Yenom

It's not clear why you can't go anyway? Just because one person in a group can't go, doesn't mean the rest have to stay home. Or you can rebook a cruise for a time when everyone can go.

I was sort of wondering the same thing. My son just got a new job and doesn't have time to go on a cruise this month. I'm still going though (so is my Mom and StepDad). I wish he was going, but understand his situation (I will miss him). In reality, he would probably feel bad if didn't go. He knows how much I love cruising and wouldn't want to be the reason why I didn't go.

We booked a cruise last April 2013. We recently had a $225 C & A savings certificate applied to our cruise which was wonderful!!!!

 

I decided to check to see if there might be a "state/resident" discount. Our state does have a $94 discount.

 

Does anyone know if the C&A Certificate and the state discount can be combined??

 

Thanks!!

PS I also posted this question on the Grandeur roll call thread:):)

I did it on my upcoming trip on Grandeur. I was able to get the C&A Certificate, NCC, another RC credit, and the resident discount. If you booked direct, just call Royal Caribbean and tell them everything you have. They advised me how to maximize my benefits and applied them to my reservation while on the phone (took a few days to show up one the online reservation screens).

Some bad news for solo cruisers

 

RCCL site just went back online after the upgrade and I was shocked that all single supplements are now 100% regardless of ship and sailing

 

Used to be averaging around 80%. can someone confirm of the pricing change?

I was considering a few for next year with only about a 20% supplement. Unfortunately, I just checked and now they have 100% supplements. I guess my plan for 4 cruises next year is going to have to be adjusted.

I was going to do multiple NCC bookings on my cruise in about a month. Does anyone know how long the NCC's are good for? If pricing doesn't get better for solos next year, I might want to spread the 4 cruises out over the next few years.

Will they ALLOW a single person to book multiple cabin to stack points? I don't think they will.

I was sort of wondering he same thing. I'm curious if anyone has ever been successful doing this? I would think that the cruise line would allow paying customers to pay for a whole floor if they wanted, just never heard of anyone booking more than one room in their name. Interesting concept. If they did book and pay for more than one room, they should be entitled to the benefits of each one.

I'm guessing that they don't actually allow people to book more than one room in the same person's name. To simplify my explanation, let's just consider Suite Cabin rooms that cost 200% to a solo person. If a few friends got together and wanted to each have a solo room, they would all be paying the same solo as they would with 2 per room. Therefore, IF THEY WERE ALLOWED to book themselves in multiple rooms, they should all book the rooms as doubles with each of them in two rooms (but plan to only use one room each). This would then get each of them 2 nights/per room * 2/each day (2 suite rooms each purchased as double occupancy). In other words, they would each pay the extra taxes for the extra room booked, but they would each get credit for 4 Nights/per night. After going through this scenario, I am of the feeling that RCCL won't allow multiple rooms in one person's name. Otherwise, multiple solo cruisers could have always taken advantage of the situation whenever the single supplements doubled the price to cruise solo. If they will allow this scenario, I know what I will be proposing to my friends in the future to maximize points. 4 credits per night is always better than 3 credits per night.

If any one has ever booked multiple rooms in one person's name, please let us know.

I too have encountered not being able to book a guarantee as a solo more than a few times (although at least once I was able to take advantage of it without going through hoops). Yes it is quite annoying to see "lowest price per person of X" on the front page but then when you go to book and put in only one traveler it becomes "X+Y+the single supplement." In fact, more than once I just decided not to cruise at all because the price jumped too much to make it worth it to me to cruise at that time.

They have so many variables in the "advance options" screen to search for cruises. I wish you could click a "solo" box and do a search that way. They I wouldn't have to put in so many dummy reservations to find out the best price for a solo traveler. I would probably cruise more if it wasn't so time consuming to get solo pricing.

Ouch. At least you had the bottle of wine for company;).

On a recent cruise, there was a couple sitting alone most nights at a table for ten. One night a second couple came to dinner, so four at a table for ten. That would have seemed awkward enough, but you story sounds more so.

I made it worse, since I asked the servers to delay the tables dinner until someone else came. After a half an hour, we decided that they weren't coming. I don't really take the 1st night seriously anyway. It's more about meeting people and getting ready to have fun cruising.

Oh, I get that all the time as a solo cruiser. But the one I really dislike is, "just one, really?" But it was topped by the MTD guy who asked why I couldn't make friends to dine with.:rolleyes:

How about requesting the biggest table for regular late seating - then to arrive the 1st night to NO ONE else showing up? Can you say awkward? I felt like the loser guy in the pretty full dining room - sitting in the middle, at a table for 8, all by myself. I ended up drinking the whole bottle of wine that I planned on sharing. Needless to say, I had a great night anyway.

We order $2 bills from the bank before leaving on a cruise. We don't need so many $1 bills, and people really like getting them. They will remember you.

