Water Charges

I absolutely love to cruise. For me it is one of the most affordable and relaxing vacations there is I have utilized several major cruise lines including Disney, Carnival and Royal Caribbean I have had a wonderful time on each cruise. However on my last cruise just last spring with Royal Caribbean, a wonderful 7 day Mexican Riviera to Puerto Villarta, Cozumel and Cabo San Lucas,

I learned an interesting thing that about Royal Caribbean, that I sincerely hope is not a common practice. You know those little fridges in your cruise cabin that are stocked with $5.00 waters and $3.00 cans of coke. Well being a pretty conservative traveler I never even open the fridge but choose the unlimited soda card ;that is available instead. For about $30.00

Well the last morning of any cruise is pretty crazy, everyone is running around and going to assigned locations to be given departure information. It is highly recommended that settling of your ship account is taken care of the night prior to departure. So the morning of the last day I am looking over my final ship statement and noticed that I had been charged for consuming 3 bottles of this rare artisan water that sells for $5.00 a bottle.

Well I looked into the fridge and am confused because all bottles are intact and no seals broken. After going to the information desk and standing behind several other people with the same complaint that they are being charged for unopened bottles of water, I am a bit irritated. The man at the counter told me well, I can't help you now I have sent an e-mail to your room steward and you can check back in an hour.

I am supposed to be clearing the ship in an hour. So being the persistent person I am I simply tell him oh I will wait here in front of you for an hour. At this point there is quite a line of people behind me. The poor guy continues to tell me, sir you can step aside. I just smile and say I don't mind waiting.

Immediately he goes into the back, comes back out and informs me that he called the room steward directly on a radio and the water charges were removed. Royal Caribbean is a wonderful cruise line and I have used them three different times and will use them again. But beware this is a common thing to slip in 10 or 15 dollars in room charges on you final invoice the last morning Most people don't even pay attention, it just hits the credit card and on they go. Happy sailing fellow cruiser’s.  

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