Tljcruiser

Just got off Saturday.  At the captain's talk the hotel director stated the ship would be going into dry dock at the first of the year for "refurbishment". She did not elaborate on what would be did and did not specifically refer to it as an amplification.  The ship is in need of refurb for sure.  We saw many worn, stained carpets, our curtains had holes, the railing on our balcony was splintered, broken seats in the theater, and star lounge. It appeared clean but for sure needs to be updated!

We did this excursion in March after our spring break cruise.  It was really good.  I looked at other options for going, car rental, other tour company etc.  I couldn't find any other options for port pick up and Uber didn't seem to work because the space center does not offer luggage storage.  I think your best bet is car rental where you can lock up your luggage, but one way rental is kind of pricey especially these days when apparently there is a shortage of cars.  Hopefully it will open up for you or you can book onboard!  I typically prefer to do my own thing as opposed to ship excursions but this was hassle free and we all really enjoyed it.  Only negative was it was a little too short.  They make sure to get you to the airport in way more time than you need. 

MId march the escape room was not open and Grease was just a concert, it was good though!

I agree! They were placed in cabin every night last week on Indy didn't even have to ask.  They were no where to be found in December on Allure. 

There are couches that do not make beds.  We had one last week on Indy.  My daughter was sleeping in the pullman and her friend traveling with us but in her parents room wanted to have a "cabin sleepover" she slept on the couch with a blanket and sheet provided by our nice steward but it was definitely a 3 person cabin not 4.  I feel like I have seen a legend on a 3rd party site that lists exactly how the rooms are configured * for pullman ^ for sleeper sofa etc. but can't remember where I saw it.  You can probably google the rooms you are considering and find a youtube video tour.  

5 hours ago, Justjrn said:

Do you have any of the menus from the main dining room or the daily compass? We haven't been on a royal ship in quite a wild so I am curious, Since we are going On a three day in April.

     

Thanks

Main dining room menus are in the app.

5 hours ago, SECdawg said:

Have they started doing the full Grease broadway musical yet? When we were on in February it was just a concert. 

Still the concert not the full play.

My daughter (10 at the time) loved it.  She had previously read a book about the swimming pigs of Exuma and she wanted to see swimming pigs from that point on.  Some of the pigs are very large and heavy and can be aggressive.  I think it would depend on the 6 year old's fear level of animals.  I personally thought it was kind of gross.....they aren't potty trained of course!  We got some cute pictures and I am glad she got to do it because she really enjoyed it but it was definitely a one and done for me.  I would try to catch it on sale, it was pretty pricy. The baby pigs that you get to interact with at the end are adorable. 

On Symphony in October they gave each cabin occupant one like they previously did.  On Allure last month they were next to impossible to come by.  I asked the cabin steward and guest services. There were zero copies at guest services.  I asked in the diamond lounge, the concierge said he would have them sent to our cabin.  They never appeared, so he just got us one and I would go by in the morning and pick it up.  I use the app, but I really like to have a paper copy also.     

Tested at CVS in East TN the first time in October.  They took us both early, it took less than 10 min to get both people tested, received a phone call 10 min later saying both negative.  Received the text shortly thereafter.  Tested again 12/17, in and out in less than 10 minutes. Never received a phone call.  I received the text for myself about an hour later.  The one for my daughter did not come for another 30-45 minutes.  

My friend and her family are currently onboard.  We have texted back and forth a few times and she says they are having a great time.  Weather hasn't been perfect, high seas, lots of rocking, they missed Costa Maya due to weather and being unable to dock.  Other than that no issues.  She hasn't said anything about covid cases or entertainment being cancelled.  They disembark tomorrow I think.  

You won't need a bed for the baby.  You can just get a double occupancy balcony and use a pack n play.  Your friends could get a quad occupancy balcony beside you.  Just make sure the balcony dividers are removable on the ship you choose or you will be talking around a wall.  Enjoy your first cruise! 

We disembarked the Allure 12/23 in FLL.  We had a late flight so not in a big hurry, but we were trying to get the airport to try a stand by flight.  Power went out in the terminal around the time we were heading out and they held everyone on the ship for around an hour until it was restored.  Once the power came back on the facial recognition system was down so that slowed things further.  The first folks off had no issues, but you never know when something weird like that may happen.  I would not chance it. 

2 hours ago, kpauley said:

Hope you had a Perfect Day at Coco Cay. 😀 By any chance did you get in the pool? Wondering how the water temp is this time of year. 

We were there last Tuesday it was cold!! There were lots of people in there, so I guess it's subjective,  but even my 12 year old thought it was cold.  She is hot natured and rarely says anything is cold.  We were there the middle of October and it was a huge difference in the pool and ocean temp! 

