jrey51

So your desired outcome is to have "RC Officer overseeing immigration" of a foreign, sovereign entity, or to have a RCL staff member take custody of your children and separate them from you, while you and your wife remain stuck in a custom's office for an indeterminate about of time? I understand this was a frustrating experience for you, but I think you may be overestimate the control RCL has over the customs process...

There won't be traditional flavoured sparkling waters on Voyager/ships without Freestyle. However, you can soda water from any bar and then add a lemon or lime, some cranberry juice, etc. if you want

I am still waiting on a Nov. 18th refund of about $500 CAD. Their terms and conditions for beverage package refunds says it should take about 3 business days. Email so 10-14 business days. I reached out to Customer Support yesterday, and they said it would be another 5-7 days. I am not necessarily recommending this for everyone, but I disputed the charge with AMEX and they refunded me immediately. I am fine with a delay, but this looks like a widespread internal issue with no clear timeline for a resolution, and is a violation of their own T&Cs. Might be an option for others, especially if it's a significant amount and/or you need the cash flow to pay for repriced purchases.

Does anyone know what order the new Symphony menus are in? Like which night is which menu? Specifically, I have a 7 night Western Caribbean coming up soon. Thanks!

Sitka was probably my favourite port. I think inside passage is nice, but honestly most of the cruise (and especially the ports) is scenic. Personally, I'd rather do Sitka, and then do a wildlife excursion there (whale watching, etc.)

The program is outlined here, but it's exclusively for bookings made via AMEX Travel: https://global.americanexpress.com/card-benefits/detail/cruises-privileges/platinum

Depends how late you upgrade, but you can cancel almost anything booked in cruise planner prior to departure (I think 24 hours before, but not 100% on the window).

Ripcord also has waivers, etc. that require an adult. But, you can book things on the app for them, if that is helpful. Likely way easier than guest services, which will typically have a line (and most thing book very quickly)

Has anyone done the escape room on both Harmony and Symphony? Is there a difference between them? We love escape rooms and have done the one on Harmony, and are on Symphony later this year, but don’t want to do it if it’s too similar. Thanks!

Canadian here, from Vancouver. 99% of places will take credit cards, including taxis, etc. - that is your easiest bet. If you prefer cash, a lot of places (especially near the port) will accept $USD, but probably not at a great rate (sometimes just at par, ie. you're losing about 30%). There are a very small number of places that might be Canadian cash only, namely some food carts. But that is rare, especially post-COVID, and unlikely to be consequential. My suggestion would be to just use your credit card for most things, and bring a small amount of CDN cash just in case.

Nothing in Canada, this year or last - must just be US card offer. A real shame - our offers always seem substantially worse.

Yeah, as others have stated it's fairly reasonable, especially since insurance is so widely available.

I am on the NYE Symphony sailing this December / January, stopping in Nassau. On our cruise planner, I am only seeing two excursions options (one of which is sold out), compared to the usual couple dozen for our other ports. Any particular reason for this - are there added restrictions for Nassau I am not aware of, or should they be adding more shortly? I don't mind booking third-party, but want to make sure I am not missing something that is limiting availability.

I just got off the Quantum. There are some hints it was previously in a Chinese market (bilingual signs in some places for example), but otherwise it's pretty much the same. Dining and entertainment were standard/NA targeted. Ex. I think it previously had a hotpot-type restaurant on the pool deck; that was converted to a fairly standard snack stand with chicken fingers, etc. North Star had a free option you could book one time per/sailing, and then a few paid/premium options (usually during best port times, during inside passage, etc.).

Okay before you yell at me....I fully intend to pay gratuities (and usually tip extra in cash directly to bartenders, etc.) However I have an upcoming sailing that I prepaid grats on, but now have a ton of unexpected OBC (RCL threw me a bunch after a tech issue they had messed up my booking). I have booked speciality dining, drinks, excursions, etc., and have some left over that I don't really have any use for. Does anyone know if I can cancel/refund my gratuities once onboard, then use OBC to re-pay for them?

Oh this is awesome - thank you!

Bit of a long shot, but is anyone on the Quantum right now (I think there was a departure yesterday for Alaska), and willing to share MDR menus and/or compass? I am on it in a few weeks, and would love a sneak peak!

RCL is having some major tech issues. We had a sudden OBC credit of $300. I flagged it with them and they removed part of it (left around $62??), then added another $100 as an apology. But, immediately after, I started getting emails saying I owed them an outstanding balance of $92 for my on-board purchases. They re-assured me it was just an error and I didn't need to worry. Sure enough....my drink package got cancelled because "I didn't pay". Now I am getting the emails again, and am pretty sure I am going to lose my excursions next while they "look into it".

I imagine because there isn't really a feasible way to complete it while onboard, if you don't have wifi. So, it would be nightmare on the Canadian port days sorting everyone out, especially when they have excursions, etc. - presumable easier to deal with it from the start .

This definitely isn't an RCL issue, but I would push EMed for a refund. You ordered a time-sensitive product, and they delivered a faulty one. A replacement isn't a viable solution, so they should be refunding if. If not, potentially grounds for a chargeback with your CC company, but will depend a bit on EMed's specific policy.

I just logged onto my Cruise Planner and I have about ~$325 CAD in unexpected OBC. I had a small amount previously on there (about $16, after purchases) and am expected $50 with my Costco package (but supposedly not until actually on-board). But nothing near $325. I double checked, and none of my purchases have been refunded. I am mostly excited, but also a little worried that RCL just botched something and somehow this will backfire - there system will show me owing $325 or something, and it'll cancel. Anyone else experience this - should I be worried or happy?

I would also take a few screenshots and maybe send their Facebook/Twitter team a message.

It's likely because it's just so early - I don't think a lot of the "sales" kick-in this early.

Sure is! Thanks again for the assist!

@peytonheadI got a refund of the difference! Which is better than I asked for. I was just hoping for OBC, since I was after final payment, but I guess my TA worked some magic. So, I moved to a better room class (same category) and am getting a refund of about $350 CAD.