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Mum2Mercury

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Posts posted by Mum2Mercury

  1. In answer to your actual question, no.  If you get in the Way Back Machine, Royal charged the same for a Balcony or a Connecting Balcony.  

    It's been fairly recent that they decided to start separating these rooms into separate categories.  Typically the connecting rooms cost a little more, but -- as things go with Dynamic Pricing -- that's not always true.  

    Personally, I think they did it for two reasons:  1) More money for them.  2) It makes people who don't need connecting rooms (which are fewer in number than standard cabins) "move on" to another choice and leave them for those who do.  

    • Like 1
  2. On 11/4/2024 at 2:10 AM, mets123 said:

    In my experience, most would appreciate cookies , chips , pretzels, etc. they're universal and loved by all .

     

    A small treat given along with your tips is a thoughtful gesture.  I'd lean towards a small candy that packs easily -- candy in movie boxes would be easy -- your attempt to personalize a snack is kindly intended but essentially impossible to predict.  

    On 11/4/2024 at 2:42 AM, andrewwilliamnewman said:

    Why would they need seasonings when all their food is provided?

    Agree that seasonings is a little far-fetched.  

  3. First, your father was fortunate to be transported to an American hospital.  Surely that was easier than being in a foreign port and needing transportation back home.  Small blessings, you know.  

    Second, I hope he's recovering and is back home by now.  

    On 9/18/2023 at 8:52 AM, Floridado2020 said:

    Our large family who used to cruise a lot until now will no longer be cruising . We would rather fly and stay at a hotel and not have to worry about being charged this fee or treated like crap because you have to disembark and do what’s best for your health. 

    This sounds like you're saying, "I was struck by lightening once.  You won't catch me outside again!" 

    Yes, it happened.  Yes, it could happen again, but it's unlikely -- medical evacuations are rare.  I wouldn't give up something I enjoy because of this slight possibility.  

    On 9/18/2023 at 1:46 PM, ocean sounds said:

    so - not signing the form does not make the charge invalid.   Still, I wonder if Royal in good faith asked to have it waived for the Passengers under a Medical waiver?  

    That sounds pretty cut and dry -- but, at the same time, I agree that the ship could figure out a way for a person who is leaving for unavoidable medical reasons.  

    On 9/19/2023 at 8:44 AM, HappyTexan44 said:

    I've wondered about this.  If I didn't give them a credit card onboard, would they be able to charge me?  

    They could bill you and -- if you refuse to pay -- could pursue it through debt collections.  

    Personally, if you feel you've reached your limit /aren't getting anywhere with Royal, I'd attack the problem in this order: 

    - I would absolutely not pay the bill.  If pay it, you'll be accepting that it was valid, and you'll never get a refund.  

    - Find out whether Travel Insurance will pay anything. If this isn't an emergency that insurance should cover, I don't know what is.  

    - If that fails, see if the credit card will help you. 

    - Worst come to worst, this sounds like a situation for Small Claims Court.  

    On 9/21/2023 at 10:17 AM, HappyTexan44 said:

    I will be having a cash account when we are on board.  It seems that the open wallet that the credit card on file is basically, is just too tempting to Royal.  

    I'm going to repeat what I said above: 

    This sounds like you're saying, "I was struck by lightening once.  You won't catch me outside again!" 

    You're saying you're going to go through the trouble of carrying cash, visiting Guest Services to set up the account in person once you're onboard, watching what you spend to be sure you don't exceed what you've deposited, then visiting Guest Services again at the end of your cruise to get back what you haven't spent /pay anything over.  And you're saying you'd do that for the remote possibility that you're medically evacuated -- though they'd bill you afterward.  No, a cash account for this reason makes zero sense.  

    On 9/23/2023 at 2:10 PM, c-leg5 said:

    It wasn’t clear if the ship’s doctor was involved. Usually it is better coordinated if they are.

    Very good point.  If Royal's doctor diagnosed you, you have a much stronger case.  If this situation comes with a take-away, it's ALWAYS go through the ship's doctor.  If their doc sees you, it's evidence that THEY KNEW your problem was severe.  

  4. 1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

     

     Car to share that math?  The $2,500 limit means a max of 100,000 for charging that dollar amount on the card.  

