Ray in NH

RCI needs to get this fixed. Dining selection problems seem to be a part of many new threads. It's ridiculous customers need to spend time calling RCI every week to get something where they know the capacity but refuse to fix the selection process.

Doesn't that just give you a warm fuzzy feeling about how well Dynamic Dining might work? :D

Ray in NH

I'm probably overthinking this since we just got the e-mail about the change in time.

 

It's not a "medical" issue, but I do get weak and lightheaded if I don't eat regularly (and yeah, on a cruise you do seem to eat non-stop).

 

The shore excursion is to a (relatively) remote area (Baddeck/Bell Museum out of Sydney in Nova Scotia) so I don't think there's a stop for shopping, etc., where there would also be places to grab a bite but I might be wrong.

There is a Café at the Bell Museum (or was a couple of years ago, when we were last there).

Ray in NH

Just started looking at an upcoming January cruise on the Explorer and when I went to look at beverage packages it all seems new and different.

 

No bottled water package? No bottled wine at dinner package?

 

Am I late to the party or is this a new change.... if so count me on the "Do Not Like" list.

 

Anybody?

Unless something has changed very recently, these are the available packages:

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/royal/en_US/pdf/beverage_packages.pdf

 

I would more suspect website issues with the Pre-cruise Planner section.

Just off Explorer last week. The "Wine & Dine Package" was still in place then, just as Clarea posts.

Ray in NH

As Bob

I actually have a Mediterranean cruise booked through a TA for Sept. I booked using her because they were offering $50 onboard credit I normally do everything on my own and I wish I would have this trip. After booking prices dropped of course I couldn't call RC as the TA has to do everything well I did get a price drop then they had the 3/4 person WOW sale had to bug TA again she did get my 3 and 4th guest free. I have to make all my payment through her and I am almost afraid if prices drop again to ask her to help us as I just received an invoice with a letter stating "this accounting has been a nightmare!" I had to book my own flight through Choice Air on my own so the only positive is the $50 credit, but can't say it's worth it losing control of my booking and being able to call and make changes or price drops on my own!

To me, it sounds as though you might benefit from a different TA. At least now you are better prepared as far as what to expect.

Ray in NH

Received one the day we jot off FOS on 5/12, but DW didn't. She got one the day we got off Brilliance on 3/6 but I didn't. Apparently the survey only goes to whomever was listed as the 1st passenger in the cabin.

Not always. The last three cruises we have been on, since January, my wife and I each received our own survey to complete.

Ray in NH

I got off the Allure today and noticed "dogs" sniffing outside, which was unusual since the baggage is in the terminal and not outside, seems that they were onto something.

The dogs are supposed to check every pallet before is is loaded onto the ship. We watched them whilst we were on the Zuiderdam earlier this year. Tow motors unloaded the pallets onto the pier in a long line and after the dog checked each one the officer placed a sticker on the material and then it was taken to the ship by a different tow motor. At one point, all the boxes were removed from a pallet and the dog check each one before they were reloaded on to another pallet and released to the ship. Must have been a "false alarm".

I was surprised at the level of security for every pallet. I asked on board and was told that it is the procedure that is supposed to be followed. Not sure if always happens.

Ray in NH

No, I don't believe that sharing a bottle of wine would violate the no-sharing policy of he package. Even though you're getting a discount (only 5% since you have to pay 15% gratuity), you're still paying for each bottle and my guess is that's the difference that makes sharing OK.

The discount is 20%. The gratuity is charged on either the full price or reduced price so it is moot. I know there are no $10 bottles of wine but it works as an illustration i.e. $10 + 15% gratuity = $11.50. $10 @ 20% off is $8 + 15% gratuity = $9.20 for a savings of $2.30 (20%!).

 

Harry

Unless ... They add the 15% to the $10 = $11.50; and then subtract the $2 discount ($10 x 80% = $2), leaving a cost of $9.50. So, there can be a difference, depending where they choose to introduce the discount into the calculation. Hmmm, where would the "bean-counter" place the discount? :rolleyes:

Ray in NH

I went to check roll call for Nov. 28 Zuiderdam sailing this morning and see you have changed your cruise to another sailing and date. Is this the result of what has been said about this ship or ? We keep going back and forth on whether to stay with this booking.

