kathy884

That's perfect that gratuities can be used for that.  Thanks for the info.

Thanks so much all.  We bought my son the internet package, using the $100 onboard credit and paying the $12 balance.  That made that internet cost seem a little more palpable (so used to free wifi on land based vacations).  Actually the internet on NCL Escape on our last cruise for him was even more than that believe it or not.  And I bought my thrill park ticket for me at CocoCay with the onboard credit for my room (cost $69), leaving a $31 credit left. 

I'm guessing if I had added DS when I bought my water park ticket (saw option to add purchases for people from other rooms, but going back couldn't do that without doing the purchase for myself too), that I might have been able to put the $31 left over toward his waterpark ticket.  I didn't do that, though, so paid for his with a mastercard from his account.  I'm sure, though, it should not be an issue to spend the other $31.  We don't make a lot of purchases, mostly just do complementary things and when dining take advantage complementary food and drink (water/lemonade), etc. so it really made sense for us to use this for things that we would have bought anyway.

Appreciate you explaining this to me.  We have cruised NCL and Carnival before, but this will be our very first RCCL cruise, meaning I am a newbie.

OK -- just put down $250 deposits per person on two rooms (my dad 82 and son 23 are in a large balcony and DH and I are in a regular balcony next door) -- Harmony of the Seas next February.  I also have some small $50 pp onboard credits.

My son will get the internet package, and my son and I will both get CocoCay waterpark passes.  Can I buy DS's internet with the $100 on board credit applying to that or can I just apply $50 for that because it is for him and not my dad?  For the CocoCay waterpark, can I use my $100 onboard credit for that for me even though DH won't go and it's just for me?  Can I have some of that go for my son for his CocoCay waterpark or is that a no, as he is in another room?  Thanks in advance.

I'm sorry about your disappointment all of you St. Thomas lovers.  Everyone has different interests related to ports and excursions, etc.  We for the big royal ship Harmony, booked more for the ship than the ports.  We specifically booked Harmony that does St. Martin, San Juan, and Cococay.  We are doing a non ship two hour historical walking tour in old San Juan on our San Juan day thru Viator on Trip Advisor, a consolidator of independent tour options.  I'd love to get more history of the old historic city, so am actually looking for ward to this and thought I'd share the tour information.  It's a seven minute walk from the pier and the tour starts at 9:30 a.m. San Juan time.  Here is a link to that in case this is of interest to any of you who will be in San Juan.  

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g147319-d12464628-Old_San_Juan_Walking_Tour-Puerto_Rico.html

We are midship on the Harmony on 11 for our cruise next February - just booked this week.  I usually look for a cabin with other cabins above and below it.  In our case we wanted a large balcony and regular balcony cabin next to each other and 11 was our best bet for that, that also had cabins above and below.  Enjoy!

For us we went with the Harmony as we prefer to cruise out of Port Canaveral (cheaper flights, gives us the chance to do a day at a theme park, gives us the chance to visit my nephew who lives in Orlando - have dinner with him).  If we can stay away from Miami or Fort Lauderdale (although so many good cruise choices from there), we are happier campers.  

Thanks for posting.  With that long line for the slide (an hour and a 1/2 is truly insane), it sure makes the Orlando waterparks sound like a good deal at $50 a day with moderate lines and very nice water parks  (We always do theme rather than waterparks when in Orlando, though), and even the $150 pp excursion for water park facilities, etc. at Atlantis which I previously thought was insane but sprung for that for two 20 somethings on a cruise a few year back sound ok (at least the lines weren't that bad and they had a fab day - loved it).  I skipped at that price and just touring the aquariums with DH.  We are going on one of the gigantic ships, the Harmony, in February.  I have a feeling DH and my dad will stay on the ship on the Coco Cay day and take advantage of lighter crowds there.  I will probably get a 1/2 day if offered waterpark pass on Coco Cay with DS (23) or full day if 1/2 day is not offered and just look around the place and hang at the wave pool.  DS hardly ever goes to waterparks these days, but DS does like a wave pool, so I will probably fork over for that for the two of us.  I appreciate the warning about the slide.  If we want to do a slide, maybe heading back to the ship and doing the slide there is the best bet lol.  Do they have tubes to play in at the wave pool.  That will be our hang out place.  We'll forget any lines for slides for sure (sure appreciate the warning).

