jean87510

4 hours ago, DonnaK said:

I always purchase the internet package (2 devices) online before the cruise, because I was under the impression that the pre-cruise discount was greater than the onboard diamond discount. 

 

My last cruise was on Celebrity. I was able to apply the Elite discount over the phone when I made final payment, and it was about $100 less that the pre-cruise discounted price that was showing online.  

 

I just called Royal, and was told that unlike Celebrity, I have to wait until I get on the ship to apply the Diamond discount.  Is that so, and how do I calculate if waiting is a better deal than the pre-cruise discount that is being offered with the online "sale"?  

 

 

It isn't cheaper.

I always check when onboard and it's always cheaper pre cruise.  Yes, Celebrity is good for the honoring of the discount pre cruise.  I do wish Royal would do the same.  

You can always monitor the price and cancel then rebuy if it goes down.

Also, you may save much more if you use a router for 1 device.  Just a suggestion.  I believe I may have heard somewhere that this is more economical and works well.

4 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

 MSC is charging $398 deposit to move a booking back two weeks, leaving on a cruise two weeks earlier. MSC agent says one free move can only be forward, not backward.  Please be  aware of this perk is only for going forward not backward. One will forfeit the original $398 and put a new deposit of $398 onto the new cruise date two weeks earlier. Both cruises are in month of September 2024 not yet balance due.

We just ran into this for an upcoming November YC cruise.  Since it is over 90 days, MSC rep said we could cancel the one and get deposit back.  We wanted to move a Nov 7 sailing to a November 1 sailing.  We decided to keep both as they are 3 days.  Seashore YC 3 days, then Disney Shades of Green, then Magnifica Aurea.  

They wouldn't honor the YC move backwards, only forward up to 30 days.

On 4/22/2024 at 11:29 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

Many attribute our standoffishness as elitist (could be very true) or even boorish, loutish, uncouth, discourteous and ungracious....so call me these names (and more). We are just too tired of getting ill for the sake of be being sociable.

no, you are right.  Husband and I came back from our Sydney to Tahiti NCL cruise with sinus infections from the most vile boorish coughers that exist on the planet and took coughing to an all new art form.  And we are loners and anti social beings.  The place that got us every time was the elevators.  Full of coughers who apparently never grasped the simple concept of covering ones mouth when one coughs up a lung.

Have been reading all posts re the Reflection as we will be boarding next month for a MDW cruise.  We have been on MSC, Celebrity, NCL, Royal and Carnival.  Our favorite line is definitely Celebrity followed by MSC YC and then Carnival for the staff.  Royal and NCL are ok but Celebrity just is so much nicer.  I just wish the line wasn't so pricy for what you get.  We are a little sad as this will probably be our last Celebrity cruise for a while until we do some of the more exotic itineraries in Asia after husband retires.  Also looking at the Antarctica sailings for then as well.

Following along as we will be on the Reflection Memorial day weekend.  We stop at CocoCay and Bimini.  We have reservations for the Lawn Club.  Love your pictures!

On 4/24/2024 at 9:44 AM, Kteacher said:

I don’t think food is provisioned off of the ship. The Beach Club lunch was very good, and they will bring you as much as you want off of the menu. For us it was worth it as we wanted a quieter and less crowded atmosphere and table service for lunch.

Sounds like they improved this from October where they actually ran out of lobsters for my 115pm lunch.  Husband was not happy.  And they were a bit stingy with bringing anything else extra.  Ended up eating at south beach.

2 hours ago, FolsomMike said:

When I checked in on line I was easily able to access my express passes and place them in my Apple wallet. However, when I received an email today with my final documents, it’s stated that the passes must be printed or embarkation will take longer. Unfortunately, I am having home printer issues.  Do I really needed printed passes or is this outdated information?

Also (due to same printer issues), my printed luggage tags are legible but not in full color; would this be a problem? I miss the days of mailed docs. 🙂 

no, you do not.  Screenshot, or save in Apple wallet or google wallet.  Obviously make sure phone is charged!  

We have been on 6 cruises now with black and white tags on 4 different cruise lines.  Always got our bags.

2 hours ago, toxicfairy said:

Thank you. I think we would eat breakfast on the ship and wait until we got back to the ship to eat again. Not into $20 burgers lol not even at home. Honestly we're not much of fast food type people any ways.

I remember some salads and sandwiches.  It wasn't that bad price wise and was surprisingly good.  

