pchen0

Thank you all for the responses!

I am not upset at all because I understand Celebrity's policy and it is a fair one. I only look after final payment because I want to see if suites price will drop so that I can choose to upgrade. However, although they do have suites available (sleeps up to 4) revenue management capped the capacity of the remaining 12 suites to 2 passengers per cabin so I am out of luck.

I wish I can say that at least I booked early and got the cabin I want because now all of the FV cabins are all open for grabs and there are plenty to choose from.

Regardless, I am happy to be sailing soon but a bit sad knowing that I could've had $1500 extra in my pocket.

Yikes! My cruise now has dropped $1500 and of course it is past the final payment date. Called Celebrity and was told to call my TA but unfortunately was told that I am no longer protected by their price guarantee. I certainly don't expect any money back since it is past the final payment date but they will not budge even with OBC. I am in the family oceanview with balcony (total 4 pax) so there is really no room for upgrades.

Contacted Captain's Club and got the same response that they cannot offer any additional discounts or OBC even with my Elite status.

Anyone have any success in getting anything after final payment in the event of a price drop?

Thanks!

Saw my sailing had a price reduction (before final payment due) so called Celebrity to get my cruise repriced but the fare was still higher than a new booking. They explained that although they price adjust on the base fare, they do not adjust on the taxes/port fees. Taxes and port charges are based on your original booking.

It was too much hassle for me to cancel and rebook the entire cruise to save about $55 but I was told that I can get this refunded once on board the cruise. Is this true? If it is true, will it be automatic or do I need to go to Customer Service counter?

Thanks!

We have 10 X cruises and have been elite on the last 5. Recently, we did our first Royal C. cruise on Explorer of the Seas, 23 day TransPacific from Sydney to Seattle.

 

The Diamond happy hour on Explorer was great, from 4:30 to 8 and you can order wine with your meal until 8PM. We didn't have to purchase any alcohol at all on the entire cruise.

 

Celebrity gives you a free bag (for each person) of laundry (something like 20 items), while Royal has a bag, that is slightly smaller and is for underwear, socks, shorts, T-shirts, etc. You have to pay per item if you want trousers or nice shirts laundered. However, the bag is only $25. Still, if diamond, you get a discount. I think we paid $17.50.

Found the answer to my question.

Hello fellow Princess Cruise experts,

I am looking to book Princess for the first time (I have been a loyal RCCL Diamond member) and I am wondering if their current sale: 40% off cruises is a good deal? I have seen their 3 for Free sale in the past and don't know if current deal is good or should I wait?

Also, does Princess match price drops before final payment is due?

Thank you!

Hi! Hopefully someone could answer a couple questions for me regarding Oasis of the Seas 2-bedroom Aqua theater cabins:

1) Is there more then one safe, or is the only one in the larger bedroom closet?

2) Is there more than one hair dryer supplied?

3) Does each bedroom have its own air conditioner controls?

Thanks so much for any information!

Hi,

I was on Harmony of the Seas A2 Cabin and

1)there is 1 safe in the master bedroom and 1 in the living room.

2)there is a hairdryer in each of the 2 bathrooms

3)There is a temp. control for the master bedroom, 1 in the living room and I don't remember if there is one in the smaller bedroom.

Click on the loop link in the email. It is the highlighted word loop. It will send you to the link to talk to your genie.

Thank you Susan.

I did click on it and it directed me to loop web page where I can chat with my Genie. I chatted hello and that I'd like to make dinner reservations but have not gotten any response. I don't even know who my Genie is.

I know a lot of suite guests have been looking for Genie info on this board so here's my experience so far. We sail on September 25th and I received my Genie email today and contacted him through Voom. We are in suite 1722 and our Genie will be Alexander. I actually was emailed by Reyno but he will be going on vacation next week. I sent him all of our dining reservation requests, show requests, and a spa reservation and bridge and engine room tour request. He said he will take care of everything before we board. I also asked for an 11:00am boarding time and that was confirmed. He answered right back to me on everything. I am so excited about how prompt and accommodating he was. I hope the actual cruise is just as nice.

