Gerbilicous

Yup, I’m jealous. we are April 14th sailing of Oasis and we are just an extra sea day now. With some extra time in Falmouth the day before.

Since this topic is new and about drinks and tips I thought I would save asking this in a new one. For paying the gratuties due on FAS offer, do these have to be pre-paid before sailing for can they be paid onboard? And if onboard, can they be paid with OBC that you get from an offer for your TA?

In Dec 2022, we had a 9am flight out of Miami. Picked cause was super cheap compared to any other time in day. I believe we did self disembark to be part of first group. I do not recall the time we were supposed to get off the ship but it was delayed about 15-20 minutes. I just recall that once we could get off ship we got to airport as quick as could and onto our already boarding flight. (Off ship and through customer to taxi in like 5 minutes. To airport in the normal 20ish it takes to get there. Then we had no checked bags and flight was already starting to board so from walking into airport and getting to gate was maybe 10-15 minutes (TSA Pre-check). Walked right onto plane and into seats around 8:30. So maybe got off ship 7:45am.) Considering our last 2 times we had mid afternoon flights that involved hours of waiting at the airport, I would take this any time. But my wife did not love the rush and if any delay we would have missed flight 😆. So now we tend to tack on an extra day and find something to do. Edit: so to say 9am is probably earliest and is rush, 10am is just fine and 11am should be no issue at all. (based off 4 cruises out of miami I've done)

My issue with Haiti stop right now is most governments, at least mine has a do not travel advisory which means my travel medical insurance would no longer cover me there. I don't plan to break a leg or anything sitting on the beach, but it they are accidents for reasons. Heart says it's all good and go enjoy yourself. Brain says stay on ship (not to go into debt if something happen, at least so far am not worried about safety so far on Labadee)

We’ve been waiting for these 2025 ones to drop and I was just looking at one and the Fjord one to do back to back. But Royals site is saying no rooms for 2 ppl on the 7n Fjord and that 8 night one keeps erroring out. Guess will try again tomorrow.

she has cruised several times before, which is why was looking forward to being able to see and use solarium this time around but now can’t. Of course not worth cancelling over and will be just fine working around it. mostly never knew that 16/17 year olds were causing issue that that many people gave feedback they wanted to change it. my experience on 7 cruises has been kids are really only an issue on the older ships when you have to walk through the Solarium like on Freedom. Oasis or Quantum I can say I’ve ever really seen kids trying to be in it besides a family walking through to take a look.

Ya, guess we always got the wrong impression then of what it’s supposed to be. Considering the bands, djs, or whatever else always happens at one of the main pools; we never thought it was supposed to be the 18+ party zone. 🤷‍♂️

yah, my wife’s family sails with us sometimes and their youngest turns 16 in new year and we had sailing a few months later and was so looking forward to finally being able to going in with us. Is more mature than some people twice her age. Is bit gutted on this change. while I know the age restriction is the easiest way to do it, I feel it should be more a ‘quiet zone’ policy. I have seen adults in their making more noise and distractions than the kids in the other pool areas. And that just ruins the tranquil solarium experience for us.

As other have said, they are mostly sold out and would not open should of someone cancelling. With that said. The excursions through Royal are not the only ones. While it is nice to book through them sometimes for the convience and them making sure you make it or get back to ship, you can find a lot larger of variety and for cheaper usually by booking them on your own. Even the same ones that Royal offers. That will be your best bet if you have specific things you want to do.

We have the same plan when we are there. Our plan was Mendenhall Glacier first as this is what we want to see more. Plus we plan to do hikes so will get that out of way. Than if we still have time and energy we were going to do the Tram. My understanding is the tram is in town and close to port. Our issues is, our intitial research said you can get to Mendenhall Glacier by 2 tour operators (Juneau tours and M&M Tours). You'd just get off ship, go find them and pay to go. But checking now and they have messages about the parks services sets passengers limits and they have pretty much reached them for the season. Might be some last minute spots left morning off but otherwise seem full. I feel but am not 100% that the limit to park is just for these tour operators and you could still go into park if got their another? Anyone know this? From what I can tell, the only other 2 options is public bus and walk the mile to visitor center. Or Taxis which seem to cost quite a bit. Would love some more info from anyone that has been or knowns.

