SoonerDan

Yeah. There wasn’t any follow up and no Oscar call. Just unsettling at 3:44am. 
hope everyone is ok 

So I’ve never had this happen in my 17 cruises 

Last night at 3:44am an announcement went out to every area of the ship (cabins included) for a guest to report to guest services. 
 

the ship never slowed down or stopped or did any kind of search. We have continued toward Galveston best I can tell. 
 

Any other ideas other than the one I don’t wanna think about?

Thank you. We all have passports except for her. This has me nervous. 

Quick question-  taking mother in law on her first cruise

She mailed off for passport (sent her only birth certificate with her application).  She just got a letter saying they couldn't read the document and she needed to send another one.  I have now sent a request for out of state birth certificate to her state of birth.  Should get in just a few days.

I ordered two copies.

Cruise is Galveston- cozumel- Galveston

If her passport fails to return- she can cruise with a birth certificate and valid government ID for this cruise correct?

Boarding and early Day 1

so for all the doom and gloom about boarding and such in SJ, we have thoroughly enjoyed it 

We walked out of the hotel at 10:30 after spending 10 minutes trying to get the elevator to cooperate. (We saw the same folks three times). We finally went to a service elevator and it was a breeze. 

There was a taxi at hotel which gave us a ride for $10 each. It was more than Uber but it was immediate and the driver knew the port was our thinking. 
 

We arrived at the port at 10:45 and there were already a healthy number of people in line. We had noon boarding time, which didn’t matter. 
 

The porter experience was the best we’ve ever had. The chaos we are used to at ship arrival wasn’t there. Folks lined up- the head porter took your bags- asked if you had electronics and passports and then gave instructions to go to a line. 
 

There were two lines- regular guests and key/suites/pinnacles 

At 11 they opened the terminal. Everyone was so kind. We were in second group let in after pinnacles and because we did our paperwork it was super easy. 

confirm passport and set sail outside 

security at door 

examine our set sail passport once more 

scan passport to account 

one more look at the escalator at set sail only 

on the ship. 
walked on board at 11:24 

first ice cream- 11:45

This is contrary to what most have said- but we found the windjammer today to be the best we’ve had in quite some time. We really enjoyed it. And we’ve been fairly critical of its direction the last few years. But today was very enjoyable. 

the day and guests have been super chill. This late sail away is kind of interesting, but so far we like it. It seems the later departure spreads out the arrival and mood on the ship is very mellow. 
 

we had to adjust our table because we had been confirmed for table for two but were at table for 8. Quick and easy with host. 
 

Baggage delivered by 2 and room ready to go. 
Typing this beside the solarium pool. 
 

Excited/nervous to try the new menus. Dinner in a couple of hours 

2 hours ago, soccer2010 said:

What excursions do you have planned? Thanks, John

St Thomas- taxi to red hook- ferry to St. John. Will likely end up at trunk bay because we are creatures of habit. If we can find a vendor to rent us a jeep for the day we will do that. Most require multiple day rentals 

St Croix- beach day and turtle snorkel 

St Marteen- maho beach. Always maho 

St Lucia- full island land and water tour

St Kitts- beach day at Carembola beach club 

Barbados- full day catamaran and snorkels 

Booking and Pre-Cruise 

This is a sort of make up cruise for us. We have always wanted to sail out of San Juan and have actually cancelled out of here twice. Once due to schedule and then during pandemic. 
 

We had JetBlue credit (pandemic) burning a hole in our pocket and about to expire so we set out looking for a deal. 
 

We came across this sailing and jumped at the $90/day balcony guarantee rate. The next day it dropped to $78 and we got it even cheaper. Although that was a process. 
We called in and asked for the lower rate and they didn’t wanna honor it. Called back and instead of giving us credit which would have totally been fine with us, as we paid in full at booking, they insisted the best option was to cancel our original booking and rebook at the new price, as we had booked within 48 hours. It took about an hour on phone to get it all worked out. Seemed over the top, but saved couple hundred. 
 

We are fairly new Diamond members and usually do 7 nighters. We also usually do larger ships. Our first cruise was 2005 on brand new Mariner and we have been mainly Oasis class the last few years. Going to “smaller” voyager was a consideration, but we really wanna go out of San Juan.

We are also big sea day people. So this will be first cruise where we stop each and every day. 
We have booked all our own excursions and because of ship times will be doing only MDR this cruise. We usually do 3 night dining and have done UDP.  So lots of change for us. 
 

We were assigned our room about 30 days out. We don’t love our cabin (it’s connecting) but know the risk we took. We did call the morning it was assigned and agent said we couldn’t switch even within category (which we understand is routinely done once assigned) and by the time we were going to call back the last two rooms in our category were gone. 
We would likely still take the chance as it was a $900 difference between guaranty and pick your own. 
 

We grabbed a great deal on American into San Juan the day before (sit on left side of plane; great views of fort and port on approach). We will use our JetBlue credit on way out. 
 

We used Bonvoy points to book Courtyard by Marriott Miramar.  It’s a nice property though the pics online look more luxurious than it really is. If we had to do over we would stay in Distrito T-Mobile because we found it to be quite fun and lively when going out last night. 
 

A couple of days before we left home, we got email from RCCL advising port will be really busy on departure and that they recommend carrying luggage off yourself on departure. So super interested to see how that plays out. 
 

We are very excited for this adventure. Next stop embarkation. 
 

21 minutes ago, Crazy planning mom said:

Are you already in San Juan?

