sargemrs

Thanks all for the good tips!  I did have to do 2 one ways to get a decent fare and schedule.  We paid final payment so guess we're going for sure!  Time to get excited now!!!  I read that POA is having a spruce up in June and we're going the end of August so hopefully it is freshened up!

Thanks again!

Panhandle Couple,

We're daily looking for a good rate but it's not getting cheaper I know!!  Found some at Hawaiian for $1,200 so that may be the best. Thanks for replying!!

Slightly off topic but thought someone might have a few good tips for us.  We're booked on Pride of America in August.  I've been looking for decent plane fares for a month.  We can't do the Frontier/Spirit/Jet Blue route, they're too uncomfortable for us oldsters!  I've checked all the usual websites, Expedia, Booking.com, Kayak, Orbitz, etc. to no avail.  We could go Southwest but they don't have a flight late enough to ensure we get to airport in time.  May have to do 2 one ways, but though you experienced travelers might have a hint for us.  TIA

On 7/21/2023 at 4:20 PM, BirdTravels said:

First and foremost, don’t believe everything you read on the internet. It is a lot of complaining,,, by people who have never sailed on the POA. 

 

The POA is the absolute best way to see Hawaii. And you save the time and expense of having to sail from the west coast on other lines. 
 

You are in port every day. You have two overnight port calls that enable you to maximize the Hawaii experience, if you choose. A luau at night, sunrise from the top of a volcano and a bike ride down, if you choose. 

 

Have they changed the itinerary,,, sure have. And a lot of people who have never been on the POA and never will be on the POA slam NCL for something irrelevant to them. Whatever. Just Fake News. 
 

Have they had a hard time getting US crew members after the pandemic. Sure have,,, to the point of having to reduce passenger load and reduce service for a while. But the goal was to provide a service, even if slightly diminished. But if you look at the US travel industry in general, that is true. We stay at upper-middle class hotels 3-4 times a month… and there is insufficient staff to clean the rooms and serve the food. 
 

Things are getting better. POA is your floating hotel. Use her. Enjoy her. It is the only way the cruise Hawaii!  

 

Attached is a post from last week asking a question a couple of weeks ago. 

 

Bird Travels,  wondering if you have current info on the Pride of America?  We sailed on her several years ago, (before her refurb) and wondering how she's faring now.  Our group is sailing in August and hopeful that it's really redone well.

The concierges on the Allure are MJ Manesh and Nadja.  They were wonderful to work with and so helpful for the few things we needed.  Disembarkation was a BREEZE!

1 hour ago, CruisinNole said:

I just got mine -- 5 days out.

We all did too!  I tried to fill out the show/restaurant form and it wouldn’t take it (probably user error) so I wrote back directly with our restaurant wishes, for our group of 18.  It’s getting real, now!! 

1 hour ago, slyster said:

You got it.  I read somewhere it’s usually 5-6 days before.  

Yes, that's what I've read!  Today is 7 days out!  Waiting is not fun!

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Again, you are 100% correct to be monitoring the weather. And I disagree with those who insist that it has to be a full blown hurricane before you worry about it. While, maybe not a named hurricane, each of the "Xs", "Os" and swirls represents a storm with strong winds, heavy rains, rough seas for [hundreds of] miles around. 

 

I and several of our group watching the forecast!!

22 hours ago, slyster said:

We are on the same sailing!  We are staying in a Crown Loft Suite.  Our first suite on an Oasis class ship.  We also have a 3 night dining package and plan on asking the concierge for help with reservations.  The formal nights on our cruise are nights 2 and 6.  

 

I’m looking forward to the email too!  I’ll keep an eye on the spam folder if we don’t get anything by Tuesday.  See you on board!

22 hours ago, slyster said:

We are on the same sailing!  We are staying in a Crown Loft Suite.  Our first suite on an Oasis class ship.  We also have a 3 night dining package and plan on asking the concierge for help with reservations.  The formal nights on our cruise are nights 2 and 6.  

 

I’m looking forward to the email too!  I’ll keep an eye on the spam folder if we don’t get anything by Tuesday.  See you on board!

Yes, I'm checking my junk mail also.  Give a shout when you get yours.  Hopefully we get all ours the same day!!

54 minutes ago, LobsterStalker said:

I understand being concerned , but funny to me that you seem so convinced 9 days out that your cruise plans will have to change ....

 

Cheers.... and relax , worry when you need to

I'm not convinced, just asking the options I might have and the cruise line, if the worst happens.  I'm really convinced NOTHING will happen but a wonderful cruise!  Thanks for encouragement.

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Royal very rarely will cancel a cruise. Most cruises will operate rain/hurricane or shine. Your itinerary will be changed to avoid the storms. Usually, you will be notified a day or two before departure if there are any changes in plans, so make sure that your contact information is correct in your reservation. 

