Noble724

2 hours ago, Puggy13 said:

I have a question and I can't find an answer, I'm hoping someone can help.

 

Bidding opened up for my cruise in Apr. I signed into my account and placed a bid. It listed "travelers", when I got to the submit bid page, it then listed the other person as the main person on the bid. I entered my email, name and credit card info anyways, as I am the other listed traveler. The confirmation bid email came to me, "Hi, (other name)" and so on.

 

Will the bid still be processed if he is, I guess listed as the "main" traveler?

 

Basically his name on the "bill/ order", my name on the credit card info.

 

Just wondering if it's fine or we should cancel and have him enter his card.

 

Thanks

I suspect both names are on the cruise  confirmation and either can submit the upgrade request for the cabins.  As long as a valid credit card is used to submit the upgrade request, it really won't matter if it's from guest one or two. 

I wish you good luck on securing an upgrade to your category of choice.

On 1/17/2024 at 3:17 PM, happiness is cruising said:

Just google the deck plan for the ship..you can see each deck and where the suites are..doesn’t show availability..just the deck plan!!

You can also visit cruisedeckplans.com.  it is an excellent source of information--videos and pictures of various cabins.  It is my go-to site for cruise cabin information. 

8 hours ago, WingerSupreme said:

How much did it cost for you to upgrade?

$100 p/p

@caligirlfashionista

ABSOLUTELY!  I had a guarantee and submitted an upgrade bid after final payment was posted.  My first cabin assignment was from a Balcony Guarantee to a Deluxe Balcony.  My initial upgrade bid was cancelled by Princess (or their representative).  I resubmitted the upgrade bid request and received an upgrade to a Mini Suite.  Give it a try!

I submitted a bid 30 days prior to my sailing; it was accepted 23 days prior to my sailing and my credit card was automatically charged.  The new cabin assignment was provided in the email  notification that my bid was accepted.  My check-in information and luggage tags were updated when the upgrade was accepted.

1 hour ago, SKCruiser007 said:

If you are going to be in a B4, corner aft, you have a great balcony. Congrats!

Congratulations to you.  I love the AFT balconies, and having a corner is an extra bonus.  The balconies are larger and the wake is mesmerizing.  Enjoy!!!

12 minutes ago, HiCCCs said:

Congratulations!!!

 

 

@HiCCCs...Thanks!

Just had success on upgrade bid, Regal sailing 28 Jan.  Complimentary upgrade from Balcony Gty to Deluxe Balcony,  then low bid accepted on Deluxe Balcony to Mini Suite.  This time, we had a good outcome.

4 hours ago, candy4040 said:

I would go ahead and do the OV if it was only 65 per person. 

 

Hi candy4040,

You have a valid recommendation based on the $65 bid; however, obstructed OV would give me pause as well.

• Has anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Puerto Madero near the port?  Good, Bad, Okay???  Safe area, things to do???  Thanks in advance.

Understand.  Hopefully, direct contact with the cruise line will result in a solution that is less painful...maybe a Future Cruise Credit.

Your booking may have been priced as a Non-Refundable Deposit booking.  It is a lesser rate, but carries a penalty for cancelation or ship/sail date change.  You may be able to get a Future Cruise Credit for all, or at least a portion, of your deposit.  Sometimes a call directly to the cruise line helps.  Good luck...many companies are trying to make up for lost revenue and they are in a race to the bottom of the customer service barrel.

On 9/9/2022 at 1:40 PM, ldubs said:

 

I understand the need and wish the solution was a simple as walkie talkies.  Hopefully to be taken as a potential solution and not commentary -- with wifi, could cell phones be used to communicate?  

I'm not sure if cell phones using the ship's wi-fi will work, but I'm willing to try it when we sail next week.  I am also going to ask how they handle children's whereabouts.   Thanks much!

On 9/9/2022 at 1:01 PM, chengkp75 said:

There are two professional mariners who have responded to this thread, myself and Heidi13, and we can both say with certainty that if you think the wifi app is ship specific, walkie talkies will be location on the ship specific, time of day specific, and weather specific.  Even the 5 watt radios the crew use, are basically worthless without the array of repeater antenna located throughout the ship, and these repeaters are "tuned" to the specific frequencies used by the ship, so they won't do you any good.  If you are separated by one deck, or the length of the ship, you probably won't get signal.  This is not commentary, this is fact based on decades of seagoing.

Thank you!  Your feedback helps me to make a decision. 

