celoplyr

19 minutes ago, gcelkk said:

Ok,

 

Looks like the Canadian dollars are out.  I suppose that also rules out Canadian quarters.  I'm sure not going to carry US quarters around.  Looks like we're back to an over or under average tip.  Who would have thought how hard cruising would be.

I would assume that Canadian dollars would be ok on a cruise that stops in Canada... but if you're in the Caribbean, it would be a bit weird.  Same with Euros on a European cruise.

My cousin found the twin comforters in her cabin and wrapped my aunt up in that (she looked so cute).  Or, you could do what I did the first time.  $4 blanket from Walmart, and I left it with a crew member I had just met who seemed like she would want it (in fact, we had two and when I brought it to her, her friend was staring at it with wide eyes and I looked at the friend and went "want the other one?").  But I never really felt like I needed a blanket.

I don't know why I have rain pants, but for some bizarre reason I do, so I pack them to Alaska, but have never needed them.

This may be why I overpacked this year, but oh well.  

I also lived in a hoodie, but I'm from a place where it is really really hot, and so the deck was very cold (even though it was a good temp for Alaska, 65 as a high).

35 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

No issue on promotion double, but did have to call and get the solo bonus points applied to a Harmony trip in April

Same with me, on Monday. It was ~30 minute phone call.  I had 14 points, and should have had 28.  The cruises in December didn't have a problem with this. 

We did the at home proctored testing as well, it was the only thing that would work for us (flew out Saturday morning and wanted to test first, no other options open, didn't get to Seattle without a negative test, and I've heard our old place is charging now).

We do 1 CP and 1 ocean view balcony (across the hall).  I think the boardwalk is way too noisy, and we like hearing the guitar player and such.  We are also old fuddy duddys.

On 7/12/2022 at 11:20 AM, steevee said:

 

Thank you for your thorough breakdown - very helpful! Do you mind sharing more about the Theater Seat Reservations?  I'm going on an August cruise to the Caribbean which is looking like 99% capacity, and I love the shows, so I imagine this could be a benefit for us.  

 

I've read different things based on ships - were seats sectioned off for The Key holders?  Or were you given early access to enter the theaters 45 minutes prior to the show?  I'd much prefer having seats held and pop in 10 minutes before the show, since waiting 45 minutes doesn't seem very VIP to me!

Seats were sectioned off (on Quantum) for key/suites and I think pinnacle.  They checked your seapass card before letting you in, and we showed up ~10-15 minutes beforehand.  Quite honestly they weren't "house seats"- the really good ones about 5-10 rows back, but they were right behind the sound booth.  The people next to me on one show had a pole in the way.  There were no seats reserved in 270.  Make sure to get there early enough to get a drink for the show!

I just had the key on a trip to Alaska.  Here's my thoughts.

1) Dear god the internet was bad- but at least we had internet.  We would have booked it anyways, so eh.

2) The lunch and breakfast really were what made it for us.  I think the embarkation lunch and debarkation breakfast are the worst things about a cruise.  So this eliminated that stress.  However on some of my cruises I can buy an embarkation lunch at a specialty restaurant for $25/person.  

3) the drop off of carry on luggage was nice, but we didn't really use it except for my mom's CPAP, everything else was so expensive that we kept it with us (I think each family had 10k worth of camera gear!).

4) the extra times for stuff- never used it. We would have done it for bumper cars if the lines were insanely long, but instead we could go in the normal times.

5) Seats- they were nice, but not necessary.

6) The special effect- one member of our party is super SUPER spoiled, and she was glad she could "feel like a princess".  Quite honestly, it wasn't better service than without the key but she thought it was, and she was like "I don't like people so I can't eat with the masses" on the first day.  It made her happy.  Whatever.  If you have someone like that with you, it can make them feel better, and it may be worth it for that alone.

I'll have to ask my parents what they think, but I'm inclined to just get a first day lunch, last day room service breakfast, and internet.  And never travel with that family member again 😉

I did NOT get this email, and I sail on Monday. 

3 hours ago, Biker19 said:

That FAQ refers to price matches, not price drops - two different things.

phew.

2 hours ago, maysill88 said:

The FAQ page linked in post #3 now refers to a 48-hour window for price adjustments from the date of booking, not up to 48 hours prior to the sail date.  So we can no longer get adjustments for price drops after 48 hours?  I forget if that is the way it always was prior to the Cruise with Confidence stuff.  

It used to be that you could reprice until final payment date but not after.  

In the words of Princess Bride... if that changes I will be "very put out".

I always pick a deck in the middle of other passenger decks, personally. If you're all getting balconies, it might be cool to be half on one side and half on the other! I would try and aim all around the same stairwell (to make it easy to get back and forth) and try and get as many rooms as possible in a row, but being a bit apart will be ok.  

