ladysail2

54 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

Just curious, what is a Planner?  TIA!

Also, there is part called Open Your Planner where you’ll find how many days until your cruise, a small description of each day of the cruise re: port days and sea days, a check-in page, etc.  then there is the heading of Categories for the different types of purchases…spa, drinks, shore excursions, photos, wifi, etc.  Hope that helps.  😊

12 hours ago, shof515 said:

a few days, usually around 3-5 business days it go back to the credit card

Thank you!

I had to have a Planner purchase refunded. It was worth about $300.  Any idea about how long the refund takes?

Thank you! 😊

2 hours ago, futuredays said:

Yeah, the thing is it was posted on my cruise planner from the date of purchase until it showed "refunded" on the day they sent me the email a few days ago.  I had no reason to suspect that anything had gone wrong with my order.  I now know I should also double check my CC.

It’s a wise idea. I reserved a hotel room in Copenhagen a few years ago with a ‘pay now’ plan that discounted the price.  3-4 months later I show up at the hotel….sure, they have a room for me but I owe them….they never did take payment off my card. I verified it, but wasn’t planning on that $400-$500 expenditure at that time. Such is a lesson in the details.  Now I verify large purchases, and small ones should be checked too.

8 hours ago, futuredays said:

Yeah, their IT systems seem to be having issues for sure.  

Also, when I purchase something from the planner, I always get an email confirming the purchase.  I don’t always, but sometimes I check the cc just to make sure the purchase shows up.  I will now check everytime.  Charges show up on the cc in a nanosecond it seems to me.  😁

3 hours ago, gumshoe958 said:

Ok, so you need to take the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal, then from the front of the station take tram #13 or 17 two stops to Dam. Or just walk from the station, it’s less than half a mile, 10 minutes max.

Thank you Gumshoe958. It sounds like I only need a train ticket. I can walk from the station, hopefully the sidewalks are fairly smooth. I’ll just have the one suitcase.  I’m only in Amsterdam the one night,  leaving for Utrecht the next day. Everything I want to see is within walking distance of my hotel.  

On 4/5/2023 at 10:03 PM, Dancing Shoes said:

We are staying at Hotel Fita near the Van Gough museum.  They provide breakfast for free when you book directly with them.  We will use Uber to get to the hotel from the airport and to the cruise terminal.  Staying 3 nights pre-cruise.

I stayed at that hotel about 5-6 years ago and have fond memories. There’s a tram on the next street over that takes you to central Amsterdam. It’s s a nice ride, lots of canals and green space..and bicycles!! Cheese shops too!  Enjoy! 

9 minutes ago, gnome12 said:

From the airport you generally take a train to Amsterdam Centraal, the main railway station, and from there a tram if you need one. But there is another railway station between them that may be closer, so we need to know your hotel name or address to help you better. 

Sure, my hotel is on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, 119-121. It looks to be close to the corner of Gravenstraat.  

I took the National Express in November from London to Southampton. My suitcase was fine for the flight so was fairly close to 50 pounds.  
 

I would take Mr. Bull’s advice and offer to help lift the suitcase and offer a tip when the fellow puts it under the bus.  Having a smile and being appreciative goes a long way too, which I’m sure you will be as I was when I saw my suitcase go under.  😊

I’m going to be going to my hotel from the Schiphol airport by tram (I’m presuming).  How do I know what stop to disembark?  I will know the address of my hotel.  Is there something like a tram map with street names and tram station names to help me figure out my stop?  I tried looking at 9292, but every request I asked, it said no information. Perhaps I’m not asking properly.  Do trams stop at every stop or just upon request?  Thanks!  😊

Was watching a video on Royal changes…on ships with Playmakers…..a person with UDP can only go there for a meal once a day now. They found too many were showing up for lunch, sitting all afternoon watching sports, ordering snacks and food, then wanting to eat dinner there as well.  So the UDP isn’t exactly Unlimited anymore.  

10 hours ago, nimbex1970 said:

We are in the same "boat" for our WOS.  I was able to check in myself and grandson with no card on him and still got the boarding time.  You can pay for your account in cash at guest services, mind you, the line is long the first day. 

You don’t have to set up a cash account on the first day. They will ‘front’ you at least $100 before contacting you to give them cash or a card. I usually go on the second, even third day depending on what the line-up looks like.

