kjkrmk

For me, a few business days.  

11 hours ago, Gatordad815 said:

We had the ribbon type-purple. I was hoping for the silicone ones because they just look more comfortable, but honestly the ribbon didn’t bug me at all. Once it was on I just kind of forgot it was there…

Thank you for the review.  We will be on the Mariner for the 6th time(first in many years) in January.  

We were on the Symphony last month and had ribbon type Vax bracelet.  One tip for that... Have them put it on your NON Toothbrush, NON soup eating hand...We didn't and it seemed we were dragging it through everything we touched with our dominant hand.

We sail on Symphony next week.  How are the crowds?  Any word on numbers of pax booked?  

Spike2000,

I have cruised on quite a few ships and have been on the freedom a BUNCH of times.  Freedom seems to have a Happy Feeling about it.  Like the Mariner.  Some ships do while some don't and I can't explain it.  I have experienced different captains and crew on the freedom and still, the trip was always a pleasure.  I would go on the freedom anytime.  I bet you and your family will have a great cruise.

We did this a year or so ago.  It isn't just a "how to gut an avocado" class as some posts above suggest.  It was a fun way to kill some time.  The guac demo was pretty quick.  They then did a demo on making the spicy margaritas as well as a brief lecture on the differences between Tequllia and Mescal with shots of each.   appetizers, lunch, and dessert were included too.

Just off the Adventure.  TV's in Duck and Dog had the games on but we sat outside the pub and were able to see TVs that were added on the bridge over the promenade at the forward end of the Deck and Dog.  Was nice that they added a few TVs there for the games. 

I have been on more than one cruise line with this policy.  It works very well and simple.  I am sure there are many reasons why it is better than carrying all the cards off the ship into the terminal, having more people handle them, etc.  Maybe there have been health issues tracked to the shore side workers.  Maybe there have been issues with cards being lost or damaged when bringing them on shore.  Maybe it is simply less costly to do it this way.  Seems this is really just part of the evolution of ID and account handling on ships and there will always be people who whine about change.  Recall people crying when the ships went to cards for access and purchases?  People freaked out and cried the same songs as this issue.  What if someone takes my card?  What if someone gets into my cabin?  What if someone makes purchases on my account?  What if I lose it and can't get in my cabin?  Etc., etc.  It's gonna be fine and chances are you are no more at risk of bodily or financial harm than if a terminal worker who interacts with hundreds if not thousands of cruise passengers touches your card.

I'm going to pull a guess out of my you-know-where.

 

It was never double booked. They didn't have to move anyone. Somehow they (someone at RC or a computer at RC) saw it as double booked but it wasn't.

 

So they "fixed" something that wasn't broken, merely misunderstood.

 

JMO

Yep. Chances are the OP was BOTH bookings for the room. The reserved hold and the second day call in and book.

1982 Costa Flavia for our High school senior class trip with my girlfriend(now Wife), a couple hundred classmates, and 3 chaperones.

The legal page from Royalcaribbean.com is much like that of most websites. It pretty much covers mistakes in site content, errors by sales people, etc.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/legal.do

I was on the Oct 7 cruise from San Juan. A high percentage of locals on that cruise as well with many that we chatted with saying they were happy to have a break from the conditions as home. I have been on the October cruise out of San Juan several times over the years. It always has a high percentage of locals on it with a fair number of kids. On the cruise this year, the first one after the storm, I didn't see a markedly higher percentage of locals that in previous years without a major hurricane. I did see more obvious first timers that normal.

The cruise is what you make of it. It always is. If you are in a group of six who all like to commiserate about what is not perfect, you will no doubt have a different experience than if you were to hang out with our group of 6 that had a blast. RCI is only there to provide the opportunity for you to enjoy yourself, it is up to you to decide to have fun.

Visit status.pr to see the current conditions of many key infrastructure elements in PR.

