squadron

We love eating breakfast in the MDR. At dinner, we enjoy a big table but at breakfast, we always ask for and get a table for the 3 of us.

 

Food is usually hot and you get to relax and not fight others for a clean table. Only time we eat in the Windjammer is if we sleep too late.

I like the MDR breakfast but have always felt pushed(I'm alone) to fill one of the tables for 12. Hadn't noticed smaller table and didn't realize I could ask to be put at one . Am I the only one who didn't realize there was a choice and how forcible do you have to insist?

That's a good idea actually. I was kind of wondering if they could have a computer screen or a large size tablet permanently mounted on each MDR table that displayed the menu but I think your idea is much more practical. I've been toying with the idea of looking at the menu outside the MDR, making a mental note of what I want and then ordering without the need for a menu.

In reference to another poster - have never had a "sticky" dirty menu in the MDR. By the crowds around the menu board and all the inquiries on CC I think most people know what they are going to order before they get to the DR so for those you fear touching the menu it would be easy to know ahead of time what you are ordering and not take a menu.

Diamond Plus member in an interior, is this unusual ?

 

I have an interior booked for may 2014 and reading CC get the impression a lot of frequent sailors seem to look down on interior cruisers as a bit of a lower level passenger. This will be my first RCI cruise and hope I am wrong !!!

 

Have a fab cruise.

 

Dave.

Not diamond plus but I book interior - as a solo I'm paying double and because I spend so little time in the cabin I'm happy with it. Have had a balcony when with friends and found we didn't use it so isn't worth the money for me. First time cruisers shouldn't be turned off booking an interior if the price fits by those who think it would be "awful".

We did a land tour/river cruise of Russia in 2011 and used ATMs to get Rubles. I am not sure that you need Rubles on excursions to STP. You may be able to use dollars or credit cards to get you by.

If you have a private tour in STP, I suggest emailing your company and asking them if you will need Rubles. We ate in restaurants and used our credit cards (no chips).

Are there ATMs in SPB in docking area(before customs?) and if so how many rubles is the minimum amt you can take out and would this be enough for drinks with lunch and maybe a trinket or two? To be more precise what is the average price of a beer for lunch or a soft drink on excursion?

The lunches in the MDR are almost better than the dinners.

 

 

Shirley, Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

The desserts are better than at dinner. I like eating in the MDR better than WJ but the hours may not fit in with excursions.

It's been well established on here that the hand sanitizers do nothing to Noro. They are antibacterial and noro is a virus. What they ought to be asking people is when is the last time they washed their hands.

This doesn't really fit in I guess but my daughter pointed out Disney hasn't had an outbreak of noro - why would that be? Better cleaning? Can't believe parents and all those children are more diligent than passengers on other cruise lines about hand washing and handling utensils in the buffet.

Click on http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=41478436&postcount=314 for information on viewing shore excursion video from my Holland America, Circle Hawaii Cruise, round-trip from San Diego, California.

 

These videos include the port of San Diego, the Islands of Maui & Kauai, the Island of Oahu, Remember Pearl Harbor, the Island of Hawaii, and the port of Ensenada, Mexico.

 

Ron

Wonderful videos. However, I must admit I became very nostalgic when I watched the ones of Germany. I lived there for four years with my military husband and have a soft spot for Germany. We lived in the Black Forest.

Lets see, let me figure this out. Being refunded 50% off this cruise and 50% off the next. Isn't that the cost of a free cruise?

How do you know those not sick had a ruined vacation?

I think that is a fair offer. Put the two together and you have a free cruise. How can they offer more?

No, not worried.

 

I did have norovirus two years ago while on the Enchantment. While I always did do the hand washing thing, now I probably look like I'm going into surgery when I wash my hands in a public restroom. Extremely diligent now. Three cruises since and I haven't had a problem. Knock on wood!

I agree with the hand washing but think we have all used "sketchy" restrooms on excursions with cold water washing facilities and in some cases no soap. Also, I avoid excursions that provide lunch - especially in certain countries. On board use your cabin washroom instead of a public one- should cut down on some of the risk.

Nowhere in the review does it say that they kept the child's card. The nurse probably took it, took the info off it and then returned it. Just like they do any time you access a for fee service on a ship.

All this fuss because parents let a 7 yr old indulge in too much "junk"! Was he roaming around with no supervision in the buffet or did the parent not say "no" to some of the food choices? Now upset with the result.

If you feel the cruise lines are "nickel and diming", why still book one??

Agreed! Actually I don't understand why people use the term - no one forces you to buy something if you don't want to. Just like when at home or on any other kind of vacation.

I would just like to know if they found the bag. I know where I left.

The room would have been checked before the new guests boarded.

Conclusion: They have a crew thief with a large quantity of narcotics.

