moposh

What is in the Grand Suite?

Yes, this can work.  I saw people seated probably around the times you mentioned when early seating guests didn't show up.  Both of these were tables of two.  If you have more people, I think it might be harder to get a table this early.

9 minutes ago, Rob-Bob said:

Thanks, this makes sense.  I will continue to beat this dead horse and ask though - can the prepaid gratuities be prepaid the week before sailing and entitle you to the lower (old) rate?

 

Thanks for your replies.

No.  You cannot prepay gratuities at old rate ($16/day pp) a week before sailing.  You have to arrange before November 11 and then you'll pay with final payment.  Final payment is due before a week before sailing.

23 minutes ago, Rob-Bob said:

But you can prepay anytime prior to sailing and get the lower rate?

No, you have to call before gratuities increase on November 11 if you want to get the lower rate.  You will then pay with final payment.

18 minutes ago, Rob-Bob said:

Now I am confused.  Some say it is not added to final payment.  I still am not clear on when you actually get charged.

I called on Wednesday to prepay gratuities.  I was told they would be added to final payment and a revised invoice was sent to me showing the prepaid gratuities have been added at $16 a day pp.  I did not pay on Wednesday.  I will pay by final payment.  But you have to call and arrange this before the gratuities increase on November 11.  

1 minute ago, GTO-Girl said:

This isn’t correct…..you can pay them when you book your cruise or you can call at anytime before sailing and pay them.  They are NOT automatically added to your final payment. (as far as US bookings)

 

We always pre-pay our gratuities….

We're referring to prepaying/scheduling prepaying gratuities before gratuities go up to $18 a day pp.  If you call to arrange this, you don't pay now.  It gets added to your final payment.

I prepaid gratuitities for 2 cruises--well, set up to prepay.  It's worth it to me to prepay to save $84 (for two cruises for two people each).

On 11/1/2023 at 4:23 PM, skittl1321 said:

I mean thanking for the feedback and caring about the feedback are two different things.  Customer service reads from a script then the complaint goes nowhere.

I asked him what he was going to do with my feedback.  He said every call is recorded and somehow the feedback gets back to people blah blah blah.  I can't remember his exact words, but this is the gist.

I called to prepay gratuities.  I asked why the gratuities are going up.  He told me it's to give everyone the service they deserve.  It sounded like he was reading a script.  I asked him if it made sense to increase gratuities when service is being decreased.  He thanked me for my feedback.

I arranged to prepay gratuities.  He added it onto my reservations.  You do not pay now.  You have to pay by your final payment date.  He sent me new invoices with the gratuities added.

I really don't like it.  Service has been reduced.  I don't mind the once-a-day cabin service, but not with an increase in daily gratuities.  I have two upcoming cruises I will pre-pay gratuities.  For future cruises I might remove the daily gratuities and tip employees directly.  

On 10/17/2023 at 4:03 PM, LittleJoefromKokomo said:

I think Emerald and above get a couple of bottles each in the cabin.

I'll be Emerald on my next cruise.  

I've never gotten free bottles of water.   

10 minutes ago, fredmdcruisers said:

Ask for what you want, or like we do, move the 2nd nightstand between the beds. The beds move easily and I'm 76 so if I can move a night stand over a bed to the middle so can you. Have never had to ask a cabin attendant twice for anything.

I'll do that next time.

This irks me too.  It used to be that beds were separated, but now they are not.  I complete the email request to separate the beds, but beds are still not separated.  I have had to leave a note on the bed if I can't find my cabin steward.  Last cruise, when the beds were separated, the steward only put one nightstand between the beds so there wasn't much room.   Also, no top bedsheet and I had to ask several times for one. ☹️

On 10/12/2023 at 9:06 PM, deliver42 said:

The food hype is for the Snack Shacks, not the buffets.

True.

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Question for anyone who has cruised in the last week or so…have they been showing any playoff games on the ship?

Guess you didn't think the Phillies would make it to playoffs when you booked the cruise, huh?  Phillies game is on TBS, which doesn't air on the TVs.  I suggest you ask when you board the ship.  On an August cruise out of Baltimore, they got the Ravens' game on TV because enough people wanted it.

What is ESTA?  I'm guessing you're not speaking Spanish.

They don't close the doors. On recent cruise, a two top did not show up for dinner so another couple was seated there.  Then the couple showed up.  They were seated at another table.  If you are late and your table has been given to someone else, they'll seat you elsewhere.  This couple resumed sitting at their table for the rest of the cruise.  They did not have to go to MTD.

I've been to Coco Cay once and I really enjoyed it.  My daughter and I spent all day in the ocean.  I had heard that the food was really good, but I wasn't totally impressed.  The hype did not live up to the food, but I didn't go hungry.  I don't know that every east coast itinerary should go there.  I could definitely skip Nassau for more time in Bermuda, but I did enjoy Coco Cay.  🏖️

I was on Serenade of the Seas when we went through the Panama Canal.

23 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I know there's context missing, but a topic about solo rooms for a family vacation is kind of amusing.

I don't understand it either.

How was anyone able to leave Labadee?  It's been a while since I've been--before the pier, but I never saw anyone trying to sneak away. 😊

16 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

I will gladly skip Nassau for a FREE day at sea.  🙂

YES!  If I am again on a ship that goes to Nassau, I will stay onboard.  I've been twice and that was once too many.

This is too bad.  I really enjoyed the parade on Allure in 2018.  Had a parade on Explorer in April.  Was still fun, just didn't have the recognizable characters.  I thought it was because I was on a smaller ship.

16 hours ago, Itried4498 said:

Consistently or just on the Oasis class?  I've been on 3 RCL ships and none featured live music during their production shows.

I was on Vision in August and Explorer in April and both had bands who played during shows, either at back of stage or were in the orchestra pit.  Cruise director Clo specifically mentioned the live music and how important it was to have it.  I've been on other Royal ships that also have live music.