Cruise-y

Does anyone know if there is a Queen tribute band on Independence of the Seas sailing out of Southampton? (This is just a question.)

I happen to love Miami - food, culture, art deco, music. BUT, if you book a cruise for certain ports (because that is what you like) then it is a real bummer when the itinerary changes. I'd be mad if a sea day was substituted for a port. Or if a U.S. port was substituted for a Caribbean port. Yes, sometimes Mother Nature interferes and nothing can be done. But dock construction should be scheduled and known ahead of time. Give away some OBC and everyone is appeased. Marketing 101.

So, I went to print off my Set Sail pass and my luggage tags for a cruise next month (via a link from an RCCL email to me) and got a screen that said "WHOOPS looks like this site has already sailed." I tried to log in directly from the RCCL website instead - same result. I tried again 8 hours later - same. So I can't print anything unless I continue to try and try and try until it works - maybe in a few days. Maybe not.

Other super loyal/employees in disguise RCCL message boards say I'm too negative about the RCCL website and blast me for complaining - but really, this is ridiculous. It's a constant battle to see if I can get in or not. I have to keep trying and sometimes I'm successful.

I have the very latest web browser on my iMac. I've emptied my cache. I've done all the "tricks" that you have to go through to make it work.

Hi - We have tickets on the HOHO bus in Palma de Mallorca and plan to take it to see the Cathedral and Castell de Bellver and etc. We also want to see the Miro Museum and the Arab Baths. Does anyone know if the bus stops near those sites? We are big walkers so it doesn't have to be super close - we just need to know which stops to get off. Thank you so much

30 years ago, when my son was small and we were brand new to cruising and working full time, we could only get one week off of work. So time was very precious. I don't remember the cruise line, probably Premier (a Disney precursor) and we paid for Premier to book our air (inclusive with our cruise). Per their tickets for us, we left the morning of the cruise and of course we were bumped, because we were the cheapest rate on the oversold plane (which is always the deal when the cruise books your air). At the time, we were too naive to realize that's how it worked. Stranded at the airport, probably going to miss our cruise, with a panicked 6-year-old in tow, we had to beg the people in the waiting area to give up their seats for us. Finally some good Samaritan did that (and I paid it back later in my life for someone else). I swore I would never let the cruise line book my air again, even if I had to pay $$$$ more. Of course now, in retirement, we can go a day earlier. That was not an option for us as working parents in 1988.

Yes

Yay! Thanks

Ok thanks so much! We are MTD at 8:00. Does that mean I can make an early show?

Thank you for sharing your food pictures. Very appreciated.

I like to book everything before I leave so I don't have to stand in line whilst on vacation. I can't find any place in the cruise planner to book reservations for shows. How does that work? Thank you

Hi - I looked at past discussions on this topic and never really got my question answered. I booked late and ended up with a Deck 9 JS under the jacuzzi on Independence. I'm not too worried about the overhand blocking the sun as I assume being two decks below it will help. And the balconies are all covered anyway. (But I'd love a response on that.)

What I am worried about is the supposed mirrored glass on the balcony that prevents you from sitting in a deck chair and gazing out at the sea. I hear it reflects back or distorts your view or something like that.

Can anyone expound on all of this for me? Thank you so much!

I'm 2 months away from sailing and I can't book a reservation for the Izumi sushi restaurant. It doesn't show up on my Cruise Planner. I called and they said the restaurant is totally booked (except for the Hibachi, which is still available). Is it small enough to book up full this far in advance? Should I keep checking to see if it opens up again if someone cancels?

Since it's ala carte (and this a zero charge upon reservations) I have a feeling people reserve it and then no show.

I have had problems with the website since I booked our cruise months ago. Half the time it tells me to try again later and why are there two log in pages? One for the website and then another for the cruise planner?? I've cruised with Norwegian and Carnival and never had this problem. Both of their websites and apps were very easy to use! This is our first time with RC (Adventure of the Seas) and we are getting very nervous. The app gives me a message and I quote "Your reservations on ships not yet available in this app". What?????? that's not even grammatically correct! NCL and CCL both had an easy app to use to communicate with others in our party while on board. Does RC?

