bearette
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Posts posted by bearette
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Call and ask and if they want to move you then don't follow through, if you don't like the.outcome. Pre-covid the 3rd in our room cancelled and they wanted to move the covetted aft cabin, but we were able to change the person sailing for no fee and keep the room. Try that if you have some else willing to go.
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He mail your consulate and ask them-if it does count they may have to direct you to anyplace to get that stamp.
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My daughter lost the kids Bingo, but she was well behaved for the kids club staff so they liked her and gave her the same prize-an octopus. She was ecstatic-we now have five octopi.
My husband won $500 in bingo after I told him I didn't want to play.
On a Disney cruise they did Pub Games and my husband and I with my mom tagging along at times won 3rd place-teams one and two had like ten people a piece. It tallied the weeks games for points so we were proud of ourselves. We won a nifty passport holder I keep lovingly under my bathroom sink and smile at every time I see remembering my win.
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I am not paying the same money for less of an experience -no port access unless I shell out $$$ for my family of four is the biggest offender. If the shore excursions were cheaper and the price of the cruise itself I may consider it, but not at the current rates.
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On 9/20/2020 at 2:41 PM, John&LaLa said:
🤔 When dies Oasis class do short cruises?
Almost exclusively does the 7 day trips you desire.
Oops I meant Voyager.
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I like the Oasis class, but they do a lot of short cruises and I prefer 7 nights or more. I would like them to do 7 nights in the Caribbean and Europe.
I was on the literal last Dubai cruise and I enjoyed the area very much. Covid derailed other ports, but I would like to do the area again.
Turkey I did on another line and I agree it wasn't on my radar, but afterwards it became one of my favorite ports. The Canary islands as well.
Greenland and Iceland would be nice as well.
I agree with Egypt. I like to do more exotic ports on cruises to get a taste of a place and try it out so I am up for anyplace that isn't on the typical route.
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I agree with others that I like cruising, but I don't want to pay a premium to have a limited experience. Masks are part of our everyday now, but if we can't have the same experience, I'm out.
I don't have anything booked now, but I do have a FCC burning a hole in my pocket. I won't pay the same money for a diminished experience though. If they open like MSC, I won't be going because I don't want them telling me where I can go (their tours). Plus, I can't afford as a family of four to be doing $100 tours per person in each port. I like the destination not the ship, so if I can't get off, there is no incentive. I like a land vacation just as well, I usually add a land portion to any cruise. Once we can leave the country, just a land trip is what we will be doing.
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Yes , they actually did call me back! Several times too ,as it took several calls to get it resolved, on their end. RCCL returned the wrong cruise refund and we lost the FCC, which was substantial so we were quite mad as I had called every two weeks check on it. I would have had a great rate on an Alaska July 2020 cruise, that we would have been able to lift and shift so we lost out on that, but luckily their agent took great detailed notes so we were able to get it resolved in our favor. The best part is I didn't have to do all the calling.
If you buy online, they may have things available to be mailed that may make it worth it. We use ours as we have several in California, and in gas alone it is worth it for us. They have a level up membership that gives perks that sometimes on it's own will provide enough cash back to pay for memebership, but you have to spend it in their store. Its not cash, but a store credit.
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I've used TAs ,.booked myself, online TA (can't say website) and a big box TA with toilet paper. For me, I want price and value, but their time when things go south. A local TA always put the cruise I booked on his web page a day or two later, as he made it a group booking to give us price discounts. While pregnant and cruising, my flight got cancelled- he was no help, in New Orleans on a Saints game day at 8pm. Never used him Again! No help after either trying to get hotel paid for.
Online TA messed up booking and had to call back and ask us to pay more by $100 per person. Since they messed up we spilt the difference, but didn't use them again. Another online TA had cancel penalties, so I didn't book with them.
Big box TA, saved me money and when RCCL gave a refund and not FCC they went to bat for me and got it resolved to my benefit. I was surprised and happy, but it took two weeks of them calling me back every few days. I couldn't resolve it myself.
Direct, I can call and change and do everything, no waiting.
Your mileage may vary and it depends on how much power you want in a problem, if you want to handle it book direct, but if you want someone else to do it, book with a TA.
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On 9/16/2020 at 6:28 AM, zellmo said:
I cancelled my Med. cruise for Sept. 27th. 2020, RCCL gave me a FCC for my non-refundable deposit. This was when the cruise was still sailing. Now that the cruise is cancelled, can I get my FCC deposit refunded to me? Thanks
You are playing a game of chicken with RCCL, if you could not wait then FCC only. The only way to get a refund is to wait for RCCL to cancel or have a refundable deposit to cancel before final payment.
