mitz18

18 minutes ago, Luv my furbaby said:

I just booked a 18 day cruise from Australia to Honolulu for April 2024. At least it is a newer ship - but oh those sea days!

What do you do on all of those sea days - especially since I am sailing solo!

so load a lot of movies on my iPad and lots of books. But does the ship offer a lot when you have so many sea days together?  I know on shorter cruises they have bingo, trivia during the day but that bores me. 
Oh well, I’m excited and I’m sure I will enjoy it!

Wake up late. Have breakfast in your room with a mimosa or two (or three).  Find a quiet lounge - read a book with a glass of wine.  Have lunch and another glass of wine.  Take a short nap. Read a little more. Grab a umbrella drink at the pool bar. Grab another one. Watch for wildlife (you'll see whales if you have a 3rd umbrella drink)  Find a bar with a piano player and have a martini.  Have dinner.  Have a after dinner scotch. Next day, repeat.

16 hours ago, Queenie&Dude said:

Anyone know how long it takes for the group to respond?  I sent an email to the above address a week ago.  Also called Royal and the said the email was emergencytravelteam@rcck.com and sent it there as well with all the details, death cert, etc and haven't heard back.  Also, the telephone number doesn't work if you press 1 it wants a five digit extension number or it hangs up.

Thanks in advance.  I lost my husband in March and would really like to do this for closure. 

 

Dont know if it was a typo in your post or not, but instead of rcck.com it's most likely rccl.com.

Otherwise sorry for your loss and hopefully someone will reply.

19 hours ago, RTShaker said:

I also am confounded by all the people that want to make reservations. If you want a set time, then there are already two options for you. I have always felt that anytime means show up and get seated when you want to eat, but apparently I must be wrong.😁

It's not about having a set time every night, it's about pre-selecting your choice.  We have some reservations at 6:30, some at 7:00, some nights no reservation.   We like the flexibility of picking our own time each night where we want.  The two "fixed" options are indeed "fixed" and may be either too early or too late. 

This is a great thread - I thought it was still 2 bottles per cabin so very good to know & thankful to have been informed that it's 2 per guest.   😃

2 hours ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

No plastic water bottles on brilliance last week was just cans of water. Straws were 100% plastic type biodegradable. 

yep same here...only saw cans, no plastic at all.

1 hour ago, Starry Eyes said:

Hmmm, two lines makes the situation transparent whereas one doesn’t know who has reservations if there is a single line.  I can imagine resins the staff might not like transparency.  I can imagine complaints from some people with reservations if they wait a significant amount of time for a table while watching people from the no-reservations-line taken to seats.  Likewise people in the no reservations line may complain that either (a) they did not know reservations were available or (b) that the spirit of MTD implies reservations should not be needed.

Well I don’t see a prob with transparency but under your scenario they should either not allow reservations for MTD or require reservations from everyone.  Personally I like the 2 lines or separate entrances. Keeps things easy.

11 minutes ago, TRadle said:

My husband is disabled so driving is now the only option.  We used to live in Chicago and would fly to any port, but those days are sadly gone.  

Understand - be safe driving & enjoy your trip.

On 8/20/2022 at 1:37 PM, sdrocks said:

This is lubricious.

Lubricious? 🙄

23 hours ago, CFLRetired said:

Are these portable fans for noise or do they put out sufficient air to help stay cool?  I'm thinking we need one for noise.  Any ideas?

Google DOHM NOISE MACHINE.....can't sleep without it and take it everywhere.

4 hours ago, Keksie said:

Until the issue of the big plastic polluting countries is solved removing straws from ships is just window dressing. 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" -  Lao Tzu

3 minutes ago, poocher said:

There were 2 lines in March 🤷‍♀️.

that's the way it should be.  Maybe it varies ship-x-ship (although it shouldn't)

Just now, TRadle said:

I'm hoping that Celebrity will send a few ships our way! Driving from Austin to board LOS in 2 weeks! 

