BunnyHutt

In the US it can definitely vary between type of position worked, seniority of said position and tenure with the employer. 

It is not uncommon to start with 1-2 weeks vacation, plus paid public holidays. And then it goes up from there. 

I ‘retired’ last year at the ripe old age of 40 and had 4 weeks vacation when I left my most recent employer, with whom I had been in a managerial position for 7 years. 

1 minute ago, twangster said:

I don't recall any ship having a kids play area near the windows.  I suspect that is the media misreporting the deck plans.  Typically the ships have seating areas along the windows, there is no specific kids play areas there.  Sometimes these areas have tables and chairs for eating and sometimes it's simply chairs. 

The windows are tinted and it's very obvious when a window is open both from a visual perspective but also from sounds plus feeling of air moving through the window. It's apparent by many different sensory inputs.  Let's face it, the glass and tinting is old and never so clean so that you can mistake glass from open window.  

I've never walked in this area and been surprised that a window was open.  I've never thought to myself "I had no idea that window was open".   I still struggle to understand how the grandfather didn't notice an open window.  

The lawyer is the one who is publicly stating it was in a kids area. The only thing I can think he may be talking about would be a splash pad of some sort, but I am not familiar with this ship, or class of ships. 

IME, however, all windowed areas on pool decks are seating, not play areas. That’s just common sense factoring into the design. 

To go back to the comment above about the number of people who fall overboard every year, I don’t doubt that. In fact, there was a crew member who fell overboard on the Carnival Victory last week - the same day we were sailing through the same waters on Majesty. But I am not aware of anyone (adult or child) falling out of an open window. 

1 hour ago, twangster said:

It gives the family a way to not blame the grandfather.  In their minds it's not his fault if they can all agree to blame the corporation.  

As a parent, I’m not sure I could ever take that blame away in my mind. But, I’ve never been in that dark of a place so I can’t say for certain. 

Court of public opinion isn’t going to change, though. Literally millions have sailed on RCCL ships with slide open windows and this is the first incident (to my knowledge) of this type. 

Amazing how the story keeps changing... and now I’m sure this is the one the family will stick with in order to save face and put the blame on the corporation with the deep pockets. 

The incident is truly heartbreaking and, as a mother, I truly feel for the family. But placing the blame where it doesn’t belong isn’t going to bring that baby girl back. 

Just came back to Port Everglades today, on Majesty. There’s a Walgreens on the corner on 17th. 

Uber app had several options to Port Everglades so I just picked the Royal Caribbean terminal option. There’s a big sign at the entrance to the port area stating which ships are where. 

Received the email for our holiday 2020 sailing a couple of hours ago.

So do we think this means that the deal on the soda + Voom will stand, as well? I think my kids will be more than willing to trade in their daily Frappuccino for WiFi.

Tomorrow on Majesty.

No cancellation for my package as of yet. I’m actually boarding Majesty tomorrow and suspect all will be cleared by the time we get back. 

I am curious, though, if anything is going to happen with the children’s soda + Voom packages. 

Still showing as reduced price in my cruise planner. So many ways they could have stopped this after they realized what was going on (I mean, how many times have you been thrown an error message when trying to get on the site?), but yet they haven’t. 

I honestly don’t care if they cancel my pkg as I’m not a big drinker, but shame on RC for having this still up if they’re planning on not honoring them. 

29 minutes ago, CFL said:

For those with soda drinking kids, you may want to check out the soda & internet package for kids is only 8.99 which is the same price as the soda only package...  may be part of the same sale/glitch?

Thank you! Got this for my kids.

Got it for my holiday 2020 cruise on Anthem! Worst case, it gets refunded (I typically don’t get the alcohol packages when sailing with my kids/family). 

10 hours ago, Skid said:

Yes, you can call. Ask them to advise current cost. I also ask them to verify that EVERYTHING has remained the same (cabin, dining time, etc). Make sure that the NET difference is lower before you accept the change. Reason for that is because promotions may vary from the time you booked. So if the cruise fare dropped, but you had originately gotten some on board credit and now you won't, there may be no net savings.

