mandream

I can understand some frustration, but to put things in perspective we're talking about a $28 difference for the week.  Sure, worth a trip to Guest Relations to see if you  can get it worked out and maybe a call to Captains Club when you return - but 4 trips to GR and a post on CC?

My advice - and I'm being sincere - is spend the rest of your time trying to enjoy your vacation and please don't let this ruin what I hope is an otherwise wonderful cruise.  Not worth it IMO.

Wish you the best of luck.

Mike

25 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

There is a rental car bus which will take you to the port from FLL.  Just ask your rental car company where to catch it.

I don't believe this exists anymore.  It was shared by Alamo / National / Enterprise and they used to check your contract to make sure you rented with one of those companies.   We used it many times.

We were there a couple weeks ago and they told us they no longer offer the shuttle.  We took a cab, no big deal.

Mike

29 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

We have sailed on Majesty several times in GS and twice in 1032. I’m aware of the noise from above, from cleaning and carts in the WJ. However, having said this, it really wasn’t enough to affect our sleep or cruise. 

14 minutes ago, CruisinNole said:

We were in 1038 on Majesty in October. I heard a sound that I think was the carts being rolled around in the Windjammer. It was annoying since it happened nearly every morning, very early. I didn't complain because we received a complimentary upgrade.

Yes, we normally only book cabins that have other cabins above and below - but in this case we had no choice.

I'm really the only one in the family it affected (although I don't think of myself as a light sleeper).  My kids (6 and 8) were oblivious and my wife always sleeps with earplugs anyway because she says her husband snores....

Mike

5 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Do you mind if I modify the title of your thread so people can see the subject is Majesty and not Mariner?

Of course - no problem.  I was just worried the title would be too long and didn't think about Mariner!!!

Mike

We've now been back almost 2 weeks from our great cruise to Cuba on the Majesty of the Seas.  We had a wonderful time, the crew was great, and overall the ship was in remarkably good condition considering her age. 

We did have an issue however that I wanted to make people aware of.  Every night of the 5 night cruise we had a banging or "thud" sound from above.  It would begin sometime around 11 or 12 pm and usually stop by 2 am.  The bang or thud would happen every 30 - 40 seconds or so.  It was loud enough that it would either keep me awake, or wake me up from a sleep.   As you can imagine, we called guest services many times and they always said that they would look into it - but never resolved the issue.  After several nights of calling, they told us that "we were not the only ones complaining" - so I'm not sure how many of the other suites in the hall this affected - but it was certainly not limited to us.  We never got an answer to the source of the noise - sometimes we were told it was coming from the galley above, other people told us it was maintenance.  As much of a nuisance this was - it did not spoil the cruise for us.  We still enjoyed ourselves very much.

We never once asked for any compensation - only that they try and stop the noise.  However on the last day of the cruise we were told we (and others) would be compensated.  We were offered a relatively small amount of OBC, or a rather generous (more than fair in my opinion) FCC.  If we were regular Royal cruisers we would have been thrilled with the offer.  As it is, while we probably had not planned to do another Royal cruise (as good a time as we had, we prefer Celebrity and chose this cruise simply for Cuba) we almost certainly will as we can't ignore the discount.

I am posting this not only to give future cruisers a heads up, but am also interested in hearing from other starboard side GS passengers to see if this is or is no longer an issue.  If it was truly maintenance - perhaps the issue is gone.  If it was the galley - it could still be going on.

Mike

Just to come back and close the loop on this as we just returned last weekend - we were well taken care of in the MDR.  As to be expected, some dishes were better than others, but my wife really felt like they made an effort to make her happy and that is all we can ask for.

Thanks again to all who responded.

Mike

We always bring 8 - no problem fitting 4 on each side.

See this post:

5 hours ago, amitje said:

We will be renting a car next February - far more cheaper, and easy to drop of at the port as well.

A driver approached us once in the airport last year and we negotiated a discount to take us to Fort Lauderdale. 

 

We even rent a car upon return (for a same day flight in the evening), we walk off the ship so we can leave early and this allows us to drive to Miami, have some sun/shopping/eating before driving to the airport for our flight home.

1 hour ago, RickT said:

No really answering your question but when I fly into MIA and need to get to Ft Lauderdale I simply rent a car.  It's cheap and with GPS also very easy.  Perhaps after a flight across the pond you'd rather not try driving in Florida but it is worth considering.  Another benefit is that when you return the rental they normally provide a free shuttle to the pier.

We do the same - just did it last weekend.  National does not charge extra (or if they do it is minimal) to pick up at one airport and drop off at the other.

Btw - I don't believe they still have the shuttles from FLL to Port Everglades.  We had to take a cab after dropping the car (although we always drop off our luggage first).  National does have a shuttle from MIA to Port of Miami.

Mike

On 7/19/2018 at 6:39 PM, mandream said:

Just had a couple back and forths with Blexie. He was very responsive. Our tour is confirmed. Has anyone had Lauren as their guide?

 

Mike

On 7/19/2018 at 10:05 PM, Texasnee said:

Mandream.....I don’t tour with Blexie until November (our guide will be Raul) but I’ve heard many great things about Lauren. She speaks perfect English and everyone that has had her as their guide loved her. From what I’ve read, you’ll be in great hands.

