Vlad

15 minutes ago, Bowen said:

I don't know if things have changed, but when we did a 2019 Alaska cruise iFly and North Star were both included for one session. The iFly session was very short, less than two minutes, and you could book more paid if you wanted. I didn't do iFly since I wanted to get video of my mom and son doing it, but they had a blast! NS was a lot of fun as well!

Do you remember, if you were able to book them both through the app on board? 

Or you had to visit the desk there in person for reservations? 

27 minutes ago, teddy said:

It's available to reserve in the Cruise Planner for our upcoming February 4 sailing on Anthem.

Do you know anything about North Star? 

Is it the same deal? Paid and free? 

How to reserve? 

13 minutes ago, teddy said:

The sessions in the Cruise Planner are currently $29 each.   From my understanding, there are free sessions available that can be reserved once onboard./cdn-cgi/mirage/428de7136f76a239c3e122421fe79f0cc5f5b9e7a1adbd601e0fa11a0bd5e14d/1280/https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/uploads/monthly_2023_01/323680144_iFlyfeb23.thumb.png.88c6144810bc4c6d30950ddef5db73b8.png

Thanks for info

I'm more interested in free sessions 

Already spending too much on everything else. 

I'm wondering if free sessions can be reserved once you connect to ships Wi-Fi 

Or still need to visit their desk for reservations. 

12 minutes ago, teddy said:

It's available to reserve in the Cruise Planner for our upcoming February 4 sailing on Anthem.

That's good news. 

Is it free? Paid? Varies? 

I wasn't aware you can reserve it in advance 

Guys, anyone been on Anthem or know what's going on with RipCord by iFly simulator? 

I don't see any info or hrs on it in the latest cruise compass from December. 

Will be on the ship later in the spring, really love that thing. 

18 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

I"ve not, but if I had to rate my concern it would be close to a zero based on their hours of operation and my awake hours.  Now if you said it was under/adjacent to WIndjammer I would say abosolutely don't book the cabin.  Hopefully someone who has stayed in that cabin can weigh in.

Yes, you're right on that. They only open for dinner. It's 8 cabins, 4 on each side of the restaurant, 12th floor. And above and below is always cabins. I believe it's category 2V. And all the rest from this category is all the way in from. Long walk from both MDR and Windjammer... 

Hi guys, 

Anyone stayed in interior staterooms on any of Oasis Class ships that are on either side of the Wonderland Restaurant? 

Is it noisy from the restaurant? Through the walls? 

Was wondering, since it's close to elevator as opposed to other interior which are primarily all the way in from of the ship. For the same cheap category... 

21 minutes ago, twangster said:

When I do change cabins I usually go and visit my new cabin area when I know the cabin attendant will be working.  I like to introduce myself and let them know I will be moving over from another cabin.  Often they'll make a point of getting my new cabin cleaned and ready first even though I don't ask them to.  

Did you ever experience with guaranteed cabins? 

I'm wondering if I'll know the cabin for the 2nd week before I start my cruise, basically 1st week. 

2 hours ago, twangster said:

The preferred method of accomplishing a B2B involves getting the same cabin for both cruises.  Sometimes that isn't possible and you have to change cabins.

If you can get the same cabin on both then all you need to do on turn around day is take your passport with you and go to the designated meeting point at the time they state.  They generally try to gather the consecutive cruisers once most guests have departed so that you are nearly the last people to leave the ship on the way to meet with US CBP for immigration purposes.  

CBP in the US requires all guests get off and the ship reaches "zero count" before they will authorize guests for the next cruise to board.  That includes consecutive cruisers.  How long you have to wait to reboard depends on CBP.  Once CBP gives the ship permission consecutive cruisers always board first and then the new guests for the next cruise will board.  Crew will escort consecutive cruisers as a group to visit CBP and reboard the ship as a group once CBP grants permission to do so.

You don't need to pack up anything unless you are changing cabins for the next cruise.  If changing cabins you pack up your stuff but leave it in the first stateroom.  While you are off doing the CBP thing cabin attendants will move your belongings to the cabin for the next cruise.  

Rarely CBP will come on the ship to perform their immigration check.  It happens but not too frequently so don't count on that especially from Florida. 

