Snooksi

I must need to see Bill because I can ( and did ) drink 15 a day on my last HAL cruise .. also my last Carnival one too.

 

Mimosas and Bloody Mary's for breakfast . .. along with speciality coffees.

 

Margaritas during the day.

 

A couple of White Russians with dinner...

 

More of those the rest of the evening.

 

The biggest killer of the drink packages are Wangs Wangs. 4 or more ends all fun and giggle fest becomes sleeping on the bathroom floor.

 

The next day is killer too!

 

 

 

 

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***Note to Self*** DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT even try the Wang Wangs :eek:

I enjoy it for the fact you don't have a huge drink bill at the end of the cruise. You also don't have to keep track of anything. Some days, HAL might come out ahead and other days I'll come out ahead. It's also nice knowing you can try every cocktail and not feel guilty if you don't like one and just order something different. I tend to drink a lot when I'm on vacation because I like trying all of the various cocktails. Do they have special "cocktails of the day" on HAL like on other lines?

Just wanted to let you know there are other reasons for purchasing the package and I do so on every cruise. :)

Well, Abracadabra. All of my stuff has magically reappeared today as well. YAYYYYYYY but that was WEIRD!

Has anyone had the crab entree in the PG ? Do you get "enough" and is it worth the $20 supplemnt?

Oh, oh, oh...I wondered this as well. Can't wait to hear the responses!! I was hoping it wasn't just on the menu for the Alaska cruises and will still be on the menu for the Caribbean cruises also.

To clarify... did you both book on HAL or some other site?

Everything that is missing was booked via the HAL website. I'm missing my drink packages, Pinnacle Grill reservation, sparkling wine/strawberries for the room for Bon Voyage and (most importantly..HA) my cabana/butler service for Half Moon Cay. Every single thing I already booked/paid for to HAL has disappeared from my HAL reservation/itinerary.

I wasn't including any of my bookings for outside excursions on other sites.

I went to my reservation for an upcoming December cruise to buy some OBC to cover the service charges. All of the reservations I have already paid for (excursions, gifts, dining reservations, beverage packages) are GONE! Vanished...just disappeared from my booking.

I know the site was down the other night for maintenance. Is it common for everything to go "missing" after they've worked on the site? I have all of my receipts, so that's not an issue but does HAL still have all of my bookings? Will they ever show back up on my reservation? Has this happened before? :confused:

Thanks for the help everyone!!! I love these boards and so many people are always so helpful!!!

I could be wrong but I think what they mean by the fifth person needing to be a child is that they would bring in a pack-n-play. Never hurts to call and ask though.

Oh, I didn't think of that but that's not what RCI told my TA, which is what makes it so frustrating. They told her they would only bring in a roll away bed for a CHILD. He might not be a child as far as fares are concerned and I know there are some very big and/or tall 14 y/os out there but he is little and won't even be 14 until right before we would cruise next year. So, if RCI is basing it on "size", it doesn't make sense. It shouldn't be based on size/age period. It should be based on the size of the roll away bed because that doesn't vary and RCI already admitted they do bring rollaway beds in for a "child".

I looked earlier today and searched this topic and found several (5 or 6 in the short time I spent looking/reading) people who posted they had 5 people in a crown loft. I'm sure it's not the "norm" but it certainly is the exception and we are also an exception.

I won't know anything, I guess, until I call RCI myself. I know it's also frustrating because they don't even allow you to "price" any of the even bigger suites online. I couldn't find any sites that even allowed me to have 5 people in one "room" (or suite) and they all want you to call them.

We booked the Allure for Nov 6th. 2 days ago my cousin decided to book. He has 2 kids 11&14. They tried to get the kids sail free promo. RCCL the kids sail free promo is only up to age 12. Ages 13 & up are considered adults as far as fares go. I don't know how you can fight it, but good luck. [emoji256]

 

 

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It has nothing to do with the fares and I know they consider him an "adult" for the fares and I don't have a problem with the payment. I just want him to be able to sleep on a pullman in the same suite as us. I don't want to book two balcony rooms and I don't want a junior suite and I don't want the 2BR royal family suite. I love the crown loft because of the quietness on the 17th deck, close proximity to the new restaurant and bar but most especially because of the two story window view. I just searched the threads and have read several posts from people who used a roll away bed or brought their own air mattress for the 5th passenger.

