wordell1

We were up early due to the time change so we walked over to Pikes Place Market. At 7am there wasn't much open but we did get some great French pastries and a Starbucks coffee to get the day started.

It was a good morning walk, with lots of climbing from the hotel.

Good morning from Seattle! We had a great flight and arrived on time. We didn't get to the hotel until after 10pm, which was late with the 2 hour time change.

Of course, we are now up early so we are heading out to explore.

Our room at the Marriott Waterfront is a corner room with great views.

Vacation travel day is here!  We fly out tonight from Austin to Seattle direct on Alaska Airlines.  I paid a little extra for premium which is a little extra legroom, priority boarding, and free drinks.  The tickets were still very reasonable (Booked 6 months ago).  They have meals for purchase in advance that I also thought were reasonable.  This is my first time on Alaska.  I have heard good things. 

We arrive in Seattle at 9:15pm pacific and will taxi a taxi or Lyft to the hotel.  Hopefully the flights are on time.  We were able to get our packing to 2 checked bags and 1 carry-on - not too bad considering the warmer weather clothing required.

Ships have been running pretty full and people are not cancelling as they were during the pandemic.  I would have low expectations and be pleasantly surprised if you do win.

3 hours ago, BarbzMike said:

Hi.  New to the Board.

I just had the worst pre-cruise experience, not resolved by any person in RC customer service.  My wife had booked a reservation for this July 2023. She realized it was her work email and, on the same day, updated it to her personal email address (Aug. 2022). Since then she has received emails reminding her of "Days to Embark, excursions, etc."- except the most important one- payment due. Each of the other 6 family members travelling with us all received their email regarding payment. 

My wife called RC to find out our reservation had been cancelled. It was for a balcony room, and the only thing they could offer was an interior room at double the cost. I felt this was an unacceptable remedy. I then took a swing. He confirmed that RC cancelled the reservation for lack of payment. I was able to escalate the situation to RC resolution department. The gentlemen understood the situation, but also could only offer the same interior room. I asked him if I was able to furnish proof that she updated her email address the same day as the booking, then would he be able to do something for me? He said he would research it and before hanging up the phone, I was able to find a email that RC had confirmed she updated her profile. We exchanged information confirming that he would find resolution and call me back between 24-36 hours. That never happened.  I followed up with another call and 2 emails. No response to the emails and the person who answered the phone said the first person I spoked with was unavailable. Two weeks passed and today, reluctantly, I picked up the phone again. Was on the phone for 45 minutes with resolution. The man did not want to disclose his last name and kept offering me the same interior room at double the cost. He also assured me that there were only 5 rooms left, he could not price guarantee me the original price of my room, said he could escalate the situation to his boss but that person does not get on the phone with customers. My $200 deposit is lost based on RC's inability to fix a communication problem on their end, and my $300 worth of gift cards are also in jeopardy. He told me in all likelihood, "Whomever calls you back at any level will not be able to offer you anything different." Also that call may not happen for a couple of weeks.  What a disgrace. 

They are simply stealing people's money and sailing away!

By the way, my previous cruise in 2020 was cancelled by them during the pandemic because the ship was sold. Again, the only communication I received was that my drink package was cancelled, with no mention of the entire trip being cancelled. Again, RC offered no alternatives. signs of good will or empathy.

 

I would not ever sail with them again, not for a lack of beautiful sights, amenities on the boat and ports oif call, but simple because of their smug and unhelpful team of employees in customer service.

 

Buyer Beware.

Sorry, but it is your responsibility to ensure final payment is made on or before 90 days. All cruise lines work the same way.

Due date reminders is one of the many services a good TA would provide you.  I make sure my TA has my current CC info and instruct her to pay a few days before the deadline in case there are issues.

1 hour ago, Gilley said:

If you rebook, can you stay in same cabin?

Sorry, I meant price adjustment.  You would stay in the same cabin.