We were on the Oct 7 sailing form San Juan. We had concerns about going there and being a burden. As it turns out, we were NOT added pain as some of you speculate. In fact, we spoke to a young lady who's family restaurant in San Juan has been open since 2 days after the storm. We asked how they were able to do so and she said Sams Club has been open since the day after and they were able to get food and sell to customers. Our bus driver in SJU told stories of having to cut and clear the way out of they home areas 1 hours from San Juan but how happy he was to be back to work and happy to see us.

We had 5 stops and at ALL 5 plus San Juan, every person we spoke to from SJU airport workers, to people in shops on the islands, ALL were very thankful for the return on cruise ships. We were the first ship since week 1 of Sept to stop at St Kitts. Long gone are the days of Sugar, salt, oil refining as the industries for the caribbean. Tourism is the majority business for locals to gain income. If you have flights to get to the departure port, go and enjoy the trip.

translated from http://www.status.pr

Important Notices

Hire a Carrier

9pm to 5am curfew

9/29/2017

Notice of Housing Dept.

Housing granted a moratorium on the payment of rent in public housing until January 2018. Those months will be forgiven.

10/01/2017

Press release - CFSE See more

9/29/2017

Press release - AAA See more

9/29/2017

Press release - Gas stations See more

9/29/2017

69%

Gas Stations 759 of 1,100

Last updated: 10/02/2017

Source: DACO

40%

Telecommunications

Last updated: 10/02/2017

Source: JRTC

65%

Supermarkets 295 of 456

Last updated on 09/30/2017

Source: MIDA

16.68%

Cellular towers

Last updated: 10/02/2017

Source: FCC

5%

AEE

Last updated: 10/01/2017

Source: ESA

337

Pharmacies

Last updated on 09/28/2017

Source: ASES

139

Shelters

Last updated: 10/01/2017

Source: Housing

8,867

Refugees

Last updated: 10/01/2017

Source: Housing

2. 3. 4

Refugee Pets

Last updated: 10/01/2017

Source: Housing

51

Hospitals Assisted

Last updated on 09/30/2017

Source: Department of Federal and Local Health

46

Assisted Dialysis Centers

Last updated on 09/30/2017

75%

Open Ports

Last updated on 09/29/2017

Source: Ports

62.92%

Ports (Daily Operational Capacity)

Last updated on 09/30/2017

Source: Ports

AAA

57.50%

Meter

29%

North

20.80%

West

67%

South

fifty%

East

Last updated: 10/02/2017 Source: AAA

Donations

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URL: http://www.unidosporpuertorico.com

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Royal Caribbean International

2 mins ·

Weather & Itinerary Update

September 25, 2017 @ 11 AM EDT

Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors in San Juan and the other affected islands as they rebuild after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The following sailing is being cancelled:

Adventure of the Seas: September 30

Given the impact of Hurricane Maria, we are cancelling this cruise to utilize the ship for evacuation and humanitarian efforts. The ship will arrive on Wednesday, September 27 and will operate humanitarian calls in San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Croix to aid in the evacuation and donate critical supplies to each destination. The ship will bring evacuees to Fort Lauderdale before returning to San Juan on October 6 to prepare for the October 7th cruise.

We are very sorry for the impact this storm has had on your vacation. The cruise fare and fees will be 100% refunded to the original form of payment, and we are also offering a 25% future cruise credit, based on the cruise fare, if a new cruise is booked in the next 30 days. Pre-booked shore excursions will also be refunded to your original form of payment.

Future itineraries:

Given Hurricane Irma’s impact to St. Maarten and St. Thomas, as well as Hurricane Maria’s impact to San Juan, we are altering the following ports for future sailings until these islands have fully recovered.

As the recovery effort remains fluid and each island is working diligently to get back to normal operations, we will continue to communicate any port changes approximately four weeks prior to departure.

