pasodancer

Thank you so much!//Maria

I would also book the room as soon as you hit the magic "333" days out.....a lot of the downtown Norfolk hotels book very very fast (military town - lots of in/out w/our great military here not to mention contractors).  

You will absolutely love Waterside District - so much to see & do within easy walking distance.

Hi & Thank you in advance for your help!

Looking for recommendations for a private car service for 5 adults & 1 4-year old child.  Probably 8 pieces of luggage minimum and at least 5 carry-on bags.  Hopefully, will be heading out on October 2nd on Symphony if that matters?

//Maria

Thank you for your advice....I am so use to Lauderdale where within 15 minutes of leaving the ship we are in the airport.  Totally forgot about "getting off the ship w/COVID"....a major factor in our planning.  My big rush was to get home to our old pups - need to spring them out of the kennel before 5 pm....such a guilt complex having those little ones in the kennel another night. 

Will take everyone's advice and book at least noon or later flight - TYSM!//Maria  

Hi everyone!   I know it is “iffy”, RCI Symphony Oct 2-9 (Saturday).  Found out the hard way that flight prices and hotel room prices are now skyrocketing for the fall.  So I am looking to book our return flight out of MIA (into Norfolk) as soon as possible.  We’ve never cruised out of Miami so I was hoping someone could give me some advice on earliest departure flight to comfortably book.  We are extremely seasoned travelers, in a suite, will do walk-off and will Uber/taxi to the airport.  Would a 10 am flight be too early?

TYIA//Maria

THANK YOU!!!!

We've all been there - cancelled cruise for which I received FCC in 2 months.  But, when I cancelled my Cruise Planner Purchases ($3,000 - deluxe beverage, ship excursions - family of 5) - RCI refunded only 1/2 back to my original form of purchase (CC).  I did phone calls to customer service and emails - no help.   Finally about 2 weeks ago I asked my credit card company (AMEX) to please help with the remaining refund which was $1497.  Received the refund (very thankful - can use the $).

Now I am concerned after reading stories here on these boards, if RCI will not permit me to use that credit card for future purchases because I requested a chargeback?    I have 2 planned cruises for 2021 - I use that card for all cruise related expenses.  

Shocked - got back our renewals in exactly 14 days (mailed them off on September 16th - received back on September 30th).   

Thank you so much - great recommendations!  Will definitely give them a call.

16 hours ago, JohninDC said:

I spent 9 years of my Navy career living in Va. Beach - happy to help! 😎

Retired Army here - sure do love living here w/ all the Navy!  

Interesting about choice of airports - that will definitely be a major consideration for making our air arrangements!   Thank you for leting me know about the possible cost of Uber/Lyft from FLL.   

Great suggestions - I agree about checking the reviews of a hotel before booking.  Just need the hotel to drop bags, eat, sleep & then head to the port the next day.   Have over 900,000 Marriott points thus far and still racking them up thanks to Rakutin and other rewards sites (can I say that here?).   Big thing is safety of the area to walk, especially w/ a 4-year old in tow who has boundless energy.   

Would you recommend Uber or a hotel shuttle?

First time cruising out of Miami so would love your input into my planning.  There are 6 of us departing (me & DH, son w/ wife & 4-year-old & our older son).  This is the 1^st time cruising for our sons, DIL & grandson.  We are all flying in the day prior from different parts of the US.  We are footing the bill so I would like to use our Marriott points for the hotel stay.  Have sufficient Marriott points for a decent hotel.

Is it asking too much for a Marriott property that would have a 2-bedroom / 2-bathroom suite and then another room for son w/ his family?  It would be fabulous (probably impossible) if I could find a 3-bedroom / 3-bathroom suite.   But, if not, I would need 3 separate hotel rooms. 

I would like something closer to the port w/ the ability to safely walk to restaurants for lunch & dinner.   

We would probably use Uber, taxi or a hotel shuttle to the port – your recommendations would be fabulous.

Thanking you in advance for your help!  // Maria

39 minutes ago, drsel said:

2 hours ago, pasodancer said:

Dang, didn't get it for our rebooked cruise.....they would have made a lot of money as I'm paying for 5 drink packages.  Guess I'll keep on waiting!

Maybe you should phone and ask for it

Now why didn't I think of that - which is why I love this forum!!  TYVM!!!

Dang, didn't get it for our rebooked cruise.....they would have made a lot of money as I'm paying for 5 drink packages.  Guess I'll keep on waiting!

Well, he knows they're not free, so it's like he wants to be in denial.  HA!

Denial is better than knowing how much money I am spending!!

I do the same thing you do --- but husband has NEVER known the cost of a cruise (or any vacation).  He is VERY cheap and if he knew the cost of a cruise - we would be doing our cruises in a row boat!

Up to 2 years ago were very frugal - wanted to do more vacations.  But since DH had serious health problems - I stopped putting off the "maybe someday we will be able to (insert fly 1st class, use a limo to the boat, Royal suites, etc.).  We did our first Star Class suite 2 years ago and his face lite up beyond belief.  Even though he spent most of the vacation in our cabin - he couldn't stop talking about it (it was a surprise to him).  Since then whenever he has a relapse we talk about another Royal Suite Class suite.  In all honesty, even if I have to take a 2nd job,  I would rather be spending the money making beautiful and unbelievable memories with him than having the money in the bank and not having the memories.  Yes, I scour RCI website daily looking for a cruise (before April 2022 - need to use our FCC) for a great deal on a Star Class suite.  

If anyone sees any fabulous deals on Star Class Suites on a ship leaving from FLL - please let me know.  

Jamaica!  We've done 23 land based vacations there - absolutely love the beautiful island and the friendly people.

On 7/15/2020 at 7:29 PM, Etta1213 said:

I agree. Those who need to shelter, do so. Others need to get back to work.   (Of course, I also think we need a balanced budget amendment!)

   As for the ports, I would be more tempted to spend money at the ports if they didn't have such a glut of souvenir junk made in China or elsewhere. I'd love to be able to buy a newspaper in countries that have a paper for English speakers. More actual crafts by people from that country.

agree!!!   I search out those actual crafts!

Retired Army here (both of us) and loving what Hampton Roads has to offer retirees.  Now, if we could only get a decent cruise ship in port, life would be fabulous.

1 minute ago, lovelife said:

 

We lived in Virginia Beach for 16 years before retiring up here near DC.  Miss VB very much!!

VB is FABUOUS - we retired to here.   Only wish there was a major cruise port for the "big ships" to sail out of...Baltimore is close but doesn't have the ships we want sailing from there.  Carnival still does Norfolk during fleet week, but we don't like Carnival.  

ROFL - yeah, that ship sailed a long time ago for us.....THANK GOODNESS we don't have to worry about that aspect of life.  I always hear stories of how people name their kids where they were conceived - Paris, Dallas, Hilton, etc....haven't heard the name "Oasis, Allure, etc. yet.

waiting for someone to say they forgot to pack their BC (i.e. condoms and had to pay $10 for each individual one in the ship gift shop) - that could be $$$$.

A tour across the USA.............with requisite stops in Vegas and New Orleans.