Jayalekznder

My family and I are cruising for the first time altogether, I've cruised a lot in the past and I want to bring them to Magens Bay. Should I book an excursion to Magens Bay through Royal? should I book an excursion that comes with other attractions like the Skyride and the Pirate Museum? or should I just grab a taxi in port to go to Magens Bay on our own?

My family and I will be going on our first cruise in August of 2024 on Freedom, and have researched the recommendation to avoid the Windjammer Buffet on Embarkation Day. I was thinking maybe Giovanni's Italian Kitchen but I dont know if it would be interesting for children that are 8 and 6 years of age. Would it be a good idea to reserve lunch? or is it better to swing by another dining location like Sorrento's?

Thank you @Ryan79!!!

I've been to Saint Thomas in the past and love Magens Bay. In August of 2024 I will be taking my family on a cruise for the very first time and I am torn between bringing them to beautiful Magens Bay or taking the excursion to Trunk Bay in St Johns, what would you recommend?

On 10/11/2023 at 11:06 AM, ScottD said:

Yes! this was my big mistake last year before I knew all of the tricks- I paid in full right away, 9 months before the cruise and missed out on quite a few drops. 

@ScottD will add it to my research before my first family cruise, thanks!!!

On 10/11/2023 at 10:51 AM, twangster said:

Refundable vs. non-refundable is only a concept prior to final payment due date.  After final payment due date, once you have paid in full, the type of deposit no long matters and all bookings are subject to the same cancellation schedule.  

Consequently a change from refundable to NRD can only occur prior to final payment due date and if you make the switch it simply alters your total due at final payment due date.  

There is some work for a travel agent if you used one since there is a change in their commission with a rate drop but that should be transparent to you, you simply get the difference refunded.  

Thank you @twangster I appreciate you pointing out additional info

On 10/11/2023 at 9:27 AM, Matt said:

My advice for making final payment early is to leave like $200 or so off, for situations like this. It's easier if you owe a balance to do a price drop.

Thank you @Matt Your advice is always appreciated!!! Keep up the amazing work with the blogs and your channel!!!

19 hours ago, Shari said:

I had issues yesterday on my Android so I went to Google Play and upgraded the app on my phone then it worked.  So check for an update.

Thank you @Shari!!! I tried removing the app and reinstalling it a few times and it still wasn't working so I waited until this morning to check back and the information is now there 

17 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I've seen that info come and go before. No need for concern.

Thank you @smokeybandit!!! Considering it will be our first cruise as a family, I was just a little nervous when I was having issues yesterday with the app

19 hours ago, ScottD said:

This seems to be pretty common. Had it happen just before my cruise last month and @OCSC Mike, who is boarding right now, had this issue yesterday. Update it, and if its already updated, log out and back in. 

Thank you @ScottD!!! the Deck and Muster Station only reappeared this morning (24 hours later) and now I'm dealing with loading issues when I toggle between cruises but I'm going to assume that is also going to be a temporary glitch

Hey everyone!!! I have a cruise reserved for the 18th of August 2024 on Freedom of the Seas. Up until yesterday my reservation showed my stateroom number, deck number and muster station number but his morning I can only see the stateroom number, the deck number and muster station numbers have disappeared. I wonder is this due to intermittent glitches with the app?

30 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

 If final payment has not passed, then you can have your TA or a CSR help with the reprice. It should be refunded back to the original form of payment.

Thank you @Ampurp85!

Hi!!!

      I've seen on Matt's YouTube Channel for Royal Caribbean Blog.com I saw that you can change from refundable to non-refundable deposit cruise fares before final payment date if the fares are lower and you are certain that the cruise will take place. If you already paid the cruise in full, does Royal Caribben refund the difference? or does that become an onboard credit?

My family and I are taking our first cruise in August of 2024, a 7 Night Eastern Caribbean with Freedom of the Seas stopping at Perfect Day at Cococay, San Juan and Saint Thomas. I was wondering about these two excursions for San Juan and Saint Thomas:

San Juan: Pirates Treasure Hunt Family Tour

Saint Thomas: Amazing Magens Bay Snorkeling with Sea Turtles.

My children will be both 8 and 6 years old at the time of sailing. 

Has anyone done these excursions?

18 hours ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

I think the hard part with Thrill Waterpark tends to be the lines and feeling like you've gotten enough runs on the slides to justify the cost. I would personally think at $200/person in the middle of peak season...no...not worth it.

True, I didnt think of it in terms of wait times and stretching the value of the price over how much we would actually be benefitting from the slides. My family and I will enjoy CocoCay without Thrill Water Park this time around, either way its a complete surprise vacation for them and as a family we have never been in the Caribbean. In the past I used to work on the Celebrity Eclipse and loved exploring the Caribbean on my own but they have never been so I want them to see and explore all that I had the chance to when I was younger. 

23 hours ago, Xaa said:

We were there with 2 ships (Anthem and Freedom) in March and the lines weren't bad at all for the slides.  All of the slides are fun for sure.  Having said that, we paid $83 on a Black Friday sale and at that price, it was fun and worth it.  For the $207 it is now, we'll do Aquaventure at Atlantis.  I wouldn't touch Thrill for anything more than $125 and only then if I was taking someone who had never been.  For repeat visits, I think $75-$80 and that's it.

