cruisegirl1

Yes it is. We had our first trip to Bermuda in May. Unfortunately, we had a change in itinerary because of weather and instead of 2 overnights and a half day (I think it was billed as three days in Bermuda) we ended up with about 24 hours and just one overnight. We packed a lot in hope your cruise is fun. m

Is the Bermuda travel authorization still required? We sailed there in May and had to apply for the authorization. Have a good trip. m

Many with mobility issue use an electric scooter. If she is not used to "driving" one, it would be good idea to get it a few days prior to the cruise for practice. I don't know embarkation priority in Galveston. Recently in Port Canaveral, there did not seem to be any priority for those in scooters, wheelchairs etc. Boarding was in order of suite/Pinnacle, various C&A levels, Key in there somewhere. I didn't hear any announcement for priority boarding for those with mobility issues. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. m

That cost you about two hours in luggage delivery. Next time write pre gold and see how fast you get your luggage! M

B2B testing was eliminated in late April. M

Sounds about right. Ever hear of Emerald C&A category? M

Seems the higher the category, the longer it takes to get luggage. I speak from experience. 😄

Cabin doors are locked and key cards are in a sealed envelope. No one will use your cabin. Further, until about 1pm, the fire doors are closed so passengers won’t be in the hallways. m

I don't mind the increase in gratuities, but I do mind that so for no one appears to have been told. I don't read the cruise docs so if a new gratuity rate in in there, I would never see it. The gratuity rate is written on the bottom of all the cruise booking documents from RCCL. All of mine, even going out as far as December 2023 say $14.50 per day ( $17.5 for suite) per day for each guest. Seems strange that they can simply change it. I just received one today for a cruise later in the year and the $14.5 rate is written there. I KNOW RCCL can send me an email regarding any new rates as I get emsail daily trying to sell/upsell me something. M

You can take a look at the menus in the app. In our experience we like the items served on formal night, and often select a specialty restaurant on another evening ,if at all. m

TERRIFIC. Hope you enjoyed your cruises. M

Should be 100%. As suggested above, you will need to see the loyalty ambassador to get your status changed because your first cruise points will not be loaded onto your account prior to taking the second leg of your back to back. enjoy

There is a children letter as well. My young (diamond) granddaughter got a discount on coffee! Kids also get some $$ off at the arcade. M

We've been offered free continental breakfast, but for anything else there was a $7.95 room service fee. How did you get offered free room service? Were you in a suite? Key? or simply lucky? M

Matt has no affiliation with RCCL. If you scroll far enough down his blog you will see the disclaimer. You have to really look for it. m

Congrats - See the LA to let him/her know that you are turning Pinnacle because they won't have the numbers for you. You might ask the LA from the first ship to communicate with the LA from the second ship regarding your points. You should be recognized on the ship you reach 700 points. I would simply ask the new ship LA if you can expect Pinnacle benefits on the current cruise you reach 700, or the following cruise. If you are lucky and they are on the current cruise, they might not kick in till the day you reach 700, or possibly the day after the top tier event. Again, ask. We had new cards and benefits on the day we turned 700 ( no event because it was a 3 night cruise) - but that was years ago and it seems now some have to wait for benefits till the next cruise. If that is the case, I hope the next cruise is soon and you won't have to wait long to start enjoying Pinnacle benefits. FWIW - I think the benefits should be immediate. One cruise we had a new pinnacle recognized at the top tier, and join for lunch with the officers the same day! M

Once the cruise is complete and if you have reached the new tier, you are eligible that tier. Since you are in the same ship, it should be no problem. The fact that you are B2B and don't have a few weeks/months between cruises, will not eliminate your new benefits. I'd chat with the LA sometime during the first cruise to make him/her aware of the status change and that you are B2B. Depending on the tier change ( like going from Emerald to Diamond) , the benefits could be significant. Enjoy M

As long as you reach the new tier by the end of the first leg, you will get all the ON BOARD benefits of the new tier on the second leg. You will need to go to the Loyalty Ambassador to make the update. M

Thanks - I'm not expecting to go from 8 Night to 5! I'm not picky about the new cabin, I just have a standard mid ship balcony. We had a ship/itinerary change for our 2023 transatlantic and went from 14 to 17 nights. I kept the booking but with pre cruise travel it might be too long. We have some obligations at home and I'm not sure we can be away for what will likely be over 3 weeks. m

Happened to friends at a Charlotte airport hotel. They had to cancel. We bring both suitcases in to our pre cruise or "on the road" hotel. M

Thanks for the info. The Mariner menu was limited. It was the same menu as the first day of Harmony coastal kitchen. I’m not a fan of the buffets , and really try to stay away from the windjammer on the first day. m

You don’t have to test during back-to-back cruises anymore regardless of the number of days of subsequent cruises. . Back to back testing ended in late April. And now, since the first cruise of the back to back to back is less than six days, we don’t even have to test for the first cruise. So 11 days, (4/3/4) and no testing. m

Thank you. m

Is that for Christmas of 22 or Christmas of 23. I am booked Christmas of 23 and it is an eight night cruise. That would be quite a change! m

Did you get your new booking already? m