CruisingOz

We are both in our early 50's and have had our first jab of Astra, so obviously happy with being vaccinated, if that what it takes to get onto a cruise ship we are all for it. We decided to get it so we can escape fortress Austraslia. Two cases yesterday and restriction back in force, yes just two cases; stop laughing at us, LOL 

We are both in our early 50's and have had our first jab of Astra, so obviously happy with being vaccinated, if that what it takes to get onto a cruise ship we are all for it. We decided to get it so we can escape fortress Austraslia. Two cases yesterday and restriction back in force, yes just two cases; stop laughing at us, LOL 

Thank you twangster for taking the time and effort. My wife and I really appreciate all the details and photos, you are amazing.  

Hello Community, I thought I would share my recent "fun times" with Royal Caribbean and a possible glitch with their new look cruise planner. Sorry this is long winded. 
For the recent cruise planner sale I decided to use some of my on board credit to pre-purchase the usual items for an upcoming Symphony sailing. As a side note, I do like the new cruise planner layout, cleaner and easier to navigate. Anyway, all done went to check out, used the on board credit box, putting in the amount of on board credit which has a small balance owing and my credit card details are already set up on the system, and completed the transaction.
I went to my next sailing, to repeat process but before doing so I went back to check something and saw my full on board credit was still there and to my horror, upon checking my credit card; it charged me the full amount, not once but twice. So my CC has two charges of $3777 AUD each, filling up my CC right at the end of the month when bills come out; so a little upset. Also unusually never emailed any invoice as normal with Royal transactions.  
 I live in Sydney Australia but booked the cruises through Casino Royale US, so on the phone I go; luckily my mobile plan includes the US. With the time differance, took me a couple calls to find the right number which is open, spoke to the gentleman who did the cancellations, used on board credit and had to charge my credit card a balance again. Frustrating but okay, or so I thought. No emails sent this time either, so flags raised. 
Later that night checked cruise planner, all good, order history, items reserved; happyish as credit card will sort it self out. Called a few hours later to sort out CC charges as wanted a letter to my bank and was told no purchases and on board credit still there; started story, got disconnected; I think the rooster in the background chewed the telephone wire? Call back, start story, to and fro with lady and supervisor; 40 mins later got disconnected. Called back, tried to talk to same supervisor, no luck and start story again, 36 min and disconnected.
No more, I was a broken man. Hours later at work, we had a local power outage so to kill time I called Royal again and started again. With the time diferance it was around 10ish Miami time so was hoping not to be routed to a South American call centre; great staff, but bad phone lines. Finally, this time the whole process to resolve the issue took me over three hours on the phone, and another small CC charge but I have it sorted. 
Royal IT explinaed that as I booked online and I am from down under, it was Monday at home and Sunday in the US, so that is why I was charged twice, one for Sunday and once for Monday and also as I was from the futore, the booking system online could not work with the date timing and so cancelled all that I did online and what the agent did in the call centre. I order product from the US sites regularly and this is a first?
I have booked online for US cruise planner bookings before with no issues; so they blamed the new cruise planner. 
Despite all the trouble they tell me that the multiple refunds could take up to 45 days and now my CC has nearly $10K tied up until refunds come and the currency exchange fees will be lost money and Royal can't make it process refunds any faster. My wife has sent me to the dog house, thanks Royal. 
The other issue is Royal systems for US and International are seperate / different, so International (Australia) staff can't view US booking's and vice versa; not even staff in the Miami head office can see International booking details. So I am forced to deal with time differences and can not call local or my TA to resolve any of my US bookings. I question the "international" in RCI?  
I know my issue is possibly an outlier but having less staff and using off shore call centres during this down time; Royal should make sure the staff at home in the various countries have a phone system which doesn't crackle, and drop out. This is not just a US issue as I have had the same calling the Australian number which also uses off shore call centres with staff at home.    
 I agree with Matt that using a TA is the way to go but in this case when booking using casino promotions, my TA gets nothing for it so I do it myself as times are tough enough for travel agents and I believe they don't need to work for nothing.  

