leaveitallbehind

The options to which you are referring is a standard booking where you select the stateroom, and a guarantee (GTY) booking, where the cruise line makes the selection. The primary difference is with the fare you pay, with GTY's being lower. Also, the GTY staterooms can be assigned anytime from when they are booked to boarding day, with them typically being assigned a couple of weeks ahead of sailing. But you have to wait for your assignment with a GTY. As mentioned, if there are concerns with motion sickness, mid-ship lower deck locations would be best and would also be best assured if you are selecting them yourselves. However, with the GTY option, once assigned if you are not happy with the location, you can contact whomever you booked through and request a change to a different location within the assigned sub-category. They will be happy to do so based on availability, which, however, is based on booking volume and not assured. So for the lower fare you take your chances on where the stateroom will be assigned and whether or not there will be available options to move to if you are not happy with the location.

I agree with the other comments regarding Oasis v Freedom class ships - there are clear differences and maybe you should spend some time on the website reading about each and looking at the deck plans for Freedom to see the differences there. To me it isn't just the age of the ships its their design and venue differences. Symphony is one of our favorite Oasis class ships, and while we also have enjoyed Freedom, our choice between the two would definitely be Symphony. JMO.

I just checked us in a couple of days ago and had to go through confirming who is checking in and entering our Passport info, etc., before I got to the check in time options.

Free onboard wifi - it's long overdue No it's not, nor will it likely happen. And if it did the cost of the freebee would likely be buried back into the cruise fare, which would then likely result in complaints about the rising cost of cruise fares, and so on and so on.

This is by far a CC first! Someone has too much time on their hands today - LOL. Should get some interesting comments.

What was you deposit? $500 sounds like $250 pp x 2, which would be a normal non-suite stateroom deposit and if NRD and you are cancelling that is what you would lose. Or are you saying your TA is indicating an additional $500 cancelation fee on top of that? That absolutely would not be coming from the cruise line and if it is the TA's fee for canceling a cruise that is unrealistic and would be the last time I would ever deal with them Some TA's charge separate fees for changing or canceling a cruise booked through them in addition to the cruise line fees. Most - and IMO the better ones - do not. I would always avoid dealing with those that do.

Wasn't trying to correct you. I only saw it as I happened to be on my app planner looking at our upcoming June cruise, clicked on it, and followed the prompts, at the time of your post - LOL. Just was confirming our check in time.

There is an icon on the bottom of the screen second from the left that says "Check-In". Click that and follow the prompts.

I guess they figure it was their money so it was their decision to keep it. My comment including TA OBC was that it was third party based, not cruise line, and therefore would be refundable. It would be credited to the source from which it was placed originally. But IMO if the TA was willing to part with it for your use on the cruise he could have returned it to you, or indicate that they will use it as a fare discount on a future cruise to stimulate your return to using them again. Business decision.

Yeah it's their money to begin with, which is why it is non-refundable.

If your OBC was deposited by you, a family member or friend, or a TA, then as a third party OBC you will receive that back. Also credit card sponsored points OBC are refunded back to the CC.

Only as it is a personal preference, I prefer to use my PC and planner v phone and app. That is just easier for me to navigate and works best for me. Also just personal preference, but while you can add things later (picture, Passport info) I prefer to complete the check in at one time to have it finished, except for the 24 hour prior health questionnaire. That way I know its done and nothing is pending. I know you can check in everyone on the same reservation, but I have never tried to check in others that were linked, so not sure if you can. Maybe someone else can confirm.

My understanding is along with the 25% of your cruise fare, you should receive port fees and taxes. Additionally anything paid pre-cruise through the planner will also be returned, such as your gratuities. This would include any 3rd party refundable OBC, but obviously not ship sponsored OBC.

You have all the correct information but I will just add that you would dock in Old San Juan if your itinerary had a port of call in San Juan.

Yes you do, which is why in our case we look at the total drinks combined each day for both of us to justify the total cost for both packages - not just which one of us may end up buying a couple here and there. We would never together buy the 10 -12 drink combined daily difference between our vouchers and drink package breakeven to justify it. Again, just our experience. But there is the ease and variety of beverages included to perhaps make it worthwhile Enjoy your cruise.