canuckcruiselover

We were in 6259 on Explorer. Perfect location close to the stairs to get to the Café below our room. No noise from the connecting room.

Depending upon the ship, sometimes the sticker is already on our seapass card when we first check in.

 

Not sure if it still applies under the "new" program, but back in the old days, any "free" drinks that you got in the casino and other perks ("complimentary" specialty restaurants or spa services, etc.) would come right off the top of any cash rebate that you earned.

 

I don't see how that would really work with the new program but that's the way it used to work.

On Explorer last week, the bartenders didn't even take note of my seapass or swipe it so drinks were not deducted from the cash rebate.

Go the casino cashier the first night and they'll put a Club Royale sticker on your card which will entitle you to free drinks (no limit) in the casino.

We set sail one year from today on Explorer of the Seas for the Pacific Northwest cruise. Hoping to see some good reviews of this itinerary. I have been to San Francisco before, but never been to Astoria, Oregon or Victoria BC. Looking for excursion ideas.

 

Bill

We were on the September 23-30 sailing. Loved the itinerary and the Explorer.

San Francisco

We hadn't been to San Francisco in about 20 years so really enjoyed the overnight on the ship. Took a 4 hour city tour with The Painted Ladies. Josh, the owner, was our guide. He is very knowledgeable, warm and friendly and even provided wine and water. We rode in an old Volkswagon van which was great. He took us all around the city, up to the top of twin peaks, which offers a spectacular view of the city; down the twisty Lombard Street and other places that the big buses can't go. We picked up the tour at Fisherman's Wharf and he dropped us off at the pier afterwards. Wonderful tour! We also did a LOT of walking. It was very hot in San Francisco and the fog was hovering over Alcatraz much of the second day but most of the time we were able to see everything clearly. It was certainly a unique experience sailing into the fog which brought the temperature down very quickly.

Astoria

We got off the ship and took the shuttle. Astoria is a very small "town" - quite run down and we didn't stay long. Others, however, enjoyed it. Just not our cup of tea.

Victoria

We had never been to BC before. Victoria is a gorgeous town. Very pretty. I can see why so many Canadians choose Victoria to retire. We took the HOHO bus which stops in front of the elegant Fairmont Empress hotel. We stayed on the bus for the whole route and then walked around the downtown area. Had lunch in one of the pubs and a great day.

Seattle

We spent one night pre-cruise in Seattle and enjoyed our time there. Went to the Chihuly Glass Gardens, rode the monorail which was a fun way to get from the Space Needle to downtown. Also, had a brief visit to Pike Market and, again, did a LOT of walking which is just as well considering the amount of food we consumed on the ship!

And while I'm on the topic of food . . . we stopped going to the MDR a couple of years ago and eat most lunches and all dinners in the WJ. We thought the WJ selection and quality was superior to other ships we have been on recently and we never had a problem finding seats. They have all the items that are served in the MDR except, I think, for lobster. I'm not a seafood lover so am not sure about that. They even had lamb shanks which I don't think I've ever seen in a WJ and more Indian dishes than usual.

For the first time, we stayed in a cabin on Deck 6 overlooking the Promenade, directly above the Café. Never had a problem with noise but it did feel more like a hotel room without a view of the ocean. We had the drapes pulled most of the time but it was worth trying and the window seat made the room bigger.

All in all, we had a wonderful time and I highly recommend the itinerary and the Explorer.

You are correct if you want to split hairs. We do have a Cruise booked in September. Huge factor here it's not in the Caribbean. When was the last time a hurricane ripped through BC, Washington, Oregon and California.? That's my September Cruise not the Caribbean. The OPs thread was about hurricane Matthew which is in the Caribbean and not the West Coast. My post #4 I didn't say "Caribbean" because that was a given (for most but looks like not all) based on the OPs thread about hurricane Matthew which is in the Caribbean. That's why in post #11 that you quoted I said and made clear "Yes, that's why we elect not to Cruise the Caribbean in September". For those that book a Caribbean Cruise during hurricane season good for them. Their choice. Just deal with what Mother Nature is going to throw at then. No weather guarantees no matter where you Cruise or what time of year.

We just returned from the Explorer -- same NW Pacific Coastal route next September. Had a nice sunny days in Seattle and Astoria. San Francisco had an unusual heatwave - in the 90s. Vancouver was around 70 and pleasant. We loved the itinerary and the ship.

We didn't go into the Lounge as it was so crowded. However, we did find out we could get free cappucino/latté in the Promenade Café as, apparently, the machine in the Lounge was broken.

According to AmEx, the hold on your credit card is placed by RCI. For me, it's usually released within a week. If it's not, your credit card company will call RCI and ask them to release the hold. That was my experience.

Pier 66 has a bag check, not sure where you leave from. We did it in July. It was either $3 or $4 per bag. They only store until 330p but that won't be an issue in your case.

We'll be at Pier 91. I just checked and they also have luggage storage. Thanks.

There are services that will forward your luggage to the airport and check it in for you. You don't see it again until you get to your home airport. Don't know if this is available for Canadians flying. My sister and her friends used it (Luggage Direct?) when they were in the same situation.

 

Roz

Unfortunately, that's only available for domestic flights.

We try to visit Pike Place Market every time we're in Seattle. Its 3 unique floor plans of different shops and entertainment. You can easily spend 3 hours there.

Is there somewhere to store our luggage?

Our flight doesn't leave until 3:30 pm and we were thinking of taking a tour of the city for a couple of hours before heading to the airport. Does anyone know of tour companies that will store luggage? We would have taken RCI's shore excursion but they will only accept passengers who are flying after 4:00 pm.

