inghilch

• I'm having a similar problem waiting over 30 days for a refund from a website error.  Booked two cabins for a 3 night using FCCs I had from the global suspension.   The online booking website seemed to have accepted the FCC and credit card was asked for the what I thought would be the port charges. It wasn't and the full amount of the cabins was charged.  Well here we are 30 days later, hours and hours on hold listening to that recording, speaking to at least a dozen people and I've only received the credit back to my AMEX for one cabin,   I'm actually on hold again checking on the other credit as i write this!!!    It is true though with AMEX I was able to delay paying the charge after explaining the situation but the amount of time I've wasted is really unexcusable....  

Anyone with experience renting one of these?    The website claims the cost can be used towards a food an beverage credit.    Also do you know if it's then also necessary to buy a ticket to the waterpark to gain initial entrance to the resort?  I have one with no intentions of using other than to accompany my teenage children.  Thanks!

22 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Yup, Common issue people forget that Taxes/Fees refunded. Then if multiple Passengers FCC assigned to each usually not all in same amounts. Was busy keeping track of 2 Dozen Canceled Cruises, what was Canceled/Refunded or FCC and what was applied and reapplied to new Bookings. Had quite a chart going, all finally used up by last month. Was VERY lucky in the end after having issue with 2 FCC issued before CV would/had expired. After a Call to a Rep couldnt help a few months ago Emailed Royal Head Office on a Sat nite. Response by Noon Mon reissued AND also offer asking if I wanted them combine and apply all my FCC's to pay off 6 Cruises. Yes! Thank you! Saved me hrs on the phone with a Rep 

That’s helpful when you get the right person.  Its all very confusing because some of the credits are for children and one of the credits is for a grandparent that passed and I was told I needed a document from a lawyer naming myself as executor to use the credit.  The lawyer of course would charge a fee.   Anyway lesson learned.  Next time I’m taking the $$ back.  
 

1 hour ago, Cigar King said:

Taxes and fees get refunded to your credit card, so they are not part of the FCC.  Could that be the difference?

I'll have to see if I can somehow find the original booking amount.   I'm going by the email RCC sent me and evidently because the booking was through a 3rd party, they wont discuss financials.   Round and round I go.

Hi,  Wondering if anyone else has experience with this.    Sailing April 2020 cancelled during Covid for our party of 8.   Took the 125% credit from the original booking.   Received an email on 11/10 saying 25% incremental bonus expiring end of 2022 unless a new booking is make.   Call RCC and find out ALL 8 FCC credits are LESS than the original emails from RCC.   Made several subsequent calls to RCC one seems to know.   Has this happened to anyone else?   

Thanks!!!

It's my understanding April 11th sailings are not included in the 30 days.  I agree with what you are saying, the high cost of that Easter week.  What's makes it even more confusing is that Costco Travel sent me a cancellation notice for my April 11th sailing but it says Royal will resume sailing on April 11th???   

13 minutes ago, elephant98 said:

Royal can’t count to 30 apparently. They made it very clear on their website that, “beginning at midnight tonight, we are pausing the fleet’s US sailings for 30 days.”   NOT

Right.,. guess I have to wait until they clarify over the next couple of days...  I share everyone's concern about a refund vs Future credit,   Not sure what the right decision is.

So it's only until April 10th?   Sailings on the 11th are not mentioned??

Hi, I figured I would report back. From the cruise port we ended up going to Palma Nova. They charged us Euro 30 going (no Meter) and Euro 20 (metered) coming back. Fairly Quick ride. Less than 15 minutes. Taxi stand right next to the beach. There were two options for chairs.. Right and left side with people lying on towels in the middle. Euro 15 for 2 chairs and small Tiki type umbrella. You were able to rent a bicycle car with a small slide for the water. I did see some people on banana boats but they must have picked them up down the shore. Could also see Magaluf resorts in the distance. I mean the beach was fine. Scenic, water warm. The kids loved it and had a blast but I personally was looking for a cushion lounge chair with food and drink service. There was a small beach restaurant on the promenade called Campino Beach I was able to get a wine and some food. Some people in our party ended up across the street at a Pizzeria on the corner. Large delicious pizzas.[/quote

 

Lesson to be learnt here make sure the driver switches on the meter !! the lounge chair and beach bar service cannot be found in Palma Nova, this beach is for mass market tours,

Right but why do the taxi drivers as someone else suggested "scam" us. To give a bit more info we were 8 people traveling with children taking 2 taxi's. We asked how much and they said Euro30. I should question him why the meter is not on while I'm in the taxi with my 3 children? I figured that must have been ok because when I was originally planning to go to Magaluf via pre-booked taxi service that had quoted me Euro130 RT for a party of 8. Palma Nova is a beautiful beach and we did have a good day but I dont see anywhere mentioned here its for "mass market tours". We were looking for something a little more upscale.