The RCCL website has tons of problems and always has. Keep trying and at some point you might get lucky and get in. When you do, book as many shore excursions and onboard reservations as you can because who knows when you will be able to get in again. I've complained on the RCCL fan blog and have been roundly scolded (by RCCL marketing employees in disguise) for being negative.

Agree, but I also feel people have the right to post their opinions and experiences whether it be positive are even negative.

 

The good thing about this site is the above is allowed, unlike some other sites where if someone dares to say something even remotely negative, they get flamed by the cheerleaders and the self anointed specific cruise line Police, and eventually, the post gets removed.

 

 

Someone said it here before: Both the positive and not so positive reviews are worth information to know.

Great post, thanks

That is definitely NOT what my review said. Just FYI.

Yes thank you. Your review was great. I loved it!

There was no problem getting a lounger in either the Solarium or near the main pools because during most of the voyage it was cooler than normal. Because the voyage was port intensive many passengers left the ship at most stops so if you decided to stay onboard you had the ship to yourself. This sailing had the least amount of chair hogs in my more than thirty five cruise ship sailings since I got hooked way back in May 1983.

Thanks much for both posts Corby!

I really appreciate all the replies but I'd like to hear from others who have sailed Indy in the last few weeks. I assume there are growing pains but I keep hearing (also on other blogs) that overcrowding is an issue and people can't find seats in WJ. That's a pretty big problem if you can't sit down to eat. What is RCCL doing to remedy this? Were the first cruises out of dry dock super full and the later ones maybe not so?

Honestly, we've never been on a crowded RCCL ship before and we have always sailed Freedom class. The reports of overcrowding on Indy have me worried because I paid a LOT for this 2 week cruise (plus overseas air) and obviously don't want to be disappointed. We usually spend our Sea Days in the shade in the Solarium (with no problem finding seats). I'm hoping that August means family travelers and the Solarium seats will still be available. Thanks.

was lucky to be invited to the pre release cruise,

I agree with the handwash station pity no low ones for children and wheel chair users

we were told 104 cabins added but no extra crew.

Food was excellent and the menu had been tweeked for the British market.

It is smaller in choice than before, no Caesar's salad every day but prawn cocktail and snails were. Alway a steak on the menu

lobster tails are back.

the English Executive Chef has done a great job on the food side in the MDR and Windjammers.





the additional features on board are great for families.





We liked the Sports bar not impressed with Fish and ships

will miss the second Diamond lounge which is now Suite only





it is all a matter of taste

will we go back probably if the price is right but prefer smaller ships

j

Thanks for a very good review! Most helpful!

We just got off Indy this morning and had a wonderful cruise. We commented several times between ourselves on the quality of the food particularly

In the WJ. It was very crowded on embarkation day and one other lunchtime when everyone was in a rush to eat at the same time to get to see Grease but otherwise we never had an issue getting a table quickly. I think it was probably one of our best cruises ever

Glad to hear the good review, thanks. First one I’ve seen

So, Independence just came out of a massive refurbishment in May and I've looked at the first few weeks of reviews. Almost everyone complains about the poor quality of the food and overcrowding in the Windjammer and MDR (because 400 more rooms were added with no additional space in those dining venues). I guess I can (maybe) understand some growing pains, although I would think the crew would already be experienced. Why would the food quality go down after a refurb? Was that part of the plan to cut costs? Does anyone have newer info? Sailing in August and not happy. Thanks

Yes it's hot in the summer in Rome but if you want to have admittance to the beautiful, beautiful churches and chapels then you must adhere to the rules. Take a light-weight, thin shawl. It's easy to cart around (stuff it in your backpack) and you can drape it over your sleeveless top. That way you can stay cool before you arrive. You must cover your knees, so women can wear capris (which are not that much worse than shorts) but men must wear slacks. Again, take them in a backpack or use the zip-away short/pant. Head covering is not required for women but men must remove their ball caps. Sandals are ok. Believe me, it's worth it.

