WrittenOnYourHeart

I know the Disney cast members on Castaway Cay (Disney's island) are required to do one cruise on a ship every x-number of weeks (I forget how many) to do immigration clearance again. I would assume all crew members on ship private islands would have to follow the same immigration protocol.

 

So that would give them the chance to hit Wal-Mart or Target in the port town between docking and leaving.

Can you write in hot chocolate on the breakfast card? I see it listed on the main menu, but it's not on the hanging tag.

Personally, I like the idea of Dynamic Dining. I've sailed Disney, and I liked eating in different smaller restaurants -- each with a different theme. I like the MDR, but I find it becomes repetitive to eat there so many times in one week. I'd think this variety would especially appeal to the multi-week cruisers.

 

I'm fine with the idea that half the restaurants carry a surcharge. That still leaves plenty of options for those who don't want to pay, and choice is good.

 

Another benefit: It would solve the issues surrounding formal night. Certain venues could be designated "formal" (and enforced), and you could choose to use them or avoid them -- on any night of the cruise.

 

What I don't like:

 

The write-ups of the various restaurants were awful. For example, the Wonderland restaurant (already a turn-off of a name) was described as: " . . . an elaborate feast for the senses in a setting where Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes to invent a dreamscape of never-before-seen fare". What kind of food is that? I don't want to eat at Willy Wonka's, but that's the picture that's entering my head. The entire write-up was overly flowery, filled with foolish superlative descriptors, and pathetically short on information. Tell me if it's a steakhouse, a seafood place, or a Mexican restaurant. Tell me if it's a fancy-dress place or a casual spot. I like all of those options, but I want to know what I'm choosing -- and don't try to wow me with imagery; it backfires.

 

I also don't like the idea of making a reservation. I want to eat when I want to eat, and I can't decide that two months -- or even two weeks -- in advance. I don't mind waiting up to 15 minutes (or being told that I should come back tomorrow night), but I'm just not going to bother with reservations. I've had no problem "walking in" with My Time Dining.

 

But Disney isn't really "dynamic dining". You still have the same service team and table mates - just different dining rooms. And you know what time you're eating without needing a spreadsheet - and if you forget your rotation, it's right there on your keycard.

Thus far, I've cruised Disney (Bahamas x2) and HAL (Alaska x1), and while I'm positive there were more children on Disney, I found that by and large I was far more aware of them on HAL than I ever was on Disney. I attributed it to a couple of things: 1) HAL's kids' club appeared to be far smaller than that on DCL and had much more limited hours and 2) the lack of an "adult zone" (other than the spa).

 

And parents not wanting to parent on vacation - which can happen anywhere - didn't help either on the Alaska cruise. One afternoon I decided to go and swim for a little in the Lido pool. I could barely make it from one side to the other without being jumped on or into as several children (boys in this case - not being sexist, but there weren't any girls at the pool at this point) jumping off the sides and swinging off the sculpture at the pool. Apparently unsupervised. I got out after less than 5 minutes and attempted to just relax on a chair next to the pool. Ended up moving 3 times trying to avoid the splashing as did some other women just trying to enjoy the beautiful weather we were getting on that day. Finally some of the ship's officers were walking by and saw a launch off the sculpture. They immediately asked the boys where their parents were, and the boys pointed to a table of men sitting, talking and drinking beer and completely ignoring their offspring (no judgment on the actual drinking of beer; just the ignoring of the offspring), and went to speak with the men. What resulted was a sigh and "boys will be boys" attitude with a half-hearted scolding to "Come on, stay off the art" and the boys just redoubling their efforts off the side of the pool. At that point, I decided I'd had enough and left to shower and change. I'm not sure how long the boys stayed off the sculpture, but it couldn't have been that long after the officers had gone as when I walked through the pool area 30 minuted later, it was the exact same scene - which boggled my mind. If ONE ship's officer let alone three had said something to me about behavior (mine as I'm single and kid-free or my child's if I had a child), I would be mortified and ensure that it never happened again. These guys weren't remotely phased.

No that isn't what I said. Don't twist and manipulate people's words please.

