CruisinQueen2013

We leave in a couple of weeks and these beach beds just appeared in my shore excursions earlier this week. We booked one. Someone else posted a map with the location of south beach and pics of the area not long ago. It looks nice but at the time, I think only the cabanas/bungalows were available. We figured we'd give it a shot.

Just checked my JS on Brilliance for March and it went up $2000, it's now over $4k for 4 people!!! That's crazy! Glad I booked when I did.

You'd have to trade in the loungers in order to fit the extra chairs and even then, that table is not big enough for full meals for more than 2 people.

 

 

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The you tube video of a Majesty GS didn't show loungers just regular chairs and only 2. Maybe it was just that room, don't know. We've done breakfast on those tables with one kid and had no issue, we have 2 kids now but still think the table would be fine. We tend to eat family style for breakfast anyway. I would just like 4 chairs total, don't really care what type they are, just want everyone to have a place to sit.

We were in the same situation with a GS and asked for extra chairs and our attendant said he would see if he could find some extras. They were there later that day. So it can't hurt to ask.

Great, thanks, we'll give it a shot!

Thinking of getting one of the beach loungers for my daughter and I to enjoy in November. It says they are located on the secluded beach. Is lunch still close to get too. Do you think they are worth it? The look awesome and so does the beach...Lots of room and privacy.

$59 not too bad...

They are $49.75 now, which is for 2 people, I think they've actually dropped the price since they put out the beds and bungalows. We actually thought about the loungers but it says there is a minimum age of 4 and we have a toddler. We're doing the beach bed instead.

It's Majesty so I think it's a bit smaller.

Never been in a GS before but I saw a video on you tube and it sure looks like there should be...

Hey everyone, just some new info. I was looking at shore excursions at Coco Cay yesterday and saw a new "full day beach bed rental" - this is in addition to the "beach lounger for two" and the new bungalows. So, there are 3 options now:

Beach lounger for two: $49.75 for 2 people (used to be $59 I think)

Full Day beach bed rental (looks very similar to a bungalow, just a different furniture setup): $150 for up to 6 people

Beach bungalows (couches instead of a "bed"): $225 for up to 6 people

Both the beach bed and the bungalows say they come with a cooler of water, floating mats and beach towels are provided. Transportation via "cocolimo" is also included. Oddly enough, the beach bed also says it has a "cabana attendant" but the bungalows don't mention that.

Link: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/destinations/shoreExcursions/subGateWayByPort/search.do?LocationCode=CCA&pager.offset=0

Not sure why you'd do the bungalow instead of the beach bed since it's $75 more unless you really prefer a couch. Both options show that you can untie the curtains to provide shade.

We're used to having an aft JS with the large balcony and extra seating and eating breakfast out there - spoiled, I know. :) but we're in a GS next month and saw online that it standardly only has a small table and two chairs. We have a family of 4 - any chance the suite attendant can score us a couple of extra chairs (not asking for loungers, just regular chairs so we can all sit out there)? Happy to tip additionally of course just didn't know if it was worth even asking. Has anyone tried this?

We very much enjoyed going to "The Blue Lagoon" :)

I second this - we've done Blue Lagoon three times, always have a great time.

Can anyone tell me if it is worth it to get the meals? how long is the buffet open? Can you buy al la carte? Are the prices reasonable. I have a 4 yr old - not sure it is worth purchasing for her. I do not eat a lot but like to nibble often. Thanks

We bought the package through Royal Caribbean and it included the lunch. It was good - there were a couple of more "authentic" items but definitely had american fare. At the time, we had our almost 3 year old daughter with us and it was perfect as she was familiar with the food. She actually ate quite a bit. Her child ticket was less than ours and did include the buffet. I think you can buy a pass directly from Playa Mia that doesn't include food if you'd like. No idea what the prices are from them but have heard it's cheaper although you may have to get your own transportation.

The buffet was open for a few hours and they re-filled often. The chips and salsa were very good so we had a few plates of that around.

I didn't even look at the brand when we've gone but have Graco sheets for our PnP at home and they've always fit just fine.

We are sailing with GD on Allure in October and I have been researching this frequently. Keep in mind when you look at the RCCL www site there is the Royal Tots Program and the Royal Tots Nursery. It's a little confusing. They are totally different and available on some ships and not others.

 

The Oasis class has the nursery, which is for fee and staffed with sitters. The program is non-supervised, free, and is a play area where parents can take kids.

Lots of RCI ships have both, we've used the nursery on Enchantment and Navigator (neither are Freedom or Oasis class) and will be using it again on Majesty next month. When looking at the ship details, it will say "royal babies ans tots nursery" if it has one and most do since RCI has been adding them during dry docks. We dropped her off once on Enchantment and twice on Navigator. You can reserve a spot as early as the first day but spots do fill up and each person only gets so many.

We've taken our daughter on 2 cruises (15 months and again at 2.5) and she never once had a problem (going again next month at 4). Before going the first time, I asked our pediatrician and he chuckled. He said babies don't get seasick and it's very rare in kids. There are some OTC things like sea bands, etc. but I wouldn't worry about it.

