cruiserccl

I find this question also interesting and actually called RCCL. I was reassured that it wouldn't be a problem. I asked "If my family dines at Playmakers and we order several items that we normally would share, how does that work if only 2 or the 4 people have UDP?" 

I just realized that she didn't really answer my question. I figured that once we get the bill and we let them know we have 2 with UDP, they would bill accordingly...but we will be sharing all items.

I understand other restaurants are generally single entree that you may not share. But Playmakers would be the type of place we would share different items. 

30 minutes ago, MicDay said:

@cruiserccl We did this in May 2019 to give context of the time that has passed.  They did not mention weight nor did they weight us.  My husband was the driver and I the passenger, we weighed well over the 375.  They just stuck us at the end and we were a lot slower than others due to our experience and weight.  Our daughter drove herself and I don't think she weighted enough, she's 120 soaking wet plus she has zero experience.

I don't think you'll have a weight issue but if you are over the limit you will be slower, but doable.  Switch people I don't think will be an issue as long as it's the same number of people booked.  if you booked 4 adults and keep it at 4 adults you'll be fine.  Mixing an adult to kid might be an issue due to different pricing and set up.

 

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. And I hope we have similar experience.

I was hoping that if they do weigh us, the do it at check in and if I need to switch the other adult for my daughter, I can do it before and instructional seminar.

I did book 4 adults and if I switch one of them with my daughter, it wouldn't be an issue since she's a teen (even though she only weighs 100lbs) so pricing wouldn't change. In that case, I would put my daughter with my husband and I would go with the other adult to keep the weight down. But I'd rather not and my daughter has no interest in going.

And I don't think they would be too much over the limit...maybe just around the limit. I was just trying to figure out what we can do if that happens. And I feel bad for not checking if there's a limit. I never even thought of it. Every time we book something that has a weight restrictions (ie. zip lining, rib boats etc), there has been a section where we need to put our weight.

I feel so much better now. Thanks again!

Hi! Still new to RCCL cruiser so bear with me please.

I have the Wave Jet Tour at Coco Cay booked with friends. I just realized that there may be an issue with the weight restrictions. I don't know their actual weight, but I want to be prepared in case. It says 375lbs is the max for driver and passenger.

Couple of questions about the Wave Jet Tour:

1. When do they weigh you? At check in or just before getting on? 

2. If there is a weight issue, would it be possible to replace the passenger with someone that isn't booked?

I would very much appreciate your help. Thanks!

On 6/3/2022 at 3:20 PM, wordell1 said:

There is no such thing as a silly question, especially when it comes to cruises. You will enjoy yourself more if you have a good idea of what is offered on the cruise and what the rules are. Àsk away!

Thanks so much!

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Not a silly question at all !

If the restaurant is open and accepting customers, your UDP will permit you to dine there.

Thanks so much!

I know a lot of people in the forum is so versed in everything Royal so I can understand how silly and possibly redundant my question appears. So thanks so much for being so patient with us new to Royal cruisers!

I apologize if this question seems very silly.

But I was wondering if I can use UDP for lunch at JR or Playmakers if they're open during lunch on Port days.

I understand it says UDP includes lunch during sea days. But I noticed that JR is open daily for lunch.

I would appreciate any experience and suggestions. Thanks!

4 hours ago, Atlantix2000 said:

The ability to add more spots depends on the specific excursion.  For most ports, the excursions are operated by independent vendors and they would need to have additional staff, transportation, and equipment so it isn't always possible.  Other excursions like cabanas on Coco Cay are restricted by the number of units available and number of ships visiting that day.  So you have to hope for cancellations (or maybe passengers on the other ship didn't use their allotment and it become available to your ship) but that's just a hope.  Finally, for something like the Thrill Waterpark, the can't open unlimited spots without reducing the experience.  If they sell so many tickets that the lines for the slides get ridiculous, people won't come back or will demand refunds.  They may not publish a capacity limit, but you can bet they have one.

To answer the question in the thread title, I don't think I've ever seen evidence that they hold some excursion capacity for after you board the ship.  Most likely, anything available on board will be due to cancellations.  I think you also have to cancel 48 hours before the excursion to get a full refund.

Thanks for the detailed info. It makes sense for independent tour operators. 