Yes Palma Nova would be your good option with children, personally I would go to Illetas beach it is nearer the port and not too crowded,

 

https://www.seemallorca.com/beaches/illetas-beach-palma-de-mallorca-illetes-(beach-resort)-664304

Hi, I figured I would report back. From the cruise port we ended up going to Palma Nova. They charged us Euro 30 going (no Meter) and Euro 20 (metered) coming back. Fairly Quick ride. Less than 15 minutes. Taxi stand right next to the beach. There were two options for chairs.. Right and left side with people lying on towels in the middle. Euro 15 for 2 chairs and small Tiki type umbrella. You were able to rent a bicycle car with a small slide for the water. I did see some people on banana boats but they must have picked them up down the shore. Could also see Magaluf resorts in the distance. I mean the beach was fine. Scenic, water warm. The kids loved it and had a blast but I personally was looking for a cushion lounge chair with food and drink service. There was a small beach restaurant on the promenade called Campino Beach I was able to get a wine and some food. Some people in our party ended up across the street at a Pizzeria on the corner. Large delicious pizzas.

If you just need chair and umbrella rental there is no need for a beach club. Palmanova is a nice beach closer to Palma than Magaluf where Nikki is located. Beach clubs sell expensive "exclusivity"for people who are willing to pay for it. Nothing is happening there in the daytime but there are some scheduled theme parties during the season. Beach is the same.

 

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Thanks. Yes I contacted Nikki Beach and because we are traveling with children they said of course are welcome for lunch, they are not permitted by the the pool and suggested the Melia. They do rent sun beds and Balinese beds with a minimum food and beverage purchase. You also have access to the pool. I wasn’t sure if it’s worth it given we don’t get into port until 1pm. Thanks for the other suggestions. I read through most of the posts and it seems people seem to like palmanova. Maybe we will go with that.

Nikki Beach or ME Melia Magaluf - Anyone been here recently? Worth it? Looking for a beach day and both places offer sunbed rental. Thanks!

Hi,

We're sailing on the EPIC soon and I just did tons of research on this. It depends on your budget. You can hop on the hydrofoil right next to the cruise port direct to Capri and hire a boat there. We opted to go with a private tour with Captain Ago. There are many companies that offer this. Joe bananas is another that comes recommended by posters here. Our tour the driver is picking us up at the port and taking us to our private boat departing from Sorrento around and stopping at Capri and Positano and then back to the port after stopping at Pompei too.

makes sense, I imagine mine will feel the same.. maybe.. Thank you!

My daughter didn't go to the teen club. She's an only child and a bit shy and didn't feel comfortable going on her own. Also, we were up so early and had long days touring. She was content to eat dinner, walk around a little, and go to bed! The dynamics on the Med. cruise were very similar in my opinion to a Caribbean cruise. I saw many groups of teens on their own.

Thanks so much for your review! Traveling with kids age 10-13 next month on this ship. Did your daughter attend the teen club at night? Usually while cruising in the Carribean I allow them to roam freely at night as everyone did but was wondering if the dynamics were different on a Med cruise.

This is really great. Thanks for taking the time to do this!

One of our best beach days!!

It was only a few minutes from Crown bay as we were on harmony of the seas Jan 13 sailing and maybe only a few minutes more if docking at havensight. Cab fare was $4 per person to Emerald beach and so easy to get a taxi- very organized .

There's a taxi stand outside the resort as well

 

The water was beautiful, the new bar and restaurant were full of action, resort staff super helpful and available and chairs and umbrellas were $7pp

 

With any beach at st Thomas now post hurricane, take your time walking in to the water if no water shoes as branches and rocks are a bit of a norm. But then should be plentiful sandy once in:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Great advice. Thank you!!

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I follow their Emerald Bar beach Club on Facebook and the bar is built, the restaurant is open, the hotel is too and the beach is clean. At least that is what it says there. As well know everything on-line is true.;) That being said they are posting pictures and it does look good.

