FinallyCruisinIn2014

That $100 will be used for anything you purchase or are charged for, i.e., daily gratuities, which are automatically charged to your Seapass card. I believe those are $12 pp per day for a regular cabin, $14.25 pp per day in GS or higher.

Haven't I already paid for those since I am MTD? (not that you knew I was, but I am) I thought that was already included in my total for the cruise ??? And also, I thought pre-ordered drink packages also already included the gratuities ??? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

We will have some OBC available to us. I plan on paying for everything in advance - drink pkgs, excursions, etc.... so the OBC can be used for anything else on the ship that may be additional i.e., Ben & Jerry's; good coffee. Can it be used for the arcade or casino somehow? It's not a lot of credit - just $100 but I don't want to NOT spend it. What else can it be used for? Thanks!!

Thanks, everyone!! I wouldn't take really valuable items or a lot of money with us but our seapasses and ID are obviously extremely valuable to us off the ship! My biggest concern is snorkeling. This is a FAMILY trip, which means we are ALL going in the water together; not making anyone babysit the loungers/stuff.

I did an Amazon search and couldn't find the Sea Caddy? The other plastic container, I actually had one of those years ago - I wonder what happened to it?

Anyway, after searching reviews, it looks like the one below might be the best bet. Anyone have this?

http://www.amazon.com/DRY-DP-44-Alligator-Waterproof-Wallet/dp/B000BJ7WHE/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1388161548&sr=8-8&keywords=waterproof+bag

I play our vacation over and over in my head, trying to think of every little thing.

My newest question is this: what do you do with your valuables - i.e. seapass card (cruising RCI); a bit of cash; ID; credit card; phone, etc.... when you are enjoying some snorkeling or swimming? Should I keep it on my body at all times? Can anyone recommend a good waterproof pouch? do people leave those things hidden under a towel on their lounger? What do you do?

I've been on 18 cruises and have never used a lifeboat as a tender. I was in CocoCay in May and they have large double decker boats that carry a lot of passengers (I would think at least 200 or so) and they run back and forth to/from the ship and CocoCay.

 

If it's too rough to tender, you'll probably get a day at sea. Is it wobbly getting onto a tender? Not usually, but there can defnitely be some up and down movement. There will be a small ramp (usually) with railings on both sides and a crew member helping you on board.

 

The ride into CocoaCay takes somewhere around 10 minutes or so. The longest time you'll have is waiting for the tender to fill up.

Excellent - thank you! I can't wait. i really hope we don't have to miss our CocoCay day because of weather.

I knew this would get opposite replies lol But I think I'll take a couple sweaters just to be safe. I'm so cold right now I can't remember what it's like to be warm!

Thanks :) they'll have to suffer through until we get in the stateroom ;)

 

And thank you to the other poster who answered also - I don't know how to do two quotes.

Just press this button under each post you want to quote and then press the Post Reply button.

:D I learn something new every day! Thanks :)

I know this will be subjective but I'm wondering about the temperature inside venues on the ship - is it generally cooler/chilly? Do you take a light sweater?

Also, on deck. I know "you never know" but, specifically a Bahama cruise the beginning of April. Will I able to lay out near the pool and feel the heat of the sun when the ship is moving or is it much cooler than the temp. on land?

Sorry if it's a silly question, but I really don't have a clue!

Yes, but the choices will be limited to what is at the fountain at a bar or restaurant. Usually about 6 different choices.

Thanks :) they'll have to suffer through until we get in the stateroom ;)

And thank you to the other poster who answered also - I don't know how to do two quotes.

Bumping this up in hopes of a reply!

We booked the Ultimate Package ahead of time for our 7 Dec Oasis cruise and it was still a sticker on the card. Also, when you pre-book they put your freestyle cups in your cabin. So we were unable to use them until allowed to the cabins vs buying on board and getting one right away.

I haven't yet but I do plan on booking soda packages ahead of time for my girls. So.... if we aren't in the room yet to get the freestyle cups would they be allowed to get a soda in a regular glass with their seapass?

thank you all, this has been very helpful! Especially the pictures. I feel better about it and understand what I'm in for now.

Yep, that looks like it. I remember walking over a bridge to get to it.

That's a bummer :( but thank you for finding it.

