KevinK

On 8/26/2022 at 8:17 AM, BrianB said:

I’m on this cruise also. Pretty good price for a solo on an eight day cruise. I have it as the second half of a b2b.

Yup,

I am going as solo also.

38 minutes ago, BigKarl said:

I always purchase packages for myself (Makes it sooooo easy)   This is for the relatives that are going.  I purchased everyones cruise tickets to join us for our Aniversary however,  I am not so rich (I wish I was) as to pick up everyone's bar tab as well.

Happy Anniversary!!!  Enjoy & have fun...

16 minutes ago, Oneoftheks said:

We will be traveling with our 12 year old granddaughter on our next cruise. What devices have you used to stay in touch with your older children ( if they do not have cell phone) if they are off with friends ? Also do children charge items to the room using sea pass.

Maybe get a pair of walkie talkie to communicate.

2 hours ago, Sea Squirrel said:

Definitely check out Skagaway Brewing Co. are you looking for other food or excursion recommendations? 

Whatever you would suggest and I will also look into it.  

2 hours ago, Sea Squirrel said:

Hi. IMHO, Tracy’s is too much. We stood in the rain to get in and honestly didn’t find it worth the cost. PS. We thought the king crab legs were about the same as we get frozen here in TX.  The crab cakes are better in Chops in our experience. They had a crab bisque we didn’t try but I’d honestly say spend your money on seafood in Skagaway. Skagaway fish (fresh halibut) and chips were fantastic. Better than we get in England (still a bit oily). But the seafood chowder (fresh halibut and salmon) is absolutely amazing. Skagaway Brewing is a bit expensive but it is good. To put it in perspective though, our entire meal there was cheaper than a lb of crab legs from Tracys. 

Thanks,

I will check out the Skagaway fish.  What else would you suggest to visit?

I recently bought one of this for my upcoming Alaska Cruise.

Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/08/15/top-5-binoculars-alaska-cruise

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Travel Agents can book casino cruises but there is little incentive for them these days as the commission for casino cruises is extremely poor.  They receive a flat fee commission (the value of which I am unaware) and the casino really doesn’t make it easy for the agents to book anymore.  They (TA) can do it but they usually don’t really want to as the casino bookings are more trouble than they’re worth.

Now all I do is just call in myself.  Since I know the date I want to travel & room # I want.  Much easier.  Just pay taxes and port fee and gratuities.  And I get email confirmation from the casino agent right away.

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

I am not sure if that person is talking about Casino Royale bookings or just bookings in general.

You could have certain TAs try but they don't really want to as they don't get any commission. My TA booked my free annual cruise from Casino Royale, but it was a curtesy as I applied it a booking I already had. 

Yes, I had an Alaska cruise booked thru my cruise.com before I got an certificated offer from Casino Royale.  I reach out to her to see if I can use that certificated for my Alaska which the date match with the date I booked.  She said I can't use that....  At that time, I though about cancel the booking and just lost the non refund deposit.  But then again, why not give myself a treat.  so I booked another cruise by calling casino royale using the certificate.

2 hours ago, Trevett C said:

I would call again, can't hurt. We have a travel agent setting up our next cruise. I'll pass along what he's telling us. Essentially you can get a completely different answer day by day and hour by hour, depending on who your talking to.

I didn't know you can use a travel agent to book free cruise from Casino Royale.  I try asking one of the agent from cruise.com, she said she can't do it. 

48 minutes ago, new2cruzing said:

I know this is from an old post, but can anyone verify what the current size water bottles are when you order? I've already pre-ordered and don't want to risk having waaaay too much water for 1 week.

Currently it is 40% off.  $11.99 plus gratuities $2.15 Total is $14.14 for 12 (12oz) bottles.

Ultra Spacious Oceanview Stateroom Sleep up to 6ppl.  They have bunk bed.

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/category-detail.php?c=8

11 hours ago, Venise Monto said:

I found gifts of alcohol on the RC website, has anyone ever ordered them for your stateroom. I am not a big drinker so the drink package seemed to be a bit pricey.  First time on a cruise, 69 days and counting. Any information is appreciated.

Or you can bring 2 bottles of 750ml Wine or champagne with you.

1 hour ago, LinRon2 said:

Wait....really!  You received shareholder OBC for all your sailings...months in advance?  No...actually a year in advance?  What gives?  RCI info we have says submit 21 days out [about].  Hey great gig if you can get it!  Don't understand though since one could sell their stock at any time [much less a year out and Brandon is doing such a great job at it and all]?

We have no plans to sell of course since we are now deeply in the RED, LOL.  But would be nice to submit just once for sailings throughout the year.  I somehow am suspicious of this though [that RCI really does that].  

