fragilek

If you booked through the UK then there is not much you can do. If it's a lot then you may be able to upgrade. Other than that the only thing you can do is cancel and take the penalty - checking loss at this dates penalty versus price drop gain. A few people have been lucky and phoned and got some on board credit - but they are by far a tiny %. Good luck (you will need it if using the call center)

yip that the one- He sorted it out quickly and gave us OBC to make up for all their errors (he could see them on his screen and couldn't work out why the call center could not)

But I had to contact him again after the cruise - read my thread on why with you want a shocker of a cruise - I can laugh about it now:eek:

He checked out the facts I had given him by calling the ship and got back to me after confirming my problems - My missing OBC went into my back that day and he sent us future cruise certificates. - So although the call center is shocking the customer service response to it has been good. I have now booked again but I am using a travel agent (would not go direct again)

This is a call for help. I am receiving the worst possible service from the Call Centre in Guatemala. Every extensive phonecall is taking over 30 minutes and I cannot get acceptable responses. There is nobody in the UK that you can escalate an issue to. I have tried on Twitter and the messages are ignored.

 

Has anyone any advice on how to have my serious booking issue resolved? Is there an Ombudsman in UK that I could approach ? Frustrated and appalled that we have to feel this way. Thanks

somewhere on here there is an email address that I used (read my previous posts about how bad the call center is , it may be on there). I have changed computer and email so not sure if I can find the one I used- I will have a search.

You might if you are buying for 5 people lol.

 

I'm still trying to decide if I want to spend money on excursions at both Cozumel and Belize. 5 people at 2 locations get pretty spendy.

 

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If it helps any my 2 girls were 19yr (20 in a few weeks) and 16 when we did the Mayan river trip and it was their favourite excursion. In coz we done the cat snorkeling then beach area trip they enjoyed it (mainly the beach toys bit) but preferred the river one (the snorkeling in coz was rubbish compared to other places we have been like Cayman, Rotan & Barbados)

the rive/ mayan trip is called- Belize Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace Excursion

What excursion was that?

 

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long time ago but I will see if I can dig out the details for you

stayed on the ship once - it was lovely to have spce and peace in the pools.

That being said Belize was amazing - probably the best trip we have ever done cruise or land. We took the river speed boat up to the mayan ruins - On the boat - sea part follwed dolphins- river part saw - monkeys, crocs, iguanas, bats, unusual birds (guide was fab stopped the boat and took us real close to all of the animals). As well as seeing/ hearing how the locals lived. We stopped 1/2 way for drinks/ food (but we didn't eat) then on the Mayan ruins - a small site not awe inspiring if you have done many others (we have toured most of the Yucatan) but good to see. Then bus back to port. It was a great day

There are several cruise lines that do this already - In fact the the old RCI splendor of the seas sold to thomson last year is doing this starting in Nov as Thomson discovery, P&O cruises do it sometimes as do Fred Olson and MSC have done it in the past. One of the best looking cruises goes all round Cuba stopping in several different regions -Celestyal Crystal. So you may be able to read reviews on this in the appropriate parts of cruise critic.

However, the chances of this happening for RCI may be dependent on the US election lol-

-Does it look like you can build a top class golf course on Cuba or not? (A Scots view!!)

On Rhapsody last Aug along with bravo, bravo, bravo and the location at between 12 and 1.30 am all the lights flashed on and off (including in our cabin). I was terrified- phoned to wake my girls (22yr and 18yr) in their cabin down the hall and made Dh go get them and bring

them to our cabin (with life jackets in hand)- they and DH wanted to kill me saying no way was it fire- but I had read the codes on here- 2hrs later the caption came on loud speaker to say we had a fire in the galley area - (later I heard that it was dishwasher that had caused it) and it was now out and all crew could stand down. Family amazed I knew ;) - Yes I know collecting the girls and life jacket thing was over kill- but I do the same again lol

the only way we could do it last year was to up-grade - they seem to allow this without cancellation charges- any other way was a cancel and re-book. I will never ever book direct with RCCL again - dealing with the UK call center was hell (You can read about all the issues I had with them on some of my previous posts). Even when you quote their term and conditions to them they get rude and tell you its their way or nothing. Remember that if you do upgrade you only get the promotional benefits that are on offer they day you upgrade and loose any that applied to the original booking.

