Sharla

I really liked the sip and brunch tour! 

Unlimited mimosas!

I don't print anything. Partially environmental, mostly laziness lol. Even before the app I wouldn't print a set sail pass. 

It's true travel agents are our own worst clients!

20 hours ago, JFCruise said:

Maybe I didn't make myself clear:

I booked an Alaska cruise in April - it has KSF because it not during the blackout dates. I think the cost was fair, given it's QotS. But my question was regarding this quote:

At least, to me, it sounds like there might be better deals available than KSF. I wonder what can be an example for that.

Two rooms, regular or group rate. Often the rooms for 4 are more expensive than rooms for 2 by more than double. With or without KSF I have seen it cheaper to do two rooms than one room. 

We did not get to even to into the fjord/glacier on my September cruise on Quantum of the Seas. This was at Enicott/Dawes Glacier. We didn't have plans to stop or let people off but it was a "sea" day so we had to just turn around due to ice and fog. 

6 minutes ago, ScottD said:

BUT you have until you actually sail to pre-pay if you are booked, correct? So I don't see the rush in getting it done right now. 

Yes, but to lock in the lower rate it needs to be added before November 11. 

18 minutes ago, Doug_Texas said:

I wonder if TAs are swamped with "pre-pay gratuities" calls and emails today rather than making money booking cruises?  Nov. 11 is a pretty short fuse.

YES. 

I don't mind an increase in gratuities, but what I do mind is that they are increasing and taking away services. Staterooms are cleaned once per day now and they want me to tip more. 

I know that is a FWP for me the consumer to want fresh towels 2x per day but it is cruise standard, so I would like it done if I am paying more.

I generally leave more money in the stateroom after the cruise anyway, but this kind of irritates me. 

I brought scissors onboard (Not Royal, other cruise line) because I was working on a costume and they did remove them and kept them. There was a note inside my bag letting me know I had brought a prohibited item. 

So they do open the bag if necessary and I was not there, but my bag was not locked or anything.

5 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

How can Royal Caribbean have a promotion like KSF up to 12 years old then? This is terrible business no? Because Royal know they are making money and a lot of it off the first 2 guests, the parents. 12 years use everything, they use the service yet they still allow them to sail free at times? 

When they do a KSF promo they often raise the price of guests one and two. That's how they do it. It offsets it.

I could not care less about people wearing pajamas around the ship.

I know a lot of people on this board say that they would never pay Disney prices, but having looked at both the new Royal ships and the new Disney ships and prices are not far off. And Disney includes a lot more onboard than Royal does. Adult beach is included at Castaway Cay.

I am not ok with them charging for it. I wouldn't pay it. 

I bring magnet hooks, because in my experience all of those clotheslines are moldy.

4 hours ago, jbrinkm said:

We both used the same MEI TA, but I booked a few months ago - two rooms for us and the teens - and we did get a group rate, which shows on our booking paperwork. My parents just booked a week ago and I don't see a group ID when I look at their paperwork. They did a guarantee window room. I'm assuming they fall into the "group ID" part of that statement because we're all booking from the USA and using American currency. 

Ask your TA to go ahead and pull them into the group. Most likely the TA is waiting until final payment to pull them in, but they can be pulled in now.

If you have a travel agent then they can book one-way Air2Sea online. I don't know if the consumer site will allow it.

6 hours ago, Rackham said:

Disney doesn't charge for popcorn at their onboard theater; or, at least, that's what I've heard.

They do, unless you're sailing in concierge.

On 8/18/2023 at 2:07 AM, Pattycruise said:

When do pool towels show up as not returned?

This happens a lot on folios. I truly do not understand the check out system for towels. No one is stealing those crappy towels!

Sometimes group space is contracted by large companies such as that. We can even do that sometimes with MEI because we can book into our consortia group space. But it's not on every ship/ sail date and it's generally limited to 2 guests per room.

That being said, Cruises Only probably has contracted space, just check what is included and the terms. I agree with other posters, I don't know what happens if something goes wrong and you're booked with them.

They aren't required but if you have one I recommend bringing it. Because if something happens on the ship better safe than sorry, that's my take.

You will sleep much better if you stay in a hotel. The Hyatt is literally inside the airport so I recommend that for sure. 

10 minutes ago, CruisingNewb said:

This is the one statement that I cannot understand though.  TA's are busy.  I get that.  But TA's are supposed to be busy.  Its their job.  They get commissions.  The whole point of a TA is to act as your agent and intermediary. If a TA is too busy to handle things like that, that is unfortunate.

This is true, and while a C&A status wouldn't be top priority it would be something I would handle as soon as possible. Just because it's not an emergency doesn't mean it's not important. 

Ride share will be quite expensive, and you'll be at the mercy of someone being available and willing to take the drive. 

Doesn't look like the Brightline train will be ready by then, but there are other trains that might be available. That's what I would do, or rent a car.

It's quite possible that it won't be available on such a short cruise. My first Royal Caribbean cruise was short because a company had chartered the first part of the week. So the systems weren't prepared to offer a different option and it just wasn't available.

On 6/24/2023 at 12:57 PM, nate91 said:

Hi,

I have been booking cruises through Costco for a while. While I love the Costco Cash Card I get, I hate having to wait on hold anytime I call Costco, and then waiting for them to wait on hold for RC before I can get an answer. I also hate being unable to use RoyalUp. I recently booked a cruise directly through RCI, and I loved just being able to call someone and have them adjust a price in less than ten minutes! My question is with MEI, which I know a lot of people around here use, is there any sort of perk/kickback similar to the Costco Cash card (though obviously not Costco related)? Also, can I use RoyalUp if booked through MEI? Any other differences between MEI and Costco, such as how long are the hold times usually? Thanks!

MEI-Travel does not offer an automatic onboard credit for booking. This is a practice known as "rebating".  Rebating is when an agency cuts their agent's commission and passes the savings on to the customer.

We are a fee-free agency, which means that you do not pay ANY fees for our services. We do not charge any cancellation or change fees other than what the supplier charges.

Yes, you can use RoyalUp with MEI.

Go to royalcaribbeanblog.com and request a quote on the right hand side and you'll be paired with an agent. 

24 minutes ago, Jill said:

Gotta make her earn that commission

Hey if that's the hardest thing I have to do I'll be ok!