printingchick

Will be cruising in the southern Caribbean, visiting Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Barbados and Dominica. Would Cuban cigars be for sale in any or all of those ports of call?

I have a few questions as well:

• Were the formal nights the same on both legs and, if so, which nights. (I think I read another posting that said the first was night 2 but the second was different on each leg of his B2B)
  
• Which night was 70s party?
  
• Which night was Quest?
  

For thetone:

I expected to be disappointed with the Radiance Class when I cruised on Serenade in 2010. I booked it because I loved the itinerary. Surprisingly, I liked the ship BETTER...which is why I'm back on Radiance class for my next cruise.

As Sunny said, the cruises out of San Juan are very port intensive. With only one sea day, you wont' have time to miss those extras. The Radiance Class ships are smaller and feel less crowded. The decor is more upscale and you can see the ocean from nearly EVERYWHERE, which I LOVE! Activities are more intimate and it's easier to get to know your staff and fellow cruisers. I love this class of ship.

For me, the cruise is primarily about the ports of call, coupled with a level of service that exceeds what I've experienced on land. For some, the SHIP is the destination - a vacation on a floating resort. I suspect those are the biggest fans of the new mega ships and I'm glad they have this option available. But personally, I hope RCL never eliminates the smaller ships that focus on the CRUISE experience. I'm not looking for all the resort features like carousels, bumper cars and animated movie character breakfasts. I love being able to see multiple locations on one vacation and being treated like Royalty every day. Ahhhhh....just four more months....

Thanks wingnutphl!

I'm on the same sailing at rec625 and our sailing seemed to sell out very early. I was hoping to see a price drop, but instead the price DOUBLED! Glad I booked so early!!

I REALLY hope they don't schedule the 70s party and Quest on the same night on our cruise. What horrible planning to put two such popular events on the same night!! Kind of takes all the momentum out of the 70s party if everyone has to leave early to go to Quest! Plus, then I'll be playing quest in my 70s clothes!!

You are welcome. Peurto Cupocoy is another place you may like to visit. I don't think that it would be a far walk from the dock there to Cupocoy beach. Perhaps those are the caves that you mentioned. It's a really nice area of the island and worthy of a visit since you have 6 hours. Cupocoy is between Mullet bay beach and Long Bay. Have fun and let us know how it was!

Will do. We're really looking forward to it. Thanks for the information!

Can you answer a few questions?

• Which nights were your formal nights?
  
• Which night was 70s Party/Quest? Weird they'd put them on the same night. Both events tend to run late and are very popular.
  
• Did they still have those after dinner liquors in the little souvenir shot glasses?
  

Thanks!!

I didn't know you even COULD call in your order. Coincidentally, I just placed an order TODAY. Too late to call it back. I sent by mail. The only options available seemed to be MAIL or FAX, using the downloaded order form from the website. It's crazy you can't do this on line!! Who does orders on a form you fill out BY HAND and then FAX or MAIL IN?? How antiquated!

I'll check on mine after it's had time to get there and be processed. I just mailed it today. Thanks for the heads-up!

Depends on which itinerary you do. We did a b2b in October. Rooms ready just before 1 each time. Muster is at 8. Formal night were different for the 2 itineraries.

Do you recall the dates for your itinerary?

• Formal nights?
  
• 70s party?
  
• Quest?
  

Thank you, notsomadhatter! This is GREAT information!!

I didn't know about "white night" in the dining room. I've seen other theme nights in the past, but not this one. That certainly influences my packing! Good thing I asked!

Happy to hear from others as well, in case it's not the same on all itineraries. I'm on the Tortola-Barbados itinerary.

We sailed on Jewel for a Cozumel, Mexico 4 day out of Tampa. I believe we boarded at 12PM and were able to go directly to our balcaony cabin where champagne was awaiting. It depends how quickly the previous cruise passengers leave and let the rooms be cleaned.

 

I believe muster drills are always about 1-1.5hrs before departure.

Sorry, I should clarify 7-day Jewel out of San Juan. Schedule would be a lot different than the shorter western Caribbean cruises out of Tampa. The ship doesn't depart until 8:30PM.

Thanks!

Going on Jewel in March, but living the experience vicariously in advance! :D

• What time were the cabins available on embarkation day? I've seen both 1:00 and 2:00 posted.
  
• There has been some debate about Muster Drill. Was it at 6:00, 8:00 or some different time altogether?
  
• I assume formal nights are Night 2 and Night 6, correct?
  
• Which night was the 70s party?
  
• Which night was Quest?
  
• Are there still crepes in the Solarium, or has that gone away?
  

Thanks!

Thanks, Karysa. We booked a full day. Very excited. Thanks for sharing your experience!

We've reserved a small boat from this company for our March cruise on Jewel of the Seas.

Karysa (my daughter's name too, but different spelling!), would love to hear more about your day.

• Did you do the half day or full day?
  
• Ray mentioned that there was a beach with caves where you could stop and do snorkeling. Did you do that? How was it?
  
• Did you do any fishing? I understand they supply gear.
  
• Did you utilize their transportation, or get your own cab from the ship?
  
• The lagoon looks very large. Did it feel that way to you?
  

Tell me more!!! :D

THANKS!

I agree that I've met some GREAT friends thanks to traditional dining. However, MORE often than not, I've ended up at a table where half the people rarely or NEVER show up. It' feels ridiculous to be two or four people, sitting at a huge table meant for 8-10. I agree with the poster who said opting for MyTime dining as the rule makes sense. If you want to sit with others, that's feasible. (Just like when you eat breakfast or lunch in the MDR.) If you'd prefer to be on your own, you can choose that option. And if you want to go to a specialty restaurant one night, you're not inconveniencing anyone.

