jules815

The tote bags, hats etc are long gone. You'll get a fancy looking box that has a small bag of dried fruit and a small bag of cookies:D And one can of soda/bottle of water etc per member.

Yikes. Oh well, not that I need another hat or tote bag, but wow.

Hopefully they leave that balcony discount alone.

Congrats! Sounds like it will be beautiful.

I'm currently Platinum with 38 completed cruise points. If these points are generated "per day," I'll be at 52 points following our next voyage, which is a back-to-back (14 days). That will put me just 3 points (days) shy of Emerald status.

My daughter and I are looking at a 4 or 5 nighter sometime this winter. Would I become Emerald on that cruise, or would it take affect on the one after that?

(Hopefully that makes sense!)

Also, curious what the "Welcome Gift/Amenity" and choice of beverage is? Free cocktail for reaching Emerald? (We used to get a little gift; tote bag or something when we were gold. Is it the same type of "amenity?")

As I mentioned earlier, in order to get the price drop guarantee, the fare you find that is cheaper must have identical fare rules. Here's an example of the guarantee terms:

 

The Celebrity ChoiceAir Low Airfare Guarantee applies to the base price of booked airfare only and does not apply to any other fee or charge including taxes, recovery charges, service fees or travel insurance. Promotional packages, deals or bundled prices that may include additional amenities are also not included. The lower advertised price must exactly match the purchased ChoiceAir itinerary, be for the same number of tickets, service class, airline(s), origination and destination gateways, legs, flight numbers and travel dates.

 

Here is a link to a thread in the Cruise Air forum regarding someone who was not able to get the low price guarantee:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2024549

Thanks.

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Just did a price comparison using Choice Air and Kayak. Same exact flights on American.

Choice Air price was $15 more pp. I actually might go with that, if anything for the peace of mind just in case something weather related happens to screw up our return flight. We fly out the day before we cruise, so not so worried about the outbound flight. I need to look into this a little more. If we're stuck on board for whatever reason, they will make sure we get a return flight back?

And since I found that lower fare, if I book through them, they'll give me an OBC for 110% of the difference??

You bet! Started off with $70 residency discount.:D

Kathy

So this probably answers my question then. You started with a residency discount, and were still able to get additional price drops.

I started with April Savings discount, but if I see a residency or other discount, I could get that, even if I've already received a different discount?

Another price drop question.

We're booked in a D2 for our back to back. Both weeks the pp fare is $1079. $150 April Savings was applied to one fare of each reservation.

If I see a price lower than $1079, would I be able to get that drop, in addition to the April Savings we're already receiving?

Also, nothing to do with price drops, but I just noticed our cruise care insurance is different for each passenger. Why would that be? Is it an age thing?

My inside on the 7-night Serenade cruise was so cheap already ($427) that I haven't really been checking as regularly as I usually do. However, I did look today just by chance and captured a $55pp drop. Unbelievable price of $374.

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

$374 for 7 days? That's a great deal!

Thanks Bob.

Got 150.00 price drop today on my Freedom sailing in October.

April sale?

The email I received yesterday from the RC Shoreside Concierge mentions the advantages of booking through Choice Air. "Best Price Guarantees"

How many of you have used Choice Air for domestic travel? (I've heard sometimes they can be better for international flights.) On our last cruise, because our cruise was extended a day due to Hurricane Sandy, we had to deal with changing flights while on board, which wasn't the easiest thing to do with a slow internet connection and very busy phone lines. It all worked out, but for the people who had booked through the cruise line, everything was taken care of.

Best price guarantee, and 110% refund of the difference if we find a lower rate? Seems like a no brainer.

Do any of you use Choice Air? I always thought their prices were higher, but honestly have never looked into it.

The theory on Disney and Universal and getting the noro onto the ship sounds very possible to me. The news stated that cdc or some agency boarded the ship to run tests to see where the noro originated. Can they determine that, and will they be releasing this info to the public?

I wonder how they could tell where it originated?

Okay, at least I know it isn't some type of scam.

Just received an email from the RC Shoreside Concierge Desk? Is this something new? Noticed it's from RC in Oregon?

This is Penny with Royal Caribbean's Shore Side Concierge Desk.

You have the option to work with me 1 on 1 from now until the time you set sail for the vacation of a lifetime! This service does NOT cost extra to utilize. I am able to help you plan until the time that you set sail with this reservation or any other you may have. I can assist with expediting any requests you may have.

I'm happy to assist you with shuttle service to and from airports, gratuities, shore excursions, beverage packages, specialty dining, and spa treatments. As well as any questions you might have on your upcoming cruise.

Lets take the time to review your reservations, I may have information or recommendations that may save you time, money, and effort!

Please feel free to reply directly with any questions that you may have and I will assist you, or to schedule a call back within minutes (no hold times!).

I also welcome you to call 1- 855- 287- 7225, which is open 24 hours for you. Ask for Penny at the Concierge Desk; if I am unable to talk, one of my team members will be able to assist.

Okay, those are great pictures!

