Jessie2013

And what's worse is that they deny that there is a problem and tell you that there are no changes to the itinerary. They could at least admit it and let you know that they are exploring different options.

I've called every day since I heard of the issues and each time the rep has told me there "will" be changes, they just don't know what yet. The rep this morning was shocked (genuinely appeared to be so) that he didn't have an update, as he said the issue has been existing for several weeks. That's what is so frustrating- they know there will be changes and aren't allowing us to prepare!

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Right now they're showing a Labadee, San Juan, St, Maarten itinerary, with St. Maarten as the last stop. The last stop is the problem. Unless they can average 19-20 knots back from there, they'll get back to PC 2-3 hours late.

 

 

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Thanks ;) We leave this Sunday, our itinerary is Coco Cay, St Thomas, St Maarten. With St Thomas and St Maarten so close together, I'm wondering if we'll have to skip both?

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At 18 knots, that's a 64 hour sail. The schedule has the ship leaving STM at 5PM with two sea days and arriving in PC at 6AM - If they stay on ships time, that's only 61 hours:eek:

So, are st Thomas/st.maarten not going to happen? Could one happen but not the other? Or will they both be cancelled? Any guesses? Trying to mentally prepare for my disappointment :(

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On board Oasis now and I just had it in my backpack carry on I have the small Belkin with 3 outlets and 2 USB ports never had a problem a bigger strip with a cord may be a problem.

Thanks! That's exactly the same one I bought.

Inside the shoe is a brilliant idea :)

So excited to be at the packing stage for our FOS cruise on Sunday :)

I'm packing one of the mini-Belken surge protectors that have been recommended on here, knowing that there's a chance it may be taken. Will I have a greater chance of hanging onto it if it is carried on the ship with me or packed in the luggage that I leave with the porters?

Good news! Boarding the Freedom this morning :cool:

Have a wonderful cruise! I'd love to hear how the boarding process goes- hopefully smooth as usual!

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What would happen if you had private shore excursions arranged for each port on Eastern and they switched your cruise to a Western? I realize that the cruise line has the right to make certain changes to your cruise, but to expect you to accept a completely different cruise from the one you booked and paid for is a stretch. The price of an Eastern itinerary is also more expensive that a Western itinerary, on the cruise dates I have been contemplating.

We do have private shore excursions booked for st Thomas and st Maarten for our FOS December 14 sailing.

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It will be interesting to see what happens as we are on a B2B starting this Sunday. It sounds like we may be doing essentially the same cruise two weeks in a row.

 

We have done both routes before so it doesn't really matter to us (though I did have some excursions planned), but I am sure that some will be very disappointed.

Have you been notified of the changes that the RCCL agent told me about?

So if they change to cruise from an eastern to a western, that is essentially cancelling your original cruise. Can they then force you to take a cruise you did not book. This would not just be a modification to your cruise, it would be a totally new cruise. If it were me I think I would be exploring the possibility of cancelling. Much like being in the mediterranian, If I booked and eastern med , I would not accept a revised itinerary to do a western med. JMO

Will we be allowed to cancel? My hubby is devastated :(

That's a tough one. The traditional western route is ~2,650 miles, so it would take almost the same amount of time at 17 knots, but the route they're doing now doesn't compute. If you drew a straight line from Coco Cay to Montego Bay, you'd pass directly over the middle of Cuba, so my guess is they will do a route similar to the old time routes of PC to Montego Bay and then backtrack to the Caymans and Cozumel. Doing the route that they sent you they would have to either pass by Labadee on the way to Jamaica, or do a full steam run from coco cay around the north side of cuba, past Cozumel and the caymans to get there. Doesn't seem doable at that speed

I just spoke to RCCL, they said they received an email this morning that issued the changes for the upcoming December 7 sailing. The arrival/departure times into the ports have been modified, but the itinerary remains the same. He said the Eastern itinerary could likely be changed to Western since the ship *can* accommodate a Western itinerary, but not the whole Eastern.

We are scheduled to leave on FOS Eastern itinerary on December 14. Due to the issues with the ship, I called RCCL to inquire about info related to the itinerary changes that are speculated. The agent told me that today he received an email that FOS departing the 7th will have modified arrival/departure times into port, but the (western) itinerary will remain the same. I inquired about our sailing and he said there have not been any official emails yet, but the FOS cannot accommodate the full eastern itinerary as is. He said it's "possibly likely" that they will make our eastern itinerary into a western.