    Sure -- tell me if I'm wrong.  I have two future cruises picked out (not yet reserved).  

     

    If I reserve on November 7, I'd put down $2500 total (to max out the benefit) and would earn 10,000 points (not 100,000).  5000 points = $100 OBC.  

     

    If I wait until I'm onboard in two weeks, I can put down $400 (2 people X 2 cruises) and will get $100 OBC for each cruise -- so $200 total.  On top of that, I get two other benefits:  1) I'll add 800 points to my VISA points, and 2) I'll hold onto more of my money until the cruises are closer, which is earning interest.   

     

    It's a great deal for someone else, but my numbers don't work.  

    • Like 1
  5. On 10/3/2024 at 8:22 AM, tinkerbell1984 said:

    I know. I know. Just be patient! But...

     

    My boarding pass had a muster station and floor number right after I checked in. My Inside gty cabin was a Neighborhood View. I was so excited for that.

     

    Next day. Gone. Barcode doesn't have a "-####". No muster station. Deck says "reprint".

     

    Anyone have this happen? I know it can change up until officially assigned but I just don't see any post of anyone actually experiencing it. Did this happen to you and your barcode room change? Or did it go back to what it was? I didn't even have time to cancel my Royal Ups, which still say just submitted.

     

    Cruise is Icon in 6 weeks.

    Yes, this happened to me once.  After 1-2 days, the same room number returned.  I have no idea why this happened.  

  6. 1 hour ago, ARandomTraveler said:

    Were the numbers show after a - "dash"? 

    That's the kind of thing that's hard to answer without having the item in front of you, but -- yes -- I think it was after a dash.  

    1 hour ago, Candleonwater said:

    I'm curious - if you have a Suite Guarantee, you can get a JS? When that's not really a suite?

    As a language teacher, I'm very tuned into the meaning of words, and this one drives me nuts.  MOST of the "suites" on Royal are not suites at all.  A true suite is a series of connected rooms, but people tend to use the word "suite" to refer to a larger /more luxurious room -- and that's incorrect usage.  

    26 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

    While I agree with your comment don’t sweat it since this is a highly unlikely situation, to state it never happens is misleading. 

    The truth is that you're about as likely to be struck by lightening as to be denied boarding because your "guarantee" fell through.  Yes, it could happen, but it's not cause for panic -- a whole lot of people became concerned a few months ago when this story surfaced.  Of all the things that could happen, this just isn't one to push to the forefront.  

     

    Some people on this board -- especially those who aren't experienced travelers -- not pointing at anyone -- tend to get upset about the most recent crisis /tend to imagine it's something that happens All The Time!  For example, when the Costa ship had all its troubles, some people on this board discussed putting together a "go bag" with their passport, medicines, etc., which they'd carry around the ship At All Times! just in case they were forced to evacuate the ship.  Wasted effort, but the sky-is-falling crowd was determined it was a wise course of action.  

     

    • Thanks 1
  7. 1 hour ago, FionaMG said:

    I don't believe that would ever happen. That would be a logistical nightmare. What are they going to do with the luggage if there's no cabin assigned when you drop it off? What are they going to do with unassigned passengers?

    Exactly what I meant when I said above "no one benefits" from cruisers not being assigned.  

     

    Of course, they probably deal with last-minute problems all the time:  Last week's guest destroyed something in a room, and they have to move you to another room.  Or the people in a prime room were no-shows -- so they can "make another family's day" by bumping them up.  They cannot anticipate such issues.  

    1 hour ago, FionaMG said:

    I fully agree with @smokeybandit that the overbooking stories are absolutely not the norm so you should definitely not concern yourself with that. As is usual with the media, anything bad gets blown up out of all proportion, especially (or so it seems) when their target is a cruise line.

    True.  Don't worry about things that've happened a handful of times ... ever.  

    1 hour ago, ARandomTraveler said:

    I did my check in yesterday and no room numbers show up on my barcode, just random numbers with no "dash" anything. Maybe it'll show up at 30 days out when they send out the cruise docs. 

    As I said, I almost always sail "guarantee", and the numbers show up about a week after check-in.  3 weeks before sailing is average.  

    • Like 1
  8. We almost always sail "guarantee" since the cabin location doesn't affect our enjoyment, and the savings can be real.  

