Charger2008

This used to be the case, and only when you opted for instant OBC.

 

However, after July 1, I believe they will introduce fares that have non-refundable deposits, no matter how you book.

If that is true then I believe there will be MANY more cabins available to choose from for future bookings. I cannot speak for others; however, I would rather not chance squandering $250 or $500 due to unforeseen circumstances and having to cancel a cruise. :(

So, if I understand this correctly, it is ONLY when you book while onboard via the Next Cruise Certificate wherein you get the OBC, that your deposit is non-refundable should you cancel? Correct? I just looked up the rules for cancellation if you book via the website or a TA and it shows 75 days or more out (depending on the length of the cruise), your deposit is refunded. That's easy enough to remedy, don't book another cruise while onboard :) Personally, I would rather forego the $100 or $200 in OBC than to risk losing a $250 or $500 deposit should I need to cancel. :D

In January we were on the Oasis and chose to do self assist. We got up extra early and we were in line by 5:45am. There were already at least 50 people ahead of us and by 6:15 the line stretched way past us and all the way into the dining room

 

The place in line where we were waiting was right next to a large column and as we stood there a man came off the elevator with his luggage and backpack and proceeded to place them up against this column and then walked away.

 

Sure enough.....when the line began to move at 6:45 he strolled up to the column, picked up stuff, broke in line ahead of us and walked out.

 

Made me so angry....but I am sure he must do this all the time because it sure didn't bother him!!

We were doing the self assist in 2008 on the Freedom, standing in a long line when two women came down the stairs and tried to get in line in front of us and my friend and I both said, quite loudly, "OH NO, BACK OF THE LINE LADIES, BACK OF THE LINE" :)

Those are the same people who cut in front of cars at the last possible second when a lane merges or trying to get on the freeway at the free entrance on the Tollway or, like this morning, some dirt bag didn't want to wait in line to get through a light and at the last minute I saw him coming around the right side of my car, he almost hit me and at that moment I SO wanted to be in the husband's truck because I probably would have broadsided him and then just hit the gas and shoved him into the ditch. So fed up with this "ME FIRST" mentality that people seem to have. Common courtesy and decent behavior is dead :(

As the one gentleman's wife said, we should let those things go, but when you face it every day and see it more and more, it becomes harder to just "let it slide".

Should I try again, try booking a crown loft suite, was told we needed three person in cabin to book one. I ask her to put me on hold and check with someone else. She says must be three in a cabin, this has to be something new.

I just did a dummy booking on the Oasis for a Crown Loft Suite and I was able to book it.

I've recently had to complain to Royal Caribbean (RCI) about a cruise I recently took on Voyager. It was just a real bad one and there were a lot of very upset passengers. I first made my complaints known on board and nothing was done, I just got apologies and cruise vouchers. When I got back home RCI confirmed the vouchers but I wouldn't want to travel with RCI again because their cruises are like a 2 star hotel in Blackpool on a stag weekend, so the vouchers are worthless to me.

 

I wrote a detailed letter pointing out my complaints which ranged from cold and horrible food, poor service, 5 hours of queues to get on and off the ship at every tendered stop, constant lies from on board customer services, lost cases, dirty room and balcony, terrible entertainment and to top it all off they ran out of most wine and beer after day 5 of a 14 day cruise because "the guests were drinking too much" and never recovered.

 

When I came to leave I found I'd been grossly overcharged and that my credit card had been used to pay the bill before I'd even seen or agreed to it.

 

Anyway, back to the subject, RCI has simply stuck its finger up at me and told me to get lost in no uncertain terms, is this normal from them?

 

I'm now having to go through an ABTA arbitration to get them to see sense.

This just seems an odd way to do business. I've travelled with RCI before and they were fine but the general consensus from fellow guests is that RCI is reducing its standards to attract a different market. I didn't speak to anybody on Voyager who would sail with RCI again.

 

The cruise was hideous and the company are unpleasant to deal with, nice mix......

Couple of things just don't track for me. First, "grossly overcharged" HOW? Did they charge you for things you did not purchase? or did you just think that the drinks were more expensive than they should have been? You get a statement on the last night of the cruise (you can also check charges on the television). All you would need to do is go to guest services and clear it up before leaving the ship. Second, FIVE hours to get of the ship? Don't see how this is possible? Granted, I have been on a cruise where the tender took about 45 minutes from loading, sailing to the pier and unloading, but FIVE hours?

