B-52

We have our next cruise in 80 days...clearly after June 1st....we have MTD so pre paid gratuities...also staying in a GS....

I made our final payment last week...so paid in full.....

I guess I just wait to see if they tack on another charge? We'll see what actually happens.

Something similar to this happened to us years ago, balance was $0.... But at check in at the pier, we had to pay an additional $45.....

But it was something a little different than this. I believe it was a increase in taxes or perhaps port fees for one of the stops. Or was it increase in oil....I can't remember but the point is we were billed additionally at check in much to our surprise.

Only been on Freedom class ship once, and feel that was a large ship....prefer the smaller classes....I have absolutely no desire to go on Oasis or larger....but that is a personal preference.

For me, cruising means I'm on the water, out in the middle of the ocean, and I want to experience that...I'm not happy if I can't feel the ship rocking and rolling through the waves, and I can go out and see (and feel) the ocean...

One of the best cruises ever was skirting around and avoiding 3 hurricanes...there was no mistake,,,you knew you were on a cruise.

Large floating resorts...not my style....but again, my preference, and there's plenty to choose from.

Our next cruise is on Adventure out of San Jaun...this summer...(hoping for a storm)

Itinerary....# of days.

Home port, what will it cost to get there...flight, hotel, rental car etc.

Cost of the cruise itself....

The ship comes last, as does the cruise line.

Although I will never sail on anything bigger than the Freedom class, every cruise must be at least 7 nights - prefer longer, and we always stay in a GS.

People just like to brag and feel important....I don't think the perks are all that worth it, especially when you consider what you spent to get that little something.

Bragging on this forum is one thing...but it is really obnoxious when someone on a cruise has to let everyone know their status...I've seen it numerous times.

Like anyone really cares....

Depends upon what you're looking for and what is your budget....

We are staying at the El Convento, right in the heart of Old San Jaun pre-cruise....we've been to OSJ many times, but this will be a first were we are not worried about getting back to the ship amd really enjoy the town at our leisure.

After the Cruise we will spend a day at the Marriott, a beach resort....totally different experience from OSJ...so we will get the best of both.

I'm doing the Volcano Hike/Climb, through the rain Forrest......just to say I did!

I'm not happy unless the ship is rocking and rolling and they put the barf bags out....best cruise we ever been on was when we were dodging 3 hurricanes...that was wild!

(I think that was the same year as Katrina)

This is a cruise on the ocean after all...we always book a room on the highest deck possible, and as far forward as possible. Usually a GS.

If I did not like it, I would not do it....

Ironically, today they listed just the railway tour...along with the combination Railway-Catamaran.

I have noticed, as the cruise gets closer, August in our case, they slowly release additional excursions.

I was looking to book the Volcano Hike through RCI as others did from this forum, but it was not listed for our cruise. I was in the process of researching then booking through a private tour guide, when suddenly it appeared.

Now the same thing happened with the railway Tour....

We normally do not book through the cruise line, but set out on our own once we have been to the same ports numerous times...but this is the first time to these ports, so this is the first time dealing with RCI's excursions in years....

This was something my Wife wanted to book (I'm Climbing the Volcano)

but it was not listed on the RCI website as an offered excursion.

Then suddenly, a week ago, it popped up....they did combine it with a catamaran sail however....

Perhaps you efforts got them to fix their short comings without ever admitting it.

Information is simply marketing...it is companies jobs to find their target market share. Someone at NCL is doing their job well and feels You are the type of person who would be swayed to sail on NCL.

It's not that RCI shares it, it is simply there for anyone who knows how to get it. And that's what companies pay people to do, or know where to "Buy" it....

How do you think Facebook makes so much money???

And after you've cruised but one time, then they really know you...

I was once given a free upgrade to a GS, on our 2nd cruise.

A few cruises later, I had the chance to talk with a senior staff member how in the world did that happen....and he took the time to explain the whole process to me, (or enough at least)....they track everything.

Don't be fooled that these are small friendly companies....it's all business.

Trust me, big brother is alive and well....

I am not a fan of large ships, I'm not in it for the "Big Resort"...have not been on the Oasis....

But I am considering a Quantum class....perhaps the Anthem when it comes to new jersey. Maybe.

31 pages of posts....still looking for information on the "New" Suite Upgrades???

We booked it with a private company and are going on June 6th.

It was kayaking Puerto Rico who we booked thru. We are doing combo rainforest and biobay tour.

Do they pick you up at your hotel? Or do you have to take a cab to them.

We will be there in August, and this is something we want to do.

If you're Diamond, but staying in a suite and have a Gold Card, are you still eligible to have the drinks on your card?

Or do they expect you to use the CL....

I thought I read previously that the reason for putting the drinks on the sea pass cards was because the Diamond Lounges can be crowded.

Not New York but New Jersey.

True...near the Statue of Liberty which is also in new Jersey..

