norhel

We booked it around 130 days out.

It's no set time for when show reservations opens. We booked over 130 days out for shows on Symphony, and I've heard others have it opened later for other ships.

I just double checked the cruise planner for me for my Symphony cruise later this year. Vat is not added.

Thanks. So it's 10% & 21% while on board during the cruise. Does anyone have information on pre-cruise purchases thru your Cruise Planner? I'm sure I'm going to purchase the unlimited internet for our cruise. I would think not since it was purchased in the U.S.

You do not pay vat in the cruise planner.

Have a look here on the last page.

There you got the official info.

https://issuu.com/hochmania/docs/merged.compressed_11433400966391/30

They do not add VAT to gratuities. Not sure about the others, but I do know that different items have different percent charges.

I believe drinks and food is 10%, things in the ships 20%.

I think it was that I saw.

For a Barcelona to Barcelona 7-night cruise that doesn't stop in a non-EU port, it's my understanding that there is a 10% VAT on all food & beverages + a 20% VAT on all other goods & services throughout the cruise. Does that include gratuities?

 

Does anyone know if you are exempt from the VAT if you pre-purchase any of the items ahead of time thru your Cruise Planner?

Gratitude and vat is two different things. If you for example buy a drink onboard, they add both vat and gratitude.

For the excurtions and the combined soda and Wi-Fi package, the cruise planner did not mention vat when I bought it. I've seen reports that say stuffs bought before you board don't add vat, but if bought onboard you pay vat.

As an additional question for this thread, which currency/currencies are accepted in the casino?

 

Cruising Voyager out of Singapore.

 

Cheers..

USD as a minimum.

Do both adults in a cabin need to buy the refreshment package? I know you do with the deluxe, but I’m not sure about the refreshment package. I wanted to get the refreshment package for my DH. I have already bought a coffee card for myself.

I have not heard any reports of people saying that they have to do it with that package. Only with deluxe.

It's quicker if you have it, but if you don't they can look you up in the system. Not sure how exactly it works with the newer ships where your printed set sail pass acts as your seapass card until the rooms open.

 

I did read somewhere that they can print the setsail pass at the port to use until the cabins are ready.

Thanks cb, do you meant I don't have to print out the set sail pass ? I thought you got to have the setsail pass when come in to the terminal building because they check for it before they even let you in.

From my understanding, you can get to the port and in to the terminal without the setsail pass. It will just take a bit longer, as you have to show id to enter the terminal so they can look you up on the manifest.

Does the Allure have the Royal IQ app? Will it have it by the 8/26 cruise I'm going on?

I just had a look in Google App Store, and according to the description, Allure don't support Royal IQ. And from what I've heard, it looks like Royal IQ isn't going on more ships.

Allure uses the Royal Caribbean International app.

I've read conflicting things regarding iMessage. Some users reportedly get iMessage's without having to buy anything while others claim you have to buy some sort of internet package. Apparently this work on the Harmony? I'm not really sure what the rule is. I can last the entire cruise without buying internet, but since I'll be with a large group it'd be nice to use iMessage in case we split up. Does anyone know what the deal is?

On the ships that uses the Royal IQ app, there is a loophole that makes iMessage work. I'm not sure if it works all the time.

what currencies and amounts do you recommend for the other ports?

Tallin, Estonia,

St Petersburg- how many rubles do you recommend?

Helsinki,

Stockholm

 

 

thank you for any advice you can give!

Helsinki and Tallinn use Euros. Stockholm uses Swedish Kroner.

How much to take, would depend on what you are planning to buy.

If I book a time for my group for my time dining and some decide not to come, do we just show up anyway for the reservation or just get in line with those with no set time?

If you have booked a specific time and some of your party don't join you, just show up anyway at that time and say that you are a few people less than planned. If you know ahead you might want to give them a word ahead of time.

i just completed checking in to our cruise via RC app and got an online / in app set sail pass with a barcode.

How can I print it in case my phone dies / gets lost / runs out of battery?

Like to always have good old hard copies of important docs with me.

If you log in to this link, you can print it from there.

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/online-check-in/displayReservationEntryForm.do?org.apache.struts.taglib.html.TOKEN=063fb432fe83cc5af5b69e92f31ae1b6&popupLang=en_US

Does anyone know where to find your payment history for a cruise on the new website? I can't find it anywhere!

I don't think you can see it on the new website. You can contact Royal to get a guest copy showing how much that is paid.

I cannot figure out where on the new cruise planner to look at flight options for an upcoming cruise.

Can someone direct me to the right area?

 

Thank You! :halo::halo::)

:)

The cruise planner and Air2Sea are two different things.

Here is the link:

http://www.cruisingpower.com/choiceair/protected/home.do?brand=R

We have traveled with Norwegian Air 3 times over the Atlantic. Been happy all the times.

One time we did economy, the 2 others we have been in premium.

We all think premium class was worth is, as you got better seats, luggage and food included.

In economy, you can choose a slightly more expensive fare to get seat reservation, food and luggage included.

On our return to Norway, our flight from the US was delayed, so we didn't make our connection in Sweden, but when we landed, Norwegian had automatically rebooked us on the next flight to Norway.

Any chance you got the departure flyer?

The ships always operate in USD no matter where it sails, but you can exchange other currencies onboard and put it on your onboard account.

Can you tell me if there is a shuttle service from the ship into Oslo centre and how much is it. Thanks

Depends on where the ship dock, but usually the ships docks in the city center, and it's possible to walk (depending on where you want to go of course)

I’m confused which isn’t that difficult. I have completed online checkin with a time of 11:00 for boarding but then on the Website the dashboard page says please arrive at least 2 hours before scheduled boarding. So do I actually need to arrive at the port for 09:00?

 

Sorry probably should have said, sailing on the Symphony from Barcelona in June.

No you don't. As long as you are there at least 2 hours before the ship sails, you should be fine.

Just double check when check in/boarding closes, so you are the before that.

If you buy the soda package, can you get soda at any bar or in the dining room when you're eating dinner? Thanks.

 

Karen

Yes you can.

Curious about what is the most beneficial form of saying a little extra thank you for the employees who go above & beyond. My first thought was to use the 2 bottles of wine allowed to give some local (to me) wines. My next thought was obviously cash, however if the employee doesn’t have ready access to exchange currency or the ability to transfer the funds to an account it might not be the most useful way to thank them.

Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Cash in USD is the best, as the crew has very small shared cabins, and don't have a lot of room for other things.