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moschele

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Posts posted by moschele

    Explorer of the Seas Alaska 2017 Reviews and Info

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Thanks for all ththe info! We leave in 16 days and couldn't be more excited! Did you take any pictures of the cruise compasses for the various days? We are trying to plan out spa treatments and other activities and seeing these in advance would certainly help.

     

    I did not take pictures of them, but I do still have them for the most part (still haven't fully unpacked). If you are looking at a particular day I am sure I can assist.

     

    I would book a Spa treatment for earlier in the day compared to later in the day. For example, the love and marriage show was in the afternoon compared to later in the day like on some other cruises.

    Explorer of the Seas Alaska 2017 Reviews and Info

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    We are going on this cruise in July. Are any of the dining rooms open for breakfast or lunch? I have been trying to find information too but the app doesn't show much when I search.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

     

    Dining room is open for breakfast everyday. We went there 2 times to avoid the crowds and were pleased with that decesion.

     

     

    For lunch-some days it is. I believe when we were in Canada it was not open for lunch.

    Explorer of the Seas Alaska 2017 Reviews and Info

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Just got off this cruise a week and a half ago.

    Amazing time. Amazing views. You could do no wrong.

     

    Going into Alaska (morning of Juneau) watch for whales, they're all over. They do a 360 in the middle of the Fjord several times so everyone can see the glacier. It was incredible. Get up early that day (5:30am)

     

    Windjammer is SLAMMED for breakfast and lunch, was difficult to find seats even for a party of 2 at times.

     

    If you have any questions specifically I would be happy to answer as best as I can.

     

    Also--the cruise director is FANTASTIC. He is retiring the end of July so you will still have him. He is hilarious!

    Seattle-Explorer of the seas pier transportation

    in West Coast Departures

    Posted

    We are arriving in Seattle next week for our cruise. From our hotel (Crowne Plaza downtown) we have booked shuttle express to take us to the pier. However, after reading their reviews, I'm a little nervous to use them.

     

    Has anyone ever used them in the past? If so, how was it?

     

    Anyone have any recommendations for another company? We are not looking for a private car or limo...a van shared with others is fine.

    Transportation to Explorer of the Seas from Seattle Hotel

    in West Coast Departures

    Posted

    We are arriving in Seattle next week for our cruise. From our hotel (Crowne Plaza downtown) we have booked shuttle express to take us to the pier. However, after reading their reviews, I'm a little nervous to use them.

     

    Has anyone ever used them in the past? If so, how was it?

     

    Anyone have any recommendations for another company? We are not looking for a private car or limo...a van shared with others is fine.

    Explorer of the seas 5/26/17 overbooked

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I would have taken the move-over offer to OP.

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

     

    Several reasons why we didn't.

    1. Work schedules and vacation days. This is over a holiday. So one less vacation day I have to use.

     

    2. We would have to change our airline tickets. We booked with Alaska and delta. I believe there is around a 200$ change fee for tickets. So by the time we do that, we wouldn't be coming out much a head.

    Explorer of the seas 5/26/17 overbooked

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    It's starting to sound like they have either made a significant change to the parameters of their booking engine, or they have introduced some new bugs.

     

    Curious, did you have a guarantee stateroom, or had you picked a specific stateroom?

     

     

    I picked my specific stateroom. The guaranteed option wasn't available when I booked...this would make me think twice before I booked a guanrteed now though.

    Explorer of the seas 5/26/17 overbooked

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Today I got a phone call from a random 541 number I didn't recognize. I thought it could possibly be the upgrade fairy.

     

    It was Royal calling to ask me if I would move my sailing one week to alaska memorial day weekend, one week earlier. If i did, they would upgrade my room and they would give me a refund of 50% back. While on the phone, I asked them why they were offering and they said they are "extremely over booked". Due to travel arrangements and work schedules, I wasn't able to take them up on the offer, but just a heads up to anyone on my sailing you may be getting a call. If you're flexible, it may be worth it.

     

    Definitely glad I picked my specific room and didn't go with a "guaranteed" room, I would be panicking aittle. They must be desperate if they are calling someone with an interior state room on an Alaskan cruise lol.

    Do I need a passport??

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    That would be fine if you were talking about entering the US. The OP is talking about entering Canada, not the US. The definitive word needs to come from Canadian officials, not US officials. Not to mention that the phrase, "seemed to think" is hardly a definitive answer.

     

    If you see my latest response, i did get official word from Canadian Officials an EDL would be accepted.

    Do I need a passport??

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Like so many others (outside the USA) I am always bemused at the reluctance to get a passport.