     

    What the rep said to you was "worst case scenerio".  In reality: 

    - We've always received our room assignment about 3 weeks before sailing.  Once it was a little later, as it is ship-dependent, but 3 weeks is the average.  

    - Personally, if I didn't have my assignment 1 week before the cruise, I'd start calling /escalating up the ladder.  

    - Consider that no one benefits if you show up at the port without knowing your room number.  It's in Royal's best interest to have you informed.  

    - Lots of people (myself included) here have used the "barcode trick" successfully:  After the 30-day mark /after you've completed your online check-in, use your phone to scan the barcode on your boarding pass (which you might have printed, but you'll definitely have on your computer).  At the 30-day mark, you'll likely see GYT at the end of your barcode numbers.  Keep trying, and one day numbers will replace those letters -- those numbers are your cabin number.  You'll probably get your assignment 3-4 days earlier with this trick.  Once they assign numbers, it seems that they never move you; at least, my assignment has never changed once it shows up with the barcode trick.  

    • Like 1
  9. 2 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

     

    ??? Where did you come up with this? I have made a request every cruise for about the past 10 years and I have always gotten what I requested. 2 people or 10 people. 1 table or 2 tables. By the window, not by the window. My request has always been honored.

    Just my own experience.  Obviously, yours may vary.  

  10. Yes, but you only have about a 50-50 chance of them giving you what you want.  

     

    - Email rcldining@rccl.com  and tell them what you want. 

    - Include ship's name and your sailing date in the title line, or they won't even open it.  

    - If you don't get what you want, go to the MDR as soon as you board and ask the head waiter -- he will be milling around helping people with situations just like yours -- and you'll probably get what you want.  The only time I've not been accommodated was when we sailed on a holiday (never again).  

  11. 3 hours ago, teddie said:

    As someone who loves an aft balcony cabin, I agree with all of your points. I would take it and enjoy it.

    You know what you're talking about! 

    2 hours ago, RFerrington said:

    We were recently awarded an aft JS on deck from a JS GTY (J3).  We were able to move from deck 6 to deck 7 which was a much better location.  The J3 on deck 6 is considered a 50% obstructed view while the deck 7 JS is considered a 25% obstructed view.  If there are any J3’s available on deck 7 I would move but if there aren’t, enjoy the extra space.

    So you went from a "side" JS on Deck 6 to an aft JS on Deck 7?  

    Yeah, even though I really like Deck 6 (closest balconies to water, quick walk to Promenade), an aft JS is a big step up!  

    1 hour ago, reallyitsmema said:

    is why they are always the last ones to get booked.  

    False.  The only time I was ever able to get an aft cabin, I literally called the day the dates opened -- a year and a half early.  

    59 minutes ago, time4u2go said:

    I agree with others in that it's a terrible view.  If I'm going to have a balcony, I want to be able to look out and down at water, not at a large expanse of metal.

    Have you ever seen one personally?  

  12. I can't believe people are telling you this is a bad cabin -- it's one of THE VERY BEST on the whole ship!  I've only had such a cabin once (have tried unsuccessfully to get another one), and we loved it.  Aft balconies are highly coveted.  Benefits: 

     

    - You're all the way at the back, so it's quiet.  No foot traffic walking by your room. 

    - I've been below Windjammer, and we never heard a sound -- this can't be different. 

    - The room itself is larger than similar rooms.  While they vary from ship to ship, they tend to be shorter /wider, which is a positive.  

    - The balcony is fantastic -- considerably larger /deeper than a standard balcony (even a junior suite balcony), and you have a great view off the back.  No, you can't look straight down at the ocean while standing at the rail, but the view off the back is great.  

    - We weren't on deck 6, but I'm 99% sure this isn't a walkway.  It's an open space covered with a tarp-like thing displaying the Royal symbol.  People can't walk on this.  Note that the person who made the above video listed "privacy" as one of the perks of this room.  

     

    You hit the absolute jackpot, and you'd be nuts to ask for a change.  

     

     

     

    • Like 2
  13. 11 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

    There are no mistakes with a cash account

    No -- think this through.  The OP's big fear is that crew members will fraudulently /mistakenly assign a charge to his /her account.  A drink, for example, could still be charged to that room.  The individual bartender who'd assign the charge wouldn't be aware of whether this poster was one of the few who had a cash account.  