With the rush to get rooms ready for the next guests I think something like a cosmetic bag would get thrown out or sent to lost and found. Don't think staff have time or desire to check contents. Was there that many narcotics for a cruise? Staff would have to recognize drug name. Don't expect ship staff have the time to deal with "small items" and get them back to owners.

I hope they won´t place a ship on the west coast again.

 

There is really nowhere for such a ship to go to other than Mexico:eek:

It´s like the old saying any day on a cruise is better than a day at work, well nope if it´s a cruise to Mexico, in that case I´d rather go to work.

 

I would not like to see RCI tie up a ship there, when they could offer soooo much better itineraries with that ship elsewhere in the world. To me it would be sort of a lost ship.

I´ve been to the MR a few times on Cruises at times pre all the bad press Mexico got and I can tell you it wasn´t pleasant back then and the last time I had to sail along on a longer cruise I refused even to step foot on land.:eek:

Can also go north SD, SF, SB Monterrey, Catalina, Astoria, Seattle - don't know if Vancouver would be allowed - Jones Act. Celebrity wine cruise was 10 days Vancouver to SD when I did it.

Just wondering if anyone has taken any of the excursions offered by RCCL post cruise in FLL. Flight out of FLL is at 4pm. Have already done the airboat ride so not interested in that. Thanks.

Did the 'duck boat" on the intercoastal waterways

with a bus tour of Ft Lauderdale. Luggage was in bus and it was a way to fill several hours before our flight to Canada. Cost wasn't much more than a transfer to airport. Wasn't as well organized as a circle tour with airport drop off in Honolulu but was acceptable.

That news doesn't augur well for those hoping for RCI to return to the West Coast since what Princess is apparently experiencing is exactly what caused RCI to withdraw Mariner from California.

Perhaps full transits of the widened Canal will become a regular RCI feature.:)

Three or four day cruises won't draw people other than those who live next to the port. Not worth people paying for air fare and those who choose not to sail Princess.

RCI 2015 Jewel..San Pedro (Port of Los Angeles)

 

This is what I have heard so far...hope it's true.

 

9-26-15

10-3-15

10-10-15

 

Let's hope it turns out this is just testing the west coast waters again and they will be "Good" :D

Agreed! For Western Canadians LA is an easy, inexpensive flight and I would certainly book. A cruise either north or south from LA would be a great option.

Jewel to Los Angeles for 3 sailings

Do you have an idea of the time frame for sailings out of LA? Do I assume eventually Jewel will end up on the Alaskan run?

When I was on the Serenade over Christmas, I decided to check every public railing, as well as - balcony railing, to see if I could fall overboard. NOPE - can't do it UNLESS you climb up onto the railing. The railings are too tall. Her lawsuit will get thrown out of court.

I would hope so! It's called taking responsibility for your actions and not thinking it is everyone else's fault when something goes wrong.

I was thinking the same thing. OP-where do you find your traveler's checks? I looked for some for a trip a few years back and gave up!!

In Canada I can still get them at my bank and use them to pay my on board bill to avoid the double exchange to Canadian dollars - Royal to City Bank to my Canadian Visa.

Funny I called RCL reservation today and they don't know anything about that sailing.

But it is on the port arrival list for San Pedro.

Am also interested - where would be the best place to try to find it?

We could care less about chocolates or cheap gifts. If it helps them keep the price down, fine with us.

Agreed. Don't miss the chocolates - not real chocolate anyway - were candy confection. Towels animals every night seem a waste of time for cabin staff and clean towels. I request them not to do them except for one night and it can stay on display for the week.

I think that the waiter would probably appreciate it. I can't imagine that they love saying the same thing over and over. You could probably let them know that you are very familiar with the menu and know what you want on the first day and they will take note of it for the rest of the cruise.

Agreed. I, too, have with interest read the menus and know what I would order - probably for most nights. Think it would speed up his job. Personally, I find those who can't make up their mind rather annoying. After all, menus are posted so you can read them beforehand.

Windjammer Breakfast Like the omelet station where you can also get fried eggs but find French toast and pancakes much better in MDR. Also like to get smoked salmon benedict once during cruise in MDR. I get tried of tracking down things I need and a table when it is busy in the WJ. Travel solo so don't have someone to stack a claim on a table while one gets breakfast.

Agreed. Think it would be a good idea to offer three MDR settings. Rather like large tables - wouldn't want them be eliminated to make more 2 and 4 tops.

Thank you all for your replies - I think I will err on the side of caution and have them dry cleaned :)

Jane

Send things to the regular laundry - think they are treated better than "wash ands dry" bag. Dry cleaning costs are less than what I pay at home and very quick. A few dollars might be worth the hassle of paying for and lugging an extra suitcase.