luvintravel

7 hours ago, bonsai3s said:

The RCCL shuttle from FCO to Civitavecchia will typically wait for other flights/passengers before it leaves...the shuttle departure can vary. If there are 2 shuttles the morning of your arrival...you'll likely get on the first one. It takes about an hour from FCO to Civ...you can board when ss soon as you arrive.

 

B2B...if you are staying in the same cabin...you won't have to do anything...all your belongings stay in the cabin.  If you are switching cabins,  you'll have to pack all your small items (you can leave clothes hanging)...everything will be moved for you by your cabin steward.

 

Let Guest Services know your plans for Barcelona. They will give you your new seapass card and "In-Transit card the night before or morning of disembarkation. Simply show your new seapass card and in-transit card when you get back...you'll bypass all lines...except for the security line.

 

* We do mostly DIY, and have taken the subway to Sagrada Familia...from the ship, take a shuttle (€3return) to the Columbus statue...there's a subway station near the Columbus statue. From the Columbus statue, you will also be walking distance to Las Ramblas. Happy sailing.

Thank you!

7 hours ago, Biker19 said:

You can't board any earlier than when boarding starts, which it might by the time you arrive - the pass should get you into special line at check in, with suites typically. The check in time you pick/get at 45 days out when you check in for the cruise won't make a diff if you have that pass.

Thank you! 

We arrive in Rome at 0700 on 10/26, the day Symphony leaves for Barcelona. We bought the VIP Pass hoping this would get us onboard early or does it depend on what time we get the boarding time? We will be picked up at the airport by RCCL. Another question. We are doing the B2B. When we get to Barcelona, can we leave our luggage onboard ship and take a tour or must we keep our luggage until boarding time? We would like to go to the Sagrada Familia.  Appreciate help with this.  

11 hours ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

Did you enjoy it? Already have been to Capri in the past.This looked like the best option for a ship sponsored excursion. 

If you have the money, do it. We did it years ago, however, it wasn't a small group so we didn't go to Positano. I guess the larger van couldn't go into the town. The visit to Pompeii was really interesting.

2 hours ago, Dewaldcruiser said:

Since this is debarkation/embarkation day, the only RCI tours end up at the airport.  Independent tours are also a bit problematic since there are no transportation options that pick-up from the ship.  One tour company recommends renting a car and meeting the tour at El Yunque.  Not enough people doing a B2B to make it feasible for tour companies.

My last suggestion. They don't pick up at the ship but I believe they will pick you up at the hotel that is across the street (if you dock at the port in Old San Juan). The tour companies will give you the list of hotels where they pick up on the website when you make the reservation and there is no extra charge for the pick up. Just trying to help if you want to see the only rainforest in the US. Do not take the tour "Casual One at El Yunque". It goes to the base of the rainforest but not the rainforest itself. We had a  nice day but it wasn't El Yunque.

45 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

The key date is when final pay is due, not when one pays it.

If I elect to pay before the final payment date for my own convenience, I can still qualify for a price drop (same as if I had not yet made final payment).  Such a price drop would be refunded to my credit card.

Not how it was explained to me by agent onboard the Oasis. But I'll take it.

On 3/31/2023 at 7:42 PM, time4u2go said:

Self-insuring.

We always get the RCCL insurance (Allianze). This year we added EA+ which would take care of assisting us if something serious were to happen. Help with doctors (interacting with them on our behalf) and flying us home if necessary. Hope we'll never need them but a relief to have this support.

We were on Symphony in September. We went to the DL for our before dinner drink. Like getting to know the concierge. Used other bars after dinner. The breakfast was in one of the private restaurants. Next to where the suite passengers eat. Can't remember the name. Few people used it. 

They will give you the new price as long as you haven't made final payment. That's why I don't pay till final payment is due. I keep checking for a better price. They have always honored that policy. It used to be (years ago) that they would give you a reduced price if you saw it somewhere else. Now only when they reduce the price.

Does the ship not offer a tour? If they do, I'd go with them even if a little bit more expensive. If not, I would recommend you get a small group together and take a private tour. I know there is a company that offers this option. I was recently in Puerto Rico and did research on the various tours available to El Yunque. Not sure I can give the website to look at here but it is well known and very helpful. 

Our dining experience in the main dining room on Symphony of the Seas in September was the worst. Food was mediocre and service was horrible. After three attempts, we stopped going and chose to dine elsewhere. Fortunately there are other options. The nights we were there many tables were empty. Perhaps they were shorthanded. Yet we will give it another try! B2B Rome to Barcelona and TA.

On 4/20/2023 at 7:33 AM, Biker19 said:

That's exactly what they do - just ask the cabin attendant.

Yes. We were on Symphony in September and the cabin attendant took care of it. 

On 11/10/2022 at 7:17 PM, drakes2 said:

Its just too busy.

RCCL does it. We were on Symphony of the Seas (6000+ passengers) in September and they managed it.

42 minutes ago, travelplus said:

So does it make sense to eat  a big lunch and then rely on Appetizers and Drinks in the Lounge during happy hour? Me thinks to use the 3 drinks for the show!  Is there a time limit between drink orders? Can I order a Cognac and Whiskey in one order and then about 1 hr later use my last for a Campari?

 

 

I wouldn't eat a big lunch and skip dinner. I go for the drink and don't eat appetizers (we have early dining). If you have late dining a few appetizers shouldn't spoil your dinner. I believe the captain sets the rules on each ship so they aren't the same. Last cruise we went to the theater bar and got our drink there. I've never heard of a time limit between drinks. On a previous cruise with family, I ordered my 3 drinks at one time and gave it to them. (I would never take drinks out of the DL to give to people traveling with us, but don't see anything wrong with giving the family my 3 drinks.)  

