WannaCruise

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Yes, Air2Sea reservations do not affect cruise fare. I have adjusted my Air2Sea price many times without the cruise fare being touched (and vice versa). The only link between the two is that on your booking confirmation, it shows up as a charge.

Also yes. Just recently for our August LB cruise, I booked through Air2Sea both ways. But then I realized I still a little Delta e-credits that I still had to use up. I called back Air2Sea, cancelled and rebooked as one way only. No fee.

No, but I did at one point use them for Air Canada. This was for Norway when we thought we wanted to fly out of Toronto. Anyway, for AC, they wouldn't let us pick seats because the booking was "not ticketed". I had to actually call AC directly and after some back and forth, they let me pick my seats. But it wasn't easy. It took some time on the phone. In the end, it was wasted because we ended up cancelling and booking with Delta out of DTW instead.

That is likely true. While Air2Sea are linked, they (Air2Sea) cannot make changes to your cruise booking. You would have to call back your TA or Royal to do that. 

Thank you!  My bad as I used the wrong word in my first question...

Mean to ask:  The flight cost that we booked at is locked in, right?  If it goes up, we still get our booked price.

Good to hear.  Sounds like when you cancelled/changed your flights, there was no cost (before final payment).  Do you remember if the email when you booked also had a line for "Ar1Sea Cancellation Charges" with an amount for each person?

We booked Air2Sea for the first time for our Dec cruise as we have a few uncertainties due to our son in university for the first time (i.e. his schedule and school isn't known at this point).  

I obviously confirmed with the agent but sometimes you get different answers so just verifying others experience.  

We plan on paying closer to our final payment later in the year.

1. The cruise fare that we booked at is locked in, right?  If it goes up, we still get our booked price.
2. When doing a mock booking, the flight cost shows as refundable, which means if we cancel before final payment, we are charged $0, right? My only doubt is that email states "Ar1Sea Cancellation Charges" and it has a value per person.  I didn't notice this at booking but I called back to confirm and that agent said that is the charge if we cancel after final payment.  
3. Anyone used Air2Sea with WestJet flights?  The person said we need to call them to see if we can book seats now or need to wait until we pay. Any experience?
4. I remember @twangstersaying in another post to ensure our booking names match our passport matches. I did ask about this and they said it doesn't matter for domestic, which also includes flying from Canada to USA.  So our cruise booking doesn't have our middle names where our Air2Sea does (matches passport). Not sure if anyone has experience as the agent didn't want to change our cruise booking (or said he couldn't).

Thanks.

55 minutes ago, Pooch said:

OMG I guess I am a SERIOUS light packer!  One 25 inch & 2 21” for three adults plus my large handbag & one small duffle that fits under the seat.  3 bags get checked.  I have documents and meds in my handbag and the duffle has, well, wine!

That's impressive!  We're definitely the opposite and in normal cases, take 3 suitcases for 2 adults and 2 kids + backpacks.  For me though, the toiletries take up a lot. This time, will be trying 1 suitcase to check and the carryons + backpacks.  

43 minutes ago, minniemouse27 said:

Dh and I both have rolling carry-on bags w/ telescoping handles. My backpack then also has a space on the back where it slips over the handle of the rolling carry-on. This set up makes it easy-peasy to travel around the ship between boarding time and being able to access your room.

(We drove to the port for our cruise last week and in addition to our backpacks and rolling carry-ons we also had multple bags that we handed over to the porters. )

DH does that.  Very handy to be able to fit the backpack on top of the carry on.

Definitely helps if you can drive to the port so you don't need to worry about the airport losing your luggage.

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I don't think so. I am always shocked at the number of suitcases some families pile on lol

Thanks.  I do like your idea anyways of checking in a couple of carry ones (vs 1 big suitcase + 4 carry ons).  

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

We have used the mostly carry on and only one checked bag strategy for many years now. It was that strategy that saved us last March when we did lose our luggage. This is what we take with 4 of us:

1 - large backpack per person (that is our personal item for the plane); I use my Beis bag instead of the backpack

1 - 21 inch rolling luggage per person (we carry this on the plane with us)

1 - 29 inch rolling luggage (shared between all) that we check, this one large suitcase carries our toiletries that are too large to carry on and Hubby/kid shoes, plus our formal/evening wear

At the hotel, we re-organize a bit and we tag 3 suitcases (the 29 inch, and two 21 inch ones) with our cruise luggage tags to give to the porter. We only take on our backpacks/Beis bag and two 21 inch rollers. That way we are not dragging around as much when we wait for staterooms to open.

Thank you for sharing .  That sounds like a good plan. DD is very nervous losing her clothes as she purchased some with her gift card money (and a teenager loves her clothes...lol).  So I can see her wanting to still hold onto her carry on, but I like your idea of checking in a couple of them so less to carry around on the ship.  We also take a backpack per person which has things like electronics, medicine, books, stuff for the plane, etc

That brings up a good question as that sounds like a good plan. Is there a maximum number of bags you can give the porters?  

