Joseph2017China

3 minutes ago, Luv2teachandcruise said:

It has nothing to do with drinking. I merely mentioned that because at the singles get together that is what people were doing and they were all so much older than him, that it was uncomfortable.  He did go to every one, every night hoping to seem someone his age, but he didnt. I love when people want to say "dont take them" etc.  We were used to seeing activities for 18-20, which they obviously had not started back up, unfortunately.  My observation had nothing to do with "babysitting" the fun. It had everything to do with my son and his experience. He has extreme social anxiety and will not go up to a group of people and introduce himself. I'm glad if you are a person who can meet anyone anywhere, he is not. He doesn't "hate just about anything" as you put it, he had a blast in the casino, won two raffles there and walked away with mire than he put in. 18 is a teenager...it is in the name...eight-TEEN, but he is also an "adult". I completely get not mixing 18 in with the other teens, but you need to know...there are a lot of HIGH SCHOOL kids who turn 18 while they are still in high school...and mix all day long. 

 18 is an adult.  I have kids, who are older now.  One did not really like going on a cruise, and yes, they were left to making their adult decision to go or not to go.  There is a huge difference between a social gathering and a babysitting club (kids club). Kid's clubs are for kids and are a "safe" spot for them to hang with kids. It is not up to you to take them, but up to them to say if they want to go or not.  

Even though an 18 year old might be in HS, remember, that 18 year old does not need parental permission for anything, and they can drop out without your permission (hopefully not).  

All the issues you pointed out, is not a cruise line issue.  They have social activities from shows, to trivia etc, and the ships are filled with areas that young adults can mingle.  But you said it, that a cruise is not really a great place for him, since he does not socially mingle very well.  Nothing wrong with that, many don't, and that is why your adult kids can make their decisions.  You are not leaving them home because they are no longer your responsibility to make their vacation decision.  You gift them a cruise or any vacation, and let them decide.  

Remember an 18 year old can sign contracts, get credit, go to military, travel, and do anything that any adult is allowed.  IF they are on a cruise, in a port, they can drink also.  

My youngest boy owned a house before age 20, the very same age, you are saying kids are TEENagers.  But yet, he owned a house, and a car and decided to work before finally deciding college.  The other one, was spending a year in South Korea in the Army, as a teen, before he used his funds for college during and after the military.  

Your son does not really like a cruise and so it is not the companies fault, that a person, does not enjoy the product offered, which is the vacation experience.  Everyone is different, and next time, just let him decide.  

12 hours ago, Luv2teachandcruise said:

So, I know this will sound like a first world problem, but...In June we took our first cruise post-covid and my sons were 16 and a recent 18. My 18 year old was MISERABLE! He will tell anyone who listens that he "grew up" on Royal Caribbean and how much he loves cruising, but he said he won't go again until he is over 21,  if ever. There was NOTHING...NADA, ZIP, ZILCH...for him to do.  Too old for the teen group (crazy), too young for drinking. All of the people at the "Singles mixers" were in their late 20s to their 40s. Not one thing was in the cruise planner for 18-20. I sent a LONG letter to Royal and,  of course heard nothing back. I know pre-covid I would see activities for"18-20", but I promise you nothing was happening on our ship. I was talking about it in the elevator one afternoon and another couple heard and said their 19 year old hated it as well.

 

So, I hope that I wasn't the only person to complain and Royal realized that by alienating this group, they could ultimately lose a big group of future passengers. I hope that they bring back the 18-20 activities!

 

As I said, my son grew up on Royal we are just a few points away from Diamond Plus and I hope that he will give Royal a chance again someday.  

To solve your problem, you can take you 18 year old on a European/Asian cruise, than he could drink!  Also, 18 is an adult, not a teenager.  The Cruise lines do not put ADULTS in the kids rooms that are not staff. 

No, most new adults seem to hate just about anything, when it comes to vacations unless they picked it.  But the good news, is you don't need to take them, if they don't really want to go.  

