FloatMe

Hi there. It’s me again. RCI newbie. As I’ve mentioned, we are first timers to Royal after cruising Disney 20 times but ready for something new.  We have booked the Allure for an August sailing and have reserved a superior ocean view verandah for the four of us (including two girls 17 and 12).  We booked with the 30 percent off deal and got a great deal we think.  But now we are seeing the BOGO deal and have been thinking of switching to booking two cabins (one inside and one superior ocean view verandah). Price is pretty similar, just a few hundred more to book the two cabins.  Looking for opinions – will we be remarkably happier with two cabins (we have never done this on DCL – though have had a suite a few times) or should we just stick with what we are used to?  Thoughts?

 

Infinitely happy with two cabins! For everyone!

I love voyager class ships and I am holding my breath the Navigator continues this route out of Miami for spring 2018!

I believe the first number you are referring to is for the interior of the cabin only.

I'm sure you will get more details from others here, but I believe they will add flow rider, chops and Mexican specialty restaurants, a few new cabins and possibly an overall cabin refresh? Regardless, I love that ship and as you mentioned, the itineraries are great! Airfare will be a bit more to San juan vs. Galveston, but for my money Adventure wins hands down. I much prefer the southern routes to the western routes!

You are on a ship and made a call... but you do have a internet package through Royal right?

 

No, I was in my living room. But yes, if I were on a ship I would have to have paid for internet.

On a side note, prior to our last cruise I was one of those who decried the use of Internet and said things like I go on vacation to disconnect. But because we wee getting married on our last cruise, I wanted my wife-to-be to want for nothing and splurged on the Internet package and now we will always get it. Doing a little research on islands, pricing cruises before going to the next cruise desk, wifi texting, planning my running route, and yes posting to social media. It really made the vacation more enjoyable and worth the cost IMHO.

So this thread piqued my interest. So I looked through my Samsung S6 turned off mobile service and turned on WiFi calling and, BOOM, made a call. I had no idea.

I'm still a bit confused about the whole WiFi/Voom thing.  I don't want internet so i'm not getting Voom.  Can we still use our iPhones to communicate via iMessage or WiFi calling?  If not, what app do you all use to communicate without getting Voom?   I will have 2 teenagers on the ship and am fully expecting not seeing them much the whole week :) but i'd like to be able to check in once in a while.

 

My mom put a watch on me and said " be here at x o'clock if you want to enjoy the rest of your vacation" we learned pretty quickly to check in on time :)

I'm still a bit confused about the whole WiFi/Voom thing.  I don't want internet so i'm not getting Voom.  Can we still use our iPhones to communicate via iMessage or WiFi calling?  If not, what app do you all use to communicate without getting Voom?   I will have 2 teenagers on the ship and am fully expecting not seeing them much the whole week :) but i'd like to be able to check in once in a while.

 

Voom is the high speed version of WiFi offered on some Royal ships. If you do not get internet access your phone will have no way to communicate with anyone. Your cell phone needs a cell tower (none at sea), or WiFi to be able to work. Short answer if you want to use WiFi (Voom) the only real choice on the ship is Royal.

 

There is another option but I'm not sure it will save you much. Most cell phone providers do have an international plan that includes cruise ships (which do in fact have thier own cell tower). I paid $25 per phone for the ability to make and receive calls for $2.50/min and send text $.50/ea and receive texts $.10/text. This comes with some pretty big cautions! Cell service,is provided through satellite and can be sketchy. Also you really have to be careful about what island you will traveling to and they are covered by the International plan. As soon as the ship is moored at the pier the ship turns their service off and you phone will connect to local networks. If you haven't switched to airplane mode or turned your data off charges will pile up fast. Additionally the cell service at sea is only strong enough for voice and text, no data.

I read about last year's '80s cruise and they had some decent acts. I'd go for it. Also, I don't think you'll find Celebrity all that different apart from better food quality and less onboard activities.

