Mr. Candyman

On 6/14/2019 at 4:47 PM, JamesGurner said:

I hope you can help

Myself and friend are sailing from Fort Lauderdale and looking to do a Everglades excursion the day of departure. We are flying from Miami so was wondering if there was any luggage storage at the port?

Thanks in advance 

Like @Hoski said, utilizing Royal's drop off service will probably be your easiest solution.  Since you planned on coming back to the port to retrieve your luggage, you could try https://bagstogo.net/baggage-storage/

3 minutes ago, MarvinS said:

No, we didn't specifically seek them out.  We just instructed the kids that any time they posed for a picture, they were asked for their cabin number, they gave them ours.  This helped to get the photos directed to the correct portfolio.  Even on Cococay, there were many photographers taking pictures, so got many of the kids' pictures as they came off the of the various water slides.

During the formal night picture shots, we were easily able to get 8-10 pictures per "background" doing various poses and combinations (kids only; parents only; full family; etc), so they added up fairly quickly.  They even took 4 shots of our embarkation photo in various poses (standing only; waving; etc).

That was sort of going to be my plan of action.....glad to hear that it should work.  Thanks for the input.

50 minutes ago, MarvinS said:

On my recent Harmony cruise, I purchased the "All digital Photos" package for $249 pre-cruise.  I saw this also advertised "on sale" on the ship for $299, so purchasing it pre-cruise was definitely far cheaper.  Had two other rooms (with minors) linked to our cabin, and got over 150 pictures.  I reviewed our pictures at a kiosk on the ship a couple of times.  I noticed we were missing pictures (our embarkation group photo, and some specific formal night pictures), and just spoke to a representative in the kiosk area.  I gave the approximate date of time of both photo sets were we missing, and they had were able to add them to my portfolio by the next day.  This worked out very easily.

With the facial recognition, it most certainly isn't perfect.  There was another family on board that must have had similar "digital signatures" to us, as there were about 25 or so pictures from them that I had removed from our portfolio.  Again, it was easy removing them.

Got a link about 3 days after the cruise, and was able to easily download all the pictures in one ZIP file.  Overall, we were very happy with the digital photo package.

Did you have to strategically seek out photographers to get that amount of shots?  Also, as far as your kids were concerned, were they photographed while out doing there own thing away from you?   

18 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

Yes, on the Harmony, there are Kiosks, so you don't see the actual prints we used to see on smaller ships.  You do everything on a terminal, and there seemed to be 20 or more of them.    My Cruise Planner for a September 2019 trip shows about $250 for the unlimited digital package and $200 for 20 professional photos.  Not sure how that compares with other cruises.

My Allure sailing is Sept 1 and still nothing there yet.  I saw Grandeur prices last month were $249

19 hours ago, Paige said:

So, on these boards, I have read that if a person buys the digital photo package, then during the cruise, they should have as many photos as possible taken in order to maximize the value. That makes sense. However, I have also read a comment from one passenger who says she only got about 20 pictures in the package even though her group posed for many more,  and other people got many more pics ( one person said that they got 133 pictures.)

So my question is, can I buy the digital package toward the end of the cruise? The purpose of buying it later would be to make sure we had enough pictures to make it worthwhile. So, is that possible, or do we have to buy it at the beginning of the week?

I'm planning to purchase the package for my upcoming cruise but just waiting for it to show up in my cruise planner.  The prices I have seen vary slightly by ship and I believe it's cheaper to purchase pre-cruise. I've seen on-board prices that range from $249-$329 for the digital all inclusive.  

If you have children (under the age of 21) staying in another stateroom, you would need to ensure they were linked to your package to have them included.  Because of the facial recognition, I've read that some have had to check with the photo desk daily to ensure any "missed" photos were included.  I think it order to capitalize you'll have to have photographers take your picture whenever you see them.  This way you know you've taken enough shots.  They'll obviously be visual upon your embarking/disembarking the ship and at formal nights.     

I know it can be purchased towards the end of the cruise and sometimes RCI offers discounts on the packages during the cruise.  The only downside I can see purchasing later in the week is some of the photos may not be linked to your stateroom and you may not remember which ones to look for.  Since they'll be digital, the hard copies may no longer be out for display.  I've read recently that on certain ships there's a kiosk that you can view your photos from as they don't place them all out for display.     

16 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Are they calling those rooms "Promenade View" now ?  They used to refer to them as "Boardwalk View" or "Central Park View".

