USCG Teacher
-
Posts
838 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Posts posted by USCG Teacher
-
-
This may be (probably is) a dumb question, but if you get the 3-Night Dining Package on an Oasis-class ship and are staying in a suite, can/will the Suites Concierge make you reservations for you?
-
Well, isn't that some good timing?
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/amtrak-restarts-cascades-route-service
-
-
Not sure when you're going, but if the Amtrak Cascades train is up and running again by the time you are leaving, it's a great way to go, too. Very scenic and comfortable trip!
-
12 minutes ago, Stelkp said:
Are you august 6? I booked that while on my last July cruise. We are sooo excited and got a great deal for a suite. I am also looking for a place to stay prior as well. (From NY) so I’ll be hotel shopping too. Thanks for the thread.
I'm a few weeks later, the 20th, and we also got a suite for a steal! You'll have to scout things out for me next summer.
-
Since we're throwing in dining options in Galveston while we're at it, how's Queen's BBQ? As soon as I told my older son we were going to TX, he immediately said, "We've got to get BBQ...."
-
49 minutes ago, Matt said:
I booked the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Galveston Beach for my November cruise. Haven't stayed there, but looks good based on various reviews.
I saw this property, too. It was on the short list.
-
1 hour ago, Galveston Steve said:
I'm excited about Tru by Hilton opening up on the Seawall later this year and that would be a good choice if it fits your budget.
That is good to hear. FYI - I'm not sure if it's just due to the fact that it's pre-opening right now, but the price for August 2023 starts at around $140 +tax a night right now for a 2 queen room, and around $165 +tax for an "Oceanview balcony." Those prices seem incredibly reasonable for what will be an 8 month old hotel by then, I definitely wanted to ask about it to make sure I wasn't missing anything, but that seems like an incredibly affordable rate for a weekend night stay right on the ocean...
-
36 minutes ago, CruiseGus said:
I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express on the Island and found it not very convenient but at least it was points.
Thank you for the feedback! I'm curious if you could speak a little bit more about the lack of convenience here? I've read some questionable reviews about that property regarding cleanliness and the AC units being effective, but I figured the one thing it WOULD have going for it is convenience, both in town and getting to the port. Unless of course you're referring primarily to the "no early check in" thing, which I get!
-
1 hour ago, alibobali said:
but again, we went into it with the clear understanding that we'd gratefully flex to daily capacity in CK + the other suite guests to have dinner there, and were always happy when they could accommodate us.
This is the key right here.
-
5 hours ago, Gadget Hackwrench said:
I always figured that I was growing because of all the delicious food I was constantly eating, and that is why my clothes no longer fit by the end of the cruise.
- Matt, CrimsonCruiser and Ramja
-
1
-
2
-
After this year's wildly successful vacation, the family has opted to try Allure of the Seas out of Galveston next August (and yes, I was required to book a suite after exposing them to it this year. You all were right!).
So, thanks to @Galveston Steve's amazing "All Things Galveston" thread, I've learned a lot about the port and it's progress, and I've also learned there are some very differing opinions regarding where to stay pre-cruise. I now know NOT to stay near the airports, but some people suggest to stay along I-45 while others prefer to go into Galveston itself the day before. Here's where I'm at. All things being equal, I prefer to stay at IHG properties due to my status and points there, but their properties in Galveston itself seem questionable to say the least, and I'm not familiar enough with the surrounding area to pick a good location between Houston and Galveston. I was considering trying the new Tru by Hilton right on Seawall Blvd., but that's just a guess. I have learned to rely on this board's expertise and you have never let me down, so I'm back for more help (and hopefully generate a thread that could help future travelers as well!).
We're a family of 4 with 2 elementary aged boys. What we're looking for in a hotel is somewhere clean and safe, everything else is secondary. Being walking distance to attractions, the ocean and restaurants is certainly a nice bonus, but not at all necessary as I'm quite sure GrubHub & DoorDash work just as well in TX as they do in NJ. We'll primarily be resting from the trip in to prepare for the cruise, and we'll only be spending 1 night pre-cruise. So, what say you travel experts? Where do you like to stay pre-cruise in the Galveston area?
-
40 minutes ago, brdjnr said:
At any rate, I (think I) fully understand the JS is basically a big balcony cabin. However when I was booking, the price difference in a balcony cabin and JS was $2 CHEAPER total before gratuities. Am I missing something?
It's the good ol' supply & demand algorithm. Sometimes you'll find balconies cheaper than Oceanview, you choose your room cheaper than GTY cabins or in your case, a Jr. Suite that's just a few bucks more than a standard room. Every once in a while the math works out in your favor!
-
1 hour ago, jaedam0820 said:
We have someone who has knee problems and would probably not be able to walk a long distance. Thank you for this info.
