readytolose

Im just curious how many days before the cruise do we have to make our cruise planner purchases before it’s no longer available online.

We are cruising on November 25th and I keep hearing about POSSIBLE Black Friday sales for things in the cruise planner. That’s only 1 day before our cruise so I’m guessing it wouldn’t work for us, but if we saw something cheaper than what we paid would we have time to cancel and rebook?

Maybe I’ll get lucky and the Black Friday sales will start early! :D

I canceled 2 of ours on a Wednesday and the refund was back in my bank account on Friday. I didn’t expect it that quickly but I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm sailing out on October 14th on the Adventure of the Seas. I will be spending a day at the San Juan Marriott, I will report back and I will have a Live Review going through out my cruise.

What Marriott? Really looking forward to your live review!!

ARe you still tipping $5 on top of the $7.95 fee? We will shortly be doing our first cruise since the fee was introduced. We also used to tip around $5 but I wasn't intending to with this fee, which I though included gratuity

We are taking our first cruise since the fee was introduced too, but yes my intention is to still give $5. I figure if I don’t have to walk and get it myself I can at least give the person a little something for doing it!

Hotel just canceled ,we are going in the same day of the cruise and leaving when

we return on the ship! We were goin to stay a few days ahead and one coming back... :(

JetBlue could not have been more helpful!

What hotel and what dates?

If our hotel cancels we are going to change our flights to Fort Lauderdale for 2 days and then fly to Puerto Rico the day of the cruise. I just don’t feel comfortable flying from Wisconsin to Puerto Rico the day of the cruise. Florida to Puerto Rico will still make me nervous, but not as bad!

I’m curious if taxis are up and running.

As of right now we have 2 nights at the Marriott Stellaris before our cruise (not until the end of Nov) and I didn’t even think about taxi service.

Thank you! That looks like great news! Now if we can just get some hotel availability.....

Could those flying into Puerto Rico tomorrow and Saturday please keep us updated on how the airport and port looks. Also the hotel situation would be nice if anyone is staying overnight beforehand.

Thanks!

What is the suggested tip when ordering room service? We don't normally tip in New Zealand and our tips are built into our cruise fare but I feel it's nice to give something extra for room service.

We usually do around $5. I’ve seen people do lesser amounts for small orders or more for bigger orders.

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8642 is center hump so no slant. When we sailed the starboard side was the side facing the ports so it was nice to sit out on our balcony and see what was going on in port and also watch the last minute runners!

It can vary between sailings though so I wouldn’t book starboard solely for that purpose.

We loved being on the same deck as Central Park. When we wanted to go from one end of the ship to the other we would walk through Central Park instead of the boring hallways.

Great news regarding the airport from the PR Informa Facebook page.

GOOD NEWS: SJU Airport is now open 24hrs. 100+ flights per day will be able to take off and/or land.

We had 8642 and loved it. Balcony was nice and big!

When we took the kids in a cruise we booked 3 different rooms. They were all in their own reservation number but we were able to link them all together for dinner seating and also for payment while on the ship.

In the last ten years I have taken 22 cruises, almost half on Royal Caribbean. This current experience is definitely changing my opinion of the company.

 

Yes, I understand that we all sign a contract that says they can basically do whatever they want. But we are not talking about a missed or changed port here. We are talking about a situation where Puerto Rico is saying DON'T COME HERE FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, AT LEAST. We are talking about a place that has had its infrastructure destroyed, where crime is rampant and services are spotty to non-existent. We are talking about NO HOTEL AVAILABILITY and flights being delayed and cancelled. Sure, they might have a legal right to insist that we must show up at the dock at the appointed hour or lose our money. But they don't seem to be thinking about the long term affect their position will have on their bottom line.

 

I have another cruise booked on RC in January, with a group of five. I am not going to cancel it. One of the parties has already made flight arrangements and a couple of the people have to travel within a particular block of time, so it would be difficult to switch to another cruise at this point. Once that cruise has sailed, though, I may not book Royal Caribbean again for a good long time, if ever. And that makes me sad, because they have been our favorite cruise line for a while. But I don't feel like they care about our safety right now. :(

 

I also get that some people want these upcoming cruises to sail. So RC could tell us that they plan on sailing out of SJU but if we are not comfortable traveling there we can switch to a different itinerary in the next several weeks. I'm sure some people would stick with the original sailing but some would move to another ship AND SPEND MONEY during that trip. It would be a great move from a PR standpoint. Instead of complaining to family and friends about how uncaring Royal Caribbean was they would be telling people what a great company it is! Seems logical to me, but then I'm not a bean counter, I guess.

 

kathy

Agree completely! Although I don’t sail until the end of November I just don’t feel comfortable traveling to and from Puerto Rico at this time. We always fly into the port city 2 days ahead of time to unwind and explore the city. IF there are still curfews and alcohol restrictions that will significantly cut in to the enjoyment of our vacation.

