travelbuddies
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Transfer Forms can be found on the RCCL website. Just put in the "Search" area, "Transfer Form" and it will bring up info about transfer and a link to download the PDF form which then needs to be faxed back to RCCL. They will then take care of the transfer if it is within the 60 day period and not after Final Payment!:D
The procedure has been in place for several months. If you do not wish to assign a Next Cruise to a TA make an appointment at the loyalty desk onboard and let them know you do not want it assigned to a TA. They will give you another form/survey wanting an explanation. State you prefer the flexibility of booking 24/7. We had no problem booking this way on the Legend last December. I checked my email the next day onboard and my next cruise certificates had arrived. I also received a paper receipt when I booked with the booking number. I hang on to it because I find RCCL's website most unreliable. If you use this method you will need to use the transfer form online if you wish to assign it to a TA within 60 days of applying your next cruise to a sailing. It also helps to contact the TA first to clarify perks of a transfer.
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We celebrated our 25Th Anniversary on the Liberty of the Seas in 2010 and it was the best cruise we have ever had.
It is very important you do your homework if you are looking for that 'perfect cruise' experience. You will love the entertainment. If great food is big for you consider the dining package for the specialties. The staff is great but they work for tips so if you are looking for fabulous service bring lots of $1 bills and use them liberally and treat the staff with respect.
Do everything in your power pre cruise to set yourself up for success. Make sure to join the roll call on cc once you have selected your cruise. When you book make it clear it is a celebration cruise. We love the main dining room but if the times aren't perfect for you get MTD and reserve your dining time as soon as it opens up online & a table for 2 if that is what you want. Make sure you have plenty of time to get to the shows before or after dinner. In the main dining room it is around 2 hours for dinner and we were in the specialty around 3 hours. It's no fun having to rush through dinner or run to a venue and find out there are no seats left. Don't miss the ice show. Book shore excursions ahead if you can. Follow the thread on cc boards for the Liberty of the seas for lots of great tips.
Hint, hint, hint to your TA & RCI guest services and ask them for suggestions to achieve your goal for your 25th anniversary in making this the perfect cruise for your DH so your DH will want to sail with you on RCI for the next 25 years. You will know if your efforts and theirs are successful if he wants to purchase a 'next cruise' or book another cruise while onboard. I let them know I did everything in my power to make this perfect and now it rests on them to make this an experience of a lifetime. Do everything you can to make it special and it will be. You can even order rose petals on the bed for a certain night.
Most people would think this is a big waste of money but I took his shirts to the cleaners and had them starched heavy and folded. They packaged them in a little box and all he had to do to pack was put his package in the luggage. He loved the extra touch and now has me build it into the expense of taking a cruise. Look for your extra special detail that your spouse might appreciate.
I know this sounds exhausting and it is but once you are on board all you have to do is enjoy.
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Lisa.....They usually give you a list of your coupons in your cabin. It's hard to find sometimes because it is on the back of something else and most people don't realize it's there.
List arrives on day one. I brought lots of magnets and posted the list and my itinerary + any invitations I wanted to accept on the wall next to the bed and kept my yellow highlighter and a pen on my night stand so I could check off used amenities. When I first got the list I put a star by the items I thought I would want to use.
Susan
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My ta was unable to make changes to my booking. Both she & RCI were so frustrated that finlly RCI gave her a new booking number but nobody notified me. I was experiencing your same situation I called the ta & that's how i found out. I requested new documents be emailed to me under the new booking number to verify cabin number, pricing, and onboard credits were correct. I was also able to pull up my booking with the new booking number & now when I login my booking appears
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CC thread t=1065747 has cold soup recipes you are seeking.
Susan
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CC thread t=1065747 has cold soup recipes you are seeking.
Susan
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Agree that it takes around 45 minutes to get to the port. Would not book anything before noon. We actually booked a one-way rental to and from the port. Was much cheaper for us since we were a family of 4 traveling.
Did your rental company pick you up at the port? Do all the car rental companies offer one way service from the port? I have had no luck getting valet service out of FLL so perhaps this would be a better option than sitting all day at the airport with a pile of luggage because you can't check prior to 3 hours from your flight.
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Please post your first choice for an excursion off an RCCL ship anywhere in the world. Ours was the trip to the top of the isle of Capri, Italy.
Mine too and I still get emails from friends we made over a decade ago on the tour.
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Ours is always in our Stateroom when we arrive.
Cheers
Di
Thanks to all for addressing subject. Our next cruise will be our first D+ sailing and hey I didn't know I was getting wine. I also saw gift option is expanded from the D option. Regarding bonus gift preference I just logged in and there is a sr option (stateroom) or dr option (dining room).
Last year on the Legend there was never a problem with the wine following us to all of the dining venues.
Susan
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We like to tip $2 for light delivery $3 for big delivery of breakfast & snacks. If we are in the aft we tip $5 for large orders.
