2CatsInFlorida

Received e-mail today from RCCL--our guest documents are ready.

 

Then states we must present our documents and proper ID at the pier to check in and receive our Sea Pass card.

 

 

 

Since when? All 16 pages? Is this something new?

 

 

Once at check-in at Port Canaveral, the RCI agent asked to see our cruise contract as well at Set Sail pass. I don't know what would have happened if we didn't have them.

Congratulations. We are on the same cruise and a few weeks ago were able to upgrade to a balcony from an ocean view paying $100 less and getting an obc credit of $100. Tried to look again, but the website is down and our price monitoring website did not inform us yet of a price drop.

 

I don't think the problems in the region will impact our shore excursions and June is a long way off. Imagine the people whose Greek cruises start soon and when they booked months ago things looked safe.

No waitlist available. We were advised MTD only. I'll try again in a few weeks.

 

 

That's what we did on our June, 2016 cruise. The second call to RCI, after a few weeks, we got on a wait list. Then a few days ago an early MDR.

[quote name='Ashland'][B]RCI needs to go back to the format of easy to read cabins that are available.[/B]

[B]WHY hasn't RCCL CRUISELINE responded to anything on this thread that has been said :rolleyes::mad:[/B][/QUOTE]


I agree the previous way to list available cabins was easier and provided information on cabin location (forward, mid ship, aft) as well as connecting cabins. This information is available on the new website, but not as conveniently. However, I am used to the new system now and the HOLD button is back. [emoji3] All new systems have some initial bugs. People sure get bummed when cable tv or a computer system goes down.

Excellent review and photos. What camera did you use?

got the email survey on our 8/30/15 freedom cruise when we got home

We enjoy Freedom. Great service, newer rooms with mini fridge, a fantastic ice skating show.

You can walk right off and book an excursion. That's what we did. The trolley tour in Falmouth was very good. Good shopping is near the dock in Georgetown and Cozumel. Cozumel has a lot of activities, but a ship excursion to get you back on time is our suggestion if you book a long excursion.

As soon as we book the cruise. Then, the fun of planning begins, which we enjoy almost as much as the cruise. It's the anticipation, that is sometimes better than the reality.

It would be helpful if you listed the specific countries and your nationality. For an American in Jamaica, Grand Cayman , Labadee or Cozumel the answer is no Visa is needed if you return to the ship at the end of the day.

Yes, some of the price differences seem crazy, but it's the law of supply and demand. We got two good deals by constantly watching prices and deals. 1. On our Greece cruise next year we got a balcony for $100 less than the OV we had booked. 2. We got a balcony to the Caribbean for the same as our OV. We look at Celebrity and NCL too, but the floating beer can we won't consider.

We just got $300 obc on Celebrity Constellation balcony and will spend it on ship excursions in Cozumel. As the excursion ends near departure we feel safer going with the ship package. We will be doing the dolphin excursion, but the dancing chefs will be our next excursion.

This makes zero sense, sorry. What POSSIBLE difference would it make, even if there was a criminal at the table if he/she knew I was having a casual dinner in the buffet vs. dining at the table?

 

 

Rather than my giving you the answer, think it through yourself. Then Google "cruise ship crimes cover ups".

 

I emphasize that we feel safe on RCI, but still take sensible precautions.

Now I'm even more curious. Assuming that one of my table mates is a criminal, how is my security compromised if this criminal knows that I will be eating in a different restaurant one night?

 

 

Do you tell everyone in your neighborhood when you will be leaving town and where you are going?

 

Well, I could list some crimes of opportunity, one in particular (not on RCI) that would make your hair stand on end. This is not to say cruising is dangerous, but La La land it is not.

 

In our experience the waiter will take orders unless the guests ask to wait.

Security? What sort of vessels are you sailing on? I feel very safe onboard Royal Caribbean. They take our safety very seriously, and while there may be an occasional bad apple, what can they really do? You're a traveler in one of the largest communities at sea. The bad people can't really run to the next village and claim asylum, the jump would probably kill them. I know that's probably dramatizing it but you've seen those security people at the x-Ray machine after you've spent all day in Jamaica.

Point is, security should not be something to worry about on your vacation. I know it's hard not to worry but if you feel threatened or have security concerns, your FIRST objective is to let a member of the security staff know, and then, you'll keep the table you were originally assigned because your table mates are now in the brig.

 

 

There are criminals on cruise ships and they like to know their victim's routine. Google and you will find some very serious incidents. Enjoy your cruise, but take sensible precautions.

We don't inform the waiter or anyone else of our plans for convenience and security, unless we know our table mates very well.

Celebrity Constellation December 2015, Brillance January 2016, Freedom February 2016, Jewel June 2016 Greek Isles, Oasis February 2017

Looking back at our 2007 cruise, we paid $218 for RCCL's insurance on a $4200 booking for two people. This year, we paid $487 for insurance on a $6900 booking for three people through Global Alert Travel including "cancel for any reason" which was an extra $160. Based on percentages, RCCL's was about 5.2% of travel cost, Global Alert was 4.75% without CFAR, or 7% with CFAR. Note that we are now it in higher-risk age bracket compared to 8 years ago.

 

 

 

Based on these numbers, I'd say the cruise line's insurance is way overpriced. And that's even assuming their percentage has not increased over time.

 

 

For our December 2015 cruise, we compared Cruise Care to several other insurers and Cruise Care was far less expensive. This has been true for every cruise we booked. I will say, that Cruise Care policy limits are often less, though completely adequate.

Having worked with various insurance firms over the years I would NEVER EVER recommend buying insurance from the same firm that is providing you the goods/services.

 

You cannot rely on a goods/service provider to adequate and fairly advocate against themselves on your behalf.

 

Always use a third party insurer.

 

 

There are economies of scale going through a group insurance purchaser like RCI. They do not underwrite the policy, so there is no reason for them to deny a claim. The only reason not to use Cruise Care is if you need higher limits.

RCCL's Cruisecare does not provide a pre-existing waiver as other insurance companies provide if the policy is purchased within 10-14 days ( Varies by policy and carrier).

 

 

 

RCCL's Cruisecare policy will not cover any pre-existing condition in which the person has been treated for within 60days of the cruise. Refer to page 8 of this link http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/RCICruiseCare.pdf

 

 

RC Cruise Care does provide a pre-existing condition waiver provided the condition did not WORSEN in the 60 days prior to purchasing the waiver. The operational word is worsen.

We walk the deck to avoid going in the smoky casino. Worse are those who smoke on their balcony. There should be balcony/cabin cigarette smoke detectors that alert ship security and fines should be imposed. Second offense and off the ship.

My GOD, man! We're talking UNIVERSAL ARMAGEDDON here! :eek: :D :rolleyes:

 

 

Haha that's funny

If you place bottled water it in checked luggage, you will have to pick it up at the security station on ship.

Giovannia's caprici salad.

If you buy the insurance when you book, the exclusions are waived.