caribbeanfever

Just now, firefly333 said:

You might revisit that thread as what it says is beginning of oct royal scheduled to go back to labadee. That's a month plus away. People posting they are on the first or second cruise back to labadee. Idk .. I'm not scheduled until dec.

Thanks. I was unaware of this and appreciate you letting me know. We were looking at booking a cruise in March that goes to Labadee. I’ll check it out. 

On 8/24/2024 at 3:36 AM, kitkat343 said:

Glad you were able to work something out Caribbeanfever.

 

When NCL does this, they often make the announcements after final payment.  We lost the DR on a cruise after final payment "to help the environment."  They wouldn't let us switch to another identical sailing 2 weeks later that kept the original itinerary, and we'd chosen the cruise for the DR (my 4 year old daughter was so obsessed with monkeys she told the TSA officer her name was monkey when he questioned her).  I know it's frustrating when ports are dropped for non-emergency reasons, but if it happens outside of final payment you at least have some options.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2919290-are-ncl-selling-cruises-to-ports-they-have-no-intention-of-going-to/

Thank you! I don’t know how old your daughter is now, but hopefully you were able to get her to the DR. There’s another island our grandsons did that have monkeys but the excursion and island name escape me at the moment but I’m sure someone else on Cruise Critic knows of some options!

10 hours ago, kdnurs said:

I received a letter from RCI about our August 9-16, 2025, cruise. Our cruise has changed its itinerary also. We will no longer stop at Dominican Republic but will stop at Labadee instead. Said something about not being allowed to dock there.🥲

To me the worst part was, even though we were looking forward to Puerta Plata was that we paid $500 more for the 4 ports. We decided to stay with Icon but go with the 3 stop itinerary then. Saved the $500 and they talked to the Resolutions Department and agreed that the change fee would be waived for our 4 cabins. We’ll go to Puerta Plata on a smaller ship. 
 

FYI-Last I heard that Royal is not stopping in Labadee any time soon due to political unrest. You might investigate your options. Happy cruising 😊

8 hours ago, twangster said:

 

Exactly.  If you can not tolerate the potential for a change in itinerary cruising is not for you

Diamond Plus, 21 cruises with 3 more booked. I ❤️ cruising!

16 hours ago, firefly333 said:

If you pushed it they might allow you to change to another cruise with no charge. Do you want to change. You could say because they changed ports. I think several of the smaller ships go there. I admit I booked adventure to go there and would be disappointed to miss it as I booked it becaus it was a new port for me.

 

If you call tell us what they said. 

I did do this, and changed itineraries with no change fees. I actually did it before I saw your response, but did want to write back to thank you. 

9 hours ago, Newcruiser215 said:

I swear someone could come on here just to say “Good morning” and there will always be someone with a response like this one. 

Thank you!  

9 hours ago, Newcruiser215 said:

I swear someone could come on here just to say “Good morning” and there will always be someone with a response like this one. 

21 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Doesnt matter what we think is fair. Royal wouldnt give you compensation for them changing the route. They changed me to 2 ports with lower port fees and said nothing due. 

 

Adventure goes there but it’s sure not as good as icon. I'm going there in December.. sorry

Thanks

34 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I was not reimbursed for missed ports. I wrote to mbayley office and was told it's not their policy, it's up to each ship. Just because you got them back doesnt mean everyone does. Sorry. But it's not the policy. I can post the email if you dont believe me.

 

They have the right to change or miss ports. It is then up to the ship what 

36 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Doesnt matter what we think is fair. Royal wouldnt give you compensation for them changing the route. They changed me to 2 ports with lower port fees and said nothing due. 

 

Adventure goes there but its sure not as good as icon. I'm going there in December.. sorry

Thanks for your prompt response. I guess I was hoping in light of having 10 more months to get creative they would add a port. I’m glad you are going there! Have a great time!!

We scheduled a family cruise on the Icon for June 21, 2025. We specifically picked this itinerary for the 4 stops, with Puerta Plata being included. They have removed this stop “Due to our Icon Class of ship not being approved yet”. Instead they are giving us 4 more hours at St Thomas, which is by no means a valid trade off in my opinion. None of us have ever been there, and it was the most expensive itinerary for the month of June. I would have hoped that they would add a different port. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be a fair compensation?  Thanks in advance. 

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

A few random observations.