I think people have given the requirements, but I would say that the letter should probably have to include why he thinks his faith can't get him the vaccine, when he stopped getting all vaccines/OTC medicines that fall under the same reason, and basically, why it is so important for him immortal soul to not get the vaccine. I would recommend that he goes more in depth than talking points.

Disclaimer: I am catholic, and am trying not to also say "and why he thinks Vatican 2 didn't happen and why he doesn't have to listen to the pope" but I understand you're just trying to help him! 

34 minutes ago, ChristyLNDRN said:

Of note:  I emailed rcldining@rccl.com the week prior requesting a table for 8 and an adjacent table for 4 (we had early seating). I received an email back within 24 hours granting my request.  Good time to add that early dining on Harmony is waaaaay too early (5 pm?!!!) but I wasn’t attempting MTD with a party of 12, especially given reviews of late.  We made it work though.  We booked Jamie’s for night 1 because we didn’t want to miss sailaway.  Because we made that decision rather late, I had to stagger our reservations in 3 groups of smaller parties 15 minutes apart.  However, I sent Mike to Jamie’s first thing upon boarding and they were able to accommodate us as a table of 8 and 4 at the same time (7:00). 

I did not know about this email, and immediately emailed it for a special request (table for 6 not 8 even though we have 8 on booking).  Thank you!

2 hours ago, whitshel said:

Well next up should be from the ship. Let me know any questions you may have. I can try and find out. Our boarding time is 1130. We'll see if they have worked any of the kinks out. 

I'd be interested on any information on the Key line for embarkation.  Do you see one, etc.  Good luck, we board in 2 weeks, and I'm most nervous about getting on the ship!

Not just you. heck I even called in (price drop on CWC cruise) and the call center guy couldn't look up any reservation. He said to call back in an hour...

I go blind (-4.5/-5.5 so maybe not as bad as others, but still fairly blind).  I leave my glasses with my towel and sea pass card, and usually a non rider on the deck.  There are normally a fair amount of people doing that at the bottom of the slides that will probably keep an eye out for you.  You may also be able to ask the sports desk to keep on eye on them for you, if it's not terribly busy.

We've been waiting almost 3 weeks for our vaccine cards to be validated, but we got our luggage docs last week (July 4th cruise date) so you're close! No need for cards to be validated first.

I had it on the Navigator and hated it.  It did not turn off (the remote was missing) and so it blared all the time.  It just took up room and added light.  I book an inside because I like it dark when I sleep, and the virtual balcony eliminated that.  In addition, my parents had a real balcony soooooooooo....

1 hour ago, HelenaCruiser2012 said:

 

• Any Alaska tips, like a good restaurant for dinner in Juneau (not looking for fine dining, more casual bar/restaurant where the locals go and not too too far from the pier - always worried about missing the boat!)  Any excursions - either with Royal or not - for Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, Sitka?  We don't want strenuous hikes and I can't swim so no kayaking, but we do want to see the sights, wildlife, glaciers etc.

 

 

We haven't been to Haines (and not yet Sitka) but in Ketchikan my dad really likes the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman tour, and in Juneau I've had good luck with Harv and Marv's whale watching (on a really small boat).  I do not hike.  

I've found that Holiday Celebration dinners are usually only at 150 Central Park and Chops (maybe some others, but not all) so you can use it on NYE at a less fancy, fancy restaurant.

41 minutes ago, saltcreekmom1 said:

I just called RCI... and he said they will not tell me pricing for any individual drinks if they aren't in the app.  I'd have to wait until I'm on the ship.  So lame.

 

So, does anyone know pricing for:

Johnny Rockets shakes- I don't know, but I imagine $6-8

Vitality spa smoothies and drinks- These were $8 or $8.50 on Symphony in December

Virgin Pina Coladas- looks like "zero proof" cocktails are $7

 

Thanks

The refreshment package is worth ~2-3 non alcoholic cocktails each and every day.  2 if you'd get soda package anyways, 3 if not.

I booked the Izumi prefixe for my sailing date.  It was $23 or $28 (can't remember which) and should work for the $35 meal.  Savings is savings. I'm hoping to go with my cousins when they go as part of a package.

I've done the no show thing before, on purpose.  Multiple times because it always seems to increase the price (as you've found out). You do not have to check them in. You will get port fees/taxes/gratuities refunded back to you.  If you have to book a package for them (drink/key) that will also be refunded back to you.

I'm truly sorry for your loss, and I had to stop reading the thread with how many people have lost a loved one recently.  It breaks my heart.  May you all find peace and comfort.

I can tell you that it is later than 8:30.  I think we waited outside the luggage "hut" until 10 (easier than finding a taxi, our hotel dropped us off, but that's when she could do it).