14 hours ago, PIR8LUVR said:

 

Late in our cruise last summer I asked our waiter in the MDR and he said we could.

I was told someone on each ship decides (not sure if it's the captain or person in charge of the dining room) whether they will allow it. We've been on ships that didn't allow it so we took our wine glass from the DL.

14 hours ago, ROWSE said:

This will be our first time being Diamond, and we will be cruising in September.  

What are people's favorite ways to have a cocktail type drink with those liquors offered. 

I love frozen drinks, but I know those are not part of this deal.  But what kind of 

drinks would be more what I call a "foo foo" drink that fits in with the menu.

I do like wine and that will be my go to, but just wondered what kind of things people are ordering? 

 

 

Our go to drink is white wine, but I've taken the opportunity to try martinis which I don't usually drink. If they'll prepare a margarita, I'll get one but not all DL's do. I find they are more flexible on transatlantic cruises. 

One of my biggest pleasures on a cruise is going to the D Lounge and getting my cappuccino and continental breakfast. Don't have breakfast anywhere else. It's usually very peaceful. Rarely use the 3 drinks on the card since we get our drinks in the lounge before dinner. We might carry one to the dining room to have with dinner.

I just registered and signed up for the M&M. When I did my check in yesterday, I was surprised by the new system. Much easier check in form and we choose our boarding time. On a previous cruise we were assigned boarding time. The first available was 4:00. You also can see scheduled activities and the time. Boarding pass is similar to that of the airlines, no counter check in. Supposedly you zip right in, your door key will be in your cabin. They suggest you download the app and don't even need a printed boarding pass, just like the airlines. Looking forward to the cruise. Our last cruise was a transatlantic a year ago. See you at the M&M.

Do you have any fond memories of concierges that have enhanced your cruising experience? Many on this thread do and have formed relationships with their favorites.

 

Cruise Critic is simply a forum for entertainment and sharing information. Sherri does an excellent job keeping this thread up. I find it very interesting to see which concierge we may be cruising with on our next adventure.

 

Thank you to Sherri for taking the time to keep this thread updated. :)

No criticism was intended of Sherri or those who keep up with the changes. I just wondered if there was something I was missing or not understanding. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Actually, there are a couple of them that would tip the decision if I was trying to decide between two cruises. Especially if it’s been a long time since I’ve seen them. Let me ask a question in reverse. If you knew that a friend of yours was on a particular cruise would that influence your decision? You might not believe that an employee could be considered a “friend” but there is one I’m thinking of right now that we’ve spent over 100 nights with and haven’t seen him for a few years.

 

 

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Thank you for your thoughtful response. I'm afraid my response will disappoint you. No, I would not go on a trip just because a friend is on it. The itinerary is more important in my decision making. We've had some very good concierges and some ok concierges. I don't remember any of their names. I remember a handful of them, but not their names. However, I've never been on a ship longer than 16 days. Maybe that makes the difference.

I'm curious. What does it matter who is the concierge? Would you go on a cruise just because of who the concierge is? If not, why is it important to know who is where? Just curious.

I always tell them to use one of the vouchers so that they don't give me a drink that's not included with the vouchers.

I usually ask for the flyer they have listing the drinks you can order. Wine, rum & coke are two I remember. As someone mentioned, basic drinks.

Hello we are looking to cruise out of San Juan we will arrive early at the airport and sail out later Could anyone please tell me are transfers offered for our luggage? My husband has spine issues and really cant lift a lot so getting luggage to and from the airport to the cruise port would be a problem. I am trying to find out is such a service is in place or do we have to take our luggage around with us all day till we depart?

Thank you

When we cruised on Adventure OTS in November, RCCL offered free transfers to and from the airport. There are porters at the airport that can help you with your luggage. On your return a porter can help with the bags from the cruise terminal to the trucks that take the bags to the airport. The distance from both terminals to the trucks that take the luggage is a few yards, but porters are available and they can use the tips since PR is still suffering from aftermath of Hurricane Maria. When we cruised, RCCL sent an email giving us a time to board and it was done by deck. If you are Diamond or higher, I think you could get on as early as 1100. We were with family and boarded at the time they were given.

10 degrees in Pittsburgh.....burrrrrrr!!!!

We said HOS 4/21. I was told that I can call to inquire on sales up till I make final payments. Has anyone ever called and surprisingly was told that the sale price was better and RC adjusted their price?

 

Happy sailing.

Yup, yesterday. Wasn't told sale price was better, was told, "let's see what I can do to save you some money." Saved $344. I've done it in the past also. In November, we had made final payment, but they upgraded us to a junior suite from a balcony.

Im supposed to go on a cruise in the beginning of December. When I did final deposit they had substituted st Martin and Puerto Rico for other islands. Now RCL is saying they will be the first to go back to these ports. I think its horrible, that they would vavaction were so many people are suffering. RCL should be giving money and time for these people to heal. I feel its not cool to be vacationing while people are living without food, power and clean water.

Please call RCL cooperate and tell them this is wrong 305-539-6455.

I understand why you would think that, but as others have stated, the island needs the money tourists will bring. You may not be aware but RCCL did a lot of humanitarian assistance to the island soon after the hurricane passed. They took family of employees to Florida and provided food and water to the islands (St. Thomas as well). Adventure of the Seas has started its cruises out of San Juan (that is their home port). We are cruising on Adventure on Nov 25 and my family in Puerto Rico will be joining us. It was a struggle to convince my 92 year old mom to go, but after a month without power and a struggle to cook meals on a camping stove, her resistance weakened. I for one, am very happy RCCL is cruising again from PR.