jo24
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Had a good search around and couldn't find anything :(
Hope you manage to get hold of it :)
Jo
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I have always booked my own cruises (a grand total of 2 so I'm by no means an expert). However, a couple of people have told me that I might want to try a travel agent as you can get upgrades, on board credits, etc. I am not sure if there is value in it or not. Can anyone just give me thoughts about the pros and cons of using an agent. Not asking for names, just your thoughts on whether I'm better of booking myself or using an agent.
Thanks.
Barbara
Hi there :)
I know lots of people have provided their opinions so I thought I would offer mine too.
I used to be a TA so when it comes to booking my own holiday, I always know to book direct. My mum used a TA for her first 2 cruises and was frustrated at the blocking she met if she called RCI and they just referred her to her TA. Since I booked 2 cruises direct with RCI, I have managed to convince mum to book RCI direct which she has done the last 2 and next 2 cruises. She now has one particular guy that she speaks to and has a direct number for and he is brilliant and sorts everything out for her, no problems at all.
If you have the confidence to deal with it yourself then do so. A TA is, in my mind, an additional complication that holidays can do without. However, some people like being able to know that they can go and see someone in a shop etc.. Just depends on the individual :)
Happy holidays!
Jo :)
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Anyone ever offered an upgrade at port for RC cruises? I was once on Disney. Wondering my chances on RC!
Never been offered at the Port no. That is the same for my 3 cruises and my mums 4 cruises so far... Like DonnaK said, the ships are usually at capacity when sailing so it isn't possible.
You might be able to once you are on the ship though. After many conversations with stateroom attendants, people seem to frequently move once they are on the ship, availability allowing of course!
Jo :)
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I have a question about the designation on the SeaPass card.
Is it actually printed on the card or is it just a sticker? I know it's strange and a small thing, but I'd rather have it printed on the card than just a sticker.
I'm guessing it's printed on the card if you purchase it before sailing, no?
I have had it printed on my SeaPass on my 3 cruises. It was on there from when we received our passes at check in. We always pre-booked packages so I wonder if it is different if you purchase once onboard?
Jo :)
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Ship - Allure
Deck - 9
Stateroom # - 9108
Stateroom Category – Oceanview (F)
Starboard or Port Side - Forward Port
Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Absolutely brilliant. End of hallway so no people passing frequently. Next to stateroom attendant ice station but never had a problem with noise
Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No
Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – N/A
Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - N/A
Was wind a problem? - N/A
If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A
Any specific problems with this cabin? - Absolutely none
Any other comments? - Fantastic cabin. Overlooks helipad so very large front window. The window is slanted and the cabin is much larger with a huge amount of floor space between bed, sofa and window. Not too far from lifts/stairs. Muster station in Gym
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Ship - Allure
Deck - 7
Stateroom # - 7254
Stateroom Category – Grand Suite
Starboard or Port Side - Port
Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Fantastic. Very quiet. No Problems except bell being rung by passing kids once or twice but never at ridiculous times
Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No
Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – No issues or obstructions
Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Very large but standard for cabin grade. 2 chairs, round table and 2 lounger style chairs
Was wind a problem? - No
If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A
Any specific problems with this cabin? - Absolutely none
Any other comments? - Fantastic cabin. Close to lifts/stairs. Muster station Cafe Promenade
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Ship - Allure
Deck - 9
Stateroom # - 9260
Stateroom Category – Grand Suite
Starboard or Port Side - Port
Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Fantastic. Very quiet. No Problems except bell being rung by passing kids once or twice but never at ridiculous times
Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - Yes
Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – No issues or obstructions
Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Very large but standard for cabin grade. 2 chairs, round table and 2 lounger style chairs
Was wind a problem? - No
If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A
Any specific problems with this cabin? - Absolutely none
Any other comments? - Fantastic cabin. Close to lifts/stairs. Muster station AquaTheater
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But on a positive note, it's less shock to your wallet.
Very very true! Well, a 2 week TA on Indy is much more reasonable at least and will be nice to experience a different class of ship :)
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I'm on the Oasis? Does the pay restaurants deliver?
I haven't heard of that but you may be able to collect and take to your room if you ask. Not entirely the same but Johnny Rockets will bag it up for you ;)
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Trying not to sound stupid here but....what is a propulsion problem? It seems to be treated an an emergency since they are dry docked suddenly?
The middle azipod isn't working and therefore is slowing the ship down slightly. It has affected the stops in Nassau and St Thomas by about an hour in each stop.
They only want to get it done now as its drydock isn't for another 2 years or so and to limit the need for continued itinerary adjustments.
The problem has been there for months and unfortunately attempts to fix whilst in Port Everglades have been unsuccessful.
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That was a very nice gesture!
I thought so too. Concierge might not always be consistent but sometimes you can be surprised at the little touches that others go to, just to make your cruise a little more special :) Considering the 6000+ people on board, that gesture made me feel like I wasn't just another number :)
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Hi
On my first cruise on Allure in a GS I got a welcome email. On my 2nd Allure cruise, same Concierge staff, no email. However, once on board the 2nd cruise I seemed inundated with calls and messages from them whereas this did not happen on the first cruise!
