superduper123

It's interesting to see such differences in processing times, from 8 days up to 9 weeks. Not sure what the reason for such differences.

I try to be optimistic. I have an approximate 6 week window in between travels. I submitted expedited on Mon Feb 13, and I cruise on March 31. I took a chance to renew on short notice, or sail with a passport due to expire in 3 months. We shall see how this turns out.

I recall a couple of years ago hearing that the Grandeur was leaving the fleet. Did I imagine this? Although it's been many years since I've sailed on Grandeur, it was my first cruise, and I have fond memories of the ship. I see there are current sailings offered, so apparently that did not happen. 

Interesting topic. This does not happen to me, and from reading the comments, maybe I should be surprised. I drink non-bottled water, alcohol, and add salt to (almost) everything. 

I was in Aruba last week ( not on a cruise.) We took the public bus from Eagle beach to the downtown / cruise port area. Very quick, easy, and inexpensive way to get around. $2.60 pp one way. 

38 minutes ago, fpcruiser said:

Our renewed passport just took a little short of 8 weeks.

Just curious, was this for normal processing, or did you request and pay for expedited processing?

6 minutes ago, kpauley said:

We got off Vision 02/06 and the internet was fast even on a lower deck in an inside cabin. So I'm guessing it has Starlink.

Good to hear!

In the past, on more than one occasion, I would order a salad and also a soup as a starter. With the new menus, and new rules about ordering extras, does anyone know if this is still permissible? Are the extra charges only for entrees, lobster, etc.?

I am curious to know also. Will be on the Vision March 31.

Check in opens today, and my passport is in the process of being renewed. What is the best course of action here? Do I check in using my old passport info? ( I have a photocopy of it.)  If so, do I need to update it when I get the new passport?

I thought I saw a similar thread on this recently, but can't seem to locate it now.

Thanks

@RCCL Fan so sorry to hear about your father.😥

On 2/5/2023 at 2:01 PM, crzndeb said:

I looked around for you, since I’ve seen your pics on here, but no luck. That whole luggage drop off was crazy. I have never had to wait in a line to drop off luggage. I saw porters going past us, so I think some were passing them extra bills to load their luggage. After waiting in line for close to an hour, we had finally got close to the front where drop off was and finally got a porter. Since this was my first time out of San Pedro, I don’t know if this is the norm.

I had the same experience back in November. It was our first time cruising out of this port also. Luggage drop off process was a disaster!

Yes, a few times.

I have never been to Coco Cay, and have no desire to go. I purposely avoid booking a cruise that stops there. I don't cruise to go to the beach; I cruise to see other countries /cultures. 

1 hour ago, time4u2go said:

Maybe it's just me, but I find that desserts in the Windjammer look really nice, but are almost always disappointing in how they taste.  They have little flavor (other than sweet).  Does anyone else have any opinion on this?

Agree!

Not sure yet. We cruise again at the end of March so we will see how that goes. Although I love a good deal, higher prices won't necessarily keep me from cruising (any line) but poor service and food will. 

After sailing exclusively with Royal (D+) we tried Celebrity last summer for the first time, and found the experience better than Royal. 

I went to the spa once, for the purpose of using some non refundable OBC. I had a lovely facial. And afterwards, she gave me a list of recommended products. I was not interested in being "upsold," and  told her I was not going to buy them that day, maybe I would come back before the end of the cruise to purchase, if I had any OBC left. She did not persist. 

I have no problem saying no. What bothers me is when they don't "accept" your no, and keep pushing. Fortunately that was not my experience in this case.

Side note - Although I loved the products, I did not go back and purchase onboard. I kept the recommended list, and purchased them after I got home.

I love Mexican food also. I don't eat fish or seafood (with the exception of salmon) but I've seen fish tacos on menus at restaurants, so not a Royal innovation.  🌮

3 hours ago, Havin'fun said:

and then have lunch at one of the specialty restaurants to avoid the craziness of the Windjammer.

 

I like this idea.

Muster first. Then WJ for lunch with the other 2000 or so people. 😆

Usually by then, cabins are open and we drop off carryons, then head out to explore, and get our first drink for the day.

7 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

We no longer dip into shared snack bowls in bars. Once saw a woman eat nuts from a spoon like it was cereal and then replace the spoon. The bowl was passed around the bar after.

Gross. 🤮

1 minute ago, Cigar King said:

My sister is getting them for her family,  It's been taking about three months.

Whoa!

On 1/17/2023 at 12:21 PM, taglovestocruise said:

Two guests, each with their own carry  on, two bottles in each carry on.  They don't know or care who is with who.  

Yes. We always each bring two bottles. Been doing it for years, and never been a concern.

There has been a time or two when I was not prepared with small bills in order to tip. I have always felt a little bad about it. One time a porter actually asked me "What, no tip?" I will admit, I was nervous if my bag was going to make it onboard. Since then, I am always prepared, and do, tip. 

This interesting thread definitely has me thinking and reconsidering, realizing I tip them because it's expected, and I feel obligated

We have been on four post-covid cruises (three Royal, and one Celebrity.)  We have noticed slower service in the dining room, but not any difference in food quality. We realize they are short staffed, and hoping this is a temporary issue, and things will eventually go back to "normal." Or maybe, as the saying goes, this is a transition to the new normal. In any case, so far we have not experienced anything that would keep us from continuing to cruise in the future.

Is there a chiller /cooler in the Vision ocean view cabins? On our previous EN cruise (interior) cabin, there was not, and we needed to request an ice bucket for the wine. Which, to our surprise, the cabin steward removed our wine from the cabin daily when he refilled the ice bucket, rather than just bringing the bucket of ice.  We were not particularly happy that our wine was taken out of our cabin. I realize it is easier to put the wine in the bucket and then fill it with ice, rather than the other way, so this could be the reason why. But we still found it strange that he took the wine.

Other than EN, I don't recall not having a cooler on any recent cruises.

So, anyway.... Will we have a cooler on the Vision, or shall we expect the need to request ice?