Riding RCI/EotS for the first time, in need of tips/tricks/recommendations!

Leaving NY to Bermuda next month for the first time on RCI/EotS.

I've been reading reviews to the point of exhaustion. I'm going with my wife and most of my extended family.

I'm looking for any tips/tricks or suggestions on what to do and what to stay away from. I know there can be lots of "right place, right time" events and options that I would love to know about.

Our #1 priority is food. Are there must have, go-to options for dining? I'm finding very small nuggets of useful info as I comb through peoples reviews but there isn't a lot to go on. I've also looked at the sticky at the top of this forum as well.

I'd like to plan and have some knowledge under my belt before we board.

On top of that, I have a few sample questions that maybe some of you could help answer.

1. Are some bars/areas cheaper than others? Whats the average cost of a mixed drink and beer?

2. Am I foolish to not invest in some sort of drink package? I enjoy spirits but I'm thinking I'd rather pay per drink as I'm not a super heavy drinker. I'm more interested in the juices/coffee stuff.

3. What foods/drinks are available all the time for free? I'm used to Carnival where everything was open all the time and free all the time. It seems like RCI charges for everything and these inclusive foods are few and far between? Can anyone elaborate?

4. If you couldn't tell by now, we're traveling on the cheap, can you bring insulated cups and take drinks with you in larger portions? Also, can you take food back to your cabin?

5. Are there any upgrades/packages/charged services that are highly recommended or are absolutely worth it?

6. Any freebies available if I sign up or hit certain spots at certain times?

As you can see, I pretty much want know everything. lol Any help/tips/recommendations you guys could make would be greatly appreciated. I'll be actively checking up on this thread and would love to have an on going discussion.

Thanks!

Drinks included for no extra charge: coffee, hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, tap water, milk, and juices at breakfast.

Great thank you.

Still would love to hear more about the ship!

With regard to food available all the time for no extra charge, Cafe Promenade is open almost 24 hours with pizza, small sandwiches, desserts, fruit, cookies.

Room service is available 24 hours, and is free except for a $4 charge for orders between mindnight and 5am.

No problem taking food and drink back to your stateroom.

Free champagne during the Captain's reception on the first formal night.

Great thank you.

 

Still would love to hear more about the ship!

MastaBlasta, have you looked at the RCI website? There's a wealth of basic information there. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/home.do Also, check on your Roll Call and you'll find lots of cruise-specific tips for your sailing. And meet lots of nice people, too!

It can be a long walk to the windjammer from the pool . I usually grab a few lemonades at lunch and fill up my large water bottle. It saves from running back or ordering drinks earlier in the day. I also bring powder drink packets to use with the ice in the room. Ask you room attendant to fill your bucket every day. RCI intentionally makes it difficult to grab something to drink that is free. They will have ice water in the promenade cafe - but no ice machine access anywhere. Carnival has public ice access and drink stations - too bad Rci won't allow this. Enjoy your cruise

You can use the water and ice in your room to have ice water!

Are there must have, go-to options for dining?

Chops Grille costs extra but it's very good food. Then again, if you're cruising on a budget, it's not any better than an upscale restaurant in your hometown so you could skip it and not miss anything.

Are some bars/areas cheaper than others? Whats the average cost of a mixed drink and beer? Am I foolish to not invest in some sort of drink package?

Prices are the same at each bar. Here's a list of drink prices and how the packages break down to help you decide whether they're worth if for you. My husband is a light drinker but enjoys top-shelf scotch so between that and the unlimited water bottles, the premium package is an excellent deal for him.

What foods/drinks are available all the time for free?

As others have already commented, there's plenty of places to grab free food at almost any hour, plus the Windjammer has loads of food and is open a good part of the day/evening.

If you couldn't tell by now, we're traveling on the cheap, can you bring insulated cups and take drinks with you in larger portions? Also, can you take food back to your cabin?

Yes and yes.

Are there any upgrades/packages/charged services that are highly recommended or are absolutely worth it?

The only packages we buy are the drink packages because they make sense for us. My husband gets a massage each trip and really enjoys it.

Any freebies available if I sign up or hit certain spots at certain times?

I've heard that if you go to the art show you can often get free things but I don't recall what. I've also heard that it makes sense to attend lectures (art show, port shopping, etc) because they often do drawings. They're not very well attended so your chance of winning is usually pretty high.

Are there must have, go-to options for dining?

 

Chops Grille costs extra but it's very good food. Then again, if you're cruising on a budget, it's not any better than an upscale restaurant in your hometown so you could skip it and not miss anything. ....