41 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

How much luggage you take and how you pack it depends upon how you want to enjoy the cruise.  Since we are casually retired at home, we want to dress up on a cruise.  Others are just the opposite as they must dress up for work, etc.  So your clothes choice will determine suitcase size.  We have never lost luggage getting onto the ship, only off the ship (so we carry off).  Because luggage may arrive after dinner (our experience is that is 10% of the time), I wear slacks onto the ship with shorts/swimsuit in my backpack carryon.  We give just about everything else to the porters.  Whatever you choose, have a great cruise!

Aside from our son (teenage boy!), we like to dress for dinner, but these are most likely clothes that are candidates for the checked luggage.  Can understand wanting to just wear slacks since as you say, sometimes luggage can arrive after dinner.  We once had ours way down the hall but still got to us.  

35 minutes ago, Xaa said:

Lots of folks do it.  I think you'll be ok with your airline checked bags, but understand your worry with them lately.  Remember, just because you carried it on the plane doesn't mean you need to carry it on the cruise.  You can still check those bags with the porters and just carry your valuables and passports.

We almost feel like if we've gone to all that trouble to use carry ons for the flight, then we should do the same when boarding the cruise.  It's still stressful waiting for your luggage hoping it's outside your stateroom.

When we went to Disney last summer, we did carry on only due to the mess at the airport.  It was manageable since we were going from hot location (Toronto in summer) to hot location (Orlando in summer).  Plus, for the parks, we didn't need evening clothes and additional shoes outside of walking sandals.  Moreover, Disney provides good shampoo/conditioner and hairdryer (my requirement).

I always thought there's no way we could do that for a cruise as you have evening wear, more shoes, clothes for inside when cool (e.g. theatre is cold), need my own hairdryer, toiletries, etc.  Moreover, we are leaving from cold climate (Toronto in March) to "who knows" (Florida can still be cool in evenings in March).

DH and I went on a cruise in December and checked in luggage.  We were fine, but got really lucky as the airport was a mess and you heard stories of people with lost luggage. This was more due to weather vs lack of staff due to covid, but still.

I remember @Lovetocruise2002 saying they did mostly carryon, but checked in one piece.  This seems like a great compromise.  DD is worried of losing her clothes so wants to do carryon and we're seriously thinking of doing the same where most of our day stuff is in our carryon.  If the checked luggage doesn't make it, then will hit Publix for toiletries when we get there and will make do for evenings, etc.

Of course, the one downside is that we will have to lug around carry on for the first few hours when we board.  (We have a boarding time of 10:30am)

Anyone else considering carry on (either all, or mostly)?  Or will it be a real pain  when we board?

29 minutes ago, twangster said:

You can call in before final payment and request airline price drops.

I have noticed that if you change the time window to arrive by or leave by it opens up other choices.  It is weird that way.  

If you are looking at international cruises and flights it's very important your cruise booking includes any middle names your passport has.  That way when you book A2S it matches your passport.  For domestic flights this isn't as important.  

Thanks. And thanks so much for mentioning that our cruise booking matches our passport.  I don't bother with our middle names but will have it updated then to match our passports.  (We're in Canada)

39 minutes ago, twangster said:

Pro: You can add an A2S flight that remains refundable until final payment due date and it doesn't cost anything to make the booking.  If you find a better deal cancel the A2S before final payment due date at no cost.  If fuel costs surge or flight cost jump unexpectedly the A2S booking can suddenly be a great deal.  

 

Never used A2S but highly considering it for the reason above for our Dec holiday cruise.  Our son will be in university (first year) and until we know what school he'll be at and his exam schedule, we can't 100% commit to flights. However, if we wait, prices will be crazy expensive (already will be based on time flying).  So seems like a good option to be able to book something at opening prices when released and not have to pay until final payment.

If the cost goes down, then we can call in for the better cost?

Does A2S cover flights not on their website but ones I can see elsewhere?   i.e. when I did  a mock check, the other site showed more flights that A2S offered.  

On 1/22/2023 at 6:47 AM, twangster said:

I prefer the daily cruise compass PDF that I can enlarge and look over.  

This URL will only work on a ship connected to guest wifi:

https://minio.rccl.com/compass/cruisecompass.pdf

It is updated daily usually in the morning.  

Much better than the app and saves paper.  Best of both worlds.   

This is great.  Thank you for sharing.  I'm one who prefers paper compass as you can see everything together without having to scroll. Last March on Anthem, our attendant left us a compass each night (and didn't have to ask) but our kids in a connecting room had a different attendant and they didn't get one.  In December on Liberty there were none.  When we boarded they were handing out a few near guest services (and by a few, I mean just a few), but never saw any after that.  Will definitely keep this link for our cruise in March.  We don't get internet but if it works on ship wifi, then we are good.

