Spurschick

4 hours ago, Tlbecker1 said:

Still don’t have any on the Symphony…..

😭

4 hours ago, chiguypaul said:

I have an 11:30 arrival time for the Wonder of the Seas on the Dec 31 2022 sailing. I grabbed that time pretty early after the times were opened. I was expecting 10:30 or 11 to be available. Given that the Christmas sailing the week before is probably massive, do you think that 10:30 and 11 arrival times are not available? Or did I likely just not get those slots?

 

Thanks

Suites and Key and some C&A tier levels get priority so it may be that they were all selected already. 

8 minutes ago, topnole said:

No I’m just talking C&A per my thread title.   I mentioned my cabin because if I miss the cut off it isn’t that big of a deal.  I’d like to have a bottle of wine as the gift, but on this trip the SL bar will be very close.  So not as big of a deal if I can’t confirm my choice.   A glass of wine won’t be far away regardless.  

Your cabin will not effect the cutoff as if not sorted in advance you will get the cupcakes on day 1 and then not able to substitute. The cupcakes became a standard item if choices not made in advance if you are entitled to 2 amenities. (Like anyone needs more food😂) and if not selected you will get whatever RC chooses)

If you have the UDP I would recommend planning to utilize to the fullest extent and try everywhere. Food is subjective and what one person likes doesn’t mean you will like so try everything!  Yes when we had UDP we used for lunches as well. 
 

Go with a plan of where you want to eat each night and then book as soon as you get onboard. 

On 1/27/2022 at 1:27 PM, RCCL Fan said:

 

Usually the ones on the 12th floor go first, so my guess would be you'd wind up on the 9th floor with RoyalUp.

 

We loved our hot tub... it was a nice feature, but it takes like 40 minutes to fill, so we didn't get in it as much as I thought.

 

 

Correct that’s why I booked mine for 2024 already 😉

1 hour ago, topnole said:

Thanks.  I just can’t recall what we do last time.  I know it was beverages and not towels etc.   Not a huge deal either way.  We are in a loft suite near the SL.  Just was curious on the cut off so I can have time to get through via phone.  
 

How was your TA weather?  Considering one next November of similar timeframe.  My others were all in Oct so hoping it would be similar weather in November.  

Are you talking about loft suite amenities or crown and anchor as they are two separate things, and you specifically mention your cabin which has no bearing on c&a gifts

On 11/22/2022 at 10:17 AM, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

We've done that many times in the past, but it partially negates the "living in central Florida" advantage. By the time we stay at a nice hotel, maybe add in valet, a couple of meals - it might add in a good $300+. Plus, there's the added hassle factor associated with having to also pack for a hotel stay.

 

We were on the fence, but decided to drive this one on the day of. That turned out to be a good call, as we had a 10am showing of our home, which added in some other complications.

Agreed - we try to stay at Hard Rock Hollywood - I utilize tampa to try to get comped room but it doesn’t always work out - as it’s a 3 1/2 hr drive for us ( we have I 4 Disney traffic challenges😔) Glad to say I got it booked for the night before our Beyond trip so I am not stressing being at port as early now. (Miami parking has never been an issue - but was stressing your car park full scenario if we drove the same day)

On 11/26/2022 at 11:01 AM, cruisingator2 said:

Yes I do but as you stated I was responding to another’s posters comments but thanks for giving “your” opinion on Miami. 🙄

You are welcome. Miami is a breeze. I am sure I am not the only one that thinks that Miami is one of the easiest ports in Florida.

15 hours ago, cruisingator2 said:

We cruised out of Miami on the Freedom and Symphony OTS from terminal A a few weeks ago. The Freedom was great coming and going. The Symphony embarkation was great. Ten minutes from Uber to walking onto the ship. Debarkation was another story. From the time that we closed the door to our room and into a taxi to the airport was one hour and twenty minutes. Over 6000 guests trying to leave. People were cutting lines in both leaving the ship and the taxi lines. Never again. 

You do realize this is a thread on Port Everglades Celebrity Terminals not Royal Caribbean Miami terminals which is completely different.. 

Although I understand you were responding to someone’s comment on Miami.

Miami is easy as all the terminals are pretty much in a straight line with Virgin on the end and parking is simple as well.

6 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

Which cruise in January?

