GEORGIEGIRL

16 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

any around the world it is always best to plan for flights after 12 noon.

Just a good rule and it is what most cruiselines suggest as well.

Ditto:

I totally agree with NOON.

You definitely don't want (Belleville, ON). Totally different Province about 3,000 miles away from where you will be. I know this because I have family that lives in Belleville. 

No, you are not completely wrong, you're partially reading it wrong. The actual "Starbucks" on board a ship are not included in the drink packages. It says that they have just started to use "Starbucks" coffee/beans in the Cafe' Promende and maybe some other venues (windjammer, dining room, etc..)

So it is similar, just not the same thing.

Usually around the 30 day out mark.

Try the "Holiday inn Express" Cocoa. Not far from the cruise terminal (maybe 5 mins.) They have a decent breakfast, and then just head to the port to park (I think it is $20.00 a day).

Nope:

The best you can do is send them down to be "Pressed". Just get with your cabin steward, fill out the "Laundry" paperwork and it will be returned back by the next night (usually). 

PS: The price for "pressing" should be 1/2 the price of a complete washing.

11 hours ago, dodgestang said:

When I look at that cruise on another website...it shows only an owners suite and some grand suites available.....so....if its close to sold out, they have no reason to discount a close in sailing.

Keep in mind that it is also "Labor Day" time so the prices will be reflected as such.

Very Cool...

In real time, how long did it actually take?

If you are able to. Why not just book it directly on your own (that way you can stay ALL DAY) and just take a taxi back & forth at your leisure.

You might try this website/article from the US Customs and Border Agency. It has a link to the Canadian website that has updated/current information.

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-402?language=en_US

No.. Each cruise, although B2B are considered 2 separate cruises by RCCL. When you book them try and get the same cabin B2B if you are able to. It makes the turn around day (between both cruises) much less hectic and more relaxing.

I love them with the "SPICY MUSTARD"..

If you can get a "Reasonable" price for it, try the "Beach Club". We did it in May and it was awesome. Again, only if it is on special. (we paid like $99.00 p.p.).

11 hours ago, Jimbo said:

I'm pretty sure the OP will not be a Suite or be using the Yacht Club.......might better to answer his question judging a Regular Balcony Cabin against another Regular Balcony Cabin on the two lines.

Yes, I completely agree. Typical C.C. response. Poster says one thing everyone chimes in about a completely different "Class" of cabin.

Have been to COCOCAYE many times over the years and have never seen it. They usually offer discounts/specials on board in the spa while a ship is docked in port. However, as you know even a discounted spa purchase on a cruise ship is still quite expensive.

Depending on the itinerary you are going on you will probably have other chances while docked in other ports to enjoy a massage by the ocean. I know my wife does them in Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, etc..

11 hours ago, soremekun said:

The music, plot, costumes, beginning, middle, end,etc.

I'm allergic to "Cats". So not for me..

1 minute ago, FLConnie said:

First time sailing from PC.  Can you drop off your "checked" bags and then go park?  Or is it just as easy to park and roll them with us? 

Yes. Very easy to drop off the luggage (and passengers) first and then go park your vehicle.

16 hours ago, mommao729 said:

I will be driving to Florida on Friday to board mariner on Saturday. 
 

I’m not new to cruising but new to the procedure of checking in with scheduled times and procedures. 
 

there will be 6 adults and a child. 
taking separate cars. 
 

I know the family with the child will have to be tested. - Yes, Correct.

 

So do they arrive earlier then their scheduled time? - No. .

Do they test before you drop the luggage off? - No, it is actually just a table setup just past the area where you drop off the luggage.

 

How long does it take to get results? - Not sure, I just observed it going on, not actually experienced it. I do know that they put you in a waiting area while you wait for the results to come in.
 

For the other 2 couples how early should we arrive? Really makes no difference. They don't really check your time anymore.

 

 How long did it take you to get to the area to drop the luggage off? Not sure what you mean. You actually pull your vehicle up to the terminal, drop off your luggage and/or passengers and then just go park your vehicle. Very easy and convenient..