I don’t think I would be brave enough to fly in on same day. Especially living in Midwest. 

23 minutes ago, Crazy planning mom said:

Are you already in San Juan?

Yes. We arrived around 3pm today

Left Oklahoma around 6:30. Went through Charlotte. Airport was a breeze. $20 Uber to our hotel (Courtyard by Marriott) and went out tonight to Distrito T-Mobile for some food and music. Had a great night. 
 

some yummy Mufongu. First time to try it and really enjoyed. 

Hey all!

Lots of firsts on this cruise for us 

First cruise out of San juan

First attempt at a semi-live 

First time to do guarantee cabin

Looking forward to sharing it with all of you. 
Would love any questions or things you want us to watch for or find out. 

2 hours ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

 

I once asked my TA," Should I contact him if I see a price that seemed significantly better than what we acquired?" He said absolutely because it is easier for him to change the price if the price is currently available. He admitted that he could not keep track of all of the deals for each customer on a daily basis and the request for price comparison would only take a few minutes.

 

I tend to not bother with the $0 to $50 increments but once it approached $75 or more, I notify him. In some cases, he explains that the decrease comes with the caveat that my $200 next cruise deposit needs to be increased to $500. In some cases, he explains that in getting the lower price, I could lose the negotiated OBC that was not associate with next cruise. Many small disclaimers which limit the application of the decreased price to my specific cruise.

 

I have hit the jackpot and saved over $400 per cabin on some cruises by checking them every day. Some of the decreases only occurred for three days or less and it is best to do it immediately. The prices then went even higher than my original price one week later. He stated it is hard to try and negotiate if it is not current.

 

Like @Biker19noted, most of the time, they try to get the discount for you. It seems like your contact was more interested in not giving you any breaks which might cost the cruise line goodwill. Your comments suggest they left a bad taste in your mouth, and this is not good sales.

The frustrating part was her solution which was not giving me the rate, but giving me a new booking took her nearly an hour to get done. Maybe there was perks or bonuses for them getting sales..I don't know..it was frustrating that one agent couldn't even replicate the rate and then one could but wouldn't do anything.  This is the first time we have ever had a price drop

So here is what ended up happening..

1- we called back

2- agent found rate  (a decrease of almost $300)

3- she said she could not honor the rate because it was a flash sale for the weekend

4- my wife politely explained that the 48 hour price guarantee says "any publicly available rate".  She also explained that being outside final payment it shouldn't matter, so we should be covered either way

5- she said doesn't matter can't do it

6- we had booked the cruise about 26 hours prior

7- she said she could cancel our first booking and redo the booking

8- so that is what we did..we cancelled booking 1..have to wait 7-10 days for deposit to show up

9- made a new booking for same exact category (balcony guarantee) at lower price

10- I still think this policy is misleading at best or a completely uninformed agent and a deceptive practice

maybe we are completely wrong but at best this is confusing for the consumer.  She said the new rate wouldn't qualify as publicly available because it was a sale.  My wife said well i am a member of public and simply went to your website and searched for a cruise...that seems public

Booked a cruise yesterday (Mar 5 voyager). 
checked today. It’s about $300 cheaper for the same exact scenario and room

First, They are saying they can’t find the rate 

now trying to say something about special sale 

my understanding is I’m in the 48 hour best price guarantee. Any help?

Doing our first southern 8 night on allure in few weeks. 
 

anyone have any clue which nights are formal?

My family is cruising this summer.  We have three rooms. 

Today, we got two royal up invitations.

The room I would really like to royal up (the highest category booked of the three) hasn't gotten one

Does anyone know the criteria for who gets one and who doesn't?  Can I call and request? Will one come for the third room?

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Currently, 45 days out, usually.

Thanks! I thought I had heard something about that being the case, but didn't wanna miss it!

How far out does check-in open?  I seemed to remember 60 days on my May cruise, but today is 60 days from my July cruise and it isn't open....is there a hard fast rule on when it opens?

Wait…. We get udp with sky class?!

nevermind. I misread it. 
 

you STILL get udp when you get sky. Got it. Sorry. Excited. 

Excited reading all this…. We have UDP

i assume it’s still worth it even with adding Coastal Kitchen to our options 

So we are on Harmony this weekend. 
Received news today we had been upgraded from boardwalk balcony to Crown Loft. 
 

This will be our first time Sky class 

it appears it comes with complimentary internet. But I already bought internet. So do I cancel? 
 

I’m kind of at now what mode?!

any tips appreciated. 

Excited for today!!!! What a wonderful idea you’ve had. I’m terrible at surprises. I would have spilled the beans!

Hello,

I have some FCC's to use as a result of 3 canceled sailing.  C&A desk was great in getting my kids certs into my name and applying them on the phone

They told me that I could apply the ones in my name online myself.  I can't figure out how.  I only see option for credit card payment

Is it possible and can anyone assist me if it is?

Thanks!

I don't have room pics but it is the best room we have ever stayed in!

6 minutes ago, hancock said:

You need to establish an account for each of you with the Navica app.

Thank you 

Hi!

We leave Wednesday on Adventure. 
I ordered the covid at home tests. I have three for the two of us and have backup appointments at Walgreens. 
 

The instructions simply say scan QR code when ready and in place with strong internet. Seems simple. 
 

But I seem to remember a thread on here talking about needing to have made an account somewhere ahead of time and also having computer and phone available. 
 

Can someone walk me through what I actually need?

thanks