 

The language, words used and tone of the post appeared very uncaring and disrespectful in my opinion.

 

 

I should have quoted your response to the person who said "just donate money" instead. My error.

 

But your sentiment was the same.

 

 

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What caring individuals we have on CC - how lovely !

 

 

So people who choose to donate to causes that they feel close to without dumping a bucket of ice and/or water on themselves are uncaring?

 

Wow. Good to know.

 

I'm sorry, but I have limited funds for donations, and those will go to causes that affect those people close to me. Not what someone has challenged me to do for something that while yes, is terrible, doesn't impact those close to me.

 

 

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It think the challenge is stupid. Just donate to ALS.

 

 

THIS!!! Or any other cause you support.

 

 

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If you don't have anything to do in Icy Strait Point and still want to whale watch, I can recommend Hoonah Travel Adventures, we had a great tour with them!

 

Awesome! I will definitely keep that in mind!

 

Right now I'm just making lists of ones I want to consider. At some point in the spring, they will let us know the time frame of the races so we can book excursions around that. So far, there is an extra day of racing in there as opposed to this year's - not sure if it'll be a case of "pick between these two 4-mile races" or what. :) It'll be fun, whatever we do.

Well, I can report back next year as I've been booked into a connecting cabin on Radiance for the 7/31 southbound cruise. 3102. Granted, I could be connecting with someone else in the running group as the TA who handles it said she would contact RCI and ask them to assign me an ocean view from the group block after I was mistakenly assigned to an inside cabin (which was more midship, but I'm just too scared I'll feel closed in in an interior cabin). But I don't know if the block includes specific cabins or x-number of cabins in each of the available categories.

 

That said, I've been fine with connecting rooms in hotels - I know cruise ships are different. And I'm not sure how much I'll be in the cabin - we'll have races in each of the ports with briefings before docking. Plus it's Alaska. So...

 

It'll be fun no matter what!! :)

348 per my ticker. :)

Thanks! :D

 

Yeah... Anchorage/Seward, Skagway, and Icy Straight Point will be new as will our debarkation port of Vancouver, so things to investigate there!! I did a fantastic whale watching trip this summer in Juneau, so I'm not as pressed to do that (I am not opposed to it, but I will probably do a husky puppy (aka sled dog) excursion this time...PUPPIES!!!!), but lots of different excursions to investigate!!

 

Probably a good thing I have a cruise on the Disney Fantasy between now and then to keep me occupied! Haha!!

Finally officially booked for the cruise with my running coach and the group she and her husband which will be on the Radiance next summer in Alaska - Southbound 7/31!! (No one freak...we're like 100 people or so. Very unobtrusive!) We were on Holland's Westerdam this summer, and it was good, but I'm super excited to try Royal!!

 

I got assigned to 3102, which I know is connecting, but I'm sure I'll be fine. We're really not in the cabins all that much - and depending on when we dock, etc. possibly up and out early for race briefings.

 

No more questions at this point... Just wanted to share I'm "official" now!! :)

Yes, call 800-722-5443 to purchase on board credit.

 

Awesome! Thanks!!

Wow I leave in 2 days now I'm a nervous wreck! What if a plane crashes into the cruise ship! Or sharknado happens. Or the plague , or pirates, or a rouge whale who had a bomb taped to his back.

What if rapid rover crashes and kills us on the way....or I go out to get the mail today and get hit by a car....

Relax peoples. We can't plan for everything. Sometimes we just have to wash with soap and water and pray for the best:D

 

:) Yep!

 

As I've been known to say, the leading cause of death? Is life.

Actually, I'm not 100% sure if you can close out the account on the last morning. I thought I read that you had to close it on the last evening, but I might be wrong on that.

 

Ok.

 

Can you purchase onboard credit on RCI like you can on HAL (or essentially do the same by adding money to your account ahead of time on DCL)?

Which just proves the old adage. You can't make all the people happy all the time.

 

Some people complain about having to wait on themselves and serve themselves.

 

Some people complain about having to ask someone to serve them.

 

RC just can't win.

