toyisland8

On Harmony now and saw the Zumba class happening on deck 15 between the pools - I have no idea how to Zumba, but it sure looked like the participants (there were quite a few) were having a BLAST! The music was great while soaking up the sun, I enjoyed that [emoji106]🏻

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I am on Harmony now (same ship class) I haven't seen anything like that in the Park Cafe, the cafe promenade does have latte's and espressos (partaking as I type) and they also offer specialty coffee drinks (I.e. Irish Coffee, Bailey's coffee, etc..) and they take the package. I'll peek in later today and see if I missed anything in the Park Cafe and report back

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Lots of babies onboard Harmony currently. In all honesty they don't seem to be enjoying the cruise much, lots of crying during shows, dinner, muster drill, at beach - parents looks stressed. We didn't discover cruising until our youngest was 3, so I was never in the position to think about the fare when they were infants, but from what I am seeing (and have seen on past cruises over 12 years now) it's rough for both parents and little ones, my youngest is now 15, he's my current cruise mate, but when he was a toddler even I was more stressed than relaxed onboard. Hope you find a vacation that works for you all, have a great trip.

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Hi all - I am currently on board Harmony and received a notice in our stateroom that Royal will be providing us: special 'eclipse glasses' that are NASA-recommended

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I don't think you'll get any arguments from any of us that RC should just pay the staff a proper wage and then leave tips in the hands of passengers as they see fit, but that's not how they currently do it. When you don't pay the service charge, you are making a choice to not pay that part of their salary (especially now that it's been clearly explained to you that this is how it works). Not just not tipping them for their good service, but actually not paying them for the work they did.

 

So sure, you don't have to pay the gratuity. But you should.

Agree with above poster. With everyone reading these comments and knowing full well that these folks are being paid very little salary and that the tips truly are what make up their actual pay, it saddens me to hear that so many are willing to accept their services (most which I've experienced while cruising have been stellar) and deny them their tips. To each their own, I guess. I personally prefer to prepay so there is no question, and extra special service, garners extra special tips on board - when someone goes out of their way to make my vacation special, I am more than happy to make their day as well. Maybe it's because I worked in the service industries myself and know how hard their jobs can be, how long their days are and can't even fathom having to leave my family behind for months on end. All that, and while doing this job, they are many times left to deal with (some) rude and (some) unappreciative folks who feel they are entitled to behave like they are royalty all while their plan is not to reward those that are doing their best to make them feel that way (like royalty). Sad indeed.

Love, love, loving your review! We set sail 8/19 and I'm really excited to keep reading your updates :)

Entitled people are some of the biggest bores. Don't believe me?

 

:'):'):'):'):')

But, wasn't this disclosed in writing when you purchased the deal? I recall seeing that RCI would choose the restaurant and that was the reason why I chose not to buy into the dining deals. While it may not be a big deal, I personally didn't want any aggravation IF it was a problem to switch once in board, and so, I chose not to buy it.

The money lost from the cruise will be a small price to pay for the lifetime of care and cost that would be given to you and your child should he/she suffer from microcephaly. (SP?)

 

 

I would have to agree with this poster, the risk just doesn't seem worth it, but it is a very personal decision to make. I would call back and speak to someone else at RCI and quote the policy (as shared by another poster), explain that obviously this was unforeseen and obviously you don't want to be put in a position where you must choose between your child's health or a cruise vacation that you felt compelled to take for economic reasons. I would hope that they give you a more solid response. I'd also make sure to have the doctors note in hand ready to fax while on the phone. Good luck and congratulations.

I'll be watching for updates on this thread, I just booked the Bungalow in Labadee (Columbus Cove, I believe it said) for my 8/19 cruise. We are (just 2 ppl) but part of a larger group of family friends and it said up to 8 ppl could use the bungalow, so I went that route AND I saw the price dropped yesterday (assume July 4 sale :D) so took the leap and grabbed it (not sure how many there are) it was also quite a bit cheaper than the cabanas. Though, I don't see any fan in the Bungalow, it does mention the floating mats and a cooler, so I am hopeful and am sure it will be wonderful, it's a vacation splurge! I also bought the drink package from the ship and 'thought' I heard that it could be used at the bars on beaches in Labadee (but not sure about that) Here's hoping! Happy Cruise dreams everyone, have a great Friday.

