Help Create a NEW "Cruising on Royal Caribbean FAQ"

[akcruz]

The Voyager class of ships has two different designs. The older 3 ships (Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas) are considered 1st generation, the last 2 ships (Navigator of the Seas and

Mariner of the Seas) are considered 2nd generation ships. Some differences between the 2

 

1st generation -

The balconies are part of the superstructure of the ship and therefore are more 'cave like'

In the kids area there is a section called adventure beach with a small water slide for the little ones

There is 1 teen area on these ships

 

2nd generation -

The balconies sit outside the superstructure and are therfore much 'airier' as they are mainly glass

The adventure beach section on the 1st generation has been replaced by a 2nd teen area

 

I know there are more differences but can't remember them right now.

[InsideCruiser]

Water (cups, not bottles), tea, coffee (non-speciality), lemonade, and ice tea all day.

 

Milk, as well as orange, apple, tomato, tropical juice (not freshly squeezed) at breakfast.

[TPKeller]

As one of the few lines that still defaults to paying suggested gratuities in cash, in envelopes, on the last night of the cruise, please refer to the

 

Cruise Tip Calculator

 

for mathematical assistance in preparing your tip envelopes. The calculator requires you to select the cruise line, the number of passengers and the length of your cruise. In return, it will provide for you the recommended tip amounts, and it will break down the correct number of bills of each denomination you will need to fill the envelope for each recommended tipped staff person.

 

There are currently three ways to pay gratuities on Royal Caribbean.

 

1. Pre-paid. The exact recommended amount for the tips are added to your booking invoice, and are paid in full at the time of final payment, usually a couple months before sailing. This method is required if you choose to use My Time Dining, since you will likely have different staff serving you each night. In addition, it is widely thought that this is the only situation where tips are pooled, again, because it would be impossible to directly distribute the tips to each individual staff member.

 

2. Charged to on-board account. This method requires you to take the positive step of filling out a form provided to you during the cruise, authorizing them to charge the exact recommended gratuities to your on-board account. This request has a deadline, usually a couple days before the end of the cruise.

 

Note: For both options 1 and 2, at the end of the cruise you will be provided with envelopes and voucher coupons for each tipped staff person so that you will have something to hand the staff. You may also include additional cash in the envelopes should you so choose.

 

3. Cash. This is the default method (unless you have chosen My Time Dining, see option #1.) Tips are recommended on a per-person, per-day amount, and you will need to calculate the totals for each person, round up the cash and stuff the envelopes, which will be left in your cabin near the end of the cruise. As mentioned earlier, the Cruise Tip Calculator is a big help with this process.

 

Finally, although this subject can be somewhat controversial, it is important to note that despite the use of the words "tip" and "gratuity", this transaction is in essence much more a "service charge" than anything else. The very vast majority of the wage earned by these recommended tipped positions comes from these funds, much more so than many of the instances of tipping or providing gratuities that you may encounter at other venues.

 

Theron

Edited October 10, 2010 by Host Kewlguy

[belinda452]

Royal Carribean Monarch of the Sea.

 

last night you're given color tags w/ number and instructions to leave your luggage outside your stateroom or you can do the 'Express Departure" taking your own luggage off. we choose the Express leaving @ 7:45 am instead of having to wait til 8:30 to be called and search our luggage through the mounds of other luggage. we were leaving the terminal @ 8 am. We loved it!

[DLSOB]

Wheelchair assistance

Best to ask for wheelchair assistance when making a cruise reservation, this request will be added to any included air travel. It is helpful if you can indicate to what extent assistance is required, for example can the passenger climb a few steps up to smaller aircraft.

At airports, and many rail stations in Europe, wheelchairs and, if necessary, someone to push the chair are available on request at assistance points and information desks.

Taxi cabs can often use disabled 'drop off and pick up' points - be sure to ask the cab driver.

At cruise terminals you may have to find someone or somewhere to locate a wheelchair. If possible look for terminal personel with a radio; this generally speeds up wheelchair provision.

Experiences over the past few years have been good, assistance personel are a goldmine of terminal information and invariably of cheerful disposition. A gratuity is not expected but appreciated.

[rcclfan101]

Royal Carribean offers two private islands:

 

Cococay, Bahamas

 

and

 

Labadee Haiti

[cruisenfever]

As of June 1, 2010 RCI has reinstated the combining of benefits when booking a cruise while on a cruise.

 

Your benefits include an OBC from booking on board which can be combined with either a Balcony Discount (if you are Platinum/Diamond/Diamond Plus) or a C&A Savings Certificate, if one becomes available for your cruise. Details are available on the RCI website under Crown & Anchor Benefits and you must log in to have access to all information.

