dwhelchel

So typically, my wife and I (D+) do not purchase a "dining package" but we purchase specialty dining reservations by restaurant (individually). We are doing a B2B and when looking today at making specialty dining reservations, they only give me the option of purchasing the Unlimited package and the 3 restaurant package. Do they no longer offer individual specialty restaurant reservation online or am I just trying to book these individual reservations to far in advance. Lastly, if I do decide to buy a package, does RCCL still select the specialty restaurant "for you" on the first night or do I get to select the restaurants I want on to go to on the nights and times I want to go to them?

So, cruising out of Ft. Lauderdale and will be parking at the pier. (Yes, I know there are cheaper and maybe better options.) My question is that we are doing a BTB and wondering how paying for the parking actually works. My memory tells me that there is no attendant at the pay gate to enter the parking garage and you simply put in a credit card but I do not recall if it the machine asks you how long you will be parking there so it can calculate how much you pay. (I have only done 7-night cruises where I parked at the pier.) So I'm curious as to how to pay for the 14-night. Any insight would be appreciated.

For the first time ever, we will be driving to the pier in Miami for our December cruise and parking at the pier. Now that we have moved closer to FL, we will be driving to the pier for all of our cruises departing out of FL. I love that the pier parking is so convenient. We are lucky that we are in a position that the extra cost is not a concern. However, I do have two concerns. Do the parking garages ever "fill-up" and people are turned away? Is it a challenge to get out of the parking garage due to traffic volume on debarkation day?

According to the RCCL website, (for FL departures), the new testing requirement reads as follows: PRE-CRUISE TEST FOR ALL GUESTS ON SAILINGS 5 NIGHTS OR LONGER All guests age 2 and older — regardless of vaccination status — will need to take a COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) with an accredited test provider, such as a drugstore chain or diagnostic lab, no more than 3 days before arriving at the terminal for embarkation. Guests will need to show their negative test result upon arriving at the terminal. The results can be printed out, or can be presented on your phone, such as the email result from your test provider. Costs associated with this test are the guests' responsibility. I called RCCL C&A for some clarification on "no more than 3 days before arriving at the terminal for embarkation." My cruise departs on 12/4. I can see how RCCL could say that the test has to be taken on 12/1, 12/2, 12/3 or embarkation day 12/4. However, I can also see where RCCL could say that you CANNOT take the test on 12/1 but it has to be on 12/2, 12/3 or 12/4. I spoke with C&A and they said that you CANNOT take the test on 12/1 (in this example) but I would have to take the PCR/Antigen test on 12/2 or later. The rep did put me on hold to talk with someone but I could easily argue that I could take a test on 12/1 which I believe is not more than 3 days prior to embarkation. This might should like a small issue but when you are driving to the pier from far away, it can make a difference. All that being said, my "personal math" tells me I can take the test on 12/1 but it is their ship and their rules so 12/2 it is - unless I hear otherwise. Sometimes the easy stuff can make you scratch your head.

To clarify, my question on the points is if RCCL cancels the cruises do they stay will the reservation numbers, not if I cancel them. And I do understand that if I change to fewer nights, I get less points.

So here is my head scratcher of the day on the double points promotion. As background, my wife and I are already D+ sailing our way to Pinnacle. Anyway, we have a B2B booked on the Ovation in November 2022 out of Sydney that qualifies for the double point promotion. A total of 21 nights in a OS for a total of 84 points. This is a celebratory retirement cruise for the wife. As you know Australia is having some real challenges and they are VERY restrictive on allowing folks into the country. The final payment will be due August next year. IF, Australia is not yet open and heaven forbid RCCL cancels theses sailings in fall 2022, would the double points stay with the booking numbers even if we had to push the cancelled sailings into 2023? The other problem not related to the points issue is do we simply cancel these cruises out of Sydney off our bucket-list and rebook to something that has a much better chance of not being cancelled? I know these are first world problems but being retired gives me way to much time to think and spend our retirement savings. And remember, You Deserve a Cruise.....

We have been to CocoCay twice and each time we have done a South Beach Cabana. Expensive, but secluded and very relaxing. Looking for some insight into the Coco Beach Club full day pass. Does anyone know how many people they let in? I would love to hear what folks think about the Coco Beach Club.