Diplomat1

My experience below should shed some light on Priority Self-Assist Debarkation (PSAD).

And answer the perennial question "What's the earliest I can I make a flight after a cruise?".

Arriving at Miami Cruise Port Sunday Feb 11, 2024 and trying to catch a 9:30am flight out of Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

Priority Self-Assist Debarkation (PSAD)
Carnival Horizon - Miami to FLL
PSAD for Platinum
Diamond went first, Gold maybe 30 mins later
Beforehand: SWA check-in 24 hours prior

Actual times (YMMV):
5:00am rise and clear cabin
5:00am ship docks
5:30am all bags to forward dining
5:35am bags first in PSAD line
5:50am others showing up
6:10am continental breakfast
6:30am official PSAD time
7:40am Customs clears ship
7:40am actual Diamond PSAD
7:50am actual Platinum PSAD
8:00am actual customs
8:10am actual in taxi
8:43am actual arrive FLL
8:45am actual last checked bags

NOTE: Bag check 45 mins prior to flight
8:50am actual TSA started
9:00am actual TSA done
9:00am actual boarding started
9:07am actual at gate and on the ramp
9:30am actual flight
11:45am actual arrival MCI

WARNING: This represents the absolute earliest flight time and I strongly recommend planning an additional hour at least.  (For example, customs can take as long as they want.)

Hope this helps!

test 2

I often use on board credit to cover tips.

Suddenly I wondered if those obc tips actually get to the crew. Anyone know for sure?

Are all tips shared among all crew?

If I pay extra does it get to my steward?

If I reduce the tip does it affect only my steward?

Just want to be sure I know who I am tipping.:cool:

Thanks!

Diplomat

What I'm seeing when I click on your link is the lower pricing is for the Inside Guarantee which comes up as the lowest price with the default of two guests. When you change to one guest, the guarantee is no longer an option which is why the prices appear to rise.

 

Not offering guarantee rates to solos is consistent with RCI's marketing. You can try calling or having your TA call to see if they will allow you to book it solo. I wish they would allow us to book guarantees. I don't see it as false advertising, though.

 

As an aside, $357 in port fees and taxes--wow!

It is interesting that Carnival's taxes and fees are so much lower that RCCL but that's a different topic.

If you select two guests, the Inside Guarantee is $574 pp. That's $1148 for two.

When you select one guest, it is $350 pp.

When you take the next step, it changes from $350 pp to $1048.75 pp.

That is 3 times the price offered.

I've called twice and they (and their supervisor) have refused both times.

You cannot get $350 pp whether you book one or two guests. And you never could.

After having not been fixed for so long, it is intentional false advertising.

-- Diplomat

Originally Posted by camprunner:

Trying to book Grandeur of the Seas (RCI). It says it's $525 per person and listed at this price solo elsewhere. When I try to book it charges me the (much, much) higher rate listed for picking a cabin. Anyone else had an experience like this? Did they just forget to change the price on the web site?

No, they didn't forget.

RCCL has been advertising low rates (like $350 or $525 USD) on Grandeur of the Seas but when you try to book the actual cost is much higher. Like 2-3 times as much. They claim it is a glitch on the website.

Try this link: https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/booking?hasSenior=N&hasFireandPolice=N&accessCabin=FALSE&cruiseType=CO&sailDate=2016-10-22&selectedCurrencyCode=USD&shipCode=GR&hasMilitary=N&packageCode=GR09Y028 and select Oct 22, 2016 and select Interior for 1 guest. You will see $350 for Guaranteed Interior but the actual price when you try to book it is $1048 USD.

This has been going on for several weeks. At this point, it can no longer be categorized as a glitch. It is a marketing strategy that appears to be working for them.

Personally, I'm boycotting RCCL until this false advertising is stopped. My money will go to a more ethical cruise line.

-- Diplomat

Sorry for the delay. I did a search on Carnival's "Advanced Search" page for "one traveler" and it popped up. There are still lots of those available if you can sail at the last minute. Several cruise lengths as well.

how did you become aware of the no supplement for last minute cruise ?