Not entirely related but I received a bottle of champagne and thank you note from the Hotel Director on my 3rd cruise after meeting him 4 days earlier at the welcome back party and telling him that it was my 3rd cruise on Allure in 10 months and my birthday that week - thought it was a lovely touch :)
Jo :)
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http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5616
Seems it needs repairs?
Would you feel you got less of a cruise to go right before dry dock? Out of supplies, low on food, staff ready to take a break? Are there safety concerns?
I see why these questions might be around but I don't feel that there is any basis to them. The cruise before will still stock up as normal, they won't take any less because people are still on for a week and they still have to take those people back to Fort Lauderdale before stocking up on crew supplies and heading to the drydock. The poor staff never get a break. They are on contract for 6-7 months, 7 days a week. For instance, even when they join a new cruise ship before passengers are aboard, they are given other jobs to do. I imagine stateroom attendants will have to give each cabin a thorough deep clean and then once that is done, they will be posted to other areas of the ship to help there. The ship is going in because of a propulsion problem which they have had for a considerably long time now and it has not affected the safety to passengers until now. If RCI thought that there was any safety concern, they would have taken the ship to dry dock weeks ago.
Jo :)
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We sailed on Indy in July post her dry dock and the sauna and steam rooms were free to use via the gym changing rooms. Whether this has changed since July however, Im not sure, but I haven't read anything about it.
Thanks for the information :)
I hope it stays like this so I can head that way next year!
Jo :)
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It is nice to hear positive feedback.
I have to admit I have never had problems with customer services - whether before, during or after a cruise.
Booking and updates have always been seamless, issues on-board have been dealt with fantastically by Guest Services and issues on return have been dealt with swiftly and politely.
BTW, the issues have never been anything major but I felt that even though mine were small issues, all issues would be dealt with in the same fantastic manner.
Jo :)
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Hi
You get the normal room service menu but then you can order from the full MDR menu at any time during the opening times and not just your scheduled dinner slot.
I sailed on Allure so not sure if it is the same on other ships.
Jo :)
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It is routine and general maintenance of the ship from my understanding. I don't believe there are any additional facilities being added.
There have also been some rumours that they may use this as an opportunity to change the Broadway style show on board but there has not been any confirmation of this that I have seen. They may well extend their licence on Hairspray but this seems like a good opportunity to change... Who knows!!
Jo :)
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Hi
I am subscribing to the thread as I am on Indy for the Westbound TA next year and I would also be interested to know the answer to this.
My mum sailed Indy just after the refit this year but she didn't use the facilities so no help there!!
Jo :)
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Hi
I agree, the best way would be to call RCI and see if you can get current costings on the other decks.
I have seen the suites available for booking online before but I think that as it is now sold on your cruise, there would be no way to know and of course other sailings will no doubt be different costs.
Wish I could help more but I am sure you will love where you are :)
Jo :)
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Starbucks, does it get charged to your onboard account or can we use the multiple gift cards we have?
Hi there
I haven't sailed Oasis but have been on Allure 3 times. The TA will give you the necessary time to explore most things but I can guarantee there will still be things that you miss.
My understanding about Starbucks is that the gift cards are accepted but you can also have drinks charged to your onboard account.
The Oasis Class shops are truly unbelievable. The facilities on board and the activities available will easily fill your time aboard :)
Jo :)
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OMG :O
Thank you for the link. I totally agree about RCCL commitment to safety. I have only ever sailed with them but seeing that just cements in my mind that I am sailing with a safe company.
I am still :O
Jo :)
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My mum has cruised Radiance Class ships in the past and enjoyed them very much. However, since then, she has moved to Freedom Class - still not the largest ship but so many more options.
I guess it is down to what suits you. Start at Brilliance and go from there :) You may find you want bigger and can try that next time or maybe start with one of the smaller ships - maybe a Vision Class - and go from there :)
I started with Allure and now, of course, there is nothing bigger so I am going smaller and I think I may find it a shock to the system!
Jo :)
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Hi there :)
I think that pretty much everything has been covered by everyone else.
I have been on Allure 3 times. May was my biggest issue with the immigration cut backs and long queues to get through.
However, do self-disembarkation and you will be one of the first off the ship (if you don't mind hauling your own luggage) and there shouldn't be any reason why you wouldn't be at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Taxi's are easily available, I have never queued for more than 3 minutes for one!
Airlines at that stage are likely to charge. I have had one flight change at the desk in Las Vegas going to San Francisco and they said if it wasn't there fault there would always be a charge regardless of the situation. Hope you airline can be more helpful!!
Jo :)
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Hi
Brilliant review and I agree with everyone else... it is sooo hard to go back from a suite!
My first ever cruise was in a GS last November - spoilt doesn't cover it! When I then went in May, there was no other option but a GS even though I was travelling alone :/ Roll on 12 weeks from that for a birthday treat and I just could not cover the cost of a GS (single traveller again) so I had an Oceanview (F). Not only did I miss the perks of the gold card but I missed being able to order full DR menu in room.
Next cruise now booked for IOS TA in November 2014... Back to a GS :D Can't wait!!
Jo :)
Does everyone in the suite have to purchase the same drink package?
in Royal Caribbean International
Posted
We have never had to. My mum and step dad had different packages on their last cruise.
Jo :)