Linda R

22 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I took mine home in both a checked and carry-on and I wasn't flagged at all. 

Same here.  I have taken them home in checked baggage and carry-on.  No problems at all. 

16 hours ago, chrismelissa said:

Good Morning Everyone, Has anyone done a back to back Trans Atlantic, leaving from here going over to Europe, then coming right back, if so please let us know how it was, we are thinking about doing that soon, have a great weekend

They go over to Europe in spring and return in the fall.   Do not see how you would do a back-to-back?

It means you will not have to pay the usually $100 pp change fee.  Your rate will be what the current rate is, not what you previously paid.

I would highly recommend  taking the 1 way cruise.  I have done Alaska cruises many times.  You want to see the larger glaciers, like Hubbard, which are  farther north. Weather can be very iffy.  Best weather July or August.   I went in June  the baby seals are born that month and were laying all over the ice floating in the water.  But this was also north near Hubbard glacier.  It was my favorite sight on an Alaskan cruise.  I always go on the newest  largest ship available, as long as it is going 1 way.  You probably will not have much choice with your ship going 1 way though. I like more restaurants and venues on the larger ships.   The Alaska  cruises for 2025 are not out yet, but might be in November.  You can give them your travel agents name and number to add to the cruise when you book with NextCruise.  My TA's information is already in the system so I do not need to give it to them.  You will have a great time, enjoy!

On 9/22/2023 at 10:49 AM, AshleyDillo said:

They just don't want you to put your Rx meds in something like pill sorters. A sealable container is what they are referencing. 

I take many prescription medications and I take them all in daily pill sorters.  I carry a list of what pills I take, but do not carry the prescription bottles with me.  Never have.  And I travel several cruises a year. 

On 9/18/2023 at 7:32 AM, TexasNative said:

Sorry if these are redundant, I have tried searching the forums...

First time cruiser.  Going this winter on Harmony of the Seas.  Sounds like I need to do a Single WiFi for 2/3 devices package, will figure out how to pay for it in advance lol.  Any suggestions otherwise?  I'll be with my girlfriends family...and will want WiFi on my phone and/or PC, and probably for her Phone....unless we are able to communicate on our phones via the app...then I just need one WiFi for my laptop (I will need to work daily at least for a bit...).

As for the drink packages, a couple questions:

1) How much would a basic cocktail/beer be at a bar?  I'm trying to justify $79/day/passenger for the drink package...are drinks $20?
2) When they say you can bring two bottles of wine per person, is "wine" interchangeable with vodka? LOL  What about beer?  Sodas (for kids)?
3)  Is there a liquor store on board (or only at the restaurants)?  If so, what type of prices would one expect to pay?

Tipping seems to be popular to pre-pay then tip additionally if need be/desired?

First timer, so take it easy on me   Thanks all!

 

Cocktails approx $14,  beer and wine $8 and up.  There will be specials and drinks of the day at lower price.  Any liquor you buy at liquor store cannot be consumed on the cruise.  They will deliver it to your room the night before you disembark to take home with you.

You need to pick your own rooms to get them across from one another.   

On 8/31/2023 at 1:14 AM, FionaMG said:

Usually afterwards. The exception is if you reach pinnacle during your cruise.

I turned Pinnacle this year, during a cruise.   I was recognized at the C&A get-together at beginning of the cruise.  But did not get benefits until the next cruise.

While this was unavoidable, and RC did offer a nice compensation, you still might need travel insurance, in my opinion. Many flights will cost more that $600. Especially if that is per couple, not per person.  I also always have hotels pre-paid, before and after cruises.   There could be transportation to airport or train station.  

6 hours ago, emmef said:

And most likely not allowed as they are a fire hazard, this type of thing is often confiscated.  Ships are typically very cautious as fire is the biggest danger to any ship.  Easiest just to get free coffee/continental breakfast from room service. You tell them what time and they will bring you a carafe of coffee, decaf, or hot water for tea.

17 hours ago, Babsy47 said:

Look at USB travel kettles that look like a thermos.  The are easy to pack and can be used anywhere.  

I believe those have a cord to plug in, and most likely are not allowed.  Pretty much anything with a cord, except hair dryers, are not allowed.  

My first cruise was in the 80's, and was not much to research then.  No internet, etc.   I had a fabulous time!    I plan more now and have learned a lot of things.  Some are just things that make life easier  (magnetic hooks, better luggage, etc.) Also as you age the way you approach traveling, or things you do on a cruise change.  Just go with it.  Everyone learns from experience.  Just have a fantastic cruise and don't sweat the small stuff.  And then book your next cruise......and the next......

We do B2B cruises all the time.  Most cruises in fact.  I always tip room stewart after each leg, and usually give them a tip the first day too.  The cabin stewarts can be changed at any time, and he/she may not know in advance.  Same with dining.  The table you had assigned for week 1 may change for week 2.  If it is the same table the wait staff is likely to rotate.  Tip as you go.  I always do.  And then never have to be concerned about it later. 

Grand  suite also gets free internet.  Also usually double sinks in bathroom and tub.  All day access to CK and Suite lounge.  Jr suite just has CK for dinner.  Even though you will not be able to have the other 2  guests join you, you may want the experience once or twice just the 3 of you.  The GS is also larger with sofa living room area that may be nice for the 5 of you to visit in.  Or have room service together.  Just a thought. 

Never heard of that show, maybe new on Wonder?  I go on Wonder next month and will check it out.

