pcur

Thank you, my friend!

Is this a refundable or non-refundable obc? Also, if I don't use the entire obc should I cash it out in the casino? Thanks.

The overnight tendered ports, and non-tendered, usually have operations going until at least midnight. I seem to remember it was not available during the wee hours, but started up again 6-7 am. It may be different now. P.S. Loved Vanuatu. P.S.S See if you can get over to Mystery Island; it's a tiny jewel.

I was checking in for cruises leaving in November and December, and was smacked in the eyeballs with CocoCay cabana pricing at $1,700. It was a spit second seeing it, and another split second thinking "gouging". A 5% discount is actually insulting, IMO.

If you used a credit card to pay for the cruise, have you contacted them about this? Many credit cards come with trip cancellation / interruption coverage. Here's hoping you can get some of your money back. And, don't do an online "bot" chat: speak to a human customer service staff member.

The 18% tip is included with the DRINK PACKAGES, not the C&A coupons. I tip cash with each drink when I order it. I've received many receipts, especially on the first nights of a cruise before they get accustomed to who is using coupons, and there has never been an 18% tip added on any of them. If you run out of coupons, then they will charge full price and add the gratuity. I put tips for 6 drinks in my mini-wallet, so I know when I run out of cash that day/night, I've used up all my coupons.

I sooooo appreciate CruiseCritic's ignore function. One of it's best features.

Right. This is not outside of policy. I remember getting some announcement that they were starting to provide extra water to passengers. Of course, they want to sell the water packages, etc., but if you ask they will usually give out 1-3 bottles. Yes, it's nice to tip the waiter/bartender.

Take one of these if you have USB connectors on your devices. This is what I use: https://www.amazon.com/Native-Union-smart-2-mart-fb-us-Charger-Marine/dp/B07KKMQ36K/ref=sr_1_6?crid=9J0NUCRMSA77&keywords=Native+Union+usb+adapter&qid=1697572140&sprefix=native+union+usb+adapter%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-6

Have all the adults in your party get Southwest credit cards for the bonus 50,0000. Then, book everyone the one way trip home from MIA with points. And, starting Spring 2024 they are going to start allowing bookings with points + cash.

Actually, the bartenders are pretty liberal with the bottled water since RCCL started giving everyone bottles in their cabins. Go to the bar out on the pool deck and ask about the policy, and if you should use your coupon, and how many bottles can you get. I had a bartender just hand me 3 bottles, and I tipped him a few bucks for it.

Oldest: Nordic Prince in 1973 Newest: Anthem Favorite: Jewel - sailed her for our 50th anniversary Panama Canal, Transatlantic, Europe/Greece cruises in 2019.

Aren't the SOV cabins waaaaay up in the bow. I agree with Biker19: wait until jumping for that particular cabin. Also, the huge windows can be a serious heat-gain issue in the cabin, and you have to pull the curtains closed to keep the cabin cool. Kind of like a Promenade View cabin: you end up with MANY of your unknown friends getting a view of you and your cabin, so the curtains need to be closed, and, VOILA! instant inside cabin!!

RCCL has done these types of things for as long as I have sailed with them: officially 50 years now. They are huge on bringing supplies to at-risk areas they sail to, and have on many occasions helped stranded people from all over. They just don't publicize it, or want attention for it.

I was not thrilled with my March 2023 Grandeur cruise, either. It was the food. I could not get a decent dinner in the MDR. New crew in the kitchen, not adjusted to the new menus: I'm not sure what the problem was. The Windjammer was also way below normal, too.

OOPS, already explained! Post deleted.

I cruise solo, with and without friends, and I much prefer a Promenade View or Virtual Balcony cabin. Just that extra light in the room makes a big difference to me. Plus, the cabins are 167-180+ sq feet.

If you want to know what specialty restaurants are open for lunch on any cruise, go to the Cruise Planner, select dining in the dropdown menu next to "My Royal Cruise" at the top of the web page. Look for "Specialty Restaurants Lunch" and select it. Select one of the restaurants listed, then "reserve" and your name. All the dates lunch is available will be shown to choose from. Back out of the "ghost" reservation. You might have to go through more than one restaurant to get all the days, since Day 1 is usually only available in one restaurant, and that depends on the ship. But, at least you can find your options. I do this to get a count of the number of meals available to me if I buy the UDP: I know I have all the dinners on the cruise, but the number of lunches can vary quite a bit.

I just finished updating my UDP info for all my cruises that I might want to buy it for, and you are correct. The Vision 13 night on 1/6/24 that I have booked does not show the UDP. Keep checking, but the Vision is late, as I had the info for cruises out to September of 2024.

I've had the UDP on three ships: Vision, Adventure, and Freedom. Follow the pricing in the Cruise Planner online for your cruise. Buy when the price goes down, and remember you can always cancel and re-purchase if it goes even lower. As Pompey says above, use it for lunches, too. Twice I have booked and paid in advance for lunch on Day 1, once in Chops and then in Giovanni's, and had the manager credit the prepaid charge when I show up on Day 1 with the UDP. I loved the UDP, especially during the time after 1/14/23 when the dining menus changed, and also the service in the MDR was drastically affected by new, untrained staff. This seems to have calmed down, but the MDR will never come close to the food quality and service in the specialty restaurants.

This sentence is what was misleading to me. I read "or 340 points and in a balcony or lower" as a separate clause from "If you aren't in a suite". If you have 340 points or higher you DO receive the upgraded amenities in a balcony or lower: Footnote #30 of the 9/1/23 CAS Member Benefits Chart: 30_Members with 340+ cruise points receive upgraded bathroom amenities in their stateroom upon arrival. Subject to availability. This does not indicate any dependency on the level of cabin.

I do the same thing, but my little jars and bottles came from Walmart!!

I checked the CAS chart for 9/1/23, and anyone with 340+ points gets the upgraded toiletries, no matter what kind of cabin they are in. Footnote #30.

Agree. Turnaround day is hectic enough as it is, but to have to keep track of (even paying) passengers debarking late, is just a huge headache. They offered a package with pool privileges and lunch many years ago. You could stay on until 2-3pm. That want away pretty fast. If one has a late flight, then rent a hotel room for the day, go back to sleep, and have a great late lunch, or dinner before your flight.

I just got off the Adventure 2 days ago. The Suite Lounge is large, lots of seating, and good bar service. Appetizers were great, also. It reminded me of the Allure and Oasis Suite lounges without the Coastal Kitchen. On our day at Coco Cay the temperature was 90 with 79% humidity: SUPER HOT!! That lounge was the coolest temperature on the ship, because the doors were wide open on the lower deck with people coming and going, and the heat just crawled up the elevator shafts and out on the floors. I was blissful up there with the fantastic views in the Suite Lounge. Maria, the Concierge, is a sweetheart.