HB Cruiser

We were watching and listening on the Miami webcam and heard a radio transmission between the ship and the coast guard concerning a medical evac. Once they contacted the CG, they stopped and waited on the CG ship to get to them from Miami. We were surprised it only took 5-7 minutes eta for them to get to the Breeze.

Tim

Just remember that if the refund goes to your Royal Visa card, you will lose double points.

Good point.

Tim

Thanks Bob! I will probably go with option #1 as I try to refrain from going to guest services the last day/night of the cruise unless it is absolutely necessary.

Tim

If you don't want to lose the points by getting a credit, you can redeem for OBC. Since Visa Points OBC is refundable, you can ask for a cash refund on the last evening of the cruise. That way, nothing gets credited back to your credit card.

Bob, to clarify what you are saying, let me ask a couple questions.

1) If you have BOA apply $1000 OBC to your sailing and you only use $600, RCCL automatically apply the remaining $400 as credit to your Visa card balance?

2) Same situation, if you go to customer service on the ship and ask for it, they will refund the unused portion in cash?

Thanks in advance!

Tim

Another vote for the Hyatt Place on 17th.

 

You can walk to the beach right behind the hotel. There are a number of restaurants within walking distance as well. And we made a couple of trips to the convenience store across the street before boarding the ship.

 

Are you sure you are talking about the Hyatt Place on 17th when you are talking about the beach being right behind the hotel? There is no beach close to the hotel. It is about a 6-8 block walk to any water from there.

Tim

If you want to stay at the Hyatt Place let me recommend a site to use. We got the Hyatt Place this past May for $99 per night using http://www.valuetrips.com .

Tim

I like that idea, might get rid of one suitcase as they are so big.

Last couple times I have tried that, they would not store them.

Tim

This one is out there I know but I always pack a Trial size can of WD40 and a multi-head screwdriver. Crazy for sure but I have used them every cruise since I started bringing them about three years ago.

And for the naysayers concerning duct tape, you will want if should the zipper or latches break on your luggage. ;)

Tim

Just talked to my agent, sorry mad like my blue cross policy will cover all medical stuff in hospital or aboard. Good to know, just gotta check I to flight transfers if needed and or hotel stays out of the u.s

Make sure your BCBS covers air evac OUT OF THE STATES. That is a biggie.

Tim

Off topic but all of us on this thread so far is from Illinois. LOL

Tim

My group consists of me 28, my gf 25, & her son 8. Main concern for insurance isn't to get trip costs back, that's a concern of course but primarily one is expenses for emergency or medical flight, foreign hospitalization, etc. any good outfits that I could use that anyone has to recommend?

Again, I would recommend the website http://www.insuremytrip.com . Not only can you see and compare policies right there, you can also use their 800 number for assistance. EVERYTIME I have called them, the person providing me the information has been very knowledgeable and helpful. I will never use anybody else.

Tim

We have three pieces of luggage, a 29", 25", and 21". Never had a problem storing them under the beds. We too use one for dirty clothes. This makes packing day a little faster and easier.

Tim

As far as "authentic" Haitian merchandise, the indoor market area does have some fair trade items that were made in Haiti!

Yes but please watch yourself and your children if you have them with you, they workers there can be very aggressive (as with any island if you allow it, not picking on those from Haiti).

Tim

You are going to find those that purchase ins and those that don't.

For us, yes we do and yes, we had to use it once. While on a cruise vacation, our business was destroyed by fire. The ins not only covered our cruise cost for the days we did not get to be on vacation but also covered our airfare back that we had to book on less than 24 hr notice and the airfare we had already purchased prior to the trip. It also reimbursed us for a prepaid hotel planned for the night after the cruise.

There are other horror stories much worse than ours. Emergency air evacuation from the ship or island is one that comes to mind.

Even though we used the ins to cover the part of the trip we did not get to finish, we mainly purchase ins for the emergency air evacuation as our BCBS of Illinois policy will not cover that cost.

Our last policy was for a 7 night Indy OTS cruise last month. The cost of the insurance we purchase (no we do not use the cruise line ins, we purchase ours from insuremytrip.com ) is partially determined by your age. Ours is 55 and 54 yrs old. This included coverage of our prepaid air, prepaid hotels, and obviously our cruise. Cost $180.00 total

Tim

Did you have to get "tickets" for the ice show? Where/how?

We were on INDY two weeks before the OP. Yes, you "could" get in the ice show without tickets HOWEVER you must wait in line with the others that do not have tickets until 5 minutes before the show begins.

If you want to see the show, I suggest you get the tickets just in case, you never know.

Tim

You missed my point. There are proper channels for reporting these incidents that will get attention faster than e-mailing the CEO directly -- which as I have stated, they tend cut loose those addresses once they become public. You can call or email customer service or reach out via their FB page which ensures a human will read it and hopefully funnel it to the right person (and no, the CEO is not always the best person to handle these issues).

I'm not so sure of this.

We had some major issues May 2014 in the MDR, nothing near as serious as the OP, but major issues. Once we got back home, I wrote a letter to the CEO directly. In less than 24 hours, I received a phone call responding to the situation and within 48 hours, we had resolution that was satisfactory with all 10 of us at the table.

If I had the OP's situation happen to my kids, you can bet your you know what that letter is going to the CEO PDQ!

Tim

We just got off Indy Sunday and we not only had 2 loungers, we had 3! I made our cabin attendant remove one, he was not happy but did it. Oh, we were in the mirror cabin, 7408.

Tim

We just got off Indy Sunday and we not only had 2 loungers, we had 3! I made our cabin attendant remove one, he was not happy but did it.

Tim

We just sailed Indy May 24th. Got on the ship, walked around, and sat in the Café Promenade until noon, once all of our group got on board. There was almost no body there, several walking but the Café was almost empty.

Tim

I by all means understand trying to save money with airfare, I always try. That being said, there is no way I am going to rush my trip back to reality within an hour of ending my vacation. I just spent 3-7 of the most relaxing days of my life and not gonna kill that feeling within minutes of leaving the ship.

Tim

I'm NOT saying to take the dirty clothes container but have to ask the question, why? Each evening when we are preparing for dinner and DW is showering, I fold the dirties that day and just put them in our luggage, this way I have less to pack the last day.

I am open for suggestions, please let me know why the basket will be a time saver for me.

Tim

Posting the obvious here but I think they are having additional problems, specifically with some electronics on board, since we have not heard from Carol.

Tim

Seadays: November 1-4

November 5 - St. Maarten 9-6

November 6 - Antigua - 8-5

November 7 - St. Lucia - 8-5

November 8 - Barbados - 8-5

November 9 - sea day

November 10 - Curaçao - 8-9

November 11 - Bonaire - 8-5

November 12 - Aruba - 7-1

November 13-14 - sea days

November 15 - Port Canaveral

And Tim & Crystal are not on this cruise and why, cause Tim is a DUMB***!

Wish I could have worked out this one and been with you! Guess reading about it is ALMOST as good as going. ;)

Have a great two weeks!!!

Tim

Carol or anyone following, can you please tell me the itinerary we are going to be taking the next 14 days?

Tim

I guess that it makes sense to close out this thread now.

 

I assume that you all would like a Live From Explorer's 14 Night Repositioning Cruise to the Southern Caribbean and Port Canaveral thread?

 

:)

Do you really have to ask that question Carol? ;)

HECK YES!!!

Tim