cookingyo

RCCL is far from perfect but if you know how the system works there is value and savings to be had.  Booking early, cruise fare promotions, kid sale free, price reductions etc. Then there are drink and dining package specials i.e. Sip and stream, or BOGO specialty dinning and excursion sales, etc.  A vacation can be tailored to each family's budget and needs. You can pay up front or you can pay as you go but no matter which cruise line you choose, you will pay. Each class of ship in the RCCL fleet is different, some have better technology than the others or more amenities.  Proper due dilligence would alleviate any misconceptions or inadaquancies in one class compared to another.
No one should have to regret a vacation, but then again one should be informed and do their homework before booking and shelling out their hard eaned money. I wish you luck with Disney.

I normally handle ALL my travel plans, but for 1 cruise I am trying the process through a travel agent.  I am an e-mail guy and not really a phone person with the exception of relaying payment information. I normally respond to text and e-mails withing minutes.  So when I request a quote via e-mail on an item, like flights, what is a reasonable expectation for a return e-mail, or at least an acknowledgement? Minutes, Hours, Days?  I basically told the TA the airline and the flights I wanted.  I could of just booked the flights and saved $116. Now the last of the cheaper seats were sold while waiting for this agent to get back to me.  Heck I could of booked flights through RCL Air 2 Sea and still saved some $$.  I am trying to let go and let someone else handle everything for this one particular trip.  So far I am not enjoying the TA process.
 
I know IF there was a problem during the trip, this is the person I am trusting to make things right.  I'm just not getting a good vibe with this Travel Agent.  Normally what is the process of getting a new agent within the same agency?  Any help would be appreciated.  I guess I am looking for a for a bull dog who will check for price changes at least once during sales and who is tech friendly and will get back to me the same day via e-mail.  Some one who understands if I call via phone that I am either giving them money or there is a problem that I need to be resolved ASAP.
 

Mei is holding Aft corner balcony 6688 for the Alaska GC for us. We also booked deck 10 aft JS and decided to keep that so we will be releasing 6688 today. IDK if that had a 3 people minimum but thought I'd give you the heads up. Stephanie H is handling our reservation so if the TAs wanted to coordinate not loosing this to the general population.

Same here. I just want to see it listed in My Cruises because it makes me feel warm and fuzzy.  Obviously not much to do with the reservation 600+ days away  :lol:

Minimum of 8 hours.  it takes 3 hours to get to and 3 hours back from.  The tour is about 90 minutes with a guide and about 30-45 minutes of free time.  The ferry was waiting for our bus to get us back to the ship.  The ship promptly left a few minutes after the group boarded.  It is a long day!

I am not a phone person and use the internet for most things.  I've noticed lately Chrome bombs out at RCCL.com even after clearing all the history cache cookies etc.  Firefox works just fine as an alternative.  This has to be the weakest link in the whole organization.  I am savy enough to work around these issues but I could see someone less techie saying the heck with this and going somewhere else. Just my opinion.

I am not a phone person and use the internet for most things.  I've noticed lately Chrome bombs out at RCCL.com even after clearing all the history cache cookies etc.  Firefox works just fine as an alternative.  This has to be the weakest link in the whole organization.  I am savy enough to work around these issues but I could see someone less techie saying the heck with this and going somewhere else. Just my opinion.

YOLO - BOOK IT. :D
 
Or do what I do... book a cruise (maybe after a couple beers...) and just tell your significant other what's happening. ** 
 
** this plan works better if the significant other is also consuming beverages of the alcoholic variety.

Booked May 20th!!!! :D 

Drink a couple beers and start booking things that sound good, and then thank myself later.
 
Kidding... mostly.

The Nov 17th sailing on Empress was full, with a surprising amount of kids.  So it may not be all doom and gloom.  Now I do know some Casino Club members were given comped cruise fare for some sailings for awhile and there has been the 3rd & 4th passenger free deal.  Still the booze was flowing always and the casino was busy a lot of times. I've sailed Empress twice this year.  It's a fun old school ship, with good food and excellent staff. I think Empress is here for awhile.  

The Nov 17th sailing on Empress was full, with a surprising amount of kids.  So it may not be all doom and gloom.  Now I do know some Casino Club members were given comped cruise fare for some sailings for awhile and there has been the 3rd & 4th passenger free deal.  Still the booze was flowing always and the casino was busy a lot of times. I've sailed Empress twice this year.  It's a fun old school ship, with good food and excellent staff. I think Empress is here for awhile.  

I normally handle ALL my travel plans, but for 1 cruise I am trying the process through a travel agent.  I am an e-mail guy and not really a phone person with the exception of relaying payment information. I normally respond to text and e-mails withing minutes.  So when I request a quote via e-mail on an item, like flights, what is a reasonable expectation for a return e-mail, or at least an acknowledgement? Minutes, Hours, Days?  I basically told the TA the airline and the flights I wanted.  I could of just booked the flights and saved $116. Now the last of the cheaper seats were sold while waiting for this agent to get back to me.  Heck I could of booked flights through RCL Air 2 Sea and still saved some $$.  I am trying to let go and let someone else handle everything for this one particular trip.  So far I am not enjoying the TA process.
 
