Stags14

We have 71,000 points... this is good enough for a 3 or 4 night cruise for two. Can you add people to these deals somehow? In other words, we would like to bring our son so can we just add and pay for him? I tried calling but their phones are obviously crazy with the storms.

That's why it's important to be particular with the accuracy of this, because some ships do have literally a Starbucks store. If you keep saying "Starbucks is included" people will go there expecting they can use the package, because they read on cruise critic that Starbucks is included.

 

Starbucks is never included. Coffee from cafe promenade or cafe lattetudes is, and may be made with Starbucks beans.

It's starbucks coffee. My goodness.

Specialty coffee that you would otherwise have to pay for is included, and the specialty coffee is made of the starbucks brand.

4 glasses of wine a day, for me, would make the day fuzzy and the next day not as fun. Continued day after day, that becomes an icky cruise.

 

And I would never order a $12 glass of wine 4 times a day.

 

So those are definite "if" situations to think about!

 

 

 

They have an UNbranded, not-a-Starbucks, but might very well serve Starbucks espresso, espresso stand. They don't have "a Starbucks".

 

Oasis and Allure (and Quantum?) have proper, branded Starbucks "stores" onboard AS WELL AS the Unbranded, not-a-Starbucks, but might very well serve Starbucks espresso, espresso stands. :) The packages cover the non-Starbucks espresso stand.

 

It's an important distinction for message board discussions (you call it whatever you like at home LOL) when people want to know EXACTLY what they are getting. They could easily change to Illy espresso next week, so if you were expecting Starbucks you wouldn't be getting that.

 

 

 

 

I sure hope not.

 

 

 

At least on the US site, you click add to cart but it doesn't actually add to cart. You still have to click to do that. And on that interim page it has "A 18% gratuity charge will be added to each package price listed above."

 

So it's before you actually pay, FWIW. And all of the packages say "from" a certain price even before then.

They serve starbucks coffee. No, it's not literally a starbucks store but it's incorporated into the coffee shop. The package included this on liberty and if you did not have the package you had to pay.

I tried it myself, it doesn't show up anywhere on the description page. I didn't add it to my shopping cart yet. I'm sure it will show up than. They really should show the gratuity. I know there is one because I've cruised before and come here often. But not everybody is in that situation.

 

I'm still on the fence about the premium myself. I do like my frozen drinks. And like above poster, it doesn't show the gratuity on the price page. I didn't add it to my cart yet. I assumed it was either 15 or 18 on top from previous cruises. But they really should put some sort of disclaimer about it. Not everybody searches cruising forums, they should have to for something like this.

 

Going through the pros/cons on this one. I will probably get it at least for the hubby.If anything, I less to keep track of.

It's really convenient and you don't have to worry about anything at the end of the week, like you're saying. I wouldn't let the gratuity direct your decision, the gratuity will be there whether you purchase the package or do point of sale. Either way - it's a good problem. :D

I was all prepared to take the Premium drinks package for my next cruise. As best as I could tell' date=' the [i']only[/i] difference between this and the Ultimate package was that the latter includes sparkling water and fresh squeezed orange juice. Since neither of these appeal to me, the Premium package would've save me some money.

 

Ultimately I passed on the package over a disagreement I had with Royal Caribbean over the way they advertised their package on the website and the reality of the package price at "checkout"... that is, you see no mention of the 18% service fee, which is considerable, until you are ready to pay. Others found this infinitely fair, and disagreed with my position. To each his/her own. I would point out that many said the discount isn't always offered on every cruise... and I think you DEFINITELY get more booze -er- bang for your buck on a transatlantic itinerary!

 

I did try to convince myself that I could really save big bucks by getting the Select package... that is $8 glasses of beer or wine (I'm no wine authority) but I know I'd pine for at least one brain freezing pina colada... and Miami Vice... and, well you get the picture. So it's just the soda package for me (as usual).

 

Cheers,

Paul

Gratuity is huge for the employees, I'm surprised that wasn't communicated well. Not everyone tips voluntarily so in order for them to make money they include it.

Politics aside, I just want to be on Empress on 4/12/17, which is the anniversary of the day I met my husband on the Empress and the day we got married a year later. Period. Hoping the political situation improves by then.