Hi, I received an email from Royal Caribbean welcoming me to the genie experience with a link to loop but there is no mention as who my genie will be. When I clicked on the link, all I got was "We're here to serve you, please chat with us. Watch this page for updates." It was sent as automated message.

Is this normal?

Thanks

Hey guys I am new to Cruise Critic however, I followed Matt's journey along with others leading up to the cruise this summer. I know on other threads and post people have had major concerns about what is included and if they are going away with certain aspects on the Star Class. So i am here for the latest update as I just got off the ship this morning.

 

To start with we did have Francesco as our journey just as Matt did and he was unbelievable. He was able to get everything we wanted but was never in our faces all the time, which was nice. We painted contact through deck phones and the phone would literally ring once and he picked up and attentive. Carmen was the lead stewardess and she was simply amazing. Always there, helping out asking questions and even ordering a large Orange Juice container so we could have mimosas in the morning. She literally worked around our schedule.

 

A quick recap of what is included and what they have gone away with is this:

-They restarted the cocktails in room. A cart comes around daily with a cocktail menu

- All speciality dining is included EXCEPT: Lobster at Chops, Scoops, and Starbucks Pastries

-Any reasonable drink is included, Unlimited/Ultimate is one in the same. You want a drink, it is free unless you drink top of the line wine

- Beer, wine, champagne can be brought to your room whenever. Francesco brought us 2 bottles of wine, 12 Budweiser and 12 Budlight and Carmen always kept them iced

- Snacks can be arranged in your room, we were able to get chips, guac, and salsa brought up from Sabor every day

- A one on one galley tour was provided along with group bridge and backstage tours.

-There is no priority access for Rock climbing or Ice skating, however, there is for FlowRider and Zipline. Every third person to go is from the star class line. In my case there was never any other star class people in line so i was always the third to go.

- Star class is allowed to go to their rooms right when boarding starts, every other class and room waits until 1

-Reserved seating is easy, you tell the Genie and they meet you at the event and have the best seats waiting for you

-A new thing I believe is that at bars you get priority access. You walk up and they see your card and you will be the next one attended to. This happened on multiple occassions

 

Really this was an amazing cruise and the Star Class is amazing. Anything you could want is possible and only a call away.

Thank you for the info! Matt had indicated that extra charge items in Chops were included such as the aged steak but you mentioned that the lobsters were extra charge. I just want to make sure what is really included before I start ordering those items.

My last cruise on Allure (not in Star Class), I had a comp. specialty dinning from my TA and I visited Chops. The aged steaks and lobsters were extra charge but the night I visited was also the formal night at regular dining with lobster tails so the manager gave us lobster tails at Chops as well.

I have an upcoming cruise on Harmony in Star Class so I'd like to know what I can and cannot order from the specialty restaurants.

Thank you!

We have booked a taxi from Port Soller back to cruise ship and have a 58 Euro quote. One way.

 

We will ride the train the tram to Port Soller in the morning, but wanted to ensure we are back to ship by the (probably) 3:00pm all aboard.

What taxi company did you go with? Can they accommodate 5 passengers?

Thanks!

Hi,

I want to take the first train to Soller at 10:10 and then return by taxi/bus/private transfer to the cruise port by 3:30. Ship leaves at 4pm. How is the best option for 5 people? I have 2 elders so prefer something that will not require too much strenuous walking.

I assume taxis are all standard for 4 passengers?

Thanks,

Peter

Izumi is included. We did not pay the $5 extra or anything else. I was just letting others know.

 

The only eating space not included is Vintages.

 

Oh - and about the handcrafted afternoon cocktail cart en suite. Francesco said hardly anyone has been requesting it so they're not really doing it. If you want it they will come.

Hi Mat,

I understand that Izumi and Izumi Hibachi are included as Star perks but just curious to see what you can order off the menu? I read in other threads that they give you a $25 per person credit (for Izumi) and you use that amount to buy what you want (as they charge a-la-cart). For Izumi Hibachi experience, the cover is $38.50/pp according to the Cruise Planner. What does that include? Can I order unlimited Sashimi?

Thanks!

Will be going on a cruise on the Oasis in August - looking for an economical hotel (3 rooms) for the night before. Our flight does not get in until 6 p.m., so we don't need a lot of bells and whistles, as we won't be in the hotel all that long. It would need to have a restaurant in the hotel or be in an area where we could walk to for dinner.