I love how people love to criticize others for purchasing art from PW as "throwing their money away". I have several PW pieces in my home (15 to be exact - from prints, to canvas giclees, to original paintings) and I don't feel as though I have thrown away a single penny. Of course, I didn't buy my PW art as an investment, as some people foolishly do. I bought all my art because I liked it. Art is a very personal thing (especially for me, since I am an amateur artist) and effects everybody differently. So don't belittle someone else for purchasing from PW - it's their money to choose what to do with.

I was just thinking the same thing. I have purchased jewelry in several ports, I have purchased Park West art (because I liked it, not as an investment), I have purchased the booze packages, photo packages, stayed in expensive suites, spent money in the casino and NONE of that was a "waste of money" nor was I "throwing my money away" because it was what I wanted. My money, my cruise vacation, my choice :)

Heck, I have a sewing machine that cost more than some motorcycles (not Harleys of course) and that is again, my choice :D It's okay folks if people want to spend their money the want they see fit :)

This. We've been delayed in our boarding a time or two as the ship searched for people who had not yet gotten off of the ship.

This happened to us on one of our recent cruises also. We were all sitting there until well after noon wondering what was going on and then I see some chick just strolling off the ship like she had all the time in the world. Someone found out they were trying to get the last person off the ship, grrrrrrrrr :mad:

If you want to avoid spring break, be careful cruising end of Feb. and March. I live in Florida. I have 3 college age or just finished college kids. They all CRUISED for spring break. It is hit or miss with the schools targeting certain ships. My sons choose RCL to do their spring break cruises. This year we are taking my daughter on Navigator March 12. FSU is on break and I know she has plenty of friends cruising that ship.

 

It has become a right of passage so to speak for college kids. They will be on the ships but will there be 100 from each school or 2000? They go to the Islands to drink and party with a drinking age of 18. 25+ years ago they would go to Daytona, now they cruise.

 

So many people are commenting on this topic but they do not live in Florida and do not know that Florida, Georgia and North Carolina kids cruise for spring break. Lots of other schools too, but it is not as easy as when you can get in a car and drive to the port. I have lost count of the number of cruises my kids have taken for spring break with their friends... please know that the short cruises 3-5 days will be loaded with spring breakers. Some ships more that others. 7 days cruises are families cruising for spring break. Parents are usually on the ships... The shorter cruises give the kids a few days at home with family and a few days of Party time while they take a break from school.

 

The Fraternities and Sororities organize these trips with a 21 year old in each room so they can all get on the ship. The last 2 cruises my son did were over 2500 just from UF. His fraternity had over 200 in just his group all getting on the same ship. All the fraternities targeted the same ship. A 5 day out of Lauderdale booked the first week in March. Other schools in Florida do the same for their breaks during March. Here is a video on one of my sons spring break cruises.

 

 

Here is a break down of what schools have break when you are cruising. http://www.studentcity.com/plan-a-trip/overview/when-my-spring-break

 

You may be absolutely fine or you may end up with 2-3k kids from the same school and they take over the ship.

OMG, I would HATE HATE HATE being on that cruise that was shown in the video. I like to party sometimes too, but that is WAY beyond what I could tolerate. YIKES :eek:

I searched and didn't find the answer I was looking for. I'm sailing in Feb with my sister. She wants to do the surf thing...

 

we have 2 sea days

When is the best time of day to get up there and get on it?

Is it worth a waiting in a long line?

Is there a cost to it?

 

Any other tips for doing this activity!?

 

Thanks for the help!

There is boogie boarding on the first day, no stand up. Usually every morning for about 45 minutes there is advanced stand up surfing (you have to know how to load yourself into the wave), after that for a couple of hours it is stand up surfing, then it switches to boogie boarding and then back to stand up in the evenings.

I too recommend the lessons if you want to learn stand up. Some folks catch on quick, others? not so much so.

Most important thing to remember is if you feel yourself falling, SIT DOWN and always try to go over the top of the wave feet first :D

Have fun :)

See prior response for details. Pricing I get is $2,916+$223.08=$3,139.08. When TA called RCCL she was told the correct price is $3,804.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I just did a dummy booking for this cruise and a JS Guarantee is $2,893.08 total :)

Thank you!

These burgers are actually just the frozen Boca burgers you can purchase at your local grocery store (four to a pack for about $3 - $4). I would not pay the $6.96 Johnny Rockets cover charge for a frozen veggie patty. I am pescatarian (eat fish) and I have to say, the tuna salad sandwich at Johnny Rockets was quite tasty :D

You can leave a cruise early; however, there are laws and fees involved:

"The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 (sometimes erroneously called “The Jones Act”). The law was enacted in the 19th century to protect U.S. interests. The law is still on the books today, and according to Wikipedia, it essentially says:

“No foreign vessels shall transport passengers between ports or places in the United States, either directly or by way of a foreign port, under a penalty of $200 (now $300) for each passenger so transported and landed.”

