alibabaxx

Your luggage should easily fit into the stateroom, either under the bed, in the closet, or into the various cabinets. I would not incur additional expenses for what sounds like 2 larger suitcases, 2 smaller suitcases, 2 car seats, and some small articles. The staff will get the bags to and from your room. Just be sure to keep your essential items, and even some swimwear, with you since getting your luggage on the first day can take some time. Also check Royal Caribbean's list of prohibited items to insure your luggage complies.

 

As to the daily automatic tip, I just wanted to ensure you understand that it's $12 per day (per person). So not $48, but $192 for your party. The way it was discussed above, I wasn't sure if that was clear.

Hi, yes thanks I'm aware it is $48 per day :) I take it there are no more expenses following this (apart from drinks package gratuities ) Re the baggage so could we keep a small bag with us containing essentials when we check in the luggage?

Thanks for all the replies some good suggestions there.....:D

Hiring a car may be a good option for storage/travel...wondering how easy it is to get around in Miami though on a Friday.... may be quite busy? Could maybe go to a shopping mall for the day...?.

Like the idea of renting a room at the beach too. Our flight is at 1835 hours.... (is check in around 4 hours before?) So I guess we would have from around 9am - 1430 ish?

yup...there is very little that you can't get with the Ultimate package except a cup of coffee with Baileys after dinner. Seems they don't have Bailey's in the dining room?

Oh really? I take it you can get Baileys elsewhere on the ship though??

Hi, wondering if anyone has any ideas what to do to kill a few hours following disembarkation of ship in Miami (early morning) up until early evening when checking in for flight home? First time doing this so would appreciate any advice what to do with luggage and two young children....? :)

This may sound like a silly question but I can't find anywhere in the ultimate package stating I can get spirits and mixers but I take it these are all included ie gin/rum etc.....:confused:

Why ring the passport agency? Entry into other countries is not up to them, it is up to the various countries you will visit, namely the US and the Bahamas. If RCI already told you the passport needs to be valid for 6 months post cruise, then I'd take a "better safe than sorry" approach, and get the new passport, in the current name under which travel is booked. Yes, even if it means getting another one with his new name a short time later and paying a bit more to do so. After all, if/when you (and your son) are being (very possiby) detained and questioned and not allowed to continue the trip, how much consolation will it be to know that "well someone at the passport agency or cruise line said we should be ok?"

I was going to ring the passport agency as someone suggested they may do an extension instead of renewal which may be cheaper. I just wanted experience of others in similar situation for guidance

I'm none the wiser though yet 😔

I know for name changes on UK passport for minors there is a number to call to process name changes. Have you tried calling them to ask what the best option is? I thought you could get a temporary extension in some circumstances. Could you change the name now in advance if it will done in near future anyway, and then just change the name on the reservation? Just a thought if you don't want to do twice.

I'm not sure re temp extension. If I change his name now though I'm sure it.would affect costing on the flight amid the cruise and accommodation. Thought could have done this after the holiday but just got this 6 month expiry date hanging now which means changing it now but keeping same name.. I suppose I could ring the passport agency see.what they say

I know for name changes on UK passport for minors there is a number to call to process name changes. Have you tried calling them to ask what the best option is? I thought you could get a temporary extension in some circumstances. Could you change the name now in advance if it will done in near future anyway, and then just change the name on the reservation? Just a thought if you don't want to do twice.

Thank you for all the replies. We are UK citizens flying to US for holiday and then Bahamas cruise at end. On reading RCI confirmation it does state 6 months needed following disembarkation. I have emailed them but no response. Thanks for any advice

Wondering if anyone can answer a question about the '6 months left needed on passport' dilemma...

I am aware that the USA have the agreement that UK visitors don't need 6 months left on the passport, however, at the end of our Disney holiday this year we are going on a 5 day RCI Bahamas cruise from/to Miami.

When we booked the cruise the email stated we need 6 months left on the passport when disembarking the ship. Our son will have 4 months left on his.

The thing is that when I next change my son's passport he will be changing his family surname on it too so if having to do it before the holiday then this will have an effect on all the other things booked so far... ..

If it is the case we have to renew it (as I'm worried we will be refused boarding) then it will mean getting a renewal in his old surname again as all the holiday is booked in this name , and then paying extra after the holiday to change his surname on it.....

I have emailed RCI but they have not got back to me. Wondering if anyone else done a cruise with similar issues...?

Apologies for jumping on the thread but my question is passport related too.

We are UK citizens travelling to US in August, then we take a 4 night Bahamas cruise, returning back to the US to then fly home to the UK

We have booked with RCI and the US TA told us to make sure there is 6 months left on the passport following disembarkation from the ship. My son would have 4 and a half months left! I was hoping this wouldn't be a problem but I read on another forum that RCI won't let you do on line check in if you have less than 6 months left on your passport?

Anyone else had this problem? Thanks

The $12 per day is automatic and is for the tip for your room steward and your dining room waiter. (They more than earn these tips as they are only paid $85 a MONTH- not day or week! And they work 7 days a week, more than 8 hours a day, for 6-8 months straight and always with a smile!) All beverages have 15% automatically added to each bill for drinks. You will see it on the bill you sign. These tips are separate from each other.

You can go to the buffet or PAY to go to another restaurant at any time but you should let your waiter know if you won't be at your table. You will be sitting at the same table with the same passengers, same wait staff every night. If you ask the waiter to bring the kids milk, he will every night without being asked. Then he won't be waiting for you to get there before taking dining orders and getting the dinners.

