleep four.

If there are only two people in your cabin, it’s a good idea to book a cabin that sleeps two so that you won’t have the Pullman bed. This also leaves these cabins free for families who need them.

Similarly, if you don’t need interconnecting cabins then try not to book one. The door between the two cabins is never quite as soundproof as a wall. Plus, having an interconnecting cabin could be a big deal for a larger family.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest P&O Cruises offers…

Iona Cabin Grades

Cabin grades are used to group similar cabins together for pricing purposes. Each P&O Cruises cabin is assigned a two-letter cabin grade code (e.g. GF). The cabin grades are shown in different colours on the deck plan.

Click to see Iona deck plan (opens in a new window)

The key to decoding the Iona cabin grades is to know that the first letter refers to the type of cabin (e.g. standard balcony) and the second letter refers to the location of that cabin on the ship (e.g. high deck, towards the front).

Note that decks may be high, mid or low. On each deck, cabins may be located forward, mid-forward, midship, mid-aft or aft (at the rear).

Table of P&O Iona cabin grades:

Cabin Type	1st Letter of Grade
Suite	B
Conservatory Mini-suite	C
Deluxe Balcony	E
Balcony / Smaller Balcony	G
Sea View	L
Larger Inside	O
Inside	P
Single Balcony	Q
Single Inside	S

Cabin Location	2nd Digit of Grade
Mid decks. Midship location.	A
All decks. Mid-forward, mid or mid-aft location	B or V
High or low decks. Mid-forward or mid-aft location.	C or W
Mid decks. Aft location.	D or 4
All decks. Forward or aft location	E, Y or 5
High or low decks. Forward location.	F, Z or 6

Iona Cabin Sizes

Iona has a cabin for everyone, with sizes ranging from inside cabins that are a little over one hundred square feet to suites which are more than five times as large. For reference, it may help to know that a king size mattress is 42 square feet.

The approximate sizes of Iona cabins are:

Inside single – 101 sq. ft.
Inside standard – 135 sq. ft.
Inside larger – 190 sq. ft.
Sea view standard – 210 sq. ft.
Balcony single – 107 sq. ft.
Balcony smaller – 150 sq. ft.
Balcony standard – 170 sq. ft.
Balcony deluxe – 226 sq. ft.
Conservatory mini-suite – 274 sq. ft.
Family sea view suite – 330 sq. ft.
Suite – 434 to 530 sq. ft.

Are port or starboard cabins best on Iona?

Originally, Iona’s captain, Wesley Dunlop, commented on Twitter that Iona will dock with the port side to the quay.

Port side to the quay will be our regular side alongside once we welcome our first guests onboard so we wanted to check all was ‘ship shape’ ready for the 7th August! 😁

— Wesley Dunlop (@captwesdunlop) May 18, 2021

However, one cruiser who has been to Norway on Iona said that the ship alternated port and starboard side for the four destinations.

Stavenger – Port
Olden – Starboard
Alesund – Port
Haugesund – Starboard.

So, it seems that it doesn’t really matter whether you choose port or starboard for your balcony on Iona.

Suggested read: 7 easy ways to remember port and starboard

Tips on choosing your cabin

When choosing a cabin for your cruise, it’s always a good idea to study the ship’s deck plan carefully. You can view the Iona deck plans on the P&O Cruises website or by clicking here.

To be able to choose your own cabin number on your P&O cruise you’ll need to book a Select Fare. If you book a Saver Fare or an Early Saver Fare your cabin number will be allocated for you at some point between booking and departure. This is also known as a ‘guarantee cabin’ as you are guaranteed a cabin of the type you select (or possibly better if you’re lucky enough to be upgraded).

Booking a Select Fare does cost a little more, but you’ll also get some extra benefits such as free shuttle buses in ports, the first choice of dining times and some money to spend on-board the ship.

