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emen822

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Posts posted by emen822

    Splenda

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    It seems to be a common misconception, since the packets all are made by NutraSweet the company. The packets are all generic, but contain the correct ingredients for their coloring...

     

    Pink contains Aspartame

    Yellow contains Sucralose

    White contains Sucrose(Sugar)

     

    etc...

     

    Yes, thank you for making this point! The packets on RCI ships are correctly colored. A lot of people make the "It's NutraSweet mistake." The packets are produced by the company "NutraSweet," but are the correct sweeteners you would expect to find in the appropriate colored packet!

     

    Splenda is a brand name, the yellow packets that say Splenda are no different than the yellow packets that say NutraSweet (or Great Value or whatever).

    Really? I had no idea. :o When I would see the yellow packet that says Nutrasweet, I would assume it was the pink Nutrasweet in the wrong color packaging! I usually bring my own but I obviously don't need to. Thanks for the info! :)

    Stay in Galveston or near Hobby?

    in Gulf Coast Departures

    Posted

    the only problem I have seen with galveston, is most hotels require a two night minimum. That is difficult if you are flying in the day before the cruise. I have run into the for the 4/6 sailing.

     

    True for some. But we did not have that problem with this hotel. We are staying there on 2/15 so if you are interested, I can let you know how it is when I return.

    Afternoon Tea on Oasis

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    You will find afternoon snacks or afternoon tea as some ships call it, from 3-5 pm in the WJ. There is scones, bread pudding, make your own nachos and lots of other snacks available as well as a full salad bar, some hot items and sandwiches.

     

    Is that offered on all ships? And do you know if that would be on the compass? I've read this before but never actually gone at the time (as I assume I'm eating whenever I feel like it anyway. ;)) But I love scones, bread pudding and nachos too. :D

     

    Thanks

    Mary

    Stay in Galveston or near Hobby?

    in Gulf Coast Departures

    Posted

    Hobby Airport is not in the best part of town, so suggest not staying there.

     

    The Towne Place Suites is relatively new and looks nice.

    Better to wake in the morning looking at the Gulf of Mexico than a parking lot:)

    As long as they will shuttle you places, not a problem. Taxis are not expensive.

    Nice to go downtown to the Strand and Post Office Sts.

    Lots of restaurants on the island from inexpensive fast food to expensive white table cloth.

    Check out Galveston.com for restaurants and their menus.

     

    I agree with Galveston Cruiser and in a Galveston vs. Hobby, Galveston wins hands down.

     

    As for the location of your hotel remember that the Seawall is several miles long and you're on an end with very little in walking distance. At least my walking distance.

     

    You'll need transportation from the hotel or a cab to most restaurants and attractions.

     

    Thank you both. At least I know I'm better off in Galveston than staying near Hobby. The hotel does offer a shuttle maybe within 5 miles or something. I will have to do more research since it looks like we are staying put at this hotel. :)

    Stay in Galveston or near Hobby?

    in Gulf Coast Departures

    Posted

    Hi everyone. So I have a room (studio?) booked at the TownePlace Suites (Marriott) in Galveston for one night prior to the cruise. I booked it back in August and the reviews were good, had a shuttle to the pier, things nearby since we won't have a car, etc. I thought I would be able to see the ship in the morning before we boarded but doesn't seem like it. (I LOVE to see the ship first thing in the morning!) :D

     

    So I have a few questions I hope some locals can help with:

    Does anyone have any thoughts on this hotel? (Hotel is located on Seawall Blvd.) Haven't read about it on here except recently that someone had also booked it.

    Any suggestions on what to do that day that is nearby (places to eat, etc)?

    Are we better off staying near Hobby for the one night since I can't see the ship anyway? :)

     

    I tried booking other places (Tremont, Harbor House) but it seems they are either sold out, can't accommodate 3 per room or have a 2 night minimum.

     

    We have never been to Texas before so we are literally 3 fish out of water! Any help/suggestions/advice you can give would be very much appreciated. I also posted this in my rollcall but figured I would try here as well.

     

    TIA!

    Mary

    Transfers to the airport

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    If you purchase only transfers, you will have to collect your luggage in the terminal and take it to the transfer bus. If you also purchase Luggage Valet (not sure if it's available at Galveston), then your bags will be sent to the airport ahead of you, and if everythings goes right, you will next see them on the luggage carousel at your destination airport.

     

    :o Thank you!

     

    When we purchase cruise transfer it's always in our e-docs. Instructions will be in the compass and on TV about what to do. You' ll fill out a form with your flight information from guest services.

     

    Enjoy your cruise

    Thank you. I just printed the docs today and saw them at the end.

