nimbex1970

Problem with cash is that if you want to purchase a drink or something first few hours, there is a LONG line at guest services. Same as last night when you want to "cash out". Your financial situation is not my business, but your credit card is safe, you can check your account daily and it will likely save you an hour or more of frustration. We looked at this, when we had teens... split up in several rooms with us. We gave them the stern talking to about spending limits and checked it daily. You can follow your "folio" on the TV. There was a specific amount that had to stay in the account for "incidentals", like a hotel. From memory it was $250 or more, where it made no sense, we had cash on the kiddo's account, but we had to go BACK to guest services and pay more for their spending, but there was cash on the account... they won't let you get down to a certain dollar amount, so please ask in advance when you put cash down. Hope this helps.

Dunno, looking at selling. We bought at $32 and it's $97. Only the 100 shares. I thinks it's going to sit stagnant and with interest rates rising, might be better in CD's. Anyone thinking along this line?

obviously not worth it. Ok, deep breath, you just need to get up early. In May we went to south beach. If you do this, get off early and TAKE THE TRAM, we walked with a stroller and kiddos, crazy times. There is a towel shack there, no need to carry them towels, plenty of chairs, there is a free buffet, some game sites, a bathroom and a bar. Bar service to the chairs was surprisingly good, gave our waitress a $10 bill to come often, lol. we are on vacay. On the way back we walked again, stopped at the water park (free one), then the pool. Full free day at the Island. Save your money, but take the tram out as it's the furthest point. There is also a floating bar, and some cool water lounging areas too. No sea lice for us in May, but grandson did get stung by a jellyfish, which they are everywhere, or anywhere and it's possible. We had a great day, aside from the initial hot long walk.

The TA cruises, in general, due to length and dates do not have many children. Weather can be iffy, depending on route, so there are more indoor activities planned. While I don't know your preferences of activities, they have been geared more to bingo, trivia, dance classes, pop up activities like animal folding, cooking displays as well as more pay for venues like roll your sushi, wine tasting and such. It's a whole different schedule with a TA, and I don't know if it repeats every TA.

We have 4 legs of flights to get from the bush in Alaska to Orlando. the first one is 50/50 from october through may. So we need 4 days each way for a 7 night cruise, lol! Knock on wood, haven't missed one yet Just have to prepare, because lack of planning on MY part is not an emergency for RCCL.

Thank you OP for the update. Food for thought after 13 years as a Florida resident, folks outside the zone, don't understand hurricanes. Folks flying/driving in think the storm has passed and it's all good. Not the case at all, the next 2 days to see where flooding, erosion and channel shifting is the key. There is no way to keep everyone updated hourly, then they are changing their travel plans and THEN blaming the cruise line for frequent update challenges. A hurricane is a wait and see it through event, even 72 hours out. Who here really thinks RCCL is trying to piss off a hundred thousand folks in their florida ports? Realistic expectations in "the season" are needed by all, and if you can't do it, this isn't the time for one to book a cruise. No other options, well, weigh your choices of land/sea, and thats what you have. Not an RCL cheerleader, but one who cruises regularly through "the season", and remains flexible and understands what hurricanes are to cruise plans. We are ALL gambling with a cruise this time of year. Happy sailings all!

Our "home" that we are renting out is in Orlando. It's likely our access to ANY restaurant, has changed our food profile. Oddly, one would think we would be happy in MDR, it's the opposite. Anyway, we do the same thing, cab to a beach, some drinks, junk food, which is fine and back to the ship. May one day, our paths cross! Thanks for the feedback!

I would never mean disrespect, but for folks like you, the MDR is perfect! It's cool to hear that some folks don't have to spend more money to enjoy their cruise, aside from those drinks, lol! We live in the bush in Alaska, and want a quality meal on vacay. While I certainly don't have the same number of cruises under my belt as you do, I have noticed the cut backs. I'd imagine you have great stories to tell of your earlier sails. Would love to sit and have a drink with you. Fair winds and happy cruising to you and yours.

On the Oasis, don't underestimate the park cafe in central park. Order the roast beef sandwich, it's the closest to Buffalo's own beef on kimmiweck bun you will get. On the WOS, the cut of beef was fatty, I declined it and had to ask for a "clean cut", I have fat issues with meat on my sandwich. However their food is generally a solid alternative, although smaller than the windjammer.

