Mum2Mercury

Grandeur was not that crowded.

Out of Tampa most recently.

Yes, I've sailed on Thanksgiving -- never again. Too crowded. Too many kids.

We've cruised (twice) on Halloween. It's not a particular busy week, and it's not particularly kid-heavy. The weather was lovely, and the prices were low. I think most kids prefer to stay home /take part in their local activities with their friends, and I think most parents don't want their kids to miss out on a once-a-year treat at home. Kids (though few in number) were able to trick-or-treat in the shops, and some people (us included) gave out candy. We attached a little plastic tub to our door and people helped themselves as they walked by -- people seemed to like it. The Windjammer put up fancy decorations at the door. The Centrum was decorated with balloons and streamers. More adults dressed up than I would've expected -- and some went all out. Halloween fell on formal night, and adults came to dinner in costumes!

From their website: Important details and advisements No shorts or skirts may be worn in the Galley. Wear closed-toe shoes. Video cameras are not permitted. Purses and bags are not permitted.

Interesting that we have photo evidence that the rule isn't always enforced. Still, I am coming prepared with long pants and tennis shoes -- I'd be super-upset to miss out on this activity, and they'd be 100% in their rights to deny someone who comes dressed inappropriately.

I can't imagine boys that age even noticing noise. I looked at the floor plan, and it's not an ideal cabin -- but when you choose a Guarantee for the cheapest room on the ship, this can happen. We ourselves opt for Inside Guarantees often, and we've literally never been disappointed. I don't think your sons will be either. Having said that, thoughts on this location: - We were on Deck 3 on a recent cruise, and it's not a location I'd choose, as it's far from the upper decks, where everything's happening -- but it also wasn't the end of the world; I think we said ONCE, "This isn't as nice a location as we usually get", and then we were over it. - Many people love being right by the elevators, and this room is very close to them. - It's a connecting room, which may or may not be a problem. You can hear more noise through the door than through a wall, but last time we had a connecting room I think I heard a sneeze once -- and I was standing right by the door at the time. Other times we've had neighbors who were more noisy, but it's never been a problem. I wouldn't choose a connecting room on purpose, but I wouldn't be overly upset about it either. - This room is very convenient to the MDR and the casino. This room seems to be under the casino entrance, and I suspect it's not under actual machines. I really don't think your sons'll be hearing clink-clink-clink all night. - I assume they'll be above crew quarters, which are likely to be quiet all the time. No, you won't hear mechanical noises -- but the people who come and go to those elevators make noise, and essentially everyone on Deck 3 will pass this room as they come/go to the elevators.

No, but only because they haven't yet thought of it as a potential income stream.

I copy/paste mine 3 to a page, then I laminate them with my home laminator (a gadget that's useful more often than you'd imagine). That costs about a dime for three tags. I attach them with zip ties. I always put a couple tags on our suitcase, but that's really just paranoia -- they stay on great.

Yes, this used to be a real problem for the cruise line. I know we used to see on this board "Take towels, then just dump them on the beach -- nothing happens". Yeah, past cruise passengers earned us this new system. Well, we don't pay literal money as long as we return our towels -- but, yes, everyone now has another responsibility onboard. In theory, this shouldn't happen -- just like people shouldn't be able to charge drinks to your room. What should happen in, the crew member puts in your number, and your picture pops up on his computer. I had a little SNAFU on Coco Cay once. I gave my card and room number to buy a drink, and the crew member said, "No, that's not you." He turned the computer around and showed me a picture of a black man. I am a white woman. Before I could even formulate a thought, he said, "Oh, no -- what ship are you on?" I said I was on Independence. He laughed and said, "This is the man in the same room number on Liberty." That's a thing that could only happen on Coco Cay, but it illustrates how the crew sees your picture /easily verifies your identity. You're allowed to take towels ashore -- you just have to bring them back. Otherwise, you'll be charged $25 for each missing towel.