We have a Interior Promenade view on Allure and it's only a view of the Promenade.  It's room #7588 located between the 2 sets of elevators.  The Boardwalk view and Central park views are different.  

12 minutes ago, Marlena said:

I posted about this and there were definitely mixed reviews. 

But my personal opinion is .....if its giving the occasional drink to your kid....just do it!!! Its costs enough money that giving a bottle of water or drink to your child seems totally reasonable. It's not like you are funneling them expensive cocktails. 

For sure you will get the stealing is stealing answer....but I saw just do it. Take one sip of the water bottle and consider it yours that they are drinking! Lol. 

Never discuss politics, religion, and drink sharing 

1 hour ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Yep, I've found the sales to be pretty similar - but always check - once I caught an excursion at $130 when every other time it's been on sale for $163 (when not on sale it's over $180).  I also got Chops during one sale at $33pp (for dinner, not lunch) when the sale price is typically much higher.  I tend to check prices several times a week on all of my purchases/cruises, even if they aren't listed on sale (because, yes, I have just that much time).

Sounds like me....I find myself checking everyday.  I guess my vacation, from planning the vacation, will be my vacation. 

1 hour ago, WannaCruise said:

It's funny as prices on that sale seem to be the same as the Memorial sale the other week.

They pretty much are....some of the excursion are a dollar more/less but everything else is about the same.

17 minutes ago, BethGR said:

Couple of questions....

Would love to snag the savings of advance booking of the "Deluxe Beverage Drink Package."  Seems to save $15-20/day (on the Majesty for a July sailing).

So the hubby has been sober for 17 years, but doesn't mind that I drink. I've heard that there are exceptions to the "both in cabin must purchase the same plan" rule. We would be fine w/ the hubs getting the Classic Beverage package if they would allow that.  And can supply a letter from his sponsor or doc as needed.

Our questions:

* I'm sure this would be tricky to book online, since they usually require (from my understanding) that both people in cabin must purchase the same package. So call somewhere to book? Yes, you would need to call Royal

* Are gratuities included in either the Deluxe Drink Package and/or the Classic Beverage Package?  I've seen mixed info around the interwebby on this. It's the listed sale price + 18% gratuities

* And if we add internet access (VOOM!) - do we have to add to BOTH in cabin or can we just add to one of the packages? Voom only needs to be added to one of you and it can be added afterwards.  If you both don't need to be connected at the same time a 1 device plan should suffice.  If you decide to get a Voom 1 or 2-device plan then you won't need to call.  But if they're currently offered a DBP + Voom package, then you'd would have to call into Royal again otherwise it makes both of you purchase the package.

Thanks!

Beth

 

8 minutes ago, ydoodle01 said:

My mom needs to contact my grandmother daily but my grandmother has a traditional landline. Should we get the AT&T package just so my mom can talk to my grandmother for a few minutes a day? 

I have AT&T but haven't bothered checking any International plans since last year.  I personally would get VOOM and set up a cell phone for WiFi calling.....should cost you between $71-$90.00 for the length of a 7 day cruise if you get a good price via cruise planner.  What may seem like a few minutes could turn into a 10-15 minute daily conversation.

4 hours ago, FManke said:

Correction to the above, not having traveled with kids, the MDR does have a kid friendly menu if needed. Search this forum for Kid MDR Menu for a copy.

If you've downloaded the app, the kids menu items are listed on it

3 hours ago, OrlandoDad said:

So on this site I have seen reference to filling out waivers on line for things such as the Zip Line and Flow Rider.  For the life of me, I do not see where to do this in my Cruise Planner. 

Can someone direct me to where to fill those forms out prior to the cruise?

Thanks!

I was able to sign mine for Allure a couple of months ago but as others have stated, they may have done away with it.  You can try going to the page directly to see if it works. https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/adc/waivers/waiversLanding.do  Let us know if it still works.

44 minutes ago, Drcollins78 said:

Newbie to cruising. I’ve been following tons of you tubers and EVERYTHING Royal Caribbean Blog, and we don’t sail until March 2020 (I intend on being an expert first time cruiser ).  There is a cruise planner sale that Matt shared. I understand that it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be on every sailing. My confusion comes from the banners at the corners of the packages. They make it appear the packages are on sale, but the packages have not changed price since they have been available to look at. The deluxe beverage package has been. $57, Refreshment package $28, and Soda package 8.99. Only now they have percentage off banners that state off on board prices. Is this how the sales work? Or is my sailing probably not on sale? 