Also, in 2010, my daughter and I were sitting at a table for 2 in MTD on the first night and our table was very close to another table for two...so close, conversing across the small gap was just natural. We hit it off so well, we reserved a table for four for the remainder of the cruise!

Jewel OTS - Carly Boileau started Sept 7 Through early January. (Then, Dennis Charles?)

Is this confirmed? Dennis Charles on Jewel after January? I'm on Jewel in March. Dennis was the CD for my Serenade cruise out of San Juan in 2010.

Thanks!

Shame, he was one of the good guys :D

Agreed!!

It's been a mystery. I think I heard 2016. I'm subscribing, because I'd like to know too.

I've booked Villa Herencia, a bed and breakfast which is located right next to El Convento. I've read excellent reviews and LOVE the location. Check it out on Trip Advisor. It's reasonably priced, but fairly no-frills. It's more of a boutique-style B&B. (Lots of charm and antiques, no swimming pool exercise facilities.)

This is the email I received from Royal 2 days ago. I have a platinum plus, which is supposed to convert into a signature. I am not sure what the difference is if you will not have a signature.

 

As a Royal Caribbean Visa cardholder, you'll love our new MyCruise Rewards program! Now you can use your card to earn double points for purchases on Royal Caribbean International® and our sister brands, Azamara Club Cruises® and Celebrity Cruises® . Then beginning August 30, 2013, you can redeem your points for cruise rewards on all three cruise lines.

• Use your current card – no need to re-apply to enjoy MyCruise Rewards

• Double points for purchases on Royal Caribbean, Azamara, and Celebrity Cruises

• More rewards – choose cruises, discounts, upgrades, and onboard credit on three incredible cruise lines

 

Below are links to two different .PDF'S which detail the rules of the new program. They were updated 8/20/2013.

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/visa/royal_awards_chart_web_08.20.2013.pdf

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/visa/royal_terms_and_conditions_08.20.13.pdf

 

Hope this helps answer some questions.

I looked through my emails last night and don't believe I deleted anything that might have been this notification. I just checked my card and it is a Platinum Plus, so I guess I'll be automatically switched.

The emails are not coming from BofA. They are being sent out by RCI Marketing Department.

 

RoyalCaribbean@RoyalCaribbeanMarketing.com

Hmm....thanks. I wonder if I might have deleted accidentally.

I STILL have not received ANY emails about this from Bank of America. Not a one. No messages posted on the on-line banking page. Nothing in snail mail. Nothing in email. I'm paperless, so they obviously have all my up-to-date electronic contact information.

I'd LOVE to get 10,000 extra bonus points! Would LOVE that!! But would NOT love opening a SECOND credit card. If I could UPGRADE and get the bonus points (what's the downside...am I missing something???), I'd be thrilled. But again...I've gotten absolutely NO communication from BoA.

UGH!! I shouldn't be surprised. They sold my mortgage without giving me any advance notice.

I just got my email this morning. At least a week ago, I got an email from my bank (billpay) stating BOA was canceling my automatic billpay and that I'd need to set it up for manual. Thank goodness for this thread, or I would have completely freaked out!

Glad to hear you just got this morning. I just checked, and still nothing. No, my email hasn't changed and I still get OTHER emails from BoA at that email address. I'll wait and see...

I'm STILL waiting for an email regarding this issue. I wouldn't know about these changes if not for these boards. Fortunately, I'd already traded in points toward my up-coming cruise. It doesn't appear I'd have been impacted anyway, since I'm not cruising on a newer ship. But still...I've been using this card for over five years and have not yet received official notification of these new terms?? :confused:

Surely someone can answer my question. :confused:

I only stopped in Nassau on one cruise and had a good time there. Visited Atlantis, went through the Aquarium, etc.

Others may have another opinion, but the problem with Naussau is that there isn't much diversity there. It's a "been there/done that" port of call. If all you want to do is visit the beach, I guess it's fine. But most other ports have a wider variety of choices, such as rain forests, volcanoes, botanical gardens, historical sites, underground caverns, etc.

None! I cruise for the ports. Some I like better than others, but I want to see ALL of them.

This is what I found out yesterday while talking with a RC Redemption specialist. It does make sense. However, a few months back, I had questions for another redemption specialist. I asked her what happens to my unused points/$'s if the cost of my companion fare is less than the $1500. She replied that the 'excess' would then be applied to the remainder of my balance on my cruise.

 

Now I realize that was just another little bit of misinformation. Maybe she was new:rolleyes:? Thanks for re-affirming the correct information:)

Another little hic-up I discovered with redeeming points deals with upgrades, and it's more a communication issue.

A few years back, I used my points to upgrade from INSIDE to OV cabin. It ended up being a better use of the points than merely taking the OBC or cruise discount for that number of points.

Then, the price of the cruise dropped...substantially...before final payment. (or maybe that limitation wasn't in place in 2010...but I digress...)

When my TA called to get the price drop, they wanted to ONLY lower my price to the current OV CABIN price. From their perspective, that's what I had booked.

The reservations people had no visibility into the fact that I had actually booked a LOWER level cabin and UPGRADED using Visa points. All they can see is the cabin booked.

It took a lot of phone calls to get it squared away. Since then, I just take the straight discount. (ie: 25,000 points = $250 discount off the cost of the cruise)

To me, it wasn't an argument over the actual cost difference between cabins being equal to the dollar value of the point redemption. An upgrade is an upgrade. The problem was the fact that requesting to have price drops applied caused so much of a hassle, due to the confusion created by this behind-the-scenes upgrade.