Rancher Dave

Whoohoo! Just phoned my travel insurer to update me on my claim, and money is heading my way from being stranded!:D I will not get back all of my living expenses, though. There is an upper limit, and 8 days of hotel bills/food/internet/phone/transportation far exceeds what the insurer will pay. It is better than nothing, though.

 

The medical costs that we have endured since coming home are all on us, too. :( Travel insurance ends when you get home.

Well, my BOTS experience was far more placid. We listed a degre or so each way a couple of hours each time twice during the cruise....most of the time you never felt the ship moving...of course two nights were in port so I'd hope it is not moving then...

Ship looked great (save for some chipping and painting needed, but that had nothing to do with the list). I don't know that you could tell very easily what had been broken etc...most of the crew didn't really want to talk about it much...I only asked a couple...they were on board but that was about all they would say. They seemed glad to have that behind them.

Your story is a good one for convincing folks to take the cruise insurance.

Just thought I would share this photo with you here. I crossed the Atlantic twice back in 1975, I went to Rota, Spain and Naples, Italy and then came back home. The ship was 581' in length, had a beam of 79' and a draft of 27'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her she is, the USS Concord.

 

 

On my return trip I was on the USS San Diego, a sister ship of the USS Concord.

I bet there were no stabalizers...can you imagine the comments from many cruisers about that? Nice pictures.

Can I get away with being a NOOTS........just because we are going to try the Allure.........for my DW?

 

Rick

Likely yes....bet she would have a list of things she did to make you happy over the years, so may as well go along and have a week on Allure.

I may end up there on 11 Dec mixed in with a bunch of folks I know going that sailing.

Of course you could go do Brilliance Repo thru the Suez...

With my policy it is trip delay by the strict definition.

I got my luggage when I got back to Vancouver. The luggage made it back home before I did!:rolleyes:

Given all the rules about matching bags to the flights the owners are on...it is always amazing to see luggage at the airport ahead of pax...just like in your case.

Hope your neck etc...all heal up quickly!

Great review.

You do make a good point about handling the insurance process...and point out well the limits on how much a policy will pay out for trip delay...varries by policy, but in such an instance as you faced it could add up to well more than policy limits.

It is high, as it's only good for one entry. If you are on the Brilliance and it's going to Oman then you need two visas. $2,000 is ridiculous. It's causing Canadians to cancel this cruise. I did..................wouldn't even consider it now or in the future.

I think it was for a business visa as opposed to a tourist visa and usually tourist visa's cost less than business visa's. Regarless it can get expensive.

We are thinking about a tour that goes into Oman on Sunday before we sail...so we would end up with 3 visa's for UAE and 2 for Oman in the one trip. Of course as US citizens it is not quite as bad as it would be cost wise for those aside form the 30-odd countries given easier access to tourist visas in the UAE.

You are correct Patti, as I have cruised with Mario on the Majesty. I'm not trying to debate glcoop, as I think that Mario is at or about 385 plus cruises x 7 equals 2695 and then add 13 would be 2708 cruise points.

 

It would take 2800 plus cruise points to be 4 times Pinnacle.;)

 

Rick

Guess he has far more cruise experience than a LOT of the deck officers. :eek:

Seem like it would be far easier to accrue such a volume of nights on a ship doing partial and full RTW cruises.

Dave...I'm in drydock! Had shoulder sugery for a rotator cuff on Wednesday, so will be laid up for awhile.

 

So your DD wants the pin and different colored seapass??? Royal Caribbean might make some changes beyond that as far as new perks go, but right now, that is what the Pinnacle Club gets you!!;)

 

Rick

She is into the simple things...besides at 10 she can't booze it up in the CL anyhow...

Recover fast.

Coming up: Drydock for repairs!;)

 

More to follow!

Rick

Are you going into drydock? :eek:

If you are home this week lets chat.

back on subject DD saw the pinnacle level and is ready to get on Voyager for the next nearly 2 years to finish it off...I guess only about 20 months or I guess 10 if we stay in a suite the whole time. :D

Canada is in the midst of a spat with UAE, causing problems for cruise passengers going to Dubai. Glad you don't have to deal with that!

Dad mentioned that as well...one of their employees was facing some kind of visa for $1000...sounded high but I suspect business visas cost more.

Makes me think some of my friends with dual citizenship sometimes have it a bit easier....one has a Swiss passport in addition to the US one, that has to be a pretty good combo.

