AnnetteJackson

Office supply stores have a good variety of lanyards you can purchase before arriving that would be cheaper than waiting to get one on board.  Amazon has some great ones as well.

Myself I keep it in a pocket in my cell phone - never had issues with the magnetic strip.  

Any of the cruise ships, you can ask for a mattress topper as soon as you meet your room attendant.  I find any newer ship the beds are really firm and the older ones dip in the middle   Some ships its a egg foam mattress topper but on Anthem last week it was a nice cooling mattress topper.  

Dont forget you can also ask for a fan for your room - for all of you that need noise to sleep or moving air.

This happens a lot.  Within the agency we will look at our bookings to see if we can help, but Royal does not contact clients about moving in this situation unless they made the mistake that created the non connecting rooms.  I have had some clients that had older kids that used the balcony as the connecting door for the rooms.  But always check back to see if they become available, because you never know until after final payment if those rooms are really going.  Also, if you are more flexible with your room type you might be able to find connecting.  But as you can imagine, connecting go early.

17 minutes ago, mworkman said:

I see only 1 for 2020, Hmmmm....does he know something that isn't being published by RCL and doesn't want to spill the beans? 

The Freedom NYE cruise counts as the first 2020 cruise.

Just to add - i would check your account a few times during your cruise.  I have been on cruises where mistakes were made and I was charged for things that were not mine.  Its a lot of people on a ship-  things happen.  You will be able to check your account on your TV in the room.  They are great about fixing things at Guest Services.

Cash Account - just know that requires you to go to the desk to close that out at the end of the cruise.  I have seen people stopped on their way off the ship because they did not close their accounts out, or there were outstanding charges.  I use a card for this, but typically do not have any charges on it - just easier than going to the desk on the last day of the cruise when the line is HUGE

7 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

Wondering what happens in the case that I don't have an official TA..so I book a cruise with Nextcruise..and then within the 60 day window I find a better deal with another travel site.....is it possible to still get it switched over...even though at time of booking  on the ship I don't have a TA somewhere?

Your reservation can be taken over by that Travel agency and then they can make changes to that booking.  It could take 3 to 5 days for them to have access to your reservation.

On 7/11/2019 at 11:13 AM, JLMoran said:

From my recollection and a search of the GC live blogs, they've had or will be having group cruises on

• Brilliance (CA/NE)
• Explorer (Alaska)
• Navigator
• Mariner
• Harmony
• Allure
• Symphony
• Quantum (back when she was home-ported in NJ)
• Anthem
• Freedom

So there's been at least one GC on nearly every ship class; just missing Vision class and whatever class Majesty and Empress belong to (Sovereign class?). Kind of surprised there hasn't been a GC on any other Freedom-class ship (at least that I could find), but maybe with Indy coming to FL from across the pond in 2020 that will change.

Great memory!  This is all the group cruises - so far.

How does the GC get decided - Matt and myself work together to find a cruise that works with his schedule, my schedule, but more importantly has interesting ports of call - something different.  Sometimes there are several cruises that are held while we decide or wait to see what else is released by Royal.

If can look at times that the boards, insiders, and comments to him will help make his decision, but in all the years we have worked on these group cruises - that really hasn't swayed him.  Ultimately, he will do two GC a year, and he decides when he has all the factors that he is waiting on from Royal on ships and where they will be sailing.

Just make sure when on board that you are getting the type rate you are wanting - non-refundable vs refundable.  They will always start with non-refundable rates and it can take a lot of pressure to get to a refundable rate with them.  If you book a non-refundable rate you do have 60 days to come back and make changes, but the rate will stay non-refundable.

Also, dont forget about checking the rates for cruises you already have booked.  There are times that the OBC offered on board will make the difference in the price you are already paying.  

If you arrive early, you will get to maximize your time on your vacation!  The ship will typically start boarding around 11 am or so, but if there are issues clearing the ship it could be delayed.  Love to get to the port early to get that silly stuff out of the way so I can jump on the ship and start vacation!

I love my HANGING packing cubes by Stow N Go - It has three shelves and a pouch at the bottom.  I can pack for a week in this.  When I get to where I am going I can pull this out, hang it up, and... Im unpacked!  I LOVE THESE THINGS!  and i got the smaller size so that I can use in a carry on or in a large suitcase with room for SHOES!

https://www.amazon.com/Stow-N-Go-Portable-Luggage-Suitcase-Organizer/dp/B01N9KMI1Z/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3988P1OA3PDQG&keywords=stow+n+go+portable+luggage+system&qid=1563412029&s=gateway&sprefix=stow+n+go%2Caps%2C616&sr=8-3

If someone in the room travels with a flat iron for hair - it can help iron out some of the wrinkled areas.  I know it would take a long time to do a garment, but it is great for quick fixes.

On 7/15/2019 at 1:35 PM, cruisin787 said:

My wife and myself have been cruising with RC for a few years now and we tried a travel agent this on this blogs recommendation. It is through MEI and we are having trouble getting info back from our agent. It is important info, our booked room number got changed. Is there a way to get the reservation changed to another agent at MEI? A more attentive one perhaps. 

Thanks for the help

Hello - Please contact me at [email protected] or call me at 919 605 6282 so I can jump in to help you with this situation

35 minutes ago, marti314 said:

I asked to do this on Allure last month because i had the UDP and never went to the MDR and they said they can only remove auto gratuities, not change who or where they go to...  