For my day in Nice, I want to go to Monoco/Monte Carlo (including just a quick look inside the casino), Eze and possibly even St. Paul de Vence. I don't want to shop. I don't want to see the perfume factory. The ship tours all have other combinations. Can anyone recommend a relatively inexpensive personal guide that can take us around for a few hours to see the combination of things we want to see? I would need to be able to contact them via email. Thank you

Thanks Ken, that's a big help!

2 years ago we sailed O for the first time. We have sailed many other cruise lines in the past, mid to high range. We didn't make any specialty restaurant reservations because 1) we thought the MDR would be fabulous and 2) we live in a big city so have ready access to steak houses, sushi, etc. After our first night aboard, when we leaned the MDR was NOT fabulous, we had to scramble to make reservations, waste time standing in line and didn't end up with good times, seating, etc. Fast forward....now I'd like to book an O cruise around 2 months out. But I'm afraid I've missed the window for specialty reservations and I'll be in the same boat. How long can I book reservations online and are they all booked up after a few days anyway? Thanks

Pretty much all my cruises right now are solo as I can't get my schedule and my friends' schedules to line up. For a solo traveller I suggest late traditional dining at a large table. They usually try and seat solo travellers/ friends travelling together at the same table. I've met some great people that way. Also remember if you don't feel comfortable with your table mates - ask to be moved. They don't always get it right the first time but if the maitr'd knows you're travelling solo, I've found that they try and look out for you. Another suggestion if you're into trivia go to the trivia sessions. They have teams with up to 6 people and usually I just show up and see who wants an extra. Again met some great people that way. Depending on the sailing, the diamond lounge cocktail hours can be a nice way to meet people and chat. But I find that is always a little more hit and miss.

 

Enjoy - you'll have lots of fun!! :D

This is all great advice! Definitely sit at a group table in the MDR. You will meet so many friends that way. Traveling solo is super - you can do what you want to do wherever you want to do it. I'm married but I've taken TONS of shore excursions alone because my hubby didn't want to do them. I had a wonderful time on all of them, while he had a wonderful time on the ones he wanted to do. When you are standing on the deck on embarkation and watching the ship pull away, with a glass of champagne in your hand, you can talk to anyone standing next to you because everyone is just having fun. You are empowered. Have a super trip!

I don't know how anyone is defending RC's website. It is an absolute joke and by far the worst travel website of a major provider I have ever had to deal with.

 

I use chrome and have to clear my history about every week before the site will work. But why on earth should I even have to do that?

 

 

I don't ever have to do that with Disney, or Disney Cruise Line, or Universal, or any hotel website, or heck even the airline websites.

 

How anyone can say the problem is "on my side, not theirs" is beyond me. It is 2017, I shouldn't have to do anything on my side. I shouldn't have to use this browser or that browser. I should just be able to use my browser and go to their website and have it work like every other website out there.

 

 

You'd think it was 1995 with the way their website functions.

Totally agree. Unless you have a completely antiquated system, you shouldn't have to change browsers or OS or caching or history clearing or anything you are doing on your end to access their site correctly. This is a RCCL problem, not a user problem. They ARE losing bookings because of this and it's just plain stupid business. And it's not just bookings. My completely-paid-for cruise variously shows that I am due a $750 credit (for what, who knows) or that my balance is zero (as it should be) or that I owe them something (for what, who knows). It's ridiculous. If I was the CEO of this company, I'd be ashamed of myself for not getting the website fixed NOW. And no, you shouldn't have to go through a third-party agent (who gets a commission that you pay for) to avoid this problem. Every other cruise line lets you book (correctly) online.