So, this review has been a long time in coming. I just haven’t had the time to sit down and collect my thoughts!! Here goes.

 

I left Vancouver, BC on Dec. 2nd, connecting through London Hearthrow to Barcelona. My first flight was delayed due to weather in London, causing me to switch to a later flight to Barcelona. ….

Yours and others experience with the London bad weather caused parents and me to change our connection from a change of planes at LHR and then connecting also thru Cairo to a one connection via Frankfurt for our trip in two weeks.

Looking forward to checking out Brilliance....I do really like the Radiance Class of ship. I am sure I will have a good cruise on BOTS. Also excited to check out Dubai and Muscat in particular.

I don't mean to state the obvious (if it should be obvious), but it appears that the conversion automatically calculates each cruise credit to 8 nights? Of my 13 cruise credits, two were on sailings of less than 7 nights, but apparently they each got counted as an 8 night sailing, along with each 7 night sailing counted as 8 nights. I had calculated my number of days at sea at 58 (seven 7 night sailings, one 5 night sailing and one 4 night sailing...the other four credits are just there somehow from when I was enrolled in C&A under some older rules), so I thought I'd have 58 credits. But it shows 104 credits on their page (13x8).

 

As I understand it, I would have been grandfathered in at Diamond anyway, but I have nearly double the points I thought I'd have after the conversion.

Nope, all credits were not given 8 days value. Just look at say 18 prior credits it is 139 or less than the 18*8=144 value.

What does seem to be the case those near to D+ for instance were given enough points that 7*cruises left to reach D+ is the target number of nights left to get there.

I have to say, when I first sat down this really surprised me, and in fact, I was initially annoyed. A family from Brazil arrived with two little girls, age 3 and 6. We were seated next to the father. Their mother sat next to them and they were accompanied by their grandmother and uncle. We brought our 23 year old son. When we first reserved, I saw one notification, "Must be over 21". Then I saw another, "must be 16" so i wondered how they were seated. Having said that, they were extremely well behaved and when the three year old got bored, she fell asleep. The six year old was not only well behaved, spoke perfect English when spoken to. Her father was an very nice, interesting man. Grandmother and uncle spoke no English and the mother's English was limited.

Glad you had a great time. I am sure the kids were warned ahead about bad behavior.

Sad so many people assume all kids are misbahaved and should be out of sight...

We have been complimented several times by nearby diners about DD's behavior....and she has dined at the Captain's table, yep the one in the center of the dining room that most can see. She had fun and was well behaved and the others said afterwards they thought she was an excellent choice to join the table.

3 weeks and I am on the jet over the ocean to connect to the jet over the Med into the Middle East for the Dubai departure. Get 2 nights in Dubai before we board the ship...pretty soon.

If you like the ring pay the $75 and get work you know is right.

I think buying rings down in the Caribbean is ok when it is a quick size job done where you can see it etc...but getting into a lot of work can be a real pain and because they are rushing to do lots for lots of folks it will not be as good of quality.

I also feel that they say whatever to get a sale...they told me they could adjust the watch band on a Tag I picked out, so off I go to come back and pick it up later...nope they weren't able to ever get it sized and tried to convince me to take it to the next port, even the shopping guide (they had alerted her of the problem said she would get it changed at the next port, and she is one we know and trust having sailed with her 3 times)...I decided if they lied to get it sold I wan't going to trust it would be done right in the next port and got my money back...ended up next cruise finding a different watch elsewhere that I really like even better and for less money.

So again, if you like the ring, pay and get it fixed locally...maybe you can convince Milano to refund some of the repair bill, if not and you got a great price just consider this part of the overall price. I'd though still be ticked about 3+ hours of your vacation burned up on waiting etc...

I am really tired of being grouped, I am 82, white hair (since my 30's) and must use a walker. We love cruising and all of the amazing people we have met over the years.Yes their are annoying people in any group situation and some of them really tick me off but you should not tar us all with the same brush. Last week on the Radiance a toddler left his stroller and walked into our room, his Mom was horrified but I told her not to worry he knows a Grandma when he sees one. Just because we are old doesn't mean we have all lost our sense of humor or ability to have fun and laugh at ourselves. sometimes the groups of teens annoy me with their siliness but I have been there, done that thru several generations, this to shall pass.

 

Until you reach perfection for your age group give us a break and stop labeling all older people into a deragatory group called blu-hairs.

