WI-Cruiser

1 hour ago, Emb77 said:

Hi 

can I just ask , we are thinking of booking the UDP. When we booked we got $550 on board spends but I can't see it on " my cruise planner " to use against  the dining package. Anyone know how to use the credit? 

 

thanks 

If this on board credit is from the Royal Caribbean Credit Card, then the OBC usually doesn't show up until about 2 weeks out from the cruise, maybe even closer.  If from something else I'd give them a call as you should be able to see it in the cruise planner.

As others have said, any specialty restaurant can make you reservations for the week.  If there is much of a line at the nearest restaurants (likely Wonderland or Jamie's) head forward to Chops - farthest from boarding location and thus less likely to have a line.  Reservations can also be made in the app but I've found it easier to deal with a person at a restaurant, but nothing to stop you from making the reservations you can in the app while waiting in line.

Aft on Radiance class ships is the best IMHO.  I'd definitely keep it.

If you buy something online through the cruise planner you will be charged immediately.  Watch the prices - if the price goes down you can cancel the original order and reorder at the lower rate.  If you wait until you're on the ship your sea pass account will be charged.  It is typically cheaper overall to order online prior to your cruise.

18 minutes ago, Jasukkie said:

I think it depends on what your expectations are for a cruise vacation. If this is your one big trip for the year and you want all the bells and whistles, I can definitely see canceling or rescheduling. If you are a more frequent cruiser and have been there done that about shows and activities and really just want to stare at the sea, then go if your personal situation permits. No judgment either way. 

 

 

 

 

Exactly right!  We would look at if differently if we cruised less often.

16 minutes ago, fliprcruiser said:

See you onboard!  I'll be the one wearing a Manitowoc Minute Packer face mask.

Cool.  Saw Charlie last month at his show in Green Bay.  Will have to see if Fleet Farm has any as it's too late to get one online. 😄

We cancelled our 1/8/22 Symphony cruise right before Royal cancelled it.  We were on the fence about our 1/15/22 Odyssey cruise and were leaning towards cancelling.  However, yesterday we jumped both feet on the Let’s Go Cruising side of the fence.  What convinced us?

1    We’ve been spending a lot of time just sitting around the house, primarily due to the frigid cold and snow here in Wisconsin.  We figured if we’re just going to sit around and read, etc., we might as well do it on a balcony in the much warmer Caribbean.

2    Our biggest concern was the airport/travel.  Then we went grocery shopping and we realized it was at least as risky, and probably more so, than what we’d encounter in the airport & airplane where at least everyone was wearing a mask.

R    Based on our Oct Allure cruise, we saw how well Royal was doing with cleaning and social distancing in restaurants and around the ship.  (okay - not so much in the MTD area of the dining room - they crammed us in there pretty tight so we just skipped it remainder of the cruise).  Anyway, felt much safer dining on the ship than going out to our local restaurants around home.

 We're also interested in the status of entertainment, dining venues, etc.  We're scheduled to sail 1/15 and really on the fence about what to do.  We've sailed a couple times since restart and have a BTB scheduled in March so don't feel the urgency to sail.  We like sitting in the pub or Schooner Bar, having a few mask-free moments and listening to the entertainment.  Not going to sail if it appears our cruise experience will be diminished.

For recent/current cruisers.  What are you seeing/experiencing regarding the latest masking requirements, which states masks must be worn while indoors in public areas of the ship, unless seated and “actively” eating or drinking?

What do they mean by “ACTIVELY”?  Can you sit in the pub with a drink in front of you without a mask taking occasional sips?  Or do you have to wear the mask, pull it down to take a drink, and pull it back up?  Same when eating a meal.  Do you have to pull it down, stuff food in your mouth, put mask back in place? 

We're on the Symphony out of Miami in January.  The day we get off the SYmphony we start a new cruise on the Odyssey out of Fort Lauderdale.  Anyone have suggestions regarding transportation between Miami and Fort Lauderdale ports, besides the obvious Uber/Lyft?

Seeing the same type thing on our 15 Jan Odyssey cruise - Excursions still available for Grand Cayman but everything else showing Nassau instead of original stop at Grand Cayman.  I suspect Grand Cayman is being cancelled due to having to tender, given the current COVID situation.

1 hour ago, 2chiefs said:

Is that two days or WiFi or just two days internet access on the ship's computers? We do the same thing on the ship's computers but never thought of using the WiFi. 

