Drewmommy

I sent a Facebook message to Royal Caribbean and this was their response.  I'm going to print it out in case I have issues onboard. 

I'm in a Boardwalk Balcony that gets the 2 free soda packages.  My travel agent just told me that if I purchase a beverage package in the Cruise Planner that I will lose one (or both) of the soda packages.  There are 3 people in my cabin.  Why can't 2 people have the free soda package and the 3rd person have another package?  How does this even make sense?  

Does anyone know how much bottled water is onboard? The $18.20 sounds like a good deal... 

10 hours ago, fmanke said:

I guess once you pay for the cruise, gratuities included, you really don't have to spend another penny on board, if you didn't want to.

That would be ideal... but I already know it's highly unlikely for us. 

Sorry if this has been asked before but what expenses are there to consider besides the cruise itself, airfare, pre/post cruise hotel, automatic gratuities?  Also - how much is usually tipped to the luggage handlers at the port, room service, taxis/shuttles, etc.?  Trying to figure out how much cash to bring.  TIA!

8 minutes ago, DocLC said:

It's a meal at Johnny Rockets and the soda package, which I believe is called the Refreshment package. There one that includes water, coffee, mochtails, etc. is called the Replenish package. 

I only see 3 different beverage packages in my Cruise Planner.  Deluxe, Refreshment and Soda.  I went into the RCI website and did a fake booking for a boardwalk balcony.  It looks like the complimentary package is SODA ONLY. 

On 4/18/2017 at 5:47 AM, olejt said:

I have seen this been discussed before:

The new EAT • DRINK • PLAY complimentary amenities offer guests in Boardwalk balcony staterooms

• Complimentary meal for four at Johnny Rockets.
• Complimentary Royal Refreshment soda package for two guests.
• Exclusive rock climbing wall experience for the entire Family.

 

What exactly comes with the boardwalk cabin? Is it complimentary SODA ONLY or is it the REFRESHMENT beverage package that shows in the Cruise Planner that also includes non-alcoholic beverages like smoothies, premium coffee, bottled water? 

I sail on the Allure 6/25-7/2 and the unlimited digital photo package is showing as $250.  I do plan to purchase it.  From what I've read on these boards, the price is the same if you purchase onboard so you can wait to see how your pictures turn out before purchasing.  Can someone confirm this? 

5 minutes ago, Matt said:

Correct. If you want to pay more money, they will always take that.

Thanks.  I just wasn't sure that since we're already 70 days until our cruise if they will reduce her original reservation by the amount of her deposit before they let her upgrade.  I'll have our TA call and get a quote.  The good thing is, we thought the "x nights free" + OBC sale was going to end last night but it looks like the sale got extended.

My sister is past final pmt and has a promenade stateroom on the Allure.  With the current promo, she could get a superior ocean balcony for a few hundred dollars more but would also get $150 OBC, making the net difference less than $200, not to mention she'd be across the hall from me.  If she wants to change her cabin, would she lose any $ from her original reservation since she's already past final pmt date?  

Our stay in Nassau is just from 7a-2:30p. We do plan to get an early start but do you think it will still be worth it for that short a time period?

We had a table for 12 on Freedom a couple of years back, there were 2-3 very long tables setup at the foot of the stairs that were that size. Not sure what layouts they are running on the O class these days but I would think they could match it ;)

That is what I'm hoping for, too, and to have our tables in the same area. There are 65 of us so about 7 tables.

Thank you!!

Hi.. We have a large group sailing on the Allure in June. We all have early dining. Does anyone know the maximum number they will seat at one table? Is it 10? 12? Also, what's the minimum needed so that you are not seated with strangers?

Thank you for posting this. I had already reserved this for our upcoming June cruise but it's nice to hear someone else 's experience with it.

This question might be better answered if you can share what you have in mind to bring off the ship?

 

Was thinking about bread rolls, pastries, cookies? Just things for kids to snack on in case they don't like the food available in port. Small boxes of cereal would work.

I'm sailing on the Allure - stops in Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Kitts. What are the rules for taking food off the ship while in port? I've read that meats, fruits, cheeses are prohibited but what about bread, pastries, etc?

I'm pretty sure things are always cheaper before you board. Once your on the ship they know they have you.

This was my thought, too, but I don't think it applies to the photo packages, according to another thread. I was planning on holding off purchasing the photo package if it's the same price on board. As for VOOM, I purchased that package already but hoping the combined drink and Internet package that people have mentioned will show up in my Cruise Planner.

I just read that this excursion does not include transportation back to the ship?  So much for being covered in case something happens getting back to the port.

I noticed in my Cruise Planner that this excursion is on sale for $21/adult and $13/kids.   How much would it cost approximately to take a taxi to Magens Bay Beach from the port and back for 3 people?  Trying to compare the cost.  If would cost us $55 total to book through the cruise line but we'd be covered in case something were to cause a delay in getting back to the ship.

On the Allure when they gave us the sheet to fill out there was a section on it that asked how many bags you were checking in. Then the airline's baggage fee and Royal's service charge showed up on our seapass account. Not sure what happens if you have already prepaid it with the airline. When you sign up for luggage valet, they are checking in for you with the airline. Hope that helps :)

Yes, it does help. Thank you!

Royal charges you a fee for the service on top of the airline's checked baggage fees.

Yes, I get that. Just wondering if they automatically charge for luggage or of they only charge if you haven't prepaid.

If you already prepaid the luggage fee (when ticket was purchased thru JetBlue), Royal won't charge you again, will they? Do you just show that your ticket receipt?

My guess is you are out of luck.

 

One strategy to minimize likelihood of not having enough photos you like is to take a lot of photos. Ask for extra shots when a photographer is taking your photos and look for other photo opportunities. Law of averages in my family dictate with enough photos, we will eventually find ones we like. :)

If I purchase and most likely will, you bet I'll be taking every opportunity to get pictures taken. Thanks!

I should have said it depends on the ship.. some still have the photos on the wall.. but the newer ships, it is all digital. After purchase it gave a website and code.. I browsed to it and downloaded..

 

There may be discounts, I just have never seen one..

Thank you!