Frustrated that the Royal's booking systems don't allow USA agents to see International bookings, in my case done in Australia and visa versa.
If we book via the US and daughter books via International, you can't link a family booking for dining, shore excursions, entertainment, etc. You can't call locally if there is an issue. 
Also you can only book Club Royale offers via the US and not through International 

Hello Community, I thought I would share my recent "fun times" with Royal Caribbean and a possible glitch with their new look cruise planner. Sorry this is long winded. 
For the recent cruise planner sale I decided to use some of my on board credit to pre-purchase the usual items for an upcoming Symphony sailing. As a side note, I do like the new cruise planner layout, cleaner and easier to navigate. Anyway, all done went to check out, used the on board credit box, putting in the amount of on board credit which has a small balance owing and my credit card details are already set up on the system, and completed the transaction.
I went to my next sailing, to repeat process but before doing so I went back to check something and saw my full on board credit was still there and to my horror, upon checking my credit card; it charged me the full amount, not once but twice. So my CC has two charges of $3777 AUD each, filling up my CC right at the end of the month when bills come out; so a little upset. Also unusually never emailed any invoice as normal with Royal transactions.  
 I live in Sydney Australia but booked the cruises through Casino Royale US, so on the phone I go; luckily my mobile plan includes the US. With the time differance, took me a couple calls to find the right number which is open, spoke to the gentleman who did the cancellations, used on board credit and had to charge my credit card a balance again. Frustrating but okay, or so I thought. No emails sent this time either, so flags raised. 
Later that night checked cruise planner, all good, order history, items reserved; happyish as credit card will sort it self out. Called a few hours later to sort out CC charges as wanted a letter to my bank and was told no purchases and on board credit still there; started story, got disconnected; I think the rooster in the background chewed the telephone wire? Call back, start story, to and fro with lady and supervisor; 40 mins later got disconnected. Called back, tried to talk to same supervisor, no luck and start story again, 36 min and disconnected.
No more, I was a broken man. Hours later at work, we had a local power outage so to kill time I called Royal again and started again. With the time diferance it was around 10ish Miami time so was hoping not to be routed to a South American call centre; great staff, but bad phone lines. Finally, this time the whole process to resolve the issue took me over three hours on the phone, and another small CC charge but I have it sorted. 
Royal IT explinaed that as I booked online and I am from down under, it was Monday at home and Sunday in the US, so that is why I was charged twice, one for Sunday and once for Monday and also as I was from the futore, the booking system online could not work with the date timing and so cancelled all that I did online and what the agent did in the call centre. I order product from the US sites regularly and this is a first?
I have booked online for US cruise planner bookings before with no issues; so they blamed the new cruise planner. 
Despite all the trouble they tell me that the multiple refunds could take up to 45 days and now my CC has nearly $10K tied up until refunds come and the currency exchange fees will be lost money and Royal can't make it process refunds any faster. My wife has sent me to the dog house, thanks Royal. 
The other issue is Royal systems for US and International are seperate / different, so International (Australia) staff can't view US booking's and vice versa; not even staff in the Miami head office can see International booking details. So I am forced to deal with time differences and can not call local or my TA to resolve any of my US bookings. I question the "international" in RCI?  
I know my issue is possibly an outlier but having less staff and using off shore call centres during this down time; Royal should make sure the staff at home in the various countries have a phone system which doesn't crackle, and drop out. This is not just a US issue as I have had the same calling the Australian number which also uses off shore call centres with staff at home.    
 I agree with Matt that using a TA is the way to go but in this case when booking using casino promotions, my TA gets nothing for it so I do it myself as times are tough enough for travel agents and I believe they don't need to work for nothing.  

I'm still waiting on $197 in March refund money.  Last time I called they just said it wasn't 45 business days from cancellation yet.

Thanks Twangster for sharing, and letting us know about these videos 

Interesting in a number of ways, including some features of a JS like lighting and motorized drapes.
In quarantine as part of the arrival protocols.
 

Wow.  If it's any consolation refunds haven't actually been taking 45 days here even though that's what they say every time. 
Refunds I requested on 4/16 were posted to my credit card on 4/22.  Visa is slower at processing compared to American Express by a few days.   