Not sure it was the person you were talking to or not.  I have done this of 5 cruises on the past 2 years.  No issues any of those times.

1 minute ago, melski94 said:

I think my issue with this is that MDR staff still serve other venues at breakfast and lunch (Windjammer, etc) and I'm eating somewhere on the ship where I'm getting service from these people.  It isn't the wait staff's fault where I'm assigned that I chose not to eat in the MDR at night so I feel that they are getting stiffed and thats the bulk of their pay.   I really wish RC would stop playing the gratuities game and just call it a service fee.

This is true, but they already take a portion of the prepaid tips and it goes to all staff - to be spread around the ship to everyone providing direct service.    And, I will tip someone that goes out of their way in the Windjammer on the spot with cash.  

When I am cruising there are cruises where I do not go into the MDR at all.  I do apply gratuities in advance to my reservation, but if I dont go to the dining room, I have them adjust where those gratuities are going to.  I have elected for the MDR portion to go to the stateroom attendant, or a team of bartenders if I hung out in one bar more than the other.  I do not mind tipping people at all with extra tips and love to give cash to them, but I do not like to tip for services I did not use.

1 minute ago, Andrew72681 said:

Thanks Annette. Mine wouldn’t be the MyVEGAS games. I have Mlife gold status from my donations to their land casinos, which gets 125OBC per sailing and some other benefits (priority embark, etc..)

OH... trust me... we have some of those researching agents as well!    I have a couple of them that do a quarterly run to Vegas yearly.

How often do you get to dress up!?!?!

My family has gone not formal at all to PROM formal.  My girls were in college, but took their old prom dresses to wear again on the cruise. 

The one thing I love about cruising is the opportunity to dress up or not.  

Dont worry about others, dress up or not, based on how you feel about it, enjoy the photos, and who cares if you are out dressing everyone on the ship!  When are you going to see those people again anyways!

OH!... sorry to post twice....

But on the Mlife - I know that several of my Agents actually play the Mlife games as well.  We say we started playing in the name of research!     So i have several agents that know how to use those certificates.  

I cant speak to other Travel Agents and what they can do for you, but our team of agents work together to keep us all in the loop and help to educate those that are not as familiar.

Morning!

Travel Agents can call in to the Casino Line to start the process so you dont have to do that.  I know a lot of people like to get their reservation set up on their own and then transfer it, but the time holding to get a GOOD call center agent to help.  We can use your C and A number or you name and address for them to find you and then - we are off and running getting a quote for you!

16 hours ago, Scott M said:

@AnnetteJackson- Thank you!  I didn't know you were assisting also, I appreciate the hard work!  The latest today- all my and my son's entertainment, dining, shore excursions, and my drink package were canceled.  I know John worked on it today, I just worry it will still be a mess when we get on board, but at least we will be on vacation.  Thanks again!

We are here for you!  Anytime they cancel a reservation it can create a ripple where the plans get canceled.  Many times we can work it all out before you leave, but when its after the cruise planner is closed before your sailing - it is harder.  We have to trust the ship to follow thru with the plans and add them once you are on board.  If they are not, we can work with the ship.  I really wish they would not make you move rooms due to capacity of the room issues when you are close in.... it never works out for the client.   Its always messy.

On ‎12‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 12:47 PM, Scott M said:

Well, after 3 cabin moves and who knows how many phone calls by our TA, we are back in the original cabin we booked a year and a half ago! 

@Matt is 100% correct when he says use a travel agent, John Ames at MEI really came through on this!

Scott

 

Scott,    I am so sorry you have gone thru all this!  I have been involved with John trying to fight the silly system that Royal presents us with every once in awhile.  I am so glad that they were able to put you back in the room you had originally.  It was crazy that they would not let you stay there.  I know this has been stressful and while the extra OBC might not make up for that stress, it is at least something from Royal to try and say "oops, we screwed up".   Hope you can move past all this and enjoy your cruise!

I know that if you with a Travel Agent they are copied on the emails being sent.  We received many hunderds last week!  Our agents contacted their clients to ensure they received the emails and we were surprised that several clients said they didn't get them.  The email was correct on the email, but the clients had not received them - possibly a spam filter? 

On ‎11‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 7:06 PM, Pooch said:

Is it possible?  I’m afraid I am not happy with the responses from the one I have.  How might I try someone else? Or maybe working with  a TA is just not for me?

So sorry!  Was so busy with the final prep on the group cruise I didn't check the boards.  Please email me [email protected] or call me 919 605 6282 - We have over 100 agents and sometimes the chemistry is not correct with the first agent you get.  I will get your preferences of how you like to plan and communicate and match you with a similar agent.

Just wanted to drop in a note on this and say Michelle and I are working on this with Air2Sea.  This is not your fault for not accepting the air changes as there is not a spot that even asks for that on the letters they send.  This is a system error and I am working with Resolutions now to get these pushed to you.  Michelle will be reaching out to you as well, but wanted to make sure you knew and everyone else knew... this is not your fault at all.

So glad you were able to speak.  I will say the best ER plan sometimes will fail, but we do try to have a plan.  Sometimes the weekends can produce a slower response as well depending on when your agent typically works daily.

Now you can relax and start planning all your fun excursions and shows for your cruise!