nosmothj

Thank you for your opinion.

 

We, however, booked this cruise because of Labadee. We have never cruised in the Caribbean before, getting a sea-day extra is not that interesting for us. We live in Norway and if we want a day at sea, we just take a local cruise to Kiel or something :)

 

Now we have to consider canceling and loosing the deposit.. We have 2 weeks to decide. I guess if we do not find a good alternative cruise, we just stay on Indy anyway.

We also booked because of Labadee locals are so nice. We generally like to bring clothes and toletries and the such to give to the locals. Can not get over how people can talk about them protesting giving them heck for trying to make a better life!!

Considering it has been a dangerous island forever, wonder why RCCL ever chose this island in the 1st place. Would have been better off on the other side of the island in the Dominican republic

They got a great deal and the cost are low compared to other spots.

I would expect this is an impressment for RCCL. Regardless of how they put it Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. For the locals to protest must be major issue.

I have signed up for my account to be cash, but if I have any leftover OBC, I was going to give them my US TD Visa and ask that they refund anything back to this US VISA card. Is this ok and will they just refund the U.S. OBC back to the Visa in USD - no exchanges?? Thx

I do not think they will refund OBC only cash you have paid on the account.

I used to do it this way, but don't any more. I have a US dollar via (from TD Canada Trust) and I used to use it for my on board account...until 2014 when RCCL converted my final bill to Canadian dollars (despite my explicit instructions not to opt in to the currency conversion program).

 

So, in the end, with the US dollar credit card I paid:

 

3% RCCL currency conversion fee

+

2.5% TD Visa fee to convert it to US dollars

+

1.8% approx fee to purchase US dollars with my TD borderless account

 

In the end, my US$1000 in on board charges ended up costing me C$1140...and that was when the dollar was at par!

 

Since then, I only use the Marriott Visa. Even if RCCL screws up again and opts me in to the currency conversion program, I'll only pay their 3% fee once!

Thats why it is my second choose first is pay with cash. and that must be a problem with TD visa others it can not convert!!

Working in banking and being a Diamond RCCL customerI would recommend one of two things.

First I have never let RCCl charge my credit card directly. Giving them access to your account opens up the door to extra charges as the banks and visa charge a premium. I have always settled in cash that way I know how much I am paying and for what.

Second if plan to us Visa strongly suggest getting a Cdn Bank US visa that way you can pay off when you get home and know how much you spend. Do not pay the Bank or Visa US premium fee.

Just as increasing your pre-paid dining meal is unacceptable...it as just as unacceptable to try and increase the cost of your pre-paid activity.

 

The Florida Attorney General should probably be notified again. They can't raise prices when people have already paid for things. Well, they can try, but I think it is illegal.

IT they did not charge then they are not increasing the price. and if it really bothers you don not take part if enough people refured to pay they will would chnage. I would think the enough people will pay that it will never happen.

Glad we went on them on Quatuam while free.

I'm sorry, I thought Carnival used the same one all the time. I'll look it up. But I sail on the Dream Sept 18, 2016.

 

I don't want to eat or shop at the touristy area at the port. I'm thinking...walk to a beach to dip my toes in the water, take a cab outside of the port area for lunch at a locally owned joint, or stay on the ship.

We rented a car for $45 and drove to the other side of the isaln excellent place to really see the isalnd. Also ruins on the way that are free as well as some small cantinas if you like very good food at excellent prices.

Not realy interested in ship tours to crowed and expensive. Has anyone done any tours on there own. I know from Ocho Rios you can get to Dunns river or tubing any options close to Falmouth?

Just my view of the internet.

First only five computer for the the ship for people to us.

Second the system is a lot faster than on other ships however you HAD TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO ENSURE YOU SIGNED OFF OR IT WOULD US UP ALL OF YOUR TIME.

sYSTEM WHEN YOU COULD GET ONE WAS REALLY GOOD.

Day trip to St John is always highlight of our trip.