The easiest way to go about it is to just calculate the total price and decide if that will be a good deal for you.  Don't try to wait for a lower price because it's not guaranteed to happen.  If you see a lower base price for something you already purchased, recalculate and see if you save money.  If so, cancel your previous purchase and repurchase at the lower price.  You'll drive yourself crazy trying to figure out Royal's "sale prices"  I can tell you that $8.99 for the soda deal is the lowest I've seen it in six months, but the Refreshment and Deluxe Beverage have been lower than your post.  Same thing applies for excursions and almost everything else in cruise planner.  It's a pain but try to check your cruise planner at least once a week (before midnight on Sundays) because prices constantly change; feel free to check more often if you choose.

4 hours ago, tigergal31 said:

What is this Key thing? 

 

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/the-key

3 hours ago, OrlandoDad said:

So if I arrive prior to 11:00, I will be in the terminal with aforementioned mass of humanity while we wait for Suite/Key/Visiting Heads of State/etc. to board ahead of us.  This is what I would like to avoid and am willing to sacrifice lunch and exact dining times at specialty restaurants for.  Ideally, if I could arrive, get a kid registered, get dining reservations (times not critical) and then be done by 1:00 when the rooms are opening up that would be great.

Spend a few minutes and read through some live blogs/reviews from others that have done it.  You only need to read the first few posts of them to see when they arrived and most state how long it took to get on board.  As many have said, you're probably going to wait no longer than 15 minutes regardless of how many are waiting to board right at 11:00am  

16 minutes ago, OrlandoDad said:

I hear y'all about the benefits of an earlier arrival.  However, I am concerned about getting to the port and running in to a mass of humanity 6300 strong.  As long as we timed it to beat the DCL busses to Port Canaveral, we always walked in to a relatively empty terminal....the early arrivals had already boarded.

So what time does the terminal open? What time does boarding usually start?  Maybe I should have lead with those questions.

 

I can't speak from experience but someone posted earlier that between 12:00pm-2:00pm is probably going to be the busiest.  The terminal should already by open as the previous cruise will be disembarking.  From what I've read, boarding can start as early as 10:30am, if the ship is ready for it.  I'm sure quite a few people are going to go by the boarding times RCI has given them and not be there as early as they possibly can.  Make the family wake up and go...they will thank you for it later once on-board.

1 hour ago, melski94 said:

 

I agree with this.  Go early!  Get there at 10.  You need to make sure you get the times you want especially if you have entertainment plans to work around.  If you have a large party and want to eat around 6-7, then go early.  If you don't mind eating at 8 then don't worry about rushing there. 

When I was on Symphony, there was a specialty reservation desk on deck 5 in the Promenade with a long line.  I left my husband in that line while I went to the MDR to see if they would also take reservations.  Sure enough no line and I had the week planned before he even moved.  

I can confirm that 12 and up do not need wristbands.  The teen may or may not need to register.  We've had to register as it depends on the ship but the teen club has a different registration time than the kids club.  The kids club will be at 1 registration in Adventure ocean.  You can register all of the kids except the teens at once.  You don't need the kids set sail passes to register but she should know who is in each room.  You need the child's stateroom number and anyone who signs them out stateroom number.

For our family of 6, we typically arrive at 10.  Board when our group is called, make any specialty reservations, then head to the Windjammer right at 11.  If you go right at 11, you can get ahead of the craziness.  We take our time with a leisurely lunch and go through that day's cruise compass.  We register for the kids club and wander the pool deck or play mini golf until our rooms are ready.  I always pack a beach bag with everyone's bathing suit and carry it onboard.  We can change in our rooms and then the kids can take advantage of the pools the first day.  

Since everything in the cruise compass is supposed to be equivalent to the app, do kids/teens using the app, have their kids activities listed as well?  

30 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

I was confused by when you mentioned 5 minutes to La Bamba because so do I. There are multiple La Bambas though. @Lovetocruise2002 Is referencing the one on 17th street causeway next to the port. This one is 5 minutes from my house in the Harbor Inlet neighborhood. I was thinking “we’re neighbors”! Lol. 

That's what I was thinking....I just assumed it was the La Bamba by the Port and not the one in Plantation

6 minutes ago, AGSLC5 said:

I was thinking same place but its a small theater so Aladdin might be gone by then.. My movie theater Paragon already has Aladdin gone.. 