I only have 2 more Nassau stops as we are actively avoiding CocoCay, Nassau, Bimini and Cozumel as we are tired of these spots.  The only one I wouldn't mind again is Nassau because of the Atlantis.  We may go back in November off of our MSC trip.  Next month my daughter and I are doing the pigs in Nassau which I don't like but she really wants to do it 🙄.

I think you'll have a good time.  Just the fact there are no vendors is such a plus.  

38 minutes ago, markeb said:

 

A lot of people pay for experiences. That's what we're doing by cruising, isn't it?

 

You cook it steak places were pretty popular a few years back. Haven't looked for one in years. It wasn't about the steak; it was the experience.

 

Cook your own steak, paint and wine shops, cupcake decorating, and art classes have nothing to do with the product or not knowing how to cook a steak or frost a cupcake. It's the experience. The cupcake experience on RCL's Freedom and Oasis class ships was always booked solid. People sign up for the mixology classes on Celebrity. And wine tastings. The glass blowing is a lot of fun. It's all the same. People are buying an experience and maybe they learn a little in the process. That's actually a recurring theme in most marketing to Millenials in particular; they buy experiences over products.

 

No issue if you don't get it. Just means you're not the target market. But they're successful enough that there is a target market.

No I don't and would rather have the cash.  But people probably don't understand things that interest me on a cruise ship (gym, buffet, no shows, no gambling, no trivia, no chairs near pool...).  Regardless, I will continue to stand on my hill of $60 pp to learn how to make a steak is too much when there are many YouTube videos plus bbq shows out there for free showing one exactly how to do it.

2 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

I suppose for someone who has never cooked a steak, this would be interesting...so I could see the appeal in that regard.  

Are there actually people out there who have never cooked a steak?  

The one I thought was interesting but a bit pricey was the glass blowing.  A lot of people on our Equinox sailing last year watched that.  A few participants.  On a Norwegian Sydney to Tahiti cruise I was just on had art classes that were $20 per session for an hour I believe.

The cooking ones or cupcake decorating 🤔.  But that's me.  As you say, maybe people have never frosted a cupcake.  I'm not sure I'd pay to do it.

It truly never ceases to amaze me what cruise lines will come up with to charge their passengers.  Equally amazing is what people will pay for.  (myself included!)  Some of the onboard stuff is just busy stuff to use up OBC.  This one for $60 to cook a steak....  Isn't the Lawn club grill meal on a whole cheaper than this?  

20 hours ago, Gilliganluvsmaryann said:

Sarcasm seems to be the norm on cruise critic. Probably why fewer people are posting, and turning to FB for discussion. I read and post on a Las Vegas forum and ther is no negativity just friendly discussions and helpful answers to questions.

Agreed.  Less teacher's pets.

On 4/24/2024 at 5:22 PM, toxicfairy said:

Hey all,

we just got switched from Labadee to Nassau for our August 11 FOS cruise.  Bummer but not end of world ( bummer because we already are going to coco Cay so was hoping for someplace not Bahamas). 

Any ways it'll take royals AMAZING IT department a while to make the change so mean while I'm wondering about excursions.  Hubby mentioned Atlantis being in Nassau and we've never been there. I know it's ridiculously priced as is everything these days. But if anyone has RECENTLY(within the year or so)  done this can you give me some insight. Price and what it includes? I like to stick with the cruise company excursions to keep mishaps to a minimum in light of all the stupidity in the news lately. We use to go wonder off like crazy people with no cares but being a little older now we're more cautious. 

Thanks for any help.

We recently in October did the Atlantis on our own.  Being the travelers that we are, we opted for the water taxi then walked to the Atlantis.  Others take cabs.  Either is fine.  Water taxi IS cheaper overall imo and based on past experiences with cabs here.  But others have been luckier with pricing.

The day pass can be booked online.  It is from 9 to 5.  Here is the advantage over the cruise ship.  You get there earlier.  You aren't herded.  You can leave later.

Food and drink are not included.  BUT it is not expensive.  We are not big drinkers.  We actually drank soda here and got unlimited refills.

Staff is really nice all over the resort.  There are no vendors harassing you.  Place is gigantic and clean.  I logged so many steps just walking around admiring everything.

You can book extra experiences online with day pass.

We did look at the comfort inn option but it was actually not available for our day.  And I think it was around the same price for the 2 of us.  

On 4/24/2024 at 10:06 AM, TraDav said:

Has anyone taken a tour not offered by cruise line to Gold Rock Beach? Or taken just a taxi to Gold Rock Beach? Want to go just to beach have read the caves are not that great

We rented a car and went there, the caves then to Paradise to snorkel.  There is really nothing vendor wise at the beach but it is beautiful.  You absolutely do not need a tour.