 

New OBC Plus Platinum ~ Diamond ~ Diamond Plus Balcony Discounts as of June 1, 2010

[Tanderra]

Hope it doesn't ever apply to you, but.....the Medical Centre on RCI's ships are excellent. X-rays, various 'tests' and an ICU...which I was in.

The Medical Centre is usually found on deck 1. Doctor and staff are brilliant.

Thank goodness for travel insurance :)

[peteukmcr]

I can confirm that Spanish VAT of 16% is applied to most onboard products with the exception of bar sales and restaurant cover charges (Portofino & Johnny Rockets) where it is 7% when sailing from Barcelona and the ship DOES NOT visit a NON-EU port.

 

The General Store is no longer stocked with Duty Free Liquor nor Cigarettes as they are not allowed to sell duty free items whether in port or when sailing.

 

15% gratuity is charged on the original amount, not the amount after the VAT has been added.

 

The 16% rate is to increase to 18% from July 1st 2011 and the 7% rate will increase to 8%.

 

The rate of 4% for essentials and medicines will remain unchanged.

 

[cruisenfever]

When booking a cruise either from home or while on a cruise the following is a breakdown of the amount of deposit required which is dependent on the number of nights booked. Please note that the deposit amount will doubled if booked in a Grand Suite or higher cabin category.

 

Deposit required when booking up to a JS cabin category

$100 for a 3-5 night sailing

$250 for a 6-9 night sailing

$450 for a 10+ night sailing

 

Deposit required when booking a GS cabin and above category

$200 for a 3-5 night sailing

$500 for a 6-9 night sailing

$900 for a 10+ night sailing

[cruisenfever]

When booking a cruise either from home or while on a cruise the following is a breakdown of the amount of deposit required which is dependent on the number of nights booked. Please note that the deposit amount will doubled if booked in a Grand Suite or higher cabin category.

 

Deposit required when booking up to a JS cabin category

$100 for a 3-5 night sailing

$250 for a 6-9 night sailing

$450 for a 10+ night sailing

 

Deposit required when booking a GS cabin and above category

$200 for a 3-5 night sailing

$500 for a 6-9 night sailing

$900 for a 10+ night sailing

The above amounts listed are "per person" and not per cabin.

[melbur]

I see this question frequently asked, what is a hump cabin?

 

On Radiance Class ships, it is the rounded out area right around the centrum. Many of these cabins have extra large balconies and great views both forward and aft.

On Voyager Class, it is the bump out section around the centrum as well, however, balconies do not have as large an area as Radiance ones. Great views though and easy walking to where you want to go.

[Swath]

Ship Classes Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited (RCCL)

From: Royal Caribbean’s Website

 

Oasis-Class 2 [Cap: 6296]

Oasis of the Seas: 5 Dec 2009

Allure of the Seas: 1 Dec 2010

 

Freedom-Class 3 (Cap: 4375)

Freedom of the Seas: 4 Jun 2006

Liberty of the Seas: 19 May 2007

Independence of the Seas: 2 May 2008

 

Voyager-Class 5 (Cap: 3838)

Voyager of the Seas: 21 Nov 1999

Explorer of the Seas:28 Oct 2000

Adventure of the Seas:18 Nov 2001

Navigator of the Seas: 14 Dec 2002

Mariner of the Seas: 16 Nov 2003

 

Radiance-Class 4 (Cap: 2501)

Radiance of the Seas: 10 Mar 2001

Jewel of the Seas: 8 May 2001

Brilliance of the Seas: 19 Jul 2002

Serenade of the Seas: 1 Aug 2003

 

Vision-Class 6

Vision of the Seas: 2 May 1998(Cap: 2435)

Legend of the Seas: 16 May 1995(Cap: 2076)

Splendour of the Seas: 31 Mar 1996(Cap: 2076)

Grandeur of the Seas: 14 Dec 1996(Cap: 2446)

Rhapsody of the Seas: 19 May 1997(Cap: 2435)

Enchantment of the Seas: 31 Jul 1997(Cap: 2446)

 

Sovereign-Class 2 (3*) (Cap: 2477)

Sovereign of the Seas: 16 Jan 1988 *

Monarch of the Seas: 17 Nov 1991

Majesty of the Seas: 26 Apr 1992

 

*Transferred By RCCL from Royal Caribbean International to Pullmantur Cruises November 2008

Edited July 22, 2010 by Swath

[Swath]

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. [RCCL]

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Caribbean_Cruises_Ltd

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-irhome

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/

 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. [RCCL]

Royal Caribbean International, U.S.A.

Celebrity X Cruises, U.S.A. {Originally Greece}*

Pullmantur Cruises, Spain

Azamara Club Cruises, U.S.A.

