TexasRices

RCI is running a summertime promotion where anyone buying an Ultimate pkg will get a complimentary Refreshment pkg to share with a friend. The promotion runs thru August 31st (meaning you must sail by that date, not buy online by that date, as confirmed in an email from RCI when I asked for clarification about the promotion dates).

Just saw your reply...Thanks Ren1216!

This is a current promo going on now. Buy the Ultimate package and get one Refreshment (soda only) package free.

Thanks Bob! Is it a promo (or a promo code) that is available online if you already have something booked? Only onboard? Only on certain sailings? Do you know when this promo expires, or where I could find more info?

I was recently on a Facebook group page, where several people were posting about a two for one Ultimate Drink Package...but no one could point me to anything online. Most of these folks were purchasing first day onboard. Here is an example that was typical of those posts:

"We walked up to the ship and got stopped just like everyone else with two women sitting at a table with cups behind them offering the drink packages. So we went ahead and bought, so that it would be one less thing to worry about. The lady who sold us the package, **name omitted** (and makes one heck of a apple martini by the way for those of you going on the NOS soon lol) then proceeded to hand us two souvenir cups. She said one for the one buying the package and the other for anyone else you'd like to share it with. The same thing happened to everyone else in my family who bought it."

Has anyone here on Cruise Critic had this experience recently?

We usually purchase our drink packages in advance, but we have some OBC available on our next cruise (on the same class ship, the FOS) in February. So I'm thinking maybe we should wait & purchase our packages onboard.

Any thoughts? Info?

Thanks!!!

Freedoms new St Tropez ghost town

I truly hope that ends up being the slide area, and not the adult section! If it's the area I'm thinking of, that deck is not handicap accessible. I was disappointed to find that the "Sanctuary" on Princess is usually non-ADA...I just hope RCI doesn't follow suit on this!!! One of the reasons we are loyal to Royal is their accessibility - mobility is an issue that more adults face every year, as the boomers get older.

They dont apply at all, its not an american ship!

ADA does apply, when they sail out of American ports.

Your vehicle has to have modifications for the scooter. Not sure if the carrier on the hitch receiver qualifies. Go the port Canaveral website for details

The website isn't clear about what types of modification qualifies, but I will definitely give them a call...thanks!

Can anyone recommend a hotel near the Tampa Port that has shuttle service to Carnival Port and will let you leave your car there?

We stayed at the Embassy Suites - there are two, ours was across from the hockey arena, and closest to the port. We booked a park & stay package this past January, booked and shuttle service through Super Shuttle. Overall, we saved $ over what we would have spent with a cheaper hotel and port parking, the shuttle was only $8/pp and the complimentary evening snacks and drinks were a bonus! I would definitely do it again!

A lot of the hotels have a sleep and cruise package. Better yet, we went on Priceline and bid $68 dollars for a hotel in Titusville and got the Holiday Inn. When we checked in they had coupons for 40% off to park at the port. It was a very short ride down to the port and saved us a lot of money overall as I have a scooter and handicap tag so the port was no charge. Couldn't find a motel at Cocoa Beach for even close to that price.

Hi Swampbaby! We're driving into Port Canaveral in February, and I also have a scooter & handicap tag. Did I understand you correctly? Does the port offer free parking for handicap?

Just wanted to say I had an absolutely FANTASTIC time:D

Here is a link to my review for whoever is interested......we got so

very, very, VERY lucky with the weather:) the sun was shining every

day:D....temps were in the 50s and 60s during the day...:)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2210369

We ran into the same thing on our Alaskan cruise. BEAUTIFUL weather! Ours was in May as well - the first sailing of the year. And we got an amazing price, because it was considered a "Repositioning" cruise.

For me, Vancouver to Seattle (or vice versa) is no big deal - I don't really see that as repositioning, although I guess technically it is. Lots of travel options between the two cities...train, ferries, puddle jumpers, major airlines. It's just not that far away! The train was fun!

We will definitely be booking the same time of year when we go back, and I will be looking for another repositioning deal when I do. I've heard that it is common to have more sunshine in May than in August. Just a thought...

Robyn, did they post anything on cruise critic or RCCL about your M&M party?before your cruise? We've seen nothing...

