S.A.M.J.R.

Sorry, I should have updated.  Talked to friend's mom.  She was going to get friend set up as authorized user either this week or next which would give friend own cc & number (on mom's account).  Which could also come in handy if she wants to buy something in port.

1 hour ago, rncruiser said:

If I recall, you will need a picture of each person you are checking in that is acceptable to the app. I believe it will need an uncluttered, preferably white, background. 

It will accept any picture.  I don't remember seeing "uncluttered, preferably white".

2 minutes ago, Billy Baltic said:

All they need to is say exactly when it opens e.g. June 11 at 12pm GMT. No confusion. 

I think you give people too much credit.  You know how many people don't understand time zones, much less GMT?  

IMO, it depends on the type of beach/sand chair.  Something that goes into it's own carrying case? 

I can see taking on board.  Something that just folds in half? 

Seems to be "too much" for me, but if someone wants to bring it?  Who cares.  They have to deal with it. 

6 hours ago, Billy Baltic said:

This comes back to the incompetence of RC IT. No credible customer facing facility would present different information, depending on the way you access it. 

They're damned if they do, and damned if they don't.  In YOUR case, check in is June 11, in Southampton.  If they post June 11 for someone in California (for example), where there's an eight hour difference, they'll get complaints that people ended up checking in late.  

This is really simple.  Do the math yourself to figure out 45 days before, then do the math to figure out the time zone you'll be in at that time.  

1 hour ago, Mom*3 said:

I think I would have her check in with her Mom’s credit card (assuming that is ok with the mom). And, have her ask the mom if she can bring a physical card with her. If the mom says Yes to the check in, but No to bringing a physical card, then I would proceed with the hope that it is not required at the terminal. 
If they insist at the terminal that a physical card is required, then I would go ahead and put my card down. It will be easy enough to track her specific spending through the on board account. If she is spending more than you are comfortable with, you could always put a stop on the account.

You didn’t mention if she is an adult or minor (not sure that it matters), but in my family we use Venmo between us and our adult (over 18) children and their friends. There have been times when my credit card was used, then one of their friends Venmo’d me directly. My daughter and her friend did this often when she studied abroad in Europe. You could have her (or her Mom) Venmo you periodically throughout the cruise, to keep on top of expenses, assuming you have an internet package.  
You are probably doing this anyway, but I would help her understand what possible expenses she will have. Does she (and your daughter) have any type of drink package (soda, refreshment or deluxe)? If not, maybe it would be easier to get something like that purchased ahead of time. 
 

It all comes down to how comfortable, familiar, you are with her and her family. We are taking our first friend, non family member, on a cruise this summer. Although, he is an adult with his own credit card. 
 

Good Luck! Hope you have a great cruise!
 

I like that idea.  We know the parents (girls used to play soccer together up until friend dropped out around 9th or 10th grade b/c constant injury), but I wouldn't call us "close".  

Trying to avoid the "we pay and we'll settle up at the end".  Doable, but not ideal.  Girls are both 18. 

I'm honored my post is "pin worthy"!  😄

A couple of other notes...

1) No problem with others going in via the app on their phone to fill in their own travel info.

2) You do need to be 21+ in order to access the check in stuff, so if any "minors" are traveling with you, you'll need to put their information in. 

12 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

How will she settle her account - cash?

I was thinking the mom's CC (entered during app checkin).  But that brings up the question of whether the physical card needs to be presented pierside.

13 minutes ago, Bruin Steve said:

But...Check-in, supposedly, opens at 12:01 am local time wherever the ship is.  Would that not be the same date whether you're on the website or the app?  Where I am should be irrelevant.  45 days would be the 11th either way...

I'm just guessing.  But the app may actually look at your phone's time/date and the website isn't.  So midnight on June 11 would still be June 10 in the US.

Thats what we're doing for DD too, not sure if friend's parents will balk or not.

45 days before the cruise departs I believe.  Is it possible the time zones are messing you up?  I'm on the east coast, and it's 9:08P on 5/30.  But in Southampton it's 2:08A on 5/31.  So midnight in Southampton on whatever 45 days before your cruise is would still be the previous day in the US.  

