Robinhill

We are considering a Grandeur 9 night cruise in November, 2016. It stops at Miami, I have never been there. What's there to do? Are the taxi's expensive to get to a beach area or downtown? Would appreciate any help from folks that have been there. I doubt if walking anywhere is practical as the terminal is on a island.

i would like to know the same thing. i would like to go to South Beach and maybe the Art Deco section.

Nothing on mine!

That's what I do and one day the dealer saw my bag of chips I use to store the black ones and he asked if i would color up before I leave the table.

 

I didn't color up and this skewed my win/loss they had for me. The host told me the last night I was losing at one point $2,000 and then won back and was only down $1,000. I was never down $2,000! Nor did I win back $1,000 from my lowest point (maybe $400?). The most I was down was $1,000 but finished down about $600. Their records are screwy.

 

By the way, I WON the $500 raffle at midnight on the last night!!! First ticket drawn was MINE! :)

right- i never win big enough to need a "bag to put the black ones in" LOL but i do end up with maybe 2 or 3 that i slip into my pocket or purse when the dealer is not paying attention and i always leave a good amount of other chips up in stacks on the table so that he doesnt notice.

Good for you winning that $500 raffle! WTG

i found out that the one i booked 10110 F does have the pole and it is kind of at the foot of the bed but not really intrusive. It is a huge cabin and someone did post a photo but i forget where. Huge window with chairs front of the ship. I booked this for my daughter and son-in-law for a 10th anniversary gift and they are so excited. I gave them the choice of a balcony (kind of cold to sit out there the beginning of March) or this larger cabin and they opted for the large size. I don't blame them.

I don't think that is what Nick means. He's not "buying" a pile of chips and then immediately walking away. He's just messing with their count at the end of the session when he's done playing. They definitely try to figure out how much you have when you leave vs what you started with, at least at the craps table. There was a guy, on my last cruise, who would usually walk away with all his chips and each time they would spend a minute or two figuring out how much he was up or down and then plug it into the computer. Just from watching and listening to the dealers I figured out that he generally started with 4-6k in chips and left when he was down about two or up a lot.

i always color up because they get miffed if you don't for just this reason and i am afraid that when they put it in the computer they will short you or something but in any case, i always put my black $100 chips in my purse throughout the game inconspicuously and then color up the smaller chips at the end.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31

thanks so much! I never realized that one existed!

I live in NJ and have heard nothing about snow anywhere...matter of fact the forecast for even Halifax is in the upper 30s.

 

There are rumors our sailing might be canceled due to the weather, and I've yet to figure out what weather they are referring to.

 

(Someone on the honeymoon forum posted they heard it might be canceled due to weather but I've gotten nothing from RCCL as of yet).

What honeymoon forum?

Hello!

 

I have cruised once on Carnival before, and was looking forward to trying Royal Caribbean. I'm having some concerns about communication with them, because I'm traveling with my husband and toddler. We've booked a 5 day from Baltimore to Bermuda on Grandeur through their website, and according to the FAQ, there are certain accommodations for toddlers/babies, such as a pack and play for the room, etc.

 

When my cruise was on on hold, I of course got the messages about "helping me purchase", but now that I've booked the trip, I can't get a response.

 

I did get through this morning by calling their number, but I'm not too confident the person knew what she was talking about.

 

I asked if I could reserve a pack and play for our room, as the website indicated I should reserve one beforehand. The rep on the phone told me I can't do that, and I need to just ask at guest services on board. I was told the same for any booster seat/high chair. This is going to be a huge issue if I get on board and find my child has nowhere to sleep or sit.

 

My daughter will be 18 months old, and when I asked if I needed a drink package for milk, she told me to buy a soda package. I clarified that I do not need soda, just milk and water, and she said that I don't need a package, then. However, I'm nervous that I'll get on board and this won't be case.

 

I didn't ask the rest of my questions on the phone, because I wasn't really getting anywhere, and I wish I had gone through a travel agent (but I'm sure I can't do that, now that I've booked, right?). The website doesn't provide much help for leaving details beyond booking excursions, either.

 

Can anyone help me out with any tips or advice for cruising as a family with a small child, particularly with this cruise line? I'm starting to panic a bit.

You can contact them here web_reservations@rccl.com for your request for the pack and play and they are very responsive. It generally takes 1-2 days to hear back from them and i have found it to be very helpful.

My DH and I are scheduled for Grandeur of the Seas on March 20. We are Diamond members on Royal and the equivalent on Celebrity. We had not received our luggage tags yet so I called Crown and Anchor today. Was told it now costs $35.00 for luggage tags. We knew we could print them off or get ones at the dock. You can also buy cheap clear plastic tag holders on line. On our last Celebrity cruise, we got the nice tags in the mail so we were not aware this new cost! I asked to speak to the supervisor who gave me the same price. I was just shocked. New cruisers, dont spend the money. Not worth it!

Royal, shame on you as this is indicative of more penny pinching like the huge increase on alcoholic beverages on board with added 18% gratuity.

Just buy the clear ones from Cruise Critic. I have been using and reusing them for the past three years and they are great! The luggage tags you print will slide right in very easily. Enjoy your cruise- don't let this color it bad for you!

Hi all,

Brand new here and getting lots of useful info, thanks! Just our second cruise coming up and went all out for anthem. last year we took a short 4 day jaunt and I found that I was able to buy a little cooler tote bag with 5 or 6 beers for about $20, that served me just right and I think we saved a lot of money due to that. Does anyone know if this is still an option? Should I bring my old one or do you have to buy a new one on the boat?

Thanks

You can buy them with the beers but i think they are like $30 or $35 now. I was on the Grandeur last week and saw them.

Yes, normally I'd say to call Club Royale directly about a week or two after your cruise. Given that it's almost the deadline, though, I'd call sooner rather than later.