 

Travelling with ages 3 to 82.

 

Thank you.

Going on the Allure in August from Fort Lauderdale and also arriving around 6pm the evening prior to cruise. I booked 3 rooms at Ramada Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise port. Its economical with free shuttle from airport and to cruise port and free breakfast. I contacted the manager directly and got a great group rate!

Will be going to Rendezvous Bar and Grill which is a 5 minute walk from the hotel with Marina/water view.

Here is a shot taken from the deck 7 public balcony.

More at https://mjcwebdesign.com/photos/index.php?/category/21

Thank you so much Michael! The balcony will be right next to my cabin! I assume it is the same from both the port and starboard side, right?

I think I read it somewhere before that there are reserved area for suite guests?

We will be in Star class and I know my parents love to visit Windjammer to see and try the variety of food. I just hate to have to chase down a table when its overly crowded.

Thanks!

Hi,

I will be on Allure in August in cabin 7330 (FB). I heard there is a public aft balcony where I will be able to go and watch the Aqua Theater shows. Can you take a picture of that location?

Thanks!

Here is the "regular" price on drink packages:

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/menus/beverage-flyer-general-v4.pdf

and here it the price from current 20% off promotion:

From*

$36.00USD Adult per day

Select Beverage Package Special Offer

From*

$47.00USD Adult per day

Premium Beverage Package Special Offer

From*

$53.00USD Adult per day

Ultimate Beverage Package Special Offer

Price above does NOT include gratuities.

Not even close to 20% savings.

Sounds exciting. We have Star class on Anthem in July and Allure in April 2017. Can't wait for the hand crafted in suite cocktails!

What constitutes a hand-crafted cocktail?

Can I order frozen drinks like margaritas, pina colada? Do we tip the Royal Genie every time he mixes a drink much like what we would do at a bar?

Also, I think the brochure used to state "complimentary laundry and pressing" but I think the wording on RC's website is: "Arrange priority pressing, laundry and dry cleaning services."

Is it complimentary?

Thank you!

Beginning May 2016 Star Class Suite guests will have complimentary specialty dining. How can I go about booking these ahead of time?

Currently, if I book via Cruise Planner, I will have to pay for it. Do I need to wait until I board to book?

Thank you!

Are you interested in a speed boat or a catermaran tour?

It's a 6-hour speed boat around the island.

Has anybody done either the taxi tour or boat tour or both and would like to share your experiences?

Has anyone done a taxi tour (6 hours) that they are happy about?

My husband, 4 kids, 2 of the kids friends and I are planning on sailing out of FLL Jan 6, 2017. We are flying in the day before from Anchorage, AK. I need to know about hotels that have transportation from the airport and transportation to the port....anyone have any recommendations? I would love for it to be close to a beach/easy beach access and close to dining options.

 

This will be our first time on RC and I am sure I will have tons of questions. We have always sailed DCL, but we have all decided we want to try put RC!

Ramada Inn: Budget hotel with free shuttle to/from airport/Cruise Terminal and free breakfast!

http://www.ramada.com/hotels/florida/fort-lauderdale/ramada-fort-lauderdale-airport-cruise-port/hotel-overview

Has anybody done either the taxi tour or boat tour or both and would like to share your experiences?

Hello fellow expert Caribbean cruisers:

My family and friends (group of 13) will be visiting St. Martin in August from our cruise. We are docked from 8am-5pm.

I have researched and now left with 2 options:

A. Taxi tour around the island for 6 hours (Oyster Pond, Orient Beach, Marigot and Maho Beach). I will probably add a stop for scuba diving/snorkeling around Grand Case.

B. Boat tour around the island for 6 hours (Tintamarre Island, Pinel Island and Creole Rock and Maho Beach).

Which option would you choose?

I know boat tour is highly recommended from the reviews but some concerns: We are getting off a big ship to go on a small ship and not allowing "real" island time on land. I have people in the group who are prone to motion sickness. Is the water rough around the island?

Thank you!

How much would you tip for room service, in-suite dining? I am sure that's not included in the customary gratuities.