twangster

Hey everyone, twangster here.  I've lived in many different states, coastal to the western mountains where I currently reside.  I have a Bernese Mountain Dog who gives me the stink eye when he hears me on the phone booking my next cruise.  Seriously, somehow he knows.

My upcoming Harmony cruise will complete the Oasis class trilogy and will be number 21 for me, but whose's counting?  Switched to RCI last year, very glad I did, but should have switched a long time ago.  Finally made Platinum and after Harmony I'll be Emerald.  Diamond here I come.  Lesser cruise lines I've sailed include Radisson, NCL, Disney, Carnival and Celebrity.  Often cruise solo or with family when they can keep up with me.  

I've been watching the scopes on the Harmony GC.  Awesome!  Keep them coming.  Looking into the next GC but just did Alaska in June.  Might go on the GC anyways.  Love Alaska!

Cheers! 

Just now, rjac said:

Not so much here!

Newbie here but like what I see so far.  I've often referred people here in other forums to view the cruise compasses - great resource to prepare for a cruise.

I like the search and filter options for researching itineraries on cruiseline.com.  Filtering by ship size, sorting by cabin type rather than simply lowest inside cabin price, etc.  I've participated on a few user feedback panels with them and they do listen.

There is negativity on many forums, you can usually tell in the first line or two if a review or post should be ignored.  

14 minutes ago, RestingBirds said:

Why did Adventure even go there that quickly after the Hurricane?  Did they let you all off?

Part of RCI's humanitarian relief effort.  They dropped off supplies and picked up some stranded travelers (non cruisers) who couldn't get off the island when the airport closed.   

How is Voom coming across on a TA?

 Thinking about doing Symphony TA in 2018.  Might need to work from the ship a few days which I've done before with Voom O3B while in the Caribbean.   Wasn't sure if satellites covered the TA route across to Florida.

Cone of uncertainty still pretty large.  You can follow the chief meteorologist for RCI on twitter @JamesVanFleet.  He is very good about tweeting updates and responding to questions.  When I used to live in a coastal area I would jokingly say it's good to be the bullseye 5 days out because they always seem to shift away.  Not very scientific or helpful and more of a nervous coping mechanism, but it proved true time and again.  Hoping for the best for you.  

On 6/27/2017 at 7:23 PM, StayFrosty said:

You mean this?

 

Just found this thread.  When I was there in at the end of August there was a group of pilings farther west (left) outside the limits of this drawing.  They were dredging in the envelope shown and there is a large number of pilings near shore exactly as illustrated.  Makes me wonder what the other pilings are for. 

At one time I had four active booking and drink packages were not the same price in any of them.  It seems RCI monitors and adjust them on a cruise by cruise basis, even for the same ship.  For Grandeur 9 day in August it was $41 per day.  Cheapest I've seen it.  Harmony in a few weeks was $46 per day.  Navigator in December was full price $55 per day.  (all before the gratuity)

On other forums users report varying prices.  Speculation on my part but it seems if the packages are selling well for a particular sailing they'll remove the pre-cruise discounts.   This occurred to me on the Allure in May.  You are best to buy it when ever you see it discounted.  If it goes on sale further you can always refund your original purchase and re-purchase at the lower price.  Once the discount is gone, it's gone.

I did a reverse cruise ANC to YVR in June.  Also used Skymiles, booked each leg as a one-way, which for some reason came out fewer miles than booking it as a multi-city.  Go figure.  Not sure if you have looked into getting from Seward to Anchorage, but the Alaskan railway was a phenomenal experience. It sells out months in advance so research and book well before you sail.

C&A boarding lines vary by port.  In Baltimore Gold and 1st timers used the same very long line a couple weeks ago.  Plat and above had unique and empty lines. 

Lockers were $8 in May.  They have them at a variety of locations, like right at the sports marina where the jet skis are located.  

It seems like some are reporting Adventure OTS will call on St Croix more, Oasis class to St Kitts.  They won't tender an Oasis class (my opinion).  Not sure if port specs would allow Oasis class in St Croix.  

I've worked in the USVI.  I was based on St Thomas but we had a company plane that took us back and forth so I've spent time on St Croix.  It's very different, not as busy, not as built up.  Point Udal is the eastern more point of the United States.  I'd like to see more calls on St Croix but folks need to research it and understand it.  It's not a copy of St Thomas and that's a good thing.  Lot's to do if you research, but different than other islands.

@rjac is correct.  To further expand I've heard that one propellor was damaged.  They trimmed the metal but these propellers are highly engineered and tuned.  With metal cut away means the prop is imbalanced.  St Kitts requires a leg at full speed which is now not attainable.  A couple of years ago Allure had bearing issues which caused speed restrictions.  Growing pains of new ships.  On Youtube is an RCTV video "Project Atlantis" that covers the work to fix it in 2013.  Similar dry dock will be employed to replace the propeller which is being cast and tuned over the coming months (you don't just buy one of these props at a typical marina).  Perfectly safe ship, she just vibrates at top speed which in the long term would cause additional damage and not be pleasant for anyone on board.

Any cruise is subject to itinerary changes.  As others pointed out that is in the contract.  I've sailed in the Loft Suites on Oasis and Allure.  I have a Grand Suite coming up on Harmony.  With airfare and hotels and all the rest I've spent more than you, more than once.  How much money is spent on the cabin has no bearing on the contract. I've been to Labadee twice and loved it both times.  I'm going again soon and looking forward to it.  Not to be mean or insensitive to your situation but it sounds like perhaps cruising isn't best suited to you.  Royal has not misrepresented the cruise, I believe you misunderstood how cruising works.  

Perhaps CFAR insurance should have been purchased (Cancel For Any Reason).  Consider that for your next non-cruise vacation too.