rinse82

Saved $200 on my UDP for the family of 5

Thanks OP

23 hours ago, bretts173 said:

You haven't been on but are only believing the bad reviews and not the good ones?

 

 

Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing.

I hardly read anything about it being 'good', mainly that it 'isn't terrible'  Not very glowing.  

Not saying everyone should get the UDP either, that's our choice.  

Have been hearing way too much on this across the board - 

We've typically been MDR people but for our Icon sailing in March, we're doing the Ultimate Dining Package...

Haven't sailed RCI since 2019 and are really looking forward to coming back to try the new class, shame the food has taken a nosedive.  We were on the Disney Fantasy back in March and would say the food was pretty good.

14 hours ago, F27TW said:

I hate to break it to you, but nothing was "made for special for you" ..  that cake came on frozen from Sysco and he just customized your plate ..  and all the other stuff was just assembled from things already on hand.   No one is THAT "VIP" that some chef is back there in some special kitchen preparing special request things to order.   Especially on a ship that holds 6,000+ pax.

Imagine being this curmudgeonly

Noticed for my harmony booking coming up in 4 weeks that I'm unable to reserve a beach lounger @ Labadee.  It says to check onboard.

In the past, I haven't had any issues on other ships pre-booking, and would be surprised if these were sold out.

Does anyone know if this is specific to Harmony, where it can only be reserved on the ship?  Maybe they are in fact sold out and I snoozed this time.

Hi all -

Experienced RCI cruiser making the jump to DCL to take our three kids (aged 5, 2 and 2)  - I know that Castaway Club members will get earlier access to pre-booking and I won't get a crack until 75 days out.

Obviously, my 5 yo daughter is obsessed with Disney Princesses, and was wondering if any other passengers had experience with pre-booking for the meet and greets as a first-time DCL cruiser?  Is there any availability when the 75-day window opens, or will I have to hope that there are still tickets available the minute we board the ship?  I'll get my sprinting shoes ready and make a b-line to the port adventures desk!

Thanks in advance!

On 12/19/2018 at 10:12 AM, reallyitsmema said:

Not sure if they have the curtain or not, but one option that families use is a dark shower curtain and magnetic hooks.  Just put the hooks on the ceiling and hang the curtain.  This allows you to curtain off whatever area you want.

Great idea - thanks!

On 12/19/2018 at 10:38 AM, diegodenzel said:

I’ll be sailing in a JS in early Feb on Harmony with our twins. If no one answers, I’ll try to report back. Did you find you had enough space in the JS with two pack n plays?

The two pack n plays took up most of the space in front of the couch; but we still had a clear walkway to the balcony.

But the added room between king bed and the vanity, plus the walk in closet and having a bathtub made it liveable for sure!

Just came off the Oasis of the Seas; we had a Family Junior Suite for our family of five.

We have 1.5 year old twins and set up two pack n play cribs in the "living" area of the Family Suite.  What was great was the curtain partition that allowed us to block off that part of the room, which really helped out with the twins naps and bedtimes!

We're booked on a JS again in April, but this time on the Harmony.  Was looking at some pictures and watching videos yesterday and noticed the absence of the curtain on the Harmony!  By no means a dealbreaker but just wanted to confirm with anybody that's had a JS on either of the newer Oasis ships that the curtain partition is in fact gone (no longer an option)

Thanks CC!

1 hour ago, jwakeli said:

 

Awesome! We really wanted a junior suite but our sailing was packed so just did a balcony room, turned out to be just enough space so worked out.

 

I forgot to mention in my review that using the luggage porters saved us a good hour wait in line for customs (could have been just one of those days and a one off but the line was enormous) spring for the porter if you can though helps with having kids who dont like lines haha

Thanks for the tip - we have Nexus/TSA Pre-Check so should be okay with the airport lines

Thanks for the review.

We have been on Allure twice but will be on Oasis for the first time on November 25th.  We love Allure so I'm sure we'll also love Oasis.

Junior Suite on deck 7.  Will be our first time taking three kids (4 yo, 1.5 yo twins) 

23 minutes ago, RMH said:

The clam-shell loungers are only available at Adrenaline Beach.  The loungers at Columbus Cove are free and plentiful.  They do not have the clam shell over it like the ones you pay for, but at Columbus Cove, there is so much shade you really don't need it.  I would not rent a lounger if you were planning on being at Columbus Cove.  The loungers there are all free.

ok great, thanks!

We are boarding the Oasis in 3.5 weeks with 1.5 year old twins   So we'll let you know how it goes lol.

We're experienced cruisers and have taken our now 4 year old before when she was 2...but with three kids and two being twins, it's going to be a whole new ballgame

Question RE: Beach Loungers

If I reserved a beach lounger through RCI pre-cruise, are these available everywhere at the port?

