ScoutLeoOz

I believe that if you want you can get the fcc for you and the refund for your friend. That is not how it usually is but these are unusual circumstances. 

What molly361 said is what I thought my experience was a few years ago when I used a fcc. My concern is I apply fcc - fare now is lowered - I insure trip - cancel for valid reason and only get reimbursed for what is on my invoice. That’s a lot of money gone.

I don’t usually post but wanted to add that Anis Tebbab just left Jewel for his vacation- will be returning after vacation. don’t know who will be filling in.

Also was on the Vision in early October and Haffner was concierge there - he had just joined ship in September.

I think the lesson here is that before taking a price drop confirm that no obc will be lost - because of course we all factor that in when considering taking the price drop. OP hope you get the situation resolved and don't forget to tell us why it was lost! Thanks!

I don't think the tips are just for the MDR waitstaff - depending on class of ship you have Solarium Bistro, Cafe Promenade, Park Cafe, hot dog stand. The MDR waitstaff work breakfast and lunch in the MDR and windjammer as well.

I have no problem paying these tips - the staff works super hard. Just got off of 28 days on a cruise - dinner in the MDR 27 nights, Chops one night, 4 lunches in the windjammer, 15 breakfasts.

Figure if I can afford to cruise I can afford the gratuities. Only disagreement in our household is about extra tips - I always want to give more!! But do what your conscience tells you.

Pictures coming. It was good, will be great when finished.

 

 

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How was the snorkeling?

Just my two cents here - the question is about the small group tours that RCL is offering which seems to be a newer thing. The first time I've seen it is for our upcoming Navigator cruise - I've booked us on one for the Vigo port - it is about $20 more per person than the same excursion that I imagine is a "cattle call" experience. I'm thinking the cruise line is trying to get those people that normally book small group tours on their own to book with the cruise line instead. If I can find this thread again I will report back how ours goes.

No not rude at all! I will say the one time I didn't make reservations they moved us over to the early seating - which was back in the day when MTD had to pre-pay gratuities so it was rude of them. Now I always make reservations and we build up a rapport with the very hard working MTD hosts and always let them know if our plans change.

We had a Central Park balcony and really liked it - yes during the day there were times that the music from the pool deck was loud but not often. We were on the 12th deck. Then at night there was live classical music from 7 to 10 - we loved it. Have even booked the same cabin for December.

You go to the multiplex where the bumper cars are - they have a desk there at entrance - the puzzle room is just a sign up sheet at the desk.

Yes you can - you need to go to the reservations desk in the multiplex which is where the bumper cars are - I would suggest asking when you board what time they open and go as soon as you can. We went right off and had no problems making reservations.

They also have a puzzle room you can sign up for there as well.

Hope this info helps.

We started out tipping at the end of the cruise, then realized we had more than a few waiters over the course of the cruise, including the bartender when we sat at the bar in the CL on Radiance class, so we started tipping 5 bucks for the couple of drinks we had each night. Later, since we were alternating so much between DL and CL, we decided that was even better to tip 2 bucks for each set of 2 drinks so we could make sure we tipped each person that waited on us. I now bring a pack (50.00) of one dollar bills for each cruise. ;)

 

Now, it may be they all pool their tips and share in the pot, but just wanted to be sure

just in case they did not.

We followed the same pattern - we figured out that it is easier to tip per drink at time of service rather than figuring out at the end - and at the end if we feel there has been a particular server that has gone above and beyond we tip them a little extra.

Very, very happy to hear that Claus Andersen is coming back to Anthem. Despite what a few of ignorant thinking say, he is a true master mariner!

I also am very happy to hear he is returning to the Anthem - I was on the February 6th cruise and think he did an excellent job during the storm.

We had a super military discount on our Feb 6 sailing - had been hesitant to try bigger ships in part because of the expense but the discount helped with that decision - and now we have a great story to share!!

Radio enjoying your review - also on ship - thinking if it was just an ill passenger we would not have to go all the way into port. The weather is great here in Miami though, isn't it.

Does anyone know which Dreamworks characters are on Freedom?

Thanks!

I'm having the same problem. I have six cruises booked. Not able to access three of them.

I called the website help line and they told me to set up a new account which I did. Then proceeded to reload the cruises onto my "my cruises" account. Would only recognize four of them. So still have two that are not listed.

I know I can access them the other way but because they are locked or blocked I can't sign up for the Meet and Mingles.

Next thing they had me do was send an email with my issue to the IT department - just waiting to hear from them but I'm not holding my breath!!

So the past couple of weeks I've had a terrible time signing into my online account - every time it says my user name & password don't match with their records so I have to change it.

In addition once I do get in I find that three of my cruise reservations are locked so I can't do anything with them: excursions, dining, set sail pass etc.

I've called Royal Caribbean and their suggestion is to create a new account.

My question is has anyone else had to do that and how did it work out for you??

I'm just terrified that all the things I was able to do before this happened will just go Poof!!

I don't mean to be contrary but an invitation to the Captain's table is a meal with an officer.

It used to be that the wording for this perk was dining with the Captain but then so many people have over 340 points that they changed the wording to "meal with an officer".

We have had all the described permutations of meal with an officer and have enjoyed every one. It is great to chat with the Captain and just as wonderful to learn more about the theater stuff from a dancer/airialist(sp)!!

I'm pretty sure that when you go to make reservations you are given the option of adding people from another reservation - just follow the prompts after choosing that option.

When you can make reservations varies - on a recent cruise we couldn't make reservations til two weeks prior. I usually start checking near final payment time.

Hope this info helps.

We were also on that cruise and also had table mates who bought a five bottle wine package. Don't know the details on how it was purchased but they bought a second package halfway through the cruise dealing with the assistant waiter I believe.

This is cool - Captain just announced that the four tugboats trying to move the barge out of the way are having some troubles so they may need to call in more tugboats! Wish I could watch the whole operation as I love tugboats! So will be here a few more hours.

Actually not quite underway - went by what the latest announcement said. Still not moving. Turns out it was a barge stuck and couldn't safely get past in the dark plus the fog was rolling. There are ships ahead of us as well so I'm presuming we must all wait our turn to get going. Maybe someone who understands how marine traffic on the Mississippi works can explain how ships could get in but we could not get out. Anyway it is all an adventure and I'm on vacation!

We've been anchored since about midnight - have an aft cabin and my DH was on balcony and commented he thought we'd stopped. Figured it was just temporary but we have the same view this morning. I count four ships behind us all presumably wanting to get out to sea. My DH thinks someone willbe in trouble as this holdup is costing all these ships a lot of money! Are underway now and will arrive in Grand Cayman on time.

I feel like a previous poster made a good point - your mom is technically the legal guardian of her grandson at this point in time - she should have notarized papers from your brother making her legal guardian - if that is so then you might want to follow up and see if she can sign the papers for the passport.