Julie.a

We cruise on Quantum next week and while filling out all the onboarding stuff I noticed that they suggest a passport that is at least 6 months from expiring. Here’s the question: 1. Are they saying they recommend a passport which MUST be at least 6 months from expiring, or… 2. They’re suggesting that it be 6 months from expiring, but that’s not a requirement? My sons’ passports expire in 2 months and they don’t have government issues photo IDs. If they are required to have a passport 6 months from expiring, I’ll need to run them to the DMV this week to get ID cards. This is for a cruise to Alaska/Canada. Thank you!

Their website asks that cruise passengers not book through them directly.

I just had this happen today. It was only one excursion, but that’s all I booked. I’m sailing with several family members and they all have all least one cancellation (unsure if they also only had one). No follow-up email about a ship change and I did call but customer service had no answers.

That’s terrible, and I’m glad everyone is okay. But we received the cancellation notice last night. I completely understand that stuff happens, but I’m trying to understand the common theme between my Skagway cancellation, my aunt’s Juneau cancellation, and my other aunt’s Victoria cancellation. Just seems odd that we’re all having this issue, but in different ports.

I'm excited for our first Alaskan cruise in just over 3 weeks, but I received an email last night saying our Skagway excursion was cancelled. I wanted to do the White Pass Scenic Railway, but didn't book before they all sold out. We ended up doing the Best of Skagway tour, which has the White Hall Pass plus a few others things. It was obviously more expensive, but this was something we REALLY wanted to do. I'm devastated that it was cancelled because there are no other good excursions now. I have a lot of extended family going on this cruise, and 2 of them said their excursions were also cancelled, but in different cities. Is it common for excursions to be cancelled? Is something going on that is causing Royal Caribbean to cancel so many? I called customer service today, but they weren't able to (or didn't want to share) what happened.

I've only been on 2 cruises so far, but I absolutely love them. We're going to Alaska in July, and I'm curious what the ports are like. Our first cruise stopped in Key West, and you could just walk around, grab lunch, etc. Other ports, like Nassau, where you really have to know where you want to go and get transportation into town. Of these ports, are any of them like Key West where you can just get off the ship and walk around with no real plan? Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, Victoria Also, we have 2 boys - 11 and 14. I'll take any recommendations for things that would be good for kids (dog sledding, gold mining, whale watching, etc). Thank you!!

I'm so glad you asked this. I'm also going to Alaska on the Quantum, but not until July. Mine itinerary is similar to yours, but I'll be in Sitka instead of Icy Straight Point. I have 2 kids - 11 and 14. We're thinking of a whale watching tour, dog sledding, and maybe panning for gold. Any recommendations for those?

My husband and I are sailing in July. I don't drink and he does. Last time he just bought drinks a la carte, but he wanted to get the deluxe beverage package this time. Last time around they told me that with special permission (asking a supervisor) I could get my husband a drink package along with my soda package. Today I called to get the deluxe drink and soda package, but I was told that the only way to skirt the alcohol rules is if I get the refreshment package. I don't drink coffee either (maybe I'm a weirdo ), so I don't want to pay $20/day more for nothing. Is it possible to get a classic soda package and a deluxe drink package? Should I try calling on another day to get a supervisor who might be more lenient?

Thanks for the tips! I think we're definitely going to do Mr. Sanchos. I just need to decide what we'll do in Yucatan (if anything). Can we just hit a local beach? Is there one nearby?

What a great idea! I'm going to Cozumel in August and didn't think about the vanilla. Thanks for the idea!

We went last January. We had booked the excursion to Atlantis. It was rainy and dark and maybe 70 degrees. For me in VA, that was still pretty warm. Warm enough to suck it up and go to the water park. It wasn't ideal, but the slides were empty and we had a good time. The lifeguards were literally bundled up in North Face jackets. I guess 70 for them is freezing. I believe it was unseasonably cold that day, so it should be warmer for you.

On our last cruise I learned that there are ports where you can just walk around on your own to explore (like Key West) and ports where you really need to get a cab and know where you're going (like Nassau). We're going to Cozumel and Yucatan in August. Does anyone have experience with these ports? I'd like to see the ruins, but just for an hour because my kids will lose interest. I'd also like to do the fun water parks like Mr. Sanchos. What can I do on my own, and what do I need to pre-book and arrange transportation for? TIA!!

Matt - it seems my memory isn't as good as I thought. I wrote "Paradiso", but it's actually "Progreso". Sorry to confuse you!

The itinerary says “Yucatán (Paradiso)”. Is that the same as Costa Maya?

We're headed to Yucaton and Cozumel in August on the Enchantment and I'm curious which excursions are good for 8 and 11 year old boys. I think we want to do one of the all-inclusive water park/beach resorts one day, but what about the other? Have any of you tried anything that your kids just LOVED?

We packed Motorola walkie-talkies so I could communicate with my pre-teen on the Enchantment this past January. Either they were damaged in transit or the signal was blocked on the ship. Either way, it didn't work. Thankfully the ship really isn't that big and communication was never an issue. A few nights my boys just wanted to stay in and watch TV while my husband and I went to a show or the casino. There are phones on the walls in many public areas and we would just call them every hour or so.

Use the child care facility! My kids were 6 and 10 when we sailed, so not quite the same, but they both enjoyed it. One evening they dressed up like pirates and learned a little song and dance and paraded through the main atrium area where I just happened to be watching whatever entertainment was going on that evening. It was the absolutely cutest thing the whole world. They have lots of fun programs and the facility is clean. Check in can be a hassle when everyone shows up at the same time, but it's because they're making sure kids don't disappear with the wrong person. It was 100% free on our ship, so I assume that's true for all ships. It's even open until 1am or something crazy like that.

I'm booked in a standard interior room for our cruise in July and I've been waiting for a sale so I can upgrade. I've called twice now, but no luck. Thankfully I have until May to find a deal.

Sounds amazing! We cruised on the Enchantment this past January but had to skip CocoCay due to bad weather. My kids were devastated! Coincidentally, we're cruising on the Enchantment again this coming July but we're headed to Mexico this time. It took me 38 years to go on my first cruise, but we're definitely hooked!

We're cruising next July and we want to do the Secret River in Cozumel. It's very highly rated online, so we feel like it's a must-see. However, I have 2 boys who will be 8 and 11 at the time. They're both good swimmers, but I'm wondering if this excursion will be able to hold their attention for 8 hours because obviously we can't leave halfway though. Can someone who has done this tour give a quick rundown of the itinerary for the day? There don't seem to be any details online. TIA!

We will be sailing the Enchantment of the Seas in January and will have a full day stop in Nassau. We definitely want to do the Atlantis waterpark. I've heard that maybe you can get in cheaper than what Royal Caribbean costs. I saw that I can book passes directly through Atlantis, but I heard that may I can also book a night at the Comfort Suites nextdoor and get complimentary passes? Is that right? What's the best way to get passes?

My family will be cruising this coming January on the Enchantment of the Seas. It'll be myself, my husband, and my 9 and 6 year old boys. I have a MILLION questions. I'd love advice, tips, etc from anyone who has sailed on this ship with kids before. 1. It appears that the kids club is free. Is that right? My kids fall into different age groups, can they stay together? 2. My youngest is still a weak swimmer. Are there life vests on board or should I bring my own? 3. Are kids allowed to walk along on the boat (no parents)? I wouldn't do this often, but if they wanted to leave dinner early and go back to the room, is that allowed? 4. Any other miscellaneous tips or kids or adults on this particular ship? Thank you!!