monctonguy

They are a good deal...IF you are going to drink each day on the cruise. It works out to be about 5-6 drinks a day on average when you factor in some bottled water throughout the day and some soft drinks. But I agree, it hurts big-time having to pay it up front....especially for us Canadians when its getting close to $100 day just for the drink package!

I don't know of a low fat menu....there are always lots of options and choices in the mdr or the buffet for making healthier and low fat choices based on my experiences.

Oh you will enjoy your vacation for sure I have no doubt....I am ready for my next one and its over 6 mths away...so at this point I would be pretty much be willing to pay anything for a get away!...ha I always get the drink package and anyone I have travelled with in the past has as well so its not an issue for me...and I am watching for a sale on the package as well so let me know if you see one....I"ll owe you!....but I am not overly hopeful.

1-they may do that next. I am not aware that other cruise lines let people opt out. Either you both get it or you both pay per drink(if I am wrong, love for someone to let me know) 2-many benefits to going solo which I have done a cpl times...but when you pay 200% surcharge for your cabin, it kinda negates any savings on a drink package really..lol As for the price going down..don't hold your breath. Now that they force everyone in the cabin to buy it, next step would be to raise the price. Why would you think they would lower it and make less money?

Don't worry about staying on the ship..sounds like your other two stop will be busy, and there is LOTS to do on the ship when she is docked anyways and some great view of Nassau from the ship as well usually. However, there is lots to do within a easy 10-15 min walk of the ship....from pubs to restaurants to shopping to some beach area.....I ALWAYS do my own thing and explore when in Nassau!

I hate to be skeptical..but they are a business..and ur damn right with all the cancelled cruises and donations that's eating into their bottom line! Were they going to do this anyways?....prob so....however, what a great time to slip in this extra cost when everyone is praising there hurricane relief efforts. Just sayin.......

Especially since their policy is now to NOT offer last min discounts or deals within 90 days of sailing or something.... Kinda hoping they sail with lots of empty cabins for awhile..maybe make them re-think that superior attitude that either you pay what we want or go elsewhere. If too many people actually do what they think people wont do........

Biggest tip I can give is not to bring a big carry on...imho, nothing worse than having to drag that around for hours. Its much easier to explore and see and enjoy the ship for those first few hours without having to lug around or carry a big bag. That first cpl hours on board it so exciting and lots to see and do... As for the 5hr, prob not an issue, but they do have redbull on board and usually flavored ones as well which go great with some flavored vodka for the sail away party on the pool deck!

Good article and makes you realize just how bad these 2 hurricanes really were. But on a good note, sounds like that within the next 30-60 days most of these ports will be up and running and welcoming back tourists which will in turn help them recover!

I get the frustration...when you plan a cruise there is so much more than just the cruise plan and cost. Airfare, hotels, connections etc. So by Royal moving or shortening or cancelling the cruise even with a refund, there is still a ripple effect and other factors that come into play. At this point, I would just want to totally cancel and get my money back as it would be stressful to say the least with everything up in the air. Its a terrible situation for sure for ppl in PR and I think its nice for Royal to be offering to help, but I agree that they need to remember the paying customers that give them a reason to visit these Caribbean islands in the first place as well.

it was very deep and cold the one that I visited as well and so clear...no fish either in the one I visited. This is added to my list of things to do when I finally get a cruise to Bermuda booked!!

Sounds and looks like it was a great time...cant complain when on a cruise imho! Those caves look pretty cool. I swam in caves like that in Varadero Cuba....it was quite an eerie experience....but one to remember!!

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Great info here guys...wish I had more to add but everything I use has already been listed here and more besides. Quite a few sites will not allow Canadians to quote or book without calling in which limits us a little in our searches but I have booked multiple times with VTG...cheapest option out there for when/what I was looking and no issues. Was glad as the first few cruises I had booked with Royal directly and wondered how so many others paid less than me and had OBC given to them when they booked..lol

Sounds like it might be a real sale.

