steverk
-
Posts
1,816 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Posts posted by steverk
-
-
On 4/17/2025 at 7:41 PM, Stefan said:
OK here is what I've been looking at the first pic is the standard 2ppl in the room but as I travel solo that's the 2nd pic (standard room) the 3rd is for an accessible room
If you follow through on the booking, there's a good chance that the accessible cabin is a 3U or 4U (interior with virtual balcony) and the other cabin is a 2U (interior without virtual balcony)
-
4 minutes ago, tjcruisers said:
Good point. We just booked a cruise a few weeks ago and for some reason my wife booked a refundable one (based on talking to the travel agent). It had a line called addition fee (or something like that) and it was 700-800. I did get her to go back to the TA the next day and change it to non refundable
Glad you got it corrected. The price difference between refundable and non refundable used to be pretty small. Now, it's outrageous. Paying an extra $800 to protect a $500 deposit makes no sense.
- fireclan, Ryan79 and tjcruisers
-
3
-
I have noticed that two people in the cabin allows for GTY cabin. One person does not. Once you click through to select a cabin and adjust for taxes, the price is usually the same.
-
I book accessible rooms quite often for my aging mother in law. There isn't a surcharge as such, but there are reasons it costs more.
First, accessible rooms aren't included in group rates. Second, you have to select a specific room so no GTY rates. Third, the rooms are usually classified as spacious.
With all that being said, they are worth it if you need one. They're larger and have roll in showers with a seat.
-
It doesn't seem like a good trade to me. I've never been to either port, but everything I've ever heard about Rotterdam is that it's an unattractive industrial port.
-
5 hours ago, dovecruiser said:
I haven't been on a cruise in a while, but...: wouldn't all ships and cruise lines sell any and all types of potential remedies for the benefit of their customers? If I were in charge I would have a dedicated kiosk somewhere convenient to (up)sell all this stuff.
In my experience, Royal will give out seasick pills at medical and guest services when the weather gets rough.
However, it's better to come prepared and take something early rather than react after the fact.
- RCIfan1912 and dovecruiser
-
2
-
1 minute ago, dovecruiser said:
If on Voom do people turn off Cellular Data while on-board, then turn it on when doing excursions? Not that it's not that hard to do, but x3 of us x4 excursions...I'd rather not worry about it -- as long as leaving everything "on" doesn't break the bank. Appreciate any thoughts, thanks.
I go in airplane mode on the ship and do voice over wifi. If the port is included in my roaming plan, I'll turn off airplane mode while in port.
Some people buy ESIM cards for use in port, but I haven't done this yet.
-
I asked on today's Captain's Corner on Jewel. My specific question was "What is the plan to replace older, smaller ships?" Captain's response was that there's no plan to remove the older smaller ships from service, but the Project Discovery should come on line in 2030 with ships meant to go to smaller ports. The ships will be about Voyager class in size but configured to go in to Tampa
My takeaways were as follows
1. Project Discovery is not dead but has been pushed back a couple years. Michael Baley said in the 2023 President's cruise Discovery would be sailing in 2027 or 2028
2. There are competing demands on the class that still need to be worked out. For example, I'm not sure it's possible to have a 130,000 GT ship that can dock in Tampa
3. At least publicly, Royal plans on using the Vision and Radiance ships for a long time to come. He even mentioned there is a program to invest in updating Vision class followed by Radiance class.
-
1 hour ago, ChessE4 said:
Same here, and we were last there in Feb. My wife wonders if badge is for Pacific ports of Mexico. However, your trip refutes that
I think they're inconsistent about what constitutes a destination. I have a Mexico badge, but I've been down the west coast and the Caribbean ports too.
However, I don't have a repositioning badge although I've been on 3 repositioning cruises.
-
I took Jewel out of Bayonne to Greenland and back. Not quite a crossing, but close.
There were some times when motion was pretty strong, but I didn't observe anyone having any problems.
Keep in mind we were following a hurricane, so seas were rougher than usual.
- PPPJJ-GCVAB and DLFam
-
1
-
1
-
While Jewel departed Costa Maya today, I had an interesting conversation with a fellow passenger. He said that Royal has closed the deal to purchase the port recently and closed the aviary.
I hadn't paid any attention to the aviary, but I looked at some pictures I took and it appears the bridges between the towers have been removed.
