TM38Rob

Since the NCC is an open booking, the date of booking on the invoice is the date you purchased the NCC onboard a prior cruise and not the date when you called to pick your next sailing with the NCC.

Also, in the fine print it now says "Open Bookings do not expire."

So at least there's one minor improvement in an otherwise major disappointing policy change for those of us sailing on shorter cruises or in an interior/outside stateroom.

I'm new to all of this!

 

Im planning a cruise to Bermuda for may 17, 2014

going with my Husband

we have never been on a cruise before so just looking for as much input as possible

we don't want to book until end of april do you think that's too late? & do prices go down or up as it gets closer?

We plan on getting interior room because we don't really plan on being in the room that much I understand it's small and that's okay I'd rather save money for other stuff.

is there any way to view how many rooms are still available on the ship?

Cash or credit card on ship? I've been reading stuff about a seapass card I think that was the name. How does that work and what is recommended?

Recommendations on the excursions?

As well as any other info you might have will be greatly appreciated

thank you

Welcome to Cruise Critic, Dreamer4268.

Looks like you're interested in the 5 Night Bermuda cruise aboard Explorer of the Seas sailing out of Bayonne, NJ. Go to the Royal Caribbean website and start to book your cruise. You can see what's available and the price first without having to enter your personal info first, otherwise known as a mock booking. You can continue with the booking if you like what you see, or call Royal Caribbean and make the booking over the phone.

If you book less than 60 days before a 5 Night cruise, they require full payment at the time of booking. There are no guarantees that an interior stateroom will still be available by the end of April. The price depends on how many staterooms they are trying to fill and may go up if there's only a few left.

Your SeaPass card is needed every time you enter and leave the ship, is your room key, used to make purchases onboard (linked to your credit or debit card, or cash deposit), and more. Your muster station and table assignment are also on your SeaPass card.

More information about Bermuda can be found here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196.

Shore excursions can be booked in advance or onboard the ship. You can also do your own thing, but are responsible for getting back to the ship about a half hour before ship departure.

The roll call for your sailing is http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1925622 if you would to learn more about the people sailing with you and feel to ask them questions.

In the past, I've read that a child would retain their parents status, however, would need to earn the full points required to advance to the next level after their 18th birthday.

For example, let's say the parents had 100 points and the child only had 60 points by the 18th birthday. The child would be Diamond since their parents were Diamond, however, they would need to earn 115 to advance to Diamond Plus whereas their parents would only need 75 points.

It could be when the accounts are unlinked, the C&A rep. might not be aware of this and only see 60 points, so they think they have to downgrade their status when they should have left it alone.

Agree with SBtS, you can EASILY do both of these on your own.

 

The Caves...

Our first order of business was to catch a bus to the Crystal Cave and Fantasy Cave. Bus 1 and 3 will stop directly at Crystal Cave. Bus 10 or 11 will stop at Swizzle Inn which is within 2 blocks of the caves. It’s about a 20-minute ride. Get there early. They open at 9:30 am. We strongly suggest catching the first available bus as the caves are very popular and will get very crowded before noon. You can catch the bus on Water Street, one long block from the pier. Admission to the caves is $14 for one cave or $20 for the pair. (Price may be different now). Fantasy Cave, which reopened just 4 years ago after a 70-year closure, is BY FAR the better cave. Unfortunately most folks will never learn this fact since the ship excursions only take you to the better known Crystal Cave. Explore both caves if you have the time. If you have a choice, see Crystal Cave first (because Fantasy Cave is better). Do Fantasy Cave if you only have time for one. The best group size is under 20. It got so busy that our group had 40 people. The group behind us had at least 60! They really need to do a better job of controlling group sizes. Your best defense is to go early. The caves are full of stalagmites, stalactites, columns, soda straws, bacon, shield formations and other interesting forms. Both caves are well lit and are full of water (but you won’t get wet). The water is very clear, and believe it or not, it’s all sea water. Fantasy Cave, in addition to being better preserved, also has an interesting spooky side which I will not ruin for you here. Very worthwhile. After exploring the caves, we caught the first 1, 3, 10, or 11 bus back to the ship for lunch.

 

Aquarium...

We bought our HBP at the Visitor’s Service Bureau which is located within a block just west of the pier. We also bought a 3-day transportation pass for $28 which is good for all busses and ferries for three full days. The Visitor’s Bureau only accepts cash. If you only want a transportation pass, you can skip the line at the Visitor’s Bureau and buy them at the Ferry Terminal next door or at the Bus Terminal a couple blocks away. We walked to the bus terminal to catch a route 10 or 11 bus to the Aquarium where we spent two hours enjoying the informative exhibits. It’s not the newest facility but it does have several cool exhibits.

