topnole

22 hours ago, LAKaye said:

What happens with the crew?  

 

Does the dining room staff stay on board/remain somehow (with their expertise) over the dry dock or are contracts ended, with a brand crew coming on board for the season in the Mediterranean?

 

Thank you~

They mostly stay onboard.  Our Concierge was emailing usafter or last TA to tell us how things were going and she wanted to see some of our post cruise pics.  Not really us, just pics of our kids.  Haa.    She really enjoyed the lighter schedule for several weeks.  

50 minutes ago, runner2013 said:

Hi all, 

I need some assistance regarding reaching diamond level on my next cruise. Here's the situation.  My hubby and I are 6 points away from reaching diamond level.  Originally, we were going to do a short 3-day trip in a suite to get the points needed. He now has a chance to go skiing out west, which has been on his bucket list forever, and wants to skip the cruise.  I still plan on going alone. Since I'll be solo I know I'll get the double points I need to reach diamond. My question is this: because we're married, will my DH ALSO get those 6 points and become diamond when the cruise is over?  Or will he stay at his current point level but get the diamond status because i'll have it? 

Greatly appreciate any input. 

Have you both done all of your RCI cruises together?  If so this should work.   If you have less points than him, it won’t work.  My wife is linked to me and her points show the same as

mine on our end.   But they aren’t and if she cruised alone it would do is no good for points since I am the one with the higher points and my points wouldn’t increase.   Behind the scenes in the computer, they know the difference in each persons point totals, and only will add points to you and not him.   But if you each have the same amount of points, then it doesn’t matter.   You would then have more points, you would reach diamond, and he would get your status as a spouse.   

Kids under 6 are complimentary for specialty dining and dining packages For an upcoming cruise it is letting me book all of my us and hi have to pay, but if I include the younger kids it won’t let me click to put it in the cart.  However, they should be able to join us either way as they are complimentary.   Anyone with experience on this?  It will let me add

them for smaller dining plans so perhaps a capacity issue.   Should I just book three of us and assume they will allow the under 6 kids for each meal?  

55 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Free and available on all ships

Thanks.    

I know all of the downsides to the app.   However, is messaging even available on every ship?   Is there a cost and if so do you pay onboard or can you pay prior?

20 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

It is listed in the app.  Scroll down on your C&A level and youth benefits are listed there too.

 

Ok.   I can’t seem to find it.  You can see that pre cruise?   When I click on my profile I don’t see any place to see the benefits.  

16 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

It is listed in the app.  Scroll down on your C&A level and youth benefits are listed there too.

 

Thanks.   I’ll look for that as well.  

3 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

 

+1

 

I only saw the small print on the final page before.   Not sure how I missed it.  I guess because it’s a new add on to the chart.  

3 minutes ago, orville99 said:

 Two words for packing kids clothes: Vacuum Bags😇

Well.  We aren’t bringing that much.  Lol.  
 

We packed for a longer trip earlier in the year so we can make it work.   Just would rather pack less tees and shorts if I knew for sure we got a bag for each kid.   With three kids it adds up in $.   

1 minute ago, Another_Critic said:

I see internet listed.

 

Thanks I didn’t see that part.  Not sure how I missed it.   However, the rep on the phone just told me they get laundry too.  So there is still a lot of confusion on their end. What’s new.  

18 minutes ago, orville99 said:

The only way to find out for certain what benefits are there for kids once you are on board a specific cruise is to take their sea pass card to one of the bars and ask them to print out the list. 

Yeah.  Unfortunately I was hoping to have this info a priori for packing purposes.  Long trip and kids getting free bag of laundry may impact my packing strategy.   Oh well.  Maybe someone here who is DP with kids will have done what you mentioned recently.  

20 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

It seems to include details of internet and doesn’t mention laundry as poster above mentioned which is what you asked.

 

I assume if it isn’t mentioned it isn’t included. Some things hsve been known to be ship dependent.

No.  It doesn’t specifically list out internet for kids.   The kids area mentions a scoop of ice cream and a couple other things.   So that link is either wholly inaccurate or confusing at best.   Hence my posted question.  In my experience D and DP benefits are not dependent on the ship (other than what is noted in the CA literature when certain ships don’t have certain things - like in the old days some ships didn’t have a dedicated diamond lounge).  The basic benefits like laundry, internet, and the somewhat newer 5 free drinks per day have not been ship specific. 

1 minute ago, firefly333 said:

I was on sept 17 and sept 24 and the letter was discontinued I was told. 

 

I wanted to see how bogo was worded. Grandeur letter said izumi excluded, but allowed on allure . Dont usually look but wanted to read it that one time. Curious. No letter.

