pthjudy

Seeing a 30% off Halloween sale, I decided to check the price of a shore excursion I booked several weeks ago when there was no “sale”. The price was nearly 30% HIGHER than what I paid. Do the prices vary that often pre cruise? If the price had really dropped, could I have taken advantage of the drop?

31 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

 

I check the prices very regularly in the cruise planner.  I caught the surf & stream for $11.99 for one device on October 8 for my Nov 24 Oasis sailing..just to give you a timeframe relative to sailing date.  

 

When you are onboard you can purchase a 24 hour pass, but it runs $25-$30.  The other option is to pay the prevailing per day rate for the rest of the cruise which on my last sailing was $19.99/$21.99 for surf/surf&stream.  

I have now been checking the planner a few times a day. Thanks for all the helpful responses. 

27 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

You said that texting would suit your needs too if I am remembering correctly, so another option is to just text your kids once a day.  We have Verizon and it is 50 cents to send and 5 cents to receive.  If you tell them, no lol or K texts, you make sure they know to type out a full text message, that might just be the cheapest way to go.  A few dollars of texting each day can keep you connected.  Just keep the phone in airplane mode otherwise so you don't receive calls.

I was hoping the texting hole was still alive because I could text away whenever I chose to. If that avenue is no longer available, then I’d prefer to spend a bit more and email or FaceTime. I love texting but during working/school hours I avoid. Everyone is busy ( not me though) so email seems a better method. Someone on CC said to try the texting glitch and be patient because it goes through Apple and could take a few minutes. Someone else said that for them to close it off would be costly and difficult. So just maybe they made the hole smaller and thus slower. I’m going to try. 

26 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Royal Caribbean used to sell internet by the minute but that changed a bunch of years ago.  Pinnacles get free wifi, diamond + get two 24 hour periods and diamond one 24 hour period.  Look at our itinerary and price it out.  Day 1, you can check before we sail.  We are in Port Canaveral day 3, do you really need wifi on day 2 or can you skip a day?  In Nassua, you could go find free wifi on shore somewhere.  That leaves Coco Cay and two sea days, maybe you buy a package on the ship for the rest of the sailing.  Once you connect and try to access a website, pricing will show up and you can decide.

That’s exactly my thinking. It is really for the latter half of the cruise that access to wifi is important to me. I even thought that a 24 hour period could actually serve me for 2 days. I know it’s not important to many people and some of my friends enjoy being unplugged, but I know I’ll enjoy the cruise so much more when I know what’s going on with my children and grandchildren. Thanks. 

2 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

The texting hole does not exist anymore from what I have read on multiple sites.  I am on this same sailing and got surf and stream for $11.99/day about six weeks ago, haven't seen it that cheap since.  It is $14.99/day now in the planner and it is very doubtful we will see it lower before we sail.  Last year's Black Friday/Cyber Monday sail started on the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving, so that might be your only hope, but it doesn't usually cover sailings that are very soon, worth looking though.  

This internet thing is bothering me somewhat. We’ve gotten free internet on Princess for years. When we’ve gone on other cruise lines, I’ve been able to pay per minute and since I’m using it only for emails, I could do a whole week’s worth in 10 minutes by composing and reading offline. That being said, a deal like you took or a $10 per day for just surf could be something I’d like. I never knew the prices would change but now that I do, I’ll be checking. Thank you.  

Where and how would a special be advertised? My cruise is December 1. Thanksgiving is coming up. If a deal like $10 a day is offered it’s a no brainer IMHO. I was planning to wait to see if the iPhone texting hole still exists on Anthem because that would be enough for my needs. Thanks. 

15 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

"By the day" means  24 hour period. Sign on at 10:35 a.m. today, it should run out at 10:34 a.m. tomorrow.  (i.e., not calendar days)

So to clarify, if I follow the 10:35 am day 1 to 10:34 am next day, there are actually 2 days I’d have access to my email. Since that’s my main reason to connect, I can minimize costs by purchasing a daily but every other day. I know this sounds a bit petty about watching the pennies when you just spent thousands, but to me just as trying to get the best price for the cruise, this too is a game that I enjoy. 