Also, we cruised on the Liberty September 18th and had absolutely no issues with food or bed bugs.

Just record anything you don't want to miss at home...then don't worry about it! It will be there when you get back!

I was talking to my husband about this very thing on our last cruise and I jokingly said "OMG, I can't go, I will miss the Season Premier of Lucifer - GASP" and then I said "oh wait, it's just a TV show and I can watch it Ad nauseam on the internet or simply purchase the DVDs." I will never understand "having" to see a sporting event or show. I would much rather live life than watch someone else living it ;) But hey, just my opinion, to each their own :D I was lucky in that I did not marry a sports watching enthusiast :p

Oh and I did finally watch the season premier of Lucifer on the internet over the weekend :D

Belkin Mini plug is where its at no cord never had a problem plus its got USB outlets on it for all your extra electronics you can charge .

That is what we always take instead of the power strip with a cord.

These gluten free folk are abusive .......For most people .. gluten free is a dietary choice not an allergy. Less than 1 percent of the population is celiac.

Burden someone else with your fake dietary wants..just sayan:rolleyes:

Here is an interesting article about that:

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2015/06/11/think-youre-sensitive-to-gluten-think-again

Agree! The guacamole at Sabor is what all others are measured against - absolutely astounding and not to be missed!

It was good, but not Texas guacamole good :D

Another vote for getting a passport. Small price to pay for hassle free travel.

I know you don't technically "NEED" one for a closed loop cruise; however, if you cruise frequently and you break down the price, over ten years it comes to $11 a year. I could be wrong here, but most folks spend more than $11 a year on coffee, booze, t-shirts, excursions, etc. etc. while on a cruise. Also, it is one simple document to keep up with, not several.

I know, I know, some people never need one, they never need that car insurance they purchased either, well, until they get t-boned by someone running a red light. Life happens, accidents happen and why roll the dice to save $11 a year. You could also look at it this way, how much do you spend on a cruise? Do you purchase the booze package, photo package, go on excursions, buy jewelry? Well, $110 just in case you need it is really chump change relatively speaking :D

Again, do what makes you happy, this is just my two cents :p

Correct, you will automatically get the Deluxe package for no extra cost.

WOOOO HOOOOOO, that is great news. Thank you :D

If we purchased the "Premium" package a few months ago will we now have the Deluxe package??? I did not see anything other than that option??:confused:

We have an aft cabin on our next cruise and depending on which way they dock, we may get to see a lot of this from the comfort of our own balcony :D

While it's been real and it's been fun :) I must jet. Lots of things to do. Thank you to all who responded, love the chats and happy cruising. Oh and if anyone is going to be on the Liberty September 18th out of Galveston, come on back to the Flowrider or stop by the Solarium, I'll buy you a drink :D PEACE OUT :D

Just think if that was to happen you wouldn't have to worry about someone's little darlings being around you. ;o) Win win for you.

RIGHT? I mean come on, prisons are filled with someone's little "miracle" :D or as you called them "little darlings" :p

Perhaps you could go on an Oasis class ship, and speak (bribe) the Flowrider manager into making one of the Flowriders adults only.

Been on the Oasis and we just rent it for an hour or two, no need to "bribe" anyone as they do let you rent it out :D Then there is advanced stand up in the mornings, that is really nice.

The Oasis is a great class of ship, but we still prefer the Freedom class, the Solarium is much nicer, well, in our opinion :p

Take a cruise that stops in Grand Turk. They have a Flowrider.

 

I believe many of the water parks around the country have Flowriders.

 

Become friends with the family that lives on the Fort Lauderdale port, that bought a Flowrider.

 

Buy a Flowrider for yourself.

You are just full of great ideas, why thank you so very much :) I have seen the home in Fort Lauderdale and while we would love to meet them, I am sure they don't take well to people simply walking up to their door and introducing themselves. We have a home wave; however we also like to cruise. So again, THANK YOU for your very helpful suggestions.

This is at our home wave :) Oh and just for your edification, "home wave" means it is in our home town, not our back yard. Me and the hubby

Since I don't have any kids, none of your comments apply to me. If you want an adult only venue, go to Seabourn. I believe they are still adults only. But don't come to a line that is courting kids and then expect there to be a kids free area. Nonetheless, I believe Disney does have some adult only venues, so you could try Disney. Disney is trying to get adults without children to book a cruise on their ships.

Thanks for the tips; however, none of those ships have a Flowrider so I'm gonna have to pass, but I do appreciate the info, I shall file it away for future use :D