Galveston is getting better & with the larger ships coming in RCL should be able to offer longer cruise so you have options other than just Cozumel / Yucatan.  However doubt Celebrity will come to Galveston - why compete with yourself in a relatively small market.....  Did you look at taking Amtrak to LOS vs driving?

14 hours ago, happy cruzer said:

So we have reserved 6:45 each night.  Will we have the same table each night?  Will they assign us to a large table or table for two?  Anyone care to share their experience with the MTD experience?

Took a cruise in June and had reservations every night for My Time Dining.  Problem was there was only one line for MTD so reservations & non-reservations were lined up together.  What was the point of making a reservations?  It use to be one line for folks w/reservations & one line for those w/out reservations.  Worked much better - the new 1-line system does not work (at least not for those with a reservation).

39 minutes ago, ronrick1943 said:

It’s your last shot you got.  Be sure to bring your record card with you, sometimes your phone won’t work when you need it.

thanks

I apologize if this has been asked/answered but search was not helpful.  In completing the documents, the health question wants the date of last vaccination.  I presume this indeed the last "VAX" date and not the date of any "BOOSTER" received, but curious if anyone knows for sure.  TIA

2 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Obviously. 😂

I personally prefer cotton thread but do appreciate the finer threads now and then. 🙃

I love dress code threads.......................

3 minutes ago, Cruisin 4 Ever said:

I've checked online and it seems to indicate if the price drops they refund the difference but then says if your Cruise meets certain conditions. Anyone know how it works and what that means?

If you book the cruise on the 3rd Thursday of the month between the hours of 0100 and 0101, when the moon is full and Venus & Mars align, and if the rate drops under the exact same conditions, X might refund the difference.  However they reserve the right to charge you a fee equal to or greater than the difference as a refund service charge.

4 hours ago, sowhat said:

They are taken money from the crew when opinions  on cruise critic  say they deserve  more money



 

Not really taking money from the crew, just not giving the crew the same amount as someone who pays on board. 

In general (not responding to you directly)  We have PPD tips but will give additional in cash.  Others will give more than us, others will give less.  Either way does not bother me and is really none of my business.  Everyone should give  what they want to whomever they want and not be judged.  If you want to give the cabin steward nothing, so be it.  If you want to give them $20 pd, so be it.  What someone tips or doesn't tip does not impact any other guest - so don't worry about it.  As another said, you be you.

7 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

And remember that any such solution would be on flights of THEIR choosing.  99% that that would be within their existing contracts, not on the open market.

 

Plus, if they get you there and you miss two or three days of your cruise, don't expect a pro-rata refund of your cruise fare.

Agree which is why I always book my own flts

2 minutes ago, LuCruise said:

By pre-pay, that just means to add it to the invoice right?

 

I typically add gratuities when doing final payment....but if my understanding is correct, I'll call to have it added now to future cruises.

Correct - prepay it vs having it billed on board daily.  

16 minutes ago, MightyMike said:

 

The way I read it, people who are already booked can wait until just before sailing to pre-pay at the lower rate.

From the email, I believe you are correct.  If you prepay, it's at the lower rate.  If you don't prepay, your on board account will be charged the new rate.

If you’d like to pre-pray your gratuities at the current rate before your sailing, we’re happy to extend this opportunity to you. If you’d prefer to pay onboard, your gratuity charge will be applied to your onboard account at the new rate.

The good thing about using the line's (any) air is if there are flight delays & you miss the sailing the line has to find a solution to get you to the boat.  Having said that, we normally book our own flight and always arrive 1-2 days early and leave 1 day after the cruise ends.

1 hour ago, hlperez said:

if you are visiting or disembarking in Greece, you have to have a test before you board the ship or do a test on the ship.

thats my understanding as well, but things are changing fast.  Stay tuned

12 hours ago, the penguins said:

Oh shame we thought you were starting a whole new experience like the ducks that passengers hide on Royal ships. 😂😀

and how did that start?  I'm seeing ducks everywhere on RCL.................