I was thinking that they would hold some for CocoCay for those people who prefer to wait until they're on board. Don't get me wrong, if it was my choice, this would be booked far in advance, but in certain situations, it's difficult to be sure. But as suggested, I will book and cancel onboard if I need to since I'm getting the refund as OBC, which can easily be used by gratuities etc.

4 hours ago, KJones said:

The water park could very easily sell out. I would purchase now and if her friends don't want to go, you can cancel. If you cancel onboard, you'll get the refund as OBC towards your account statement, and if you don't spend it onboard, it should go back to your original form of payment post-debarkation.

Thank you. That's likely what we'll need to do.

25 minutes ago, Allen2 said:

Often cancellations become available when on the cruise. Try for a 'stand-by' list on the ship. Very occasionally Royal will try to add another "segment".

Thanks! I'll definitely check for cancellations. 

And hope that if they have a long waitlist, they would add more spots.

Hi. Sorry if this question has been asked before. I tried searching...perhaps I'm not using the correct phrase.

My cruise has a lot of sold out excursions. I was wondering if a certain number of spots are set aside for booking once we board.

For instance, my daughter has no idea if any of her new found friends will want to go to the thrill waterpark. So it's best to wait until we get on board, but if they may be sold out, I was thinking if we should purchase it now. If that's the case, can we get a refund if she decides not to go?

I would appreciate any assistance.

Thanks!

2 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

Bayonne announced what time group they are boarding AND checks. 

We had a different experience with Cape Liberty on our Dec 2021 cruise.

We had a 11:30am arrival time which I was very happy about.

When we arrive at exactly 11:30am, we saw a very large line. We asked a rep to see if there was a different line for 11:30am and he said that they tried to organize it, but gave up. Several family ahead of us was boasting that they had a 12:30pm check in and no one was stopping them.

This was our first cruise from Cape Liberty and was a bit disappointed with the fact that they just gave up. Those were his exact words.

3 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

 

This is one of the reasons that I almost never go into a buffet to begin with.  Just too much chaos.

Absolutely, one of our main reasons for not going to the buffet. My family tends not to be too obtrusive so if there's a lot of people waiting for something, we would likely be the last to get it especially when there is no defined line. 

I do appreciate crew members who notices and ensures we get served before someone who just came, regardless of how loudly they ask for something. But that happens only once in a while. I'm just not sure why people don't use courtesy. I don't think they'll run out of food.

Last year I advised a friend to read through this forum because he's very new to Royal.

When he asked me about TAs, I couldn't really give him much help. But I suggested he read through this since a lot of TAs do post on this forum and that may give him an idea of who to contact.

Fast forward to a week ago. He told me he contacted an agent and was very responsive - usually within a day, sometimes within a few hours. He was so impressed and he asked to book. But now the agent hasn't responded to any of his emails. It seemed really strange to me. I told him that there may be an emergency or something, but I assumed the agent would put a email auto reply if that's the case.

I feel bad that I suggested for him to contact the TA. Not sure what can be done.

So definitely do your homework!

16 hours ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

The Canadian government has completely missed the mark here. We shouldn’t be celebrating the fact that we ‘only’ need an antigen test instead of a PCR test. It’s still a pita for travel. There is no reason that asymptomatic fully vaccinated Canadians should need to test in order to return to our country! What is the purpose? To prevent covid coming into our country? It’s here, travelling is not what is spreading it.

Absolutely!

27 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

Honestly this is a typical Canadian government bullshit make an announcement without actually changing anything. The inconvenience of a test is still required, still doing ‘random’ testing upon arrival. This is not a great announcement at all. If they don’t change anything this will drastically affect Canadian ports again for the Alaska season. Are the cruise lines going to go back to providing antigen tests on-board for each passenger the day before they get back to Vancouver? Or before the PSVA required stop in Victoria for ships sailing from Seattle? Expect the Alaskan governors to be in the news shortly looking for an extension on the PSVA exemption

I agree completely.

This doesn't change much for us since there is still a risk for fines should we test positive on an antigen test. 

At this point, we have no clue if we had Covid since we're not eligible for a PCR test in our province. Being asymptomatic doesn't mean we won't test positive in an antigen test.

