rbdavis3951

21 hours ago, Tin can said:

 

Beginning of April, looks like we just miss the rodeos.

If you plan on being in Fort Worth on a Friday or Saturday you could go the the indoor Stockyards Championship Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum.

https://cowtowncoliseum.com/about/faq

My ideas listed below are based from hosting my sister-in-law and her family visiting from Amsterdam several years ago for their first "Texas Experience" ranging from outer space, to the Mexican heritage and cowboy way of life.

Pre Cruise:

An option is arriving a couple of days early and explore the Space Center Houston and area before the cruise.

Post cruise:

Day 1:

Go to San Antonio (4 hour drive) for an overnight and visit the Riverwalk at night and eat some Tex-Mex food.

Day 2:

Go to Fort Worth (4.5 hour drive) to visit the Stockyards, watch a Rodeo, and end the day at a Texas Honky Tonk. On the drive to Fort Worth stop at Buc-ee's in New Braunsfels.

Day 3:

Go to South Fork Ranch (1.25 hour drive). Afterwards depending on the time of the year the State Fair of Texas (SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 23, 2022) might be an option otherwise a Dallas guided tour.

Of course make sure to eat some good Texas BBQ before going home.

12 hours ago, T00ters said:

Did you book on port website? 

Thanks in advance!!

I did the pre-cruise sign up on the website but also completed the form provided onboard just in case.

What family legal documents do I need to board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

What if I’m traveling with a minor and I’m not their parent or legal guardian?

Consent Form For Minor Children to Travel Without Parent/Legal Guardian

3 hours ago, T00ters said:

Friendly bump to see if anybody has utilized this service this past month and if so, did you book through website or does Royal provide a form the day before disembarking?

 

Thanks in advance!

Another post Luggage Valet- Is it still offered?

I booked online plus filled out the form provided by the Ovation with the Day 3 Cruise Compass. Last night of the cruise luggage tags and boarding passes were delivered to our stateroom.

51 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

After I logged out earlier I couldn't get back in again, but just have now in both Firefox and Chrome, so maybe they really have fixed it.

Until IT breaks something else 😒

6 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

 

I seem to be getting all the way through, at least to the point of putting in names. I haven't tried going any further.

 

So that is what a fully functional Royal Caribbean website should look like!

15 hours ago, RonPaula said:

Who assesses and collects the luggage fees? We fly with Delta and have our fees waived due to fare class or purchasing tickets using a Delta credit card.

There is a place on the Luggage Valet Program sign up sheet provided by the ship to explain why exempt from baggage fees.

Even though I signed up online prior to the cruise I completed the form provided and returned it to Guest Services. The last night onboard our luggage tags and boarding passes were waiting in our stateroom when we returned at 6:30 pm.

Ovation of the Seas Luggage Valet Program.pdf

2 hours ago, rbdavis3951 said:

 

 

We got a paper with instructions on how to set up casino accounts at the cash window. After setting up our accounts my wife & I both had $4 casino credit on our cards which we used to play losing slots.

These are the instructions we received. I believe when you transfer that you find out your dollar amount.

4 hours ago, reefgeek83 said:

We've never sailed with RC before, and I've been hearing some posts about free casino money. Does RC give every guest $8 in casino credit? How do you see this on your account once on ship?

1 hour ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I think $6 of the $8 was from our Diamond status.   I think everyone has a little bit if used the 1st day or two.  Ask for instructions at the cash window at the casino. 

We got a paper with instructions on how to set up casino accounts at the cash window. After setting up our accounts my wife & I both had $4 casino credit on our cards which we used to play losing slots.

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

OK…on board.  Some observations….

 

1.  Adhere to your boarding time.  Some tried to board early and were put into a very long line.  Pretty Miserable standing  and waiting to  board in the rain.  Those of us who showed up at the designated time walked right through!

 

2.  ArriveCAN IS NOT required by Royal.  They didn’t even check my QCR.

 

3.  They do check vaccination and pre-boarding Negative COVID tests carefully and take pics of both.

Since you boarded in Vancouver you would have to have completed the ArriveCan to arrive in Canada. Because of that there would not be a reason to verify the ArriveCAN before boarding.

Next weeks cruise departing Seattle should require the ArriveCAN be completed and I will be complete it like a good cruiser. 😇

28 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I was talking about on board pricing. I realize the cruise planner pricing is constantly changing.

In that case I don't know what the on board price is since I won't be on board for another 15 days.

51 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Are you sure $18.99 is the current pricing? Internet this week on Allure is up to $21.99 for surf and $26.99 for surf and stream for one device.

Pricing for each ship varies; for the May 13th Ovation of the Seas sailing as of this morning 1-device prices are $23.99 per day for Voom Surf + Stream and $18.99 per day for Voom Surf.