Interesting thread.  We have never stayed in one of those fancy rooms , so just giving my perspective on the "thought" of having a genie.  The rooms look amazing but to me, having a genie is almost a negative.  Service is always amazing and we always say hello and a chat with our room attendant but I really don't want someone waiting on me hand and foot. And Neesa's experience would bother me.  I'm a planner and love it.  The shows on our Oasis cruise should open soon and can't wait to book them. It's part of the fun.  I just like having the control and doing things for ourselves.  Don't get me wrong, it's interesting reading others experiences and I totally respect it and can understand how a genie would be wonderful for some, just not for us.  I don't know..I grew up with a mom in a wheelchair so we always had help in our house, so that could also be a reason I wouldn't want someone "helping" per se.  (And maybe if we actually had one, my thoughts would change as it's just my perspective never having one)

Our cruise in December was just DH and me so we just found a spot on Chill Island.  It wasn't too busy on the beach and behind us was the buffet and restrooms.  We were next to the sports rentals (kayaks, etc) and a bit further from the ship so not too loud or crowded.  There is a bit of seaweed in the water near the shore but it was fine.

A couple pictures

Totally agree.  We booked Freedom right away for 2025 and our room is already gone (only  a few).

For other cruises, we have one that has gone up by over $1000 and our new years one is up $3500.  Booked them right at opening.  

We always book right away for the reasons you state, but keep it refundable.

We too recently booked for March 2025, which means we currently have 5 Royal bookings.

Anyone that doesn't cruise like us (and "us" as some on here on Royal Caribbean Blog) may think we're nuts and don't get it.  But...we know school dates far in advance, we know we want to cruise and this is how you get the best price.  I find, especially these days, cruise bookings only go up.  I have one that has gone up by $1000, another by $3500, and even our Icon booking has already gone up by $500 and it was only booked just over 2 months ago.  So definitely good to book as soon as you know your dates.

Also, for our March 2025, we booked one of those staterooms where there are only a few and they are already no more available, so always good to book earlier rather than later if you want a specific room.  We do book refundable though so as it gets closer, there is no harm (aside from sadness and disappointment) if we need to cancel.

P.S. - OP, DH and I were just on Liberty.  Great ship!

We came back on ship from CoCo Cay around 1:30pm or 2pm...no line at Guest Services at this time as the majority of people were still off the ship.

14 minutes ago, ScottD said:

I was able to book Aqua show, Ice show, Cats, and adult comedy show (this one had to be done on the web site planner, not on the app)  for reservations on Oasis for my upcoming cruise. Everything else is done as a first come first serve situation. You can also reserve the escape room. These were all available exactly 60 days prior to my cruise. 

Thank you! Hopefully the headliner and anything else not pre-bookable will have multiple showings fit when nothing  else is booked.  It was good before when you could see everything and then coordinate everything.  But still, happy to be able to pre-book most things again.

I'm thinking of booking the escape room for our family too as have heard it's really good on Oasis.

Sounds like it may open any day for us now.  Thanks.

On 1/6/2023 at 5:16 PM, Midwest Cruiser said:

Think it was little more than 55 day out and we were able to book our Aqua, Ice, and Comedy shows on Oasis OTS for our February 26th 2023 sailing. Have been on Oasis already and there is no way you could get me into the CATS show. Wife went by herself the last cruise and loves Broadway shows, she didn't make it half way through. Wish they would change that show. 

 

I think you might have answered my question...can everything be booked ahead of time (like pre-covid) or just some of the shows?  For example, what about the headliners?  We are on Oasis in March and even if I look at the next sailing in the app, the headliner isn't even listed.  We are 62 days away and so check every day if booking is available.

We don't do a lot of extras.

We stick to MDR as we like the experience and same waiter, same table each night.

We don't get internet as we like to disconnect.

If DBP is cheap enough, then we will get it, but I think those days are long past.  Last time we got a coffee card which worked well for us so will purchase for our next cruise (2 cards).  Otherwise, we purchase drinks a la carte.

We don't purchase many excursions.  The exception is the Thrillpark at CoCo Cay if it's within our budget (it wasn't initially but we went ahead thanks to Black Friday).  We booked one additional one for our cruise in March but that's it.

We also tend to book basic rooms...2 connecting rooms when with our kids if it works.  But with the new ships, even then we stick to lower category stateroom or even all of us in one room again for one of them.

Between airline and the cruise itself (and cruising 2x a year), it's pricey but we still get basics to enjoy....and we still have an amazing time!

You can request a table for 2 with traditional dining too. If you booked with Royal, call them and they will update your booking on their side.  We've never had an issue with this.  If you booked with a TA, then I imagine they would handle the update.  Also, when you get on the ship, I would check out your table when you get on in case any issues.  On our recent Liberty cruise, we noticed the table number assigned in the app so we just searched for our table after boarding.

31 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

 

FR 3/9/2025 pretty decent price 

Only a booking for 3 though

Funny, we just booked that a few days ago.  I like how it goes to Grand Cayman.

I know...so sad and strange to not be booking both kids.

14 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Well, not the greatest view this morning, but we are in Cozumel! 
 

Heading to breakfast and the plan is go do some shopping today. Maybe go and hunt down an Effy store.

 

Still beats the view I see out my window this morning... 

Have a great day in Cozumel.

We met him a few years ago on Independence. He's a really nice friendly guy.  Very down to earth.