Todd

I believe this thread just proves what many of us have known all along. Royal (Companies) is the source of a lot of misinformation, websites that say things in conflict, sales agents, that give false answers, Public Relations departments that are leading at best. All these things are part of the reason we have sites like this with posters who have been through the process and can answer based upon what happen to them, not a stock reply answer supplied from the company.
 
While we as a group maybe do not always get everything correct, I do believe the best level of correct information is found on sites like this.

OK here is your answer. Since you paid in CAD it is done in CAD but as the policy says you can request your account be USD. It is done through guest services.
 
Q:  The final charge for my SeaPass® was in a different currency. Why is that? A:  Our SeaPass onboard statement system places the final charge to your credit or debit card in the same currency that your reservation was made, unless otherwise specified. Additionally, some banks utilize what is termed Dynamic Currency Conversion in order to convert foreign purchases into your card’s issued currency. For more information regarding Dynamic Currency Conversion and if your credit or debit card uses this service, please contact your bank. Royal Caribbean does not process refunds for Dynamic Currency Conversion fees.

Raye, but then how could your Royal Genie make you free "Hand Crafted cocktails" So much speculation it's driving me crazy! I wish Royal would just be clear for once

In this case separate cabins were cheaper.  About 5 times we have had separate cabins as they were $500.00 to $1500.00 (total for two cabins) cheaper than a Jr. Suite. And you get double amenities.  You do need to have more than 340 points to pay 1 1/2 times for the cabin and not double for a single.  When you are making the push for Pinnacle you try and find all the creative ways to sail less expensive to get those double points. Two of the five times the rooms were adjoining which makes it better. We just did four of them this past February and March.  Make Pinnacle in three weeks, so no more separate cabins and probably no more Jr. Suites.  Ocean view or balcony, does not matter any more .

Todd, can we agree that there's more to the story and that Royal could have and should have handled it better?

If the Cruise lines placed enough outlets within the cabins this would not be a issue. It is only because of cost cutting that this is even a issue.

OK I will admit I click on the link. But even with great protection I have on my computers I did it on a internet cafe system. I get 100 of emails everyday, many business emails are questionable. So my answer is to stop at my favorite hotel in town for lunch and after use their supplied systems to check anything that is questionable. If a problem it happens on their system and not my system. And before someone says I must enter passwords on the systems they have, I have that covered too. I have a separate email account that I forward anything to that I need to open on a public system, so no tie in to my complete information.

I just wish they would let you combine the balcony discount (which used to be the "free balcony upgrade" and far more valuable) with other promotions. They're getting more and more restrictive on the promotions. I'd rather them keep the "loopholes" and the discounts that you can combine but raise the overall price of the cruise--that way, I at least FEEL like I'm getting a deal!! ;-)

I do realize this, Todd, especially as someone who lives in the area and having seen the number of ships and passengers drop at an alarming rate.
 
The wink smile ;) was meant to indicate that the comment was a joke.
 
I don't have any expectations that Royal will make a return. And as much as I'd like them to, I've done the Mexican Riviera three times and I have little interest in doing it again. However, I'd do another California Coastal in a heartbeat or would do Mexico again for a good ship as I could make the ship my destination.

The ship is now in Tenerife. So it will be interesting to see what happens next in this strange story. 

Does that include any brand beer?
 
Select Package:  Amstel Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Corona, Guinness, Heineken, Miller Lite, Stella
 
Do either of those drink packages cover the drink of the day special?
Select Package  No   
Premium Package Yes
 
Drink Packages

If you really want to be scared try a water slide in a third world country with little or no oversight and inspection. Now that is really a adventure. Water slides are not for everyone, like so many other things and can involve some risk. Just traveling on the trip has some risk but the level for most people is acceptable. I love being on small boats with swells and waves, this makes many people sea sick, so each person should do what they believe is best for them.
 
As for water slides on Royal ships one thing is for sure. They are among the best design, maintain, and inspected in the World. Not only passing every safety inspection that slides on land have but also the USCG Inspections. So if you want to ride a water slide the slides on Royal Ships are the ones to pick.

