TWELVEOHONE

Airport in Ft Lauderdale is about 10 to 15 minutes from pier.

The only problem which I have experienced that happens rarely but does happen is the ship clearing immigrations and/or customs.

Ship is scheduled for 6:00am arrival but usually does not clear customs/immigrations until 7:45 or 8:00.

Based on a normal schedule should be at airport by 9:00am

I can not find it now but on facebook they said it will not be introduced to any other ships in the fleet. I'll try and find it and post it here.

Not 100% correct.

They are starting with the Quantun class and Oasis class as they are already equiped for the upgrade. The other ships in the fleet will modified for the suite upgrades over time

Is RCCL offering any OBC if you book now. I didn't see any from them but did see several for $100 if you book through one of the online cruise websites.

Store front travel agents that I spoke to are also giving $100.00 OBC from Cruise line.

Any OBC given by other than Royal Caribbean is refundable in cash. After all when someone purchases OBC and it is not used RCI cannot keep the money it goes back to the OBC holder. It is a gift to the passenger.

It is simply a marketing tool and JMO not worth much.

 

I remember they tested the experiences 1st in the German market and they had the roll out.

 

UK solo cruisers for a few years had great solo rates unmatched anywhere in Europe.

 

Do we honestly believe that those who enjoy daily free drinks on Royal and Elite are going to rush to MSC?? Cynic that I am, no.

 

Annie

I agree and disagree.

I definitly would not rush to MSC for the rewards. Like you said, Royal, Celebrity, and Princess are giving us much more.

But I am already going on MSC and can use the discounts that I would not have had so it not worthless to me

I spoke to my Travel Agent who called her contact at MSC.

The conversion is simple, if you are a Diamond or an Elite on Celebrity or Princess etc you get a Black card on MSC. This is only an example I do not know all cruise line reward categories.

BUT, I was also told something we must be aware of. There is an expiration date on this upgraded card, 3-years. If you do not take another MSC cruise in 3 years you go back to zero. Of course they are still hammering some of this out.

The theory behing that in the U.S. many cruisers do not know of MSC so they are hoping this will get them try them.

My gut tells me that the expiration date will go away but the date to apply will not.

Under EU laws are they actually allowed to offer it within one EU country and not others. I thought we all had a 'common market'.

 

Julie

n a previous post it siaid U.S. and Brazil only.

Neither one is a EU country (Ithink)

The original OP is wrong in many places.

1) A ship does NOT need 95% occupancy to make money. Many years ago a VP stated that all they need is 50% of the cabins paid for and give away the other 50% and they will make money. It the spending on the ship where the money is made i.e gambling, shore excursions, bingo, shops, etc., etc., The first 50% pays for overhead.

2) A few years ago RCCL stopped all discounting and had something called breakthru rtaes. Early booker always got the lowest price if price went down after booking your price went down but if price went up you were safe if booked and deposited early.

3) Also statically those that paid the lowest spend the least on board.

Not only are they charging for some of the classes, use to be free, they now added a 18% tip. Even on land the fitness instructor does not get a tip.

I don't like waiting in line for customs and one time had a panic attack doing so. I also don't like waking up at 5:30 either to do the walk off the plank. Is there any tips on getting though the line faster? Does getting a porter help or waiting to last call to get off help at all?

Express, luggage valet etc. It dosen't matter all have to go through customes and immigrations.

I did find the fatest way to get through customs was using a porter, don't know why but they usally have a special line for them and you zip through.

Just came back (2-weeks ago) from the Quantum.

First the internet is extremely fast, in fact faster then at home or work. RCCL has a new internet technology system using a dedicated sattilite. They offerened several packages, a daily rate and weekly rate. Packages are unlimitted usage and offer multiple devices. My daughter purchased the week with 2 devices, (laptop computer and IPhone). Cost is $150.00 less any discounts you have. As I remember (not sure) one device is $100.00. It was well worth it, we called home using "facetime" on the IPhone as well as email on the laptop. Unlimited usage and speed was a god sent

They are suppose to put this on all their ships, don't know when it will be completed

Not sure but it depends on which island you are going to.

U.S. Law says if taking a cruise from a U.S. Port and returning by the save ship to the same port a passport not needed.

ID required gov issuers ID with birth certificate.

With that said some islands require a passport.