Carnival is doing some "no single supplement" cruises when booked at the last minute. I booked one for this weekend on Triumph from Galveston for $309+tax for an aft (corner-facing actually!) OceanView room.

GREAT PRICE - CARNIVAL ELATION -- I just booked this 5 night cruise for an amazing price of $378. as a SOLO cruiser! Anyone else discover this bargain? It's going to be my first visit to New Orleans and I am as excited about going to the Jazz Clubs as I am about the cruise.

Which sailing date?

Yesterday, I booked 7/26/2013 in a balcony for $1261 +tax, etc. That was a single supp rate of only 40% above the double occ rate of $899. Not bad for an Balcony facing the ocean on Oasis of the Seas.

 

 

:)How did you find out about it? Great deal!

Just checking and stumbled onto it... :D

Yesterday, I booked 7/26/2013 in a balcony for $1261 +tax, etc. That was a single supp rate of only 40% above the double occ rate of $899. Not bad for an Balcony facing the ocean on Oasis of the Seas.

Since then I added a friend and kept the $899 rate for each of us. :cool:

Less than 10 days to get ready though!

The single supp rate is back up now, but watch these for good last-minute deals.

Happy hunting!

RCL Serenade of the Seas 12-day Mediterranean bargains in May!

Example: 5/29/12 is 749+127.26=876.26 pp for Double Occ (USD).

It's 1198+127.26=1325.26 for Single Occ (USD).

That's 151% single supplement.

Best cruise in the Mediterranean, IMHO. I'm going in Sept 2012.

Sails from/to Barcelona. Ports: Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Ephesus, Athens, Santorini, Naples

And I booked airfare for Sept on American for 910.70 (USD).

Happy hunting!

While the OV & Balconies are nice, I can't justify the (normally high) extra cost.

I'm either on deck ... and there are some very quiet ones ... or involved in one of the many on-board activities ... or in port!

The only time I miss OV or Balcony is when I'm getting dressed for the day, but the cabin TVs have weather reports and (at least) the newer ships have deck cams.

I'll cruise 4 times this year. Actually, 5 times in a one-year period. (The first 2 in January 2012 were back-to-back 5 & 6-day cruises because that was cheaper than a 7-day in that time frame!)

All of those cabins are interior rate.

You do the math... :cool:

I'm trying to figure out if it is possible to pack for a 7 night cruise taking nothing larger than a carrry-on sized suitcase. Obviously I wouldn't take my snorkeling gear (or a kitchen sink!). Also, taking a suit and dress shoes, etc., would be, questionably, a no-no. (I am not exactly a gregarious person -- so I may or may not miss going to dinner on formal nights.)

You can slide by on formal night with dress pants, shirt and tie.

There is a laundry on board which is way cheaper than the extra bag. ;)

Hope this helps!

One more (and final) try for the link:

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/sales/E...s_cel_tues.pdf

 

I truly hope this works! If it doesn't try to google Celebrity Tuesday Specials Link and it should pull up several different options.

 

Brenda

It is http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/exciting_deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

You need to use the "link" button to insert a link. ;)

What category stateroom?

Inside, but it has cabin #1530 for example which is on penthouse level.

3/16/2012 10-day Ultimate Caribbean on Celebrity Equinox from Fort Lauderdale.

Includes: St. Thomas; St. Kitts; Barbados; Dominica; St. Maarten

Total with 150% supplement and tax/port is $1,195.44.

Not bad, if you can do short notice! :cool:

RCCL has some amazing deals on Transatlantic Cruises in mid-April. For example:

4/15/2012 13 Night Transatlantic Cruise (San Juan to Barcelona)

OV room is $449 DO or $621 SO (138% single supplement) That's $47.77/day!

4/14/2012 16 Night Transatlantic Eastbound Cruise (New Orleans to Barcelona)

INT room is $599 DO or $861 SO (144% single supplement) That's $53.81/day!

Of course, airfare can be expensive...but you should be able to get a flight back for around $1300 or so. Not too bad! :D

Carnival 5-Day from Jacksonville, FL on 1/7/2012 to Nassau and Half Moon Cay for $199 pp ($398 solo).

