Sea_Salt_Sailor

Hi... although Royal don't have the valet program in SJU, you can go to Old San Juan to the restaurant Barra China and they offer the luggage storage if you plan to stay in the Old San Juan area... Also, there is a new mall close to the airport, The Mall of San Juan that has concierge services and provide luggage storage while in the mall.

Sailor

My friends on board should be quite happy since they are from Miami and disembarking in Miami would be perfect for them.

Really... the word "happy" is the more insensitive word can be used after all the destruction the hurricane did to the island... keep it for yourself the comment.

Sailor

Hi

10:55a shouldn't be a problem if everything runs on time and no issues with the ship returning back to port. I strongly suggest to do Self-Assist departure, which means you have to carry all your luggage so you avoid the additional waiting for your luggage been available in the terminal.

Sailor

Allure is down one propeller. Some itineraries have been changed - September 27th has swapped St Thomas for San Juan.

Not actually true... they still using all the propellers but in a reduce speed.

Allure normally navigates at 17 to 20 knots, with the issue she is encountering they have reduced her speed to 13 to 14 knots, but all propellers are in use.

Sailor

HI

Yes, reservation still required. The seats will be reserved up to 10 minutes prior the show before are released to general audience. You will see signage with the type of seapass cards that have access to the reserved seating (Oasis Class and Quantum Class).

Sailor

The Mobile App is for clearing Customs upon arrival in Port Everglades. In addition to the Mobile pass confirmation you need to present your passport to the CBP officer. So, to answer your question is, yes, you need to provide your passport at the time of embarkation. Remember birth Certificate is not valid to use the Mobile Passport App.

Sailor

No one will know, since booking are not that far open... but knowing that Royal is building a brand new terminal for that ship in Miami, I could doubt they will plan to move the ship from Miami for while.

I believe the closest is the Sheraton Convention Center and there's not much to do around there. I'd much rather stay at the Sheraton OSJ.

You will be surprised how the area has changed... The convention area district is super nice since more establishments has open.

I will prefer one million time now the convention area than Old San Juan but that my own humble opinion.

Sailor

We are set to go on the LOS in October with another family. We booked the Presidential Suite, for 10 of us, back in March of 2016 and just made final payment a month ago. Now, a member of the other family is facing a potential significant medical issue. And, no, we did not purchase travel insurance. (Not looking for comments on the wisdom of this, just here looking for solutions at this point).

 

Assuming the worst and either the one member, or entire family can't go, what are the answers to these questions:

 

1) Can we change the names of the guests of the other family if we can find another family to take their place?

2) If the family goes, minus one member, do we need to do anything other than just show up?

3) If we take the kids of the other family with us, what documentation do I need?

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

Hi...

1) Can we change the names of the guests of the other family if we can find another family to take their place?

Yes, they can do a name change and just replace the person is not going. If you booked through an agency they might charge you for the name change, if you booked through Royal directly normally they will not charge for such.

2) If the family goes, minus one member, do we need to do anything other than just show up?

If the family could not find a replacement, that person will be a "No Show" and port charges and taxes will be refunded to the latest credit used when cruise was originally booked.

3) If we take the kids of the other family with us, what documentation do I need?

If you bring another family member that is a minor (18 or under) and their parents are not cruising, a notarized letter must be provided where the legal parents/guardians provide you all the rights to the minor including medical decisions. In case the mom is cruising and not the dad and kid has different last name, you must bring a letter from the other parent not cruising giving permission to take the minor out of the country in a cruise trip. I will not take chance with documentation for minor, will better having the documents and no one ask you than needed and not having it.

Enjoy your sailing...

Sailor

I personally prefer cruisecal.com is always up to date.

Sailor

I thought Allure had a recent dry dock like in last year or so? I know she is having propulsion issues, which I heard were related to a prop.

 

 

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They have been working with the issue when the ship is in port although is the same issue that happen few years ago so will not surprise an emergency wet-dock to fix the azipod. But if they do the emergency wet dock, no refurbish will be done as it might be one week.

Next dry-dock is for 2020...

Sailor

Not having the jr in the cruise documents will not prevent him for boarding to the ship.

Enjoy the sailing... Allure is the best ship...

Sailor

Not available in any ship departing from US Port including Puerto Rico... All North America sailing must obtain general clearance from US Customs indicating that all guests are off the ship in order to start embarkation with new guests.

Sailor

Hi All,

 

I just wanted to share something with new cruisers (and old if they do not know this).

 

As I am sure you are aware each cruiser will have gratuities & tips added to their SeaPass account every day (unless you have paid these in advance with your booking).