Your check-in will open at midnight in the time zone from which you will sail. Sometimes it's not exactly midnight -- don't panic if it doesn't open until 10-15 minutes after. Yes, have these numbers "at the ready". I never bother with the pictures anymore. Even though I strived to take straight-on, one-person only pictures, they always re-took them in the terminal anyway. Know, too, that you can go back and change things later -- like, if you wanted to change your emergency contact or use a different credit card. The big deal is to grab your boarding time. This hasn't been my experience -- but we've always had the earliest time slot (well, right after the suites and Key). Maybe they are careful at the beginning but then slack off as the initial group passes through? Yes, even if the time slots are taken, you'll be able to see that earlier time slots used to be available. If you don't get what you want, you can always check again later. People may change their minds -- decide they don't want to board before their cabins are ready, or they find out their flight is later than they thought, or whatever.

I'm sure it's enforced -- it's a safety rule, as you'll be in a kitchen /around possible spills. I think it requires long pants too. My daughter and I're doing this on our next cruise. She reserved it for the two of us as a surprise -- I'm excited for it!

You can also get soft-serve ice cream by the pool in the afternoons. Yes, but you can say NO to most of the onboard options without loss of enjoyment. We always book onboard; thus, we get some OBC. We have stockholder OBC. That usually covers everything we spend onboard ... sometimes we even get a bit back.

Why not go with two connecting balconies instead of the suite? It'd get you two bathrooms and more privacy than the everyone-in-the-suite concpet.

Not the answer you want, but if the tour is full-full-full, I'd walk away and make another choice. I wouldn't want to be part of a tour in which literally every bus seat is full or people are jammed shoulder-to-shoulder on a little boat. Options: - Look for a similar activity through a private vendor. You'll be part of a much smaller group and will have a better experience. - Choose something entirely different. Most islands offer a variety of activities. - Skip the excursion altogether and just enjoy a walk around the port area.

I've never encountered a rude cabin steward, but -- if I'd had this experience -- I'd go to Guest Services, make a complaint about him specifically, and I'd pull his tips. I'd wait in that last-day line to make it happen. I'd write a letter using his name once I was back home. No excuse for that. This used to be my #1 complaint about cruising, but the ships seem to be working to fix the Chair Hog problem. I really appreciate it. So you had some hints about his 'tude before that last day. Not okay. Yes, I'm not willing to "let this one go" either. What you didn't say -- and we can't let slide -- is that they raised the cost of service while reducing the amount of service. I see the problem. You sailed in July. Summer has always been too hot, too crowded and too expensive for my tastes.

Maybe I've missed it, but I've tried -- really tried -- to find lower prices with TAs. Tried over the course of a couple years, tried with multiple agents, and I kept coming up empty. So I quit trying. In addition to sailing in the fall, when prices are low, we tend to sail in inexpensive cabins. I think that too may make a difference in our failure to find travel agent gold. I've found something similar with Disney: People say, "Rent DVC points, and you can save thousands on your room!" Yeah, but only if you were going to rent an expensive room in the first place, and only if you compare to the rack room price. If you were going to stay in a basic room and spend all your time in the parks, you're not going to save by renting points.

I hear what you're saying, but I'd argue: - The TA may or may not look for those lower prices for you (which would mean lower comissions for them). No one's ever going to care about your wallet like you yourself will. - I've searched for those "free stuff" deals, and I've come up empty. - I've been cruising for a while, and I know the product /what I want. If we were talking about a different vacation, I'd agree.

Now that we're retired, we do care about "the deal" more than we did in the past: - We're no longer required to find that week that works with his job, my job and the school schedule -- so moving up or down a week to save money is easy. - We can cruise more often, so we're not so fussy about having "the cabin". We choose to cruise more often instead.

You say "most" connecting rooms are sold out -- are the remaining connecting rooms unacceptable? What about considering a different week, when more connecting rooms might be available? The interior room could literally be on another floor. I would not want my children sleeping in a room more than an interior door away from me.

