Kellie in Texas

We're on Jewel next January and got $700 OBC from Royal's WOW sale when we booked. We also have a lesser amount of OBC from our TA. This is the most OBC we've ever had and I'm trying to figure out how to use it. The TA's OBC can go towards the daily gratuities but the WOW sale OBC doesn't mention that; it says excursions, specialty dining, drink package, internet, and stuff like that. So, two questions: Can the WOW sale OBC also be used towards gratuities? And two, why don't the OBCs show up in the app? I know the OBC from the TA doesn't show up in the app; it will be on a card once we get in the cabin. But shouldn't the $700 WOW sale OBC show up on the app like it does when I log in on the computer?? Sorry for all the alphabet soup. 😄

@#1TravelMom I googled Stingray Sailing and found a website; I don't see the name Chip on there, so I'm assuming it's the correct one. My question is, how do you get off the catamaran and into the water? Is it a ladder? And then you have to haul yourself out afterwards? We were in Grand Cayman a few years ago and did a stingray tour on a double-decker catamaran that had metal stairs, maybe 5 feet wide, that lowered into the water, so you could walk down and back up easily. (I don't remember the name of that company at the moment.)

I may be in the minority here but I would absolutely hate it if somebody tried to surprise me in this way. I enjoy the planning and anticipation too much. Maybe she'd want to do some shopping ahead of time or get a manicure, etc. etc. You can still surprise her -- just make it at a family dinner and tell her "Guess where you'll be on November 17th?"

@twangster your pictures are just stunning! All of them -- ship, water, scenery, flowers, critters. Just beautiful. We're on Jewel next January when she's in Galveston so I love seeing the ship photos. We've been on Serenade twice and love the Radiance class. P.S. Shetland is one of our favorite TV shows (on Acorn or Britbox, I forget which). The Shetland residents may think it's unrealistic, I dunno, but the scenery in the TV show has put it on our bucket list.

I'm pretty sure that a Bloody Mary -- especially when you're on the water -- counts as vegetables. 😄

We were on Harmony (first time) in January and he was onboard then. We didn't have any interactions with him other than listening to his announcements. Condolences to his family, friends and crew.

Did you mean May 15? (not June?) Pics are gorgeous!

I was sharing what was being reported earlier and have been away from the internet while driving home, so just now got more updates. Yes, it is not the "big" I-45 bridge but a smaller one to a smaller island.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/barge-hits-bridge-galveston-texas-182003021.html This happened just a few hours ago, so not sure of the status of the bridge etc. Not as catastrophic as the Baltimore bridge, but that road is closed and most of the power to the island was knocked out. Hopefully it's quickly fixable.

@KmomChicago I have not read one of your threads before but will read this one; you are fun to read. Sorry for all the personal issues going on for you right now. I know some other folks have posted about fur hats and other fuzzy stuff but don't assume that every day in Alaska is going to be freezing cold. Definitely dress in layers and bring some lighter-weight clothing. It can get warm during the day. And don't forget some kind of raincoat or poncho. So basically bring everything in your closet. 😄

@deltahog I am with you 100%. We've cruised on Princess a couple of times and were able to do laundry during the week, but mostly we've cruised RCCL and have to make do. There is a weekly "stuff laundry in this bag" special that's around $30-35, but seems like it's toward the end of the week so you don't have to travel home with dirty clothes. There are lots of folks on this forum that have collapsible laundry tubs that they bring and wash things out in the shower. Maybe look for dry-fit type shirts that you could wash by hand and let drip dry. My husband got some -- I call them fishing pants -- but they are khaki pants in a very thin fabric that dries really fast.

Make sure everyone's passports are up to date. If you are visiting any churches, research ahead of time whether there are any restrictions on clothing -- such as, do you need a head covering, are shorts okay or not, do women need to have their shoulders covered, etc.

Where is the QR code found? The paper versions are what I prefer but a PDF would work too for the reasons you mention.

I got a text with the little anchor logo on the app earlier today, which usually means a "sale" on drinks, etc. I don't ever log out of the app on my phone, but today, it made me log in. You guessed it: my password wouldn't work. Tried logging in on the computer; same problem. Our next cruise isn't until January so hopefully it's worked out by then. 😄

Passport?

@HBCcruiser I don't think anybody has answered your question about the Galveston terminal. It is SUPER easy to get in and out ... even for us lowly mortals who don't have stars and genies. 😄

I was absolutely NOT crying about kids on cruise. My kids have been on several. I was offering an example of why I think it's a good idea for crew members to continue serving the ice cream.

We were on a cruise pre-Covid and my husband saw a kid who was 7-8 years old putting the ice cream directly into his hand. Husband said "Hey, don't do that." Of course, the parents were nowhere to be seen.

@Cru1s1ng2009 do you know who this person is describing the video? It's very informative and sad to see that bridge fall.

We mailed our passport renewals on March 5. They go to Irving which is about 3 1/2 hours up the road from us. Our passports didn't expire until 2025 but since we didn't have a trip planned, we decided to go ahead and renew them. I did regular processing. We got the new passports in the mail yesterday, March 22.

We were on Serenade in Alaska June 2022, aft junior suite. No blanket.

We were on Adventure the first week of January 2023 and paid for the All-Access Tour (we were not suite, pinnacle or any of that ... just regular old folks 🙂 ) It was about $140/150 per person, if I recall, and was on the last sea day. I thought it was worth every penny. We went through the galley, to the engine control room (you can't go in the actual engine room because of safety reasons), the lowest dec, where the laundry is, backstage in the theater, up to the bridge. It was two solid hours. The bridge was especially cool. @huntr104 if you're getting this all for free as part of your suite, then definitely do it.

Also depends on the ship size, I believe. For Adventure in very early 2023, we got a check-in time of 10:30 (the earliest available) and were on board in minutes. For Harmony this past January, the earliest check-in time was 11:00 (bigger ship, more people to get off and on). We got 11:00 but were checked in, through security, and walking on board before 11:00. Galveston is THE fastest and easiest boarding of any departure port we've been to. And you can't beat the parking at the port. I park farther away just to get into my office at work. 🙂

Well, I'm glad some people are getting to take advantage. I know the "sales" aren't always "sales".

We booked for January 2025 and got a huge amount of OBC from Royal's WOW sale that's going on today. Worth a check if you're considering booking something.