DivaMI

19 hours ago, TonyFred said:

Hey gang

Just got word that boarding on the Allure this Sunday, 10/27, will be delayed due to a Coast Guard inspection. Looks like an hour according to the email.

Just wondering if anyone had this happen on a cruise lately and what the experience was like. (delay time, crowds, etc)

I appreciate it!

We would like to provide you with important information for your upcoming Allure of the Seas cruise departing on October 27^th, 2019. The U.S. Coast Guard will be conducting a mandatory routine inspection onboard before boarding process may begin. As a result, check-in for your cruise will now take place between 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM.

If you’ve already completed your check-in online, and it was scheduled between 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, please arrive to the cruise terminal after 12:00 PM.

I got the same email but for the Symphony sailing on 10/26. I was going to arrive at 10 but now I don't know what to do.

On 10/3/2019 at 7:29 PM, RoperDK said:

I don't do reviews, but wanted to offer my thoughts on our cruise and answer any questions you might have.

 

1.  We were in a JS on the hump on deck 8. Loved the cabin and balcony and the location on deck 8. Convenient to the Trellis Bar and Park Café. We were able to book the Coastal Kitchen for dinner at whatever time we wanted as long as we wanted a table for 2.  We had to adjust a bit for a table for 4, but still were able to get reservations. We really enjoyed our Coastal Kitchen dinner experience and ate there for 5 nights.  

 

2.  This cruise was rerouted from Eastern to Western due to Tropical Storm Karen.  I much prefer the Eastern route, but after 30+ cruises it really doesn't matter to us.  The weather and seas were great, but HOT doesn't even begin to describe it.  It was the first time I didn't spend much time on the balcony, it was brutal.

 

3.  We aren't big eaters, so we have one big meal a day and snack for the others.  We enjoyed a lunch at Chops and recommend that.  We also did the Solarium Bistro for dinner one night and really enjoyed that.  We ate one lunch at Windjammer and it was mediocre at best.  We enjoyed Mini Bites, The Dog House, Park Café, and Sorrentos.  Those venues were fine and served their purpose.

 

4.  Ports.  I am nursing a broken foot and we only got off the ship at Coco Cay.  It was very windy and they cancelled many activities.  We were just planning on looking around and I think it is a very interesting port and maybe next time we can participate in some activities.  Lunch was good, but drink service was sub par.

 

5.  We did Escape the Rubicon and had a blast! We had a good group and made it out with 2 minutes to spare.  We've never done an escape room before and didn't know what to expect.  It isn't easy and I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

 

6.  We had the drink package.  We've always thought it was a great option.  The drinks were watered down big time!  What a disappointment.  Even when the bartenders weren't aware of whether you had the package or not, the drinks were extremely weak.  On prior cruises, I had to watch myself to not over indulge.  Not this time.  Everyone in our group had the same experience.  We only had "good" drinks at the Coastal Kitchen and The Rising Tide bar.  I like cosmos and to fill up the glass they would add Roses lime juice to make a full glass. Really?!  I asked for a dirty martini and the amount of olive juice was overpowering.  I love chocolate martinis and they added the frozen ice cream mix to make it a full drink.  I know the recipes for these drinks and they were basically cheating to fill up a glass. It took me a while to figure it out, but once I watched how they did it, well, I wasn't happy to say the least. I would be upset to have to pay full price for what we got, the drinks are not cheap. 

 

7. Elevators were slow.  Workable, but slow.  With my broken foot, stairs were not an option.  Other people in our group would take the stairs, but I was stuck.  

 

Overall we had a great cruise.  We love Oasis class!  The only big negative was the watered down drink package and it was enough for our group to reconsider an RCCL cruise in the future.  Wake up RCCL!!!  

 

            

If you had the deluxe drink package you could have told the bartender how to make your drink and what liquors to put in it and how much. I love Bloody Mary's so I will tell them extra spicy and extra Titos. They will accommodate.

16 hours ago, vacationlover_mn said:

I know there have been many posts

on this, sorry to repeat...

 

DH and I are finally going to start

getting cruise insurance.  We want “cancel for any reason”, trip delay, and medical.  Does RCI insurance cover this, or is there a different company you recommend?

I purchased RCL insurance and didn't read it until after I purchased. I then realized that they only cover 25000 evacuation insurance and evacuation was my biggest concern, so I ended up buying another policy for evacuation  only. There is no way you can be medivac out of any country for 25,000. Depending on what's wrong it can start anywhere from 100,000 on up. Didn't want to be in massive debt from a vacation so i purchased additional.

On 9/20/2019 at 9:52 PM, fredflint said:

Berkshire Hathaway has some pretty flexible plans

 

https://www.bhtp.com/v2/quote/product

 

Check with USAA or AAA depending on who you have.

I just purchased a policy from them 64.00 for 2. My concern was emergency evacuation insurance. If there is an serious injury or illness I want to be flown back to the US.

On 9/1/2017 at 10:08 AM, bryanjaync said:

I have tried different browsers, but just cannot get to the booking site for Royal Caribbean on their web site. Is it me, or does their booking site have issues? any tips ?

I have that issue when they are doing an update. I have to wait a few hours then try again.

On 9/27/2019 at 4:37 PM, CruiseMomTX said:

We just booked a Halloween cruise on the Symphony sailing Oct 26th, what have we gotten ourselves into? lol  

I'll have to look for some Halloween reviews to see what to expect but if anyone has any info in the meantime I would appreciate it!!

 

My husband and myself are on this cruise also.

On 9/19/2019 at 2:58 PM, kruzerci said:

Honestly Oasis class has always seemed the least crowded to us. There are three exceptions to that- the Windjammer (avoid at all costs on Oasis class), public spaces on boarding day, and after muster. 