It won't improve in a year. But that in no way, shape, or form should or will have any impact on your special vacation. Enjoy!!

You can make your personal choice based on any quality, just make it across the board, or find a different reason to justify not wanting to cruise to a port in Cuba....or give no specific reason, which is fine also.

 

But when you give a reason and the litmus test you use may not hold water in other situations, don't be surprised if people point that out.

Go or don't go - doesn't matter to me. If you don't see the difference between Cuba and other countries/islands, then fine. I'm not here to write a dissertation and quantify everything I say. Take it, or leave it.

Have a good day.

A drink with breakfast? :eek:

 

Drink packages must cause some awful headaches for cruise ships at times. One thing I noticed on our last cruise on the NCL Getaway was that there were a lot more drunks around on that ship than I have ever seen on any ship. By 4PM on departure day from Miami, the pool area (terribly small and crowded anyway - RCL knows how to do pool decks baby) resembled a college pool party - loud music banging out and people already half in the bag and we hadn't even left Miami yet!

 

I have a few drinks each week on a ship but I never have enough to buy a package but as more and more people do buy packages the problems are bound to intensify.

Bought the package and didn't drink any more, or less than usual. They're just giving you options, if it isn't worth it for you then fine but that doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to enjoy it.

Sounds like a great sail away pool party, sorry I missed it! Those people sound like they were on vacation!

That's the great thing about a cruise ship, if it's not an environment for you there are plenty of spots on the ship. You could go to the front or back and sail away, you could go to the schooner bar and listen to light piano, get a balcony room and enjoy it in your own privacy, etc...

If this is the test of whether to visit a country or not, some destinations would be off the list that people already go to.

It's not a test, it's personal choice. But saying that Cuba is an opportunistic nation is simply false. Not trying to make the conversation anything it isn't... I'm sure it's a beautiful country that can be enjoyed.

Things are changing!! http://www.wola.org/commentary/now_cubans_can_own_and_sell_their_own_homes

Sort of, but not really. First, they can only own 2 homes and 2nd, they have to prove substantial legitimate income in order to purchase the homes. And like we've already explained - majority of their income comes from black market revenue - they make about $20/month legitimately. Go try to explain how you could afford a home off a $20/month income. And they still have no running water. Or, they have a relative who can send them money from the U.S.

Look if you want to go, go but some of us won't put money into a dictator run country.

Coffee is complementary.

 

Speciality coffee is not and requires the ultimate package.

 

Starbucks is not included in any package.

 

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

It would be for me, at least! :p

 

 

 

 

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/menus/beverage_packages.pdf

 

Premium, that the OP said he's being offered, doesn't include espresso drinks or fresh OJ.

 

Select is beer, wine, and soda.

 

 

Even if he got the Ultimate, though, "Starbucks" from a branded Starbucks is never included in the packages. So far that's only a factor on Oasis and Allure (and maybe Quantum?).

 

But on any ship there will be an UNbranded espresso kiosk, and the espresso drinks there (which might very well be Starbucks) are included in Replenish and Ultimate.

Yes, it was the ultimate - didn't realize it was a specific package he was after until he responded but it appears his better half may enjoy the ultimate.

It included starbucks, and it was on the Liberty - they had a starbucks station. Something to look into for the OP if they'd like depending on their trip and availability, that's all.

The package I am looking at excludes coffee and OJ but I am thinking its still a good deal, Her indoors (minder) will take the top package as she likes coffee and tea

Whatever you decide, enjoy! We thought it was a great deal, and you don't have to worry about a bill at the end of your vacation. It's nice..

We do ~ $100/day.

Do it.

Package also included starbucks coffee, bottled water and fresh squeeze orange juice when we went. Find a bartender, give them $20 at the beginning of the cruise and they will take good care of you. Drink, drunk, whatever... it's your vacation.

And you get that idea from where? Cuban's already make money from the millions of tourists that now visit there each year from Canada and Europe. There is a lot more free enterprise opportunities now for the locals that they are taking advantage of - owning restaurants, B & B's, touring. They are suffering the most from the embargo which makes it hard for them to get more than the basic's. From talking to the locals, they have mixed thoughts on having an invasion of Americans. They are excited about being able to buy a more varied selection but concerned about the impact on their culture which they love. The music is incredible:) So both Cuba and the US are wondering what lies ahead.

