RCI secrets they don't tell you

[thewebbys]

Haven't been on for 1 day and I can't catch up. So I hope I am not repeating.

 

We always bring a gift from our home town for our room steward. We introduce ourselves with the gift and we are never disappointed with the service the whole cruise. Especially since we need ice all the time.

 

If you are cruising with kids. Ask the room steward to empty the mini-bar if your cabin has one. This will save you alot of money or at least the stress of saying no to the candy and soda pop

[believer33323]

The "Real Secret" is to explore the entire ship, deck by deck, to see what is there.

 

Print deck plans from the RCI Web Site before you board and then just wander and explore.

 

You will be glad you did!

 

 

Here is proof that this system works.

 

On our first cruise on the Jewel of the Seas, every time we went to the Windjammer we got our food and then found a nearby place to sit down and eat. At lunch on the 4th day, the Windjammer was pretty full so we kept heading aft to find an open table. And we found the open air seating area across the stern of the ship. For the rest of the cruise, that is where we ate.

 

Had we not walked back there we would never have found it!

 

 

We are scheduled on the Pearl in November. Do you know if it is the same set up that ship since they are sister ships?

[subtchr]

We are scheduled on the Pearl in November. Do you know if it is the same set up that ship since they are sister ships?

 

He meant RC's Jewel of the Seas. This is an RC thread, not NCL. Have a great cruise, though!

[Sanlin]

So, if I am in an inside cabin I can ask for a robe and get one? The shampoo in the shower is a combo with conditioned? If I order a wine package, I can take a bottle to my room? Cannot bring water or soda with me? Sorry have been a HAL, Princess and Celebrity cruise. First time on RCI.

[Pichu21]

Ahh! I read the other much shorter version of this thread and found many great tips and secrets. Looks like I have a whole lot more reading to do!

[mets550]

So, if I am in an inside cabin I can ask for a robe and get one? The shampoo in the shower is a combo with conditioned? If I order a wine package, I can take a bottle to my room? Cannot bring water or soda with me? Sorry have been a HAL, Princess and Celebrity cruise. First time on RCI.

 

Welcome to RCI! You will love it. You can certainly ask for a robe. You can also take a wine bottle back to the room.

[janna1]

I don't think there is any self laundry on RCI now.

Do they provide iron? Do I need to bring one? Any tips for laundry package?

[subtchr]

Do they provide iron? Do I need to bring one? Any tips for laundry package?

 

No irons provided, no self-service laundry rooms at all, and bringing your own is not permitted (fire hazard).

 

We pack carefully and haven't needed it, but many people say the laundry service is reasonable, especially for pressing only.

[jkskrap]

Fun thread. At least when it stays on topic ;).

 

My kids laughed at me on our last cruise when I told them I was "off to find my man cave." I absolutely recommend it . . .

 

Those bathrooms in the cabins are pretty darn small for a guy my size (over 6 feet/over 225 lbs). I like to find a bathroom to call home after we settle in the first day. The last time it was this huge stall in a bathroom next to the casino that seemed to never be used. It even had a shelf for my coffee and reading material. I know some of you are laughing!! But me getting out of the cabin at times and leaving my wife some privacy has helped keep me married for many years!

 

Not to mention all the food that goes in eventually needs to come out! :rolleyes:

 

PS---- Take the stairs as much as you can - while you can - and remember how lucky you are to be able to do it!

[believer33323]

Fun thread. At least when it stays on topic ;).

 

My kids laughed at me on our last cruise when I told them I was "off to find my man cave." I absolutely recommend it . . .

 

Those bathrooms in the cabins are pretty darn small for a guy my size (over 6 feet/over 225 lbs). I like to find a bathroom to call home after we settle in the first day. The last time it was this huge stall in a bathroom next to the casino that seemed to never be used. It even had a shelf for my coffee and reading material. I know some of you are laughing!! But me getting out of the cabin at times and leaving my wife some privacy has helped keep me married for many years!

 

Not to mention all the food that goes in eventually needs to come out! :rolleyes:

 

PS---- Take the stairs as much as you can - while you can - and remember how lucky you are to be able to do it!

 

I can relate to that!! Now I'm only 5-5 and 160 lbs but I still appreciate your message..

Edited February 23, 2012 by believer33323

[believer33323]

He meant RC's Jewel of the Seas. This is an RC thread, not NCL. Have a great cruise, though!

 

Thanks! I missed that one.

[Sequim88]

So, if I am in an inside cabin I can ask for a robe and get one? The shampoo in the shower is a combo with conditioned? If I order a wine package, I can take a bottle to my room? Cannot bring water or soda with me? Sorry have been a HAL, Princess and Celebrity cruise. First time on RCI.

 

You can ask for a robe but may not get one if not available. Loayalty program people at Platinum level and above are supposed to get them in any cabin category so it moght dpend on how many get used. Stuff in shower is combo and also includes vinyl floor stripper and works well as laundry soap in sink. Yes, you may take wine bottle from package to cabin from any location where the wine package items are available - generally MDR, Windjammer Buffet and specialty restaurants. Water and soda are borderline and most often OK except on Spring Break time cruises and/or routes with lots of college age cruisers at which time rules are enforced tighter to keep alcohol off.

 

Welcome to RCI. We find it almost same quality as HAL but much better value.

