Linda R

8 hours ago, gi333 said:

Hi everyone.

I would like to have some recommendations of non Oasis class ship if possible. Just returned from oasis of the seas and it was amazing. I know I started with the best but we would like to cruise again but prices are nuts. Any non Oasis class that doesn't feel boring or old? Even if Aqua theater is not there?  Liberty of the seas looks cool with that waterslide..

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

I like Odyssey

I booked Icon the first week it became available.  Pretty much after that they have just gone up.  Most of 2025 is  not out yet to book, when they become available book right away if possible.

I always check the TV and my app the night before leaving a cruise for my bill.  And check it every couple days while on cruise.  Then you can also check the morning before you leave ship in several places.  Even though we have it on our app, but also take a photo of the bill the morning before we leave.  

We have seen several helicopter evacs on cruises.  And on 1 cruise they actually fueled the helicopter with a plane in mid-air right off our cabin.  They were not close enough to land for the helicopter to carry enough fuel. I always hope that everyone involved are safe and recover. 

I understand why they are doing shorter Utopia cruises, and the reason behind it.  Which I think is great.   Personally I rarely go on cruises less than about 10 days.  Usually I do 7 night cruises back-to-back.  We are retired and have to fly to cruises, so 7 nights are just too short for us.  Hopefully at some point Utopia will do longer sailings.  If not, that is ok with me.  We have lots of ships to choose from. We will be on Wonder in October for 2 weeks and have Icon booked for 2 weeks next year.  Anxious to see the new ships!  Happy sailing everyone.

2 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

Can I piggyback off this? My TA said he'd never go on a ship without a thermal spa, and I have been on a few that have them. However, I am absolutely clueless as to what they are, how they work, why I would use one, etc. What is a thermal spa? #clueless

It is a sauna, steam room. hot tile loungers, and showers.   I really enjoy it.

18 hours ago, amanalo217 said:

You will need to pick a time but can use thermal spa at any time during operating hours. This is an issue with the way the cruise planner is set up for booking spa sessions. It was designed for spa services like a massage which are booked for specific times so it makes you pick one when selecting it. You can also disregard the 15 min duration. Duration is also one of the things system has for the other services.

Thank you. 

5 hours ago, Richardg1978 said:

Royal Caribbean price match guarantee is impossible to get used. Although I have tried on previous cruises, I'll only explain my current situation. Booked a 2D balcony room on Harmony for sail date of 8/19 on 8/3. On the morning of 8/5, I checked RC's website and went through the booking process again to see if the price had dropped. Because it was so close to the sail date, rooms were constantly showing available, sold out, etc. But on the 5th, there was briefly ONE category 2D room available for $509 less than what I paid on 8/3. I completed the online form to file for the price match. Of course, 4 days later I get an email saying my request is denied, that I am getting the lowest rate available. Because it happens in real time, with rooms being filled, canceled, RCCL can always deny the price match. Very frustrating. 

Price matching needs to be done prior to final pymt. 

Just curious, I was about to reserve thermal spa for upcoming cruise.  It shows I need to pick a time for day 1.  Was wondering why and if this is just day 1?   I was not planning to use on first day and do not know times for other days yet.  Anyone have experience with this?  Thanks

We have stayed at Hilton Doubletree GalleryOne in Ft Lauderdale.  It is older but good location.  It is on canal and the water taxi stop is at the hotel.  The ocean is about 2 blocks away, mall across the street.  i think all rooms have mini kitchen and grocery store about 2 blocks away also. 

12 hours ago, Dad2Cue said:

That's what I thought.

Another question ... Is the minimum bid based on the category of room you are upgrading from?

For example,  an upgrade from an interior room to a grand suite might have a minimum bid of $2,000 whereas an upgrade from a junior suite to a grand suite might only have a minimum bid of  $500.

Usually an interior cabin is not able to bid on a suite.  It kinda goes in sections.  An interior would get offers for ocean view or balcony.  Depending on the ship and the cabins available.  Balcony would get offers for suites.   I have bid several times and never had one accepted.  I even once did max bid on an upper suite, and did not get it.   I usually book back-to-back cruises so I rarely bid anymore.  But many people do get upgrades and with lower bids.  So, it can be  worth trying, even if you do not get it.  

5 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Thanks, I was just curious. Like I said, we wouldn't really have anything that wasn't very basic and casual anyway.

Still not sure I'd bother for 7 nights. We pack pretty light so bringing a few less items wouldn't change much for us. If I'm wheeling one suitcase to and from my car, making it a slightly smaller suitcase isn't that big of a deal.