On my last cruise they had a letter and the perks were slightly different for kids including thinks like no free picture and no free bag of wash and fold for the kids.  Just called C&A and the lady said they should get wash and fold.  This is more important on a TA so I want to know for sure. I’m guessing they won’t honor that on board, but we will see.   Typical Royal stuff here.   Was hoping for a very recent letter posted on CC since CC members know more than RC phone reps. 

2 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I was told the letter in the cabin was discontinued. I was b2b on allure, no letter. I went and asked at guest services and was given that generic online handout. 

 

Dont expect a letter. I too wanted the ship specific letter they used to have.

Interesting.   Our last cruise was earlier this year so it’s been several months.   They had it then.  As long as they haven’t changed anything, I think I’m good.

13 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Benefits for each level, including youth, are listed on the Royal website.

That doesn’t list out the benefits for kids or even all the onboard benefits for adults.  The onboard letters provide more information which is why I posted my question.  

Does anyone have a recent onboard

letter for kids regarding the onboard DP benefits? Mainly wondering if they also get the same internet benefit as adults?   And if there is a laundry benefit?  I can’t remember from my last cruise.   
 

My search came up empty.  Any help is appreciated.  
 

One report is not going to help gauge timing.   It can vary a great deal.   So anyone trying to predict, don’t base it on other’s experience and even State time frame can be way off reality.  So many variables impact it and the times can vary by weeks or even months.   Just give it lots of extra time or wait if you have travel soon and you can wait.  

6 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

The sewer problem was probably from the trap valve getting stuck. Happened to us.  As far as overcrowding goes, yes it will be crowded.  Royal's marketing plan of kids sail free has filled the ship with many under 12is 3 and 4 person rooms.  Try Celebrity. Their suite program is heads and shoulders above Royal although their entertainment is a little below.

KSF typically doesn’t include summer months as any FYI. So I doubt that is the reason.  More likely because the ship was built for families and then after renovation even more so.  They don’t generally add slides for adults.  

Doesn’t the survey ask about stuff like this for multiple days prior?  Seems from my memory it would be impossible to answer the questions honestly without being flagged for health reasons (and likely denied boarding).  One would how folks aren’t lying about stomach bug type illness and really hope they stay away from windjammer and any pool if they do lie.   

4 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Good. Just a typical stomach bug. Enjoy your cruise.

Look up how long one can be contagious with the comments “stomach” bugs.   

21 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Idk I took ourusualbeach answer to mean if they booked a 3 pax gty, even if they got a 4 pax cabin, they would be repriced to add a 4th, because their gty was for 3. 

 

Just how I read it. Idk as I said. 

Maybe so.   My statement was additive, not necessarily different.  If I was the OP and got a 4 person assignment, I’d certainly find out if it is possible and at what price.  Particularly after final payment when sometimes rates go down.   Regardless, I was just throwing out an idea in case it helped the OP.  

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

 

Seems your answer is different that ourusualbeach answer and since he is a TA and deals with this I'm going with his answer ..  that the gty cat might be a issue if it's a gty for 3. 

I don’t think my answer is different. I said if…. And what I mean is if they assign them to a four person cabin, even though they booked a three person guarantee it might be possible.  But again that’s an if.     This wasn’t brought up and one could come away thinking it was an impossible when it may be possible.  Of course all this is independent of what the price might be to add someone.   

1 hour ago, Riggsy said:

Hello fellow cruisers 👋! I know there are lots of experienced travelers (and TAs) out there and I'm hoping y'all can be of more assistance than the RC customer service rep I was just on the phone with, it was like pulling teeth to get information. I GREATLY appreciate any advice.

 

I booked a cruise on the Voyager of the Seas out of Galveston on December 27th for my family; we have two GTY rooms, one has my two adult sons and the other room has my 15 yr-old daughter and my husband and me. I booked this last November. Since then, we decided to host a foreign exchange student and she would like to come with us on the cruise. It's going to be a bit tight with four of us in the room as I would add her to my room and not my son's room, but I checked prices to add another room and it looks like it is cheaper to just add a fourth guest to our room rather than add an additional room and move her and my daughter there as RC says they cannot transfer money between cabins.

Any advice on the best way to do this? By the way, she is from Brazil. I've not checked requirements yet for her to board the ship, but she has a passport and a Visa for the US obviously.

 

THANK YOU!! 

Minor or adult?  Assume you will need extra documents if she is a minor to show parental approval?  By the way, once they assign the cabin could be a four person common. So even if you got locked out because you’re in a guarantee that could change later.   

53 minutes ago, ReRe71 said:

 

You may not need the extras but others may want them.

I don’t think I said otherwise.  They were clearly asking if you need to spend money there.  People can spend a ton of money there if they want.  But there is no need to spend a dime if one chooses.   

On 8/15/2023 at 2:05 PM, lindatoo said:

Can someone tell me about the charges for Perfect Day Island. I was told it could be up to $200 per person per day. I thought it was free. 

 

 

Totally free unless you want to spend money on extra things you don’t need.