The Fun Researcher

Well, yes. Maybe I should have worded it another way... What's the most you've ever spent on a single drink on Royal Caribbean, and what was it?

Just curious, what are some of the more pricey single drinks above the $14?

You go into the app and click the little person icon (circled) in the top right as in the first photo, then choose “select a different cruise” as circled in the second photo. Then scroll to the bottom, where it says ”Browse our ships” then click the ship and sailing date that you would like. Then find the dining venue are interested in and look at the menu. This works for the bars and MDR as well.

Thank you. This is very welcome news. One less thing to keep me from knocking the new menus. I'm not a rich, sweet dessert eater, of which almost all of them are. Love the cheese plate for a small bite after the meal (if I have room). Most of the time I take most of it back to the room for a late night snack.

They are offering the cheese plate on the menus again? It was sorely missed from the new menus on our Anthem cruise in March.

Ok thanks. That info came straight from Royal but must be dated.

One of the few shows on Royal that I wished I hadn't spent the time watching.

Just FYI, Royal no longer has the unlimited free drinks at happy hour. As Diamond you now get 4 free drinks daily (any drink up to $14) and you can get them at any bar (except Rising Tide and Bionic bars which are only on some ships) and at any time you like. It doesn't need to be during any 2 hour window or anything. It also doesn't need to be alcoholic. You can use them for specialty coffees (except Starbucks venue) or virgin drinks as well.

We sailed the NCL Getaway about a year and a half ago. Had a great time. There were better and worse things with NCL (based on our tastes). LOVED, LOVED, LOVED O'Sheehans on NCL. Full service, 24 hour restaurant, and complimentary. Good solid pub fare. I so wish Royal had something like this. Playmakers is a big step forward for Royal, but they aren't on all ships. I get so tired of pizza and finger sandwiches on Royal for a later night snack. Plus, on the Anthem in March the quality of the sandwiches was terrible. Very few proteins in the sandwiches, guessing from the cost cutting. Used to love the Roast Beef, Turkey, Salmon, etc.. The drink package was very nice to have included with NCL (even though you still prepay tips on it). It still came out far less than what Royal charges. YMMV though. NCL's prices seem to have gone up substantially and it's harder for me to find a good deal with them anymore. On the same note, we also had a complimentary specialty dining meal on NCL. We did the French Bistro and it was an amazing meal on Christmas Eve. Loved it. Royal Caribbean has better food in the MDR and buffet. No question. However, it wasn't like we disliked what we ate, but it was a step down for sure. Pool deck. As mentioned by previous posters, I can truthfully say is it terrible on NCL. It's industrial, and cramped, very cramped. Just not appealing, at all. The kids area and the exclusive Haven area take up far too much room, leaving a crappy small area for the rest of the cruisers. Entertainment in the main theater, at least on our cruise, was on par with Royal. Didn't care for the ship layout on NCL. They have "Centrums". This allows for more, smaller venues in the ship, but also leaves it feeling chopped up. We much prefer the Promenades and Esplanades on Royal. I would sail NCL again, but it would have to be for the right price, timing, and itinerary.

I can say from experience sailing Celebrity, it is wonderful sitting in the Casino without all the smoke and smell. Yes, it did actually get me to gamble at the machines. On Royal, all I do is my free Casino money from the Crown and Anchor status and that's it. The smoke and smell on Royal pretty much eliminates that venue for our family. People can choose to do what they like, smoke or not. Fine by me. No judgement from me. Our family personally would love the smoke free casino on Royal but it's not going to make or break cruising with Royal for us. I guess that's obvious with the cruises we've done with them to date. 🙂

Well said. We love to snorkel, and that's excellent at pretty much any beach in the ABC's. We also rented a couple of little sport utility vehicles in Bonaire and drove the island ourselves. This was the first time we ever felt comfortable doing that and it was amazing. Easy drive, lots of great views, great snorkeling spots, plus the beautiful salt pans, the old historical slave huts, and an amazing food truck at Kite City. Curacao has a fantastic guided open bus tour (third party), through Irie Tours. It's the "All west beach hopping". Fantastic tour. Takes you to the rock formations in the north, plus fantastic beaches to spend time at. We've done it twice and it doesn't disappoint. Curacao has a great place to swim with Sea Turtles at the Fisherman's wharf, guaranteed to see them there. Aruba has a lot to offer. You can make it a chill, inexpensive day and just take a taxi or bus and plop down at Eagle Beach, or find an alternate excursion like a guided tour. We did the Seaworld Explorer and island tour last summer (booked through Royal) and I was VERY happy with it. Got to see a lot more of the island than I expected. The combination of the cruises being a little longer, at 8-9 nights, plus the fantastic ABC islands, easily makes it our favorite itinerary. Having 4 days at sea is a great balance to the busy days in port. Provides ample time to relax and enjoy the ship, but then also excellent ports as well.

