CruiseRoyalDad

If you are finding 3rd party insurance priced the same as Royal's direct offering you must look further. MUCH FURTHER! A good TA can help you out. I usually bundle cruise and airfare into a package covering our family of six via 3rd party for a price significantly cheaper than what Royal offers, only for the cruise, with FAR superior coverage. The medivac is definitely a differentiator in the packages I look for. I use Allianz agent max exclusively. Matt turned me on to Allianz a long time ago and they've ALWAYS undercut vendor direct offerings by a significant percentage and provide much more coverage. You are throwing away money for an inferior product if you book insurance with Royal.

I'm pretty sure I've seen dogfish head 60 IPA there in the past. It was a gem of the early microbrew explosion out of Delaware. It sold out to the Boston Beer company in 2019. A fortunate consequence of the sell out is probably why we were able to see it on the ship. I don't think I saw the dogfish head 90 which is akin to the double. Desperate times call for desperate measures there are ways to get your favorite brew on the ship. You just have to be willing to go above and beyond.

So this new cruiser has a horrible experience with a dream vacation being canceled. More than a few comment and you probably agree (but maybe not) that this is disappointing at least and very bad business practice. The next logical step is being angry with the company, vendor, seller and deciding not to patronize the vendor again. "I'll never Buy...x product from...." isn't a huge leap here. It's the reaction to the way they were treated. Let us remember this situation was verified with similar experiences from several other posters. White noise, fine. I definitely don't/can't read every post. Seems not a good reason to sarcastically dismiss the OP because this is a fan site.

How about the Oasis class for Sky and Star guests? Pre-pandemic they always had a heli pad sail away with rum punch or champagne from one of the ports. At least on the Caribbean Itineraries. One of the most memorable was cruising out past El Morro in San Juan.

Oh wow...yes that last topic is for a much different forum. Good luck!

@anneglubis Ok. So if we grant that some fake chat bot evaded the Fan blogs verification measure, the next debate is does it matter? Cancellations do happen because RCCL will chase the dollar, it's good to know and talk about. Right? Seems we drove out a lot of "real" experiences and ways to deal with a cruise canceled by RCCL.

Just went back to the OP's post. I still strongly disagree. It's very matter of fact. Hardly a tantrum. I guess our perspectives differ greatly.

@CruisingNewb Well we obviously disagree on the poster venting here about a very real situation. Being angry about the way they were treated and trying to negatively affect Royal Caribbean because of that. It's not going to make me cancel my August cruise on Harmony of the Seas with 3 other families, not in the least. It's more likely that a snowball will survive the sun. . But I do agree with the OP. I very much value the information and knowing how quickly plans can change because of what I consider (and that cruiser considers) bad business practice. A pretty abhorrent way to treat clients, really. You can copy and paste the blog tagline all day long but fans will be fans and give their opinion which is why I'm here. SO in the end I do see the OPs words as valuable in this time, place, and forum. I was a bit put off by the dismissive nature of TXcruzr comments because we should want all RCCL experience to be discussed here. One last thing to add. This type of conversation is something that may talk somebody like the OP off the "plank" and bring them back to what they may not know to be a wonderful vacation. Sure we can agree that RCCL canceling cruises in favor of charter at least feels unfair, even if perfectly legal, but RCCL does provide a phenomenal experience. If the OP sees the conversation here and realizes that this happens relatively rarely, they may think twice about swearing off RCCL and the possible experience of a lifetime. The OP may see that normal prolific cruisers also HATE when they are tossed aside for a charter but have figured out ways to mitigate the situation whether via backup plans or a good TA. They may realize that another horizon awaits and that the cancellation should be the exception not the expectation.

You had me at a "like" if not for #6 and #2A partially going back to the Royal Caribbean is a business as an excuse for canceling a cruise in favor of a charter. Maybe sometimes the sign of rising above the competition is taking a little less profit for the sake of the client that you've already committed to. As a customer, try to change your cruise 1 month before sail date because you found a better rate or itinerary. Good luck. They hold the customer to a different standard. Some people just don't know how useful a TA is, and guess what they can learn that here. But many posts highlighting bad travel agents can also be found on this fan site. Fan site, we agree. We discuss everything. WE discuss why Matt loves Sabor and was sorry to see it go on so many amped ships. Others say why they didn't like something, give their reasons, and we take that to inform our own experiences/plans. I didn't always realize that the flexibility of MyTime dining sometimes came with lines rivaling mid tier attractions at Disney World. It was great to be prepped for that and learn how to make other plans. Did you shout for joy when they added the room service charge? How about raised gratuities? Plenty of post about both of those. Fan site, of course. It's also the royal Caribbean information super highway. All of it hits here, fans or not. I think it's great to discuss the things we don't like, but also to reminisce or talk about, with joyful expectation, the things we love to look forward to on the next cruise. One timer or not, the OP brought value to the forum. I felt it inappropriate to comment as if they should have known that it's a fan site. I also think to say "with so much information out there they should have known better" please. Plus, even though this a fan site these are the things fans talk about. So the dismissive comment was moot from the outset. Give me a fan that agrees with every move their sports team makes and I'll sell you the Icon of the Seas. Seems to me the OP was here with a legitimate grievance to vent/inform, and not expecting the blog site to compensate them.

I think it was incredibly informative to know why this potential cruiser felt this way. From the many responses it seems that others knew this was a possibility and were at least irritated by having had the same experience. Maybe instead of sarcastically dismissing the OP, we could be more empathetic to the issue they encountered and discuss the occurrence of it happening at Royal and across the cruise industry and how disappointing it is. Wait, for the most part that's exactly what happened. As a huge plus, with the amount of views that post has garnered it's entirely possible that someone who had no idea that this type of cancellation was possible would see now that it is possible, and at least be mentally prepared for the unfortunate event in the future. Tell me, where does a glowing trip report get somebody? Nowhere right? But it's a lot of fun to read and often super informative to help us build towards our own perfect cruise, right? Same thing here, but unfortunately this experience is a negative.

Actually, this is exactly the format where fans discuss what Royal does well and can improve on. Knowing that the line yanking your cruise at any moment is a possibility is a great topic to discuss if for nothing else letting all know that while very unlikely, it is a possibility. From those that responded it seems that it's not too uncommon and does happen from time to time. I'm glad to listen to somebody who was disappointed by an action that would no doubt disappoint the majority of cruisers here. Especially those that are new to cruising or don't get to cruise as frequently as others. Also, as somebody mentioned, the "they all do it" excuse is such a cop out. While true, it doesn't mean it's right. We book and put money down with in good faith that the company holds up their end of the bargain. For them to go chase a more lucrative deal and abandon their promise after we've spent time working and planning towards that vacation is simply not kind. So who cares if "they all do it", because, "they all shouldn't".

This makes perfect sense. It's always been a 2pm check in before. On another note what does everybody usually do for sail away?

Grandsuite 2 bedroom can officially hold 8. The four kids can all fit in a separate bunk room. Then there's the master for the parents and the pull out in the living room that can convert to fit two more. We are a family of 6 a booked this specific room because it wasn't that much more than connecting balconies (at the time) and it came with two bathrooms, two separate bedrooms, and the very lovely suite class perks. With Wonder and Icon phasing this type of room out of sky class, I don't know how we will afford sky class in the future. . But at least Oasis through Symphony will be around for a long time to come! Of course as others said if you win the up, the four can move in, and you have to add two more at current cost AND you'd lose most or all of the fare for the other room. There is no cost benefit win there even for the coastal kitchen faithful.

Been there, it happened to me back in 2018. It's a recurring nightmare now. But I've never let it happen again. But when it did happen I called them up, room was still available and it was significantly more expensive. Which makes sense. I was passed to resolutions and they kindly gave me back the room for only a $500 upcharge. I do believe it had gone up by about $1500 which is expected when you are 90 days out. Hopefully, you will get a similar response. Don't be afraid to call back customer service if you get an answer that you don't like. Reponses often change from representative to representative. Good luck!

If you are diamond and within proximity to the suite lounge you are GOLDEN! You definitely don't need to drop $1200 plus on the drink package. We aren't even close to diamond and we made the suite lounge drink package replacement move work very well. The package was hardly missed. Plus your vouchers will give you the supreme flexibility for drinks elsewhere when you want! Consider it a hidden perk of the Suite Life!!!

Thanks for that info! I didn't know. But I think you mean they changed it to further cut costs at a time where everything they charge us is supremely more expensive. Got it!

