FloatMe

I thought that I had a similar issue, but as has been mentioned above, there is no shortage of ways to use OBC. Gratuities, internet, one replenishment package, and one refreshment package.... $400 OBC gone

Ok..interesting..thanks for the info...

 

Next cruise I am going to try one of those sites to do my actual booking and see what happens.

 

Seems with all my bookings, I have gotten no deals, paid top dollar when all around me everyone else seems to be getting much better deals and pricing!!

Although we have never booked direct with royal, we have been using a semi retired, friend of the family, TA for years who has done a fabulous job particularly with the small details and arrangements for my elder parents. So we just continued to use her. Then thanks to this forum and others I realized the money (OBC) we were leaving on the table. I just recently booked 2 cruises through one of the large agencies in florida and was given $325 OBC for Allure, and $200 for a 6 day Freedom. Both on top of the OBC from RCCL for booking while on board. I spoke with several local agents in columbus, oh and even thought all of the prices I was quoted were all exactly the same, the local agents just weren't in a position to offer nearly as much, if any at all OBC.

 

Admittedly, it makes me very nervous not knowing the person who is acting on my behalf with the cruiseline, but so far so good.

We were on Adventure in April, and there was a "friends of dorothy" meeting posted on the community board.

10 months, I wish I were so fortunate. We just got married on Adventure in April which ate up a little more of our crusing budget. So we booked Allure in Oct, 2016. 18 months out. EEK! We got home (we booked n board) and immediately realized that, although we were right to build back up cruise war chest, we agreed never to go that far between cruises again and booked freedom in April, 17. I will be trolling the boards living vicariously through all of you for 17 more months.

Thanks again!

what are the minimum bets on the table games in the casino on Allure (caribbean cruise)? I asked this question about Adventure several months ago and I was pleasantly surprised when we sailed to find that the the minimum bet was $5 all of the time. I was surprised because the tables were generally busy if not full every njght. Is Allure also $5? Do they raise the minimum when they are busy (@ night)? How many craps tables are on the floor?

I have only stayed in a grand suite once & as much as I enjoyed (shamefully) the feeling of being treated differently, I did not utilize many of the benifits. We are not drinkers nor did we utilize the consierge (I enjoy doing the planning), so the lounge had no appeal to us. Thus the JS has become the cabin of choice for us. For the most part I think that the extra benifits are commensurate with the extra cost especially if you are sailing on Freedom class or smaller. We love the double points and the robes. But on Oasis and now quantum the % of cost from balcony to JS is significant and it would be nice to see a few extras considered for JS guests. Obviously, I wouldn't expect access to consierge lounge, but it might be nice to be included in reserved pool deck seating or theater seating. As was stated above, I too amm just being selfish.

Gail, just curious, which ship you will be sailing? If you will already be married and just wanted to do something ceremonial for your guests I am guessing you could reserve any area of the ship, conference room, viking lounge, et al, particularly on a day that the ship is at a port of call and most people are off the ship. I just would not plan on getting much help from RC.

Floatme, Congratulations! Did you and your wife have a RCCL reception? What did you think of it? DId you feel a lot of pressure to buy the photo package? I heard it is very expensive and we cannot afford to do so. Did you have a lot of people come with you? Thanks for the info.

I have looked into the idea of getting off of the boat as many of you have suggested. It is definitely another option. My first choice will still be to get married on the boat. Does anyone know if RCCL would be flexible with their wedding package? For instance, I would not want the majority of what they offer, like the photographer and the officiant. Do you think they would lower the price if I did not require these things? Thanks again.

We had a very small affair. Including us, there were 13 people in our group. Also allow me to preface this with I think what royal charges for what they give you is steep. That being said if we tried to accomplish the exact same thing at home we would have ended up paying a similar price if not more. Additionally, both of us had previously been married so neither of us wanted anything to do with the "big wedding thing".

 

Now your questions, I never got the impression that RCCL would be willing to negotiate prices for various aspects of the package being omitted, i.e. the photographer. And I believe that our contract even stated that you were not permitted to have you own photographer follow the ships photographer. As a side note the photographer we had was GREAT. We had planned on only getting g the 20 photos that came withe the package but chose to add 10 more (under no pressure what so ever). however we could have paid half price for the additional 10 had we prepaid for them when planning the wedding.

 

As for the reception; We did not have a formal reception. After the ceremony (wedding was at 4pm), while we were taking photos, our guests went to our suite where we had prearranged appitizers and drinks. We arranged that through the consierge not the wedding planner (cheaper and bether selection). We joined our guests after photos in the suite where best man and MOH gave speeches/toasts and then we all went to our traditional 6:00pm MDR seating for dinner. After the main course we prearranged (through the wedding coordinator ) to have our cake delivered on a service tray and stand to our dinner table and did the cutting of the cake. our party was at two adjacent tables, so this was all easily executed without feeling like we disturbed the other diners. By the way the cake was wonderful!

 

the one area where RCCL dropped the ball was we had asked our wedding specialist (the one you talk to while planning) if we could get the cooperation from a DJ in one of the discos and do a first dance. She failed to communicate to the wedding "coordinator" on board the ship. And although she did make an attempt to accomidate our request,(meager attempt in our opinion ) it was not in a suitable venue in our opinion, and quite frankly not that important to us.