This is pretty devastating to us, as we would have never booked a Western itinerary. We don't do the beach, we'll have a preschool age child and 2 elderly parents with us, so the excursions of the Western are not able to accommodate our group. If this changes to Western- what are our options on the islands with our group? Will we be allowed to cancel? Thank you.

We're on the same sailing. There has been nothing issued yet to say how we will be effected. If I had to guess, due to the slower speeds we'll be going we might miss Coco cay. Totally a guess. Maybe we'll find out more when we hear how this coming sailing goes. It's the opposite route, but we'll see if their itinerary changes.

 

 

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I thought I read that their itinerary already changed. The sailing that departed nov 23 was when all the issues happened, that was Eastern and it went to Cozumel and Bahamas. I believe those on the ship now received advance notice that they would have a modified itinerary. It's a western itinerary. I also read on their roll call that there were several hour waits to get on the ship on embarkation day :(

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I've been trying to follow the updates with the FOS and the issues it's having. It sounds as if the last 2 sailings have had modified itineraries & the ship is not capable of moving at the desired speed. Am I understanding that accurately?

We sail on the 14th, on an Eastern itinerary. If there needs to be a modification to the itinerary, any guess on what would be altered?

What should I expect considering these circumstances?

Any preparations you would make knowing the ship is having some issues & it's just a few weeks before drydock? I'm a bit nervous. Thank you!

We live in the states but my husband loves the Canadian Caesars drink. We're sailing on Freedom in a few weeks. Will this be available on the ship? It is available to purchase on any islands? We'll be in St Thomas and St Maarten.

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Worst scenario is that security will take it and give it back on your last night, that is what Celebrity did with my surge protector.

Oh, I didn't realize they returned whatever they confiscated! I'm willing to take the chance then, I thought I'd be out the diffuser entirely! Thanks!!

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We were on Carnival two weeks ago and found the food the same everyday and things seem to close early and there wasn't enough to do.

 

 

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We're sailing the FOS in 3 weeks, we haven't sailed RCCL in 8 years. We have usually sailed Carnival & the food "availability" is our one concern as we approach our trip. The last 2 cruises were on Liberty (Carnival), where there was a burger bar & a Mexican eatery (both free and open quite often), in addition to the buffet during lunch/dinner. We ate there so often, particularly in that odd 2-3:00 p.m. hour when we had just boarded the ship from a day on the islands. The one time we sailed RCCL, we found it very hard to find good food during that time period (returning to the ship after being on the island). I'm hoping we are surprised to find more availability than we remember.

Thanks, everyone. It's probably best described as a very tiny humidifier. There is some element of mist, although minimal, and there's no way anyone in another room would notice the scent. I'll look into purchasing a travel/plug in type one, which will probably be subjected to less scrutiny. Thanks!

I am not familiar with FOS, but on Vision they had a pre-arranged muster station for elderly, handicapped and others that needed to be seated and were assigned to an outdoor muster.

 

On vision this was held in the entrance area to the casino on stools from the casino.

 

The passengers 'requiring' this muster drill are put on a special list and do not need to report to their actual muster.

 

If you are traveling with someone that does not 'need' to be in this drill with you, but you want to stay together, they are required to report to their station and inform the muster station leader that they are 'accompanying' a passenger in this drill and need to be checked off the actual list.

 

Every ship handles this a little different. Legend recently in Oslo required everyone to sit together from the same muster and then after the broadcast in the theater, everyone was required to go with the muster leader to 'see' the actual life boat and station and was then released. So here, even with an 'indoor' muster you would need to have made special arrangements.

Thank you. I thought it was your cabin steward that checked you off the list of attending the muster station? My MIL has an issue with walking far (just had hip replacement), so I'd like to avoid walking from our room (deck 9), to muster station to "check-in" with the rest of our party and then back to casino or wherever handicapped area is. Is there a way to request this in advance so I can go right (with our entire party- as I don't intend on separating from my 4 year old son) to the handicapped area? I've also heard of people doing it in their room? Is that possible?

We sail on FOS in A few weeks (yay!). I emailed our TA because I need to request a modified muster drill, so that myself and MIL can sit down through it. TA said the muster drills are no longer outside, rather we will be assigned a specific spot on the ship to go to? And we have to get there early to get a seat? Is this accurate?

If so, what happens if there aren't seats when we get there? I cannot stand through it. Help? Thanks!

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My family uses essential oils on a daily basis. At night, we diffuse oils for my son's sleep & he relies on them quite a bit.