What are these rooms?? Are they only on Navigator? Do you have to pay more for them?

I was SO SICK on our last cruise with noro. And, I'm pretty sure when I contacted it, too. We were on Carnival Dream and my husband spilled something on his favorite khaki shorts, so I decided on that first day to throw in a load of laundry. The laundry room was just kiddy corner from our room, so really convenient. I was waiting for my load to finish in the dryer, and a lady came in and was having trouble using the machine that swipes your seapass for laundry charges. She asked for help, and I touched her card and the machine. As we were standing there together in the small laundry room with the door closed, she proceeded to tell me how sick she'd been all night and morning! "I don't know what was wrong with me, but I was so ill last night!" :eek: I remember thinking, "oh boy, I hope that woman didn't just infect me!" In fact, I told my husband what had happened and he started referring to her as "Patient Zero." Then BOOM! It hit me the evening after our first port day in Nassau. I remember crying in the bathroom of our stateroom when I realized this wasn't just a one time thing from something I'd eaten. I was so sick right up until the evening we left St. Maarten. Didn't leave the room. I ran a fever too. It was horrible. Then we had two sea days left on our cruise, and Hurricane Sandy hit, so we ended up with an extra day, but couldn't go out on our balcony because of the rough seas.

And I'm definitely a "wash with soap and water while singing Happy Birthday," knuckles on the elevator buttons and don't touch the bannisters type of girl! My husband never got it.

Anyway, between having noro and then the hurricane happening, I deserve a do-over! Back to RC, but sailing again during hurricane season. What are the odds?! Hope I didn't just jinx myself!

Well I just canceled our reservation at the Residence Inn and booked the Courtyard in Cocoa Beach. Like I mentioned, we have always stayed at the Residence Inn pre-cruise; we like it there a lot. We were able to get a AAA rate at Courtyard and will be saving $59. It's just my husband and I, and I know we won't be spending $59 on breakfast. It also meets our criteria; free wifi, coffee available in room, and a little bar poolside. We've stayed at other Courtyards when we travel, and so far those have all been nice.

It's not as close to the port as the Residence Inn, but I think we can handle the 4.2 miles that google maps tells me it is. (And it's even closer to our favorite pre-cruise restaurant; Roberto's Little Havana. Great Cuban food in Cocoa Beach.)

Not at all familiar with the Squeeze Bar on FOS. Is it like a Jamba Juice serving smoothies? Is it open in the morning? Would smoothies be included in the Premium package? Also, can they make a mimosa or screwdriver with the fresh squeezed OJ at the Squeeze Bar or any of the other places where it's available?

Sorry for cramming so many questions into one post.

If you don't drink specialty coffees, fresh squeezed OJ or bottled water there is no reason to upgrade to the higher package. If you are like me, and wake up in the morning and want a coffee or two, and like the fresh squeezed OJ or 3 it is more than worth the price for the additional upgrade!

Is fresh squeezed OJ available on Freedom of the Seas, and where?

We have always stayed at the Residence Inn at Port Canaveral. It's always been our go-to hotel when we cruise. Nice place, clean and close to the port. However, one of the reasons it works well for us is they have that 2 bed/bath suite that's great when our grown daughters cruise with us. Just booked a room there for our my husband and I, but noticed there's also a Courtyard down the road. They're offering a AAA special of $125 and the Residence Inn has no special rates for our night; it's coming in at $198. I know Courtyard doesn't offer free breakfast, but that's quite a difference.

Anyone here ever stay at the Courtyard?

It looks like San Juan has replaced St Thomas for every sailing from Sept 2014 until April of 2015.

The one sailing on 9/21 is still showing St. Thomas. That's the one we were originally going to take.

We're sailing on FOS in September in 7664. I can never remember by looking at the online deck plans which side is which. And not that it matters, but I know my husband is going to ask.

Also, if anyone has sailed in this cabin or in the same area, were you happy with the location?

Just thought I would check one last time today before I made my final payment and SCORE!!! Huge drop on our balcony room and good drop on our kids interior room....1500.00 total....so happy....June 28. Jewel of the Seas...

Check your bookings!!!!

Congrats! We had a big price drop like that once back in 2007. We also had a balcony and an interior for the kids and saved on both. Great feeling!

Leaving next Sunday on Freedom. Booked to sail on Easter Sunday just because of San Juan.

 

If you've never been there it easily walkable. There is also a free trolley that makes two different loops. No narration as it is not a sightseeing thing just free transportaion. Love walking around the old city. Great architecture!!

Never been before, and this sounds great!

If you took RCI's travel insurance, your flights are covered. No other insurance necessary. If you bought other insurance, just curious as to why you didn't insure the entire price of the trip, including flights? Very wise to buy insurance with older parents in the mix. We have had to cancel two cruises because of MIL health problems.

I took out the insurance that RC offered when we booked. I had no idea it also covered our flights. Does it cover flights made if you don't use Choice Air?

I would never book a cruise without insurance, but this will be a first time I've thought about insuring flights.