I don't think they can sustain demand at the $200 price, but they look to be trying.

I agree, I know that Royal Caribbean is a business and that they need to make a profit and clear the massive debt they had over the course of the pandemic so they're looking at strategies to increase that profitability, but hopefully one day the Thrill Water Park prices will come down to a more modest price and I will listen to your advice and not consider unless it's under 125. Thank you!!!!

On 9/12/2023 at 12:54 AM, Babsy47 said:

If you are going to Nassau, Baja Mar offers a better water park experience than PDDC for less.  I would do my water park day there and enjoy the included stuff at PDCC.  As others have noted, PDCC slides have long lines.  We always end up in the wave pool, and the oasis lagoon is almost as good without a charge. It is hard to justify $200 pp for the PDCC water park.

Our sailing is doing an Eastern Caribbean without a stop in Nassau, but considering its on Freedom of the Seas that had the last Royal Amplification before the pandemic-we may just enjoy the perfect storm slides on the ship and the splash zones. Would we go on another cruise later on though, I will definitely be looking at Baja Mar in Nassau-thank you Babsy47!!!

On 9/11/2023 at 8:57 PM, sleepy425 said:

My kids have gone three times to CocoCay.  This past time (Thanksgiving 2022) we got the water park for under $50, and even at that price we decided never again.  We left after maybe 1.5 hours, the lines were crazy and the kids were not impressed.  We did head back in the last hour we were on the island, and the lines were down to nothing.  But we all decided we would not do it again, the kids are just as happy enjoying the free parts of the island.

Under 50$ wow and for us it's showing up as 231$ per person, even for the children on the Cruise Planner!!! thanks for your feedback, we'll enjoy what CocoCay has to offer that's complimentary for this sailing

On 9/11/2023 at 8:48 PM, 27th Lady said:

I agree, there is plenty to do for free.  If your kids were older water slide enthusiasts maybe it would be worth it but for me the prices are too high right now. It’s hard at that age to know how interested they will be in the park versus everything else there is to do. I’d say wait until they are older 

Thank you 27th Lady!!! being their first cruise I am quite certain they will come to love Royal Caribbean and it would pave the way for more family cruises in the future. Later on we can take a look at Thrill Water Park but for now we'll enjoy what CocoCay has to offer that is complimentary

On 9/11/2023 at 8:16 PM, RCIfan1912 said:

Personally, just personally I say no way. Is it really 200  bucks a person now!? There is so much awesome free stuff to do I don't think its worth it. Our son was 9 and he had a blast just doing free stuff, we didn't send an extra dime on that island except for souvenirs. (a couple of shirts and some other little stuff) Splash away bay AWESOME and free. Oasis lagoon AWESOME and free, Harbour beach AWESOME and free! We had a freaking blast without spending extra. 

231$ per adult and child at the moment and it's on a 10 percent discount!!! That's why I was a little curious as to whether or not the splurge would be worth it. Thanks for your advice RClfan1912!!! we'll stick with what CocoCay has to offer that is complimentary and save our vacation money for other vacation memories!

Hi!!!

      My family and I have a cruise in August of 2024-it will be our first cruise. My son and daughter will be 8 and 6 and I was wondering if the Thrill Waterpark at CocoCay would be worth it considering its about 200$ per person. Our ship Freedom has the Perfect Storm waterslides onboard and Splash Away Bay, so I was curious if we should consider it or just enjoy another excursion/activity?

Hi!!! I'm taking my family on our very first cruise on Freedom of the Seas in August of 2024. One of the stops on the Itinerary is San Juan Puerto Rico from 11:30am to 8pm and we have first seating in the Main Dining Room at 5:45pm. Am I able to skip that seating for that evening and dine out with my family in San Juan?

14 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Save the $ (or use it for whatever) and stick with Allure.

Thank you OCSC Mike!!!!

23 minutes ago, foxrunner said:

Dry docks are scheduled way in advance and if you can book the dates they should cruise. No one can predict emergency repairs so I wouldn't worry about that.  Royal would also refund you 100% if they don't sail. The change I would make would be to a 4 nighter. We have been on Allure twice and it is awesome. Being your first cruise you don't know what your missing with the newer ships. The short cruises on Oasis class make it hard to see and do everything, another day makes a big difference. Consider staying on the ship in Nassau or walking to the straw market and get back on board. The port isn't all that great and it will give you more time to explore the ship. These ships are massive and it takes awhile to see everything. Allure or Utopia are more like a small city block with a resort style hotel. Keep asking questions we are a friendly bunch.   

Thank you for the response foxrunner!!! very much appreciated!!!

I will be taking my family on a surprise cruise (their very first one) on Allure of the Seas for a 3 night sailing from Miami in August of 2024. When Utopia of the Seas was announced, it was also slated for 3 night sailings except from Port Canaveral. I know that a newer ship is more expensive, but do you think I should switch my refundable deposit to Utopia?

My fear is that since Allure of the Seas didnt have the full dry dock as it was supposed to, it may be cancelled to be put in dry dock and therefore we may not have a chance to go. Otherwise I'm very happy to go on Allure of the Seas instead of Utopia