 

I don't actually agree with these automatic tips, as I feel that I should decide who has earned this & most importantly how much I wish to tip.

 

As a family of 5 travelling the cost per day @ $13.50 for 7 days will be quite considerable at $472.50! Now I can honestly say that I would never tip this much during a weeks land holiday so will certainly not be forced to pay this at sea.

 

Now for those of you not in the know, please take note. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY. That's right, there is not obligation on your part to pay. The booking information and website will not highlight this as RC want you to pay. When reading their information is does make you feel like this is obligatory, however if you read the very, very small print you will note this is not the case. All you need to do is go to reception on Day 1 and ask that these gratuities & tips are removed from your account....and voila!

 

You can then reward the staff members that you want to reward.

 

Happy cruising.

Reading this make me sick... if you can't afford the tip suggestion, you should've not cruise at all... There is people working for you in the background that will receive part of that tip you desired not to tip because you "can't" afford. When you go to the Windjammer, did you tip the waiter that cleaned your table?, when you're walking around and leave a glass empty, did you tip the crew person that pick up the glass and cleaned?, did you went to the laundry and tipped the guys that are washing and cleaning your pool towel or bed cloth, you and your family dirty each day? I bet not...

I started cruising in my early teens and always saw my parent tipping all the crew that made our cruise amazing and now as young man taking my family I continue doing so, not even removing the tipping for the toddler kid I have.

Next time, book a trip to a desert where is no one and then you will not have to tip anyone.

Sailor

Thanks for your reply!

 

I am gonna have my tablet and cell phone and my meds. I don't think I will have a lot because like I said it will be hard with my chair. I have 400 plus days to figure it out.

 

I just think it's not right to have someone who does not have a lot of moving power to be dragging things for 3 hours (example)

Solution... arrive after 1pm and your room will be ready... easy...

Caribbean Sailor...

Let me start by saying I have read many threads about making an early flight after an Oasis-class ship in Port Everglades. My gut is telling me not to book this flight because it will be March/Spring Break season. Is this even remotely possible with self-assist and being in the first few groups off the ship? I don't have any status with Royal (lowly Emerald), so I know I won't be in the privileged groups who get to depart first (suite guest, diamonds, etc).

 

My reasons for wanting this early flight is the direct nature and the price. The next direct flight on Southwest is at 7:30PM and I'd rather not do that. I can take a direct Delta flight but it is $600 more, and I'm not wanting that either. Let me also say I am not afraid of taking risks every now again. A few weeks ago we departed the Carnival Vista in Miami and easily made a 9:55AM flight out of FLL (did platinum self-assist). We were literally in the first group of 10 people getting off the ship at 7AM.

 

I have not attempted this out of Port Everglades. Please talk me out/into this!! :confused:

In Port Everglades if you do self assist departure and leave the ship at the first call that is around 6:15a to 6:30a, you'll be at the airport by 7am... so the answer is, yes, is possible... as always, there is the risk... late arrival due to numerous situations that are not normal but could happen...

I have done numerous time early flights in different port like Barcelona, Rome, Tampa, New York and one time drove early from Port Canaveral to Miami same day of arrival to be in my work by 11am and made it... so everything is possible when the stars are all aligned...

Enjoy your sailing...

My first RCL cruise and disappointed with it.

I am on the July 30th sailing and after just the first day I'm not feeling it. Been on 4 NCL cruises and loved them. Was expecting more from RCL but it's falling short on my first day.

 

I have a suite and also purchased 2 more rooms for family. 2 rooms with 2 people in each.

I wanted my mom to be able to stay in my room to help me watch my 5 year old, but booked her late and got her another room.

I asked my stateroom attendant to set an extra bed on the couch for my mom to stay on the nights I'm in the casino or just out drunk, and he's giving me a hard time. Giving me looks when I asked for an additional pillow and blanket for my mom.

He gives funny looks and remarks 'she's staying here too?! I need to check with my supervisors etc,and see if this is ok.' Man really irked me. Said he'll let me know if that's ok tomorrow.

Ive never ran into that issue on NCL. They just smile and set up a spare bed for me. No questions, looks or remarks.

 

Also the crew seems so unfriendly and distant. I was walking and had finished a drink, saw an employee with a tray and asked if he could take my glass because I didn't want to just leave it on the ground. He just gave me a dirty look and took my glass with disdain.

Minutes later saw the same guy laughing and doing nothing with 4 other employees by the elevator. Really pissed me off.

 

Not to mention the included food choices are not good compared to NCL. My kids are already complaining saying the same thing.