 

 

We will be there the second week of March and I think it will be good.

Ok thanks. Some of the photos are pre hurricane. I'm on the Feb 18th Allure. If we do go I'll report back. From what I researched so many places are still closed.. Zipline, Paradise point, many hotels. I know the masses go to Megans but Emerald is so easy...

Lindbergh Bay (Emerald Beach Resort)

 

Lindquist Beach:

 

Just parking and some picnic benches, nothing else.

 

As I said, we went to Emerald Beach in Lindbergh Bay on Allure, just a short 5 minute taxi ride and there is no problem getting a taxi...Lindquist however is much more deserted, no Taxi's. Just a rent a potty also, whereas you can use the facilities on Emerald Beach. The hotel will charge for a lounger, nothing like that at Lindquist. Here is a good You Tube about Lindquist:

 

And Emeral Beach:

 

Found these little shells at Lindquist, they are pink, white and tan. Not an abundance of shells but worth looking for.

Have you been to Lindbergh bay post the hurricane? I checked out FB and read the Emerald Beach hotel just opened yet online booking Is not available. Also on http://www.**********/stthomas/beaches_stt/ it says the beach is closed? THANKS!

We're just off the Vista and ate at JiJis a couple of times. I can't recall a kids menu. The items are served family style and they only charge $5 for children and if you are staying in family harbor children are free. If your child is picky (like mine) I think we may have grabbed a pizza or something from the buffet and brought it in and they didn't charge for him. It's all right there (jijis and the cucina del capitano restaurant's are above the buffet). They are also located aft where the pizza place is too. The staff is super nice and the food is delicious. I highly recommend both places. The Italian restaurant did have a kids menu.

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Hi inghilch:

 

So many things stood out for my 10 year old son on this cruise. First and foremost was the sports deck! Fabulous. He loved trying his hand at playing pool, he loved the mini-golf, he loved bowling and he really loved the giant pool table you walk on and kick in the balls with your feet. (Awesome). He had so much fun being active this cruise that he only went into the arcade one time.

 

The Skyrider and rope course were also a huge hit. He did the rope course a bunch of times on his own. He also loved the waterworks. They really got that right. Of the two slides, he liked the yellow one (body slide as opposed to the raft slide) the best because it was so fast. I liked the raft slide myself.

 

One surprising thing he really enjoyed was playing shuffle board and foosball in the Red Frog Pub on deck 5. I think he felt very "adult" being allowed in a pub and playing the games.

 

Since he is 10, he was allowed (with our permission) to sign himself in and out of the kids club. He didn't go often, but when he did, he stayed there for a very long time. He did one of the Night Owls party and outlast both his dad and I.

 

Here is the great thing for parents. HUB APP. Since my son was able to get in touch with us anytime/anywhere with the Hub app, it allowed him more freedom then he would normal have on a cruise. So if he was in the kids club and wanted to go to deck 12, he would send us a text asking for permission. It worked out great.

 

There are X-Box and PS4 in the kids club, X-Box in the sports bar and PS4 in the family harbor. My son said he didn't know if you could bring your own games or not but he didn't see anyone with their own games. I'm thinking it may not be allowed since they can't control the type of games people bring on, or if a game gets damaged. It wouldn't hurt to ask though. I would send an email to either guest services or John Heald and ask. Let me know the answer. My son would love to bring some games in the future.

 

Your family is going to have a BLAST!

FABULOUS TIPS!!! Thank you! My kids thank you! Good points about the games and it sounds like there is much to do my sons can live without them! Will have to use the HUB app for sure!!

Fantastic informative review! I will be on this ship end of next month with my family and was wondering what stood out for your son? Activities/slides etc? Did he attend the camp at all? Do you think you could bring your own xbox games to play?? Thanks!

Has anyone or know anyone that has taken this excursion from Royal Caribbean? Exclusive Cozumel Sailing - "Escape the crowds aboard a new catamaran exclusively for your family and friends (up to 10 guests) and set sail to the clear Caribbean waters for an unforgettable adventure."

There are basically no reviews but is one safe to assume if RCCL lists it they must have properly vetted this company??

Thank you!! I see these are from Allure so I imagine similar to Oasis?? If anyone comes across Oasis Adventure Ocean let me know! Thanks again!

Has anyone seen a recent kids compass posted from an Oasis Western sailing?? Interested in ages 7-13. Let me know. Thanks!