The cruise lines have been trying to have mixers for that age group, the in between for USA and the new adults in Europe.  But like all adult activities, whether people go or not, is also dependent on the cruise itself. It seems that people expect to babysit the fun for younger adults, when in fact, they have full access to the ship, and clubs, and casino, and activities except for drinking based on the local age.  It is up to them to find people to "hang out with" which is easy at areas like the pool, or sports decks, or around the bar (drinking a nice mocktail).  

How do single adults meet other single adults on a ship?  

20 hours ago, thekidsandi said:

I just returned from Celestyal Crystal's 3 Continent cruise and I can assure anyone who is concerned, that they do not turn guests away from the dining room for wearing anything other than shorts. Even at the Gala Night, where many were in nice dresses and dress shirts, there were just as many in jeans and t-shirts, and no one was asked to change clothes or eat elsewhere.

I know you are trying to make a point that wearing shorts and a t-shirt was acceptable on a night the is specifically requested that you dress up, but it was not widespread as you said, but rather a small few that just want to dress like teens.  Look, all the European cruises I have been on, the dress by the majority is not the same as a cruise out of Florida on Carnival.  So glad you were not turned away, but your choice of clothes on the cruise is only a reflection of you, and not the majority.  In my travels, I have seen many people get turned away from certain events, including places off a ship because  and the best advice for anyone is simply follow dress codes, and avoid the embarrassment of being turned away.  

I'm not here to argue with you, but offer the other point of view, and than others can make the decision of dressing nice when asked and appropriate, or ignoring it, and hope for the best.  

I wish I was on all the ships, so that I can give you a proper answer, but  before I know it, a ship is retired and a new one comes out, and I still have 15 more ships to get on to analyze this question!

It's not the space, but the weight for many people on a cruise with airlines?  If two of us are going on a 15 day trip, we would each have a 50lb bag, and a carry-on bag each.  If I really needed it, I would just bring a second 50lb bag, and pay the airline fee for it, before I pay the cruise line to destroy my clothes.  Outside of that, remember to wear each item more than once, the temps will not be that hot, and you won't be sweating in it.  Basically 15 underwear, and a 7 day supply of clothing and that is plenty

I always wonder when a post like this happens, where does the poster live, in a small farming community of 5000 or a large mega city.  Asking if a city is safe because of an incident does not make any city safe.  All cities because of the population levels have a different level of safety, and one must always be aware of their surroundings and protect their belongings and avoid areas with large gatherings of drinking people (like on a cruise ship LOL).  So follow safety practices, and pay attention.   For the record, I grew up in a big city, but live in a small farming community now.  I'm never concerned about cities, but I do become extra careful.

The policy does not prevent you from bringing something wider.  It simply is that you can drive it in, which is very common.  You can fold it, so no issues.  I do this all the time with my wife's scooter, simple fold up, and slide in.

Everything is easier with a fold up scooter, which includes space, airlines, taxi, busses, hotels, and ease of use.  

Disadvantage is many are 24 volts instead of 48 volts and this presents sometimes less power, and less range.  however, many fold up scooters have removeable batteries, and you can carry a second battery to solve the issue.  

20 minutes ago, HappyTexan44 said:

This brings up something related.    What about charging batteries?   Wouldn't need them on the ship, but for excursions they might be nice.  
Maybe they are called battery banks?

Same as charging an iPhone.  

7 minutes ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

You totally didn't get the point!

I did.  If you want to load up on food for dinner, the buffet is available, but if you eat in the main dining room, you get one serving at a time.  You won't go hungry

10 hours ago, CynBeth6 said:

We will hopefully be on a med cruise this summer from Barcelona to Rome on Enchantment. 
i have been hearing about issues people have had on other boards that they have had when boarding various Royal Caribbean ships at different ports where certain chargers are not being allowed even though were on the approved list from the cruise line that got confiscated at check-in. We will have 2 cell phones and a camera and am concerned what we have used on other overseas trips that were not cruises will not be allowed on the ship so wanted to check with the experts here to see which ones from your experience especially if you have gone on one in Europe would be ok so we do not have a problem. Thanks!

there is a big difference between a converter, power cord and a simple adapter.  Converter is a no.  Power strips are a no.  A usb adapter (which you think is a charger but it is not, it is a adapter) is good.  You can plug your iPhone, and camera charger into either the 110 or 230 outlet.  All you need for the 230 is a simple adapter (costs about $.99 but usually sold in packages of 6) or a 230 plug with two USB outlets on it.  It is a tiny square with the Euro plug.  You can charge both iPhones at once.  Also, the very same type of plug can be brought for a 110 volt outlet, with two USB plugs.

