travelin_nat

That video (great video) was from 2014 - don't know if that was before or after dry dock. We have 9406, leaving Sunday June 4. Will post pictures when we get there. Getting excited!!

Generally, there must be at least 4 days left and it must last until the end of the cruise. However, you may find a ship and/or sailing that deviates from this guideline.

Thanks, Bob. I knew you had to buy it for the remainder of the cruise, but wasn't sure how late you can purchase it.

Is there a cutoff for when you can buy the premium beverage package - meaning can you buy it on day 5 of a 7-day cruise?

We always figure that noonish is a good time to book flights. Especially when the airport is some distance away. Our flight from HOU was at 3:20, so we took our time getting off and catching a shuttle. We were there at noon.

 

If we had left earlier, we could have been at the airport earlier.

Perfect - thanks.

You can send them to get pressed, but I have never seen special pricing for the first day.

Can you handle your own bags and express off? We've been off the ship and in our car driving home by 7:30 when we expressed off the ship.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Possibly, although we'd rather not unless absolutely necessary.

I put in our details and it came back and told me there are no results to display. Ugh.

Google maps shows a little under an hour for HOU, a little over an hour for IAH. Any idea how much time we should allow to get our car? We've always flown to cruise ports in the past.

And if we dock at 6:30, is it reasonable to expect we can be off the ship and have our luggage by, say 8:30?

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqType=faq&faqSubjectId=324&faqSubjectName=Air+Travel&faqId=2724

Thanks, Bob!

I should add that we will be parking our car at one of the parking garages at the port and driving family to an airport. So we need time to first get to the car.

I've read that Royal posts guidelines about scheduling flights post cruise - can anyone tell me where to find this information? I'm looking to find out when to book a flight out of HOU or IAH (haven't chosen an airline yet).

TIA

Nat

And yet we spent two weeks on the Liberty in October and had no issues with the bed. Different strokes....

Seems to be the common theme. We found the beds on Enchantment to be too firm. We tried using the inflatable mattress people have been raving about and found that was less comfortable, not more comfortable. The most comfortable bed we had was on Freedom five years ago and nothing has come close since.

I will say we often have the same issue in hotels - it's not isolated to RCI cruise ships. It's impossible to get something everyone will love.

I didnt find it hard as a rock at all, in fact when we got to the room they had already put on a foam topper. I hadn't asked for a foam topper but it made the bed quite enjoyable for the week.

Good to know - thanks!

I have to ask about the beds - did you find them to be "hard as a rock" as some others have reported?

We have the same complaint about the harassment for specialty dining on our recent Enchantment cruise. We told them we already had a Chops reservation (which we did) and they wanted information to "verify" it as if they were doing us a favor. But they approached us several times in the MDR and elsewhere around the ship. Enough already!!

Yes, the C&A double points were nice - forgot to mention that.

Oddly enough, I liked this closet the least of any we've had. It had a small, narrow dresser with three drawers. I prefer the open shelves we've had on other ships.

I think for us it comes down to how much time we are in there. And we took a river cruise in October - that cabin was so small it made every other cabin we've had seem like a suite by comparison. ;)

Next up is an aft balcony - that will be a first for us as well. Really looking forward to that one....

If you pre-pay for the package they actually print it on the card - at least for the soda package. Never purchased an alcohol package.

Hi all,

Just returned from Enchantment and our first time in a JS, so I thought I'd share our thoughts. I read many threads before our cruise on what they include and whether or not it is "worth it." So here's our story.

We booked this cruise with somewhat short notice, although before final payment. I paid to upgrade from an OV to a balcony when prices started falling, then upgraded to a JS for no add'l cost when prices dropped even further. We enjoyed the extra space. Since our stop at Coco Cay was cancelled, we spent the morning in the Solarium then hung out in our room for a while in the afternoon, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Having the tub/shower combo was nice, although somehow I had envisioned them being bigger than they were. We had the coffee pot in our room, but didn't try the coffee since I had read such bad reviews. There were robes in our cabin - didn't have to request them (can't remember if that's ever been an issue for others).

It was just DH and me on this cruise. We would book another JS if the price was right and it was just the two of us. Probably wouldn't spend the extra if we were traveling with family/friends like we usually do b/c we don't think we'd spend enough time in the room to justify the extra $$.

That's all I can think of at the moment. Happy to answer any other questions if you have them.

Well, we made it to National on Collins before they opened at 8 then parked at a big garage on 17th for $1/hour. Had a great walk along the Boardwalk/Ocean Drive. Lunch at the Big Pink then took the scenic route up A1A to FLL, here with plenty of time to spare. Thank you all for the great suggestions - I couldn't imagine being in Miami and not at least getting a glimpse of South Beach. Now it's time to count down to the next cruise. :)

We did the 3 night cruise this past August and found it to be a party cruise. Everyone was drunk and a few that had taken something stronger. Before people get on to me for making that observation, my wife is a master's level nurse and works with people with addictions and she knows one when she sees it.

 

We also did the 4 night cruise and it was not as bad. The 3 night is over the weekend and people do it just to get away for a few days and don't have to take as many vacation days from work to do it.

I have to agree with you. DH and I noticed pretty quickly that the crowd on this cruise is noticeably different from any other RCI Cruise we've been on. A couple at our breakfast table remarked that they've noticed Mary Jane on more than one area of the ship. They weren't complaining, just stating an observation.

No Coco Cay for Enchantment today. :( Seas too rough.

We are on Enchantment right now and it wouldn't be my first choice. I agree with Freedom or bigger. That said, if this is the only option that meets your needs, go for it. They will have each other to keep themselves entertained.

Thank you both!

You will spend a fortune in South Beach parking a rental car. Budget $20 for parking and if you are one second over the meter, you will get towed. It's a scam that the city will not stop.

 

 

 

Can you meet your friends in South Beach for lunch and then pick up the rental car?

 

 

 

You are going to have time for one area whether it be South Beach, Wynwood, Coral Gables, etc.

 

 

 

Traffic will not allow you to drive all over Miami after lunch then be at the airport by 3pm.

Thanks for the heads up.

I have never used the Spa, never stayed in an inside cabin, stay mostly in suites but have never eaten in coastal kitchen, never rock climbed, and have never used the solarium. Also ,in the spirit of Cruise Critic, I have never shared my drink package, smoked on the balcony, noticed pepper grinders were missing, hogged a pool chair, flaunted my cruise status, worn shorts in the MDR and have absolutely never been upset that the bananas were in a bowl next to the ketchup and mayo.

Too funny. Love it!

Kind of reminds me of our last Alaskan cruise. As we were sitting at the airport waiting to leave, we heard of a group of pax on the sailing before us who were all killed in a float plane crash, along with the pilot. It made me very sad and I thought about them for a long time. I couldn't imagine how their families felt, or the other passengers who were at the same dinner table with them.

That said, we went on with our helicopter tour. Accidents happen. But it definitely makes you appreciate life more.