A diffuser is something like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RP6GGC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687542&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00L9NR672&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1770M7WM4KCBKZAQ51QY

Will I be allowed to bring one onto the ship & use in my room? Thank you :)

We're sailing on FOS next month with my in-laws, who have never taken a vacation like this before. I'm curious what are some of the favorite requests you make of your room steward that enhances your vacation?

I didn't realize at first that you could ask that the ice bucket always be kept full. It's now something I really appreciate! Of course, we always tip accordingly for any extra requests we make.

Is there a number next to the G ?

No number, just a "G" and it's only on the husband's.

Maybe the G is for Gold C&A level?

Ahh! Yes, thank you :) I was concerned he had it & no one else did (I'm also Gold C&A so I don't know why it's only on his).

Is everything OK with my son's printing on my FIL's pass?

I'm confused :confused:

Myself, dh, son, and in laws are cruising in a few weeks. Dh & I have cruised before and therefore the reservation is set up with each of us in different rooms (to get the best rate)

Room #1: Myself, father-in-law, my son

Room #2: dh, his mother

Today I filled out our info & printed the Set Sail cards. For my FIL, the first Set Sail card printed with all 3 names on it. There was an option to print one for me too, with just my name. My son's name only appears on FIL SS card.

For the second room, my dh & MIL each have separate SS cards except my DH's has a yellow "G" next to his name.

What is the "G" for? And is it OK that my son seems to be "connected" to my FIL in some way that he isn't with me? In the event of an emergency or needing a person of authority, I would want to be the person of contact, not FIL. Help?! Thanks!

Dh & family want to go to Chops and I'm a vegetarian. The menu online doesn't have a single non-meat (or fish) entrée. Will they have an option available for me when I arrive? Thanks!

I'm excitedly ready to book excursions for our upcoming cruise NEXT MONTH! :) This is extra exciting because it's my in-law's first cruise & our retirement gift to them. The anticipation is building rapidly!

We'll be in St. Thomas on December 17, RCCL FOS. I'm not seeing anything that I want on RCCL site for excursions. I basically want to go up to the Mountain Top to see the beautiful view, stop at a few scenic stops on the way up there & be left at Charlotte Amalie at the end for shopping.

Unless I'm missing it, I don't see that RCCL offers anything like that? However, on our TA's website I found an excursion that meets my needs. It's $50 pp and I'll have 5 people. Is it necessary to spend $250 total for the 5 of us to be taken on that route? Is there another option?

If we can arrange transportation from the pier to take us up there, what will the transportation be? We'll have myself, hubby, 4 year old son & in laws. We will all need to be together in one vehicle. How much will it cost? Thank you, thank you!

This is the description of the excursion that appeals to me:

This is a two-hour orientation tour of St. Thomas, with stops at some of the island's highlights and exciting views of the island itself.

St. Thomas is a mountainous island with one long ridge of hills running east and west through the center of the island, with smaller ridges branching off. The island is thirteen miles long by four miles wide, encompassing a little over 31 square miles. The highest point is Crown Mountain at 1,556 feet.

St. Thomas has a history that dates back to 1500 B.C. and the Ciboney people. They were replaced by the Arawaks and then the Caribes, long before Christopher Columbus first saw the island in 1493 on his second voyage to the “New World.” Unfortunately, almost all signs of the pre-Columbus days have been lost to time.

Most of the structures and ruins that remain date from the 16th and 17th century and include Blackbeard's Castle (Skytsborg), Fort Christian and Bluebeard’s Castle (Tower Fort). During your scenic orientation drive you will be able to see them on nearby hilltops.

Riding along the crest of St. Thomas on "Skyline Drive," visitors are treated to vistas of Charlotte Amalie town, harbor as well as Hassel and Water Islands to the south; the Atlantic Ocean, Magens Bay and Inner and Outer Brass and Hans Lollick islands to the north; and the chain of cays leading to St. John and the British Virgins to the east.

Your driver/guide will make stops at various scenic overlooks as traffic / safety allows. You will pass by Drake's Seat, believed to be the spot where Sir Francis Drake himself watched for enemy vessels. A stop will be made at Mountain Top, where you will take in the most amazing views from the balcony of the shopping arcade, and if you choose, purchase a “world-famous” banana daiquiri.

At the end of the two-hour driving orientation, you will have the option of being dropped off in downtown Charlotte Amalie to experience its world-famous shopping or be taken back to the cruise ship dock.

Please Note: Guests departing in downtown will be responsible for their transportation back to their destination. Depending on the number of guests participating, tour will be conducted in vans or open air safari buses.