Carlos A.

1 hour ago, MEMVA said:

Thank you, Matt for your reply. However, I do not think I got it backwards. The website had two boxes - the *discounted* price was $979 for letting RC pick my room. The other option was "you pick your room" - and the price was $1076. I picked the second option. I was fully aware of and understood the concept of the discounted price to let them pick my room. Again - I did not chose that option and did not pay for that option. I paid for the higher priced option to pick my room.

I can appreciate that you're an administrator of this blog and want to defend RD and keep folks happy on RC - because that means it keeps them coming back to the blog. I completely understand. 

I am not suggesting any vast conspiracy. And perhaps RC is an ethical company. And, I was thinking about giving RC another shot, until I read a couple of the condescending and unkind posts here.

Thanks.

I totally understand your problem. This is an error, a mistake by the RC IT department. This shouldn't happened. 

And the answer you got from customer services was awful and didn't helped at all. Instead of recognize an error and fix it for you they wanted to charge you more. It's simply outrageous.

I think that cancel that booking was your bets choice.   

39 minutes ago, Bean79 said:

I truly feel bad for the OP. She had a bad experience with RC's website. She is correct in that there are some serious problems with the site and obviously how it is managed. Give it a try with a Travel Agent this time around and I hope you have a better experience and ultimately a great vacation to celebrate.

I agree. You should give it a try with a TA, your experience will be totally different. 

I hope you can sail and enjoy your first cruise as you deserve!

Greetings!

I know for sure that in other lines like Princess the staff knows when someone cancel the gratuities. What happen next is that if someone gives a waiter or a barman an extra tip in cash they have to pool in that money to "compensate" the gratuity lost from the guest that canceled. I assume in RC it happens something similar.

I wouldn't cancel or adjust the gratuities at all.

Actually here in México is pretty rare to make ice out of tap water.

As ptod and Kriazerie says the ice used during excursions almost all restaurants and hotels is made with bottled/filtered water. I don't know anyone who makes ice from tap water in their homes either. 

Thanks so much!

I will do that! I hope they release better slots once onboard!

North Star Just appeared for August 2nd sailing.

I can only see days 2, 4 and 6 available
(Sea day, Skagway, sea day)  Hours from 9 am to 12 pm aprox.

@twangster You're an expert on this topic! What day and time would you choose?

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

We like the Hyatt on 17th St.  However, the price has gone up there recently (or maybe it's because I have to travel over high season) and it is again a bit dated compared to the Holiday Inn Express (new section).  They are very close to one another.

I stayed a year ago at the Holiday Inn Express but it was still on construction. I didn't like the old section at all. 

What about the Hyatt Place - Fort Lauderdale 17th Street Convention Center?

It used to be highly recommended too

I stayed there on 2016 and it was good. Is it still good?

16 minutes ago, Vincent Taylor said:

I would appreciate site to view Cruise Ship Webcams / Cameras (Live)

Vince Taylor 

There used to be a few webcams on the newer Oasis Class ships buy I think they're gone now.

It would be cool if they had at least a bridge cam just as Princess does https://www.princess.com/bridgecams/

If it's the Snorkel and Maho beach excursion I wouldn't take it.

They sail to the small bay where the beach is but you can't swim out to stand in the beach, all the planes you see you see them either from the water or from the boat.

Disney has been doing this with their PhotoPass service for years. It's so convenient just to open your app and select the photos you like or purchase the full package even after your trip had ended. 

4 hours ago, princevaliantus said:

Mexico is not in RCCL's best interest considering that market is inundated with several other cruise lines, especially the infamous LOVE BOAT !!!

What's wrong with Princess? 

2 hours ago, hsweat22 said:

Looking through the cruise planner there are many different options that involve stingray city and I am having trouble picking between them and hoping someone here has been on one or multiple of these and can help add a little color to help me decide.

Dolphin Swim and Stingray City - GC12

Dolphin Encounter and Stingray City - GCH9

Stingray City and Barrier Reef Snorkel - GC88

Stingray City and Calico Jack's Beach Break - GCN8

Deluxe Stingray City Sandbar - GCI3

Catamaran Sail and Stingray City - GCC7

 

Neither of us have swam with Dolphins so that does have some of our interest, the reef snorkel and Calico Jack also interest us.  We have never been to 7 mile beach where Calico Jacks is, so any insight there would be much appreciated!

 

Thanks everyone!!!

 

 

Once I got the Deluxe Stingray City Sandbar - GCI3 reserved. We got off the ship and looked out for our Shore excursion number but couldn't find it. I reached to a crew member from another tour and she told me my excursion was canceled due high winds... I walked out the pier and found a local tour company that took me to the Stingray City and had a blast! The sea wasn't as calmed as you wanted but still was very fun. 