I love my Amex Platinum, switched from standard card a year ago and the benefits are outstanding for my needs. I love the airline credit ($200) and lounge access. We used the car buying benefit to get a great deal, the new Uber benefit is perfect and adds up!

The cruise benefit was a surprise, and really made my upcoming cruise a great deal. I had originally been booked on a group rate in an inside at 949 (with 100 OBC), and learned that the Amex platinum cruise benefit couldn't be combined, but a week before 100% cancellation ended, I saw a lower price for a Neighborhood balcony guarantee for 949 with 50 OBC & prepaid gratuities for 2 PLUS the TA was willing to look into the Amex Benefit for me (200 OBC & champagne) even though she'd never heard about it.

Old rate: Inside cabin, cost: 949

extra: 100 OBC (TA)

New rate:Boardwalk Balcony, cost: 949

extras: 50 OBC (TA), prepaid garatuties(TA), 200 OBC (amex), champagne (Amex) and I believe that room gets the EAT, DRINK, PLAY benefit (soda pkg for 2, lunch Johnny Rockets, rock climbing slot(?)) I couldn't be happier :) Already splurged on the deluxe drink package with my 200 Amex OBC (showed up in my travel planner right away)and can't wait to try all the vacation cocktails I am usually too cheap to 'try'.

Good luck to anyone else who takes advantage of this awesome benefit! I know for my family the fee has been more than covered by 'perks' so we are thrilled.

Unfortunately, there is no national standard documentation such as a passport. Since the travel person can not possibly be an expert on all forms of doctor permission slips and be able to spot forgeries, we need one standard form of identification. A service animal passport of sorts.

I completely agree. I am an animal lover but, I have a son with allergies to most dogs. On a memorable flight when he was younger, there were 2 dogs in the seats in front of us, who honestly (of course, I do not know for sure) appeared to be accessories rather than true service animals. When I asked if our seat could be moved I was promptly told 'nope' as plane was full and the two young ladies with the dogs seemed to find our plight amusing (allowing the dogs to 'oops' jump down and run about the seats several times during flight) by the time we arrived at our destination my son had watery red swollen eyes, was stuffed up and thoroughly itchy with hives. The girls seemed all too happy to giggle and wave goodbye, as if causing someone else discomfort had pleased them in some way. It's unfortunate that some people do this, because it will eventually ruin it for those who truly are in need of comfort or support for serious reasons.

I buy it for medical evacuations etc (just in case) since most cruises we've been on we have witnessed some type of medical emergency of one sort or another we realized it would be helpful to have that safety net - one fellow passenger explained that her dad had to be helicoptered off and it cost them over 10k!! Also especially when traveling with my children I always think about the slides, wave thingie, etc heaven forbid they get hurt the insurance can really be a lifesaver - for the cost it's well worth the spend on my opinion for peace of mind HTH [emoji4]

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During your online check in for your setsail pass it asks if you want to add and pay for guests in another reservation. You just need their reservation number.

When we take MIL on cruises with us, I always click the box that I want to pay charges for guest in another cabin/reservation (as above), once I printed my paperwork I would always send her a copy and she would present at the pier, she typically arrives prior to us and has had no problem.

Maybe we should interrupt them on the first night and say they currently have all 5's, please try and keep it that way. ;)

Love this! If approached at the start, this is exactly what I think I will say.

I recently booked a neighborhood balcony guarantee on Harmony (when the price for that dropped below even an inside guarantee), and after a few days it changed to a Park View balcony Guarantee (and I was pretty excited, as I've heard they are lovely rooms) but then it changed back to a neighborhood guarantee for several days, and then it changed and I was assigned to a boardwalk balcony with a room assignment. I am guessing they move people around in guarantees until they have finalized some of the rooms of the folks who chose a specific category. In my case, I am thrilled because I'll be traveling with my teen son and the Eat.Drink.Play. amenities in the boardwalk balcony category are perfect for us on this particular cruise. Here's hoping you get assigned a fantastic room soon.

Love he info!! We are in this cabin on the December 6 cruise, if anyone has any pictures of the actual suite or balcony would love to see them :) So excited to finally have booked an OS usually we do regular balcony but couldn't beat the price!!

Soooo I have a question, I tend to not answer 800 number calls when I see them on my phone, did the call come via an 800 number and did it say Carnival?

