tnt10

Also, don't forget to fill out the special needs form

 

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/guestSpecialNeeds.do

Thanks Erik!

Just completed and submitted it for our next cruise.:cool:

Also, always carry it with you. They are very expensive and could be damaged in checked luggage.

We had it last November in PE. Were directed to the far right, much shorter line. Had to complete all the normal customs form. Very few in line so through much quicker. Glad we had our cards with us....:cool:

So, for those who are adamantly against tipping, would you feel better if there is a "daily service charge" added to your cruise? That cannot be removed?

The cruise lines will get the money to pay staff from the passengers one way or another, as a "tip" or a "service charge" or whatever.

The way it is now, you feel as if you are getting a deal by paying a lower base fare for your cruise, but then with added service charges.

I know some European countries don't believe in tipping, but they sure do believe in service charges-in restaurants and a myriad of other venues.

Try getting a service charge removed from a bill in one of these instances-doesn't happen.

Not leaving a tip on a cruise ship, when you KNOW how the system works, is just being cheap and inexcusable. And frankly, if you don't feel it's right, then work to change it and don't support the system by continuing to cruise.

JMHO

When the alcohol package was first introduced, everyone in the cabin over 21 had to purchase. It really never has mattered to me. My family always books 2 connecting cabins and we book parent/child in each. That way, only one has to buy the package. We never share the package either.

I thought this was still the case.

Will have to wait and see how it all shakes out over the next year I guess:D

The 9/17/18 5 night cruise mysteriously appeared on the schedule and the web site yesterday during the weekend updates.

Yes it did. There are quite a few cabins still showing available, including aft balconies. We just booked a b2b with the prior TA.

Has been a while since visiting Key West for us....

Anyone know why RCI only offers this service out of 2 ports-Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral?

With all the rave reviews here on CC I though it was offered at more airports and am a little disappointed that it is not.

Thought as to if it will be offered at more ports, ie: Tampa?

:(

Thanks for all the replies. Just got it sorted out with my TA, who had to call RCI to get the cabin we wanted, (to do a b2b in the same cabin). RCI agent was showing almost all the cabins available. Jeez, get it together RCI IT!!

Thanks again everyone.

Tried booking a cruise to add onto another one we have booked for September 2018. (The one we're looking to book is Brilliance OTS September 17, 2018)

Last evening it showed all but 1 grand suite available. I tried to place a 24 hour hold on the cabin we wanted, but that option was not available(?)

This AM, all but one GS is showing taken.

Seems kind of strange that 20 +/- grand suites would sell within one 10 hours. This is not one of the more popular routes/sail dates. Any suggestions?

Thanks:)

Do TA's get an kickback if you transfer your booking to them? They get a commission, a percentage of the cruise fare-not including taxes and port fees. Well, they must- and it must be considerable given some of the perks (even knowing the TA isn't paying face value for the perks.) The perks they offer guests are taken out of that commission amount.

 

I guess I don't understand the business. If the TA doesn't originate the business, why would they get an incentive for taking over the paper post origination? I would think the cruise line would provide incentives for TAs that originate bookings but is there really much value in a TA servicing the booking? Like, does that somehow take a considerable work load off of RCCL or something?

From the time the reservation is transferred to a travel agent onward, all communication with the cruise line is done through the travel agent. In these cases, RCI will get no calls from passengers, only travel agents. Theoretically, this should cut down on the time RCI reps will need to service the reservation, since hopefully the travel agents know what they are doing and need only call the cruise line when necessary.

I'm sure others will chime in, but the program is called Luggage Valet, and there are many threads on these boards discussing it-just do a search.

Happy cruising

One step closer to having to pay for these prime spots, just like on other lines.

Exactly what I was thinking..... Another revenue source for Royal as well. Kills 2 birds with one stone:rolleyes:

I live in UK and have done quite a few Med cruises from Barcelona. What others on this thread have said is correct but I am more cautious as mishaps do happen including delayed arrival and disembarkation. Done enough cruises to have experienced all scenarios first hand.

 

My personal view is that it is too tight and I would go for a later flight. Apologies to everyone else on this thread who with good reason might disagree.

 

Disembarkation is likely to complete between 9:00 and 10:00 am. There is usually a long line for taxis outside of port so beware if you haven't pre-booked transfer.

 

Most likely you will get to the airport by 10:30 am if not before and this is why others have advised that it would be fine. However, any delay will cause you to miss your flight and for this reason, a later flight will cause less stress.

Agreed! And if for no other reason....

On our Brilliance TA last October, the Colony Club was used for Diamond and above every evening.

Thanks.

So was that in addition to utilizing the VCL for overflow? Seems odd that they would open an overflow lounge on a different deck when there is one right next door...:confused: Or was that already opened as the overflow for the CL? I've seen that as well.

i was on Brilliance for its crossing this spring from Tampa to Barcelona. The Diamond lounge was combined with the Colony Club to handle all of the passengers with Diamond and above status. Most nights we went to the normal lounge for the view and relaxed atmosphere. Rafael - the lounge host - did a great job as did his crew.

I think you meant the Viking Crown Lounge, which is next door to the Diamond lounge. The Colony Club is located aft on deck 6....

Or were you talking about another ship, I know the Vision has the DL on deck 6 next to Some Enchanted Evening Lounge...

:)

The VCL was the overflow for the D lounge on the Feb. Navigator cruise. Much better setting than the C Lounge with no windows.

The CL is also next to the VCL on deck 13. It does have windows and an outdoor deck area.