I would be concerned that the rep does not know prepaid gratuities are no longer required for MTD. If MTD is unavailable, why would the rep want to add prepaid grats anyhow?

I queried this when we booked and was told the pre pay still stands for Uk bookings

just to add if the error was partly yours you may need to pay the change fees (In my case the original invoice was all correct the names got misspelt after a cabin change split of 4 to 2x2 so the error was their)

don't panic that happened to all of our party of four last year, I had a bit of a battle avoiding the change charges - but I kept at them and it got sorted in the end. If you get no joy from the call center I would try there facebook page to see if someone on that can help - I made an error in the dob for one of our party once and thomascook face book sorted straight away. Last resort someone here gave me a contact name to email for a different issue - (if you look at my old thread it will be on it) I am sure he will help.

Pharmacist here! A printout from the pharmacy doesn't hurt, and we can indeed provide smaller bottles if needed. Most retail pharmacies do not charge for this, though it may be a bit more trouble if you use a mail order pharmacy.

 

Usually, you'll be fine with basic noncontrolled medications in a daily planner, but it's not a bad idea to bring them in labeled bottles, and certainly pack some extra just in case. For controlled substances (pain medications, ADHD medications, etc), I'd highly recommend keeping them in a labeled container.

 

For chilled items like insulin, be sure the cold packs are solid while you're at the airport. It's best to use the brick type (the kind that don't liquefy as they warm up), as you may have to throw out liquefied or gel packs when they warm up. For insulin in particular, bring the box if the vial itself isn't labeled. For other liquid medications, ask the pharmacy for 2- or 3-oz labeled bottles to be on the safe side (they'll probably permit a larger bottle as long as it's labeled).

 

 

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Just a heads up for insulin - I would use a frio pack this will work for days - even weeks - we used it camping no fridge (thus if you are somewhere and there is a power cut you will be fine for days). It also works in reverse we have also used it in the arctic on a husky dog safari trip to stop the insulin freezing (most explorers now use this if diabetic). I was worried about taking on airlines at first but we have traveled all over in the last 10 years and we have never been questioned about it.

And a question for you about USA prescriptions are they still in bottles - that is rare in the UK ours are now in cardboard boxes so easy to pack (you can request a bottle for safety if you have young children).

last year I didn't get an accessible cabin but as a result I have realised I managed fine in a normal ocean view - we just folded up my wheelchair when in the cabin, I also requested a shower seat (you can request these). So now I know I can make do and leave those cabins for those who cannot walk unaided at all. The cabins are small enough that with help from my DH and my crutches I can get back and forward from bed to bathroom . So it may be worth people having a think about if they could manage the small distance (with help) so they can still find a cabin. Also even if cabins are free, may be if like me you may realise you can make do they can be left to people who struggle to stand at all even with help/crutches. I have rebooked a normal sea view for my next cruise- And told my DH to get prepared and get to the gym start his weight training exercises :D

I hit this problem a while ago as we have to carry insulin pump supplies, spare test kit spare pump for my daughter, 10 diff meds for me - 2 things

- nearly all arlines allow a extra carry on for large bulky meds - as long as that is all that goes in the extra bag.

- You may be able to get your meds in boxes from the pharmacy that is what I now get. so I just fold the boxes flat and put them and meds in a zip loc bag - if I am stopped I will just reconstruct each box and put the corresponding meds in.

I agree with just look at the bottom line, however, don't get too complicated. Look like you are going to book, towards the end they add port fees to it. I also add ppd tips which is a necessity anyway. There will be highlighted words like see payment details. The bottom line is, is that amount what you are willing to pay for a very nice honeymoon? A new ship is not going to be discounted, if the price is too much look at a more seasoned ship. I booked with BOGOHO with $200 OBC I rechecked it at the 30% off and the difference was under $50 and I would have lost OBC. Book and keep checking until final payment for adjustments.

Have a great honeymoon!

not sure the op is bases - so if in the UK - take note - you cannot do price adjustments.