My Step-Dad thought this was a great idea a few cruises ago too. Unfortunately, they aren't as appreciated as you might think. Oftentimes, crew have a hard time getting these bills (AND $1 coins) converted. Outside of the U.S., it is not recommended to use either. Sadly, they might remember you because of the added effort they have to go through. Needless to say, we all carry a bundle of $1 when cruising now.

BTW - Nice idea in theory. $2 bills are pretty cool looking.

Received the following email from RCCL this afternoon:

 

SAIL SINGLE. NOW EARN DOUBLE.You asked – we listened!

 

Often we hear great ideas from our Crown & Anchor® Society members that we are able to bring into action. One exciting change we'd like to announce is additional points for those that sail with our Single fare price rate*.

 

Beginning on all sailings that departed on or after October 4, 2013, you will receive one additional cruise point per night that you sail on our Single fare price rate for double occupancy staterooms. For example, if you sail by yourself on a 7-night Caribbean cruise, you'll receive 14 cruise points instead of 7. And, should you choose to sail in a suite – you'll not only receive the double cruise points as always, but also the additional cruise point per night. That could mean 21 points on a 7-night cruise!

 

We continue to thank you for your loyalty as our most valuable guests and look forward to seeing you onboard very soon.

 

Happy Sailing!

 

Your Crown & Anchor® Society team

Like!

BTW - I used to get RCCL emails, but I don't anymore (I check all spam daily and my profile says that I would like to receive). Is it true that they make it to people randomly. I think I read people on various threads saying that they get some, but not all of the announcements.

I'm not a VIP on Oasis but I am a member of Club Royale. I mostly play video poker at $5 a hand -- not what I would consider a high roller. I do spend several hours every evening in the casino.I received the VIP invitation and a free Oasis trip, too, which was a real surprise since our last cruise a couple of months ago was on the Majesty for only 3 nights and I didn't play that much. However, I did get a Royal Flush on Video Poker on the last night. The casino host and other staff members flocked around me asking when I would like to take my next cruise. "Give me a free Oasis cruise and I'll be there" said I and lo and behold!

Congratulations!!! FREE is so much better.

Doesn't work too well for solo cruisers.

When dining in the WJ solo, I bring a few things with me that I can set on the table (if I don't have anything with me, I grab the rolled up silverware and a glass on the way in). I then go to the buffet and know I have a table waiting for me.

Don't mean to hijack the thread but can someone tell me how do you find cruises where the single supplement is only 10%. We always travel with my dad and pay double for the base cruise rate for his cabin.

 

I am happy that he will be able to get extra points for the Oasis cruise we have booked for Nov 30th. He will now reach Platinum at the end of that cruise thanks to the new policy giving 3 points for sailing solo in a JS or higher. Does anyone know what the balcony discount is once you reach Platinum? We have the Explorer already booked for May 2014 and I want to know if he will receive an additional discount on that cruise since he will be Platinum before I make final payment.

 

Thanks

Platinum Balcony Discount When Booking More Than 6 Months From Sailing Date:

$ 50 * for sailings of 3-5 nights

$100* for sailings of 6-9 nights

$200* for sailings of 10-14 nights

$200* for sailings of 15+ nights

*When booking less than 6 months from sailing date subtract $25 from each dollar amount.

Back from the model shipyard.

About the weight. The Enchantment of the seas was weighing fully dressed (incl batteries) some 40Kg (80 pounds). This model is 10 inches longer and has a lead keel, + 2 more batteries. This one will be well over 100 pounds I guess.

But it has to be heavy otherwise the hull will not be lowered to its waterline. Stability is issue nbr 2

 

The viking crown is amlost done. It is not attached to the model yet.

 

but the wooden sighn with its name is already in place. I had to put the railing there already, otherwide it is harder to reach when the Viking crown is on top. the line you see going starboard to port. This is becasue the model can be taken apart into 2 pieces I would not be able to put it into my car otherwise. The model is fully radio controlled so I'd like to take it to the lake some times.

 

The rockclimbing wall is not available in any store, go figure.

Weight issues on the top level of the model... I bought some light weight clay but it was still too heavy, so I modelled the wall from clay and with hot plastic and vacuum, I got a perfect copy in 0.5mm thin plastic weighting almost nothing. The top part of the wall still needs some of the grey paint.

 

The "cape' you see at the rear of the VC is to be bent downwards which I will do after it is installed. Again aftrerwards all the details will come, I even made tiny intercom spreakers. The smokestack is not ready yet, the exhaust pipes made from aluminum are ready waiting to be installed.

the golf course hut is next, and then the rough works are done in about a month.

John

WOW!!! RCCL should have a WOW Award for you. Your models are simply, amazing!

Its funny that people think they are fancy gourmets and like to eat escargot.

 

In fact what they really like is only the Butter & Bread crumbs its smothered in.

 

I want to see someone eat the snails plain...

