tinkerme1

I've heard so many folks complaining about the Legend of the Seas during the Panama Canal cruise and wonder why there aren't more reviews of that trip. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences while onboard.

MCO Port requires flights to be after 12:30pm

So...........if I do the luggage valet, are we still eligible to do the "self-assist" early walk off the ship? That would be really helpful if we didn't have to drag that luggage! We have a "just before noon" flight so we would like to be the first to walk off the ship. Any info on that?

What Ship/Port???

Early Bird is really nice if you have a LONG flight. If you are on a flight that is 1 1/2 hours or less, you may find that Early Bird isn't worth the price.

Early Bird does NOT guarantee an A Boarding Pass! It all depends on many things, each of which has nothing to do with the other. Date you bought your ticket, how much you paid for your ticket, if you are flying on a free pass, and how many bought Early Bird are all some of the criteria for deciding what Boarding Pass you receive.

I fly often with SW Airlines and usually buy Early Bird since I'm flying to Florida from Las Vegas. I have been assigned an A, B or C Boarding Pass on some of my flights. Nothing is guaranteed!

If you really want to get to the front of the line, 40 minutes before the flight takes off you may be able to pay $40 and get an A1 - 15 Pass if there are any available. You buy this at the Gate.:D

Yes, they will check you in with Luggage Valet but not necessarily 24 hours in advance. Many prefer checking in themselves 24 hours ahead in order to get a higher boarding position. If you let them check you in, you're relying on their timing. If you do it yourself, then it's done and they just print the boarding pass for you. We use Early Bird check-in so they're also just printing the boarding pass.

Just a head's up, if you check yourself in BEFORE the ship does your boarding pass, it may kick out your Luggage Valet and your bags will not be sent ahead. I was told this on two different occasions from two different ships. I use Luggage Valet whenever possible and love it!

To the OP:

The CL is still available to D+, Pinnacle and Suite Guests. Until RCCL says otherwise, why would you expect them to answer your questions with a definitive yes or no? They have no idea what any possible new policy will be in the coming months or years. :eek::o

Me thinks you need to sit back, pour yourself a nice libation and RELAX!!

Wrona, I had to do the same thing, but, they did apply the correct points!

Merion Mom---- Did you get another call re: NCCF?

Here is what you are looking for:

"Royal Caribbean Announces Allure of the Seas Will Undergo Repairs in February 2014

MIAMI, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean International announced today that a mechanical issue has made it necessary to perform unscheduled repairs to Allure of the Seas. The repairs will take place at Grand Bahama Shipyard, in Freeport, Bahamas, the week of February 24, 2014. As a result, it will be necessary to cancel the February 23, 2014, sailing of Allure of the Seas.

"We sincerely regret that we will be unable to deliver the Royal Caribbean cruise vacation that our guests were looking forward to," said Adam Goldstein, president and chief executive officer, Royal Caribbean International. "We understand that our guests' vacation time is very precious and can assure you that we did not take this decision lightly. But it was very important to us that we bring Allure back up to speed so that she could continue to deliver the amazing cruise vacations our guests expect."

Allure of the Seas has been experiencing unanticipated bearing wear in one of its three propulsion motors. All three motors are fully operational, and there is no impact on the maneuverability of the ship or on the safety of guests and crew. However, since the rate of bearing wear is directly related to ship speed, the ship's top speed has been limited. This has reduced the rate of bearing wear, and will ensure that all three propulsion motors are fully available for maneuvering and emergencies until repairs can be completed.

"While Allure could have continued to sail at a reduced rate of speed, we felt it was important to fix the problem as soon as possible," said William D. Baumgartner, senior vice president of Marine Operations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "We explored numerous repair options. Unfortunately, there was no satisfactory solution that did not involve taking the ship temporarily out of service."

The company said guests currently booked on the February 23, 2014, sailing of Allure of the Seas will receive a full, 100 percent refund, or the option to sail on select itineraries at the same rate.