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From what I understand this ports are rare, maybe a TA (transatlantic).
I looked it up, May 15, 2021 on the Jewel is the only Iceland -no Greendland at all that I can see. It does leave out of Amsterdam. If you need both you'll have to try a different cruise line.for next year.
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This was a great idea, now I have some thing to read....though I have read many of the greats already. I have started doing reviews, but not to the likes of the greats on these boards. Thank you for the time and effort to make these for us to enjoy and use for future planning! I didn't realize how much work it takes!
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I am a frequent cruiser, but I only made it to Nassau once and I got rained on. I agree it is not a favorite port, but I don't avoid it. I think it appears on 3/4 day cruises which I tend not to do, which is why it may be a first time cruiser place.
My issues have already been mentioned, but my reasons for not seeking it out are:
1) not my favorite things to do, but what there is is expensive (Atlantis-$150, $50 day passes at resorts and public beaches don't have facilities.)
2) rumors of being unsafe ( usually some basis in fact, see Barcelona and Paris pick pockets) and I didn't feel 100% safe walking around with just my mom, who was the only person with me at the time of our visit. I wouldn't be out at night without my husband if I went back
3) cheap trinkets-same stuff everyone else sells and not cheaply
4) just not as nice, run down looking and unclean restrooms -which is my number 1 judge of how tourist friendly something is. Ever been to Disney? Their restrooms are always clean, even their beach private island- clean beach restrooms are hard to come by.
Nassau wants the tourist money without reinvesting in the services tourist want and expect that make tourists want to return. Though I will say that chocolate thing is enticing and I am thinking about a cruise out of Nassau for next year -if they can sail.
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Carnival gave people who kept their cruises $600 in onboard credit.
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We have to in California, so no difference than at home. Originally I thought no way, but it has become the new normal. It is the extra limitations I don't want. If there are no shows or I can't use the pool because I need a reservation, that is when it becomes a problem. The cost of a cruise is too much money to throw at a limited experience. It is why I wouldn't do Disneyworld right now. It is still several thousand dollars and the experience isn't the same. Now I live near Disneyland, so I get to go more often, so I would wear a mask and to there as I have the option to visit more so my investment isn't as much.
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London-some ideas
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I thought I would help look for apartments. Some have one set of stairs so check them out and varying amenities. These are from vrbo (vacation rental by owner)amenities. Make sure you read the reviews as they are usually accurate. Also keep in mind in summer a/c.( All of the apartments don't have them, so check it that is important to you.) This isn't an exhaustive list and since I don't know the dates you are staying exactly, they may not be available, but it gives you an idea of what you get for the price. When I looked I had a hard time finding accessible apartments under $300, either they had stairs to the apartment or stairs in the partments, so I would book soon to make sure you can find one if $300 plus is to high.
Paris
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I have twins who are 8 and I'm not going to give you specific tour advice, but General things that will make life easier while your travel.
1) get a guide book. - They make children's one for the dress and have the kids pick their favorites. They are better behaved when they have input. Have an idea of what you want todo, but be flexible. For must do items get timed tickets
2) Hotels-airbnb, vrbo and hotels only if one night. The space in an apartment is better and unless they limit the options like New Orleans, you can't stay in the French quarter on a short term rental, -the price is cheaper for more space.My daughter helps me pick our Airbnb ( I narrow it down and then show her ). We eat breakfast in the apartments to save money, get snacks because the kids are always hungry that we can carry around- know the cancellation rules and ok one that is flexible so you don't have problems again
3) Packing- pack your clothes and take half of it out. Four days worth and one dress/dress up outfit, color coordinate so everything matches. Bonus for quick dry clothres. No more then 3 pairs of shoes. Wear the tennis shoes, a sandal and a dress up sandal, one that you can walk long distances in. Take powered deterrent in a bag for hand washing clothes. They are old enough to wash their own. Underwear and socks need to be fresh, but the world won't end if they wear the same t-shirt or shorts again. Wash one or two things every day if hand washing because it will get hard to hang up everything. Do a load of laundry every night if you have a washer , while getting dressed in the morning too if you can with that many people. Try to get a place with a dryer, but that is not always possible. I did this for a ten day trip in Europe with my kids in carry on only. It can be done and it is easier. You can still take a checked bag, since you have many people, but not more then two so someone can always take a break. Backpacks for the plane and one or two carry ons only with a change of clothes for every person, and medicine, in case a suitcase doesn't make it. Limited luggage is your friend. You can't go cold turkey on carry on luggage so try to limit it.
