Sarah@Sea

Does anyone know if lunch in Chopes on embarkment day is included as part of the Ultimate Dining Package? States lunch on sea days are included, but I'll be on a 3-day cruise with no sea days.

DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY!!!!!! The tour was a disaster and we cancelled it before it even began. There is at least a half mile walk to the jeeps. When you have people in your group that can't walk fast, that is significant. I communicated with the company for a few weeks before the tour about our wants and needs. When we first arrived at the jeeps, the tour guides started to tell us what the tour was going to be. I thought based on all the e-mail traffic the guides would be prepared. It was as if I never spoke to the company. We found out we had to drive a couple of weeks out. Upon re-reading the website, there is a tiny blurb about the company will drive if we don't want to. There is no mention that you HAVE to drive out of the city, nor is there mention the jeeps are manual transmission. When we arrived after the half mile walk, there were three jeeps, two tour guides, and two drivers. The tour guides tried to pack five of us into a jeep, that wasn't going to happen. That left us with no ability to leave the city because the company couldn't drive in the city (some kind of taxi law) and we only had two drivers. When my brother spoke to the "supervisor" he was asked if we reserved an automatic transmission. We didn't know we needed to because there is no mention of that on the website. All in all, we wasted one hour of our day because it took a while to walk to the jeeps and then hassle around because of the driving situation. The jeeps themselves were not in good condition either. I was going to drive one jeep and the seat belt didn't work. Needless to say, not a good experience. We ended up getting a taxi that took us to all the places for much cheaper than the company. He was a great tour guide, stayed with us all day. Be weary when you book with this company.

Which company?

As I said rent from a reputable company. They have Hertz, Enterprise but we used Isis ( I know the name leaves much to be desired) . The lady who owns it is easy to work with and advised us to call her if there was a situation the police had to get involved with and she would be able to help. I do know they disable the 4 wheel drive on the Jeep's and insurance won't cover if you get it stuck trying to go Jeeping. Your plan of renting a Jeep to do beaches and bars should be fine. FYI most are stick shifts

Does Isis offer pick-up/drop-off at the pier? I don't see Jeeps on her website but see VW convertible which might be even nicer.

Here is the description of my issues prior to the cruise.

 

http://seanstravelblog.com/2015/04/07/a-tropical-breeze-to-clear-my-head/

 

Here is a synopsis of the first day of my vacation in which I flew down to Ft. Lauderdale.

 

http://seanstravelblog.com/2015/04/08/a-tropical-breeze-to-clear-my-mind-pre-cruise/

 

Enjoy!

Had exact same issue with the shower at that Hilton! :mad:

Along the same line:

 

I booked dynamic dining reservations last May for our upcoming maiden voyage on quantum. I recently checked on the bookings as advised by my CC friends and sure enough, several times had been changed by RCI causing some clashes. I called RCI and had to cancel one reservation. I advised the rep that the original credit card that these were booked on no longer exists as the number had recently changed due to expiration of the orginal card and new number being issued. She took the new number and "would put in the request to do this." I took this as it was going to be done. Well, two days later we were studying the reservations further and another restaurant booking was too close to an evening event and we thought it best to cancel another reservation. I called again and was told that it was absolutely impossible to apply a refund to anything but the original credit card. I explained to a supervisor by this point that the card number didn't exist. The supervisor, Daniel, told me that I "merely" had to go into the issuing bank of the credit card and request the monies that were refunded!?? Really?? All I was asking was to apply a refund to a different card number, in the same name as the original credit card. I also told him that I had called just two days prior and the agent was able to do this. He advised me that no, she couldn't do that and in fact she had ONLY REQUESTED from the finance department to do this and these requests are always denied. I explained that this process is ridiculous as many people have credit cards that change numbers due to loss, theft or expiry. Daniel stated he has to deal with several calls a day with this same issue. WHAT A WASTE OF A SUPERVISOR'S TIME. Angry does not begin to describe my thoughts and feelings.

