Roxxy4me

Relax. The requirement to prepay tips for Mytime was dropped. It will be added to your daily account.

 

 

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Thank you, but I cannot find anywhere that states that pre-payment for tips for MTD was dropped. There is a disclaimer still on the RCI website regarding it. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=open_seating

I also think you will be fine, but I would also bring a copy of my invoice showing paid gratuities, just in case.

I think this is my problem.. I don't have proof that the pre-paid gratuities were included on my invoice. I just have the basic taxes, fees, and port expenses. I don't know if I had to pay them and didn't (thus possibly losing MTD for failure to pay).. or paid them unknowingly, and not having proof.

I have seen quite a few threads based on the automatic gratuities; however, I have not been able to find the answer to my question!

Due to linking reservations, I booked our cruise over the phone with a representative. I requested MTD. There was no advisement that the MTD required pre-paid gratuities, I paid the cruise in full and that was it. It wasn't until I was browsing these boards that I became aware that MTD required this. The agent over the phone never told me and I cannot see anything on my invoice that would reflect the payment.

I'm concerned I might lose MTD for failure to prepay or get charged gratuities again on-board since I don't have proof of the pre-payment. Can anyone advise on this topic?

Thank you so much for your helpful tips! We'll be sailing the Grandeur (and Royal!) for the first time in November. My DH is an avid soda drinker and a night owl, so I see him complaining about the only Coke Freestyle being on Deck 6. Can you get a can soda at a bar as an alternative?

Just my two cents.. for what it's worth! Last year we sailed with my DS on his first birthday. On Carnival, we were able to carry on a package of bottled water, with prior approval, to mix his formula with. I'm going to second the pre-packaged pouch foods. We loved the Plum Organics also. At meals, DS would eat a little bit of whatever we were eating, mashing appropriate foods. It was EASYYY!!! We're sailing again this November before his second birthday and he is MUCH more active and will be a whole new ball game!!!

Edited to add: The boxed cereal of Cheerios were also a lifesaver! They allow you to carry them off the ship. It was also a great snack to keep in the room!

Subscribing! We leave for the Jade in a week! Can't wait to hear about your trip!

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We'll be leaving on the Jade in one week with our son who will actually be turning one one the cruise! I intend to post a review, so stay tuned! I'm not a buffet fan, so we will frequent the MDR for dinners. As far as guppies groups, I believe they're for babies and a parent at this age.

I will definitely be able to update more later!

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Thank you everyone for your wonderful responses!

As suggested, I did contact NCL regarding bringing on water. They have actually granted me an exemption to their carry-on beverage policy. I have a nifty little bottle icon on our boarding pass to indicate this. GREAT TIP for others if they find themselves in this predicament.

I had considered using the tap water on the ship, but I didn't want to upset his stomach any more than necessary. And I didn't want to switch to tap water now at home because, honestly, he won't be on formula much longer.

I do intend to introduce him to milk before we leave so I can decrease the amount formula, but it will be too soon to switch over completely. Temperature is not an issue as he drinks room temperature formula.

Thank you all again for your helpful comments! We are looking forward to our cruise!

40 days away from setting sail with our LO. Since he will be turning 1 on the cruise, he will not be completely switched over from formula to milk. Any suggestions on how to handle the formula situation? We use bottled water now, but the price on NCL for bottled water is ridiculous, and they do not allow you to carry on your own bottles of water. I understand the tap water on the ship is decent but is it acceptable for my LO in his formula? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

haha gotcha! yeah we always used to fly to florida to cruise, but after having the kids i just don't feel like lugging everything through the airport and dealing with two toddlers on a plane lol. the grand turk, half moon cay, freeport itinerary isn't too bad. but i agree the florida one stinks. considering going to bermuda next year out of baltimore. something different :)

I do keep an eye on the cruises out of Baltimore. Every now and then they'll run an 8+ day cruise that has some new fun stops. I know Carnival is trying to spice up their itineraries, but right now there isn't much in November/December. We're booked the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so we're going down to Florida a few days early to take advantage of the holiday time off! Also, because NCL is running their 3rd/4th guest free promo, it's much cheaper to cruise on their line. Saving us almost the cost of our plane ticket!

what cruise are you looking at? have you considered sailing out of Baltimore on either Carnival or Royal? Might make things a little easier and you'll be able to bring things in the car instead of an airplane.

