ladysail2

I’m going to be going to my hotel from the Schiphol airport by tram (I’m presuming).  How do I know what stop to disembark?  I will know the address of my hotel.  Is there something like a tram map with street names and tram station names to help me figure out my stop?  I tried looking at 9292, but every request I asked, it said no information. Perhaps I’m not asking properly.  Do trams stop at every stop or just upon request?  Thanks!  😊

Was watching a video on Royal changes…on ships with Playmakers…..a person with UDP can only go there for a meal once a day now. They found too many were showing up for lunch, sitting all afternoon watching sports, ordering snacks and food, then wanting to eat dinner there as well.  So the UDP isn’t exactly Unlimited anymore.  

10 hours ago, nimbex1970 said:

We are in the same "boat" for our WOS.  I was able to check in myself and grandson with no card on him and still got the boarding time.  You can pay for your account in cash at guest services, mind you, the line is long the first day. 

You don’t have to set up a cash account on the first day. They will ‘front’ you at least $100 before contacting you to give them cash or a card. I usually go on the second, even third day depending on what the line-up looks like.

I ordered one for my upcoming August cruise on Jewel. The picture shows Evian water being supplied with the bag. Did anyone, who ordered water, get Evian?  TIA

3 hours ago, Sgwscruiser said:

The poster sailed anyway. asking your friend to pay half these costs when she couldn’t go seems to me a very petty way to treat a friendship 

There’s nothing petty about the financial arrangement. The friend paid her own way by paying back Sacteach who initially paid the whole fare. Then the friend of Sacteach decided not to go…whatever the reason..she could have gone even feeling sick, but decided not to.  I don’t feel Sacteach should repay her friend.  It’s a chance anyone takes by paying in advance for any activity…sports games, concerts, opera, movies, etc.  Even with insurance, one has to follow their rules or you’re out the money.  Simply put, no refunds.

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

RCI abandoned ME departures for now. The only potential to visit that part of the world in the near future would be to either book the world cruise on Serenade or assume that one of the ships will be repositioned to/from Asia via Middle East/Suez (maybe in 2025 or later).

Thank you. I’ll keep watching. I’m not intending to go anyway for another 18-24 months at least.  😊

5 minutes ago, dpostman said:

Here is a picture my wife took from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai last December. I count at least 3 cruise ships docked in the harbour, but Can't make out which ones.

 

dp

 

Thank you for that. I know of other cruise lines that go through the canal and go to Dubai. I was wondering about Royal Caribbean. A friend of mine is on a Costa ship travelling from Dubai one-way, and it looks so interesting from her pictures.

Does Royal Caribbean go to Dubai or through the Suez Canal?  I looked in Find a Cruise on Royal’s website but couldn’t find a Middle East departure city.  Thank you!

On 3/25/2023 at 1:41 PM, nicstress said:

I believe he was on the Allure the most? But I was going to look through this thread. He looks familiar to me as well.

I met him on Majesty back in 2007…a really nice friendly Captain.  
 

Rest in Peace Captain Ron !

On 3/18/2023 at 8:19 AM, Tee & Chilli said:

It’s $105.99 on an upcoming Mariner sailing. This is before gratuity.

The 3-night specialty dining is $95 plus gratuity on Jewel for the August cruise.

4 hours ago, joeyancho said:

Sounds yummy. We did find out that they cannot make certain classic drinks that you would expect them to make. For example a grasshopper. A beautiful after dinner drink that my wife sometimes enjoys. They do not stock green creme de mint. Also a classic drink from way back in the 70's, a Harvey Wallbanger. The ship does not stock Galliano, the essential ingredient for the drink. 

So, no Golden Cadillacs…😢

7 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

So, you are explaining why YOU don't want it.  What's the point of that?

The point is that it’s a different perspective from a solo’s point of view.  Why get all snotty about my perspective, what’s the point of that?

1 hour ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Cancelling everyone's purchase would bring bad press.   The promotion itself says "booked March 10-March 15".  He can just end it there.  No more.  A once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

And the other changes he has made have brought plenty of bad press.  He seems to have a very thick skin.  😉 

This ‘package’ is available on my March 2024 cruise which was booked quite a while ago. It’s offered for $122 CDN..but being a solo, it’s not worth it. And I already receive laundry, internet and a few lunches for no cost.  Oddly, it’s not offered on my August 2023 cruise.  I hear that the champagne is very good..but I’m sure a glass of it is cheaper than $122! 😊

It’s available for my March 2024 cruise for $122 CDN. But I’m only one person and already receive the internet, laundry and lunch with an officer as part of my point status.  And I don’t think I could drink a bottle of champagne in one sitting.  Interesting enough, it’s available for 2024 but not for my August 2023 Jewel cruise. 

On 2/9/2023 at 11:52 PM, 3Shelaghs said:

Don’t forget to factor in Sunday shopping hours if it applies, and church services.