I'm guessing that when the OP mentions EOTS, they are referring to Explorer, not Enchantment, since they mention NY and Bermuda.

There is no Chops on Explorer. However, Portofino is a good choice for a specialty restaurant on Explorer.

Oh, oops! Of course! I have Enchantment on the brain today I guess. :)

Oh, oops! Of course! I have Enchantment on the brain today I guess. :)

Confusion is always a potential problem when posters use the OTS abbreviations.:)

You can check the cruise compass for the drink of the day. The price of the drink is reduced.

Hot chocolate is also available free of charge in the Cafe Promenade.

Flavored water is available in the Windjammer buffet. Besides being open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the WJ is also open from about 3:30-5pm for afternoon snacks. The assortment of food offered is pretty good.

 

Any freebies available if I sign up or hit certain spots at certain times?

 

I've heard that if you go to the art show you can often get free things but I don't recall what. I've also heard that it makes sense to attend lectures (art show, port shopping, etc) because they often do drawings. They're not very well attended so your chance of winning is usually pretty high.

My mom and I enjoy going to the art auctions. We never buy a thing (most things are way over-priced. But, there is almost always free champagne (yes, it's the cheap stuff, but we don't mind) and usually there are drawings for free little pieces of art (typically unframed prints/lithographs). On the last cruise we went on (Brilliance) they also had free raffles for shore excursions some days (we actually won once but couldn't use it).

The art auctions can be sort of cheesy, but we usually find it a fun way to spend 60-90 mins (they seem to be held when most people would rather be at the pool.... since we aren't "pool people" they usually line up well with our schedule)

Have a great time on your cruise!!!!

Melissa

It's an adventure. Think positive & have fun:

It can be a long walk to the windjammer from the pool .

Um..really?

Average mixed drink price $6-7. More if you want premium liquor.

If you're familiar with Carnival then RCL room service is a real nice upgrade. Complimentary but a couple of dollars tip is appreciated.

As clarea stated there's a $4 charge for orders between mindnight and 5am but I believe that includes the tip.

Search the board for clarification and the menu.

Reference drink prices, yes the prices are the same throughout the ship but there are specials at specific bars at times. When I was on Adventure last month, the casino bar had a 35% off happy hour almost every day. Check the cruise compass for any drink specials.

Thank you very much to all those who contributed and left me some knowledge here, I really appreciate it. I'm taking short notes with me on the cruise and will include a lot of this stuff.

I'd suggest bringing some fridge magnets so you can find your room easily. Also great for leaving notes to your cabin steward. We also use fridge magnets to post our invitations and cruise compass inside the room. Request ice from room steward. Bring ice bag for sore muscles.

Bring insect repellant and sunblock, and apply daily.

Bring your cruise compass ashore with you so you have the port authority info in case of emergency.

Bring pads of paper and pen (Royal no longer providing same).

No need for drink package. We wouldn't get our money's worth anyway. I'd suggest getting your alcohol while ashore, or buy as you go on the ship. You can also bring two bottles of wine on board with you. I think you get free alcohol on the welcome aboard party as well as the captain's party. Also, take part in the liquour sampling in the shops on board on day 1.

Bring 60 one dollar bills with you for tips: porters, room service, etc.

Bar service and Chops ala carte in the MDR charge an automatic tip.

Relax and have fun! Luggage takes a while to arrive on the first night. Usually sometime during muster drill and dinner.

If you like the cruise, be sure to get another booking at the loyalty desk.

I'd suggest bringing some fridge magnets so you can find your room easily. Also great for leaving notes to your cabin steward. We also use fridge magnets to post our invitations and cruise compass inside the room. Request ice from room steward. Bring ice bag for sore muscles.

 

Bring insect repellant and sunblock, and apply daily.

 

Bring your cruise compass ashore with you so you have the port authority info in case of emergency.

 

Bring pads of paper and pen (Royal no longer providing same).

 

No need for drink package. We wouldn't get our money's worth anyway. I'd suggest getting your alcohol while ashore, or buy as you go on the ship. You can also bring two bottles of wine on board with you. I think you get free alcohol on the welcome aboard party as well as the captain's party. Also, take part in the liquour sampling in the shops on board on day 1.

 

Bring 60 one dollar bills with you for tips: porters, room service, etc.

 

Bar service and Chops ala carte in the MDR charge an automatic tip.

 

Relax and have fun! Luggage takes a while to arrive on the first night. Usually sometime during muster drill and dinner.

 

If you like the cruise, be sure to get another booking at the loyalty desk.

There is no need to bring a stack of singles. You can always get change at the guest relations desk.