petel

Just wanted to pass along a helpful tip if you have an AMEX PLAT or BLACK card you are entitled to $200 OBC if booking a balcony ((no matter what other OBC you may be getting) and a bottle of Champagne. Took my TA 45 minutes to do it but what you have to is have your travel agent call AMEX and request a tracking number the agent now has to create a log in thru a special site only available to TA's and that way they can obtain a tracking number to attach to the reservation. Took me 10 phone calls and a run around but in the end i got what i wanted, hopefully some others can use this for an extra OBC.

 

the number you TA has to call is 18004437672 prompt 7 prompt2 M-F 10AM-630PM

Sounds like a great tip. Stop by the Roll Call and meet some of the other folks on this sailings at:

Can anyone find out any information on these upcoming handovers?

 

Allure: Does Dru leave on Sunday the 16th to move over to Anthem and take over from Abe? Who will be coming onboard?

 

Anthem: Is Abe leaving on Oct 20 to move over to Harmony? Will Dru be taking over?

 

Empress: Does Carlos come onboard today to take over from Elvis, or will it be on Friday the 14th (or another date)

 

Enchantment: When does Michele handover to Elvis? (Oct 10, 14, 17, 21?)

 

Grandeur: Will Bobby Brown be taking over from Paul on Oct 26, or is it another Bobby (or someone else)? Is Oct 26 the correct handover date?)

 

Independence: Who will be taking over from Jamie in mid-November, and what is the exact date?

 

Mariner: Who will be taking over from Keith on Oct 17?

 

Navigator: Did Rob's break start on October 8? Who is the new CD? (or, if Rob is still onboard, when does his break start, and who will be the next CD)

 

 

We will be on Indy from 10/26 until 11/14. If you haven't heard by the time I ask Jamie I will let you know. Thanks for keeping this thread up to date. You do a great job. :)

As soon as the itineraries are released. Advantage in both pricing and cabin selection.

As far as possible! You can always (until final payment) change the date, cancel, or alter the cabin. The longer you wait the more it costs - usually! Enjoy :)

Yes, unless there has been a very recent change.

FAQ on RCI website:

Luggage Valet

is a service offered onboard which enables guests to bypass traditional airport check-ins. Guest who participate will be processed onboard the ship and receive their airline boarding passes, luggage tags as well as baggage claim checks for their checked-in luggage.

This service is available in these selected ports:

Fort Lauderdale

Port Canaveral

Miami

Seattle

Seward

and on these selected airlines:

Air Tran

Alaska Airlines

American

Delta

United

US Airways

Jet Blue

Southwest Airlines

Participating airlines vary by port. Consult the Guest Relations Desk onboard for specific port qualifications and additional information. An additional fee will apply.

Enjoy :)

If you were to book another cruise what would you look forward to about the ship?

We've sailed NV 14 cruises for a total of over 100 nights. We enjoyed every minute and will go again whenever the opportunity presents itself. NV is one of the best all around RCI ships. Enjoy :)

Looking to take a cruise out of Galveston in late 2017 and saw that Vision will be there doing 4 and 5 day itineraries. Looks like we could get a suite for a great price. We have only had balconies on other cruises so that is tempting. Any thoughts on the ship would be appreciated. Does anyone know if it is getting upgrades??? The trip is for my me and my DH for a special birthday. Thanks!!

 

 

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We love the Vision class ships. They are the smallest RCI choices now so other ships have more to offer while on board but you will not be board. We sailed out of Galveston on Splendour and Rhapsody many times and enjoyed every minute. IMHO a suite at a good price will not disappoint. Enjoy :)

All:

 

I've reached out to the concierge on Oasis (there are two listed for contact via email) on our upcoming cruise. I realize they are busy with active guests on the ship but curious as to how long it takes them to respond to a quick email request. Would three weeks sufficient from the time I emailed them to expect even a quick acknowledgement that they got my request and are perhaps working on it?

 

I want to be fair to them and their busy schedules / routine.

Without knowing more about what you requested there is no answer. They will not normally respond until they have an answer. IOW you will not get a reply if no answer is available. Very little is done or doable until the week prior. Be patient. Enjoy :)

I met you two on the Independence in September, Concierge Lounge with our buddy Raj. I think Raj went to the Anthem. He is a great Concierge.

I love your story of how you two met. Great story. Since then I now have a boyfriend. His name is Joe and he opens fast food places. He owns various Subways, Blaze Pizza and 5 Guys Burgers. We have a great time together.

We are going on the Enchantment the first week of Oct with my son and daughter in law. No grandkids this time. ha ha We have grand suite, his 2nd cruise in his life and Im hoping to convert him quick to a cruiseaholic.

I hope to see both of you again in on a cruise. Most likely in the Concierge Lounge or whatever they are going to name it now.

Bon Voyage

Brenda:D

Glad to hear the good news. GS on Enchatment should be an easy sell. Hope Joe likes the food ;) we will be on HOTS for New Years. Enjoy! :)

I see them from Nov 2017 to Apr 2018.

It will be interesting to see what she does after that. Back in 2007 when Splendour was in Galveston the other season was out of Venice. Those reposition cruises were awesome.

Captain Thore will go on vacation on 27 August - he won't be there for the TA

Thanks.

I forgot to manually insert Capt Marek in place of Capt Diego

Thanks for all the work you do here. I check it regularly. :cool:

Ref: Independence OTS - Capt Thore Thorolvsen (started rotation 7-2-16)

Wonder if anyone knows if he will stay on for the TA? If anyone hears about his rotation plans I'd love to know. Thanks.