We choose not to cruise out of Baltimore. I'm really never impressed with the ports, and I hate so many sea days vs. ports. I also hate that their southern cruises stop at US ports. If I wanted to see Charleston or Orlando, I'd just drive/fly there! We prefer to cruise out of Florida because of that.

We've booked the NCL Jade in November from Tampa (a FL port we've never sailed from before).

Thank you everyone for your support and information! We have decided to go ahead and book. We love our vacations and we hope our little one will learn to love them as well!

We will adjust our expectations and definitely will not be booking our usual Cozumel bar hop!! There might be a lot of baby gear to tote about, but I'm glad to know it's possible!

Let the list making begin!!!

Am I crazy for taking our baby on a cruise? He will be turning one while on the cruise.

When originally thinking about booking, it sounds fabulous! But after reading this forum, I'm starting to panic a little! As first-time parents, we've never had to think about all the baby gear!

We would fly to the port a few days in advance. I hadn't intended to take his car seat, but now I have to. Luckily it clicks into his travel system so I'll have car seat and stroller, but I'm afraid it'll be too big to maneuver around the ship! Should we get a second smaller stroller?

Also, as first-timers, I have no idea what my child will be eating at one year old! Also, it appears the pools on the ship are out, so I'm questioning the entertainment.... *sigh* Am I just biting off more than we can chew?!

Thanks ya'll for the information! Just as an update.. Since I was unable to call right away, I just filled out a form. I got a denial back within two hours. By then, I was on a lunch break and was able to call. The first lady I called explained that I had not booked under ES, but a different promotion. She was very nice, even though she was telling me information that I didn't want to hear! I asked if I could just switch promos and she said "No", but offered me an upgrade (which I was inclined to deny as we would lose our awesome location). I thanked her for explaining and got off the phone. Afterwards, I called DH and told him what happened. He suggested that we just take the upgrade. So, once again.. I called.. this second lady confirmed that I couldn't get the price protection... but then offered to just change my promotion code to the newest one; completely bypassing the need for the Price Protection form! So, ultimately, I got my $70 OBC and kept my room! Moral of the story.. never hurts to call and ask... and... two different Carnival reps give two different answers!

Just a quick question... I noticed today that there is a decent sale going on on the Carnival website. I want to submit a Price Protection form as I would get $70 in OBC. However, I can't remember the sale or promotion I originally booked under. The site suggests referring the original booking e-mail. Which I have done, but I don't see where it says which promotion I booked under.

This is the only "terms & conditions" foot note I can find referring to my 'offer': 2) A valid past guest number is required from at least one person in each stateroom to book this offer. Offer is capacity controlled and category restrictions and exclusions apply. Rates may vary by ship, stateroom type and sail date. Changes made to the reservation may result in the assessment of cancellation penalties or service fees. Category restrictions and exclusions apply. Cancellation penalties apply. Subsequent upgrades in lieu of price protection will no longer be offered.

Any ideas on how to find out which promotion I booked under.. And if I'd be eligible for the price protection? Or, should I just submit the form and go on a hope and a prayer?! Lol!! :p

Thanks so much for sharing! I knew Pride was leaving and returning in March, but I'm really happy to see these extended trips!

Great review!! So excited!! We're leaving in Sunday for the same itinerary!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

How much are you willing to pay? I'll drive you!! Lol. Just Kidding. Cabs are reasonable in the area. But, being a local, I don't have any good suggestions for a private service. Sorry. :(

We booked resident rate and it's been the cheapest out of all the sales between July and now.. We live in Maryland and booked our resident Rate for a cruise out of Miami, Florida. Love it!! We were also able to snatch up one of the coveted PT rooms. :D

Thank you so much for this! DH and I were wondering how we were going to get from FLL to MIA. We saved so much money flying into FLL and our hotel in Miami has a free shuttle to the port, so we couldn't really rationalize renting our own car!! But this information has been wonderful! I'm now confident with the tri-rail!

Last October, DH and I did the Coral Breeze snorkling tour to Shark/Ray Alley. We really enjoyed our tour last year. So much, that in anticipation, I bought a top of the line waterproof camera in hopes of repeating the experience with the sharks and rays. However much to my dismay, I've only seen very negative reviews about the "new" Coral Breeze Tours. Does anyone know of a good, reputable tour company that will take you snorkling to Shark/Ray Alley? I really need my shark fix! (And to justify my very expensive camera purchase!! Jk)