Lovetocruise2002

4 hours ago, bcarney said:

To close this - I escalated, and escalated, and escalated until there was no one higher up to escalate it to ... and finally they agreed.  It took what I consider an inordinate amount of time for them to accept my additional money, but they did.  Now I'll have a balcony for 7 days to replace the 3 days in Old San Juan that we'll have to forgo pre-cruise due to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.  To top it off, my airline waived the change fees so that we fly in the day of the cruise, so all in all this was a good Monday. :)

Awesome news! So happy it worked out for you!

Happy to report that early this morning I checked online again and notice that limit had been lifted.  So I called RC right away to ask for the upgrade.  In the end we are good, now in a suite with 1 1/2 bath and an extra pullman bed so the kids don't have to share a bed plus free gratuities for all   Told the kiddies they would get their own room maybe next time lol.  And yes, Matt, I booked with the NRD so it was my understanding all along that I would have to pay a penalty of $100pp for one of the cancelled rooms (not both rooms) which is what ended up happening.  The remainder of my deposit goes to a FCC which can be applied to this cruise in a few weeks.  Something interesting though, after reading bcarney's posts about his FCC, I did ask them what happens after I apply this FCC and sometime before sailing in March I decide I want to upgrade again, would my FCC be lost since already applied?  They (agent and supervisor) assured me no it would not be, it would simply be reapplied by a supervisor since it is not expired and I am not changing the sail date or ship.  They said this is done all the time.  So what I have learned from all this is that the front end agents often do not know the rules and sometimes even the supervisor does not because with my case they had to go to a manager.  With all this I was on hold for probably over and hour but worth it because it was good learning experience to not take the first agent's word for it all the time.  And I may be in the minority here but I prefer to book and deal directly with RC because I can argue my own case and have control over my own booking.  I blame it on my Type A personality lol.

Congrats Kayla! Next cruise goals...celebrate every anniversary with a cruise! 

bcarney...you need to call back.  I just got off the phone with RC about a similar (but not identical issue) and I took the opportunity to ask ask about the FCC.  They told me that if you are not changing the ship or sail date and if the FCC has not expired then they reapply all the time for customers who are upgrading.  It would require a supervisor to do so but it is done frequently.

Here's my vent for today....So we are booked on Anthem in March 2018 in two connecting balconies at the moment (1 adult, 1 child in each room).  Well this morning I happen to notice that there is a new Kids Sail Free promo which means this is now my way to convince hubby to get back into a suite.  So I called RC right away with the understanding on my part already that by going from two cabins to one I will be paying a $100 service charge for the two people in the cabin that I will be cancelling and adding them to the other existing reservation.  I was ok with that. Also, I have to mention that over the last two weeks, I have called RC on three other occasions inquiring about the switch to a suite and all three agents assured me that my penalty would be $200 (cause we have 2 in a room right now) and the remainder of the deposit in the form of a FCC.  Ok, so I call this morning telling them that I want to upgrade (give them more money) and take advantage of Kids Sail Free and the agent tells me that I have to cancel both my reservations (and pick up a $400 penalty) to take advantage of the KSF offer.  What??!  I then continued to question him on how this would be different from me just getting a price adjustment (because I would not be incurring a penalty for that) and I also read the fine print on the KSF promo this morning and it said nothing about how it was for new bookings only which is what he kept telling me. I also let him know (nicely still at this point) that other agents had previously assured me that to go from two cabins to a suite I would only be cancelling the one reservation and he tried to tell me that they all gave me wrong information and that he had been doing this for years and he knows his stuff.  So still not satisfied at this point, I requested to speak to a supervisor.  He then put me on hold for about 10 minutes so that he could speak to a supervisor.  Well as it turns out, he was wrong and I could take advantage of KSF and get a suite and just pay the penalty for 2 guests instead of 4.  But....and this is where I got angry....as bad luck would have it, in the time that it took him to work all that out, their 3/4 capacity for this particular sailing had been maxed out!  So now I can no longer put 4 in a room because of coast guard regulations and because he took so long to figure it out.  Back to square one...I am not normally one to complain but I had to post this.  Because just the other day I responded to another post about how most of the agents still don't know the rules around the new policies.  Fingers crossed that some people cancel and I can call back....

