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Smith0154

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Posts posted by Smith0154

    What have they done to your Cuba cruise?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    20 hours ago, Jam0610 said:

    While I give RCL credit for their reaction and offer to credit our Cuban Cruise. TA does not suggest wife and I accept.

    Empress is too small a ship to cruise open waters from Miami to Mexico. Even at half price.

    The only reason we booked this cruise was for visiting Cuba.

     

    No ones fault but wife and I will sail at a later date.

     

    We have cancelled.

    Wow, I can't believe a travel agent would say that.  They must not know much about cruising.  I remember sailing on a ship half the size of Empress from New York to Bermuda quite some time ago.  All of 19,000 tons and we were in rough weather, no stabilizers.  It sailed just fine on the open waters of the Atlantic.  Empress primarily sails in the Gulf and Caribbean Sea.

     

    Smitty

    • Like 2

    Smaller ships making a comeback?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    What is wrong with Cuba?

     

    An educated guess is that the Cuban government is charging higher port charges than what the market dictates. They have been out of the game for many years and to have new dollars coming into the local economy is another price factor.

     

    Then the overnight stay plays into the necessity for overnight longshoremen and security of the pier, thus the higher price for that particular sailing. Higher the port charges to the company means higher price to the consumer.

     

    Just my educated guess, needless to say, Cuba is not in my future.

     

    Smitty

    Clear Entry Kiosk's at Pier 18 (Oasis Class Pier)

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted · Edited by Smith0154
    Wrong program

    I'm not familiar with the term "clear entry".

     

    But Terminal 18 at Port Everglades participates in the Global Entry program and the mobile passport program. Both of those programs may expedite clearing customs.

     

    HTH

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

     

    Are you talking about the new skip the lines thing at airports that you pay monthly and there's a machine out front. That has nothing to do with customs.

     

    CLEAR is only for security, not customs. If you would like to skip the line, you would need to apply for Global Entry.

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

     

    Thanks to both of you. My fingers were typing too quickly this morning. I did indeed mean Global Entry!!!!! I am a member and would obviously like that option if it was available.

     

    I think I need to get into the New Years cheer sooner than later. LOL!!!!!

     

    Thanks again.

     

    Smitty

    Complementary Voom

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Do you know if the suite class VOOM is the one that includes streaming video?

     

    My interpretation is that it is. Here is the explanation from the RCCL web page.

     

    Unlimited VOOM High Speed Internet

     

    Surf, stream, share and chat – do everything you do back home with complimentary access to VOOM, the fastest Internet at sea.

     

    The key word in my opinion is the Stream.

     

    Smitty

    Breaking News - C&A Changes/Enhancements

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Sure, there are seats. But you'll have to get there by 11:30AM to stake your claim for the 4:30PM happy hour. You are up against a wily and patient foe, with bladders of steel that belie their age.

     

    That's advice worth every penny that it cost.

     

    I love these rant posts of who should be treated better than others. My DW and I have only once had a problem finding a seat in the CL and that one time we got our drink and went right outside the lounge and enjoyed a nice quiet drink between ourselves.

     

    Funny thing was the CL staff came out on several occasions to see if we had enough in our glasses and we didn't have to listen to the who is better than the other in status. Not saying its everyone, but I just get so tired of listening to those that think they deserve more than others because they has so many cruise points. (And don't get me going on that issue).

     

    BTW, my DW and I always stay in a suite are D+ C&A members and always purchase the drink package so if we don't get a seat in the CL its ok. We can find other places to have a nice quiet drink.

     

    BTW, I am not giving up our secret of when the best time to go to the CL is. LOL!!!!! Well I got that off my chest!!!!! LOL!!!!!!

     

    Smitty

    Which area in Boston for a hotel?

    in East Coast Departures

    Posted

    We are sailing a transatlantic in Sept. on Brillance. We arrive in Boston and are wanting to stay a night or two in Boston and see the city.

     

    I need advice on which area of Boston to stay in. We prefer something close to the historical attractions and with some restaurants close by. My father would prefer to taxi and not ride the subway or trains.

