Mrs. Thomas

17 minutes ago, jeffmw said:

I don't know that I'd quite equate it to Waffle House vs. a good steak house. Royal is a step up from Carnival, but I wouldn't call it that much of a step up. Maybe more like Walmart vs. Target 

I also have heard really great things about the newest Carnival ships. The newest (particularly Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee) I've heard are super nice and a massive step up for the brand and much more in line with Royal (with comparatively more complementary dining options as well). If it weren't for building loyalty points on Royal (which, tbh, I don't even get much for and won't for the foreseeable future), I'd definitely consider trying one out, particularly with the price comparison. 

I could probably handle the ships if they went to better ports or just ports that interest me more. I also enjoy the musical shows that are on RCCL. 

My family and I are looking to drive to the port from NC. There will be 6 of us and using two cars isn't an option. I don't care to pay for a rental AND parking for a week. Does anyone know if you can rent a car one way? I know most people fly in, but besides the price of 6 people flying, I have 2 that are physically unable due to medical issues. Any help is appreciated.

@Al Miller I've seen those other ships and they just don't appeal to me. Maybe I've been spoiled (which is very possible) but I also am not a fan of the ports that CCL goes to. They don't go to St. Maarten and seem to love going to San Juan. I wish they (and Royal for that matter) went to different ports.

5 hours ago, Kcusack89 said:

This is what I figured. I have a family member who wants to book but is dragging they're feet bc they want a "deal" that I don't think exists. They don't see the rush to book early which honestly there is no rush I just know it won't go cheaper this day and age. But would be nice to save a few bucks. Family member is basically push DCl saying it's the same price with more includes (soda and what not) I'm just not a Disney person and don't need all the gimmicky dinners and kids stuff. ( parent of two for reference and still think my kids would have more fun on Royal)

My husband doesn't think that there is a rush either. He thinks that I'm worried about it selling out when it's actually about pricing. He also has no idea about what it took to even book our honeymoon. I've seen the sailing I'm planning for go up $300 in the last week or two and it KILLS me because I'm waiting on money to make my deposit. Hopefully, something will happen and it won't go up TOO much between now and then. I'm seriously looking at a 3rd party website as well instead of a TA.

On 1/31/2024 at 4:55 PM, jeffmw said:

There is zero question that Royal is very purposefully raising prices as part of a push to establish a 'new normal' that's more in line with other family vacation options.

There have been a lot of talking points being pushed by Royal for a while now about how cruise vacations cost significantly less than other vacations. They're making sure everyone is well aware of this so it's met with minimal pushback when they raise baseline pricing. 

So now they've increased prices across the board and have been met with post-COVID increased demand, which only makes it easier to justify. They've also spent a TON on marketing lately. They're advertising the hell out of Icon, grabbing newcomers with the shiny new toy and then, for those with sticker shock, booking people into Oasis Class ships after they price out Icon. 

The goal, I believe, is to reinvent the perception of the industry as a major player in the family vacation space, but to do it at a price point that's more in line with competitive options. All this marketing is a push to bring in new customers who don't have the comparison of the prior era when it was comparatively cheap. Meanwhile, people like us will likely stick around and pay more because they know from their data that cruisers are incredibly loyal to their preferred vacationing method. 

We used to be a Disney family. We went to Disney World basically every year, but when Disney went berserk on pricing and turned it from financially manageable to only enjoyable at a luxury price, we switched over to Royal. I fear Royal is going a similar direction.

Carnival may continue to be the cheaper option, but I would anticipate they'll follow industry trends and increase pricing. Why charge 30% less when you can charge 15% less and still be the less expensive option?

 

I keep looking at CCL but every time I do it feels like I'm trying to go to Waffle House instead of a good steak house to eat. I know we will be ok and probably have an ok time, but I also know that it won't be as nice, maybe a little dirty, and I won't get exactly what I want. Not to mention there may be a fight or two. LOL My kiddos are older and finding things for them to do becomes more than just being in the pool too. If CCL's newest ship that is in Galveston was in FL then I would look at it harder, but we can't get to TX to sail and the Western area doesn't appeal to us. So for now, we will just keep our eyes open and save where we can. However, I highly doubt we will be taking any more cruises after this next one unless somethings drastically change.

I went on Cruisebound.com and their prices can be close to the RC website but they also have a better deal because you can get the guarantee cabin price while actually picking which room you want. I'm thinking of using them instead of a TA who will just contact RC to do the booking. I'm still keeping my eyes open however. I did notice a $100 to $150 jump in interior pricing in 24hrs on a early March sailing. It's getting ridiculous and some of us won't be able to cruise if they keep this up.

@Ditchdoc Those are too cute! I'm going to have to remember to take a picture like that on our next cruise. 

I actually bought mine on Temu. They were cheaper than Amazon.  

My last cruise was in 2013 (forever ago!). But there was a cookie at the Promenade Cafe that I loved, however I can't remember what it was. It had a toffee feel to it. I also really enjoyed the baked Alaska in the MD. I can't wait to go on my next cruise! 

I decided to look up St. Maarten on Google and look at it on the Google Earth map. A RC ship is docked and so is another ship, but I'm not sure which line. The RC ship makes the other look like a bath toy! It's too funny! I can't tell which RC ship it is, but I'm pretty sure it is an Oasis class due to the Aqua Theater. A quick question... My Dad walks on a cane, is there a better way than walking to get him from the pier to the port? TIA

8 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

They are in your cruise planner.

