mit01

We are going on a 5 night cruise on the Explorer in November and was wondering, generally speaking, just how crowded the Windjammer café is most of the time. We prefer the buffet eating places rather than the main dining room.

The Windjammer can be hit or miss. I assume you're doing the Bermuda cruise where you will be docked for two nights. I would guess, but I have no way of knowing, that the crowds might not be so bad on those days.

I found it to be crowded during breakfast on early port days, since everyone wanted to get off the ship. Lunch time we were always able to get a seat without any problem. We only had dinner there once. It was about 6:30 and mobbed. They have a Mongolian grill area, and the line was huge, and the sushi area had slim pickings. That being said, we went in their to take some pictures on the final night around 8:00 and it was all but empty. No line at the Mongolian grill and plenty of sushi!

Steve

Any unlimited wireless plans? Diamond drink vouchers?

Didn't use the wireless plans and I'm only Platinum, so I'm sorry but I can't answer your questions. I do know that vouchers seem to be pre-loaded on the Sea pass cards, as opposed to coupon books. We had a BOGO on beer, wine or soda and a BOGO on a milkshake at Johnny Rockets, as well as discounts on a couple of drinks and merchandise at the Logo store.

Totally awesome trip. One of our best ones yet. If anyone has any questions, I'll be happy to answer.

Steve

Thank you for the tips..

We'll be leaving on Explorer in two weeks. (Yay!!) My daughter is 19, which makes her too old to hang with her sister at the teen club, and she's not comfortable going to the night clubs. Does anyone know if there are any organized events for the 18-21 year old crowd, or if there are places for them to hang out and socialize?

Thanks.

Did you book through RCCL or a TA? If you booked through royal, call them once a week and see if you can get it. If you can't, ask to be waitlisted. You never know what the person on the other end of the line might be able to do for you.

If you're thinking scooter, read this thread before you decide: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1884016

Thank you both for the scooter suggestion, but I think I'll let someone else do the driving, and with FOUR wheels!! :D

We'll be in Bermuda in July for a single day, a Saturday, from 8:00-4:00. We're thinking of Horseshoe Bay, since I've been reading that that is the best beach to go to. I'm wondering what it's like to get a bus to the beach. Is there much of a wait, or do the buses run fairly frequently? Or given the time constraints, would it be better to take a cab?

Or would a different beach be better? My wife wants to to to a beach with pink sand.

Thanks for your help.

Steve

Ahh thanks steve, yea we were interested in parasailing, horseback riding, jetskiing, ziplining... haven't decided which but also some shopping, drinking. Yea I heard a few people recommend Nachi Cocum...did you guys reserve on their website?? Was it a package deal to get the day pass, which I believe is 55 a person + like jetskiing or parasailing??

At the time we booked Nachi Cocum through Island Marketing. I hear you can book directly through the resort now.

The cost per person included food an drink.

What are the best or for lack of a better term... what excursions would you guys recommend??Lets hear it?? Also let me know where you guys book it through??

 

Is it better to book on the RCI website or through a outside company??

 

are like the shore excursions such as jet ski, parasail, snorkeling, all on a beach resort or??

 

-Nick

Hey Nick,

I've been to Cozumel four times. My wife an I went horseback riding once, in 2005, and had a great time. We booked through the ship.

Our first time there with the kids when they were really young we just took a cab to a public beach. The other two times when the kids were a bit older we went to Nachi Cocum. That is an awesome private beach club, and the cost includes a full meal and unlimited drinks, alcoholic and non. Besides the beach there's a pool with a swim up bar and a not-so-hot hot tub. We really liked it there. They also offer snorkeling and para sailing for an additional cost.

We were in Belize once. We did a snorkeling excursion booked through the ship. That was the same cruise we went horseback riding in Cozumel.

Have a great trip!!

Steve

Thanks. I never thought of the casino. That will work. We are not big gamblers & my husband said he is restricting me to one night there (no problem). That will be one way to spend down those credits. We don't drink. I only have 1 soda a day, so no drink package. I already booked & paid for excursions & specialty dining. So I was trying to think how to use that $200. I was also thinking of getting a manicure. I might have a small balance after using the casino. Thanks for the suggestion from a newbie who is learning.

You might consider canceling the specialty restaurants and excursions (if booked through the ship) and re-booking them once you're on board. That way the charges will go against your sea pass account.

Family going on NOS this summer...going to Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel..looking for advice on most spectacular scuba/snorkel excursions!

 

Thanks in advance!!

We've been to all three places you're going to, and we've only gone snorkeling on Belize. We booked a catamaran excursion through the ship and it was a blast! It was also in 2005, so things could be different now. What was great was the boat came right up to the ship, so we didn't have to go ashore. After snorkeling we went to a beach for a bit, then they provided unlimited rum punch on the way back. It was a lot of fun.

On Cozumel I highly recommend Nachi Cocum. We've been there twice and will go back the next time we're in Cozumel. I believe you have to book it through Island Marketing. It's around $55.00 pp and includes food and unlimited beverages, alcoholic and non. They keep it to around 100 people so it doesn't get too crowded, and they offer snorkeling and para sailing for an additional cost. You can snorkel off the beach if you have gear.

Have a good trip!

Correct it supposed to be retro and offer Classic Cocktails. :)

Yes, but can they make a Sidecar??:cool:

I put my leatherman in my shaving kit. Never had a problem,

Not sure if this was posted yet...From the Cruise Critic News Shorts..

Duty-free shopping isn't duty free anymore if you're disembarking a cruise in Galveston now that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has begun charging importation taxes on all alcohol and cigarette purchases made by cruise passengers during their cruises. The tax applies to purchases made at foreign ports of call as well as at onboard duty-free shops. Tax collection points will be set up in terminal 1 and 2 at the Galveston port near where cruisers come through the U.S. Customs secondary checkpoint. Passengers can pay the tax with either cash or credit card. In fall 2014, the Commission will begin collecting the same tax from cruise passengers returning to Houston-Bayport.

No its not. It's called a gratuity.

When they call it a service charge-then I'll obviously pay it and then tip.

 

Good lord, each tipping thread some of you start worrying about new employees.. Now it's the laundry room personnel. How did they get paid before?? Do you really think the laundry room people are now receiving a tip from corporate? If you do I have a bridge for sale for you.:p No way, any of you will talk me into not tipping in cash. As long as Royal lets me do it, I will.

Sorry...I agree with Higlander1. Prepaid gratuities are service charges, not tips. A gratuity is something that is given for services received, not prepaid for services expected.

That being said, I happen to favor having the service charges (a rose by any other name) being added to my bill, so I don't have to worry about handing out envelopes at the end.