1 hour ago, BNR091496 said:

So you can order multiple appetizers / desserts at the specialty restaurants?  (Apologizes - I am still new to the specialty dining - My husband has ordered multiple dinners in the MDR didn't think you could order extras in the special restaurants!)  Also, can you use the a la carte credit you get on the dining plan towards say lobster in Chops?

I have no idea re appetizers.  No, we were not able to use the a la carte at chops for a seafood tower for my husband.  Had to pay.  

3 hours ago, George C said:

Izumi is good but doesn’t include unlimited appetizers and deserts like others .

I didn't realize the others were unlimited appetizers and desserts.  Good to know just in case.

Hmmm.  I'd do Izumi.  Only one that is worth the money.  The other 2, no.  Their food resembles Applebee's which is actually good but probably cheaper pp than Jamie's and Chops.  I am not a big fan of Chops especially when I think my husband does a better job with our grill and smoker.

1 minute ago, LEMJMcC said:

To each his or her own.  I wouldn't mandate or legislate that people not wear helmets, I just don't believe it should be mandated that I do.  Same for seat belts...

Troll alert!

14 minutes ago, alfaeric said:

Marmalade is great, but the food isn't Puerto Rican. It's more fusion than pure Boriquen.  

 

Riaces is a good choice.  And even though it's more commercial than the smaller ones next to it, the quality is really good.  

We had a bad experience here last time with service and food in December 2022.  We were there before and I don't know why it was different as we enjoyed it prior.  I know we won't go back.

I'm trying to remember a place that was delicious near the forts that a tour guide gave us.  It was fantastic.

On 4/13/2024 at 11:00 PM, bandtaxi said:

Did this last year and really enjoyed it.  The group stays together.  They have a guide in the front and in the back.  It is a busy road, but the guides are signaling to you so you know to stay on the side. You are using the brakes most of the time with only a couple of times to uphill (a short hill) pedal.  They stop frequently to make sure everyone is ok and see the area.  You really should be keeping your eyes on the road while riding.  You ride close to each other so the group stays together.  I second going through customs on a bicycle is fun and probably something most people don't get the opportunity to do.  The day we did took this excursion, it was really foggy when we got off the train so they took us a couple miles down the mountain to be out of the fog.  Helmets are required and provided. 

 

Before we went, I saw a review from someone who was disappointed that they couldn't ride at their own speed as they were avid bikers.  It doesn't sound like this fits the original poster, just mentioning it for anyone else reading this.  You stay in line, no passing, no riding ahead (or behind) the guides.  

 

 

I was looking at this but husband hates lines and loves speed.  He would not be happy.

We actually rented e bikes in Skagway in 2022, and, although we didn't go where this excursion went, we had a wonderful time.  Did about 30 miles total for the day.  It may be an option for the independent loner types.

On 4/15/2024 at 9:24 AM, LEMJMcC said:

Bummer about helmets required...I hate helmet laws.

After having a daughter who had a fractured skull and a subdermal hematoma from riding a bike without a helmet when she was 9, I never go without mine.  And neither do others in my biking club.  

I just booked a 3 day (Key West and Ocean Cay) on this ship for November 1, 2024 prior to a work trip in Disney.  No YC but no biggie as we are only on for 3 days and ship is pretty small plus passenger count is low.  We did get Aurea just to try it.  

40 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

To be fair the word tip is a dog whistle for both sides of the discussion.  
 

With optimism, if it was included in the cruise cost the discussions would be reduced here on CC.👏

Yes it is.  On my end, I don't like people calling people cheap if they choose not to do as they do.  I think a lot of the pushback against not the gratuities but the extra cash being handed out is due to the overkill for lack of a better word of the tipping culture in the US since the pandemic.  I for one would be more than happy with the tips included.  I actually just booked an excursion in Grand Cayman where the tip was available pre trip.  It saves me carrying cash around.  If the cruiselines went this way, I truly wouldn't care where they spread the gratuities because I'm on vacation.  

When the gratuities are prepaid, if using a TA, does that factor into the TAs fee?

9 hours ago, Billy Baltic said:

I think you’re being optimistic. If it gets rolled into the initial cost, it will just become “I can’t believe you are only tipping what is included’. There is a group of gratuity police on CC who will be never be happy. 

Agreed.  And they will brag how they continue to hand out cash.