packedandready

This will be our first cruise with HAL. Would like a tile as a newbie. Does everyone get one, or just certain levels? Will be in a Neptune Suite, if that matters.

On 3/21/2023 at 8:16 PM, SRQbeachgirl said:

We were in one of the middle aft extended balcony cabins on the Mardi Gras (same design as Celebration). The end cabins could probably see into our balcony slightly more than a regular balcony, but not by much. We loved the size of the balcony and the view.

 

However, we would not stay in one of these again. There is no shade or breeze, making it so unbearably hot and miserable that we couldn't spend any time out there except at night.  

Were they not covered causing no shade? Any more breeze when sailing?

Haven’t sailed much with carnival and it’s been a long time. Looking at jubilee. Since she’s so new, there are not many pictures / videos on the different cabins. Would videos of the celebration be similar? Looking at the aft facing balconies. Since the aft pool is there how noisy would they be? 

With the Seascape coming to Galveston, I’m considering MSC. We’re Diamond + with Royal so more familiar with their policies. I think I understand that there is no price match for a price decrease and I’d have to cancel and rebook. What is the change fee? What is the cancellation/refund policy? I’ve checked the website but it’s not clear. Also, what is the typical cost for internet for a 7 night cruise? Any other differences I need to know?

On 10/10/2023 at 10:26 AM, feelingnauti said:

Good to hear!  We'll be in this cabin in November. Also have it booked on the Radiance out of Tampa in March. Thanks for the info.

How much overhang or shade did you have?

4 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

You're incorrect on your balcony cabin categories. 

Only Deluxe Balcony cabins have the sofa seating area, along with desk chair, coffee table. 

Premium Balcony cabins do not. Premium refers to location. Premium and non premium balcony cabins have no sofa or extra chairs beyond the desk chair.  

 

You can have balcony (B). Premium Balcony (still category B)., Deluxe Balcony (D), or Premier Deluxe Balcony (still D).

 

opps, yes sorry, I switched them. I was mainly just trying to say that if seating was important, they better verify. 

Booked the Sanctuary twice on 2 different ships. A really pretty area, but very, very little shade. Since it's in the front of the ship, it can get very windy.

We're D+ on RCI, and have some Celebrity and Carnival. The main thing I wish I had known was about Princess Balcony cabins (at least on the ships we've been on). The possible balcony categories are Balcony, Deluxe and Premium. Only the Premiums have any extra seating, a loveseat, the Regular balcony and Deluxe only have the hard desk chair. I had no idea that was a question I needed to ask. That might not be a big deal to some, but we need a place to sit.

What ships, if any, have solo cabins? Does Royal Caribbean ever offer single offers? Can singles book online or do you have to call in?

On 10/9/2023 at 1:48 PM, Happy Cruiser Girl said:

We had 8168 on the Jewel in March and absolutely loved it. I haven't seen the others, so couldn't compare. The view was great and we had plenty of space.

Did the balcony have 2 loungers?

Another thing Princess, lawyers, juries, etc would look at is bone health. OP stated that the bone cracked. If OP has osteoporosis, osteopenia or any other condition that weakens the bones then most anything might crack it. 

We don’t drink alcohol. Is there anything else in the lounge?

1100, 9256, 8168, 7172. Any one better than the other? Larger cabins/balconies? Shade? Thoughts? Opinions?

Looking at flights for Alaska next summer. Trying to decide between Flight Ease and booking independently. I've read both good and bad so still trying to decide. Cost is comparable, so wondering if the 'supposed' help with flight cancellations/changes is really a help. If I understand correctly, we wouldn't be ticketed until much closer to sailing. What risks come with that??? The flights I'm looking at allows seat selection, how often (if at all) are the seats changed because of not being ticketed? I understand that HAL is at the mercy of the airlines when it comes to cancellations and changes. We are using a travel agent for the first time in almost 30 cruises. That was hard to do, but we're kind of going way out with this one and spending much more $$$$ than we usually do and wanted an extra set of eyes. She said she'd booked whichever we felt more comfortable with. Thoughts??? Opinions??? Suggestions??? Anything else we need to think about?

Was there any explanation of why only partial refund on flights? 

We have a whale watching tour booked through an independent company. Should be back by 1pm and ship leaves at 5. So guessing will need to be back onboard by 4:30. Is that enough time to see Mendenhall Glacier on our own? I'm thinking not, but checking anyway. 

Thanks to those that responded, I had the same question. Our cruise has an excursion that does both, Whale watching and Mendenhall. But, after reading so many reviews of a couple of private companies for whale watching, we decided that we really wanted to go with them because of the small group. We plan a helicopter glacier landing in Denali so really didn't know if Mendenhall was a 'must do'. I think we'll stick with our small group whale tour.

On 6/24/2023 at 1:50 AM, joeyancho said:

You can ask your steward for ideas on how to handle the situation.  Our steward,  on our last cruise said he would come twice daily if we wanted.  We said no, just ice.  We always had fresh ice. 

I don't mind cabin service just once a day, but would like ice morning and evening. You were able to get that?

What I'd be afraid of is being left in the mini-suite. If the mini-suite shows a balance and is due in July, but you don't get a cabin before that, what's going to keep your booking from being cancelled for non-payment. Their computer system may automatically cancel regardless of any notes on the reservation. 

13 hours ago, Saturngrl said:

There was a crew member with a Key sign waiting outside the MDR after we finished breakfast.  He escorted us from there off the ship.  The funny thing is the people who tried to join our group.  The crew member stopped them cold and told them this was exclusively for the Key, then sent them back to their assigned waiting areas.  Sweet!  

Do you know what time the key group started disembarking?

On 5/7/2023 at 8:15 AM, Saturngrl said:

We just did the Key on Independence this past week.  For us, it was well worth the price, especially regarding boarding order and embarkation lunch, as well as the FABULOUS disembarkation morning breakfast.  We were escorted off the ship ahead of everyone else and on the road by 8:00 a.m.  I will definitely do The Key again! 

Did you have a designated area to meet for debarkation? Guest services told us to just walk to the head of the self assist line. Well.....you know how that would have turned out. 

It reminded me of eating chocolate covered cherries. 

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

You don't really NEED reservations, Key or not.. There is a standby line for every show and you'll have no problem getting into everything... except maybe the adult comedy b/c the venue is pretty small.

Yes. Guess I didn’t completely explain. I was told you needed reservations even if you had The Key if you wanted to get there early for a seat. Thanks for clearing it up for the OP. Everything is so confusing for those that haven’t cruised or it’s been a long time. 

Was told that even with The Key you need reservations.

We’ve done close to 30 cruises but never on Holland America. Wanting to do Alaska and Holland looks best for us. So….Noordam or Nieuw Amsterdam? Which and why. Looking at the 11 or 12 land/sea tour.