I just looked at your dates - we will be on this cruise with you.  We are considering the Experience Ensenada suggestion that was made.

26 minutes ago, MNfamilycruiser said:

Yes, flying into MIA and out of FLL (1 pm flight) - it was a much better price and time than flying out of MIA.  Sailing out of POM.  Thanks for the information (sorry I have not been on - I work in retail, it has been a crazy week!) We will definitely use Uber XL from MIA to hotel. 

 I looked into booking QLS, and realize I don't know what time to request, and also another post on this board with how great UberXL was when getting off the ship with 4 people and lots of luggage.  That answered my only concerns - so I will be using UberXL for the POM - FLL trip.  That way I don't have to predict exactly when we will be off and through customs/immigration.   Just wait until we are through and then then request the ride.  Ease of use is definitely worth the price difference. 

On 11/28/2019 at 2:22 PM, JohninDC said:

Flying into MIA and out of FLL?  Where are you cruising from?

 

UberXL from MIA to downtown Miami hotels will be about $25-28.  The $13 per person rate you are working is typically between FLL area and POM.

Yes, flying into MIA and out of FLL (1 pm flight) - it was a much better price and time than flying out of MIA.  Sailing out of POM.  Thanks for the information (sorry I have not been on - I work in retail, it has been a crazy week!) We will definitely use Uber XL from MIA to hotel. 

23 hours ago, JohninDC said:

QLS will pick up at some hotels. Check the website to see if yours is on the list.  They may pick up others after you, and drop others before you at different ships.  Uber or Lyft will be door to door, but for 4 plus bags you will need UberXL for about $70+ compared to $52+tip for the shared shuttle.

Thank you, we are taking the shuttle from the ship to the airport (FLL) - I will probably book it and then see how our UberXL goes from MIA to hotel.  I can always cancel and use Uber if we want.

On 11/20/2019 at 2:12 PM, JohninDC said:

It will not hurt to book early with QLS - no deposit required the last time I checked; 4 x$15 per person should be about $60+tip.  Or pay about $10+ more (total, not per person) and enjoy door to door service with UberXL (should be about $70+tip).  Your call. 😉

QLS price for a Monday, for 4 is $13, but that is not a big deal.  I am wondering about the door to door comment though - would QLS NOT be door to door?  Is the shuttle pick up and drop off locations not as convenient as the Uber locations?  I would vote for convenience over a small amount of savings. 

Family vacation - yes the kids are technically adults, but I would prefer to stick together.

On 10/25/2019 at 6:50 AM, JohninDC said:

Howdy neighbor! 😉

 

Stay where you want in the FLL area and then use UberX or Lyft to get to POM the next day - fare for the car should be about $35+  IMHO it is not worth the hassle for two to catch a shared shuttle just to save a few bucks - if you have 3 the car service is actually cheaper.  If you have 4 travelling together, especially if anyone packs like my wife, you'll need UberXL and the fare will jump to about $70+ 😥

 

Lots of FLL area hotels offer airport shuttles, or you can use Uber or a taxi - distances are not far and fares are inexpensive.

Thank you - this is exactly the info I was looking for 😊 We have four people plus luggage, and even though I have used Uber/Lyft while travelling the last few years - I haven't tried to get one for this many people and their luggage.  My gut feeling was that it might be just as expensive as a shuttle when you need a bigger vehicle.  Looks like QLS has a slight discount for 4 people on a Monday morning.  We are about 45 days away - any need to book quickly?  Our flight is at 1:00 pm from FLL, pretty sure we arrive in port at 6 am.

46 minutes ago, tewkewl said:

Yeah because you're used to the system and you may have different needs.  That's a pretty horrible system for people who want to decide daily when to eat and which show to watch.  We don't want the show to dictate our schedule.  If it was just me and my wife that would be fine, but we have a one year old as well, so this sort of pre-planning doesn't work well for us.

No system is going to meet everyone's needs perfectly.   But this one allows for both pre-planning and spontaneity - there is just some risk in going the spontaneous route.  The same risks you take in being spontaneous at home - you might not get into the show you want to see or get the dining time you want if you wait until the last minute.   I believe the new systems were put into place for the bigger ships with more passengers.  You really think it would be better if 6000 people needed to make their reservations on a daily basis?  Or just show up at the dining location or show they wanted to see?  That sounds like my idea of a horrible system - I shudder at the idea of wasting so much of my vacation standing in lines...

