gram2kids

If you are making connections through Charlotte, we are predicted to have 6 to 10 inches of rain here. As of right now we have just been having a light drizzly rain today so far, but we have been having rain here for over a week now.

Mike, Flying out of CLT tomorrow morning to MCO and hoping I can get there for my FOS cruise on Sunday. I had to change my flight time yesterday and US Airways charged me an additional $473 in change fees on top of the already high flight cost. Oh well..!! Now I just wonder where we will be heading instead of Eastern Caribbean. Stay safe everyone that are in the path of this hurricane.

Let me start off with saying I'm a total panicking mess tonight because of this D**N hurricane that is projected to come up the east coast within a day or two. I live just below Charlotte, NC and the NHC.NOAA has issued a report saying Charlotte will be receiving heavy rains and high winds Saturday night into Sunday morning. I'm suppose to leave CLT Airport at 9:30am and fly to MCO (Orlando)and arrive there by 11am. BUT...the weather that has been forecasted here suggests there will be heavy rains and high winds at my departure time. I have my doubts they will be getting the plane up and moving with the weather pattern I have seen tonight. I called twice today to have the change fee waived and switch to a Saturday flight but was told they have not gotten the "OK" to waive the fees yet. At this point I don't know if I should just bite the bullet and pay the extra $475 fee to cover a Saturday flight out. What would you do?..ride this out until Friday and hope by Saturday the storms will swift, pay the extra $$$ to get on an earlier flight the day before on Saturday or just wait for what happens Sunday morning?

We also ended up having to fly in the day of and are on the same shuttle, I'll walk real slow from baggage to help you out if you are running behind :)

 

Check your carriers website and see if there is an earlier flight, if so you may be able to get on standby if you go to the airport early, doubtful you will be able to get an earlier flight from your lay over but at least it will get you out of JFK or an additional option anyway. Assuming you have a layover and not a direct flight.

 

Good luck, think happy thoughts, usually delays are due to not being able to land as opposed to not being able to take off.

DJ, tell the driver I'm on my way..!! LOL

I checked with the airline and they have not decided yet if they are canceling any flights yet. Also, asked about changing flight to Saturday and it would cost me an extra $350 just to change the flight then hotel fees and transportation, etc would be to much. I'm going to think positive and hope I'm stressing for nothing.

See you on the shuttle..!!..I hope!

Thanks, everyone ..! I will contact each one and see if they will be able to help with the transportation in the event the flight is delayed and I get in after my scheduled 12:30pm pick up reservation. I knew I could count on you to provide names and suggestions! Thanks, again.

Going on the FOS this Sunday (Oct. 4, 15) and are flying in from JFK that morning, I know, not a good idea...Oh Well lesson learned now. TS Joaquin is rearing his ugly head and heading up north with lots of rain and wind for the weekend and am very worried about my flight being canceled or delayed. I have reservations with RCL ground transportation for a 12:30pm (their latest pick up time) drive to the port but may not be able to make it to MCO in time for that transportation service. What other shuttle services at MCO are available and recommended by CC members and operate on standby after 12:30pm that may be able to take me to the port without a previous reservation? I am aware that I need to be on the ship no later than 3:00pm. I appreciate any help you can provide. Thank You.

Give this OP a break..!! The post was at 11:30pm last night...is it possible that maybe this person went to bed after posting and works a 9 to 5 job that prohibits using the computer during business hours? Maybe the OP is responsible for other obligations since the late night posting approximately 15 hours ago? We all don't have the luxury of spending all of our time perusing and commenting on CC. Give this OP a chance to respond to the questions before criticizing and being suspicious of the intent/purpose of the post. Lets all be helpful instead of critical of someone that is a first time poster. Remember, we were all at one time a first time poster?...were you given the courtesy of helpful and patient advice?..if so, extend it to this OP.

"I think I will stop paying for family cruises. Maybe if they have to pay for a change they will clear their schedules."

Seems like that is a good idea for any future family cruises together. When the money comes out of their own wallets they are more likely to make better arrangements to be present on the cruises. I myself would not be happy if the reason for the possible last minute/no money back cancellation would be because of a "volunteer" commitment. Hopefully he will realize the expenses lost to you if he chooses not to sail and will make other arrangements to have someone take his place at home. Good Luck, it's tough at times when dealing with in-laws.

By any chance does anyone have a PDF of the Freedom of the Seas "Luggage Valet & Airline Check In Application Form?" I will be leaving out of MCO in a couple of weeks and would like to see the requirements and restrictions pertaining to the valet services available on FOTS for MCO flights. Thank you.

Are there any daily morning fitness classes in the Fitness Center that are given by a fitness instructor? If so, would anyone that has sailed lately and has attended those classes tell me at what time they started, what type of classes were they and for how long each class was. Thank you.

As far as cost, they are generally $4 to 5. On my liberty cruise last month I got 2 virgin pina coladas; once I was charged a quarter more than the other time for no discernible reason. Each was around $4.50 . on my quantum cruise last Jan they were pretty regularly $4.

Thanks, Karmacats! Those prices seem very reasonable by RCCL drink price standards.

This is a list that I have compiled from several posts...