I know you can be given different answers from several different agents at RCI dependent on the day. It's very frustrating but I'll just try calling them myself and will ask to speak to a supervisor if I have to. I know it can be done. I just don't understand why they are making it so difficult. I'll book thru them and just transfer it to an online TA to get my perks if I have to. I didn't realize (until this post) that I was even able to do that.

You can call RCCL and even book thru them. Then you have some time (30 or 60 days) to transfer it to a travel agent if you are trying to get their perks. That way you have the right answer straight from the horses mouth but can still get the perk you are after.

That's exactly why I go thru a TA online...to get the perks. How do you transfer a booking from RCI to an online agent? I didn't realize you could do that.

Thank you!!

Hi, I've sailed on the Allure in a CL back in 2013. I know from reading these boards back then, they allowed 5 passengers in the CLs using a roll away bed. There would be two of us upstairs, my 2 daughters on the sofa bed and I want to take my (13 now) 14 y/o grandson and he would sleep on the roll away. I've contacted two online travel agents and both told me they called RCCL and 5 passengers are not allowed in the crown lofts. They will only allow it if the 5th passenger is a child. My grandson IS a child. He's not even a big or tall child (4'9"). Say what? They allow 5 in a junior suite, which is so much smaller than the crown lofts.

Have they changed the rules since I sailed back in 2013? I don't want to book the 2 BR Royal Family Suite (or whatever they call it now..and a friend had one so I've seen one) and I won't consider booking a junior suite (not big enough and we need that 2nd bathroom for all of us) because I want that two story window ocean view on the 17th deck.

I can't believe RCCL doesn't want my money. :(

If you read down the board, you will find many reports from people who have used the Butler upgrade, like us.

 

Tipping is a totally personal activity. I will say we tipped, but I will never say the amount. I will say the Butlers we have had in our 5 Butler upgrades have been very hard working, and absolutely spoiled us. Not a hint of a complaint.

 

Whether you have one or two butlers depends on some variables. Usually you will have one, and there will be a float who covers a break or two for the assigned butler. But we have also been assigned 2...we couldn't keep them busy. We also had a Butler who was Indonesian, so couldn't serve alcohol. So there was a second Butler who helped out with the alcohol issue.

Thanks for the info, Bruce. We had a cabana in Labadee, but there wasn't the "butler" service per se and the reason why I asked. I only splurged on the upgrade because of the drink service and other than lunch, we aren't the demanding type and probably won't need anything. I was just hoping to get a guesstimate dollar amount. Do you go by a % of the upgrade amount? I know they work very hard, so I would hate to tip too little. I would never want to offend anyone. But, I would also hate to tip too much, when the upgrade was quite expensive to begin with. I'll just search this board and see if there is any other info available. Thanks!!

I was wondering if you tip the butler for the cabana service and if so, how much? Is it one butler per cabana or do they work with more than one cabana? There will be 3 of us in the cabana. Thanks!!

At home, no problem and I wouldn't hesitate at those ages. However, I would never allow my teenagers to go alone in another country. Not only would I be concerned about their safety, but what if their transportation broke down and for some reason they couldn't get back to the ship in time for departure, etc? What if they didn't have a signal and couldn't call? Everything would probably be fine, but I'm not the type of parent to take that risk and tend to be more overprotective, since my oldest daughter died. I just don't think it's worth ANY type of risk in a foreign country and for me...better to be safe than sorry.

This was a free event before. It was nice but not when you have to pay. There are plenty of opportunities to have photos taken throughout the cruise. Yes there is a different menu but still not worth it. Use the money for something else.

 

 

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Wow, even the character breakfast now has a charge?? RCI (and all the other lines) really do nickel and dime you to death.