Happy sailing!

Thank you for the clarification! We’re book in a 3-person SOV on Anthem for a holiday cruise.... all those factors combined I don’t expect much/any downward price movement, lol. But, being a bargain hunter, I’ll keep my eyes peeled. 

9 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

They now provide only paper straws.  I'm pretty picky and I found they held up pretty well even in the Frozen drinks.  On the rate time or didn't, I just asked for another straw.  Jane

Thank you!! I know some places don’t provide any at all anymore, so I appreciate the clarification.

We set sail in 2 days. 

14 hours ago, twangster said:

Not all regions are eligible for price drops.  North America typically has always been eligible.  Most fare types are eligible, certain travel agent rates or other promotional rates might not.  

One way is to go through the motions of a mock booking.  For example, if you weren't already booked and just wanted to know the price you would step through the process of booking a cruise.

Another way is using a travel agency like MEI travel (who sponsors this blog site).  They will periodically check for price drops.  

The catch to price drops is comparing identical cabins.  If you are booked in a 4D balcony cabin you have to compare current pricing for a 4D balcony cabin. Sometimes a balcony may appear cheaper but it's for a different category such as a 2D balcony compared to a 4D balcony.  They won't price match different cabins categories within the same type of cabin.  

Price adjustments usually involve giving up any bonuses when booked such as OBC or Kids Sail Free so sometimes it doesn't make sense taking advantage of a price adjustment.  You might save $75 but lose $100 OBC for example.

Once final payment due date has passed (typically 90 days for most cruises) there are no price adjustments, at least not for a while.  In the past they sometims offered OBC but that stopped a few years ago.

But if I notice price has decreased can I just call RC and ask them to adjust my cost? Booked a cruise without a TA before finding this group.

2 hours ago, Sea Turtle said:

I did bring my own cup. Loved that it keeps drink very cold. Yes, had to transfer my beverage, including using their cup for water & ice to pour into mine for sanitary reasons. No big deal. Definitely bring own reusable straws no matter what if you like to have straws with your drink. 

They don’t provide straws onboard?

How does one do this? Do you have to pay the premium and book a refundable fare or  does RC do price adjustments for you if you ask, regardless of fare type? 

Well, I *was* going on my bucket list Cuba cruise next week, but....  

Others include Panama Canal, Mediterranean and Alaska. Boring, I know. 

Spring break 1990 (7th grade). Southern Caribbean on Song of Norway. 

4 of us crammed in an inside cabin. My parents and I almost missed the boat in Barbados - hired a cab driver to take us around the island, lost track of time and then he got a flat on the way back to the ship. They were pulling up the gangplank as we were running towards the ship. My 16-yr-old brother stayed on the ship that day and had no clue what happened. 

Just now, mom2mybugs said:

No we were Cuba victims.  We were in the 4 day majesty from June 15-19.  Horrific weather but wonderful ship and service!  Jane

Glad to hear it! So many poopoo the smaller/older ships, but I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for confirming my thoughts.

10 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said:

Us too!  Hope you have a great cruise!  Jane

You’re going to be at Maya Chan on the 5th?

Please report back how it was. My bestie and I are headed there next Friday - thankful they were able to squeeze us in as we were victims of the Cuba rules. 

Maho Beach is always a good time in St Maarten, but it’s not exactly quiet.

We stayed at the Intercontinental and it was very convenient to both the airport and the cruise port. 

I don’t know the name of it, but there’s a small joint located right on the beach next to the IC. We weren’t able to eat there as a family (flight delayed 3 hours so we had to settle for Burger King for our cranky/sleepy kids) but my husband goes there every time he overnights in SJU. 

We sail on Majesty 7/3. Got acceptance email on 6/19... so 14 days out? Coincidentally, it was also the last day Cuba cruisers could cancel for full refund so I suspect we benefited from that.