I’m not asking for my money back. I would just like the ability to switch to a cruise out of a different port. I don’t understand why they won’t allow it. They still get their money!

Part of the excitement of vacation is the planning and anticipation in the weeks and months ahead. Unfortunately right now instead of being excited we’re just stressed.

This thread has been very helpful in letting me know where we can watch football on our cruise, and also which individuals I can avoid getting to know while onboard!

I think your post is out of line. Having empathy for/helping disaster victims and worrying about a long-awaited vacation aren't mutually exclusive. I too live in a hard hit area (Harvey), and although my home was spared, hundreds of my neighbors weren't so lucky. I've spent much of the last 5 weeks donating time, food, and cash.

 

I'm also cruising very soon. I'm excited and more than ready to leave the stench of mold and mountains of debris for a few days. Yes, I would be upset and worried if I thought my trip was in jeopardy. That doesn't make me greedy, insensitive, or disgusting. I have a heart and give generously when and where I can. For you to assume anyone worried about a vacation is somehow morally and ethically inferior is wrong.

 

 

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Thank you! My feelings exactly.

I'm hoping since my cruise out of Puerto Rico isn't until the end of November that I won't have a problem, but I have been looking at alternative cruises during the same time period just in case.

Since RCCL won't let me switch ships at this point I'm kinda in a wait and see mode. IF RCCL happens to cancel a cruise how long does it take for a refund? Or is it possible to call them up and ask for the funds to be applied to a different sailing?

If I have to rebook and then wait for a refund on the canceled cruise it's going to significantly cut into our spending money for our vacation.

Hopefully it won't come to this, but just want to be prepared.

Thanks

Thought this might be useful info for anyone still planning on sailing in the next couple weeks.

Just saw this on the Marriott Stellaris Facebook page. We have this hotel booked for our cruise in November but since they don't list any specifics on timeframe I'm going to hold off on canceling. We'll see what happens down the road.

Due to Hurricane Maria, the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino is not taking any new reservations at this time. We are currently assessing the damage and will provide updates as they are available. The safety of our guests and associates is always a top priority and there are no reported injuries at this time. We are waiving cancellation and change fees for specific arrival dates and suggest our customers call 1-800-228-9290 for more information about their reservations. Those in countries outside of the United States seeking information about their reservations should call the Marriott toll-free number in their country. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this storm.

Marriott International has established a resource line for those looking for information about guests and associates who may have been impacted by the hurricane. The number is (866) 211-4610. For those calling outside the U.S. and Canada, the number is +1 402-390-3265. The resource line is staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (ET).

Just saw this on the Marriott Stellaris Facebook page. We have this hotel booked for our cruise in November but since they don't list any specifics on timeframe I'm going to hold off on canceling. We'll see what happens down the road.

Due to Hurricane Maria, the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino is not taking any new reservations at this time. We are currently assessing the damage and will provide updates as they are available. The safety of our guests and associates is always a top priority and there are no reported injuries at this time. We are waiving cancellation and change fees for specific arrival dates and suggest our customers call 1-800-228-9290 for more information about their reservations. Those in countries outside of the United States seeking information about their reservations should call the Marriott toll-free number in their country. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this storm.

Marriott International has established a resource line for those looking for information about guests and associates who may have been impacted by the hurricane. The number is (866) 211-4610. For those calling outside the U.S. and Canada, the number is +1 402-390-3265. The resource line is staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (ET).

I was just checking the pricing for our cruise coming up in November and the prices are great! Doesn't do me any good since we are after final payment and I don't want to give up my aft JS but someone thinking about booking a cruise for the near future might benefit!

7nt Adventure of the Seas Nov. 25 Balcony room $599/person

I didn't check other cruises but from just my quick scrolling it looks like there are a bunch with great prices!

They did not cause the hurricane.

I realize that and I have no problem with itinerary changes with no compensation. But to lose over half of your vacation because they can't provide it seems like a good enough reason for a refund with no strings attached.

Another thought, the fact that they are only offering a FCC to those that can't sail on Wednesday is ridiculous.

They took away over half of the cruise but aren't willing to just refund your money, just doesn't seem fair.

I love Royal but this is insane.

I can't fathom how Puerto Rico is going to be able to handle tourists starting next week.

And to fly all the way to PR for a 3 night cruise seems crazy!!!

Hi, we have a cruise booked next year for myself, my husband and 4 children. We would like to tip individuals but obviously don't want the staff that are more behind the scenes to miss out. My question is do you think it would be acceptable to remove the gratuities on one room and use this to tip individuals and leave the gratuities on the other room?

 

 

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I don't understand....

Why would you do this?