 

I decided that I am going to cancel the reservations on board where upon, according to RCI'S reliable website, that we will get an onboard credit for the value of the cancellations. I was hoping to cancel these bookings beforehand in order that the times become open for someone else to find useful. Furthermore, I am now going to have to stand in line on board wasting valuable holiday time in order to cancel them.

 

I really was trying to buy into dynamic dining and begrudgingly arranging my happy go lucky holiday into an adult day care with times set for everything. I have been loyal to RCI for a very long time...next cruise #68, mostly with them...and I really do like RCI and they must be commended for trying to innovate, but asking people to schedule their whole Quantum experience is not what not what I really want from a holiday. But I will try as you never know.

 

HOWEVER, the process MUST be dynamic for both Royal Caribbean the company, AND the passenger.

 

Respectfully submitted.

Glad I'm not the only one who's dealt with their messed up credit card refunds. At least your complaint will have a bit more weight given you have a current booking with them. I really enjoyed my first 2 cruises with RCCL, got me hooked on cruising, but the Freedom experience where getting an extra pillow or extra bath towel seemed like a major request...ones that were never met, well for me it seems like they have $ for flowriders and not extra linens?

To me it´s Logical to refund to the Card final payment was made through. If they had contacted someone I think they likely should have contacted the TA and have them sort it. However I disagree about they Need to contact the lead passenger on the booking or the cancelled passenger. As in your case the lead passenger and/or cancelled passenger very well might have not paid a penny on the cruise, so I think the Money always Needs to go back to who paid. Yes I know you made a minor payment, but it´s not RCI´s Job to sort this out. Not sure what C&A Membership has to do with it at all.

 

Anyway I understand you are not happy and came to the conclusion you will be much happier on other lines, so I wish you all the best with whatever line you Chose for the future.

My payment wasn't minor my payment covered my portion including tips but for $25 with the $100 future cruise...it was a very good rate. And really since when does the passenger who is lead and made the arrangements with their big box membership not pay anything??? They might or might not have...if RCCL doesn't know then ASK.

Now that is ridiculous. In this day and age where cards are compromised weekly, they have to be able to accommodate different card numbers. Especially when some cruises are booked years in advance.

 

As for the OP, the TA should have told them what card to credit. They have to be proactive when there are multiple cards on the account.

TA got an ear full, and supervisor called back to RCCL to ask again...it's was just "too late" to reverse...again though not a month out and they did not email me or my sister of the transaction???

Good point! While the bank card I used has not changed, as we made the reservation within a few months, I believe June for September...with all the breaches in the past year...Target, Chase, Home Depot I have received new cards...actually have new one waiting to be activated but I saved the change until I was done with recent travel as I didn't want any reservations to be messed up.

When you called to cancel, what card did you ask for them to credit? We cancelled a cruise with RCL earlier in the year and when we cancelled, they told us what card would be credited.

When I called the TA to cancel and they called RCCL while I was on the phone to relay the information...I wasn't asked nor did I think to ask since I was cancelling and my card was part of the purchase, and I am the big box member, etc etc etc.

That's what I was thinking as well. They just credit back the card that was charged for taxes and fees.

Not buying that rationale, not an acceptable customer service policy. Once there was two cards possible they should have contacted me as the 1. Lead passenger 2. the cancelled passenger 3. evidence I paid $200 4. C&A member to ask where the refund should be sent.

Yet another example (that I wouldn't have thought of) why we book direct with RCCL and don't get a third party TA involved. When we cancelled a cruise recently I called RCCL direct and the first question I asked was which credit card # they would be crediting. We had a refund on the correct VISA in a few days.:)

I don't see why TA vs direct should matter, if it did then why not toss it back to the TA to make the refund?

But I agree I won't use a TA again, the OBC was not worth the 25 min I spent on hold. I had booked a Carnival cruise directly to make up for missing my b-day cruise, and I got sick and cancelled it on Saturday, refund of taxes/fees in my bank account by Tuesday. I had Carnival insurance, and have to file with their carrier for the fare refund.

Ok!

