spiralqueen

6 hours ago, VinceC said:

IMPORTANT - If you are on the Allure of the Seas and the Itinerary has changed it is causing a problem if you had excursions at the cancelled port.   They are double crediting the excursions which is causing a balance on the cruise.   So what was explained to me was the system automatically credited the excursion and then a manual credit was also processed.  So this happened for myself and my clients in the exact amount of our St. Thomas excursion which was cancelled.  BTW, with this being the case you will receive TWO CREDITS for the amount of the excursion which they said should be processed within TWO WEEKS.

I hope this explains and clarifies everything.   If anyone has any additional questions I will be notified of replies and will check them frequently.

Thanks for this info! If someone was affected by this, would they already see it in their CC account? I just checked my credit card I used and I see that refunds have cleared on May 7th and I don't see any further refunds in the pending section. My sailing is in 3 days...do you think I'm safe? 

On 5/7/2019 at 11:26 AM, Avljkb22 said:

The only other thing that helps me is CBD(which I can combine with alcohol)(not recommended) and I'm not aware of its legality on the ship

I just recently did a decent amount of research into the the legalities of CBD oil and traveling with it as I was going to be buying some for the first time. My personal, not lawyer opinion, is that it is in enough of a legal grey area that there is no way on gods green earth I would take CBD oil or any other cannabis derived substance on either a plane or a cruise ship. The risk is just too great for being caught and an overzealous security agent treating it the same as if you were smuggling meth or something. I don’t even have anxiety (I was looking into it for back pain) but just the possibility of something like that happening would make me far too anxious for the benefits to outweigh the risks. I’ve read on some cannabis advocate websites that it is legal to travel with CBD oil, but I’ve read enough articles about people being stopped and arrested in airports (even since the law change)  and noticed it’s explicitly called out as not allowed on planes that I would just never try it. 

1 hour ago, xps15z said:

Is there a family inside cabin on symphony of seas? If so, which room numbers would they be? I can't seem to find it on the deck plans.

It looks like there's only a couple on deck 11. Seems the code is 1R. https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/category-detail.php?c=2571 

5 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

You were able to hold out on that until Day -5?!? You've got serious willpower; I don't think I've yet gotten later than Day -45 before I have that done, basically as soon as I can print the luggage tags. 

lol mainly it was to prevent me from losing everything! I trust myself to not lose these for under a week. Over a month is pushing it. Self awareness! Don't you fret, I had everything "printed" as PDFs in my google drive immediately. 

Day -5:

As you can see, today has been a very productive day at work as I decided to create my travel folder with all the various confirmations and travel information I might need. I may have overcompensated a TAD with printing out luggage tags since we didn't have enough for our last cruise. Do you think 15 for 3 people is excessive??   (also, yes that is a picture of one of the beaches we were going to in the hung up on my desk behind the folder. I really should print out another picture since St Thomas got axed) 

4 minutes ago, SLJ said:

Thanks for the link. I just joined. I don't think I can make it either. Not with a 3 and a 5 yo in tow. But it's so cool to get excited with other cruise-mates. 

Not a problem! Yes, it's a really great and enthusiastic group on there and lots of people to pipe in to share. I'm the Alex over there with the same icon. 

43 minutes ago, SLJ said:

@spiralqueen  there's a FB group on our sailing????  Is it too late to join??  So glad you're doing a live blog. I didn't buy the VOOM so I'll have to read your blog after the cruise and compare our experiences

Yes there is! And it's actually rather active. They are planning a pub crawl but I likely will not be attending due to the not drinking thing. https://www.facebook.com/groups/365872913920663/ 

1 minute ago, JennyB said:

where?

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/forum/5-people-connect/

You have to go back to the main main menu of the forums to see it. 

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

The dishes that are similar between specialty and CK? Or my CK favourites?

Both, if it’s not too much of a bother! I consider you a CK expert

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

To add to this, I tested out this theory as it have long suspected it. On our last cruise, we were Star class so we went all specialty, for the most part. I can confidently say that CK rivals all specialty, and is even better for some dishes. And places like Chops, Chef’s table, and 150 CP have the same dishes that CK has. 

@Matt I feel like we need a #teamCK shirt here!!

Out of curiosity, which are the dishes you are referring to? Trying to make a mental list of what to make sure I try for my cruise! 

Very much looking forward to following along for this! Your excursions you have planned look amazing and I'm sure will net some spectacular pictures in your hands. 

24 minutes ago, kuruczpa said:

How far in advance were you able to purchase They Key? Thanks and enjoy your cruise, I will be following along!

I’m not sure how far in advance they are selling them for upcoming sailings because I bought mine when they were first released to all ships. That happened to be in December, so like 5 months ahead of time. I DO know that I’ve been seeing The Key in the CP of my November sailing for a couple of months now but not yet for my May 2020 sailing. So....keep an eye out but prob under a year. And thanks for following along with me!