Perhaps guest services were out of them daily when we sailed in May. Our cabin attendant didn't provide them , but I never followed up. Us old folks travel with a highlighter, lol.

Yikes, but the buffalo wings, so says the buffalo gal! They are decent!

We have Allianz insurance. The quote is good for one year and covers all our land and sea trips. It's 4x better than the ship insurance and if you cruise a few times a year, it will pay for itself, and we skip the cruise lines insurance. You can only book this 90 days before your start date of coverage, not less than 2 weeks prior. We are paying $1500 for the year for the max coverage. We have 4 cruises and 2 land vacays. You can look them up and see the difference in coverage, it's vast.

I ate at the solarium bistro for dinner once in May. It was weird, you were seated, but it was just like the windjammer (get your own food and drinks((rare refilling of a glass of water)) with limited options). From memory, the food choices were different than the windjammer, but cheap Mediterranean ones. I was not pleased and ordered room service after. (I was on grandma duty with the kiddos for the evening). I left hungry and irritable with my choice. To each their own, why not try it once?

We did not have UDP but on days 4-7, we simply called each day and were able to get into specialty restaurants at 7pm, including Friday night hibachi for 4 same day. This was may and the ship was quite full. Don't hesitate to try this approach to get a better time for your dining as well. I'm not sure if playmakers counts in the UDP, but a great place to try as well.

Funny, that's what we did, booked Virgin, few upcharges. New line to explore, new port, new entertainment. I thought I was the rare one.

FYI, your room steward will move your "packed bags" to your new room on turn around day. You can get your new luggage tags from guest services if they are not delivered to your room. I didn't know this on my first B2B. Any alcohol you purchase in the ports "should" be returned to your first room on the last night prior to turn around day. Also don't forget to book any specialty restaurants for your second leg, if you are doing this. Since you don't have to rescan you luggage, you can just put your alcohol in it and not back in carry-on. Hope this helps.

Oh I loved the Grandeur! The schooner bar was my favorite. Such a lovely basic ship experience.

I agree, not FOREVER, each of us has a cruise price point we are willing to pay for the product. If everything was all-inclusive that higher price point would turn many away. Why should I pay for someone else's ice cream and such would get brought up. For some, RCCL is already at the top of their price point and these recent upcharges and higher fees are causing folks to turn to other lines in the near future.

I have found it hit or miss with getting on OBC when missing a port. There is a paper provided in your cabin announcing this if they are going to do this so you can check your account.

I priced out the full UDP with royal, and am cheaper with virgin voyages in NOV. So we booked that instead. Add in a new port, and we are pleased. Our repo cruises were cheaper, comparing UDP and drink packages with NCL with fewer sea days. So there are two examples for ya right there.

On the WOS, there were kids in the bar area while awaiting seats and were served some cool mocktails. Just ask the bartender for a suggestion. Because these are specialty drinks, it takes longer than then average to have a drink delivered. I also think this is the only bar that services the restaurant, so that may play into it as well, with the wait times.

We were satisfied with the food, we ordered the filet. It was cooked properly and there was plenty to eat. On a personal level, our server was not funny, awkward and the tables around us were hooting with laughter and we were not. It's very possible we were the exception. Wouldn't do again.

On WOS, it was a challenge to book dining in advance. Two of my party had the 3 night package and at least got into what they wanted, not the times. On the fourth night we were able to get in for night 4 through seven by calling each day and being flexible. This was this May and the specialty restaurants were full. Not sure about lunch though, as we were doing park cafe or the solarium.

I too am a fan of the promenade rooms when we aren't interested in a balcony. The two couch set up is great. I love to people watch from the window.

All I know is that for US, US, the MDR is now subpar and we will only dine in specialty restaurants. We are factoring that cost like $400pp per 7 day cruise into our price point. That has led to us booking virgin and NCL, lines we never would have considered prior. This is disheartening as we love RCCL. I have two cruises yet to book for 2024 and with specialty dinning now in our price point, it's a tough choice to pay more. These next two cruises on virgin and NCL will determine who we book with for those two cruises. Royal doubled down in the wrong way, IMHO. But they care little about our MDR concerns as they move forward... why be loyal?