vinob

Many thanks zdad59, very useful comments, really looking forward to this first cruise with RCI.                                                     Have a fab cruise and no doubt I may have some more questions for when you get back.  Kind regards Viv.

2 hours ago, zdad59 said:

 

My gang calls me "The Prince of Planning".   Each cabin in our group even gets a laminated itinerary for the week to put in their room. 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=393194

 

Advanced Bag check - A recent addition to the RCL line up.   The trip next week will be the first time I use it.   It has gotten good reviews.   $25 per person plus any bag fees the airline charges.    They say your flight must be at least AFTER 11:30, and if you're flying out of Ft. Lauderdale with a Miami Disembarkation, its 2:30 for the flight.

 

Important RCL stuff.....

• Relax and have fun.   As you can see from this sight, those that go looking for issues or bad food, will most certainly find it.   I enjoy every minute of my trips.   Is there some sub par food...sure.  But I've never had a bad meal in the MDR.    If they bring out something and it's not to my liking, I politely ask my waiter for a different dish.   I've tasted some not good food, but I've never had a bad meal.   Get it?
• Breakfast in the MDR or another venue is usually a better experience than Windjammer Buffet.   Windjammer is not bad for a cafeteria type meal, but the MDR (or Solarium Bistro on Oasis Class ships) is always a better choice for us.   Similar foods but a much calmer atmosphere.
• If you sail Oasis class. book aqua shows for early days in the trip.   They sometimes get cancelled due to weather or sea conditions.   If an early show is cancelled, you still will have other shots at seeing it.
• Pick the meal time of your choice.   We prefer traditional dining with an early seating.  A lot of folks like the my time dining.
• We always do one specialty dining meal, usually the last night of the cruise.   A great way to cap off a splendid week.
• Don't be a chair hog.  

 

Feel free to hit me up with questions any time you like.   I have tons of opinions !!!

 

1 minute ago, zdad59 said:

When you cancel, they refund THE ENITRE AMOUNT to your method of payment.   Then you re-book and they charge you that price.    So if you use a credit card, you'll see a full credit of the prior purchase and a full charge of the new package.

Many thanks zdad59, you seem an old hand with RCI, so going to ask you another question if you don't mind.  I was trawling through your replies to posts, Some one had mentioned that they were going to advance check their bags for flight home and that RCI arrange for them to be taken to airport.  Do you know anything about this service.  Lastly as an old hand with rci what is the one most relevant thing you would say to a newbie to rci, other than make sure you get the drinks package.  Kind regards Viv.

2 hours ago, zdad59 said:

It usually always better to buy before boarding.    Typically no break in the price on board.    Find a price you like and buy.   Then keep an eye out on your cruise planner for sales and price improvement.   If you see a better price, you can cancel an re-book at the lower price.  

 

I did that twice for my cruise next week.   In US $$.....the price started @ $60,  then went to $52, the to $49 (where I bought), then to $44 (cancelled and re-booked), and last night it dropped to $39 (where I cancelled and re-booked again).   All the US prices are per person/per day plus and you have to add an $18% gratuity on the price.

Does that mean you had to be refunded the whole amount of package each time or did they just rebook package and refund the difference?

Many thanks for information, we actually have both cabins booked, I like a balcony but our friends said they never used theirs while on a previous cruise so happy to go with the oceanview.  I thought the cabins were the same size and that it was the balcony on the cabin that made the square footage bigger.  Kind regards Viv.

That's worth watching but not sure if it works differently in uk, I know in the US you can cancel your cruise and rebook if you see your cabin grade at a lower price, we can't do that in the UK and wondering if its the same with the packages.  I will keep a eye on prices and give them a ring.  Many thanks.

Hi Folks, we are on Jewel of the seas this year in the Med,  do any of you seasoned RCI's have information on cabins 4048 outside and 8008 very small balcony.

Are they okay or will cabin 4048 get noise from deck 5 promenade,  I know the balcony on 8008 is very small but is the cabin ok.  Any info much appreciated.

Kind regards Viv.

Many thanks Shmoo, much appreciated.

17 hours ago, Shmoo here said:

Well, first you'd need to head over to the Royal Caribbean forum:  

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/51-royal-caribbean-international/

 

Once there, you can start a new topic, just as you did here, by clicking the "Start New Topic" button on the upper right of the forum thread list.

Hi Folks, have done a handful of cruises mainly P&O but this is first with RCI, so hoping you seasoned RCI passengers can give me the heads up.  Is it better to buy the package ahead of the cruise @ £46.11 per night or do they sometimes do special deals when you board the ship.   I've heard it can vary from ship to ship, we're going on Jewel of the Seas.

Any help greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Viv.

Hi 

Hope you will bear with me, I want to know from past cruisers on Jewel of the seas if they have information regarding two specific cabins.  I don't know which forum is the best to use and how to post on a forum, (another senior moment🤣).  Been a few years since I last cruised.  Thanks.

Way to go, now you are from the North East...The land of Newcastle Brown? @ 'Walking the Dog?' P&O stock that from memory.

