blaken09

I was able to get the deluxe beverage package for my 11/13 sailing a few weeks ago for $68/day. Currently and for the last week or so it's fluctuated between $73 and $78/day + grat. The going rate right now for my cruise, the refreshment package is $30/day and soda package is $8.99/day.

Honestly, check every day and sometimes multiple times a day. The prices are usually fluctuating and that's how I saved $10/day/person on my deluxe bev package. You can also do what I and many others do and pay for it at its current price and then if you find it cheaper you can cancel and get it refunded and re-purchase at the new lower price.

Hi y'all. Hoping to book Mason Jar brunch for our upcoming Wonder cruise (not with the UDP). When going to select a date and time, Cruise Planner is only showing our embarkation date with reservation times between 10am and 2pm. No one can even board the ship before noon due to the Coast Guard doing it's annual inspection of WOTS (according to an email from Royal).

My question is - does this sound right? Why would they be offering times to dine for a brunch on embarkation day before anyone can even board? Could it be that every other day of the cruise is booked up for brunch? I always read that the specialty restaurants rarely get fill up completely, but when trying to book other locations, it does give me various dates and times unlike the brunch. Just a bit confused and would appreciate any insight/clarification!

On 9/27/2022 at 2:40 PM, Sea Dog said:

What we did on playmakers on Symphony last week is order and once you get close to the limit tell the server before hand you want a second ticket for the rest. In our case the campfire brownie for both of us would put us over our limit so we had the server put the dessert on a separate ticket.

Thanks for this description! I was wondering this exact thing. I'll begin another visit if I go over 🤭

With the UDP, does anyone know if you're able to make your reservations on the app once you've boarded the ship or do you HAVE to visit a specialty dining location to make all reservations using the UDP? I've read conflicting things.

Thanks for any help provided!

21 minutes ago, bonsai3s said:

Largest fresh water pool in the Caribbean...free.

 

Snack Shack: Cheeseburgers, fries, secret Chicken sandwich, fried cheese sticks, funnel cakes...free.

 

Beautiful beaches with loungers and umbrellas...free.

 

 

Where does one find the cheese sticks and funnel cakes? Was there a few weeks ago and forgot about them but only saw the typical burgers and hotdogs. Would love to know where to get these other goodies!

Hello fellow cruisers!

I’m a first time NCL Cruiser. Booked on the Joy on Aug 17th for the Alaskan cruise. I’ve been on many other cruises (RCCL, Disney, Carnival). I’m just looking for any tips or heads up on things that are different or must-dos on NCL. 

We have the drink package, WiFi, shore credit, and specialty dining promos. 

Any food or drinks that we must try on NCL?

Is there anything unique to NCL that you didn’t know about or wish you knew about before your first sailing with them?

Also if anyone has any recommendations or tips for an Alaskan cruise, I’m all ears as this is also my first time cruising to AK! 

Thanks and happy cruising!

FYI, I just checked in AND embarked the ship all before my arrival window listed on my boarding pass. No sitting and waiting to be called. I was on the ship before my arrival window of time began.

Set. In. Stone. (for the most part.) And it dramatically improves the boarding process. Enjoy your cruise.

Thank you!!

My experience in May in Miami ( Vista).

1) Arrived at 10:30 for 11:30 check in.

2) Went to early/late line.

3) Walked straight through to check in rep.

4) Scanned Boarding Passes , received Boarding #

5) Put personal items/carry through security

6) Waited in boarding area

 

Note: They weren't busy at all, we were willing to wait if turned away, and did as Carnival's procedure is set up ( going in appropriate line) early/late.

 

It may change from week to week, for us it worked.

thanks for the detailed description! Really helps :)

Thanks for the responses. I am aware check-in and embarkation are two different things. Not my first rodeo. Hence my question about being able to embark anytime before 12:30 if I were to try (and successfully) check in earlier than that. RCCL also has staggered start times and they are super efficient with checking you in and letting you embark once you are done regardless of the window of time you've been given.

Hello fellow cruisers! I searched the boards and couldn't find an answer to my question. I haven't sailed Carnival in many years. If my check-in time is 12:30 is there any chance of embarking earlier than that? My most recent cruises have been RCCL and we have been able to board the ship as soon as we completed our check-in. Does CCL still do the cattle boarding where you sit in a holding area waiting for your cattle call?

Hello lovely cruisers! I have FINALLY secured Harmony of the Seas for February (so excited!). It's been a hot minute since I've cruise with RCI. We have purchased the drink package as it was on sale (yay for saving $100!). I've done some searching on this forum with not much luck, but does anyone have an updated list of the different liquor included with the Deluxe Beverage Package as far as what brands of each type of liquor are included? The only one I can find on here is from 9/6/16. Also if anyone has any recent photos of drink menus on HOS that would be great too! Thanks for any info! Happy Sailing! :)

Hello fellow cruisers. Considering booking my first NCL cruise on the Epic. I'm gathering mixed info on the threads here regarding the adults only section of the ship. Maybe its due to my unfamiliarity. My questions are....