The two cruises are treated like two cruises.  Two accounts and you must close the first account after cruise one like everyone else.  You'll get new Seapass cards even if staying in the same cabin.  You should check in for both cruises in advance as if they were separate cruises weeks apart.  Make sure Royal notes you are doing B2B and check with guest services on board during cruise one to make sure you are noted as being B2B.  

Thanks a lot for detailed information. 

Of course I see the advantage of staying in the same cabin, but also thinking about guaranteed balcony, since it's basically almost the same price as pick your own interior. 

But guess if I choose guaranteed balcony for 2 back to back, it won't be the same cabin. 

Guys, can anyone explain how B2B process works? 

Thinking about booking 2, same ship, out of Port Canaveral. On Adventure 

Instead of 1 week on much more expensive vessel, like Wonder or Icon. 

Trying to see if it would be worth it, 2 weeks on Adventure, instead of 1 on Icon or maybe Wonder 

Guys, any info about Carribean 2024 Deployment Schedule? 

I thought it's supposed to be this week, but now all quite about it 

16 minutes ago, jack168 said:

Does Symphony have the retractable funnels? Or will they have to do a retrofit in order to fit under the verrazzano bridge?

I'm sure they thought about it all way before any of us did... 

Yes, September 24 cruise is live... 

Looks like it's a placeholder, or test listing... 

They usually do that to see if everything is working before the open up the schedule. 

Symphony out NYC is amazing... 

Even the already sailed twice on her !!! 

Although, the price is very high for that September cruise, it's still closer to 2 yrs away. 

And September is right in the center of hurricane season. Prices are usually way cheaper for that period. 

22 minutes ago, BrianB said:

On the Anthem...

Lunch reservations for the beach club restaurant are handled by the host desk in Chops Grille. You can call on day 1 of your cruise...or it's easier just to walk up. As soon as I enter the beach club, I stop at the restaurant desk just to confirm my reservation. 

Towels are supplied on each lounge chair...and you can definitely get more at the towel hut. No card scan needed. They are plush Beach Club marked towels and you can't take them outside the club.

When I enter the club, they just scan my card on their ipad...or just ask my ship and room number. I never bring the letter or an excursion ticket.

Great info, sailing on the Anthem... 

Definitely easier to stop by Chops sometime after boarding... 

14 minutes ago, USCG Teacher said:

Unless this has changes since August, you can absolutely make your reservations in advance.  There was a letter in our cabin with our shore excursion information on day 1 with the extension to call to set up our lunch reservation.  I would suggest calling sooner rather than later if you want to eat during the more popular time slots.

Thanks, 

If I remember correctly excursions tickets usually right when you come inside your cabin? 

Guys does anyone know more about the towels situation there. 

I know 1 towel is already given for each person on the chair or bed. 

But can you ask for more? 

2 per person? 

Also, lunch must be reserved. 

That's only done when you arrive in the morning or maybe you can schedule time on the ship or app? 

19 hours ago, Rackham said:

I think where the problem lies is Carnival is now charging for more than 2 entrées and the general public isn't keeping the lines mentally separated.  Kinda like tourists getting confused that there's no Harry Potter at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

Well, more than 2 is logical. It just goes to waste. I always tell the waiter. If I don't want rice or potatoes, just not to give it to me. Why just throw it after I'm done. 

I was waiting for this rumors to start... 

Royal caribbean charging for anything double...

2nd piece if bacon... 

2nd sausage... 

2nd potato... 

Even 2nd French Fry  !!! 

It's unbelievable !!! 

56 minutes ago, mike2608 said:

What is a decent tip for the porters during embarkation? I will have 2 medium size and 1 large luggage set

$1-2 for each 

I would say $2 for large and $1 for each of mediums... 

11 minutes ago, memebag said:

Yeah, that seems wrong. And $100-$200 per room seems like a crazy low price for stealing most of a day from your vacation.

Yes, that's better than nothing... 

And I feel the same way... That's a ripoff... 

Most on the ship have balconies, so they will only receive $125 for 2 people? That sounds like a joke... From 8 cruise days, 1 day costs at least 200-300 a night on average... And inside cabins will receive even less... 