The rules for ship is not dependent on the country, but the port.  The adapters are also able to be used if the ship was in the USA since the ships are exactly the same.  

15 hours ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Who do they think they are - to tell you in what order you have to eat your meal?🙄

That is exactly the question - I'm going to ask the maitre if I run into that problem.

Who does he think he is - denying me to eat 2 mains together?

He's not my mother!

There seems to be a difference between a sit down restaurant and a buffet.  In a sit down restaurant, with the large number of passengers in the room, the waiter must serve those passengers their meal and the kitchen needs to focus on producing the orders as they come in.  It is really important for the super majority to get their food quickly and mostly without any gaps for each serving.  

On the other hand, a buffet is designed for those that want to heap food on a plate.  

He is following a set of rules, to insure the majority of their enjoyment, and if you get the early seating, you can than go to the buffet later.  

13 hours ago, WestLakeGirl said:

About 6:30 tonight, I was sitting in the solarium pool when an unintelligible announcement came over the PA system. We all looked at each other and at the staff but no one knew what was going on. About 15 minutes later another announcement came.  This time the lifeguard said you all need to leave this area and go to your assembly station. As I was making my way there, I finally heard an announcement I could understand.  Apparently a passenger reported seeing a person in the water and they decided to check every single passenger and every single crew member to see if anyone was missing. Throngs of people headed to the lifts and tried to make their way from one end of the ship to the other.

 

Here is where it gets very weird because the next announcement gave amended instructions that anyone in a restaurant could stay at their table and someone would come around with a scanner to check them in, but anyone in Windjammer had to go to their assembly station.

 

This tells me that there was no reason to go to the assembly station since anyone with a scanner could check anyone in.

 

We are now down to a handful of people who have not checked in and they are naming them on the PA system one by one. Next will come the walk of shame, I presume.

 

Oh, and did I mention that it is St. Patrick’s Day and some celebration began for some passengers early this morning.

 

To everyone’s credit no one was rushing to the assembly stations, everyone proceeded calmly, because it wasn’t a real shipwide emergency;   but had it been, I could envision chaos.

I have an idea.  Now that it is over, do a full analysis how you would handle it, and submit it to corporate office.  Because honestly, I don't think their is a fast and easy way to track 6000 passengers.

So I leave my auto grats in place plus I paid 18% for the specialty package.  so I leave nothing, and do not feel any form of guilt over it.  Plus I also work hard just like the staff on the ship.  I keep the money for myself, and pay the customary amounts

1 hour ago, LobsterStalker said:

Yes... ask your daughters friend to pay 7 grand...

oh my

So, when my kids wanted a friend, the friend did pay.  I never paid for an extra person.  I was being serious.

I don't know exactly how much you plan on saving, parking costs anyplace in MIami.  Maybe you can save $5.00 a day, but you are going to pay more for the hotel night to get that savings.  Parking is part of the cost of going on a cruise.  Something just accept it, and enjoy.

Ask the friend to pay the difference.  

1 minute ago, cruiselvr04 said:

We don’t like the huge ships as much simply because the ports are the same.  There are only so many places the big girls can port. Quantum class at least can get to Alaska and Australia.  A destination class class would be wonderful.  DH likes the Voyager and Freedom class.  I like the Radiance class.  Sounds like that’d be a win for us.  
 

I’m sure we will try Icon once ( and after the newness wears off and prices aren’t as high) but I don’t see it as a repeat just because of all the family oriented space and the limited ports it will be able to go to.  
 

By 2025 we will be branching out to Viking and Celebrity to see more of the world.  A huge ship in the Caribbean doesn’t have much appeal.  But our kids and grands will think it’s great.
 