 

Enjoy the cruise and booze.:halo:

Now how did you guess!!!! haha:D daft thing is, hubby never touches the stuff, more a G & T and a malt whisky man. :eek: Better sign off, I've strayed this thread from the point, more importantly down to Manchester in morning for overnight stay to pick up transfer coach Friday yippie:):):)x

You have done well, but may I ask why a tuxedo and a lounge suit ? OK Formal Nights it is Tux or lounge suit, but not both and no more 'jacket nights on P&O now.

 

Good to see you got the whiskey in though, drop the weight and take out either the tux or the lounge suit and you could make it a full bottle of highland nectar.

 

Just my two bobs worth.:halo:

Just dropped the lounge suit, as told hubby he'd probably be only one wearing one, even although its a light-weight linen suit ideal for the Caribbean climate. Now don't encourage me, think once we get the Gin will have quite enough in cabin refreshments:D We maybe from one of the drinking capitals of the world, but don't want everyone to know;)

I agree Fevertree is far better but one has to slum it at times. :)

 

I always have Fevertree when I Buy a G&T. I now go for one of the perfect serves from the gin menu. I do like the new one, Anderson’s.

 

 

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Might give it a try x

Small cans of tonic are only £1.00 if you buy 10 from room service not sure where you got the £2.00 from.

 

 

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It was Tin Soldiers post where he was asking about buying bottle of spirits on board for cabin use., someone posted a picture of drinks menu for in cabin, whilst Schweppes

was 10 for £10, Fevertree tonic which we much prefer was either £1.95 or £1.75 per tin, can't remember now, hence we'll buy the gin onboard, but packed a few tins of fevertree to start us off and hope I can pick some more up in Madeira, if not I'll bit the bullet and pay for p & o's fevertree.

Or you pack your case .........:D

(y)quite so, lol ;p

Don't forget your husband's bow-ties! You sound like quite an expert packer.

Yep they're in there, cufflinks as well. I've always tended to over pack for hols but I like to be able to pick and chose. It's surprising how much more you get in by rolling, If anything is badly creased I also tend to hang them in the shower-room while showering if I can, as the steam can help the creases drop out, but on the whole things come out of the case less creased when they are rolled.

I roll most things bar tux and lounge suit, I've just had a trial run to see what you can actually get in and keep within the 23 kilo weight limit, in hubbys case, 10 underwear, 9pr socks, 2 shorts, 5 tee shirts, 2 swim trunks, dressing gown, gym gear, formal shoes, deck shoes, pool sandals and trainers. 10 casual shirts, 2 pr chinos, 1 pr lightweight pants. tux & 2 dress shirts, lounge suit & 2 dress shirts. Toiletries, suntan cream, half bottle whisky. Case at 20.3 kilos

In my case even more including 9 changes of outfits for evenings, lots of day wear, swimwear, gym gear, underclothes, dressing gown & nightie, 2 evening bags,2 pr evening shoes, trainers, sandals and pool shoes, toiletries, large medical case, and believe it or not an 8 pk of fevertree small tonics, (I buy the Gin on board but don't like paying nearly £2 for small tin of tonic) Case at 21.9 kilos.

It can be done, I rest my case. Viv x

Thanks for replies, wow 20% off every Thursday, wish we got that at our department stores beauty counters, but no such luck. I spent Saturday night going through my make up drawer and ditched so much stuff that I've hardly used but has been in the drawer for quite a while. Now I'm retired I don't use make up as much or in other words MOH doesn't take me out enough ;plol.

Sorry didn't check B4 posting, should read Hi Folks.:o

Hi folk can anyone who has done this cruise previously give me an idea of when the formal nights are likely to be. Do you find out when the formal nights are as soon as you board.

Would like to book some select dining but don't want to do it on the formal nights.

Any help appreciated.

Many thanks for your replies, off to the shops tomorrow. Kind regards Viv

From memory, not a lot of choice of make up. If you had forgotten your make up bag, you would be catered for.....but I think a very limited range of brands and choice

Think I better make a trip to town, many thanks Viv.

Hi Folks

I need some new makeup, Do the shops on :ship: stock a good range of cosmetics or is it mainly perfumes. Also how do the prices compare, are they duty free or just the same as shops at home.

Thanks Viv.

On our last p & o cruise which was 17nts we took the following for our cabin: 1 bottle champagne to celebrate start of cruise, 1 bottle of gin for G&T's while getting ready (we just replenished tonics while in port) and half bottle of brandy for nightcaps.

We always buy a wine package while on board and have found the Captains package very acceptable, although I do think the choice for our forthcoming cruise is not as good as it was. You can order a bottle of spirits once on board for in cabin use and if you look at the tin soldier post someone has posted photo of price list and the prices look quite reasonable, so on our forthcoming cruise we'll just be ordering on board. If you want to take your own bottle of wine into restaurants or bars they will charge you a £15 corkage fee per bottle, so unless you like an exceptionally fine expensive wine its not worth it.

I'm not sure if P & O still do it, but they used to have a 'cocktail of the day' which was at a special reduced price and was good value if you're a cocktail drinker (I've never found one I really like yet, so tend to stick to G&T's).

We have tried a number of cruise lines, they all have there + & -'s, we are returning to P & O as we like the formal nights and although they are cheesy I actually enjoy some of the sail away parties, especially Gibraltar always get a lump in my throat, but it's been 4 years since last with P & O so things may have changed. Whatever you decided I'm sure you will have a fab time. Kind regards Viv