CruisingMacs

How does RCL (and the on line travel agencies) constantly get away with advertising one price for a cruise when you pull it up on their website, but then when you "click through" to make the actual reservation the price is SUBSTANTIALLY higher?  I could see if it was a once and a while thing - dynamic pricing etc. - but it is CONSTANT.  For example the "main page" has had a certain cruise advertised at $511 on the "search" page.  When you click, it shows up as $511 for that particular date.  Then when you click through to actually make a reservation the price comes up as $676 (not including port fees and taxes, so THAT's not the reason for the difference).  This happens ALL THE TIME.  What's the use in having a "dynamic" sales portal like a webpage, if the pricing advertised is always inaccurate?  Love RCL (Diamond member) but this pricing stuff is SO frustrating.

Thank you very much!  Looking at your cruise in April - we've never been on Rhapsody.

Are there Freestyle Coke machines on Rhapsody of the Seas?  If so, how many?  Where are they?  Thanks!

Thanks!  That's what we figured.

Anyone taken a cab to Atlantis on their own (no excursion)?  What will they allow you to do?  Can you get on the property?  Or do you have to pay an admission fee or something (if so, how much?)  Thanks!

3 minutes ago, blackshirt said:

Each Diamond member gets 3 free drinks per day but they are only usable during the nightly Diamond Lounge hours, not all day. They can be used at almost any bar and are in addition to the unlimited drinks available in the Diamond Lounge.

THANK YOU!  This is really helpful!  

5 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

Unlimited drinks in the lounge during the happy hour.  Three drink vouchers each evening to be used at any bar, but only during the same period as the happy hour in the lounge.

THANK YOU!  This helps a lot!

Related question if ok to ask:  We are about to become Diamond level and I've seen mixed answers on the benefits, particularly the drinks.  Which is correct:  (1) Each Diamond member (DW and I) get three free drinks per day loaded on their individual cards to be used anytime during the day  AND (2) each Diamond member can go to the Diamond Lounge for free drinks during the "Happy Hour as well.  OR (A) Each Diamond Member gets three drinks loaded on their individual cards but they must be "purchased" in the Diamond Lounge during the "Happy Hour"?  Thanks for any help you can give us!

Ship - Freedom of the Seas (FOS)

Deck - 6

Stateroom # - 6702

Stateroom Category – Spacious Oceanview

Starboard or Port Side - Port

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Very quiet. Last portside cabin before the aft-facing suites. Crew staircase next door but NEVER heard anyone using it.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No.

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – No balcony just large porthole.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - N/A

Was wind a problem? - N/A

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - No

Any other comments? - Used to inside cabins, but this was a nice size, easy access to bed from both sides. Porthole/window was dirty but still nice to have a view.

Thanks! We love OSJ and want to enjoy a day visiting again - we were there a week before the hurricane hit last year. I wonder how early you can check your bags with RCCL? We wanted to have breakfast in OSJ and explore, then check in and put our stuff in the room, eat, then head back out to OSJ for the rest of the day. Now it sounds like a lot of cab rides, so we'll probably just explore in the morning then head to the ship. Appreciate the info!

Wow - this blows our entire plan! We're staying at the Sheraton OSJ thinking we could walk to the ship at our leisure. Now we have to figure out what to do with our luggage if we want to explore OSJ Saturday before boarding the ship. So much for planning.

Day #4 – Antigua

 

We woke on Day #4 knowing a brand-new adventure awaited us. Having been to St. Maarten and St. Kitts before we had familiarity with them but it would be the first time we would be in Antigua.

 

With more beach time and shopping on the agenda, we started our day with a healthy breakfast consisting of a kale shake and tofu pancakes. Uh huh…they just happened to look like waffles covered in strawberry sauce and smoked salmon, cream cheese on bagels (me), bacon (B), real pancakes (K) and donuts ®(to her credit, P actually eats healthy breakfasts – fruit and yogurt!).

 

We then took a taxi to Ft. James Beach. I still cannot decide if our driver was charming or the most annoying man in the history of the world. I do know his laugh was about as grating as possible and the stories he told about his kids and grandkids were a touch hard to believe. I also know the beach was fantastic and we all regretted asking him to come back after only two hours because we were all having such a great time (fortunately, another driver came to pick us up so we were not forced to hear more stories about how his son flew to the moon and discovered the lost tomb of Ramses). One thing I need to say about the beach in Antigua…the sand is the softest I have ever felt. It was incredible.

 

Lunch on the ship was then followed by shopping in the area near the pier. After all, now that his older brother has a watch, guess what B wants? And so before long, both boys had new watches. New watches proudly worn on their wrists, the boys joined their sister on the ship while P and I did a touch more shopping and stopped for strawberry daquiris at “Cheers.” Now there is a famous Simpsons episode where beer becomes illegal in Springfield and Moe charges Barney $45 for a pint. Barney says “$45! This better be the best dang beer in the world!” That is how P and I felt when we saw the cost but I am happy to say that they very well may have been the best daquiris we had ever drank!! Delicious!

 

We closed our trip to Antigua by stumbling into the “other” shopping area (we were docked at Heritage Quay and stumbled upon Redcliffe Quay– no, we were not drunk…perhaps I should have written that we “happened upon the other shopping area”) and were glad we did. We loved Heritage but Redcliffe had more of a charm to it in our opinion. It is worth a walk through if you are in St. John’s.

 

(P will also get angry with me if I do not mention the very nice street dog we met in Antigua. So consider him mentioned. And consider me not in trouble…)

 

Once back on the ship, we got ready for dinner in the MDR. After a nice dinner, we gathered in the Schooner Bar to see how much we knew about Disney music. Alas, we did not know as much as a group who scored a perfect 18/18 but it was still a lot of fun. We then went to the ice show (Freedomice.com) which we had seen before so we knew it was incredible. I think everyone needs to take a minute to really appreciate the talent and skill of the skaters, especially given the size of the rink. Really, really impressive.

 

Before going to bed, we all agreed that Antigue was a real winner and, having never been there either, we hoped St. Lucia would be just as fantastic.

Enjoy your posts! Thanks for posting the on-board time! We thought it was 30 minutes before but you never know when they change things. Looking forward to St. Lucia and Barbados!

Curious what time "on board" was in Antigua (departure time is 5:00 on our August cruise)? We're trying to make some plans but need to know what time we have to be back to the ship. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the responses. And yes, I tried calling RCCL directly (as well as contacting C&A). Just wanted to see if our experience was typical.

Had to cancel a cruise at the last minute - emergency surgery - and didn't have insurance. No grounds for refund or future cruise credit. However, if RCL is keeping our cruise fare shouldn't we get the C&A points for the cruise? After all, we did end up paying for it. Anyone have similar situation with RCL? Your results? Thanks.