9 hours ago, Crusin6 said:

Step 7 in the above link alone will convince anyone that it’s much easier for both parents to go....

 

hence my advice still is to is to bring both parents if a child is under 16

 

 

 

 

I didn't say one way was easier than the other, only that is not true that both parents must appear in person.  For us, it was far easier for my husband to fill out the form and have it notarized.   Since his firm has notaries on staff, it was a 10 minute process instead of taking off work for 1-2 hours. 

This provision also covers other instances in which only one parent is available to appear in person.

On 1/14/2019 at 5:43 PM, Crusin6 said:

Their passports also cost less

 

fyi your husband will need to physically be present to get the kids passports due to their ages you can’t do it alone 

I am pretty certain this is not true.... I seem to remember that my husband signed a form and had it notarized.  My girls had at least 2 passports before they turned 18 - my husband was never there when we got them.... OK I just googled it: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/under-16.html

On 12/11/2018 at 8:09 AM, sparks1093 said:

If their passport was issued when they were under 16 then they had to apply in person, at least that is what State's website says.

 

You can renew by mail using Form DS-82 if your most recent passport meets all five of these requirements:

1. Is submitted with your application
2. Is undamaged (other than normal "wear and tear")
3. Was issued when you were age 16 or older
4. Was issued within the last 15 years
5. Was issued in your current name (or you can document your name change with an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order)

Yes, this is correct.  We just did this, this week.   My daughter, who is now 19 needed to renew her passport that she got when she was 14.  We needed to apply in person.  They also would only accept cash or check - so I had to go with her.  We joked about the next time she needs one - when she is 29 - she should have actual checks by then.  (Or if she changes her name due to marriage of course)

45 minutes ago, invision said:

I don't think the $17.50 a day per person they charge us is bad.  Trouble is who get how much of this amount is not clear.  RCCL should state that somewhere but I have not been able to put my hands on that info.  

 

M

 

I think on the website the information is listed in the FAQ - I am certain I have seen it multiple times.

2 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

HOw do you know they are not coached to ask it just so??????  We have never had any service member ask for 10s unless we felt they deserve it.  They just stress that the answer is important to their reviews.

We don't know, but what would be the point to corporate to have a survey and coach employees to ask for 10's?  The survey would be meaningless and a waste of time and money.   If they were coached it would be by someone on the ship, not from corporate.  I doubt they were coached by anyone unless it was to change away from asking for 10s.  I used to work for Kohl's - the surveys were stressed endlessly - the employees didn't get anything out of it, but the individual store did.  We were told over and over again that if we got anything less than a 10 it counted against us - a 9 is the same as a 0 in their ranking system.  So of course employees started asking for 10s - until corporate came out with a new policy saying that was not allowed.  This tendency would be exaggerated if there was money on the line for the employee.

2 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Suites are different than the C&A program but sure, Royal can and has made changes to the Suite Perks. Sure they could use the lounge for anything they choose. 

I am guessing the T&C for both allows them to make whatever changes they want at any time - most are just saying it was very poorly handled.  Our only access to the CL has been through suites - from a relatively objective point of view - this is just BAD customer relations. 

2 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Where in your C&A Terms and Conditions does it say to notify anyone? It’s clear they can and will make changes WITHOUT NOTICE. 

Of course they CAN,  that is not the point.   SHOULD they act this way?  What if they decided to change it around and told all suite guests that they no longer had access to the CL - and escorted them out in front of everyone?  I am willing to bet that access to the CL is not a guarantee for anyone at anytime in the Terms and Conditions.

6 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Sure we would be disappointed. We went to Elton John concert that was cancelled 30 minutes after the scheduled start time because he had an ear ache and couldn’t wear his ear piece. We had our tickets for almost two years. We sat next to a party of 8 whom had flown down from Canada just to see him. These were great tickets, awesome seats, and not cheap. 

 

Still, everyone should know the Terms and Conditions are there, for all to read. My brother, who is Pinnacle, reminded me in the beginning that all things are not always permanent. 

 

Royal has to do something to apease the Suite Guests. We have complained and Royal is listening. Too many times Suite Guests are unable to find room the the lounge. 