 

 

We were in Bermuda for 7 days. Here's our complete, very detailed, review with images: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/bermuda.html

Admission fees:

• Adult -
  
  • $22.00 per cave,
    
  • $30.00 for both caves.
    

   

  [*]Children (5-12yo) -

  • $10.00 per cave,
    
  • $12.00 for both caves.
    

   

  [*]Children (under 5yo) -

  • free
    

   

 

SBtS

Thank you CaribbeanBound and SailBadtheSinner for the info about the caves and aquarium. I think I might do this on the 2nd day on my own, and go the aquarium on the 1st day.

Thank you everyone for your responses.

I know it'll be cheaper to go on my own, however, I'm kind of looking to be part of a group by booking the excursion through the ship. Of course, there might not be much of a group if everyone does their own thing. Past shore excursions I've been able to meet people that I might see around the ship later. It helps to add to the friendly people I meet at the dinner table, who are sometimes the only the passengers I get to meet on a cruise.

If anyone has done the first excursion, is the "Sightseeing Cruise" worth it, or would I get the same from the ferry ride?

Thanks again for your continued responses.

Aquarium & Crystal Caves -Weekday:

Join your bus shipside for a scenic overview of beautiful pink sand beaches, blue water and the barrier reef that surrounds this

island paradise. Make your way around the picturesque Harrington Sound with its beautiful bays and coves. En route you’ll view

charming pastel-colored homes with distinctive architecture. Admission to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo is included,

and here you can see chattering cockatoos to tiny sea horses, over 75 species of fish, pink flamingos, and more. Also included is

admission to the beautiful Crystal Caves, where you will view formations of stalactites and stalagmites. For those not wishing to

journey the 81 steps into the caves, stroll the gardens or browse the gift shop. Your tour ends in Hamilton where you may

independently explore and shop. Return to the ship from Hamilton is via public ferry; cost of ferry is not included in tour price.

Participants must be at least 3 years old and not more than 300 pounds. Guests are responsible for returning to the ship prior to

sailing.

Duration: 4 hr(s)

Departure Times: 9:45 am

Aquarium & Zoo Sightseeing Cruise:

Maximize your time on this fun-filled sightseeing cruise and get the best of Bermuda’s history, eco-attractions and nautical

heritage both from the land and sea. Begin with views of Bermuda’s coastline as your experienced Captain provides informative

commentary of the island as you cruise from your ship into the quiet inlet of Flats Village. Arriving at the Bermuda Aquarium,

Museum and Zoo you’ll see the 140,000 gallon North Rock Exhibit, the first living coral exhibit of this scale in the world! Trace

Bermuda’s geological formation at the Natural History Museum. And explore the newly opened Madagascar Exhibit. Kids will

enjoy the interactive playroom and touch pool. You will complete your journey with one of the most scenic cruises in Bermuda

across the pristine waterways to your ship’s pier.

Children under 5 are free of charge. Participants must be at least 6 months old and not more than 300 pounds.

Duration: 3 hr(s)

Departure Times: 9:30 am

Does anyone have a copy of the Cruise Compass for the 5 Night cruise to Bermuda on Explorer of the Seas?

Thanks.

There should be a couple of representatives from Atlantis to meet you (under an Atlantis banner if it's not too windy) wearing shirts with the Atlantis logo on them near the ship gangway. They will have you sign a waiver, then issue you a wristband. They will then bring you past the Festival Place building to shuttle buses to bring you to Atlantis on Paradise Island. The shuttle will drop you off next to Marina Village, which is where you will get the shuttle back to the ship. Depending on your ship's departure, there should be 2 or more times when shuttles will be available on half hour intervals to get back to the ship.

If you wish to take alternate transportation at your own addition expense, there are taxis waiting by the Casino Entrance just beyond where the shuttle stop is. Also, there's a short walk to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal (between the two bridges). The Ferry will bring you to Woodes Rogers Walk, Festival Place is a short walk on the same road.

Be sure to bring a credit or debit card with you if you wish to rent a locker at Atlantis or purchase food and drink at most of the venues. Go to the Atlantis website to get more info and a map. They should also provide you with a map and a towel when you arrive at Atlantis.

Enjoy Aquaventure!