Was thinking about renting a bungalow for our visit to Cococay. When I logged into my cruise planner it shows the cost is per person. I had always assumed by the many posts and blogs that it was per bungalow?? Am I not looking at this right? This is what happens when I select 4 guests, 2 adults and 2 children...

Now mind you the price is in Canadian but that it crazy right?? And do you get a lunch and water with these bungalows? Or do you still walk yourself over to the lunch buffet?

55 minutes ago, KLAconQueso said:

Yes! I did sign us up for the M&M. It seems like a good half of the people on our Roll Call are really upset about the itinerary change and the other half of us are just happy to be on board. The headliner for the cruise sounds like it was just confirmed to be an acapella group called Mo5aic. 

HAA! My (will be by the cruise!) husband is in IT (actually doing web dev these days), and I'm a software engineer. Too funny! 

Last year on the Allure the headliner was an acapella band called The Edge Effect. I did not want to go but my husband dragged me in. Turned out to be one of the best headliner shows I have seen so far. Make sure you go check out Mo5aic. I wish they had that on Harmony last month instead of a ventriloquist.

Hmm...that is interesting info...thank you for sharing. Might be worth another call back. I have noticed over the last few weeks prior to booking my next cruise that a lot of these agents on the phone still are unfamiliar with the policies. They had to put me on hold and "find out" quite a few times.

There are positives and negatives in every situation in life. We just have to make the best of it. We were at Disney a few weeks ago for Hurricane Irma. Was our vacation impacted? Yes. Did we know it was hurricane season? Yes. Were we a bit stressed? Yes. Did we have to abandon some of our set plans? Yes. Did we still have a good time? Yes. It must be stressful but look for the good. Life is easier that way. Good luck.

33 minutes ago, BrianAlt said:

3) Honestly, I do see this as a FAN site.  Some may disagree with me, and that's fine.  But I do think the majority are fans here. 

Unofficial...check

Fan site....check

2 hours ago, KLAconQueso said:

They have make up too.  I remember seeing it last month but I don't remember the exact pricing.  I do remember thinking it was more expensive than a regular land based salon though.

Hi all!

Not really new here but it's funny how you don't notice things sometimes and I just discovered this thread now.  Probably about time I introduce myself properly. I discovered this site years ago but have just joined the message boards about a year ago.  I love this community here.  I have learned so much from all of you.  Other sites and boards are quite negative but there is such a positive energy on RC blog and a whole wealth of info.  So thank you all.  Anyway, here goes...

