BethGR

I'm trying to figure out a half-day snorkeling option in Nassau for our group of 3 families (9 teens and 6 adults). On my cruise planner, I looked at what seems to be the only official RC snorkel excursion: "Nassau Sail & Reef Snorkeling with 1 Hour Open Bar." It notes a price for adults and kids up to 11. But in the excursion selection, it says that my 16 year old is "ineligible due to age." So you can have kids and adults but nothing in the middle? I'd understand if it was 18 & up but this is odd.

We are open to a reputable charter for our group, as well. (One family in our group is nervous about using a non-official RC excursion but realizing that may be our only option.) So would LOVE some recommendations for possible charters or other options that could handle our group of 15.

And I know Nassau isn't necessarily the best snorkeling, but we're only hitting two ports on this cruise, the other being Coco Cay. So for this trip, Nassau is likely our best bet.

Thanks!

Beth

So only around Chill Island Beach for snorkeling? In my complete ignorance of how an island works, I'll ask - why wouldn't there be fish in other areas? Does there need to be a rock formation or such? Nothing on the other side at South Beach, etc.?  Thanks!  - Ignorant but curious....

So there's no "2 drink packages w/ 1 VOOM" discount? 

If not, guess we'll just do the 1 drink package w/ Voom and 1 regular drink package. And understanding that we'll need to call to get this set up.

I would like to know how this was booked as well, through RC or directly? I see no snorkeling excursions offered via RC on my July sailing at this point.

We are looking to book on the Independence, in a Spacious Panoramic Oceanview room. The deck plan (pic attached) shows Room 1868 shorter than 1878. But might 1868 be a bit wider? My eyes are likely wonky and not sure if the Deck Plan is accurate. But would there be a perceivable difference between the two or fairly similar? Thanks!

- Beth

11 hours ago, CruisinForABruisin said:

Did anybody else just get a total full refund of their gold? 2million just showed up for us

Did you request it?

So I got an email response saying not to worry, everything is good to go for my trip and the OBC.  BUT no specific mention of amount, nothing that says if it is a split between true "use it anywhere" on board credit and casino freeplay (as some are experiencing.)

I'm printing all of this out, tho we shall see if it actually works!  We board on Monday.

My friends were there last week and said that construction continues around the South Beach area but the floating bar WAS still open!  We go in a week, we're excited!  (Not only about the floating bar, but that will be fun...)

We'll be in Nassau in 2 weeks so I've been doing research as well!

I've not heard / seen great reviews on Junkanoo Beach. Rather, it seems recommended to take the #10 bus out to Cable Beach. Nicer, cleaner.  BUT, am wondering if anyone here has had experience with Cable Beach?

1 hour ago, CruisinForABruisin said:

It was like pulling teeth. Arguments with the front desk and casino host until day 4. Felt like a dick when I was losing my patience, but for 3 days, they said I wasnt going to get one. Luckily, one employee named cristobal got through to Miami and got it sorted out. Added stress to an already stressful trip after weather destroyed our flight plans, and a sudden change swapped Costa maya and cozumel days, causing us to lose our reservation at sanchos.

I think this is really interesting, as others who are on board now are having to "argue" their way through this all, with the same type of confusion - first - I don't know what you're talking about, then meetings, calls back to Miami, still giving less than promised, more arguments, etc.  AND, it seems that Cristobal has been a part of several of these discussions.  C'mon dude, stop playing dumb and SOLVE this the first time someone approaches you with this issue!  As it's going to keep happening over the next few weeks!  

We're on the July 8th Majesty of the Seas so I've been checking the cruise planner.  A few weeks ago, they had daybeds listed and then they went off.  Then this afternoon, daybeds & cabanas were "there" but listed as something that must be reserved once on board.  Now they are gone again.  With the closure of South Beach area (and those related cabanas), I'm guessing that pushed folks that wanted to rent those over to Chill Island, etc.  

We have some OBC to use so I was hoping to snag one once onboard, but with inventory in shorter supply, I'm guessing it won't happen.  Will just have to see I guess!

