SRF

I hear that another issue is, the cruise terminal is being used as the command center for the cleanup operation.

So even if the channel is open, the cruise terminal may not be available

On 4/18/2024 at 10:41 AM, mz-s said:

As long as the phone is in airplane mode, calls and SMS won't go through.

That is correct on Carnival as they do not support wifi calling and texting.

But in general, that is NOT true.  You can do calls and SMS using wifi calling on most phones with the major carriers.

2 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

You're allowed to take towels ashore -- you just have to bring them back.  Otherwise, you'll be charged $25 for each missing towel. 

Most port stops with beaches will have a towel station in the disembarkation area or on the dock near the end of the gangplank

Just embarked yesterday.  They are making people get dropped off on the street in front.

There is NO assistance available.  The cop directing traffic said the porters came out there, but it turns out they are NOT ALLOWED TO DO SO.

Luckily fellow cruisers are nice people and will assist you.  Otherwise you would sit out there until after the ship left.

If you have a choice, STAY AWAY FROM THIS PORT.

1 minute ago, island lady said:

 

Your comment to me, quoting me directly was a bit confusing, and felt like finger pointing to me.  Perhaps would have been better as a separate comment stating the obvious?  

 

The gist of the conversation on this thread was being (as the thread title shows) in a GS and getting charged for drinks on C&A vouchers during stated happy hour complimentary drinks.  Which is not right.   

 

Also, just to inform you as to your other comment.  Yes, as suite guests we can have the complimentary happy hour drinks served during the 5-8 time frame during dinner...at our table.  

We have enjoyed that many times.  I was reassuring the poster that I was quoting that they could have that.  But you wanted written proof.  I suggest you consult the SL concierge letter and/or confirm that with the staff in CK.  

 

I did miss that you were in a suite and got charged.  I have not had that happen.

As for getting happy hour drinks at other venues, I have never seen that in the suite letter.  I will try it on my next cruise.  If it doesn't work, I will send you the bill. 😄 😄 😄

21 hours ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

Royal shouldn't charge for the towels even if people steal them. Imo, they are the worst pool towels at sea.....

In that case they will raise the cruise fare to cover the losses.

TANSTAAFL

4 hours ago, twangster said:

It's challenging for an airline for example, to train tens of thousands low paid front line counter employees on all the nuances of passport and/or visa requirements for all of the possible scenarios.  The person checking you in is not an immigration expert.  It's a lot easier to create policy that covers the airline for nearly all scenarios even if that policy goes further than required by law or government regulations for a particular travelers actual requirements.   

They don't.  The requirements are in the computer.  If the person is going to X destination, it tells them if they need a visa and to check for it or for 6 month validity.

18 hours ago, Cigar King said:

A pinnacle sailing in a suite *IS* a suite guest.  I don't understand why you refuse to accept that and continue to troll everyone about their assumptions.

I never said they weren't.  I was addressing a specific comment about a Pin needing to use their vouchers in the lounge.

If they were in a suite, it doesn't matter what level they are, they would get free drinks.

3 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Don't you think that poster could have stated that comment (which was quoted to and was aimed at me) as more of a general statement?   Something like "Pinnacles not in a suite do not receive free drinks in the SL".    That would have been more to the point, stating the obvious.  

 

But pointing the finger at me as "YOU no longer get free drinks in the SL".   Yes, I probably over reacted, you are right.  I just get tired of so many that think anyone wearing a Pinnacle badge is taking over "their" Suites Lounge.  They are the ones assuming that those Pinnacles are not suite's pax.  

 

In actuality, I am in your camp.  I would like to see the Suite's Lounge and CK be exclusively for GS pax and above.  (Flame suite adjusted here), but I don't make the rules...RCI does.  

 

This thread is titled as a GS topic.  The conversations many of us were having was of being in a GS, and still getting charged our C&A vouchers during happy hour in SL/CK.  Which is not right.  

What I have noticed is, that since no more free drinks, except for suite passengers, less people in the lounge.

The reason for the wording of YOU was that you stated that your Pin vouchers would be charged.  Which would mean you were in the lounge, but not a suite guest.

YOU, as in Pins, used to get free drinks in the lounge.  So this is a change.

20 hours ago, island lady said:

 

OK.....so you assume all Pinnacles sail in inside cabins???    

 

Wow...just wow.   😵‍💫

 

 

NO, I was pointing out that only suite guests get free drinks in the lounge.  If a Pinnacle is a suite guest, they get free drinks.  Pre-COVID they got free drinks even if they were in an Interior.

Well, now she offers it deduction from the cruise fare. 

And she checks daily for fare drops and automatically applies them.

Google is your friend.

On 4/10/2024 at 1:09 PM, island lady said:

 

As long as it is during the approx. (each ship is different) 5-8 "happy hour" time...you can order anything you like at the bar, in the lounge, or at your table.  Enjoy!  🙂 

Since when, and where is this written?

On 4/9/2024 at 12:28 PM, island lady said:

 

Interesting.   Would not want that poor concierge's job.   Yikes!  😮 

 

There has been many times in the SL on Harmony and Wonder, that they would simply charge our Pinnacle vouchers.   I guess I could have complained...but we rarely consume all 6 vouchers per person per day anyway.....  So free is free for me. 

 

Though if it did go over, which has not yet, I would indeed make a visit to the concierge myself.  😉 

You don't get free drinks in the SL any more.  Only Suite guests.

What are they smoking???

A deal for a mere $1049 per person for a 5 night balcony????

On 1/30/2023 at 10:41 AM, smokeybandit said:

I never understood why you'd get charged for pool towels, but no real concern about room towels.

Because in the past, people would take them to the beach and just leave them.  The beach would be covered with blue towels.

Since people could not be responsible, now everyone pays the price

53 minutes ago, Tapi said:

What we’ve learned since then after further research is that, unless an itinerary or country you’re visiting has specific passport requirements, your passport only needs to be valid at the time of RETURN TO THE US. 
 

 

FTFY

On 4/8/2024 at 11:27 PM, broberts said:

 

I take it you have detailed knowledge of the stroke victims condition and are familiar with privacy laws and practices in Sāo Tomé and Principe?

 

There are also the laws of the company of the ship.

Nope, I don't have details.  But in most cases no one is going to release info to anyone without authorization

On 4/7/2024 at 3:06 PM, aaa77 said:

I gave up, why would they called Portside if they didn't always dock that side? I always booked portside, but never knew which side Princess docked.

the term Port comes from when the rudder was mounted to side of the ship.  The rudder was mounted on the right side facing forward, so that was the Steerboard, later Starboard side.

To not damage the rudder, the ships would dock with the other side to the pier, so the Port side.

Modern ships can dock either side, so will do so depending on many factors.  So there is no way of knowing which side will be best to watch pier runners.  But if you cabin is on the wrong side, do to a deck that overlooks the dock.

We are in the Marriott Waterside right now to catch Legend tomorrow. There are a bunch of hotels that are almost walking distance from the port.  Marriott, Hilton, etc.

On 4/4/2024 at 2:16 PM, luvbrady said:

but there are no notifications

This seems to have changed.  We cruised in Dec and would text through the app (sharing one internet connection) and we both got notifications of messages.  And no delays

On 4/6/2024 at 8:42 AM, S.A.M.J.R. said:

Now, I know people are screaming "why is the TA charging you extra!  I'd never use them again!".  All I can tell you, is even with their "extra charges", they saved us over $1K on the trip (may have been more, I'm not sure when I was price shopping if Royal was including gratuities in their total).  I don't care who gets my money, I'm trying to find the most cost effective deal. 

My TA plays ME.  No extra fees, and rebate part of her commission as OBC.

On 4/6/2024 at 10:57 AM, broberts said:

 

Putting the onus to communicate on the stroke victim seems particularly removed from reality. 

The problem is privacy laws

They immediately pointing out that this is an ambitious timeline and may be impacted by weather and other factors.

My TA reminds me and normally sets up to make the payment 10 days early.