 

Virgin Drinks (can also be Alcoholic)

(make sure to let the bartender know you want it Virgin)

 

Pina Coladas

Peach Pina Coladas

Mojitos (also ask for it frozen)

Strawberry Daquiries

Mango Daquiries

Papaya Passion

Mango Tango (1/2 Pina Colada, 1/2 mango daq)

Love Connection (1/3 Pina, 1/3 Mango daq, 1/3 straw daq)

Lava Flow

Miami Vice (1/2 pina colada-1/2 strawberry daq)

Pineapple Blast (pineapple soda with red bull)

Mudslide

Flavored Lemonades (also ask for it frozen)

Rosewater Lemonade

Arnold Palmer (1/2 iced tea, 1/2 lemonade)-may be avail frozen...

 

Specialty Coffees and Teas are listed at Café Promenade or Café Latte-tudes

 

*also ask the bartender to suggest something or surprise you with something virgin...

Thanks, LilBlackDress..!! I appreciate you taking the time to list all those virgin drinks for us. Only 26 more days and I'll be trying most of those out..yippee..!!

I also would be interested in knowing what virgin tropical drinks are available and also the average cost of them on FOTS. Thanks.

I have a service dog, too. If I flatulate, he is the first to alert everyone by leaving the room.

OMG...!!..That was THE BEST line of this whole discussion..!!

I would like to take advantage of the LV service for our Oct. 4th FOTS cruise but have been told that we are not eligible for this service because our flights are at 12 noon out of MCO. Has anyone here been able to take advantage of this valet service with flights that are close to the 12:30pm cut-off time? If so, how did you manage to obtain this service from RCCL before disembarkation? Thanks.

RCCL ground transportation is: $75.00 R/T or $37.50 one way.

Pele's Curse. Thousands of pounds of rocks stolen from Hawaii are returned by mail to the island each year because former tourists fear their ...

As I was reading the above posts I was reminded of my first time visiting the black beach on the road to Hana on Maui. You brought me back to the time I took some black sand home with me and when I showed it to my daughter she said there was a curse for taking sand off the Hawaiian islands...OMG!..What to do now?, I asked her. So I immediately put the sand into a double zip bag and sent it back to the Maui Island Visitors Center with a long letter of apology for taking their precious sand back home with me. I have never taken any sand from any beach since that trip. Just knowing that I had the privilege to visit such beautiful island beaches have been enough memories I will ever need.

Better yet, where's Bob?

Bob is probably hiding from this overly explained and confusing mess. IMHO.

I already have the luggage tag holders....but does anyone know where you can get the steel screw ties that they show here?

I don't even know the correct name for them--but I'll bet someone here knows!

Thanks in advance.

Truffles,

I found even a better deal! Amazon: Clever Traveler-Luggage Name Tag/Key Ring Stainless Steel (5Pk) $5.62

I'm going to order a set for myself..!!

I already have the luggage tag holders....but does anyone know where you can get the steel screw ties that they show here?

I don't even know the correct name for them--but I'll bet someone here knows!

Thanks in advance.

You can find them on Amazon: Dynotag 5 Ultra-tough Braided Stainless Steel 6" Tag Loops

Is this just a summer occurrence or does it also effect the waters/beaches into the fall months? Does this pose a problem if you are taking a sailing excursion that involves snorkeling? Thanks.

Perfect timing for this post!...I was thinking the other day about taking my JAM Bluetooth speaker on an upcoming cruise and wasn't sure if it would work properly. Now, it is definitely coming with me. I like low volume music while getting ready in the mornings and winding down at night. I'm always cognizant of the people around me when traveling regardless if it's a cruise or hotel and am respectfully quiet not to disturb my fellow travelers. I'm hoping they will be just as respectful of me in return.[/size][/size]

I use to worry amount my stuff when I went into the water . I didn't like to just leave my bag unattended. I bought and love the KYSS bag I bought , it locked to a chair or tree or whatever . Look it up.

Because of your recommendation I went onto the KYSS website and was very impressed with the bag design, fabric choices, embroidery design choices and monogram font styles available...and you can't beat the price for what you get. I just received my new KYSS bag yesterday and I LOVE it..!! It is made with the best materials and workmanship. This tote bag will be very useful on my upcoming cruise...Thanks for the recommendation..!!

The cutoff is now 11:30am for Port Everglades / FLL.

Bob,

Would you know what the cut-off flight time would be if disembarking from Port Canaveral and flying out of MCO (Orlando)? I have a 12noon flight and was hoping to take advantage of the Valet Luggage service. Thanks

No electrical outlets near the beds on Freedom class. I believe Oasis class was the first to add that feature.

 

I would contact Special Needs at [noparse]special_needs@rccl.com[/noparse] and mention the CPAP. They will usually provide an extension cord and distilled water.

Yes, when I sailed on the Allure OTS it was great having the electrical outlets conveniently located at the head of the bed. I will notify RCCL that I will need an extension cord. Thanks, again.

The beds on Freedom class balcony staterooms do not alternate like they do on Oasis class. They are all near the balcony.

Thanks, Bob. I have noticed that you are very helpful and knowledgeable about all things cruising which I appreciate. Would you happen to know if there are electrical plugs near the head of the beds on FOTS? I use a CPAP machine and wanted to know if an extension cord would be needed if there was no plug within the headboard area. Thanks.