DD is bringing a friend with her on our cruise.  Neither has their own credit card (just debit).  DD can use my credit card obviously.  If friend "checks in" via the app using her mom's credit card, does she need to have that card with her when we actually take the cruise?  

They both have debit cards, but trying to avoid using those.  

3 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

If you try to check in at midnight and it is not available, just log out of the app and close the app completely.  Go back into the app and sign in and you should have the check in button on the bottom of the screen.

Note:  It took ~5 minutes before the check in button showed up this morning.  I kept closing the app (didn't sign out) and relaunching. 

Everyone complains about urine in pools and hot tubs, but how many people go out in the ocean with all the marine poo, urine, and who knows what else?  

Sorry, I just don't get the "ick" factor.  Honestly, I don't think about it. 

3 minutes ago, knbcruisers said:

Hi new to RCL, DD and her family reservation is linked with mine in the app...can I do the check in time for all of us,then have her upload their passport info later on?  If bookings linked can she install the app and see hers? Or do I have to give her my login?  

I had three bookings (8 people over three cabins).  I was able to select times for everyone (all I was concerned about at 1am). 

My understanding is everyone can now go in and put their own information in.  I'm waiting for another member of my party to be available (everyone is working) to confirm.  If not, no big deal for me to do so.  

I know there have been a lot of questions about using the app to select boarding/check in times.  This was the first time I've done it, and yes, it is very easy and intuitive.  BUT, if you're like me, just having someone say "it's easy" isn't enough.  I personally like pictures.  So I took screen shots of the process this morning, and am posting just in case it helps someone else.  

The check in area is in the "profile" part of the app.  When you login, click the "person" icon at the top the top of the screen.

First, check in is supposed to open at Midnight (ship's time- so the departure port) 45 days ahead of time.  For us, that was this morning.  When I first logged on (12:00A), in the space where "check in" was supposed to be, instead of showing the date you could check in, it was "Check in closed.  Please check in at the pier".  Thanks to posts here, I knew to keep trying.  Sure enough, after about 5 minutes, the button showed up to "Start Check in".  Click on it.

You get a list of everyone in your cabin and everyone in cabins you have linked. Click the arrow next to "Arrival Time"

You then get a list of available check in times.  Click the time you want, then "Submit". 

Repeat for each cruiser.  I did not see anywhere to select one time and apply to all. 

Once done, on the check in page, you should see a green check next to arrival time for each passenger.

I am a little disappointed 10:30A wasn't an option to select, but maybe I was too slow.  At the time I write this (~7 hours after I got the screen shots), 11A is no longer an option.  I know people will say "assigned time doesn't matter", but I wasn't willing to take that chance, so yes, set my alarm for 1A (local) to wake up and get checked in.  I'll go back and fill in the other information on the computer.  

Yes, it is very easy, but maybe this will help others be a little more relaxed about the process. 

33 minutes ago, Brandis said:

We're flying into Anchorage, do the pre-cruise there, then sail down to Vancouver and stay a few more days there before flying back home.

Well, so much for my idea then. 😛  

Another possible option... ship the power strip from the first hotel to the second.  This would require confirming with the 2nd hotel that they would accept packages for future guests.  

Or just plan on turning over the strip to the ship (I'd pack it in my CPAP bag and carry it on and hope for the best) and remembering to reclaim it when you disembark. 

Reach out to your pre-cruise hotel.  See if they will store your power strip until you get off the cruise.  Get off the cruise, stop by the hotel, pick up the power strip, and move on.  Even better if you're staying at the same hotel pre & post.  

6 minutes ago, Brandis said:

I do have one of those, but again, with a Swiss plug, so I still would need another adapter for that. With the power bar, I only need one of those. I prefer to travel as light as possible.

But if the cruise line won't allow the power strip, sounds like you need something else.   Not sure if they have something like this for swiss outlets (https://www.harborfreight.com/three-way-grounded-adapter-47962.html?event_id=182713&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19160190702&campaignid=19160190702&utm_content=149829359248&adsetid=149829359248&product=47962&store=3016&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3tCyBhDBARIsAEY0XNkKFp2KAg-3cBq8cAnM8ZeCha4Gh07TP41A1EP4DdtJia6dOmrIEHcaAuqSEALw_wcB), but then you'd only need a single adapter. 

