ColoradoGurl

Wow, you’re really planning ahead. A honeymoon cruise 3 years from now and you’re not even engaged yet? Yikes.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

How did you book this? I looked at their website and I only see prices for diving, and no way to actually book anything. I found their email address on Trip Advisor (couldn’t find that on their website either), but haven’t heard back yet because they’re closed for the day.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I tried to book Shore Excursioneer and unfortunately they are closed for most days of the week. They are closed Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We just booked the AC Hotel San Juan Condado, it is a couple blocks from the beach and gives you exchange privileges at Marriott San Juan & Stellaris Casino which is beachfront. It's also on a bus route to Old San Juan. The reviews look positive and apparently it was accepting guests and held up well after the hurricanes.

Did you book this online or over the phone? Have you seen reviews from anyone that says they honored their reservations? Just wondering if this hotel is actually open currently or if it’s one of the hotels taking reservations for a later date, but still housing the relief workers currently. Thanks!

EDITED TO ADD: I just checked Trip Advisor and it appears it’s open to the public, and also a very nice hotel and MUCH less expensive than the current prices for Sheraton Old San Juan.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Another thing you might try is to book a hotel in San Juan, but also book one in whatever connecting city you’re flying from. That’s what I did, just in case.

I booked an extra hotel reservation in Orlando for the 2 days we’re supposed to be in San Juan at the Sheraton, just in case our hotel gets cancelled. If it does, we’ll stay in Orlando for those 2 days and change our flight to get to San Juan the morning of the cruise instead.

Usually I wouldn’t fly in the day-of, but since Florida is so close and would be a direct flight during a good weather season, I feel like it’s a safe alternative to being in San Juan with no hotel. I can cancel it up to 48 hours in advance so there’s no risk.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you! We are going in June so hopefully most will be open by then.

I’m hoping so too. I booked the Sheraton Old San Juan for this coming June a year in advance (last June, before the hurricane). I haven’t gotten any notice from them about being closed or cancelling my reservation, but it sounds like a lot of people are getting that at the last minute.

Some hotels have been housing relief workers, so even if they’re open, they are not housing the public, and the Sheraton is one of those hotels. Trip Advisor has a couple recent reviews, but they’re all from relief workers, so it seems they are still housing them. They are making a lot of money on relief workers because the government is paying for it, so they continue to extend their “temporarily closed until...” dates for as long as the relief workers are staying, and there doesn’t seem to be a definitive date for how long that will go on, which is why people’s hotels keep getting cancelled at the last minute.

The price for the Sheraton has gone up since I booked it. I got a king room for 2 nights for under $400, and now it is close to $600. Still not a bad deal for the location, but if I were you I’d choose something soon because the price will probably continue to go up.

The Sheraton website is now allowing reservations (I tried to make one just to see), but their website hasn’t been updated and still says they won’t be taking any until after Nov 2017. One of the 3rd party booking sites I tried still has a later date listed, so that’s why I’m weary.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

When are you going? If it’s soon, you might be best off finding out which hotels are open to the public first.

The Embassy Suites in Isla Verde is not close to Old San Juan (not in walking distance, but you can get a cab for $20-$25), but it’s close to a big beach. You can walk to the beach in about 5 min. However, I read today (Jan 4, 2017) that someone had their reservations for March cancelled by the hotel, which says it won’t be open by then.

The Sheraton Old San Juan is a highly recommended hotel. It’s smack downtown in Old San Juan, and you can walk around everywhere once you’re there ($20-$25 cab ride from the airport). Not sure if it’s open or not. The website said it would be taking reservations after Nov 2017, then Jan 8, 2018. Not sure if it will really be open next week or not and I haven’t seen anyone give updates about this hotel.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

☹️ Sorry to hear that. I appreciate the updates about hotels. Did you have a back-up plan?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

we booked sheraton...

I did too, but it’s not open yet I don’t believe. Their website says they won’t be taking reservations until after November 2017, but then another part of their website says after January 8th. As far as I know it still isn’t open and I’ve seen no updates on their progress, so it’s still up in the air as far as I know.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks everyone for the updates on “up and running” hotels.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

LOL! That was a typo. We're just a regular family. It should have said other DD!

 

 

 

Renee

[emoji23][emoji23]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

List, I haven't used a Board (St.Martin) Board before in trying to do anything, can anyone post the steps to how it's done, please.

 

Thank you,

If you’re using the Cruise Critic app, go to the top of the page and click on “Browse,” (browse is along the same menu as “Subscribed,” where you likely click to shortcut your way to the Royal Caribbean board and any posts you’ve replied to)

Then scroll down to “Ports of Call,” then “Caribbean,” then “St. Maarten.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Wow, they’re still planning to be closed through March [emoji15]

I booked my hotel for this coming summer a year in advance, and before the hurricanes. I got a price that is half of what they are charging now, but they still aren’t open.

