First time cruiser questions

[Tz17]

Hi All,

 

I'm in the final process of pulling the trigger and booking my first cruise for April 2017 on RCI to the South Pacific. I have a few questions i'm hoping people might be able to answer before I go ahead and book.

 

1) I have read that alot cruise lines offer the option that if you have booked and paid your deposit and the room type becomes cheaper you can go online and update your booking to the new rate. Is this correct and if so does RCI offer that for their Australian based cruises.

 

2) Is it better to book direct through RCI website or via another cruise website or a travel agent. I need to book early (as in the next week) so as to give enough notice to my work and the fellow cruisers coming along the same time with their work. At this point in time who is better to book through normally?

 

3) Has anyone cruised on the Explorer of the Seas in a Panoramic Ocean View room? If so is it really that much bigger than the Large Ocean View Stateroom as in the pictures the Panoramic room looks ALOT bigger. I'll be travelling with my wife and 2 kids aged 3 and 5 at the time of sailing.

 

4) I assume the $200 of included onboard credit is per room not per person?

Edited February 12, 2016 by Tz17

[John Bull]

Hi, number 17, and welcome to the world of cruising.

 

Booking terms, especially regarding deposits, depend on the country where you book the cruise.

In North America, deposits aren't forfeit if you cancel before final payment date.

In the UK, deposits are forfeit as soon as you hand them over.

I'm guessing you might be from Aus, in which case Aussie rules apply. And I don't know any more about Aussie rules than I do about Aussie Rules.

Those differences even if an American, a Brit & an Aussie all book the same cruise - depends where you book, not what cruise line you sail or where you cruise.

 

Since it's your first cruise there are advantages in booking through a cruise specialist travel agent. That agent can give you unbiased info about the cruise line, help with the selection of the cabin & dining options, advice about on-board costs and add-ons, dress codes, and a thousand other things you ask or even forget to ask.

If you're not from the UK, I can't tell you of other reasons (like discounts & freebies) why you should book direct or through an agent.

 

As a general rule of thumb, want cruise lines want from you is per person but what they give you is per cabin. So unless stated otherwise, obc is per cabin. Ain't that always the way in the big bad world. ;)

 

If you're from Aus, can I suggest you also also post those questions on the Aus forum (which I see you've found).

And can I suggest you add your location to your profile, or mention your nationality in your posts, to avoid erroneous advice about bookings, visas, passports, currency & such from folk who might presume you're from the US.

 

All first cruises are great, and you can't go far wrong with RCI.

 

Have a good one

 

JB :)

Edited February 12, 2016 by John Bull

[Tz17]

Hi, number 17, and welcome to the world of cruising.

 

Booking terms, especially regarding deposits, depend on the country where you book the cruise.

In North America, deposits aren't forfeit if you cancel before final payment date.

In the UK, deposits are forfeit as soon as you hand them over.

I'm guessing you might be from Aus, in which case Aussie rules apply. And I don't know any more about Aussie rules than I do about Aussie Rules.

Those differences even if an American, a Brit & an Aussie all book the same cruise - depends where you book, not what cruise line you sail or where you cruise.

 

Since it's your first cruise there are advantages in booking through a cruise specialist travel agent. That agent can give you unbiased info about the cruise line, help with the selection of the cabin & dining options, advice about on-board costs and add-ons, dress codes, and a thousand other things you ask or even forget to ask.

If you're not from the UK, I can't tell you of other reasons (like discounts & freebies) why you should book direct or through an agent.

 

As a general rule of thumb, want cruise lines want from you is per person but what they give you is per cabin. So unless stated otherwise, obc is per cabin. Ain't that always the way in the big bad world. ;)

 

If you're from Aus, can I suggest you also also post those questions on the Aus forum (which I see you've found).

And can I suggest you add your location to your profile, or mention your nationality in your posts, to avoid erroneous advice about bookings, visas, passports, currency & such from folk who might presume you're from the US.

 

All first cruises are great, and you can't go far wrong with RCI.

 

Have a good one

 

JB :)

 

Awesome thanks so much JB for all the info. Posted in the AUS forum :)

[John Bull]

Awesome thanks so much JB for all the info. Posted in the AUS forum :)

 

No worries, number 17.:cool:

 

BTW, phone cruise agents rather than fill in forms on-line. And don't be shy about phoning more than one. If you get to like one but another (or the cruise line) offers you a better deal, ask the agent you prefer to match it.

 

And help with cabin selection isn't just which category - it's the best location within a category. For instance not immediately under sun decks (scraping of sunbeds being set out at daft o'clock in the morning) or the theatre.

 

JB :)

[KKB]

Lg OV=178 sq. ft.

 

Panoramic OV=191-215 sq. ft.

 

BIG difference, imo, depending on WHICH Panoramic you get! 178 v. 191 isn't huge, but 178 v. 215 IS.

[FireStation46]

I book directly with RCL, they guarantee the lowest rate and that promise holds up. The OBC is a nice extra. They also can get me the cabin i want. Others prefer TA to do their deal. I have not found the need and direct booking works for me.

[kitty9]

Cruise lines are weird when it comes to fares. On most lines, once you're past final payment, you can't get any refunds or perks if your fare drops. And if you cancel and rebook at the new price, you run the risk of not getting your same room back, you could face cancellation fees and if you had any special perks for your original booking, you could lose those perks.

 

The OBC is per cabin, not per person.

[FireStation46]

Cruise lines are weird when it comes to fares. On most lines, once you're past final payment, you can't get any refunds or perks if your fare drops. And if you cancel and rebook at the new price, you run the risk of not getting your same room back, you could face cancellation fees and if you had any special perks for your original booking, you could lose those perks.

 

The OBC is per cabin, not per person.

 

RCL OBC is per person. After final payment the options are limited IMHO as most folks stick with their deal

[crabby5]

We book through where ever we can find the best price and most OBC. We generally book within 2 months of the cruise, so we don't worry much about the prices going down.

[Clarea]

RCL OBC is per person. After final payment the options are limited IMHO as most folks stick with their deal

All the RC OBC I've ever seen is per stateroom.