Jacki_MEI

I'm sorry, but your TA completely dropped the ball on this one. After I apply a deposit, I check the booking to confirm the deposit was applied correctly. I check the payment history, I send myself a confirmation showing the deposit was applied and the remaining balance. I guarantee if the TA had a confirmation from Royal showing the deposit applied, Royal would honor the original price. Mistakes can happen, but this should have been discovered within days at the most - not months later. Also, the TA says they had a chat that was in the process of honoring the original price? We have the ability to download chat transcripts - why didn't they do that? People like this unfortunately give professional TAs a bad name.

Twice in Nassau we booked excursions to Blue Lagoon Island - once just for a beach day and once with a Dolphin Swim. Both times we found the island to be super clean and well kept and the people working there friendly and helpful. Highly recommend the Dolphin Swim if it's something your family has interest in - we had a great time. On the beach day we reserved a 'half shell' shade with lounge chairs and I think it included a free drink per person. There seemed to be plenty of lounge chairs and space available for folks who didn't reserve a specific spot as well.

We did an excursion last year on Grand Cayman that included a city tour, Hell and the Cayman Turtle Center. We had a great guide who made everything interesting, and really loved the turtles. I highly recommend the Turtle Center to anyone who has even a passing interest in sea turtles - we learned a lot, saw some massive and (massively old) sea turtles and got to pick up and hold some smaller ones. 

It's been 1 year, 8 months since my last cruise on Adventure. My favorite day was in Cozumel, when our long-planned for excursion got cancelled last minute and I convinced my claustrophobic sister to go on the submarine with me, followed by a super fun lunch at Senor Frog's. We ended up having the best time, just being spontaneous - usually very difficult for two Type-A planners!

We've done Blue Lagoon Island twice - once with the Dolphin Swim and once just for a beach day. Both times we really enjoyed it. The island seemed super clean and well maintained, the staff was all very friendly and helpful and there were tons of umbrellas for shade. Just keep in mind that you have an approximate 30 minute boat ride to/from, so factor that in to your day. Sometimes if the ship is in Nassau for a shorter period of time it may not be worth the time it takes to get there and back.

I agree with @twangster if you get the UDP, definitely try everything and get as much 'bang for your buck' as you can. If you decide not to do the UDP and just want to try a specialty location, I would recommend Chops Grille. Never had a bad meal there! Second choice would be Giovanni's Table. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Haven't seen any Royal Up emails yet, but 

Hi Kelly!

If you used an FCC for any part of your payment it may have 'fallen off' - I had that happen with one of my client's reservations. If so, just give Royal a call or have your TA call and ask them to reapply.

Currently have three big cruises/trips booked for next year for myself, and have definitely seen client bookings picking up for 2021 and 2022. People need something to look forward to, and can't wait to get out and start traveling again!

My best memory is taking my sister on her first Caribbean cruise. Now she is completely addicted - we've been on several together. and can't wait for our next!!

Congrats on booking your first cruise! Hope you love it!

Don't really recommend getting off the ship and wandering in Jamaica. We did a river tubing excursion that was really fun and very relaxing. Labadee is Royal's private beach, so wandering is completely ok. In Grand Cayman i recommend an excursion that includes a stop at the Turtle Center. This was one of my all-time favorite excursions (but I love turtles!).  

Hi Heather! You are able to eat in multiple locations in one night (based on availability) and Johnny Rockets is included. You aren't able to make your dining reservations in advance, so I highly recommend making them as soon as you are onboard the ship. Here are two blog posts about it with more info: 

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/04/10/royal-caribbean-introduces-new-unlimited-dining-package

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royal-caribbean-dining-packages

I'm sorry this happened to you. I don't think Wonderland will be much of an issue, but the Teen Disco is generally open until 1-2am, so if you or your parents are light sleepers, this could be an issue and it may be worth paying a bit extra to move to a different location to avoid stress during your vacation.  Lift & Shift is only allowed once during the lifetime of your reservation, but you should be able to change stateroom categories on the same sailing without penalty. 

Thanks for sharing!

On 8/20/2020 at 9:43 AM, FManke said:

Although there are a lot of things on the MDR menu I enjoy, one of the things I like most about it is the chance to try something I don't eat at home. I always try something I haven't or wouldn't normally eat at home. Whether it is an appetizer, salad or entrée. Being that the food is already paid for, I don't feel like it's a waste of money to try something I might not like.  

Yes! Completely agree. I am a much more adventurous eater while on vacation!

At this point they could roll me on the ship in a full on Hannibal Lector mask and straight jacket. As long as they let me take the mask off to eat!! 

Just a reminder that if you book flights through Royal's Air2Sea department they don't require payment until your cruise final payment date, and you are able to cancel your flights up til that date as well. I have added flights through Air2Sea to lock in price and availability, and then kept checking to see if I could get a better price elsewhere. When I did find a better price,  just called Royal and had them take the Air2Sea flight off my reservation.

On 6/10/2020 at 4:57 PM, Pooch said:

So just walking around is doable?  I don't really want an excursion. I just want to browse!

Yes, definitely! Key West is one of the only ports that I feel like I can just get off the ship with no specific plan in place. One trip we did the 'hop on, hop off' trolley and had the funniest driver - we stayed on the whole loop and didn't get off just because we loved him so much. When we went around the loop again, we were able to get off at Hemingway House, Southernmost Point, Duval St and Smathers Beach.  One thing I don't recommend is the 'Aquarium'. It was small, dark and very depressing.

OK, so not technically something I ATE, but rather drank. It was a 'drink of the day' special and when it arrived it was bright green, and it tasted like grass. Like you know that smell when someone is cutting their lawn? That's how it tasted. 

On 8/18/2020 at 11:15 AM, lh193 said:

Thanks everyone. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one. I guess their computers must automatically default to non-refundable.

They definitely do! I second Sharla - the Royal reps automatically default to Non-Refundable Deposit rates when you call in (just like the website). I always specify 'Refundable' and usually double or even triple check that it's still Refundable before I hang up. Hopefully they should be able to fix it for you!

Unfortunately Cruise Planner purchases don't follow you and have to be rebooked at prevailing rates. However keep in mind that if you book something in your Cruise Planner and later see it at a better price, you can 'return' the original purchase and rebook it under the new lower price.

You definitely have to call in when you want to use an FCC as your deposit - the online system is not set up for that. I have done it quite a few times lately for clients.

Just keep in mind that even if your FCC is more than your new reservation RC will only allow you to use it for cruise fare. The taxes and fees always have to be paid separately. 

Happy for any positive news at this point!! 

Sorry to hear you are in this position. At least if you take the FCC they are good through April 2022, so that does give you quite a bit of time to hopefully use it on a new reservation!

What a lovely post, Curt! Wishing you all the best!