 

Pre-pandemic, we had a cruise from Bayonne to Bermuda diverted north to Halifax in the fall due to a hurricane. We got the notification just hours before leaving home, but had a chance to repack. There were those who didn't read their email or had fake information in their profiles, who showed up in Bayonne in shorts and t-shirts only to find out that they needed coats and rain gear.

 

BTW: It is good that you are looking at the nhc.noaa.gov site. Each of those "X" represent a low pressure disturbance. Contrary to other posts, while not a hurricane or tropical storm (yet), they represent areas where there may be rain, wind (along a front), and rough seas.

Thanks for your detailed answer!  I will be watching at the noaa site!!!

53 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Not sure where you are seeing 3? 

 

National Weather service shows 4 but two are too far out to forecast direction at this point. The one forecast to form in the gulf has 30% chance at this point of becoming a tropical depression or storm, but it looks like it iis more likely to be rough for the sailing before if it moves  at the current forecast rate. 
 

 

Not sure where the rest of your group are coming from but you must realize this is a very real problem at this time of the year and they might want to consider insurance BEFORE there is a named storm in the gulf if they have any travel plans that maybe disrupted.

 

The current systems don’t look like they will affect you at the moment but all bets are off for while you are away, or conditions while returning, just too early to tell. If you live in Texas and don’t already, you should consider following,

 

https://spacecityweather.com

 

for hype free forecasts.

 

Very helpful!

Just now, firefly333 said:

Exactly this ... if the storm is in their path they will go around it. I've missed 1 port a few times, 2 ports missed only once. Rcl has nothing in place to give you anything, it's up to the ship. You might get 0 or you might get a small obc for missed ports. Varys by ship, no pattern.

 

From Galveston there arent ports they can substitute this late. .. you just miss them. 

Actually I'm not worried about ports missed, just missing the cruise or horrible waves!!  Some in our group get sea sick but we're bringing what we can to avoid and help with that.

2 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

No rain just clouds in Galveston on the 27th. Slight thunderstorms on the 28. Royal will make no changes for your cruise. 

You've just made my day!  From your words to God's ears!!!  Thank you!

Well, looks like my worst fears may be working on coming true!  Our cruise leaves the 27th in Galveston and there are at least 3 storms headed in that direction.  UG!  Will they change embarkation ports and cruise around storms, cancel and give cruise credits or ?  Can you give me some possible scenarios?  There are 5 cabins of us (suites) and only we have RCL insurance...... worried about the rest of family!

6 hours ago, TylerRose said:

I will sail out on Allure 8/20-27. Last night our letter came in introducing concierge. 
Schedule wise- I have not found much via laptop- but- using Ap on my cell phone everything is visible from activities, meals, themes...
Our week specifically info is as follows:
Our formal nights are Monday & Friday.
Theme wise:
Sun: Casual

Mon: Formal

Tues: Western

Weds: Seventies

Thurs: Caribbean

Fri: Formal

Sat: White
ALL of our ship booked tours have had time changes. Maya Key in particualr- a full 4 hour shift, so I expect there have been changes in all previously scheduled port times.
Have a great trip!

 

Thanks for all the details!  I’ll pass on the info to the others in our group!

6 hours ago, loman said:

For me they used my old work email that i updated in my profile 3 years prior .

All other correspondence from RC was on the updated email address .

Somehow the concierge had this old email address , so i didnt get the email from them.

I phoned RC and straightened it out and had them make my reservations by phone.

 

If you dont get an email in the week prior to your sail date , give them a call .

Definitely will do that!

6 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

As long as you know that “formal night” is very informal. 

For all of us it’s pretty formal! Not tuxes but suits and long, beautiful dresses for pictures!  We do that every cruise, and enjoy it!

14 minutes ago, LilBlackDress said:

Depends on the itinerary... Typically Night 2 and Night 5 or 6

But some itineraries have been 3 and 6

 

I wasn't too concerned because someone shared their latter on the same ship a few months earlier, so I knew the basics

 

What ship and itinerary? and what types of suites? 

Allure of the Seas, 3 OS and 1 GS and 1 2 bedroom GS August 27.  We’re coordinating our 3 nights Specialty Dining on the formal nights plus 1.

1 minute ago, LilBlackDress said:

Check your spam folder too! 
My first suite we never saw the email because it went to spam 😕 
 

That’s a bummer!  Do you know what nights would be formal nights on a 7 day?  

10 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

E mail, about a week prior to your sail date. 

Well a few more days till Sunday, then.  Thanks!

Our group sailing the 27th, all suites.  I’m getting “antsy” for our concierge letters!  I’m assuming they’re emailed, correct?  First timers on RCL.

Look on the last page of your e-docs.

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

Yep 

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

Yep 

Okay!  Thanks again!!

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

The new ships have rfid embedded in the cards do not try to punch a hole.  Get a plastic sleeve if you want to use a lanyard. 

Thanks for that info!  I was thinking that was the case.  Ok, so any lanyard should work?