Linda R

You can get towels on Coco Cay.  But I get them onboard the night before, so am ready the next morning to go to Coco Cay.  2 weeks ago when we returned to ship from Coco Cay they had a bin for towels right after you got back onboard. But they were not checking them back in.  They just told us to tell one of the towel stations we turned them in when we came onboard, in the next day or two.  Or basically whenever we wanted.  2 days later I did that, without any problem.  Anyone can turn in your towels.  And sometimes our cabin stewart takes them to turn in, when left in room.

On 6/17/2023 at 8:46 AM, amdawn said:

A happy hello to Matt, team, and fellow cruisers. I'm a big fan of this site, use it frequently for videos, and this is my first post. I'm planning our next cruise with our family. It is a fairly large group with kids. Approximately 7 cabins and 16 people.

I'm trying to narrow down favorite ships per category. We'll be cruising stateside. Preferably warm destinations. I'd love extra feedback on favorites and why.

I've put this together from my actual cruises and mostly Matt's awesome videos.

My opinion so far:

Radiance class: Radiance of the sea.  Upgrades food el loco fresh and small slide and splash area on pool for kids.

Voyager class: Navigator. best amplified in class, added el loco fresh, hooked, bamboo bar, and Izumi is in the signature crown and anchor lounge. I think it also has lime and coconut. Splash area and slides.

Freedom class? Thoughts

Quantum class: Odyssey as quantum plus. 

Older Oasis class: Symphony vs. Harmony. I think Symphony again the upgraded food choices.

Thanks for your help. Sending smiles and light! Dawn

 

 

I have been on every ship RC has.   My favorite ships are anything Oasis class.  Just got off Harmony last week, and was on Symphony in Feb.  Both are great but probably would pick Symphony over Harmony.   Both have good shows.  Oasis class ships have the most restaurants and I love Central Park area to relax.   The ship has something for everyone.  While I am older and do not participate in activities as I used to, I still enjoy watching some of them.   150 Central Park is probably my favorite restaurant on a ship, and only on Oasis class.   I have sailed on smaller ships recently but that is because they were Europe cruises and I choose by itinerary.  Plus we were in ports almost everyday.   For transatlantic I choose Oasis or Quantum class.   You will have a great trip whatever you choose and have fun!

Personally I always like to choose my room in advance

On 6/17/2023 at 3:05 PM, Pooch said:

I dunno guys, I made all our show reservations on the app with no issue

I also use the App

On 6/4/2023 at 6:20 PM, Michelle3673 said:

Ty Linda! This is great info!!! Any suggestions on hotels in Venice??

We stayed at Hotel Rialto, right at the base of Rialto bridge.  Excellent location!   This is where I always stay.  

When restaurants and shows say sold out, that usually means they are sold out with a certain number of seats.  They do not reserve all of them in advance.  Once onboard see about getting restaurant and show reservations.  I leave on cruise this coming Saturday, and could not get shows reserved.  I will see about them as soon as I board, if not, we will go to stand by line.   Suites and Pinnacles with reservations can go into shows usually 45 minutes early, at 30 minutes prior the rest of the people with reservation can go in.  Usually 15 minutes prior to show the people in stand by lines can go in.  It will just be harder to get certain seating locations or get seats together with larger group of people.  Enjoy!

Should not be a problem.  The airport is not that far away.  They say on international flights to arrive 3 hours early.  We always walk off with our luggage, just in case.

Taxi is usually what we do.  But can also book a transfer in advance.   The cruise ship may also offer transfers.   Those will take longer than using your own transportation though.  Have fun

On 5/29/2022 at 9:31 AM, Wanderlust876 said:

Hello all! 

 

I was under the impression you could call for a reprice if you see your cruise fare go down and if it was after final payment you would get an onboard credit. 

The TA I booked with just replied that they won't do a reprice after final payment. 

Any insight? 

I understand the newer information shows you cannot reprice to a lower price after final pymt.  

You can arrive early, but be prepared to wait before you can board.  Even if you check-in at say 10:30, you will most likely be waiting in boarding area inside terminal until ship is cleared to board.  And boarding in done in a certain order usually, back to back passengers go back on first.  Then suites and pinnacles. 

On 6/5/2016 at 6:56 PM, Polster said:

The beverage packages for our cruise on Ovation are currently 20% off. Once I add them to the shopping cart, do I have to pay for them straight away or does it just add to the total of the cruise that I'm paying off? The same goes for any shore excursions or dining options......

 

Cheers 😀

You can put them in your cart, but they are not booked until they are paid.  So, you do not hold the price if not paid.  Can cancel later if you want.

On 5/29/2023 at 2:14 PM, Obdave said:

A few weeks ago sailed on wonder eastern Caribbean, and loved it except for the Covid souvenir we brought back to Idaho. (Covid no joke, kicked our butts.). Was our first cruise. Due to an epic craps run all week we received a club royal offer for a trip this fall that works great as we’ll be in Tampa for a week anyway. Looking at Radiience western Caribbean or Allure Bahamas. We’re both 60 and pretty chill, wouldn’t mind a less “dazzling” cruise.