If that is the case, the walk to the tenders will probably not be a big problem, however walking around Blue Lagoon itself might be. Not sure which excursion you're doing, but the areas you'd be able to get to without some sort of mobility aid if walking over uneven surfaces is difficult would be quite limited. The animal enclosure areas are connected via a boardwalk system, and there are paved areas to the dining pavilion and gift shop, but most of the beach areas require quite a bit of walking to get to the actual water line. There are a bunch of videos available on YouTube that can show you exactly what the island looks like if you haven't seen them already.
-
3 hours ago, michaelp1446 said:
You can make the reservation at the better price under your spouse/significant other's name then cancel the original reservation. That way you don't lose the reservation and no long waits on the phone.
-
6 hours ago, Mike.s said:
Caveat - available for dinner on a space-available basis. Being in a Jr. Suite doesn't guarantee access, but if you go up there on embarkation day with a flexible timeframe, you should be able to get reservations at least a few nights on most cruises.
- Neesa and asquared17
-
2
-
22 hours ago, jaedam0820 said:
Do we walk all the way through the port of Nassau to go the Blue Lagoon Island excursion terminal? I have been seeing videos saying how far the long the walk is through the port.
When we went to Blue Lagoon off of Oasis, the lines for the excursions were just to the stern and on the opposite side of the pier we were tied up to, it was probably about a 100 yard walk past the ship, maybe less.
-
20 minutes ago, NoobCruise said:
I don't want this to be a best travel agent flame war but I am pricing out a Wonder of the Seas cruise in Feb 2023. Traditionaly I have never used travel agents because I thought they would cost money or certainly not save money. We went on our first cruise this year on Oasis of the seas and loved it. I priced it out on Royal Carridean site and one or two other sites online and ended up buying it on cruises dot com becuase it had more extras like on board credit. Is it known that certain travel agents or travel agents websites tend to off better extras, since the prices tend to be the same, like more on board credits?
If you're looking for your TA based on OBC or an extra night of speciality dining, you're doing it wrong. You should be looking for a TA that is going to have your best interests at heart, one who is proactive and responsive and that you feel that you "gel" with. If in your search you come across an agent who isn't willing to have these types of conversations with you, you've got your answer about them.
-
4 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:
The only issue with digital passes is phones lose connections. It is easier to have a screenshot or print out.
I was also going to suggest this. My connection was just fine, but many others had issues.
2 hours ago, Andy & Sheryl Unwin said:I am a tad cautious always.
Set sail pass is always on the phone, with a screen shot as immediate backup should I lose internet connection.
However, I have paper copies of everything... Just in Case...
This is also me.
-
12 hours ago, Audrey V. said:
My kids were not finicky, and they liked the grown up menu.
An additional point to add to this, on my most recent cruise the dining staff was not only open to letting my kids try new things on the adult menu, they actively encouraged it. They were sure to linger/check-in fairly early when they knew one of them was exploring a new food and quick to offer a replacement in case they didn't like it. Despite what was surely more work for them, they really seemed to enjoy seeing them taking chances. Either that, or they were Hollywood-level actors!
-
3 hours ago, cruisefam86 said:
One more question! What were you options of times for disembarking with the suite concierge?
Good question! I was going to do a last post about debarkation /final thoughts, but that may be a little while so better to just answer this directly. The suite concierge would escort guests down to the gangway from the Suite Lounge every 15 minutes starting at 6:30 with the last opportunity to escorted off at 8:15. You could obviously choose to wait longer than that if you wished, you just wouldn't get the reserved elevator and escort. We left at 8:00 right after our breakfast in CK, and not having to fight for/wait for an elevator was very nice. The escort to the gangway on this cruise at that time was completely unnecessary, though. We were walked to our lane to exit and the "rope" was lowered for us, while all 4 slightly confused guests who constituted the entire line of guests waiting to exit watched. I'm assuming if you try to leave earlier or right when a new tag number is called, that perk would be far more beneficial!
-
6 hours ago, Xaa said:
Thanks Ashley. I think we will register him then. There may be some evening choices we make where he would prefer AO
The main registration time on Day 1 is also an Open House, so he'll have a chance to scope it out, ask questions, etc. The staff was really good about letting the boys know what it was all about.
-
-
34 minutes ago, cruisefam86 said:
What were the hours of adventure ocean club? And was it opened the entire time the ship was in port?
Listed times were 9:00 - Noon, 2:00 - 5:00, 7:00 - 10:00 then 10:00 - 2:00 for the Late Night Party Zone (which is $7/hr. per child), but I know on Day 6 they were opened later than that 5:00 listed afternoon time, although I'm not sure why. I heard they were open the whole time the ship was in port, but I can't confirm that with personal experience.
Priority check in for suite guests?
in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Posted
Here's a shot on the terminal pre-security(sorry it's only uploading as an attachment, I seem to have issues uploading .HEIC files). The serpentine line to the right is the general line, the straight line on the far left is the suites/Pinnacle line. Sea, Sky & Star class were all permitted in the suites line. Once through security, there were 4-5 Suite/Pinnacle check-in agents, with a special line for Star Class.
68079837334__6859D5F0-6B06-411C-940B-083333F0C907.HEIC