Ok, thanks

On 1/10/2024 at 9:09 AM, The Fox said:

We don't eat out often due to cost and few restaurants where we live, so anything that someone else cooks is a real treat for us.

We're the same. If we do eat out, it's cheap fast food that's average at best. We end up enjoying the food because it's different than our norm. Personally, I like not having to do the dishes. LOL

Is there anywhere that has the prices for the specialty restaurants listed? I'm trying to figure out if I want to take my daughter to one and if we can afford it on our SOS trip.

We are leaving the day you get back 3-2-25.  It's a surprise sweet 16 birthday present for our daughter. She will know a few weeks ahead of time, but our son won't know until we get to port. Neither have never cruised before, nor have my parents who are joining us. I'm so excited as I haven't been on a ship since my honeymoon in 2013! I hope you have a great time!

Has anyone ever used Cruisebound to book their cruise? If so, what was your experience? Is the fair refundable? How was the travel insurance if purchased? Was it a better deal? TIA.

On 1/21/2024 at 6:58 PM, Minuet888 said:

Heard about wow bands (I will be on Symphony of the seas to the Bahamas)

Are they still used?

Are they water proof?  (Can be used on the water slides?)  Do they have my drink package on it?  Does it work on coco cay?

They open the door to my stateroom?

Just seem a lot easier than risk losing a card especially in the pool area or something, especially with a special needs kid as well.

I have a special needs child as well (age 11) and I was thinking about getting him a band as well. Then I realized that he won't be without an adult so paying $5 for one might be pointless. The biggest bonus I can see is if you are on a sea day and aren't going to be paying for anything, you can just wear it to the pool or out and about and don't have to worry about your card. You do have to have your Seapass card to get you on and off the ship. The card having your name/picture/and drink package listed will help with confusion and make sure you don't end up with someone else's card or vise versa. The bands come in different colors but nothing on it says who it belongs to so there could easily be a mix up if you give it to the attendant to pay for something. For ease of just going in and out of your room then it's great, but other than that I'm not sure of the perks.

On 1/16/2024 at 12:14 AM, jbrinkm said:

I interpreted this as - if she does not get a discount on a cocktail because of having the package, she would rather get her "free" (included in the package she paid for) mocktail and just pay for the shot of liquor on the side, or as a mix in. So @OCSC Mike answered perfectly:

Yes, when I said "free" I meant that I don't have to pay for it when my cruise is over. (girl math lol) If I decided that I actually want my pina colada a little stronger I can just mix in a shot and save a few dollars.  Thank you to everyone for your advice!

8 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

They don't have to get anything. Only when someone purchases the DBP does everyone in the cabin have to at least get the refreshment package.

If I get the refreshments package, will the price of a cocktail be the same or will it be less because of the package? If it's not a lesser price then I could just pay for a shot and get my mocktail for free.

I'm looking at getting the refreshments package that includes mocktails, as I'm not a big drinker. However, does this mean that everyone in the cabin has to get it too? Can they get a soda package or even nothing at all? My daughter doesn't really drink anything but water. I would like to avoid having to get her one too if I don't have to. TIA

@USCG Teacher That would be fun either way. I'm really just trying to think of things that my 14yr old might be interested in doing. She can be a little bit of an introvert, unlike her mother. LOL

You can still see her on the live camera for Port Miami. She's a big girl! (I can relate lol) I won't be able to sail on her for awhile, but sailing on an Icon class ship just got put on my bucket list! Happy Sailing to everyone who is getting to go!

@Ryan79 & @CrznTxn Thank you!! I'll make sure to talk to someone about it. I know that volleyball isn't as popular as basketball and soccer, but it would be fun for us. My daughter plays on her school team so it would be interesting practice too.

@Colombia20102018 Yes, I knew that it is a two country island. However, I don't plan on doing anything that day except sitting on the beach not too far from the port. It was one of my favorite places when we went on our honeymoon. It's a wonderful place to just that too.

On 11/2/2023 at 6:27 PM, MorganH said:

My husband and I cruise with our two youngest kids and they are mine from a previous marriage. We all have passports and have never been asked for any additional information. This is until our last cruise on Allure this summer. The gentleman checking us in noticed the different last names and asked us about it. I always carry their birth certificates and my marriage license. Early on I also carried a notarized letter signed by their dad acknowledging the kids were traveling with us. The kids are now 15 and stopped getting a new letter years back. The gentleman called over their supervisor, looked over our documentation, and asked the kids their relationship to my husband (their step dad) and me. 
 

They both apologized for the extra questions. I told them we were happy they were making sure everything was done properly. 

My issue is that there wouldn't be a letter from her biological father because he isn't in the picture at all. He hasn't seen her in 12 years at this point. I'm glad to hear that it shouldn't be a problem. Right now (thanks to the economy) I'm saving up for that deposit. lol

Just a random question and forgive me if it sounds silly, but do you have to bring your own equipment (in our case a volleyball) for the sports area? We love playing volleyball and it would be a great (and let's face it, free) activity for my kiddos to do while we are on a sea day. TIA