As the poster said, when this was FREE it was great fun. I would never pay for this breakfast. My kids enjoyed it and everything that has been said (dancing, photo op and that's about it) is true, but it certainly wasn't worth $13 per person!!! There are so many opportunities aboard the ship to meet the characters for free! I would save your money to spend elsewhere.

If you are a Hilton hhonors member you can check in about 24 hours ahead of time and see what rooms are available and make your selection. If 1428 isn't available then, you can always ask at check in time too.

I AM a Hilton Honors member, so I will definitely try to reserve my room the day before. I didn't even know we had the opportunity to choose our own room 24 hrs in advance until reading this board. LOVE these boards and the great people who share such valuable information!!

We contacted a few charters.

 

They all responded quickly and with great information about their charters available to us. The reviews (here and on Tripadvisor) were very good for most.

 

In the end, we decided to go with Aristocat. Yes, we will miss the baths but the itinerary, the pricing, the catamaran (always a fun experience), etc and then the reviews just had us deciding this was the charter for us.

 

Excited for our trip in Jan and will do a review when we get home.

That's why I had such a dilemma. Aristocrat's tours sounded so incredible, the pics of his catamarans were gorgeous, his prices were cheaper WITH lunch than the others, and it just sounded like such a fun tour/day. At least I know if we ever visit Tortola again, I will definitely call Aristocrat and set up a tour with them.

Have a blast and I can't wait to read your review when you get back!!

YAYYYYYY regnig!!

I'm so glad you spoke up. LOVED your post and I agree with every word!

My December Christmas cruise will be my first and last HAL cruise. I only booked this cruise BECAUSE they allowed smoking on verandas and we wanted to take a nice, relaxing cruise at Christmas. We will sail on RCCL in May (sailed on the Allure's last smoking-on-the-balcony cruise before their policy change) only because I want to take my grandson on his first cruise. I guess I will learn where the smoking deck areas are. However, it will probably be my last cruise on any line. I have problems with insomnia and I'm not about to get dressed and undressed 3 or 4 times in the middle of the night when I can't sleep, so I can walk 4 or 5 decks away to have a cigarette. I'm certainly not going to walk around in my robe! Otherwise, I have no problem with the policy as long as we are allowed to smoke at the designated smoking deck area 24/7, which people have said won't happen due to weather, maintenance or whatever.

What I do have a problem with are the non-smokers who have nothing more to add to the various cruise line's smoking thread and only choose to gloat or exaggerate. I have never read so many over the top emotional posts with the most outrageous exaggerations than I have on Cruise Critic. Did you know there are people who cruise on RCCL who spend their expensive vacations "camping" out on their balconies just praying they "catch" a smoker who violates the policy, so they can run to Guest Services to turn them in? What a pathetic way to spend your vacation...hunting illegal cigarette balcony smokers. The smoking threads certainly make for some great entertainment, but some posters go so far overboard (great pun) and get so ridiculous that I literally have walk away from my computer.

Only my $.02 worth, which certainly doesn't matter to any cruise line.

Here is a link to a map layout of the tower rooms:

 

https://www.room77.com/floor_plan_standalone.html?hid=163353&pid=0K0b3V&id=Y8301a

Man, oh man would I love room #1428 since the corner view includes the ships and being able to see them go out to sea. It just so happens to be a double room as well (what I booked for Dec). FINGERS CROSSED!!!

THANKS for the link!!!

ALL fires make the news?

I'm really putting myself out there by stating this tidbit without any facts to back up my statement, but I will venture to guess there is a law somewhere that states that any/all fires on a cruise ship must be reported. Whether it be for safety purposes (big one) or merely statistics, I doubt a ship would ever get away with refusing to report a fire

The website I shared listed every fire on a cruise ship since 1979. This was not a "news" site. In this day of technology (cell phone cameras), the internet and cruise bulletin boards, do you honestly believe a fire could possibly occur on a ship's balcony without it being reported in the media, on the internet or even a cruise site thread? Surely, some non-smoker somewhere would spread the news within minutes.

