murfturf

We haven't cruised in 4 years... we did not check in when the email came, because in the past Diamond members could check in whenever. Is this still the case? We found we have 2:00-2:30 pm checkin time now, and I had no idea it would do that. Anyone try to get in earlier than their time have such? 

9 minutes ago, GEORGIEGIRL said:

 

I was only commenting on the original dates that were posted. Their words, not mine... Please see them below

 

I was on the RCCL mariener of the seas on this Jan,8 2016 - Jan,11 2016.

Yes, I know. I was the one who resurrected it. Not the original poster. They posted this issue 3 years ago (almost 4!) and I searched for "lost and found" threads. I brought it up again, and added my own lament. 

I can concede and see that we should move on and chalk this up in the "our fault" column. 🤷‍♀️

Earlier today, in my frustration I was searching for people who have had similar experiences to ours. I came across many not just the one on this message board.  It was just so irritating to me that an item that I knew exactly where it was that was labeled with our name and number, reported missing through the proper channels did not make it home. I am lucky this was not a wedding set. I also can see how Royal  needs to have a pretty hard and fast rule on lost and found items because it can be easily exploited. I appreciate the input and that hopefully this post is here for people to see in the future and maybe act as precautionary tale before they sail about personal belongings and that there really is a little hope in recovering lost items. 🙁

4 minutes ago, JennyB1977 said:

@murfturf First, just because you paid $400 for them doesn't mean that's what they're worth. It's called depreciation. Second, I once left a pair of $150 sunglasses (they were about a year old so let's say $75) on the swim up bar at a resort. Should I then blame the bartender because they weren't there when I came back 5 minutes later? 

 

We teach children at an early age to keep track of their things. Heck even "shuffle your feet, lose your seat" and "finders keepers, losers weepers".

Good points. Although, a bartender has less responsibility to the contents on the bar than a stateroom attendant to a passengers belongings in the room. I also don't teach my children "finder's keepers." I teach them to return items to proper owners. 

42 minutes ago, GEORGIEGIRL said:

Why are we wasting our time on a situation that was over 3 years ago.

 

Move on with your life...... I'm sure you have better things to do. I know I do.

I don't think it's pulling up a 3 year old situation. It's a compilation for people who have had issues. Take it as a warning, or to find people in the same boat. Or, to praise the system and prove it works. My issue wasn't 3 years ago. 

35 minutes ago, Big_G said:

 

They're probably better off not just to avoid more 'it's your own fault' comments...not that I agree with @mufturf. I don't see Royal being responsible for they're loss.

I figured usually when people start their own threads they are advised to search for existing threads. Just thought another experience could be added to the mix for anyone who was searching. 

I think the staff know that left items are free game and that is the larger problem, more so than reimbursement. I'm shocked as I read more how many people do NOT recover lost items on Royal. It seems to be standard procedure. I'm aware it's "our fault" but the recovery rate should be much higher for a respectable cruise line. I'm glad to hear Princess recovered an item, that is encouraging. I have had hotels find items for us as well as rental cars. (Sounds like we leave a lot of things - but we travel extensively with up to 8 people including children, so the odds are that it happens every five years or so.) 

1 hour ago, JupiterTwo said:

Here is the link to the actual Lost and Found service where you can itemize the lost  items and start a case:

 

https://www.chargerback.com/reportlostitemcbembed.asp?customerid=14677&languagecode=en-US

 

I had an experience on Princess where I lost a Bose Noise Cancelling headset during an Alaska  Cruisetour. I reported it on this service for Princess, and was amazed that they actually found the items.

 

It may be too late now for your lost items, but this would be the most direct way to tell the ship that an item was lost.

 

Steve

That's the exact link we used. And received "we're still looking" emails every 5 days for a month.

Nice to hear that Princess found your headset - that's the exact headset my husband left on Freedom of the Seas. We realize it's gone. We are baffled by the ineptitude and dishonesty all around. My children have lost things at school, and other kids just bring them home. Whenever I find an item, I try to find the owner rather than "turn it in" because I know how rarely that makes it to the original owner. 

I'm replying to this topic because I don't seen anything more recent -but I will look! 

We are having a TERRIBLE experience with Lost and Found. 

Within 90 minutes of getting off the ship, we filled out the online form. I know think that doesn't get looked at right away. I wish I had called the port, or something else! We got the obligatory emails of getting our request, 5 days later still searching etc. for weeks. I finally contacted customer service and got told "Sorry." 