CDF Croisieres de France

TUI Cruises (50% Ownership), Germany

 

* Also referred to as: X or =X=

[JJSMaine]

On the RCI ships I have been on AOS, ExOS & JOS, The Champagne Bar will sell you a whole bottle of Champagne and can save it for you, by recapping and preserving the bubbly essence. I have done this to have a nightly glass of bubbly before dinner. Indulge.... buy a bottle and nurse it all week!!

Edited July 24, 2010 by JJSMaine

[melbur]

Late Departure Program Have a late flight? Instead of sitting around the airport, why not take advantage of our Late Departure Program and spend the day resting, relaxing and receiving the Royal treatment instead? Lounge by the pool, grab a bite to eat in the Windjammer, and enjoy some of your favorite onboard amenities. Available now onboard select European ships:

• Adventure of the Seas®
  
• Brilliance of the Seas®
  
• Independence of the Seas®
  
• Jewel of the Seas®
  
• Navigator of the Seas®
  
• Splendour of the Seas®
  
• Vision of the Seas®
  
• Voyager of the Seas®
  

[Annieeee]

It is up to the guest to make certain that they have the proper documentation. Please make note of the following information taken from the RCI FAQ page.

 

Not all ports are the same and not all ships are as strict as others, just be prepared for a denial if you do not have these papers. Better to have them and not be asked for them than to be asked for the papers and not have them.

 

Anniee

 

Family Legal Documents

 

Should the last names of the parent and minor child traveling with them differ, the parent is required to present the child's valid passport and visa (if required) and the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy). The name of the parent(s) and the child must be linked through legal documentation.

Different Surnames (Last Names):

If a woman has several surnames on different documents such as birth certificate and drivers license, then she must bridge the difference with other documents, such as, marriage license and/or divorce papers. The additional bridging documents must be the original or a certified or notarized copy.

 

Adults who are not the parent or Legal Guardian of any minor child traveling with them are required to present the child's valid passport and visa or the child's birth certificate (original, a notarized copy or a certified copy) and an original notarized letter signed by at least one of the child's parents. The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and must authorize the traveling adult to supervise the child and permit any medical treatment that must be administered to the child. If a non-parent adult is a Legal Guardian, the adult must present a certified certificate of Guardianship with respect to the child.

 

 

 

 

One more thing, a birth registration is NOT a birth certificate. It may not be acceptable proof of US citizenship.

 

AN ENHANCED DRIVERS LICENSE is acceptable proof of citizenship. This type of driver license is issued by only 5 states.

 

Annieeee

Edited July 27, 2010 by Annieeee

[EVALUATOR]

A Commemorative Milestone Gift also known as Crystal Block, is supposed to be given to Crown and Anchor members. According to the June 1, 2010 enhanced benefits announcement, the gift is given ON the cruise that earns you your 20th CRUISE CREDIT. Another one is given on the cruise that earns you your CRUISE CREDIT number 30, 40, 50, etc.

 

The block is approximately 4" wide by 3" tall by 2" thick and weighs around 2#.

 

Here are a few photos of the blocks for reference purposes. It should have the ship name and likeness laser etched into the block.

 

Ron :)

 

 

 

 

 

[johneeo]

Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.

 

Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy. Guests who are under the permitted drinking age will not have alcohol returned to them.

[SCouple]

Did I understand right we can bring water as long as it's has a lugage tag? Because I don't drink coffie,tea,soda,juice, please be right I would love to bring water that my body knows Health resons...thanks

[bilyclub]

There has been posts in the last couple of months that water is being treated like booze, with the water being confiscated and returned at the end of the cruise

[cruisenfever]

Current C&A Ultimate Value Booklet for Gold, Platinum, Diamond & Diamond Plus

[Jimnbigd]

If using or pushing a wheelchair, watch out for metal bumps in various places on the ship.

Some of these are quite high and require lifting the front legs or backing the wheelchair over the hump.

Edited November 4, 2010 by Jimnbigd

[Jimnbigd]

Voyager class and higher have Cafe Promenade. There is no extra charge. It is often open 24 hours, and it is a good place for desserts or a light sandwich. Great Seattle's Best coffee too -- again no extra charge except for specialty coffees. If the Windjammer buffet is crowded when you first board, check out Cafe Promenade instead.

Edited November 4, 2010 by Jimnbigd

[Jimnbigd]

Enroll in the Crown & Anchor Society -- Royal Caribbean's loyalty program for past guests. It is free, and you receive some nice coupons, a past guest party (might not be available on shorter cruises), and other gifts and perks. You can sign up on the ship, or call Royal Caribbean after your cruise.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/subject.do?snav=&faqSubjectName=Crown+%26+Anchor+Society&faqSubjectId=340&pnav=

Edited November 4, 2010 by Jimnbigd