sharpasice

6 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

I don't think I've ever received a final payment reminder for any cruise on any line.  

Me either BUT I always mark the date a month prior to final pymt due on my calendar. 

11 hours ago, Biker19 said:

If you haven't done it already, also ask in the Roll Call thread.

Thanks Biker but I checked for a roll call just 2 days ago and couldn't find one...maybe I'm doing something wrong...I'll check again, thanks.     

I just found it but the title is confusing, instead of saying roll call for Radiance of the Seas Nov 12 2021 it has a long title "What used to be the Explorer, now the Radiance Nov 12 2021. I DID see that before but when I clicked on it, it didn't actually say it was a roll call but looked more like a regular thread...till I saw the Cruise Critic Host give instructions on how to title the roll call.  There appears to be only one person on the roll call.  I'll try though, thanks again for the idea.

Has anyone had any trouble accessing the payment portion of this cruse on line?  It keeps telling me there is a server problem.  Also I wanted to check current pricing on this cruise & can't find it anywhere on the RCI site, looks like it doesn't even exist.  Wonder if there's more going on than they are telling us?  Like are they thinking of canceling this cruise all together?  Or is it being chartered? Usually they say sold out but I can't even find this cruise on cruise booking sites.   

7 minutes ago, rockmom said:

When you read it, it says the following:

 

"For the time being, we have closed for sale any 8-day or longer cruises from the U.S. We have not taken any other action on these cruises, and will update guests and travel agents once we make decisions about these itineraries.”

 

I read that to mean that they have closed those sailings for any new bookings while they sort out if they will shorten them or cancel.  Nowhere do I see that they have already canceled longer sailings.  

You're right.  I guess I just panicked. However, when reading the CDC requirements a few days ago I DO remember seeing that they didn't want any cruises over 7 days.  I thought at that time, ok, but our cruise is in November don't think it will affect us.  But seeing this, this morning sure does make me wonder. Thank you for pointing that out. 

9 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Interesting. Where did you read this?

 

Thanks

M8

Cruiseradio dot net  showed up on my FB page

So I read this morning that Carnival has canceled all cruises over 7 days through Oct 2021.  Do you think Royal will follow?  CDC says nothing over 7 days or anything port intensive. Mine is both. I have one now booked on Radiance (was changed by Royal from Explorer) for 9 nights in November 2021.  I really thought we'd be safe on the COVID front by that time.  Now I'm worried.  

On 10/31/2020 at 2:32 PM, sharpasice said:

So, just yesterday,  I was able to get the room we needed on the Radiance, close to the elevators due to mobility issues, they had put us way back, almost but not an aft JS BUT my bill went up approx $4000!!!!  I know they are supposed to honor your original price so they are working on that now.  I hope you also get yours straightened out.  They told me it would take at lease 72 hrs. 

Finally got my corrected invoice!  NOW, I hope the ban on cruises lasting more then 7 nights doesn't extent to our cruise in November as I noticed cruises on Radiance lasting 9 nights are not on the website at all. Fingers crossed. 

On 10/23/2020 at 1:20 PM, NateUpNorth said:

 

Call again..... we just got off the phone having ourselves changed.

 

Original deck 8 booking.... new room showed deck 3...... just confirmed and moved back up to deck 8.

We're a lowly interior cave like cabin.... but you never know.

 

Got our new invoice with the room number confirmed while on the call..... but the price didn't carry over...... gotta discuss that now.

So, just yesterday,  I was able to get the room we needed on the Radiance, close to the elevators due to mobility issues, they had put us way back, almost but not an aft JS BUT my bill went up approx $4000!!!!  I know they are supposed to honor your original price so they are working on that now.  I hope you also get yours straightened out.  They told me it would take at lease 72 hrs. 

7 minutes ago, NateUpNorth said:

 

Call again..... we just got off the phone having ourselves changed.

 

Original deck 8 booking.... new room showed deck 3...... just confirmed and moved back up to deck 8.