Additionally, until the repairs can be made, it will be necessary to make minor adjustments to Allure of the Seas' eastern Caribbean itineraries. Allure of the Seas will now call on Nassau, Bahamas, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is no need to modify Allure of the Seas' western Caribbean itineraries."

Celia, it used to be - before October 27, 2013 - that when RC computed the 150% solo fare, it was only ONE NCCF and ONE AND A HALF of the cruise fare.

 

NOW they are charging 150% of the whole thing.

 

Before: cruise fare = 800 NCCF = 200 taxes & fees = 100

 

(Normal cruiser only sees "cruise fare is $1,000 + $100 taxes"; two people in cabin = $2200)

 

340 point or above cruiser would be charged, sailing solo: 800 + 50% of 800 + 200 + 100 = $1500.

 

NOW:

 

cruise fare = 800 NCCF = 200 taxes & fees = 100

 

340 point or above cruiser will now pay $800 + 50% of 800 + 200 + 50% of 200 + 100 = $1600

Thanks Carol! I can see why that is a bone of contention but I don't think we'll see a change on that one. :(

I am now going to sum up the current situation.

 

1. Solo cruisers are now receiving an extra point per night cruised.

 

2. Solo cruisers will now pay exactly what two people would pay, less ONLY one of the "taxes and fees" line.

 

3. Solo cruisers who have 350 or more cruise points will pay 150% of the FULL cruise fare: 150% of the fare and 150% of the NCCF. (but only one set of taxes & fees, of course) (Keep your eyes peeled for those good Tuesday sales with even further reduced supplements!)

 

4. Solo cruisers with 350 or more points who choose to sail in a balcony (any cabin with a balcony) cabin will be able to use the balcony discount, along with the 150% single supplement.

 

5. Solo cruisers with 350 or more points who are sailing on a cruise that happens to have a C&A certificate/coupon available (and are not using the balcony discount) will be able to use the coupon along with the 150% single supplement.

 

6. Solo cruisers with 350 points or more will NOT be able to combine the 150% cruise fare benefit with a residency rate, a military/EMT rate or a senior rate. You may choose whichever is most advantageous for you.

 

7. NCCF. A more nebulous subject. All of us who talked to Brittany/Brittney should expect a call from a member of Adam's staff. Apparently, "he" made this change. I almost get the feeling that if enough of us bombard him ON THIS TOPIC, he may change his mind. She claims that he read all of our letters, although he has other people respond to them.

Great job Carol! Would you please explain the nebulous NCCF as it applies to solo cruising!

It's like Mutt and Jeff. Why am I so short:eek: Actually I love the picture because I remember what I was doing at the time.

Thanks for posting it Gina.

Rev

You both look great! Glad you had such a good time!:D

I'm home and did speak with a few people at C&A yesterday.

 

The LA emailed them in the morning to do the 150% and had the answer from the D+ desk by that afternoon. That was the negative answer in writing.

 

There was a bit of back and forth between me and RCI and C&A yesterday after I returned home. The final result was that I have the price I should have, no balcony discount is reflected by proper coding, and C&A is still in confusion over this and not everyone is up to date there. That explains the negative answer from the D+ desk while on board.

 

I'm not angry because I will normally be booked in a room with my husband. I just feel bad for my solo cruising friends who are going to continue to be given the run around until this is straightened out.

 

I still suspect the 150% and the "special rates" won't be combinable. And I think if someone finds a great senior rate and they travel solo that they should get 150% of that. It's not likely going to happen. It gets back to the price they will have to pay to get that bonus point people wanted.

 

Gina

Gina, I'm glad you are still following through and getting your balcony discount. Brittany did tell me that senior rates will NOT be combinable. I, too, don't cruise solo very often either but this issue really needed to be resolved. I'm glad you're not angry and frustration is always difficult at best.

