sweetpea1714

A LIVE starfish?

Starting my day by using my "cruise" coffee mug just makes me :) But sadly, my Freedom of the Seas cup has started to lose it's wording. I am hoping to get another from Jewel of the Seas. Do they sell coffee cups with Jewel of the Seas? Can not believe that I did not get a Monarch mug! :eek:

There are three different monarch of the seas coffee cups on eBay right now. Just search "monarch of the seas coffee"

Vision of the Seas was revitalized last fall

On deck 8, they replaced the library with 4 panaramic ocean view statrooms

The same was done to the internet room for a total of 8 new cabins

 

The "library" is now a small wall on deck 6 by the shops.

 

I realize that the library wasn't a moneymaker but I will miss it when we sail in May. I guess it won't be long before all the ship libraries disappear.

I see both of those changes as smart decisions that are in line with evolving technology.

More and more people bring and read books electronically. And most people who are inclined to use an at sea internet package likely have a smartphone or PDA. Why not then change those underutilized spaces into some that generates revenue? It will keep other costs to us lower.

Yes. It is a bad thing to do as a rile if your intention is to share a package not intended to be shared. That said I don't ever remember bring charged for milk.

Lol. I am in my 40s and 12-14 drinks a day seems insane.

Especially the port days. And the first day since you don't get on the ship until lunchtime at best. And the last day.

Here's the way I look at it: the prices charged weren't arrived at randomly. The cruise line is going to make a profit. Maybe not off of everybody but eventually the house wins.

Some people might drink enough to make the alcohol packages pay off but most people will be paying a premium for not having to think about it and having their cruise truly feel all-inclusive. Which to many people is valuable and worthwhile. That said I like the idea someone else threw out of just putting that much on your account in OBC so you don't have a bill at the end. Pay now or pay later I guess!!!

You have to evaluate what makes sense for you.

CL and DL drink menu is the same.

 

M

Ok. But if I am eligible for free drinks in the CL lounge (suite guest) but not in the DL, then I have to go to the CL to get my free drinks. I am just saying it would be nice if it also were offered on CL guest passes as well to allow me the "perk" that goes with the suite without having to go to the actual CL.

That would be a nice feature for anything available in the CL too.

I wonder why room service is excluded from the all inclusive drink packages. It can't be because they aren't able to brink fountain drinks to the room-hotels do it all the time. I assume it's because they don't want people calling for sodas because they are too lazy to get one. Lol.

Can anyone suggest any activities or excursions here suitable for a 4 year old? We will have a sitter with us so him not coming along is a viable option (playtime on the ship without the crowds!) but I wanted to see what others with young children have done. I am not willing to put him in a car without a car seat so obviously I can see where tat limits us. I will gave a seat available but I won't assume seat belts will be in all (any?) taxis, etc.

Any thoughts?

I've cruised once (2012 on Indy from Southampton around the Med) with the family. Loved it. Saved hard, and earlier this year booked to cruise again, Adventure OS from Southampton to the Med, different itinerary.

 

Used these boards last time as a first time cruiser to get hints and tips etc. Thought I'd revisit to get the lay of the land.

 

Well everytime I log on I literally lose 2 hours or more of my life - I just get engrossed in reading all the posts - even the ones that aren't relevant to the cruise I'm planning. So thank you for all the insight/help/answer to question/laughs. There doesn't seem to be many on the meet and mingle yet for the Adventure (Sailing 20th July 2014) but I think it's because it's likely to have a lot of people on from the UK and I don't think many Brits come onto the forums and get involved like the US guys do.

 

I guess cruising is a more regular thing for people in the US, lots of you talk about multiple cruises a year, how you've moved up Crown & Anchor status. I'm Gold thanks to the first cruise, but even after this one I won't move up a section because I will have 28 points and the next category starts at 30!

 

I'd love to have the status some of you guys have but can't actually see me getting there unless I win the lottery. It takes me two years on average to save for my 14 night cruise. Even if I had lots of money I only have 25 days annual leave a year, so couldn't get that far fast. Unless all you regular cruisers are retired you must have generous holidays in the US as I see from some of the comments that some of your cruise 3 or 4 times a year.

