BobNoxious

In my app, the Health Status part of the check in is open (before it said to complete day before cruise).   Cruise is not for a  couple more weeks (Aug 28).   Anyone know what is going on?

I've seen posted drink menus with the "best" tequila listed as Patron Anejo or Reposado.   Has anyone seen other brands/bottles available on board recently.   Thinking Don Julio Anejo or 1942 or others?   Thanks!

Do i have to pay $35 for a snorkel excursion at Coco Cay, or can I just bring my own snorkel/mask/fins and go have fun on my own?

My first time booking the Chops +1.   It let me reserve the first dinner at 6:00pm.    Will that be at CHOPS or is Royal going to randomly put another (+1) restaurant in that place.   My planner just says "chops +1 at 6pm).      Also, it blocks 2 hours for dinner.   Will that mean I cannot book a 7:30pm show or 8:00pm show when boarding?

Agent on phone just checked with supervisor.  She was told the reason the sailings are only adjusted through October, is because November is low season, and they are evaluating repairing the ship via dry dock during low season. There is no formal announcement at this time.  (I take this to mean, we will inconvenience 1 entire cruise at the last minute by cancelling their trip).

I just mentioned that to the Facebook agent for RCCL, and her supervisor is upset that messages like that are being said from Royal Agents on phone to guests when there is no official announcement.

Meantime, the 2017 Allure propulsion incident - they listed itinerary changes for many sailings and the very next cruise after the changes was canceled for drydock repair.  The 2013 Allure propulsion incident canceled the cruise that was just over 3 months out.

On 5/1/2019 at 9:33 PM, Sandra007 said:

I just got off the phone and as of now all itinerary’s are changed until November they hope the drydock that was damaged a few weeks ago will be fixed if not it will be changed until Feb 2020

Sandra007 - Did they tell you that they were hoping to drydock in the caribbean in Nov/Dec

Royal:  Hey, Bob. The recent itinerary changes were made to reduce our speed due to the technical issues with one of three propulsion pods. Since the ship has multiple pods she’s fit to sail. We’re just being a bit cautious. As you know she’ll go into dry dock in 2020. If there’s a need to make any adjustments we’ll strive to make the smallest impact on your time with us

BobNoxious:  Thank you for the update. So, you are saying, that the plan is to run a little bit slower for the year and your plan is to address the azipod issue next may in drydock?

Royal:  Unless anything changes in which case our guests will be advised right away.

I have reached out to royal and they are saying that they plan to run at reduced speeds until next year's dry dock (2020).

Royal is saying on twitter that it is just a system update?    I don't buy it.  

I was just on this ship in November 2018. At the time, the guitar player/singer at the Pub was very entertaining.  All the production shows were terrific as well.   There were a lot more spanish speaking folks on the cruise than I normally see, but this is due to being based out of P.R.   The crowd was great!

Just wanted to follow up my question with my actual experience with disembarking Freedom of the Seas this past Sunday in San Juan.   We chose early departure and went to the deck 4 dining room around 6:15am-6:30am.   At 7:00am we were allowed to begin leaving the ship.  We carried our own luggage to an empty line at customs, then out to a cab by 7:15am.  From there, we were driven to the airport, went through an empty line at agriculture in terminal 4, checked 2 bags on jetblue (empty line), went through TSA security (empty) and were at our gate by 7:45am (for an 11:06am departure).  Spent the morning relaxing eating breakfast and drinking coffee at an airport cafe near our gate.   Yay for self-disembarking!!!!

Just back from Freedom of the Seas.    Don Julio 1942 Tequila was found at Boleros!  $14 per drink (or $2 upcharge on package). 

Don’t forget to check the box for refundable cruise fare.  It will add a little at the end of your pricing, but give you some flexibility.  You don’t have to prepay gratuities, you can wait until inboard and have it charged to your account then. 

On 10/31/2018 at 1:11 PM, tonyfsu21 said:

Yes Agree but that’s also a $300+/night resort and probably not worth a quick nights stay to just wake up & hop on a ship. 

Yeah.  It is very pricey.  Sometimes I forget the costs, since I always use points for free stays.   It is worth it for those who want to get in a couple days early to extend the start of a vacation at a resort. 

BobNoxious on Freedom on Nov 4.    Happy Cruising everyone!!!!

I love the Harbor Beach Marriott Fort Lauderdale.   It is a quick cab/uber to port.

$42pp/day is the lowest I've seen.   Black Friday/Cyber monday are good times to go to the cruise planner.

I've seen others on ships in the past.  (e.g. Don Julio Anejo on Navigator of the Seas R Bar in Jan 2017).   Also, I know Sabor has more tequilas, just not sure what kind.  

2 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

This has happened a couple of times before. When it has, there was.a checkbox to select refundable deposit on the final screen before you enter payment info (same screen where you can choose to add trip insurance). I can't check it right now, but my guess is that's all that happened. They seem to play around with this from one site update to another.

Thanks.  that is it!   Scary.  It is nonrefundable by default now.  People may  not click a box that is listed as adding $$ to your reservation and just skip to the next screen.

Today, I was briefly playing around with different cruises for 2019 and 2020 on the website, and the only fares showing on multiple ships (when you get to the pricing per passenger list after selecting a room) are showing:

  "BOGO NO REF DEP"

I did not even get a choice to say "refundable" or "non refundable".  It appears it is only offering this.    Is something up?

Anyone have a recent list of liquor at R-Bar, Boleros, and Sabor?    I'm curious of what brands of tequila are on Freedom of the Seas.

If the card jumps out of your pocket, then definitely grab a lanyard at the gift shop or ahead of time at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0178IZVO6/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

BUMP!    Has anyone had recent experience getting a JR milkshake with the deluxe beverage package?   Also, if you can just walk in and get one to go?

13 hours ago, bcarney said:

When you get to the airport don't forget to go through the agricultural inspection process before going to the airport checkin section. When you enter the main airport, immediately to the right and left of the doors is some x-ray machines. Run your luggage through those, get the "inspected" sticker, then go to check in with the airline.  So many people don't know to do that, and they go stand in line just to find out they have to go back and get the luggage inspected.  

Thanks.  Will do!

On 10/12/2018 at 4:26 PM, mworkman said:

No Royal Caribbean Ships...that seems odd.

Royal will be there later in the month (with me!)