Thanks for the tip but we’ll be in Reykjavik on a Saturday. Shopping hours are shorter but at least shops are open.  I made a mistake in my opening statement. We’re there from 11am to 9 pm.   My plan is to go to the shopping street for a look, then go to the church and then have dinner somewhere. 

6 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Don't wait that long.

She said she won’t do anything until the 30-day limit has passed.  I tried phoning Royal myself, but they wouldn’t talk to me…even though I originally booked the cruise directly with them.  I thought that maybe since I cancelled it, the booking would revert to me….but I guess not.  I’m sure it will all work out.

51 minutes ago, Russ Lomas said:

No kidding.  Funny how charges show up immediately but returns and refunds take several days (or even months in some cases).  Guess when you keep someone else's money for a month or so and you are a big company like RCCL, you can earn a nice bit of interest before returning the money.

It’s the same thing with just about any cc purchase. Quick to take the money…but slow as molasses in January to return it!  😫

41 minutes ago, CAT GIRL said:

Some refunds get processed faster than others. Sometimes something is snagged up for whatever reason.  If your agent calls in to follow up on it she may be told that Royal won't look into it for at least 30 days since that is the time frame they give you. After 30 days, they will take a closer look to track down the money. Have your agent call and see where things are in the process. If you indeed booked with a refundable deposit, it's probably being held up in penalty somewhere. Your agent needs to call to  move it along.  

I have the invoice with Cancelled on it. Under Payment Details, one line says Initial Deposit with the amount. The second line says Payment Refund with the same amount. So I did indeed book a refundable deposit.  The 30 days are up tomorrow but my agent isn’t in the office until next week so I’ll have her follow up.

6 minutes ago, Denversail said:

I cancelled a few cruises recently and rebooked others. I did it on Royal’s website. My credits appeared on my cc the same week. I would guess that having the 3rd party involved is what is causing the delay. You need Royal to issue a credit to them and then the TA to you. At least I assume that is how it works but I’m a control freak and haven’t used a TA for a cruise in years.

Although one would think if Royal send the refund to the travel agent, she would have passed it on to me.  I’ll email her after the 30-day time limit has passed.  Thank you for the information.

10 minutes ago, twangster said:

Cruise planner purchase refunds are processed much faster than cruise deposit refunds.  You may see them come in a variety of weird small amounts.  

I didn’t know that either.  The other amounts were easy to verify.  My travel agent will have to pursue the refund now.

48 minutes ago, Spunky946 said:

A refundable deposit gets the whole thing back.  

Thank you, I wasn’t sure. 

47 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

Some financial institutions also have small print where they say they have up to 1 billing cycle to issue any credits.

True, but purchases made on this cruise were refunded back to the same card within 2-3 days.  

I booked a cruise using the Refundable Deposit amount.  Long before final payment, I cancelled the cruise, and did not replace it with another cruise.  Do I receive the whole deposit back, or does Royal Caribbean charge the $100 fee, and refund the balance?  I have a Cancelled invoice stating a Payment Refund of the full deposit amount dated January 9…..but have not received any refund on my cc.

Royal is usually pretty fast about giving refunds so I’m surprised that a month later nothing has happened. I phoned them, but the cruise was handled by a travel agent and the agent told me that Royal has 30 days to issue a refund…so I’m stuck until the 30 days are up.  I’ll remind the agent next week (she doesn’t work Fri or Sat)…

10 hours ago, yocrui5e said:

I've visited Reykjavik before (although not via cruise) ... I've used Hreyfill for taxis and they are reliable: https://www.hreyfill.is/en/ 

Although many will say the city is relatively small, the cruise port terminal is quite a distance away from the downtown (1+ hour walk but 10 minute taxi ride). Once you get to downtown (Hallgrimskirkja church), a lot of the sights are within 15 minutes of walking distance (but everyone's concept of "walking distance" may vary). You'll still be able to visit Reykjavik in one day 😉

Thank you Yocrui5e……the cruise port did look quite far away for walking.  I did some research too and found that the taxi service is reliable and easy to call.  I appreciate your recommendation.  I normally walk just about anywhere once in a downtown core but the names of the streets are very different to my brain, that I’m afraid of becoming very lost. I do have maps which will help, and I’m not going to be too adventurous.  As long as I know I can get a taxi I will feel more relaxed.  😊

Will be in Reykjavik in Early September and have a few places I’d like to see.  We’ll be docked in the usual cruise ship port and I want to see the church, then visit the shopping street. Our hours are from 1pm one day to 1pm the next day….not really optimum for a day’s visit, being broken into two half-days.  So I was wondering if there are taxis in Reykjavik so I can get from one place to another quickly and easily.  This isn’t my first time in this port, but the first time I’ve had to go into the town.  Thank you for any information.  😊