So we are sailing on the Majesty of the Seas in a couple of weeks.  Obviously one of the smaller ships and a lot fewer dining options than the larger class ships.  But are the menus for the MDR and Windjammers pretty similar to the larger class ships?  Or scaled down accordingly?

Just curious!  And any specific food recommendations for dining on the Majesty, let us know!  Food items, snacks, etc.  Thanks!

1 hour ago, MrMarc said:

I got back last week.  It was a problem.  Club Royale said one thing, Customer service/relations said only 1/2 of the discounted rate.  After hours of phone calls from the ship to the shoreside team (who confirmed the amount only to reverse their decision 2 hours later) and a meeting (at their request, not mine) with the onboard Customer Service manager, Casino Manager, Casino Host and another casino officer and another hour plus  phone call on speaker phone to Club Royale, it was fixed.

 

Again, it is frustrating, thinking that they MUST have had several MyVegas folks on by now.  Are there THAT many customer service people rotating on & off that this situation is like a "surprise" to them every time?  And apparently no memo / discussion to the customer service staff, concerning how to deal w/ this situation w/out the customer having to spend hours prior and on their cruise (and after, for some), simply getting what they promised from the get-go?

Yeah, the hubs is not so keen on wearing pants on the cruise. And do they designate no jeans?  Frankly, I think nice khaki shorts are nicer than jeans in most cases.  On formal night, we'll likely go elsewhere (tho it's the Majesty, so not a TON of other options).  But want to plan to go to the MDR most other nights. We'll bring a couple of polo shirts for him to wear (probably only for dinner) and maybe one pair of pants.

But I guess this all begs the question - should there be ANY limits to the dress code in the MDR?  I mean, are tank tops, tube tops and cutoffs ok?  Folks might say that's silly, but seriously, if we all draw our own line, who knows where it stops.  Naked night?  Ok, so THAT'S def too far! 

Again, we're a casual couple (that both dress in business attire for work) that will choose to skip the formal night. But I like the suggestions on relaxing the dress code for the MDR or one of the dining rooms. Tho maybe on bigger ships w/ more options, it isn't as big of a deal.  

Yeah, we're on the Majesty (only because we THOUGHT we were going to Cuba....)  The app is pretty laughable for the Majesty.  3 weeks after they canceled Cuba, the excursions still list "All Day Tour in Havanna."  So I guess I'll go with the website.... 

41 minutes ago, CruisinForABruisin said:

So they are saying the credit won't show up until tomorrow,  I'll update post cruise

But they at least knew what you were talking about?  That's a good sign!  Good luck and have a GREAT time!

8 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

Yes the drink pkg on board was 63.  We saved 19/day.   For the first time I noticed a 5 drink card which I have never seen before.  However, I have not been on a 4 day cruise before.  

So is this because a lot of people cancelled? Or is it because it's a short cruise?  

Eager to hear more about your trip!  Hope you had a blast! We are on in just under 3 weeks!

Stopping in Nassau on our upcoming cruise, and while we're doing "official" excursions the other two days, we thought we might do our own thing this day.

I've heard not so great reviews on Junkaroo Beach. Seems the most convenient to the port, but more crowded and not as nice as Cable Beach.  Does anyone have any experience visiting Cable Beach? Was it nice? Were there chairs avail for rent?  How did you get down there (up there?)   - I read somewhere that either a cab or bus would take you there.

Also was wondering if you could bring your own drinks or are there places on or near the beach? Wasn't sure if bringing some beer down from Pirate Republic would be acceptable.

Thanks!

On 6/5/2019 at 9:49 PM, MrMarc said:

Thanks.  I am absolutely going.  This was a cruise I got thru MyVegas.  With the 50% OBC they are paying me almost $1000 to go on the cruise.  Most amazing thing that has happened to me in a long time.  

MrMarc, I'm in the same situation with MyVegas and the OBC. But as I've said a couple of places, I'm nervous that I'm going to show up and they don't honor the "deal" that they offered (in writing.) When is your cruise? Eager to see how it works out!