 

We have been on several Oasis cruises that left us wondering where everybody was...

We just got off of the Navigator of the Seas in July and it was terribly crowded. There wee no pool chairs available. The line for El Loco Fresh was at least 25 people deep.. My time dining was ridiculous. The wait was at least 30 minutes. I Have been on the Allure also and it never felt crowded.

55 minutes ago, brantgus said:

Hello, 

We are taking a family vacation in March of 2020 and will be going on the Oasis. Currently Royal is offering a 30% off deal for the drink package. It ends up being $57 per person per day, plus the 18% gratuity. Does anyone know if this will be the best price? I thought I've heard that they will offer BOGO 50% off as we get closer, but not 100% sure on that. We just don't want to miss out on a decent deal as we have 6 adults going. Thanks in advance for your help!

My cruise planner  has it for 51.00 today

On 8/21/2019 at 9:58 AM, CruisingNole said:

For now, it appears that the days of the deluxe drink package selling for less than $50 are a thing of the past.

 

I will be on Indy this December. At booking back in April or May, it was $56/day. Dropped to $52/day during a "sale" every 2 weeks, the usual cycle.

 

Last week it jumped to $65/day and today it is on "sale" for $57/day.

 

So, the new "sale" price is higher than the "regular" price just a few months ago.

 

Buy your packages now, folks. I wouldn't count on prices to go back to what they used to be.

I think there is some kind of secret formula because i got my drink package for the Symphony of the Sea sailing 10/26 for 46.00 p/p. I have not seen it that low again.

On 7/27/2019 at 10:14 AM, happymanitee said:

I am booked on your exact cruise, and the cruise planner is already open.  We already booked all of our shows and the escape room.  But, we bought a BOGO dinning package, so I'll have to wait until we board to make those reservations.

i am so excited!

edited to add:  I have been steadily watching the Deluxe drink package and it has bounced back and forth between $49-$52.  I am still waiting to see if it drops lower, but $49 is the best I've seen so far.

We just booked on the October 29 sailing of Allure. In our 14 previous cruises we have had no problem getting the traditional dining time (8:00) in MDR. We are now on a "wait list." Has anyone had any experience with this? What are the odds that we will not get in? Having the same table mates and making friends is one of our favorite parts of cruising.

I was put on the wait list when I boooked my cruise back in November for this May and after about a month I got an assigned dining time.

30 Days 5/28/2017

The passport wasnt expired. We travel every month (pretty much every 3 weeks). We did this at Passport agency so we wouldn't have to mail our passports in and worry about them getting lost or delayed in mail.

 

No lesson here, except travel less?

 

Sent from my STV100-1 using Forums mobile app

But you said in you opening comment that the passport was set to expire in 4 weeks. That seems to be cutting it very close. No room for error.

Sorry for the OP on this one, but it makes for a real time "lessons learned" for all of us to double check our passports and not leave things like this to the last minute.

I agree. Sometimes we create our own situations unnecessarily.

Thanks everyone. I requested a table for 2 so I will just play it by ear and if it looks like we are going to be more than 5 minutes late we will just skip the MDR. This is for only one night and I am sure that night is very unorganized anyway.

Silly question - I saw someone's picture today of their RCI luggage tags and they look like they are shorter/wider than the usual RCI long/skinny tags. Did they change the shape of the tags? I hope not, because I have those nice little holders I like so much.

Just printed mine. They are the long/skinny ones

How much leeway does one have for getting to the MDR. I have a set 5:30 dining time which is ok except for sail away day. I would like to be on deck for the sail away but I am afraid that I will be late for dinner. I believe that theship sets sail at 4:00. Is there a 15 minute grace period or anything like that?

We are sailing on Jan 28,2018 on FOS. When we try to look and the beverage or food packages it tells us "not available purchase onboard". We can look and book the excursions. Anyone else having that problem.

Why would you want to buy so early. There probably will be a couple of times that it may be discounted. I personally would not but this early but keep an eye on it.

So after having a nice relaxing vacation, why would you want to end it in stress.

It would be interesting to know just how the minor described you. Did they go thru thousands of pictures of males on that cruise? Do you know how confusing that could be to a child after about the 1st hundred pictures. Just a thought

I printed the actual colored luggage tag. I was saying I am seven days from my cruise and have never received an e-mail notifying me my documents are available and when I check in my cruises for my documents, I have the message they are not available yet and they will e-mail me when they are. My next cruise after that is 45 days out and I have not received an e-mail on that one either and have the same message. Never had this happen before in 50 cruises! :confused:

My bad. DIdn't read your comment correctly. Sorry.

48 more days

I depart in seven days and this is what I get!! Crazy. (I have already checked in and printed set sail and luggage tags - just thought this was unbelievable, but not surprised.)

 

 

Guest Vacation Documents

 

You have selected to receive your documents electronically, but they are not yet available. You will receive an e-mail when your documents are ready to download.

Was it the actual colored luggage tag on was it the sample that was included with your set sail pass. There are two different set of documents. One you get a 90 days which you put in all your information. Set up your credit account. Theses doc have a sample luggage tag. This is not the actual luggage tag. The luggage tag actually come with th email that you get at 49 days out.

Where would that be? I cannot find anything for printing luggage tags...thanks

They will send you a email to let you know when your e-documents are ready. It was about 20 pages (give or take a few). I only print out the luggage tags and the first page which had our names. Reservation number and itinerary. It is not necessary to print out all of that stuff. Then I saved the entire thing to my phone. Just in case. FYI I got this email at 49 days out.

It's seems like there was only one luggage tag in each of my docs. Can I just make copies as we may have 2 pieces of luggage each?

Yes, I only received 1 luggage tag but I printed it in color 6 times.