This is beautiful Cuba - great beaches, snorkeling and diving and wonderful people. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/unseen-cuba-first-aerial-photographs-reveal-islands-spectacular-beauty-1501542

Sorry but your information is a bit off. Everything in Cuba is at least partially owned by the Cuban government - that's the problem. They can't afford the parts because they don't have the money, not because home depot won't send them a faucet. Most have to rely on black market earnings to get by after they are done essentially putting in a hard days work for their government.

Not taking anything away from the beauty of the country, I'm sure it's amazing.

There's always a chance of getting sick, or injured.

This isn't really a wise business decision, they are taking themselves out of the market for last minute vacationers. It's a lifestyle that determines when you book, not the price. Otherwise, all customers would book last minute... the move is to drive up prices and for nothing else.

Personally, I enjoy camping/vacationing close to home just as much as cruising so if they want to price me out of the market, good riddance.

Get every martini available in the package... usually a beer drinker and it was fun to explore something else.

It can be done, but it's going to be a task.

The child is 5 years old, not 5 months old. A 5 month old can not even sail due to age restrictions.

OP spoke to RCI and the child was 5. Then, months passed...

I understand the OP's complaint. Knowing there are three people in the room and one of them is under age 5, I don't think it's unreasonable for an agent to say "you know the 5yo can't sleep in the pullman during booking?" IMO, that's GOOD customer service.

 

However, I also agree RCI won't know who's sleeping where. The child can sleep:

1) In the pullman as originally planned

2) In the bed with the parents

3) In the bed with a parent in the pullman

4) On the floor

5) On the sofa if there is one.

 

As far as "safety", is the child large for their age, small for their age, average? The "rules" are built on generalities. Kids' sizes vary greatly. As someone mentioned earlier, there's nothing special about a child turning 6. It's the age picked out because most children by that age will be the proper size to fit in the bunk.

 

If this was happening to me, I'd look at the deck plans to see if there is another room that meets my sleeping requirements. I would not look more than one "code" up however. Assuming I find a room, I would call and ask politely to be moved to the other room. If turned down, I would make the best of the current situation.

 

I would not give up on the cruise line because of this. Yes, I think there are things they could do better, but the OP could have done some more research also.

Clicked on the wrong quote and can't delete

A lot of those 'thinkers' around here. Sad but true.

This logic makes one believe that there is nothing they can do to control their situation.

Now that, is sad.

Really?

You're the parent.. if you want your kid to sleep on the Pullman and you are OK with it then have him/her sleep on it. What are they going to do, check in? Or upgrade your cabin, or take whatever refund you can get...

Again, magical thinking.:rolleyes:

No actually, it's good advice. It gives you the best option to deal with problems and still get to your ship on time - there's actually nothing 'magical' about it, it's common sense.

There's a whole section on these forums that deals with hotels near ports for pre-crusie stays, which offer shuttles from airport & to port, etc... reviews nearby restaurants... not magical.

RCI is going to pick the cheapest flight that gets you to the ship anytime before it sails.. this means that you can arrive at the ship at 3PM - it's not ideal to use them for flights. Go the day before.

3 basic (not magical) tips for flying 1 - Always carry on (definitely medicine, very unwise to pack meds in checked bags), 2 - Never drive yourself to the airport (allows you to deal with return issues and go into another nearby airport), 3 - NEVER choose any flight itinerary that has a connecting flight. You can break one of those rules.. OP broke all 3.

You can continue to call it 'magic' and roll your eyes or you can say there's lessons learned and ways to do things that you can control to make your situation more ideal.

Years ago we went on a cruise with friends.. we left early and stayed at a hotel and made it to the ship on time. They left the day of - we met them in Jamaica on Wednesday AND their luggage was lost.

Control what you can control - things can certainly still happen but you decrease the likelihood of them happening... it's not magic at all. There's a lot of great advice on this thread for these folks to travel much smarter next time.

I just compared cruises from NYC in September 2016 just to see what I'd do if I were actually booking.

The Carnival Vista has me wondering if I'd give the line another shot. Never thought I'd say that but the price is so incredibly better it's worth an attempt. The ship looks beautiful and they've finally adopted the open concept so RCI may have a run for their money.