18 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Only if it’s the last 5 days - there is a remaining days package available up till 2 days to go. 

Is the per day price cheaper at that time? Also is there an Emerald discount?

Another question then: There are only 5 of the 7 days I would need Internet. Can I purchase the daily for the days I want it for? 

Last year when we were on Anthem,  we were able to text to people on and off the ship if iPhones were used. We are taking Anthem again and from what I’ve read this texting loophole has been closed. I just want to be able to receive and send emails once or twice a day. It seems RC only has a 24 hour plan which would be a waste for me when all I require is about 10 minutes a day. (I compose and read offline on a cruise.) I’ve emailed Royal Caribbean to ask if there is a plan to use internet by the minute, but they haven’t responded. Any suggestions?

56 minutes ago, lisa6191 said:

 Good news - she did do the price adjustment today, and it is more than I thought - $200 per cabin (her price was better than the RCI website price). So we got a $400 reduction and lost $70 OBC. I'll take it!!

Wise choice. Too many people book and then forget. You will enjoy your cruise that much more. 

50 minutes ago, lisa6191 said:

 

Thank you. Even more annoyingly, I e-mailed with her about this yesterday morning and she has yet to do the price adjustment. I am a lot like you and prefer to do my own arrangements, so this is killing my control-freak self.

From one self acknowledged control freak to another, a suggestion: Call the agency and if your TA doesn’t answer, get another agent. I have done this several times and requested immediate action since the price changes can be short lived. 

8 hours ago, lisa6191 said:

You seem knowledgeable about TA's and OBC. We have a reservation through a TA that includes 235 OBC per cabin (2 cabins). The sale going on right now will save us $180, but the TA is telling me that our OBC will then go down to 200 per cabin. I understand that the perks can change, but that seems like a lot to change for just a $90 adjustment per cabin. I will still do it because I come out ahead, but does that seem normal to you? I can't imagine she is losing that much commission on a $90 price drop (original prices $2700+).

From my experience, a TA will most probably reduce your OBC if you receive a price reduction. Interestingly, if you should pay more once booked to upgrade to a higher category, your OBC will NOT go up. (I once lost some OBC when the price for my cabin dropped, but a month later when we paid several hundred more for an upsell, the TA would not return the lost OBC). I have tried to fight this “unfair” policy with no success. I do use a TA when I book a cruise, but it is strictly for the OBC and reduced price. I don’t use the TA to advocate for me. That is MY job and if it means an extra step having to call the TA to make the call, it’s still worth the savings. On some cruises, once I book no other actions are necessary. On others, several may be. I check prices and availability and of course Cruise Critic daily. To me it’s a game and a challenge. Others find it a chore. So to answer your question, the TA will adjust the OBC or take away perks if you get a lower priced cabin. You are the final judge as to the value of the change. 

On 8/31/2019 at 2:07 PM, Mullwi said:

Hi! I have 3 interior guarantees for  Freedom 10/27. We are all diamond and diamond plus. Our set sail pass lists our deck as “reprint”, cabin as “GTY”, but we have muster stations. my adult children and I have B15 and parents have C08. I’m assuming we have tentative assignments.  Any way to tell what category may be based on muster stations? thanks!

Where did you see the muster stations?

30 minutes ago, spookwife said:

they don't show anywhere, and any OBC does not appear until Day 2 of the cruise.( but you can use it immediately) 

 

 that being said:    getting the distilled water and extension cord is a common request and even if not is not in the room at boarding  when you see your cabin steward( or leave a Note) it will be there at turndown.

 

for5 extra insurance, if you have access to   a Concierge, you can  email them about a week before and make the request as well

Thank you all. I’ll trust that there will not be a problem with CPAP supplies. 
 

6 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

Special requests won't show up on the website. 

 

OBC from the travel agent also does not show up on the website.

 

Try calling C&A if you are a member, they might read you any special requests.

Thank you. I’ll do that. 

I’ve been trying to see if there is any way to verify on the website if a special request I had my travel agent make has in fact been done. I had her request distilled water and an extension cord for my husband’s CPAP machine. Once I log into my cruise, where should that information be? Also, where would OBC be listed? I seem to be missing lots of information which should be there somewhere. 

