Vitality08

I'm 50/50 on my 6 cruises. Three I've flown day of and three the night before.

I'm sometimes mildly concerned that something may go wrong but it hasn't stopped me yet from flying the day of if that's what works best for.

I say go with what you feel comfortable with.

As a side note, about a year and a half ago I was flying to Nashvile on the day of the activity that was important to me. I knew something was wrong about 45 minutes before departure time because there was no plane at the gate. Soon we were alerted that there was a mechanical issue and a plane would have to come from Charlotte for us to fly. The agents rebooked me and my mother on another airline but something with the transfer didn't go right so I couldn't board the flight although I told my mother to go ahead because I now had to wait 3 hours just to SEE if I could get a seat on the flight at noon. Luckily, there was space for me on the noon flight and arrived in Nashville at about 2 or so.

I was extremely stressed but luckily the event I was going to didn't start until 7pm and the time difference helped ease my anxiety. Had I been flying for a cruise, I would have been all to pieces.

But even with all that said, if I take all of my leisure travel flights combined the Nashville flight is the ONLY one I've had delayed and/or canceled. So basically, I still don't think it's a bad bet to fly in the day of.

The TA made the charges NOT ROYAL.

 

Reputable TA's do not make the charges, the cruiseline does.

 

You don't wait when you are dealing with $5,000. It's been three days, I wouldn't give that TA more than a minute longer. The TA may be doing this intentionally because of financial troubles.

 

Now you're making stuff up

 

For all you know that TA could be bankrupt now, then you really have a problem.

 

If the charge has RCL's name on it, who cares?

If the TA's name is on the charge, who cares. That's why you paid with a credit card, to be protected

Denying a charge is way different than disputing one.

 

You'll have to explain that statement to me. When you dispute a charge, you are denying it

If the credits go over a billing cycle the credit card company starts charging you interest if you don't make that payment.

 

Not if you end up disputing the charge they don't

You can definitely dispute a charge without denying it. With many companies there's the option to select "I did business with this vendor but the amount is wrong" and a host of other possibilities.

I once returned purchased items through the mail but they were not as advertised. When I didn't receive my refund, I disputed (not denied) the charge and the CC refunded my money.

I wonder how you would know (or anyone would know) if you are the first?

I guess I was imagining being on the phone with the agent to book and the agent would had the ability to instantly see that the ship was empty still. Someone earlier mentioned that even the agents don't see the entire availability but maybe just the area or category the customer is interested in so I guess it's unlikely the agent would know if you were first and if they don't know, it's be impossible for the customer to know.

I guess if someone booked as soon as the itinerary was available they could reasonably assume they were at least one of the first.

All pricing,even for studio cabins, is driven by "Supply & Demand".

I get that, but the demand for a studio is probably zero as long as regular interiors are cheaper.

S&S cards do work for the safe. We did it last Dec on the Freedom.

I think the instructions on the safe say not to though.

Thanks - I'll looked up the size of the mini - it's 7.9 compared to the 10.1 of my tablet. Think there was an extra 2-3 inches in there?

if that's the case then yes, I think you'd be fine. Sorry, one caveat, I wasn't on the Ecstasy, I was on the Glory and the Freedom. I assume the safes are the same though. Hopefully will chime in with definite answers.

Yeah - except I've heard it at least 50 million times already LOL

It's only been about 10 for me but I love it...lol.

My ipad mini fit in the safe with plenty of room left over, but I don't know how many inches the ipad mini is.

With being able to book online and via TA, it is very difficult to determine if you are first. However, I have been the first to "check-in" for a cruise :)

I was curious if a rep ever told someone while they were booking. I guess even that might be hard to tell if TA buy or reserve blocks of rooms.

I know a lot of people book their cruises as soon as the schedule is released so I was wondering if anyone has ever asked or been told "you are the first to book this ship!"?

Looking forward to experiences.

I know a lot of people book their cruises as soon as the schedule is released so I was wondering if anyone has ever asked or been told "you are the first to book this ship!"?

Looking forward to experiences.