3 minutes ago, broberts said:

 

The issue appears to be taking the device off the ship in each port. Why should the cruise line be responsible for informing the passenger about local port authority and municipal regulations that would affect his use of a folding bike?

 

IMO, if asked ahead of time, Royal could have said... "You can bring the bike on board, but you'll need to find out from the local port authority whether you're allowed to have the bike in port." 

** OR ** "Yes, you can bring the bike on board, but you won't be allowed to take it into port."  Remember, Royal security stopped them from taking the bike off the ship at port one.  So, assuming the rules weren't made up, they knew the policy.  

What makes me think it was made up is the excuses listed...

* Bringing in a foreign contaniment...  As mentioned, what about what's on shoes and strollers?

* Interfering with local businesses... so would self guided walking tours or snorkeling at a beach, and many others, and we don't know if there was a bike tour available. 

8 hours ago, Brandis said:

We both need a CPAP, plus 2 phones, a watch, an iPad and headphones, that makes 7 things to charge, never had a hotel with that many plugs, especially not in one place. And since we have different plugs, only one adapter is needed for the power strip. 

Why do you have to charge 7 things in one place?  CPAP needs to be by the bed.  I get that.  A phone (or two) might need to be by the bed (for an alarm).  While I can see the convenience of having other things by the bed, it's not required. 

If it's that necessary, get a multiport USB power block.  The phones, watch, iPad, and headphones can all charge off of that.  https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Charging-Station-Adapter-iPhone/dp/B0BN3PHRVZ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=AZ0DDGX9CVX46&th=1.  Pretty sure they're allowed on cruises. 

4 minutes ago, bajathree said:

No, I don't think it's made up. I just don't understand why some people seem to create a new username to make the complaint.

So they should...  not make the complaint?  

Here's what I can see happened...

1) Previous poster who forgot their user name.

2) "Lurker" who had never posted

3) Previous poster who wanted to create a new user name for the complain (why?)

Occam's Razor says it's one of the first two.  

Regarding the issue the OP posted about, I think it's an unusual situation that crew members (from security to GS) didn't know how to handle, and instead of saying "let me look into it", made up rules.  

At the same time, I think OP would have helped themselves out by reaching out to Royal corporate ahead of time, getting information in writing (email), then talking to GS on boarding day with a copy of what corporate said.  No, they shouldn't have had to do it, but I think it would have helped.  Of course, that's hind sight.

I do think OP would have helped US out by using paragraphs.  

I would plan on dropping off the car no later than 9:30A on departure day, possibly even 9A.  This is to allow for the wait for the shuttle bus (depending how many people are doing the same thing, you may have to wait for a shuttle).  

Then find out where to pick up the shuttle after the cruise.  Easy peasy. 

I travel a lot for work and use a CPAP.  Most hotels I stay in (Hilton branded) have outlets on at least one side of the bed, often both.  While I carry a 6' (?) extension cord with my CPAP just in case, I haven't had to use it in years.  

Go to a dollar store and get a cheapy extension cord (like this: https://www.dollartree.com/durex-3-outlet-indoor-polarized-extension-cords-6ft/186860?Ntt=extension cord).  

Here's the Lowe's version: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-6-ft-16-2-2-Prong-Indoor-SPT-2-Light-Duty-General-Extension-Cord/3129343

Keep in in your CPAP case and if it gets through, great!  If you get called to the naughty room, let them keep it.  Or you can just leave it in the hotel room or trash it before getting on the ship. 

3 hours ago, MariettaGuy said:

I would stay away from 3rd party apps... especially the ones that make you think it's not a 3rd party!  royal-caribbean-international.en is NOT Royal Caribbean, and is definitely not authorized by them.  Royal does not support their mobile app on a tablet, so use the 3rd party fake app at your own risk!

My app on my tablet said it needed updated, wouldn't update so I uninstalled.  Went back to the playstore to find it, and found the app RCI uses for it's employees.  That might be what pp was talking about.  

It's ridiculous they don't allow it on tablets.  Tablets are easier to read the compass.  If they want to get rid of paper compass (disagree with, but will accept) and have people go digital, they should have it work on as many devices as possible (maybe something that's 4-5 generations behind not, but something recent, yes).