If we took longer cruises or had to fly I think it would hold far more value.

And you can always get some laundry done so you can go home with some clean clothes.  

23 minutes ago, Mike n Ky said:

Do you know whether your suite guarantee is anywhere on the ship? I did a guarantee, but it is an ocean view JS on an Oasis class. Didn't know I could specify that but without it I could have gotten a JS on the Boardwalk or Central Park

I was not aware there was a Jr suite with central park balcony view?    Also with a Jr suite on Oasis you have a walk-in closet and on Odyssey you have 2 bathrooms with a nice shower with frosted glass wall and a seat. Jr suites also include Coastal Kitchen at dinner, upon availability.  Coffee/tea maker in your cabin.  Larger cabin.  And early boarding.

I think you can use a certified copy.  Can obtain from county office where you were born. 

I put tags on all my bags.  You just never know

On 8/1/2023 at 4:23 AM, chrismelissa said:

Good Morning everyone, When are the transatlantic cruises from Europe, are they usually in the fall or the spring 

Yes, Spring usually April, and Fall Oct or Nov.  We go every spring.  

7 hours ago, Steph B said:

We are finishing up the second of our back to back cruises - a 12-night British Isles cruise on the Jewel of the Seas and have encountered a disturbing change to the policy on Solarium access. Evidently, Royal Caribbean has made a fleetwide decision (according to Manish, the smug and thoroughly unhelpful guest services officer we had to deal with) to open up the previously "adults-only" Solarium to kids under 16 when the ship's itinerary takes you to colder weather climates. Or, perhaps it's on every ship in the fleet, but maybe only if needed ... the answer seems very confusing (and confused).

I get it that Royal says they are "evolving the brand to multigenerational families," but what about adult cruisers whose kids have grown up, to say nothing about those customers who have been loyal to Royal before this so-called "brand evolution?"  I can't help but feel we are being left behind with no quiet areas and, most importantly,  our loyalty disregarded. 

Evidently,  Michael Bayley was asked by several people on the latest President's cruise about this and he didn't have an answer, saying instead that he'd "look into it."  I'm not holding my breath.

It is on cold weather cruises only when the outdoor pools are not available.  And on a limited basis, with certain times of the day.  Nothing new. 

SuperShuttle

I do B2B cruises all the time.  Pretty much all the above info is correct.    You get a letter where to meet, escorted off, and then back on.  You need your seapass card and passport.   If I am changing cabins I also take my credit cards, money, etc. from the safe.  The B2B cruisers are the first passengers let back on the ship.  Then Suites and Pinnacles, etc.     I never have gone back to my cabin before they allow everyone to, usually around 1pm.  And did not know you were able to.  I  almost always get the same cabin both cruises.  I book way in advance and is never an issue getting choices for having the same cabin.  I do not do a Royal Up on B2B cruises just because I prefer not to move cabins.  But I have moved to a different cabin before and not much of an issue.  Leave all your clothes hanging.  I put most everything else in a suitcase and bathroom stuff in a tote.   They will bring a cart and move all your things for you.  I usually go to the lunch they offer when you get back on ship, and by the time that is over you pretty much can get into your cabins.   If I have unlimited dining then I go to specialty restaurant for lunch.  Although I am now Pinnacle so I go to Coastal Kitchen for lunch.  Enjoy!

Used to love this service, glad to see it coming back.  Hopefully to more airports. 

I cruise in Jr suites all the time.   You can have dinner in CK nightly, but have to make the reservation on a daily basis.  Go there in morning and make reservation for that evening.  On rare occasions they might let you make reservations for other nights.   The first night of the cruise is filet mignon night, I suggest you go to CK as soon as you board and get reservations for that night.   Your room card will not open the doors for CK or suite lounge.  You have to knock on door for them to open.  You also do not have access to suite lounge.  Your cabin will be larger.  On Odyssey the Jr suite has 2 bathrooms.  Also you will have a nice separate shower and a tub.  The cabin will have a coffee/tea maker.    I love the Jr suite on Osais class as you have a walk-in closet.    Enjoy!

I have not.  And I read a lot of cruise news.

Yes, you can sign up for shows and restaurants once you board.  We had no issues getting what we wanted about an hour after we boarded. Plenty available.  They do not  actually book all the seats online beforehand.  

I actually did not know you could order thru your TV.  But make sense, as they are getting away from printed papers.  Thanks

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