Fellow cruisers, I believe the OP asked for recommendations on the best walkie talkie to stay in touch with their Dad's caregiver.  Now that I am also in the position of wanting/needing to be able to contact my travel partner should we get separated on the ship, I too would like the information.  Sometimes, something as simple as a bathroom visit can lead to a person getting disoriented and subsequently lost on the ship.  It is uncomfortable and frightening for the lost person and their companion.  If you haven't experienced it, then you can not possibly understand.

I have no intentions of disturbing my fellow cruisers with the constant "can you hear me now," conversation, but I would like to know if there is a set of walkie talkies that will offer a possible solution.  Yes, I have tried the ship's app and I can tell you from experience that it is ship and cruise line specific whether it works or not -- regardless of whether you buy the ship's wi-fi.  It is not a guarantee that the app will work nor that it will work well.  My experience with the Princess app was favorable, my experience with the Royal Caribbean app was horrible (and I love Royal - I'm Diamond Plus, knocking on Pinnacle's door).

If you have a walkie talkie recommendation, please share it.  If not, please just keep scrolling -- no commentary needed.  Thanks and happy sailing to all of you!

Agree that there should be no charge until cabin is being held/already confirmed.  I suspect the perverbial needle in the haystack occurred.  Who knows how many people are looking at the same cabin at any given second.  Computer systems have no sense of priority...first one to hit confirm gets the cabin.  I do hope the original poster has a good time aboard after the disappointment subsides.  

Has anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Puerto Madero near the port?  Good, Bad, Okay???  Safe area, things to do???  Thanks in advance.

I agree that this is frustrating for both the cruise lines and the passengers.  However, I am more concerned about people and their children, who are unvaccinated, boarding without being totally forthcoming about their medical status.  I would be just fine with 100% vaccination -- if the child is not vaccinated then the family should plan another type of vacation.   I cruised in mid-December and there were no outbreaks on my ship; sailed on Princess Regal and then Royal Freedom of the Seas.  No children on Princess and about 60 on Royal.  Even though there are areas/activities on Royal designated for unvaccinated passengers, I don't think the staff is limited to a vaccinated or unvaccinated area.  Consequently, whatever is transmitted in the unvaccinated area can easily be transmitted to the vaccinated area.  We will never reach 0% infections (on board or on land) because there are some very strong opinions about mandates and vaccination requirements.  I am not addressing that dialogue and I am not trying to open a conversation about the merit of people's preferences -- I am simply pointing out that perhaps the cruising rules should change to vaccination or no sail, no matter the passenger's age.  

Great feedback.  Thanks

Thanks to all who responded.  I think we will take an UBER from Port Everglades to Port of Miami.  It seems to be about the same cost with less movement (i.e., Port Everglades to FLL and then shuttle to Miami).  Appreciate the feedback!  

Are there any shuttle services between Port Everglades and the Port of Miami?  What is the best way to navigate between the two for a back to back cruise.  Thanks.

Again...THANK YOU to Bird Travel for giving us a full view, day-by-day experience.  You have answered questions (sometimes the same question two or three times 😂) and also highlighted the important stuff that will make or break our return to sea.  The information on embarkation, disembarkation, scheduling tests, Health Visas, and overall ship environment is invaluable.  I wish you a safe passage home.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Thank you soooooo much for this well written overview of your sailing with great pictures.  I'm feeling much better about cruising again.

Agree.  Let's adjust and SAIL!

I'm sure many will disagree with my comments, but I fail to see the issue.  If the cruise lines decide that vaccinations are required for sailing, paying customers will decide whether to spend their money and comply or choose another vacation option.

Remember when we complained about seat belts --  they are now legally required in all 50 states.  Some choose to not wear them and risk legal action or worse, endangering innocent people because they choose to ignore the law.

Remember when smoking was an option in most buildings, planes, busses, ships -- now, most facilities have a designated smoking area (normally outside).  People complain(ed) but they comply with the law and exit(ed) the building, plane, bus or other facility to smoke...their choice.

When you travel to certain parts of the world, you are required to vaccinate and show proof...or make other travel arrangements.  Why is vaccination so polarizing.  We have seen the toll Covide-19 has taken on our economy, mental health, livelihoods, family relations and yet we continue to debate vaccinations on an issue where we have a true choice.  Our vacation choices are just that -- choices.  The stipulations that accompany those choices are just that -- requirements/stipulations for our chosen vacation.