I have also read these threads on CC and one of them, in particular, is from one of the few sources on CC that I trust and respect.
 
I am an engineer but not an electrical engineer so I can't say that I understand the physics...but if what they are saying is true (and, as I said, in one case I tend to believe them) then you want a multi-plug unit with a circuit breaker mechanism as opposed to a surge protector.  Apparently there is something about a surge protector, on a SHIP, that can cause the unit to overheat and even, in rare cases, catch fire.
 
So...I intend to purchase one of the specific products that this person has recommended.  I haven't yet done my research to try and find them but once I do I will see if I can share that information here.  I have not been too successful with getting links to post to this site...just like I cannot get my "quote" function to work even when trying multiple browsers.  I'm sure it's just me....
 
Bottom line...if spending $25 (or less, apparently) can reduce the risk of fire on a ship...I'm all about it.  If not, I have another multi-plug device.  Big deal.

Many "threads" and posting on the internet saying almost anything you want.... But that does not make them correct or right. Surge protectors are one way, they protect your items you have plugged into them they do not send anything back into the ships system. If a power surge is sent through the system they shield your devices, they do not affect other devices being used in other cabins. 

Many "threads" and posting on the internet saying almost anything you want.... But that does not make them correct or right. Surge protectors are one way, they protect your items you have plugged into them they do not send anything back into the ships system. If a power surge is sent through the system they shield your devices, they do not affect other devices being used in other cabins. 

I found them to be very accommodating in this Giovanni's. The server took as many orders as I want to give him for sides and starters. When Reynaline could not make a main course choice and I just wanted to eat, I suggested she talk to the server (both Filipinos) they seemed to talked forever in Tagalog, I was just hungry and waited my starters. But somehow then the main course was served she had to different meals placed in front of her.
 
That night the service got a nice extra tip. I would recommend trying it at least once. But I did find Chops to be more to my taste.

We had a very large group eat together at Giovanni's on the Allure group cruise in Feb.  Honestly, I have never seen that much food on a table with the possible exception of the meal I had at a Lebanese restaurant in Bahrain a couple of years ago. 
 
The waiters at Giovanni's brought out EVERY appetizer on the menu and just about every main course as well.  After everyone had gorged themselves into a coma there were still steaks and lamb chops virtually untouched....and lots of other things, too.
 
I love having lots of choices but I hate wasting food and there was a lot of wasted food on that table.  I felt bad leaving that much food to go to waste.  I hoped, secretly, that maybe someone would eat some of those lamb chops but I'm sure they didn't.

I'm sure they have a team of engineers on this that will do whatever it takes to correct the situation and have this up and running. It is now not about the costs or problems it is all about the PR. Even if this tuns into the most expensive Tidal Wave ride afloat it will be working and safe.  
 
This reminds me of the Qantas Airlines runway crash Bangkok 1999. A incoming Qantas 747 landed long and ran off the end of the runway. No one was killing or even really injured, except for the plane. Qantas spent  over $100 million repairing this old 747-400. Which was much more than the market value or insurance payment.  WHY? So the company could continue with the advertising and PR claim that they had never lost a jet aircraft in a crash. It was all about the Public Relations, same thing that Royal I believe will do with Tidal Wave.

You do really need to look at these things in the Global market. Companies charge what the market will bear, also pricing is set well in advance and sometimes paying in a non US currency gives you a get deal. If when royal sets the market for cruises in AU$ the  US$ to AU$ is 1 to 0.90 and then the AU market weakens to US$ 1 to 1.01 that gives you a 10% better price paying in US$.  

I'm sure they have a team of engineers on this that will do whatever it takes to correct the situation and have this up and running. It is now not about the costs or problems it is all about the PR. Even if this tuns into the most expensive Tidal Wave ride afloat it will be working and safe.  
 
This reminds me of the Qantas Airlines runway crash Bangkok 1999. A incoming Qantas 747 landed long and ran off the end of the runway. No one was killing or even really injured, except for the plane. Qantas spent  over $100 million repairing this old 747-400. Which was much more than the market value or insurance payment.  WHY? So the company could continue with the advertising and PR claim that they had never lost a jet aircraft in a crash. It was all about the Public Relations, same thing that Royal I believe will do with Tidal Wave.