I'm checking prices and options for my February 2016 birthday cruise and for the February 5 sailing date on the Serenade of the seas an interior is cheaper than the studio. This is traveling as a solo.

The interior is 160 square feet with twins that convert to a king. The studio is 108 square feet with only a twin.

I just find that so odd. I didn't even realize RCCL had studios (I knew they were putting them in the Quantum) but it just seems so weird that I could book an bigger room for less than a studio.

Makes me wonder if it's a mistake.

Does anybody have any ideas on why this may be the case?

An interior is listed at $1698-$1758 and the studio is $2558. I guess a possible reason would the there are fewer studios therefore they cost more but it seems RCCL wouldn't want a bunch of singles/solos opting for a regular interior that can hold 2 with studios still available that can only hold 1. Could hurt the revenue down the line when the ship actually sails.

Anyone else loving the radio commercial as much as I am? The one where the chorus says "you don't have to pay for your kids"...lol.

I get happy every time it comes on the radio. I don't have any kids but it's definitely increased my interest in sailing with NCL.

hey all --

 

We wil lbe going on a cruise to Nassau and Freeport end of August with our Foster Daughter --

 

we have the permissions and paper work , passport etc all taken care off, but would there be anything else i should be concerned about?

 

She is 8 -- and an overall good kid -- but we have no idea what she will be like on the ship --

 

she will definitely not be checking herself out of the kids club -- if she will even bother attending it --

 

anything that may not be quite so obvious that i may be missing here?

I cruised with my foster daughters and it was easy. They barely looked at the paperwork although I had everything. My girls were teenagers and well behaved, much different than an 8 year old. But besides the paperwork issue, I don't think its much different except you may have to manage any behaviors she has if any. If she's been with you long enough, I'm sure you know what they are and how to manage.

Have fun!

You mention 12 people... Are they in separate cabins? A group needs to be at least 8 cabins, not 8 people.

 

Even for 12 cabins, a group can be worth it. Sometimes Royal Caribbean will offer amenity points which can provide extra onboard credit or amenities. In addition, for each 8 cabins, you get credit for 1 berth (passenger) that you can distribute to the group as additional onboard credit if you wish.

Okay, 8 cabins. I was confused. Hmm, I don't think it'll be 8 cabins.

I'll probably still call. Even though I'm only counting 12 people (probably 6 cabins) if they start inviting others then I guess it could become a large group.

Has any found booking as a group on RC to be worth it? I may have about 12 people traveling and I didn't think about going the group route until someone asked if I checked into the pricing.

I believe you need a minimum of 8 to be a group but is a small group of 12 even worth it?

What all do you get? Also, does anyone know what the largest amount of people that can be accommodated at one table in the MDR?

Just found out that if you book flights with Carnival you cant book FTTF.

 

What kind of business sense is that?We are willing customers.

 

It says the system cant book the 2 at the same time and I want to make sure our flights are ok.

 

We have no choice to book flights with them as it saves us over 700 quid in flights and makes the trip affordable. (repo cruise from UK so obv no cheap return flights)

 

ARGH!

 

Any ideas?

To me it makes sense. Even though you are just one way on the return, image the angry passengers who book FTTF but their flights don't land until 1pm.

So I just saw that carnival offers an armed forces discount which I did not know of until just now can i get it applied to my price and just get obc or am I just out of luck and just do it on my next cruise.

 

 

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It's not a discount per se, but its a rate code. It's not offered on all cruises although I'm finding them available on many cruises that I've researched lately. If you are before final payment, you should be able to switch to the rate and if you are Early Saver, they will match the price. You will have to fax in your DD214 (or other acceptable proof) within 3 (I think) days.

Do a mock booking for your cruise and click the box that says special pricing. If only the Early Saver rate shows up, click "see more rates". If military is listed, then it's being offered for your cruise.

Curious as to your opinions.

 

We love Carnival. Tried Norwegian once and wasnt a big fan, came back to Carnival. However, now with Royal Carribean's awesome kids sail free sale we have the opportunity to try them out. Which would you choose?