In addition to pre-paid gratuities, you probably want to bring a handful of small bills, which would be useful for: - Tips for staff who go "above and beyond". - Tips for the porters when you drop off your luggage -- I give $2 for a small bag /$3 for a medium bag. No, you don't have to do this, but my luggage has always beat me to the room. Coincidence? - Tips for room service. - Tips for excursion tour guides. I personally make up an envelope for every island stop. On the outside I write our tour company's name, contact info, meeting place, etc. Inside I place any money we owe for the excursion, tip money, and any extras we anticipate needing -- a taxi ride, a meal, whatever. This means everything in my wallet is "spendable". Drinks: - Know that if you spend nothing, you won't go thirsty. You can always get water, tea, lemonade and sometimes fruit punch without cost. Also hot tea and plain coffee. - You're allowed to bring on 12 non-alcoholic drinks + 1 bottle of wine. If you bring 1-2 canned drinks back from island stops, no one cares. - Note that every drink you purchase includes 18% mandatory tip. If you want to tip "above and beyond", go ahead -- but don't feel obligated. - If you do plan to purchase a drink package, definitely buy ahead of time. One of the few absolutes is that drink packages always cost more once you're on the ship. - Consider making your own drink package. Cocktails run about $14-15, beer $8-9, and soda $3.50. Figure up what you're likely to spend and purchase that amount of On Board Credit for yourself ... voila! Your own "right sized" drink package. Kids in the 3+ age group pay nothing for the Kids' Club. Younger kids just get babysitting, and it's $10/hour. Dining: - Know that if you spend nothing, you won't go hungry. At the minimum, you'll be able to eat in the MDR and the Windjammer Buffet; depending upon your ship, you may have other (no cost) eating options: Park Cafe, Promenade Cafe, El Loco Fresh, Sorrentos, etc. - Study your phone app OR ask for a paper Compass at Guest Services. They'll both spell out what food venues are open when (and which ones are no-cost). The spa is incredibly expensive ... think $100 for a manicure or $250 for a massage. You can see the prices now in your phone app or under "Plan My Cruise" online. You can see ship-offered excursions in those same places. You can find private excursions (smaller groups, superior service, lower prices) online. This board is a good place to start. Other things you might not've considered: - Do you already have whatever citizenship documents you'll need to board? - Do you need to board any pets? That's a pretty big bill for us. - If you're driving, you'll have to pay to park your car. That's a pretty significant cost. - Do you intend to play Bingo or Casino games? - Do you anticipate using the laundry service?

Two thoughts on accomplishing what you need: - If you're failing on the app, move to your computer. Or vice-versa. - Once -- only once -- my check-in didn't open on the assigned day. Not just for me but for everyone. The next day it opened at midnight. That, I believe, was just a glitch, but I don't like anything messing with my check-in!

I read something on the internet just a day or two ago -- and you know they can't put it on the internet if it isn't true! -- about "Sushi grade" fish: I always thought that meant higher-quality fish, but the article said it actually means "previously frozen". The article also emphasized that -- as several people here said -- essentially all fish you buy at the grocery store has been frozen, which means "Sushi grade" actually has no meaning. Advertisers are tricky people! We almost always go with a Guarantee, and we usually end up on Deck 6 -- so that backs up what you're saying: People are paying for those higher-deck cabins and leaving Deck 6 for us. FYI: It's become our favorite deck. Yes, some people complain about the "nickel and diming" onboard, and perhaps those are the people who dislike /are ashamed of saying "NO" when asked to buy something. Personally, I like paying for just what I actually want. Yeah, I move more on vacation, and that makes all the difference. Yeah, I grew up watching Love Boat on the 13" B&W TV, and I saw cruising as a super high-class, expensive vacation that a person could MAYBE do once or twice in a lifetime -- probably never for a poor farm girl like me. Teenaged me never would've believed I'd be able to go a couple times each year.