I know IF there was a problem during the trip, this is the person I am trusting to make things right.  I'm just not getting a good vibe with this Travel Agent.  Normally what is the process of getting a new agent within the same agency?  Any help would be appreciated.  I guess I am looking for a for a bull dog who will check for price changes at least once during sales and who is tech friendly and will get back to me the same day via e-mail.  Some one who understands if I call via phone that I am either giving them money or there is a problem that I need to be resolved ASAP.
 

I normally handle ALL my travel plans, but for 1 cruise I am trying the process through a travel agent.  I am an e-mail guy and not really a phone person with the exception of relaying payment information. I normally respond to text and e-mails withing minutes.  So when I request a quote via e-mail on an item, like flights, what is a reasonable expectation for a return e-mail, or at least an acknowledgement? Minutes, Hours, Days?  I basically told the TA the airline and the flights I wanted.  I could of just booked the flights and saved $116. Now the last of the cheaper seats were sold while waiting for this agent to get back to me.  Heck I could of booked flights through RCL Air 2 Sea and still saved some $$.  I am trying to let go and let someone else handle everything for this one particular trip.  So far I am not enjoying the TA process.
 
I know IF there was a problem during the trip, this is the person I am trusting to make things right.  I'm just not getting a good vibe with this Travel Agent.  Normally what is the process of getting a new agent within the same agency?  Any help would be appreciated.  I guess I am looking for a for a bull dog who will check for price changes at least once during sales and who is tech friendly and will get back to me the same day via e-mail.  Some one who understands if I call via phone that I am either giving them money or there is a problem that I need to be resolved ASAP.
 

Hey I'm reviving this thread.  
1.  Mrs Cookingyo, myself and the Bubs are all signed up and very much looking forward to this cruise.
2.  Airfare is just starting to open up for the cruise time period and I was wondering will there be pre-cruise meet up the day before?  I don't need specifics, but a yea or no and approximately what time it may happen.  I'm trying to find a flight that won't break the bank yet gets the family in town to start the festivities.
 
Yes I am an over planner....

Hey I'm reviving this thread.  
1.  Mrs Cookingyo, myself and the Bubs are all signed up and very much looking forward to this cruise.
2.  Airfare is just starting to open up for the cruise time period and I was wondering will there be pre-cruise meet up the day before?  I don't need specifics, but a yea or no and approximately what time it may happen.  I'm trying to find a flight that won't break the bank yet gets the family in town to start the festivities.
 
Yes I am an over planner....

Have you googled the ship and room numbers you are looking at?  Sometimes there are pictures or you can see the pattern of the bed couch layout or at least a room description.

I just did disembark in Boston. As stated above, it is not a "regular" cruise terminal. It will take a bit longer for the FLOW to work it's way off the ship. 9-10 should be about right. The problem is out on the street serving the terminal, very narrow and people getting off mixing with people getting on. Taxis, vans, transfers from hotels, etc......quite a line

Just wanted to bring to everyone's attention. Maybe you can save a few bucks.  There is a new discount this morning on the RCCL website.  I booked Anthem yesterday and repriced this morning on the RCCL website,  Yep it was $100 dollars less.  When I called they tried telling me I wasn't able to apply that discount, that's when I said I just repriced it online.  After some back and forth with "the manager" I was granted the $100 less. BTW Final payment is in a few days, feeling techno geeky good.  No worries Royal Caribbean, I will give you back that $100 in the form of CHOPS and another prime restaurant. 
 
Note:  I already had a good resident discount and the another discount applied.  I guess their coder missed this one.
 
Anyway.  The old adage of "book early and often", well this is his cousin. Reprice often up to final payment.
 
Ken

I asked the very lovely Angelle Rutten van Hemert, activities director on Empress.  She said this was the last cruise for Carlos Torres as CD, and Elvis Pinto will be the permanent Cruise Director going forward. In addition Angelle's contract ends Oct 1.

I go on instagram a lot to see Oasis of the Seas posts  (miss her :-D) and it always has these spam type posts of plastic bag flasks you can smuggle in your luggage. Not only is it bad form, but it ignores the vacation mindset. It's a time to relax and enjoy the fruit of your hard work. Belly up to the bar and enjoy your drink like an adult and talk to the bartender people!!

I think we would of been hosed flying in the day before in this case.  We decided to fly in on Saturday, and worst case we chill in Miami for 2 wet and windy days. I've ridden out a few mean typhoons in Okinawa many moons ago so I guess as long there is booze we'll be o.k.  The good news is we will be able to periscope current conditions for those arriving.

Hochberg for godmother!

fonemanbob...we'll be on a greek isles cruise in June 2017, and we will be very interested in your feedback on the PK travel tour in Athens. Please post an update after your cruise! Thanks in advance. :)