We still haven't discerned what method succeeds in this...by email, on line submittal form, or written snail mail form?  We usually receive the benefit [not always though] and we usually submit several times using different methods [my wife and I each own 100+ shares in separate broker accounts so can submit separately, though just looking for the single benefit per stateroom of course].  

 

I submitted for 2 comp cruise, it said not not qualified.  I did submitted another one for May 23, which is not comp and today, I got an email saying I got the OBC.

2 hours ago, CHRIS WONG said:

If you are Prime, you will get up to a 30% discount on your internet package - as long as your cruise is booked through Casino Royale (a cruise booked through your casino rewards/offers).

 

You will see the discount applied at the end of the cruise.

 

 

So when I call to Casino Royale to book the cruise, I will need to tell them I want internet service so that they book it with the room?  Or can I either first day or second day while on board goto the casino host and have them add the internet service for me.  Will that work also?

Sailing on Oct 22.  Hopefully by then they'll drop the requirement.

9 minutes ago, billdauterive said:

Personally, I thought Mendenhall glacier in Juneau and the White Pass Railroad in Skagway were amazing and should be must dos for everyone at some point.  Both are reasonably priced as well unlike some of the float plane/helicopter excursions.

Thanks,

I already have those on my must visit list.  Plus Tracy's King Crab Shack.

11 minutes ago, CruisingNewb said:

Book the cable car ride as soon as you get off of the ship directly with the State vendor.  It is in a stand alone building on the same side of the street as Tracy's Crab Shack and you can see it from the ship as you debark.

Did you book your Mendenhall Glacier Bus tour thur https://www.juneautours.com/shuttle-mendenhall-glacier/ ?  I am thinking booking the Juneau City & Mendenhall Glacier Combo or just the Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle?

2 hours ago, foxrunner said:

@CruisingNewb Where should I look on this site to find your posts on your Ovation Alaska sailing from June/July.   You have been a ton of help.  We really appreciate it!

I agree with you, he suggested Mendenhall Glacier Bus tour,  Juneau cable car and hiking & WhitePass to me before.  I looked into it, Mendenhall Glacier & Whitepass Which I know I will booed.  just not sure book from where tho..  Still looking for info on the cables car thing..  

Here's his Ovation trip review:

Here's another one for what to pack:

32 minutes ago, CruisingNewb said:

You have lots of time to research and read posts from this (2022) summer.  

Having said that, whatever excursions you choose, have a back-up plan.  Weather and other unforeseen issues may cause cancellations.  Our float plane AND helicopter tours were cancelled due to weather.  We had to react quickly and opted for land based/walking excursions.

Specifically, the Mendenhall Glacier Bus tour thing is cheap and absolutely fantastic.  The Juneau cable car and hiking would have been great had it not been for the dense fog.

Skagway has some really cool hiking trails that take you to quiet coves and such.  Highly recommend that.  I hear from others that the train (WhitePass) was awesome.   

All these excursions, you booked thru Royal Caribbean or you  booked thru 3rd party?

Thanks 

2 hours ago, CruisingNewb said:

@foxrunnerIf you need more info on Ovation Alaska sailing, you can always search my posts from this year (June/July). Ovation is a GREAT ship.  Loved every minute.  Have very few complaints about our experience. I also detail food and activity stuff quite a bit.  You will have a great time!

Mine is on May 11, 2023.   8 night Alaska Glacier Cruise leaving from Vancouver.  What excursion did you join?  Anything that's must do or must see?

Thanks

Hi Chris,

I have a question, What's the internet discount for the Prime?  I heard is 30% is that correct?  And how do I sign up thru the casino offer?  When I sign up, is it for the whole length of the trip, or can I just get couple days of service?

Thanks,

11 minutes ago, CHRIS WONG said:

 

Please note: the points structure will slightly change for some tiers beginning next month (August)

 

Can you post an update of it?

20 hours ago, Kirsten said:

RC isn't requiring testing on 5-night cruises?  Where did you see that info?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2022/07/28/cdc-covid-cruise-ship-program-end-travelers/10098433002/

1 hour ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

I am also interested now in whether or not I need to test before my Aug 13 cruise to Bermuda.  Does Bermuda still require even though Royal is not requiring it since the cruise is 5 nights!  
Hope someone will know this answer or perhaps I just need to call Royal?

https://www.gov.bm/cruise-travel-authorisation

Mine is on Oct 22.  Hopefully by then, the authorization will be remove.

10 minutes ago, Pooch said:

And how much did you have to spend in the casino for that free cruise?

The one coming up Oct is from MGM offer.  The one coming up on April 23 is from the Casino Royale.  This is my first cruise with Royal Caribbean.  Total I spend about 7k.  On the 5th night, I became Prime.  And today, I got another offer from the Casino Royale.  But I haven't call them to check with the the offer yet.