alcie Posted April 18, 2011 #1 Share Posted April 18, 2011 It looks like there are a number of pre-booking options, everything from room decorations and specialty dinning to excursions. I'm just curious what everyone pre-books and what they wait to add until on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdylady Posted April 18, 2011 #2 Share Posted April 18, 2011 This last cruise, we pre-booked our Soda Packages (one less thing to do when we got on board and then our pass had it pre printed instead of the sticker that would come off on occasion). We also pre-booked an excursion as we didn't want to risk it selling out as it was long enough that we didn't want to risk missing the ship when we got back. The downside of pre-booking is they charge you immediately. Generally I would rather pay for everything when we get back. I've already paid for the cruise ahead of time, I don't want to pay for more than I have to. Erika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sailawayjack Posted April 18, 2011 #3 Share Posted April 18, 2011 It looks like there are a number of pre-booking options, everything from room decorations and specialty dinning to excursions. I'm just curious what everyone pre-books and what they wait to add until on board. :cool:I go to gifts n gear and order flowers for the cabin, wine to be delivered ahead of time, and decorations if appropriate. I also book speciality restaurants, and my wine package. If I'm planning an excursion, then I book ahead of time. Did for Alaska and Europe (had never been there), but do not for Caribbean, Bermuda, since I do my own thing. I like things out of the way, and paid for ahead of time:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Foster Posted April 18, 2011 #4 Share Posted April 18, 2011 :cool:I go to gifts n gear and order flowers for the cabin, wine to be delivered ahead of time, and decorations if appropriate. I also book speciality restaurants, and my wine package. If I'm planning an excursion, then I book ahead of time. Did for Alaska and Europe (had never been there), but do not for Caribbean, Bermuda, since I do my own thing. I like things out of the way, and paid for ahead of time:cool: Same for me.. We book our massages, soda cards, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne and the specialty restaurtants. If we do excursions with RCCL then we book those also.. We like to have everything planned out... My husband got me a nice package last time that had robes and breakfast for two.. was a really nice touch.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attapooch Posted April 18, 2011 #5 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We prebook: - Drink packages for both soda and wine. - Specialty restaurants. - All excursions. Our rationale is essentially why do that clerical work once we're actually on vacation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Cruizers Posted April 18, 2011 #6 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We will prebook our excursions, then they are all paid for and we pay the credit card when it comes thru. One less expense to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequim88 Posted April 18, 2011 #7 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We do most of what other have suggested except for some excursions. We've found that the same exact thing can be had on-shore for less but thenwe build in a larger time cushion to gaurantee getting back in time. We also pre-book our MTD "standard" time and make changes onboard as ship or port schedules dictate. Thought for wine package we have had some thoughts that there might be embarkation day specials or discount like they do for soda packages and spa plan. One thing I wish they allowed for pre-book is an unlimited internet plan. My employer requires getting that and it would be easier to pay that one on their credit card rather than via my ship account once onboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ContingentSea Posted April 18, 2011 #8 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We like to book the shore excursions to make sure we know there is room and to get the payment taken care of ahead of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockyhavoc Posted April 18, 2011 #9 Share Posted April 18, 2011 For my up coming cruise i will pre book: Soda package for my son Wine package for the adults A tote bag for mum and one for my daughter One ship tour we all fancy Speciality restaurants x1 And hopefully book and pay for the late departure option. I like to do this as they can all be pre paid and there is less to pay on my sea pass card at the end of the holiday.:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaileyandBella Posted April 18, 2011 #10 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I just did a soda package and was surprised I had to pay right then. I guess I thought it would be tacked onto my cruise bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saleaaway Posted April 18, 2011 #11 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Soda packages just to get it out of the way,, and one or two excursions that we really like and think will sell out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredonthesea Posted April 18, 2011 #12 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Pre-book: Shore excursions Restaurant (Special) Labadee cabana Wine pkg. Want it all done and out of the way once we board--we can always change something if need be. Plus nice to have things pre-paid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offroad Posted April 18, 2011 #13 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Pre booked through gifts and gear: Robe and wrap for DW and a Fruit basket, (rookie mistake) the fruit basket was not a good investment as fruit is available for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSCOTT Posted April 18, 2011 #14 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I pre-book my wine package and all excursions. I try to do this as soon as I can so I can pay off my credit card ASAP. After a cruise I don't like to come home to any vacation related expenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseguy1016 Posted April 18, 2011 #15 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We try not to pre book too many things. We like to see most things show up on our on board expense account because we pay it off with our RCI Visa and it earns us double points. The one exception is this. We try to book most of our excursions through private vendors at the various ports but, if there is an RCI sponsored excursion that we really want to be on, we will pre book that to be guaranteed a spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14Terry Posted April 19, 2011 #16 Share Posted April 19, 2011 We pre-book everything possible. And it all goes on our RCI visa. Once onboard, we know everything is paid for and the fewer lines we have to stand in, the better. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehfl Posted April 19, 2011 #17 Share Posted April 19, 2011 We pre-book whatever we can. The last thing I want to do on vacation is to wait in line at the excursion desk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordo Posted April 19, 2011 #18 Share Posted April 19, 2011 We try to book as much in advance of the trip so that when we get on vacation we just ENJOY. The only thing we wait on is booking any spa treatments as we wait to see what specials they are running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaileyandBella Posted April 19, 2011 #19 Share Posted April 19, 2011 Fruit basket, (rookie mistake) the fruit basket was not a good investment as fruit is available for free. ooooh...in your cabin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsPete Posted April 19, 2011 #20 Share Posted April 19, 2011 We try not to pre book too many things. We like to see most things show up on our on board expense account because we pay it off with our RCI Visa and it earns us double points. The one exception is this. We try to book most of our excursions through private vendors at the various ports but, if there is an RCI sponsored excursion that we really want to be on, we will pre book that to be guaranteed a spot.But you'd be able to pre-pay with the RCI Visa card ahead of time, and that'd still get you double points. So that's really equal. One thing no one's brought up: On board credit. I like the idea of pre-paying because even small tasks do take up a bit of our vacation . . . but we often have a good bit of on board credit, so we try to figure up realistically what we'll spend on the cruise and NOT over-pre-pay. From the ship's perspective, pre-paying is a great idea: Many of us like the idea of getting these little tasks out of the way early . . . and then if our tips, soda package, and excursions are all paid, what're we going to do with that on board credit? Oh, yeah -- drink more! Whereas, if we hadn't pre-paid, we might use some of that on board credit for these other planned expenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksmom09 Posted April 19, 2011 #21 Share Posted April 19, 2011 We did soda pkg, wine pkg, Shore excursions, and specialty restaurant! Along with booking shows and My time dining!:D Hope everything is booked and now time to relax and enjoy!;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaileyandBella Posted April 19, 2011 #22 Share Posted April 19, 2011 Along with booking shows Shows? I read that reservations are not required anymore, that it's first come first serve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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