instaGator

Here is a story from Crew Center:

https://crew-center.com/royal-caribbean-ship-evacuates-us-citizens-israel

I second @Cactus527 recommendation.  Check out The Weekend Cruiser's video!  We really enjoy visiting John Watling's https://www.johnwatlings.com for a drink while walking around Nassau.  The new port area is also very nice (https://youtu.be/2piVCYs4OLU?si=wP4W6m4JP2Pu_RvB).  If you are up for an adventure, take the #10 bus (https://www.nassaucruiseport.com/transportation-parking#:~:text=Bus%2FJitney%3A Take the Route,will take about 19 minutes.) to Cable Beach and go to the Daiquiri Shack (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147416-d6922323-Reviews-Daiquiri_Shack-Nassau_New_Providence_Island_Bahamas.html).  They have great drinks and you get a nice tour when riding the inexpensive public jitney busses.

8 hours ago, Travel Hombre said:

I just don’t want to struggle looking for a beach chair like on my last cruise.

As @OCSC Mike said, you will not have to struggle to find seating together if you get off the ship as soon as the gangway opens.  The island doesn't really begin to get crowded until around 10:00am (or maybe a bit later).  Since it is your first time at PDCC, I recommend that you do not book a cabana or bed.  Just study the map, pick your "team headquarters" spot and then everyone can explore the entire island from there.  It is a really great place and I am sure that you will have fun no matter what you choose.  

I am going too!

This thread should answer your question: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/42951-diamond-internet/#comment-450589

I highly recommend sticking with a ship sponsored excursion on your first visit to these ports.  In Trinidad we hiked to the Maracas waterfall and in Tobago we hiked in the Main Ridge Forest Reserve.  Both were fun but are suitable only for people without any mobility issues.  Royal Caribbean had stayed away from these islands for about 20 years due to political instability issues.  RC returned last year: https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-returning-to-caribbean-cruise-destination/88109# & https://newsday.co.tt/2022/11/16/royal-caribbean-cruise-line-to-return-after-20-years/    I am sure that you will have a great time

There are many options for parking.  Here is a good answer to your specific question: https://barrymorehotel.com/packages-offers/cruises/

You may find better hotel deals outside of downtown and then you can just park near the port.  Here is a link to cheap cruise parking: http://cruise-parking.717parking.com/index.shtml

You can also use the free streetcar to get from your selected parking to the cruise terminal: http://www.tecolinestreetcar.org/home.html

I know that it is tough to read this photo clearly, but I hope that it helps. Miami, at sea, Labadee, San Juan, St Thomas, at Sea, CocoCay, Miami 

That is the stateroom category for a 2 bedroom Grand Suite.

Does anyone else remember back when there was just one little palapa on a tiny bit of sand in the same location as Hideaway?  It was secluded, delightful and free.  These photos are from 2014 with Freedom in the background.

22 hours ago, Jjohnb said:

Just out of curiosity, on the Vision, decks 7 and 8 in the centrum have cabins on both sides, it's looks like they originally had windows and were open.  Does anyone know when the cabins were added?  Were they added to all the Vision class ships?  Does anyone have a picture of the centrum before the cabins were added?  It must have been spectacular.

These old photos are not great, but you can see that the spaces that you are referring to were used for the card room, C&A loyalty, shore excursions office, etc.

I just noticed this apparently new sailing update page: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/notices/travel-updates  I hope I don't need it, but I will look there if a future sailing is delayed.  Perhaps it will be better than the email and app updates.  Would love to hear from anyone on Serenade or Vision about how they were first notified of their changes.

3 minutes ago, VillainsGin said:

who or where do you send this online form you filled out to?

 

are these extra steps necessary for all sailings for OBC?

Here is the link to the online "form".  https://rcg.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=286lFZCRCioECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D  Yes, it needs to be requested for every cruise.

Great idea trying to remove the guess work, but I am afraid that there are just too many options available to make an analytical model for the RD/NRD decision.  Here are just three more (of many) variables for you to consider.  First, most people who book NRD will have their losses capped at $100 per person, which is the change fee to move the cruise that they cannot go on to a different date when they can cruise.  Second, if the cruise fares stay constant over time (or go down), then many people will initially book RD and then change the booking to NRD just before the final payment date.  Third, since cruise prices seem to be continually rising now, the RD gives people the chance to lock in today’s price, which including the RD premium, will likely less money than if they waited until they were more certain that they would be able to sail. Keep at it @JFCruise!  I want you to succeed with your project!!

If you cancel a non-refundable deposit, then you will lose the entire deposit. (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-i-cancel-a-non-refundable-deposit-reservation-what-refunds-apply).  So, what you want to do is to make a "change" to your ship and/or sailing date.  You will need to pay $100 per person to make the change to a different sailing of your choosing.  So using your words, you must "transfer it to a new cruise booking immediately".

Your best bet will probably be to rent a car.  Enterprise and Budget have return options near Port Canaveral.  It is very late in the game, so availability will likely be limited.

Here is the chapter and verse: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/food-drink-onboard-policy  It is best to carry beverages on with you.  If you put them into your "checked" bags, then your bags may go the "naughty room" and delivery of the offending bag to your stateroom would be delayed.

Perhaps your experience will help others take a detailed look at the rules for boarding: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-travel-documents-i-need-for-boarding-day

As @BJohnson said, there are many great video tours.  Here is one from March of this year: https://youtu.be/puPPfJP_BU4  Since you liked Vision, you will like Grandeur.  

@Neesa I sent you a DM.  You will want to refer to the attached.

Cruise Internet Planner.pdf

All cruisers get a CAS number after their first cruise regardless of age.  There are even special benefits for kids.  Please see this chart and especially read footnote number 46 which may be leading to the confusion.  Kids begin accruing their own points with their first cruise.  They share their parents' status until 18.

CAS.pdf

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Now more than ever booking as early as possible can save $$$

I too am booking earlier than ever, and by booking with a refundable deposit like @Matt always likes to suggest, I have come to consider the refundable deposit premium as cruise price "inflation insurance".  It doesn't work for suites, but I can book a cruise at reasonable early price even if I am not sure that it will ultimately fit in my schedule.  Then as the final payment time approaches (maybe 18 months from now) I can decide if I want to keep my "inflation insurance" price or reprice as non-refundable right before final payment.  I have taken the attitude that I can't get mad about the rising prices, I just have to get more creative.

7 minutes ago, Geezer Of The Seas said:

A question for anyone who has cruised Royal (and other lines) longer than we have. Our first cruise in 2022, I don't recall "monthly payments with Affirm" available as a payment option when we booked the reservation. Same with Jewel sailing in November 2022, & Wonder trip in April '23 (booked August 2022, sorry NCL). 

I know Carnival has offered monthly payments at least as long as 2022 with their own financing option, but Royal, not until this year. Is this a big reason demand is what it is? Since we have never bought a cruise in this fashion, what happens if you default on a payment, cancel the trip (if that's possible)?

From Royal Caribbean's perspective, using Affirm is just like purchasing a cruise with your credit card.  I don't think that the Affirm purchases are driving demand.  For some people with credit issues Affirm may make buying a cruise a little bit simpler.  Here is a little intro:   https://helpcenter.affirm.com/s/article/how-affirm-works

In the lower right corner of the RC webpage is a new Feedback tab.  I let them have it!

Perhaps this contact list information will be helpful.  If you provide more details, many of us on this forum may be able to provide more guidance.