 

What would you suggest Royal do?  Leaving things as is, is not the answer. 

Notify people ahead of time.  Not walk up to them when they are already in the lounge and ask them to leave.  Just too tacky!

4 hours ago, rich_cathybrock said:

Appreciate the feedback, and frankly a little disappointed to hear the SL is so crowded, especially on the Freedom which is already overcrowded elsewhere based on the recent refurb to add the new staterooms.

 

I will wait to see and will report back after February, but if this perk is no perk at all, that would be a shame, and I will be asking the Concierge for access to the DL so we can receive what we paid for if I find that to be the case.  HAL and other lines always have ample space for passengers in their Suite Lounges.  

 

We don't even drink, but do enjoy the occasional canape and of course, the espresso, as well as the Concierge from time to time.

I am growing increasingly frustrated with what feels like the endless upsell with little benefit, and hope this will not be the case.  Thanks, all, for the help, as always! 

Don't assume the worst without being there.  It all depends on your exact sailing and how many Diamond + and Pinnacles there are in addition to the suite passengers.  And whether the Diamond + and Pinnacles prefer the CL to their other options.  Also I think most reports of over-crowding have to do with getting free drinks during the happy hour.  Other than those hours we have mainly found the CL to be nearly empty.  

I have always called if I didn't do it at the time the reservations were made.

28 minutes ago, Froufie said:

 

Can you please provide date s?  Was this your first bid?  or did you have to rebid several times?  thx

January 3, 2019  It was my 9th bid.  I was aiming for the Intercontinental Downtown/Port of Miami which is 4 1/2* but was given the Kimpton Epic.  First time using Priceline, I followed instructions for getting free rebids so I started pretty low.

42 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Such a photo would definitely not be acceptable for facial recognition.  Typically, the actual picture of your face is not stored for facial recognition (although it would be stored for Royal employees to look at).  Facial recognition measures several things on your face that cannot be easily change, like the distance between your eyes, the width of your nose, cheek bones, jaw lines, etc.  It stores these measurements.  Facial hair, eye color, glasses, hair color/length, etc. are all easily changed and are not measured/stored.  When checking for a match, the system will quickly take these measurements from the image being presented and compare against what was previously stored.  You typically need a straight on picture of the entire face to take these measurements, although with newer 3D imaging cameras, you have more accuracy and more ability to handle images that are not straight on.

Interesting, I wonder if the CBP and/or IDEMA will store the biometric data past the single cruise?  Probably not at this point.  Also speculating that they are limiting the use to those who travelled with passports because the passport represents an additional layer of identification?  I have used the machines that scan your passport and then takes photo for international flights - but this seems to be simply a check that the passengers getting off are the same people as the ones who got on.  

22 minutes ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

Interesting!

I am very sure you can give them a photo that could not be used for biometric usage - like a sideways view - that is the way I would go.....👍

I would think that if you gave them such a photo (this wasn't possible the last time I cruised RCI) they would make you take another one that can be used when you board.   They use that photo to allow you to reboard at every port.  Some ports are more stringent than others.  I remember someone in my party being asked to take off sunglasses and hat when we reboarded once - they couldn't clearly compare to the picture on file.

Priceline: Kimpton Epic  Downtown/Port of Miami ( 5*)

$155 bid  plus $31 taxes and fees  vs. $378 for a AAA rate

23 hours ago, EmmasNana said:

Sort of, why do they put beans in the tacos? Hate beans in tacos.

Because beans are cheaper than beef?

And some regions put beans in or with tacos so it is acceptable to many.

1 hour ago, amscene1 said:

What/who are they looking for or cross checking against? 

My guess - your picture used to board the ship/taken when you board the ship.

15 minutes ago, squadron said:

I've done both - try to get a direct flight early in the morning.  Sometimes the price of a hotel makes the decision for me. Once at destination  I never feel like exploring so I feel that it is a wasted day - other do sight see.  It depends on your feelings about it.

Yes, also less risk flying in May (as OP stated) than in winter.  It also depends on how far away your direct flight is coming from and how many other flights are available that day that could get you there in time if something goes wrong.  I recently looked at flights from Minneapolis to Miami and was surprised at how few options I had compared to flying into Orlando,