 

You can reach them at (888) 561-2234.

Thanks Daghis. I did call them and found out i had 285 in rebate but that it is apparently either/or and because of the free cruise for two that had more value the rebate did not apply.

Well, i just came back last Sunday from a RCCL cruise- was enrolled onboard in Casino Royale and on the last night received a free cruise for two certificate with certain cruises listed on the back. I am taking the very last one which is a 4 night on the Majesty out of Port Canaveral on May 30. I gambled about 1200 on my last cruise but did not lose it all so not sure, but all i pay is my gratuities and the port fees and taxes ($260 total for the two of us) Not bad for an oceanview cabin on the 8th floor midship!

I don't know anything about rebates though- would someone on the ship have told me about that or how do i find out- call Club Royale directly?

Well, i just came back last Sunday from a RCCL cruise- was enrolled onboard in Casino Royale and on the last night received a free cruise for two certificate with certain cruises listed on the back. I am taking the very last one which is a 4 night on the Majesty out of Port Canaveral on May 30. I gambled about 1200 on my last cruise but did not lose it all so not sure, but all i pay is my gratuities and the port fees and taxes ($260 total for the two of us) Not bad for an oceanview cabin on the 8th floor midship!

I don't know anything about rebates though- would someone on the ship have told me about that or how do i find out- call Club Royale directly?

No deli or other food venue in the Solarium on Freedom. Wish there was.

oh that's a bummer!

My DH and I are sailing on the Freedom in 10 days, and I was wondering if anyone know which restaurant on what day(s) serves the Kummelweck?

it should be in the solarium in that little deli like thing or bistro. Not sure what they call it. Where they serve pizza, salads, kummelweck, etc.

Anybody took one of his tours?

Can they be trusted? Did they give you satisfaction?

I going there next April and they seem to have the best package but I Wonder.....

Excellent! i did one of his tours about 5 years ago and it was beyond my expectations.

I was wondering if anyone new how anthem of the seas could return to New Jersey without a foriegn port stop given the recent storm. I thought that labor laws with an international crew stated that the ship must stop at a foreign port before returning to the US

if you are speaking of the short 3 day cruise it actually has to stop in Halifax for one hour. No disembarking of course, this is just to fulfill the requirement. Oh sorry, i just realized you are specifically talking about this last cruise that had to be cut short. I think there will be a waiver because of the circumstances and damages.

I was wondering if anyone new how anthem of the seas could return to New Jersey without a foriegn port stop given the recent storm. I thought that labor laws with an international crew stated that the ship must stop at a foreign port before returning to the US

if you are speaking of the short 3 day cruise it actually has to stop in Halifax for one hour. No disembarking of course, this is just to fulfill the requirement.

Just curious -- has anyone had a cruise cancelled completely before?

 

Did they refund your money, or give you future credit or what?

 

It's hard to make alternate plans this late - ESP if they only delay a day or 2 - or don't delay at all -- you would lose your money if you cancelled now ...but at this point it's anyone's guess what will happen -

 

We are in a holding pattern..

If I remember correctly i got a 100% refund and either 25 or 50% off another cruise in the future for each passenger.

RCL has yet to put anything on there website about what happened on Anthem.

They had not responded to most media outlets. Its time for RCL to talk. RCL and cruise lines need reform. They need to have emergency lines with staff that are able to contact the ship and give status updates during emergencies. In todays day of technology its not hard. I found out more from cruise critic and social media, and nothing from RCL. If you called this morning, they would only say they had some ruff seas last night on anthem.

I love cruising, but its to be safer.

they certainly did put it out there.

I've read in various postings that many people with a non-potty trained infant bring a small inflatable pool. The smallest we were able to find was 42 inches in diameter. Is this too big? From the 2 cruises I've been on, I know space is at a premium. Thanks.

i got the really small inflatable bathtub one which will be smaller than this. Look in the bath aisle in Toys R Us or wherever. It works great and also for putting in the bottom of the shower and filling with water for the baby's bath so they dont have to take a shower.

Where did you hear that? The only report i heard of something in the pool was one of the "radar golfball" looking things. No one reporting from on board has even mentioned Northstar.

i am sure they had that northstar tucked in and secured. i think it was just the golfball looking radar thingie too probably.

Anthem is returning to Bayonne. Captain just announc d

so sorry that your cruise was so rough and cut short but it sounds like RCCL is being fair with the refund and the discount on future cruise and there may be damage that needs attending which would necessitate the return.

Thanks or the input!

 

As far as Granduer. It's what you make it. Went on Enchantment for a 10 day 2 years ago before they pulled her from Baltimore and we had a blast. The "big" ships are are great but there is something to be said for these smaller older boats. My wife and the couple we cruise with seem to make our own good time wherever we go. So maybe it's just us! The most fun we ever had was on Radiance in Alaska!

I am pretty sure he was kidding about it being the worst ship in the Fleet. Look at how many times he has been on the Grandeur and is booked again on Grandeur 12/16. Pretty sure he is joking with you. He clearly loves it! As do I. Have been on several times and i just love the size which is just perfect to me- not too big, not too small, just a great ship. Great crew, etc.

We are going on a RCI cruise in a few weeks. We have cruised with RCI many times and always pay our gratuities and never share drink packages so I think of us as a pretty decent couple. For the first time ,we are going in a group of 6, 3 adult couples. The other 2 couples do not drink wine but do drink spirits. They have offered to bring the allocated bottle of wine each on board for my husband and I. This means hubby and I can buy 6 bottles of our favourite wine to enjoy onboard. In return, we would shout each of our friends a drink of their choice. Do you think this is terribly wrong? I have read some pretty viscious attacks on people's integrity on here so am curious.

nope, i think it is perfectly fine.