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ChessE4

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Everything posted by ChessE4

  1. Try looking at cruise videos. That's what I do to get ideas. I also look up port maps.
  2. We were on bus to airport by 715 am, but this was 2 years ago.
  3. I wouldn't dream of doing serious financial transactions on a ship or hotel network without heavy duty security precautions.
  4. For Barcelona, I am not a Gaudi fan, but a bus ride to Montserrat is an option (go for a 6hr or longer excursion), in addition to wandering around the Gothic Quarter. Do be aware of pickpockets/scams. We knew cruisers who lost their passports at Barcelona. Videos cover these threats. We did Montserrat by arriving Barcelona early and using Viator, but Royal also had an excursion.
  5. Also, check Royal, as the baggage allowance is usually higher than Allianz. However, you must have clothing receipts. Few people have proof of purchase, which makes a lot of baggage insurance coverage moot. Often the default without receipts is less, like $300-$500. But if you carry off your luggage at disembarkation, you only need to worry about embarkation. Your risk is reduced 50%.
  6. As I researched Royal and Viator I noticed a difference in two stops vs. three. So I would check that. We opted for Coral Garden Stingray City Sandbar Snorkel at 58.99 each on sale. You might also check tour duration.
  7. You reached a fan site, not Royal Caribbean. That said, Royal sends the survey link by email the day after the cruise. When on the ship, you may always leave feedback with Guest Services.
  8. Curacao is pretty and a chance to use Spanish. Costa Maya has the ruins I love.
  9. I don't believe Reddit is an authoritative source for pay policy, although I appreciate folks trying to share. We will continue to prepay gratuities and then tip cash for the excellent service we receive 90% of the time. And of course, for drink vouchers we use.
  10. Get some Euros. You'll want a bottled drink from a street vendor at some point, or need a cash cab or bus.. You can take out some at atm in Rome if you notify your bank in advance about your travel.
  11. That's great! Not what I experienced shopping online in September. Everything was nonrefundable. So all operators aren't the same in Ak.
  12. But they are typically nonrefundable in Alaska, even Viator. So Royal has an edge.
  13. Well, on a round trip itinerary, it doesn't matter whether port or starboard unless you have bad luck with weather. You aren't chained to your balcony, so I wouldn't worry. I think we are starboard amidship.
  14. 3rd party excursions are available online, just search. In the App, try looking up a cruise that sails before you. Our May 25 cruise has all sorts of Royal excursions. And then there are the cruise vlogs on YouTube.
  15. Vision had an Eagles band in September. They received standing ovations. Also, Elise Furr did a Celine Dion show. What a powerful voice!
  16. Mendenhall plus salmon bake late May, and we booked it in September. If your cruise is later, maybe there was a delay in posting excursions.
  17. The bears stop takes just a little time as crowds are moved through. Thus, it's combined with other venues. We will do a combo thru Royal. In Juneau we are doing the Glacier tour thru Royal. Many options exist to ride from port. Remember most 3rd party vendors don't refund reservation in Alaska when you cancel. Hence, I prefer Royal or booking when I arrive. I think Sitka is only about a 5 hour stop for us in May.
  18. Vision has it, and I found it annoying, but if it prevents falls, maybe we'll hear "alpha" less often.
  19. We were able to send mail from Curacao using stamps sold by gift shop, and we were given directions to drop box. Look up port maps online and see if local post offices are nearby your destinations. If you get to French Polynesia, many islands have post offices with helpful staff. But it's simpler tomail from home as stated above.
  20. It depends what you need. When we have air and other add ins, we use Allianz. If I were driving to a short cruise, I'd use Royal or comparable provider. You probably won't travel tto a remote location with high evacuation costs. Other threads discuss options. What does your travel agent suggest?
  21. You might be missing the point. It isn't the fact they are working, they are working hard and with flair. When you take good service for granted, you miss an opportunity to make the world better.
  22. If you indicate the ship you are sailing, someone might be able to photograph the kiosk menu. But in cruise planner for your cruise, please read the exclusions for Cafe Select Card, as noted above. If the rules have changed, you'll know by reading details. Up to now the Starbucks on most ships have not accepted the Royal card--only Royal's coffee shops.
  23. This card is used at Cafe Promenade or Lattitudes, which aren't Starbucks per se.
  24. I imagine it would take one billing cycle after you made qualifying purchases to receive points. Once you have the points, you can redeem them for OBC. That request can take a week or two. So you you could do it if your budget allows. 45 to 60 days is less than 107. Just a guess.
  25. On Vision entertainers were great. Royal's vocalists did extra performances in the Centrum and pool deck. I won't comment on Schooner bar as we don't stop there to listen. We even found karaoke contests enjoyable. PS. Try the cinema.
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