steverk

Can you purchase a policy through royal Caribbean?

On 2/28/2024 at 7:45 AM, TLane said:

Thanks for the recommendations! Yeah, I was planning to use the USB ports only to charge our mobile devices (phones/smart watches/earbuds). The only other devices we'll have to plug in are my CPAP machine at night and possibly my son's laptop. He's in college and will have some summer classes, so fingers crossed the ship wifi is good enough for him to join his online classes.

Do you have a recommendation for a room fan? Found several on Amazon, but I have analysis paralysis.

My wife loves this one https://www.amazon.com/Foldaway-Rechargeable-Portable-Lightweight-Compact/dp/B098CRFFNN/ref=asc_df_B098CRFFNN/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532971543020&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16478889909755490309&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1026777&hvtargid=pla-1453736493837&psc=1&mcid=5e0a792da05a332ab1c353f08a05996a&gclid=CjwKCAiAloavBhBOEiwAbtAJO6I2RcbPf3cQVS3lFluyxka73vnm5TcMaOGJwPnoMXuZG8BrgpdFIhoCjAYQAvD_BwE

Good morning and let me give you an early welcome to Houston.  

The 1:15 estimate to the port is reasonable assuming you are doing this on a weekend morning with no constructiondelays.

During the week, 2 hours would be a better estimate. If there's a construction delay,  then all bets are off. Checking Google maps is probably your best bet.

Enterprise rent a car on Galveston is 4.5 miles, so the distance isn't too bad. I've never hailed a cab or uber on Galveston, so I can't really give you any advice on how long that will take. 

After the cruise,  I would expect it to be pretty easy to get a ride though.

To the OP. my normal advice would be to self assist.  However, you've indicated that's not an option  

So, I'd get the earliest t6you possibly can. Go to guest services and confirm that's what you have. Then just hope everything is running smoothly and ahead of schedule. 

In most cases, you should be called by 8am and out of the terminal by 8:30. However,  there's tons that can go wrong,  so there's no guarantee. 

Best of luck to you!

I was pleasantly surprised by the pricing on Navigator sailings for winter 2026.

A 3 night weekend cruise makes a lot of sense for someone who can drive to the port and enjoy a weekend away. They will pay a premium for it and probably spend more on board.

The downside for the cruise line is it has to be paired with a 4 night cruise during the week.  This makes far less sense for someone who has a job and wants to maximize their vacation time.

Cruise lines must have concluded that the advantages of the short weekend cruise are worth the trouble of dealing with the hard to fill week long cruise. 

For me personally,  I'm not flying to a port for anything less than 6 or 7 nights. However, I will drive an hour for one if the price and timing are right.

If you really feel the attendant is failing to do his/her job, then you probably need to bring it up to the head of housekeeping.  I'm sure the issue will be addressed.  Be advised though, you'll probably get very crisp, very impersonal service for the rest of the cruise.

I can confirm what @LoveToCruise says.  I've booked it 4 times. Each time it was a great experience.

To get the lower price, book it at full price in advance to reserve your time.  Then ride it enough times to show that you and your party don't really need a lesson. Then talk to the activity manager and they will refund the difference between your purchase price and the lower price. (discount is a refundable OBC).

All you can do is keep checking.  Somebody will cancel and you'll have a brief opportunity to book it.

Good luck!

I took it to La Guardia.

We were late getting docked and the terminal was hopelessly backed up. We had to wait for at least an hour longer than planned, so we were late getting started.  Therefore my start time of 10am should not be taken as normal. It's also possible that they removed some planned stops to get us to our flights on time. 

We had  great driver.  He took us in to Manhattan. We were allowed about 45 minutes to explore the world trade center area on our own. We drove around Manhattan where the driver pointed out significant landmarks like the bull on Wall Street and some historic buildings. 

Then we went on to La Guardia. 

Was it a great tour? No. But it was a decent way to pass some time and see a little of New York. When you consider the cost of cab fare to La Guardia from Bayonne,  I thought this was a bargain. 

I believe you can get pizza in the park Cafe located in the solarium 

I like vision class ships,  but they are a slower experience than the newer ships.  As long as you're aware of this, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

That said, I have a couple suggestions. First, travelling over Thanksgiving may be a better option. Most schools and universities, at least in the USA, have the whole week off, so it works we'll time wise. However, most Americans prefer to celebrate with a family feast at home,  so demand and prices are often more reasonable. 

My other suggestion is to consider voyager class ships. They're usually price competitive with Vision class but have far more amenities. 

13 nights. 

Have fun!

I just finished my Sydney to Auckland cruise on Celebrity and had a wonderful time! For anyone from America is considering a similar cruise, I'm going to give a quick lessons learned.

1. Both Australia and New Zealand are beautiful countries with fun,  clean and safe cities. Both have extensive natural areas that are worth seeing.  Both are proud of their heritage and their native populations. Be sure to spend extra time there

2. Most places will take your credit card without issue. That's more true in Australia than New Zealand,  but you don't need a ton of local currency. 

3. I didn't see very many currency exchanges,  so bring some local currency with you.

4. People in both countries are very friendly and helpful.

5. Most of the New Zealand ports are industrial ports and require a shuttle bus to go ashore. On my itinerary the ones that required a shuttle were Dunedin, Wellington,  Napier and Christchurch.  Auckland, Bay of Islands and Tauranga did not require a shuttle.  On my cruise, the shuttle cost $10USD.

