A few questions

[DeanD]

I hope I don't drive you all crazy. I am a planner and live for details. I do have a few questions, some of which have been addressed to a degree but I still don't have a good feel so forgive me if necessary. We're on the Mariner early June in inside cabins.

 

• When and where does one usually get the ice show tickets?
  
• How early can I expect to be able to make alternant restaurant reservations?
  
• Are personal hair dryers prohibited or just discouraged?
  
• I understand taking alcohol on board is done but discouraged. But if you did take beer, is glass OK or must it be plastic/aluminum?
  
• Any suggestions for a 18 & 20 year old. I'm just concerned about them getting into the flow until late in the cruise unless there is some formal type of activities that get the proper ages together. I'm assuming the teens programs stop at 17.
  
• IF by chance an upgrade is available when I check in, does anyone have a general idea of how much it might be? I'm assuming that it would be far less than the listed difference between the two cabins, if available.
  
• When and where does one get the C&A coupon books and does each member get one or just per cabin?
  
• How many plugs are in the cabin and bath?
  
• Anyone stayed at the Radisson but not on a cruise package and had a problem leaving the car for the week?
  
• Wife, daughter and sister want a beach for a few hours. It needs to be something easy to do and get to. There was a thread a few days ago about the beaches but I just couldn't get enough info out of it to know. What is the name of the beach in Philipsburg and how easy is it to get to. A blow by blow would be helpful if anyone is willing to give it.
  

 

As always, Thanks for any info that can be provided.

[brn2crz]

Just a few answers.

If you want a better cabin..Book it now...There wont be one at the pier..In June..on Mariner..(ours in Oct,is almost sold out of balconies)

If you are C&A,the coupon book will be in your room,your gift will come later in the week.

If you are female,and need any kind of power..Bring your own dryer.

and an extra power strip never hurt.

 

Make sure and write a review...Are you Eastern or Western.

[Dolphin-dan]

[*]Any suggestions for a 18 & 20 year old. I'm just concerned about them getting into the flow until late in the cruise unless there is some formal type of activities that get the proper ages together. I'm assuming the teens programs stop at 17.

 

Let them do whatever, it sounds like you are going on a voyager class ship so believe me, their are plenty of people his age to hang out with.

[DeanD]

Just a few answers.

If you want a better cabin..Book it now...There wont be one at the pier..In June..on Mariner..(ours in Oct,is almost sold out of balconies)

If you are C&A,the coupon book will be in your room,your gift will come later in the week.

If you are female,and need any kind of power..Bring your own dryer.

and an extra power strip never hurt.

 

Make sure and write a review...Are you Eastern or Western.

My wife is female and the hair dryer is important to her. LOL, I was hoping you'd say now way, leave it at home. My daughter already said she didn't care what they said, she's bringing hers. The cabin isn't a big deal,esp since we have 3 cabins together. We went back and forth initially when booking as to whether to book 2 inside and a balcony or just 3 inside. At the time we decided to go with inside based partly on price. But we are in a the best location we could get for inside based on movement (sea sickness issues) center, deck 6 just aft of the aft lifts. So I'm not sure if I'd take anything if they offered it even if it was pretty inexpensive, just trying to rethink my options.

 

As for other things to take, I think I'm pretty versed on that. I have 2 ext cords and 2 night lights I routinely travel with, not to mention my over the door organizer, zip lock bags, duck tape, etc.

[DeanD]

I'm bumping this in hopes that I will get more of my questions answered.

[Elexman]

You should be able to book alternative dining pretty much as soon as you board the ship. The availability of the ice show tickets will be published in the Compass. As for bringing your own beer...if you decide to do this, I would recommend that you do not bring glass. Just too many things to go wrong with glass. Also be aware that it is not only discouraged to bring your own alcolhol, it is against RCCL's policy. I wouldn't be too worried about the beaches in St. Maarten. Transportation and tours will be plentiful and abundant. I am going to be on Explorer March 6th, so if you want, I can get more detailed information for you. Feel free to email me. Have a great cruise!!!

[Schplinky]

I would suggest that you post each of your questions separately. Folks tend to hone in on one issue and ignore the rest.

 

That said..

 

You can make specialty reservations as soon as you board.

 

The show tickets are given out at the purser's desk at a time during the week. From what I've read, the first show books out and the second does not.

 

If you pack glass bottles in your luggage, double bag with plastic in case you fo have a breakage.

[DeanD]

Thanks Elexman and Schplinky as well as all others, that is additional info that is helpful. I could post each separately and may need to in order to wrap up some details but I was trying to not flood the site. I really don't want to bring glass and wasn't certain about the alcohol not being able to be brought on board. We are looking forward to the trip but the devil is in the details as they say.

[TrentS]

Actually the Ice Show tickets are given out in front of Studio B at times announced in your Cruise Compass. IF any tickets are left over you can then get them anytime AFTER the "give away" at the Purser's office. There are 4 shows, on 2 days, and they "sell out" based on whether 1st or 2nd seating is more popular that week as they're timed so you don't miss dinner or the other shows in the main theater.

 

Hair dryers are "discouraged", but if you bring one do NOT plug it in in the bathroom, you'll blow the circuit. ONLY use the plug on the vanity/desk, and don't bring an extremely powerful one. There's 1 plug in the bathroom for shavers ONLY, and 1 at the vanity/desk.

 

18-21's can drink beer & wine, go to the adult disco, casino, etc. They're adults and can do everything adults can do except buy hard liquor. There are no organized activities for that age group, just 17 and under.

 

If you do a search on here you should be able to find out the rates for upgrades. They've been listed many times, but quite frankly they're RARELY available and June is a high season so as others have said - If you want a better cabin book it now. Also, the upgrades are NOT necessarily less than the difference in prices. Cabin prices are based on availability and I've seen cases where the upgrade prices are more than it would've been if you'd have booked them in advance.

 

You can see the beach that you're referring to in Philipsburg from the ship. As you walk down the pier there is a water taxi to the left as you leave the pier, take it to Philipsburg and walk to wherever you want to be on that beach. Orient Beach is the most popular beach in St. Maarten though, and a much better beach with every beach activity you can think of. You can very easily get a taxi to and from there.

[elleluv]

You can see the beach that you're referring to in Philipsburg from the ship. As you walk down the pier there is a water taxi to the left as you leave the pier, take it to Philipsburg and walk to wherever you want to be on that beach. Orient Beach is the most popular beach in St. Maarten though, and a much better beach with every beach activity you can think of. You can very easily get a taxi to and from there.

 

Just be aware if you decide to go to Orient Beach (or any other beach on the French side of the island) that there may be some nudity. Don't know if you're comfortable with that, especially with your kids. You don't run into that on the Dutch side.

[Sheffie]

When in St. Maarten, we went to Dawn Beach. It is a shorter taxi ride from the ship than Orient Beach. We thought the snorkeling was better there, and it wasn't as crowded.

[beachchick]

Just realized my response has already been covered.

 

beachchick

[DeanD]

Thanks for the additional info, it is very helpful. The trip is starting to come together.

[Gorilla579]

As far as the Radisson goes, it's ok to leave your car even if you don't book the cruise package. We did this on our last trip and didn't have any problems. They were very accommodating.