I'm sailing on Explorer of the Seas with 2 days in Bermuda in early May. The Aquarium & Zoo Sightseeing Cruise shore excursion is offered the first day and The Aquarium & Crystal Caves is offered the second day.

If you've participated in the excursion via the cruiseline, please share more info about which one you did.

From the descriptions, the Crystal Caves is only offered the second day, and doesn't include transportation back to the ship with that excursion (and is almost double the price).

I'm inclined to go to the Aquarium on the first day, but need more details about the excursions before I book it. I'm traveling solo, so I prefer to do the ship sponsored excursion instead of on my own as this is a good way to meet people from the ship.

Thanks.

I understand where the OP is coming from. They seem to be okay with not getting their money back for the missed cruise because they didn't purchase travel insurance, but think they should at least get something for their money spent. For what they would have spent on travel insurance over the years it just about balances out the money they lost for this cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers their own type of travel insurance called "Cruise Care". If the OP had purchased this for that cruise, they would have received most of their money back (minus the cost of the Cruise Care), and received no C&A points. The Crown & Anchor Society is a loyalty rewards program. Should they reward someone for not purchasing a product (Cruise Care) that Royal Caribbean didn't make money off of? This is in addition to onboard purchases that didn't get made (referring to the previous posts in this thread).

They don't give extra C&A points when you purchase Cruise Care, so I guess it makes it fair that you don't get C&A points when you miss the cruise (with or without insurance). If they award you points because you missed the cruise and didn't get a refund due to no insurance, then they should award me points for purchasing Cruise Care. They don't award the points if I never needed to use the Cruise Care, but spent enough in Cruise Care for the cost of another cruise over the years. It all balances out in the end, right?

I usually go to Guest Services after dinner to request a Cruise Compass for the next day. When I get back to my stateroom later after the show, there's another Cruise Compass waiting for me. I use one to fold up in my pocket and take home the other as a souvenir.

It's hard to answer your question without knowing the ships and itineraries. Assuming that the ships are comparable and each ship is sailing the same or very similar itineraries, then it may be worth it to sail Carnival. Just make sure that the Carnival ship has comparable amenities to what you would be looking forward to on the Royal Caribbean ship (dining options, pool areas, activities, nightlife, etc).

I'm not happy about being charged 200% in exchange for double C&A points, but at least RCL is finally giving double points for paying the single supplement. Royal Caribbean is charging 200% because some of their competitors like Norwegian do it. When I see an itinerary I like, I keep checking back until I see a price I like. Sometimes I can get a special residency rate only offered for a limited time. At the time I booked my upcoming cruise, I was able to get a Balcony for less than what the interior room was going for back when I first looked at that itinerary.

Royal Caribbean recently did some "upgrades" to their website. They are still trying to fix problems with the upgrade. I'm finally able to access my reservation online this week, but I do not have the option to pay online, nor does it provide my balance.

Best thing is to contact Royal Caribbean by phone @ (800) 398-9819 for website questions & assistance or call (866) 562-7625 to speak to a Certified Vacation Planner about make a payment with credit card over the phone.

I'm hoping they'll fix the website sooner than later, but it's been a few months since the system "upgrade".

End of Oct (last month) the formal night on Majesty was the 2nd night while we were docked in Nassau until midnight.

With the W _ W having the images replace the "O" in WOW,

all I could think about is WWW as in http://www.royalcaribbean.com and how I can't access my reservation online since they did their system "upgrades".

The music made me think of the 1988 commercial, a much better commercial than this one.

Also liked the Lust For Life commercials.

In BillOh's review of the Majesty Halloween cruise, he mentions that Mitch is the CD, so the new young lady that dealer9296 posted about above must have another role on the ship.

I was on that same cruise and Mitch was the CD.

While there have been some improvements, the old menu was better. The first night on Majesty I ordered the Beef Sliders w/ Steak Fries as I didn't see anything I liked. Even with the appetizers, I had broth (consomme) a couple of nights. I miss the Cream of Pumpkin soup and the Spinach Dip.

Good point, they were 60% accurate on my last cruise and they showed a Carnival ship going to Coco Cay once a week. Does anyone know if that really happens?

Yes. I was talking to the lady at the CocoCay Logo store. She said a Carnival ship was coming to island the next day, so the CocoCay Logo store would be closed as Carnival calls it Little Stirrup Cay (the island's real name) and they don't have any logo merch. with that name. The lady said she would be working the Snorkel shack instead.

Attack me; I can take it.