4 hours ago, Skid said:

 

If I remember correctly from last month, the new over water cabanas were going to be built towards where the floating bar is now. So if you stand in the water looking at the beach with the floating bar next to you on your right, the beach loungers with the clamshells would be ahead of you, the bungalows to the left of that and then the beach beds to the left of the bungalows. 

So this would make me think they'll be cancelling the loungers also??? 

There were only 20 bungalows and 15 beach beds. Doesn't seem possible they could replace everyone. I will be very interested to see how this plays out...

@Millenialcruiser, what is your sail date? We recently booked an October cruise and only cabanas are available. I do not know if the bungalows, beds and loungers are sold out or, from what you said, not even being sold.

So wondering what WILL be available, if everything isn't already snapped up due to the construction.  So it seems that concerning Bungalows, Cabanas, Daybeds, etc., these are the possible options?:

Oasis Lagoon:  "28 daybeds & cabanas"  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cococay-bahamas-perfect-day-island/explore/oasis-lagoon/details

Chill Island:  "14 cabanas & 35 daybeds"  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cococay-bahamas-perfect-day-island/explore/chill-island/details 

And I guess that if the whole South Beach area is under construction, the floating bar will be out of commission as well?  (Mid July sailing.)

And now it looks like for our July 8th sailing that only Water Park cabanas are available. Daybeds WERE listed before but may be all booked up by now?  I was hoping we could book one upon arrival since we'll have some OBC to use, but oh well!

On 6/13/2019 at 6:16 PM, CruisinForABruisin said:

So I called royal direct right after it was announced the June 19th sailing got switched to Costa maya, we were super bummed about it. We were definitely hoping for coco cay. I raised hell for a while because they initially said I was only going to get 50% of what we paid (port fees and tax). Long story short, and several managers conferenced in later, they gave us over $900, which was what 50% of the myvegas breakdown was. Eased the pain of having to be at Costa maya instead of Havana. 

So can you post your experience upon boarding?  If things go smoothly?  

Did you call Royal Caribbean or Club Royale?

I have a letter that states what we will be getting, but I just fear getting there and the $$ not actually showing up in our OBC account.  

Thanks!

38 minutes ago, CruisinForABruisin said:

First thing I'm doing is going to guest services to make sure they give me what they said on the phone. The figure they gave me at the beginning of the call was significantly different than what it ended at.

When is your cruise?  And was it a MyVegas points redemption?  Did you get a letter / email stating the amount?  Did you talk w/ Club Royale?

I don't mean to be greedy, but we were initially going to cancel due to the itinerary change.  I would have saved our points for something else, as well as our money (since we'll still be spending quite a bit on airfare, food (in travel, in port, etc.), parking at airport, etc.) for another larger ship / different itinerary.  But the offer of OBC persuaded us to stay!

Was anyone else booked on the June / July Majesty of the Seas sailings, via redeeming MyVegas points?  These were initially going to Cuba, with a revised itinerary to Nassau & CocoCay due to the cancellation of all Cuba travel. Should be nice but was SO looking forward to Cuba.

I got an email, as did some others who have July sailings, saying that we could cancel the cruise or get OBC because of the changed itineraries.  They gave us a very specific # of the OBC amount, and said it could be used for anything on board.  Note - the email was sent by Casino Royale.

Just wondering how this is all shaking out for people that are actually ON or have RETURNED from one of these MyVegas points cruises. Did the OBC show up ok? 

So the options posted now in cruise planner are:

• Thrill Waterpark Cabana - $599 (Not interested)
• Bungalow - At South Beach apparently (not in the item headline, but in the description):  $244
• Daybed – Chill Island:  $149

Do they also have bungalows at Chill Island?

Can you just do the clamshell rental onsite (or at least onboard)?  In your experience, is this better than the freebie umbrellas? 

There will only be 2 of us, so trying to balance the expense with the value. But man, those bungalows look cool!  We have some significant OBC, but just wondering how much these prices might go up once onboard.  Any pattern to that or is it anyone’s guess?

Thanks!