Loyalty Ambassador

Also hunt down the Group Coordinator (thru Guest Services) on Day 1 if the invitation is not in the stuff you get when you first enter your stateroom. Either one should be able to tell you when and where. Enjoy :)

More color than Oasis & Allure. Can't wait for that slide! :):)

So are there always available "secret" sides, like baked potatoes or broccoli?

Not so much secret, they are just "on request." Another source of what might be available comes from a short walk thru the Windjammer before dinner. If you see something you like you can ask your waiter if it is available in the main dinning room (MDR). :)

I don't see a section for side dishes on the new or old menus. Are there any, other than what comes with the individual entrees?

You might also ask your waiter what starters and veggies are always available every night without appearing on the menu. Examples include baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and mixed greens. The menu for each night is rarely the end of choices. Always ask. Enjoy :)

Some thoughts on why DW & I care............ enjoy :)

 

Some CDs have a list of guest entertainers they use.

Some CDs have a particular style choosing activities on board.

Some CDs bring "the best" available guest entertainers on board.

Some CDs are more social and approachable than others.

Some CDs are the opposite of all of the above.

 

Of course, if you don't care don't use the thread. Why ask "who cares" if you don't. JMHO

 

So, if you cruise often for the pleasure of just being on the sea a knowledge of the CD helps you plan everything else, ie; meal time, shows, activities, excursions, and sea days. It just pays to know who does what if you want an idea of how a particular cruise is going to be "directed."

Opps, Thank you DonnaK!

What's the point?

 

Do you choose a because of the directors? Last 6 cruises never saw them.

 

Who cares? :)

Some thoughts on why DW & I care............ enjoy :)

Some CDs have a list of guest entertainers they use.

Some CDs have a particular style choosing activities on board.

Some CDs bring "the best" available guest entertainers on board.

Some CDs are more social and approachable than others.

Some CDs are the opposite of all of the above.

Of course, if you don't care don't use the thread. Why ask "who cares" if you don't. JMHO

So, if you cruise often for the pleasure of just being on the sea a knowledge of the CD helps you plan everything else, ie; meal time, shows, activities, excursions, and sea days. It just pays to know who does what if you want an idea of how a particular cruise is going to be "directed."

Will be wet when I'm finished with it

That's funny. Not a good visual.

Looking to book tonight before the sale ends. Would love opinions on Oceanview balconies and Boardwalk balconies. Which do you like better and why?. The Boardwalk balcony comes with free soda package for two. How much would it be to upgrade to an alcohol package, and do they even allow that?? Also what is your favorite deck to book your room on and why?? FYI no kids, just a mother daughter trip with my 22 year old. Thanks in advance!!!

 

 

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Another sale starts Tuesday so be sure to check back tomorrow. If you use a TA be sure you can get the price reduction without penalties. Enjoy :)

So do they ever cancel one?

Not very often....like once in the last 12 years that I can remember. It isn't safe for a cruise ship to be in port during a storm. So, either they stay at sea and don't make the start date/end date for those on board and the next cruise is shorter than planned. Some certificate for a "next cruise" price reduction is issued to both sets of passengers. It gets complicated to explain here but it usually works out in favor of the guests unless they plan to only take one cruise in a 2-4 year period. If the delay is more than half the cruise you can choose between a full refund or a short cruise and a certificate. There are a number of threads here on CC you can read about it but I don't have any links to add right now.

Can you get a in room bar set-up if you call in advance? if yes, what is that number

thanks

Actually for Owner's Suite and above I think there is a bar set up but I have no clue about any details.

Shame on you RC for disrespecting your guests and travel agents by failing to communicate cancelling sailings to the guests who have already paid deposits. Deleting reservations from accounts then denying there are cancellations is not a way to create loyalty. Now that I am 3 days away from Diamond Plus may be just the right time to pay homage to Holland instead of being loyal to Royal

When you post something like this it would really be helpful to include the

date(s) you are talking about for all those who haven't heard. Thanks :)

We'll be on the 12 nighter Navigator Southampton round trip in June of 2017, published as a "new" itinerary. Two ports are Tallinn and St. Petersburg Russia in addition to Zeebrugge, and Oslo. Are Passports (U.S. citizens) all that's needed or will we need to obtain Visas to visit Tallinn and St. Petersburg ?

 

Those that have been to St. Petersburg and Talliin, can you provide us with any do's or don'ts, or must see, or skip regarding tours and places of interest, the same with Oslo. We've been to Zeebrugge and enjoyed that place.

 

Thanks in advance to those who reply.

 

Don

Ship tours do not need a separate visa for St Petersburg. No visa needed for Tallin. Enjoy :)

I don't think RCL has any ships left that are small enough to fit through the canal. Maybe Empress of the Seas? The new canal locks are too expensive for most of the cruise ship to cost justify using it. But who knows!

Both Vision and Radiance class ships can do full transit of the present P.C.

We're planning on doing the Maya Key excursion in Roatan (Liberty of the Seas, June 19th.)

 

Has anyone ever had issues with an excursion being sold out once onboard?

 

I didn't realize excursions had to be paid upfront on RCCL. We're wanting to use our OB credit.

 

Thanks!

There is always a risk no matter what history says. On any given cruise the possibility of sell out is real.

Have a back up plan! If you know what you want instead of your first choice it is much more likely if you have a second choice ready that you will still have something to do.

Good luck. Enjoy :)