We're a lowly interior cave like cabin.... but you never know.

 

Got our new invoice with the room number confirmed while on the call..... but the price didn't carry over...... gotta discuss that now.

The original letter (email) about the switch, says your price should be protected.  Hope it works out for you. And thank you I will call again to see about that room.  I irritates me that people at Royal all have different answers, but I suppose it's the same with all cruise lines and large businesses. 

19 hours ago, molole said:

A question, what is my best course of action here?  Should I just wait for them to move me first?  Or should I be proactive and call to secure a decent balcony location?  

 

I don't mind the new ship or itinerary but just want to make sure I don't end up in a bad location.  I booked "Balcony picked by me" on Explorer.  

 

Apparently you can't call to secure the balcony location you really want. I don't think these "reassigned" cruises are even showing up on line yet as the rooms have all been put on hold till they are assigned.  I was on the November 12 2021 on Explorer, changed to Radiance and they "assigned" me room 1592 ...a totally unacceptable room.  Both my hubs and I walk with canes or walkers.  This is way to far down the hall for us!  I was booked on Explorer for a jr. suite on the hump near the elevators.  BTW  I got no notice about  the room assigned, just happened to sign into my acct and clicked on "see more details" on this cruise and there was the room number ...I called this morning, twice  to see if I'd get different answers and could only get on a waitlist for the room I wanted.  SOOOO  it's like this...on this cruise, the ship has been changed, the itinerary is completely different, (we booked for the ABC islands and this itin does not have them), the room was assigned like a guarantee..although we (as others) have paid for a specific room, they told me amenities would transfer..got an email this morning they were CANCELED.  AND the suites are all located under the pool deck...so I do expect the rooms to be noisy.  Someone stated yesterday that the OBC would be $100 per person for a suite or balcony but I was told by two people that it was only $100 per stateroom.  Wrong information everywhere.  NO one at Royal has any clue.  I got on a waitlist for a handicapped room, which we DO qualify for but I usually try to leave those to people with wheelchairs/scooters and I hate the handicapped bathrooms but they are the ONLY jr suites close to elevators which we really need.  UGH!  Very disappointed in Royal. The only reason I did not cancel was because I got a wonderful price on this room and I know there is no way I will get that price on a Jr suite again..

I am sorry for everyone going thru this...what a mess. 

20 minutes ago, NthernLgts said:

I’m pretty sure that the schedule on that link will be tossed out the window. My letter said that the new Radiance cruise would be sailing on the exact same date from Miami, December 10th 2021. There’s nothing on the link for that date.  

There’s more questions than answers right now.  

I just got off the phone with Royal and was told in the switch they would assign the rooms!  I was in a jr suite on Explorer November 12 2021, on deck 9 with rooms above to dampen the noise from the pool deck and Windjammer.  On Radiance all the suites are on deck 10 just below all the action.  In other words, noisy!  Plus you can't choose your room on Radiance, they will be assigned..Well, I did not pay for guarantee!! I DID get an amazing rate on Explorer and I know I will never get that rate again...less than my last 7 night in a balcony, so I told them to put me on Radiance. When I get my room "assignment"  I will be calling them again if the location is not ideal.

8 hours ago, elwood_98034 said:

That's 'Airborne'. That means schools and daycare centers, trains, restaurants, museums, theaters, and shopping malls. Possibly even places like Times Square and Piccadilly Circus. That would be a major escalation of events. I wonder if they are even testing for that.

Yesterday on the news here in Chicago. They were talking about 2 people living in the same apartment building but on different floors, neither knew the other who both got the virus.  They then found a broken ventilation pipe, the building uses the same ventilation system for the whole building, (not sure what country this was) and now believe the virus could be airborne.  They did say they were now going under this assumption and searching for more cases where this may have happened and taking precaution for same.  Maybe that IS why so many on this ship are ill. 