Thanks for this info!

I did not see any recent past threads on this. Have a cruise with Royal coming up in Sept from Seattle, Pier 91. And wondering what lot is best for parking. The cruise terminal site lists one lot/company but google returns a couple others. I've tried looking on Google maps but it just lists the pin near the port for each and hard to tell which lot is where and would be preferred/closest to park at? That that cruise before and park, which do you prefer?

😲 This has been top of list and figured 2025 so been waiting to book. Sad to hear if true. While I could handle other line or even doing it backpack style. My wife would not 😆 side question: you guys are looking up public info for ports for schedule bookings? Thats how seeing what is planned since nothing on RCL to actually book?

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/deckbydeck.php?ship=Harmony-of-the-Seas&deck=11

Thank you for this info! Can this be done after final payment or only before hand?

Well guess I will need to check on this next time as all indication I got, that rate only worked based on double occupancy so we gave a second name. It's past final payment now so guess we'll just say they are a no show.

When do you cancel or say the other guest is not coming? At check-in in the app 30 days before or just when you arrive to port? If when at port does that limit you checking in before hand since no info for that guest?

While not clear, it seems to be talking about on disembarking day. Yes. We had previously done like 1-3PM departures and ended up spending hours waiting around at the airport as we got off ship and to airport with 0 delays. Sucked to just sit and wait for hours. Our last cruise in Dec out of Miami we had an 8:45am flight (livin on the edge!). Did self disembark which was delayed like 15 minutes but then straight through customs and in taxi and at airport at like 7:45-8ish. Straight through security and right onto the plane that was already boarding. Think was less than hour had passed from leaving ship to being on plane. My wife would say never again, to stressful! but when it works, it's amazing and beats the hours of waiting haha!

While this is a late update, wanted to still add in case those search and wondering same thing. This info is exactly the case when I called to inquire about adding the infant to the room. They are able to keep the group rate/room and just pay full 3rd person fare. It does seem crazy to pay 700ish for an infant but it is less than if outside the group and booking a normal 3 person balcony room. We'll still most likely add one of them to the single person room since it has an empty spot and no reason not. Thanks for the info!!

Thanks. The adding to solo room is backup or what was planning. But if there was way to add to actual room with parents and it didn't change anything, figured would try that. And thanks for info. Was just trying to see if could find out what to maybe ask or tell them in regards to it.

Currently have 3 rooms booked for Alaska 2023 sailing. Since we have booked, one room now has infant that will be about 10 months old at time of sailing. They are not added on yet. Final payment is coming in June. My questions revolves around we are booked under a special travel agent rate for double occupancy rooms. I know of course the most common path would be we call to add child on and we pay. I believe it would be at least the taxes and port fees for child as 3rd guest. but because under 2, they can keep same 2 person occupancy room room. However, I can't recall exact details of where heard/read this, but it was something about if we wait till after final payment. We can just make name change and there is now no fee? Which doesn't seem to make sense to me. Might have also had to do with that we have a solo traveller in room 3. so could add extra person to that room and maybe it was then after final payment move them? Anyone know of this?

I'd agree with Biker19. I just pulled up a June and July 2023 sailing on Oasis through my travel agent site and both had plenty of interior and balcony rooms to choose from.

Yup, exactly this. Regular rate for 2 ppl balcony is $2750 Solo in same balcony is $2450 Group rate from TA is $2150 But was told group rate is only available with double occupancy so the solo could not book. So we added fake guest as cheaper to get that group rate. I was just concerned that when they no show that some how the rate would flip but appears there is no concern for that.

Yup, not expecting money back. Booking it because it's cheaper, and want to make sure it would stay the cheaper 2 person group rate rather than the solo RCCL rate. If it's reverted because of a no show, might as well save trouble and book it from the start. Glad to hear no change happens at the pier.

I have seen lots of posts and info that solo travelers can add a second "fake" traveler to room to book the cheaper rate when 2 person is cheaper. Then when boarding say they could not make it and no issues. Does this hold true for a group rate offered by travel agents that is specific to double occupancy? We have an Alaska cruise book for 2023 and my sister wants to join as solo. Our group rate is way cheaper than the solo price. My concern would be that when the fake guest no shows they get moved back to normal rate.