 

See you on the Voyager in Dec, the Radiance in Feb. or the Equinox in April, God willing, I will be the white haired lady in the pool since I don't dance so well anymore with this leg brace. In case you feel the urge you may buy me an extra dry martini,Bombay Sapphire, please.LOL

Stay Cool!!!

Two of my favorite clients, and longer term clients are about 5 years older than you. They could be my grandparents...and are some of the nicest friendlies folks I know...treat me like a friend instead of a youngster etc...

In fact when I hosted an event at the ranch for sick kids, both of these folks made sure to come and volunteer to help at the event. From their house it was probably 100-120 minutes each way...but then again they do a 15 mile trek several times a week to volunteer nearly full time at a hospital...keeps them young. Best part when I first met them a few years ago, I'd have never guessed their age before they rattled off the DOB.

Oh, they love cruising as well...that came up on a recent conversation. I'd love to cruise on the same ship as them...I know they would be great to see every day!!! DD would love visiting with them as well.

Hope you enjoy a nice drink by the pool on your next cruise!!!

Radio, have an awesome cruise even though it is getting under way a bit late.

WOW, wolfcathorse, you are as loyal as they GET!

 

I love my 16.5-year-old car. Maybe I should get the Nissan emblem tattooed on me somewhere. :eek:

better to go with the RCCL insigna....maybe the Oasis...:D

Sounds like you have had more than your share of web site problems. I know on occasion I have had my problems with the web site as well but generally it has worked well enough.

Document in an email all of the specific issues and sent it to RCCL corporate so they can try to isolate and fix the bugs. Your pain may help others in the future. (Not that it excuses all you heartache with the system.)

Enjoy your cruise regardless of the web site!!!

So glad it worked out for you. MIL tripped in StT and she required sutures to be put back together. Then you found the diamond...way to go!!!

Hope your next cruise is a bit less full of unpleasant surprises.

Dave,

 

I'd take the equipment and just write a letter to the Captain, leave it with the Purser's and you should get an answer pretty quick. I have the few times that I've left a letter for the Captain asking about something.

 

Later,

KD4DYR

I kind of figured a letter to the Captain be required if waiting until aboard. I guess I can call the Bahamian embassy and see what procedures they have for being legal on a ship under their flag.

Thanks for your reply/suggestion.

I wouldn't be as worried about losing my shorts as would if I wiped out and got an enema. That would be real bad!

Oh yeah, that would be a bit rough...lets just call it instead of the Flowrider the aft deck bidet? :D

Watching youtube seeing folks blown by the water up to the top of the rider after falling...wow its some powerful moving water there.

Yep, this is what happened to me. I rode it 5 total times, and my bottoms flew off twice :eek: -- both while boogie boarding. My husband caught it on video, but I am NOT showing you all! :):o

I have to agree with your husband. Funny though, a friend showed off his wife dancing half naked at a party in Cozumel. At first it was just a video of her dive trip with a specific dive instructor and group...then, the alternative motive came out...frankly it was a bit much as she was not so pleased and that is not why I wanted to see the video. Of course the dive instructor had issues with attire as well...and it was not a she issue. :eek: Yeah, video can certainly get folks in trouble with loved ones.

Bringing this back to life...

Has anyone brought a tri/quad band HT with them and used it to hit repeaters near to the coast? Thinking about taking one with me to California...

How did you get Captain's permission, in advance or only once on board? Also, as pointed out before, what did you do to get permission from the Bahamas?

Do the cabin stewarts actually pick up clothes?????? :confused:

 

Good grief. :eek: I don't care if we sail in a RS we hang our clothes up and keep the cabin neat as a pin so it can be cleaned.

 

Actually I do the same thing at home. Why pay my house cleaner $$$ to pick up clutter when all I want is a good cleaning?:cool:

 

Some people will never cease to amaze me. :rolleyes:

Now I don't recall if she was picking up all the clotes or just cleaning what she could. I think one evening we had jackets tossed on the bed as it has warmed up...she moved them to the side of the bed to do turn down...we put them away after that since it was warm enough the remainder of the cruise.

Agree on housekeeper, we pay ours to clean...we make DD pick up after herself the night before. DW's piles of junk are cleaned around until I decide to move them all...once piled it all on her side of the bed so she would put it away...:eek: Today I am working on different areas of the house to start Spring Cleaning...you know in Houston we only get a couple weeks of Spring between Winter and Summer. Have to start early so I don't miss Spring. We really are just trying to donate a few things away to those who need them and get rid of stuff that we no longer need.