 

The new elevators are fantastic.  No more throngs of people pushing their way into each elevator then stopping at every floor.  The most stops I have made is 2.  Waiting an extra minute or two to get an elevator that then makes few stops is definitely a plus.

 

Windjammer is laid out like Wonder.  Very efficient, made to order omlettes at the very back, many miss thelis so it doesn't appear to be busy.

 

Bed configuration is yhe same as Oasis class with the cabin on the right side of a connecting pair having the bed by the balcony.  This ship does have the closer near the bed like Oasis and Allure to it is a tight squeeze with the bed by the bath so a definite preference for bed by the balcony on this class of ships. 

 

 

 

 

Do you know if the Infinite Balcony Central Park balconies follow the same alternating pattern as the Oasis/Oceanview balcony cabins?  Also, do you have access to take a picture of these cabins?  

Someone posted a while back the formula for combining spouse’s complimentary stateroom offer as long as we have the same offer code(except the last digit). Does any have that formula?

20 hours ago, EllinWebster said:

So we've decided on a starboard ocean balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean, Harmony of the Seas and are between two cabins - 8566 & 8568. 

 

My spouse noticed different layouts and it's apparently very important that we book a room with the living area closest to the balcony (GREEN) as opposed to the bed being near the balcony (PURPLE ) - see attached diagram with photos. 

 

Before you suggest it, my spouse is super extra and has already emailed RC, a travel agent and scoured crusedeckplans.com. Based on her research - she believes there is a pattern of alternating layouts and that Room 8566 should be GREEN and 8568 should be PURPLE. 

 

Can anyone confirm so I can book this cruise? 🤪

 

 

Layouts.pdf 6.12 MB · 2 downloads

You will want 8566 if you want the living area by the balcony. 

I vote 8566.  We usually pick close to the elevator. Deck 8 being Central Park deck is very quiet in the evenings. Also, the public restroom is kind of nice in case your spouse is in the restroom in your room, and you need to go, too. Just saying. 

3 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

It likely means it's sold out

Thanks for your prompt response!  I kind of thought that was the case.  

I’m trying to see if I can see how much it is to upgrade my junior suite, but I can no longer see our November 11th cruise on Navigator showing up on Royal’s website.  I booked thru Royal Caribbean,  but double checked on Costco website, too. It’s only 25 days away and we’re already checked in. Any ideas?

We’re going during spring break in March with adult kids and our grandchildren.  It’s $223 per person after a 10% discount. Definitely not worth that. We went this past March and it was much cheaper, plus we had onboard credit money to spend. The lobster was amazing!

It’s use it or lose it. They are now worth up to $13, so you can get drinks up to $13, or you can pay the difference if it’s more. Pretty nice perk. Also, can be used on cafe promenade specialty drinks, just not Starbucks branded drinks. If you can’t use them all you can get water bottles to take to your room. 

2 minutes ago, soremekun said:

I am at a weird "almost there" stage.  I am one single solitary point away from achieving diamond status.

 

Is there an inexpensive way to get over the hump so that I can hang out in the exclusive club for my October cruise?

 

It appears as if I can neither buy, trade, barter, nor scheme my way to diamond status.  On the second day of the cruise, can I negotiate my way into the Diamond Lounge?  Or, will I be stuck on the outside looking in?

Unfortunately, you will have to wait till the next cruise to officially get your Diamond benefits. You can take a 3-4 night cruise to get to Diamond, but that’s how it works. 

3 minutes ago, Sailaplay said:

Thanks so much for the info. You are all so helpful!

 

Kim

According to the diagram RCL Fan attached, it also looks like your stateroom has the capacity to hold 5 people. 

I would, but it’s only on the 9th deck. 

Does anyone happen to know the best area to stay on Oasis of the Seas Central Park interior view cabin windows where the window isn’t  obstructed by the metal structures or the rising tide bar?  Just curious, as I am in the process of picking our daughter’s cabin. I tried to look on YouTube but can’t quite figure it out. TIA

We were on the Odyssey of the Seas March 26th sailing. We grabbed coffee from the 270 Cafe and then sat in our room/balcony until our number was called at 9:15am. 

Just now, Biker19 said:

Yes.

Thanks for your prompt response!!

Can anyone tell me if I can use one of my free drinks for a cafe mocha at 270 cafe?  I know I can’t use at any of the Starbucks on Royal Caribbean’s ship. 

Here is our official itinerary: