Jkaczano

8 hours ago, Gadget Hackwrench said:

It's never a good cruising day when the local fire department is dispatched to your ship and they have to clear the pool deck to make way for a landing medical helicopter. Stay safe everyone.

If this was Oasis on Saturday 8/27 - maybe if people weren’t such selfish asshats taking pictures instead of clearing the pool deck the first 2 times the captain asked them to, the helicopter wouldn’t have had to hover for over 30 minutes.  

2 hours ago, Thorntor said:

We recently purchased the annual Allianz Premier policy for $715 (ages 76/75).  We had previously used Travel Insured, etc. and one week coverage typically cost $350+ per week.  

We also have cruise line insurance for several of our upcoming cruises, purchased before buying the annual policy.  Having looked at the RCCL insurance it appears that the cruise line policy is more liberal in covering cruise related expenses and cancellations.  

Perhaps someone can share their experience in filing a claim with the cruise line insurance and what might not have been covered which would have been covered by an independent insurance carrier?

My In-laws are at the beginning of a claim with RC’s insurance.  RC directly submitted the $25k of shipboard charges to insurance rather than requiring payment before disembarking.  Not sure how it would work with a private/separate policy.

For $29, RC’s plan covers $25k shipboard, and $50k evacuation.   If your goal is to just cover medical costs, it should be sufficient.  

25 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Well technically the testing will be dropped on Sept 5th like all the other lines, but it was announced today. Anyone who had in Sept is a winner, winner and gets a chicken dinner......or the chicken sandwich from PDCC when they sail.

I guessed September 5th or 6th but I was wrong that it would be announced last Thursday.  Looking forward to my chicken sandwich from PDCC (Allure 9/11 sailing) now that we don’t have to test!

2 hours ago, GCT said:

Let’s hear your star class experiences!! the do’s and the Don’ts!! The craziest things you’ve asked for and the craziest things that have happened. 

I’ve sailed star class twice with several more booked.  
 

my don’t:  The genies are hard working people.  Asking them for “crazy” stuff is just wrong - especially now.   There have been many reports of genies having to quarantine causing the others to have to pick up more than their usual 4 or 5 rooms.  The genie is there to facilitate your experience - book dining reservations and shows, assist you on and off the ship faster, etc.  

My in-laws are sailing Oasis on Sunday. They were unable to find testing for under $130 per person.  They have Medicare and still couldn’t get “free” testing at Walgreens.  Lucky for them, I have some extra e-meds.  I don’t know what less experienced cruisers are doing.  I doubt they know about emed and rapid test and trace.  

39 minutes ago, jticarruthers said:

Its hard to argue "the total population" based on small samples, but I have stopped booking new cruises and wont book another one that requires testing (At least for now based on my comfort level of society today, sure my attitude might change again in the future).

Debating whether to cancel my Disney cruise next month or not since they seem to be insisting on testing.

 

If you cancel, do it before 8/29 so you don’t get hit with cancellation fees.  

Suite guests get suite lounge.  Diamond and above have diamond lounge.  Diamond and Diamond Plus get discounts on laundry, suite guests don’t. Diamond and above get drink vouchers, suites get happy hour.  Unless you’re star class (11 or less rooms on Oasis or Quantum ships), the only “real” benefit is maybe Coastal Kitchen.

53 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I wonder what Disney's booking numbers look like since the restart.  

Before Covid, Disney ships were always full and they never ran sales - you might pick up a guarantee room last minute but prices only went up after itinerary release.  Since the restart, I’ve been getting emails with sale offers (we’ve done 7 or 8 cruises pre-Covid with Disney).  Disney cruise boards have not been reporting full ships.  
 

Disney is still offering full refunds through August 29th for sailings through 12/31.  Originally this wasn’t available for concierge or guarantee rooms but email this week seemed to open this up.  Promptly cancelled Disney Wish 9/30.   I’m not playing the testing game on a 3 day sailing. 

13 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

Disney's big announcement was that 5-11 year olds were now allowed to sail unvaxxed but everyone still needs a test................

So Royal is not in last place for restriction removal (maybe second last)

And 1 of the several reasons we cancelled our 9/30 Disney Wish sailing.  Quite frankly, at some point people will vote with their feet

Ordered e-med tests yesterday for our 9/11 cruise. So my guess is announced sometime in the next day or 2 effective just after Labor Day (9/5 or 6)

I’ve cruised with that same plug 4 times - twice through NJ (oasis in September and Adventure in May).  Never had an issue.

Although we always have, I don’t think it matters.  Port security doesn’t have that information and we’ve always just put it through the scanner.  Make sure not to check it.  Your stateroom attendant can get you distilled water and a cord (if needed).

We’ll be on Allure for the 9/11 sailing in one of the deck 8 2br aquatheaters.  Our 6 day sailing does Perfect Day instead of Roatan but we do go to Costa Maya and Cozumel.  It was a VERY good price. It will be interesting to see how your trip compares.

Ironically, we also have Harmony (star) booked for late January 2024.  

4 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

@Jkaczanoat $255 that's a good deal, $26 a day and if you hit Chops or Playmakers 2x a day you will have easily gotten your money's worth.

I am all about the UDP in every case unless a ship only has about 3 specialty restaurants and an El Loco Fresh. I could survive off of E.L.F and an either a Chop+1 or 3N dining package . 

I was looking at doing a smaller package but the 3 night package was $102 and 5 night was $157 per person.  Not sure it was “worth” it, but at least the teens won’t complain there’s nothing to eat.  

We purchased it for our 12 night May 2023 Holy Land at $255 per person.    While the restaurant choices are limited, I have 2 teenage boys who are somewhat picky eaters but could live on filet mignon (Chops and Giovanni’s) and burgers (PlayMakers).  Not sure how much local cuisine they will appreciate And even though there are a couple port days that will be long, there’s also 4 sea days so an additional chance to enjoy them.  

25 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Boy I get impulsive sometimes and I saw a very different and interesting cabin and just booked it from Royal Caribbean itself. Now I have to transfer the booking to my TA. How do you do that because over never did it before? TA take care of the entire thing?

Anyway booked Oasis May 28th 5 days to Saint John New Brunswick Canada. Shorter than we like but we LOVE New Brunswick Canada. I saw this kinda unique cabin and it was right in the price I was willing to pay so I just did it. It's a Central Park interior cabin with a window to see Central Park of course. It just looks kinda cool and unique and close to the action. 

You have 30 days to transfer the booking to your TA.  You do that by sending them your sail date and confirmation number - easiest way is to forward the RC confirmation

7 hours ago, TheMick424 said:

I still don't see any Perfect Day at CocoCay offerings for our February 2023 cruise.  Makes me worried they are going swap out this port.

Our Labadee for early January 2023 just showed up a week or 2 ago.  I wouldn’t worry about them swapping out Coco Cay.  I’m guessing that’s one of RC’s best money-making opportunities. 

Someone in my 3/26 Anthem Facebook group just posted that they received this from RC regarding their vaccine exemption request for our sailing. 
 

I have a Beach Club otw for September 2022 booked for $1050.  Regular beach club was $999.  This is for an Allure sailing that was moved, and I grabbed right as it opened, so prices may have been low.

 Most of my sailings OTW have been at $1699 with beach club at $1299. Prices seem to go up as there are less remaining.  No sale on beach club cabanas for any of my sailings during last Black Friday deals - only saw reductions for south beach and chill island. 

10 minutes ago, Stelkp said:

Because it’s loud? 

No.  It’s a long walk to the aft of the ship compared to the deck 17 star lofts

I’m in a br aquatheater on Allure out of FLL this September so I can tell you then how it compares to 2br aqua on Oasis and Wonder.  I think your pricing also reflects that it’s out of Galveston. 

We drive down from New Hampshire saying the night before the cruise in central Connecticut.  The drive has been fine on weekends but the one time we went out on a Thursday was bad enough to reconsider cruising from Bayonne on a weekday.

51 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Random, but is that shareholder credit technically taxable income?

I would argue it’s not as it is similar to a “rebate” -  Like OBC from on board booking or cash back credit cards, you are receiving a portion of your spend back.  Probably one of the reasons why casino bookings aren’t eligible.  And If it was taxable, the IRS would have found a way to require RC to issue a 1099.

On 6/8/2022 at 1:13 PM, RCLwhy said:

I’m a Disney Gay on Harmony of the Seas right now, prepare to be disappointed!!  I will never step foot on a Royal ship again. Meh to just plain bad food, apathetic to over worked and stressed crew, long lines, nickel and diming, adult only areas with clearly under age children in them, and the crew and officers won’t enforce the rules …. a completely different vibe.

On 6/25/2022 at 8:07 AM, Neesa said:

We are platinum with Disney cruise,but needed a break with only four Disney ships. Not to mention daughter getting older so my family were sailing for me. I experienced tears if joy every time I laid eyes on a DCL ship.  It seems Royal is working overtime to try and takeover the DCL customer after the pause and while initially (before the pause) the sailings were on par with DCL in my opinion @RCLwhyis that they are trying to hard and falling way short.

While the food to me personally is hit or miss on each ship and so subjective, I agree I have experienced the shift you speak of.

They ramped capacity to quickly and the crew are suffering. They are beyond tired and wearing the masks breathing in hardly any fresh air all day must be taking a toll on them. The activities are suffering. The long lines are everywhere for everything.

Entertainment is truly lacking for sure. Less offerings and simply most just going through the motions. The limited showings of favorites and the non existent additional acts, painful. Felt like they placed this on the back burner. 

The nickel and diming has always been in place vs Disney but it's now quarters and 50 cent pieces. In March the Oasis ship model was 19.99 in June Mariners was 42.99 yikes. Just a price hike example.

The kids in adult spaces lately has been crazy. There is no true adult space; our last sailing they were everywhere including bars and lounges running around like it was a playground. This is clearly though squarely on parents who pay no mind to the rules for their "angels" Brings me back to the crew being exhausted, either they are told to look the other way or just don't want the hassle. 

Either way before the pause we really felt Royal had a better product in comparison, lately and sadly now not so much. After our August FCC sailing we are taking a break, even canceled our November sailing  and will be sailing the DCL Wish next most likely. 

I think Royal needs a minute to figure out and commit to the type of product they are offering at the price point they have settled on and then concentrate on truely getting back to their return to service. I'm sorry but I feel they are going through the motions minimally. 

We are adding more land vacations to the mix for now also, jumping through crazy hoops for a sailing I just shrug my shoulders at as meh impacts my joy. While I'm so sad you are having a meh sailing, I am sending positive thoughts your way hoping it gets better for you for sure.

We’re a family of 4 with 2 teenage boys.  We did 7 cruises with Disney prior to shutdown and 4 cruises with Royal (Oasis, Independence, Wonder, and Adventure) since restart.  I think the key to cruising with Royal is to recognize that you are paying a lot less and use the savings to add “perks”.  For example, we have booked suites (junior, grand, and aquatheater) with unlimited dining and still don’t even come close to what were spending on Disney.  And our experiences on Royal have been fantastic.  We are sailing on Disney Wish end of September (booked before we sailed Royal) and my kids are looking forward to our Allure sailing more.