DeesEscape

Thanks, both of you..glad you mentioned that some people who NEVER have had a balcony say things like ,"no need to have one", or "you're only in the cabin to sleep & shower", or "won't pay extra for it"..clearly, they do NOT know what they are missing..I have cruised 31 times on all but Costa & MSC, in all 4 categories: inside, window, balcony & suite...nothing beats a balcony & nothing is more boring than an inside cabin IMO..I know- I have been in one..BTW,DEESESCAPE, you will LOVE the hump cabin..I have done 4 of them..great views!!

 

Big Al

Thanks Big Al. I'm soooo excited for the hump cabin! The icing on the cake will be if I can talk our room attendant into getting us a lounge chair! LOL I know my chances are at best 50/50 but I'm going for it. Even if we don't snag the cherry on top so to speak I'm going to enjoy every single second I can of that fabulous balcony on Deck 7. I've already got my first breakfast on the balcony already planned thanks to you!:)

Pretty much same here. Now wouldn't sail without a balcony.

Me neither. I don't begrudge those who prefer inside cabins or OV and don't make a judgment for or against their personal preference. We balcony lovers have discovered for ourselves and preferences that a balcony enhances our own experience not tear down or belittle someone else because this is how we choose to cruise and save for the extra addition it lends to our vacations.

When I initially began cruising it was all about the price and destinations. Now it's about the destinations and the ship offering the right price at the right time of year I prefer to travel. Booking a balcony cabin is a no questions asked option for me. I do like less intensive ports as it allows me equal time to enjoy land based activities but to also be able to spend quality time on the ship and usage of that awesome balcony I purchased. We're going on Allure of the Seas this time and have already nixed one island visit (Nassau) so there will be even more time to enjoy onboard and on balcony. :)

First cruise...porthole (only discovered on day 3 when I finally pulled back the curtain on the wall and found it wasn't just for decoration! LOL)

Second and third cruises...oceanview. Nice rooms and enjoyed having the natural sunlight.

Fourth cruise...1st balcony. I've been sprung on them ever since. Nothing compared to being able to step out onto our own private verandah and enjoying the sights and sounds of the ocean and sky without the need to go top deck if we weren't in a "mingling" mood.

We are embarking on our 5th cruise come January and I didn't even think about any cabin that didn't have balcony attached to it when booking. Even sweeter was the fact that without knowing at the time, I was setting us up in a "hump" cabin as well to which I'm very much looking forward too.

Inside cabins are fine for those who don't have the extra money or are just not into the balcony experience. However, unless you have had a balcony one can't speak as to what they aren't missing or what those who have one are "throwing away". Criticize me for spending my money on what I deem appropriate for my cruise experience all you want. Nothing compares unless you've got a suite.

Hi all, you can load as much money on your account as you like through Gift and Gear

Sometimes they will tell you $ 499.00 and sometimes it is $ 500.00 depends on person in Guatemala that you get on the other end. I have put in $ 1,500.00 and plan on more ( special rates for Canadians )

ROTFL!!! How true. I remember one time I called RCCL and I got a representative who was clearly American born. The BEST service to date I've received as she knew the company's policies and how to express such to the client without confusion on either side. Helped put through my price drop and saved me $400 on our trip. :)

Thank-you for the kind words.:) Many people help here.

Yes many people on here have been wonderful with advice, support, etc. and it is all appreciated and valued. You are one of those at the top of that list. :D

Is the total limit of purchased OBC $499, or can we call multiple times and do $499 each time?

Hi Bob.

Good question. I didn't think to ask that. I took it as this was the total amount available for pre-purchase until we are on board and then we can add additional monies at that time. I'll need to go back and clarify.

And off topic...thank you so much for all the amazing help you give EVERYONE!! I'm a newbie to CC in terms of posting but I've been reading everything since I booked our trip in early January and you are always the most helpful, patient and informative no matter the question. I so appreciate the input you provided that helped me plan an amazing vacation after a 10 year lapse in crusing. :)

Hi.

Just wanted to add that I too am planning to pre-load OBC prior to our cruise in January so I called RCCL to see what my limit would be. They confirmed that I could pre-purchase OBC but only up to $499. Not sure of the significance of the $1 shy of $500 but I was still happy to know I will be able to make the purchase.

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for a quick infomercial.

 

Or, well, a picture of the reviewer and her handsome husband as requested. This picture was taken in Bandol during day three. Big thanks to Steve (cruiser_man) for taking the picture during our excursion.