The best day to book is the day it is released.You have the best choice of cabins and often the best price ever offered. If the price does go down, you can always rebook.

I will be in Alaska next week and I bought some extra long rain ponchos through Amazon in case of heavy rain.  They also can go over a small backpack.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LLPGMW8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

The 928 is definitely closer to normal for a 7 day cruise.  Whether it is expensive really depends on how much you expect to drink on the cruise. 

There are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available if you choose not to do a package.

On 5/27/2023 at 5:02 AM, Nutocru said:

I've read differing reports on what attire is acceptable in the MDR. Cruising on Odyssey (from Rome) in July with husband and 2 boys (12 and 14). Will the boys get away with shorts? And if so, even on formal night?  Will hubby get away with shorts? Are sliders ok or will they need closed toe shoes? Fashion trainers ok?

I'm easier dressed, definitely.

Will it be warm on board? Or does Aircon keep everything at an acceptable temp?

You can get away with it, but you may feel out of place - especially on the dressier nights.  

Since you mentioned shorts and Rome, I will point out that there are many churches in Rome that will not allow shorts.  I noticed that it was hit and miss on enforcement last summer but I did see people turned at a few of the Basilicas.

I will be on Ovation of the seas out of Seattle.  Does the ship stay on Pacific time or switch to Alaska time?  

If the 2-year-old is fully potty trained and closer to 3, it may be possible. I would ask.  It's not happening if the 2-year-old isn't potty trained.

Having said that, they will both be happier in the age appropriate area for them.

I would go with March, but all those weeks would be expensive.  

6 hours ago, RafaellaCG said:

YMMV, but when we disembarked the difference was only about 15 minutes (my dad self assisted, the rest of us waited for our luggage to be ready). Of course, all in all it was more, since we stayed on the ship extra time too. 

I usually get off early with the first few groups. I will typically get up early and eat breakfast but I don't really enjoy just hanging around the ship on debarkation day.

If you are physically able, I highly recommend the self-assist walk off debarkation.  It avoids all of that mess.

This will also be our first cruise on a Quantum class ship. We are booked in a balcony cabin on deck 13. 

Does anyone else think its weird that Ovation has a deck 13 but the Oasis class ships don't?  I'm not a "bad luck" person so I don't care but why leave them off one class and then have them on another?

We are doing MTD on this cruise although we are going to try Wonderland because my wife wants to.  I have low expectations based on what I have read but will give it a fair chance.

I would definitely do Samba if you are a meat eater.  I would do CP150 and Chops as your other 2. 

I actually enjoy Giovanni's steak as well.  All were really good on our Allure cruise in January so I don't think you can go wrong whatever you choose.

I spent today packing and making sure I have lots of layers and rain gear for Alaska.  It looks like temps between 40 and 60 degrees and wet on the long-range forecast.  We don't get a lot of those kind of days here in Texas so it will be an adjustment for us.  We are trying to pack light so that we can minimize the checked bags, but we will definitely need at least one for the bulkier clothing.

Unfortunately, a lot of my cruise casual clothing has a distinctly Carribean feel to them so I will need to do a little shopping before the trip.

This will be first Alaska cruise.  My wife and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary and this is our present to each other!  I am really looking forward to seeing an area of the country that I have never been to.

We are flying in 2 days early to Seattle and staying in the Marriot Waterfront and will have a whole day to explore.

I don't know the answer to this, but I would personally just follow the instructions on the Royal website.

The only time I haven't seen the extra security was on the stop we made during Covid.

The cruise port is downtown so you could pick almost any hotel.  Uber/Lyft/Taxi are always good options in a major city.

If you are arriving early enough on the day before to do things in Seattle, I would stay downtown and see some sites.  If you are arriving late, I would save some money and stay near the airport.

I would book the whole week on MTD with the times you want.  They can easily be cancelled as you make other plans.

I would bring both.  I don't think the typo you are describing would affect you - only if your info was wrong.

Get the Shiner