Ship - OVATION OF THE SEAS

Deck -9

Stateroom # -9648

Stateroom Category –2C Oceanview with Lg Balcony

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – One of the quietest rooms we have stayed in. 

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Great View. No real obstructions. However, the room is on the                              back side of the hump and often we wanted to look toward the front of the ship which was not possible.  View of scenery was not blocked                                  but there was not a direct view (straight line view) of the front of the ship.  This does not really cause a problem honestly, but may be a                                        concern for others. 

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal for large balcony class.  Very nice, lots of space, 2 chairs with foot rests...very comfortable.  Also                                     had a small table. 

Was wind a problem? -No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - Yes. On the first day, I went to wash my hands and heard deep gurgling sounds.  My husband said it sounds like something is clogged or blocked.  I paid no attention since the toilet and sink continued to work but still made the noise.  The second day, I took a shower in the morning & looked down and noticed the water appeared that  it was not going down.  It got as high as my ankles and filled the whole bathroom before I could rinse my hair and get out...It got as high as the step entering the bathroom, about a 1/4" from going over into the room.  We called maintenance, they came out in less than 10 mins and rodded out the drains.  There is one in the shower and one behind the toilet.  After that they sent a special crew to clean and disinfect the bathroom...would not let us step into the bathroom till that was done and the room steward followed cleaning any surface that they may not have cleaned ...like the mirror. After they did this, we never had a problem again. 

Any other comments? - This room is approx 10 ft from the elevator area, making it very convenient  for those with mobility issues.  There was no noise audible from the elevators while in the room. This is a great room, I think next time though, I would get the exact room on the front side of the hump!  Just my quirk...NOT a disadvantage to the room.  I just like to see where we are going more than where we have been!

Thank you Host Clarea.  I searched and never found that ...thanks again!

Has anyone ever done the Mystery Dinner Theater in Giovanni's on Freedom of the Seas?  If so, how was it? Is it worth the money?  Was it a special menu?  Thanks!

23 hours ago, RoperDK said:

Here's my story.  Several weeks ago I did online check in for DH and I on my phone.  I took his picture, but didn't take mine (bad hair day, lol 🤣).  I figured I could add it later.  I can't find a way to edit the set sail pass on my phone.  Is there a way?  Next thing I did was look at online check in on the computer.  I could edit it and saw a place to add my photo, but this time I was in my PJs with no make up on 😲, so I figured I'd add it later.  So, a few weeks pass and I was going to edit online check in today on the computer to add my photo. I get an "oops there is a problem, please try again later" message.  I've received it all day. I noticed that my edocs are available.  Does this mean that I can't edit anymore or is there really a glitch? I sail in a month.  The edocs don't have a set sail pass, but we have them on our phones.  I prefer a paper copy so I don't have to mess with my phone at check in.  Am I out of luck?  Thanks for the help!      

 Can you print them from your phone?  I do it all the time...but have an eprint app for my HP printer.  Good luck.

Ship -  Allure of the Sea

Deck -8

Stateroom # -664

Stateroom Category –4D Ocean View Balcony

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) Very quiet room except for the neighbors who kept apologizing but keep banging the walls and slamming the doors....not a problem with the room at all, just bad neighbors. 

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. –.  No obstructions looking in any direction. As is the norm on these large ships, starboard is the "action" side...always facing the port...good to watch the pier runners!

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Balcony was the usual RCI, nice sized balcony.  Very roomy. There were 2 chairs and a fairly large table but could have fit even 2 more chairs if needed. 

Was wind a problem? - Not at all

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - Not an aft cabin, no soot problem 

Any specific problems with this cabin? - There were not problems with the room, although it seemed smaller than the usual balcony room, maybe because the bed was next to the balcony and we prefer closer to the bathroom.  I had to use a wheelchair this trip and there was little space to store it when not in use.  The room was exceptionally clean and our room steward, Dharma was excellent.  Close to the elevators made it easy for me to get around.  There was no noise from the elevator area. Being that we were on deck 8 also made it convenient to get coffee in the am or snacks from Park Cafe.  All in all a slightly small, but very nice room. 