 

Also after 11pm the only thing you can eat is room service, the pizza place or the cafe with pre-made sandwiches. On NCL there's so many options at the same time.

 

Just venting and just not happy after just one day.

 

 

 

 

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Been on Allure so countless times and always have an amazing time on her... for me the best ship on the fleet with the friendliest crew ever...

Reading your post, you sound like a trouble sailing... The solution to your problem is way easy... GO BACK TO NCL... :cool:

Caribbean Sailor...

I see what you trying to do... the final results can go different directions that some may give you headache at the time of boarding... The meaning of vacations is to have the best time of your life worry free of anything... I would suggest to add other person over 21 in the room that later you can change the name if you find anyone to cruise with your son or simple no show... having your husband name in both cabin what will create is a double booking and they will do all their best to contact you to resolve the issue or flag your booking and you will have to visit the pier coordinator in the terminal to sort it out.

Mariner went to drydock back in March for 10 days in Singapore... and is scheduled for major drydock in October 2018 for 33 days and also in Singapore before she starts her journey to her new home port in Miami, FL.

Sailor...!!!!!

This is a bit of a hail-Mary, but I've read these boards are monitored by a RCCL Rep. if so, Por favor - we need HELP!! Our Passports were lost in Monte Carlo during our port stop ar Villefrance (Freedom of the Seas May 14 - 21). They were blessedly found and returned to the Port Agent, who was supposed to have messengered them to Barcelona to be retrieved by us at disembarkation.

 

The Port Agent did NOT send them by messenger; they were apparently put in the mail. We were not informed of this until Saturday (our day at sea). The mail was addresses to our Barcelona hotel but has not yet arrived. We missed our original flight and re-booked for Wednesday (at considerable expense). We absolutely must have them tomorrow and the Port Agent is not returning our calls - we are trying to obtain a package tracking number, if one exists.

 

Please Note: We do not want reimbursement or any other type of compensation - we just need somebody to talk to us!!

There is several people can get involve helping you... Guest Services Manager and Guest Administration Officer, trying to get in touch with Intercruises Port & Shore side Services as is the company that does the turnaround operations for Royal in Barcelona and is also the port agent.

Europe is now in the high season of cruising but knowing that the port agent place the passport in the mail i would not trust that will be in Barcelona when Freedom returns on Sunday. Get in touch with your embassy and be in the safe side starting the process of getting emergency passport. For the rest of the cruise is no needed the passport even when the ships returns on Sunday, is only need it when leaving Barcelona that need to go through Passport Control again.

Hope everything get resolved and for the moment I know is hard but try to enjoy the holidays...

Sailor

Hi... amazing review... will be doing same ship and same itinerary at the end of the month...

Question: Do they offer any dinning package on the boarding day? If so, do you remember the price?

Also, are they doing the white party?

Thank you for the info... keep having good time...

Hello everyone...

I would like to know if anyone here has done the dining packages on Harmony and if Wonderland is part of the program?

and any recommendations...!!! Chops is most...

Thanks

This may help

 

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/limits-slashed-on-cuban-cigars-19049

 

The U.S. allows you to bring in up to 100 cigars (four standard boxes) or $800 worth without paying a duty, whether the cigars are Cuban, Dominican, Nicaraguan or from another country. You can do this once every 31 days. Quantities above that will be taxed. And if you're bringing more than 50 Cuban cigars from Cuba, Cuban officials will expect you to have invoices before you even leave the country. Keep your paperwork.

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/the-new-rules-on-cuban-cigars-19054

You can bring to the US up to US$100 worth in Cuban tobacco, but the tobacco has to be brought from Cuba directly. You can't purchase Cuban cigars in islands and bring it to the US as the Embargo remains in place and as US citizen we are "not allowed" to do business with Cuba. So, if you purchase some while cruising be ready for US Customs confiscated and maybe fine you.

Now with the cruises going to Cuba maybe is a different story since you going directly to Cuba but can't bring more than US$100 worth in tobacco.

Ed - Sailor...

If you have a ship with 4000 pax showing at 10am it create chaos and massive lines = to complainers in guests services complaining because the line and due to they waited so long, now royal should give something for free... but royal is trying to alleviate this by having the boarding schedule and this alleviate the lines... but apparently everyone are so ridiculously despaired to board that if they let you, they will sleep in the front door of the terminal.

I love to the get to the terminal as late of 2pm when is no lines and rooms are open...

enjoy adventure, she is an amazing ship...

If you refer to Empress of the Seas... is not Intercruises that handle that ship... is a company called Cruise Port Destinations...