RCI Cruisers 004

Going on the 24 day transpacific, for $80 more a night we can get the owner suite. Seems like same perks and little more room. Any thoughts.?????

There are a few posts already regarding the differences between the GS and OS, discussing everything from bidets to beds. Just my opinion, but if its in your budget, the OS is worth it !

I'm having a hard time with the Captains Club recognizing that I should be Select (which is reciprocal to Platinum). If I don't get that resolved prior to my Allure cruise, is it possible to still get invited, maybe because I'm in a Loft suite?

On Allure, invites are for guests staying in a Grand Suite or above for the Heli pad sail away at Nassau . It doesn't matter your C&A status. The invite will be in your room.

It's $75 R/T for two of you. You will find that 99% of the people here will tell you to do private transfers. We are the 1% that use Royals hotels and transfers mainly because we like the hotels we have stayed in and know we'll get to the ship and back to the airport ! We had a horrific experience using a private service that everyone recommended out of Coco Beach, and will never go that path again ! It might cost a little more using Royal for a hotel and transfer , but the peace of mind knowing we will get there is worth it to us !

Thanks for the review ! 6 weeks for our cruise on her, western Caribbean also !

We usually iron everything the night before at the hotel, and try to lay clothes out the best we can in our luggage. Normally when we get our luggage that afternoon onboard, clothes aren't to wrinkly. But we figure we re on vacation and don't really worry to much about it if our attempt didn't work .

Definitely go a day early ! You should do that for every cruise ! From a personal note, we arrived in Miami as hurricane Isaac was hitting. They closed the airport as we were heading to get our luggage. It opened later that afternoon again. We had booked our room in Miami thru Royal, and they kept us updated about Majesty's arrival time and when we should expect to leave. Most ships were kept out at sea during the storm, and were brought in to port late Monday . We had friends staying in FLL at the same time, waiting for Allure to get back......she stayed out to sea until Tuesday and they were cut down to a 5 day cruise once they left late Tuesday afternoon. Anyway, the Majesty came in late Monday afternoon and we didn't leave port till 10 pm that night. We were compensated $200 for the late departure, which paid for a cabana at Coco Cay. I know I've been rambling, but the best I can tell you, is get there early and wait out whatever happens !

Hello, it's been awhile since we sailed NCL, and looking at the floor plans for both rooms, it doesn't look like much of a difference between these two rooms on Epic. If anyone has been in both, are there any extra perks or benefits to get the Mini over the balcony ? Thanks !

I remember that thread, and that ship might not have been Freedom.

Thanks Bob , I couldn't remember which ship !

There is another thread already started with questions about the differences between OS and GS, and I believe someone mentioned their OS had separate beds !

About 1 o'clock we got the Email our docs. we're ready to print . Gotta love day 49 !

We have been doing an OS when we cruise on Freedom and really enjoy the extra room we have plus the larger bathroom with a stand up shower. Another nice feature for us is ordering room service for breakfast and having the server come in and spread a table cloth and placing all the food out on the table for us. There is also a wrap around sofa on the opposite side of the room from the bed, so its nice to stretch out and watch TV and relax. Also the TV rotates so you can turn it around when you head to bed. The balcony is huge, with a smaller table plus lounge chairs and two single chairs. Can't think of a better way to sip a cup of coffee, and watch the sun rise over the Caribbean. I would say, if its in your budget and won't break the bank, give it a try, I know you will enjoy the room !

Just my perspective, but I figure we only live once, and I want to be spoiled on a cruise . From a financial standpoint , I booked an OS for our next cruise when it was announced in Feb of '14. Right now, any last minute cruisers will pay $600 more for a JS then what I paid, and by the time we leave, I will probably match the price of what a balcony will go for. But everybody has their own views and has to make it work for their own budget ! The main thing is we all show up safely and have a great time ! Happy cruising !

Tomorrow is day 49 for us, we'll be dancing with you !

Taxi fares have risen. No more $12 rides.

Thanks, I forgot to factor in inflation !

From the airport, walk out the door after you get your luggage and turn left. Lotsa taxi's waiting for you ! Same thing when you get off he cruise. Leave the terminal, turn left, hundreds of taxi's ! It should only be around $12 each way so if you have to take two, its not that expensive !

No question.....Indy !! No comparison in ships. Don't even consider Majesty !

And the guy took off his pants because.......??? Did he think he was in a bad prison movie ?

WOW, that was very nice.

 

If I had been given such a nice exception to the rules I might not want to spread the specifics around, as it might get the concierge in trouble.

 

On a different ship, (and because I've read stories like yours) I asked to have my adult daughter cabin mate ( who is Diamond) join me (I am D+) in the CL to have a soda ( she is not a drinker) and was given a huge loud NO, Mrs. XXXX, that is NOT ALLOWED! He made sure the few in the room heard. I peaked in a few times and the lounge was practically empty. We were happy to spend some time in the DL and tipped generously.

 

More recently, we simply have a drink in a bar using a voucher and rarely use the lounge in the evening. I might go in during the morning for coffee and some continental breakfast. I can go a week and never see the concierge and may never ask for any service or assistance. If that is the case, we still give a small tip at the end of the cruise, I guess my rationalization is that he/she is taking care of running the lounge. We always tipped the CL/DL servers per drink (at the time we are provided the drink) and do the same at the ship bars if we use a voucher.

enjoy

 

 

M

Hopefully his superiors won't read these posts, but we will be on Freedom in a few weeks and expect to see him there ! I can't believe how you were treated trying to get your daughter in ! I know what we did was against the rules which is why we asked permission first.

We use MTD with a table for two . The tables are so close, its easy to strike up a conversation with others if you feel sociable !

Ours are in a cupboard somewhere. Never worn, never will !

We have been on cruises where we didn't even see the Concierge and they were tipped accordingly . On a recent Freedom cruise we were traveling with non suite guests and Rahul allowed them into the CL ( don't shoot me, we were the only ones in there ) then escorted us to Barefoot Beach. We gave him $100 at the end of the cruise. I guess it depends on the level of service you feel you received !

Congrats on Diamond ! I believe I read somewhere it could take up to 14 days, but its usually within a week of completing your cruise.

Maybe if you were actually venturing into the interior of Haiti, but nothing needed for Labadee, except maybe sunblock !

Everyone has a different reason to cruise. Sounds like your priority is to eat. I think I would have tried room service more.

Terminal 1. Watching her on the web cam right now !