     

    Any tour suggestions are also welcomed.

     

    We would like to stay under $300 per night for the hotel.

     

    Thankful for any suggestions

     

    Coming from the Boston area, I would suggest staying near the Faneuil Hall area of the city. That way you are pretty much in the center of the Freedom Trail area. You have all kinds of restaurant's in the area and its pretty active area of the city. Let me know if I can make any further suggestions.

     

    Smitty

    NEW Suite Upgrades....

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I think that RCI's solution to crowding is to rename the CL the SL. There are seldom enough Pinnacles onboard to overcrowd the lounge.

     

    OP, thanks from me as well.

     

    As a Suite regular and Diamond+ C&A member, I can just hear it now from the current Diamond+ members. The Diamond Lounge will not be good enough for many of them. Even though the current CL and Diamond Lounge are in my opinion virtually the same, there will be those that do not think they should be limited to the Diamond Lounge.

     

    My DW and I have been very fortunate where the CL for the most part has been quiet, but on a recent sailing, we had to sit out in the grand atrium just outside the CL because the CL was overcrowded. We had an awesome bar staff that sailing, as they came out to check on us on a regular basis. We took very good care of them during the week.

     

    Smitty

    Oasis of the Seas Port Canaveral 2017

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I just booked my January 2017 cruise for my DW and I and learned that we will be departing on Oasis of the Seas from Port Canaveral. Either Florida ports are fine, I was just surprised to see that Oasis would have a new home port. Has anyone heard the plans to replace Oasis in Port Everglades, is it one of the Anthem of the Seas or the new Oasis class ship? I didn't hear anything about Oasis relocating to Port Canaveral.

     

    Smitty

    New Orleans Hilton Riverside Review

    in Gulf Coast Departures

    Posted

    My family just enjoyed a stay at the Hilton Riverside for two nights prior to our departure on Serenade. We walked from the hotel right though the mall which is connected to the hotel and walked to the food court area, went down an elevator from the mall and there we were right at the baggage drop off area. Never stepped outside until we reached the porter area. The Hilton is a very nice location if you are going to be going on a cruise.

     

    Smitty

    UPDATED List of Current Cruise Directors (CD)

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Adventure OTS - Mercedes LaFuente began November 23 for 4 months . then who?

     

    Allure OTS - Joff Eaton from January 18 until March 1. (Who is filling in March 1 until April 19? Jerome Sueur will do all of the European cruises (April 19 thru Oct 25) since he is fluent in 5 languages. He is the new regular CD on Allure until further notice.

     

    Anthem OTS - Joff Eaton will be taking out the ship and continuing on as its regular CD. Ken Rush will also be onboard for the first 6-8 weeks doing behind the scenes duties to provide a smooth take out

     

    Brilliance OTS - Rob McNally began on December 16 until March 9, then Clo O'Connor returns on March 9.

     

    Enchantment OTS - Marc Walker January 19 until March 13. Who will be covering Marc's paternity leave March 13 through April 17? Marc returns from paternity leave on April 17 until May 18. Who is covering Marc's vacation May 18 through July 13? Jamie Fentimore? Marc returns from his vacation on July 13.

     

    Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb returned Nov 1st until the ship enters drydock on March 8. When the ship returns to service on April 24, Keith Williams will be the CD. (Leigh has been reassigned to Indy).

     

    Freedom OTS - Casey Peltier from February 1 for 4 months.

     

    Grandeur OTS - Dan Whitney from February 3 until April 28. Mitch Merucci will return from his break on April 28 for 4 months..

     

    Independence OTS - Ricky Matthews February 22 through April 11, then Leigh Xuereb begins on April 11 for 4 months. Leigh is the new permanent CD on Indy!

     

    Jewel OTS - Dennis Charles started January 17 until March 14, then John Blair starts on March 14 for a 2 month fill-in to cover Elvis' break, then Elvis Pinto begins in mid-May (former activities manager who has been promoted to CD,

     

    Legend OTS - Paul Rutter started January 16

     

    Liberty OTS Dru Pavlov started February 14 for 2 months. Luke Aerowsmith will return in mid-April.