11 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

On Allure you can get a similar version at the champagne bar. It is called the Cucumber martini. At 150 they use lemongrass. 

Oh boo, no way to get the lemongrass version without eating there? Oh well....I’ll still def give the cucumber one a try. Thanks!

5 minutes ago, Sweety said:

Following. I have been on Allure twice. Have a great time.

 

Thanks! In case it’s not obvious, I’m very much looking forward to it. I’ve heard such great things about this ship and can’t wait to try it out myself

1 hour ago, JLMoran said:

Have a great cruise, @spiralqueen! Looking forward to the blog, but don’t worry if it becomes more live-ISH than live; just means you’re enjoying yourself and having lots of fun!

Thank you so much! Yes, that’s why I gave the little forewarning since I don’t know exactly how much time/effort live-blogging will take. I don’t want it to turn into something I resent so if I go MIA for a bit...it just means I’ll fill you guys in later! 

Omfg @mom2mybugs @Lovetocruise2002 That martini looks amazing! Did I see somewhere that they serve these at the Trellis Bar??

1 hour ago, hayley_bopp said:

I'm considering booking 150 Central Park so if you could get any photos of the venue or menu that would be great

I absolutely can take a picture of the menu and will try to take pictures of the venue if it’s possible! Since I’ve never been there before I don’t know if it’s possible to go in and take pictures when they are closed or while they are open without a reservation. But it can’t hurt to try

17 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Looking forward to your blog!  And I am never going to live down that early start am I?

Thanks for following along! And no, never living that down, but in a good way! I loved how your excitement came through the screen and made me thrilled FOR you. 

17 hours ago, Cindy Leslie said:

Enjoyed your pre-cruise overview...will be following along! Looking forward to it!

Thank you so much! 

13 hours ago, hayley_bopp said:

With my first Oasis Class and first Caribbean cruise coming up on Allure in December, I'm very excited to follow your cruise!  

Have an awesome time!

Thanks! Please let me know if there is anything in particular you are curious about or would like a picture of. 

2 hours ago, Jaymac Radio said:

Following!!

 

Thanks! Glad to have you

I too do the daily price check, but I have this google doc to help speed up the process. I took the URL from right after you select the ship and sail date, you you go to pick cabin and people numbers and threw them all in the same document along with the original price I booked at/any new adjustments since. Though I do recommend checking in incognito mode to avoid the emails from Royal of “HEY DID YOU WANT TO COMPLETE THAT BOOKING?! :D”

So I’m going on a cruise that starts Mother’s Day with my parents. I was trying to figure out the best way to buy my mom a massage or some other spa service for the holiday without committing her to a specific time and service without running it past her and ruining the surprise. I decided that putting some money in her on board account is probably the easiest way. If she has her separate charging account linked up with her credit card, is it possible for me to go to guest services and still deposit cash to her name as surprise OBC that she can use at the spa or one or the shops? This way it gives her flexibility to treat herself. Does anyone have a better idea to achieve what I want to achieve? I kind of am assuming the spa doesn’t have gift certificates. 

I haven’t personally used resort for a day, but I wanted to pipe in just in case you were thinking about taking that statement on their website to mean that your pass as is will be honored as is at the Allegro. It’s possible it will be, but I know I would personally email RFAD customer service to let them know about the port change and see about getting reissued documentation with the correct date on it. I wouldn’t trust that a random Allegro employee checking you in will know the ins and outs of policy and might just see the wrong date on the pass and give you a hard time. Best to get something in writing.  

1 hour ago, MicDay said:

Is there a way to check how many ships will be at CoCo Cay on May 13th, 2019?  

That is when we will be there on the Harmony.

 

Just Harmony there that day! http://m.cruisett.com/p/Bahamas/138-Cococay/May_2019/

45 minutes ago, Andrew72681 said:

Following along. Looking forward to opinions on how Allure is handling its age right before its Amplification next year. 

Thanks! I will try and make an effort to notice and comment on her state, but I’ll be honest. I’m not the best at noticing rust and chipped paint and ship scruffiness. I tend to be dazzled by big picture stuff instead lol 

8 hours ago, JohnK6404 said:

Following too! We’re getting on as you disembark on 5/19... Western Caribbean. 

I may also try my first live blog... we’ll see if my wife and friends tolerate it! 

Have an amazing time!

I really hope you do consider it! I’d love to be able to have another Allure blog to help me cope with the post-cruise depression. And in general I love to see how everyone sails differently. It’s fun to get a peak into people’s vacations. 

9 hours ago, SweetPea said:

Will be following. Happy planning! 

Thank you! I hope to bring even a quarter of the humor and charm that you had for your recent liveblog