Goodtime Cruizin

This is one of the oldest tricks in the book, I know everyone is on vacation to relax and have a good time but you have to be on your guard at all times as distraction thefts are common practice throughout Europe.

 

Do not let anyone invade your personal space and if someone does tell them loudly to go away.

Every case will be different of course, but in our case this was impossible. They approached our table and were gone with the phones in 5 seconds, maybe even less. Bottomline, do NOT set anything of any value on your table for any reason. These guys work in teams and looking back, I'm sure the whole area (umbrella tables) was being watched closely by others.

Petty crime? Stealing a $600 phone is hardly a petty crime!!

Make that TWO phones, both being Galaxy 5s, as they were slick enough to get both of our phones. So yes, $600 each is about right. We did scurry around Sun AM before boarding to purchase a SONY camera just to be able to take pics etc. But the hassle of a stolen phone pretty much stinks. I also agree that this is not a petty crime.

I do want to make sure that everyone knows that the Cruise was absolutely wonderful as were the excursions at each port and the Liberty of the Seas is a beauty of a ship. But for the stolen phones, we had a wonderful, once in a lifetime trip. Just understand and be very aware, be vigilant as gypsies rule these ports.

The DW & I just returned from a wonderful Cruise in the Mediterrean. But we did have our phones stolen in Barcelona. I only post this to warn others as there is a rabid case of theft in BCN. We had read and heard about the pick pocket situations in the ports along the Mediterrean but never heard of this one.

Here goes...

While sitting at a nice outdoor cafe, we had our phones out taking advantage of the frre wifi that was offered. We both laid them down on the table and within a few seconds, we were approached by two guys, one on each side of us. They both threw down on the table some sort of documents, one in front of each of us and one of them yelled loudly, "Is this yours?" Stunned by their presence and confused with the documents, I told them know and asked them to leave. They did. As they reached down for their documents (which were strategically laid down on our phones) they grabbed the phones as well. It happended all within 5 seconds. We realized the phones were missing about 2 minutes after they left. They were slick operators. We immediately found access to a phone and cancelled our service carrier but it was a rough start to an otherwise wonderful vacation and cruise.

I only post this to remind all that this is a rabid situation in most ports around the Mediterrean and we've been told it's the oldest trick in the books used by gypsies although we have never read a post about this on Cruise Critics. Bottomline, do not under any circumstance leave anything of any value on top of your tables while dining and/or just having a beer/cocktail. You've been warned!

We just got off the Liberty. It was a wonderful cruise. Yes, there are ATMs available on the ship but as someone else has posted, I would not rely on them. Several in our group went to the Bank(s) ATMs in the ports.

We'll be on the Libierty on 9 days for a Med Cruise and then back on in Feb 2106 out of Galveston. We were fortunate in that the prices dropped dramatically in the first week of May. That's when we booked the Feb 2016 cruise. :D

One thing that is being overlooked and very important.

You need to have a designated driver/drink pkg. That way when you're caught speeding with or without intent, you don't go to the pokey for driving while intoxicated.

We're cruising the Med in 7 days. It's a 5 port stop. I bought the pkg, the DW did not. I have no idea if I will feel like drinking enough throughout the week to warrant the purchase. Time will tell.

How have we come to the point where people are so fearful of breaking rules.

 

That we now invent rules that we are afraid of breaking?

 

 

Doesn't anyone just go by plain common sense anymore?

 

Or does every situation possible have to have a rule or policy?

I think it's only proper to review the policies and rules before I answer your questions.

Yep, don't put up with RCCL screwing you out of 25 cents, the nerve to change from 40 including tips to 35 (w/o tips)+5.25 (15%)=40.25. Might be time to consider other lines.

It isn't about your so called quarter. I did not read her post as trying to 'get away' without paying. I read it as she beieved it to be promoted ones way, while others have seen charges another way. If this is the case, shame on RCL for attempting to charge someone. If they can't manage their promotions, marketing, website etc., then that's on them! Not their customers.

There is a huge state of confusion on this matter as I spoke with RCI today. The right hand does not know what the left hand is doing and corporate can't get a handle on it. So far anyway.

26- Liberty from Barcelona!! Can't believe it!

18 days, I'll be disembarking off as you await to to embark the Liberty!

OK after reading this thread, I decided to call Crown & Anchor as we are sailing in 18 days and I have purchased the Premium Package. I was charged $423.50 for a $55/day which should have resulted in a charge of $385. Here is what I was told...

First, the C&A rep did not know of any additional price increase/decrease and she looked it up and stated that the gratuities were part of the package. She was confused so she reached out to Guest Resolutions and she was told that my additional charges were for a VAT (valuables added tax) as we are sailing the Mediterrean. So... according to RCI, both C&A & Guest Resolutions, the gratuities are included in the price.