4) transportation - the bus is always cheaper, then the train/ metro and finally a car services like taxi, rentals and uber. In cities always use public transportation, but investigate as place like Barcelona with more people the taxi becomes cheaper or the same price. London allows children free with adults ( not sure the age cut off). For your issues you may use a benefit from a cab and train system. You can save some $$ by using the train/ bus long distance, but to avoid walking use a cab or uber for the smaller and cheaper trips. We did this in Dubai where the can was $100 across town, but if we took the cab to the train station then took the metro across town and a cab at the end it was c!part to $22. It only took about ten or fifteen minutes more.
5) know "child" ages. Some start at 4 needing tickets and others, 16 or 18. Know these so you aren't surprised. This goes for museums and public transportation
6). Tours unless they are private are to be avoided- no teenager or kid cares to hear someone talk for hours or have to be still or quiet. We DIY and use Rick Steve's free podcasts or audio guides. Honestly these are very expensive and in my experience not worth the money. The only benefits are you do less work because once you book they take care of things and less walking . If you are here, you like control and are willing to put in effort. We rent a car in the country and use public transport in the city. We taxi or uber when it isn't expensive and saves a lot of time. The guidebooks help with this as they have walking tours (which are free) or road trips and lists things you may want to do. Some like hop on/ hop off, but I usually just use public transportation. Try to hit up parks, fun for the youngest and they are pretty, some like in Paris have cafes that are fun to est/drink or snack in.
7) planning- don't plan more than two big ticket items a day. You and the kids will need down time. The teenager will want to go in the record store. You want a coffee ( or beer) from the cafe. You pass a museum you missed and want to go in or see a cool park for the youngest. If you see something you like, but don't have time to stop,what's the point?
These are my tips and tricks. You may look in horror at my ideas, so use what You like and ignore the rest. Have fun and no matter what you do, you will make great memories. Enjoy your trip.
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I haven't stayed there yet, but I have never heard anyone complain a bout the rooms being small. It is why we booked it for our probably cancelled cruise in November.
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25 minutes ago, Hlitner said:
One way to save a few Euros with the Metro is to purchase a "T-10" ticket which is actually 10 separate tickets for less than 10Euros. It is actually less then half price when compared to purchasing regular tickets and you can split those T-10 tickets among multiple users. We find it makes a lot more sense for a couple then getting sucked into the 1 day tourist ticket unless you plan on using the Metro a heck of a lot in one day.
Hank
There is also a group ticket, t-familiar, that does groups as it is meant for families depending on how many you are.
Barcelona has cheap taxis relative to other places. As others mentioned get the timed ticket for the park as it is away from everything and start there. Then cab or metro/bus to the others. I recommend going inside S.F. , but I wouldn't do two times tickets in one day as it rushes you, or give yourself 5ish hours in between. Google maps can route you on how to take public transportation, but it will also give you a taxi fare estimate and the time to get there. I am a fan of public transportation, but not when a taxi cuts my time in half.
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Thanks, I would need to just put their info in then.
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That's what I figured, but since my kids are not allowed to drink soda it loses the value now. That is good for adult 3/4 passengers, as I am sure they had issues with people sharing.
Would I be right in assuming that I cannot opt them out of the package?
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Look a real cruise question!
I've looked up a few cruises and every time it shows gratuities for the third and fourth in a room. As 3rd/4th don't get drinks and dinning, I'm wondering why this is so? In the past it only charged gratuities for the first two. Can anyone enlighten me?
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On 7/24/2020 at 3:04 AM, Roger88 said:
My alternate vacation would be going to Dubai in January and stay there for a month or two. Just to stay away from all these problems. Enjoy the sea, eat some good foods.. relax in the appartment under the AC. Cruising shouldnt be the only option really. There are way too many ways to choose from of how to spend your holiday
We were in Dubai on a cruise on another line when this all went down. We decided to come home because the literature stated to be prepared to quarantine in Dubai for weeks when they banned flights from.nearby countried. Two days after we.left they shut down the whole country. I was getting emails of updates on policies from registering with the US. They had curfews at night starting at around 8pm and you needed permits at the height of things to leave your house to get groceries etc. We joked we would have been safer if we stayed then coming home, but we have pets we couldn't ditch for 6 weeks, the first time they had flights to the US again after we left.
B2B OBC and onboard account
in Royal Caribbean International
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You can spend the money in the shops. A few t-shirts, sweatshirts, stuffed animals, a new Mickey watch and you can blow more then $600.