2 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

If you bought and paid for it on line then you will not have any extra added to the check on board.  What you posted is only referring to purchases made onboard.

Thank you...at least I know it is appropriate to tip in cash...will be taking cash with me to this venue as I don't usually carry it around ..except for some singles for drinks and small tips.

Thanks everyone for your advice.  I was just skimming thru the Royal app and looking at the menu for Izumi Hibachi and see that it does say on board an 18% gratuity  will be added to the check ...I somehow missed that before and now I know...again thanks everyone for you help.

I booked Izumi Hibachi on Allure next week...bought & paid for on line.  I did not see in the description if it included the tip.  Since we've never dined at the hibachi grill on the ship before I am wondering if there is a waiter/waitress in addition to the table cook and if so ...do we tip each of them separately?  We have a Japanese restaurant here usually give the waitress a tip large enough to split with the table cook.  Any suggestions? ...tip each separately, tip together & tell them to split it ...or is it in fact, included in the cost as it is in the drink package?  Thanks for any help. We would gladly tip, just don't know how to do it 

10 hours ago, broberts said:

 

For new posts on a mobile: Click on the page menu, far right below the cc banner. Select Activity, All Activity. If you click the shaded check mark at the right of the title "All Activity" the stream will become your default and you will be able to get to it just by clicking the 3rd from right icon on the page menu. (The icon was a newspaper, but it now shows a missing graphic icon.)

 

For new posts on a pc/mac: hover over the Activity tab, this will display a menu bar below, click on All Activity.  

 

For even faster access, once the All Activity stream is displayed have your browser put a link on your home screen/desktop.

Thank you so much for your help.  It does seem like a lot of work though for something that was so easy before.  Not your fault obviously...I'm just frustrated with Cruise Critic...not so easy to maneuver anymore, at least for me, but will give it a good try before I give up. Last night, I tried to delete threads I have on my "follow" list and could not find a way to do it all at one time...had to delete each individually, took a while because I had way too many old ones...I was not happy, especially when, after deleting 3 or 4 I'd get at "there's been an error" message and had to start over.  Happened about 3 times. Again, thank you Broberts, I do appreciate your help.

I absolutely HATE that there is no "new posts" area.  That was the reason I liked Cruise Critic over every other message site.  Now it's just like the rest...too cumbersome looking for something. So disappointed...it wasn't broke, why did you "fix" it.  

Isn’t this similar to sharing drinks using the drink package?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I was thinking the same thing! If Royal catches on to this they will probably say that if you purchase wifi, you must purchase for everyone in the room. UGH!

Does anyone know what is going on with Royal Caribbeans Web site? I have been having problems getting logged in and to my cruise planner off and on for the past few weeks. Sometime sit will let me log in and other times it won't. Like tonight, it will not let me get to my cruise planner. Is any one else having the same problems?

I've been having the same issue- I can't access my online check in and we sail in 6 days! Not sure what to do, we're going to Cuba as well so there may some additional forms for us to fill out regarding our visas.

 

Will they allow us to fill everything out at the terminal if we can't get into our account in time?

I was able to get on their site by using the Incognito window on Chrome...just go to the 3 little dots upper right hand corner of your screen, click on "use incognito window" and enter the same address you always use for Royal...good luck.

Hello, it's been about 10 years since we last cruised RCCL. What's the best things to eat and do?

 

Thanks so much!

Love the rack of lamb, the escargot yum, that sauce, the onion tart, also like the garlic crusted salmon but sometimes it's just too dry...ask for the savory bites...no longer in the bread basket but available if you ask...do they still have the pumpkin seed rolls, LOVE those. And they used to have a mushroom in puff pastry...sooo good, don't know if they serve that anymore. If you can try Giovanni's...an upcharge...it is outstanding!