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The entire staff works tirelessly for tips. While a tip is included in everything you purchase an extra buck or two goes a long way if you love fabulous service. In some cases it elevated our basic service to amazing attention. If you enjoy the attention bring lots of ones.
For example if you wait a long time for a drink you can choose not to tip for slow service or you can tip a little extra and they will be asking you every ten minutes if you need a drink. We don't hesitate to tip the cabin steward throughout the cruise when we ask for something special ie. on day one we request a foam pad, and extra towels, sheets, hangers, cruise compass, wine glasses & ice daily. Steward accommodates us, no problem.
To enhance your experience on day one also make sure your remote control, toilet, air conditioning, ipad, hair dryer and lighting are all functioning properly.
Susan
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I celebrated a birthday last year and received the tropical flowers. They remained beautiful throughout the cruise with a daily watering.
I also received a big onboard credit which allowed me to get a new cut/color/style in the salon, a bottle of wine for dinner, and a souvenir from the RCI store. It was fun taking pictures of all and sending them with an email thank you.
I would recommend the OBC and let her choose her luxuries. You should call RCI to set this up. It will not show up on her receipt. The senders did not receive a receipt so I would request RCI email you a copy of the amenities receipt if you go this route. In addition to what I mentioned she can choose from spa, specialty restaurant, drink package, or shore excursion which will all enhance her experience and a memory to cherish for many years to come.
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If you got a special rate for your state you should bring your drivers licence. One year we got a special rate for Missouri and my mom didn't have a Missouri Drivers Licence and RCI wanted $700 more which was current rate before we could board the ship. They would not accept a piece of mail or passport for state id.
Susan
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I read yesterday on a different RCI dining thread on CC these comments from two different cruisers:
'Email rcldining@rccl.com about three weeks before your cruise to request a table for two. When I've done that in the past I got an email back from the restaurant coordinator on the ship confirming my table size and number about a week before the cruise.
I have done this in the past and it works like a charm.
When you send in the email include --
Your name and companions name; the ship your are sailing on and the dates along with your confirmation/reservation number.
Since we are C&A members, I also put our C&A member numbers in the email as well -- it never hurts.
We have always been given the dining room accommodations we want, like this.'
Susan
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Lisa you have a gorgeous cruise wardrobe and look stunning in all your pics. Sorry Walt is under the weather. I am enjoying your review. Thanks for your kindness in taking your vacation time to share with us.
Susan
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On a couple of occasions when traveling with my mother she requested a table for two for breakfast & lunch in MD. We have had wait staff try to shame us and reply with unsociable table, no? Then in front of other passengers by yelling across from each other to search for unsociable table.
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Wondering how cool or warm they keep the ship. Is a light sweater needed in the dining rooms I am taking mostly sundresses on the panama cruise in March
The cabin hallways & venues were warm. I wore sun dresses with a bolero or wrap and I usually run hot.
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After 4 days I would like to address the issue of the “surly staff”. I have yet to encounter any member of the staff that is not friendly. While some staff members are more outgoing than others, the entire staff is friendly and happy to answer questions and help out. We have talk to members of the maintenance team, to room stewards, wait staff, and management. They are all great. I honestly don’t understand the sour comments on the staff. They are simply wonderful.
I do think that some of the negative comments come from cruisers that did not do thorough research of the Vision Class ships. If you are expecting a Freedom Class or Oasis Class experience on the Legend, then you will be disappointed. If you are doing this cruise with full knowledge that this is a small ship and sailing for the itinerary, then I think you will be happy. Since we did the Vision in 2012 we knew what our cruise experience would be like. So far the Legend crew has exceeded the Vision crew of last winter. Kudos.
Lisa and Walt
Please pay close attention to the above comment from Lisa, it is very important for you to consider. I was one that did not do my homework about the ship and was lured to the fabulous itinerary & that it departed from Ft. Lauderdale. I had been on many small ships before and enjoy the community feel they offer. My anticipation of the Legend was what she lacked in size and style she would make up in charm & service but this was not our experience and a missed opportunity for RCI I think.
On our sailing they seemed frazzled and understaffed but in spite of the fact that they did not have time to eat or sleep (as they proclaimed) they were very pleasant not special or wow. It took until day 5 for our cabins to look like they usually do on day one due to previous Noro virus and ship clean up. The staff became steadily better each day when things got back to normal for them.
Regarding the itinerary RCI took us to Labadee instead of St. Lucia, a huge disappointment. I had an exceptional time on the other islands participating in excursions and tours not sponsored by RCI. I always felt safe and enjoyed them all. I did not plan any water excursions but several were cancelled due to high winds. As long as you are flexible in changing your activities there is always something fun to do on the islands.
A few days in we started to see the bags everywhere so if you get motion sickness (we don't) plan ahead.