 

Awww...what a cute couple. :D

Great review and phenomenal pictures. You're doing wonderful job and making me that much more anxious for my own Allure adventure come January. Thank you. :)

132 days until we're on Allure:)

I'd like to know as well for our cruise in January.

Thank you for the informative and laugh out loud entertaining review. I love your writing style. Very engaging and common sense relatable.

Great job.

149 days until my sweetie and I sail on Allure.

I can't speak to Oasis but I ordered one for our bed on the Allure and it shows up on my final booking invoice as having been requested which makes me think you will likely be able to have same on Oasis. I would just give customer service a call and have them confirm and add it on for you.

I'm crying!!! These are hilarious!:):):):D

We've only done the Quantum so far. With so many different dining venues included at no extra charge, we only did one up charge restaurant on our 8 night transatlantic. Even then, we only got to visit each included dining room once, plus a second visit to each of our favorites. For that cruise we chose Chops as our up charge dining experience. It was a super stand out and we'll definitely try it again sometime.

 

When we do our Mediterranean cruise next year we plan to try Wonderland. We weren't sure what to think of it when we did the Quantum, so didn't book. Having seen it and spoken with others who dined there, I now think everyone ought to give it a go once if they can.

 

We've got a super short three night on Majesty coming up this fall. We're not planning any specialty dining for that cruise just on account of it being so short. We figure one regular dinner in the MDR, one Formal dinner in the MDR, and then we might just give in and do the Windjammer once for dinner. At most, we might work in a lunch at Johnny Rockets.

The no extra fee-food is good. We don't need anything else.

Sent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk

178 days and counting until me and my sweetie set sail on Allure! :)

Many blessings of happiness for your upcoming wedding.

For me a cruise is being in a never-ending state of zen. There is a sense of calm and total relaxation (even in the midst of endless activity from morning to night) that I have never experienced out of any of my land based travels. Cruising is marketed as a vacation for the masses yet uniquely tailored to and for every individual. It's a state of mind that can literally have you feeling reborn.

My perfect day is waking naturally without the jarring beeping of an alarm clock, giving thanks and then rising to open my balcony curtains and having paradise say good morning. If in port, I love to just drink in my surroundings and breathe in the freshness of the air. I'm an early riser and love seeing the beauty of a tropical sunrise. Lovely.

My honey can sleep in more than I so I let him rest and enjoy the "me time" by having some coffee and a pastry from room service snd then going over the daily newsletter to see what fun we can get up too. There are no mistakes in how one decides to cruise only choices. And they are plenty.

Once my other half wakes and coffees up it shower, dress and off to breakfast in the MDR. Leisurely eat and then its off to explore until my adventures lead to a deck chair, a cold drink, some music and the beauty of the ocean. If in a port I want to see it's off the boat and on to whatever we have planned. We are easy going and enjoy the moment and mood of our environment and let that instinct carry us to our adventure. Then back to ship for nap and relaxation before dinner. Eat then venture to whatever strikes our fancy. Drinks, dancing, good music, a show, walk on deck, etc. is all heaven. A late night snack/drink then back to cabin to relax and hang on the balcony before turning in. Life at its best.

Hilarious and helpful. Great review and attitude. I aspire to have the same when oyr cruise comes up.

And the Windjammer convo with your wife had me in tears it was so me and my guy. You deserved to have a wonderful time.

208 days until me and my sweetie take our first ever RCI cruise (I've always been a Carnival gal). Can't wait. Got a great price drop today as well. Saved $400 bucks on a D1 balcony cabin. I'm so ready to go!

The IT/website/support incompetence is ridiculous.

This is my first time cruising on RCCL and it is likely to be my last if they don't get a grip and do something with whomever the 2 dixie cups and a string brain trusts are manning things.

Freaking hilarious!! I was side eyeing the lint meltdown and then the lightbulb went neon with the "snuck in 4 CASES of beer. Too funny. Thanks for the laughs.:)

Freaking hilarious!! I was side eyeing the lint meltdown and then the lightbulb went neon with the "snuck in" 4 CASES of beer. Too funny. Thanks for the laughs.:)

Hi. I'm a newbie to the board and am set to sail Jan 3, 2016. Several years since my last cruise so I wanted to come back big with Allure. Although outta the game for a while my instincts are apparently still spot on as I booked a center hump cabin on deck 7 and didn't know what the hump was or how coveted. My guy has never cruised so this was a great choice for us.