29 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

That's not a good generalization - you can have lots of price swings inside final payment and not be limited to new bookings.

29 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

That's not a good generalization - you can have lots of price swings inside final payment and not be limited to new bookings.

I meant that a price adjustment is usually not an option once final payment has been made. Before final payment anything is up for grabs. Each promotion is different and it’s up to your particular needs and wishes as to whether to change or not. Some people would prefer a drink package while to others OBC is more welcome. My point was simply that sometimes you need to advocate for yourself and with some effort and persistence, you can do better than a TA is able to do. Last year the TA we were using failed to send us a balcony upgrade offer. When I saw through my roll call others had received the offer, I called the cruise line and spoke to a supervisor who promised to put us on a waiting list. Being sure nothing would happen, I was pleasantly surprised that a few days before leaving I did get a call there was an available balcony. A good TA does provide a service with price and perks but I work alongside too. 

19 minutes ago, marci22 said:

I'm surprised they would process a price drop without the TA. If it affected their commission, TA would probably adjust your perks; mine always have.

Often it is a move to a higher category. After final payment the price paid rarely changes. I know flash sales are for new bookings only but with a little effort and a good past passenger record, sometimes you might get something to your advantage. But it has to be with a supervisor. 

21 hours ago, LuCruise said:

I called 3 times in the past week and a half.  First time, they offered kids sale free so that saved us (our younger one is under 12).  Then last week they switched to this 30% off and it saved us more.  Then two days later, they added a 'flash sale' ontop of that that saved us a few dollars too.  I have no issue calling each time (we book with Royal directly).  However, if you are concerned that your TA might get annoyed and not respond, then sounds like you need a new TA.

 

Current deal says it ends tomorrow night.  Don't know, but I've noticed from Royal that they rarely have a new sale on Monday...but don't quote me on that.

Checking prices of any booked cruise is part of my daily routine. Since I usually use a TA, I am often in contact with mine about price drops. I have actually had a TA that I had used multiple times tell me NOT to use her again due to my frequent requests! One aside, I have been able to speak directly with the cruise line where I have had a few dozen cruises by using that status and requesting a supervisor. Although I’m told they will do it just THIS time, it’s been more than once with a successful price drop, OBC, or upgrade. So don’t take a “no” without trying to get a “yes”. I have yet to have a TA who will work as hard as I do. 

On 9/29/2019 at 9:23 AM, GEORGIEGIRL said:

We just got back from "CoCo Cay" on Monday. As stated before they have long walkways of pavers that you should have no problem travelling over. Not sure how confined you are to your scooter, but if you are able to be transferred over to another 

wheelchair, they have wheelchairs with HUGE rubber tires that could get you to the sand as well.

 

Either way, you'll have a great time.

Do you still need to tender at Coco Cay? I read they were enlarging the pier to accommodate larger ships. 

38 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

RCI app on your phone.

Thanks

We booked our Anthem cruise later than usual. I was able to book show reservations but North Star And I Fly are not available, and it says to book onboard. Might North Star (what I’m interested in) become available online once again or have I lost the window of opportunity? Where would I go to book once onboard? I have been on Anthem so do have some familiarity. 

Thank you for all the helpful responses. One more question and I can put it to rest. We’ve decided the on your own option with transportation through RC is not only the choice that is best for us but is also pretty fairly priced. If I order now, will they use any OBC we have? Also will any other costs be put on my credit card immediately or after boarding? I only ask because a few months ago we needed to cancel a Princess Cruise due to illness the day before sailing and our booked tours were never charged.  Thanks again. 

There are 2 tours offered on Anthem of the Seas to the Kennedy Space Center. Both provide transportation. One is on your own and the other is a guided tour. Oddly, the guided one is labeled mild and the independent is moderate. My thinking is that keeping up with a guide could be harder than going at our own pace to where we wish to go and as much as we are able to do.  Have any of you taken either of these tours or perhaps done a private non ship tour? Any suggestions would be very much welcomed.