     

    Majesty OTS - Simona Ferraiuolo started January 30

     

    Mariner OTS - Ken Jones started November 27 until April(then who?)

     

    Navigator OTS - John Perry started November 16 until March. He will be returning for another 4 month contract in May. *exact dates?* Who will be covering John's break from March through May?

     

    Oasis OTS - Drew Devine January 24 through May 23, then Ricky Matthews returns May 23 through July 25

     

    Quantum OTS - Ken Rush beginning Jan 23 to fill-in until Jimmy Rhodes returns from his break need date) Dennis Charles is moving over to Quantum, presumably to alternate with Jimmy in the future.

     

    Radiance OTS - Amy Fickert started November 5 for approx. 4 months, then who? (Paul Rutter?)

     

    Rhapsody OTS - Tim Connor from January 28 through March 29. Graham Seymour will return from his break on March 29 through early August.

     

    Serenade OTS - Carly Boileau started Feb 21 for a 2 month fill-in.

     

    Splendour OTS - Michelle Pimentinha for the Brazilian season. Bobby Brown's next contract is on Splendour (need dates)

     

    Vision OTS - Steve Davis from December 12 until April 11, then who?

     

    Voyager OTS - Chris Brown (former activities manager) started December 7th until ship returns to Singapore in mid-March.

     

    Carly Boileau has semi-retired, but will return as a fill-in CD from time-to-time

    Rich Edwards is currently recovering from surgery and resting at home. He will be returning in April 2015.

    Allan Brooks left Royal Caribbean to take a position in Celebrity corporate office.

    Richard Spacey is a CD with Celebrity

    Becky Thompson works for Celebrity Cruises in their corporate offices in Miami.

    Dave Chapman has left RCCL. He is taking an extended break, and then he will be moving over to another cruiseline.

    James Andrews is a real estate agent in Sydney

    Mike Szwajkowski is a Canadian Mountie

    Leo Papa at Cornell University working on a Master's degree in Hospitality Administration/Management

    Anna Bass is now Client Services Manager at ISS London

    Abe Hughes is Director of Port Revenue Operations at Royal Media Partners and sometimes works onboard as the port and shopping guide

    João Pereira is studying Portuguese/English education and translation at Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas in Brazil

    Kirk Detweiler is now CD with Silversea cruises.

    Simeon Baker - married a dancer, had a baby girl and is a sales exec at a Porsche dealer in Saskatchewan

    Matt Baker - Sim's brother - recently married and living in Wales. They bought a pub called the Tiddley

    Kieron Buffrey - CD with Holland America

    Tom Canosa - teaching 6th grade science in North Carolina

    Peter Benfield and Johnny Osborne have emigrated to Thailand

    Anthony Richards is living in Miami with his wife, and is working for Royal Media Partners as Manager Port Revenue Operations

    Rico du Breil is now a CD with NCL

    Paul Lancaster is no longer with RCI, and resides in England

    Abel Jeney is International Manager at Kingswood Education and Adventure in London

    Parker Cristan is living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - staging/choreographing for local theater

    Ashley Kerr - married and living in Vancouver BC, working as a marketing rep for a PR firm

    Karen Maybury - has a consultant/pr/entertainment agency

    Jannie Cloete - leading expeditions on small ships

    Where is Warren Allen? (aka Warren Melhuish)

     

    Just off Serenade yesterday (Saturday) and Katrina Blair was CD for this sailing. Was she just a fill in for the February 14th sailing?

     

    Smitty

    Man Overboard Oasis - Picked up by Disney Magic

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Ok, let me see if I can get a grasp of this...... Guest wakes up early and goes to the forward part of the ship. Rogue wave strikes bow where guest is standing and he is swept off the Oasis. Hmmmmm, the bridge must have been sleeping (NOT), to see this guy standing there one second the rogue wave strikes then he is missing. Wow what a fish tale. It was the intent to get the pockets lined. So very lucky that he was seen by Disney.

     

    Smitty

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