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DunkelBierJay

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Posts posted by DunkelBierJay

  3. Carrying on luggage

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    I don't completely understand what you're asking, but once you arrive at port, you can leave anything you want with a luggage tag attached and the porters will get it to the ship. Your bags will arrive in your stateroom sometime that day.

     

    If you carry your luggage on board, you will have to lug them around until your stateroom opens. 

  4. 10 Drink Card

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    We have a 33 drink "budget" based on $10 per drink. This could stretch the budget some. And we are also bringing on two bottles with us, which might cover the days leading up to when they offer the cards... Plus, alcohol is included in Chef's Table -- Probably won't be drinking heavily that day. And we are planning on the Champagne brunch and Galley Tour... More alcohol already included... I'm beginning to think we'll be pleasantly soused.

    This approach makes tons of sense in our case...I may do something like it!

  7. Cuba

    in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors

    Posted

    My thoughts on this change as many times as the clock ticks...8 hours in Havana would be cool, no doubt, but with the early sailings I wonder how much we would be pinned into some activity or place based on the 12 criteria for being granted entry...I experienced this in other Communist countries I've visited only to find ways around it after a little while. I may opt for sailings with over-nights or with multiple ports in the end. At any rate, I feel better now that I have a locked in fare that is quite a bit lower than the current published base amount. At least there's a couple months to think about it.

  9. Who booked Cuba today?!

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    I had a courtesy hold put on it, but the fare increased about $150 in the two hours it took for my TA to get my message, so I punted thinking that I will wait for a later sailing.

     

    I also noted that RC will do visa services for the day in Havana 7am docking time until 4 pm. Their cost is $75. Does that sound reasonable?

  10. Cuba

    in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors

    Posted

    Well...I did a courtesy hold on the May 20 sailing, and when I saw the price my TA secured, it was about $150 higher than the original price I saw on the RC sight, so the price is increasing rapidly, and will probably sell out on a lot of the early sailings, so I backed off. May 20 was the only practical date I could do it with my daughters.

     

    I did see that RC's visa service was $75 pp in addition to the fare, port fees and taxes. I haven't secured a visa for travel in many years, so I have no idea if that is a reasonable price for a day in Havana. Does anyone know?

  11. walkie talkies

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    I will remind you that despite the manufacturers calling the CTCSS tones on these radios 'privacy codes' and similar things, the conversations are not private in any way, shape or form. So only discuss information you're okay telling the entire ship.

     

    Most W-Ts would have a port for an earbud...I would appreciate not hearing the static, tones, and conversations of others....

  12. Planning a day in St. Maarten

    in Shore Excursions

    Posted

    We went with Leo to Marigot first and did a little shopping, a lot of eating and some walking around...beaches around there aren't really available. We went to Maho after and left just as the big planes were landing more frequently. We hit Divi Resort for some beach time near Philipsburg. We didn't spend any time in Philipsburg.

     

    Next time, we will hit Orient Beach, then Philipsburg. Maho is great, but hanging onto the fence with teenagers is fun, but once was enough for me.

  13. The future of Empress

    in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors

    Posted

    I think you may be correct. Look at Fathom. They were using the humanitarian aid exception to sail to Cuba. And while those sailing were popular, they were limited and they just couldn't keep their ship full without drastically cutting prices. As a result, the line in creating operation mid 2017.

     

    Perhaps Royal needs to follow NCL's lead and turn the Empress into a party ship and include the beverage packages with the fare.

     

    Agree...since Carnival is redeploying Adonia to P&O and liquidating Fathom, future Cuba sailings look to be in doubt for all involved for the foreseeable future.

  14. Navigator using overflow terminal in Miami

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    I'm sure many were watching Rich's scopes that morning as was I. Ken Jarvis posted a pic of the ship by the tent after disembarkation, and the whole situation looked like a cluster waiting to happen.

     

    I also took a look at the webcam, and there were a total of seven ships in port (Fathom Adonia, Celebrity Summit, Carnival Glory, Carnival Splendour, Carnival Vista, NCL Getaway and Navigator). This had to cause massive bottlenecks coming and going, and seems to have been unusual compared to past observances. Since Nav is getting settled into the North American itineraries after her TA, I too would be shocked if this is the norm.

  15. What constitutes "carry-on" luggage?

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    Carry what's comfortable to carry, and that you don't want to do without if you aren't reunited with your luggage for a few hours...personally, I hate lugging stuff around, so I wear a swimsuit under my clothes...eat and chill out until around 1 when your room should be ready...you can carry everything on board if you really want to...but that's a pain especially when you are first learning your way around the ship.

  21. Advice Needed

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    This is a great find, but it always helps to do some dummy bookings to determine. Every situation is different, however, and the comparison below may not fit them all.

     

    Example: Arrive at MCO 12/10 and transfer to the Quality Inn Kennedy Space Center is $217 ( I assume taxes are added on at the end) -- I chose this hotel randomly...I have never stayed there or read the reviews:

     

    4 People Orlando Airport MCO
    Fly Snooze Cruise Hotel Package includes it all:

     

    a la carte:

     

    MCO to Hotel in one way car rental in intermediate car with Hertz (closest to port) day before embarkation includes free shuttle provided by car rental company -- $80.07 

    Quality Inn price on Kayak $82 -- Hotwire $70

    Port to MCO on December 18 in intermediate car also $80.07 and including free shuttle from port to rental office

    Total -- $230.14 

     

    In this case, you would save money and the hassle booking things separately. I will consider this service as an option for cruises out of Port Canaveral.

  25. VOOM Questions

    in Royal Caribbean Discussion

    Posted

    1. How is the wifi on Navigator? Has anybody used it since the "upgrades"?

     

    I am on Navigator right now and I must say that voom is working pretty well. We had some problems during the first two days in the North Atlantic but since we are in the Mediterranian Sea it is good. I always can stream Netflix and Amazon videos and listen ti my spotify. Had some issues wirh Periscope, but now it is also working fine

     I watched Dirk's scope this morning as they sailed away from Cartagena, and the quality on my phone was slightly grainy, but overall pretty good.

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