I see on NCL's site they have the Posh Beach Club onboard....is this exclusive to Haven Guests? Is there a fee to get in to Posh? Basically what I want to know is regardless of the room type I book, is there an "adults only" area of the ship I can go to relax and if so is this in fact the Posh Beach Club? And is there a pool there?

Also what is H2O and Spice that I keep reading about? Hope this all makes sense. I just need clarity around all of that. I think I just need a description of all of these things haha. Thanks for any information you can provide! :)

I just called 5 minutes ago and asked about my cruise in January and inquired about an exemption for personal reasons for the friend in my room as she truly doesn't drink. I was specifically told "no exceptions no matter what". Also asked if she could do the soda package, and I do deluxe answer was "if one person in the room has deluxe everyone over 21 must also have it". I have read every post on this thread so while some of you claim "it's so simple just ask for an exemption" No, in fact it isn't "that simple" Just goes to show it depends on who you talk to.

Hello all,

Apologies if this has been covered, I did a search and could not find the answer.

I know policy is that everyone in the stateroom of legal drinking age MUST purchase the Cheers drink package. Is there ANY way around that without booking my own room? The other two folks I'm traveling with do not drink whatsoever therefore they have no interest in a drink package. I can definitely drink my $$ worth with the drink package and would hate to have to buy drinks one at a time because of this policy forcing everyone in the room to have to purchase the package. Thanks for any advice and help!

I'll be on her on Monday and I'll try to take lots of pix for everyone!

Hey friendly cruisers, just some questions about Port of Miami, first off does anyone have any recommendations as far as a good place to stay the night before the cruise that also offers the option to leave your car parked there? We live in Orlando and thought we'd drive down the night before if we can pay a little more than the cruise terminal parking to stay one more night in advance and get to leave our car there also.

Also, looking for tips or recommendations as to where to park while on the cruise in Miami if we don't do a hotel? If any of you have any places you've parked at before that are a bit cheaper than parking at the port but still a good experience please let me know!

We've booked Epic Miami by Kimpton hotel for the night after our cruise which we're really looking forward to!

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

Hello all, its been many years since I have cruised Carnival but got such a great deal with my airline discount I couldn't pass it up. Sailing on Victory a week after her dry-dock and just had a few questions.

I know there is the "adult only" area called Serenity and it has two hot tubs are there any pools just for adults. Is the aft pool also "adult only" or is that open for anyone? Just trying to see where we will spend most of our time.

Also, as far as drinking on the cruise goes, I thought I read somewhere about a Bon Voyage package or something...? Does this mean I can order alcohol ahead of time to have sent to my room for the cruise since I can't bring it onboard? Any info on that is appreciated!

I'm used to sailing RCI and their drink package is great. No limits, don't have to buy for everyone in the room, bottled water comes with package. Doesn't seem like Carnival's package is going to work since its more expensive and my SO can't drink so it's pointless to get it for him and water isn't included (really?!...cheap!)

If anyone has any tips or secrets about the Victory or Carnival cruises in general feel free to let me know, I love learning new things!

Also, looking for a great hotel on South Beach the night after we get back if anyone has any recommendations on that as well :)

Hello all! Sailing on FOS on Oct 26th, my partner and I have our own reservation. My partner's father will also be joining us using Dialysis at Sea and has his own reservation for his room.

The two of us have already reserved our seats for the ice skating show and for dinner one night at Chops. Is there a way to add his father onto these reservations? I tried to add his res to our account online and since we aren't on his res it won't allow us. Can RCI "link" the reservations together so we can do all of our planning together or something of the sort? Or does his father (who can't really use a computer) have to go online himself and reserve his spot separately? But then I feel that they would have no way of knowing we are traveling together with him. Thanks for your help! :D

Hello CC family, forgive me if these questions have been answered before (as I'm sure they have) and I missed them. And if they have feel free to redirect me! I'm a newbie to these boards. :confused:

Couple of questions about the Freedom itself; I know there are lessons you can take for the Flowrider, however when those lessons are not going on is the Flowrider open to all guests to use during the cruise free of charge? Or do you have to pay to use it?

Also, regarding the specialty restaurant locations. I know the Chops and Portofino prices but I was curious about the price or cover(?) of The Cupcake place and Johnny Rockets. And is there an extra fee or cover for Sorrento's? Love the RCCL pizza on board and hope I don't now have to pay for that?!

I've sailed with Royal only once before on the Enchantment (loved it!) but I'm SO SO excited to experience all the beauty and everything Freedom has to offer.

ONE LAST QUESTION! We did the premium drink package on the last cruise and if I remember right mainly the only difference between that one and the next package up, the Ultimate package, is just that you get more premium wines and beer? Is that the biggest difference?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide! :)