They ruined most of the day, except for the evening. 

But the stress of all of it, just killed vacation vibe for most of the people!!!

They should had refunded full day worth of cruise fare, plus that incentive! 

That would show the people that Royal Caribbean really believes it's there fault and stands for it's customers! 

17 hours ago, Adriana said:

I wonder what the atmosphere is going to be like later. I came to the thermal suite to decompress…lady next to me is snoring up w storm! Right after getting back on, I went to the Windjammer. It was mobbed (and I was among the first getting back, like among the first hour). They made an announcement for people to vacate their table as soon as possible. I fully get it; so many coming in needing to sit, get it. Buuut, all I could think of was that all these folks have been waiting for up to five hours, we finally get to sit down and have something to drink and bite to eat and you say to hurry up and get out. The air in the room was not pleasant. Again, I get it, but could have been said nicer, even an added “please help make room for others.” People are not amused, I bet there will be plenty of drinks sold tonight! This will be an interesting evening. 

They actually said vacate? 

That sounds like a bad translation from some language... 

Sounds like saying swallow the food and get out of here... 

12 minutes ago, Al Miller said:

We were talking while waiting. Its like having a bad embarkation and bad debarkation Jammed into one day in the middle of your cruise. Royal just shouldn't do the itineraries this way. Is there some rule that they have can only have a certain number of sea days? Or do they have some quota with the ports that they need to fulfill for better rates? So they just tack on an ill-advised port stops like this for no real reason?

8 days cruises are added to change the schedule when 7 day cruises start. And people love them, it's usually good deal. Longer vacation, for same money. 

No limits on sea days, or anything... 

I'm not really sure what to do in Miami for a day, as a cruise stop. Guessing that's why most didn't go to Excursion or anywhere and just wanted to spend time on the ship. Plenty of stuff to do on Anthem. It's really nice ship and huge. Sailed on it I believe like 5 yrs ago. And will again next year. 

15 minutes ago, Adriana said:

@Vlad, I can’t argue that this really stinks. I am trying to stay positive and I know it is not the direct fault of the staff. Still is disappointing. I think they learned this would not work, so God willing, future cruisers will not have to go through this. It always happens that people do not get off or go to muster when they are supposed to, so of course this was going to happen. There were over 600 people still on board well after last call and took about two more hours after that to find the final half dozen or so. Then, to go through the re embarkation process of thousands waiting. Only a few staff directing, I did feel for them. 

Yes, sounds like they weren't prepared for this at all... I personally never heard this before, I mean to have a ship travel internationally, then back to US before continuing to final destination. 

If course logically you had to disembark, but completely not the way it happened. 

I've never been to back to back cruises myself. But I know those people do not spend time, or more like half of day in the terminal. They have special process, and those passengers are back on board really fast!

11 minutes ago, Adriana said:

The Captain just came on and apologized for the delays. They are still trying to board everyone…it is 3pm. He said they will put letters in our staterooms telling us how they plan on making this up to everyone. That would be great, I did not expect anything. While I appreciate it, I would rather have them figure out a better way to handle this for those cruising in the future.  Like @Al Millersaid, will not ruin cruise, but ruined the day until about now and took away my plans. Worse things in the world for sure, but def needs better planning and info given to guests. I am grateful to be back. I am sooo  grateful I was always inside, I could not imagine being stuck outside for all of those hours. 

Actually they stole a whole day of cruise from you guys, plus repeated the worst nightmare scenario of bad boarding process. 

They must give credit back for Miami stop, plus additional compensation in terms of onboard credit. 

Let us know how it ends. 

15 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

Just had a look farther ahead and there are two more dates, in February 2024, that also have Miami as the last stop. 

I guess it's maybe something to do with availability of berths or some other logistics issue. Perhaps because it's a rather unusual itinerary.

What are you talking about? What 2 more dates in February? 

Sorry, wrong year

2024,yes, same issue... 

Unfortunately it looks like going to be same problem... Ship must be empty for customs... 

Hopefully, Royal Caribbean can switch or change something to fix whatever problems they have on this sailing.