LIVE LIVE LIVE from the MARINER with MERION MOM for 53 DAYS!!!

[cruisenfever]

Carol, hmm a piano player and now a drummer?;):p:D

She's starting to organize her own band!!:)

 

I have to step in here in defense of at least some of those people.

 

I am a very experienced traveler. Russia (three times) and China (twice) are the only two that have required Visas. When we traveled to those locales, everything and everyone we dealt with had major discussions about the visa requirements.

 

I don't know how much was made of visas for this cruise. Was the information front and center? or did people have to read through all the fine print on their cruise documents? After you have cruised as much as we have, you don't read those documents any more. And if your travels have been in the "usual" tourist locations in Europe, you don't need visas. And, of course, not everyone comes to Cruise Critic for information like I do.

 

If I had booked this cruise and was not a member of CC, I might very well have been in that group. (Don't use a travel agent because of one bad experience, and he probably would not have alerted me if I had used him.)

 

I'm not defending or blaming, just admitting my own stupidity. Just curious. (And no, RCCL should not be held liable, but I'm asking how much emphasis was placed on this.)

Sailing to South America is an entirely new cruising experience as we found out last March when we did our SA cruise. All experienced /inexperienced travelers have the responsibility of checking to see what documentation is needed to enter a new country.

 

RCI provided these folks all the information that they needed regarding applying for Visas. It was included in the booklet mailed to them about 8 weeks prior to sailing. They just had to read the first five pages.

 

Many used the excuse that they were not going to get off the ship in Brazil, so why bother with a Visa. Unfortunately, the government of Brazil doesn't care if you don't get off the ship.............you still have to pay to enter their country.

 

Folks flying into BA to catch the ship for the second leg may have to pay a reciprocity fee of $131pp which is collected at the airport...........and folks flying into Santiago do have to pay the $131pp reciprocity fee at the airport.

 

This is a little OT...........but if you do a cruise out of or into Australia.........you also need a Visa. Fortunately these can be done on-line and there is a minimal service fee.

 

These are all things you learn by using the internet.............it takes so little time to eliminate so much stress.

[My2Kitties]

Hi Carol and all those aboard the Mariner...having fun reading the live posts...

 

I feel bad for those left behind because I could easily have been one of them...not being a seasoned traveler I may not have read all the fine print...

can any of them meet the ship in the next port?

could that be why they are not giving out cabins?

[wolfcathorse]

Amazing how flashing a card is so important these days.

 

well its better than Carol flashing something else! :D

[petesweet]

We are taking a Baltic cruise this summer but understand that the tour guide looks after you in St. Petersburg, Russia and you don't need a Visa?

 

That's true only if you stay with the guide or go on a ship excursion. If you want to go on your own, you need your own personal visa. I suggest you go to the Baltics board for complete details on tour agencies, etc.

[petesweet]

This is a little OT...........but if you do a cruise out of or into Australia.........you also need a Visa. Fortunately these can be done on-line and there is a minimal service fee.

 

These are all things you learn by using the internet.............it takes so little time to eliminate so much stress.

 

Thanks - I love to read your posts because I learn so much.

 

I guess I've gotten a little complacent because we've traveled also throughout the Philippines and to Thailand and no visas were required. We did not research these because we were with family who live in the area. Would not have guessed one was necessary for Australia.

 

(I'd better research Canada for our upcoming cruise. Ha!)

[CVU]

That's true only if you stay with the guide or go on a ship excursion. If you want to go on your own, you need your own personal visa. I suggest you go to the Baltics board for complete details on tour agencies, etc.

 

Thank you, that is what we understood.

 

I work with cruise passengers for the Alaska cruises and so many have never even opened their cruise booklet when they come off the plane. They are then surprised to find they have luggage tags inside the book!

So, therefore I am not surprised at all that they were not aware they needed a Visa.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

well its better than Carol flashing something else! :D

 

 

Trying not to visualize that! :eek: :eek: :eek: :D

 

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[cruisenfever]

Thanks - I love to read your posts because I learn so much.

 

I guess I've gotten a little complacent because we've traveled also throughout the Philippines and to Thailand and no visas were required. We did not research these because we were with family who live in the area. Would not have guessed one was necessary for Australia.

 

(I'd better research Canada for our upcoming cruise. Ha!)

:) You are welcome.:)

 

Had they just read what was sent to them................they would have eliminated all the additional expenses and aggravation.......not to mention blood pressures rising.