 

Is your sis happy with her early Christmas presant

She had not even realized it was credited back as it hasn't been a full month so she hasn't checked her statement. I told her we can just use it towards the deposit for another cruise, but sorry it won't be RCCL...she was not pleased with having to stand and wait at the bar to get her drinks on the pool deck, I questioned about staff going around taking orders she said there were none. I was not impressed with my RCCL cruise last year on Freedom with my mom, but I thought I'd give RCCL another chance...well they've pissed me off and I wasn't even on the cruise.

:mad:

I was booked to cruise with my 2 sisters on Vision Sept 11-15. I booked the cruise, I used a future cruise booking and paid the remainder of the deposit...total $300 ...$100 future credit and $200 on my Visa bank card.

My sister made final payment on her credit card.

I was unable to go on the cruise. No insurance, that is not my complaint. I had prepaid gratuities, so I am entitled to receive the pre-paid gratuities and taxes/fees back. I never heard anything from RCCL and figured it might just take time. Well I finally decided to call the big box store travel department to inquire, and it turns out my $150 refund was put back on my sister's credit card. I asked why??? When I was the lead name on the booking and my card should be on record as one used? OR at least contact ME to ask since the card it was placed back on was not the in the name of the person who cancelled? Yes, she is my sister but that credit when back on her credit card, where it would be cash back in my bank account, who's to say she has cash on hand to give me? What if two passengers aren't sisters? What if the reason didn't go was because we had a huge fight? (not the case, I actually missed to fly to LA and be taped for a TV show) Why is RCCL putting the responsibility of getting refund on the passengers?

Just got off phone and the big box TA was told by RCCL that they just automatically refund the card that had the higher amount paid. Really??? My $200 was more than the refunded $150. They can't reverse the credit to her and issue it to me because they'd need her permission to charge her credit card...lol...really but you didn't get my permission to give her my $?

In my opinion when RCCL sees there are 2 credit cards on the account and my name wasn't on one and not the other, and I am the cancelled passenger it should refund to my card. Ok so maybe they don't see the names on cards...they still see there are TWO cards on file so take a moment to ask which one should be credited.

I have 4x now used a TA verses booking direct with cruise line, so 3x out of 12 cruises (3 cancelled) and I really see no value, it's a headache...I've been on hold now for 25 min, initially told it would be 10 minute wait. And yes I've tried personal TA once also, met on FB cruise page opted to book next with her, then she began food policing me on FB and shaming me about my weight...whoa not cool, I cancelled that booking...no way would I give her my business. Anyway... the little bit of OBC I get doesn't make up for the hassle...and to top it off RCCL didn't give my sisters the OBC that should have been on the booking.

I have not contacted the Carnival ins company to begin that process...but again initially CCL wins with the prompt return of taxes and fees.

I had to cancel two cruises in September, one on RCCL and one Carnival.

First I had a RCCL cruise booked with my sisters for my birthday, that I cancelled because I had a work opportunity come up, my sisters went without me. I did not have insurance, the rate was very low I do not mind losing the rate, however I was to get my pre-paid gratuities and taxes, port fees returned. The cruise was Sept 11-15 and I have yet to receive the refund...I wouldn't think much of it except for the experience with Carnival.

I found a great last minute rate on a Carnival cruise leaving Sept 28th, then I had a medical emergency arise on Sept 25th and it was not improved enough for me to want to risk being at sea and need care. I did have Carnival Vacation Plan Protection. I called on the 27th to cancel the cruise and my taxes and fees were already refunded to my bank account as of the 30th. WOW I have to submit a claim for the cruise fare...but it's impressive how quickly the other was refunded.

The different might be the RCCL was booked through a big box company but I had contacted them to say I would be a no show. I will contact and inquire where my refund is, esp the prepaid gratuities! I had booked directly with Carnival.

I'm on the mend, and have my eye on a cruise in early November.

Yes, I took a partial 12-pack on when I boarded in Port Everglades, then purchased a new 12-pack in Key West our first port.

When are you going? I'm considering it for excursion with me and my 2 sisters, I also thought about the $40 photo package, but then also read many people have negotiated lower price and wonder if we might be better off that way vs $120?

Royal no longer requires everyone in the stateroom to buy a drink package.

