kjwent

So they took away the Crew Appreciation portion of the "all inclusive" price (dollars out of our pocket) and then make a big production of "listening to our loyalty members" by giving us back a room for cocktails (but not every night), the classic menu, and a chocolate dessert.  Those three things are throw aways for them -- it costs them next to nothing to give them back, and they knew that when they took them away.  None of those things put money back into our pockets. 

I don't care if they are excited and giggle through their whole presentation as long as they give us back something of value.  I'll still get my drinks in the bar before dinner, I only eat the classic menu if everything else sounds horrible (as noted by others, no mention of improvement to menu items, just different) and I don't care about chocolate desserts.

We were on the Equinox Mardi Gras cruise in 2017.  Loved, loved, loved it.  We walked to the night parade (Orpheus Krewe) that Harry Connick Jr hosts.  Family friendly -- no crazies.  Lots of families, line dancing in the street before the parade reached us (at about 9pm), people playing with frisbees.  The street is narrow -- the bands and floats were right up next to us.  Best. Time. Ever.  Day 2 we went to the Zulu Krewe parade.  Totally different atmosphere during the day.  But we had a great time there also.  I have convinced my husband and friends to do the 2024 trip -- we booked it today.  Can't wait.  

What the heck does all that mean?  Are we getting an Ascent Roll Call?  There are rules for requesting a simple thing like a Roll Call?  There are hundreds of them out there.  I don't care who creates it, I just want to know who is going on my cruise and be able to communicate with them.

Do you have an email address for Andrea Shey?  I'd love to make her aware of how I feel about the changes.

This was taken from the 5/26/20 Cruise Critic News item titled "Coronavirus: Updated Cruise Ship Policies and Cancellations"  Scroll to Celebrity and read for yourself.  Someone needs to get the real story.

Celebrity Cruises is following all regulations set forth by CLIA. You can find specifics here.

Celebrity will deny boarding for all guests with one or more severe chronic medical conditions as specified by the U.S. CDC.

Additionally, boarding will be denied to any person age 70 or older, unless the guest provides written verification from a qualified treating physician that certifies the person has no severe, chronic medical condition and is fit to travel.

I'm nearing 70.  Have never gone to a regular doctor.  Don't have one now.  Guess my cruising time is nearing a close!

We're already booked on Niew Statendam, because we love the Music Row entertainment -- $50 OBC -- that's all we got.  We were surprised that our travel agent told us we had to pay in full at booking (booked in June for early December cruise, not holiday).  But have always been disappointed with the perks on HAL (we're 3-Star).  I tell them every time I fill out the survey.  In light of the newest rendition of Explore4 I guess they don't care.  I had been waiting for Explore4 to see if I wanted to add another cruise -- what they are offering isn't worth anything to us.

We're Elite on Celebrity and will continue to sail with them because their loyalty perks are better and their sale perks are better.  We don't drink a lot either, not enough to actually buy a drink package, but we do like to have cocktails before dinner and wine during the evening.  As an Elite member we're given a nightly cocktail party, and can usually buy our own wine.  Since Celebrity usually offers 5 different perks to choose from we always manage to get what is important to us -- OBC, PPG, etc.  We'll stick with Celebrity as long as they can keep us happy!

We've never parked in the Port of Miami, but after reading the posts it is probably our best option rather than off-site.

We'll be taking an Azamara cruise in November and just want to know if it is an easy walk to the terminal? Or is there a shuttle? Or should we drop off the luggage first, then park?

Kathy

I got the following message back from:

Charmain Cooper

Customer Support

Guest Travel Services

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

Good Day,

Hope this email finds you well.

Please note your flight arrival will be okay due to the ship overnight into port.

Depending on the time you arrive if the port agents are not available you will be responsible to carry on your own luggage.

If you have any further questions you can call our 24 hour line at (800) 256-6649 press option 1 twice.

So it seems I can stop waking up at night worrying about this cruise and just get ready to have a great time. Thanks to everyone for their help.

Thanks to Clarea and Shak for the information. I have contacted the email address that Clarea posted and got back an automated email saying they would handle my request in the order it came in. If I don't hear back from them in a week I'll call the number you provided.

Thank you Shak for for the Pier info and advice about luggage. I figured we'd have to handle our own luggage once I found out there wouldn't be any staff. I am more sick about getting checked in and getting my boarding card than handling luggage. We'll manage -- take our time and get on board. That's the main thing.

I've never been on a cruise that overnighted in the departure port, and didn't realize that check in would only be for a limited number of hours -- live and learn. Originally we were only about an hour late -- now we're closer to two hours. For those suggesting flight changes, my TA and I both have tried that. At this date, aside from the astronomical cost involved, most of the flights on American called for overnighting in the layover city and taking the exact flight I'm already on. Even looking at 2 days out from departure there was nothing. I've read the Roll Call for this cruise and people have said they are even flying into Montreal and taking the train to Quebec because the flights into Quebec are so limited. I hate everything about plane travel, this is why we drive to Florida to take the majority of our cruises!

If and when I hear from Emergency Services I'll post their response. Thanks to everyone.

I've got flights to Quebec that have changed, and now I am arriving late on Day 1 of the Serenade OTS cruise departing 10/19. The ship overnights in Quebec and doesn't leave until 10/20 at 3pm, but I've been told a couple times by RCI reps that I will not be able to board because they will be closed. However, two TA's are telling me there will be no problem. One TA told me they notified RCI of my flight and I'll be fine.

