Wineaux007

On 7/10/2024 at 4:15 PM, Blockschip said:

My understanding is that Philadelphia will be served by at least one cruise line starting in 2026 or 2027.

Someone told me it was NCL.  We'll see.

You can get a PIN for your credit card, but you don't need one.  European credit cards use the chip and pin and Tap, whereas U.S. credit cards will either use the Tap or insert the chip card into the reader, then sign -- called chip and sign vs European chip and pin. No PIN for U.S. credit cards.  If you have a cc with a pin, you can use it in an ATM, but it will be considered a cash advance, and you will pay interest from  the day of transaction.    This is different from the debit card/pin where the funds come out from your checking account. 

If you want the sun on your balcony, port side on a Westbound, and starboard side on an Eastbound.

I think 900 Euro is a little overkill.  Just about all places in Europe take credit cards, but not necessarily AMEX.  I would bring a VISA for those merchants who don't take AMEX.

I would bring Dollars for on board tips to your favorite bartender.  You can leave extra tips to your room attendant & wait staff at guest services on your on board account.

1 hour ago, jwlane said:

Exactly---why do they need a Euro adapter?

You don't.  This thread was about using the 220V, if I'm not mistaken.  If everything you have is 110V, you are in great shape.  For those who have multiple devices, the 220V adapter gives you more options.

3 hours ago, jwlane said:

As I look closer at the adaptor in my photo, I realized it's plugged into one of these.

That's all 110V.  Won't work in a 220V outlet.  Will fit in one of two plugs on the left in the photo by the desk.

49 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

I tavel with both of these as well as a adapter that gives me one USA-A and two USB-C outlets.

 

This one one gives  me one additiional USA style outlet as well as two USB-A and allows me to use the otherwise unused European adapter on the ship. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FJWLLDB

 

This one gives me three USA and two USB-A.  One thing to note is that this is wide enough that it May cover up the 2nd outlet in the picture posted by @jwlane.

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHVKPC3

 

Between these three items, I find that I am more than able to plug in all my electronic devices and charge my wife and I's mobile devices. 

 

Since retiring I have found I do not take as many electronic devices. 

 

Neither one of these has the USB (C), the smaller one.  I only see the USB (A).  My watch uses the smaller one.  The ones the OP showed have both.  I would go with the the one with the ground.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8NWLY86?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

We were on a Norway Fjords cruise this past May out of Southampton, and in our last Norway port before heading back to Southampton, they had a VAT refund rep set up in the Casino.  It took about 4 weeks before we got the VAT credited back to our credit card.  I would check with guest services to see if they offer it on your sailing.  Time & place was posted in the daily.

This is a 10-year old thread you resurrected.  That's cracking me up.  😁

I thought you needed an internet connection (wifi) to use whatsapp?  It works in just about all countries with T-Mobile.

We've been turned down many times at GS for getting the amount $1's we wanted.  They would only give us 10 at a time.  Can't depend on the casino as it's closed in port.  We get a wad of 1's from the bank before we leave.

We've been to many of these events where everyone is poured a glass of whatever for a toast.  My wife doesn't drink prosecco or champagne, but she takes a glass for the toast and doesn't partake.  (She gives it to me). 😁

What's the problem with just accepting whatever they were giving you and everyone else, and toasting and just not drinking it? 

The OP is asking about Ravenna, not Puerto Rico.  

7 hours ago, caribbeanboy said:

Thanks. I remember that in the past you could take your cabin mate to the Happy Hour.

Yes, in the past when they had happy hour up in the sky lounge (or whatever they called it on a particular ship).  You could take your cabin mate there and to the morning breakfast.  Now that they allowed drinks at any bar during happy hour, only Elite or Elite+ and above are able to partake in happy hour drinks.  Cabin mates are SOL.  😄

Sydney, Australia, is the the only port I've been in that once you embark, you cannot leave the ship.  

Ravenna is not that close to the port area.  The center of town is about 8-10 miles from the port.

I'm sure once you are allowed to embark, around 11am, you would be able to disembark and head into town, but you have to check sailaway times, and all-aboard times before you leave the ship.  We were there 2-3 three years ago, and there were not plenty of taxis in town, so I would be concerned about getting back to the ship without pre-arranged taxi.  

47 minutes ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

 

I bought a lot of the stock when it was so low at the beginning of Covid. I sold enough to recover my initial investment. I'm playing with house money so it doesn't (necessarily) cost me anything to hold onto it. I'm enjoying the slow rise. It set a new record high again today.

Back in 2008 I purchased 100 shares for $16 a share just to get the shareholder benefits for our cruises.  When the priced dropped to $5 a share, my wife said that we should buy more.  What the hell does she know?  LOL

7 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

If your ship has a Playmakers (not all ships do), the best value BY FAR is a pitcher.  Of course, a pitcher comes with its own set of pros /cons.  

 

 

Yes, if you are sharing with a couple others as it gets warm half way thru.  

I like my beer ice cold, so I bring small plastic fold up cooler with me along with a couple quart freezer bags.  I have the bartender fill the bags with ice, and I place the "oil can" in between the two bags of ice to keep it cold after I pour my first glass.  😄

The best value for beer on board is the "Oil Can" - the 24.5oz Fosters.  

24 minutes ago, cruisegirlppp said:

I also don't think it matters when the cruise is; I just received OBC for two cruises...one is 4/25 the other is 1/26

I agree.  I apply for shareholder OBC as soon as I book a cruise.  It's always been approved within a few days.

14 minutes ago, Goldenco said:

Just a question: What is RCG? The stock symbol is RCL.  I assume BOD is Board of Directors.  BTW, The AI concept is not just Celebrity; e.g. Norwegian has The Haven.

I think you are incorrect in that the BOD wants the loans paid off quickly.  I  think the new CEO want to show record revenue.  

RCG = Royal Caribbean Group.

33 minutes ago, PKB said:

OK, don't flame me here, I am just curious.  I see the question above asked commonly and always wondered.  Do you prefer the bed by the window or prefer nearer the bathroom?  Why?  Nearer the bathroom is more convenient during the night...nearer the window can see out better during the day....is there a more obvious reason I am missing?

Are you normally in bed during the day to see out better? 

We like bed by the bath as it opens up the space leading out to the balcony.  Others like bed by the balcony to open up space to get dressed near the hanging closet.  I've had both, but I think it's a personal preference.

13 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

You can look at the deck plans on cruisedeckplans.com.  If you see the square symbol indicating there is a convertible sofa bed, then the bed is by the bathroom.  (7229 and 8331 have bed by the door, 7129 has the bed by the window). 

 

Stateroom 8331 had the bed by the balcony, along with 7129.  7229 has the bed by the bath/door.

28 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

We had an odd schedule last week on Solstice.  Second chic night was actually the night before disembarkation—I’ve never seen that before.  Lobster was the night before but that was NOT a chic night.

That is odd/strange as folks pack up luggage prior to dinner on the last evening.  Did you have a lot of folks come to dinner in shorts?  🤣

Did your answer = one liter bottles?  We ordered the water package on a recent Royal sailing, and it mentioned twelve 1 liter bottles of Evian.  We received 24 1/2 liter bottles of Evian in the stateroom.

4 minutes ago, LUV THE SEA said:

Thank you but I thought on the dress nights they had more specialty items??? That is what I read on other posts. The menu rotates but the better dinners on the 6th and 2nd night

That's been my experience.