I have young kids and was thinking of heading to Columbus Cove this time; just wanted to make sure I'd be able to get our lounger there as well.  Thanks!

Based on some very positive yelp reviews, I've booked my post cruise shuttle to the Airport with Howard and his service. http://www.ride099.com

He was very responsive over email, and basically just told me that he'd call me at 7am when the ship is docked at Port Everglades, to confirm the pickup (I need to be picked up at 8:30am)

Has anyone else used Howard's service before? The only confirmation I have is our email correspondence and him stating that he'd call me on the morning of.

Just looking for peace of mind I suppose - I have a 2 year old toddler so a car seat is a must; so not like we can get any taxi at the port to take us to the airport in the event of a contingency.

Thanks in advance!

I'm not aware of any cruise line or airline that's not doing the same thing. :confused:

 

BTW: Mentioning you TA company by name is in violation of the terms and conditions for using this forum. Then again, you probably know that since you've been a member for 7 years.

Are you a mod?

Sometimes, it's ok to let some things go. This thread would seem like maybe one of those times. Just saying.

WOW...just WOW...

 

Better not go outside ever again either....one might get hit by lightning.... :eek:

 

After all...the odds are about the same... :rolleyes:

This is a bit ignorant - slim chance or not, this is a child's life we're talking about.

The rep I got allowed me the option to make multiple OBC purchases of $500 to get around their per transaction limit.

hate to bump...but anybody?

This will be our first time cruising with a child, and she'll be about 22 months at the time of our trip. We're not planning to bring our car seat, as she will be sitting on our laps on the plane, and have reserved a car seat with our pre-cruise car rental.

So no issues while in Fort Lauderdale, or travelling to Port Everglades to board our cruise. However, we're going to need an airport transfer the morning of debarkation to take us to FLL.

Assuming none of the taxi's waiting outside PE will be toddler-friendly, can anyone recommend any companies they've used in the past? I don't mind having to pay for the car seat rental, but if there are any that include it with the service, that would be gravy.

I've done my own cursory search but there are so many options that I'd like to hear from people on this great forum on their experiences.

Thanks

Thought I would come and give an update on my onboard credit experience. Just got off the Anthrm of the Seas on Saturday.

 

My onboard credit certificates were waiting for me in my room when I got there, and it was the exact amount that I had purchased. Although it was immediately available to use, it did not appear on my account until the second day. So far so good.

 

Where things got a little difficult is when I tried to get cash from the casino. They refused to give me cash the first time I tried. They said that the new "fleet wide" policy was that only chips or slot vouchers could be given. I asked when this policy started, but they couldn't give me an answer. I decided to wait another day to see a different person at the casino, but was met with the same result.

 

I then decided to go to Guest Services because the RC Gifts & Gear told me that I would be able to get cash from the casino when I purchased the credit. The person at Guest Services apologized and restated the policy of no cash at the casino, but that I could use the ATM if I needed cash. I re-expressed my concern that my spending money for port days was dependant on getting some of my credit. So he leaned in and then suggested that I may want to purchase some chips at the casino, wait a while, and go cash them in as the workaround to the policy.

 

So I decided to play the game and go purchase some chips. The next day I went to cash them in only to be told that they don't cash chips in. What??? Her answer was you purchased them so now you have to play them. I explained that I had changed my mind and that I did not want to play the tables, but to no avail. So I asked that they be converted to slot vouchers, which she was able to do.

 

My wife and I played some slots, and then I decided to cash out the rest for the night as we were tired. When this is done, the machine spits out a cash out voucher. I decided to try my luck with the new person at casino window who immediately took the voucher and gave me cash. Here was the workaround. From that point on I was able to purchase play vouchers, simply stick them in the slot machine, cash out immediately and then proceed to get cash.

 

Kind of a pain, but at least I was able to get to my money.

How would the Casino teller know that you didn't play the chips that you were trying to cash in the next day? Unless they give you a 'redeemable' chip at the teller that you then exchange for real chips at the tables.

Looking at the pricing for my upcoming Allure cruise, and it's ~$140/1 device/per adult and ~$220/2 devices/per adult. After I select the package, it asks me which passengers it applies to.

Technically, couldn't I just select 1 passenger (myself), and then use the 2nd device allotment for my wife's ipad or iphone?

The only restriction is that only two devices can be on at once, correct?

Rep experience is very inconsistent it seems. When I did this about a month ago, I asked what the limit was and the rep responded that "there was no limit". So I proceeded to purchase $1,000 in OBC with no issue.

Thanks to both of you!

Not sure if there is actually a limit but I was able to add $1,000 of OBC just now for $1,100 CAD :)

Is anybody nervous about the fact that the confirmation email only states what you paid for the Credit and not what the actual value of the credit is (e.g. $1,000). My invoice only says that I've paid $1,100 for OBC.