18 hours ago, SLJ said:

So I emailed RCL Dining less than a week ago asking them (nicely) to put us at our own table of 4 and also to place us closer to the centre where we can admire the grandeur of the 3-level dining room as this is our first cruise.  Not only did they emailed me back within the week, they accommodated both of our requests. Not sure if this happens often but I'm one happy customer right now.  One thing I found interesting is that they placed us at American Icon which I assume is the MY Time Dining floor. But the sitting is the same. (5:15) So I guess it doesn't matter which floor right? 

Do you have the email contact?

On 4/7/2019 at 1:02 PM, Matt said:

AH ok. If you get too close to sail date (less than 2-3 days) it locks you out. 

This sounds like a web site issue. 

How soon before a cruise you would recommend to do the check in process?

I'm kind of obsessive and always do it as soon as it opens but I don't know if this is good or bad. 

2 hours ago, Matt said:

• Blue Waters Escape in Falmouth
• Bacardi Rum factory tour in San Juan
• Bamboo Beach in Falmouth

I have to agree on Bamboo Beach. 

The beach was nice but the time on the bus getting to/from there was excessive, and you have only a couple of hours to be on the beach.  

I would add to avoid almost any Atlantis tour on Nassau 

2 hours ago, marti314 said:

Mexico cant afford to do this, they would basically be taking the knife the US is imposing on them and they would then be adding 10 more.

Again, I don't know where this argument comes from. This has never been discussed or considered by mexican authorities ever!

17 hours ago, Rick M said:

On the other hand, if Mexico were to prevent anyone with a US passport from entering their country, then it would affect land, Air and sea passengers. As retaliation.

Why would we do such thing? That would be crazy, it will never happen. Retaliation has never been an option for mexican political relationship with USA.

15 hours ago, rtread said:

3. I've seen the situation in Mexico deteriorating country-wide, not just at the borders. I think the cartels are in control throughout. It's not the same country it once was.

Don't let the exaggerated media discourage you from traveling. Touristic areas, specially Cozumel are extremely safe. 

And KFC = Kentucky Fried Chicken

Sorry

I think it depends on the ship you will be sailing. For Oasis class it seems very clear the benefits but for Quantum class ships it doesn’t states if iFly, Bumper Cars, North Star and other venues or activities are included... 

2 hours ago, Mljstr said:

I have been to Mexico many times from Acapulco, puerto vallarta, Cozumel, cabo, and never used pesos. If you bring dollars bring small bills. Unfortunately vendors give you change in pesos and might try to take advantage of you. Happened to my daughter last year. 

The problem is that by mexican law no one is obligated to accept USD, they do it because is better for tourism. Because of that is better to know the current exchange rate so there is no chance someone will try to take advantage of you. 

22 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said:

For the June 21st Ovation sailing:  IFly opened up last Saturday (and was closed by Tuesday), and Pixels opened up yesterday.  I'm anxiously awaiting North Star!  I'm not sure if there's more than one show to sign up for on Ovation or not - I guess we'll see!

On what Cruise Planer section is iFly?

20 hours ago, Mljstr said:

Dollars are accepted in Mexico and credit cards.

 

This only applies to some touristic áreas like Tulum, not all México. 

The exchange rate vendors will give you isn't that good. If you want you could change some Pesos buy you will be fine with USD.

This is strange... for my Ovation cruise on August 2nd reservation for Pixels opened Today... but no sign of iFly or NorthStar

2 hours ago, Traveler said:

Yap , from time to time you have people like that visiting here , I hope it is people and not trolls,  I want to give people the benefits of doubt.

there are some people who just want to complain/share about the horrible experience they had not to get reaction but just to punish the entity they complained about . There are people/trolls who just enjoy throwing key words and see how high the flame will grow (key words like : emotional animals on ships, pinnacles  vs suite guest , gratuity, reserving chairs and more) . what I like with this site that such cases are handled promptly and very politely  

You forgot one of the biggest... "sharing drink packages" 

19 hours ago, tiny260 said:

I would disagree on the resort that I went to, it was probably a 30 minute ride and that was with a stop at a Hilton to let other cruisers off.

If you look at the port of Falmouth on Google maps and then look up the Hyatt Ziva, they are a lot closer than say, going to Dunn's river falls, now that is a long ride.

I agree. I think that Hyatt Ziva is the one exception. Still, 30 min each way isn't close as other beaches in other ports.