 

we got what we paid for and are generally happy what we got. I would be happy to answer any other ?s

From all that I have read, only GS and above and Pinnacles can use the CK and Suite Lounges....BUT I had a Customer Service person from RCCL (on the phone) tell me recently that JS could use them so I'm not sure which is true. If they are allowing JS to use the Suite lounges and CK I will be surprised. All of the literature online said GS and above but these things seem to change without notice so I just don't know for sure.I haven't been on an Oasis ship as a suite guest since they added the suites amenities upstairs and I've never been on a Quantum class so I guess I will just have to wait until the Group cruise to find out !

Thanks, I know JS guests don't have access to the lounges, that is why I suprised that I had heard they were permitted to coastal kitchen? Guess I'll find out in 16 months. (Gosh that's a long time)

Curious about the new Coastal Kitchen. I heard that JS guests were included for this venue, is that correct? That seems odd to me. Also what type of fare is offered?

Thanks for the good points. Do they have weddings all day on the ship? From what I read it sounds like most are done in the morning because they only offer a luncheon reception? On average how many weddings happen on a cruise? I have been on a few and have never seen a bride. I may have just missed them but I can't recall ever seeing one. Can other people use the chapel on the boat if there is not a wedding or is blocked off unless you are part of a RCCL wedding? What if people just want to pray, is there a place for that? If need be we will just gather everyone on a deck (without blocking it off). I didn't think about the fact that we would have to book everyone's dinner so far out. We will have to figure out another plan for that. Thanks for that point. I have a friend who is going to take pictures. She is not a professional just very good so I am not really worried about that. I appreciate your advice and look forward to hearing more.

 

my Wife and I were recently (April 6th) Married aboard Adventure of the Seas. We were the only wedding on that particular cruise. From what we learned, ship board weddings nly occur on departure days while in port in mainland U.S. ports or while in intentional waters (on Sea days). We were able to have our wedding at any time of the day up to 4:00pm (it was a formal night in the dining room where our photographer would be needed after 5:30). Happy to answer any additional ?s if I can help

I've noticed the Obstructed View notation on the deck plans but in looking at photos I could not tell what the obstruction was. Can anyone provide details? I wanted to book an aft Junior Suite on Explorer of the Seas but did not because of the Obstructed View notation.

We loved this cabin. Watching the wake of the ship on sea days from your balcony is wonderful. Additionally on voyager class ships the balcony is twice as deep. Yes twice!

I've noticed the Obstructed View notation on the deck plans but in looking at photos I could not tell what the obstruction was. Can anyone provide details? I wanted to book an aft Junior Suite on Explorer of the Seas but did not because of the Obstructed View notation.

Here is a picture from our aft cabin on adventure which is next door to the jr. Suite

DEFINITELY fantail (aft) room if you can get it. The balconies are huge compared to regular balconies and you get lounge chairs in addition to the table and chairs on a regular balcony. Very private (usually) and lots of ocean view...if you don't mind seeing where you have just been (looking out the back !).These rooms are generally the first to go. BTW, there are also regularly priced balcony rooms (range from D1 - E2 ?? (not sure about that) depending upon the ship) on the fantail too. These are the best bargains on the ship with the exception of the family ocean view rooms when you can snag one for 2 people or the accessible rooms if they go out to general inventory.I will say that these fantail rooms require a bit of a hike. If you don't like to walk or cannot walk easily, these may not be the rooms for you but if you don't mind the walk to the fantail rooms are the best IMO.

Thanks, we have stayed in aft cabins as well and loved it. But we also enjoy being on the side of the ship, being alittle more part of the action. Both were available and we went with 9638 on the hump. Good day when that was the most difficult decision I have had to make!

Hump? Aft? Other? Any suggestions on best junior suite on Freedom?

Thats what I figured, thanks

The current promotion includes 50% off the 2nd "Premium" drink package. My questions are are all drink packages considered premium. My wife usually gets the replenishment package with coffee and water and juice, and I get the refreshment package which is soda only. would those be eligible for the discount? I know it would only be $25, but hey, that's $25.

 

Secondly do you have to buy those packages now or indicate you are going to? Or do they simply apply it later once cruise planner is available for that particular cruise?

 

Thanks, Mark

Thanks everyone, we did in fact book our first oasis class ship while we are on board & we are currently having it transferred to a TA. Thanks again

 

IS IT PERMITTED to ask TA questions on this site?

Is there any disadvantage to booking your next cruise while on board? Transferring it to a Travel Agent? By the way Thanks for the article on the Tax promotion. I can wait until tomorrow and save $240.

Not that it was very useful on board anyway, but as of 3/1/15 verizon's international data plan no longer covers royal caribbean ships & possibly all cruise lines. So make sure you turn the data service off while in international waters. Thankfully a friend traveling with us next week on AOS works for verizon or we would had several very unhappy cruisers.

Does anyone know what the table minimums in the casino are on Adventure?

I have never seen any smokeless tobacco on any cruise ship. Before i quit i never had any problem bringing a log (10 cans) of kodiak or more on board with me

Just figured out how to use reduce photo size

Katut and Rachel are in no small part responsible for my cruise addiction! Taken on AOS in March 2009. Looking for to being back on Adventure in April.