Hi! Looking for some insight re: fees and added charges on RCCL that have been implemented over the last few years. Last time I sailed on RCCL was back in 2007. I LOVE RCCL but, wanted to see what else was out there. Anyway, I sailed NCL last year for the 1st time and loved it so much that I recently booked again for next spring. Problem is that I found out about some of the increases AFTER I booked. It appears that since Feb 2015, NCL has implemented increases everywhere. Most recently...a $7.95 convenience fee per room service order :mad:!!! I was like...maybe this is a good time to switch back...let me see what Royal's got going on. So, I was hoping that RCCL hasn't started been nickel and diming their customers too bad. For a little under $200 I can get on the Allure instead of sailing on NCL. That alone is worth switching for but, I don't want to cancel that one and end up paying more with Royal for the same reasons that I am avoiding NCL to begin with. Ca-ching...ca-chaing...ca-ching :D:D:D

 

Thank you all!!!

A cruise on Allure for $200???? or did you mean a $200 difference between the two cruise lines.....

IMO, all cruise lines are nickel-diming everyone. They are all out to make money.

It's your life, and you have to go with what you enjoy, and not get sucked into C&A trinkets and such.

Choose the ships you enjoy being on, the itineraries you want to do, the home ports they sail out of, plenty of factors...plenty of choices.

And realize, there are all inclusive land based vacation packages that are very affordable....we went on one this past feb., and we were not nickel-dimed at all!!!

Yes, I have been reading about the price increases for drinks..,does sound absurd....fortunately I am not a big drinker and my 3 free drinks per day is good enough for me....and I don't mind buying one or 2 more at the pool during the day.

If I had a drinking problem, then it would be an $$ issue for sure.

Also, I am one of those that if people are worrying about nickel-dimes, and $200 price differences, then maybe a cruise vacation is not something they should be doing?

We loved El Convento......

I did review on tripadvisor under my same screen name here. Lovely old convent converted to beautiful charming rooms - small bathrooms but impecably clean. Wonderful old tile floors that are shined to the perfectbrick red patina.

 

Very nice spot for coffee and fruit in the am overlooking a park and beautiful church.

 

Stayed for two nights, felt very safe where we were wandering looking for drinks and dancing.......we found several and truly enjoyed dancing the night away! At least stop in to check it out for the NEXT time you go:)

Thanks...we are staying there pre-cruise this summer...a little pricey, but this is our vacation.....stopped there once as part of a walking tour...we can't wait!

We did our research, and there are plenty of good hotels to fit within everyone' budget....it all depends upon what ou are looking for....on the beach, in the heart of old San Jaun, next to the airport or within view of the port.

After cruise we are staying at the mariott, a day to enjoy ourselves within a resort on the beach before heading to the airport the next day.

We got an upgrade to a GS once, I believe it was on our second cruise with RCI...we have booked a GS ever since!

Guess they did their homework and knew what they were doing...

Only thing about upgrades though, is that they do not ask you first....what if you had the room and location you wanted all along?

What if they were connecting with other family or friends?

 

Just want you to know the free laundry is limited to the wash and fold special. Only undies, swimsuits, shorts/t-shirts, gym clothes pjs. No slacks, jeans, dress shirts or the like.

 

 

basically all I wear on a cruise....only wear slacks and a shirt when going to dinner...then back into shorts and t-shirts immediately after...no more formals for us either...

So the wash and fold mid way through the cruise is really helpful....

Perception.....some people you can never please...others are happy regardless

They would really have to screw me to get me upset....

Otherwise I know exactly what to expect.

Well that's disappointing. Not that big of a deal, but I just wish people wouldn't start such rumors without knowing the correct info... oh well! :D

This entire thread has been nothing but rumors and speculation, and wishful thinking...all 22 pages of it.

If and when something becomes official, we'll hear it.

Explain how this works....you have three drinks per day on your sea pass card?

is it limited to certain hours, certain bars?

Is it limited to certain drinks?

Can I get a free drink at the pool bar? Or in the theater?

I take it you order your drink as usual, give the server your card...when they swipe it, the charge comes up zero?

There is still the automatic gratuity...what about that?

They probably feel they have to do something because they aren't matching their competitors in terms of suite benefits. Other lines offer so much more for the same price, or less.

 

We haven't cruised with Royal yet, but we have cruised many times with other lines. We were very surprised at how little they offered us for what we considered to be a LOT of money. We just weren't going to pay thousands of $$$s more just for some added floor space and a couple of minor perks.

They may be true with the larger ships like Oasis where they have more suites to sell.

We always book a year out, get the room we want....because they tend to sell out.

Our final payment is in a few weeks, and all the GS rooms are gone!

And we cruise once a year, so the cost is not that expensive compared to the land vacations we also do every year.

But we have never been on anything larger than the Freedom Class.

We always stay in a GS, as a previous poster stated, it's not for the perks but for the space...feels more like a standard hotel room...we hardley take advantage of the perks in place now....

Had a thought, WHY would RCI feel they needed to better their Suite Perks?

Like I said, we always stay in a GS and the Suites sell out fast!!!

(can't speak for all ships)

One year, on Disney, there was a scheduled shuttle launch for 10pm the night before we were to return to port....

The Captain made a big deal of it, and headed back to Canaveral early, and positioned the ship right off shore, at the exact legal distance away......

Everyone was excited, all out on deck...refreshments were served by the crew..a very excited time....

Wouldn't you know it....the launch was delayed due to "Technical" difficulties....

We headed back out to sea....I think it did go off a few days later.

I get bummed just thinking about it....can't imagine 0-3...