I hope the 80s cruise stays on celebrity it was on Holland last year. We only have 4 more cruise to hit diamond (assuming they don't change the rules),so it will have to wait but we will definitely do this cruise! I like that fact they keep it on the upscale lines, I think it might be a bit messy on carnival. I was 10 years old in 1980, this was our time!

I will also Check. Going on Allure of the Seas, May 15th!!!

Enjoy Kat! As jealous as I am, I genuinely wish that everyone can feel the way we do once the bags are unpacked and on our balcony watching the sea pass!

We haven't, but we have considered doin the "80s cruise" which is on celebrity summit this year. This cruise has a lot of musical acts performing. I hesitate to to book other lines, at least utill we hit diamond. Maybe we will do this cruise 2019 :)

So many reasons to use an TA in my opinion. We are currently using an agent from on of the BIG outfits in Florida and although he is much less personable than our previous local agent, the LARGE agencies are able to offer more incentives. We have booked 4 cruises with him and have received 10% of the cost of each cruise in OBC, in addition to what we get from RCCL.We are relatively young and require little extra attention, as we enjoy doing the research and planning ourselves. My parents however continue to use a local agent they have used for decades and she proves to invaluable time and time again, particularly since they have some accessibility needs. I would expect more personal attention, especially in case of problem, from a local agent but in either case it's nice to have a third party advocate who is able to navigate the cruise line's customer service circles easier. I gladly forfeit my ability to deal directly with the cruiseline because it usually takes more than one call to get an answer or solution and 10% is real $.

I'll be on Harmony in December. If you don't find someone before then, give me a holler. E-mail is my bgriffler[at]gmail[dot]com.

Thanks, but I will also be on Allure in October. Couple of weeks not worth the cost of postage:) when in October? We sail on the 30th.

Might have been a good idea for the OP to seek permission from, and to be vetted by, the site administrator before posting the link. I will be happy to help if someone has determined that it is ligit.

Just shows you what a difference location makes. I too have seen them on the cruise ships but cannot find any for sale online. If you want the real one looks like you need to take a cruise or have someone pick one up for you. If I really wanted one I would just go to the local sign shop and say make this and 150 PHP ($3.25) later it would be a exact copy.

 

I will be on Allure in October and will definitely look. I would also be glad to pay someone plus postage if they happened to see this on a cruise. :)

It's my understanding that Uber can drop off but not pick up.

Good to know

Enjoy! And everything in Cocoa is dated :)

No recommendations. Cost wise Uber Black??

I have seen the RC license plate frames on ebay too, I have also seen some unbranded bumper stickers. I just like the clean look of a good window sticker. It appears as though this particular item is a relic of the near past, but I will hunt on.

I really want one of these :(  :P

Someone here will probably give you a more specific answer, but I believe the different catigories primarily deal with location on the ship (deck, near an elevator, under the disco, etc) and whether it has a pull out couch or Pullman?

We have stayed at the embassy suites which was very nice. For the budget minded, we have found best western plus condado palm to be a great alternative. Half the price, interesting and safe area and we kept. We have now had three good experiences at best western plus locations.

Outside of the cost, which I agree with the previous posts, allowing the kids to have their own space and for you to have a bit of an escape will SIGNIFICANTLY increase the value your respective vacations!

Just mho.

I made the mistake of putting it in my suitcase once. I was called down to the naughty room, asked to open my bag and once they determined that it wasn't alcohol, they let my keep it.

SINCE then, I have attached an extremely luggage tag directly to the 12 pack or to a 12 pack double bagged in grocery bags and it has been delivered to our cabin every time, no questions asked. :)

I have heard that lists of those who cancel auto gratuities have been seen in employee areas of the ship of another crise line (even though they are not suppose to) I've even seen a photo of such a list posted in galley on another cruise line. Whether or not you do in fact tip appropriately at the end of the cruise, the perception will be that you are a cheap a#& and I am not willing to risk bad service for an erroneous assumption. Additionally, I think it's a hassle dealing with guest services and I am certain it's a hassle for them.