Thank you twangster for taking the time and effort. My wife and I really appreciate all the details and photos, you are amazing.  

The way cruises use to be.pdf

Can't find all of my pictures but are some from various trips.
These are taken from the area where the pink and yellow circles overlap in the previous post. 

There is a walkway behind these cabanas.

There are also stairs or a ramp to the beach and/or water.


 
The picture I can't find is for the non-water cabanas that are behind me and to the right from where I took the first picture above.  The non-water cabanas have a concrete wall between them and a sidewalk that is used by the general public.  (see pictures in the blog link posted above)

The map of Labadee illustrates the differences.  
Full map here:  https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Private_Destinations/14039222_Labadee_Map.pdf
In the yellow circles below are Nellie's overwater cabanas.
In the pink circle below are the "standard" Nellie's cabanas that have public beach and a public walkway between the cabanas and the water.
 

 
Both are labelled "31" but are not the same.
 
 

The overwater cabanas at Nellie are much like the overwater cabanas at Barefoot beach.  You have direct water entry.
The other cabanas at Nellie's do not have direct access to the water but may have beach or a walking path between your cabanas area and the water. 
It's like buying waterfront property where one property may be literally right on the waterfront versus another property that has a road between your house and and the waterfront.  In both cases your view is to the water but in one case there is potentially traffic between you and the water and a road you need to walk across.
I have photos of the two but am having trouble finding them.  Until I do... 
First let's try this:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/09/21/photo-tour-of-the-beach-cabanas-nellies-beach-labadee
 

JS does not have access to Barefoot beach at Labadee.  Nellie's beach is open to all.  Those cabanas are better value compared to PDCC in my opinion.

I know a bunch of people jumped on those sailings; other than @Matt I can't remember who else booked.  I'm not sure anyone has booked hotel etc yet, but I tagged matt in case he has been researching already and has some advice. 

There are a lot of umbrellas throughout the island including the waterpark (haven't been to the beach club so can't say how common they are there) - which are free once you've paid entrance to the area. The umbrellas are somewhat able to be adjusted throughout the day as the sun moves, but if you want constant complete shade you may want the cabana.

We purchased the Coco Beach Club for $79, today its $106 with the sale.   Early seems to work best.  

Unfortunately, my date to rejoin a cruise ship for work has been postponed. I'm assuming it's because the CDC has still not confirmed cruising out of the US yet, and Royal are not ready for non-essential crew to return just yet.
 
 

This blog post was aimed at the Cabanas of Barefoot Beach but does show the loungers available for suite guests that don't purchase a cabana in some of the pictures.
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/03/06/barefoot-beach-cabanas-royal-caribbeans-labadee
 

I’ll just leave the link, no other comment lol
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-canada

I turned Diamond in the same scenario.
The natural course of events would be for points to post around 7 days after a cruise completes.  In the case of a B2B sometimes points for both cruises post only after cruise #2 completes.  
Most loyalty ambassadors will recognize the situation and grant the "premature" change in status.  They may need to research it, validate the points and that can mean they have to email Miami and wait for a response.  For this reason it's best to approach the LA early in cruise #1.  Their hours and location are posted in the Cruise Compass and in the app should this occur during the restart when paper Cruise Compasses may not be widely distributed.
In my case I was on a ship that could print new RFID cards and the LA did just that.  My new card read "Diamond".  I kept my old Emerald card that I used to keep the lights on in the power slot for this cabin.
A few days after this B2B completed I boarded a 3rd cruise on a different ship.  My points from my B2B hadn't posted yet so I still appeared to be Emerald.  On that ship the LA couldn't print new cards but placed a sticker on my card that said "Diamond Member" and sent me to the DL where the DL concierge gave me a separate card that was said "Extra Key"  to use for opening the DL door.  On that cruise I had to carry two cards, my Emerald card with Diamond sticker and the extra card for the DL door.  
Left: Cards from 2nd cruise of B2B after making Diamond on cruise #1
Right: Cards from boarding 3rd cruise shortly after B2B completed.