nigelsmom1

Greetings:

After several years of not cruising (been a tad busy fighting triple negative breast cancer, but doing well thanks to a lil thing immunotherapy) I'm now sailing with 5 other family members on Harmony sailing 8-25-18.

I'm rooming with my eight year old niece in a superior ocean view cabin located on the hump. Her parents are staying in a central park room & granny & older niece are on another deck in a ocean view room.

Questions:

I want to be able to set up a cash account at guest services for my niece. A small amount so that she can play the arcade & purchase a gift on her own. Is it possible to set this up with guest services and keep it separate from what I am spending? Will the sea pass stop working (purchasing power) once the cash balance gets to zero? Or do I have to set up one large cash account for both and hope she does not go overboard with the spending?

Her parents will be onboard the cruise in her own cabin, but she is registered in my cabin, can I sign my niece into the camp or will her parents have to do this?

My niece is a picky eater and she is currently on a vegan diet, should contact RCCL's dining or can we just wait & discuss with the waiter once we get on board (we have my time dining)?

This is the first time I've not booked any excursions or done any real planning, so I feel as if I"m starting from scratch. I did book the aqua show, comedy show and Grease. Other than that I'm pretty much going to relax & let this cruise be pretty organic. I'm feeling good & just really happy to be cruising again.

Any helpful suggestions would be appreciate. Thanks in advance.

:)

So, after checking the sales pdf one last time last Friday I noticed the 110% supplement being offered on the Tuesday/Wed sale event.

So after calling several reps this weekend I was able to book it (after trying with four RCI reps this morning). Here are my observations.

1- If your a Crown & Anchor member stay away from the 866-562-7625 number. It's the main 24hr line & each rep I talked to either had no clue, or could not, would not accomodate my request this morning before or after 9:00am EST. In addition they were nasty. Just awful, and I'm pretty low maint.

2- Crown & Anchor members try this number 800-205-9812. Rings in Oregon, for some reason the rep was much better attitude. I ask for resolutions and the rep asked for some background info. I gave him the quotes from the Tue sales event pdf and explained that since I'm a C&A member I wanted to take advantage of the preview booking.

3- The rep, Chris who was great, put me on hold, came back and said he'd figured it out (resolutions told him to put in a special sales code). He did and:

I have a oceanview balcony GTY on 8/25/13 sailing of Allure of the Seas. Price was $911.00 and with taxes & the 110% supp kicking in I paid $1,035. I will purchase my insurance today via insuremytrip.com.

Just wanted to share my experience for anyone looking to take advantage of a good rate. My family is happy that I'm joining them. It took some patience, time and effort, but if you're nice, persistant and are informed you can make it happen.

Take care & happy sailing to all.;)

BK is correct. I did a dummy booking for the Aug 17 sailing & the price for balcony was $549 (Oasis) solo Without taxes. I'm going to try & book for the Allure & join eight other family members already booked. I just a hunch on This past Friday to check before I booked and lo & behold the upcoming Tuesday sale revealed great pricing. I will let you guys know what happens tommorrow. My family will be relieved that I will be joining them after weeks of pressure.

It was possible to book for Oasis online at the sale pricing in the wee hours of the morning. If not call RCI to inquire.

Very informative. Thanks for the information. Will put to good use.

-K

Chrystal:

I imagine things have changed a tad in MoBay now. This was spring break in the late 90's before 9/11.

It was a blast, flying air Jamaica when they had paper coupons for free drinks (lol). Doctors Cave Beach was free & spring break was in full effect!!! Beach parties w/music & wet t shirt contests. We'd wake up everyday & trot over to the beach...by the third day we'd hear cries of "Heeeeer cuuuum the Nuuuyaaaawkers Dem"! It was so cool, crazy & organic. My photo album is full of crazy JA "day in the life" shots. The beach party even continued on some nights. Some of those same people we met on that beach in MoBay I encountered again on my second trip...in of all places Ocho Rios :p.

Now If your into Jerk I'm sure sctch. should fit your bill, cause Jamaica by far has the best Jerk hands down (I'm vegan now, but I remember the hot sauce...pace yourselves please.... stuff is dangerous...& the festival bread that went along with it). Back then the place to be was the Pork Pit & I'm not even sure if the current location is the original, as I heard tales that an unfortunate fire had claimed it when I went down for my second visit, later on with my son (base camp was Ocho that time).

Thanks again for the your wonderful review & if my family books the Allure I'll be sure to let you know.

-Karen

Chrystal:

I check in to see what's doing & came across your review. Although I've been doing lots of land based vacations (Antigua, Bermuda, New Orleans, Quebec, D.C., Poconos...) and spend most of my time on TripAdvisor, you're review has tipped the scales.

What drew me in was the connection I had with the three of you taking the trip in celebration of your birthdays, something I do on a smaller scale with two of my friends (we just keep it in the states). One is a TV exec & married w/kids, the other is a newlywed & pro dancer (Radio City & one of the original Knick Cheerleaders) & then there's me bringing up the rear... the class clown & college adjunct instructor :D.

I felt your pain when you complained about the tolls (lord knows the G.W. is $12.00 without EZ Pass coming back into Manhattan) and your love for your state (yeah... I get out to Jersey Gardens now & again).

But what made me sit down & write a reply was, after reading thru the entire thread. the comic relief was the best (I giggled out loud with tears streaming down my face looking at the pics & descrip of the Bingo episode...Tooooo funny :p)

Thanks for the info/lesson on the agave (100%) & sharing the info on booking a cab in Cozumel (Mr. Sanchos was my spot!!! Massage up in the cut was the best....) I felt your pain in the sauna & wanted to give a loud shhhhh for ya..you've got a knack for this....blogging....keep it going.

With that said, my girls and I did do one far off destination (just after the TV exec got married) to Jamaica and it was during college spring break. We had a GOOOOOOOOD time. Stayed at the infamous Dr.'s Cave Hotel & hung out the Doctors Cave Beach & ate Jerk at the famous Pork Pit. Had a cab driver named Biggaaa who saved our lives, and went to experience the beautiful beaches & scenery of Negril...only to end up jumping off the cliff at Ricks Cafe...aaahh memories.

My baby sis loves to cruise and wants to experience the Allure or Oasis badly. Her craving is even worse after learning her maid of honor just booked the Oasis w/her hubby for July...So I'm gonna have a little family pow wow & see if I can do it big for Allure before the year ends. Thanks for the inspiration. You are truly blessed to have family & friends who support your passion.

Karen

Radio:

Great trip report. I have read one or two of your reports before & have always found them to be very informative.

The pictures are just beautiful. The ones off the balcony & the sunrise shots, make me smile (as early morning is my favorite time on a cruise or land vacation) & I will be looking forward to cruising Allure very soon. Oh...thanks for the explanations on posting pics & camera info. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.:)

Q: What would you say is your favorite spot on the Allure & why?

Hey faith413:

I really enjoyed your review of the Serenade! I stumbled upon it because I will be on a land tour during the holidays in Antigua & was looking for info.

Your pictures & description of Creole Cruises has cemented my decision, and I think we'll be booking with them while I'm there. Can you remember the price per person for the cruise?

I've checked out the cruise port schedule & have a pretty good idea when or when not to book (lol).

I've often read that the Serenade is a really nice ship, & I think we might try that instead of the Allure (but stick with the route that includes Aruba, as I've never been there before).

Again, thanks for such a passionate & informative review!

Go Jets! Hey I love my gang green :D!