 

Can't help with parking, however, as I have car service for my transfers.

We are doing Beyond

3 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

You'll park at the Palm Garage (walking distance) unless you get there after it fills up, in which case you'll have to find/drive to the Northport garage and take a shuttle back.

 

On this map I've circled terminal #29 (where the Reflection docks... and no parking), terminal #29 and the nearby Palm parking garage, as well as the back-up Convention Center parking @ the Northport garage.

 

 

 

 

Tom

Much appreciated thank you!

Does anyone have parking info for t25? We are sailing from there first time in January and I’m struggling to work it ot

thanks in advance

1 minute ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

That's a nice alternative. Good thinking...

Agreed as the suite concierge will still make reservations for shows, dining etc. our genie blocked off seats for comedy club and she put all her guests on bar stools instead of the comfy chairs. I’m shorter and suffer with a bad back so it made for a very uncomfortable evening. 

4 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

That would seem long(er) walks for the Genie.

 

I'm inclined still to move forward and try RCL with this ship for the kids. Would not attempt this line or ship as a couple (no offense to anyone, so please don't get riled up).

 

Thank you for your time.

The ship is great for kids. Our honest opinion was what we got for Star class service was not worth the money. Our genie could never accommodate our requests on time as she was too busy running around the ship looking after her other guests. 
 

that’s why we are sailing CLS on our upcoming sailing  and only book sky class now and just add paying grats and dining package separate. That way our expectation levels are not ruining our experience.

On 11/21/2022 at 10:51 AM, 4-2-N-8 said:

Great info. Had a concern about soot.

 

Other concern is the view over basketball court. I'll stick to the side view near the hot tub.

 

Good thing all dining options outside CK are included.

 

Would be ideal for genie to handle all three of my rooms. I think RCL would figure that out, but I'll prompt them otherwise.

 

Many thanks.

Definitely contact them about this. We were in CLS and the other cabins our genie had were aqua theater suites and I think the 4 bed vista suite.

On 11/20/2022 at 10:30 AM, 4-2-N-8 said:

While I am giving Celebrity a try in 2023 with two cruises, I am also trying their sister cruise line RCL for one cruise.

 

Decided to take my family (with two younger kids) on Harmony of the Seas. I booked the Royal Loft Suite and both Star Loft Suites. The balconies appear nice size, as do the rooms. I believe I am to have access to a "genie" of sorts to help facilitate my schedule. I understand that Coastal Kitchen is the assigned dining for my staterooms.

 

However, I also understand that my staterooms include unlimited dining venues. I expect to dine in all specialties for dinner. Was at least hoping Coastal Kitchen breakfast would be a viable option for my group.

 

Sounds like Coastal Kitchen will be as chaotic and overwhelmed as is Luminae on Celebrity, at least in terms of difficult to find seating and rushed servers. That's a shame.

 

So much for an elevated experience. 

We did SLS on Harmony this year. Yes balcony was awesome but cabin itself was a huge let down. Bathroom door does not open fully as it his the side of the bed and you have to stand on the top step of the stairs to get into the wardrobe. Our genie was disappointing to say the least. 
 

yes unlimited dining included. CK we tried for one breakfast and never went back to say it was slow is an understatement and it wasn’t even busy. The main difference with CK is you have to book dinner unlike Luminae where you can just turn up. 
 

Personally we will never sail Star Class with Royal again. Would rather book Sky class and buy a dining package. 
 

looking forward to our first PH on Beyond to see how it compares, but honestly can’t be any worse.

On 11/22/2022 at 5:10 PM, whoshwhosh said:

Staying in a Grand Suite on the Jewel in January. I understand the cabin may not be available when boarding. Is the concierge lounge available to hang out?  Any snacks or drinks available?

Only coffee machine available unless you are in there for breakfast hours or evening cocktail hours. Snacks are not 24/7

12 hours ago, Wineaux007 said:

Anthem is going there out of Southampton on 12 May 2024.  Itineraries just came out, so booking is probably at the lowest rate at this time.

Not just May. We booked June for that itinerary.

