magicolor_girl

The cruising health care worker wouldn't hear of the travel ban to self quarantine, they don't air negative news stories on cruise TVs..

 

Yes they do. I was on a cruise ship watching CNN International air news of the Costa Concordia accident. If the cruise ships were going to censor the media, I would think that would have been the news to "hide."

As you can see in my signature, we are Loyal to Royal D+ cruisers.

 

Saturday (Oct 11) we will jump ship over to Princess sailing on the Crown Princess out of LA for a 7 day Pacific Coastal cruise.

 

I'm looking forward to your review! We just booked the Crown Princess for our family over spring break. I have not cruised Princess before but have cruised Carnival and NCL in addition to many on RCCL. Have a great time!

The complaints might not seem that bad at first glance, but sometimes things go wrong, they seem to snowball and get worse.

 

People always do not understand that unless it happens to them.

 

They just come here to tell their story and vent which makes them feel better.

 

Unfortunately that is almost impossible.

 

The hard-core loyalist get so angry and defensive.

 

This one is twice as bad because they like Carnival better.

 

Which really infuriates folks around here.

 

The next thing they will do is start looking into past posts

 

and dig up anything to make your post seem as worthless as possible.

 

I say leave the OP alone, maybe he will tell the good stuff about the cruise.....

 

Well said!

YES, as many of us have pointed out, its certainly within RCI's abililty to change IF they wanted TO SPEND MORE MONEY. And if they SPEND MORE MONEY than we will SPEND MORE MONEY for our cruises!

 

Again, NO YOU DON'T! Are you going to NEED the 40-50 lbs of stuff in that bag sometime in the next 2-3 hours? I really don't think so. PLAN, and CHECK the bag pierside! Carry a small, lightweight tote with the few things you'll actually need in the next 2-4 hours.

 

You and he think its "a decent idea" while some of the rest of us don't. That's certainly our right every bit as much as it is yours, and there's nothing wrong whatsoever with disagreeing about whether is a "decent idea" or not. Anything will come with tradeoffs, and some of us don't like the idea of the tradeoffs which would result. Nothing at all wrong with that!

 

 

You make a lot of assumptions. I generally carry on a backpack. Not hard to handle, generally not over 10 pounds. I would still prefer to not carry it with me.

 

I agree with you that the change would potentially add a cost to RCCL that would be passed on to us. I also agree that I would prefer to board earlier than sit in a waiting area for 30-60 minutes because all cabins are not ready.

 

That being said, in a perfect world, I would like to be able to go straight to my cabin and drop off my backpack before exploring the ship with my camera in one hand and a drink in the other. I still believe that OP is not off his/her rocker to suggest room access upon boarding could be possible if RCCL wished to make it so.

 

 

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Get over yourself.

 

You probably should too. Your opinion and preference is no more valid than the OP's.

 

We all want what we want and quite obviously we're not all going to get it. It doesn't make any of us wrong, just different, so there's no need to be rude.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the people complaining about getting into their cabins early are the same ones who are the last to depart the ship.

 

To be clear, none of us are "complaining" about getting into cabins earlier, simply pointing out it would be nice to drop bags then explore. Further, reading through this thread, I'm left to wonder when RCCL changed the time to leave the room. I thought you had to vacate by 8:30 to a public space so that's what I have done every cruise since the first one. Off to breakfast by 7:30 so that I can return to my cabin, brush my teeth, grab my stuff and head to a lounge to await my departure group.

Very interesting indeed...So wonder if that means all the cabin doors will be wide open...:confused:

 

I just had that thought too. What if someone goes in the wrong cabin, puts their stuff away, and grabs the cards without paying attention? I would hope there's a plan in place that would make such mistakes unlikely.

When the Quantum starts sailing, the rooms are supposed to be ready when we board. All passengers will go to their room on boarding as this is where our Sea pass cards will be located. For our sailing coming up, the boarding starts at 10:30am.

 

That's very interesting! I had not heard that Seapass cards would be in the rooms.

Wow! I guess I never saw this as a big deal? I don't get upset with hotels for not letting me check in until 3:00- and they make me keep all my bags!