This item was a set of headphones, with the business card in the case. Yes, as a person pointed out earlier on this thread. We should have "searched the room extensively." We typically do. It was an error. BUT if they had followed procedure for recovery, they would have called us! We were still in port for a day - we could have gone and picked them up! 

After 6 weeks of requesting a credit on a future cruise equal to the amount of the headphones (we didn't even want cash) we were told by Mr. Bayley's office. 'Sorry, no' 

$400 isn't worth keeping our business? It's so frustrating and people here won't agree with us and say it's all our fault. But the item was either stolen by staff or not found while cleaning the room and stolen by the next guest. Either way, they failed in procedures. It's ridiculous! 

4 hours ago, twodaywonder said:

Silly decisions! Really? We have cruised since 1994 and live in Port Saint Lucie Florida between Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral. We always do cruises during hurricane season but not during the time school is out. One major reason PRICE! Our Allure cruise was cut short by three days but we desided not to go this time. We will be receiving a 100% FCC. The other was a full refund from Carnival a few years ago. One cruise we were on we did not even know a hurricane was near us. When we returned our son asked us about the hurricane. We said, what hurricane? So out of 25 years of cursing only two. Silly? I do not think so. September, October and November cruises are lower in cost including January and sometimes February. From September to February we will book at least 4 cruises. Always Halloween on Carnival. Silly are those that prefer to pay more.

You are replying to the person who also was questioning the original post. You'll read where they say 'Silly decisions? Care to elaborate?"  Just making sure you aren't calling out John&LaLa. They would agree with you! (as would I!) 

50 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

Coco Cay is in the Bahamas (meaning in the Atlantic) not the Eastern Caribbean;  it’s  about 300 miles north of Cuba - with the Caribbean being south of Cuba.

🤷‍♀️ It was called an "Eastern Caribbean Cruise" so that was what I was referring to... 

Just now, navybankerteacher said:

Where in the Eastern Caribbean was it too cool?  

 CocoCay - my kids were wrapped in their beach towels on shore. (Texas kids... I wasn't cold, but it wasn't warm) Windy that day. We had wind most of the time, but our St. Thomas and St.Martin days were nice. They also couldn't swim on sea days, very choppy and pools were shut down most days. 

On 8/24/2019 at 2:08 PM, clo said:

I don't get that either.  If you're major into cruising and nothing else, then are there 'fall foliage' trips or river cruises.  And train trips through the Canadian Rockies.  Or.... 🙂

On 8/24/2019 at 2:14 PM, navybankerteacher said:

...if you live within driving distance of any part of the East Coast you can spend a few days (at lower cost because peak season is over) and enjoy the best weather and warmest sea water temperatures of the year.

 

Cruising is great - but there is a time and a place for everything —- and September and the Caribbean are the worst on both counts.

Maybe because people have different lifestyles and preferences? Obviously they sell cruises during those months, so people go on them! 

We have an October anniversary, and it's typically a good time to leave our kids with my parents (depends on marching band - but currently we only have a middle school student!) My husband also likes a warm vacation, we've done January, March, April and May Caribbean cruise - and honestly, it was too cool in the Eastern Caribbean in March some days, and windy. We had rain in January, but overall it was nice weather. We don't escape cold weather, we live in Texas so we really enjoy the cold weather when it's here! We enjoy the ocean, the sun, the islands etc. Our third October cruise is coming up soon - and yes we think about the possibility of storms, but know that a ship won't be in the eye of the storm. While they may make itinerary changes we know that we will either 1) accept it 2) utilize their refund offered due to changes. We also don't typically do insurance because we calculated that insurance for 10 cruises eventually is the cost of one cruise - so if we do lose money once after many, many years or traveling (land and sea) we will take that for what it is and adapt! 

Yeti is the way to go. I have had MANY mugs over the years, bought at theme parks or gas stations. Nothing keeps a drink as hot or cold as a Yeti. RTIC is close. We use them on the ship, take them to the beach - nothing worse than a warm beer! We don't go anywhere without ours anymore. We have 20 ox and the larger 32 oz, but usually only take the 20 oz on a cruise. 

13 hours ago, clo said:

You have excused your behavior.  Hopefully at least a few others will choose a different way.  As I said I have a lot of medical background and I'm not a worrywart.  Some behavior is just wrong IMO.  YMMV.

it is your opinion, and other people's experiences will vary! That's the whole point! You can not tell someone they are wrong. The ship allows it, it's not against the law, and it's every parents right to do as they chose within reason. Period. Do as you wish, but I just don't understand people who think their opinion is the final word. 

