Allen2

On 12/15/2022 at 6:08 PM, twangster said:

The preferred method of accomplishing a B2B involves getting the same cabin for both cruises.  Sometimes that isn't possible and you have to change cabins.

If you can get the same cabin on both then all you need to do on turn around day is take your passport with you and go to the designated meeting point at the time they state.  They generally try to gather the consecutive cruisers once most guests have departed so that you are nearly the last people to leave the ship on the way to meet with US CBP for immigration purposes.  

CBP in the US requires all guests get off and the ship reaches "zero count" before they will authorize guests for the next cruise to board.  That includes consecutive cruisers.  How long you have to wait to reboard depends on CBP.  Once CBP gives the ship permission consecutive cruisers always board first and then the new guests for the next cruise will board.  Crew will escort consecutive cruisers as a group to visit CBP and reboard the ship as a group once CBP grants permission to do so.

You don't need to pack up anything unless you are changing cabins for the next cruise.  If changing cabins you pack up your stuff but leave it in the first stateroom.  While you are off doing the CBP thing cabin attendants will move your belongings to the cabin for the next cruise.  

Rarely CBP will come on the ship to perform their immigration check.  It happens but not too frequently so don't count on that especially from Florida. 

The two cruises are treated like two cruises.  Two accounts and you must close the first account after cruise one like everyone else.  You'll get new Seapass cards even if staying in the same cabin.  You should check in for both cruises in advance as if they were separate cruises weeks apart.  Make sure Royal notes you are doing B2B and check with guest services on board during cruise one to make sure you are noted as being B2B.  

Just left a B2B, and turnaround time on shore was 20 minutes.  Easy process, with nice dining room lunch at large tables with others who on B2B.

23 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

Is there still an issue with staff volume across the fleet ? Seems like numbers should be back up to close to pre pandemic by now ?

Nobody on Vision would admit to staffing issues, but the fact that there was nobody to cover for the missing waiter seems to indicate staffing issues.  The assistant waiter was brand new and untrained, but did his very best.  Others helped out, but service really suffered.  Also, not enough tables were open during dining room lunches to properly handle the volume, which suggests the same issue.

We just got off the Vision of the Seas - 10 days followed by 11 days.  To put these comments in perspective, we have been on 35 RCL cruises and know what to expect.  Most areas of the ship were acceptable or better, but the food and service were abysmal!  We also know how to complain in private and in a manner seeking results.  We discussed issues with four tiers of management, but with no results until day eight of the second cruise!  At that point service was impeccable!

Dining room issues included: no assigned waiter (told he had back issues, but led to believe Covid), cold food, burned chicken entree, missed courses, wrong entree delivered several times, table not cleared after courses, raw fish entree, incredibly slow service - and many other issues.  The Windjammer often had only one side open, dramatically slowing service, along with quality issues.  The one bright spot for us was Chops, but we also talked to a husband and wife who waited 35 minutes after seating without having their order taken; they left, although we do not know if they attempted to resolve the issue.  Many diners were not pleased with dining room service - and were openly discussing.  One surprising bright spot was room service, which was always on time with correct orders!

Is this a "one off", or has anyone else experience such a disaster on the Vision?

Have been through similar at the Port of Tampa, but not to the extent described above.  Agree that all parties involved should work toward a solution!!

On a cruise at the moment, and if there was a medical emergency (which could be me or Significant Other) I certainly would want Royal to do "whatever if takes" to resolve the issue.   Have seen at least eighteen re-routes or evacuations over the years. Royal and other cruise lines should continue to put passengers' well-being out front.

Am currently on ship, and unfortunately agree - food quality is down.  Have compared to recent cruises on Holland America and Carnival - both offered better food.  This would have been hard to believe a couple of years ago, but we have felt this on last two RCL cruises.

Leaving Friday, and just got notice of an "onboard upgrade review."  Anybody had success with this?  Would like to have hope.  Thanks.  

48 minutes ago, CaitlynRC said:

I have a similar issue. Purchased the refreshment package and the amount is pending in my account but the item doesn't show as reserved. Any ideas?

Print a "hard copy" of your proof and take it with you on the cruise.  Should there be issues, concierge or purser's office can solve the issue - when you present proof in writing. 

Some nearby "private" parking lots will take reservations.  They use shuttles and cost about one-half the price.  The downside is waiting for shuttles can be an issue at the end of the cruise.  

Have done both types of parking - either works well, so the decision might come down to convenience/ease or price (almost double to park at terminal).

6 hours ago, WoodsTravels said:

I did a mock booking. Choose the same cruise, same destination and same cabin. Today my booking was $600 cheaper than what I paid a few days ago. Including taxes and extras. 

You SHOULD be able to secure the new price!

2 hours ago, CruisinMikeD said:

I had a good experience using the online portal: https://rclshareholderbenefit.questionpro.com/

I received my OBC in less than a week from the date I submitted my request.  I'm not sure why some shareholders are experiencing delays in their requests being processed, but my guess is that the request was made too early?  The online portal states "Please submit requests 3 weeks prior to sail date."  I was over 5 weeks away from my sailing, but my request was processed anyway.  When submitting your statement in PDF format, make sure the statement shows your name, address, and the name of the brokerage.  Also, blackout or remove your account number from the page(s) you'll submit.  That's what worked for me.  Hope this helps!

