Carrie10026

Glad all is well and so sorry that everyone was in that situation! Terrible that we all face these things these days!

I was on NOS last week and had an ultimate package however some friends we made didn't do a package and said that drinks were between 10-14 plus the 18%. I think they made their money off me on this package but it was nice to drink whatever and not even think about it. I did drink a glass of wine that they charged me 1.00 for because it was over the 12.00 per drink package price. Either way ENJOY!!!!

We were on the Navigator last week and it varied but as I recall it was 35.00 per person for Chops. I know we did lunch at Sabor and it was 20.00 per person and well worth it! Tons on food but the table side guacamole and margaritas were amazing! I believe a few options are open for lunch at a reduced rate. There were also some discounts if you booked multiples and also a discount for the first night too! Enjoy :)

Thank you for your review we set sail on 9/20 and I am super excited! Your review gave me some insight although we have the other port options (different from yours). Glad that cruise bug got you too!

I have cruised before but never on RCI the power strip caught my eye as I always bring one (never enough outlets) so why did the cabin steward take this and should we hide ours on our rci cruise coming up?

does the jr. suites count for the reserved spots too? This is my first RCI cruise. TYIA

Awesome shots really got me super excited for my cruise!!!!

Hi Lebakke and clydebud are you both on our roll call? My hubby and I are on the same sailing and looking forward to meeting everyone. I did stingray too and used captain Marvin can't say enough good things about them. I think you will be just fine on the time so don't worry!!!!!

Carrie & Mr. Big!

hey bonvoyagebites, hello AZ neighbor... I am a native and love my Mexican food.. I am thinking I will have to do Sabor because I don't think I can go 7 days without a margarita and chips and salsa. Were on the NOS Sept 20th. What is your favorite Phoenix Mexican restaurant? Have a great time!

Thank you for your great review! Good to know we should bring extra cash for the casino! We are on the Sept. 20th sailing different ports but its nice to see she's clean with a good crew. This will be my first RCI cruise as I was a Carnival girl before I married my RCI fan hubby. What type of room were you in? So was main dining awful? It seems sad to me to think I have to spend even more on my cruise for food... I get the alcohol, soda packages those have cost me 611.00 (luckily the hubby doesn't drink alcohol) and add my JS costs and if I add all the upgraded dining its not such a great value anymore. Just my opinion but even so, I still love to cruise and relax. Glad you had a great time!

JD26 I'm hijacking this... we love Europe as you can see from my profile pic of me and the hubby in Rome! We use to just exchange at the airport usually in Charlotte (that is where we normally fly from). However we found that we can order euro though our bank (wells fargo) at a way better rate! they have to order it in and it takes a few days we did it in increments of 500.00 so check with your local bank. Just a suggestion then your all set before you go! Have an amazing voyage!!!!!

Thank you so much GUT2407

debating on this.... so two questions is the premium coffee only available at the coffee shop in the promenade? Also if my Hubby is a non drinker do we both have to have the same package? He wants to do the replenish package since he drinks a lot of soda and water but never alcohol or coffee. I think Carnival says everyone in the same room has to have the same package just curious.

TYIA

hello yes this is awesome we are doing the med next year. I have been to Italy but we want to see Spain and yes this is leaving me waiting for more!!!

Thanks everyone! I am going to look into the Hilton tomorrow. Now I am wondering too about the shuttle from Houston to Galveston. We are flying in from Phoenix and will need to find a way to do that! Sometimes I wish we lived in Texas or Florida!!!! :mad:

What are the closest hotels to stay at the night before a departure from the cruise terminal? Would like a nice safe clean spot within walking distance to restaurants. We fly in via American airlines and will take a shuttle to Galveston with the day before hoping to find a nice and clean 3-4 star hotel Any advice on hotels and shuttles? I checked TA and post said to try CC.

Thank you in advance!

Vicki,

my profile pic is from sunset at the coliseum. We love it there. I agree Venice is a must do next time for me! Guess for now I will be happy with the Gondola on our Vegas trip in October! LOL....

The pizza, wine and gelato oh my I MISS IT!!!!!

Can't wait to hear your reviews on the cruise and that's a great idea to spend a few days before and after!

all the best!

Ciao!!!!

Carrie & Big

Artypharty,

I see you are doing the Venice cruise next year! We just got back from 14 days in Rome and Florence. We LOVE ITALY!!!!! We are thinking we will do the Venice Cruise in 2016. We have Holland and Germany planned for the spring of 2015 and I am excited to explore the castles but honestly I am torn as I really want to go to Venice now! Can't wait to hear what you think of that Cruise!

Again, thank you all for your feedback on this being a RCI newbie!

Ciao,

Carrie & Big

Kontrax, good advice thank you. My SO is a tall guy and works out so he does need more room (always book him an isle seat on the plane) and such. We have decided to book the JS and if available we will upgrade to the next level but, if it doesn't happen we will still be in a room we are happy with. I really appreciate all the advice. My SO had his C&A all set now and we are adjusting our cruise date to the 9/20 sailing so I will be on the same cruise as Bethco. We like the ports better than the 9/13 sailing. :cool:

dascmom, he just did and they did find his previous sailing. So how many cruises does it take point wise to level up so to speak?

Bethco cool! too bad we aren't a week later!!!! No just my SO and I and we love being together so no biggie on that. Okay that helps and so what is the points all about? I assume like on carnival 10 cruises use to get you priority status. We are actually looking at switching to the week before as its labor day and we would already have Monday off and the ports are a bit better in our opinion.

artypharty Thank you for that tidbit. We are just concerned about waiting and not getting what we want. If the cruise is a year out would you book the balcony and wait? When do you usually upgrade????

Dascmom and Bethco,

Thank you both for your prompt reply. I guess our confusion is it didn't sound like on the junior suit you got the extra perks of cocktails in the CL and such. The RCI rep said just a bigger room and balcony with a tub. It didn't sound like we got robes or anything else. She didn't even tell us about the C&A point system. If you can explain that I appreciate it!

To answer you Bethco, We have cruised before. I have taken 4 Carnival cruises. started as a young women in a inside cabin in the 90's and graduated to a balcony on my last two (and felt blessed to be able to upgrade). My SO has been on one RCI cruise and one HA cruise before and many, many days at sea with the USMC! ;) We both are a bit claustrophobic so we appreciate the balcony and fresh air. We are in our late 40's early 50's my so has a bit of a disability due to military so its nice to have a guaranteed spot without having to rush with the crowd.

we are very blessed to have the option to choose. We spent a lot of years not being able to so its sincere but we don't like to be foolish either.

Thank you so much!

Carrie & Big

Hi Centex,

I agree we are in AZ and the Galveston port is way closer for us and I couldn't figure that one out either!

Hello fellow CC just need some opinion here. We are booked on NOS for next September. We currently have a balcony and are really thinking of upgrading to the Jr. Suite. However after talking to the RCI agent we see we get none of the "perks" for a jr.suite but, a bigger room and a bathtub for 1,000 more (aprox). The next upgraded suite offers some "perks" such as early boarding etc... Do you think its worth the extra money?(this would be a 2000bump aprox) Yes, we can afford it but I don't like to be foolish with my money and we usually take two or three nice trips a year so it isn't a once in a lifetime trip or a "special event". Just wondering for those who have done various suites and balconies did you feel it was worth it? What perks did you find?

Thank you so much in advance I appreciate the feedback!

Carrie & Big