After the hurricane happened I booked back-up hotel nights in Orlando in case they don’t open, and I will just change my flights to go to San Juan 2 days later than I planned (I fly southwest so I can change my flights easily).

I was actually contemplating cancelling the back-up hotel a few days ago, but I guess I won’t.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I think we should bring some sort of plastic bag to carry the cups around in.

Do the cups have tops? If so you can buy one of these on Amazon to carry the cups:

AUPET Water Bottle Carrier,Insulated Neoprene Water bottle Holder Bag Case Pouch Cover 1000ML or 750ML,Adjustable Shoulder Strap, Great for Stainless Steel and Plastic Bottles, Sport and Energy Drinks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012S9GKLS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VJKtAbTSQMTHK

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Unfortunately since these are suites there is not an option for refundable.

 

I called rc and the person could not answer the question. I called my ta and they could not answer and they called rc who could not answer. My ta said they would get back to me.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Ah, that’s a bummer :( Also frustrating that Royal can’t even answer the question.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The Concierge Lounge gives access to suite guests, Pinnacle members, and Diamond Plus members.

 

 

 

The Suite Lounge gives access to suite guests and Pinnacle members.

 

 

 

 

 

I believe Royal is moving to the Suite Lounge to maintain the quality of experience for suite guests, as the Concierge Lounge can get crowded with the addition of the Diamond Plus guests.

 

 

 

There are also some differences in perks betweek the Suite Lounges on Oasis Class ships and the Suite Lounge on Liberty.

Thanks for the explanation.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If the lounge in question is still called the Concierge Lounge (as it is right now), then the answer is yes.

 

 

 

However, if it gets changed to the Suite Lounge, the answer is no.

Interesting. Can you elaborate on the difference between a Concierge Lounge & a Suite Lounge and why the rules are different? Just curious.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I take it to read the entire deposit from a cancelled 3/4 guest will go towards the cruise fare of the remaining guests. I don't see a change fee, because there was no change, only a cancel.

That’s how it sounds to me too, but I also agree that the wording is very confusing since it mentions being subject to the non-refundable rules. Maybe that means they will take $100 from the cancelled passengers, but then apply the other $150 to the balance instead of giving it to those passengers in the form of a future cruise credit.

I would avoid this 100% of the time by not booking non-refundable. Especially in cases where you know there might be need for a change or cancellation. The worry and confusion isn’t worth the $$ savings to me.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Someone posted a review earlier about the Jewel and spoke about St Maarten and Orient beach. The pictures showed it is completely destroyed as far as beach bars go, which is really unfortunate because they JUST remodeled it and built it up about two years ago. I’m sure the actual beach and water are “open,” but not much benefit to going there right now. They also said the Dutch side is recovering faster than the French side.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I believe the price is $25 per person now.

Per person, regardless of the # of bags? If you fly southwest (2 free checked bags) can you just check both people’s bags under 1 person and pay $25 total instead of $50?

This service would be sooooo great to have in San Juan, eliminating the need for the Barrachina drop off. I’m guessing the USDA check is the reason they don’t do it.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Is drinking alcohol really that important? If a glass of wine is too expensive, don’t freaking drink.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks for the review on the ports, very helpful!! I noticed in your 2nd to last paragraph you mentioned your “other” husband. Do you have 2 husbands? Haha!

It’s sad that Orient beach is so damaged because they JUST opened up all those new beach bars and restaurants like a year or two ago. I wonder how long it will take to rebuild.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Eeek. That was brave of you to have such a screw up and then decide to rebook a new cruise at a NON-REFUNDABLE RATE!!!! Why would you do that???

Hopefully they fix it and you’re able to get it worked it without having to cancel and rebook like the last time, especially since you made it so that you can’t do that without a penalty [emoji21]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Ok

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I’ve had this problem before. I tried to make a deposit on a cruise and it wouldn’t take my card. I checked my account to see what was wrong and the credit card company said they didn’t even see the attempted purchase on their end. So, I tried another card, then another.

I finally called Royal Caribbean and they said that I wasn’t the first person to call with that issue and offered to do the booking for me.

They asked me to release the room I had, and then they quoted me a higher price than the one l was seeing right in front of me. They couldn’t explain it and wouldn’t honor the cheaper price, so I refused to book it.

I figured I’d try again later, but changed my mind and booked an entirely different vacation for that week instead.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums