Candleonwater

37 days out, and my daughters barcode is still showing GTY. IIRC, the last time I did GTY I found out cabin assignment only days before sailing. Just checked to see what's still available to book - Interior, Spacious Balcony, and 1 Bedroom. That's all that shows up. Put bids in on GS, JS, and Spacious Balc. She paid a stupid low rate for Balcony GTY, do you think that gets factored into acceptance (or denial) of bids? In the big picture I know it doesn't really matter, just curious at this point.

She has enough international travel booked for the next nine months that this is probably the best time.Dropped it at the post office today, Philly receives the expedited application Friday, and we paid for 1-2 day return. Fingers crossed. Other than the stress, I think the process has become much easier in the last 10 years? I remember struggling to get an appointment at the post office to submit my application.

Perfect example of RCL talking out of their a$$... She told me noon 🙄 I even asked to confirm that it wasn't midnight.

It is a closed loop cruise out of NJ. Called RCL and was told she absolutely has to have 6 months remaining on her passport or she will be denied boarding. I've sailed enough with them to know I can call 10 times and I will get 10 different answers. That being said, I just ordered a new BC for her (the current one is in a plastic envelope but has been taped back together), just in case she needs it to board. Pushing her to go get passport photos and we will expedite everything we possibly can. Now, tomorrow is 45 days - what time does check in begin?

Ah, didn't think about that. She's only going to Bermuda, which I believe only has to be valid for the duration of her stay?

My daughter is sailing on 6/1 and we just realized her passport expires towards the end of August. At face value, should this cause a problem? Should she check in with this passport? Should she bring her BC as backup? Any point in bringing her Canadian passport, it doesn't expire until 2026? I feel like I've read, as a US citizen, she has to exit/enter with her US passport? Is 45 days enough time to rush a passport? I figure, if she travels on her BC and something goes wrong, she still has a valid passport to travel on.

100%! Ships excursions are like training wheels, we've enjoyed our excursions more since we started finding our own.

I've never paid attention to things like this, so what's the benefit of checking in at the earliest possible time?

ooo interesting. Even though I'll stress about it, I figure even the worst balcony cabin is better than an interior, right? That's what I was going to book originally.

That is where all of my confusion came from. I did get Royals invoice with the deposit, and even after asking for it (after balance payment), all I got was this screenshot. I came here because, over the years, people have offered great insight. And of course, as you all know, RCL is absolutely no help. I tried sweet talking them yesterday, and after being on hold forever, got word that they would give me a number I could call that would help… keep in mind this is after I had told me the TA wasn’t responding. The number they gave me? The TA. Yeah, go RCL! Attached is what I see when I log in, so definitely no information there. So, if the sailing disappears on March 18, I can assume it wasn’t paid for?

TA responded and sent a screenshot from her system (cruising power.com) showing it's paid. She had the same question I saw here, "don't you see $0 balance due" in your RCL account. So I do find it strange that I see no numbers when I'm logged in. Go figure. So, I guess it's on to watching for stateroom assignment 🙂

Interesting, not even for the deposit? Because I definitely got that. Since I did receive that, can you understand my confusion? I did receive a zero balance invoice from the TA, and the charge on my credit card reads "Royal Caribbean Cruises"

Yeah, we received the RCL copy for the deposit, but it came directly from RCL. That's why I was surprised that I haven't seen anything yet on the balance payment.

Not sure if this makes me feel better or worse. I definitely don't see any information about balance due. The reservation is there, and I have dealt with C&A about our benefits. Since the final payment isn't due until the 18th, I will give the agent another day before I go to RCL.

Did request a copy, so far haven't received. So, no, problem not solved, yet.

Nope. I think we all got spoiled by ridiculously low prices in the past.

Doesn't have that information at all. I've got Check-in unavailable and View more details (it just shows guarantee). I've read horror stories of TA's not making final payment. So of course, I'm assuming that will happen, even though the actual final payment charge was made by RCL.

Sorry if this is redundant, but I have never used a TA before and I am stressing. When I paid the deposit, I received an email from RCL with the booking confirmation (showing the deposit paid). I recently made the final payment, am I wrong to have expected another email from RCL showing $0 balance? I'll admit, I'm a control freak, so using a TA is stressful, but the price couldn't be beat. I received the booking confirmation almost immediately after paying the deposit. Is it normal for there to be a delay on final payment? I see the charge by RCL on my credit card. Also, since I booked a guarantee, any idea of the EARLIEST I could find out my cabin? I did a guaranty once before, and found out the day before sailing, so I know it's a big window.

This is good to hear

I've never paid attention to the codes - what is a 4D cabin?

I'm confused - how does booking a guarantee affect dining?

I'm curious what you ended up with each time? I booked my daughter the same thing (through a TA), and I noticed it says "Stateroom Obstructed View Percentage: Pending". Granted I booked this for less than half what a balcony has been going for, and they were originally looking at PR cabins, so even an obstructed view isn't the worst thing (I think). I'm too much of a control freak to typically book GTY cabins. At what point do they usually assign the cabin? Does paying the balance early ever speed up the process? Is there any risk of not getting on the ship?

If it's anything like the 5 nighter I just booked for my daughter, I would go with Anthem. Treat the ship as a destination. What I found with the 5 nights to Bermuda, yes, it's great that you're there overnight, but it's an awkward time (at least for their sailing). By the time the ship is cleared, you disembark, and you get to horseshoe bay, the day is getting short.

We sailed out of Florida in August - Imagine my surprise when we go to check in and my daughter looks at me and says "you didn't tell me I needed my passport!". As we were doing the walk of shame, about to eat the cost of the cruise, I remembered I had her BC on me. You better believe I did a happy dance heading to the ship!

I felt this way about my Aft JS - I've had to learn to lower my standards a LOT! Actually stayed in a PR cabin on my last sailing. I still remember my daughter opening what she thought was the bathroom door - it was the walk in closet. We joked that it could be her own bedroom.