...Our meet and mingle was listed in advance as a confirmed party. Did your group meet the 25 person minimum?

...You can get to the RCCL Meet and Mingle Page from here.

Sorry folks...I seem to have forgotten to include the link when I replied to Robyn & Cheryl! :p

You can get to the RCCL Meet and Mingle Page from here (or copy & paste this into your browser: http://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcall/cruiselinel2.cfm?cruiselineid=32#mmbeforecruise).

Then click on "Register for a Royal Caribbean Party". You should then receive a confirmation email from Royal.

If you have already registered through this page, you can also check the status of your M&M, to be sure there are enough people that the party is on!

Yes ma'am, it certainly was!

LOL ;)

I received your email - hope the answer was satisfactory? LOL ;)

Whew! I finally made it all the way through...and it was well worth the time spent!

Thank you so much Robyn, for taking the time to do this! I also appreciate all of the other members posting questions & info. We have sailed on Sovereign Class, Vision Class, Radiance Class and Voyager Class - so now we're moving up to the Freedom Class with FOS in February 2016 and her sister the Liberty in January 2017. I believe this thread every single question I had about this class ship!

So thank you very much! I look forward to more LIVE reports in the future - especially those Robyn posts! :)

You can get to the RCCL Meet and Mingle Page from here. From there, you can either register or check the status of your M&M. I hope that helps!

Not sure what you mean by closed mouth? [emoji15]. Our meet and mingle was listed in advance as a confirmed party. Did your group meet the 25 person minimum? If you did, then I think it's pretty safe to assume you will have an invite in your cabin when you board.

 

 

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Robyn, did they post anything on cruise critic or RCCL about your M&M party?before your cruise? We've seen nothing and when one of our guys questioned them they were very closed mouth about it.

Cheryl

Yay!!!

cruiser2 just posted pics of suites on freedom. Guess what.....

Cushions on wicker furniture

Hi Robyn,

I sent an email just a bit ago, with a question about your cruise that I wasn't comfortable posting on a public forum. I'm hoping you received it! If not, could you please add me as a CC contact so that I can message you through CC?

Thanks!

Trish

I would think they have rectified this situation by now?! :eek:

 

It was pretty sad having this lovely rattan furniture with no cushions....

I'm curious about the local Microbrewery you mentioned. Would it be possible to get more info? Name? Location? :confused:

Thanks! :)

We sat at Grill's today for lunch and were freezing in the shade! Lol! I was looking at Freedom and whining the whole time...."but I want to be on a cruise"! Even though we just got off of Brilliance last week.:o

 

We walked to terminal 1 and it is wonderful! The drive thru for the cars, the luggage system overhead, and we walked as far as we could into the terminal and I was in awe.

 

Then we drove over to Quantum and got an up close look. I tried to post a pic here but could not find it, but will try tomorrow. Then we went to a local microbrewery and talked to people that were on Quantum. We knew because of their RCCL bracelets. Sounds like a great ship, but for now Freedom is my fave.

 

Thanks Robin for taking us along on your cruise.:)

I have to agree with you, Sherri. Too late for Robyn...but for anyone else in this position - maybe you could ask for several extra pillows to put under the gold towels?

I'd sweet talk your cabin attendant into finding some sort of pad to make the chairs and loungers comfortable. You are paying for a top tier room and you should be comfortable on the balcony. I almost never go to the pool but I live on our balcony.

Hi Kadun - We're sailing the Eastern Caribbean on FOS, leaving 2/21/16. What date are you sailing?

I'm so glad I found this thread! We'll be sailing on the FOS February 2016 and I'm looking forward to your live review!!! I can't wait to see the pictures you post! Enjoy your cruise and Happy Anniversary!

Hi y'all! I've been on the boards for a while, but I have just discovered the group area - and we LOVE Royal! Just finished one up in January & booked the next one for 2/2016. I'm really looking forward to chatting & sharing info here. :)

Being that the Enchantment of the Seas has 3 and 4 days cruises departing from Port Canaveral in addition to the Freedom of the Seas it's not surprising that there were no HC spaces available upon your arrival. Not to mention there are people who fraudulently use HC placards belong to someone else.

People who fraudulently use HC placards belonging to someone else is at the top of my "Pet Peeves" list.