We did that itinerary last year, Playa Mia in Cozumel is fantastic! They have a beach area but we spent the whole time at the water park there as there was plenty to keep the kids happy and it's right next (literally a few feet away) from the full size pool. Would definitely do again.

As for Grand Cayman, we grabbed the bus and went to Seven Mile beach, next time, I would reserve with a beach club just for nicer facilities. I've heard it's pretty cheap to grab a cabana for the day at one of the clubs along seven mile.

In Jamaica, we did a catamaran cruise. There were only a few kids on board but they all seemed to be having fun. The port area in Falmouth is very nice and secure and has a Margaritaville with a pool.

There are actually quite a few Royal Caribbean ships with splash areas now since they are doing the "revitalization" program. We have cruised on 2 that are not of the classes mentioned earlier and they are in place. I would search based on your dates and itinerary wants first as odds are you'll be able to find a ship that has something in place for little ones.

Yes, Enchantment has group care for the one year old as there is a royal babies and tots nursery on board. The 4 and 6 year old should be covered but if wanting water play for the baby, you'll want to consider a small blow-up pool or choose Majesty since they have a kiddie splash area that is ok for swim diapers.

We cruised on Enchantment with our 15 month old and she had a blast. You can "rent" (for free) toys from the nursery and exchange as often as you want. Have fun with whatever you decide!

We haven't sailed on Oasis but on every one we have sailed, the nursery has been open most of the time and rarely with anyone there. We used it quite often. There are usually "open play" times listed in the Adventure Ocean compasses each day.

Thanks everyone! I'll pass your comments on to DH and see if I can convince him. :)

When the child reaches 18, they (should) get unlinked from the parents, but retain whatever C&A level the parents had on the child's 18th birthday. However the child's points become whatever they themselves earned, so a child could be Diamond with 7 points.

Ah, ok, got it. Thanks for clearing that up Bob!

Would love some gut reactions on this one. I was on the RCI site during the "kids sail free" promo and got a aft JS on Brilliance (out of Tampa) for a 5 night cruise in late March for $2600. This seemed like a good deal to me for the 4 of us (husband and I and two young kids). I put in the deposit and then filled my DH in just last night. He was curious to know if this is really a good deal or not as this cruise would be just 6 months after our upcoming trip next month and as we both work and have to fly in, we wouldn't usually take two trips this close together. We can afford it, although we'll definitely have to cut out some dining out between now and then but it's not like we'd have to throw it on a credit card. Question is - what do you guys think, does that seem like a good deal? I re-checked it yesterday now that the kids sail free promo is gone and it's $3300. Thoughts?

FYI - We were looking to sail our next one out of Tampa and have never done Radiance class before so it seemed like a good fit but if we were picking our "ideal" time, we'd wait until next fall or the following spring.

I know the kids assume the same status as the parents (my 4 year old is Platinum) but I've also read that once they turn 18, then their status reverts to whatever they have actually "earned". No idea if that happens in practicality but I read it on the RCL site when we first cruised with my oldest daughter at 1. My youngest (who just turned 1 last month) will be Platinum after we sail next month. She could easily be D+ by 18 on her own. :)

RCI has recently added a few excursions to this recently re-developed island. We had originally booked Blue Lagoon Island beach day as we've done it before and enjoyed it. We thought we'd switch to the Pearl Island beach day as it is relatively similar but supposedly also has a pool and a lighthouse. We have 2 kids and thought this would be fun. I've been checking reviews and they are all so dramatically different. Some say it's a great beach day and others say the pool is under repair and empty and there are no chairs, etc. All of the reviews are just in the last 2 months and there doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to why they are so different. I know that everyone has different opinions but facts like the pool, tender boats, and beach chairs shouldn't be as subjective. I'm just torn now on what to do - keep Pearl Island or go back to Blue Lagoon as at least we know what to expect. Any input would be appreciated.

RCI has recently added a few excursions to this recently re-developed island. We had originally booked Blue Lagoon Island beach day as we've done it before and enjoyed it. We thought we'd switch to the Pearl Island beach day as it is relatively similar but supposedly also has a pool and a lighthouse. We have 2 kids and thought this would be fun. I've been checking reviews and they are all so dramatically different. Some say it's a great beach day and others say the pool is under repair and empty and there are no chairs, etc. All of the reviews are just in the last 2 months and there doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to why they are so different. I know that everyone has different opinions but facts like the pool, tender boats, and beach chairs shouldn't be as subjective. I'm just torn now on what to do - keep Pearl Island or go back to Blue Lagoon as at least we know what to expect. Any input would be appreciated.

I'll also be posting on the bahamas board as well but there isn't as much traffic there and we leave in 4 weeks. Thanks!

Not sure what's going on? Sure seems odd. We've bought the package a couple of times before so I've never seen it like this. There are basically no cruises listed anymore on the site, for RCI anyway.