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2 hours ago, MrFunInTheSun said:

Ahhhh!!!  Love this pic!  I have been enjoying your posts!  Can't wait to be there next month!

On ‎8‎/‎30‎/‎2019 at 6:20 PM, SRF said:

 

If you have been on these boards much at all, you know that RCI can and does give out incorrect info.

 

So if I were given X info, and it does not agree with the actual written policy, I would not count on it.

 

If I actually got it, fine, but if I only got what the actual policy states, then I would be OK with that.

 

 

You are absolutely right regarding the incorrect info.  Thank you for your response!

Thank you so much!  We are traveling with an infant as well for the first time.  This was very helpful!

3 hours ago, SRF said:

 

Let's see.

 

The policy for cancelling a non-refundable deposit if that you lose $100 per person and the remainder refunded as a Future Cruise Credit to the PEOPLE WHO CANCELLED, non-transferable.

 

So when Royal did so, you got upset?  Didn't you know the policy when you booked??????

Yes, I did know the policy.  I explained the situation pretty clear about my phone call with RC.  I expected to lose the entire $750.  I was pleasantly surprised when I was told I wouldn't and they would apply $400 to OBC.

I was just asking opinions on what people would do if they were told this and then found out it didn't happen. 

Your post is why I am very hesitant at times to ask any questions on these boards.  Your response with all caps and all of the question marks, to me, implied that you felt I was either ignorant or greedy.  It's really a shame that some people on here are very quick to jump on someone instead of being helpful.  People have enough in life to deal with.

With that being said, my question was what would you do if you were told you would get $400 OBC after having to cancel a reservation.  Not, did I understand the cancellation policy. I am not debating their policy.  So I'm guessing your response would have been "I would take the loss, even after surprisingly being told about the OBC, and walk away happy".

I truly do hope you have an awesome day!  Take care!

Good luck kelbell!  I really hope they honor that price.  And I hope you post your results.

Sorry to jump on your thread with this... I hope you don't mind.

We reserved three staterooms and had to cancel one of the reservations last month (non refundable deposit).  The CSR I spoke with felt bad about the situation, put us on hold, then came back on the line and told us out of the $750 deposit they would give our stateroom $400 OBC but there was nothing he could do about the $350.  I wasn't expecting that, but thanked him numerous times.

A couple of weeks ago, I had to call about my reservation and doubled checked on the OBC.  Nothing there.  CSR put me on hold, then came back on and said they gave a $750 future cruise voucher to the people who were staying in that cabin.

I hung up a little disappointed, I know what I heard.  I was shocked and asked him to repeat himself.  I've left it alone BUT... I am curious to what others would do... 

We had a wonderful time at Mr. Sancho's!

Tipped the masseuse $8 each for the couples massage and our waiter $20.  We had the romance package and really enjoyed it!

Thanks so much nelblu & LeeW!!

Thanks so much Bob!! I will remember that for the future! :D

I've been waiting for the ok from my doctor to be able to scuba. After many calls between them and the dive center I finally have the green light.

I lost the pre cruise deal price for that excursion, is there a possibility I will see that again being less than 40 days from sail date? Almost a $50 difference.

Thanks!! :)

Surprise your mom by decorating her room festively and have everyone write her a letter thanking her and telling her how much you all love her!

Have fun!

I second Cosol! It was one of my best cruise memories!

We were picked up at the end of the cruise pier and taken to several places (Waterfall, beach for snorkeling, banana plantation, lunch, bakery stop, drive thru volcano).

We hope to do Cosol's tour again one day!

Sending hugs to you, your daughter and the rest of your family. Hoping she has improved.

great idea on the make-up bag for the small items in the safe....I love that!

Bring all travel sizes and sample sizes of product (easier to toss the empties than repack) or fill mini travel bottles with your favorites from home, including travel-size hair gel, hair spray, etc. (I just remove all these from my gym bag, as I have mini's of everything I use)

I bring my make-up in a rectangular "lock&lock" storage container - easy to find everything without rummaging through a bag.

Weighted eye pillow and ear plugs (you never know if sound or light will intrude)

Plastic clothespins and laundromat-sized product in case you need to rinse something in your sink (this is great if you have a balcony and can clip wet swimsuits or rinsed clothing to the deck chairs)

My friend says always save your oldest underwear - and throw it out after you wear it. However, remember what your mother said about wearing bad underwear, "If you are in an accident and they have to cut off your clothes, you will be mortified" (LOL!) I have not personally done this, but it's worth a share.

Scented cardboard hanging type air freshener (no, not the review mirror pine tree or the new leather smell), but a nice beachy smell, like Yankee Candle Pink Sands - something else you can throw away or use as a suitcase freshener at the end of the trip.

You already know to bring all that sunscreen - but don't forget your SPF lip protection!