I was on the Navigator a few years ago with my parents. In the middle of the night, my dad's face swelled up and he went to the medical centre. $1,500 later, after various tests and an x-ray, the doctor determined he had some kind of food allergy. I thought the fee was steep but my dad was reimbursed through his travel insurance. I know several people who travel without health insurance who, in my opinion, are asking for trouble. Personally, I have an annual travel/health plan as we cross over the border quite often. I would never leave home without it.

Surprisingly, our friends just cancelled a cruise 2 weeks out and were given a full credit towards another cruise. Perhaps it's because they booked through Club Royale.

When I took my 16-year old grandson on Independence earlier this year, I took 3 copies of the notarized letter. They kept one when I checked in on the ship and when I signed the waiver for him for rock-climbing and the flowrider. At the airport, they asked to see it but didn't keep a copy. They did ask him a couple of questions about his parents, where he lived and what my relationship was to him.

the limit is 5k per day.

I received this from Club Royale: "You may advance up to $3,000 per gaming day in the casino from your SeaPass account to purchase chips or bills for gambling in the casino."

I believe the daily limit is $3,000.

We went to the BBQ two years ago. It was fun but a pretty long day and there's only so much Mariachi you can listen to!! There are a few shops nearby but there's not much else to do except stay on the beach. Food was good but I wouldn't go again.

Royal Caribbean never gave me a form or withheld taxes. Being Canadian wasn't the reason as they didn't ask to see my passport. In US land casinos, even though we don't pay tax on gambling winnings in Canada, the 30% is still withheld and has to be claimed back from the IRS.

and the first person you speak to does not give you a decent rebate, call again later. It seems that different agents have different criteria for deciding on rebates or it's just arbitrary. On my last cruise, I played and spent very little as I was with my grandson. The first agent told me I would get $300 rebate. The next day I was told I would get $800. Fortunately, I didn't book with the first one!

I was invited to be a Club Royale member some years ago immediately after I won $4k on a Royal Flush playing video poker. Since then, I've always received discounts on cruises, including for my upcoming cruise. Recently, I was told by CR that my husband is also a Club Royale member. That was a complete surprise. While he can sit at slot machines for several hours an evening, he only plays penny machines with small bets and limits himself to around $500 for a week.

Here's the email I received from them yesterday in regard to their current program:

Although the rebate program has now been phased out and guests are no longer able to earn them, we still have ways to reward you for your loyalty to Club Royale. For the interim between now and when our new player program is unveiled, we have introduced exclusive promotions and further expanded our options for where you can earn other rewards instead, such as the possibility of future cruise comps and deep cruise fare discounts - just as our members have come to know and love through the years. These offers will be based upon your onboard play, similar to the current program. Shipboard casino points may still be earned and redeemed for prizes, such as gifts from the cashier’s cage, etc. You will also certainly still have the 5% convenience fee waived for any monies you advance from your SeaPass card at the casino cashier's desk.

In addition, we will always offer you our exclusive discounted casino rates on every cruise where they are available. These rates must be booked directly through Club Royale (new bookings only) and are not combinable with any other offers or promotions. If we can assist you with pricing or booking your next cruise reservation, please call us or have your travel agent call us.

We continue to review the details of our new player program to ensure we are rewarding our valued casino guest appropriately and to ensure that our offers continue to be beneficial to them. While we do not yet have the specifics of the upcoming and highly anticipated new program, we expect to be able to share those details with you soon.

I've always found the wrist bands (Sea-bands) very effective . . . and ginger candy tastes good and works for me.

You are very welcome. It will be an extra special day for you because Victoria is so amazing anyway! You can check for updates and make your plans around that because you have loads of time there, something that not all ships have in Victoria.

I've never been to BC before so you're right, this will be an extra special day. And George and Charlotte will be there, too - an added bonus! Thankfully, not all cruisers visit CC boards otherwise there will be an extra few thousand of us lining the streets! I guess word will get around though.

Here is a local article from Victoria which discusses this; they will be based there for the duration of their trip and will visit the city several times, actually.

 

http://victoriabuzz.com/2016/08/victoria-will-home-base-royal-visit-september/

 

"Not only is the Royal Family visiting Western Canada this September, but they will make Victoria their home base for the entire one-week trip, with no less than four different stops here in the capital.

 

The couple, along with the childrens’ nanny, Maria Borrallo, will visit BC and the Yukon from September 24 to October 1 making stops in Vancouver, Bella Bella, Haida Gwaii, Great Bear Rainforest, and Kelowna in addition to Victoria.

 

The Department of Canadian Heritage released these dates for the holiday:

 

Sept. 24: Victoria.

Sept. 25: Vancouver.

Sept. 26: Bella Bella, B.C.

Sept. 27: Victoria and Kelowna, B.C.; Whitehorse, Yukon.

Sept. 28: Whitehorse and Carcross, Yukon.

Sept. 29: Victoria.

Sept. 30: Haida Gwaii, B.C.

Oct. 1: Victoria

 

Please check back often on this article, we will update the itinerary and public viewing opportunities as they are made available."

.

That's great - thank you! I was excited about this trip before but now I'm super excited knowing that the public viewing opportunities will be publicized.

What an awesome experience for you should you get to be close enough to see them! I've seen Queen Elizabeth twice in my lifetime: once in Toronto and the second time here in Calgary. I will never forget both of those occasions. :)

I'm an ex-Brit but I only ever saw Prince Philip once when I was a kid and he shook my hand and Princess Margaret once, many years ago. I'm definitely changing our plans for our stop in Victoria. I just have to convince my DH and our friends to follow me in an attempt to get a look at them!

They are scheduled to be in Victoria on September 29 when we'll be there. I would love to know where they will be to catch a glimpse. Fat chance, right? I guess we just follow the crowd :-)