Oh my sister is going to be SO HAPPY! And tipsy! :D Thank you. I thought it would be noted somewhere in the fine print if that were the policy.

Booked on Vision of the Seas for a sisters cruise in September. There will be 3 of us in the cabin, but only one of my sisters wants to buy an alcohol package. The other 2 of us might buy soda package but do not drink a lot. I asked a friend who works for RCL if just 1 in a cabin can buy the alcohol package and she said everyone had to get it...but I am not seeing that listed anywhere on the website when I look at packages, even when I click more information and read the fine print. Where does it state this?

In my searching I did this bit of info that says no non-alcoholic beverages can be brought on board? So no longer allowed to bring own soda and water on board? http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqType=faq&faqSubjectId=336&faqSubjectName=Food+%26+Beverage&faqId=260

Sarah@Sea, this sounds like an odd request, but if you have time, or if you are ever in the casino, would you look at the slot machines in the back area around the Vault money machine..and see............Do they still have a machine called Shlotscky (sp)? it is an older machine, Russian Cossacks, lots of singing and dancing, very campy and I love it. We have sailed the freedom three times..the last time in 2012..and I have never found that slot machine on any other ship. If you see it, could you post it?

 

I am going to be booking a cruise for the Fall and if the Freedom still has that slot.....We are heading for Fort Lauderdale come the first of November.

Have a great cruise.

Sorry, cruise ended on Saturday and I actually spent little time in the Casino, $20 went way to quickly and that was it, no more even trying I have no luck at gambling and not fun when can't even win just a little to make $20 last a bit to play.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise! I'm curious what hotel you stayed at that had A/C issues. I'm excited to have someone finally provide some details about Freedom's 2.0! Thank you for doing that, Sarah. Looking forward to your photos.

I stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Dania Beach, they gave me 50% the rate due to the AC issue. It was a compressor problem where the AC would not kick back on after it had cooled. Around 7 pm the maintenance guy said he'd ask them to discount the room for me and that I could call down to the desk and ask them to 'reset' the AC which would turn it on...something they had done from somewhere not inside the room. Well at 11:30 PM when I called down to get the room cooled off before bed I was told the guy who could do it was gone already. So I had a warm night, about 74-75, thankfully it was unseasonably cool in S FL that night but still hot enough to be stuffy warm room. But then I called down in the morning before is started to get ready and they wanted to send someone up to the room, I explained the reset didn't need anyone to come to my room, but still no reset...and when I inquired as to why...as I checked out it was because I had said don't send anyone *sigh*...then the morning manager said "I'd have switched your room last night?" Well that was never given to me as an option???? Figured they were booked up and I had a handicap room, I could have survived in non...but still not offered as a solution. I was bothered that the maintenance man seemed to have been aware of the problem..as part had been ordered but wasn't due to be delivered until Monday or Tuesday (this was Saturday), so why was the room even online for occupancy?

Hi Sarah. There was a lot to do. I too was on this sailing and had a blast.

Did we have brunch together?

Let's start at the very beginning...a very good place to start. :D

I am 36, no kids, and this was my second solo cruise, 10th cruise overall, 5th cruise on Carnival. I have been on a bit of a cruise spree since last September. I have a chronic medical condition, and have had some major medical scares in the past 10 years so my attitude is live life to the fullest. My medical condition, lipedema and lymphedema, causes excess adipose tissue (aka FAT) and fluid to accumulate in my legs and arms. I solo cruise because I found the great Carnival no single supplement page and my work and school schedule is more flexible than my boyfriends. I booked the cruise in April, the day it SNOWED...in APRIL. :mad:

My previous Carnival cruises have been on Destiny and Victory, so Freedom was my first larger ship, with steakhouse and now 2.0 upgrades. I booked for the price, balcony special, itinerary, departure port. Didn't realize the 2.0 upgrades until I had decided on the cruise.

Overall thoughts-

Food

Dined in the Steakhouse on the first night. The food was delicious, the service a bit slow/awkward I got the sense one of the waitresses was new and being trained? Also when I asked which dessert she recommended she replied "I really don't like any of the desserts". Um ok.

