tonyfsu21

This is about as close as you can get with a recreational boat before the sheriff starts flashing lights at you. 

18 minutes ago, Leroyr55 said:

For some reason cruise ships leaving port there seem to have at least one Coast Guard boat escorting them. I’ve seen this on the camera at the port and when we departed there. When watching departures in Miami I have not noticed the Coast Guard escorting them. Just a curious observation. 

I’ve seen them at both PE and Miami. I would imagine it has to do with the recreational boating at both respective inlets. On the weekends it’s gridlock boating traffic. Whenever the cruise ships start moving the Broward Sheriff office boats stop traffic and the Coast + Pilot boat escort the ships out of the inlet to the outside marker. 

I’ve seen rapid test trailers set up in multiple locations in East Fort Lauderdale. Next time I’m out and about I will get some details on how many are out there and what the pricing is. I have yet to see any lines so this might be a good option if your sailing out of Port Everglades. 

57 minutes ago, Eric813 said:

I bid for an upgrade 1 month prior to sail. Ever since I bid, I cannot modify it at all, it just remains “pending”.  I’ve emailed them with no response. Despite doing everything as instructed to cancel or modify, doesn’t work. No credit card charge or email saying I’ve won or lost. Only thing I can reason is it’s been accepted, but I just haven’t been notified, but seems strange that nothing has changed in the last 4 weeks. 

Nothing would change until 4 day before cruise (at best) but more then likely 1-2 days before departure. “Pending” is a good thing. 

If you have no mobility issues this is not an issue at all provided you are the first group off the ship. 

1 hour ago, Djh said:

I put in a bid weeks ago for a cruise the departs on October 24th. When I login to look at the bid, it says pending but there is no option to modify it or cancel it. Does anyone know what this means? My friends can still login and put in bids for the same cruise, they are in a balcony and we are in a GS. 

Still seems way too early. Most of the many I’ve won change status and CC charged roughly 2-4 days before departure. 

5 hours ago, ChrisK2793 said:

I had a “charge without card present” notification pop up on my phone from AMEX for $470 from Royal and at first I thought “what the hell is this”?  LOL ….. Then I noticed I had an email and saw we won our upgrade bid to go from a Grand Suite to a Crown Loft Suite.  I was a little worried it may be a crappy location, but no …… it’s # 1720 …… so happy!!!!  I really didn’t think we’d get it for only $470 total.  Can’t wait for Saturday even more now!!

 

Deck 17 = no such thing as a crappy location!

On 10/7/2021 at 7:40 PM, Montana21 said:

I’m looking for suggestions about planning my next family cruise: Oasis of the seas – from Miami – Dec 26 – Jan 2

Reserving an interior balcony (Boardwalk or Central Park View balcony) the total price is close to $7,000 including tips and taxes.

My two questions are for those that had have similar the experience, New Year's Eve Cruise.

1 – Does it worth the money celebrate New Year’s Eve on a cruise?
2 – Drink Package: How many you paid in a 7-night cruise for Drink Package? 

I have another cruise 3 night cruise on November – and I paid (drink package) 57/night but in a 7 night cruise I think it’s a bit expensive for 4 people.

Plus... the internet, if I'm doing the math correctly... I guess the total should be close to the 9k? for 4 people? Should I wait black Friday or something like that?
 

I’ve done several New Years holiday sailings (and currently booked on this sailing as well). It’s a great time and totally worth the premium price to be sailing on New Years especially on an oasis class ship. 

Margaritaville Hotel Hollywood Beach or Marriott Harbor Beach in Fort Lauderdale.

2 hours ago, CruiseGus said:

So please explain just what this tip does for you and how that maximizes your Casino Royal returns.

Thank you

Just responding to one of the OP questions:

Bet max on the wackiest machines in the casino that nobody dares play. I’m talking about the hello kitty machines or the Tabasco sauce machines or anything that does not attract people. The casino royale players club program is as disorganized as they come. Nobody (especially the land based reps) knows anything about it and two phone calls will yield opposite answers. With that being said, if you lay some cash on the table and gamble some money you may get some decent comps. Like many other players on this forum, I get some decent suites for what most people pay for balcony staterooms.

