Yenom

Wow if the service we got was similar to Mortons ( North Miami Branch ), I would be asking for my money back :D

 

I don't go as much anymore, but I've received pretty extreme service over the yeas. Once on a business trip in Texas, I was not happy with the local restaurants. Jokingly, I called up my regular Morton's in Northern Virginia and said they should open up a location where I was. They had one in the next town and sent a limo to pick me up. Got a great steak and was given a tasting of their favorite wines. Just when I thought the evening was over, the manager gave me a tour of the popular nightlife the locals typically experience. A boring business trip turned into an awesome experience and I have to give the credit to Morton's. That was just one of many good experiences that I have had over the years with Morton's.

 

To be honest, I lived in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale Area) and never went to Morton's down there. There were so many other choices, it didn't even occur to me to go. After hearing about your experience, I probably won't ever go to the one down there.

Good grief, were they carrying one of those big 80's era bag phones? :)

 

Mike

 

 

Hahahaha... I had couldn't imagine a phone being to big for the safe, but your comment made laugh. I now remember my Mom having a phone that could be connected to this elaborate system in her car or connected to a briefcase looking thing. She was a realtor and tells me stories of having phone bills every month that were a couple thousand dollars. Digital technology is so much cheaper and smaller than those old analog phones.

I usually bring $100 in regular $1 U.S. bills (They don't expire if you don't use them all on the cruise). They are easy to carry and easy for the bar tenders and others to use. It is NOT recommended to use $1 coins or $2 bills, since they are not accepted everywhere.

 

BTW - I did talk to a few bar tenders on my last couple of cruises and they did say they prefer cash for any extra tips, but are happy to get all tips. Adding tips to the slips does NOT guaranty that your bar tender will get your whole tip. Handing them a $1 bill(s) assures you that they get what you want them to have and it is easy for them to spend or convert to their home country's currency.

I realize that I've already paid for pre-paid gratuities for the MDR's for all of the nights of my cruise, but our last night will be in "Chop's". There will be three of us having dinner, so instead of adding an amount to the bill I'll be handed to sign after dinner's completed (for tips), should I instead, tip the waiter $10.00 per person? I don't want to "under-tip" the server.

 

 

My table did $10/tip per person on my last cruise. I realize that tip is included in the charge, but we got great service (similar to what we get when at Morton's). We also had the Premium Beverage Package, so got o try several different wines not available in the MDR a part of the package. That all being said, it seemed like a steal comparing the meal and experience to what we would pay going to a local steak restaurant.

 

It was my Mom's first time at Chop's and she admitted that it was well worth paying for (she always says why pay extra when we can go o the dining room for no extra cost. Now she is open to trying out the Chef's Table on the next cruise).

So you *can* get a Bailey's and coffee you just have to make it yourself with the basic coffee everyone can get - right? I can live with that.

 

 

Yes, you *can* and I did several times. To make it easier for me to make, I asked for the waiter to only pure me a half a cup of coffee. Then when my shot came, I added it to my coffee.

 

The Premium Drink Package worked out great for my little group of people. I ended up getting everything I wanted and more. Finally a cruise without worrying how much money I will spend on drinks and bottled water (spent around $200 on water without the drink package).

We will have some OBC available to us. I plan on paying for everything in advance - drink pkgs, excursions, etc.... so the OBC can be used for anything else on the ship that may be additional i.e., Ben & Jerry's; good coffee. Can it be used for the arcade or casino somehow? It's not a lot of credit - just $100 but I don't want to NOT spend it. What else can it be used for? Thanks!!

 

 

I used mine for tips.

There wasn't even the option to put it on another credit card on Oasis last week. There was just a box that said something like "I authorize RCI to charge $100 to the credit card on file by completing this form."

 

You could probably put it on any card if you visit the LA, but I thought it was interesting that they just charge the credit card on file now.