We got the Royal Up offer or a 5 day cruise on Enchantment in May; we are in JS 

Offers start from: 

GS $100/pp

OS $150/pp

RS $250/pp

FWIW - I offered $240 for the OS - the first number in the "strong" category, $220 was "fair" ($480 total upgrade) I think this is a good deal, but I haven't read everyone else's postings on what has worked for them. 

EDIT TO ADD: Current JS offerings are about $700  more than what we paid initially on BOGO and Kids Sail Free. No other suites are listed as available online. 

We are right there with you! We are booked for next summer, on my 47th b'day!  We are not partiers but love good food, culture, interesting experiences and love to meet people from all walks of life. My husband is most excited about the lack of children, but I hope the younger crowd doesn't make it less enjoyable. I'm going with an open mind and ready to have a different cruising experience. 

On 3/18/2019 at 4:01 PM, Hoyaheel said:

Lands End swim catalog came today - cute options, lots of mix and match separates. Target has had some cute stuff, including Plus, in the past - though none of the suits I've ordered worked for me (they're not good with big boobs - Lands End tends to fit me better....)

Lands End almost always work for me - most supportive I've found even the wire-free ones! 

I just bought an Emerald Bay brand at Ross, and it's not the most supportive but it's cute for hanging at the beach, not a more active suit for snorkeling or swimming !

I also booked for my b'day - June 27! We can't wait! 

Bringing this topic back to the top! 

I've been browsing for a new suit and thinking about trying a two piece - not a tankini but maybe a high waist bottom with a flounce top. So I've looked at Torrid and they have some really cute pieces I may order.  But when I looked on Lane Bryant I was NOT impressed with what they had to offer. The suits didn't look good on any of their models. 

Any great finds for the 2019 season? 

I'm excited for a more updated cruise line - and even though Hubs and I will be in our late 40's on the ship (I turn 47 on board next summer!) we hope we won't be the oldest! 

How can I find out where my cruise will be docking? June 30, Navigator of the Seas. Thanks!

I would like to add to this question - because I think it is closest to my own question!

 

If we purchase a ship tour for maybe a 6 hour tour, are we then required to return to the ship or will the visa allow us to be on our own at all in the city or area near the cruise port? thanks!

I think I found my answer... "You have to be accompanied on land at all times by a licensed tour guide (with a specific state license for accompanying cruise passengers without visas) and you have to sleep on the ship."

I would like to add to this question - because I think it is closest to my own question!

If we purchase a ship tour for maybe a 6 hour tour, are we then required to return to the ship or will the visa allow us to be on our own at all in the city or area near the cruise port? thanks!

I found a backpack at Costco many years ago, it's small - not a full size and I've washed it and used it on nearly every trip we've taken as a family. In my opinion, a "good" backpack has a few features but mostly comfortable straps! Those string bags do not work for me, they dig into my shoulders. I also try to get a unisex one, so that my husband or boys can carry too! I also look for water-proof or resistant. I'm currently looking for a "perfect" bag for a Europe trip and 12 day cruise! I would like to be able to hold my iPad, maybe a book and necessities that I don't want to have to dig into my carry-on for. But more sophisticated than my typical bag for the beach or the zoo with the kids. I'm searching on eBags now and like several of the Travelon ones.

You are already there - but maybe others will see this for the future:

I bring small amounts of medication: Immodium, GasX, Sudafed etc. just in case!

I really liked the magnetic clips for the walls last time - perfect for the daily compass. And a highlighter!

Lotion. I can't stand it if I forget lotion, especially after all the time in the sun.

Have a great time!

Pack what you think you will need. If you aren't bound by luggage fees, then don't worry too much! Everyone is different.

I did tend to wear the same causal cover-up/dress for multiple days so I usually come home with 2 unworn "day" outfits. I found that my sons wore swim suits for half a day so their outfit for breakfast or afternoon activities was usually fine being worn again the next day! My boys had the most unworn clothes out of all of us. I also like taking lightweight shirts that pack easily so they don't take up as much room. Shoes, well - I like shoes and I have to switch out or my feet hurt! So I take 2 casual sandals that also match my dinner outfits. One beach/pool shoe and a different pair for short excursions (all terrain or water shoes)

Good luck - but don't doubt your self too much. Our last cruise for 5 people and a 3 day stay in Orlando prior to the cruise was a nightmare to pack for! we did it, 7 bags for 5 people but we fly southwest and get 2 bags free! We also took snorkel gear so that was a lot of one bag.