One of my favorite topics. I'm answering this from Oasis and Quantum class suite perspectives where the suite class and perk breakdown is Star, Sky, and Sea. Here it goes. We last sailed a loft suite (not STAR class) on the Symphony back in 2019. I did copious research to figure out if we could skip the drink package that trip. Looks like question #1 has been answered but I do think the "free cocktail hour" starts at 4:30pm if that extra 30 minute helps. So if you are sky class or above you can choose just about any cocktail, from ALL TYPES of alcohol, but from a few select low-to-mid shelf brands, in the suite lounge, for "free" from 4:30pm - 8:00pm. You're not going to get a patron but you'll likely get a cuervo, if that makes sense. Not a grey goose but they'll have Amsterdam. Nowhere is this more useful to you then if your room is situated on the suite deck steps from the lounge. The proximity to the lounge helped us decide not to buy the beverage package and saved us a ton of money. Now you will have some regret when you are at the pool and want that pina colada but the best you can do without a beverage package at 1pm in the afternoon for an "included (free)" drink is getting up, covering up properly, going to the suite lounge, and asking for a cold beer or similar at the suite lounge then returning to your chair. You'd have to pay for anything else from any other bar. Also, I'd still forgo the drink package if in a sky class suite that is close to an elevator that lines up with the suite lounge deck. I've timed it. While wife and i were getting ready for dinner, I've easily made it up to the lounge during cocktail hour from a grand suite on deck 8, grabbed two "free" cocktail hour manhattans and back to room within 10 minutes. Yes, it was early in the cocktail hour so the suite lounge was not slammed but it can be done. That move however, is so much simpler if you are on deck 17 right next to the lounge. I've even been playing poker in the casino later in the night and was easily able to run up to the suite lounge and get "free" beers before the pumpkin hour of 11pm and return to my seat before the hand I was in was even completed. Take this all into consideration. Also, a pro tip is to ask the suite lounge bartender for extra beers earlier in the day so that you can use them as you wish. Just tell the bartender not to open them. Question 2. If the additional travelers are not in a sky class suite the above does not apply to them. However, sea class (junior suite) guests will get free cocktails with their dinners in coastal kitchen that match up with the cocktail hour in the suite lounge. We happen to be in this exact situation as my sister and her husband are traveling sea class. Because I know them and their vacation enjoyment habits I strongly recommend that they still get a drink package. This is a very personal choice and depends on the traveler, the calculated break even point, even the itinerary considering you can use the drink package at private islands. From an economic standpoint it doesn't always make sense. But do make sure you are including ALL drink extras in the calculation such as specialty coffee (not starbucks), water, soft drinks, and of course alcoholic beverages which are becoming wildly expensive. From a piece of mind perspective it feels great to know that you won't have a $500-$1000 tab waiting for you at the end of cruise due to drink purchases. GOOD LUCK!

This might not be correct, looking a little closer at the cruise compass it does say that registration begins at 2pm even though the Day 1 compass says Adventure Ocean hours are from 10:30AM - 5pm. SO I'm a bit confused. We will be there at 2pm on Day 1 if that's when registration is.

The kids club is worth it for some and not for others. For the most part kids love it and while the kids enjoy the camp like atmosphere, the parents can grab some time to explore the ship together (or just relax). I have a few shy ones too so from personal experience, it definitely helps to have them know somebody who's going to be at the kids club to help them ease their way into it. Since your kids are close in age with mine, it should work out well. Looking at a Harmony Cruise Compass from March 2023, it looks like Ocean's Adventure cruise sign up begins at 10:30AM Day 1. While you can sign the kids up at anytime during the cruise we try to do it as early as possible on Day 1. With shy children the somewhat loud chaotic sign-up later on Day 1, when the kids club gets busier, can be overwhelming for the less outgoing children. We plan on being on the ship at 10:30AM sharp and first stop will be Ocean's Adventure, then the pool. Between now and then let us know when you might be at the club for sign up and we will double back there to introduce the rugrats. We'd also be more than happy to show you around the beautiful, behemoth, of entertainment and adventure that is the Harmony!

It's a must.

Meant to actually add a message here. My 10 year old girl and 8 year old boy would love to have new friends on Day 1. We usually go to Kids Club Day 1 to sign kids up as soon as it opens. Meet us there at opening and we can introduce the children. Not that your kids would need it (some of mine definitely did and the little one still do) but it will also put them at ease with the new club/camp environment to meet friendly children immediately. Especially, since it's their first cruise. Looking forward to it!

We utilized our drink package to do exactly this on an Anthem cruise to Bermuda a few years back. We basically just grabbed cans of whatever frosty beverage we needed whenever we had the opportunity. Placed them in our room fridges. Then when we debarked to go on a private charter we brought 3 families worth of beers and soft drinks with us, in a soft cooler, without issue.

That is a perfect template for clearly communicating reservation requests, especially for a larger group, to the concierge and it no doubt makes their incredibly difficult job easier. I've already copied it and saved it. I'll be using it for our Harmony sailing in August!! Thank you!!!

Don't mean to hijack this one but it goes along with the suite lounge drinks topic. But if I'm a suite guest eating in coastal kitchen during the suite cocktail happy hour 4:30-8:30pm. Do I get "free" cocktails during dinner? I seem to remember this being the case when we were on the Symphony in 2020. Also, this may or may not work but it definitely did for us. A nice tip to the suite lounge bar tender on hour 1 of the first day and they won't bat an eye about handing over 3 or 4 coors lights unopened for you to take back to your room and place in your suite fridge. Will this be the case with every suite lounge? No. But it definitely worked for us!