This season has been terrible so I get that they cant give exact itineraries right now for the next cpl mths....I don't think that's unreasonable. I am guessing there isn't much to see or do at a lot of these places now even if they did take you there to be honest.

I have thought Royal has handled Irma pretty well, but I have a feeling things are going to start to change as these cruise lines are losing a lot of $$ with the hurricanes IMHO. Offering someone a future credit that expires and there is no guarantee that the credit will even cover the cost of rebooking a cruise is defn NOT a refund! Not to mention, getting to SanJjuan would be a nightmare now..plus a 7 day cruise down to a 3 night cruise means you now have 4 extra nights in a hotel to pay for if you cant change your flights or there is a cost to it. When someone books a 7 day cruise..they sure as hell didn't want a 3 day...should be a full refund. In this case, Royal is defn dropping the ball IMHO.

Doesn't surprise me....nothing against Royal but in general these companies don't give 2 &*&^# about a single customer complaining. Unless you are willing to keep at them with emails and calls and threats, they often will do nothing. Or unless its a large group of people voicing their displeasure about something that will get others peoples attention then maybe they will. That being said, I have to agree that it may have been easier and better to talk to someone on the ship right after the experience so they could confirm and verify the details. Maybe they would have been able to offer you something right then and there. I have yet to book an excursion with Royal and I have done 10 cruises. I much prefer to do my own thing once off the ship in port or arrange it on my own locally etc. Can't control everything but for me the deal breaker is the cost for the excursions to start when it comes to Royal anyways. Good luck...and don't give up!

I have travelled many times during hurricane season...its a risk but as long as you know that, why not. Often there are some great deals..like last Sept a week in Cuba was $599 for flights, hotels, food and all you can drink for a week....from my local airport...cant beat that! But if I had tried that this year, I would have been SOL. The Caribbean is going to feel the effects of this season for a very long time I think and much wont ever be the same as it was before.

Some areas will be 4-6 mths with no power they are estimating. Its going to be weeks if not months before the port or airport is reading to be receiving thousands of tourists each day. This season has been terrible on the Caribbean and the affects are far reaching and will be felt for a very long time.

Defn the sauce is what makes it..agreed! Hope the weather stays nice like it has been the past few weeks for you. Halifax is a great city with lots to explore. Saint John(about an hr from my home) tends to be a lot cooler and often foggy...but here's to hoping!

its been a bad season, and only half way over or so right now.... Glad I didn't have anything booked for a land or sea vacation this September. Had been watching and waiting for a deal, but will be waiting for a few mths now for sure.

Make sure you know the full cost. The cruise fare that is advertised is often double that once you add port fees and taxes and gratuities(especially on those shorter cruises). Also, if you enjoy a few drinks each day look at the drink package, but that again will double the cost of the cruise. So for example, you find a deal on a 4 night cruise being advertised for $229...know that your going to pay over $600 once its all said and done basically...TRIPLE the advertised price and that doesn't include any extra spending money for on or off ship. That being said..those short cruises are what got me hooked on cruising and Royal. As for motion sickness...been on Enchantment 4x and on 10 cruises with Royal so far with no issuses. Can only think of one or two nights when it was really even noticeable.

I have had a Gyro as well....with the tzatziki sauce...so its kinda a varation of that.... Now I am hungry and want one!... not sure when FManke is headed this way on the cruise..but another beautiful weekend up this way...temps between 85-90 again....but this warm weather may slow down the fall foliage which I know a lot of people like to see and enjoy when planning to come this way during the fall season

haha..... As far as I know its a East coast thing here in Canada or at least started out here...it's heavily spiced ground beef shaped into a large loaf and roasted on a spit, then shaved and seared on a flat top grill...then you place it on a pita and top it with onions, tomatoes, cheese and the donair sauce(its a sweet dipping type sauce).......the pizza variation is really good as well. Defn worth a try.... http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/blog/the-delicious-history-of-the-halifax-donair/ Beaver tails are good as well...If your stopping in Halifax, all of these items will be walking distance from the port!