Adventure of the Seas:

10/7 – St. Croix to Martinique

10/14 – St. Croix to Antigua

Allure of the Seas:

10/1 – St. Thomas & San Juan to Cozumel & Costa Maya

10/15 – St. Maarten & San Juan to Cozumel & Costa Maya

Enchantment of the Seas:

10/2 & 10/9 – Freeport back to Key West

Harmony of the Seas:

10/7 – St. Maarten, San Juan & Labadee to Nassau, Cozumel & Costa Maya

10/21 – St. Thomas, San Juan & Labadee to Nassau, Cozumel & Costa Maya

Serenade of the Seas:

10/20 – St. Thomas & St. Maarten to St. Kitts & Antigua

Oasis of the Seas:

10/8 – St. Maarten, San Juan & Labadee to Nassau, Cozumel & Costa Maya

10/22 – St. Maarten & San Juan to Nassau & Falmouth

Royal Caribbean International

2 mins ·

Weather & Itinerary Update

September 25, 2017 @ 11 AM EDT

Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors in San Juan and the other affected islands as they rebuild after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The following sailing is being cancelled:

Adventure of the Seas: September 30

Given the impact of Hurricane Maria, we are cancelling this cruise to utilize the ship for evacuation and humanitarian efforts. The ship will arrive on Wednesday, September 27 and will operate humanitarian calls in San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Croix to aid in the evacuation and donate critical supplies to each destination. The ship will bring evacuees to Fort Lauderdale before returning to San Juan on October 6 to prepare for the October 7th cruise.

We are very sorry for the impact this storm has had on your vacation. The cruise fare and fees will be 100% refunded to the original form of payment, and we are also offering a 25% future cruise credit, based on the cruise fare, if a new cruise is booked in the next 30 days. Pre-booked shore excursions will also be refunded to your original form of payment.

Future itineraries:

Given Hurricane Irma’s impact to St. Maarten and St. Thomas, as well as Hurricane Maria’s impact to San Juan, we are altering the following ports for future sailings until these islands have fully recovered.

As the recovery effort remains fluid and each island is working diligently to get back to normal operations, we will continue to communicate any port changes approximately four weeks prior to departure.

Adventure of the Seas:

10/7 – St. Croix to Martinique

10/14 – St. Croix to Antigua

Allure of the Seas:

10/1 – St. Thomas & San Juan to Cozumel & Costa Maya

10/15 – St. Maarten & San Juan to Cozumel & Costa Maya

Enchantment of the Seas:

10/2 & 10/9 – Freeport back to Key West

Harmony of the Seas:

10/7 – St. Maarten, San Juan & Labadee to Nassau, Cozumel & Costa Maya

10/21 – St. Thomas, San Juan & Labadee to Nassau, Cozumel & Costa Maya

Serenade of the Seas:

10/20 – St. Thomas & St. Maarten to St. Kitts & Antigua

Oasis of the Seas:

10/8 – St. Maarten, San Juan & Labadee to Nassau, Cozumel & Costa Maya

10/22 – St. Maarten & San Juan to Nassau & Falmouth

Title says it all, which deck is used for MTD on the Adventure of the Seas?

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

When I was on Adventure Oct 7, I was told by both MTD and the Giovanni's hostesses that MTD would be moving to deck 3 since demand has increased to require more space than deck 5 can handle. We will know more soon once it comes out of dry dock.

From an info page for one of the Orlando Theme parks:

The first time you use your cup, the Coke Freestyle station registers it using the RFID chip for use that day. If you return days later with the same cup, the station will read the chip, see that it’s expired, and it will not dispense what you desire.

Maybe this is why some people who don't use the cup until mid to late week on their voyage end up with dates beyond the end of their cruise.

I'm curious since we will be on the Anthem next month and will be using our drink vouchers in the bars. How did you find out that you were charged for the drinks that should have been free? Did you check your account on the cabin TV? Or did you discover the charge on your final statement? Did you sign a charge slip for the amount?

You still have to use your card and sign a ticket for the 3 free drinks just as if you would when buying a drink not in the happy hour time for Diamond and up. The price on the receipt is $0.00 and you can still tip the server if you choose which is what I do.

