CastawayCruisers

Heading out on Enchantment of the Seas a week from today and had two questions on Coco Cay. We have an awkwardly sized group for Beach Bungalows or Beach Beds so we are looking at the pairs of loungers. Do the loungers count for priority tendering or are we still on our own? Also, where are they on the island? I have found detailed  maps for everything except the loungers. Thanks!

First of all, wanted to confirm what Chegnkp75 mentioned. You can not board a cruise leaving round trip from a US port at another US port. When Disney used to start their Western Caribbean cruises in Key West many people got burned by this and had to fly to Grand Cayman to board. With the new restrictions on Cuba it is also hard to tell how easy/difficult it would be to join in a Cuban port if possible at all.

Second, wanted to share some info on something that keeps delaying my flights to and from Florida (have been moving to LA from Orlando over the past few months.) The airports have gotten VERY aggressive about closing for weather. My last departure was delayed three separate times because weather came within a certain distance of the airport. No baggage can move, no passengers can board or deplane, the entire ramp shuts down. Coming in after noon in September something to consider since thunderstorms will still be almost a daily occurrence.

We all have to cut it close sometimes when traveling but in this case even if everything went perfectly you would really be cutting it close. If there is anyway you can fly in earlier or fly in to Miami I would highly recommend it, especially that time of year.

The donut shop has been replaced by Boardwalk Dog House but on our last cruise a limited variety of donuts was available in the back section of the windjammer

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

On Oasis last week the official policy was the three diamond drinks could be used anywhere including main and specialty dining from 4:30-8:00. They had it printed on the letter in our stateroom. The servers we encountered were all aware it was allowed, just had some difficulty actually ringing them up. Make sure to check your bill, we had to have three charges removed all from American Icon and guest services mentioned that it was a common issue. They removed the charges no questions asked after checking the time stamp.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Not sure where you are checking but a TA site I use shows availability on August 2019 sailings.

Unfortunately the website I’m using is Royal’s. When I search Alaska 2019 the Radiance of the Seas northbound and southbound cruises are the only ones that show up for the month.

It is still showing up on most of the TA sites as you mentioned so not sure what is going on. Fingers crossed for a glitch.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

My family and I have five cabins booked on an Ovation Alaska cruise in 2019. I was noticing last week that when I clicked on this cruise it was saying reservation can’t be found. At the time I chalked it up to Royal’s usual website issues. That is until today when my Mom mentioned she was having the same issue. None of my other cruises are having the same problem. Checking today the entire set of August cruises on Ovation are also missing when I tried to test book a cruise. Has anyone heard anything or experiencing a similar issue? I wouldn’t be surprised at another tech issue but this looks like something else.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I found on Oasis last week that bar tenders exercise some discretion on whether they swipe your card or not once they see diamond (I usually offer a tip per drink), but I also found that when the card is swiped it is locked out exactly at the timeframe. Ordered a drink at 7:50 in the main dining room and the assistant server didn’t enter it until 8:00. Computer wouldn’t let him process it so the head server had to approve it.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You should definitely call the crown and anchor hotline. My wife and I got married in February and I called to change her name on a reservation. The agent mentioned that spouses get the highest members status. Seemed to be a common procedure. Checked my wife’s account a week later and she had moved from gold to diamond.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

NCF means non commisionable fare. It is a portion of the cruise fare that NCL won't pay commission to your travel agent on. Encourages them to book longer/higher rate cruises. This doesn't impact your fare in any way.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

For reference I am 26.

Overall Port Canaveral/Cocoa is a pretty laid back (or as college students say, boring) area. That time of year the beaches would be beautiful. As others have said the Ron Jon area has good restaurants and some of the best public beach access.

This would require a car rental, but the Brevard Zoo is pretty great. Check out the kayaking tours to make a day of it.

Also one shout out for Kennedy Space Center, it's actually a lot more fun than it sounds.

Hey everyone,

We usually sail out of Port Canaveral since it is so close to home so not totally familiar with Port Everglades area. We decided to drive down the day before the cruise to save stress. I know at Port Canaveral there are several hotels that allow you to book a room and parking package and provide a shuttle to the port. I found several old websites discussing this for Port Everglades but I can't find any up to date info.