 

8 night Carnival Splendor to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay & Nassau

 

9 night Explorer of the Seas to Bermuda, St Marteen, San Juan & Labadee

 

Price is the same. It would be my husband, myself and our 2 kids if that would make any difference (They are 3 and 4). Has anyone been on both ships? Any opinion on them? Are there things to do on the Royal Carribean itinerary that don't involve travel as we wouldn't have carseats. Mostly looking for beach days which I know Grand Turk and HMC are.

 

Any opinions appreciated :D

 

p.s. The extra day isn't a selling point to us as IMO 9 days seems kind of long with 2 toddlers. But not a deal breaker either.

So glad I read this thread. I didn't know about the RCCL promotion. Looking know for a cruise!

Does anyone know if this applies for the southern Caribbean and if so do they just not let you off the ship at the ports that do enforce it or can you not even board the ship? We are sailing in June and My husband's passport expires in September.

 

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help with this question :)

Is your cruise one that allows travelers to use their birth certificates and ID to board? If so, I doubt they would or could enforce any passport expiration rules since a passport is not even required. I take my passport as my proof of citizenship but have never had to show it to anyone but ship personnel at check in and CBP once I returned home. From my understanding, European cruises are different.

I don't have a problem with extra points being given based on on board spending but I don't think that's an indication of loyalty. Booking the cruise line over and over is they loyalty. Once you are on board, if you want to buy something you have to buy it from the cruise line. There's no "loyalty" in that.

If anyone needs it I try to post this link on these threads every so often. You can go here [National Archives site] and get a certified copy of your DD214:

 

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

 

The return is pretty prompt -- I think I got mine within a couple of weeks. They sent two certified copies that actual have raised seals [my "original" doesn't even have that -- it is actually just a carbon]. Anyway, this is a good service if you need a copy, it is free and gives you one to carry in case you are worried about your original.

Thanks for this link. I submitted a request. My DD214 is somewhere amongst my "papers" but couldn't put my hand on it if my life depended on it. I did however scan a copy and saved it on a thumb drive and my computer so I could print a copy if need be.

I recently booked my first RC cruise using the military discount. After booking, the agent told me to bring my proof of service to the port. I asked was there a number to fax it in before hand and was told no, I had to bring it to the port. I thought that was a bit strange since with Carnival they want it within days and then make a note of it so you don't have to submit it again in the future.

My cruise isn't until next February so I have to keep reminding myself that I need to take the extra documentation to the port with me.

I think Carnival could have handled this promotion better. I was in a Future Cruise Presentation last month and apparently 2.5 million passengers sailed with Carnival last year. If Carnival did indeed send out 1 million "free cabin" letters then it would be entirely feasible that each household that sailed last year would have received one. Yet several people have received multiple offers and some have received them that due to age can't use them unless accompanied by an adult!

 

Rather than send out 1 million offers, why not just apply an OBC to the first so many new bookings made within the offer period? Surely that would have been fairer? Keep existing customers happy and encourage new customers to sail with Carnival?

 

I'm no marketing expert but it looks like this promotion has alienated a lot of loyal customers and let's face it, how many people that got the free cruise will be repeat business and spend all the money that Carnival is clearly hoping for onboard?

I didn't realize this was a promotion. Do you have a link for that?

Also they will give you a " Drinks On Us Card" if you are winning big...The last cruise I went on, i was up 3k in the first 2 hrs of play on Craps....I left and came back later and they gave me a card...And every night in the MDR they sent me a complimentary bottle of wine...I guess their theory was if I kept drinking I would lose it all back lol...I was on a roll that week and made out Awesome..

They also take note of people who keep cashing in $100 for chips or getting money from their S&S card. For example, if I sat down and changed a $100 chip for nickles, I barely got a glance from the pit boss. If I changed a $100 bill, they reached for the clip board and made note. So I think if someone is winning they may do better rating wise if after completeing a "session" to cash in their chips at the cage and begin their next session with cash. It appears to give the impression that you are gambling with your money as opposed to theirs.