island lady

Nice thought, but the tide times are constantly changing. What could be high tide at noon, would be low tide days later...it's the cycle. And as far as tides go...the Caribbean has very little tide changes.

Unfortunately many of the formerly free things with RCI are....for a fee now. 😞

That definitely does not make sense...and his behavior was totally uncalled for. I am so sorry you had to go through that. So weird as the porter I talked to a few months ago was happy to tell me I could drop bags off as early as 7:30. Yikes, I hope I don't run into that mean porter next month. Will still try to arrive at our usual 9:30 and hope for the best. Thanks for the info. 🙂

Thanks! Water snake...too funny! 😄

The point I was making is....I never asked to have the cruises linked as one booking. When they did that, it was in their favor as to charging us thousands of dollars for a deposit, instead of the 25.00 each for the separate bookings. I still consider it two different cruises, and had fully intended to book a hotel in between, which I will. But how can they consider it one booking? It did not do me any favors.

More expensive. Kind of "you get what you pay for". RCI...prices are rising dramatically though, (so maybe not too much difference now) and the service and perks are decreasing with RCI...IMHO. Loyalty program with RCI is one of the areas losing ground.

They have a fleet of identical river cruisers called "Long ships" which are the most numerous, plus what they simply call "Ocean Ships", two new "Expedition" ships, and one specifically built for the Mississippi for that river cruising. We are booked on all but the Mississippi river cruiser.

Currently on a 3 week river cruise in Europe, but have 2 ocean cruises, and 2 excursion cruises booked over the next 2 years with Viking.

Yes, I am on a river cruise. And I also have four more with Viking booked that are ocean cruises. The point I was making, be it river or ocean...is the difference of our personal experience having great service, food, and care again. It's still a cruise to us, but a breath of fresh air compared to the direction that RCI is moving towards. I don't like the direction they are heading now, for so many reasons. It is not the same experience we used to have and enjoy years past.

20 years being "Loyal to Royal" is over.....typing this right now from Viking cruise line. Still have previous cruises booked with Royal that we will be taking, but not adding any new ones. Viking is getting those new bookings now. Viking: Wow...wow...what a change! Back to great service, good food, crew members that care, no nickel and diming us to death. The things we used to enjoy on Royal.

That is the reason we come in early. Spots fill up quick in the garage. Even though your cruise is on Monday....you will have vehicles in the garage that are on other cruises. Wonder leaves on Sunday the day before yours.

No

Oh no....ughhh.... We are leaving for Vienna in a few hours. Not sure how far we will get up river on our way to Amsterdam now. 😞

Ahhh...secret identity then. 😉

We are still same city, Sydney, for both cruise embarkations. In hindsight I should have insisted she keep them as two separate cruises...since that is actually what they are.

Awww...thanks my friend...but I think your life is pretty cool too. After all....you enjoyed the Wonder like we did last year. 😉 I just finished check in for B2B for end of next month. Halloween on Wonder again, and even in the same cabin. 🙂

I booked one Venus, then decided later to add Orion just after. Two different ships, two different cabins, with with one day in between. Viking agent on the phone decided to combine them as a "Grand Cruise" under one itinerary booking number. That took away our 25.00 per pax deposit to demand we pay the higher deposit of a "Grand Cruise". OK...have to pay at some point anyway. So it was doable. But the worst thing is....what happens to us on the day between the cruises? Shouldn't this now single booking have us staying at a hotel the one night until the next ship comes in? Or do we sleep on the dock that night? Me thinks something is fishy...and it's not coming from the sea.

Simple....supply and demand

Many, many cut backs, including a lot of "for a fee" items that used to be complimentary.

7:30 am, as was told by the porters. Our usual is to arrive around 9 am, drop the luggage with the porters, continue up into the ramp to the left to find a parking spot. Leave the carry on bags in the vehicle, walk next door to Grills for a "Bon Voyage" Bloody Mary and enjoy the view of our new home. Then walk back to the vehicle to pick up the carry on bags to check in. Many go there for breakfast as well. 😉 Cheers and have a great cruise.

Well...not exactly. Being Pinnacle on RCI, I am knocked back to equivalent of Diamond when cruising on Celebrity.

Dave....did you get your original account back finally? No more doghog?

Thanks from Budapest! Currently many, many cruise vessels tied up here with none having any problems. There were 5 Viking Long ships in our group...with more other lines than I have ever seen. Most were all continuing up river from here, and all hoping we will make it all the way up. Thanks again for all you do! 🥰

The one we are on now holds a whopping max of 190 passengers. 😉

Ah... but of course monsieur....how else would you do it? 😄