 

I think the thing here is it doesn't make the OP upset either. I don't think s/he runs through the ship being mad at everyone because the doors are closed. The point is that it's something within RCCL's ability to change IF they wanted. And I'm with the OP only because I acknowledge I would like to be able to put my stuff in my cabin and proceed with my embarkation day activities unencumbered. I'm not upset that I can't put my bags in my room and really hadn't given it that much thought because the situation is what it is. I take them with me because I have to. But the fact that so many people act as if the OP's idea is beyond outrageous/bordering on ridiculous does get my keyboard fingers twitching! :eek: It's a decent idea that most people would be happy with if implemented thus the reactions here are a bit much to a simple post discussing the idea.

 

But if you want to try to change it, go for it.

 

I have no intent to try to change it because it's not a huge deal. As everyone else has pointed out we all have our method of working with our baggage as we get around the ship. It is what it is.

 

But I have a problem with everyone acting as if the original poster's idea is the worst idea ever, as if they wouldn't prefer to put their luggage in their cabin before wandering around. If the OP wants to start a letter writing, signature gathering campaign s/he may do so. I would be happy to partake in the outcome should it work out positively in his/her favor.

 

You do make a decent point about requesting a late checkout if one needs to carry on a lot of baggage and thus arrive at the port later. This is not an issue for me but may be useful for others.

I find this thread very interesting.

 

My family heads to the pool, grabs lounges, we introduce ourselves to the first pool cocktail server who happens by, order a rounds of drinks, grab some lunch/snacks from the buffet, take a dip in the pool, catch some rays, order more drinks, perhaps a little chair dancing, watch the new guests parade pass by, toast and celebrate another cruise.

 

In 15+ cruises, I don't think we've been to our cabin before 5 PM. Sometimes after the muster drill. Why would anyone want to spend time to go to their cabin on the first day? Enjoy!!

 

Some people flew in late the night before and need a nap! On our last cruise our late arriving flight was delayed and we got to our hotel around 3am. We had to get up by 8am to get ready for the day, grab breakfast and get out of the room by checkout time.

 

That being said, people are different. We are always in our room after grabbing lunch and doing some exploring. To each his/her own!

You have choices. Board early and deal with dragging your carryon around or wait and board after 1:PM.

 

Yes, there are choices and that's what is required at this time.

 

However when I'm kicked out of my hotel at 10am or 11am I don't have any option except to go to the cruise port. Since rooms are not ready, I can and do carry my things around once onboard.

 

The OP's idea that RCCL could change this and not make it's customers make this "choice" is a good one. RCCL doesn't have to listen. But why is it such a big deal that the OP thinks this is something within RCCL's ability to change? Why is it a big deal that OP may even write RCCL a letter about it? It's NOT a big deal. We will all keep dragging our stuff around with us until 1pm if that's what's required but I bet no one would do that if RCCL listened to the OP's suggestion and suddenly allowed room access immediately upon boarding. Suddenly dropping bags off before the trip through the Windjammer would be much preferred, I'm sure.

Great time to explore the ship while waiting for the rooms to open up.

 

Yes it is which is why dragging around carryon baggage can be a pain. Not impossible to deal with but "suboptimal" as the OP has said.

Yes, suboptimal. Perhaps they will. That does solve the problem.

Here's the thing- you seem to be in the minority that you really want to change this. Based on the responses, do you agree with that?

 

So why take so much offense to such an easy solution?

 

We arrive at 12:30-1 to check in which puts us on the ship right when the rooms open.

 

Why do people feel the need to be on the ship at 11am?

 

If the experience of being on the ship an extra hour or two is that important, you can stay up later a couple of the evenings.

 

While it sounds good that other ships have access to the cabins right away, it does not sound like they are done working, which means that your stuff is in the way of them doing a good job PLUS that your stuff may not be secure. So what appears to be good may not be so much.

 

Instead of stressing the crew all across the world for such a small benefit, it's a whole lot easier to the system to show up later.

 

The thing is, a lot of people get their panties in a bunch at a suggestion. I find it hard to believe that all of these people would choose NOT to put their belongings in their room if it was available to them. Since they are not available, we do what we need to do, dragging bags with us to Windjammer, finding a place to hang out with luggage for awhile, etc. The OP is just pointing out this is NOT optimal because, news flash, it's NOT.

 

Some people feel the need to check in at 11am because their hotel kicked them out at check-out time. Travellers don't have a lot of options for that in-between hotel and cruise check-in time frame so many just head over to the cruise port since they have nowhere else to go.