With the prevalence of Norovirus on so many cruise ships, why aren't some of you people jumping on your soap boxes and demanding mandatory handwashing on all cruise ships? Yes, some people actually need rules and laws to figure out they are supposed to do something which is just common sense to most other people. Otherwise, Norovirus wouldn't ever be a problem on any ship. I will bet Norovirus has affected more people on cruise ships than the occasional whiff of a cigarette on someone's balcony. I wonder how much a cruise ship hand inspector would make a year? New jobs!!

Yes this is the powerboat Joe uses to get to places people want to go in the short time they have in port - The Baths, Willie T, Pirate's Bight, Jost,etc. If you read JaneDoe's report in your thread it's a great day and definitely one of the best options for a visit to the Baths. I think this a unique opportunity to take advantage of a trip to the Baths and Cooper Island on a small powerboat with fewer people. Joe is very experienced with sailing the islands and is very safety conscious.

 

Once you make up your mind between this excursion and the snorkel excursion you can look forward to the experience you chose. Unfortunately you just don't have time to see all of the highlights while in port, and I'd suggest returning for a longer visit so you have that opportunity as the islands of the BVI are gorgeous! ;)

I asked my kids which they would rather do and they had great reasoning. We might be able to see sea turtles or a shipwreck somewhere else on our travels while snorkeling, but we will never be able to see the Baths anywhere but Tortola. So, we're going with Joe at Patouche Charter (Joe is from NH and I lived there for 2 yrs as a teenager, so I'm curious to see where in NH he lived) and will see the Baths and Cooper Island!! He said we might even see a sea turtle when we snorkel off Cooper Island. You never know!!

To the posters who had problems hearing from him, I'm stunned. I have heard back from him within a day, all 3 times I have contacted him. Just wanted to let others know I haven't had any problems communicating with him whatsoever.

We're so excited and I can't wait to take this tour!!!

Immigration and customs can be a problem when there are a lot of ships in port. One time there were only 2 Immigration officers (one for US citizens and 1 for International) for our ship and the process took well over an hour. This is one part of your trip where you have absolutely no control. If possible, I would use expedited debarkation where you carry all your luggage off and are the first group to go. I see you are traveling during the December holidays so you also need to consider the time it takes to get through TSA at the airport. Your flight time is definitely doable but everything has to line up in your favor.

I just looked it up and we are the only ship to disembark that day (Tuesday). WOO HOO...I can only assume everything should go much more quickly/smoothly (knock on wood), since we are the only ship for customs.

Thanks for all the help everyone!!!

Thanks again for your help, Bruce and thank you Mllewis!! That sounds easy enough and shoot, I'll just save my money and grab a cab instead. I like to have everything planned and I make copies of everything and knock on wood, with every cruise so far, we've never had anything go wrong. Planning everything as well as possible also makes the time go by faster and gets me excited for the next cruise!!

Thanks again to both of you for your help and information!!!

As a Suite guest you can request early disembarkation letting the Front Desk know of your early flight. Should be able to get off around 8:30-9:00am. You say you have a car service but cabs are plenty at that time, cost to airport is around $20 and usually quick. Should be thru customs and to the airport by 10:00am. All this of course depends on how many ships are in port.

 

 

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Thanks for the help but this cruise, we don't have a suite and the reason I had to ask for help. What time do non-suite guests start getting off the ship? Is it reasonable to think we would disembark the ship around 9 and be through customs by 10? There are plenty of cabs waiting, even with the thousands of people disembarking? I was going to have a car service pick us up but if plenty of cabs are available, that will work too.

What time do you typically leave the ship? Our flight leaves out of FLL at 11:40AM. How long does it usually take to disembark the ship and get through customs? I'm trying to figure out what time to have the car service pick us up at the port to take us back to the airport. I know the airport is only minutes away.

Last time I cruised out of FLL we were escorted off the ship and through customs within minutes thanks to the suite perks. This time we have to get off the ship ourselves and stand in line for customs and I have no idea how long that usually takes.