For me it's the texture combined with garlic butter that I like (I love garlic - maybe a middle eastern heritage thing). Just like sushi, it is the combination of everything that brings it all together into a great bite of food. I would definitely be open to trying escargot other ways. My favorite escargot preparation came from a Russian Restaurant located in Great Falls, VA that put them in a puff pastry and served them with browned garlic butter. One of the best appetizers that I have ever had anywhere in my life. Mmmmm...

At least where I am, snails are rather expensive foods. And once, I found real live snails, and they were the hardest things to clean and remove from their shells. I also found that Wegmans has frozen escargot with herb butter at a reasonable price. You just bake them, and it smells like a cruise :D

 

Yeah, I had them for the first time on a cruise, and I've been wanting them ever since. I went from one order the first night to three orders on the last.

I;ve had them on cruises and from Wegmans many, many, many tomes and love them. They were NOT available on my last cruise in January (Enchantment out of Baltimore), but they were on the menu. I got the chef to make a substitute dish using mushrooms. Good, but not as great as escargot. I hope they have them on my cruise in November. Please, please, please, be available every night!

The corkage fee applies to wine you bring to the dining room and ask them to cork & serve at dinner. The wine you bring to drink in your cabin is "free & clear" Your cabin steward will provide ice, an ice bucket and wine glasses. Personally, I'll bring my own cork screw...can't imagine they have an unlimited supply to loan out. Cork screws are not restricted although, I've heard of people having issues with pocket knives so be sure to select a cork screw that doesn't have a built-in knife. Cheers & enjoy your cruise!

Hahaha... I was one of the people that had the problem with a higher quality corkscrew that had the little knife to cut the foil off the bottles (only got called to the "naughty room" once, but have brought it on several cruises). Essentially, the security people from the "naughty room" told me to bring one of the really cheap ones that just have the corkscrew part. Just know a corkscrew is OK, but any knife (any size) is not (at least that is what the ships security told me).

I hope the luggage that contains your passport NEVER leaves your possession.

In my carry-on luggage and then in my room safe. Instead of carrying my passport on the islands, I carry the passport card. Prior to the passport card, I carried the passport in my pocket and it showed signs of wear much quicker than it gets now. My passport still looks new after a couple of years use.

My family will be cruising for Spring Break 2014. This will be our first ever cruise. My 11 yo daughter has a passport card. The rest of us have nothing. Will she be able to sail with the card or do we all need passports?

Reading the many replies to your post, I'm not sure if people realize what a passport card is. I personally travel with both my passport and passport card. This allows me to put my passport in my luggage and passport card in my pocket. The cruise lines take either. I used my passport card on my last 2 cruises.

For everyone to reference. From the Department of State website:

"The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air."

It's my understanding that the "rules" have always said no water but that it's not enforced. I've brought full cases of water on board with no problem. I've also read where some people put the luggage sticker right on a case of water and haven't had problems.

I've not only read, but seen this done many times. However, I have recently read people saying that they were not able to do the luggage tags on them anymore. The last cruise I went on, I saw a few cases of water sitting outside the security scanners. However, I also saw a couple of people carring water onto the ship.

I purchase a couple of cases of water onboard the ship every time I cruise (2 cases Evian were around $70+ last cruise -I drink a lot of water at night to offset any drinking done during the day). I'm always thinking that I'm going to just take the chance and try carrying a case or two on. However, I just don't really like just going against the rules so openly. The stress of wondering if I'll get on board hasn't been worth it for me.

I wish they would just say everyone can bring a case of water if they carry it on (officially). That would greatly improve my experience. They make plenty of money off of me for all the drinks I get during the cruise, so they won't be hurting with me carrying a case of water onboard to supplement my water purchases. It would be even better for me, if they would add bottled water the premium drink package (I heard they do it on Celebrity, but I want to stick exclusively with the RCCL cruises until Double Diamond).

Hello all...I am an avid cruiser but have always gone with family or partners. I just got back from a big family trip on the Breeze where it was the mission of every single family member and my kids to make sure I did not spend one moment alone. I have been thinking about a solo cruise for years but never looked into it. Can anyone tell me how the different cruise lines charge you? I've read that most have a singles surcharge which brings it up to the same charge as a double. Are there any FL sailings like the Epic that have cabins just for singles? I am extremely outgoing and love to be around people so this would be a great vacation option for me (as long as I didn't tell the kids, lol).:)

Some of RCCL's are only 110% (my next cruise is about 120%). I usually book my own room and family and/or friends book their own rooms. If you are willing to book closer to the sailing time, this is the link to the weekly sales that they have (got it from a RCCL thread). I was told that the cruise info is updated on Thursdays and the sale is Monday and Tuesdays. I've noticed some pretty awesome deals and am looking to book another one (or two) soon.

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Multi_Dest/Special_Offers/rci_sales_event.pdf

Ryan