As Bob suggested, best to check with your TA to make sure. In our experience, we have usually gotten an OBC for the amount of dinner for 2 in a specialty restaurant. Made it very simple:cool:

We had our FCC's extended not once, but twice by Executive Guest Relations, in writing due to illnesses.

It can be done, be polite but persistent!

Happy Cruising!!

You should call RCI and explain what you want to do. (You used to have to send these certificates into the cruiseline, but not any longer.) They can look up the certificate in their system, with you on the phone, and apply it toward your cruise. Ask and they will send you an updated invoice showing the new cruise amount for each of you after the credit is applied.

As far as the differing certificate amounts, could it be you were booked on your original cruise during a "Buy one get one 1/2 off sale?" That could explain the higher and lower certificate amounts??

As far as extending the date, if they told you it was extended, hopefully you have an email or some record of that. If not, you can ask again. They should be able to accommodate this for you, politely plead your case, (ie: unable to travel earlier due to illness/vacation time availability/etc.).

Be sure to give them a call, and good luck!

Booked this a few months ago and thought I'd check and see if anyone is going along.

Should be a fabulous trip!!:cool:

Tim & Terry

Just a bump.....

I remember our first European trip was marred by the return flight out of Florida. It was a connecting flight out of Tampa to SFO on Delta, with a 30 minute connection in Atlanta. I questioned the connection with the airlines and was told "it's a legal connection for Atlanta."

Well, of course the flight was late out of TPA, so we missed the connection out of ATL.

Spent the next four hours running from gate to gate, (as directed by Delta), attempting to get onto another fight to SFO. Delta graciously offered to book a flight to SFO for us on Tuesday, (this occurred on a Saturday:eek:).

Finally, Delta asked for volunteers to give up their seats-for compensation, since there were at least 15 of us trying to get back home. This worked, and instead of flying home in First class, flew home exhausted in a middle seat in coach 5 hours later than the original scheduled flight. A total mess, and a lesson learned: Never book a domestic flight with less than a 1 1/2 to 2 hour connection, and increase that to 3 hours plus for international connections, (learned that the hard way in a separate incident).

OP, please do yourself a favor and do what it takes to get this situation corrected to avoid a problem!!

Tim

This is an older post, but I was also on this cruise-quite an adventure!! I took a photo of the repair being done in Iceland.

Despite the accident, it was probably one of the more "exotic" sail-ins of our travels.... The fog and the pyramid shaped grassy hills protruding from the dark seas was a captivating sight. Felt as if we were totally alone. Loved it!!

Since you have seen both embarkation cities, that part is a toss-up.

What I prefer is the proximity of the cities to the cruise terminal. In Barcelona, it's a 10-15 cab ride at most. In Rome, 1 1/2 hour ride from city to port.

Personally, we have been to both cities many times as well, but due to the distance and expense of travelling to the port, if all else is equal, we prefer Barcelona over Rome.

Good luck!

We never bring any currency overseas. We always withdraw as needed from a bank ATM. Headed to Moscow and from there to Stockholm and onto the Silhouette next week. We have some Euros left over from our last trip so we will bring those, but plan to withdraw Rubles (as we will have several independent days in both Moscow and St. Pete), but hope to avoid withdrawing Swedish or Danish kroner and make do with credit cards there. I would assume your ship's casino will accept dollars as you are sailing HAL, but I'm not sure. We will bring about $2-300 in US Dollars for emergency/casino/extra tip purposes.

Agree! We usually have more trouble getting small US bills on board for tips.

Hello,

 

I couldn't help but add my 2 cents worth. We were here a couple of years ago, and cruised into Klaksvik no problem during rainy weather ... No - I take that back, we DID have a problem, when the communications tower of our ship (RCL) hit the power cable strung between 2 of the islands on our way in! The local harbor master was on-board, and the ship had previously cruised in the prior month with no problems. I gather that the tide was exceptionally high that day. But our ship was able to be repaired in Iceland, and we WEREN'T stranded in the Faroe Islands!

 

I coordinated a group tour through our roll call participants with 62N Tours. I did a LOT of research in advance, and this was just when cruise ships were starting to visit the Faroes. The tour company owner created a full-day tour (which I gather is now sort of a "standard" tour for cruisers.) Same policy, non-refundable deposit unless no docking. You won't be disappointed. Great tour, lots to see, avoided the cruise ship busses, and our tour included lunch at a traditional restaurant. The weather was rainy that morning, but it cleared up later. The rain contributed to lots of waterfalls cascading down the cliffs to the sea and we got some very dramatic photos. Most of the folks on my tour raved about the entire experience!

 

I hope you enjoy this port. You can search for my posts here that might answer your questions about our particular tour and what was visited.

We were on this cruise as well! Horrible accident-hope the injured crew member came through alright....

Not sure why you are being quoted a 30 min connect time. As of February 2017, the following minimum connect times apply:

These are the MCTs (Minimum Connect Times) for MSP:

Online and offline:

D-D: 40 minutes

D-I: 40 minutes

I-D: 1 hour

I-I: 1 hour

For most DL-DL connections:

D-D: 30 minutes (45 minutes if 7xxx, 8xxx, 9xxx flight numbers)

D-I: 35 minutes (45 minutes if Canada)

I-D: 1 hour 15 minutes (1 hour for Canada)

I-I: 1 hour 15 minutes (1 hour for Canada)

No matter how you look at it, 40-45 minutes is the minimum connect time. Just because it shows up on Choice Air's schedules, doesn't make it correct. If it were me, I'd move it up to a supervisor or resolutions. No need to start a trip with so much stress... just not worth it IMHO.

Good luck!!;)