RadioRob

It was an online travel agent, but I reached out to over a dozen before I selected one. I did things such as did my calling on the weekend to see when they worked, asked questions about any fees they might charge (such as change fees/cancel fees, etc).

While it's not allowed to mention SPECIFIC TAs by name, we can talk about them in general. I would also suggest when you are aboard the ship that you ask a few folks if they use TAs and who if they like them.

It's a new itinerary for Grandeur, but the ports for the most part are not new.

 

Last May, we were on a Bahamas cruise from Baltimore where we stopped in Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Cococay. (No Miami stop and no stop in SC.)

 

For my family, we've been to FL so many times it's not funny so we did not get off the ship. Nassau was OK, but not great... but we absolutely LOVED Cococay.

Thank you!

 

I was a radio announcer and radio station Program Director in the 1970s and 1980s. I couldn't make enough money at it to support a family, so I got a real job. Now I just do the YouTube videos for fun.

 

 

I know the feeling! As you can tell from the name, I started life in the radio business... however unless you're part of the top 10, you're doing it for the love of the career instead of the money.

 

I'm now the technical part of a high tech sales team that does B2B selling. The lessons I learned in radio were EXTREMELY helpful though... made it much easier for me to communicate effectively and to be comfortable giving presentations. (If I could talk to a million people on the radio, why should I be scared of speaking to a dozen people in a room?)

[quote name='sdowney']RadioRob - Newbie here. So I assume by transferring it to a travel agent you are talking OBC perks. Are there any other extra perks you got by transferring it? I too have reserved the 2 bedroom Aquatheater Suite on the Allure for a January 2017 sailing so if I can get additional perks I'd like to try. Would like to know what I can "attempt" to get.

Thanks,
Sandra[/QUOTE]

Each TA earns a commission from RC for managing the reservation, etc. We got the OBC from booking aboard the ship as well as OBC from RC as part of the regular special they were offering. However on top of that, the TA tossed in another 1000 worth of OBC for us. (Now we were spending nearly 11K, but still... almost 10% in extra OBC is not bad at all.)

When talking to her, she said she could do slightly less OBC and toss in things like a gift (such as a bottle of wine/champaign), specialty dinners, etc. However since the suite included Ultimate Beverage package for each guest and unlimited specialty dining, extra OBC worked out in our favor more.

Basically the TA takes a portion of their commission and gives it to you as a way of earning your business on top of their service/support.

The financial perk is nice, but it matters finding a GOOD TA that supports you well. Otherwise the financial perks might be offset by subpar service.

I booked my first cruise directly through RC. My second and third cruise, I booked aboard the ship on that first cruise, but transferred to a TA.

 

That experience has been great... no problems at all and the agent has been a pleasure to work with. With the new Royal Suite Class features being rolled out, back in Feb/March, RC was saying our 2 bedroom AquaTheater suite did not qualify for the Star class benefits. My TA jumped all over it and dealt with the 30 different reps saying 30 different things until she was able to get a senior resolutions person to look at it and agree with us along with putting a note on our reservation to that effect.

 

It was great having someone else take the bull by the horns so to speak and run with addressing the problem.

 

I'll most likely continue to pick my own trips and research on my own... but the TA has been great to work with on post initial purchase issues. Well worth it IMO.

[quote name='Robenno']We received our survey 4/18 for our May 14 sailing. We booked onboard last Feb and transferred to TA. We are 4 adults in a 2 bedroom Aqua suite and we now have to figure out how to answer the survey for us as even though we are brothers and sisters it may be difficult. They also sent the email to the first guest on the booking.


Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app[/QUOTE]

This was exactly us. We booked last year aboard our last cruise for May 8th on Allure in the 2 bedroom Aquatheater Suite. (Coincidentally we also transferred this to our TA for some additional perks.)

We just got the survey on Monday... it was difficult for me to answer it since there are 6 of us ranging in age from 25 to 73.

An absolutely amazing review. We're going to be on the Anthem this October for a 5 day cruise to Bermuda. Seeing two70 and the rest of the features have us that more excited! Thank you for sharing such great photos and videos! You mentioned you enjoy amateur photography, but you also have a great voice and narrate very well as well!

We're going to be in one of the Star class 2 bedroom Aqua Theater Suites May 8th on Allure and in an Owner's Loft Suite on Anthem in October. We're getting super excited ourselves!! :-)

One other related question. Is there a business center on board that will print out a file that I would supply on a flash drive?

 

 

Many IT organizations are skeptical about allowing USB devices into the network given they can be infected with malware, etc. One option might be to email the file to yourself and arrange to forward it to someone like the concierge who could possibly print it.

 

Hope that helps! :)

Some devices are able to send messages and even place calls over a wifi network. It's known as "Wifi Calling". You need a phone that supports it, and you need to enable the feature with your carrier (most US carriers don't charge for it, but you do need to enable it and specify a 911 address on file). BUT... It lets you use your phone like normal (placing calls, sending SMS, etc) over wifi. http://www.cnet.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-wifi-calling/

What will be the promotion after this?

 

 

Only the shadow (and possibly the random number generator at RCL HQ) knows! :)

Grandeur enforced the no shorts, tank tops, etc when I was aboard last year. With regards to formal night, you would be fine with the described attire there as well.

28 days until we set sail on Allure. Anthem is on the radar for October as well... Come on time! I need you to move a little bit faster.

Pharaoh, I'll be getting off the ship just as you're getting on. We're on the May 8th sailing. :) We will make sure to take real good care of 'er. :D

Correct. You can bring 2 bottles of wine per stateroom (not per person). No corkage fee, and they'll store the bottle for you between meals. (They'll even serve it for you in different specialty restaurants.) -- You can do the first night in the MDR with the bottle and have the waiter keep the bottle and they'll retrieve it for you if you're having dinner in Chops the next night, etc.

 

Hope that helps!

What ship is this for? The Oasis and Quantum ships have new perks depending on the level of the suite starting May 1st. The differences can be seen at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass. A JS is a Sea class suite. You can compare it to other suite types. The best suites include free Ultimate beverage package per person, free internet, free specialty dining, gratuities included, etc.

You can typically pay to upgrade from one package to a higher one and pay the difference. (We've done this before aboard the ship by talking to a bartender or a visit to guest services.). What I don't think you can do is upgrade a FREE lower package to a discounted higher package. No matter what though... Remember this is RC we are talking about. The only thing they are consistent with is their non-consistency. :)

Glad you had a great time! I'm excited for my turn in October!

The cruise vacation documents are basically just the legal T&Cs, a copy of the itinerary, etc. It's nothing overly special that you need in order to cruise.

 

The only thing you need when you show up is your SetSail pass. If you have that, you'll survive.

The winds were absolutely crazy here in the DC area and out near Rehobeth Beach. 60 mph gusts on land... I can only imagine what it was like on the waters.

We brought a small fan last cruise as well without problems. I don't see anything in the rules that prohibited it.

On Grandeur last year they did enforce the no shorts at dinner policy. It's hit or miss on enforcement but it is a rule. :)

Talk about reviving an old thread. Lol. Welcome to the site!

Was on Grandeur last May and had a fantastic time. Great ship and crew. We booked two more cruises on RCL because of the experience. Remember... If you go LOOKING for problems or a bad time, you'll find it. Just like if you go expecting to have a blast the same will happen. Enjoy your time!!

We all have those moments. I was thinking to myself earlier that we had not received any pre-cruise communication and we're under 40 days from our cruise now.

 

Then I realized it does not matter much. Just show up and if they try to charge me for my alcohol, then I say something. lol :D