We enjoyed the food & sampled all the venues.
We upgraded to a Junior Suite and if you get the chance for a great deal don't do it unless you will really enjoy the larger balcony. I suppose I thought service would be more attentive in the Jr Suite so that was my error. It was nothing special, our ipad never worked and the air conditioning did not work for 4 day. Yes maintenance was very nice when they arrived on day 4 to turn on the air in our room.
Entertainment: music, comedy, entertainment was all 30-50 years old so if that's your thing you will enjoy it. Again I had anticipated more island/caribbean music in the southern caribbean. Lets just say a Chinese Lady singing country western doesn't do it for me and leave it at that. In addition to the usual sexy leg, big splash, rock climbing, etc., day activities included checkers, origami, and card making. Not exactly the excitement we were looking for but if you find those activities relaxing you might enjoy.
If you have ever considered a new hair cut/style/color don't hesitate to book with Jennifer Bridges in the Salon. Exceptional in every way.
I ordered flowers for the cabin. They were beautiful and will last all week if watered daily.
Tips- if you are located aft deck 8 portside there is a set of steps that takes you through the salon into the solarium right in front of Park Cafe. A great short cut! We did not experience any bad smells on deck 8. I used the ship computers and it took about 4 minutes to log in if you know what you are doing. The new safe did not work in our cabin but was fixed quickly. As info the safe was not large enough to hold our tablet. Onboard booking office was friendly and very efficient.
We were sailing for excitement not rest if you fall into that category overall we felt like we were on the geriatric of the seas and were very bored. The saving grace was we met up with friends we had met on the Liberty and enjoyed our time with them.
I need to share we are 60 & 63 years old. If you are not familiar with George Burns and the rat pack you may be clueless at the entertainment venues. My husband wanted me to add that he would not go back on that ship even if they gave him a free cruise.
Hoping everyone who has a future cruise booked for the Southern Caribbean on the Legend of the Seas finds this helpful when planning.
Susan
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Yes I remember those. I liked when they told us in advance that there would be a costume party, passenger talent contest, tropical night, etc. The information is in the daily compass on board but I don't recall getting the information in advance from RCI for quite some time.
Susan
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I called Royal Caribbean today and they provided the following information
Burial at Sea Procedures as of 10/24/13:
- Plan a cruise on Royal Caribbean phone 866-562-7625 or with your TA
- Call the emergency team to verify current procedure 1-800-256-6649
- Email ship at least three weeks prior to sailing = emergencyteam@rccl.com with request to distribute ashes at sea (a/k/a Burial at Sea), provide booking number, sail date, ship, your name, stateroom number, deceased name
- Cremation / Purchase biodegradable urn (see TSA Requirements below if flying)
- Once on board go to 'Guest Relations' (formerly know as Purser's Desk) to arrange a date and time. (check ship's deck plan online to find location of guest relations desk)
- Plan a cruise on Royal Caribbean phone 866-562-7625 or with your TA
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Yes. I used the new form on Monarch's second to last cruise. Not seeing the checkbox, I wrote "No travel agent" on the form. The LA then took out another form (should have kept a copy:() I had to fill out on which I had to give a reason why I didn't want to assign the NC to the travel agent. His feeling was that Royal has received complaints from travel agents accusing Royal of stealing their customers, so Royal now wants a better paper trail for this situation.
By the way, I always use a travel agent, but find that I like the flexibility to make the booking 24/7.
Usually there are forms to fill in and drop in the box. The LA never discusses NextCruises with me. When I am there it is very busy and there is an appointment book for people who want to book a cruise. Did the LA contact you after you dropped it in the box? I think I better fill in the form on day one instead of waiting until the end of the cruise and politely interrupt to request No TA assignment. I also like the flexibility of using different TA's and usually transfer the booking to an agency. I saw you can also use a NextCruise as gifts. The recipient wouldn't necessarily want to use my TA to book their vacation.
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Unfortunately, no. Can't use this from Deck 7 aft.
Glad you liked the review so far.
You are helping me tolerate the 14 inches of snow that was just dumped on us yesterday. What a treat to see it through your eyes. Will be sailing the Legend in December and I'm in the aft on deck 7 so thanks for the heads up about the soot.
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This was the ‘secret staircase’. From Deck 8, near the aft cabins, there was this staircase that led directly to the Spa and Fitness centre, and very near the Solarium and the brand new Park Café! Very convenient for us.
Was wondering if I can get on the secret stairs from deck 7 aft? Thanks for a fabulous review.
Has anyone taken a RCCL excursion in FLL?
in Florida Departures
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I have been wanting to ride the water taxi then catch a late flight in FFL. The past two years my ship did not offer valet service and I was stuck at the airport all day with luggage & can't check it prior to 3 hours from your flight departure. I called RCI prior to sailing and they assured me my sailing would have luggage valet service. Beware, you can't count on it.