You each get 24 hours of free internet via wifi.  Usually an instruction sheet in your cabin on how to set it up, at least there was pre-covid.

As Diamond we have two free days wifi between us.  We spread it out and only use it to check in on health and wellfare of family back home and maybe delete some of the junk email that has piled up.

We've brought wine several times to the MDR and have never been charged.  Asked about it once and waiter said they're suppose to charge but told me not to worry about it.  Earned him an extra tip.

9 hours ago, molsonschooner said:

our next cruise is supposed to be on Liberty. If you had to choose between Chops and Giovani's , which would you choose

 

9 hours ago, lovelife said:

 

Giovanni's

Agreed!

We've dined at both.  We like the Steak at Giovanni's (better than Chops) but like the Italian selections, especially red sauce based,  better at Jamie's.  I don't think you can go wrong at any of their specialty restaurants.

I’ve recently gotten into DSLR photography, purchasing the intro level Nikon D3500 with NIKKOR 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.3G and 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G kit lenses.  The pandemic allowed me a lot of time to practice and finally feeling comfortable.   Pictures of past cruises, where I used my phone or an inexpensive point and shoot, were pretty disappointing so I’m really looking forward to practicing my newfound skills on our upcoming Caribbean cruises.  I’ve thought about expanding my lens inventory past the kit lenses and would like some advice.  If you were to bring/purchase only two lenses for a cruise what would you bring?  Of course the cheaper the better but the important thing is value for what I get.  I’m primarily interested in internal ship pictures and landscape/street while ashore.

Just found out our 27 March 2022 Oasis cruise is hosting the “Legends of Pittsburgh Steelers” cruise.  My understanding is that they’re not chartering the entire ship, just reserving a huge block of cabins for about 1000 - 1200 people, so our reservation is probably safe. 

We’re considering rebooking.  My concern is the impact on our cruising experience.  I’m sure there will be special events for attendees that will likely restrict our access to certain venues at times and expect the whole 'vibe' of the cruise will be different.

Has anyone sailed on similar cruises and if so, how was your experience?

We have been vaccinated and can’t wait to cruise again.  A deal breaker for me would be masks and the whole social distancing thing.  From my perspective if you are not vaccinated you travel at your own risk.  My activities shouldn’t be restricted to try and keep someone safe who has NOT taken available action to mitigate their risk and are participating in a solely voluntary activity.

Now, until we reach the magic “herd immunity” point I will continue to take appropriate action (wearing mask, distancing, etc.) in public venues such as stores where people who have not yet had the opportunity to get vaccinated may congregate.

We're hoping things will be somewhat normal by our Oct BTBs.  If we are restricted to ship excursions we'll likely cancel/reschedule.   One of the reasons we cruise is because there are so many options.  We've already done all the ship sponsored excursions we're interested in and prefer just to go to a beach or explore on our own.

Just called Crown & Anchor CS.  The Customer Service representative I spoke with said that they are awaiting management clarification but they ANTICIPATE that this will be expanded to include existing reservations and that points will be automatically applied. 

5 hours ago, 2chiefs said:

Nice!

Where is this replica?

Thanks

T

There are at least 4 separate "traveling" walls and many replicas throughout the country.  Most are around 1/2 size but there's one permanent structure in Utah that is 80%, as is one of the traveling walls.

48 minutes ago, zonacruiser25 said:

Since we have so many sailors, how was your initial shellback ceremony?  Nothing like what we had on a cruise ship!

Became a shellback on the USS Pharris (FF1094) back in '77.  Pretty typical for those days - King Neptune's court, garbage chute, truth serum, doused with fire hoses, raw knees from crawling on the non-skid, and of course the darling Royal Baby.  Nothing compared to my Chief initiation though.  Heard they've significantly toned down both now-a-days. 

Also a Blue Nose, but we didn't have any type of initiation.  Just remember very rough, freezing seas. 

3 hours ago, zonacruiser25 said:

I guess we had luxury accommodations when compared with all those that served in theater during Vietnam

Definitely more extravagant than the old canvas racks we had on the Newport News.  But still 100 times better than sleeping in the mud like some of those poor ground pounders.

27 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

My Navy friends will understand...going to the bo'sun's locker for 50 feet of shore line, going to the Engine Room for relative bearing grease or a BT punch, going to the fo'csle to see a sea bat.

While you're doing that keep you eye out for the mail buoy, and grab an A.S.H. holder.