 

 

They have 2 versions of the form now. I know this because I picked both of them up by accident (I don't like to waste my time making an appointment with the LA). When turning them in, I noticed that mine asked for the credit card info and the version I gave my Mom to complete said that they would charge the credit card listed for their stateroom.

Does anyone know if Evian bottled still water is included in the Royal Replenish Package? It says it includes bottled water, but then in the fine print, I thought I saw doesn't include Evian.

I like Evian because it doesn't include sodium like other bottled water. I find I get too much sodium on a cruise in the food.:)

 

They included Evian in the various beverage packages on my last cruise a little month ago (they didn't have the smaller bottles of Evian until the last couple days of my cruise, so I was given big bottles for most of the cruise). I was on the Grandeur of the Seas. Liberty of the Seas (they were in port at the same time as us at Labadee and were running the bars) that same week was using another brand for the smaller bottles (I think Crystal).

 

After talking to others that have taken cruises on a variety of RCL's ships, it seems that each ship might have different water selections.

OP - I hope you're still hanging around, to the best of my knowledge your question was never correctly answered.

 

I bought the Premium drink package ahead of time, just got back from that sailing last Saturday and we DID have stickers. To be clear, they did not have our SeaPass cards preprinted as they do with the soda packages. You will have a sticker whether you buy on-line or not.

 

So the big advantage to buying on-line is being able to drink the minute you embark!

 

Agree and I also had a sticker when I purchased the Premium Beverage Package BEFORE the cruise. BTW - I loved the beverage package. My whole group purchased the beverage package and we all had a planned meetup at the R Bar right after boarding (we got to watch everyone else standing in lines).

[quote name='niksmom630']Yes, it is very expensive, especially the bar service! We wound up just ordering beer, and a few bottles of wine, but we did do the appetizer packages. In retrospect, we should have just ordered 1/2 dozen cheese platters and some of the spinach dip! :D[/quote]

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I also read a post a few months ago about a couple that had everyone bring their 2 bottles of wine and they ordered lots of the cheese plates for free through RS. They made it into a wine tasting with all the different types of wines --- sounded pretty cool.[/SIZE][/FONT]

You don't need to ask or talk to anyone.

 

Just go to the gym and work out.

 

Nobody will say anything.

 

I agree. I go many times every cruise and haven't ever noticed an issue. As long as they aren't fooling around, they aren't going to question age (I would be shocked to hear of an issue --- unless maybe if they aren't even a teenager). I think I brought my son in when he was about 12, but he was a pretty big (football player looking type) kid.

We will be renting a tuxedo on our next cruise. I know we can pre-rent them' date=' but, we do not have all the measurements. Can we just rent them on board... will they take measurements?

 

Thanks,[/quote']

 

 

You can, but run a risk of them not having your size (If you order it in avane and they don't have your size (or enough of a specific size), Miami coordinates getting it and making sure its there for you on the ship).

 

I would recommend going to a place like Men's Wearhouse with the measurements form and have them complete it for you (I have in the past --- doesn't cost anything). That way it is one less thing you will have to worry about dealing with once you get on board. My StepDad didn't get measured before a cruise last year and still got one when we boarded. Unfortunately, he had to wear a shirt that didn't really fit him well, since they ran out of his "perfect" size.

 

Side note: After that incident, my Mom just went online and purchased him a decent tux and all "the stuff" for only about double the regular rental prices. He then just took it to a local tailor and had a perfectly fitting tux on our cruise last month. If you have room in your luggage, you might want to look into purchasing one that you can use over and over again. Sort of a nice thing to have available for cruises and holiday parties.

Does anyone know what the "alcoholic" coffee drinks (coffee with Bailys, etc) are categorized as for the purpose of the drinks packages?

 

Would they be considered a "specialty coffee" which would mean you would need the Ultimate package to get them (but then that gets confusing when you look at the replenish package, right?). Or would they be cocktails or something else that is covered under the premium package?