Paragon is definite;y small....I haven't been out there since they before they revamped it and used to have $1 movies.  It really depends on where OP is going to be spending her time; she can always just find a theater nearby while she's out.  

3 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

There’s a Regal Theatre in the Oakwood Plaza off Sterling Road. I think that might be the closest to the Hilton Marina. 10-15 min Uber ride.

I was thinking AMC Coral ridge on Oakland Park Blvd & Federal Highway.  I think Riverfront (which is long gone) was the last time I set foot in a theater on the east side of the county.  

16 minutes ago, griswold81 said:

So if you get hurt and it's in your safe no one working for the ship will go get it for you?  What will happen to all your cloths and things still in the room if you are in the hospital when the ship leaves.  I'm going to be traveling solo so I wouldn't have anyone to go get it for me.

They will get it from your safe....that's your least concern.  If the ship knows you aren't coming back, they will get all your belongings packed up.

2 hours ago, OrlandoDad said:

Our Set Sail passes state 'Arrival Appointment' of 11:30am - 12:00pm.  What exactly does that mean?

Those are suggested times to help crowd control but you can arrive whatever times you'd like.  They will probably start boarding between 10:30am-11:00am  Your vacation starts as soon as you get on board so I personally would be there as early as possible.  The earlier you get on the emptier the ship will be.  

We will be driving to Ft. Lauderdale that morning.  I plan on leaving around 9:00am, which should put us at the Port sometime around Noon.

If we get to the Port around Noon, by the time we get parked and through security, will the terminal have settled down by then?  The initial rush of early arrivers will have boarded by then, yes? I still have anxiety about boarding with 6000 others, as the largest ship we have been on was in the 2500 range (Disney Dream).

After boarding, I thought I would go to a Specialty restaurant to make reservations for the week as we have the UDP for all of us.  During this time, I thought I would send the wife and children to register for their respective clubs...the daughter for the teen club and the 10 year old son for whatever club he is in.

By that time, it should certainly be after 1:00pm and we would meet back at the room, get everyone's devices sorted as far as getting them into airplane mode and connected to VOOM.  Then just exploring the ship, some lunch somewhere, a drink or two, etc.

Sound about right?

A couple questions:

1) I can make specialty dinning reservations with just Set Sail Passes for all of us, right?  They don't need to be there.

Everyone in your reservation should be linked but it never hurts to have your SetSail Passes.

2) Will my wife will need copies of the Set Sail Passes to register children, and will she be able to purchase drinks, cokes, smoothies, etc. with these until we get to the room and get Sea Pass cards

Yes, you will use your SetSail Passes for any purchases until you get your cards

3) Where does she need to go to register the kids.  Individual clubs or will there be a 'central' location where she can register them both.

Go to Adventure Ocean on Deck 14 in the front of the ship; they open up at 11:00am.  She can register them both at the same time.  They're separated by age but basically in the same general area.  

4) On past cruises, we have never really felt the urge to eat as soon as we board.  We'll likely grab something on the way to the Port.  But after about 2:00, will the WJ remain open in case anyone is getting hungry then, or do they shut it down.  I seem to recall buffet on DCL closing around that time.

Most people will be heading for Windjammer and it's going to be overly crowded there.  As I mentioned before, the earlier the better especially if you plan on having lunch.  You've already paid for it so you might as well eat on-board.  The only downside is having to lug your carry-ons around with you.  The Windjammer is open until 3:15pm

Any suggestions for improvement to the above plan?  Am I way off base anywhere?

Thanks!

1 minute ago, Brian H. said:

so 19.99 was the best you saw?

 

That's the best price I've seen since my booking a few months ago for my 9/1/2019 sailing.  It hasn't gone back down yet and is currently at $29.99

15 minutes ago, OrlandoDad said:

So I think I read somewhere that the children can and must be registered for their respective programs on the first day of the cruise.

I have 14 year old and a 10 year old.

Does this registration occur in the Terminal or once on board?  If in the Terminal, is it a process that takes a great amount of time?  If once on Board, where do you go to take care of this?

Is the registration process something that is better left for later rather than trying to get it taken care of right away?

Any insight you all could provide would be greatly appreciated....I'm trying to 'map out' the on-boarding process for out first RCL cruise a week from Sunday!

Yes, they can be registered on the first day but you can register them anytime you want; it doesn't have to be the first day but they cannot attend until you do so. The first day is better because the first day is when the majority of the kids will be there and makes much easier for them to make friends.  

You register them on-board at Adventure Ocean anytime during the hours it's open.