19 hours ago, GKMCruising said:

That's exactly what I'm imagining. Basically their own little version of Atlantis without the casino. 

Smart money says they build a small casino as well….

For my family of (4), $20-$50 depending on family size or kids that are either high maintenance (like mine) or kids that create a mess to clean up for the staff. 

I was asked several times by the server if we would like more lobster or anything else on the menu. It was overall a very good experience. 

21 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I was worried this was going to be a covid outbreak post based on the subject line

Nope, she’s socially distanced with no need for a mask. 

I read this as geographic “core market” aka ports in Florida mainly Port of Miami and Port Everglades. 

Just snapped these moments ago. Odyssey alone in port & another ship moored off Las Olas. It’s choppy out there today. 

1 hour ago, Big Red said:

Don't know if this pertains to anyone particular.  Cruising out on Allure in a couple of weeks, and always looked forward to seeing what "high end" watches they have available in the Regalia shop on board, and at ports of call. Has anyone that is into watches seen if they still have old stock available or if they are up to date there stock of modern time-pieces on board since the relaunch into causing?  

Specifically Watch brands I am looking to see are Tag, Rolex, Omega, etc.  Not interested in Invicta, Fossil, or other watches offered at the sidewalk sale typically.  

You will find the usual suspects as you mentioned with the exception of Rolex (obviously). There are sometimes a few pre owned Rolex (5 digit Rolex references) but they are overpriced even beyond what you pay grey market at home. Before the craziness began with Rolex sports models a few years back you would find cases full of every desirable sports model at AH Riise in St Thomas. I would say more then likely the display cases are now empty. No issues at all with purchasing in the islands. I have made several high dollar purchases for myself and my wife at AH Riise and Cartier with no problems. I would say just about anything inside the Regalia shops is over priced and can be obtained elsewhere for both a better buying experience and price. 

2 hours ago, TeresaMc said:

It's a Sunday and yes would get picked up definitely before 9:30.  I'm leaning towards risking it.

As long as you get off the ship first thing then there would “probably” be no issues at all making an 11:15 out of FLL. With that being said, after 45 years in SoFL I don’t ever gamble on Miami and I-95. Good luck. 

10 hours ago, daha699 said:

Does anyone know of a more economical hotel in downtown miami with parking ,  i been looking at all your suggestions for my Dec 31 sailing and the price point is way out of my league , open to ideas ?

New Years Holiday hotel prices across the board will be very expensive. Try staying outside the city and Uber to port and you may have better pricing. 

10 minutes ago, CGTLH said:

Use a slot machine to charge the room for play. Then take the ticket and either have the cage cash it out or the bill exchanger...

Don't ask how I know what $200, or was it $300, in $5 bills looks/feels like.

 

Thank you!

4 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Nope, use or lose. If you have that much OBC, you should use the casino trick to cash it out.

Tell me more, please

Asking for a family member. In the case your TA gets a significant price drop for you (like $1200+) after final payment what becomes of the unused funds? In other words, if they use $500 would RC cut a refund check after the cruise or is it a use it or lose it scenario? Thanks in advance. 

1 hour ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Do you see this option under the one you already bid on?

Desktop or iPhone? I’ve always used my phone which could be the issue. 

Maybe RCB should start a sub forum for the Royal Up questions? In any case, I have yet another. I feel like I’m fairly well versed in Royal Up, however, I can’t figure out how to bid on multiple stateroom options. It seems to be hit or miss. I’ve had times where I bid on up to 4 various stateroom options and other times it cuts me off after I make my first bid and does not allow me to bid on any other room types. When you click back on the link you only see the room you bid on as “pending” with nothing else. Does anyone know how to bid on multiple options? I know it’s possible as I’ve done it a few times but just don’t recall how. T.I.A