ChessE4

When we traveled it was first-come, first served. We always found a space, but they weren't covered. Someone else can comment on the latest status. We don't sail until September.

Whatever you choose, get trip insurance so you have coverage for delays, etc.

We've returned late twice out of 50 plus Royal excursions. On one we stopped by MDR and told them we'd be 20 min late in order to change. On the other we had a later res that wasn't affected. Ship waited for about 4 tour groups, including ours.

8 hours ago, WAYNO said:

 

 

And as far as restaurants go... Out on the pier at Cocoa Beach there is a restaurant.  Don't know what it's called, but you can't miss it.  I thoroughly enjoy eating there. 

https://www.cocoabeachpier.com/dining/pier-62-oceanfront-restaurant-bar/menu/

+1 On the pier. Always a relaxing dinner after our drive down from NC.

One point to consider is that Royal doesn't charge a lot for comp food and beverages when you take the imputed tips and work backward--about $35 to 40 per person. We certainly receive more than that as we count meals, snacks and drinks consumed throughout the day. Places that serve hot dogs or tacos are fast food, so that is my frame of reference when I judge my experience. I think quality meals require a fancier restaurant. When specialty restaurants serve mediocre food, it must be improved as you are paying a pretty penny. Honest evaluations on cruise surveys are still needed to give feedback. And we vote with our feet. Our next cruise isn't Royal. The bottom line is that Royal isn't a luxury line but it should offer a decent experience for a fair price. We've gotten that up to now.

On the other hand, there is something to be said for not tailgating. Even when walking, I like to be sensitive to social distance. Still, I don't understand the folks who huddle in the middle of traffic instead of stepping to the side to coordinate.

Our res isn't A2S, so I am thinking your email is legit. But I agree calling would clarify the current actual flight times and connections.

Yes, and even if you go at your reservation time, you may wait. It all depends on table availability.

Our itinerary change in November for a flight next month also came from that "g." address. Now our email had a box around the segments which changed.

We have a TA but the email came directly from Delta.  If you download the Fly Delta App you could probably verify everything.

3 hours ago, Charles Burkes said:

My family of 6 took an 8 day RCL cruise (our 3rd) to Aruba over the Thanksgiving holiday and the consensus of opinions on food quality was the same - terrible! Sadly, it didn’t seem to matter where we ate either! Whether choosing to eat from the MDR menu, eating at a specialty restaurant, the Windjammer buffet, or brats on the boardwalk… we all sadly agreed, the food was mediocre at best. We’ve never having this experience before and hate to criticize but, outside the reliable soft-serve ice cream and Sorrentos pizza (both GREAT!), something really should be done about the quality of food. We LOVE cruising but, the dining /food experience is a significant source of our enjoyment and for this cruise, it was an unexpected and unfortunate disappointment. 

Thanks for the honest review.

17 hours ago, Louis Phillips said:

My luggage failed to show up in the terminal at debarkation.  I filed all of the reports, got some minimal help in searching I got Al the luggage,  but after two days have heard nothing from RC.  I tried calling customer relations, but got absolutely nowhere.  Just awful.  I understand that these things can happen, but there is absolutely no way to communicate with RC once you leave the ship.   They really don’t seem to care.   I’ll stick with Viking.  

Since we lost a suitcase 8 years ago, we walk off with our luggage. Look up email for RCL executives and badger them politely. They are supposed to allow 300 US even if you don't have insurance with them. Always get travel insurance of some sort.

3 hours ago, ScottD said:

Brunch is included...no need for $.....

There is a special brunch with alcohol-- sip, tour, brunch. Ours is $35 pp. Some favorable reviews.

My issues are twofold: lukewarm food and cold syrup for pancakes or French toast. Don't know why syrup isn't at least room temperature. So breakfast is out for us. Will try the fancy brunch on next cruise. Maybe $ will get better experience.

If the passport can't be renewed  take it anyway because it is valid in case you need to fly home in an emergency. Ports vary in their requirements, but if you use birth certificate as discussed, don't leave passport at home. Another reason to use TA who might have addressed travel docs early in planning for the trip.