Just wanted to follow up now that we are back and say that Lauren was Fantastic!!.  As Texasnee said - her English (and accent) were perfect - amazing since she has never left the island.  She was great with our two boys ages 6 and 8.

Couldn't recommend Blexie's crew highly enough.

Mike

Nice review - thanks for posting.

Excursions being included isn't a plus for us as we typically prefer to book private tours.

Some insurance policies will pay benefits for pre-cruise itinerary changes - so if you purchased insurance it is something else to check.

Mike

6 hours ago, wbrumel said:

Absolutely not.  Just asked if we had a pre-arranged tour.  

Good to know. Thanks. 

Mike 

+1 for Rome cabs.  We've used them several times.

Mike

4 hours ago, Texasnee said:

I totally agree. Just check what they tell you to check and you’ll be good to go. The process is totally easy. It’s too bad people get so stressed about Cuba. It was really easier than going through TSA at the airport. 

I understand it will be easy if I check the box they tell me to - but all things being equal, I would prefer to be honest and check the box that corresponds to what I actually plan to do.  I'm wondering if they still hassle you if you try to check the box for SOTCP.

Mike

On 12/4/2018 at 6:50 PM, wbrumel said:

 

Most importantly, I wanted to share my Havana experiences.  Contrary to the overwhelming impression RCI gives you in their documentation, you do not need to go on a ship sponsored tour.  Don't let the documentation scare you.  Just check off the box about helping the Cuban people and forget it.

Just curious - at check in, did the folks give you a hard time when you checked that box on the form?  

Mike

Thanks all for the replies.  I'm pretty confident we'll be ok.

20 hours ago, MarvinTMartian said:

First, what is this ‘vegan cruising group?”  I would love to join!  

It' on a big social media site, and I don't think I can post it here - but if you look for the cruisade you will probably find it.

Mike

We'll be sailing on the Majesty in a couple of weeks and my wife is Vegan - only one in the family.  We've sailed on Celebrity many many times and she has ALWAYS been accommodated (sometimes more successfully than others - but they have always been welcoming and tried).

She participates in another online vegan cruising group and someone posted that when they told their waiter on the Majesty on the first night that they were vegan - they were told that they would have to go to Windjammer.  They ate their the entire cruise.  This person had vegan listed as special diet requirements on their reservation (as does my wife) so they should be prepared (although we do know that night one could be chaotic).  IMO this is not an acceptable response - and would be a real issue for us.

Is this typical for MDR service on Royal - or was this likely a one off?  I realize the Majesty is Royal's oldest ship - but don't really think that should make a difference.  My wife is a bit concerned, as am I.

Thanks in advance -

Mike

Thanks all for answering my question.  The only meals we eat in the room are breakfast - and that is only on the balcony.  The extra bit of space would be nice, but not worth upgrading.

Thanks for making the decision an easy one.

Mike

We're currently booked in a 1 BR Grand Suite on the Majesty of the Seas.  Trying to understand the differences between it and an Owner's Suite.  I know it is a bit bigger - 446 vs 355 square feet and it has a double sofa bed instead of a single.  Wondering if there are any other differences or reasons to switch.

The description of the deck plan lists "separate living areas" for the OS but it also says "Grand Suites offer a comfortable bedroom, a living area".  As far as I can tell, the GS "bedroom" is just a bed with a curtain around it, not exactly a bedroom.  Is the OS suite the same, or is it a real bedroom?  Any other features or advantages?

Any and all info would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance,

Mike

That's a good deal - wish we could hop on it....

The best deal I ever got was a RS on that same itinerary in 2014 - $3,613 for 4 of us!!!.  $1,500 each for 1 and 2, with 3 and 4 sailing free + port charges.  Don't think we'll see a deal like that again - although this one is still pretty good.

Mike

24 minutes ago, maggie.1008 said:

Is the $100. pp or per cabin ?

Per cabin

1 minute ago, NantahalaCruiser said:

The OP's question was regarding what happens if you cancel the cruise - not about just cancelling the excursion or dining

Yup, sorry.  Misread.

15 minutes ago, NantahalaCruiser said:

If you purchased your excursion or dining with Celebrity's $150 pp OBC perk, then there will be no refund of the OBC when you cancel.

Where did you see this policy?  This is not my experience.  We made (and paid for) a specialty dining reservation prior to sailing with our OBC.  Once on the ship we cancelled the reservation and were able to get a full refund.

I would never book with OBC in advance if this were the policy. 

I just received this offer as well.  It is for an Edge sailing that I booked the morning they opened bookings for the Edge.  While I did take advantage of a price drop / sale at one point - current prices are SO much higher than what I am paying, I'm not really worried about missing out on a price drop.  Plus, I believe a price drop would still be honored if it were to happen before actual final payment anyway.

I will probably do it (it is only one month early anyway) for the $100.

Mike

I just received the same message on my voicemail and wondered the same thing.  Not sure I understand the rationale of getting reservations finished before the new year - my final payment date is Nov 20 so would be this year either way.

This was also for an Edge sailing.

Mike