We have gotten a Taxi to ferry then taxi on the other side. Let them know when you want to be picked up and they will be back to get you. Whole day maybe $100.

We have also rented a car just out side port and went over on our own. cost about $150. We got to go to many beaches and saw a lot of the island and it is beautyful.

How ever you go I suggest leaving first thing 8:30ish and start heading back by around 2:30. We have always had lots of time and when we gotr back toured around the shops at port.

We have booked numerous cruise with RCCL direct or travel agent. Have booked in Cdn dollars on our Visa always. We have also cancelled and transfered with out a problem

I have generally/mostly found RCCL customer service very helpful and accommodating.

So all you Canuks I would very much recommend givning them a try.

On a side note one of the reasons we cruise more than retoret is because of the refund policiy which is excellent!!!

Excellent review and could not agree more it was a true cutural experence and well worth the stop. We found the locals very friendly and yes a lot spoke only french however that did not stop them from thrying to help you!!!!

Does this beach have chairs or umbrellas?

Yes chairs umbrellas jet skis and food very nice beach and sellers are not pushy!!

Also try Rodney Bay a little furthur but very nice I think the bus cost us $4 to get back.

Boy I guess RCCl is having no problems selling cabins. Our December 1, 2014 cruise has gone up by 20% since we booked. I would expect RCCL must be pretty happy with the response it has gotten!!

Sorry I have yet to see this on Oasis or Allure.

 

You could try your balcony, just hope the neighbours don't peek around the corner. ;)

I would imagine anyone who is looking for a nude area is not concerned about peeking:)

All booked and ready to go 12th deck

Has anyone been lately and if so what have you done.

Thank you everyone for your advice! I will be switching to the Adventure of the Seas which has stops in St. Lucia and St. Croix instead. I have heard wonderful things about St. Lucia from everyone I talk to.

If you are switching because of safety don't switch to St Croix it has long been an island with a lot of crime. That being said I have not problenm with either Island.

We have visited St John once and St Thomas several times. We generally rent a car and Tour the Island.

Would you recommend a car rental or Taxi for a day in St John? Car rentals are generally fairly reasonable, however when you factor in fairs I wonder if a taxi maybe as good?

Jack

Can any one give the cost?

Taxi Cruise terminal to Red Hook Bay..........

Ferry to St Johns.......................................

Taxi to Trunk Bat......................................

Thanks!

Even if there is no conviction, you can still be denied entry into the U.S., assuming the arrest details are in U.S. Customs computers, which it most likely is. It also depends on the nature of the crime. Drug related charges (not convictions) are a virtual lock to be denied entry. It also depends on the screening at the border - maybe they will let you enter, maybe not.

 

The remedy in all cases is with the other nation's authorities. Pardons issued at home will do nothing if the information is already in the hands of border officials of both countries. Your remedy lies with the authorities of the nation you wish to enter.

 

I've always though it a bit unfair that Canada denies entry to those charged/convicted of DUI (no accidents, deaths or people hurt) however it is a significant crime in Canada, while simple DUI is a misdemeanor in the U.S. and consequently not on the list of crimes denying entry to the U.S.

I have started to check after reading this thread and this is what I have found out.

In Canada all convictions and charges are registered with "CPAC". So even if you have not been convicted it still shows. The USA basically has the same system. The two systems do exchange information but only if the person crosses the border.

You can get your information removed from "CPAC" for with drawn charges by going to local Police and getting a records check and photo and finger prints. You then send this to the RCMP in Ottawa, who controls "CPAC" and ask them to purge your record. This takes about 2 to 3 months. When you get your reply back that it is purged you go back to local Police to confirm.

Now if you try to cross the border before your record is purged and US customs checks your record will go into there system and it is very hard to get it removed. Once you have been denied entry into either country your chance of gaining entry in the future is very hard.

Let us know how it works out.

If someone in Canada has been charged with a crime but all charges have been withdrawn can they be denied entry to USA?