Do a google search for "diamond drink voucher" and see the list of drinks that are included in the perk. Drinks that require spirits in addition to the ones on the list are not supposed to be offered as approved in the program.

*--

Many years ago, my new bride and I took a cruise for our honeymoon. As I recall, the cruise line was Premier and the vessel we traveled on was billed as the Big Red BOAT. It wasn't the Bid red ship. Or was it?!? Did they get it wrong or intentionally mislead us back then? ;)

Simply stating a ship can carry a boat isn't accurate. A 40ft yacht can have a dinghy on it and that certainly doesn't qualify it as a ship. Likewise, my 24ft wakeboard boat is technically classed as a yacht by length, capacity and insurance category. Yet, it is still referred to in the industry as a wake BOAT. Boat/ship discussion is much like motor/engine.

Living in the Orlando, FL area, we are used to vacation related activities being priced at what the market will accept. Not what we can afford but what the market is willing to pay. Disney is now $105 per person per day! So, for a family of 4, by the time you pay to park, buy tickets, food and crap typically bought during the visit to the park, it is easy to drop $1500. In a day! Using a 7 day trip to the theme parks as reference, cruising, even at the latest prices is a bargain!!

Agreed. Rahul our Concierge had told me they got rid of all pads for the suite loungers fleet wide, and now I see this simply isn't true. I'm going to take the picture to Rahul and ask nicely for a better explanation. The bee is in my bonnet now, and we know there has been enough bees this cruise lol! [emoji15]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seems the loungers in the solarium would be loss prone to human deposited "stains and spots" than the loungers on the balconies. Maybe they were discarded because they were a big issue to clean after Balcony club activities and such. The lounger and gold towels your cabin attendant got for you would be far easier to clean and make safe for the next guests.

Maybe they initially planned put in Izumi, but have since changed their mind.

Maybe Izumi was never in the plan for freedom and it was simply an error on the website. Not like there haven't been mistakes on any website before.

I was on the 2 day Freedom cruise. Talking to a Royal Caribbean terminal worker while in line for customs, she side they had just got notice that it was the last week working in T10 and that Royal was moving all to T1 as primary and the other terminals would be used on multi Royal ship days only. So, base don that and the other chatter here about docs, I would think it pretty safe to think T1 for the next cruises.

She told us T1 has 60 check in stations. Some are kiosks and there can be workers with tablets to check passengers in on the fly. The terminal is set up as a complex of parking and dropoff flowing smoothly to a wide check in area and easy flow to the ship. I was told it can take as little as 10 minutes to go from garage through check in and on to the ship. They worked to eliminate bottlenecks like the scanner and escalators in T10. T1 is built for large volumes of people.

For those of you with the nautical background to do the math... let's say FOS had no propulsion issues.

 

Normal departure time from GC is 4pm, right? The ship turned around around 5p (ship left at 2:30p and turned around 2.5 hours later). So, if there was no propulsion problems, they would have been an hour out to sea when they turned around.

 

So they would have gotten back to around 6pm (maybe a little sooner). By the time they get the child off the ship and are ready to leave again, it's 7pm. What time would they have been in Cozumel (assuming no propulsion issues)?

The sailing distance from GrandCayman to Cozumel is about 350 nautical miles depending on the route. Given the ship sails at a lower speed for a bit at the beginning and the end of this trip, say average 10 knots, then sails at about 22 knots for the majority of the run, something like 19.5 knots average is a good guess for this exercise.

So, 350 nautical miles divided by 19.5 knots speed gets about 18 hrs time from anchor in Grand Cayman to docked in Cozumel. So, departing Cayman at 7pm, traveling at 22 knots for most of the way, the ship would arrive in Cozumel around 1pm the next day.

If you look at a future cruise western Itinerary for the Freedom, it shows departing Grand Cayman at 4pm and arriving in Cozumel at 10am. That is the same 18 hr travel time from port to port as shown in the above calculation. So, given the ship is supposed to arrive at the port at 10am, arriving at 1pm is 3 hours late.