JillianinMN

What I see is embarking in Amsterdam and Disembarking in Rotterdam.   Anyone have that? 

Hi -- just watched a Cruise Critic video posted yesterday and the host mentioned in order to board you need your proof of vaccination and a negative PCR COVID test.  THEN  a negative antigen test will be performed at the port.   Is this the case with US Citizens?   I was not under the impression a test was NOT needed before arrival at the pier for US Citizens … just the test at the pier. 

Thanks! 

Hi Bob

What are the deck 5 hidden lounge areas?

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I had this same question for the November 12th sailing - one week after DST ends, so I did a couple of things.

I checked out the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands website and it shows the Liberty of the Seas in port from 10:30am - 6:00pm - which is EST so I thought my documents should show arrival at 11:30 and departure at 7:00pm. If indeed we stay on ships time.

I called Royal and the first 2 people said the times in the itinerary were local, but then 2 people said to stay on ships time, and then one guy told me to stop the first local and see what time it is. :confused:

So.. I dug up few old Compasses from this past winter. Sure enough, right on the first page of all cruises with the Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Jamaica itinerary on the Liberty leaving from Galveston after DTS ends, there is a note:

"Time Change

Dear Guests,

Please set your watches and clocks one hour forward before sleeping tonight. On Monday (date) all of the ships clocks will be set one hour forward at 2:00am."

So, yes, indeed the boarding time is listed as local Galveston time, but then everyone is to set their clocks to the new ship time which is EST won the ship sets sail, which is also local time for Grand Cayman and the other stops.

Sounds like you were after final payment -- according to your second paragraph (unless that's a different cruise). If that's the case, I have a feeling Royal would not have let you switch to a JS Guarantee anyway. Hoping that may make you feel better - there is a chance you might not have gotten it. I know this because on my Freedom cruise 2 weeks ago a better cabin came available cheaper after final payment and I didn't get anything, including no OBC.

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According to Royal, it's an upgrade they are doing to their systems to support the non-refundable deposit option. They expected everything to get fixed by Sunday, but no luck yet.

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Oh my -- I can't wait. Thanks!! I'm on this same cruise in less than 3 weeks!! Enjoy

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I've read reports of massive amounts of drunk college kids the last few weeks .... did you notice this? Seems like make of the Florida colleges were on spring break. Some friends are sailing her March 25th and they are concerned.

Average age 68-70?? Average? The average age on a Viking River Cruise is younger than that? Got a family going in November -- now worried!

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I second what Scootch says -- they take care of the kids. In both the dining room and specialty restaurants -- the kids will be ok. If the kids don't like the children's menu items, adjustments are made. It really is crazy how accommodating they are -- but then again it keeps our family sailing with them. We were at Giovanni's one night and they ran to get her a kids meal from the main dining room. And -- they always remembered she likes "just grapes." I can't believe her luck, when we were kids we hoped to have rolls at a fancy restaurant. Kids are so spoiled on the Allure. 9 days until we sail with my six year year old on Allure again.

We've cruised in a balcony stateroom twice and will again in 2 weeks. We are traveling with our 6 year old daughter, and she's been on each trip up to this point. So, yes there is noise. But in our case obviously not enough to deter us from booking this cabin. I've read some reports that with the door closed you can't hear anything. Not true at all -- yes you can hear. But -- it didn't bother us or our daughter to a point that we couldn't nap or sleep at night. I don't know if it was because we'd all get so darn wiped out we could fall asleep with a buffalo standing on us, or what ... But sleeping with the noise was not a problem.

One thing for sure, I could not open the balcony door if someone was sleeping. First, the suction noise on the door was loud, and then the Boardwalk noise was really loud. The doors are indeed filtering out a lot of noise! The thought of drinking a glass of wine on the balcony while my daughter snoozed was quickly thrown out the door. No way.

If it's in your planner, you can book it even though it shows onboard only. To do this, book one cabana for just one adult in your party. Do not try to book it for total number of guests. I simply selected myself and was able to book. A note came up verifying how many people the cabana will accommodate and all names do no need to be on reservation.

How do you book into Wonderland? Is it open to everyone? I don't see it in the cruise planner.

So I grabbed a Nellie's cabana for our February cruise -- even though it's still showing (onboard only) in my cruise planner. Yes, the price has gone up, but it was such a highlight from a past cruise we decided to splurge.

That said... can I assume this is a valid confirmation? I was planning on boarding the ship early to try and grab a cabana, but if I don't have to rush that morning I'd prefer to board once the family is ready to leave the beach at the Marriott.

