Royal Caribbean secrets (merged)

[nealstuber]

[quote name='STEVE-O']Get back on topic??? I think this chair-saving, rude cruisers, uninformed employees matter has been massaged to death!


Oh..... Thank you![/QUOTE]

I thought we were trying to get the thread pulled to cover up evidence of cash advance kiting in the casino!

[jimdicap]

[quote name='eisco17']My friend won $10,000 on bingo on their cruise. Not sure what line they were on, but she didn't play all week until the last day and won!!![/quote]


One of my friends won a free cruise on bingo.....on the free cruise they won ANOTHER free cruise......

boy am I bitter

[PhinsAndGills]

"Sprinkles" is gone, but they do NOT confiscate or deny boarding if you bring your own container of sprinkles aboard! :D

The Set Sail pass is worth the extra time on-line! It made check in so much easier.

If you go to the shopping talk, make sure you get a shopping map and have it open. I've gotten the following things FREE from the shopping talk:
1. 1 litre of Kahlua
2. Del Sol flip flops
3. A Tortuga rum cake
4. a hand-woven change purse

If you are an early goer on the ship, go to the spa and poke around. Not only will you become familiar with a great part of the ship, but they MIGHT just ask you to get a free treatment and be a "model" for the spa tour.

And always, ALWAYS remember...
if you are on a ship where you can be on the helipad... and it's night... and you're out for a romantic stroll... and you're feeling a little "frisky"... the bridge has night vision goggles.:D

[Ammarg]

[quote name='AmyGarner']We were halfway through our second cruise before we learned this secret...
The mats in the elevators tell you what day of the week it is...[/quote]
[COLOR=Red]I didn't figure it out until Thursday and then only because someone explained it to me[/COLOR]

[cruisegirl30]

[quote name='krmlaw']We are getting side tracked by the 30 min rule ....

I got one for ya, even if it says "new bookings only" you can still get the lower price. EVEN on tuesday sales.[/QUOTE]

krmlaw,

If you get this message, would you please e-mail me at home. Thanks.

Eileen
[email]cruisegirl30@hotmail.com[/email]

[In the Pink]

[quote name='cruisegirl30']krmlaw,

If you get this message, would you please e-mail me at home. Thanks.

Eileen
[email]cruisegirl30@hotmail.com[/email][/QUOTE]

Yeah, cuz I'd love to know too...... My TA just tried as was told no, it's for new bookings only.

[Blue Waters]

I just read a very good review of the Jewel of the Seas and thought I'd like to add something. The poster complained that all their suitcases wouldn't fit in the closet. If I'm not mistaken, all RCCL beds are structured to accomodate suitcases underneath!

[cruisegirl30]

[quote name='In the Pink']Yeah, cuz I'd love to know too...... My TA just tried as was told no, it's for new bookings only.[/QUOTE]

This will be my 9th cruise with RCCL (Voyager 1/20/08). To promote future goodwill, the least they could do is upgrade us to the larger balcony cabin (188 s.f.) which was $400 LESS than the smaller (173 s.f.) balcony cabin on Tuesday. My TA said there are still lots of cabins left in the larger (188 s.f.) balcony category. But no. They don't seem to care if their repeat passengers are happy.

[dawnth]

The one thing I find most annoying (and there should be a 30 min rule) are people who use pool laydown chairs as towel and stuff holders.
There are some of us who specifically want to tan in the sun in a reclining pool chair, and they are always taken by towels and other junk instead of bodies who want to enjoy the sun.

If you intend to spend time swimming, hanging by the pool, eating elsewhere, there are a ton of regular sit down chairs which can be used to hold your stuff. Leave the reclining chairs to those who are using them for the purpose they were intended. Laying in the sun!;)
Just my two cents.


[quote name='want2gosailing2']We just returned from Liberty. [B]The biggest secret that RCCL won't tell you unless it happens is you are only allowed to be away from your chair by the swimming pool for 30 minutes. [/B]If you are away longer your chair can be taken by another guest. We had great chairs in the second row right in front of the dance area where all the pool shows are, we swam say in the hot tubs all morning then went down to get a bite to eat at the windjammer our son stayed at the pool he saw them come take th chairs but being a kid there was nothing he could of done. We were gone 37 minutes and our chairs were taken by the rudest guys from Brazil I have ever met. To make this a short story words were exchanged [B](mainly in spanish and directed to my wife because I guess in Brazil they attack the weaker sex) [/B]to the point we were ready to go to the fists but being the very first day I decided they really werent worth ruining my whole families vacation. Management got involved and they apologised several times for the other people because they were very rude to the staff as well[B].(This was not pool Management it was the Hotel Mangaement the pool management did'nt know the rule even existed) [/B]As for the seats well we lost them because RCCL in fact did aknowledge there is a rule somewhere [B](they said it was on something we signed?)[/B] we lost our seats to the rudest people we have ever met on a cruise ship. At this point I am concidering going back to Carnival. RCCL should of stepped in and solved the situation before it got out of hand.
I want to add that it was overcast and there were many chairs with towels on them all day and not once did anyone sit in them or even come by to check on the towells. We gad 3 bags and drinks on our chairs The Brazilians watched us leave than timed us. [B]So if you have good seats don't stay away longer than 30 minutes(even if you are swimming) because RCCL will not stick up for you they would rather allow the rudest people to enjoy the pool. [/B]

[B]ON RCCL FOR THE BEST SEATS BRING A TOWELL AND A STOPWATCH AND YOU ARE SET!!!!!!!!!!![/B][/quote]

[cruisegirl]

[quote name='Blue Waters']I just read a very good review of the Jewel of the Seas and thought I'd like to add something. The poster complained that all their suitcases wouldn't fit in the closet. If I'm not mistaken, all RCCL beds are structured to accomodate suitcases underneath![/QUOTE]

That's sort of funny in that we've cruised quite a bit and the suitcases never fit into the closet! I wonder if that was a first time cruiser complaining. Thank goodness for reasonably high beds though!