A 200% supplement, but still a great value for solo and Southwest flies cheap to Jacksonville with no bag fees!

Same itinerary on 1/21/2012 is only for $229 pp (or $458 solo) for an Oceanview room!

Both are Kansas resident rates but almost certainly includes others too. Try it and see!

I just booked a 7 night from New Orleans on Norwegian Spirit for $219.00 single occupancy! Total with tax/portcharges: $473.78 inside. This shows up as $379+ tax/fees on websites, but the above is the total breakdown for that price. Ocean view appx $70 more. Where are the party people? Book today and let's rock this ship!

Don't see how this is considered $219 sing occ, but it is still a reasonable deal.

Cruise Fare .......... $379.00

Gov't Taxes & Fees ... $ 94.78

Totals ............... $473.78

Hi, it is a special that Celebrity and Royal Carribean offer on Tuesdays.

I will post a link for the Celebrity site but I don't have Royal's link.

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Exciting_Deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

The RCCL link is:

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/royal/Multi_Dest/Special_Offers/rci_sales_event.pdf

It lists a 9/20/2011 "13 NIGHT MEDITERRANEAN HOLY LAND CRUISE" on "MARINER OF THE SEAS" for $599 inside (double occ) with a 150% supplement.

Also lists a 9/16/2011 "10 NIGHT HOLY LAND CRUISE" on "VISION

OF THE SEAS" for $399 inside (double occ) with a 175% supplement.

Not bad!

Here are a couple of Transatlantic cruises (100% supplement, but still good values, if you can work the flights):

10/28/2011 Carnival Magic, Barcelona, Spain to Grand Turk

16 Day Transatlantic, interior cabin, $1,498.00 + $20 Verandah + $65.69 (tax) = $1,583.69

The following year:

11/6/2012 Carnival Breeze, Barcelona, Spain to St Maarten

15 Day Transatlantic, U/L cabin, $1,298.00 + $90.86 (tax) = $1,388.86

Or go with a friend for the same price (add one more tax and flights).

Hope these help!

Hi all

 

Perhaps someone could help me please.

 

I am looking for a Christmas Cruise that doesn't break the bank. Christmas cruises are generally a little more but put it together with the single supplement it is a down payment for a new car. lol

 

Anyone heard of any deals out there???

 

Thanks

If you have the flexibility, watch & wait for it. Around Oct 1 (or sooner?), you should see some holiday deals. I'd especially watch the weekly Celebrity/RCCL specials:

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/exciting_deals/XcitingDeals_cel_tues.pdf

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/royal/Multi_Dest/Special_Offers/rci_sales_event.pdf

Happy hunting...

7 Night Southern Caribbean (San Juan roundtrip)

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Lines

Cruise Ship: Carnival Victory

Departure: 11/06/2011

Cruise Length: 7 Nights

# Passengers: 1

Dining Pref: Early Dining (around 6:00pm)

Stateroom Category: 1A

Cruise Subtotal: $678.00

Tax: $67.61

Total: $745.61

A couple of tips on Victory (and Triumph):

You should ask for room 2444 or 2445 if available. Should be same Category 1A, but you get TWO picture windows for the 1A U/L interior price. (They are available on next year's 11/25/2012 sailing, for example.) If not, Cat 1A portholes may be available. Nice to be able to see out!

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT! Leaves this Sunday

RCCL Grandeur Of The Seas, June 5, 2011 - 7 Night Spanish Mediterranean Cruise

Out of Palma De Mallorca, Spain, with ports Barcelona, Ibiza, Malaga, Gibraltar

Single cruiser is $599 OV, $699, Balcony, $799 suite. WOW!

Airfare is the trick, of course. Happy hunting!

RCCL Mariner of the Seas has a "13 Night Mediterranean Holy Land Cruise" on 9/20/2011 sailing from Rome. Eight ports (Crete/Greece/Jerusalem/Haifa/Turkey/Athens/Sicily/Capri) in 13 days. Double Occ rate $909 and solo $1199 (which is 133% supplement rate). Both have $122.71 tax/port charge. If you can find a flight (try AA), then not a bad price for that itinerary!