Planning a surprise Caribbean cruise later this year for DH and I. (This is our first) RC Majesty of the Seas seems to travel when and where I want to go. When should I book? Travel agent says get airfare first. How long does it take to get from Miami's airport to port? Might fly in one day early, any nice relatively inexpensive places to stay? Do we need passports? (I've heard yes and no answers on this one.) Bow or stern, does it matter? Is getting a junior suite worth the extra cost? What are any hidden costs ppl don't think about? Are there safes in the cabins? Is theft a problem? Whats NOT worth the money? What about prescription medications - Do they have to be bottled with info on labels? Bottled drinking water, is it free? That should do if for now! Thanks for any help!!!
Planning a surprise Caribbean cruise later this year for DH and I. (This is our first) RC Majesty of the Seas seems to travel when and where I want to go. When should I book? Travel agent says get airfare first. How long does it take to get from Miami's airport to port? Might fly in one day early, any nice relatively inexpensive places to stay? Do we need passports? (I've heard yes and no answers on this one.) Bow or stern, does it matter? Is getting a junior suite worth the extra cost? What are any hidden costs ppl don't think about? Are there safes in the cabins? Is theft a problem? Whats NOT worth the money? What about prescription medications - Do they have to be bottled with info on labels? Bottled drinking water, is it free? That should do if for now! Thanks for any help!!!
HI welcome to CLF
You should book your cruise when you find a date you can travel on. You should get airfare as soon as you know when you can leave for your cruise. I always check airfare before I book a cruise.
I have no idea how long it takes from Miami aiport to the port of Miami - maybe 40 minutes?????
I am sure someone else on here can answer your hotel question also.
If you want to feel less motion then I would choose a cabin midships. I am not sure if the weather from FL to the Bahamas gets really rought, expect from during hurricane season, so you will not feel the motion to much.
booking a cabin all the way forward or aft on the lower decks should be avoided also because of noise from engines, anchor etc etc. I would not like to be under a public room either.
If you want some extra space then go for a Junior Suite. I book them as I like the extra space.
Junior suites will get you an extra cruise credit towards your C&A membership level but not much more as the junior suites are not concidered suites by Royal Caribbean. (think glorified balcony cabins at an extra cost)
There are safes in the cabins. Theft is not a problem.
For us Bingo and art auction are not worth the extra money.
Your medicine should be labled and you should keep it in your hand luggage.
Nothing is free you have to pay for bottled water. I think the price was $2.95 last time!
It's a felony to ever transport prescription medications in any container that isn't clearly labeled with your name, the prescription number, and the physician's name and number.
It's a felony to ever transport prescription medications in any container that isn't clearly labeled with your name, the prescription number, and the physician's name and number.
Hey Mark!
Could you please support your statement above about traveling with prescription meds being a felony? I have not seen such info and we need to make sure that information this important is substantiated.
Narcotics should always be in the original dispensing bottle, but thyroid or high cholesterol meds fall into a whole different category.
Thanks!
It is always a good idea to carry all meds in the original bottle in case you have the need to get refills or if you become ill the doctors treating you can see what you are taking and the proper dosage.
Not ALL Royal Caribbean ships have safes in all the cabins. Lasttime I was on a Sovereign class ship (The Majesty is in the soverign Class) there were NOT safes in the cabins below suite level. I am not sure about the suite level cabins, but I suspect not, as this (older) class of ships was built prior to in room safes being a common thing.
Youo CAN take valuables to the purser's desk, and have them held there for safe keeping, however.
You're correct Char. It's either a felony or a Class A Misdemeanor to carry a controlled substance without the bottle showing the prescription, both of which can result in prison time according to the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. What I should have said was that if you are carrying non-narcotic or controlled substances you should carry them in the original bottle or show proof of a prescription to avoid having them be mistaken for a controlled substance and arousing suspicion. Scratched-off labels, bottles with a prescription but many different types of pills inside, or prescription bottles with a particular count that doesn't jibe with the contents are all things that can alert a TSA or DEA agent to your baggage.
I have to be honest and say I can't believe you agent isn't able to answer all of your questions as they are very basic questions about cruising for anyone who sells cruises. Tells me they haven't been on any or very few cruises and doesn't know much about them. Might want to find an agent with more knowledge who is able to better assist you.
You've already been given some excellent answers to your questions, so I won't cover everything but instead just add a little insight.
First, I would NEVER book airfare before booking my cruise. I would definitely check the pricing of airfare to insure it's within my budget, but if you book a cruise before the final payment due date, it's completely refundable. However, if you book your airfare and then change your mind, you're not getting your money back.
And speaking of airfare, check out the airfare to both Miami and Ft. Lauderdale to see which one provides you the best rates. Sometimes there can be a substantial difference depending on where you're coming from.
The Miami airport is only 9 miles away and takes about 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxi fare is about $16 (not per person) last time I was there.
The Ft. Lauderdale airport is about 26 miles away from the Port of Miami and takes about 35 minutes. Taxi fare is about $65 - $75 (not per person) depending on whether you get a metered or unmetered taxi.
Your cheapest hotels are going to be close to the airport because the closer you get to the city, the more expensive they'll be. Some will offer free shuttle from the airport and to the pier.
As for where to be on a ship, midships is the most preferrable, but keep in mind that the closer you get to the middle, the more expensive the cabins will be. Also, just my opinion, but on this class of ship it's not really worth the high cost of a junior suite. A ship this old and small has very few cabins with balconies, so those are going to much more costly than an oceanview cabin. I would much prefer to do a 7-night cruise on a really nice ship in an oceanview cabin than to spend the same money for a 4-night cruise in a junior suite on a smaller older ship.
Bottle water is not free on a ship, but the water in the cabins is very good, so you really don't need bottle water.
We took a cruise out of Miami last Oct and booked a hotel room the night before at the La Quinta Airport East. They provided a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel and then again the next morning a free shuttle from the hotel to the pier. They also have a free breakfast, so it can save you a considerable amount of money. The hotel is nice, nothing fancy, but it is good for just a stay of several hours.
We were docked at the port of Miami and flew in to Ft. Lauderdale. The price for four of us in a cab (including tip) was $80. It took about 50 minutes to get to the airport but it was raining which slowed us down a bit.
You can do a bit better if you get a shuttlebus. We were quoted $20 per person each way whcih would have been better if there were only 2 of us. Pete is right, the Miami airport is only about 20 minutes away from the port.
Personally I would book the cruise first then the airfare. Airfare is not refundable, cruises can be canceled up until final payment.
Sometimes the free shuttle isn't worth the price! I have had to wait so long for the free shuttle that for $20 I could have gotten a cab and been on the ship enjoying life already.
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welcome to CLF
I am not sure if the weather from FL to the Bahamas gets really rought, expect from during hurricane season, so you will not feel the motion to much.
you have to pay for bottled water. I think the price was $2.95 last time!
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