 

There are ongoing discussions on several different threads on Facebook, with people posting who have called Royal Caribbean and gotten verification.

 

No one else has the chutzpah to post here.

 

I do.

 

If you are sailing solo in a cabin built for two (not the single rooms on the new Quantum, I assume), you will receive two points per night sailed.

I think that it is great! I just wish that they would apply it retroactively! ;)

 

(they're not)

 

:D

Yes I have personal knowledge and I posted correct information.

 

I am sharing what I know and what you choose to believe is your business. Happy checking to you....it will only confirm what I have posted.

 

However if you really want to split hairs......MM has posted only what she has heard on facebook and I have posted info directly from the mouth of someone at RCI. The new double points for solo cruisers is effective for cruises departing after Oct 3rd, 2013.

 

On a side note...I find you quite rude in your response.....but maybe that is just the type of person you are.

This is great news. About time. I've called C&A in the past about getting double points for paying double (or almost double) for sailing solo. They've finally listened. Too bad it's not retroactive.

Thanks for the info!:cool:

Anyone thats been on the Freedom of the Seas, we would love feedback. How did you like the ship? Was it easy to find your way around? We were on the Brilliance last Feb. and the shows were a big disapointment. Was the food and service good? We will have anytime dining and I hear it is in the main dining room. Any help with things to do in ports would be a big help. Our ports are Labadee, Falmouth, Georgetown, and Cozumel and back to Port Canaveral.

I sailed this cruise this past January. Freedom is bigger than Brilliance, but easy to navigate with the Royal Promenade and electronic wayfinders near the elevators.

Shows were good. Get to the theater early to get a good seat, but there should be plenty of seats unlike the Radiance-class ships.

Weather was great. Shore excursions I did: Labadee - Mountain Coaster, Falmouth - Rio Bueno River Tubing, Grand Cayman - Turtle Farm and Island Tour, & Cozumel - Jungle ATV Tour. I also did the Isla Pasion by Twister in Cozumel the year before via Jewel of the Seas. All tours were great.

Have a great cruise!

Looking at a Royal Caribbean brochure for 1995-1996, The Nordic Empress sailed to Freeport, Bahamas on the 4 Night Bahamas from Miami. She was in Freeport 8:00AM - 3:00PM on a Tuesday, Nassau 9:00AM - 6:00PM on a Wednesday, and CocoCay 7:30AM - 5:00PM on Thursday.

I like the current schedule for Majesty with the longer time in Nassau, but it would be nice if they switched the days back to the one above, with the call to Key West in place of Freeport to avoid the whole U.S. Customs/Immigration thing we have to deal with now with Key West at the end of the cruise on a Thursday.

As for the Enchantment, this is the itinerary I would like to see (with the longer call in Nassau), only move Freeport to the end and slide the other two port calls up one day when changing the Majesty schedule.

I know many of you disagree and like the sea day on Enchantment, but this is just my opinion. I can still dream of going to Freeport, Bahamas; but it'll probably be on Norwegian Sky or a Carnival ship.:eek:

That's if I'm unable to sail the Explorer in Dec. '14.

Thanks for the Live report and posting all the menus. The Monarch menus were similar to the old Majesty menus. I'm hoping the new Enchantment menus are on the same nights as the Majesty menus.

Anyway, it's good to know that The Bahamas are celebrating their 40th anniversary of Independence. Thank you for sharing with us the opening of a new Fat Tuesdays. I wouldn't have know this without your report.

Looking forward to going back to Nassau and CocoCay in October.

Some day I plan on sailing the Enchantment. Just wanted to sail Majesty one last time and add a visit to Key West.

Thanks to everyone for voting and sharing your thoughts on Royal Caribbean adding Grand Bahama as a scheduled port of call. Please continue to vote and add your thoughts.

Then join us on the Explorer Dec 13, 2014, out of PC! It's going to Grand Bahama, plus CocoCay, Nassau, and a day at sea. It's what you're asking for from the Enchantment, without having to choose.

Looks like "Add Freeport call to another ship instead of Enchantment" won with only 1 vote!

Thank you yj_eugene, I forgot there was an itinerary with Grand Bahama. And it includes a Day at Sea. It's a win-win for everyone. Even those who didn't like Grand Bahama in the past can stay aboard and enjoy the ship with fewer people aboard.

I was thinking of doing the special 5 Night in October on Oasis to Nassau and Cozumel. The Explorer itinerary looks better. Something to think about. It will be new ship vs. new port for me.

Thanks again yj_eugene!

-Robbie