[xpcdoojk]

Thanks - I love to read your posts because I learn so much.

 

I guess I've gotten a little complacent because we've traveled also throughout the Philippines and to Thailand and no visas were required. We did not research these because we were with family who live in the area. Would not have guessed one was necessary for Australia.

 

(I'd better research Canada for our upcoming cruise. Ha!)

 

No visa for Canada, although if you have any criminal convictions it could be an issue. Had a fishing trip a few years ago, that involved float planes and one of the guys (I didn't know him prior) had a DWI in his past and was not allowed to go.

 

jc

[TPKeller]

No visa for Canada, although if you have any criminal convictions it could be an issue. Had a fishing trip a few years ago, that involved float planes and one of the guys (I didn't know him prior) had a DWI in his past and was not allowed to go.

 

jc

Canada takes a real dim view of DUI/DWI convictions:

 

Canada DWI or DUI - Driving convictions

 

Theron

[xpcdoojk]

Canada takes a real dim view of DUI/DWI convictions:

 

Canada DWI or DUI - Driving convictions

 

Theron

 

Kind of funny isn't it, considering a few of my Canadian friends.:D

 

jc<---- loves all Canadians:D

[rednancy1]

Never expect RCI to red flag anything when it comes to cruise documentation. If they would have done that........then there wouldn't be 2 bus loads of folks leaving the pier because of no Visa for Brazil.

 

If you are taking a trip to an unfamiliar country............you can always call that country's Consulate/Embassy here in the US to find out what is needed to enter their country.

 

Yes, sometimes the cruise lines can take out a blanket waiver covering Visas for all pax when traveling to certain countries.

 

 

I agree.................you would think that the folks that man the phones would have the answers. At least your friends got it taken care of. Now, did they get YF vaccs??

 

GO BUCKS:D

 

Patti,

You got it right!!! :):):)

[rednancy1]

That's the information I was looking for. With that, there is no excuse, even for someone like me who would not have read all the fine print. Especially if you have taken a Baltics cruise, you would have thought you would not be left behind without a visa.

 

I've been traveling world wide since the mid 70's. I wouldn't think of leaving home without inquiring to the embassy about a visa.

 

I needed a visa to ski in France in 1987.

[bubbie617]

Carol, hmm a piano player and now a drummer?;):p:D

 

If I know Carol (and I know Carol), she won't stop until she's accumulated an orchestra!! You go, girl!!

[wrp96]

If I know Carol (and I know Carol), she won't stop until she's accumulated an orchestra!! You go, girl!!

 

 

That's why I can't wait until May when she get teach me all she knows.:D

[mtcabin2]

Hey Royal Divas, now that you're chummy with the Nelsons, how about arranging for them to stay aboard so those of us joining in Rio can enjoy them! :D

[rednancy1]

I would LOVE that especially if it stopped in San Francisco, Astoria, Seattle, and Vancouver along the way.

 

 

 

I thought if proper credit was given ... author, name of book, page of recipe that it was OK. I know JoAnna Lund (author of many, many cookbooks) allowed it as long as we met those conditions. I understand if you don't feel OK sending it to me. I've let my friend know about the recipe and we'll be on the Mariner in April if they still have the book for sale. The biggest thing for her was whether or not they still served this wonderful raisin bread for breakfast on board ship. So have our fingers crossed that they still do.

 

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. JoAnna Lund died of cancer after a long battle. I have many of her cookbooks. And they are wonedrful.:)

[lovedogs]

Thank you, that is what we understood.

 

I work with cruise passengers for the Alaska cruises and so many have never even opened their cruise booklet when they come off the plane. They are then surprised to find they have luggage tags inside the book!

So, therefore I am not surprised at all that they were not aware they needed a Visa.

 

First of all, I want to thank Carol and everyone for this wonderful thread! I'm cyber cruising with you through this journey and enjoying every minute!

 

I've only cruised to Mexico, Alaska (twice), the Caribbean and Hawaii. Our next cruise in October is the Panama Canal on the Serenade. Now, here's my question - we don't need visas, do we? :o Or do we? Sorry for the "dumb question", I just want to be sure I can board the ship in 270 days!

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Lindsay

[truffles2]

No visa required for Panama Canal:D

[wrp96]

First of all, I want to thank Carol and everyone for this wonderful thread! I'm cyber cruising with you through this journey and enjoying every minute!