Does anyone have experience with this and if so can you recommend a good option?

Thanks!

Thank you both for the very helpful answers.

We do share an address so sounds like this will be pretty straightforward. Wish I had known for our last cruise haha. Going to call and hopefully explain this better.

Thanks again!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Quick question on the Crown & Anchor program. My fiance and I are getting married between now and our next cruise and have a big gap in our C&A status. I could have sworn that I read somewhere I could add her into a relationship with me so she could join me in the Diamond Lounge, go to Top Tier parties, etc. However I can't seem to find any good information on Royal's website or a CC search.

Is this still something that can be done? If so is it available online or do I have to call the desk to help? The first Royal person I talked to had no idea what I was talking about so I'm either crazy or not describing this well.

Also just a disclaimer since C&A can be a heated topic, I am in no way trying to game the system, just trying to take advantage of any existing benefits that RCI has put out there.

Thanks for your help!

Is your friend an officer or staff? If so they need to get a form from either their manager or the HR manager and have it signed by you and their manager prior to setting sail on your day of departure. This allows them to visit your stateroom, eat with you, etc. Officers and staff already have deck privileges (they can eat in passengers areas, buy coffee, etc.) so this isn't a big dealgetting the signatures. Many staff and officers aren't allowed to/don't want to drink in public areas but that will be position by position and ship by ship.

If your friend is crew than unfortunately i don't believe they have any deck privileges.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We'll be sailing her in a month. Can you tell me if she has access on the cabin TVs to your portfolio information? Also, does she have freestyle soda machines and if so, how many? And if you have a chance to post the cruise compasses to, that would be great.

Thanx,

Erika

The cabin TVs do not have access to portfolio information but the line at Guest Relations was surprisingly manageable.

She has 2 freestyle machines on deck 12 by Sorrentos.

Thank you for answering questions!

1. Is the internet really "free"?

2. Are they offering Mixology, beer tasting, wine tasting, etc classes?

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!

Unfortunately the internet is not free unless you were one of the reservations grandfathered in on the original promotion. It was $12.99 per day for regular internet and $17.99 per day for streaming.

The only drink class I saw was a mojito seminar at Boleros on Nassau day.

We were at CocoCay on Sunday and had no issues using the drink packages. The one caveat is that roaming bar servers were only carrying drinks (Coco Loco) in souvenir cups. You could still use the drink package it was just $3 for the cup with no charge for the drink. Other than that it worked great.

We will follow you on Monday. Can you tell me what the Compass Deli is like is you have a chance to check it out? Also let us know about the movement of the ship as this storm gets closer to you. Is it rough out?

The Compass Deli was a cross between Park Cafe and Cafe Promenade with a more limited selection. There were some cold sandwiches as well as some pressed sandwiches (Cuban was great) along with soups and a salad bar.

We actually escaped any bad weather. Except for some light showers in Nassau it was blue skys and sunshine. With Majesty being an older ship I was expecting to feel the movement more the first night crossing to the Bahamas (leaving PC is always rough) but honestly it wasn't too bad.

My fiancé and I just boarded the Majesty for 3-night Bahamas. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer.

Arrived at the port around 11:30 and were on the ship at 11:50. Windjammer was pretty calm, best service I have experienced in a royal buffet. Yes the ship is older (I'm used to Voyager class and Vision class) but she is in great shape, perfect for a fun weekend away, and the crew so far has been exceptional. Rooms ready promptly before 1. No waiting at the bars. Luggage delivered at 1:30.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I am about 18 days out from a cruise on the Majesty. I was just looking at availability online and there are a ton of rooms available the next level up from the category we have booked and the price isn't too much higher than what we paid for our room. Does anyone have experience with upgrading to a better room after final payment? Is it even possible? I am hoping it would be as easy as paying the difference but never know what to expect with all of the sales and different fares out there.

Thanks for your help.

While not as grand as the midnight buffets of the past, Enchantment does a buffet and dance party from 11pm to 1am on the day the ship sails from Nassau. It is listed on the Compass as a sailaway party since the ship doesn't leave until midnight.