Room service for coffee and tea is complimentary.  And several places onboard have coffee/tea available, some 24 hours.  I have only seen coffee/tea makers in cabin in Jr suites and above.

On 8/26/2023 at 1:55 AM, Xaa said:

You might want to rethink this piece.  Don't get travel insurance for fear of losing money on things that have to be cancelled.  get it because if you have a health emergency at sea an evacuation can be a life changing expense.  I never get it for land vacations, but always for cruises.

 

You might also want to rethink this piece.  Try to book further in advance and seek out refundable deposits.  Even though they will cost a bit more than the NRD rate that day, you will almost certainly harvest savings over the rate you end up paying.  Alternatively you could book them NRD and then if you change to another cruise, you lose only $100 of the deposit per person.  You are likely, overall, to still come out way ahead.  I'm booked through May 2025 currently.

is May 2025 open now?  I looked recently and only went thru April, and only certain cruises.

Just now, Linda R said:

I take several cruises a year, so always have one coming up fairly soon.  So booking 2 years in advance is not an issue and I have more to look forward to!

I am now retired, but when I did work I was self employed.  So getting the time off was not an issue and I had the control.  But if you work for a company or have children in school, etc.  it isn't as easy to know if you can get the time off.  Especially a year or 2 in advance.  Just enjoy your cruises when you have them!

1 minute ago, VillainsGin said:

I personally can't fathom counting down 2 years the anticipation and anxiety would have ended me long before haha.

I wish i had the discipline to book years ahead of time for cost effectiveness but society had molded me with instant gratification everywhere.

I take several cruises a year, so always have one coming up fairly soon.  So booking 2 years in advance is not an issue and I have more to look forward to!

3 minutes ago, Linda R said:

The cruise that was cancelled 3 days before a cruise was not anything RC could do anything about.  A crane fell on Oasis in port and damaged ship.  Not the fault of the cruise line at all.  The ship could not be sailed.  But I mentioned it because I showed you what RC did with refunds, etc.  

I use private travel insurance to cover other expenses other than the monies that were paid to RC.  There are several companies to use.  I always book thru a travel agent too, and they can handle the insurance for you.  Plus putting in a claim if you need to.  I have personally had to cancel a couple cruises at last minute due to medical issues.  And was so glad I had travel insurance as they covered everything.

I usually use Travel Insured for my travel insurance.  When you put in a claim you can get forms online and then I (or my travel agent) mails them.   You need to include receipts for items you paid and show that they are not refundable.  Hotels, train tickets, museum entrance fees, etc.   

Just now, Linda R said:

The cruise that was cancelled 3 days before a cruise was not anything RC could do anything about.  A crane fell on Oasis in port and damaged ship.  Not the fault of the cruise line at all.  The ship could not be sailed.  But I mentioned it because I showed you what RC did with refunds, etc.  

I use private travel insurance to cover other expenses other than the monies that were paid to RC.  There are several companies to use.  I always book thru a travel agent too, and they can handle the insurance for you.  Plus putting in a claim if you need to.  I have personally had to cancel a couple cruises at last minute due to medical issues.  And was so glad I had travel insurance as they covered everything.

I book my cruises as soon as they are available, usually 2 years in advance. That is when you get the best price. 

8 minutes ago, VillainsGin said:

I'm fine with RC refunded the full amount paid for the booking but at that point its not about the money. Canceling a cruise 3 days before sailing is absolutely unprofessional if it wasn't for a valid reason. I can't imagine waiting months sometimes over a year, count the days to come and had it cancelled.

 

Trip insurance is the shady part for me since I always opt out of travel insurance. Who do you use or how do you go about getting compensated or cost outside cruise fare like hotel/flight?

The cruise that was cancelled 3 days before a cruise was not anything RC could do anything about.  A crane fell on Oasis in port and damaged ship.  Not the fault of the cruise line at all.  The ship could not be sailed.  But I mentioned it because I showed you what RC did with refunds, etc.  

I use private travel insurance to cover other expenses other than the monies that were paid to RC.  There are several companies to use.  I always book thru a travel agent too, and they can handle the insurance for you.  Plus putting in a claim if you need to.  I have personally had to cancel a couple cruises at last minute due to medical issues.  And was so glad I had travel insurance as they covered everything.

Often the comedy shows do not come up in planner to book ahead of time.  You can book once you get on ship and  if you are Diamond status the host in Diamond Lounge can also book for you.  Although she/he is not in Diamond lounge until like 4pm.  But sometimes you just cannot get reservations to comedy club.  We have experienced this before and just go stand-by.  And the later shows seemed to have less people in stand-by lines.  We go to stand by line about 30 min prior and have always been able to get in. 

Regarding the 2 dates you are looking at.  The first 2 weeks in December are about the least expensive all year.  We always go then, and airfare is less also.  If you decide to go in April, beware many schools have their spring breaks in April and cruises can be more costly.  And more kids onboard.   Just a couple things you might not have thought about. 

I have been on 2 cancelled cruises.  One was cancelled about 5 years ago, about 3 days prior to cruise. RC gave us our money back for things we already paid,  The hotels and other expenses we used our trip insurance to cover.   The other cancellation was more like 20 years ago and RC booked the ship out to a private function, and was given maybe 2 months notice. That was 1 week of a back-to-back cruise so I was bummed.  I did go on just the 1 week cruise though, and was given back any monies I paid to RC.

I would arrive an hour before your check-in time.  I have had no issues boarding at that time.