[Mr. Tricky]

My get-away from the cruise: Every night, after dinner, I take a long slow walk around the ship on the lowest open deck. Usually deck 4 I think. Same location as most muster stations. To me it's the only place where you feel like you're out at sea. Dimmer lighting, no kids, no loud music... it's how I imagine the old ocean liners were. You can hear the waves hitting the hull and smell the spray. Maybe even feel the spray if it's rough. Some nights you can even see stars. Light pollution prevents you from seeing many stars on the upper decks.

 

Love doing this... It is an amazing feeling of being alone on the ocean.

[mets550]

My get-away from the cruise: Every night, after dinner, I take a long slow walk around the ship on the lowest open deck. Usually deck 4 I think. Same location as most muster stations. To me it's the only place where you feel like you're out at sea. Dimmer lighting, no kids, no loud music... it's how I imagine the old ocean liners were. You can hear the waves hitting the hull and smell the spray. Maybe even feel the spray if it's rough. Some nights you can even see stars. Light pollution prevents you from seeing many stars on the upper decks.

 

Love doing this... It is an amazing feeling of being alone on the ocean.

 

Totally agree. This is my favorite part of cruising.

[Sanlin]

You can ask for a robe but may not get one if not available. Loayalty program people at Platinum level and above are supposed to get them in any cabin category so it moght dpend on how many get used. Stuff in shower is combo and also includes vinyl floor stripper and works well as laundry soap in sink. Yes, you may take wine bottle from package to cabin from any location where the wine package items are available - generally MDR, Windjammer Buffet and specialty restaurants. Water and soda are borderline and most often OK except on Spring Break time cruises and/or routes with lots of college age cruisers at which time rules are enforced tighter to keep alcohol off.

 

Welcome to RCI. We find it almost same quality as HAL but much better value.

 

Thanks for the information - looks like I need my own shower gell, shampoo and conditioner and some type of cover-up (large Gator T shirt). Doing same internary as you - only on Navigator April 14. Sure will miss my HAL, Celebrity and Princess wine!!! Looking for anything else I need to know.

[getupgo]

I hate to contradict someone who is so helpful, but you cannot get alcohol on any Royal Caribbean ship any time of the year. They will shake every bottle of water to make sure it is not alcoholic beverage. You can take water, that's all. You can look at some of the threads about sneaking alcohol onboard and take a shot at it if you don't mind losing it because they will keep it if they find it.

[sjcruiser3]

It's True on all Freedom class and below. Aqua, Blue, Orangey-yellow and pink. for forward, aft port and starboard.

[mpcaruth]

I was excited to see there were 28 pages of RCI Secrets...until I scanned 3 pages in a row of talk about either cultural differences or how to get a smart phone Ap to work.

 

Please be considerate and start a new thread to debate!!!!! This post is for secrets.

 

I became bored with all the impertinent posts and quit reading on page 5.

Edited August 3, 2012 by mpcaruth

[love2cruise56]

I have plenty of RCCL secrets...however if I told you it would no longer be a secret, and there would be tons of our fellow CCers there!

 

 

Isn't that what this board is for to share?

[MrsORANGE]

Thanks for the information - looks like I need my own shower gell, shampoo and conditioner and some type of cover-up (large Gator T shirt). Doing same internary as you - only on Navigator April 14. Sure will miss my HAL, Celebrity and Princess wine!!! Looking for anything else I need to know.

 

It's been my experience that the Shampoo in the showers is only shampoo, I made the mistake of not taking conditioner, and the "general store" on board didn't even have any, thank to a CC friend, she gave me a large cup full to get me though the 5 or 6 days, with the wind i thought i was going to pull may hair out, conditioner is a must.

To the guy who looks for the large bathroom, interesting find, I also found that many times the showers in the spa/gym area are HUGE too, Usually in the changing/steam room FREE area. It's Nice to take one where I can actually not touch the walls while trying to keep the leg bristle at a minimum. :eek:

[JLCruising]

Could you please explain how you were able to access the deck plans with your phone in airplane mode? I downloaded the RCI ap and found the plans, but I cannot get them to stay in my phones memory for use off line. Or maybe you are referring to a different application? Thanks.[/before you switch your phone to airplane mode - open the RCCL app and view every deck level. Then move to airplane mode and go back to the RCCL app. You'll now be able to look at all decks.quote]

[JLCruising]

I figured out the solution. Move your phone out of airplane mode. Go to the RCCL app and open every deck you want to see (I opened Allure - then every deck). Put your phone back into airplane mode and go back to the app. You'll now be able to see each deck.

[Sydney32203]

I have finally read all 28 pages and I'm ready for my first ever cruise in December :)

[Cruisercl]

I have finally read all 28 pages and I'm ready for my first ever cruise in December :)

 

I just finished reading this also. There is one thing we like to do when we are cruising RCL; the last ship I was on was AOS. They have an Irish Pub that has live entertainment in the evening. It is a guitar player singing Irish (mostly) songs. It becomes a sing-a-long and it is great fun. Try it if you get a chance. Have a great cruise!! :)

[kymbakitty]

Smuggle alcohol into the MDR under a baseball cap! :D:D:D Sorry, had to throw in another hot-button issue joke! ;)

 

Serious question.....you mean you can't walk in with a drink that you still have that you purchased at a bar?

 

If that's the case, wow. I've been cruising on Princess and Celebrity too much if this is really the case.

 

:/