I am glad to see that food is complementary.  On NCL (one of the beach day islands - Harvest Cay) I hear drinks and food have sky high prices.  

Very nice that there is no tendering.  Tender for an Oasis class ship I think would be a nightmare.  February for me will be our first time ever to try RCCL and our first time to try such a huge ship too.

Removing post

Thanks so much for the all posts and the education.  I didn't go far enough on the website to even realize that there was a non-refundable and refundable pricing category.

We just narrowed down what cruise we would like to do next year -- April of 2020 (April 19, so way after Easter -- not what I would think would be a super popular week, etc.) (note:  This is our first time cruising Royal Caribbean International) and I just looked as costs and penalties on their site (haven't booked the cruise yet).  It appears that when I book (cabin for three) that I put a $750 deposit down and that if I change plans that I am out this money?  Is that true even if on the same cruise I rebook for a better promotion or something like that too?  Wasn't sure if I am understanding this correctly.

I know on NCL the deposit was only $2 on the last cruise we did, so no risks with early booking until three months in advance (final payment date).

I don't know much about the RCI cruise line and if they run promotions all the time like the other lines seem to do, but am thinking perhaps my best bet may to book later rather than earlier.  I'm pretty sure that we will do this cruise, but $750 is a big penalty when you are more than a year out.  Usually when it's really far in advance with things like hotels, etc. the most you are out is a more nominal administrative fee that just encourages you not to book what you aren't seriously considering.

Let me know if I am understanding the $750 penalty correctly.

What is the definition of kid.  What about a 23 year old sailing in parent's cabin?

1 hour ago, gatour said:

For the people that like sea days, are they the type that like to watch the ocean go by?  If so, will they have ocean view balcony cabins.

 

The reason why I ask is that Oasis class ships have almost no interrior public areas that have views of the ocean.  If you want to enjoy a drink and watch the ocean go by, then you are almost entirely limited to open decks (pool etc).  If they have a balcony cabin then that may not be as big as consideration.

 

I have sailed on three of the four Oasis class ships along with several of the Voyager class ships (including the Adventurer).  I am not a big fan of the Voyager class ships (the Royal Promenade seems a bit small compared to Freedom/Oasis class).  However, they are still in play.

 

Oasis class ships require more pre-planning, which causes me headaches.

 

A plus for the Adventurer is it is one day longer, more days onboard a ship is a big plus for me.

interesting point.  Thanks for posting.  We'll all be getting ocean view balcony cabins and tend to spend quite a bit of time in private space on these.  I think too we will probably pay the extra and get the large balcony cabins too.  That will be different, though, with public areas without the ocean view.  I would be concerned for my dad, except for the fact that he just last year sailed the Oasis and loved the cruise.

5 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I would just add that if the entertainment aboard the ship is a highlight of your cruise then definitely go Harmony. On Adventure it is mediocre at best especially if you have experience Oasis class entertainment you will notice how lacking it is. If the entertainment does not make of break your cruise Adventure is a great ship and I prefer its itinerary. The extra day makes a big difference for me.

My brother who recently cruised on a Voyager class ship said the same thing about mediocre entertainment.  Except for comedians we have found the entertainment on Carnival to be skippable too.  I think all in our party would enjoy the larger ship for this.  I know my mom and dad loved the Oasis entertainment.

5 hours ago, deliver42 said:

I would definitely go Harmony. It's actually less crowded than the Adventure, and has much better entertainment. I'm in my 70's, and am going on the Symphony, and can't wait to try the slides and Ultimate Abyss. Hopefully you'd have Captain Johnny on the Harmony at the time, and he adds a little more entertainment.

