cruzgryphon

One thing to be aware of. If you're paying for your cruise in Canadian dollars, then when you book an excursion using the cruise planner, it will only quote and charge you in Canadian dollars. There isn't an option to pay in US dollars. If you book onboard of the ship, you will obviously only be able to pay in US Dollars.

Right now they are using about $1.33 Canadian to US Dollar for excursions. I'm booked on a tour in Astoria, Oregon for this coming September. Canadian cost is $87.45 and US cost is $67.75.

Thanks for the review - very helpful. I'm looking at this cruise for next year. Which airport did you fly to and how did you get to the port?

TIA

The cruise staff that I've talked to when cruising in Europe have told me that they prefer dollars since everything onboard the ship is in dollars and because some of them send the money back home where dollars tend to be more accepted than Euros. Also one of the problems with Euros are the coins which they can't convert into other currencies, so unless they live in Europe, the coins are a bit challenging.

Instead of a Royal Caribbean cruise suggest you look at private tour operator. I did one with SPB tours last year and it was cheaper than Royal's tour (about the same length of time) and much fewer people (there were only 8 of us on our tour).

Hi also doing this itinerary - and wondering from anyone who has been to these ports is there a beach close by to any of them. Thank you.

Regarding the beaches - my experience is that you'll get fine sand beaches in the French Riviera whereas in Italy it will they tend (not all of them) to be fine gravel beaches. Just something to keep in mind - make sure you have water shoes of some kind.

Typically when I've sailed with Royal Caribbean the muster drill has been 30 minutes before departure time.

If you're sailing out of San Juan then you can expect muster drill to be about 8pm to allow time for the stragglers to embark.

I've been on two ships in the past year - Jewel in the Caribbean and Serenade in the Baltics. In both cases Surf only wasn't available through cruise planner and onboard was $13/day.

One other thing regarding "Priority Boarding" - it doesn't necessarily mean get through check-in and onboard faster.

I've been on sailings where the line for people who hadn't sailed with Royal before was actually faster than the Priority lines for different levels of Royal's loyalty program. Like others have said - don't give up the stateroom credit for what AAA is offering.

Nothing wrong with Freedom. Prices are subject to supply and demand.

It happens a lot - cruises you expect would cost less cost more due to time of year and vacation time etc. - demand for the cabins. 6 days is a little bit of an awkward amount of time for a cruise, whereas 5 days could be more easily spread out over a weekend meaning fewer days off from work.

I am cruising on Liberty too out of Galveston, but my cruise planner doesn't show any of those.

Time to go check.

Thanks!

 

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I still don't see the option on my cruise planner.

Could it be that it's only available to those who use their Air services?

Typically the airport to port and port to airport transfers don't show up on Cruise Planner unless they are tagged to an excursion with Airport drop off. If you want to reserve before the cruise - contact your Travel Agent or Royal Caribbean directly.

My German is a little rusty, but if I'm translating the German correctly they are saying that these two ships will be a new class - Quantum Plus, so something different from Quantum class. Interesting.

I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for a San Francisco guide book. I'll be there for 2 days this September as part of a Pacific Coastal cruise. I know I can search the internet for information about San Francisco, but I also like to have a guide book with me. TIA

If I remember correctly you can take 2 bottles of wine/ cabin onboard when you board (not sure about corkage fees). So depending on your drinking habits that can help reduce costs.

I haven't been on Carnival, but I have been on NCL, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity and Costa and I don't find that Royal Caribbean charges you any extra than these other lines.

You might have seen a reference to food charges in the MDR - that's only for special items like lobster tail and steak. You still have a full menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts that are free. The shows are free.

On a side note, one thing you should check out is an ADULT game called the Quest. It will be on one of the evenings at around 10:30pm and it's a blast - even if you just watch and don't participate.

If you're a Starwoods Preferred Guest member and have points look into the Sheraton Downtown. Just a few blocks to Pike Place Market and other sites. Convenient to Westlake Centre and transportation. A bit away from Pier 91 (Royal Caribbean's Pier).

Potential double post here. Is lunch offered in Chops every day of the cruise or just on sea days?

I've seen some discussion about this elsewhere. Is lunch at Chops every day or just on Sea Days?

I travel solo and always sit with a group of people. For late seating we usually allow a few minutes (say about 10 minutes) for everyone to arrive before ordering - especially on the first day where people are finding their tables and stuff.

They've been sending these emails out (inconsistently) for at least a couple of years now. You can pretty much ignore it and get to the pier when you want to and board accordingly. Haven't heard of anyone being turned back for arriving too early (I doubt the pier staff are even aware of this).

Also the double points only applies if you pay the single supplement. If you get a two for one and pay less than the single supplement - you won't get the double points.

Maybe this goes without saying but when you share, don't order two drinks with both of you in line side by side (so they can tell you're sharing). They may call you out on this.

The dedicated departure lounge is a bit hit and miss. I'm finding lately (I'm Diamond) they only had a special departure lounge for Pinnacle. When you embark - check the line-up for people who are first timers - sometimes that line up is faster than the "priority" lines (especially the one for Gold).

Try the European sub forum under the Ports of Call forum. You'll find lots of advice related to Venice there.

As part of you providing your information (address, credit card to charge account charges to etc.) there would have been a button with Set Sail Pass. That's the document that you need to print out and bring with you to the pier (one for yourself and one for your daughter). It acts like your boarding pass. The other cruise documents as you've noticed is just required "stuff". All you need from that is the luggage tags - one for each bag that you want to leave at the pier to be delivered to your cabin (if you're just taking carry on luggage then you won't need luggage tags).