Anyone have experience with booking a cabana online that said onboard only -- was the reservation still honored? I'd assume it would but thought I'd ask!

Hello all. We just ended our April 27th cruise in the Allure (booo.. is it over). I was thinking about cruise directors after this cruise; ours was Ken Rush, and I got to wondering what people thought of the cruise director effect.

I will be honest. After five cruises, I remember only two cruise directors. Richard Spacey on the Freedom, and now Ken Rush on the Allure.

While I didn't think it was important to me, I know realize I certainly did notice if they are good. I swear Ken managed to introduce or close out just about every show or event I went to on my recent Allure cruise. Same with Richard.

In hindsight, I guess I love it. They really make you feel like RCI gives a hoot. Crazy that one person could do that - but it's so true. I now understand why people ask about the cruise director before they sail. They make the nerd in us feel popular!

What do you guys think. Do the cruise directors make a difference?

Oh jeesh - same could be said about captains... LOVE captain Johnny!

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I replied to another thread with this question, but it was kind of buried so I thought I'd start a new thread.

I was considering booking Rita's Fiesta the first night of our cruise at the end of April. I read a few reviews that if your party is kind of small (we are 4 people), you may be seated

with another group. This doesn't bother me. Thing is, I read the food is still served family style and you are sharing with your table mates. Not super excited about this.

Anyone know if this is true? Can I guarantee a table for 4?

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I read somewhere that if you are a small party you may be seated with a larger group - and food is still served family style. I potentially share food with people I don't know? Is this correct?

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In the past on vacations we've rotated the "drink runners." The "I'm getting a drink - anyone else want one??" kind of thing.

On our upcoming Allure vacation we've all purchased a drink package.

Is it going to be possible to get a drink for anyone else? Can I bring their seapass card along with mine and order a drink for both them and me?

Obviously not a huge deal in the least, but I gotta admit it's kinda nice when my husband runs to get us both a margarita.

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Just an update - after numerous emails sent (many no response) and a handful of phone calls - I am without any ideas.

I've got maybe one last chance effort.

Email the Loyal Ambassador on Allure.

Anybody happen to have this email address?

I'm realizing it may be about time to give up on this.

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How can I book a Grand Suite Guarantee without Grand Suites actually being available through general booking?

Looking at upgrading our April sailing and I see Grand Suite guarantee, yet I can't pick this cabin type as an option. Only junior suite & sky lofts are left in the suite section. If I book this guarantee, may I get the junior suite? Just a little confused.

Then again, this is availability online. Maybe it's not all listed. Did I just answer my own question?

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Last year while on the Oasis, I noticed that on some days special celebrations were mentioned in the Compass. This year, on the Allure, I would love to have my daughter and sister's birthdays listed... it's the day after we depart. Do you think there is any chance I can arrange this before we board? Is there a general "customer service" email I can ask the question to for the Allure?

Thanks so much!

Here is a link to my write up of our trip:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1847180

We were in cabin 9725 - three from back. I was also worried that it was a connecting cabin, but no noise there.

I have to say, I too thought I'd sit on the balcony while the little one snoozed and watch some of the excitement below, but that never happened. While there was some muffled noise in the cabin, the door was indeed blocking out ALOT of noise. ALOT. I was worried if I opened the door to step out or in the noise would wake her. The Boardwalk is quite noisy, but as you'll read it really didn't bother us too much.

If it's any consolation, we are sailing on the Allure in April with our now 5 year old and again have booked a Boardwalk balcony - this time two from the back.

We just booked a semi-last minute cruise for April. My daughters passport expires in July. According to the website - it's recommended passports don't expire within six months of cruising. After being on hold with RCI for nearly 40 minutes I decided to post the question here.

Has anyone run into problems with a passport expiring less than six months from sailing? Will they deny boarding if it expires within six months of sailing?

Yes yes yes - I know I could renew on a rush, yes I know I should have thought of this before booking ...

All of the sidebar opinions aside, anyone with experience sailing with a not so fresh passport?

Thanks in advance...

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My husband, daughter and I are Platinum but my sister is not. My daughter and sister are booked in the same cabin for our upcoming Allure cruise. Can we all use the VIP check-in?

Hopefully won't even be a concern - our last cruise (gold) on the Oasis was so quick and smooth I wouldn't have wanted a priority line.

Thanks for info!

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These are WONDERFUL! Thanks! We are on the Oasis in May and I'm assuming they will be pretty close.

Are these in your stateroom along with the Compass each day, or do I need to swing by adventure ocean to get them? In the past I've only cruised without kids and haven't seen them, but this time I'll have my 4 year old with me.

Thanks again!