 

 

Mega ships sail from Asia, Australia, and Europe. n 

1 hour ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

We have cruised lots of the ships in Royals fleet, from the smallest to the current largest ship. I only see them building larger and larger ships that hold thousands and thousands of guests. These new - always bigger and better - ships have all the excitement of a land based amusement park at the same time as being on a cruise. It’s a win win for younger families with children, that they hope will continue cruising all their lives too.
I understand that they’re a business, I’m a shareholder too. 

 

BUT for those of us that like a smaller more intimate cruises without all the Hoopla, we’re limited to the older smaller ships in the fleet. It’s becoming more apparent to me that we eventually need to branch out to other cruise lines to get the type of cruise we like, and not on an old ship.  Maybe I’m just noticing now because we’re older and don’t need the excitement, although I’ve never needed it, I cruise because I LOVE the ocean.

 

Anyone think Royal will ever build a smaller ship again?  I know I know, we could just jump to Celebrity……but we’ve always cruised royal.

When I first went on a cruise, I went on a ship, that was the biggest in the fleet back in 1990.  Since then ships got bigger.  I looked at the old ship, and I have to admit, it would be boring today because it was a floating hotel, with activities, but it visited places not normally gone to back in 1990.  So it was exciting.

Ships are not amusement parks.  Amusement parks are filled with rides.  Ships are very limited to the "family" sections with a family water pool and kids clubs.  Some other items on the top deck which are just gimicks but serve the purpose of keeping some people busy.  

Mega ships have not eliminated the same concept of a cruise.  But let's face it, kids need to be entertained, and the different options for adult entertainment in the evening is a welcome.  So everyone doesn't go one place, but is spread out to one's own likings.  

I'm older, I'm Diamond, and I welcome the idea that I can still do the same things on a ship from 1990 but now, I can do many other things and not get bored with the same ole stuff.  

14 hours ago, elizabethbp said:

Thank you for the replies.   I am not in a wheelchair but use a cane and sometimes a walker.  I recall from yrs prior the walk from the ship in Nassau to getting taxis, I was curious if there was any way to get assist  from the ship to the taxis.  That is my major concern.  

 

 

 

For any port, anyplace in the world (except private islands which are not really ports) the cruiseline (any cruiseline) is not responsible for you once you exit the ship.  They will help you on and off the ship, but that's where it stops.  Yes, Nassau and other ports will sometimes have carts to help, but those are done by the country and port you are in.  Even if carts are available, the timing, of them would not be reliable.  The driver only job is to pick people up, drop them off, and go get someone else.  That's all they get paid for, and it is random.  

Reason I'm telling you this, is because no one can answer your question, outside the fact that maybe you will get lucky and see a driver.

When traveling, you need to have zero expectation for help, and then when help is available, be thankful. 

23 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

If your cruise is closed loop, returning to Barcelona, there will be no immigration check when you get off the ship.  Same if it a cruise ending in another port if it is a Schengen country.  You will have to show passport at the airport but next immigration will be in the USA.  EM

You go through immigration in the USA on closed loop.  

The best and most up to date info can be found with Google and Google maps and is a short 39 minute walk if you want to save money

1 hour ago, Ladysilver said:

I'm looking at the hump balcony rooms on deck 9 on the Radiance.  Do they get a lot of noise from the Centrum below? Thanks!

depends on what time you go to bed.  The Centrum has shows, but not late night activities.  

1 hour ago, GrandmaOhio said:

It’s been almost 10 years since we sailed on a Royal Caribbean ship.  I keep seeing comments about reservations for the onboard shows.  Is this something new?  We used to just walk into the theater and take a seat or find a seat at the smaller venues, like the comedy shows.  Sailed on another line last year and that’s how it worked.   Are you required/expected to book a reservation in advance these days on RC?

On the mega ships (Oasis class/Quantum/Icon) the capacity of passengers far exceed the number of seats and normal cruises will have an early and late show.  The mega ships, will have the same show at several different times AND days and you reserve the time.  That way, everyone has a chance.  Example they might have 5 or 6 shows of the ice show but you only pick one.