Three is a good age for a new cruiser. About the Kids' Clubs: - Below three, Royal offers only babysitting for a per-hour fee. - Three and above can go to Ocean Adventure (also called The Kids' Club). They have very good programing. You'll be able to see the times for the various activities on your phone app. Things I remember: science experiments, a trip to mini-golf, a PJ party, movies. They even take the kids to the buffet for dinner, if you take them at the right time. - Kids three + pay NO FEE for the Kids' Club. - Know that you have to go in on Embarkation Day and "register" your daughter. Once that's done, you'll be able to drop her off whenever you please. You don't need to run as soon as you set foot on the ship, but you should do this as quickly as convenient. About milk and other food: - They'll have milk (no cost) in the buffet at breakfast but not at lunch or dinner. In the MDR the waiter might bring her (no cost) milk at lunch or dinner. - I've always seen cartons of milk (and not being a milk-drinker, I don't pay close attention), but some people have been saying lately they've seen self-serve dispensers. If they have cartons, you can bring a few back from the buffet /keep them in your in-room cooler (or you might bring a wide-mouth water bottle so you could self-serve yourself a good portion). You can also pick up fruit or cheese /crackers from the buffet to keep in your room. Or doughnuts and cookies, if you're a nicer mom than I am. - When the buffet (called The Windjammer) is open, you can just walk in and carry out whatever you please. - If you're really concerned, you could bring shelf-stable "juice boxes" of milk with you. - I've seen high chairs in both the MDR and the buffet -- I've not seen booster seats. - You probably enjoy a multi-course meal more than your toddler does. Dinner in the MDR is about 60 - 75 minutes (for dinner ... breakfast or lunch is more like 30 - 40 minutes), which can feel like an eternity to a child. Consider alternating meals between the MDR and the buffet. - You can see menus on your phone app now. - No, I've not seen child-sized utensils. If this is a make-or-break thing for your daughter, I'd suggest buying a pack of Dollar Store (theirs are quite small) plastic spoons and forks. If she still uses bibs, consider a pack of disposables. Also consider a pack of those disposable plastic stick-down table-covers (if you think you'll eat at the poolside tables). - Bring some small quiet toys. We personally don't do electronics at the table. When my girls were small, we used to "practice" ordering cruise food before the trip -- an appetizer, a drink, an entree and a dessert. They thought it was great fun. Other thoughts: - Definitely bring a stroller. I think most people would say, "Bring a small umbrella stroller", and it would be best for around the ship -- but I'm going the other direction: Unless you're in the smallest of small cabins, with a three-year old I'd bring the big stroller. She'll be able to walk around the ship, and you can carry a single child -- but off the ship you'll appreciate having the stroller that'll roll over uneven surfaces more easily. - Know that you won't have access to a washer/dryer. Though I myself pack light, I'd pack plenty of extra clothes for a toddler.

I think I'm being repetitive here, but my thoughts: - We always book directly through the cruise line, as we never seem to find these great deals other people describe through travel agents. I think this may be because we cruise only in the fall, which is already the lowest-priced time of year /less motivation for the travel agents to offer financial incentives. - The big reason we book through the cruise line is that -- as someone said above -- I like to be in control of my reservation. I check my prices a couple times each week -- I actually enjoy seeking the lowest price, but only you know whether you'd enjoy that or see it as a chore -- and I don't mind calling in to ask for a "price match". My husband and I see even a $10 drop as "a win", and we do a little dance. - Some people say they hate calling the cruise line /hate waiting on hold. If you call early or late (they're open something like 7:00 am - 11:00 pm) you'll get through to a human being quickly. - Since you're looking at a 2025 date, your cruise will absolutely go up/down in price. I'd say go ahead and book, and you should assume that the price you pay is the highest you could pay in the end. Hope for a price drop. - I'm thinking you're new to cruising? Know this: Once you're onboard, you can schedule your next cruise -- they have a whole office dedicated to that topic -- or you can make a downpayment on an unspecified week. If you do this, the cruise line gives you a bit of OBC (On Board Credit), which pretty much equals what your travel agent's offering. Personally, I like to get the next-cruise certificate, so I'm ready to reserve if a low-price pops up online.