 

:eek: :p

 

I guess I just figured since the drink packages that include soda give you a cup, it was RFID chipped or something so that you'd have to have the cup in place to activate the machine. Seems kind of pointless to give you a cup otherwise.

That is why many recommend having a cash account, and paying at the end with the debit card. No holds that way.

 

Downsides would be the requirement to stand in line on the last night and pay off the account, and the inability to charge anything once the account is closed.

 

Do they not allow closing the final morning?

 

Of course, if I get a drink package, that would be a moot point as that is all I would possibly get at that point on the cruise...

There's no set amount, and it also depends on your financial institution. Some people report no holds. Others report holds up to the amount actually charged. In other words, if your SeaPass bill is $100, you could have that amount debited, and another $100 on hold for a few days.

 

Gotcha. Hmm...way to make it confusing and hard to plan. :rolleyes:

How much of a hold do they put on a debit card?

No self serve soda machines except for Freestyle. Your choice would a server in a bar or restaurant.

 

Ugh. Oh well. Thanks.

Are there self-serve soda machines on the ships that don't have freestyle? Or do you have to go to a bar every time you want a soda?

I agree with both of you!

 

Ditto! I don't mind ships having optional restaurants, but to demand that everyone eat in them and eliminate a fixed time, table, and serving team for those of us who like that? No way.

 

I was actually starting to think I might consider Royal as an alternative to Disney for non running-group cruises, but if this goes fleet-wide, that will just cement my Disney devotion. Their rotational dining is about as much change as I want - and even with that you keep your serving team.

I've only sailed Disney Dream (x2) and HAL's Westerdam so far (well, the SS Emerald Seas back when I was in 6th Grade, but I think we pretty much went straight to the cabin then as we definitely went to the pier from the airport - my parents still talk about the hellacious cab ride in Miami and say they are very glad my sister and I were in the rear-facing back seat of the station wagon cab). Disney's embarkation pattern seems closest to Royal's with cabins not being ready until 1 or 1:30, so... On Disney I board, I go to guest services to sign up for anything I need to and leave a deposit for my account, then go up to Cabanas, pretty much their version of the Windjammer from what I can tell for lunch and have never had a problem with crowds as I'm usually in one of the first couple of boarding groups and everyone else is all SWIM SWIM SWIM. Then I'll explore the ship for a little and then head to my cabin.

 

I anticipate doing something similar next summer when I'm on the Radiance. I'll be with a group where we'll rotate tables among those assigned to the group, and won't know those numbers until we have our welcome reception, so there's no point to going and finding out my table. (On Disney, the table placement will be different in each main dining room, so even knowing the number someone will guide you at least the first night in that dining room.)

Oops! I have phrased that one wrong...I mean before you get access to your room (get the key on check in) sorry for the mix up :)

 

I find lunch very busy as soon as we board so was seeing if anyone had any tips for alternative places to go or insider secrets ;)

 

Lisa xx

 

Thanks for clarifying! I was trying to figure out a) how on earth they would handle finding everyone on board to give them their cards and b) why on earth no one else had protested having to wait in SUCH A LONG LINE to get their cards! :p

[quote name='MaritimeR&R']Believe it or not, there was a time when some people thought jumping overboard was an expedient and inexpensive way to end ones' life.

My father worked for the cruise lines for almost 50 years: White Star, Cunard-White, Moore-McCormack and finally for Princess until his death in 1969; many of the people who worked alongside him (including him) saw death at sea to be efficient. They lived through World Wars, the Depression, and saw the expense of a funeral as a burden to their families.[/QUOTE]

Excellent point.

Plus the assumption that he was depressed may not be correct either. He could have had a terminal disease and opted this out rather than undergo expensive, painful, and possibly fruitless medical intervention. He could have developed early onset alzheimer's and set up a system to help him know when to end it (the utter horror of early onset is you are aware of what you lose day by day and often people will set up some kind of reminder question series that will pop up on their phone or computer and have a link to a file with their plans to end it when they cannot answer the questions anymore).

Yes, feel for their friends and family. But don't assume that they were depressed.