     

    I see ' the cost' cited as a reason....... really? You're spending $000s on your cruise, working out if the drinks package is good value and yet seem reluctant to spend a couple.of hundred on a passport that will last you 10 years, and open up the entire world to cruise around.........

     

    Get the passport!

     

    (Incidentally, it's called that because it allows you to pass through ports)

     

     

    This cruise was given as a gift to the individual...the individual who got the gift is not in the position to purchase a passport.....

    Do I need a passport??

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Just wanted to provide an update:

    I was able to confirm with the Candian Border, as well as Yukon Railway service they confirmed that an enhanced license would be acceptable.

     

    Below is the response provided by the border to me:

     

    Foreign nationals seeking entry into Canada must meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The requirement of subsection 16(1) of the IRPA states that a person who makes an application to enter Canada must answer truthfully all questions put before them for the purpose of the examination and must produce all relevant evidence and documents that the officer reasonably requires. The individual seeking entry must be able to satisfy the border services officer (BSO) of their identity and nationality. This may be facilitated by providing the BSO with a valid passport or other original document that clearly denotes identity and nationality.

    The following documents may be satisfactory evidence of United States (U.S.) citizenship:

    · A valid U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, or a Certificate of Citizenship and Naturalization are considered primary evidence and are acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship.

    · The Enhanced Drivers License (EDL) and Enhanced Identification Card (EIC) (non-drivers) are alternative travel documents denoting the holder's identity and citizenship and are acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship when entering from the U.S. through land and marine ports of entry only.

    · An original U.S. birth certificate, when accompanied by a valid government issued photo identification document, is considered an indicator and may be an acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship.

    You should also be aware that foreign nationals may be found inadmissible to Canada on the grounds of criminality, security, human or international rights violations, health, financial reasons, misrepresentation, and non-compliance with the IRPA.

    Information on visiting Canada is accessible at:

    http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html

    Thank you for contacting the Canada Border Services Agency.

    Do I need a passport??

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    You might call the White Pass Railway. 1-800-343-7373.

     

    I just called and left a message. I think they are closed for "winter months" hopefully opening soon. However, i did find the same excursion through princess and they said a enhanced drivers license is accepted along with other WHTI documents. I believe we are safe!

    Do I need a passport??

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    They are definitely good for train travel. One issue is that some who think they have one don't. Real ID DLs are not Enhanced Drivers Licenses. EDL's are only issued by Washington State, Minnesota, Michigan New York and Vermont.

     

    The other member in my party definitely has an enhanced license, as he just went to SOS Wednesday to order it. We live in Michigan.

     

    I tried calling Cruise Lines of Alaska, no answer, and the voicemail box it connects to is "full". Lovely.

     

    Does anyone have contact information for Canada Customs? How would this really be any different from A detroiter crossing the ambassador bridge to go to windsor in canada with an enhanced license...which is accepted...?

    Do I need a passport??

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I did one of those Skagway Yukon excursions, and they had a custom's agent come aboard our bus to check our passports. He looked at each one as he walked to the back of the bus. Don't remember exactly what he needed. But I had a passport book.

     

    Our guide seemed nervous. She told us that on a previous trip, one of the passengers had visited the bathroom during the custom's visit, and he pulled his gun.

     

    Scary. I don't need any guns getting out. I did call the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and they seemed to think a enhanced licenses would be acceptable.

     

    I did find this on the SOS website.

     

     

    . All land and sea travel between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean falls under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requirements, regardless of the type of vessel. Depending on the details of your travel to and from Canada in your own boat or by ferry, you may be required to present an enhanced license or state ID card (or other form of acceptable proof of identity and citizenship) to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

    Visit the CBP at http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiativefor more information on the WHTI travel requirements.this on the secretary of state website.

    Do I need a passport??

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    I am sailing on May 26, 2017 on explorer of the seas...it is a closed loop cruise, meaning technically we don't need a passport, just a birth certificate. One of us has a passport, the other has an enhanced drivers license and a birth certificate... we are going on the yukon adventure white pass excursion in skagway...on RC's website it says a passport or visa is required due to the train entering Canada for a period of time. However, an enhanced license allows entry and re entry by land and sea, but not air travel....i have called RC 2 times and have gotten 3 different answers. The first time they said a birth certficate would be okay, the second time they said we needed a passport, and the third time they said the enhanced license would work....if anyone has any experience with this and or feedback it would be much appreciated.

     

    We do have a stop in canada itself on the cruise and we are able to use only a birth certificate for that stop...so I don't see why this excursion should be any different....?

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