6. Do your research ahead of time.  Lots of stuff to do in each port, but you don't want to just wing it.

7. The plugs in Australia  and New Zealand are different than any other country I've ever experienced, but they are compatible with each other. Be sure to get the proper converters before coming on the trip.

I hope this helps someone.

To all the Aussies and Kiwis,  thanks for the great time!

3 hours ago, Zambia-Zaire said:

You know, I understand how you feel... my gut, Allure was always going to be the ship of choice by RCG, to home port in Galveston, pre-covid. unfortunately, covid happened, and Allure never got amp, as work continued on the new terminal. Nowadays, I really prefer RCG concentrate on paying debt accumulated (not previous pre-covid debt) during covid... the number of loans they incur, trying to keep operating... before continuing with new build, not already scheduled, again, pre-covid. Pause for a few years, complete existing projects that had been delayed, because of covid, to stabilize cost & fares, in a very fluid, unstable, global economy, where supply chains are being reorganized & rethought. I fear that companies (not just RCG) are cannibalizing itself, that will lead to more price hikes, for less services, then what passengers already face. So, I don't mind as much, that an amped Allure will make a return to Galveston... she may not come alone, as Royal continue to saturate the Florida markets. However, I gotta say, although I know it will viewed as contradictory... but if RCG going to invest in new build... oh how much I would love to see them invest in a Private Resort area, in the central Mexico coastal area and maybe work with Corpus Christie (city/county/state) to enhance an entertainment district for a cruise stop, to add new destination to the extreme Western Caribbean itinerary. I Can Not Stress This Enough!  

I hate disagree, but I'm disagreeable by nature! I feel it's imperative that RCG builds a Royal Caribbean ship every year. A celebrity every 2 and a silversea every 4 or so. If they don't, the fleet will age and RCG will have to play catchup to MSC. That's nit a situation I want to see.

I just boarded Celebrity Edge in Sydney on Feb 4. I arrived early and just walked on. No line. No waiting.

It's been a while since I've sailed vision class so my memory may be faulty.  With that in mind, I believe it's  2 US plugs but only 1 European. 

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. 

I agree with OP that the gratuity is excessive on a soda package, but it is what it is. That means, you know the hidden strings. You choice is to either take it or leave it.

I saw this in Christchurch this morning.  Should I be worried?

I haven't had that happen en masse, but I have cancelled excursions,  received a refund, but the excursions remain booked. 

13 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said:

Those prices I listed  are in Australian Dollar, but also it's for a sailing that's in 2 months.

Gotcha. Since it's in AUD, the price would be roughly  $3000USD and include tips. That's high, but last minute cruising can be a crapshoot. March is spring break in the US so I bet that has something to do with it.

To me, a bigger issue is flying for Australia for a 4 day cruise.

2 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said:

 

I tried to find an equivalent on Royal; the closest I could find was a 4 Night Western Caribbean Cruise leaving from Galveston, Texas on Voyager. 5 adults and 2 infants in 2 interior rooms is $9,109.73. (Keep in mind we'd stl have to fly to Texas)

I'm nit sure what's going on, but that price doesn't make sense to me. I live in Houston and sail Galveston a lot. I've never paid that much.

For example, I've got a 6 night on Voyager at the end of April. Jr. Suite 3 people. I paid $2165usd plus port and gratuities.

In Oct 2025 I have an A2 2br aqua suite 4 people on Harnony for $9156 plus port. Since it's star class it includes gratuities, dining, drink and internet packages.

I don't have to fly, but the prices I see aren't anywhere near $4500 per interior room.

11 hours ago, twangster said:

Let's face it, Royal doesn't want the Vision class ships but they have no place to dump them with Pullmantur gone.  So they run them into the ground.   People book them, then complain, but there are enough new to cruise and loyalist booking them so why accelerate the last ride to a beach in Turkey we all know is overdue?

Seems to me that Royal is deploying Vision class to niche markets. It can't be all that profitable,  but only vision and radiance classes can transit the Panama Canal or dock in Baltimore an Tampa.  For those reasons. I believe visiin in particular  will continue to sail in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.  So no worries about them visiting Australia any time soon.

1 hour ago, Kcusack89 said:

Yeeeeepppp but idc if they come or not it a cruise for my own celebration so I'm definitely going. They told me last night that they think cancel for any reason insurance is cheaper than a refundable deposit and I said do whatever you like if you come you come if not I don't feel any certain way

Cancel for any reason doesn't refund your full deposit.  If you cancel, you'll forfeit about 25% of the amounts you've paid plus the cost of insurance. 

Do a cost comparison and decide your best option.  It may be the CFAR insurance works best for you, but go in with a full understanding of the situation. 

1 hour ago, Kcusack89 said:

I booked well in advance for a cruise next spring (2025) I booked with a refundable deposit.

1st question is when it comes to rebooking if I see a cheaper price will it be for my exact identical booking (same room category and refundable deposit, added gratuities) 

2nd how often do you save money booking so far in advanced? 

Generally,  it has to be the exact same, but with a refundable fare you can always cancel and rebook if necessary. 

I book aa soon as the itinerary is announced.  About 25% of the time I find a cheaper price. The key is to check frequently