Sent e-mail (with blacked-out statements scanned) along with form.  Positive response in one day for back-to- back cruises in December.

Tours in Cabo: 120+ choices on Expedia.  Traveling Mike's suggestions sound good, too.

On 11/3/2022 at 11:35 AM, WAAAYTOOO said:

@AdrianaI am so disappointed for you !  I know (b/c I am in the same situation !!!) how long you have waited to cruise...and to have this kind of disappointment right off the bat ?  UGH.  I think you are handling it extraordinarily well !  I would have been hoppin' mad.

So, if I may ask....did you encounter any issues with being unvaccinated ?  Everything went ok with all of that ?  They didn't question your test results ?

What kind of room did they finally put you into ?  I can't believe that they allowed someone else to have the room that YOU took the time, effort and expense to choose for yourself !  I certainly hope that your final room was at least a nice upgrade !

I'm sure you are already doing this, but be sure that you register all of your dissatisfaction BEFORE leaving the ship.  Frankly, there is very little they can/will do for you once you disembark.  I would request a meeting with the ship's Hotel Director.  Chances are they will direct you to someone lower down the line, but I would certainly request a chat with the HD...and settle for someone else if that's all you can get.  Document everything.  If they don't let you see the HD, be sure and let whomever you do see, know that you were not allowed to discuss your concerns with the person that you wanted (HD).  Talk to the Diamond Concierge and with the manager at Guest Services.  Take names !!!

Again, I am so sorry that your restart to cruising has been so stressful.  What a shame after all of the waiting...and I can tell from your postings how much you were looking forward to this cruise.  What a shame.

After having said all of that...please enjoy the rest of your cruise.  I don't mean to suggest that you spend your entire cruise huffing around the ship to register your dissatisfaction to everyone you encounter.  I don't wish that for you at all.  Do what you can and then "let it go".

to you.

Agree with WAAAYTOO.  We had similar experiences, a while back, on sister line Celebrity - the hotel director delegated to the #2 person.  She resolved all issues and added a couple of perks and some FCC. Problems cannot be fixed if they do not know about them!  

2 hours ago, billdauterive said:

That's been my philosophy.  I think if you plan to cruise enough each year, it's a nice guaranteed return regardless of the actual stock price.  I don't think of the first 100 shares as an investment, but more as a savings vehicle or annuity (if you get it at a low enough price).

Reminder: neither Royal nor Carnival pay dividends.  

Matt's blog today shared the good news that no pre-departure testing now necessary - except for Columbia, Haiti, and Honduras (Roatan).  The blog stated that if a RCL cruise visits these countries, not fully vaccinated must test. The question that seems unclear: no testing needed for fully vaccinated?  One of our December cruises stops in Cartagena, Columbia.  Insight appreciated!

We have recently taken HA to Alaska.  Things to remember: as we understand it, HA holds permanent permits to enter Glacier Bay (National Park), and only four large ships are allowed entry per day - and HA has two of these slots.  Additionally, National Park rangers join the ship while in the Park, and are available to answer questions and point out sights, plus have literature, photos, and other memorabilia available!  To make a long story short, these rights hark back to the founder of the tour division of the company.  Some of the on-board lectures and films are fascinating.  Additionally, multiple tours can extend seven-day cruises in increments up to 18 days.  Train tour segments are also available.  Downside: limited production shows and cabarets, plus a generally a mature clientele.  Food, in our experience, was outstanding, and the beverage/excursion/upgraded dining/wi-fi package very reasonably priced.  We are D+ on Royal and still are loyal, but surely did enjoy Holland.  Carnival Corporation owns Carnival, Holland, Princess, others and does have a shareholder program to obtain on board credit, in line with Royal's offering.

To repeat prior statements, Matt's comment about pricing is also true for tours.  If the price drops, cancel and re-book!  There can be significant price differences on tours.

Suggestion: try calling the Port of Canaveral.  (321) 783-7831.

One note about Labadee:  friends had an expensive camera stolen after turning away for "just a minute".  We all realize that this can happen anywhere, but extra caution may be necessary on this island.  

8 hours ago, HeWhoWaits said:

For food trucks it makes perfect sense. For a brick and mortar retailer it's just a lazy business model, IMO.

Anybody eaten at the famous "Varsity" drive in - Atlanta ?  Credit cards ONLY.  No money accepted.

We leave Boston Sunday on the Voyager - headed north.  Scheduled Tuesday in Halifax and Thursday in Saint John, NB. plus other ports coming and going.  Fiona is projected to visit Halifax Saturday, mostly with heavy winds and some rain.   So far no itinerary changes scheduled, but skipping ports would not be a surprise.

Anybody had experience with an e-mail from Royal just one and one-half days prior to departure - stating regarding your Royal Up that Royal Caribbean "may choose it for upgrade based on availability at departure time."  Just received two copies of this e-mail for a Saturday departure.  What likely is in store?

Personally: just got notified about "guaranteed" room, and lo and behold - the room was an upgrade!  It can happen.

21 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

It's a long convoluted chaotic process. The most inefficient check in process I've seen

Earlier this year, check-in took 2 1/2 hours for early arrivals.  Friends who were forced to arrive late (just prior to TOO late) took about 10 minutes.