I have booked what is in the best rate converted back to US$; for example our upcoming trip this Friday on Voyager was crazy expensive on the Hong Kong RCCL website. OK on the USA RCCL website and an absolute steal on the Australia RCCL website as they were doing a promotion in Australia. We booked through the Australia website in the end. I may need to pay a bit more by using my USA Bank of America RCCL Visa card but I love those double points and still saved a bucket load of money.
 
We all live in a globally connected word so be sure to shop around for the best price and pick and choose where you can get the best cruise price. Heck, maybe the Mexico RCCL website has some even better deals....

I wish they would make up their minds about this !  They keep switching from showing prices with grats and then showing prices w/o grats.  I personally think it's sneaky to show the prices w/o grats and then - SURPRISE - at checkout.

I always bring a mini surge protector. It provides 3 spots and has never been an issue getting through security.

Cannot yet as the Cruise Line needs to apply to the Government of Cuba for the rights to dock within the country. The US Government has cleared the way already that is only one step.
 
 
 
Do not believe this for one minute.... if Royal says only due to refurbishments they are out and out lying. If the ship was over 30 days delayed they would have known long before now. And if it was just a short time frame they would have cancelled one or two cruises not a months worth of cruises. When they refurbished a ship they have daily meeting and follow the work being done, what is completed and how long to finish.  Royal does not wake up within a week of the date a ship is to be leased and say it will be a month late. Best case they have been behind and thought they could caught up... but they should have not sold cruises in this case. Or they are covering the real reason here. Royal is free to run the business as they see fit. But they owe it to loyal clients like WAAAYTOOO to tell them the truth.
 
The same as when they cancel the second  Anthem of the Seas cruise in February claiming it was for the safety of the passengers because of a storm. The only problem with this is if you checked the weather for the area, and the Coast Guard information no storm was in the area? So why cancel the cruise and return early? Royals statement "Caribbean announced via Twitter that that it's "closely watching a large storm off the coast of Cape Hatteras. We want to be extra cautious when it comes to weather in the area." The cruise line decided that it is canceling the last two days of the current Anthem of the Seas cruise which will skip Barbados and St Kitts in order to "avoid a severe storm & provide guests with a comfortable journey back home."
 
Could it be because a at that time over 65  Passengers reported symptoms of the  norovirus.? And Royal made a mad dash back to port so that they could get the passengers of the ship and not get to the 3% level that the CDC then list the ship as having a outbreak. And when  the cruise ship return to the port 2 days early, if really weather you let the passengers finish their time on the ship. But did royal do this?  No they got the passengers off the ship claiming they need to do a super cleaning of the ship. Again since norovirus takes time to developed, get the passengers off the ship and they don't count.  Eradicating norovirus  and the risk from it seems to make much more sense than the mystery storm. 
 
As a shareholder I want Royal to do everything they can to maximized profits and stay just within the law. I want the maximum return on my investment. As a passengers I want the truth from them and my interest put first. I want to allow them to make just enough profit  to stay in business, and allow me to pay the lowest prices. Two goals that are 180 degrees apart, it just depends upon what hat I am wearing that day.

Happy it worked out for you. Royal really did not treat you right here, the way I see it you are a highly value passenger, the kind of passenger any line would want to have. In your case I believe the right thing for Royal to do would be to make you whole again and cover any loss that resulted from their cancellation. Travel agents are a very good idea for some people and others can go without them.  It is a choice everyone needs to make. 
 
One I do not like is when Royal makes offers to the public and takes away other offers already made or earned. Like this:
 
 
 
Dollars off is not combinable with Crown & Anchor discounts or shareholder benefits. 30% Savings is combinable with Crown & Anchor discounts.
All Offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, Net Rates.
 
If you have earned Crown & Anchor or other benefits you should be allowed to use them, offers should be combined. If you want to use a Travel Agent all offers available to the public should be offered through the Agent. But so many times the lines give the commission the Agent would have earned to the discount.