 

I have yet to cruise Princess but do like the idea that the rooms will be available upon boarding. I do not like the idea that my room is still going to be dirty and/or my belongings unsecure if that is really how the Princess system works. So in this case, it's up to each person to decide what they prefer - dragging bags around for awhile in the name of security and clean rooms upon arrival, or dropping off bags in a potentially dirty, unsecured room.

 

The OP merely stated that it's POSSIBLE for RCCL to have rooms available upon arrival. It's a good idea. Most people would take advantage of room access if available upon arrival.

Thanks for the review. I've been pondering a Bermuda cruise and haven't decided which ship to take. I was on the Explorer out of Cape Liberty 10 years ago and it's sad that the port experience has not improved and the ship is showing her age.

 

We also had a neighbor that left their balcony light on ALL the time but they were never outside. We didn't know if they had it on by accident or on purpose so after a few days we asked the room steward if he would turn the switch off next time he was in that cabin. We spent the rest of the cruise in balcony darkness! So you can try that next time and maybe it will solve the problem. :)

I'd choose the newer ship if it's in the same price range as other options. I've read good things about Vision lately but I'd say it's more about what kind of ship experience you're looking for on this trip. That being said, I liked sailing out of Tampa and recall that being one of our better embark/debark locations.

Is there a way to buy Britto items on land? I meant to go back to the shop on Allure and completely forgot until we were off the ship.

I redeemed some points last month for a cruise in October. How do I know if my OBC has been applied? TIA

 

 

I wasn't certain it was applied till I got onboard. When I checked with RCI 3 months out I was told that they could see that I submitted for the reward but couldn't see it applied to my account till closer to my sail date. I forgot to call but thankfully everything was fine. It was not showing on my account on day 1 and guest services said that the main office had until the evening of day 2 to send that info to the ship. It showed up on my account in the middle of day 2.

 

 

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Thanks for the review. We were on the Allure and in Cozumel with you. We booked the Navigator while on board for your itinerary so I appreciate your thoughts on the ports that you visited. Honestly, having been on most sizes of RCCL ships, the Allure was large but didn't usually feel crowded. The only times it felt crowded was during parades on the Promenade or when waiting to enter dinner or getting out of a show. Oh, and purchasing photos on the last day! Don't let the number of people on board worry you. If you enjoy/use the activities/amenities on the Navigator I'm sure you would like the Allure! Since I don't partake in most of the available activities I'm in no rush to pay the premium price to get back onboard Allure, but it was still a great cruise.

I really do love you reviews Jane - I learn so much!

 

We are looking at the same beach break in Cozumel next year, so the fact that you return every time is a great compliment to the place.

 

Let me be another thumbs up vote for Nachi Cocom. My husband and I visited last week while on the Allure and it was a very nice day! It was HOT but the water was refreshing. Good food, drinks, beautiful location and not very busy beach made for a lovely day!

These people were seasoned/veteran cruisers, in fact quick to put that info out on the vid. Like they didn't know:rolleyes: Over 6 cruises under their belt

 

I've been on more than 10 cruises on 3 cruise lines and I can say that this thread took me a little by surprise. Since pregnancy is not an issue for me, I would never be denied boarding but I've also never been asked by cruise staff to confirm my not pregnant status.

 

I don't argue the rule and I believe everyone who says it's in the documents but this is still news to me, veteran cruiser that I am.

Says who? No one has to have his/her picture taken.

 

Well according to novicetraveller obviously. :rolleyes:

 

This thread has me super excited Sunday! I can't wait to get onboard!

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm also ready to venture out beyond the Caribbean. I am trying to decide between Canada and New England/ Alaska.

 

 

I visited Alaska last summer and it was stunning. I would go gain in a heartbeat.

 

 

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Adventure -
Allure - 27th July 2014
Brilliance -
Enchantment - 11th July 2014
Explorer - 14th June 2014
Freedom – 13th July 2014
Grandeur - 12th September 2014
Independence - 14th June 2014
Jewel -
Legend -
Liberty -
Majesty -
Mariner -
Navigator - 6th July 2014
Oasis - 28th June 2014
Radiance -
Rhapsody -
Serenade -
Splendour -
Vision - 12th July 2014
Voyager -

Updated Allure to July per an email regarding my sailing.