Thanks!

We will be on Enchantment of the Seas and our only tender port is Cococay.

I thought the tenders were docked at the Island and come over when the ship gets there? No?

I know! But 25 years ago DH and I went to Nassau and we went to this place where you went down to the bottom of the ocean floor and it was all glass and you could look out. It was amazing. Would love to take my girls there but I've seen nothing about it. Does it still exist?

First cruise in April - I have a thousand questions still but I'll start with this one....

How exactly does the tender work? Do they attach it somehow to the ship? Is it "bouncy" (sorry, can't think of a better word) when you get on and off? How long/far of a ride is it from the ship to the Island (in this case, cococay) ?

How long is it in feet? I can visualize it that way comparing it to our boat here at home.

If someone wouldn't mind explaining in detail exactly how this whole tender things works I'd be grateful!!

Sorry but this is about the only thing that is causing me concern about the cruise. I really, really don't want to fall in the ocean trying to get on and off the tender... that would be bad :eek: ;)

Do you mind if I ask a question within your question? How do you know the show times for your cruise? I've looked at the RC site and I can't find any information ???

Just an FYI - passports issued to all persons 16 and over are considered adult passports and are good for 10 years. You also pay the adult price. If your 15 year olds are turning 16 very soon, you'll still have time to get them if you wish.

We just received ours. Went to the post office on November 16th. They told us it would take 6-8 weeks. We received them on December 1st. I was amazed! Although, I would never count on this quick of a turn around if you HAD to have them.

As someone who has not yet cruised, I appreciate your insight. Your reasons for not liking it are definitely concerns of ours, too. Because of this, we chose a short cruise (4 nights). I've heard people say, "you won't be on it long enough to know if you like it". Well, but if I hate it, I won't be stuck for a week or more either!

I'm really hoping we like it but we won't know until we sail.

I do hope, OP, that at the very least you can say you're glad you tried it. For us, that is worst case scenario... tried it/don't like it/won't do it again. But all in all, I am excited for the new experience.

Yes, the future cruise certificate is automatically associated with the travel agent you used on the current cruise, so when you take that future cruise, the same agent gets the commission.

 

If you want to switch travel agents (or not use one at all) be sure to tell them that up front.

Excellent - thanks!!

As a travel agent and a cruiser the best advice I can give is: While you are on the ship buy a next/future cruise certificate. It costs $100.00 and you also get $100-$200 onboard credit on the future cruise you book.

 

When you find a cruise you want to book in the future you can use that certificate and get the cruise for a $100 per person deposit.

 

So all you will have to pay when you reserve the new cruise (for 2 people) is another $100 and you will get $100 credit that you already paid for the certificate and when you cruise you will get $100-$200 onbaord credit as well.

If you do this, does the TA still get commission for the future cruise?

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Loving this review so far! And your pictures are amazing!!!

I felt my heart sink when I read about your clothing mishap :( But as an old married couple of almost 30 years, I'm going to bet that it's going to become a standing joke at anniversary time.... "Honey, do you have the right shirt??" haha :)

Thank you! We are sailing Enchantment in April and it is our first cruise also. Same 4 night and our balcony stateroom will be right down the hallway from where you were, I believe - 7060.

I especially appreciate the information on the cabanette - I didn't know they were an option. Although we want to snorkel and I'm thinking from your description, it's on the other side of the island from where you snorkel??

Yes, you can pool them as a family. Just make sure you let your server know in advance.

 

And yes, you can come and go as you please. Keep in mind, as we approach the winter months, it get's dark early, and the bar/grill will start to close around 4:30pm So make sure you plan your time.

Perfect! Thank you :) We aren't going until April but the grill hours may be the same so we will keep that in mind. I heard that this pass was only good up until 5 p.m. anyway.

If you have 4 people, can you "pool" all the food/drink vouchers and just pay for what you want with what you have left? Reason I'm asking is: It's me, my DH and two DDs, both minors. No way will they eat $40 worth of food each .... I, on the other, hand, would not have a problem 'drinking' the rest of their voucher money ;) Can I do that?

Edited to add another question: With a day pass at the Hilton - can you come and go as you please? I think ths is a great location to be able to relax, go shop at the straw market, come back and eat and relax, go back out into town, etc....