DunkelBierJay

Have you ever Pre-reserved your MTD in advance on the CP? Also, how far in advance is the CP open for this. We’ve only used Traditional in the past.

I found value with this card on Empress. I did not find value with it on Brilliance. Those are the two ships I used it on. Empress -- has an AMAZING coffee bar -- just awesome -- features all the regular drinks plus a great set of Cuban selections Brilliance -- Cafe Latitudes was just ok, and they really enforced the one punch per shot rule. Not the best value in my view. Upcoming sailing on Allure -- I am not going to bother...Royal's complimentary regular drip coffee is really good, and if you mix in the free soft serve ice cream from the Windjammer or the pool deck, you have a better drink in my opinion at no charge (I have done that on other ships)

Yes, they’re expanding in the US quite rapidly. They are in a lot of major locations and in several across Florida. I enjoyed using their app so far. Apparently, all you need for check-in is your phone, and it unlocks your car, and you’re good to go. I have a Mercedes CLA reserved for about $78/day. If I live blog, I’m sure I’ll write about the experience with this company.

I am testing out Sixt which is off sight at FLL -- I have seen mixed reviews about them, but I want to decide for myself -- they don't have a shuttle to the port from the info I gathered so far, so the Lyft pickup would be easier than FLL (in my experience, it has been a pain). Otherwise, I usually use Hertz.

Adding to this thread... We are sailing out of Port Everglades on Allure, and here is my plan...I am looking for critiques or better options: 1. Arriving in FLL day before and renting a car 2. Staying at a Spring Hill Suites in Dania Beach about ten minutes from the port -- will be at Dr Von D Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park on the day before to watch Harmony sail away and to verify that it is really Billy or a hologram every week 3. Embarkation Day -- 9:30 am I make an advance trip in the rental to the port to drop off all luggage. Return to FLL to drop off rental. Option 1 -- Lyft to hotel to get fam. Approx 10:30 am use hotel shuttle or Lyft if shuttle not available to arrive at port by 11 ish. Option 2 -- Lyft back to port to meet fam and check-in Thoughts, critiques?

Jay assumed James' identity from pre-school on in a grave conspiracy about the letter M on chalkboards...

Here you go...

So, this showed up on my Royal app for my Allure sailing after checking in... must be “frictionless”

Well written. I very much appreciate this response. I bit my lip hard on it and chose not to express what I was thinking which was best left unshared.

The tone of that article is hopeful...however with Allure being 37 meters longer than Getaway, I'm sure Royal is keeping it's options open and that we won't know for sure until May 10 if/when they try to dock.

Costa Maya is already on the itinerary...we are headed to Maya Chan, btw. The itinerary already had four ports, so I wouldn't be surprised if it ends with two sea days. I saw on C.C. that the itinerary two weeks before mine was altered, but I only saw that they cancelled Roatan. I didn't see any alternative ports.

I’m completely gutted over this because Roatan was a big factor in picking this itinerary. A decent consolation would be San Juan if that left turn after Nassau doesn’t mess up the timeline too much in the beginning of the itinerary. Maybe it would work at the end where Roatan was placed. I wouldn’t mind Labadee, because I’ve only scratched the surface there. Other than that, I don’t think there are any ports that can accommodate Allure unless Coco Cay’s pier is complete and unoccupied. There’s got to be a lot of dominoes that are affected by this. At any rate, the liklihood of ever booking MSC is pretty much nil now.

I usually go to Crew Center: http://crew-center.com/cozumel-mexico-cruise-schedule-january-june-2018 If this doesn't get you what you are looking for, you may be able to get some other links by googling "cruise port schedule" and the port(s) you're visiting

I think I found the same article you cited. It was easy on google. Not looking good — $10 million in damage. Btw, the captain of the Armonia is Ciro Pinto. I had to trash him and MSC on Twitter. Just think of preventing the tourism dollars a ship as big as Allure brings every other week the merchants on Roatan just be seething. A lot of people have seen the video...if not here’s the link:

I wonder if it has anything to do with the MSC Armonia damaging the dock the other day.

I saw on a post on Ship Mate that Allure is ceasing stops at Roatan effective in May. I have a June sailing booked and would be cruahed if this is true. Has anyone heard anything?

I have used Allianz, Travel Guard and Roam right. They are all similarly priced for comparable coverage and the process is easy for each. I have never had to use it.

Also...Alvaro, if you haven't cleared cookies in a while, that may have an impact.

Sounds like it's time to give their customer service a call and make it over the phone

I understand that Central Park Balcony bookings on Allure get you a Giovanni's or other specialty restaurant lunch perk for 2 per stateroom. Does anyone know if this is available on embarkation day with the SeaPass card? Are SeaPass cards issued at check-in, or are they placed in staterooms?

I’ve been on Freedom and LOVED it! I am booked on Allure in June (made final payment yesterday) on a port intensive itinerary and am choosing to stay on the ship in Cozumel because I have been there a couple times...after my trip to the famous blue food truck (for tortas and tacos) and some cheap beer, I will return to the ship for the day. I recognize that the two ships offer two different experiences, and it will end up being a matter of preference.

It looks like the death grip issue is cured...now for all those meteors pelting the back of the case...

This is an area where a good travel agent can help a lot. They may simply be booked up by now. From time to time things open up, and a travel agent can help with that. What they said on the phone is strange...One strategy is to take them to the Windjammer for their dinner and do a late seating with your spouse while your kids are in Adventure Ocean. You may be able to get it nailed down as you get closer, and you can always request it when you board. Just see the head waiter in the dining room. I have found the food and service in the MDR on my sailings to be really good. Don't believe everything you read -- the comparison may not be apples to apples. There may be some nights when the menu isn't exactly what you like... Feel free to try more than one entree, for example. It's really a matter of what you like. Royal is in the process of changing their menu fleetwide. I recommend going to the home page of this site and searching "menu" to see recent posts about it. You can make a Royal Caribbean cruise "all inclusive" and not buy anything on board and have a great experience. The dining package is a great deal compared to on board prices. If you are an early riser, I wouldn't worry about it. On embarkation day check out Park Cafe or the Solarium Bistro for your first meal instead of the Windjammer...the majority of people are just finding their way around, and it can be a little flustering especially herding little ones around. My plan is to go to Giovanni's for lunch when we board in June. It will cost a little, but it will be less crowded than the Windjammer. By the time we are done eating, our cabins will be ready. We have adjoining Central Park balconies with a max of 2 in one and 4 in the other (there may be something to what you wrote earlier about what's available on your sailing). 1. Check with the staff at one of the beverage stations in the Windjammer or Cafe Promenade. They can hook you up. 2. Absolutely! There are lots of complimentary options! 3. If you booked less than 60 days ago, you can transfer to a travel agent. There is an online form on this site's main page to a travel agency that sponsors it, MEI Travel. Pretty much all of us who have been on a group cruise have used them and they are courteous, professional and quick to respond. I have used them for other sailings as well. My agent pulled a rabbit out of a hat a couple times when I didn't expect it. His name is Brock, but I have heard good things about the others too!

I figured that would be the case for them, so I kept playing with the website, and was able to log in to my cruise planner from the home page. It prompted a login after I clicked on excursions. I couldn't get there logging in first. I printed My Calendar so I have a printed record of what I purchased in one place.

I tweeted at them requesting a timeline, and they just said to call their toll free number.