[Ammarg]

[quote name='cruisegirl'] we've cruised quite a bit and the suitcases never fit into the closet! [/quote]
After I unpack, I nest our suitcases so that I only have the largest to deal with.

[coaster]

Promenade deck is a great way to experience a balcony experience while paying for a lower priced inside or outside cabin. We enjoyed talking to fellow passengers while sitting on our not so private balcony. I enjoy people watching as well as getting a nice view while at sea. Enjoyed sitting on the bow on the Mariner with the breeze early in the morning and late at night when very few cruisers around. My portable satellite radio got great reception on the bow also.

[sicsinohio]

Buy the large 20 oz insulated mug (with lid) from the logo shop. Then, when on the pool deck, take it to the pool bar and ask the bartender to put your favorite frozen concoction in it. Several benefits:

-larger quantity of whatever you are drinking (usually)
-you don't pay for a souvenir cup
-your drink stays cold and slushy
-big solid base makes it less likely to tip over
-lid makes it less likely to all spill out even if it does get tipped over

Enjoy!!

[kutty77]

Hi! Are there any behind-the-scenes secrets they often don't tell you about... or you wish you knew beforehand?



I found out on Carnival when I was on there that you can go to the front desk and they give you free post cards of the ship and free playing cards and that if you go to the casino they will give you free landyards to hold your stuff on.


I really would like to know and to share things with everyone else.


Any ideas?

[sandytoes03]

My DH and I learned on our third cruise that we could go to the dining room manager when first on board and request a table for two. This made all the difference on our next three cruises.

Also I learned that in a pinch we were able to get free Bonine--I think from Guest Relations. (I never really got sea-sick, but one night thought I might and wanted to take some just in case.)

Enjoy RCI!!

[Sue L]

That you can get price reductions right up until sailing time if the price drops and it is not for "new bookings only" and is one of the few lines that does it after final payment.

[sustyse]

[B][quote name='kutty77']Hi! Are there any behind-the-scenes secrets they often don't tell you about... or you wish you knew beforehand?[/B]



They never tell you that cruising is addictive. After the first one you are hooked.:)

[Dive Master]

Changes to your contract,price increases and fuel surcharges after you book and pay a deposit,are just a few surprizes that come to mind.

[39august]

At breakfast in the Windjammer buffet, several kinds of juice are available, but for the rest of the time, you have to pay for juice. I take an insulated mug to breakfast and fill it with OJ as I leave and keep it in the fridge for later. Your cruise documents will tell you to arrive about 2 PM. However, most of us who cruise often arrive around 11 AM. You have paid for that first day, so you may as well get on board and get the cruise started as soon as possible. At the Captain's welcome aboard party featuring free drinks, you can request any drink (well, not premium labels or frozen drinks) if you don't want what the servers are carrying around on thier trays. It'll work faster if you go to the bar, not just ask the servers. If you want more cash, just go to the casino and have them give you the money and they will just charge it to your Sea Pass account. You do need small bills for tips when in ports.

[jdbmga]

I got this idea from the Carnival boards. I didn't see anything similiar posted here. I'm sorry if there is and I missed it.

Are there any helpful hints or anything you wish you knew before you cruise RC for the first time that you would like to pass on to others?

I read that you can get a free lanyard for your Sea Pass in Carnival's casinos. Anything like that on RC?

[alphakitty]

You get a free pastry or muffin with a coffee purchase at Seattle's Best Coffee. :)

[attitudeda]

[quote name='alphakitty']You get a free pastry or muffin with a coffee purchase at Seattle's Best Coffee. :)[/quote]

When ever I order a Seattle's Best Coffee the server always asked if I want a pastry of muffin. If she forgot I would alway ask for it myself.:)

[sea-cruise]

[B][COLOR=darkorchid]Some of RC's ships have the slot machines that you insert your seapass into, and you receive points for playing the machines. You can accumulate your points for teeshirts, etc. [/COLOR][/B]
[B][COLOR=#9932cc]They had them on the Sovereign last fall, but I didn't see any on the Explorer. The attendant said it's only on certain ships that they offer it. [/COLOR][/B]

[TxStacey]

[quote name='jdbmga']I got this idea from the Carnival boards. I didn't see anything similiar posted here. I'm sorry if there is and I missed it.

Are there any helpful hints or anything you wish you knew before you cruise RC for the first time that you would like to pass on to others?

I read that you can get a free lanyard for your Sea Pass in Carnival's casinos. Anything like that on RC?[/quote]
Do the casinos have the lanyards like on Carnival??

[sea-cruise]

[B][COLOR=darkorchid]They've never given me a lanyard on RC....only on Carnival. :( (They might have them in the gift shops though). [/COLOR][/B]