nostalgiaguru

If I book an excursion through RC, will my excursion group be meeting on the ship, and if so, does our group get tendering priority when our group gets ready to leave the ship?

Or, will we meet as a group outside of the ship, and therefore, it's each man for his own as far as getting on a tender?

Otherwise, what's the best strategy for tendering at CocoCay? Get there for the first boat, or wait a while, if schedule allows?

We're leaving on FOTS from Port Canaveral in a couple of weeks. I plan on dropping off the rest of my party at the cruise terminal, return my rental car, and ride the rental company shuttle back to the terminal. How much time should I expect from dropping off my party to rejoining them after the shuttle ride? Is dropping them off around 10am early enough, too early, or about right? I see Hertz is the closest, will renting through them be a lot quicker turnaround than the other rental companies?

It has been over a year since we cruised on FOTS. However, we found Chops to be better than Giovanni's on FOTS. I didn't find Giovanni's to be any better than a chain outfit like Macaroni Grill.

It's funny how we're all different. We have friends who have been on 20 different RC cruises. When they found out we were going on FOTS, they insisted we eat at GT, said it was the best food/dining experience they've ever had on any of the ships.

Hopefully, they'll be at their best when we're there!

... but Giovanni's is our least favorite.

Critique, please

One final question - I assume that the beverages included in the cover charge at GT are the same as those included in the main dining room? Or, are there additional alternatives?

Getting fired up - 17 days!

Royal Caribbean got greedy and ruined Chops. Took the good sides away, destroyed the dessert offerings, reduced portion sizes and increased the price. My opinion go to Giovanni's before they ruin it too, in their blinded efforts to improve their bottom line by sacrificing quality.

Ouch, can I buy you a drink? :)

Hitting FOTS in a couple of weeks, and we are typically "why spend more for food when food is already included" type of people. But, we have some onboard credit, so we thought we would try one of the specialty restaurants. We are leaning towards Giovanni's Table, since some RC fanatic friends of ours say GT served them the best steak they've ever had (including Chops), and I like GT's format of serving.

Feel free to talk us out of it - what are your faves (of the restaurants we would find on FOTS).

Thanks

For the most part, we normally stick with the "free" meals, but friends of ours who have traveled in 10 RC ships, tell me that Giovanni's has the best steak they've ever eaten. So, we've decided to use some of our shipboard credit for that meal.

So, here's my questions: do you agree with my friend's steak assessment, and what night would you recommend booking the reservation? We have My Time Dining,and we don't eat much seafood, so is there a night that is typically lobster or seafood night on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary? We wouldn't mind skipping that night.

I assume smoothies are included on Replenish? That's my downfall.

Trying to choose: how much are bottled water and premium coffee drinks if I don't purchase Replenish? And, the only time I drink juice is with breakfast: are any juices available for breakfast at Windjammer without the Replenish package? (FOTS)

It's actually easier to call the cruiseline directly to take care of it on the spot than to work through a middlema:D

I agree, and I have an excellent TA. Plus, I prefer to make changes online, if possible, than to ask someone else to do it.

Have you booked your cruise yet? There is a box to tick off when you are booking online.

Yes, already booked, documents generated, Seapass card printed, which page was it on?

I'm one of those that likes to spread out the cost components.

Looks like the cruise planner is back up and running, and the drink package discounts are still in place.

Lol mine now says I have 32 dinner reservations for a 10 day cruise for two people...wth.

Mine correctly says 14 dinner reservations, only because I reserved My Time Dining slot each evening, so I guess I'm okay there. But, still can't make any other purchases. Glad I already booked VOOM and an excursion earlier.

I hope it allows me to check in early!

This is exactly why I use an online TA.

 

They can deal with it...........

I use a TA too, but they are getting the same message. Sounds like we may have to use the phone, yikes!

Any of you try to make a purchase in your cruise planner the last two days? It keeps saying they know there's a problem and are working on it. Glad my cruise doesn't leave until July.

Any Freestyle machines other than in front of the pizza joint?

If you don't have a package, then they will only sell you a 12oz can for around $3, including gratuity.

So, if i DO have the package, the can is included, correct?

How much is soda at the bar and restaurants? Is it a can, or basically a "glass full"?

Refreshment includes soda at bars and restaurants, refill cup or no refill cup.

On the flipside, I assume the only way to take advantage of the Freestyle machines are with the mug? Did I hear there's an embedded chip or something?

Does Royal Refreshment only include refills of souvenir cup, or also soda at bars and at evening meal?

Included in price of Royal Replenish package?

Coke products? Any soda options at Windjammer if I forget my tumbler?

Same here, Fishlips is our favorite place in PC. When we lived in FL we would go there regularly to eat, drink and watch the cruise ships depart. Some days it was hang out at Jetty Park and then off to Fishlips to eat. Loved it. :cool:

Sounds good, what other options besides seafood?