KJones

@DixieSAre you talking about RC gift cards/ certificates, or the Visa/Discover branded gift cards that are more like debit cards?

3 hours ago, MichelleB1234 said:

Where there others who didn't snorkel? I don't want to feel out of place.

Neither nor my husband like to snorkel but are looking for a beach day in St. John and didn't see other options.

They also have a small boat to bring people ashore who didn't want to jump directly into the water.

Also a fan of buying at a price you can live with. As @Ampurp85 mentioned, some things will sell out, and simply having them in your cart doesn't mean you've claimed those openings. Someone could swoop in and purchase the last remaining spots while they're still in your cart.

I commend you guys for doing the Monterosso - Vernazza section of the trail. It's the most strenuous section by far!

27 minutes ago, Nimrod said:

The insurance, once you buy it, is not refundable, as I understand it. 

Depending on the company / policy, some insurers sometimes will let you transfer the policy to a different/ similar trip if you cancel the original trip before a certain period.

29 minutes ago, MrHaga said:

There is a gratuities charge everytime one fills up a cup at the soda machines when you have a soda package?

No, you only pay the gratuity once, at the time of purchasing the drink package

The water park could very easily sell out. I would purchase now and if her friends don't want to go, you can cancel. If you cancel onboard, you'll get the refund as OBC towards your account statement, and if you don't spend it onboard, it should go back to your original form of payment post-debarkation.

@Aron_Rosson our last sailing (pre-covid, so mileage may vary now) we were frequently approached by staff offering BOGO 50% off for the 2nd guest (so effectively 25% off for each) for a couple of the restaurants, and by the 2nd to last day or so were offered 30% off each guest. As @Ampurp85mentioned, it will depend on how much availability they have. If the restaurant is pretty well booked up, there probably won't be any discount offered onboard.

I would go ahead and cancel anything you bought in the Cruise Planner now, and not wait for RC to cancel them automatically. I've found that I've gotten the refund(s) much quicker that way.

You might be able to just go to Guest Services with everyone, and ask them to redistribute the OBC as you want.

You could also get the 3-night package, and see what discounts are offered on board

You can cancel up to 48hrs before sailing, or while onboard if you change your mind.

@Cruise PirateThere are earlier opportunities to enter it too. Look for "Apply a promo code and exclusive rates discount" links on the first page and when you select how many guests (pre- room selection).

9 hours ago, Chmusar said:

I went to st Vincent, Aruba , Antigua , Grenada , panama ,cost rica, bonaire , curacao and would have gone to Columbia but got cxd

That sounds like a fantastic itinerary!

@sunset1031Harmony's escape room is on Deck 14 "Puzzle Break."

My September sailing still has DBP+Voom as an option

@TheMick424Yes, you can modify and/or cancel your reservations in the Cruise Planner

@Floating FunLyft XL should fit your group just fine. Another option is to call the hotel and see if they have a car service they recommend.

Sometimes this link will let you download the list of excursions for a particular sailing

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/asr/buildSearch.do?componentType=shorex

@FireFishIIwe use the plastic tag holders, they're great. But for the OP's concern about luggage getting lost, I mentioned the AirTags because you can pinpoint where they are if they were to be lost (or at least, on the ship vs. didn't make it onto the ship).

Yes, it's available via the app, and on some ships at least, there are digital touchscreens (I think usually near the elevators) that have daily cruise compass information

@burbuja0512If you're comfortable with the technology (I know not everyone is) you could place an AirTag or Tile inside the bags you hand over to the porters to better track them.

2 hours ago, burbuja0512 said:

2) If we plan to bring only carry-ons (meaning backpack+rollaboard) on the plane, would it be easier to just carry those on board the ship ourselves or will they make us check our rollaboards with the RC porters?

You can definitely carry these on yourself, but staterooms may not be available until the afternoon so you would be carrying/rolling all of your bags with your around the ship until then.

17 hours ago, 10-42 said:

1.  The 18% gratuity is only valid on drink and food services, to the best of my knowledge

Also spa services and fitness classes

We did a ziplining excursion (Loterie maybe?) in St. Maarten. We've done the Champagne Catamaran sailing through RC twice now in St. Thomas.