On 12/17/2023 at 7:12 PM, esmoov said:

Cruise insurance has saved my a$$ at least once in the past.  Due to my job I typically purchase cancel for any reason. I never use Royal or Celebrity's insurance and typically use tripinurance.com. They have contracts with Nationwide and US Fire.  Plans are not cheap but cover almost everything except missed port- meaning they usually only cover unreimbursed excursion expenses.  Can anyone recommend a policy that offers "missed port" coverage?  This has happened to me at least twice and I have two buck-list cruises I am trying to plan. Thanks!!  

It's  in our Allianz policies for next two cruises.

On 12/23/2023 at 3:11 PM, SpicyCherry said:

Thanks @Plasticbrain & @SMOKEY0202 That’s what I thought….I think they should start offering CruiseTours in Europe like they do in Alaska. That would be great!! A lot of people from the US tend to arrive in the departure city early and plan to stay in the city of disembarkation a few days so it would make sense. 

Our TA booked Hotel Colon for us for 2 nights pre-cruise. Including airport transfer, it was about 500 US in Oct 22. It's  on the plaza by the cathedral.

We went with a group, and I've seen better caverns in US. I wouldn't recommend unless you've never been in one. Warm inside.

An alternative is to the Mayan ruin at Cozumel, perhaps with a beach visit. San Gervasio. No need to ferry to mainland. When kids are older try the mainland Secret River.

As we are aging, our OBC for next several cruises is coming from profits selling stock at recent high. But if we were younger I would hold onto it. 

3 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said:

Mine also won't show... but I've only paid the deposit...

That doesn't make a difference. Our cruise showed up in maybe a week. Perhaps try using a laptop to view your CAS account and see if the trip is there.

I can't use the vouchers I have.  I think five vouchers is plenty, even if you use a couple for bottled water on a port day. 

1 hour ago, KWofPerth said:

Personally, smoking should be banned from the designated areas on the pool decks, ahead of the casinos. 

Admittedly this was 5 years ago on Voyager, but an entire side of the pool deck was a smoking area, so when strolling down that particular side you had to contend with the foul stench of all the smokers gathering. I've only taken one cruise since then (next is in 17 days) so it could be different nowadays for all I know.

A casino is an adult venue to begin with, so let people have their vices there if they wish. Let it be a default smokers' lounge, as Last2know alluded to above.

Just my 2 cents.

At least top decks have open air, casino does not. That is why it should be smoke free.

Use your passports for your cruise, but renew at some point upon return. When you renew, you'll send in the old passport, so you can't use it. You need to allow 2 to 3 months and only travel with other documents, if at all. It's nice to have an official state ID of some sort that isn't expired, perhaps for voting. (Our state requires ID.)

8 hours ago, SirDude said:

Hello everyone,

I have a situation that I need some help on. My wife and I have booked our dream vacation to Alaska Jun 29- August 5 of 2024. We stacked our schedule full with excursions and packages but we picked these dates because they were the cheapest of the others and seemed like a better deal. This is something we have saved a long time for and is our first “ Big Trip” together. Well fast forward about a week and half after purchasing all tickets and such things, my wife tells me she is pregnant with our first child… 

So basically, my question is, can I move the date closer once it’s been scheduled and purchased? If yes, then do I have to pay extra than the fee I originally payed? We are trying to work around her being in her 3rd trimester and I’ve read they do not allow anyone on the boats who is about to be it is in their 3rd trimester. Need help, slightly panicking.

Did you purchase travel insurance (which we normally do), and if so, what protection does it offer?  Also, this is a good reason to have a travel agent who can sort through all of the options.

When our son was young, he stayed with my mother in law and my wife stayed with me, so 2 rooms of two. No problem. No extra papers in US. I don't know about Australia. PS. Sounds like you may have 4  and 2, so room with kids needs to have pull down beds or sofa bed, of course.