We've found that we can stay at a hotel in PC, pay a nominal fee to leave our car at the hotel, and take the free hotel shuttle to the port for about the same cost the Port charges for parking. It may be worth looking into, the next time you cruise out of Port Canaveral. Many of the hotels also include a free breakfast, so when you really break it down - it's sometimes cheaper for the hotel room/parking/breakfast package than it is to stop for breakfast that morning & pay to park at the port!

Same problem here. I have tried the suggestions listed but no luck. Anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks

Do you have an adblocker? That can often be the culprit.

Yes I think that is absolutely doable. We just went to the taxi area with the hoards of others and told the guys in charge that we needed to go to Secret Harbor. He got a van for us, and my Son transferred into the front seat next to the driver, as its hard to get into the back for him, and they stored his chair right in the back. They do want to try to fill the van up before leaving. It took about 20 to 30 mins to get there with a few drop offs for other people to other places.

 

When ready to leave Secret Harbor, plan plenty of time to go to the hotel reception right there near the dive shop and they will call a taxi for you, unless you are maybe able to arrange with the taxi driver that dropped you off exactly when you want to be picked up and see if they are able to do that. Give yourself plenty of time to get back, as traffic was pretty bad when we where there. The cost I believe was around $10.00 pp each way, but don't hold me to that, its been a while.

 

The people at Aqua Action are amazing, and will do everything possible to make this a fun easy day for you. The restaurant next door was good, with good drinks.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

Thanks Laura!

I'm assuming that since he can stand and transfer, that he has a collapsable manual wheelchair. We cruise with my son that uses a manual/power chair, is able to transfer, but unable to walk. Surprisingly there are plenty of accessible places and things to do in the Caribbean ports.

 

As the last poster mentioned, we did snorkeling at Secret Harbour with "Aqua Action Dive Center" They are AMAZING!!!! and Secret harbour is beautiful. You can take a taxi there...

We've scheduled a snorkeling trip with Aqua Action Dive Center, for our next cruise. I was originally going to use Dial-a-Ride for transportation, but I have some concerns - Our ship will be docked from noon to seven, so I scheduled with Aqua Action from 1-5pm. Unfortunately, the Dial-A-Ride folks close at 5pm. You mentioned a taxi...I have a fold-up electric scooter that fits in the trunk of my Hyundai Sonata. Do you think a taxi could accommodate 2 people with my scooter in the trunk? And if so, how much should we expect to pay for a taxi?

Thanks!

I personally feel that I've been on enough cruises & I'm enough of a detail person to work directly with a group specialist. If you're new to cruising or uncomfortable with keeping up with dates & sending reminders, then I would use a travel agent. I don't think you get the Tour Conductor credit if you use an agent, so that's another reason I don't use a travel agent.

Oh, okay, was thinking that's what you meant for conductor. I'm a detailed planner when it comes to our vacations, but have never planned for a large group before. Which do you prefer using with groups -- travel agent or RCI group specialist? Is there a benefit (saving money is always nice) to one over the other?

You don't collect the money - the guests pay directly to RCCL. They can also pick their own cabins. As tour conductor, I personally just recommended that we all group on one deck, and informed our Group Specialist that we would prefer to stay together unless someone chose differently. We do have one person who wanted to be higher up & one lower down, and they are. I just verified with them that it was their choice, sent reminders for payment dates, etc. You can be as involved, or not - as you choose. I made it easy on myself by creating a Facebook Group page - which is where I posted any info and reminders. You can be the tour conductor, get the TC Credit, and never lift a finger except to recruit guests. The more involved you are, the more apt people are to book & follow through, giving you a higher credit amount. We have folks who we haven't seen in years, so I chose to be more active - arranging dinner seating, a private reception...etc. But it's absolutely not required! Please talk to a Group Specialist - they can advise you better than I. I know Travel agents make their money this way, but as I said...with a little effort on my part, I was able to keep enough of the Tour Conductor credit to bump up from inside cabin to a balcony and pay for a nice little meet & greet reception. The Tour Conductor is simply the point person - as hands off or on, as you choose.

Wonderful advice Trish! I'm detail oriented too but I don't like collecting money for group activities. I'd rather they call the travel agent to pick their cabins and payment issues. I'm not familiar with Tour Conductor. What exactly is that?