I mailed mine on 7/17, it was received on 7/20.  I got it back today 8/14 exactly 4 weeks from start to finish.  I did pay the expedited fee.  This was a renewal.  I hadn't even realized it was expired until I got it out to check in for October cruise! 

Ya'll are brilliant!  Yes, that was exactly what it was $2.22  per person difference in port fees.  Thanks for the replies! 😀

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

Refunds come in odd amounts like that - just ensure that the overall amount is correct.

Yeah I know I have had a ton.  I the only thing I can remember needing refunded for this one was the water park tickets and I have received that in the correct amount.  I hadn't purchased anything else.  I mean I'll take anything they want to give me, but I have no idea what it is or why in the world it would be such a strange amount. 🤷‍♀️

I received a credit in the amount of $6.66 on my credit card from Royal.  Not sure if they are trying to tell me something or what.....

Any ideas on what could have possibly been refunded in that amount?  I have had multiple cancellations like everyone else, but I think I am even on all.  Most recent was Mariner for spring break in March.  We lift and shifted so the only item I had to be refunded was a cruise planner purchase of water park tickets which was also refunded in the correct amount.  Thoughts anyone?

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

They allowed that in a March and into April then they changed the policy and no longer allow it. 

I think we just lucked up then.  It was on final payment for an October cruise so in July.  The rep at Royal seemed a little surprised too when I called to see why I hadn't received the FCC back that it had been processed that way.  I have had so many refunds and it didn't match up to the amount of the future cruise credit so I just assumed the refund on my card was from another cruise.  I called them to see why I never got the FCC back, turns out I did but in cash refund only $55 short.  I have a feeling I will never see that $55 again.  It is a full time job to try to keep it all straight.  The price on the Symphony dropped to lower than what we paid for the Harmony after we switched and they keep saying I will get the difference back in some manner but haven't seen that either 😞 

We applied an FCC from a cruise cancelled in March to a fully paid Harmony sailing in October which generated a refund back to my credit card.  So it may not be standard procedure but it apparently happens.  The refund was $55.50 less than the FCC though.  We lift and shifted the cancelled Harmony to Symphony for 2021 and I fully expected to receive the FCC back but instead it was credited to my card as a refund.  They said the missing $55.50 went towards an increase in taxes but on the same phone call they stated there was no increase in taxes so who the heck knows what happened. I have requested the $55 back in some form or another either FCC or refund but haven't received either yet.  Good luck!!

4 hours ago, DrDani226 said:

I would be happy with that:) I can't wait until we can do b2b's!

This is our first.  We have always wanted to.  I work for the school system so limited to 1 week at spring break 1 week at fall break and summer vacations. It is usually cost prohibitive in the summer to do 2 weeks but we got a really good deal on the Brilliance and haven't really been anywhere since a trip to Universal last December due to Covid so we have been saving $$ 🙂. I really wasn't interested in 2 full weeks on the Brilliance with an 11 year old but we can stay a bit longer on the Independence.  

7 hours ago, rockmom said:

This is my concern. I specifically booked an aft balcony on Brilliance, but it is a different (and I think higher?) category on Indy.  I've yet to get my new stateroom assignment, but fear that it won't be equal in location to what we had.  

I can't keep the categories straight.  But I would be concerned as well.  I'm guessing maybe too it may have to do with cabin capacity.  It is me, my mom and daughter so we have a triple.  They will have to put us in our category or higher in a cabin that will hold 3 so maybe that has something to do with it.  Someone in our fb group posted they received a category upgrade not sure of the particulars but they were happy with it.  I really would have been fine with most anywhere they put me at this point.  I am happy with the ship change and just keeping fingers crossed that this trip actually sails!

We also received ours early this morning. We were hump balcony 8th deck on Brilliance and were assigned aft balcony same category same deck on Indy.  We just booked the 6 night prior to our 8 night this week after learning of the ship change and are in a 7th floor aft balcony.  I was happy with the new cabin, but just wanted to be in the same one both legs so called first thing this morning and they switched us over to the 7th floor same cabin. Invoice was not correct though so be sure to be on the look out for that.   

On 9/13/2020 at 8:56 AM, WeatherFx said:

For those who received their passport back.

How did they arrive, UPS, USPS or FedEx and is a signature required?

USPS no signature with all supporting documents (birth certificate custody papers etc) back in same envelope with new passport and old passport together.  I had signed up for updates which I never received and passport status never changed online from "not found" 

13 minutes ago, BND said:

Geared towards families, yes, but the reality is there are many couples and singles onboard also.  If they really thought they could cruise, they would rework their activities.  Royal will be cancelling til at least Dec soon too.

Exactly.  Just like they have reworked the theme parks to open without meet and greets, parades and fireworks.