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nancy513

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Posts posted by nancy513

    Man overboard on Anthem

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    So sad to hear this and second overboard incident in a few days.

    While I’m not on the Anthem, so I haven’t heard the announcements. I was taught a little secret by someone I know in the Coast Guard—if they use the word “recover”, they are not alive. If he was alive, they would say “rescue”

     

     

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    Gratuity Removal Too Easy?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Should the buffet staff work for free? Or maybe you should pay an extra fee to dine at the buffet, the fee covering the additional staff salaries since no tipping?

     

     

     

    The all inclusive nature of a cruise ship is why they have set daily gratuities. What a nightmare it would be if you were trying to figure out every tipping scenario... buffet 10%, server in dining room 20%... how much for room steward?

     

     

     

    Didn’t say that either, but the buffet staff is not in the added gratuity. I give them some cash if they waited on me in the buffet.

     

     

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    Gratuity Removal Too Easy?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Are you suggesting these people starved themselves the entire cruise?

     

     

     

    No, but that doesn’t mean they are eating in the main dining room. Many will just stick with the buffet. Not sure how dining at the specialty restaurants works as I never do it, but I believe that has a separate service charge

     

     

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    Gratuity Removal Too Easy?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Many people choose to remove them to pay cash instead. Also, some never eat in the dining room and understandably don’t want to tip a wait staff that they never used. If service wasn’t up to par, they may just be giving less than the suggested amount.

    There should be an ability to remove the gratuities. I think it gives a greater incentive to provide better service.

     

     

     

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    Changed Itinerary but shore excursions not updated

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Currently booked on Freedom in December. The itinerary changed from St. Maarten to Antigua. When logging in to my cruise planner, the shore excursions still show St. Maarten and not Antigua. Checking to see if others have had itineraries changed to see when they usually get this corrected/updated so we can book an excursion?

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

     

     

     

    We’ve been dealing with the same issue with our cruise on Serenade at the end of this month. After a few days, it was updated. I’m assuming the same will true for you

     

     

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    Do you take your passport with you when you go ashore?

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    As many have pointed out, some ports do require to take your passport. Other than that, I would leave it in the room. Getting back to the ship on time is more in your control than possibly having it stolen.

    If must bring it with you, I would recommend keeping is separate from your cash/credit cards. My mom had her purse stolen while vacationing in London. That was the only day she had her passport with and was supposed to fly home the next morning. That got postponed until she can go to the US Embassy and get a replacement. Since she had no credit cards or cash anymore, she was fortunate to have a friend there that lent her the money for the new passport and plane ticket!

     

     

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    My Time Dining vs Assigned Time

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    A 5:30 seating doesn’t mean you’re eating at 5:30. You will be seated, they will take your drink order and offer you some bread. We usually don’t get our food until after 6. Dinner is long drawn out experience on the ship. Expect to be there until around 7. I don’t think that the time would be an issue for you.

    Personally, I prefer traditional dining. It’s a set reservation every night and you don’t have to worry about. You have the same wait staff every night and they get to know your preferences.

    If you can’t make it to your dinner time one night, there other free options such as the buffet. Room service now has a small charge, but it’s only about $7. There also a variety of specialty dining restaurants that you have to pay for, but you can reserve the time you want.

     

     

     

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    Freedom OTS- best places to eat?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I’ve sailed on Freedom a couple of times. Never tried any of the pay restaurants as I always found the MDR to be wonderful for both food and service. I just can’t justify paying extra for food when I can get such good food already included. Many of my friends that I cruised with feel the same way.

     

    For breakfast and lunch, I mix it up with the Buffet and MDR. Occasionally I will have lunch in port.

     

    Cafe Promenade is great for anytime time snack and coffee.

     

    Everything I’ve had has always been wonderful. Never had a bad meal on RCCL

     

     

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    Things I should know before my first Allure cruise

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    My experience with my room being ready has varied. One time, I got in the ship shortly after 11 and I was able to go straight to my room and another time I couldn’t get in until 4! Bring a small carryon. I usually take a backpack because it’s easier to carry. They will deliver your large luggage in the evening.

     

    In my experience with Royal, we have always stayed on the same time as our departure port to avoid confusion.

     

    I have not yet been on a Royal ship with Broadway production shows. I would imagine that they are extremely popular and it would be in your best interest to book ahead for a good seat. I have not sailed on the Oasis class, so I don’t know how big the theater is. I’ve seen many small productions/comedians/magicians on Freedom class and just walked right into the theater, but there is a large passenger difference between the two ships.

     

    Enjoy your cruise!

     

     

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    Sint Maarteen Update

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Hope Maho beach is open. Love watching the planes coming in. Hope it's ready for my December sailing.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

     

     

     

    I read an article that the airport started accepting commercial flights again. I can't imagine there will be as many flights as normal, but I'm sure we can still see some action from Maho Beach!

     

     

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    Freedom 8 Night Jan 6 2018 - Any Ideas on Itinerary Changes

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Actually I called Royal about that. They referred me directly to the insurance carrier. You actually can only cancel for covered reasons in order to get full refund. They were very particular about that. I did a lot of homework before final pay. I picked an outside insurer.

     

    Sent from my SM-J700M using Forums mobile app

     

     

     

    Well, then apparently both their customer service staff and their website are not being honest about the coverage. The lady I talked was trying real hard to push it on me before final payment because I thought I may change my mind. If this is true, the insurance company needs to communicate better with Royal Caribbean. I'm even more glad that I didn't waste my money on it.

     

     

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    Freedom 8 Night Jan 6 2018 - Any Ideas on Itinerary Changes

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Travel insurance won't cover named storms. I tried this route already. Even if they change ports there won't be a refund. I just want the same amount of ports and it should be fine.

     

    Another cruise line does a full Southern itinerary in 8 days from Southern Florida so it is possible. I doubt RCL will do this as it cuts down on revenue opportunities. More sea days = more on board spending.

     

    Sent from my SM-J700M using Forums mobile app

     

     

     

    I agree about the ports. I realize Southern is possible, but unlikely. They probably wouldn't be able to do 4 ports.

    As far as travel insurance, if you buy it through Royal Caribbean, you can cancel for any reason. However, depending on when you cancel, you may not get a full refund, but more than if you didn't. I considered it and inquired before making my final payment. I decided not to bother, as I plan on going no matter what!

     

     

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    Freedom 8 Night Jan 6 2018 - Any Ideas on Itinerary Changes

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    They will probably substitute the ports. Labadee and St. Kitts are fine. I doubt they will go South unless they cut a port and replace it with a sea day, which may happen anyways. If I had to guess, San Juan and St. Martin could be substituted by Nassau, Antigua, Key West, or St. Croix (not sure of their conditions). There's always hope that St. Thomas may reopen. I don't think they will change your whole itinerary if they don't have to, but Royal Caribbean only seems to be posting itinerary updates about a month ahead. I'm cruising in November. We lost 3 of our 5 ports. I still have no idea where we're going. It's up to you if you want to take that risk. You may want to consider buying the travelers insurance.

     

     

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