I have seen this problem with other ships and they will not let you board without proper ID. Cruise line get big trouble and big fine if violated the rules

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We are on the Breakaway. Just found out, the $150 ship board credit can not be used towards gratuities! When I called down to the front desk, they said ship board credit could not go towards gratuities ! They can not show me this in writing. I will never sail this line again! It's a shame because the Breakaway was a very nice ship!

 

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I understand your complaint every other cruise line deducts the onboard credit from your bill which includes gratuities.

In fact on some cruise lines if the OBC was given to you by your travel agent and not completely used, the balance will be credited back to your credit card or can be taken as cash i.e returned to you.

In my opinion Royal Caribbean has it all over NCL.

I found the food on NCL to be very low quality.

I am seeing more discounts. Almost every day my agent is sending me MSC cruise specials.

The last one was book by July 30 sail by Dec 31.

Check with your Travel Agent

The last cruise I had with Celebrity the food was very good much better than some other ships I have sailed.

But what really stood out was the service not only with the crew but the officers.

Bit off track, but do we know when Quantum's summer 2015 itineraries will be released? Thanks :).

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but rumors have it that Bermuda is holding it up.

I was at the inaugural of the Bayonne terminal and the first ship to sail out, Nordic Empress renamed to Empress of the Seas.

At that get together we were given an artist conception of what RCCL had planned for the pier. It looked nothing like the current plan. Original plan was for stores, hotel/motel, and all kind of things.

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One of the major issues was dredging the bay at the terminal. This would have moved the ship right up to the current temporary terminal. It was held up for years by environment groups.

I don't know who told you that but unless I'm wrong (anyone feel free to correct me) there is no way you will be boarding on deck 9. Most ships board on deck one or there about.

Deck 1 is the crew deck although on occasions used for passengers (mostly physically challenged) boarding is usually done on deck 4 or 5.

For me this is welcoming news. They've picked up on the successful NCL model which I enjoy. It's just like at a nice resort with multiple choices and you get a much varied choice of dishes. Also they tend to be smaller venues so not the loud bustle and mad rush of a main dining room at seating time.

 

I've just booked a mini cruise on Anthem to see how it compares.

I am sorry "Single Cruiser" but NCL model is NOT successful. Maybe that is why J.D. Power rated them below standard

You need to call your travel agent and see if you are pre-approved to book the dynamic dining option. We were told by ours that we were and we are already booked for every night and my first choice of time was not available now. Hope this helps you.

This sound weird, as there is no MDR anymore but 5 of them.

How can TA or RCI switch to give you the same res unless you specify which dining room and which day

Questions and answers from RCCL

Question: Will menu change daily in the complimentary dining?

Answer: Each restaurant has its own distinctive menu and ambiance that remains consistent throughout the sailing. However, guests can certainly experience different selections off the menu each night.

Question: On cruise critic menu's were posted and comments were they are limited. When 2 or 3 couble travel together their is problem when everyone has different taste. Will their be alternate items like, chicken, steak, fish each day???j

Answer: Yes, standard staple menu items will be available throughout the various restaurants.

Question: How does Dynamic Dining effect groups who would like to dine together every night?

Answer: We are happy to accommodate large groups. The largest group we can accommodate in one restaurant is approximately 434 guests.

Someone said this gives us more options, not true. Before you had the option of “MyTime” or traditional now it’s only “MyTime”.

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I tried NCL Freestyle and did not like it. Service was the worse of any cruise I had ever had.

When I mentioned it another cruiser they said it’s because of freestyle. No incentive to give good service since they do not get rated. You usually do not have the same waiter or table so it’s an overall evaluation. BTW, they e-mail you an evaluation survey which the majority ignores.

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Currently under RCCL waiters switch from “MyTime” to traditional each sailing so they do get rated sooner or later.

Received this link from my travel agent.

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http://www.royalcaribbean.com/quantumoftheseas/dining/restaurants/?ecid=em_4663697&rid=569653512&emsc=&empf=&emct=DIAMOND%20PLUS&lnkid=QUANTUM_LEARNMORE

2 days

Leaving this Monday 12/12/11 on Celebrity 12-night from port Liberty

I am sorry but I have never heard of this cruise lines.

I know of the Norwegian Coastal Cruise Line changed its name to something like this but not exactly the same