Here is picture of 4580 on the Serenade

thanks for that- I hope it will be this way on the Jewel too. I have one concern it is that the plans on the jewel seem a little different in that each end of the corridor is open - ie one open to the atrium and the other to the MDR - I am hoping that this is not the case and that some can confirm the layout when dry dock is complete. (I think brilliance of the sea is open also)

We are relatively new to cruising - but are in our mid 40's and are no way part of a party crowd. ( To set the scene our usual holidays are either family holidays -villas in Italy or Spain or for full on villas in Florida. For a adult break for DH and I a low key resort in Barbados or Italian lakes). We really enjoyed our 2 carnival cruises - One with our 2 girls aged 15 and 20yrs at the 2nd just DH and I. We found the food and shows both much better on carnival than our only RCCL cruise - the shows had live mini orchestra in a proper orchestra pit and really funny comedians - The shows last year on Rhapsody were pitiful - think school shows.

Both ships had the stupid game show stuff - some love them, not our thing so we just avoided on both (easy to do).

Carnival -better layout & bigger cabins. RCCL - cabins nicer decor. RCCL had by far the nicest indoor pool.

Our girls where 18 and 22yrs on RCCL and found it a bit quite and not so much to do compared to the carnival one (there was a nightclub and as it was EU both could go but it was always either deserted or as they described full of old people - probably in their 30's :eek:).

I know a lot on this forum run carnival down but I think that's its sometimes a bit of the devil you know. And sometimes due to one bad experience and that can happen on any ship - we had a few issues on first RCCL trip and nearly let it put us off the line - but I am trying them again this summer.

Also I think some things may just be down to the cruise area , time of year and demographic sailing that particular cruise. We had so much fun just watching the vibrancy of the Puerto Ricans on our sailing - they dance all the time - and boy can they dance- At the pool deck I could just sit and watch them and they just made me smile (My DH and I used to do salsa dancing lessons before I got MS)

Was on Rhapsody last year in deck 3 the below the atrium area and heard nothing. Also when we were in her the Atrium was dead all bars shut at midnight. In fact one night I wanted a coke diabetic daughter had been a bit lowish and at 12.25 it was nearly impossible to get hold of some (I think my DH got it in the casino in the end and someone said the bar at the top of the ship in the night club was also open). all others were shut.

I have booked one of these rooms on the jewel 4568, they are getting added at dry dock, can anyone tell me the layout of these added rooms I am hoping that the bed is not in front of the window as I believe that the window will be to big for that in these rooms. Can anyone confirm that has stayed in these added rooms.

Something I will be looking at more closely.:)

I have thought about it too as some of the ships look beautiful, however, I am unsure of the ambiance of MSC especially from an Italian port. My concerns would be mainly smoking on board, children doing as they please , queuing (lack off) and noise levels - PS our family are from/live in the Como- So my worries are justified - A meal out there usually involves screaming kids running about and crawling under your feet while you eat and that is absolutely acceptable (the norm). When my family visited/visit me in the UK, especially when ,my niece and nephew where children it was very stressful when I tried to explain restaurant protocol (in fact anywhere protocol) and the concept of queues and obeying rules (i.e. at pools for kids) and other places including smoking restrictions, drinking laws (we were all in the states and I was panicking as they were freely giving their 18yr alcohol (as I say rules are not followed) for the adults. But that is their way (I am not saying it is right or wrong - their kids grew up fine and the adults are always less stressed about everything (including all child related issues then I was with mine) and if you go would would have to accept that's how it is.

This is from a UK perspective so going to quote prices in pounds ...

 

A good price is one relative to the market and compared to recent historical fluctuations.

 

From a UK perspective, I consider the following as bargains ;

 

3-4 day cruise £300

7 day cruise £600

 

Above are not typical prices but the cheapest I am likely to find. Prices are for cruise only.

 

This is for RCL. Cabins typically outside or even balcony. Cruise itineraries Europe.

 

RCL seems to be inconsistent on pricing for 3rd and 4th person sharing a cabin. This can make a huge difference on prices and VFM. Especially for suites. On balance if there are an odd number in our group, we look at sharing a suite.

You are correct about the 3rd/4th prices - Last year I kept my eye on prices after booking 4 of us in 1 cabin and then switched to 2 cabin of 2 as that became the cheaper option.

See a doctor as flu can make some very ill being sick on hols in no fun.

Just a heads up, in the UK there is a TV show that shows how insurers investigate claims. One thing they do is check computer and phone data (forums, facebook etc as well) to see if the traveler knew they had issues before going on their hols or in some cases before the took out the insurance.;)

Cabin.

that's a great price