8 hours ago, CTP said:

I booked our Air through RCCL and they asked if I wanted the transfer, I thought sure that will make things easy.  Problem, our flight arrives at FLL at 6 AM, just got our vacation documents that say .... Transfers from Fort Lauderdale International Airport to the Port of Miami are scheduled approximately every 60 minutes, starting at approximately 12:00 PM on the day you are scheduled to board the ship .... OMG I didn't even think to ask the time of the transfer I just assumed it would be earlier ..  we would have a breakfast at the airport get sorted get the transfer and be at the ship by 10:30 AM in time for our wellness check

 

I looked for an RCCL pre-cruise excursion however nothing is listed on the planner 😞 

 

Any suggestions?

Wellness check? May I ask why you need a wellness check? All recent check ins have been very simple with a basic do you have Covid symptoms ok you are good to go

16 hours ago, Biker19 said:

All the reports seemed to indicate a very YMMV on that working. I know quite a bit of traffic gets by inbound (notifications, headers) but outbound traffic seemed to be very limited. Good to know iOS messaging works for you. 

It works apple to apple but not apple to non apple

11 hours ago, dwc13 said:

 

 

It's possible Royal Caribbean handles things differently, but I would be surprised. It's been my experience and understanding typically casino operations has a block of rooms reserved for which it is on the hook. By doing this, casino operations can ensure at least some high(er) level players will have a room available even if all other rooms are sold out. It's also how the casino host can make adjustments to the rate of rooms under its 'control', if warranted, as well as make offers on future cruises, without repeatedly engaging hotel operations (because doing so only impacts casino operations P&L, not hotel operations P&L). 

 

Yes, you are quoted and will pay prevailing rates (minus your comp, if applicable), whatever that is at the time the comped room is booked. The hotel isn't going to cut the casino a deal on a room it could have booked itself at prevailing rates had it not been blocked for casino use; completely fair, given the casino doesn't share its gaming revenue with hotel operations, other than (perhaps) leasing floor space. The comp is an accounting adjustment from casino marketing funds to hotel operations revenue. That amount, plus what you paid equals the prevailing room rate at the time of the booking. 

 

 

I know for a fact the cabins we have booked are not blocked as sometimes they are the only cabin left in that category and are available to general public.

On 11/16/2022 at 5:53 PM, AlohaLivin said:

I have just never heard them doing status matches for the casino, as I understand that they are not even doing status matches with their sister line celebrity, but as I said they may do it. But as @StephPS79said, calling them is likely your best option is calling the Casino line directly.

Here is the link with the info on casino program match

https://www.clubroyaleoffers.com/TierOfferCruiseMatchRequest.asp

3 hours ago, dwc13 said:

 

You mean you don't like giving RC a free loan for several months while incurring an opportunity cost for that money at the same time? The Casino Marketing Department thanks you for your play and looks forward to seeing you again soon, lol. 

 

You probably already know this since you have been receiving cruise ship casino offers. An on-ship casino typically operates as a separately entity within the company. The casino is on the hook for a block of rooms whether or not the cabin is booked for a given cruise. Thus, it wants to maximize the number of cabins booked by gamblers and ideally optimize the mix with a higher percentage of big gamblers/on-board spenders. Once full payment is received, the likelihood of the passenger actually going through with the cruise increases significantly. Earlier receipt of final payment makes other bookings easier for casino operations, since it should have a very accurate room inventory at any given time. Knowing available room inventory also allows the casino to hold a room for a whale, something it won't do for a run-of-the-mill gambler.

 

 

Agreed but pre program revamp you could upgrade and final was still due at final time. 
And I disagree they are on the hook for it as you say as they are not blocking these cabins off but merely repricing at today’s rates.

we sail every month and always in suites so it’s not small change we are talking about for an upgrade, which is why we are booking more cruises with other cruise lines  now. We have also been members of club royals since they started trialing it in its inception days 

17 hours ago, Tatka said:

Celebrity has a very good to great food in regular dining rooms. (On Beyond there are 4 different with various cuisine). Is there a reason you want to do only specialty dining?

Yes - it’s included with my cabin so making the most of it😉

19 hours ago, Biker19 said:

While that kind of traffic used to get by the RCI internet filter, that is unlikely to work now. What ship and when did that work for you last?

It has worked on Oasis, Brilliance, Mariner,  Harmony twice, Indy, Explorer since restart off on Symphony soon will let you know if it still works but we sail pretty much every month and not had an issue to date.