 

You will love Coco cay. It is a great beach day. In Key West you can get on a trolley to drive you around and you are not allowed to feed the roosters walking around!

I take it if we preorder the drinks package we don't have tips added as well at the bar for each drink?

I'm sorry. You did say you were driving.

 

We rented from Dollar and they had a free shuttle to port. The rental location was in downtown, not at the airport. It was much closer to the port, but slightly complicated to find.

 

 

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That's ok :o Think we will be booking with Alamo......

Adding a cruise on sounds like a great idea to me! Now if I could just swing the first part of a land vacation!

 

To answer a few of your questions yes there will be a $12pp gratuity added to your sail & sign (on ship bill) everyday. It sounds like you have 4 people (since you said multiple booster seats) so you have to remember that isn't just for the adults, it is also for the kids. You can actually chose to pay this before hand, and might have already if you picked a non-set dining option where you can go to the dining room and eat whenever you want during specific hours.

 

For the drinks package there is 15% added on right when you buy it. So if it says $55 per day on the website, it is about $63.25 per day. After that though you won't pay anything else unless you chose to tip extra.

 

Coco Cay will probably be your best stop if you aren't looking to spend extra. It is a private island stop which is basically just a big beach day! Things like lunch will be included, but drinks and such will be extra but covered by any package you buy.

 

The porters will not store your extra suitcases. Since you are dropping the car off at Miami airport, they have luggage storage at a cost though. Info on it can be found at http://www.miami-airport.com/baggage_storage.asp and would probably be your best option if you are willing to pay for it.

Thanks we are really looking forward to it. Re the dining, I think we are booked in for the early sitting.... is that just for the main dining room? Can we just visit the other places eg Windjammer at any time?

So after all our gratuities are paid ie the $12 per day (which would be $48 a day for us!) and then the gratuities included with drinks packages.... there would be no more to pay?! ( Seems a lot of tips to me :D)

Re the luggage situation, surely people must go on their cruise with many suitcases following a holiday......thanks for the link but could we not squeeze them into our room..? We have an ocean view state room ( I don't think these are any bigger than interior room.....)

You don't say how you're getting to Miami from Orlando. That information will help. It's about a 4 hour drive.

 

 

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We have a car for our Disney holiday, will drive from Orlando to Miami then leave it at the airport.....

Thanks to everyone for the replies and tips.....

As it's the end of our holiday we would ideally just like to live out of one suitcase for the cruise. Would the porters store our other suitcases and bags elsewhere for the trip??

Am looking at the ultimate/premium drinks package @ $55. RC website states 'price includes server gratuities' whereas I've read on threads on here that service charge is added onto the package?

I believe there is also a $12 pp gratuities added on to account at end too?

Kids wouldn't drink soda so I'm sure they would be ok with water and cordial style drinks if they are already included

The itinery doesn't include freeport, it stops at Nassau, Coco Cay and Key West so would be interested what is within walking distance from the ship at these ports....

Thanks again ....:)

Hi Everyone. Have added a short cruise to end of our family Disney holiday later this year (RC Majesty of Seas 4 nights)and would like some advice please and if anyone could help answer a few questions.....

1) At the end of our Disney hol we will be boarding Majesty of Seas at Miami. We will drop car off at the airport, do we get a taxi to port or do the car hire places provide transport?

2) We will have a lot of luggage with us - 2 cases, 2 large holdalls, handluggage and a couple of booster seats... will this all fit in our cabin? Are there trolleys to help get all luggage on the ship?

3) I am looking at purchasing the ultimate drinks package for me and beer and wine for hubby. Am I able to share the odd cocktail or soft drink with him. Do I need to purchase soft drinks package for both children... they usually only drink water or cordial type drinks.....

4) Don't want to get taxis or go on any excusions, just want to relax.. We are on the Bahamas cruise, is there anywhere within walking distance from the ship we could visit for couple of hours with the children?

Thanks in advance, any other helpful tips would be appreciated :)

Thank you, Nassau is ok safety wise as long as you stay in the main tourist areas and during the day. As far as walking with younger children depending on their ages and ability. We probably covered 2 -3 miles in the course of walking around with breaks in between. There are some "hills" if you want venture to the old forts or queens staircase but definately doable as there are roads and or or sidewalks.

Hope that answered your question, if not let me know.

Bob

Thanks for the reply. They will be 9 & 5 so not too small. Was just interested in anywhere safe within walking distance from the ship, don't really want to do excusions or take taxis.... your visits sound fab and from the sounds of it they were all in walking distance?

Can you buy the drinks package second day into the cruise making it cheaper?

Ah thanks but wouldn't you then get people buying one package and then sharing it with the other adult...?

I'm sure I read somewhere that if purchasing a drinks package then all adults in the party have to purchase it?

Fab report looking forward to it. Is everywhere walkable from the ship where you visited? Is it safe as have two young children.....:)

My last bar bill was $232 and I was limiting myself. This did not include a few drinks that were purchased for me; therefore, I will be buying the drink package on my 9/7 4 day on the Majesty. I am looking forward to being free of keeping track of my drink expenditures!

 

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Hi I think we are on the same cruise as you and it's our first time :D Was that bar bill just for you alone? Just trying to work out what to get for 2 adults and 2 kids..... I'm sure we would easily drink more than 8 alcoholic drinks a day.....:)

Hi everyone, am totally new here and so looking for tips and advice re booking a Carnival Cruise for August 2015 :)

I would be looking at booking direct with them but wondering when best time to book for discounts, on board credit, upgrades etc etc.....?

Also once booked would they honour any price reductions?

Advice appreciated...:D