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SnorkelBoy

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Posts posted by SnorkelBoy

    Adventure B2B Review

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    "We'd never been here before so just like the other ABC islands, we didn't know what to expect. I had read a few things about taking the city bus to beaches here but I didn't write that much down about it. When we saw the price of taxis, we decided to start walking in attempt to find the city bus! We wanted to get to Mambo Beach and taxis were showing to be $40. I'm not sure if that's round trip or one way but either way, it's too much!! "

     

     

    I had your instructions to find the bus but had hurt my heel so we ending up taking the taxi. It was $20 each way but if you had a group of 4 it was the same price. We enjoyed Mambo Beach and Carambola Beach as well thanks for helping me plan our trip.

     

    Dave

    Adventure of The seas Debarcation

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I would be comfortable with anything 11:00 or later. We have actually made a 9:30 and a 9:45...however I would not recommend those. While we did make them....it was too stressful. (We did not book them that early....the airline moved the times up or cancelled flights and rescheduled us at those times!) While most likely you would make something as early as 9:30 there is always a possibility of issues with CBP, misplaced luggage in the luggage area, traffic delays enroute to airport, etc. So for a much more enjoyable day I would recommend something after 11:00 am.

     

     

    When the airlines do that you can change to nearly any other flight that works for you if they have seats. I moved from a red eye leaving at 2 am saturday morning to SJU to a 2 pm friday flight that was originally much higher.

    First time cruisers considering the MSC Seaside (Lots of questions!)

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    The drink packages on MSC are much cheaper than on RCI; I don't use the internet on board so can't answer that. There may be one or two venues other than the main dining room and buffet that are included but most the other restaurants will be extra. They will probably cost less than the specialty dining on RCI. We have done 3 RCI cruises and do like them but enjoyed the Divina and are very excited for our Seaside cruise next March.

    MSC Seaside Interior Renderings

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    We booked an aft suite very early and the 4 guest requirement may not have been in place at that time cause its just the two of us. I may go ahead and add my granddaughter just to show more than two in the room with her being a no show on cruise day.

     

    Dave

    Should I choose Divina or Seaside?

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    We went on the Divina last October and enjoyed that cruise and the ship and will be sailing the Seaside March 2018. The per day pricing suggests the Seaside is the better deal and its a very different ship. I am more of an itinerary person but I'm more excited to see the Seaside. I think you should cruise the Seaside first.

     

    Dave

    Longest Booking Length

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I booked a placeholder in April 2016 for April 2018 intending to change it to summer 2018 when those itineraries were released. I changed it to Alaska the day the itineraries came out. We generally plan 2 years out. DH is super picky about cabin location so he wants to be booked way in advance so he has the best availability.

     

    Does booking for April give you preference for Summer as far a cabin location, otherwise I'm confused why you would book for a time you have no interest in using?

     

    Dave

    Adventure B2B Review

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Next up: Aruba!

     

    We had read a lot about taking the city bus in Aruba so that is what we did! It was $10 for 2 people to go 1 place round trip. We went to Eagle Beach so it was only $10 for both of us, there and back. You have to buy the bus card before getting on the bus. There are maps inside of the cruise terminal that tell you how to walk there. It takes about 10 mins.

     

    Eagle Beach was beautiful. We heard that it is much less busy than Palm Beach. We paid $30 for 2 chairs and an umbrella. The beers were quite expensive on the beach - about $5-$7. We ended up walking to a grocery store nearby and paying a little less.

     

    Eagle Beach:

     

     

    Did you snorkel at Eagle beach? if so how was it. I'm trying to find a good beach for my wife and decent snorkeling for me. Enjoying your review, we head out in a few weeks.

     

    Thanks Dave

    Cheaper Prices Today for Internet & Refreshment Package!

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Wow! Adventure deluxe package is actually on sale this time. It's been $46 (technically "on sale") since the deluxe package was released, but with this current sale it is down to $40/day.

