VeronicaS1970

Our new boarding time is 5:30. Email says we can drop off luggage at 2pm. This is in some ways good, since we are wheels down at 9pm tomorrow night and by the time we clear customs, get luggage and get to hotel, it will be late. So we can sleep in a bit before checking out and heading to the port.

We will probably just drop our bags and wander around a bit and grab some lunch.  Curious about dinner - we have early seating, so I am guessing they don't do it? If anyone knows, please share!

Another Ovation 5/9! We leave a week from today!!

I too am not a fan of the big ships. Freedom is the biggest I like, Oasis doesn't do it for me and I have ZERO interest in Icon. I love Radiance class, where you do feel connected to the ocean. While I do enjoy the promenade I can get that on Voyager or Freedom class. I also enjoy quantum class, Odyssey being my favorite (I know that is not a popular opinion LOL) 

We are branching out and trying new things lines. We are trying MSC this fall in Yacht Club, something I would never consider except it was only $300 more than Symphony in a OV for the same week. We tried Celebrity last year, it was ok, older ship so we would like to a newer ship. 

So I am planning to book Bermuda for next May/ June when I am on Ovation in 2 weeks. I am expecting to put down $200 deposit as is the norm with Next Cruise. So will I have to pay more deposit? Just want to be prepared.

That's a bummer, but I get it.

For Victoria, we decided just to take the shuttle into the city and hit up the Parliament and Royal BC museum. Lunch at The Flying Otter and checking out Chinatown/ Fan Tan Alley. 

Am I disappointed that we are missing Sitka? Yes. But we still have 3 ports with great things planned. Just hoping that the weather is decent, I really don't want to use the puffer jacket I am bringing!

Thanks, I will take a look!

I can understand not wanting to put the little one in the Pullman. The sofa or with mom and dad in bed could have been an option. 

I don't know about other folks, but when I am looking to book a cruise, I have 3 things open on my tablet: 

-Royal website to see what's available

-Cruisedeckplans to see layout and pictures if available

-YouTube for videos showing actual people in the actual room

For the amount of money I am spending, you bet your biscuits I am doing my research. I want to see and know as much as possible. 

So again while I understand your concern, the onus is on YOU to know what you are getting. Or as suggested, a TA.

I don't think you will get the resolution you are looking for, but if it makes you feel better then do you.

So Royal finally updated ShoreEx, 4 whole options. We think we are just going to taxi to the Fairmont Empress and hit up the museum and Parliament. 

We booked another flight seeing tour directly with the company in Ketchikan. They were extremely helpful and it was $500 less than what we had booked through Royal. 

We have adjusted or changed Juneau and Ketchikan, thankfully Skagway was unaffected. 

DH said excursions are live on Royal for Ketchikan, but still nothing for Victoria. Patiently waiting on Royal IT to get to work.

Can we board in Vancouver and then get off to explore the city since we are not leaving until 1am? We are arriving very late the night before and would love to see some of Vancouver.

Disappointed about Sitka and the shortened time in Ketchikan, since we had the float plane booked for there.  Waiting to see what Royal offers for excursions, especially Victoria. If nothing good or nothing at all at this rate, will book through viator.

We used Jo Junie both times we did tours, he was great!

Yep those Alaska excursions are. We paid over $1700 for 4 of us for the float plane in Ketchikan this May, that was on Black Friday sale.

Thank you! Just helps to know I can head right to guest services and get it  done

I have only ever done it through the app on my phone, website seems too cumbersome.

We had to check in on phone for upcoming Ovation cruise as we are leaving from Vancouver. 

So last February we did a Next cruise booking for 2 cabins, planning to go to Alaska. Once we were home we booked Ovation and put myself and DD in one cabin, DH and FIL in the other for purposes of D+ balcony discount. Final payment has been made, we are even checked in already. So I called to swap DD and DH in the cabins. I was told I could not since one of the original occupants had to remain in the cabin. I argued that one was. They said since the next cruise booking had DH and I in both cabins, we cannot change. I disagree, but ok I will deal with it onboard, as others have done.

My question is since we can't get to the cabins until 1 to get seapass cards, can we get things switched and new cards at guest services before that, or do we need the existing cards to give them? I know they just deactivate the old ones (DH lost his once) 

I have to move DH "officially" to my cabin, since that is the one with all the OBC.

Thanks for any help.

We are going in May. I have been going back and forth on what to pack. There are 4 of us-me, DH, DD, and FIL. All of us got Merrell/Columbia shoes(sneaker like waterproof shoes). We are planning layers-t shirt, light pullover, sweatshirt and we got puffer jackets that fold into a pouch.  Everyone is taking a baseball cap and wooly hat and gloves.  Everyone also gets a very small umbrella and we got 2 binoculars to share. 

We are planning to do laundry during the week so that we can fit all this stuff in the suitcase! 

My theory is to be prepared for all eventualities and hope the weather is at least dry, temperature I can deal with!

While I admit it is not as intuitive as Royals, I didn't find MSC's site the worst one I have ever used. 

We booked our upcoming MSC cruise with a travel agent, something I don't usually do.  But the price couldn't be beat, getting yacht club for the same price as an OV on Symphony for the same week.

Once again, Royal doing something different on different ships. Not surprised.

Strange, on Liberty last May we had our photo taken in Giovanni's and I was able to get it with my D+ free photo benefit.

Saw both on Anthem last week.  They also had ones in a pouch (think Capri Sun). 

I just wish they would get banana flavored back.

We were also on Anthem last week. We always book a year out, so I booked next February's cruise while onboard. I have already researched and chosen what I want before I go, saves time.  But in looking at Odyssey for next year, I couldn't do it. For slightly less I booked a 9 night in a balcony than an ocean view on Odyssey would cost. Yes I now have to fly, but the hotel cost is offset by the parking at Cape Liberty. And I get 2 new to me ports. 

We are trying MSC this October out of Brooklyn, will see how it goes. Royal and MSC seem to be the only ones to sail out of NYC in the winter. At this point we are looking to try other lines since Royal is becoming more costly. I may find I don't care for other lines, but I won't know until I try.

There are plenty of hotels near Newark airport. From the airport I believe you can take the train into Manhattan.

I recommend Tkts for discount show tickets. Shows available vary day to day, but if you just want to see a show, it's an economical way to do it. 

We are headed to Alaska this May. 4 adults( me, DH, 24 yo daughter and 81 yo FIL) Each person checking a bag and carrying on a backpack. I am doing a "test run" in 2weeks on Anthem with packing less and doing laundry during the week ( 3 of us get free laundry bag) since we will be taking bulkier things. 

I am willing to pay for the bags to make my life easier with everyone having their own bag and what they need.

6 hours ago, Neesa said:

Thank you everyone who responded. I'm thinking of waiting until final payment for our first sailing and get it then, just roll it into the cost of the sailing, get it and forget it. One last question with the annual policy, start date should be embarkation day of first sailing? It looks like you can schedule when to start. Thank you all again for sharing your experiences. Here's hoping we never need it! 

We have ours start in January, just another bill for the year. With the annual plan I don't think it matters when it starts, but I would investigate that.