My name is Sabrina and I live in southern Ontario in Canada.  No, it is not freezing cold here lol.  In fact, it was just in 90s for most of this week.  I fell in love with cruising right away 15 years ago.  We took a cruise on Adventure for our honeymoon to the Southern Caribbean.  There was no better way to spend a vacation after that.  In fact, my husband often complains that we should do something else but since I am the planner in the family we have found ourselves on many cruises since then.  I have two girls (ages 9,11) and we bring them on cruises sometimes.  They are going to be those kids that I am jealous of and reach diamond level before they are 18!  I love Royal even with some of their faults.  We have tried Carnival (never again) and Disney in between but we are pretty much loyal to Royal and will continue to be.  I am a bit partial to the Oasis class ships.  I prefer the amenities of the bigger ships over the smaller ones.  Central Park never gets old.  Our last cruise was just on Harmony last month which completes all three for us.  I am so excited to try out Symphony but sad to say that it's going to be a while since I am not willing to go Europe yet with the kids and I'm a teacher so my vacation times are pretty limited (so envious of all of you who can cruise during low season).  So probably 2019 for us.  Our next cruise is a big family cruise on DCL this December.  First time cruising with a group of 14 (8 adults and 6 kids between ages 2-11) so that will be interesting.  We usually prefer cruising just as a couple or just with the kids.  We are also "lazy cruisers" meaning our main objective is to sleep in, eat, and lay by the pool or balcony and relax.  Next up is Anthem in March 2018.  This will actually be the first RC cruise that we will bring our kids on.  We have cruised with them a few times in the past but it's been with DCL so it will be interesting to finally check out Adventure Ocean.  Normally, when my husband and I cruise alone we avoid that deck completely  It will also be our first time trying out a Quantum class ship.  In July 2018 we will actually be abandoning Royal to try out the new MSC Seaside.  I have mixed feelings about this because I love Royal and those Oasis class ships so much but we managed to book a Yacht Club suite (which is equivalent in benefits to about a GS on Royal and you get a butler!) for less than the cost of a JS on Royal.  Also, I have a hard time convincing my husband to sail the same ship twice and Symphony won't be in the US yet so it's going to be MSC for us next summer.  Future cruise goals include finally reaching Diamond level (we are one 7 night cruise away or sooner if I can convince hubby to get back into Sky Class), trying out a CLS at some point, and my biggest "wish" is trying out Star Class (ahh...we can all wish right? lol).  Well hopefully that wasn't too much info and I am really happy to have found this wonderful community of people.

Sabrina

We went on Harmony in August and I was able to access dining by late February. Shows came later in late March. I just booked Anthem last week for March 2018 and dining is already available at about 168 days out. Shows not yet. Just keep checking. There does not seem to be a set date.

1 minute ago, melski94 said:

Last cruise, we had 2 connecting JR Suites.  This year we have 3 balcony staterooms...2 connecting. It will be hard to go back down but kids have their own bed. If only I could get my ideal set up which would be to have a suite connected to an interior (or at least balcony) room.

Tried all those options but on Anthem they have no suites that are connected to another suite, balcony, or interior. The closest is the family connected junior suites but those don't actually have a connecting door just a small hallway which connects the room. That's what they told me on the phone. And my kids are 9,11 so too young to not have a connecting door. But yes, this is the unseen cost of an upgrade...hard to go back down lol

1 hour ago, melski94 said:

I understand the struggle...my kids hate sharing a bed!  

I think rollaways can be used in GS, not sure about a JS.  However, if you are looking at something like a grand suite, you may want to price out 2 rooms with the connecting door. Typically the sofa bed is made with 1 sheet but we asked for separate blankets.  

 

We booked 2 connecting staterooms right now, hubby and kids are happy but I want back into a suite ?

47 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

Can I ask what may be a stupid question? Why do the two-bedroom suites require at least five people for booking, when that means one guest is now forced to use the sofa bed? That would be like saying you have to book 3 in a regular balcony or a JS to get one of those rooms.

I understand there are very few of those 2-bedroom cabins, so demand is WAY beyond what supply can handle and Royal is trying to make sure that only a group that will make full use of the space gets it. But if I could snag one of those for my family of four, I'd pay for that in a heartbeat! Especially for something like the 50th birthday cruise I'm trying to plan out, where I'd really like to do that in some style. Instead, I'm locked out from even seeing that option unless Royal's booking system slips up (like what happened with @WAAAYTOOO getting an ATS for just herself and her husband), or one of them opens up after final payment is due and they decide to let smaller groups have the option of getting it.

Or is this one of those things where a good TA can work some magic to get what's not even visible to regular RCI site visitors?

JLMoran I feel same. I would love to grab one of those too for my family of 4 and would gladly pay. Instead my options are either kids sharing a sofa bed which they hate or attempting to add a rollaway which takes up space. Oh well....maybe if I check daily I will get lucky too like WAAAYTOOO....

This might be a silly question but if kids are sharing a sofa bed do they get separate blankets or do they share same blanket like in a hotel room?  Just trying to get visual of what it might look like? 