     

    With such a port intensive itinerary I think it should be closer to $36-$38, but $40 is pretty reasonable. I am tempted to buy it, but know I won't get use out if it every day at that price, but if anyone is sailing Adventure this summer and want that package I'd check the planner and see if your sailing is $40 (or less) too.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

     

    I just checked on the adventure and the deluxe package is now the same price I paid at $38/day.

    Flight-NJ and Anthem-Made a huge mistake

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Here's another option for you to consider: Depending on how much the change fee is, it might be the same price (or close to the same) to just keep your 8:20am flight and book a second flight at the time you actually want. Then, hope that the airline makes a time change to your 8:20am reservation that is more than a 2 hour difference. Anytime an airline does that, they give you the option to cancel the flight and get your money back. It's a little close to your flight to think they would do this, but if it will cost you the same $$ to pay the change fee as it would to buy a new ticket then it's worth a try, because it's the only way you'll get your $$ back.

     

    I have had this happen twice, both worked out in my favor. The first time I, like you, wanted to change my return flight, but at a cost of $800, decided to leave it as is. Luckily I got an email that said they changed the time of my flight and I was allowed to choose a new flight time (and day) for no cost. The second time I decided to cancel a trip, but could not get my money back for the ticket. Rather than tell the airline I wasn't showing up (because I would only get $25 back and they were going to resell my seat and make double profit), I just left the ticket and planned to be a "no show." Before the flight day, I got an email about a time change, so they let me cancel the flight and get my money back.

     

    Normally the time changes to flights happen to people who book their flights way ahead of time, because in the months prior to the trip the airline makes changes, so I wouldn't plan on that happening with your flight being so close, but it's always a possibility and worth the risk of losing your money if it was going to cost you the same to pay the change fee anyway.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

     

    I was able to make a change recently with only a half hour change in schedule because it was earlier and I told them we were arriving that morning via a cruise. I've used changed other excuses for layover through Chi was now too short or layover much longer than the original to get flights changed for free as well. if this has happened check schedule for the flight that works best for you even if it much more expensive.

     

    I now will book the cheapest on AA that leaves in the middle of the night and end up leaving on a more expensive flight that leaves in the previous afternoon because they change their schedules so frequently.

     

    Good Luck

     

    Dave

    Gluten Free

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    We just go to the Maitre D' upon embarkation and discuss our grandson's allergies. His food is taken cared till end of cruise.

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

     

    You can also ask to speak with the head chef of the Windjammer to be shown those items that are GF and possibly arrange for a specific item if you know you will dine there in the future. We we offered to have a pasta dish or pizza available last year on the Navigator.

     

    Also your waiter in the main dining when he knows your requirements will bring a menu for the next day and will let you know which items can be made GF and you will preorder in advance.

     

    Dave

    Is Sabor worth it?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I wasn't aware it was that expensive. I was looking forward to trying it... They don't really have the same Mexican food in IL that I am used to in SoCal

     

    Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

     

    If you are anywhere near Champaign/Urbana there is a place we found while visiting my daughter called Maize. They have the best homemade corn tortillas I have ever had and I've had a lot living in AZ. They food is excellent as well, its a little hole in the wall place.

     

    The food in Sabor was different but very good, loved the margaritas and sangria.

     

    Dave

    So glad I listened to you guys

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Well at least those that said the new pricing structure to not discount last minute cruises was not going to go away and that booking far in advance was the new norm.

     

    So I booked nearly 2 years in advance for the Adventure for spring break March 2017 which I had never done previously. We booked a Jr. Suite on the hump for $1,250/pp with taxes and port charges that included $300 RCCL OBC and $190 TA OBC.

     

    Just looked today because this is typically my time frame for looking at spring break travel next year and saw it is now double at $5,017 with $425 C**** cash card.

     

    Thank you very much.

     

    Dave

    :):D

     

    Wow just checked again today and the Jr Suite is now priced more than what the Owners Suite was priced at when we booked. Its now $6,418 with $545 TA card and $100 OBC. Seems cra cra to pay that for a JR Suite.

    :D

    Dave

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