Ashland

Welcome to Cruise Critic: You might reconsider even needing a cruise ship excursion at this port.

WOW...No need to be so RUDE...absolutely unnecessary !!!!!!

On our 8 cruises in 2022 (Navigator, Explorer, Harmony, Jewel & Serenade) we got a total of 10 beach towels and 8 tote bags. I tried to change my selection with the LA on Serenade while in Alaska so I could get something on our Serenade Panama Canal a week later but got more beach towels. The tote bags and beach towels have been on my list for years but could never get them until 2022.

It doesn't seem to matter what you've chosen or what you tell the LA. You'll get whatever they have once onboard. We are completely overwhelmed with all the beach towels and tote bags we got in 2022.

We recently sailed with RCI also out of Amsterdam and out of all the many terminals we've cruised out of, Amsterdam was amazing. As soon as our Taxi pulled up there was a young man there to get them out of the trunk...put them on a cart and walked besides us and loaded them onto the conveyor belt and then walked us to checkin. I almost felt like he was going to cruise with us. Very impressed !!!

It's not what "pleases" us. It's what is easiest for us to personally do. 40+ cruises and counting with RCI and I can say we've never felt we slowed anyone down...just the opposite. We've always been patient with fellow travelers...So "yes" we actually do play along. If you find yourself in line behind us to check in at the terminal you'll be glad you were. Too many posters stress out about luggage tags.....we're not one of them.

"Cars" we're not in a car !! And we have our own pen. Some of you are completely over thinking this. So you do what works best for you and I'll continue to do what's quickest and easiest for us and will certainly not get in your way or slow you down.

We just did the full Panama Canal itinerary (Serenade) and had the Voom Surf/Stream with RCI and had no problems putting our iPhone on airplane mode and wifi calling. We have AT&T and I could call/text my family when I was on the ship...it worked fine. It was never necessary to call or text when in port but I certainly could have using my International day pass plan $10.00 per 24 hour from AT&T if I needed to. The only problem that we had on this itinerary was the ships satellite was at times unavailable.

Sorry I forgot this works also...Glad you figured it out.

We were on Harmony the end of April and the WJ was amazing !!!! So much so that we ate there every night.

Have their booking info and call RCI to do this.

No...it actually doesn't, they hand them to us and they continue on to helping other's. They certainly don't stand there waiting for us. We then hand them our luggage once we tag them. This is no big deal !!

We're going to cruise the Mexican Riviera again, leaving Jan 20th and will port stop in Mazatlan Jan 23rd. We've always felt safe taking a taxi to the central market and having a bit of lunch at the Panama Bakery. Of course we'll be playing it by ear and see how things are going then.

I will completely agree with "calling" the Trip Insurance Store. Steve and his associates are wonderful at getting you a personalized policy that will fit your exact needs. Steve is also a guest contributor at times on Cruise Critic. (888) 407-3854

During 2022 (47 nights at sea) we spent 12 of those nights on Jewel and 21 nights on Serenade and never ate in the MDR once. It was the WJ for us regardless of which RCI ship we were on.

We had no problem arriving at the Tampa port from our Panama Canal itinerary this past October. We booked a 2:30pm flight day of arrival and I wish we had booked something earlier.

I'll 2nd Hyatt Place...our go to pre-cruise hotel...right next to the Harbor Publix shopping center and one of our favorite restaurants "Duffy's" .

We've recently been in GS's 1052 & 1054 and OS's 1058 on Serenade (mid ship) and had no noise issues at all.

We just sailed recently in OS's on Serenade (D+) and found the WJ to be just fine.

The Rubens At The Palace was a great location.

Usually 45 min to 1 hour depending on traffic. We've used SAS and even though our group of 6 booked them as "private" transportation our particular driver decided to wait for another passenger until I spoke up....so I certainly wasn't happy with this company.

If you book the train transfer with your cruiseline that arrives at the airport you can easily pick up your luggage (they'll have it in one designated location) and be on your way.

I'm gonna say I doubt the porter pushed then aside as that tip was fine.. More than likely it got overlooked. We always watch to see ours are loaded on the cart.

Absolutely they do...and if not you must check them.

We never print them out ... We get them (airline type) from one of the terminal porter's...write our cabin # on them...attach them and we're good to go. We've been doing this since RCI stopped mailing tags out (so a long time) and have never had a problem.