I ordered one for my upcoming August cruise on Jewel. The picture shows Evian water being supplied with the bag. Did anyone, who ordered water, get Evian?  TIA

3 hours ago, Sgwscruiser said:

The poster sailed anyway. asking your friend to pay half these costs when she couldn’t go seems to me a very petty way to treat a friendship 

There’s nothing petty about the financial arrangement. The friend paid her own way by paying back Sacteach who initially paid the whole fare. Then the friend of Sacteach decided not to go…whatever the reason..she could have gone even feeling sick, but decided not to.  I don’t feel Sacteach should repay her friend.  It’s a chance anyone takes by paying in advance for any activity…sports games, concerts, opera, movies, etc.  Even with insurance, one has to follow their rules or you’re out the money.  Simply put, no refunds.

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

RCI abandoned ME departures for now. The only potential to visit that part of the world in the near future would be to either book the world cruise on Serenade or assume that one of the ships will be repositioned to/from Asia via Middle East/Suez (maybe in 2025 or later).

Thank you. I’ll keep watching. I’m not intending to go anyway for another 18-24 months at least.  😊

5 minutes ago, dpostman said:

Here is a picture my wife took from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai last December. I count at least 3 cruise ships docked in the harbour, but Can't make out which ones.

 

dp

 

Thank you for that. I know of other cruise lines that go through the canal and go to Dubai. I was wondering about Royal Caribbean. A friend of mine is on a Costa ship travelling from Dubai one-way, and it looks so interesting from her pictures.

Does Royal Caribbean go to Dubai or through the Suez Canal?  I looked in Find a Cruise on Royal’s website but couldn’t find a Middle East departure city.  Thank you!

On 3/25/2023 at 1:41 PM, nicstress said:

I believe he was on the Allure the most? But I was going to look through this thread. He looks familiar to me as well.

I met him on Majesty back in 2007…a really nice friendly Captain.  
 

Rest in Peace Captain Ron !

On 3/18/2023 at 8:19 AM, Tee & Chilli said:

It’s $105.99 on an upcoming Mariner sailing. This is before gratuity.

The 3-night specialty dining is $95 plus gratuity on Jewel for the August cruise.

4 hours ago, joeyancho said:

Sounds yummy. We did find out that they cannot make certain classic drinks that you would expect them to make. For example a grasshopper. A beautiful after dinner drink that my wife sometimes enjoys. They do not stock green creme de mint. Also a classic drink from way back in the 70's, a Harvey Wallbanger. The ship does not stock Galliano, the essential ingredient for the drink. 

So, no Golden Cadillacs…😢

7 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

So, you are explaining why YOU don't want it.  What's the point of that?

The point is that it’s a different perspective from a solo’s point of view.  Why get all snotty about my perspective, what’s the point of that?

1 hour ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Cancelling everyone's purchase would bring bad press.   The promotion itself says "booked March 10-March 15".  He can just end it there.  No more.  A once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

And the other changes he has made have brought plenty of bad press.  He seems to have a very thick skin.  😉 

This ‘package’ is available on my March 2024 cruise which was booked quite a while ago. It’s offered for $122 CDN..but being a solo, it’s not worth it. And I already receive laundry, internet and a few lunches for no cost.  Oddly, it’s not offered on my August 2023 cruise.  I hear that the champagne is very good..but I’m sure a glass of it is cheaper than $122! 😊

It’s available for my March 2024 cruise for $122 CDN. But I’m only one person and already receive the internet, laundry and lunch with an officer as part of my point status.  And I don’t think I could drink a bottle of champagne in one sitting.  Interesting enough, it’s available for 2024 but not for my August 2023 Jewel cruise. 

On 2/9/2023 at 11:52 PM, 3Shelaghs said:

Don’t forget to factor in Sunday shopping hours if it applies, and church services.

Thanks for the tip but we’ll be in Reykjavik on a Saturday. Shopping hours are shorter but at least shops are open.  I made a mistake in my opening statement. We’re there from 11am to 9 pm.   My plan is to go to the shopping street for a look, then go to the church and then have dinner somewhere. 

6 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Don't wait that long.

She said she won’t do anything until the 30-day limit has passed.  I tried phoning Royal myself, but they wouldn’t talk to me…even though I originally booked the cruise directly with them.  I thought that maybe since I cancelled it, the booking would revert to me….but I guess not.  I’m sure it will all work out.