    11 hours ago, steveru621 said:

    No more under the door.

    I'm pretty sure we had an under the door as recently as last fall, and the last ship we sailed was Grandeur.  We're fall-only cruisers, so our November cruise will be our first since last fall. 

    11 hours ago, steveru621 said:

    If you fail to turn in towels, then you would be charged after the paper you used to get.

    Towels have to be returned by the last evening /can be charged on that last evening.  I wouldn't know, as I've always returned mine /never had a problem.  

     

     

    • Like 1
  14. 8 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

    What could go wrong with a cash account? This is the only way I roll; no problems, no unexpected charges once I return home to waste my time on the phone about.

    I don't know that a cash account could "go wrong", but it's more difficult in a couple ways: 

    - You have to go to Guest Services on Day 1 and hand over the cash. 

    - If you put in $300, but you spend more than that, you'll be "declined" at a bar (or whatever) and will have to go to Guest Services mid-cruise to deposit more money.  

    - You have to return to Guest Services on Day Last to settle up /close out the account. 

    - Thing is, this doesn't prevent mistakes or fraud -- a bartender, for example, could still erroneously charge a drink to your room, or a towel attendant could incorrectly say you didn't return towels.  Not likely, but possible.  

    - If you do have a mistake, with cash you have no one on your side; whereas, with a credit card, you have a way to stop the charge.  

    8 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

    I've never had an unexpected charge show up after I left the ship.

    I guess it could happen if you trashed /damaged your room.  Or maybe stole the bed sheets.  

    4 hours ago, steveru621 said:

    Use a credit card that gives you rewards.  

    Yep, I love those credit card points!  I save them up and use them for restaurant cards for our parents at Christmas.  

    4 hours ago, steveru621 said:

    Of course, not everyone has or can get a credit card.

    And some people know they lack the self-control to have a credit card, so they opt out.  

    2 hours ago, brillohead said:

    and then at the end of the cruise, one total charge is made to my credit card on file and I get emailed a statement of all the charges.

    Yes, let's be crystal clear on this -- for the sake of the newbies: 

    - If you file your credit card with Guest Services, it isn't charged $5 for a coffee, $10 for a beer at noon, $15 for a cocktail at 3:00, $50 a specialty restaurant in the evening.  If you check your credit card on your phone on Day 2, you'll see no charges at all.  

    - You will be able to see a list of your charges on your stateroom TV or your Royal Caribbean phone app any day of the cruise.  

    - On Day Last you'll wake up to a paper listing your charges shoved under your door.  The final number on that paper is what'll be charged to your credit card.  One charge for the whole week.  At that point you'll be able to see the single charge on your credit card.  

     

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1
  15. Thoughts:

    - Fraudulent charges are not a problem onboard. 

    - The only problem I've heard about is being charged for towels that've been returned -- when they get really busy, they sometimes write numbers on paper.  What you can do to avoid this:  On Day 1 check out X number of towels.  Do not return them -- instead, exchange them for fresh towels and take them back to your room.  On the last day, return the towels and ask the crew member to verify that your room owes no towels.  

    - You can set up a cash account, but it's a waste of time and effort. 

    - Yes, you can expect long lines on guest services -- especially on Day 1 and Day Last -- but you can always go in the middle of the night.  

    - Yes, you can check your charges on your phone app (you have downloaded that, right?). 

    - Yes, you'll get a receipt every time you charge something.  Throw them into your nightstand drawer in case you need to compare later -- remember that you and your spouse share an account, so don't yell at any crew members before verifying the validity of the charge. 

     

     

     

    • Like 5
  16. If you go with the cruise line, you have two choices:  Yes or no.  

     

    If you go with a third party insurer you can insure JUST what you need to insure.  Personally, we don't insure our cruise price -- we choose inexpensive rooms, and if we were forced to drop out, the loss wouldn't kill us.  We drive to the port, so we don't insure our travel /luggage.  But we definitely care about potential evacuation; while the possibility is remote, the cost would be enough to hurt badly.  

     

    About medical:  Check your policy(ies).  Don't assume.  

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