@Matt can you confirm if this is true? Is it the first step towards the start of construction on Perfect Day Mexico?
Thanks
-
17 hours ago, kq4wlc said:
Well, I don't know if I will have the same opinion. Everything I've heard makes it sound pretty darned good.
I hope you enjoy it when you finally get on board. Like all Royal ships. They do have their charms, but personally, I was disappointed with Odyssey when I sailed her.
-
On 4/9/2025 at 6:21 AM, PG Cruiser said:
OUTLETS on Radiance Class Ships in non-suite rooms.
Radiance of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas
Jewel of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas
Hmmm. I'm on Jewel right now and have only 1 European outlet
-
I had a cruise automatically get canceled recently. Royal refunded my deposit without notice or explanation. Then Royal canceled the reservation for non payment of the deposit. Go figure!
-
40 minutes ago, MaryCS62 said:
I use a scooter - is the beach club accessible, and are there steps for the pool (actual steps or slope with a handrail?) Would be worth it for me if it was.
I was only there once, so this is going by my imperfect memory.
The beach club is as accessible as any other part of the island. It's has the beach wheelchairs. The day beds are great, but you'll want a friend to camp out on one while you make your way there.
As far as pool access, I don't remember for sure but I'm pretty sure the entrance had steps. I don't remember if the pool had a lift, but I gotta believe it did.
-
I was on adventure during a recent launch. We were just off the coast of Miami when it happened.
Unfortunately, that was too far away to see anything. It was just before sunset.
-
17 hours ago, smokeybandit said:
What I got out of that video was that another cruise line may take the spot of Princess, and it could be any lines that don't currently sail out of Galveston.
That's why the thread is in the rumors section.
-
I noticed this video today and find it interesting:
I can think of several more reasons for it to be Celebrity.
1. The Texas Cruiser youtube channel recently reported that Royal has approached the Galveston Wharves for permission to add a second dock t the existing terminal. Why would they do that if Celebrity wasn’t in the future?
2. During the 2024 Celebrity Presidents cruise, the president was asked “When will Celebrity sail out of <fill in favorite home port here>?” Her answer was always, “We’d love to do that if only we had more ships.” However, Galveston was different. She wasn’t asked about Galveston but brought up on her own that Royal has a spectacular terminal that Celebrity could use, it is the fastest growing market in the United States and there is sufficient market to support Celebrity.
What do you think?
-
54 minutes ago, dabucs said:
It might be Junior Suite and up....i think. Also 340+ points should have it in their room as well.
That's my experience.
The combination shampoo and bodywash (i.e. mystery liquid) is horrible though. So bring something if you aren't in a JS or higher
-
I also enjoy cruzely and jj cruise
-
If you buy in advance, you don't get any special consideration for being diamond.
As to what's cheaper, buying in advance or making the most of your free day by purchasing on board, it depends on the sailing. The longer the sailing, the more likely it makes sense to buy in advance. But the prices fluctuate, so it might not be true for your particular sailing
-
54 minutes ago, HeWhoWaits said:
The individual would need to book everything they want at the current prevailing pricing.
Time for refunds varies - we've had it happen within 48 hours, we've had it take several weeks.
Be sure to track the refunds. I've had to call Royal on several occasions to get my refunds. This is the exception rather than the rule, and I've never had an issue with them refusing the refund. It's more like the IT department sometimes screws the pooch!
-
And put on a long cord like this
You can also use this cord by the desk on the European outlet
-
17 hours ago, Renee NaNa said:
What a SCAM!! My daughter booked her cruise with a friend through a travel agent and the airfare through air to sea. My daughter's friend said they couldn't go and my daughter wanted to replace her name on the cruise and air to sea said she would have to cancel both her and her friend's airfare charge them $215.00 each totaling $430.00 and rebook the airfare in order to simply change the name on the cruise only. Never using this company again!!!
Something doesn't seem right here. Changing the name on the cabin should not be a big deal.
The ar is a different story as that involves the airline.
Had your daughter made final payment?
Perfect Day Mexico opening in 2027
in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors
Posted
I'm on Mariner and we stopped at Costa Maya today. I took special interest in the aviary. It is definitely closed and about 1/2 of the bridges have been removed. I spoke to a shorex person on board and he said it was closed for necessary maintenance.
It will be interesting to see if it ever reopens.