A friend has tested positive in an antigen test for several months now...even though it's been suggested that antigen tests are not as sensitive.

31 minutes ago, Hagar said:

There is also a mystery place they can end up due to an infamous "Royal glitch." I have one booking for a client where we know the FCC's exist yet they do not show applied to the booking. They also are not reflected in "Insight" (travel agent use).  Fortunately, the booking is still far enough out that I can rectify this situation since I do have a copy of the certificate numbers and amounts.

Thanks! 

Sounds like I need to follow up on this. 

35 minutes ago, whitsmom said:

I never received an email but my TA told me he got it.  He and his wife were on the same cruise as us (we were vacationing together) so that may have been why.  He was able to apply it to our other cruise.  This was the first time I have every gotten a FCC so I really don't have any other experience to know.

This is the first time for me as well. 

Seems like everyone is having different experiences.

24 minutes ago, whitsmom said:

My TA got mine and was able to apply it.

Did you get an email from RCCL that you received it, or it was your TA who told you?

8 minutes ago, twangster said:

Sometimes neither.  Many times I've called and learned it was generated weeks ago and no one knew.

It sounds like I need to keep checking. If I booked through TA, will RCCL speak with me about it?

And did I read it incorrectly...does it not show on the RCCL account online?

Once I cancel my cruise (CWC), will the FCC be emailed to me or my TA?

I read it would be showing on my RCCL account, but I'm unclear as to where it would be posted?

Thank you for any help.

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I am a soda drinker and we almost always get the UDP.  I have never, not once, ever used one of the plastic cups that they give you.  No way am I going to haul that piece of junk around !  I have never had a problem getting a drink.  

We got the refreshment package and never even removed the plastic wrapper on the cup. 

Although we're not soda drinkers, we were able to get gingerale at restaurants and bars.

I, also, refuse to carry that cup around.

21 hours ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

I’m curious if any Canadians who returned to Canada after cruising in the last few months have NOT been ‘randomly’ selected for additional testing. It’s happened to me both times and everyone I know who has cruised has been ‘randomly’ selected for additional testing upon arrival. 

When we crossed the land border on Dec 31st (day we disembarked), we got our PCR tests on 30th on the Anthem. And I was randomly selected while the rest of my family was not. But he said I didn't have to quarantine while waiting for my results. I did anyway. Unfortunately, because I did it on Friday, the rep said that I can either wait to get it picked up on Tuesday or drop it off. So we just dropped it off. To be honest, I was sure it would be lost...but I got the negative result on Tuesday.

3 hours ago, Marlena said:

We were a group of 4 and I was the only one tested in dec.

Same as me.

This is great news! 

I'm waiting for them to remove return testing all together...or at the very least, permit those who test positive re-entry and quarantine at their home without a threat of a fine. If we test positive, we are more than willing to quarantine at home for 10 days.

7 minutes ago, twangster said:

No worries, FCC are confusing and the rules change over time so it's hard to keep it all clear.

My advice would be to hold off applying FCC until you are confident you will cruise.  There are situations where you will forfeit FCC if you cancel a cruise that has FCC applied to it.  Applying FCC to a refundable deposit cruise doesn't help, the FCC amount will often be noted as subject to a cancellation penalty in the amount of the FCC. 

Thank you. This is great advice. For some reason, I thought the only way to lose the FCC is for it to expire. If rebook for after sep 2022 and CWC isn't extended, I will try to wait to add until I'm sure.

19 minutes ago, twangster said:

If you cancel a Feb. 2022 cruise the resulting FCC can be applied to an Oct. 2022 cruise.

CWC currently applies to cruises booked by Mar. 31 that sail by Sept. 2022.  If you cancel an Oct. 2022 booking it will be subject to the normal pre-COVID cancellation policy.  

Thank you.

So, am I correct in assuming that the FCCs that was applied to the Oct 2022 will be forfeited if I cancel Oct 2022 (if CWC doesn't get extended)?

This would mean that if I receive FCCs from CWC cancellation, I only have one chance to use it for rebooking using non-refundable deposit if Royal doesn't extend CWC?

sorry...I'm still confused as to how the FCCs work...it sounds like I shouldn't use it for non-refundable deposit until I know I won't cancel it...otherwise, I lose it with the normal pre-covid cancellation policy.