Both ships are considerably smaller than wonder, anyone have a preference?

 

my bad, radiance or liberty

I am older and always would go with newer larger ships.   More things to do and watch, more restaurant choices, and more variety.   I have been on radiance several times.  She was nice when she was new, lately I have been very disappointed with Radiance, or any ship that class or age.   Just doesn't seem as "fresh".   Even though those older ships are updated they are not the same.  In my opinion.   Musty smelling, older pipes, less outlets in cabins, and generally old design.  Many people love them, but just not me. The good thing  is they are less expensive, so that may pay a factor in ones decision.   Either way, all cruises are great and enjoy!

23 hours ago, Cruising Oma said:

Hi Folks. .we are cruising out of Bayonne, NJ but want to go down the day before.  Any recommendations for hotels?

 

Thanks!

We just stay in a hotel at the airport.  Use the free shuttle to the hotel, from the airport.  Then leave from there for the cruise port.  Hotels often have shuttles available to transfer passengers to cruise port.  Just easier for us as we always end up arriving in evening, as coming from west coast.  So just need a place to sleep.

I pretty much book cruises as soon as they come available.  Those seem to be the best prices.   If the prices drop at a later date, you can readjust your price.  As long as it is before final pymt.   The more cabins that get booked the more the prices increase.  Book early. 

6 hours ago, Kathleen said:

After receiving my loyalty newsletter this month I noticed at the bottom it listed extra points for suites as a benefit on mine. Doesn’t everyone get double points or can you earn even more per your loyalty level. I looked on the chart on the website and couldn’t find it. I’ve attached a screenshot of my email/newsletter 

You always get double points for suites or solo cruises. 

7 hours ago, TerryR said:

My husband and I were supposed to go on Alaskan cruise in June. We had not taken insurance(my bad) as I was going regardless. Well the regardless happened and my husband went in 2 weeks to a doctor appointment and is now scheduled for open heart surgery June 1st.  I have called a few times trying to find out if it’s possible to get any kind of a refund or get a credit to go next year.  I have found it very frustrating as I was told to go check on getting travel insurance and to call AON Affinity Services and then they tell me they can’t do anything. I called the Consumer Outreach team a few times and found it very frustrating.  I guess my question is, is there anything I can do to recoup some of the money from the cruise or get a credit to go next year?   

You may be able to rebook for another date.  But without insurance I doubt you can get anything refunded.  I always get travel insurance, and have used it 3 times.  Once the night before we were leaving.  You just never know. 

23 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.

I always mark my calendar a few days before final pymt is due.  Plus I use a travel agent, who would have caught this.   And reminded me the pymt was due.  

On 5/29/2023 at 7:50 AM, Baked Alaska said:

Three nights for $164 when it was $105 a few days ago? No thanks. I don't think this is dynamic pricing; it is the new buzzword "greedflation." Love capitalism, so I'm sure some will bite and make shareholders happier.

Yes.  I was looking at Unlimited dining and the price has been $225 for weeks.  The sale comes along, and they have regular price is around $400 with the sale price around $300.  Doesn't not make sense.  I always make sure I know the price before the sale, before I even look at the so-called sale prices. 

It depends on so many factors.   Cruise date, cabin type, etc. etc. I have bid on several Royal Up"s.   Never gotten one though.  I even maxed out a bid before and still did not get it.   But I hear of people getting their bid accepted on a minimum bid.  You just never know.

18 hours ago, Va4fam said:

Because of the ship.......or the itinerary?

Mostly ship.

On 5/22/2023 at 9:54 AM, DoomSlayer said:

I saw kids on the Rising bar on Allure this past week.  They were with parents and seemed well behaved, so I don't think they caused any issues.  They were enjoying mocktails while their parents enjoyed the leaded versions of the drinks.

I read on RC site that the Rising Tide Bar is for 21+ years.  So, that means kids are not really allowed to ride on it. 

My choice would be Anthem

There is lots of shade you can be in, so I do not see a problem with too much sun.  I have celiac and have no issues with the food on Coco Cay.  The taco bar has flour and corn tortillas.  And most everything to put on them is gluten free.   There are salads and fruit.  Corn on cob is also gluten free and burgers without bun.   Soft ice cream, as the cookies, etc will not be gluten free.  

45 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

I’ve never seen chopped beef on a ship, but I have seen the sausage gravy and biscuits 

Agree. Occasionally sausage gravy,  never chipped beef.  

6 hours ago, Floatingby said:

Looking at traveling on Anthem leaving the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Since schools aren't out and it's after the holiday break, are there generally less kids on the ship? I know RCCL's goal is to sail full and of course there will be some people that pull kids from school or have younger kids not in school but was hoping for a week where there weren't tons of kids running around. 

I usually cruise the first 2 weeks of December.  Better fares and less kids. 

On 5/15/2023 at 7:08 PM, smokeybandit said:

If you put ice in the cooler a leftover dessert will last into the next day.  

The temperatures in cooler vary.  Adding Ice to cooler makes it colder.  And some desserts really do not need much cooling and are perfectly fine to eat later that evening. I have had no issues doing this ever.