My dad has some mobility issues, but really enjoyed mid ship on the Oasis.  He would know what he is getting into, and I'm hoping he'd be up for the Harmony again.  He recently did the NCL Getaway -- loved the cruise, was pretty far aft, and did have to stop and sit quite a bit on that ship when going various places.  Haven't been able to talk him into a wheel chair or scooter on the ships, but he will use these at Disney and SeaWorld theme parks and likes using them there.

4 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Royal does not enforce any dress suggestions, so you will see the full range of attire.  In other words, wear whatever you like.

Wonderful! -- No new clothes to have to buy!  DH will be happy to hear that too.  Strange it's just me and DH who for decades wore suits to work every day who don't like to dress up.  DS 23 enjoys the opportunity to dress up and is glad we'll finally be doing a cruise that has some formal nights. lol

We are looking at booking a cruise on the Harmony of the Seas.  I work in IT and am someone who doesn't own a dress and the most formal clothing that I own are two pairs of nice slacks, and nice sweaters and polo shirts.  I do own two pairs of nice shoes to wear with slacks and jeans.  At home and work, I mostly wear jeans with a nice sweaters or polo shirts.  I wear nice shoes to work, but usually just wear hiking shoes or tennis shoes at home and for casual.

Are jeans allowed in the main dining room on smart casual nights?  Or will I need to wear nice slacks each evening that I eat in the main dining room?  I do plan to wear nice shoes for dinner each night.    I'm assuming on the two more formal nights that I can wear nice slacks and a nice sweater and will be underdressed, but allowed to dine in the main dining room??

Thanks so much. I have only cruised NCL and Carnival and this works on their ships, but this will be my first time to cruise RCCL.  I really and truly do not want to buy clothing that I don't want and wouldn't wear at home.  I don't have clothing purchases included in my vacation budget either.  I figure I could probably if need be wear the same two pairs of slacks over the seven night period if right after dinner I change to jeans each night.  I might, though, buy another pair or two of slacks or dockers depending on what I hear back from you, as I would have some occasion to wear those at home.

It looks like the Harmony is winning.  I will ask my parents, but I know with that close to Orlando that is what my parents will pick, as my nephew lives there and that would be easy for them to combine visiting him with that.  I just looked at prices, though, and see that April 5th, 2020 is Easter week.  If we switch to April 19th on the Harmony we can save $855 on the cruise combined for three of us and get a larger balcony too, which we would enjoy if in budget.  I'm guessing it would be easier to get reasonable airfares too, so I'm seriously looking at the same Harmony cruise on the April 19th date.

Appreciate you opinions.

We are booking our first RCCL cruise and are letting DS 23 pick the ship/itinerary/dates subject to our approval and budget.  DH and I are in our late 50s/early 60s, and DS is 23.  We may have my lovely active 82 year old parents join us too, and I wouldn't be surprised if my brother and his girlfriend who love to dive end up joining us also.

Anyway DS has narrowed it down to two choices.  Any thoughts on either of these that might help us pick one over the other?

Choice 1)  Harmony of the Seas, seven night leaving Sunday April 5 of 2020 -- This one leaves from Port Canaveral, so has the advantage of a SeaWorld or Disney day prior to the cruise, has two days at sea to start, does St. Maarten (been there, but love it and would do Maho Beach again), San Juan (been there for full week visits and as a cruise stop quite a few time, but decent port we like), another day at sea, and a Coco Cay stop.  My dad likes days at sea, and this has three, so I think he would like it.  Mom and dad have already done the Oasis, so nice that this would not be the same ship they have done before.  We'd go for a mid ship regular ocean view balcony room here.