Of all of the itineraries that we have done the ABC islands are our favorite ports, more so than any other western or eastern Caribbean itinerary, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are just as south as most of the ports you get sailing out of San Juan. Not sure how you can say that they are not a true Southern itinerary. They are a true Southern cruise. Not everyone wants a port every day of the cruise. That can be exhausting as well. I’m not knocking the itineraries out of San Juan. It’s a great way to get to the more seldom visited ports I agree about the class of ships going out of San Juan right now. We prefer the classes that have a Royal Promenade or Esplanade rather than centrums. Just our preference.

Depends on what you were looking for. I love the eight and nine night itineraries out of Florida to the ABC islands. Typically they include either Labadie or Coco cay as well. Lots of sea days, which we love as well. We especially like the two sea days back because we are not packing up the day after we get done with all the port stops. We actually have a full sea day to relax before packing up the next day.

Wow that’s a doozy of a fall! Glad you were still able to go! Just stopped by and saw them and she’s doing great and determined to go on the cruise unless doctors say otherwise.

I did find this one. Check out 10:20 and 18:20 for thoughts on the Windjammer.

Agreed, we'll be on the Quantum in a month. Would love to see the video. Can you share? Thanks.

Thank you for all the suggestions!

Yes, exactly. She gets frustrated when she can't work out! I'm the same way. As I get older I get so frustrated with injuries (typically caused by working out, of all things). It just takes so long to recover, and I get frustrated forcing myself not to exercise. Thank you all who have suggested a scooter. That is much more her style. She doesn't like being fussed over. 🙂 Thanks to all who mentioned Amtrak. It certainly is an option. I'll mention it to them. My mom has taken it many times from nearby to see my sister in Milwaukee. I'll ask that they think of that option all the way to Seattle. My dad likes driving though. (not sure why LOL)

Thanks again for these suggestions! My dad did call this morning and the Chase card does provide $1500 for each of them. That essentially covers the cruise fair for their balcony cabin if indeed they cannot go. The rest, taxes and port fees and prepaid grats will get refunded automatically. However, the preferred option is still for them to go. Can't wait to go see her today, she's in good spirits all things considered. She's a tough little lady.

Looked into it, but is nearly the same price for an umbrella versus the same coverage I have for all our policies. Michigan is “unique”

No doubt I would be halfway there

Thank you. I might take you up on that. 👍🏼

I want to thank all of you that showed so much care for my mom and for your helpful input. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. They are going to try to give it a go, but reality might prove otherwise. Here’s hoping, and praying. Just like the previous poster, whose son had a rod placed in his femur from knee to hip, that is what my mom had done today. Now that it’s stable hopefully it will provide more and more confidence over the coming weeks! Thanks again for your time to post and for your kindness. It’s been a long day, we’ll certainly sleep well on it. 😊 -Dan

Love your comments. Thank you. My dad said she initially didn't think the cruise was a possibility so soon with her leg and all, but warmed up to the idea of giving it a try right before she went in for surgery. However, I'm a guy. Dan. No worries, I used to sign all my posts with -Dan, but that got tedious. I'm a "He", and no I don't use pronouns. LOL

Have you thought of the fact that my dad has been sitting in the emergency room and waiting room since this happened? He's still at the hospital and is just now getting to see her after surgery. Yeah, that's exactly what's on his mind right now, calling Royal Caribbean. This is their reservation made directly with Royal so he will be contacting them when he can, with the options. It's been a busy hectic day. I'll be reaching out to Royal tomorrow as well, when I can, as planned. Hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it? Insurance only makes sense when you need it. Don't try to scold me, or others, when they don't purchase it. So far, our family is FAR ahead not purchasing it. (see my comments below) In that odd chance something comes up when insurance would have helped, so be it. We're fine with that. I never said otherwise. I respect your decisions. Glad that you are happy with your decisions, as are we, as are my parents. There is always going to be the decision of whether or not trip insurance is worth it. This thread was not meant for that. They didn't purchase it. We didn't purchase it. Maybe next time they will. We do purchase standalone medical and evac insurance for cruises to locations where it makes sense. To date, we are far ahead not purchasing it. With the cruising we've done to date, and how frequently we've cruised, it would have easily cost our family two full cruises if we had purchased trip insurance every time. We are still far ahead not purchasing it, but know the risk and are o.k. with that. So far, we are the smart ones not buying it so we don't need to learn from anyone's experiences. I've probably spent about $90,000 in car insurance over the last 30 years, with about $4000 total in claims. Who won in that situation? Not us.