I've also searched the RCI boards here and found a reference to an Emergency Team that needs to be contacted so they can make arrangements for my late arrival. Has anyone run into this? Any idea what that Emergency Team phone number is? I'm waking up in the middle of the night because I'm dreaming about arriving in Quebec and having all the doors locked.

Appreciate any info.

I've checked sailings from Dec 14 - June 15. Nothing is an exact match. Seems like they are replacing Roatan with Belize. So there's probably no way I'd be able to figure it out at this time.

I guess I'll just have to get over it and take my next two cruises, or not and cancel the one in 2015.

I can say that the next time I see Cozumel it'll be from the deck of another cruise line!

Kathy

The port charges are on my contract, although they don't break them down by port so there's no telling how much was charged where. Seems to me that RCI would always charge people SOMETHING, even if they didn't know the exact amount just to cover themselves. With all the other cutbacks that are evident on their ships, waiving fees doesn't seem to be their style.

But it was explained to us twice that we got a good rate and wouldn't be getting the refund, while others would. That's what irked me! This was their sale and their discount offer.

No -- I haven't called them.

Kathy

We purchased a Large Oceanview Cabin on Deck 3 for the 11/15/14 sailing on Vision of the Seas on 12/2/13 directly with RCI during their WOW sale. We also received a military discount. We didn’t negotiate or ask for anything special, just took the deal that was offered us.

Last week we were unable to dock in Cozumel due to high winds. When we inquired (each of us went to GS at different times – guess my husband didn’t believe me!) about a refund of port charges/fees we were told that if we were to receive a refund it would have already been posted to our account. I was told that not everyone was given the refund because only the people who did not get the best deals got the refunds. What ?!

My husband was told the same thing. Although at one point when he said he felt he was being penalized for being a veteran and getting the additional discount they were going to give him the refund – but couldn’t get it through the computer. When the boss was called, he again refused the refund.

While we were waiting with another couple for the shuttle to our car we started discussing this. Turns out they paid just about the same rate, for a cabin on Deck 2 and were refunded $30 for the missed port. The difference? They are Diamond and we are Platinum.

RCI has said they will not be discounting their fares in the coming years because it is unfair to passengers to be paying different rates. I say they are already discriminating against passengers by creating class differences. It’s one thing to reward loyalty; it’s another to treat passengers shabbily when something like a missed port happens. I’ve read the small print and know they are not required to refund any portion of my payment for any reason. But that should apply to everyone. This is passenger discrimination.

If the ship goes to a port and I choose not to go ashore – I still pay the fees. Seems to me if the ship doesn’t go to the port I should receive the fees I paid, no matter what amount that is. And the cabin rate doesn’t have anything to do with it.

I have two more cruises already booked with RCI – one next month will put us in the Emerald category. I’m seriously considering canceling my Oct 2015 cruise. This has just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Kathy

We just got back from the Enchantment in October. We always go to Park Cafe on embarkation day. We grab a towel at the main pool on the way to the Solarium, get our suits out of our carry ons and change in the bathrooms right outside the entrance and enjoy the hot tub while they're empty. You'll never see them empty again! Park Cafe opens at noon.

Last year we were lucky enough to watch a rocket launch right from our table. Outstanding! This year the upcoming launches are the day before the sailing day, so unless you go to FL early you won't see them. Launches are scheduled for Nov 9, 23 Dec 4, 9.

Have a great trip. We're on Vision this month and Explorer next month. Can't wait. Hope we have as great a time as we did on the Enchantment.

Kathy

I was just looking for that info myself about 2 minutes ago. This is what I found in the FAQ section:

What if I need to stay in touch while away?

Staying connected at sea could be very important to some of us. Click here for more information on Internet Access and Cellular Phone Service & Texting.

All of our ships have Internet Cafés for those of you that need to on online. You can also telephone, telex, radiogram or fax to anywhere in the world and be billed* at applicable ship-to-shore rates. Norwegian guests can also be contacted on our ships by calling 1.888.NCSHIPS (1.888.627.4477) from the USA. For the rest of the world please dial 1.732.335.3280. When guests are contacted with the ship via satellite, they can be reached directly, if they are in their stateroom. If not, a message about the incoming call will be delivered to their stateroom and then they can call back* the shore via satellite. Norwegian guests can also make and receive calls, send and receive text messages and read emails on their own cell phones and mobile devices just as they do on land when the ship is at sea with the Freestyle Cellular Service. Staying in touch with family and friends when cruising has never been so easy. Click here for more information.

Norwegian Ship Telephone & Fax Numbers

When calling from the United States: Dial 1.888.NC SHIPS (627.4477), select the ship, and enter your credit card information. When Calling from outside the United States: Dial 1.732.335.3280, select the ship, and enter your credit card information.

*Please use American Express, MasterCard and Discover Card, only.

We've been to KW several times -- trinket shops and bars. My husband says Kermit's frozen chocolate covered key lime pie is the only reason to get off the ship.

Kathy

We don't stay in Port Canaveral area so I don't have any hotel suggestions, but for parking we always go to ParkCruise.com to leave our car. About $8/night. Close to ships, very quick service, secure lot.

Kathy