Choice 2) Adventure of the Seas, eight nights leaving Saturday April 11 of 2020 -- This one leaves from Ft. Lauderdale.  Itinerary:  Day at sea, Labadee, Hati (new port for us), San Juan (same port as choice 1), St. Thomas (been there once for a full week visit and twice for a cruise stop), St. Maarten (same port as choice 1), and then two more days at sea.  DS like the thought of four port days.  Overall he likes the look to the Voyager class ships on RCCL based on what he has looked at online, but thinks maybe some things are a little more dated.  Thinks this may be a nicer size vs. the huge Harmony.  This would still have the three at sea days for my dad.  Here we could get an aft corner balcony too.  Price wise the cruise is about $500 less for the three of us than the other, but flying into Ft. Lauderdale is a little more expensive for us than Orlando and accommodations pre cruise are a little pricier too in Ft. Lauderdale vs. Orlando, making it a wash for the most part budget wise.

Anyway, DS thinks he's got two great choices, but is torn.  DH and I are just coming along for the ride.  Which would you pick of these two and why?  Thanks so much.  DS asked if I'd post this on this forum as I've gotten such great advice on cruise critic in the past and many new insights about cruising when we asked about other cruises.  I really appreciate any and all thoughts/opinions.

Hello fellow cruise critic savvy cruisers,

To date we have just cruised Carnival and NCL, but are looking to book our first RCCL cruise (next year April of 2020).  Any thoughts on getting a good deal?  Should we just book on line or call RCCL?  Or do you recommend going thru a travel agent?  I once booked a cruise thru Vacations to Go which worked fine, but FYI I don't know any travel agents or agencies (am someone who has always done my own planning).  I appreciate any and all suggestions.  Thanks in advance.

The taxes when I did the math were $18 a day per person for the drink package.    We passed on the drink package and will mostly drink the free filtered water and lemonade. Good point, though, about sail away vs. room with perks. 

We started with a freebie inside offer for two people and that just came with one perk.  We for the one perk, have our son in the room (third person free -- well not really taxes, etc.).  And then we went for a specific location to be by others we are sailing with and went for a mini suite / large balcony.

No, there is no such thing as a free cruise or a free perk when you do the math.  Looking forward to a fun vacation, but it's certainly not a free vacation.

You can ask for your cruise or search the forum about where to get Vibe passes.  I heard on the Getaway (we are expecting to cruise on that this coming Sunday), that you go to the headliners comedy club to try for those passes.  I understand that there is no guarantee, especially if you don't have priority boarding of getting those, and that they often sell out quickly.  Just level set expectations so you aren't too disappointed if you don't get these.

We fly out this Saturday for a Sunday cruise.  We have travel insurance too.  For us, we are just a 1/2 hour from the airport, but snow is expected and we live in an area that doesn't get a lot of snow.  That means we'll give it extra time for our drive.  I think for us the biggest risk of missing the cruise would be flight cancellations and not being able to get to the cruise port on time, even though our plans are to fly out the night before.  It does sound like there might be some messy weather throughout a large part of the United States that could affect travel for lots of people.  That's always a risk with winter travel.

Anyway wish you well.  Hope we all get to the port safely and on time and can enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean (assuming you're doing a cruise to that area).  Travel insurance would refund some monies, but it wouldn't get back being able to join extended family etc. on this cruise which would be extremely disappointing.  Safety though always need to be number 1 for airlines, etc. and that's what we would want too.

Anyway, you are not alone in dealing with these risks.

Montego Bay, Jamaica mon  -- Although I am fine vacationing in Jamaica I absolutely hate it as a cruise port!  I feel like prey being attacked every time I am there. 

I'm just the normal tourist; I dress conservatively;  There is nothing about me would particularly stand out. 

Last time in I was there in the middle of the day visiting the very busy shopping district in the middle of the day (bad judgement on my part to go by myself).  First about five different taxi drivers honked at me and made comments.  hey also said hey you want a ride.  me -- No thanks.  I'm walking.  I want the exercise. 