 

 

On the ship, I was told that they are considered specialty coffees. Therefore, my little group (we all had the new Premium Beverage Package) just ordered half cups of coffee and each got various shots to share. Our favorite combination to add to coffee was: Amaretto, Kahlua, and Bailey's. Did this a few times during our cruise.

 

The exception was at Chops. We had a great waiter that pretty much gave us anything (within reason) with our package. Two of the people in my group got specialty drinks w/alcohol & NO extra charge.

 

I was on the Grandeur of the Seas their first week of implementing the package, so I seemed to know more about them than most of the people working on the ship. I anyone said something wasn't included, I got used to asking for a supervisor. The hardest thing to get ended up being bottled water, since they weren't properly stocked for all the new requests for it. Overall, the Premium Beverage Package was a great value for my group of people.

Well, they could have a really fun nighttime beach party, too. Something that isn't normally done- and would be a BLAST.

 

 

That was what I was thinking. I might have to look into booking this cruise. I wanted to cruise on the Quantum on an itinerary that would allow me to focus most of my fun on the ship. This might be what I was looking for. Thank you for posting this thread!:)

[quote name='raerenee']I will traveling on Oasis of the Sea and would like to host a small birthday party for an friend (12 people). Can I request some decorations? Can I order apps from room service for our party? Request a bartender? I wish you could have bottles delivered to our room but I know they don't sell bottles. So without everyone going up and down to the bar how do we order drinks?[/quote]
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Since you will have a suite, the concierge can get everything coordinated for you. Not sure of the cost, but I have heard of parties being done in suites with appetizers and a bartender. (BTW - I wish you were my friend).[/SIZE][/FONT]

Just looking to confirm this from someone who might know: When I went on to check out the packages, I see I can now purchase the Premium or Ultimate package for just one of us in the cabin. Is that something that changed? Before when I looked at this on my booking, it would only allow checking the "Everyone" block and the single names where grayed out.

 

The new packages do NOT require everyone in the cabin to purchase a package.

Coco Cay can be a nice, relaxing day at the beach without spending any more money. They provide a BBQ lunch on the island from about 11:30am to 1:30pm.

 

You can also do things like parasailing, snorkeling, wave runners, rent a cabana, get a massage, take a nature hike, kayaking, etc. There's also a kids play area.

 

 

The last time I was there, I was invited to play in a volleyball game that was going (had a great time). Afterwards, I took the nature hike that Bob mentioned above (maybe even went out of bounds a little when exploring) and really enjoyed the day. Coco Cay is one of my favorite stops now (I even wondered what would happen if I just stayed :D).

The onboard shop wouldn't because they told me they didn't want to be responsible if they broke the watch. But they tried to sell me one of their watches. Unfortunately, I didn't want to spend $30-40 (that they quoted) on a new watch when all I needed was a battery. The shops on shore just said they no to the answer "do you have any batteries."

 

I got by with my cell phone and DH's watch. In our stateroom, I had our travel clock on hourly chime a few times. Not too hard to ask for the time or read the time of someone else's watch.

 

 

Apparently, the onboard shops are not allowed to do anything to watches (even the ones they sell). I purchased one of their Citizen Eco-drives on the ship. When I was back on the same ship a few months later it stopped working. After talking to several people, I got the person in charge of all the shops on board. He explained that all they were not authorized to do anything to a watch. He did give me one of the cheap watches that they sell, so I could tell time on the cruise. Eventually, I got the watched fixed at home and it didn't cost me anything.

 

Overall, I feel that ship shops should provide basic services (like most jewelry stores do), but I understand that they just want to run retail sales and NOT the servicing side of the business. Probably a good business decision, just not the best customer service decision. IMHO

Sorrento's on Monarch was close to 24 hours. Cafe Promenade on Voyager class ships is also close to 24 hours. Not sure about Sorrento's on Freedom class.

 

 

If they run the same schedule as the Grandeur (same class of ship), Park Cafe was officially open for 23 hours and served pizza after 9pm. They also served pizza in the Windjammer for lunch.