I ate Guy's Burgers 4x while on board, usually an afternoon snack which I took back to my cabin. I thought they were delicious, I prefer just cheese and then add my own toppings...ketchup, mustard, pickle, and onion.

My fav of the trip was the breakfast burritos at Blue Iguana, had them each morning except the Sea Days when I went to brunch. Had reg burrito one day for lunch. Highly recommend. I never saw or missed the special juice in the mornings.

Both Guy's and Blue Iguana had great service, and very QUICK...rarely a line and if there was it was only 3-4 people and moved quickly.

Cannot say the same for Mongolian Wok. I'll say more in the review. But IMO not worth the wait in line.

Other than those 3 I never ate at the buffet. I would stop by and fill my tumbler with ice.

Never made it up to Fish n' Chips, did not go to the Taste Bar.

MDR - I had Your Time Dining and enjoyed it. Food was regular menu, not American Table. I enjoyed my favorites. SeaDay Brunch I tried new items and liked them. I also made it to Tea Time and the salmon was delicious.

Room Service - only disappointment, but nothing major. Ordered a Reuben late one night and it was pretty skimpy. Ordered bagel and pastries for breakfast the 2nd day at sea, and they forgot the cream cheese and butter...I called and someone brought them right up, but the bagel was very hard. Just blah, not worth waking up early to have, but wanted something light since planned on brunch a bit later.

Entertainment

Typically my boyfriend and I would relax in the whirlpools after dinner so never watched many shows. This cruise I attended a couple shows in the theater, Love and Marriage, and frequented the Piano Bar and Red Frog Pub. I also participated in a couple trivia, competitions, cooking demo. Best entertainment I've ever enjoyed on a cruise, to the casinos detriment. :D I did not watch the comedians, just was either already enjoying the piano bar or headed to bed at 11:45.

Ports

Loved all three Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel. I booked excursions through Carnival for Grand Cayman and Cozumel. I booked one of the trolley tours on my own for KW, wondering now if I should have compared the price to Carnival and did the guarantee, ah well.

Bars/Lounges

I am not a drinker, I do drink, just rarely like on vacation. This cruise I had at least a drink a day, often a couple. In the Piano Bar, Victoriana (theater), Red Frog, or just the lobby before dinner. Bar service was always quick, drinks tasty. Oh yes tried Alchemy one night, liked the drink, just never got back there for more or for a martini tasting...wish I had. Red Frog didn't appear to have food items other than the plantains and peas, didn't see food menu on tables, meant to ask if they would be getting food items eventually but forgot.

Overall Service

Excellent, known by name, friendly. LOL despite my previous post about waiting in line I GS I found myself doing so 2x...both times the line moved quickly. First was to ask about cabin change, 2nd was to increase food service tips since I didn't have same servers each night to tip additional at the end of the cruise.

Sorry for no post from Key West I was enjoying the day so much! I am in Miami until Wednesday so I won't have the Fun Times scanned until I get back home. I have pictures, but what is the best way to post them in a thread? I've never done a full review here, so please be patient. I had a wonderful cruise, really felt like I missed out on some activities because there was so much to do, like I didn't get to Tea Time on the 2nd day at sea because I enjoying the pool so much or having to decide which entertainment to watch in the evening. The live musicians were GREAT.

Definitely ask. Their rates should NEVER be higher than RC's. Be sure that you are comparing apples to apples - both should be bottom-line prices, including all taxes/fees. What about gratuities? Did your TA add those into your price?

It's online big box store TA so I checked same sailing for 3 people and their min rate for the room type wasn't what RCCL showed...RCL has special for 3 and 4 person but the TA rate wasn't so much higher as to not have that special but still overall like $100 more. It was just rough search...but I had included my loyalty number when searching.

When you purchased the NCC on board, they automatically assigned it to the travel agent whom you used to book THAT cruise.

 

If you didn't want it assigned to them, you had to tell the LA that when you purchased the NCC.

 

ETA: You can contact the TA and ask them to transfer the NCC back to you.

Thanks...I guess it also wouldn't hurt to ask them why their rates aren't the same special as on RCL? Or save for another time.