Next, I was shopping for a watch as mine had broken on the ship and looked in about three stores before making a purchase.  Before I even went into the first store four tall men late 20s/early 30s started following me around.  They went into every store I went into, followed me in and out of each store, down each aisle I went down, etc. and eventually started taking to me -- hey you like ganga.  You like to party.  Me -- no not my thing.    Eventually they had one guy talk to me and suggest that I pay him protection money and he would protect me from all the guys following me.  Me -- no thanks.  It's no big deal.   People follow me all the time.  (I tried to be kind and confident and come across as if I wasn't bothered by all this.  I thought it was in my own best interest to be courteous and polite.  It was disconcerting to me though.).  OMG they followed me all the way back to the ship too after I purchased my watch.  I was overjoyed to be back on the ship. 

I've actually avoided cruise itineraries that stop in Jamaica.  I've been to the country a few times for week long visits which were ok actually, but as a cruise port I can't stand Jamaica.  I don't even like organized tours there (folks are too pushy and loud) with cruise passengers.  I unfortunately too, seem to let that put me in a foul mood.  My best bet is to totally avoid the place.  

I'm the culprit that described the look of the lounge area as an upscale youth hostile, but I didn't mean demographics at all.  I'm 58 and only saw that area due to some new friends in their 50s showing it to us.  I have a 23 year old who did a study abroad in Italy a few years back when he was in college, and I helped him plan his post trip exploring, looking for really nice youth hostile places and the nicer ones reminded me of the NCL studio area -- cute, modern, upscale, inviting lounge area.  That's all I meant by that comment.  From what I saw I'd pick this area on NCL for sure if I were doing a solo cruise and/or if I was cruising with others, but didn't want to share a cabin with them (and like I said earlier in this post, I'm 58).

Thank you for your review.  Sounds like you had an enjoyable trip.  We are on the same cruise a week from today, so really appreciate all the detailed information that you shared.

The only NCL cruise I've done recently is the Escape.  I'll be doing the Getaway next week.   I've done several of the Liberty class Carnival ship cuises, the last one out of Puerto Rico.  // I think Carnival keeps their ships in good condition and clean for sure with regular dry docks, etc.   I think the main dining room food is superior to the main dining room food on NCL.  Also service was faster and I preferred a standard time for dining and getting to know wait staff.  Also, standard balcony size is better than NCL and rooms are a little larger.  If I cruise NCL because of the small balconies, we usually pay more to get a large one.  Drink service by the pool, etc. is better on Carnival as servers are expected to make certain quotas (but if your aren't ordering don't push drinks or bother you.  If you are drinking they will make sure to pop by in case you want another). Didn't see that on NCL as there aren't all those people with the freebie unlimited beverage package.  I only have one recent NCL experience and our room steward was OK, but I found all my Carnival room stewards better and more friendly..

The Liberty class ship décor is a gaudier than NCL, but you can see that in pictures.  I like NCL better in this category, but I wasn't bothered by this on the Carnival ships.  In their newest ships they have moved away from that, but I haven't sailed on those.  I thought activities were similar.  NCL has a ropes course if you care about that and on the Carnival ships we were on, there wasn't one.  The comedians on Carnival are excellent.  The main shows as skippable.  I think main show entertainment is much better on NCL  On NCL the main shows are worth it to see them if you like that kind of thing.  I don't have any experience with kids clubs.

My brother and parent have done RCI and Carnival (parents NCL too),.  All in all they would say that cruises are more similar than different.  Both on the newer bigger ships give a thumbs up to RCI for the best ship design in not having much congestion, but that has not kept them on RCI big ships exclusively vs. doing cruises on other lines too.  My parents really like MSC for the classical music that is their taste (makes it their favorite line).  My brother doesn't care for MSC, but would not hesitate to sail on RCI or Carnival in a heart beat.    Out of San Juan where my brother did an older RCI ship and a Liberty class Carnival, he liked the Carnival one better. My parents will be joining us on the Getaway next week and my brother and his girlfriend will be joining us too (will be his first time on NCL).