 

Anyway, I have no particular questions I just wanted to say thank you for the hints and tips and discussions you all take part in. I will continue reading before and after my second cruise

The average person in the US gets far less paid vacation time than you do in the UK. I have twice worked for companies with UK and US presences, and my UK peers always got far more vacation/holiday.

If you have I suite I think they have more options. Suites can order from the MDR menu though, can't they?

Princess used to tell me. My DSis 20 now so it is some years since I called but there was no problem asking for that info.

 

Schools do start letting out in May so I would not worry too much about having other kids.

I called RCI and they told me they didnt have access to the manifest so they couldnt tell me about any other children.

Lol. No maryland school is letting out in May. Mid June at best given the snow days this year.

Did you have any experience with the kids clubs? Also is there anywhere for kids in swim diapers to play on board, are the allowed in the main pool?

 

 

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I don't think kids who are not PT can use any pool on grandeur by his is from the RCCL site:

Are there any restrictions regarding children in the pools - Royal Caribbean International Q: Are there any restrictions regarding children in the pools? A: Please note: Due to public health regulations, children in diapers, swim diapers, pull-ups or who are not COMPLETELY toilet trained are not allowed in the pools, whirlpools or H2O zone. Children in diapers or who are not toilet trained may use the Baby Splash Zone specially designated for them on the Freedom of the Seas®, Liberty of the Seas®, Independence of the Seas®, Oasis of the Seas®, and Allure of the Seas®.

Woukd they HAVE to alter the trip itinerary? Non Americans wouldn't be impacted. Wouldn't they just not let the Americans off? Or do they have to alter it if Americans are on board!

Just curious.

Permission is needed to access photo

I get an error trying to see the photos. Would love to see any you care to post as I am booked in this room in the fall.

What is fat free half and half? How can something be true half and half and be fat free at the same time?

It's frankenfood. ;)

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients: Skim Milk, Corn Syrup, Cream*, Contains less than 0.5% of the following: Carrageenan, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Mono and Diglycerides*, Vitamin A Palmitate, Color Added (Ingredient not in regular half & half).

* Adds a trivial amount of fat

CONTAINS: Milk

I just purchased a policy and it didn't give a chance to state anything like that.

Is the pre existing period from the 60 prior to purchase or 60 days prior to my cruise?

If you get room service daily you aren't using the services if the DR attendants. So they get tips for service not provided and you tip again for room service?

I don't mind the extra few bucks but that just seems ilogical to me.

First world problems?

 

 

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Every complaint on this website would qualify as a "first world" problem. Fortunately we are in fact in the " first world " when sailing these ships. So...OP...go to town!!!!

;)

They're called vanity stamps for a reason. It is next to impossible to get a "real", that is government issued passport stamp in the Caribbean. Most are done for a fee by a private individual to allow tourists to have something in their passports. If this is what your looking for, ask the port agent when you arrive in each port. They are not well advertised so most will not be easy to find.

The last one I got was in Bermuda. Asked as we got off we were directed to the customs office in town. Where the "real" immigration officer stamped our passport. Wasn't too hard to do. Might be different in other places of course. No fees. I certainly wouldn't let anyone put a fake stamp in my passport (certainly not knowingly do so anyway).

Still struggling with why doing sonething like this would bother anyone else.

I consider it a souvenir. No bragging...who would I even tell?

On the website right now the fine print specially excludes mariner, grandeur, and quantum.

Grandeur also wasn't included in last months sale.

That said I am happy to be on hold for a bit to see what comes of it given the PPs experience.

What's crazy is the website still says grandeur is excluded. It makes me nuts when the rules are so hit or miss.

Does the sale apply to a rfs where you have to have multiple people to book?

We decided to skip the alcohol package on our 10 day and put the money towards a suite instead. My reasoning was 1) 650/pp 2) we had 4 port days on a 10 day cruise 3) minimal drinking on day 1 due to boarding time (but the price isn't discounted) 4) the suite gets us several hours access to the free honor bar daily 5) I couldn't drink enough daily to break even unless I died trying 6) out combined tab for alcohol and sundries on our last 7 day cruise was $450.

No brainier for us. We will buy the soda package as akways but buy drinks as wanted/needed. Might prebuy a few bottles of wine at most but now that we can bring a couple on board maybe not.