 

I don't normally eat pizza, so not sure how great it is (it looked good). The kid at my MDR table apparently loves pizza and ate it a few times a day. He even left after dessert to get his after dinner fix for pizza (he ate it several times a day). He didn't seem to have any problem getting pizza on the ship and it is the "unstretched" version of the Enchantment.

Hubby likes double Grey Goose and Sprite.

 

What is your favorite bar on the Liberty of the Seas? Appears they have quite a few.

 

I personally like "lots" of Grey Goose and a "splash" of cranberry juice. I had the Premium Package and just asked for Grey Goose and only a tiny splash of cranberry - had no problems getting what I wanted. Bar tenders want to help make you what you want. Just tell them exactly what you want and they will figure out a way to make it. The great thing about the package is that you get another drink if you don't like the one you are drinking (no extra charge). I LOVED the Premium Beverage package!

Are you really going to drink a case of water & soda in a week?

 

 

I typically drink 2 cases or more on a cruise. Lots of water in the morning and late night probably keep me from ever having issues drinking plenty at the bar. Got the premium beverage package last cruise and bottled water as included. I definitely got my monies worth. I love the new packages!

On Jewel I've seen Crystal Geyser, which I believe is spring water, not purified. There's also Evian, large and small bottles. Since we opted not get the package, I don't know what you get with it.

 

 

I got both large and small Evian bottles last week with the Premium Package. If the bar didn't have the small bottles, I suggested that they just give me a large one. Labadee was a little difficult at first, then I asked for a supervisor - got the large bottle of Evian pretty quickly (no supervisor needed). The packages are still new, so I expected to have to explain the package. I felt like I was an RCCL trainer for my cruise (I wonder if I should send an invoice to RCCL for my training services?).:D

Is there anyway to prepay gratuities for 2 out of 3 people in your stateroom, or does it have to be for all or none of the guests in your room?

 

Also, i know you are able to opt out of automatic gratuities on the boat, but if you decided to not prepay gratuities and let them get added automatically to your sea pass, are you able to opt one of the guests out and still have the others get added automatically?

 

It shouldn't be a problem. They literally charged $12 per person/each day as separate charges on your seapass acount. If you do nothing, they see three charges for $12 for each night that you are on the cruise.

We are sailing on the Independence in March, and this ship does not have the Freestyle machines. We have a friend who needs Powerade daily. Anyone know if the Powerade bottles are included in any of the drink packages? If not, how much does one bottle cost?

 

I drink a bottle of Gatorade everyday and was told by the special needs department to carry a pack on (I was told that they don't have and can't get Gatorade on ships). I brought a package of 8 with me on the cruise that I went on from 11/26-12/6 on GOS. No problems. I did ask the special needs department to note my account just in case though. No doctor's note needed. I had no problem carrying them (I had them in plain sight in my hand) through security and wasn't even asked about them.

 

I tried the tablets in the past, but they aren't the same.

 

Your friend shouldn't have a problem carrying a reasonable amount onboard. Just have them call the special needs department and ask them to note their permission to bring them on his account.

The op asked about "dress code" (not what is being allowed by staff or the personal opinions of other cruisers concerning what should be allowed) so I assume he/she cares what the real dress code is. According to their website:

There are three distinct types of evenings onboard: casual, smart casual and formal. Suggested guidelines for these nights are: Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for womenUpon entering the MDR on any level everyone will also see a sign that states that "Shorts, ball caps, flip flops and tank tops are not allowed."

 

I don't think that the ships follow those 3 categories anymore. I just got off a ship that had things like "tropical casual" on nights. Lots of people dressed up and lots of people dressed down. I loved wearing a tux on formal nights and did not mind that half my table wore much more casual cloths (more compliments directed toward me:D). It's your vacation, so I would advise wearing what you would feel comfortable wearing to a nice restaurant.