cruislovin

Darcy - Thanks so much for sorting this for me!

Do you know if there are drop off places available near the port for rental cars?

How long does the shuttle from the rental car place at the airport to the pier take? Would I have to reserve that in advance? Is there a charge for this shuttle service?

What time would you say that we need to disembark to experience shorter lines and wait times for customs?

We frequently cruise out of Ft Lauderdale and always pick up a rental car when we arrive at FLL. Having the option of driving to & from wherever/whenever, or doing a tourist take-in in the area makes renting the best option for us. On some trips, we may meet with friends or family at an area restaurant, too. Of course, having a car gives us the opportunity to stop at Total Wine for the cruise bottles of wine or for a quick trip into Publix or CVS for anything we forgot to pack.

 

On the morning of our cruise, we return the car to the airport and hop the comp. shuttle bus to the ship. We rent from Enterprise, which owns Alamo and National - these three provide the transfer to the ship - luggage and all. You have to show your rental agreement to board the shuttle.

 

Cabs are generally reasonable if that works better for you.

 

Darcy

Is this the best plan to return the rental car to the airport and take the rental car shuttle from the airport to the pier? Are they any rental car companies that have drop-off at the pier? I realize that there could be a surcharge for rental pick-up at the airport and drop-off at the pier. We like to drop our luggage at the pier and then drop off the car, but not sure of the logistics at Port Everglades.

Can anyone suggest a nice moderately priced BEACH hotel in Fort Lauderdale or close by? We will have a rental car. We prefer a suite hotel with divided sleeping space for 4 adults. Also, free parking would be ideal.

On board IOS now. There still is CL and we (D+) do have access. I forgot how small and dark it is. Diamond lounge door sign reads d and D+, no children allowed after 5 pm.

This a four day cruise, we have 8 bottles of complimentary water. Wow. We had the 2 snack packs. My daughter had her gift, coke but missing my beer.

We made our D+ free dinner in giovannis for 2nd night with no problem.

It was the quickest and smoothest checkin ever. So quick we could barely keep up. We arrive at port at noon. Wj was very crowded. Best food on rci we've had in years. Even their honey stung chicken is good again.

On Freedom in Feb the honey stung chicken was only on the room service menu. Same setup with the DL & CL. Do you mean the buy 1 get 1 at Giovanni?

Just off Allure.

 

Dexter and Ana were in the Suite Lounge. Ana returned 1/24.

Does anyone know how long the contract is for a concierge? We are sailing on Allure mid-May and hope to see Dexter again. We had him in the Diamond lounge in the Inaugural Season on Allure and he is fantastic! Hope to see him again in May!

When you are in Cozumel can you let me know if the shops in the port area remain open until the ship's departure time? I'm sailing in May and port departure time is 7 PM.

Freedom - Laura spent 5 weeks on Freedom this fall and the 48 hour D+ coupon value will offset the internet cost when applied at 10AM on Wednesday. The pricing tends to get cheaper toward the end. Often deals such as two devices for price of one show up as well.

 

I fully expect to have full coverage for no cost on our March sail. That will probably be just one device on Monday and Tuesday though.

Can you explain further why the coupon must be applied on day 4, Wed, and at a specific time? How is this done?

Is it one device at a time or only one device can be registered? We both want to use our smartphones.

Thanks, clarea! Does anybody know the pricing on Freedom?

That's how we did it. Used my D+ 2 x 24hr credits from noon to noon day 2 & 3. Then used DW's credits for the last four days for unlimited. Worked for us.

How much is it per day? Per week? If your D+ credit covered day 2 and 3, how did DW'S cover days 4, 5 ,6 , and 7? Foes the price change throughout a 7 night cruise?

Currently on Oasis and using the D+ discounts, I'm only paying $15 for the entire week of internet usage. 2 24 hrs. and $60 towards an internet package.

Is this plan available on all ships? I thought you had to use the $60 D+ discount on the weekly package. We're sailing very soon on Freedom so if you can provide additional information I'd greatly appreciate that!

Do the Blog postings include the Freedom Eastern itinerary as well?

We are booked on Allure in May. When will reservations open for dining and shows? Does final payment need to be made to book reservations?

Good, simple answe!

 

To OP don't forget that you should link your C&A numbers. As a married couple (or not married, but significant other living at the same address) you earn the same points. For example, if you take a cruise without your spouse and move up in status, your spouse gets the same status for future cruises.

Is this something new? It has not worked this way for us

..

Not yet true. They are still on the deckplans as a GS thru April 2016, and being sold as such.

 

They do become an ATS after that, despite already being known as an ATS on board.

 

I just booked 11730 as a GS for May, 2016 on Allure!

Are reservations needed for CK? Is it open all day?

I don't believe the Allure cabins are built yet.

 

Assuming they are the same as the Oasis, there is a closet in both the bedroom & living room.

 

See my review, which has a link to pictures.

 

Thanks, kcb! Nice looking Golden!!!

I think the overlook is still there. I forgot to check it out on our April trip. Has anyone tried to go there lately. It might be the new secret balcony. ;)

Where is the secret balcony?

Thank you for describing the closets and other storage - with 4 adults in the stateroom we definitely will need 2 closets.

Can anyone CONFIRM if the beds in the bedroom can be separated? I thought all beds on RCCL ships could be separated into 2 singles, but maybe this is no longer the case.

Does the couch convert into a double size bed?

Where is the bathroom door located inside the bedroom - just inside the door to the bedroom? I am concerned about waking those sleeping in the bedroom if the bathroom is a good distance inside the bedroom. But it is great for 4 adults to have 2 SEPARATE rooms - just would be nice to have 2 bathrooms too!

Is the ceiling height an issue in the entire cabin for those over 6 feet tall or just in the tub / shower? One of those in our party is 6'2" or so...

Yes, they will be Aqua Suites, classified as A4 with a much higher price. Emmy posted earlier in this thread the change will start in early May, 2016. If you have a chance to book one as a GS before they change, do it.

I just booked 11730 as a GS in May, 2016. From what I see on the RCCL site, it looks like the change to ATS is in June, 2016.

I am booked in GS 11730 on Allure. Is there only one closet in the bedroom or is there also a closet in the living room? There will be 4 adults in the suite so if there is only one closet we may be tight on storage space!

Yes, exactly the same. Oasis has reclassified them as ATS in late spring of 2016.

ATS? Is that AquaSuite?

When exactly is the change being made? I am looking at April / May 2016 sailings.

Thank you!

Are these same staterooms classified as GS on decks 11, 12, and 14 on the Oasis?

We are looking to move to a GS on Allure. Were the aft GS previously classified a aqua suites? Which are the remaining aqua suites?

We were booked into an aft balcony on a GTY on the Dream on Deck 5, several doors away from the laundry room. I have the same issue with smells. Anyone been in that location on the Dream? Also, is it noisy when people do laundry at all hours of the day and night?