Take lots of $1 and $5 bills for those extra tips to hand out as needed - they really come in handy. (my son had the deluxe drink package, which includes gratuity - he took one hundred $1 bills and came home with none, but he never had to wait for his next drink).

 

AIRPLANE TRAVEL TIPS:

On another topic, if you are flying..... I am neurotic about the amount of germs on a plane. I have a zippered make-up bag that I call my flu-free-flying bag, which I always keep packed and ready to add to my carry-on bag, and here's what it contains and why:

1. cleaning/antibacterial wipes - before take-off, wipe down your head rest, your tray table, the arm rests, and the back of the seat in front of you. (you can get a pack of 10 of these individually wrapped at the dollar store for, um, a dollar)

2. hand sanitizer - use it frequently during your flight - share it with your neighbors.

3. saline spray - use it about every half hour during your flight - keeps nasal passages moist - when they dry out during flying, you are susceptible to all the germs in the plane's cabin. This is $1.99 at CVS and worth doing. (maybe don't share with your neighbors)

4. something I always have "just in case" but have never used - nose/mouth masks (the loop over the ear kind - you want to have this just in case you get the seat-mate or someone near by who is obviously sick. Don't worry how it looks....stay healthy if this situation arises!

 

Airplane Sanity:

earplugs - I only had one pair with me the time we had to listen to a toddler behind me have a 2-hour temper tantrum, but there were two of us. I wanted to be a nice wife, but since I'm the crazy woman that packs all this stuff, I kind of felt entitled to be the one to use them. Guilty, but entitled. I now have two sets with us at all times. Sharing is caring.

Great ideas!! Especially # 3! I have to see the ENT specialist regularly and he highly recommends keeping those mucous membranes moist. He says it helps the cilia keep those sinuses clean! And thanks for reminding me to pack my sleep mask! :D

That's what these boards are for! Please report back after your cruise and let us know how it all worked out. ;)

Will do!! ;)

Tipping is up to you, but 15-20% for good service is pretty standard. Same thing goes for your waiter.

Perfect!! Thank you for your help again!! You gave me Uber info from Tampa airport on another thread! I really appreciate it!

Did anyone tip their masseuse? If so how much?

TIA!:D

The most beautiful island in Caribbeans.

Excursions with proven independent operators like Cosol tours make it even better.

I agree with this!!

We did the St. Lucia full day tour with Cosol and took our snorkel gear! This was THE BEST excursion we have ever done! I can still smell that fresh baked bread... ahhhh!!!

I have stayed there on a business trip. Hotel is fine, very easy to access right off the trains from airside terminals, down a short hallway. If you check luggage you'll have to go downstairs to pick it up first, then go back upstairs to the main airport lobby and then a short walk to the hotel.

Thanks so much for the info! It sounds easy to get there. I appreciate it!

You're welcome...

 

If I remember, I'll try and pop back here to post pix...hard to do from my phone but maybe I'll do some from my laptop...

 

Not sure when you're sailing, as I have signatures turned off.

That would be great!! We are sailing early November. Thank you so much!

Hotel is fine and love its convenience.

 

Keith

Thank you guys!!

Looking forward to a relaxing vacation!!

Staying in a little over 2 weeks before my cruise! I'll Uber to the pier. I also heard that the Starbucks in the airport (close to the hotel, landside) serves wine!!! Yup, I'll be there too!!

So excited for you!!

Starbucks and wine!!? :hearteyes: I'm glad I have made reservations here.

Enjoy your cruise! Thanks for the wine tip! ;)

Good point Capt!

Thinking about it now, I would rather have a dedicated car for the two of us on our own time. Thanks so much!

We were thinking of using Super Shuttle. They quoted me round trip from airport to port for two people at $44. This is for a shared ride.

Curious to if anyone has used them? :)

Concierge lounge bartenders: average $1 per drink. Tip nightly or at the end. Concierge: tip based on personal service.

 

Stateroom attendant: I add $20 if I request daily ice.

 

Bartending: as you see fit.

 

My time dining: I have never tipped extra as the servers varied, and the time we had regular servers, they stunk. I suppose that if you have the same team nightly and they are amazing, you could add extra at the end, but it's not necessary. One night we did had an amazing server/assistant and we did tip them extra that night as they really worked hard. Other nights, with meh servers, we left nothing.

Thanks for the info!! This is very helpful!! :D

We are staying in a suite for the first time on the Brilliance. We have prepaid gratuities on our account to make sure everyone is covered but will be adding more to those we have more contact with. I hadn't thought about concierge service, I'm an idiot...

Our past cruises, we had tipped our stateroom attendant and dining room servers additional money since they all had gone above and beyond for us.

So this cruise, we will be adding tips to

our concierge team

stateroom attendant

and of course any bartending

We have My Time Dining, how would tipping work? And have I forgotten anyone?

Sorry if this post isn't very clear or if I'm rambling on, recovering from surgery and brain is still a little foggy lol! Thanks all!