leaveitallbehind

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.

I understand the word shakeup was used in the article. But maybe he was the cause and he may have known of this for some time and made the decision to leave entirely on his own for a better offer, personal reasons, who knows? @cusematt4 I hope he is fine and has moved on to bigger and better things. Maybe one day we will know.

Guess we're not quite done yet - LOL. Just another point of view from our experience, but let me start by saying we never buy the drink packages. We are D+ so we each get 5 vouchers. They are combinable in that I can use hers for me and visa versa, so for us the 10 combined daily pretty much covers our requirements. Especially when you factor in port of call days. We also typically only use them on alcoholic beverages, and with the voucher value at $15 we have never been denied a drink of choice. Water (above that provided) and soda, etc., would be a la carte for us. So on the occasion where our vouchers have been used and we would want additional drinks of any type, paying for them a la carte would never reach the cost of the beverage package. On port of call days when we may have unused vouchers, we cash them in prior to going to bed for unopened canned and bottled beverages (beer, Truly, soda, water) and take them back to our stateroom for another time. It has always worked out well for us. With 8 combined, your results may vary. But do the (rough) math - the approximate breakeven for the packages is about 6-7 drinks per day per person, including port of call days. So with your 4 vouchers each you would need a total of about 10-11 drinks per day per person every day to justify the cost, since you both need to buy it. Again I'm focusing on only on alcoholic beverages. Maybe it will work for you as it does for us. Just saying....

Disembarkation day is essentially considered the rest of embarkation day morning. So you are still technically paying for it as day one is included. 😉

Very good and thanks for the effort and with sharing. It is an excellent tool. Now a few more of us know the trick....

@Weluv2cruise2gether indicates that the full rolls are not available using the dining package. They are available a la carte, which is also part of the reason we don't include Izumi in our dining packages. We almost exclusively eat in the specialty restaurants and therefore always have some dining package involved with our cruise planning. Izumi is one of the venues we always go to but have never included it as part of the package. Whether we choose the price fix or a la care option, it just works better for us for the reasons mentioned. Again, just our experience. The upcharge with Hibachi likely is related to the entertainment provided by the Chefs with the dinner preparation. They are excellent with their presentation and put on quite a show.