You should try to find all the "recent" Zuiderdam reviews. Last year there were many reported issues with the ship. This year the reviews - including mine - were very positive. We sailed her in Feb/March and found absolutely no issues. It was a great cruise.

We disembarked on 07 April, and can report we have a wonderful cruise, with none of "problems" reported earlier. Those earlier reports did cause us some trepidation. Fortunately, decided not to move our booking.

We hope you have the same, or like, experience as we had.

Ray in NH

Wondering if you got a complimentary "Welcome Aboard" glass of wine in the Neptune Lounge, or the complimentary bottle of wine in the cabin.

 

Thanks as always for any info ....

Cannot comment specifically as to Zaandam, but we were just on Zuiderdam, and we had both -- A bottle of "Sparkling" wine , plus a bottle of mineral water in our cabin, and a glass when we stopped by the Neptune Lounge. Based on many recent threads, almost any thing is possible these days, probably depending on ship, itinerary, and staffing.

Ray in NH

Go to the Library. Guaranteed to be quiet.

On the Vista Class ships the "Library/Exploration Cafe" is open directly on to the Crow's Nest. Definitely, not a quiet atmosphere.

Ray in NH

Sail,

Janet and I also wish to express our sorrow and sympathy due to your profound loss. Though we have never actually met, I feel as though I really know you through your many enlightening posts here, over the years.

God Bless,

Ray in NH

Does HAL allow ship visits, arranged by travel agents for their potential clients on port days? I've been on those kinds of visits on NCL and Princess (last summer in Copenhagen).

 

I'm having trouble finding a Swedish or Danish TA that deals with HAL (I usually book online) so I thought of contacting HAL directly (via e-mail) to inquire when there will be a ship visit (in Sweden/Denmark) and which TA to contact. But I'm getting really strange answers from HAL, which seems to imply that visits are not allowed? Is there a specific person on HAL I should contact instead?

 

I'm trying to persuade my parents-in-law to try cruising, but so far they will only commit to a ship visit, later maybe a shorter "trial cruise". I would like to show them our preferred lines, HAL or Celebrity, to give the "right impression".

I think the answer to this, may depend on which travel agent/agency requests the visit, and how much business they do with HAL. Are there any large travel agencies near you with whom you can inquire about this type of visit?

I know that we have been able to visit some ships in this manner. Be prepared to submit to security screening the same as any passenger would need to do. In the US that has meant providing passport information, in advance, to the cruise line and security officials.

Good Luck in your quest.

Ray in NH

A year ago they wanted to sail the ship to the scrapyard.

Now everything's groovy

 

 

Ho Hum

I can only report on what our experiences were, as I feel others have also done. I have had very different experiences on the same ship, sometimes only a month later.

I apologize if this is boring to you. Would you like to share your experiences, in this matter?

Ray in NH

Very nice indeed - my favourite ship. happy to add that one and if I may, I would just like to say it was a pleasure to meet you in Fort Lauderdale. Thanks so much for joining our group:D

The pleasure was mutual on our end. Since you enjoy the Prinsendam so much, why not join our Holiday group?

I know, it would not be easy, but the offer is sincere, none the less.

Ray in NH

We are booked on Prinsendam Holiday Cruise 18 Dec 2014 - 03 Jan 2015.

Ray in NH

We returned from a Zuiderdam cruise on 07 April and we wholeheartedly agree with the above assessments. We had some reservations after reading some of the horror stories, especially the lack of AC (we were cruising to Aruba, Curacao and Panama, after all). While the outside temperatures were quite normal (hot and sticky), we were not.

I have often been compared to a polar bear (with shorter hair :)), but I found the cabin temperature quite agreeable, even a tad cool, a few times. No plumbing issues that we were aware of.

Food and service was as expected (food, very good/service, excellent).

Ray in NH

This is a 6 year old map, so the highlighted Open tables may not still be the same.

http://www.wa70.com/hal/dining/PrdmAYWdseating-New052708.jpg

If it is correct, there is a whole row of two-tops along the windows, plus about 6 others, in the forward section, which is all Fixed.