6 minutes ago, Peak city said:

 

How much per day did you pay for The Key?  Remember you are getting back that amount plus the $50 per person OBC.

The refund could take up to 30 business days. Or in other words about 3 weeks after the cruise ended.

Just now, smokeybandit said:

They've canceled the Key for a lot of cruises since the restart.  There are rumors that Alaska cruises are only sailing at 50% to start, so that's likely part of it.

I would consider it a good trade for losing the key for 50% capacity 😁

13 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Are you upset with this letter?  You do not mention or ask a question regarding this letter. Curious as to why you posted with no explanation.  

It is what it is; I purchased it and then RCCL cancelled it 16 days before the cruise.

It was posted for information purposes only since I do not want to get into another never ending discussion of whether the key purchase is worth it or not.

Just received the following email:

Dear Guest,

We have an important change to share with you regarding your purchase of The Key.

As we continue to evaluate the program while returning it to service across our fleet, we regret to inform you we will be unable to offer The Key onboard Ovation of the Seas during your cruise and your reservation has been cancelled.

We know how much time and planning goes into a vacation, and we're very sorry for any inconvenience caused by this last-minute change. We've issued a full refund of The Key to your original form of payment, and you should see it reflected within 30 business days. On top of your refund, we're also providing you with a $50 USD non-refundable Onboard Credit per person to use anywhere onboard, such as in one of our Specialty Dining venues, in the Vitality Spa, and more!

Thank you for your understanding. We're wishing you a wonderful sailing and are looking forward to welcoming you onboard soon!

Sincerely,

Royal Caribbean International

3 hours ago, Biker19 said:

You can't - it has to be done by whoever booked your cruise or wait till on board (on space available basis in both cases).

I booked direct with Royal and was able to change from MTD to Early Dining by calling.

1 hour ago, happy cruzer said:

Thanks for the official policies.  They are same for Carnival out of Galveston.  And I have carried on large suitcases before which did fit through the screener.  We had packed everything in two larger suitcases and carried them on.  Trying to find out what actually happens at screening for Royal cruises in Galveston.

 

What options exist?  Carry all of it on? Check the water? Do it the "official" way of carry on water, and check all else? 

All of the listed options exist, the unknown answer is what will actually happen.

Some people have had no problems when they put the water in their checked luggage while others have had to go to security to get their luggage.

42 minutes ago, Lane Hog said:

Yep.  We each have a small handbag or backpack with essentials/breakables, plus a small roller bag (under the seat size for an airplane) that our duffle with the drinks rides on. 

All of the larger suitcases bags get checked with a porter.  Don't try to roll it all on because chances are you'll be onboard before you have access to your cabin (2-3pm if it's a morning arrival), and finding room for the extra bags might be its own challenge.

How much luggage can I bring onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Any carry-on luggage must be able to fit through the x-ray screening machines. These machines vary in size from port to port, however generally they are similar to those found at airport security check points. Guests wishing to carry their luggage with them during boarding should note that their stateroom may not be immediately available to store their luggage.

9 minutes ago, happy cruzer said:

Regarding going through security in Galveston, can you take all your bags onboard with you?  What size are the screening machines?

 

And if you decide to check bags can you leave your water in the checked bags?  wine?  I know it states put in carry-on but sometimes it weighs a bit and works better in a larger bag; just checking what actually happens at the port.

 

Thanks.

 

 

What kind of food or drinks am I allowed to bring onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

On boarding day, each stateroom may bring up to two 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne, as long as one guest is of legal drinking age. Corkscrews will be provided for guests to enjoy their drinks in their stateroom. If guests wish to enjoy their wine or champagne in our dining or bar venues, there will be a corkage fee applied.

Guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items on boarding day. Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use are permitted. 

Also from the TSA website:

• Expired Driver’s License and REAL ID Extension

If your driver's license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, and you are unable to renew at your state driver’s license agency, you may still use it as acceptable identification at the checkpoint. TSA will accept expired driver’s licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. DHS has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 3, 2023. Learn more about REAL ID on TSA’s REAL ID webpage.

Another factor to consider is the number of port days where you will be off the ship and unable to use the drink package.

There are web sites that have drink calculators that may help.

Google Search for Royal Caribbean Drink Calculator

On 3/21/2022 at 10:47 PM, 1ballerina said:

I just purchased hooks off of Amazon ! Hoping they hold! 

You always give them a test run at home to make sure they will hold what you want held. 🧲

I called today about my May trip on Ovation and among other topics I changed from My Time Dining to the early Traditional Dining. The CSR specifically asked if my wife and I wanted a table for two and I said yes.