I know a rollaway will not fit in a balcony cabin but will they bring you one if you are in a JS or GS?  

1 minute ago, DisneyWorld30th said:

You might be right on the naming change.  I had a hard time finding a picture of the actual room.  We have six guests so we were able to book this room.  I do believe you need 5 or more guests.  It will sleep 8.

Enjoy!  Harmony is my favourite ship so far.  Loved Coastal Kitchen too.  The crew up there is top-notch!  It was just my husband and I when we went so don't know if you can bring guests.  But I am sure someone else knows...

7 minutes ago, DisneyWorld30th said:

 

This is what the two bedroom Grand Suite looks like.  There are only four of them on the ship. 

 

2 Bathroom/2 Bedroom with Sleep Sofa. 

Very nice! That must be one of the ones they have renamed for 2018...think that is currently known as the Royal Family suite right? Did you need a minimum number of people to book that one?

2 hours ago, DisneyWorld30th said:

Hi there,

Super excited that we just booked the Harmony of the Seas for May 2018.  We were able to secure a 2 Bedroom Grand Suite (Sky Class).

As part of the Sky Class amenities, I know I have access to Coastal Kitchen throughout the day.

We have some friends that are on the same sailing, but they are not in a suite category.

Can we invite them to breakfast, lunch or dinner with us at Coastal Kitchen?  Or are they not allowed because they are not in a suite.

Our reservations are linked together for meal purposes.

 

Any info would be appreciated.

No answer to your actual question but...just curious...What is a 2 Bedroom GS?? Does that just mean it has the dividing wall where the TV is and a privacy curtain plus sofabed or is it actually 2 Bedrooms with real beds??

25 minutes ago, Jason.H. said:

Don't do it unless you are prepared to do it every time from here on out! Wife and I always did ocean view window then had the chance to get a balcony for 100 dollars more on independence...haven't had an ocean view window room since lol.

Lol...15 years ago we took our first cruise on Adventure and our travel agent convinced us to "splurge" on a balcony since it was our honeymoon. Fell in love with it and got spoiled and never looked back after that. And then, just this past August, many RC cruises later we went on Harmony to celebrate our 15th anniversary and I finally convinced my husband to get a JS. Thought that was going to be great!  One month before the cruise prices for GS dropped and we upgraded for an extra $500 just to "try out" Sky class after reading many comments here I was curious. Here's where I am going to sound really spoiled....I loved the GS and Sky class! Kids now want to go on Anthem and we have booked 2 connecting balconies for the extra bathroom and beds and although I know logically this makes the most sense some part of me is finding it hard to "go back". I'be been checking daily for price changes on the Anthem.  I know...spoiled but very fortunate already. But yes...careful with those upgrades.  They can be dangerous lol.  Already trying to prep hubby on booking a GS for symphony in 2019....

One of the reasons why we love Disney photopass at Disney World is that the photographers are everywhere (even on rides) and readily available. On all the RC ships we have been on I only remember seeing them at embarkation in the terminal, the main promenade areas, and in the dining room. And the lines for photo ops were usually long compared to Disney World. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough and not sure what the price is for the RC photo package but if it is more than $169 (that's how much Disney was a few weeks ago when we went) then that would be enough to make me hesitate. I think it also depends how important the cruise photos are to you and your family too...

5 hours ago, Matt said:

Yes, 9-11 year olds are in Voyagers

You do it on embarkation day. There will be open hours in the afternoon.

In our Grand Suite, the bed turned into a double bed that my 6 and 2 year olds shared.

Thanks Matt! Do you by any chance have a picture of what that room looked like with the sofa bed set up? I read your live blogs for that sailing and have found many pics of the GS but none with the bed out. Just wondering if that takes away a lot of the space?

One more question....has anyone ever stayed at Embassy Suites Newark Airport in Elizabeth, NJ.  I looked into all the above recommendations (thank you) but I came across Embassy Suites in my research and it is right across the street from outlet shopping!  What could be better than retail therapy pre-cruise? lol...