What Brittany said yesterday is that Corporate Communication needs to be better (we agree there) and they are trying to rectify the situation. I guess over time things will change, they just don't change fast enough!

As an aside note, glad you met Rev! Isn't she wonderful!!!:D

Gina, the Loyalty Ambassadors are on ships and I'm sure communication comes slowly to them. If you are still having issues why don't you call C&A and ask to speak with Brittany! Being angry serves no purpose at all.

Still confused about whether we get the extra cruise credit per night.

 

There are some cruises that DH refuses to sail on so I am very interested in the 150% single supplement combinable with the balcony discount. I just passed 340 points. I would love the extra point.

With the C&A solo 150%, yes you will get the extra points.

All this is very real. A friend on the Vision just made a booking using single sub and got the price brake down and the memo, regarding nothing can be combined with the single sub. So there you go.

So it's 1 and 1/2 times the undiscounted base fare plus one and one-half non commissionable fare = 1 extra cruise point for each day traveled.

Why doesn't Royal just put cruise points up for sale, they could really rake in the bucks!

Come to think of it that is exactly what they are doing!

Sign me very disappointed.

Rev

Rev, tell your friend to go back and let her know "she can have her balcony discount!

I would like to thank all those folks who took their time to write to RCCL and point out the issues about the 150% solo perk! Together, we do make a great team! We did good! (yeah, Merion Mom, I know, "we did well")!

I, too, got a phone call just a few minutes ago and reinterate what Lorna said. Glad this is now a good positive move on Royal's part. Obviously, without writing letters, this may not have been brought to the forefront!

Just a clarification, you still cannot book senior, resident discounts with the C&A 150% solo perk. You can combine balcony discount or Savings Certificate.

Nothing that I see in any footnote addresses senior or resident or military rates.

Carol, if you call D+ desk they will read you the "new policy" memo. Bottomline is that nothing is combinable including the senior rates or any other rate like it (resident, etc.).

I'm sure that the wording in #16 is a little strange but the following exclusions that are spelled out is what is excluded for the Perk.

They really should hire you to read all their adverts before posting!!!:D

Go to the footnotes section of the member benefits chart on RCCL website. Specifically footnote 10,11&12

Those footnotes do not apply to the single supplement "perk". This one does though:

16 Single members must have 340 Cruise Points earned in order to receive the single cruise fare at 150%. This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. Ocean Voyage Package, Holiday sailings (Christmas and New Year) and the months of July and August are not included in this offer.

Merion Mom (Carol):

This new policy also says you can't combine other benefits like senior discount, etc.:(

I don't like this very much either, but I guess now we are feeling like the smokers did when they took that away from them. I wonder what shoe Royal will drop next, I see the lounge gone before we make D.

I really wouldn't equate this to the smoker policy at all. RCI didn't take money away from them, just took away their ability to smoke in their cabin/balcony. We're talking money here.

I just shot off my letter. Send yours! :mad:

You bet I will! This is just fundamentally wrong! Hey, I understand making someone decide between extra points or balcony discount but this????? :eek::eek:

I spoke with RCCL this afternoon, and yes, a memo was issued to D+ Desk that if you use your 150% perk for single supplement, you will NOT be able to use your balcony discount. This is truly unfair since you earn the 150% supplement as a perk for loyalty to the brand and then they decide to remove the balcony discount!

A letter writing campaign is now in my future, and, if you feel this is unfair, we should all participate!

Well for those of us who have excursions booked outside of Royal, it obviously does make a difference. If we know ahead of time, 1) we can (if need be) cancel those excursions and get refunds, and then 2) at least have ample time to try to make other plans, if that is even possible due the the potential shortened time in port.

If you book shore excursions outside of RCCL, you should always ensure that if the ship changes times/itinerary, you can receive a refund. Have you ever been on a cruise when you miss a port due to high seas?

Being told in advance of any issue other than the ship can't sail, is pointless. Your shore excursions through RCCL are protected monetarily, so everything remains the same.