Mjoellnir

Hi MoM :)

As you know, we were on the same cruise, but I guess we were very lucky compared to you. I'll try to get my review done soon!

Suites get use of the Concierge lounge...and free drinks at cocktail hour...that's about the extent of the monetary perks on RCI.

Not true.. we got so much more on indy in a GS

Suite reception in chops first seaday

Breakfast in chops every day

Reserved seating in the theatre and ice show

Reserved sunbeds on the sundeck

Barefoot beach and upgraded lunch on Labadee

Free visit on the bridge

Consierge lounge and a Consierge who help you with anything you need

++++++

He will then walk you past other passengers waiting in line where you will be jeered: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2325353

 

:D

Yep, you will really feel the love from those who have been waiting in line for ages :p

well if Raj could have one of those cards for the elevator, making it go to deck 1, it would have been problem solved.. but obviously he don't have that.

So, it is today one week since we came back from what might have been our best vacation so far. The cruise was great in most ways! (I might make a review later when I have all the pictures etc).

Since we were in a Grand Suite we had the option to leave the ship together with the concierge, Raj - whom in every way was great. So we waited in the Concierge lounge until 9 am and were told that he could walk us down then.

Due to some CBP issues, the disembarkation was slow that morning, and the stairwells were really packed full of passengers from deck 3 and down.

Raj managed to squeeze trough the people, being a tiny guy in uniform and all, but getting us trough was not easy. People would simply not move until we squeezed hard to get past them, and then we got insults thrown after us and I am sure I heard someone spitting. And yes, both Raj and we appologized for squeezing trough and told them why we were doing so.

As soon as we got down the stairs however it was an easy walk and our bags were waiting in the suite area, before he put us in the global entry queue (we do not have global entry), and suddenly we were in a taxi.

Thank you Raj for getting us trough as promised, and shame on those who had to call us names on the way down!

Welcome to cruise critic :)

For non Americans I really recommend buying the package in advance. If the dollar exchange rate become higher then so will the price of the package. And if it goes down, you may still cancel the package until 3 days before and then buy it on the ship.

I have saved the equal of ca $100 by buying mine 9 monts ago because the dollar became so much more expensive for Norwegians. (And much more by prepaying our hotels pre and post cruise).

Op did not ask if the package was worth it.

We leave our 4 and 6 years kids with my parents for nearly 2 weeks, incl 5 nights on Indy. So we too need to be in daily contact with them.

Others have told me that apps like whatsapp should be working for making calls trough the ships Wifi.. And then we will use Skype from the ports.

It will for sure be terminal 25 on feb 18 and 22.

Ok. Hope our bags come early enough then

We have free press before our formal night, being in a suite. How late can I give my tux to them for it to be ready in time?

A forecast last Thursday night (Feb 4) from the NWS Ocean Prediction Center said that by Sunday night, the Atlantic Ocean off the Carolinas would experience winds up to 50 knots (57.5 mph) and seas up to to 31 feet. By Saturday afternoon, forecasts were calling for 65 knot (75 mph)winds and seas to 11.5 meters (about 38 feet) by noon Sunday.

The Anthem has highly multiple sophisticated meteorological systems aboard.

On Saturday has was fully aware the monster was growing, (barometric pressure falling, isobars getting tighter and a defined "eye" was forming.

He knew this on SATURDAY. Armed with the information that the beast was growing, he just headed right into it.

On Saturday, even a half-wit could look at this and know that this was no normal low pressure system

I see you like conspiracies. I suggest you stick with antivaxing and chemtrails.

Our itinerary for our B2B sailings on INDEPENDENCE 3/8 & 3/13

 

Finally, we entered the Suite Line which was backed up quite a while with people who were NOT in suites nor had any C&A status at all. What a mess! .

i hope someone turned them away and not just let them trough!

Going on the 22nd sailing, also on a Monday and hope terminal 18 is in use then as well.

There's no tipping in Europe and service is pretty poor overall..

Sorry, but that is completely not true. It is possible to tip 10-20% for good service. The big difference is that it is not required to tip, like in the US because the waiters get a decent salary anyway. I find the service here good in general. If it is bad, you complain and get a discount or a free meal.

Funny though. With the required 20% tip, the food served in US restaurants are often more expensive than in EU.

In Europe (exl UK) noone call you sir or m`am, but that should not count as bad service.

Being from a social democratic country, I find the US tipping system silly, but I accept the difference and do my best when I visit US.

does the amex plat. cover cancelation??

Yes, but I have the European version, could be different rules. Here most use their cc insurances as they are free and give just as good coverage as the paid ones.

I get a much better insurance on my AMEX platinum card.

Extension cords are on the prohibited list.

You can request one if you have a special need for one, such as for a CPAP.

I'd also like to know if this is offered at a lower price on the ship, or should I just purchase in advance?

There is a much higher chance of it becoming more expensive until you board than it being cheaper than preorder :)

are the gratuities included in the drinks package or added extras to you oba we have not had the drinks packages before so was just wondering

You pay for gratitudes when you buy the package. If you buy over the limit you will have to pay gratitudes for the extra amount.

I guess we will buy what we need onboard or at ports

I did see a guy regularly at the same seat at one bar. He would get there as soon as they were serving and just pour one beer after another into himself. He was starting one when I lined up for Guest Relations and was getting the next when I left about 15 minutes later. When I came back he was still there and consuming at what appeared to be the same rate.

 

He must have left to visit the loo and attend the AA meetings :D

And again the need to make someone a drunk just because he was enjoying a few beers.

Gosh can they:eek: Yes I drink a lot of water, so thanks for the advice. We will wait until we are onboard and check it out then.

They may also change the price until you board, so it might be more expensive for you to buy it on the boat. This happened just recently with Replenish.

Also, Premium include still bottled water, not sparkling.

Only the ultimate package includes everything you describe and that is around $70 pp/day. Too expensive for my pocketbook.:p

It is more like $65, and if you want to enjoy 3 cocktails, a couple of wines, a few beers, speciality coffee and fresh juice it certanly is worth it.

If you are happy with desalinated water, then don't buy it.

we have an substantial amount of OBC comming from http://www.royalcaribbeanhoneymoon.com/ .

Any advice on how to double check these before boarding?

I just read on another forum that the Navigator is being rerouted to Belize on a cruise by cruise basis until the situation is resolved. she said she called Royal Caribbean this morning and that's what she was told in regards to her upcoming sailing. I hope they substitute ports for the other ships as well.

Yep

Navigator is now just outside Belize