 

 

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Comes from a Miami number when they call, I got one yesterday as well I think 305-599-xxxx

Island Chica - I'm sure that whichever way you book it, you will have a great time (hard not to on a cruise) :) Enjoy!!!

Any chance your mom might want to have the kids with her at night, that would give everyone their own beds and option for kids to be with you some nights also, AND it might be cheaper to add them to her interior room ($ wise) and then once you see the arrangements when you board you can iron it all out and choose who sleeps where? Just a thought, I know my mother in law craves time alone with my kids on vacations and this is what she always wants to do (of course she lives far away so this is when she soaks up all the time with the kids, may be a different situation for you guys) I definitely vote for the suite for you and hubby!

A few years back we were booked on a 4 day Canada Cruise out of NY and a hurricane was coming up the coast, we did sail, and the captain kept us updated constantly with info on the path of storm, once it was determined that it was likely to be miserable in St John it was decided we'd be going further out off tip of Long Island to avoid it and I was shocked that we had absolutely gorgeous weather, the captain was able to steer away from the storm and we had a pretty nice 'cruise to nowhere' - I do recall that one overnight the rocking was pretty severe and I 'might' have vowed to never sail again, but the last couple days were nice enough I forgot about that 'vow' LOL - and Carnival refunded the port fee for St John and gave us letters offering discount on a future cruise..... I sailed same itinerary a few weeks later and had a great time. Here's hoping you have a safe and lovely cruise wherever it may go.

Sorry for your father's passing. While I do understand the situation, the fact is that there are so many germs out there from all sorts of folks that for someone with a compromised immune system a cruise is probably not the best place to vacation just because of being confined with so many people. People who have a cold never stay home. It is just not reasonable to expect that. QUOTE]

 

Worth repeating

3 days before a cruise with the symptoms you mentioned' date=' my kids are going no questions asked. Wouldn't even mention it unless it gets worse. Flame away but I guarantee most of the cruising population would do the same.[/quote']

 

Agreed, a cold is a cold. If someone has an immune system that is predisposed to getting severely ill after catching a cold, then one should not be cruising on a ship with 2000+ people and their many germs. I do understand the frustration, last May on my FIRST grownup only cruise without our children, I came down with something I most likely caught onboard (no one I know at home or work was sick before or after) - I was sick in bed from day 3 on, high fever, cough, chills, malaise and it was indeed miserable, I have never been so sick and could barely get out of bed, had no meds, missed visiting my favorite port, and at another port a beach cabana I had waited for years to finally snag as a treat to myself. It was not fun, but I certainly am not blaming anyone for it, sure if someone had whatever that virus was when boarding and was as ill as I became, then shame on them, it wasn't the right thing to do, but I wouldn't NOT go on vacation because of a 'common cold', and think its funny people here are kind of indicating they would - I am fairly certain even with cruise insurance that would not be reimbursable.

I would think as long as you're going to the doctor and they clear him, ask for a dr note explaining exactly what his condition is and you should not have a problem. About a year ago we had a similar scenario, it was a Fall cruise and my son developed his 'change of seasons' asthma fits - we knew it was nothing serious and our doctor did as well, but to another passenger the barking/coughing fits might have been a bit 'scary' because many people of us might assume 'contagious' (and honestly as a germophobe myself, I can completely understand), especially with everyone in close quarters on a ship and the stories we hear at times on the news. We took along his nebulizer and brought a note from the doctor explaining that it was not a contagious condition and had no problem. We did however stay away from shows (close quarters with other passengers and spent a good amount of time on the open deck away from people, so as not to disturb anyone) the first night we brought food from the buffet to our cabin again to avoid any unpleasant instances. About 24 hours into the voyage his cough was lessened by his nebulizer treatments and we went about our cruise as usual. I hope it all works out for you and your son is feeling better soon! Enjoy your trip!

ordered 5 $100 from Verizon on 9/10 first delivery attempt (required signature) made 9/16, finally had in hand last night, applied to my cruise moments later :) also bought $1000 from citi easydeals (also 10% savings also) about 2 days apart (they limit to 500 also) and those were instant ecards also worked like a charm. Thanks to everyone for the heads up about these gift cards, I had these 'points' from both these sources and always felt they were worthless but they've saved me over $150 so far, and I am just thrilled!