Galaxy with trepidation

sara_girl · 07-23-2007, 03:53 PM

We are due to cruise on Galaxy next week.

After a disasterous cruise on Constellation last year to the Baltic we vowed never again and would stick with P&O.

The problems on Constellation ranged from incorrect stateroom information in literature for our concierge and family cabins (which they have since amended), all pools and hot tubs closed for the duration of our cruise (great with three kids) very costly private mini bus trip in St Petersberg which never actually got to the destinaton and so it went on.

I raised a formal complaint whilst on board which carried on when we got back to the UK and evetually got some satisfaction when I faxed the company MD in the States. As a result we were offered an 'attractive package' to travel with them again, hence Galaxy next week.

Having surfed most of the afternoon I am growing increasingly more worried by several adverse comments about Galaxy, even a couple which refer to pool and hot tubs problems a month or two back.

Can anyone offer me any recent info ?

Thanks in advance, Sara.

**middy** · 07-23-2007, 04:43 PM

Hi Sara Welcome to CruisingTalk

I have not sailed on Galaxy like you have only sailed on Constellation. I believe we have a couple of Galaxy reviews in the review section. We have several members who have sailed on Galaxy but not posted a review hopefully they will be able to assist you with recent news.
Whats the Itinery?
Again welcome

sara_girl · 07-23-2007, 04:56 PM

Thanks Middy.

We are doing Best of Med itinerary leaving Civitavecchia on 3rd August, travelling there by rail as I have an aversion to flying if there is an alternative and did rail once before to Rome and it was good.

Usually sail out of UK, but too late booking to get decent cabins. Already booked next year for new RCI Independenece (Legend was good last year, better than Constellation) and P&O for October to Egypt, Libya and that area.

Sara

**middy** · 07-23-2007, 05:14 PM

So are you staying in the Western Med ?
Hubby like you would rather not fly but I normally talk him in to it. Only done Splendour of the Seas with RCI not been on any of the big ones.
Hey one thing I believe, according to some posts on here you have to pay for the Thallosotherapy pool on Galaxy. Was free on Constellation.

sara_girl · 07-24-2007, 05:51 AM

I read that on some posts, but the literature is ambigous.

It suggests it's free if your in a suite, which are courtesy of the mess up last year - in fact two as there seven of us, hubby and I, daughter and her family. We always do a summer one with them as it's the only way to accomodate their three chidren (one with us) as not many ships have cabins for five. That's was why we went Constellation last summer as they have ten family cabins for 5.

Will let you know !

Sara

**middy** · 07-24-2007, 08:38 AM

Are they big the rooms for five ? Have to admit never had a suite.

sara_girl · 07-24-2007, 09:13 AM

Family rooms not bad and have a dividing wall which helps privacy, but Constellation is one of the few which have them. Hubby and I had concierege last year.

We had JS's on Independence and they were quite a good size, but the best JS's for size are P&O's (we love Aurora and Arcadia), apart from Oosterdam (Holland America) when we were upgraded to a penthouse - complete with jaccusie on the balcony. It was their apology as the inaugeral cruise we booked was caneclled. We were one of the few brits aboard and it was a lovely surprise when we boarded.

Whatever grade we have we usually try for one across the back of the ship as the balconies are so much bugger, although this year the suites are all along the sides. Children are really looking forward to the "European Butler" which is one of the perks - poor chap will be back and forth with coke and fries all day.

Which boat did you enjoy most ?

Sara

**middy** · 07-24-2007, 09:33 AM

We always have insides, cheaper so can have more cruises.
Which ship did we most enjoy, difficult to say really. We like the Thomson ships and Van Gogh as small and always had great friendly service, we are happy as long as we can sit quietly on a shady deck. RCI, Princess, Celebrity all a little large but better facilities, though service generally not as good. Only one we really didn't like was Braemar, glad it was only 4 days just felt uncomfortable.
Still have NCL to try in October and P&O Artemis next year.

**middy** · 07-24-2007, 09:53 AM

Do you have to pay increased tip rate with a butler?

sara_girl · 07-24-2007, 10:35 AM

Yes, the recommend the same as cabin steward - $3.50 per day. But we never opt for the Amercian preference of 'at source' tips as we prefer to give to those that deserve.

I fancy Artemis, but hubby not keen as he was initially a reluctant cruiser and still has this inbuilt view that the bigger ships ride the waves better. I was'nt convinced of that theory when we crossed the bay in a froce 9 last year on Arcadia. Although I don't get sea sickness, I had to give in and lay down - I have MS and balance not good to start with.