mplusj

On the Harmony in Nov with an international flight out of MCO at 12:50pm. Any recommendations on what time to leave ship? 

On 7/17/2022 at 6:02 PM, Ashland said:

We recently had Cruise Control pick us up at 8:00am at Port Canaveral off Harmony. We did self assist for all 6 of us and at MCO right around 9:00am. Very easy until we got to MCO and our flight was delayed and cancelled throughout the day...but that's another story.

We are thinking of using Cruise Control transportation for our transfer to MCO. How were they? 

$254 CAD (around $175 USD) for our cruise in Nov! Would love to visit but I’ll pass. 

There have been numerous topics asking if the drink package is worth it. I know it's a very subjective question. My question is a little different.

Does the premium drink package offer any benefits outside of the unlimited booze?

I've done the math and I don't think I could or would drink $415(Canadian) on a bar bill in a week. However I am willing to pay if it offers faster service or some other benefit.

I think at most I've spent around $300-350 on drinks on past cruises.

With that in mind. Should I get the drink package?

Finally got throughout after 1hr 5 mins today. The rep who assisted me sounded exhausted but friendly.

I prepaid my gratuities for the first time for my upcoming cruise in August. I even paid off the cruise balance ahead of time. :eek:

My reason for doing so is at the end of the cruise one of the most disappointing things for me is to see a huge post cruise bill. Paying in advance and budgeting for gratuities in advance just makes it easier for me. And one less thing to worry about.

I live in Toronto and every summer there are multiple cases of falling glass from skyscrapers. Does that stop me from walking on the sidewalks during the summer? No. Stuff happens.

Life is dangerous. As a lawyer, you of all people should know what you agree to as soon as you board the ship. Sailing on a ship in the middle of the ocean isn't exactly safe.

Get over it.

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I agree, the problem is that its too hard to weed out those that are sick.

 

I think it would need to be a more positive program, where full credit would be given to those refused boarding, and trip expenses reimbursed. Only then will people volunteer to stay off the ship. Expensive, but cheap compared to a full-blown noro outbreak.

I think it's cheaper for the cruise line to take the temporary PR hit than to allow full refunds.

We are all the perfect example how it's okay for the cruise line to take a PR hit with an on board virus while we all countdown to our next cruise.

The only way to prevent noro on any cruise ship is to refuse boarding to sick people.

If I remember correctly the cruise line makes passengers sign a form declaring they are not sick and well enough to travel. They should enforce that with obvious sick people.

The problem for the cruise industry is that many people who catch a virus don't display any symptoms in the first day or two. So unless they start doing blood tests I don't think they can avoid boarding sick people.

Never been on Oasis but I always wondered why the pool was so small for such a large ship. Kinda off topic but how are loungers on the main pool deck?

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Maybe it's because I'm not a big time cruiser like some here and don't have a loyalty to the cruise industry, but it doesn't bother me reading about people trying to sneak rum on board the ship.

My Royal Caribbean stock is doing great depute people smuggling rum on board.

Isn't the whole point meant to be that the ship is the destination?

 

 

 

I have never sailed one of these ships (30 plus cruises) - have no desire to be among that many people - but based on chatter and RCCL's ad campaign, I always assumed that it did not matter where they went. They want you spending money and doing stuff on the ship, not exploring foreign lands.

 

 

 

Flame away, just sayin'....

You're right. Crushing is becoming more about the ship and less about the destinations. I'm going on the Oasis in August to experience the ship. The ports don't really interest me.

I always have fun cruising but I generally prefer land vacations as you get more time to experience a location.

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Since I heard about the new drink rule I have wondered how they prevent sharing? Or maybe they don't care about the guests who share and are trying to reduce smuggling and make their drink packages more attractive?

The drink packages in general seem like a waste of money to me. More and more of my friends and family are giving up on sodas because of the sugar content and for alcohol only you are pretty much drinking 7 drinks a day to break even. I know we're on vacation but I want to remember my vacation. Just my 2 cents.

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Only thing I have ever smuggled on board were a few drink boxes but I don't mind people sneaking a bottle on board to drink in their room to save a few bucks. Drinks on board tend to be a little expensive.

Although I hate the post cruise bar bill, I like relaxing on a deck chair having a drink served. I'm seriously considering purchasing a drink package on my next cruise in August.

I agree, that was the most surprising thing in this thread.. that someone actually does watch that station or go to their website. LOL

Their website actually gets quite a few hits more than the other networks.

After sailing on the Carnival Breeze after a several year break from Carnival, I view their ship as sub par. It doesn't surprise me Carnival has the problems they do.

I'm not an experienced cruiser like many others here, but RCI experiences have always been fun.

For my next cruise in August I have a savings account with an auto transfer arrangement set up so the account will be topped off by end of Jan. I haven't decided yet if I will just pay the cruise balance in Feb or wait until final payment due date.

I don't consider owing my cruise balance a debt because I'm not being charged interest on my balance nor do I consider peace of mind a factor in paying it off early.

Great questions...I'm sailing on Oasis for the first time next August.

Looking forward to some answers by some vets.

If I may answer your second question, based on my limited experience with RC, rooms are usually ready by 1PM and luggage should be delivered by 5pm. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

With the exception of my last Carnival cruise, my luggage usually was delivered either just before or after muster drill.

I'm booked to be on the Oasis the week before dry dock. I really hope nothing is closed or affected by the upcoming maintenance.

I was also on the same cruise. What was your opinion of the crowds on board and the lines on Lido deck?

Great pictures!

Anyone use Ace Luxury Transportation? http://www.aceluxury.com/portcanaveral.htm

I'm traveling on the Freedom this September and was considering this company. Prices on the website seem pretty good. I'm traveling with a group so we need a large van that fits at least 12 people.

Based on past experience I try not to go through the cruise company as it takes longer. We had used a private company when we took our Mediterranean cruise last year and arrived over an hour before other people on our flight who took the cruise transfer.

Hmmm. I dispute this since our bar bill at the end of trip (with 2 bottles taken on every cruise) is usually high anyways (and we have concierge access too). It's not about being cheap - it more of a convenience factor. We just enjoy a few drinks on the balcony or while getting ready for dinner.

 

So please refrain from making judgements, we will all be better off enjoying our vacations as we each please.

I've never smuggled alcohol on board a cruise but I'm not opposed to it. I view it like this. Back when I was in university, we all did a little pre-drinking before going out. That didn't stop me from ranking up huge bar bills when I did go out. It's about convenience, not being cheap.