    Transfers to the airport

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    We are flying in and out of Hobby next month. This is the first time I'm using the ship transfers back to the airport and was wondering how exactly does it work. Do we put our luggage out as usual and collect it and take it to the bus? Or do we put it out and not see it until we land? Also, will something be put in our room indicating we paid for transfers (like a ticket?) Thanks in advance!

     

    Mary

    Southwest Early Bird Check in

    in Cruise Air

    Posted

    I'm not sure if you can use a Southwest credit to pay for Early Bird, but good luck! I assume the credit is from a price change?

     

    You are correct, a Southwest credit cannot be used to pay for Early Bird.

     

    It was from a price change and no, they weren't able to use it. :( We have a very early flight going into HOU and the agent told us the flight is practically empty so we aren't going to get the Early Bird for that flight. Our flight home is around noon and we have Royal transfers. Do you think its wise if we get them for the return flight? We have never flown SW or cruised from Texas but after reading about fog delays, I'm wondering if our best option would be to get them for the return.

    Southwest Early Bird Check in

    in Cruise Air

    Posted · Edited by emen822

    Thanks all. It's me and my sisters travelling so we don't HAVE to be together but would like to. :) They both have credit that they need to use for Southwest so they will likely buy an early bird for our return flight and I'll be stuck in the middle seat. ;)

    Spring Break Cruises

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Has anyone taken a RCL spring break cruise and seen cheap prices? I am looking for a nice cruise to go on during my final spring break in college, but of course being a college student I want it to be on the cheaper side. Been on 3 RCL cruise and love them. Want to take my girlfriend on a nice Caribbean cruise since we have only been on the 4 night bahamas cruise before. If any other cruise lines offer cheap prices that you all think are good deals please tell.

     

    Almost all of my cruises have been during Spring Break (which, for us, was the week including Easter). Do you live near a port that you can drive to? If so, you might be able to get something "cheap" at the last minute (although we don't know what your cheap is). Good luck!

    Freedom VS Oasis

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted · Edited by emen822

    I agree oasis doesn't feel like a cruise ship and the ages are 11 and 14 boys.

     

    I would stick with the Freedom. It's still a great ship and they will have plenty to do.

     

    To be honest, this Allure cruise is costing me WAY more than any other cruise I went on. I have two good reasons for paying that: (1) my daughter is a senior in high school and I'm not sure if she will have the same spring break time as her sister next year and we cruise during Easter every year and (2) we had an unexpected death in the family last year and had to leave our cruise early. We are SO in need of a vacation and I figured let's go big with this one. :D:)

    Freedom VS Oasis

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I have been on a few Voyager class ships and one Freedom class. I loved the Independence and although it was similar to the Voyager class, it had a few additions that were nice (promenade has some different shops in addition to Sorrentos). It also has the flow rider on the back of the ship.

     

    I am booked on the Allure for this coming Easter. Mainly because I saw the Oasis in Fort Lauderdale last year, was floored at the size and knew I had to try that ship out for ourselves. :D

     

    Is there a huge difference in price? Not sure if that factors into your decision.

    Ft. Lauderdale Q&A/FAQ

    in Florida Departures

    Posted

    Hi. We are flying into Miami for our cruise out of Port Everglades in April. I'm looking to get a reputable limo service to take us from the airport to our hotel (Westin Beach Resort). We did this once before and it was nice treat to relax after our early morning flight.

     

    Also, they just changed our flight going home out of Miami to 11:50 a.m. :eek: Should we have a car waiting or will we be ok getting a taxi to take us? Should we plan to walk off with our own luggage? Or maybe get the first tags to get off? I only cruised once out of Port Everglades and the taxi situation was a disaster when we were leaving (5 of us trying to get a taxi to FLL airport).

     

    Thanks in advance.

    Mary

     

    I'm just posting this again in the hopes someone can give me some assistance. Thanks. :)

     

    Mary

    Ft. Lauderdale Q&A/FAQ

    in Florida Departures

    Posted · Edited by emen822

    Hi. We are flying into Miami for our cruise out of Port Everglades in April. I'm looking to get a reputable limo service to take us from the airport to our hotel (Westin Beach Resort). We did this once before and it was nice treat to relax after our early morning flight.

     

    Also, they just changed our flight going home out of Miami to 11:50 a.m. :eek: Should we have a car waiting or will we be ok getting a taxi to take us? Should we plan to walk off with our own luggage? Or maybe get the first tags to get off? I only cruised once out of Port Everglades and the taxi situation was a disaster when we were leaving (5 of us trying to get a taxi to FLL airport).

     

    Thanks in advance.

    Mary

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