 

want to make sure we have enough time to drop luggage park the cars and be on time for our check in. - Shouldn't be an issue (see above).
 

 

i read today that someone said it took them an hour to get into the terminal. - Yes, depending on how full your sailing is and the itinerary it could take a while. When we sailed her back in May we were going to "Bermuda" and that had a whole list of other check-in requirements. It took a long time to get to the check-in counter and be approved to sail.
 

just trying to figure out how to do this. We all have the same check in time. 11:30 - I suggest that you all plan to be there around 11:00 - 11:30. It will take whatever time it takes to get everybody checked in.
 

I hope that this helps. Remember that this was our experience in May. It might be different now.

We always use "Sunny Liston' for our tours in St. Thomas. Never missed a ship in 20 years touring with him.

22 hours ago, twangster said:

Air2Sea also comes with Assured Arrival.  

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-protection-is-provided-with-an-air2sea-ticket

 

Q. What protection is provided when I purchase an Air2Sea ticket?

A. Guest purchasing airline tickets through Air2Sea who experience travel disruptions do indeed receive assistance. With our Assured Arrival program, we have a dedicated group of professionals in the Emergency Travel Team standing by to provide air re-accommodation, and to provide hotel and ground transportation if needed. Even though we monitor your flights, we ask that you check with the airline while at the airport prior to contacting the Emergency Travel Team. The Emergency Travel team will work with you to find accommodations on the next available flight. In some instances, same day viable flight options may not be available, and in those instances we accommodate you to the next available port where you may legally join the ship.

Notice it says "will work with you"  and "legally join the ship". This is not a guarantee. One recent poster just had this experience and was stuck missing the cruise due to not being able to reschedule their flight (with A2S supposed help) and now they are fighting with RCCL about having missed their entire cruise as they missed their flight that A2S booked for them and was unable to rebook for them.

No matter who you book with always get travel insurance...IMHO.

As far as RCCL "Air to Sea" goes. It's almost always better to book directly with the airline or a TA.  A2S  doesn't give you any extra benefits. 

That is correct.

Also keep in mind that since the "Restart" they have had all kinds of challenges getting supplies on a regular basis. As a result their wine selection is not what it used to be.

If you like a particular wine it would be better to bring it on your self (you are allowed 2 bottles per cabin).

The most important thing that you need to do if you purchase a photo package is this. It has nothing to do with which cabins you or your children are in. 

It is imperative that when boarding the ship on the first day that you have them take your 'Family" picture in the terminal. (if you have cruised before it is usually against a backdrop of the ship and located before you actually walk up the "gangway").

The reason is this. They use Photo Recognition software to take your picture and any and all pictures taken during the cruise (by the cruiseline photographers) will automatically be "Recognized" from the first picture and will show up in either of the 2 cabin #'s "Folios" in the photo gallery area.

22 hours ago, Coralc said:

I think (have read on here) that it is 8 cabins for bonus perks. If you can find a TA that has group rates already, that might be a discount in, and of itself. 

You are correct. You need a minimum of 8 cabins (booked and paid for in full) to qualify for a group discount. They are not all the same, all of the time. It depends on the ship, itinerary (popularity) Date of sailing, etc.. Keep in mind you will only receive the "Group" reservation discount based on the category of cabin with the most reservations. For example if 5 of your cabins are inside or ocean view and 3 are balconies you will get the inside/ocean view discount for all 8 cabins. Not one discount for the 5 and another for the 3. 

You will also have to coordinate with everyone to ensure they are making their required deposits/payments on time..

Just ask your TA a lot of questions and make sure they have handled "Groups" before. They are not as easy as you might think. 

PS, my wife is a TA and I speak from experience.

Other than that enjoy your cruise.....

15 hours ago, Biker19 said:

That should be enough time.

 

Just in case others may not know what vehicle you are talking about:

 

Biker. Have you actually rented a "Twizzy" car/cart in Bonaire? I only ask because all I can find is a  guided "tour" with a "Twizzy" car. Not a separate vehicle rental.

I like to tour on my own, not with a group of other people and certainly not following someone else.

Any further direction you could provide would be great.