Natitude61

Crossing our fingers that our cruise on Freedom will actually happen in January...we’ve already made final payment, and noticed that another cabin, which we would prefer, has opened up. It’s still same basic category (superior balcony), but priced about $30 higher than cabins in our subcategory due to location. Called our TA to see if we could switch by paying the $30 extra, she sat on hold for a while with RCCI and came back and said it would cost us $900!

Does this sound right? I should add that pricing has gone up pretty significantly since we originally booked...

Still holding out hope that we’ll be on Freedom the end of January, but assuming we’ll be limited to ship excursions if we do sail. Anyone been on any can’t miss RCCI excursions that you can recommend? Thoughts on best island — St Lucia, Barbados, or Antigua — for snorkeling? Thanks in advance!

Still holding out hope that we’ll be on Freedom the end of January, but assuming we’ll be limited to ship excursions if we do sail. Anyone been on any can’t miss RCCI excursions that you can recommend? Thoughts on best island — St Lucia, Barbados, or Antigua — for snorkeling? Thanks in advance!

Still holding out hope that we’ll be on Freedom the end of January, but assuming we’ll be limited to ship excursions if we do sail. Anyone been on any can’t miss RCCI excursions that you can recommend? Thoughts on best island — St Lucia, Barbados, or Antigua — for snorkeling? Thanks in advance!

Has anyone done any of the food tours? We’re debating between Sip and Savour or Bermuda Food Tour, and wondering if anyone else has any experience. Thanks!

We’ve always booked late dining, and are booked that way for our next cruise as well. Thinking seriously about doing the BOGO specialty for the first 2 nights and, since we’re in a JS, plan on doing Coastal Kitchen a couple nights as well. 

We don’t want to be “those people” who never show up in the MDR, so wondering if we should see about switching to MTD. If we did stay with late dining, we would request a 2-top so we wouldn’t leave table mates wondering if we were going to show or not, but just wondering if we screw over the waiters by not showing up half of the nights. Does it affect their tip if diners don’t show up, or are they relieved that they still get the same gratuity without having to do any work other than setting the table? Or does it really not matter either way?

Sorry if this has been answered a thousand times before, but as you can imagine this thread is a little daunting!

We’ll be staying at Embassy Suites on Intl Dr night before our cruise, driving up from the south. Looking at the spaghetti soup that is the NJ Turnpike N (!), I’m not sure of the best (read: least confusing) way to get to the port. Should we go north on the turnpike, or is it easier to go south and cut across the Staten Island Expwy?

I’m from NoVa, so do have some experience driving in urban areas! And our ship leaves on Saturday, so no rush hour to speak of. 

Thanks!

Thank you!

Going on 7 day to Bermuda, Boston...does anyone have MDR menus and order of menus? Trying to plan our specialty nights. Also, does anyone know if they ever have onboard specials for the specialty restaurants? I know FOS, NOS both had 2-for-1 and other discounts once onboard...just wondering if we should book in advance or wait until we board. Thanks!

I’m sorry if this has been answered a hundred times before, but this is a really, really long thread!

Preplanning our cruise on Anthem out of Bayonne for next April, and don’t have a clue about where to stay. We’ll be driving up the turnpike from VA, so really open to any nice, clean, safe place to rest our heads. Likely won’t be going into NYC, so don’t need easy access to ferry.

We have Marriott and Hilton points, so preference to one of those chains (though not a requirement).

And price is not a huge factor — just not into Ritz Carlton tier!

Thanks in advance!

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It is none of your business what happened. Please respect the right to privacy of your fellow guests.

Thank you for this. Perhaps because I’m in the medical field and have been ingrained with the need for patient privacy, these kinds of posts always bother me.

Imagine if this was you or one of your loved ones...would you want your medical condition(s) publicized to a shipful of passengers as well as throughout the Internet?

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Thank you! How did I miss that it was overnighting in Aruba?!

That, and the fact that the corner aft was still available, sold me. Booked the January 20 sail date!

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Been going back and forth for the past few days about which southern Caribbean to take in 2020.

Choices are:

Serenade

Explorer

Adventure

Anthem

Looking for 8+ days and would prefer not to leave from Puerto Rico (though I may be talked into it if the argument is good). Did. ABCs last year, so not 100% sure I want to repeat that itinerary...some new islands would be good though, to be honest, as long as it’s warm and sunny and we’re on a ship, it’s all good. We’re middle aged couple going without kids.

Please sell me (or steer me away) on a ship! Thank you!

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So it’s been a year since I last booked so maybe this is old news, but just pricing out some of the newly released 2020 10- and 11-day southern Carib cruises. Deposit for 2 in a balcony is $900! This is for both refundable and nonrefundable fares. That’s far more than any deposit I’ve ever placed — even on a suite! Is this an error or a new thing with RCI?

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We stayed in one of the deck 12 balconies on Freedom (similar deck plan) and loved it. Nice and quiet, and close to the pool. Only downside was that you had to walk outside to get to Windjammer (unless you walked down a couple of flights then over and back up. Really not a big deal at all unless the weather was bad

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Thanks...we reserved a car online through Alamo with p/u at MIA. Didn't make sense to shuttle to FLL, since we can rent from MIA for less than the cost of a shuttle for two. I guess we'll see when we get there if they have a shuttle...

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On Navigator now, thinking about renting a car upon our return since we have most of a day to kill (flying out of FLL). Does anyone know what rental companies offer shuttles FROM the port to their rental center? Thanks

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Leaving Thursday for our cruise, flight gets in pretty late the night before. Just realized I don't have enough foundation to get through 9 days (plus plan on getting a spray tan before I leave, so will likely need another shade from my winter paleness!). Not sure I'll have time to get to the mall before I leave. Does anyone know what brands the onboard shops carry (specifically Navigator of the Seas)? TIA

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Does anyone know if NOS has any options for lunch for those in a suite on boarding day? Is Chops available as on some other ships? TIA

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Yes, thank you!

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Having a very blonde moment here...ordered day passes a while ago from a company for Santa Barbara resorts, but for the life of me can't find the confirmation email. Can anyone tell me the various companies out there that provide day passes for the resort?

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I always feel like I missed the class on how to dress appropriately for various situations, and never feel like I'm wearing what I should on non-formal nights in the MDR. If I'm not overdressed, I'm underdressed. Would love some ideas on what others wear!

I'm going on RC, and I'm in my 50s at home I'm a jeans and sweatshirt/t-shirt girl, and wear scrubs at work, so I don't even have work outfits to fall back on! Too heavy (and ugly legs!) for all those cute short dresses/skirts (size 12).

Thanks for suggestions!

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Thanks...so Surf onboard is basically the same price as Surf + Stream pre cruise, minus the 15%...

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Sailing on NOS, and will need Internet access for work [emoji17]. Trying to decide if I should sign up now or wait until I get onboard. Only need to check email, so Surf only will suffice. Does anyone know what current onboard price is, and if there are any Emerald discounts?

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Thanks for everyone's advice...time to go shopping!

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