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Sea Pass Card gets rung up every time so they can track purchases and consumption so no one 'cheats the system' by passing the card around. There is a time limit between included N/C drinks and you can only get one at a time. This also lets them watch who is possibly over imbibing . Every bartender is different as the signing goes some make sure you sign every slip others have you sign the first one then just keep swiping card. The Soda machine has a time limit between refills on the cup so do not fill up cup and chug it down and try to refill because it will not work. If you need to do that you need to go to a bar for a refill.

Thanks uncle john for your detailed reply. I now know what to expect when ordering drinks. :D

The way I understand it is that varies ship to ship and maybe even bar to bar. Some bartenders will have you sign a 0.00 receipt and some will just run the card and not have you sign anything. I do believe your Seapass card gets ran every time though

Thank you ryano. I was thinking this might be the case.

So after you purchase the package (any package) and order a drink from the bar does the bartender ask to see your sea pass card, then give you a receipt to sign with a zero balance or just look to see if the card has a sticker on it? :confused: Never bought the package so not sure how this works. :o

We do the same some of the time - we always bring a WAD of one dollar bills with us. We use these for extra tips to bar servers, bartenders, a couple of them each morning when the room service guy brings our coffee, and sometimes we tip people who don't normally get tips - like crew cleaning restrooms.:p

 

We usually do give some extra bucks to both our waiter and assistant waiter, also our cabin steward. In the dining room, we just give them the extra cash in an envelope on the last night.

 

But we like to have some FUN and try to WOW our cabin steward if we have an excellent one. We try to be prepared for this and think about it ahead of time so we'll have a plan in case we have a wonderful steward, which has happened about 75% of the time on our 22 RC cruises. One time we made 25 one dollar bills into origami roses (green pipe cleaners for stems - brought them from home) and put them in a glass as a 'vase' on the bed on the last night. Several times we've taken one dollar bills and laid them out in a giant heart shape on the bed - that's easy, but very impressive;). And we often save a towel animal for the last night if we can figure a way for "him" to hold some money between his paws - and we put it on the bed clutching the extra tip. We've had a lot of hugs from cabin stewards on disembarkation morning! A couple of them actually teared up, so we quickly figured out that they are not used to passengers doing something special to surprise them.

 

Sometimes we tip them early in the week. It just depends on the guy/lady and how well we bond, I guess. But I do enjoy doing something over the top with the extra tip - the reaction we get the next day is priceless!!

Judy

Judy - I love your ideas on different ways to surprise the staff!! :D I will have to remember this on our next cruise!

And I third this statement!! :)

Going on Independence next month and can't wait!! Thank you so much for your review!

We are on the (Eastern) Independence next month and look forward to your review and compasses! Enjoy your cruise mickev99.

Hubby and I will be on Indy next month!! :D I have read about Super Mario for awhile. It will be nice to put a face to a name in person.

Thanks JohninDC and capriccio for your responses. Guess we will be taking a taxi. :o

We have never used Uber before. I was wondering if they would pick us up (2 people, plus luggage) from Ft. Lauderdale airport to hotel (Hyatt Pier 66), then next day from hotel to cruise port (RCCL-Independence)? Also if anyone would know the cost compared to taxis? Thanks!

I was hoping to try Uber the first this summer for our cruise in Fort Lauderdale.

It's pretty easy to get your moneys worth-start the day with fresh OJ and maybe a coffee drink from Cafe Lattitudes. Get a bottle of water to take back to cabin for use on shore excursions. Try lots of drinks. I'd just ask the bartender to make me something fruity and non-alcoholic. If I was in the mood for mango I'd have them add that. Try the mango lava flows-wonderful! If your stomach needs a little help drink some ginger ale. I plan on using the package again.

Sounds like a good plan to me! ;)

Yes I got it for a week and it was the same as Dr Capps says, $156. It's $19 per day plus the standard 18% gratuity. You can purchase for less than the full week if you like, as long as there are 4 days left.

Thanks Bekka! Was thinking on purchasing it the first day.

I just ordered the Replenish package for a 7 night cruise and it was $156.94. I had this package on a previous cruise and thought it was well worth the money.

Thanks Drcapps for all the info!

I had this package in January and definitely thought it was worth it. Started the day with fresh squeezed OJ and a lette or caramel macchiato. A few sodas with lunch, sparkling water or bottled water if going on an excursion. For non- alcohol cocktails the virgin frozen mojito is really good and also the pineapple blast which is pineapple soda with red bull. More coffee in the afternoon and sparkling water with dinner (and the wine I brought on with me at embarkation).

 

I recommend it :)

Bekka if I may ask :o what was the total (including the tip) for this package? Was this for a week? I am considering it for my August cruise.

Thanks!

I posted a link to all the cruise compasses earlier that listed these. I believe a couple places had these specials throughout the week, but it was only a couple times and not every day.

Oops... :o thanks, must have missed it.

We will be on Indy this summer and was wondering if On-Air bar has a buy one get one offer for drinks? A few years ago on Freedom with my sister they ran a special for this and was wondering if Indy will also. Thanks!

It would be about a mile along 17th Street I'd guess to harbor Shops, the home to total Wine,the grocery store and restaurants. You need to cross over the bridge. You'll be joined by many other cruisers as that street is very popular with hotels, restaurants and of course Total Wine. You are VERY close to the ships.

You might want to take a look on a google map to get your bearings. The Sun Trolley runs down 17th St and will take you to the beach. Again a mile or so.

Thanks eandj for your reply! I will check it out on google map.

Looking forward to this review!!! :D Thanks for taking the time out of your vacation!!!

We are booked at Hyatt Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale this summer. Can we walk to nearby restaurants, the beach, Total Wine, is there a complementary shuttle from the airport (FLL) to Hyatt, is this area safe to be walking at night, and how far is the port (RCCL) from there?

We have stayed at the Courtyard across the street from the beach in the past.

Thanks in advance!!

Well... just logged in and we are still waitlisted for 8:30pm. There is still plenty of time to switch.

Called today and had auto tips removed. Check your booking to see if they took you off waitlist for traditional dining.

Pam, we are booked on Indy this summer and I was just as surprised as you to see that the early dining was all ready booked!! :confused: I will have to check my account and see if we are as lucky as you. Thanks for the tip!

THANKS Robyn for this past week!! :D I have not chimed in until now... :o But have checked in a couple times daily!! :rolleyes: Want to say thanks again for doing a wonderful job keeping all of us updated with text and images on your fabulous cruise!!! Have a safe flight home!!

Hello all! We will be on Independence later this year and were wondering if they have the Chef's Table?

Does Independence have the Chef's Table? We are going this summer and were thinking of booking it.