 

I've only cruised to Mexico, Alaska (twice), the Caribbean and Hawaii. Our next cruise in October is the Panama Canal on the Serenade. Now, here's my question - we don't need visas, do we? :o Or do we? Sorry for the "dumb question", I just want to be sure I can board the ship in 270 days!

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Lindsay

 

 

As you can tell from this thread, definitely not a dumb question. More like a very smart question!!!

 

As truffles2 said, no visas required for Panama Canal cruises if you are a US citizen.

[cruisenfever]

Pulled this off my Shareholder thread.................I think somebody better let the folks that have large OBCs on their SeaPass account know about this...............

 

What can I use onboard credits for? Below are examples of how you can spend these credits onboard*.

 

Spa Services

Beverages

Internet Café

Photos

Shore excursions

Specialty Dining

Onboard shopping

Bingo

Casino

 

 

*In order to redeem onboard credit, items must be booked/purchase onboard via your SeaPass account. Onboard activities reserved on royalcaribbean.com cannot be paid with onboard credits. Onboard credit will appear on your SeaPass account typically by day 3 for sailings 7 nights or longer; for sailings 6 nights or less, the onboard credit will appear on your SeaPass by day 2.

 

For all voyages beginning on and after January 1, 2009, all complimentary/promotional onboard credits will have no cash value.

Complimentary/Promotional Onboard Credits

This onboard credit is not transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash. Guests who do not use the full amount of the onboard credit during their purchased sailing, will not be refunded any of the remaining credit. This offer cannot be combined with another OBC on the same reservation. Onboard credit is issued in U. S. dollars only.

 

Onboard credits that are purchased pre-cruise through Shop Gifts & Gear, Royal Caribbean Gift Certificates or through the Groups Program are considered "purchased onboard credits". These are bought by the guest or for the guest by a friend/family/company. Royal Caribbean credit card points can also be used to apply a credit to the onboard account. Onboard credits that are offered through special sales and marketing promotions, such as this one, are considered "complimentary/promotional onboard credits". GAP points applied to Groups are also in this category.

[MilliesMom]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. JoAnna Lund died of cancer after a long battle. I have many of her cookbooks. And they are wonedrful.:)

 

Thank you. I was aware of her passing, she is greatly missed by many. She truly had a heart of gold ... so kind and caring. I had the good fortune of corresponding with her for a number of years.

[MrZoey]

Ok, this is one of those weird truth-is-stranger-than-fiction stories.

 

On Monday, we were at sea, so the dining room was open for lunch. Liz and I decided to eat there.

 

For anyone who doesn't know: Lunch and breakfast are open seating in the dining room. Someone escorts you to an open table.

 

A crew member started to lead us to one table, then quickly realized that those people weren't English-speakers. She changed course, and led us to another table, over by the window.

 

We sat down, and started to get acquainted.

 

First, I noted that the man (it was a family of four) was wearing a cap that said "Ocean City, New Jersey" on it.

 

I asked if they lived there.

 

He said "no, but we had a boat there", or something like that.

 

I asked if they lived in New Jersey, and he said, "No, Pennsylvania."

 

I said, "Oh, where in Pennsylvania?"

 

He said, "Philadelphia.".

 

I said, "Where in Philadelphia?"

 

He said, "Well, not *in* Philadelphia.....we live in the suburbs."

 

I said, "WHERE?"

 

And he said "Bala Cynwyd."

 

People, Bala Cynwyd is so close to Merion that they are in fact almost the same place, just different zip codes. Neither really *exists*, except as zip codes. Both are just parts of Lower Merion Township.

 

They live about ten blocks from us! Their kids are in 10th & 8th grade, and attend the same schools that my kids did. They have many of the same teachers. We know many of the same people.

 

So, to summarize:

 

We are on a ship currently sailing with more than 3,600 passengers.

 

There are some 40 countries represented on this cruise.

 

Thousands were eating in the Windjammer at that time, hundreds in the main dining room.

 

And we were seated at a table with people whom I probably see around home every day without even realizing it.

 

How do you like THAT?!??!?!?!?

 

:eek: :cool:

Merion Mom,

I know this is off topic.......but I finally had time to sit down and read your "story" for this trip and read this post. Are you originally from Merion? I was born and raised in Penn Valley! My parents lived in Bala after I moved to Michigan.

Enjoy your trip!:p

[crusinanan]

trying not to visualize that! :eek: :eek: :eek: :d

 

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wow:d:d

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Carol were you able to get your computer going so you can post some pictures.....we're dying here!!!! :eek: :D :D :D

 

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