WhiteSoxFan

I had an issue with check-in also on the US site a few weeks back but it works now.  Well kind of.

I can't use Chrome on my computer at work to access the planner or check-in, it does work with MS Edge and it works on my laptop at home.  At best the website is ... "glitchy".

Isn't there also a time element involved in transferring to an agent?  I seem to recall that it had to be done within 60 days of booking.

It was always my understanding that you could cancel with a full refund up to 90 days.  Attached is the cancellation schedule for the Symphony GC.  It would imply that prior to 89 days you will get a full refund.  After that as scheduled. 

Cancel.pdf

I see no problem with it.  If you cancel before 90 days out you can still get a refund.  I'm not sure how it would work if you find a price reduction.  You can still get it but will they give you a refund or OBC?  I know someone here knows the answer to that. 

I will have to say that based on the pictures in Matt's latest blogpost I don't see it happening.  The amount of equipment they had all over the place is going to take some time to get rid of. 

I'b be curios to see some updated pics.

Interesting, It is showing that the Mariner is scheduled to begin using Terminal A on the October 5th.  That's just a week away!

Another trick they use is to take the C & A discount off before the BOGO50% which further reduces the benefit such that you will not see the full C & A discount in the price difference.  

19 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

The average is around $1-2 per bag, regardless of size, but by all means adjust the total as you see fit based on total load. I know when we had 8 bags to haul, I tipped $20 total ($2.50 per bag), and we'd made sure ahead of time that the big bags were under 50 pounds so they were manageable.

When I check in bags at the airport skycap or at the pier I tip $2 per bag.  usually they just need to take it, make sure it has the proper tags and throw it on a belt or cart.  They have to do a little more handling on the way out of the terminal so I tip a bit extra.

4 minutes ago, BobNoxious said:

Great tip.  Thank you.    Will do.   Is typical tip ~$5/big-bag?

 

There were four of us and he handled all the bags, carry-on etc.  I think I gave him $20.  Well worth it.

12 hours ago, Larry Muster said:

Status match?  Mind BLOWN!  

I have a confession to make.  I used the term “spouse” prematurely.  Any chance they will status match for girlfriends?  We share an address and have cruised together frequently.  I’m not ready to give her a diamond but would be willing to give her diamond status. 

Short answer is yes.  My daughter's fiance now enjoys the spoils of her Diamond status even though he has only been on three cruises.

They do share the same address.

For an FYI.  It pays to grab a porter and have them handle your bags.  The porters have a separate line through customs and you can save an incredible amount of time waiting in line.

We did this last time we were at San Juan and got to the airport pretty early.

2 hours ago, JLMoran said:

OK, this starts to make some sense to me now. That old system heavily rewarded taking short weekend cruises, as you could take 10 of those in an inside cabin and be Diamond for significantly lower cost than someone who wants to only take longer cruises.

Now, with the tiers based on actual nights sailed, there's no real advantage to having a particular cruising length preference. The price per night for any given cabin category (I would hope) works out about the same in the end for a 3-night or 16-night cruise, so you've just got to sail those 80 nights (40 if you're living the suite life the whole time). So take 20 four-night cruises or 10 eight-nighters, you won't get there any faster.

Hold on... Royal did something that actually leveled the playing field, instead of rewarding those who spend more money?!? GASP!

A whole lot of people definitely got to D+ doing 3 night weekenders.  I remember when they changed it a bunch of people were booking short ones to rack up the points while they could.

Below is the awards and conversion between the old C & A system and the new:

13 minutes ago, Matt said:

I can see what you and @Boltswin mean.  The flip side is I'm willing to get quite a lot of passengers have no clue you can get drink packages or book specialty dining.  It's as much a service as a revenue generating mechanism (although I'm not naive enough to believe revenue isn't driving the primary reason for it).

I agree with Matt on this.  You would not believe the number of people who tell me they are going on a first cruise and when I start to ask question have no idea what it entails.  What is included, not included etc.  A lot of people are cruising with family or friends and some one else has handled the reservation and they are along for the ride. 

I'm all booked up.  I think they have the comedy shows a little screwed up.  Your options are 8:45PM or 9:00PM.  Obviously that isn't correct.  I picked the first day so whatever adjustment they make I can live with.

I have been waiting for the entertainment to open up also.  Every day I check to see if it appears in the Cruise Planner.  I also hold out hope that they may put in the specialty dining packages.  Unfortunately I am disappointed daily.  As a planner I just want to get everything done and ready to go.  

If you do not book in advance then you will stand in a standby line.  About 10 minuted before the show they will let you in to grab whatever seats are available.  Booking in advance will allow to get in earlier and get better a seat location.

When I completed my check-in information for the Symphony GC I now have 2 electronic set sail passes, one for each of us,  in the Royal Caribbean app.  I assume I won't have to print an actual paper one.

6 hours ago, Matt said:

That or the game has a steep learning curve  I can never figure it out

Lol.  Craps isn't that hard, just a lot of information to digest.  It also moves pretty quickly which makes it difficult for the beginner.  You can eliminate half the bets on the table if you avoid the bets with the biggest house advantage (hard ways, field, etc.)  

Last time we sailed out of Tampa we stayed at the Embassy Suites just west of the Amalie Center.  There is a trolley stop directly in front of the hotel that we used to go to Ybor City for dinner.  The next morning we just walked with our roller bags to the terminal. It was a pretty easy walk and we arrived fairly early. The terminal was not busy with incoming traffic and we breezed right through check-in and got to board before 11:00 AM.

1 hour ago, JLMoran said:

Do you have the reservations linked on Royal's web site. I'm pretty sure that when I booked the excursions for the whole family, after selecting the option to add people from another reservation that all four family members showed up in My Calendar.

Is this what you're trying to do, or is the idea that things your kids book show up on your calendar, and vice versa? I think that will work as long as the reservations are linked in Royal's system, but I won't swear to it.

I booked MTD for us and my daughter and her BF and only me and the wife show up on My Calandar.  

3 hours ago, monctonguy said:

That's quite a sticking point whether or not to take a $5000 cruise or not...but to each their own I guess.....

My first thought also.  The line in sand is the ability to get a hamburger?  

This was being discussed on another thread.  Try incognito mode.  That seems to work.

Only Pepsi products?  No NCL for us.  

7 minutes ago, Boston Babe said:

Me too, but I just signed in Incognito and it finally worked! Thank you @4ensic for the heads up!  I just cancelled and rebooked our Voom for our feb cruise.  Saved $32.40!  That pays for at least one picture right??? LOL

Yep, that works.  Still the same base price of 19.99 for the GC.  But 20% off right now so $15.99.