Iona cabin amenities

In each cabin you’ll find:

En-suite bathroom
Wardrobe space
Desk and chair
Air conditioning
Toiletries from The White Company
TV
Telephone
Hairdryer
British plug sockets
Safe
Mini-bar (chargeable)
Kettle with tea, coffee and biscuits
Mineral water on arrival
Daily steward service

If you book a suite you’ll also enjoy:

Separate bedroom and lounge area
Bathroom with a bath, shower and dual sinks
Walk-in dressing area
Butler service

If you’d like to know what facilities Iona has on the ship for families, you’ll find that info here: What facilities does Iona have for families?

Iona cabin layout

P&O Cruises hasn’t released any floor plans showing the layout of cabins on Iona. It’s therefore not possible to know where exactly the bed, sofa and desk will be located in the inside, outside and balcony cabins or the suites.

Iona has a near-identical design to two other ships which were also constructed by shipbuilding company Meyer Werft – AIDA Nova and Costa Smeralda. You can look at the AIDA Nova cabin floor plans to get an idea of what cabins on Iona might look like, although there are no guarantees that they will be identical.

Also, AIDA Nova and Costa Smeralda do not have conservatory mini-suites so we do not know what Iona’s conservatory mini-suite floor plan is like. The nearest thing on these ships would be a junior suite.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest P&O Cruises offers…

More P&O Cruises cabin guides:

Check if your Iona cabin is a good one

Unfortunately, I am no longer able to respond to individual requests to check if particular cabins are good or not. I loved doing this but it was just too time-consuming for me with so many requests.

If you’d like to check your cabin, I suggest looking up the number on the Iona deck plan. Use the key to look up the meaning of any symbols. Then, you can use my free checklist to make sure that there are no issues with your cabin’s location.

If you found this interesting, please share!

Read more about me

Source link

Luxury Cruising

Cheers Package – From $59.95 per day

What’s not included?

Bottomless Bubbles – From $9.50 per day ($6.95 for kids)

More info on package prices

Cheers Package

Bottomless Bubbles Package

They never go on sale – so don’t delay hoping for a discount

Technically you can use onboard credit, but…

Drinks prices – is it better to buy individually?

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

A good selection of free drinks is available

Water prices

Don’t forget to bring your own

So, drinks packages – worth it?

Carnival Drink Package Calculator

Carnival Cruise Drink Package chart – how to break even

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Good to know

Related Posts

If you found this interesting, please share!

1. Bella Balcony Cabins with metal fronts

2. Junior Aurea Suites that just aren’t worth it

3. Accessible Cabins that aren’t really accessible

4. Cabins without a bed!

5. Cabins next to crew stairwells

6. Cabins that run parallel to corridors

7. Connecting cabins (if you don’t need them)

8. Cramped Oceanview Cabins with barely any light

9. Obstructed view cabins

10. Cabins that can be worse for seasickness

11. Overlooked Balcony Cabins

12. Cabins with ‘private’ whirlpools

13. Rooms below the pool deck

14. Rooms under the buffet

15. Rooms above the theatre

16. Shaded balconies

Final word

Links to MSC Cruises Deck Plans:

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Related Posts:

If you found this interesting, please share!

1. Cruises are too expensive/there are lots of extras to pay for

2. Food options are basic and limited

3. Cruises aren’t fun

4. You don’t get enough time to enjoy the destinations

5. You have to dress up all the time

6. Cruising is only for old people

7. Cruises just aren’t for me

Final word

Related Posts

If you found this interesting, please share!

Arvia Cabin Types

Arvia’s Inside Cabins

Arvia’s Outside Cabins

Arvia’s Balcony Cabins

Arvia’s Suites

1. Conservatory Mini Suites

2. Family Sea View Suites

3. Suites

Arvia Suite Benefits:

Butler service explained

Choosing the best cabin on Arvia

Arvia Cabin Grades

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Arvia cabins to avoid

1. Noisy cabins

2. Balconies that aren’t private

3. Balcony cabins with obstructed views

4. Cabins that could make you seasick

5. Cabins far away from amenities

6. Cabins with balconies you can’t always use

Best cabins on Arvia

The best cabins for families on Arvia

The best cabins for solo travellers

The best inside cabins

The best sea view cabins

The best balcony cabins

The best suites

Choosing a cabin – how it works