whitsmom

18 hours ago, instaGator said:

If you cancel a non-refundable deposit, then you will lose the entire deposit. (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-i-cancel-a-non-refundable-deposit-reservation-what-refunds-apply).  So, what you want to do is to make a "change" to your ship and/or sailing date.  You will need to pay $100 per person to make the change to a different sailing of your choosing.  So using your words, you must "transfer it to a new cruise booking immediately".

Yes this is what we did when we cancelled our Alaska cruise for June 2024 and changed it for Canada cruise for June 2024.  We only lost $100 each instead of the entire deposit (8 people). 

15 hours ago, teddy said:

We’re driving down from Maine this coming February and staying at the Springhill Suites Newark Airport the night before our cruise.  They have a stay and cruise (park) option.   I found quite a few stay/park/cruise hotels via the Marriott Bonvoy app. 

We will be flying into Newark (October 2023) and staying at Springhill Suites Newark Airport the night before.  When I called them to see if they have a shuttle to the port, they said no and we should have them schedule us a taxi when we arrive for the next day.  How are you planning to getting to the port?

We are cruise our First "Diamond" cruise in October (10 night) so we will do the VOOM.  Since we own our own business, we need to be available at all times.  Honestly, I would probably still want it even when we retire (2ish years from now). 

12 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said:

I have only seen a pool lift on Coco Cay. 

 

Like @Matt, I haven't really been paying much attention onboard.  IIRC, there may be pool lifts in the Solarium on older ships.

Seems like one in the Solarium but I can't remember which ship.

We always use TSA locks and colored straps for outside the suitcases.  We fly so this makes it easier to find out bags and I just like knowing my bags are locked.  We just got some new luggage with built in TSA locks which are nice. 

We too will be having our first Diamond cruise for our Fall Foliage cruise in October (Jewel).  We have the refreshment package for water, specialty coffees,  and Canned soda so we don't have to use the vouchers for those.  That hot chocolate and Baileys sounds good! Is it bad that I want one now but it is only 10:30 am and I am at work

Sometimes the VPN won't work well.  That happened to us several times but it was our VPN thru our AT&T phones so that may be different.

I just got an email yesterday for my Oct 20-30 (Jewel) for Royal Up.  We have never tried the Royal Up before (usually with family and want our cabins to be together.  However, this time it is just the two of us so I bid on the Grand Suite and Jr Suite.  I only bid the minimum just to test the waters so we shall see. I'm not holding my breath but it will be fun watching to see.  Probably won't know until right before (at least that is what I figure). 

We like the Key.  Another benefit of the key is on disembarkation - the key suitcases are in an area with only key people so it makes finding your luggage so much quicker (if you don't carry everything off yourself).  Also, you can give them your carry-on luggage and they will put it in your cabin before you are allowed in there which was so nice and you get internet included also.

1 hour ago, JustMeJoe said:

Hey @whitsmom.  Long time no talk. Our 2nd daughter was married on Grandeur in 2010.  She said try this:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/special-celebrations-wedding-proposal-event-services

Thanks!  I appreciate the info and link.

My daughter and son-n-law will be on our Canada cruise on the Liberty next June during their anniversary.  They would like to do a vow renewal but don't know who to contact about this.  Do any of you guys have a email or phone number to get in touch with someone to schedule this in advance?

Thanks in advance.

7 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

How about going into Canada? Are there any extra restrictions or requirements? We on Liberty in October to Canada/NE. 

We drove to Niagara Falls (Canada side) last week and did not need it.

14 hours ago, SemperMom said:

We've used GoPort on our last 3 cruises out of PC. Both the just the shuttle option and the fly, sleep, cruise (or something to that effect) package and were happy with both. I've had good experiences with GoPort's customer service as well. Ride share can be fairly pricey but if you want to get to the port early thats your best bet since the GoPort shuttle starts its rounds between 8-9am and stops at several hotels before heading to the port. Its perfect if you get a later boarding time though. We've decided that we prefer to Uber on the way to PC and use GoPort to get back to the airport. It just depends on what your priorities are. Hope that helps!

We used GoPort and had a great experience.  We will use them again for sure.

If you haven't done your excursions and such then use you AmEx thru Cruise Planner for that stuff. 

6 minutes ago, teddy said:

Back in February we took Amtrak to Newark Penn Station and stayed at the Element-Harrison.  It was one stop up on the PATH train from (Newark) Penn Station.  
 

It’s on par with every other Element/Aloft we’ve stayed in.  The staff was very friendly.  The breakfast was included, our room was clean and quiet, and it was an easy Lyft ride to the terminal.  
 

Next February we are driving down instead of taking Amtrak and are doing a Park and Cruise package at the Springhill Suites Newark Airport.  We’ve never stayed at this specific one, but every Springhill Suites we’ve stayed in has been similar, so we’re assuming this one will follow suit.  

We are flying in to EWR (October 19) and will be staying at the Springhill Suites Newark Airport.  If you are doing the Park and Cruise package - how are you getting to the cruise port?

Even though I use a TA, I still put a reminder in my calendar 3 weeks before final payment is due.  With all the other family members making their payments I find it extremely hard to believe that no one mentioned it to all family going......

43 minutes ago, PL8SWPR said:

Get rid of 70s night.  Anyone old enough to remember them are no longer in the target demographic. 

Speak for yourself - We love the 70's night!  There is always a large crowd anytime we have cruised. 

19 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Yeah I’m with you on this. I would rather spend an overnight in Coco Cay then go to Nassau. 

I feel the same way!  We do not like Nassau at all but we loved Coco Cay.

13 hours ago, JNichols said:

I always get an iced vanilla latte so I know they have vanilla too. 

Same here.  I think they have sugar free vanilla too if I remember correctly.

The Key is worth it for us.  Everyone is different in what they like/use of the Key but it works for us.

18 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Pan Pacific is the most convenient but is expensive

We stayed at the Delta Marriott a couple blocks away and were happy with that.

We stayed that the Marriott also.  There were 4 of us and one was having to use a knee scooter which made getting a taxi (one big enough) hard to come by so the hotel staff took us in their van (cost of a total of $25).  The people at the hotel were great.

We like the Key.  If you don't carry our luggage off you will have your bags all in a separate area from the rest making it easier to get your luggage.

Several years ago, we set a per day limit for our Granddaughters.  It may have changes since then.

We have a customized magnet that we put on our door.  I like to use it so help find our door easier (in the beginning).  I just bought a new one and it is currently on our refrigerator just waiting until October....

I like the paper version also.  We like to plan ahead and go thru it together each night before bed.  We don't cruise until October (Jewel) but you can be sure that I request them as soon as we meet our cabin steward.