.

Thank you for this additional information. It appears that we will happily remain in the forward area.

Ray in NH

It is the same for anytime dining - most tables near the windows and outer area of that aft dining room. We got new updated dining room layouts from HAL for halfacts.com just a little while ago if you want to take a look.

Hi Jacqui,

Welcome Back :)

Thank you for the verification. As I understand the arrangements, the outer ring is mostly for the Any Time Dining. So, for an assigned two-top, with same waitstaff, we will need to remain with the Aft portion of the MDR.

I did see the wonderfully clear versions of the MDR layouts in HALfacts.

Thank you for that wonderful resource for almost all things HAL. We will be back on Prinsendam for the Holidays.

Ray in NH

For anyone who has been on Prinsendam recently, which sction of the Aft Dining Room was being used for Any Time (versus Fixed Time ) Dining? The last time we were on her, IIRC, the center portion was used for Fixed Time Dining. What is the current situation?

Thank you for any assistance in this matter.

Ray in NH

Wondering the current status of using a Beverage card at Happy Hour.

 

This would be one I buy myself, not a gift or promo, if that makes a difference.

 

In the past it seems that some ships allowed you to use the Bev Card, some not. Now that there is no "discount" on the card, I think it should not be a problem to use it like cash for anything, anywhere.

 

Thanks!

We just were on the Zuiderdam last week and had no problems usuing the Beverage Card during Happy Hour. I don't think it matters who's dollars are used to purchase the card.

Ray in NH

We're looking at 2 cruises similar to Voyage of the Vikings. One, Northern Isles, has 3 Norway stops and 3 Iceland stops, but no Greenland. Viking Passage has one Norway, one Iceland and 3 Greenland. So my question to those of you who have visited these places: which one would appeal to you? More Iceland and Norway, or Greenland plus short stays in the other places?

Not knowing your preferences, nor your expectation of future cruising, it is difficult to give an answer that would do your spending fairness.

Iceland has more variety, but Greenland is quite unique, as are parts of Iceland. Iceland is much easier to get to than is Greenland, and probably less expensive?

Since you asked, "What would appeal to you? This "you (me) would say, if I knew this would be my last opportunity to see either of these two fascinating places, I would choose Greenland.

Others may totally disagree, and I cannot fault them for that.

Ray in NH - expressing one man's opinion

I also sent an email re exact same concerns - my automatic response came through saying they hoped to get back to me with a reply within 14 DAYS!!

 

Guess they're pretty busy at the moment....

that delay is not good enough. There is no excuse for lack of Customer Service.:(

The response time on RCI's "General Information Request Site" has always been atrocious. My experience has been 14 days is rather on the "prompt" end of the spectrum.

"Sometimes" you may get a quicker response if you can direct your query to, at least, a particular department (not always that easy to discern).

It seems that "Customer Service" is a foreign concept to most of RCI.

Ray in NH

I just read the same thing from another poster on a separate thread who also called. It doesn't look like they're in any hurry to take it down. :confused:

Maybe they just happy it is "up and running". :) Then any future "discrepancies/problems" they can continue to blame on "computer glitches" :D

Ray in NH

We use the NCC to do three things:

1) To reduce the price of deposits

2) To be able to take advantage of choosing the cruise we want when it is opened up online - immediately

3) OBC

 

Although we do not like seeing the OBC lowered - we also want to book as soon as the new cruises are released and pick out the cabin that we want -

 

So we will continue to buy NCC just for convenience and LOWERED deposit!

Sounds like a philosophy I could live with -- Oh, wait, I already do :D

Ray in NH

The Loyalty Ambassador on a recent cruise talked us into booking conflicting cruises. We went to her with the intention of canceling Independence and booking Freedom, instead, with a one-day difference in sail date. She convinced us to book Freedom, as well as keeping Independence, so we could make up our minds later. :confused:

 

I am not convinced that RCI is as concerned about double-booking cruises as they are about not getting every penny out of onboard purchases/expenses.

More Sales = Better Ratings = More Dollars

Ray in NH