Now... check this out. I was also given a website, http://www.global-blue.com and was told that I could be refunded some of the VAT. All I need to do was to tell customs that I wished to apply for a refund. To do this, I needed to save all receipts and apply for the refund on-line.

Interesting. Anyway, thanks for the heads up on this thread as I learned a bit today! :D

Seriously? Nothing else about our attire would alert the locals that we are tourists? :D :D

We use those "Hello! My name is _______. " Of course we like being a little hip so we have personalized them at times by using happy faces and I've even went as far as a "Howdy I'm from Texas" :D

In my pocket. If I do not have pockets, then I put it in my husband's pocket. In the evening, I carry a small wristlet handbag for my camera and eyeglasses.

 

I wouldn't be caught dead walking around wearing the Sea Pass around my neck, and I've stood fast on that thinking over many cruises.

If you are caught dead, then how will they identify you? :D

If you decide to go and the Doc approves, RCL might assist you with a handicap cabin. Just a thought.

They have been collecting this for years at the land border crossings into Texas and just extended it to the Port of Galveston. It applies to both alcohol and tobacco. Looks like $15.00 per carton might curtail tobacco importation.

 

Here is a link to the chart so you can see what it would cost you to bring it in. I understood that it was only for Texas residents.

 

http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/poe/tax_rates.asp

This was my understanding as well. In fact, this past March, they asked if I was a Texas resident and then requested my DL/ID.

I'd assume a vodka and red bull would be in the package, but if you wanted a can of red bull it wouldn't, but would like clarification from someone who knows. I'd also like to know how much a can of Red Bull is. Trying to decide between Premium and Ultimate and Red Bull is one of the factors.

just tell your bartender to serve it, not mixed. A shot and the can.

I think I saw in one menu online one top-shelf margarita at one of the bars for $10.50, but that would still only cost 50 cents if you really wanted it.

Four of us oredered a round of margaritas at at specialty restaurant. They were $12/ea. We paid the difference. BTW, they were the best Margaritias we had on the ship all week.

Many top shelf beers are now excluded in the Premium pkg. which surprised me. Crown was part of the premium pkg on our last cruise.

I also see the prices have jumped on the cruises I have been watching. It looks like all they have done is remove the half-off second guest discount. They will probably adjust prices downward later.

I think the same. I think a downward will occur, then another BOGHO.

We pucrchased two cruises in the first week of May and did very well on both. A balcony as completely doubled and a JS was cheaper than any balcony we've had.

We're happy! :D

Wow. Thanks for the posts/thread. We leave in less than 60 days out of Barcelona and this is the first I've heard about it. Time to do some calculating!

FYI...

We live in Houston and last Sunday, we daytripped down to Galveston for the day. We drove by the Navigator around 11am and there were about 75-100 people in line and/or at dock side awaiting to get on aboard.

I've found that if one was able to take advantage of the BOGHO sale in the very first fews days of the month of May, you most likely scored some very good pricing. Looking at the three cruises we have booked, we were able to re-price the D1 balcony on a 9/14 Med Cruise. Currently the price has increased $1210 pp. We also booked a JS on a 10/15 Eastern Carribean Cruise and the rate has increased $553 pp. And finally, our booking of a JS on a 2/16 Western Carribean Cruise is up $198 ea. I think this last one has room to eventually drop. I watch it often.

We recv'd a notice of this nature when we sailed on the Navigator. I think we were the only party on the ship that actually followed these instructions. Unfortunately there was absolutely no RCI rep enforcing the schedule they sent. As a result, we were one of the last 100 people or so to get on board. :confused:

Thanks again everyone for all of your input! I'm thinking we will fly into Hobby because we normally fly Southwest and it seems thats where they fly into!

 

I was incredibly shocked but MANY hotels were already fully booked for February! We ended up with a hotel on the beach that does transfers (I can't remember exactly which one) I'll look at all of the transfer services and try and find the best deal from the Airport to the hotel and Port to Airport :)

Galveston has a pretty good sized Madris Gras in Feb and the hotels fill up pretty fast.

Can children wear smart shorts in main dining room? sailing sos in July.

I think you mean...

With regars to the MDR dress code. Can my kids break the rules just because they are kids?

It starts with you!

This is a great opportunity for you to teach and them to learn about life's little rules.

The alcohol pkgs are accepted in the MDR & the Specialty restaurants for drinks up to $10 per drink.

Speaking of specialty restuarants. I suggest that you try Sabor. It was a very nice experience, great food and excellent service. If you are into Margaritas, imo Sabor served up the BEST Margaritas on the ship. They were $12 each, so we only had to pay the $2 difference.

I can't speak to your questions regarding the kids etc. Enjoy your cruise!

Actually, this site offers a monitoring sysemt of notification as does several others. Google Cruise Fare Price Monnitoring, you'll find a few. Most are fee paid.