OCSC Mike

16 hours ago, ecgz88 said:

Just want to ask any recent experience Is the vest available at CoCo Cay without a snorkeling package? P2 definitely need one since can't swim

we will bring own snorkeling equipment, but would like to reduce the Vest for the flight luggage

Thanks!

Yes, there are racks of free vests to use.

9 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

I need to do that...I forget all the time where to find my answers that I know I've just seen!  So I'm happy where I am, but if for example, I hated my spot, would my travel agent be able to see what's available and switch my location?  Would she have to wait until the room number technically replaced the "gty" on the boarding pass, or does the info show up for TAs without using the "bar code trick".  You may not know, but I'm just curious for future.  I've done 2 gty rooms now and both were great.  I've never stayed this high before (deck 11) so that will be new anyway!  Jane

If you want to switch cabins, you have to wait to be OFFICIALLY assigned (i.e. not the bar code trick, when it shows up on your documents) and then your TA can move you to any available cabin in the same exact category.

I recently moved myself (didn't use a TA) twice for the same cruise within a week of it sailing, lol. 1st move was to get out of a spot we didn't like. 2nd was when a spot we really like opened up late.

P.S. You can find available cabins yourself by going to the RC site and just pretend you're looking to book one. Then you can tell your TA exactly where you'd like to be moved.

11 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

I forgot all about the bar code trick!  I have a room number!  I will see if my royal up gets accepted but I’m right by the elevator in a good spot!  Thanks for the very clear instructions! You made my day!  Jane

You're very welcome. I have that answer saved so I can just cut & paste it when someone asks about a GTY. I got tired of typing it since the topic comes up so often and I pretty much book GTY's exclusively since the cabin isn't important to us and I almost always switch anyway. Wound up 4 cabins apart on our last 2 cruises after switching to a location we like. We even saw our cabin attendant from the 1st cruise as he had moved a little ways down the hall but was still in the same general area.

6 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

So we have our set sail pass for check-in on dec 31 Harmony.  It still says gty stateroom but now we have a deck (11) and a muster location (B03).  Has anyone ever had the deck change on them after seeing it other than for a royal up?  Just wondering!  Jane

Rarely. Have you used the bar code trick to see your cabin before it is officially assigned?

Bar Code Trick

Method 1. If you have an Apple device, add your set sail pass to your Apple wallet. Numbers will now appear under your bar code. The numbers after the dash represent your cabin.

Method 2. Scan the bar code with a QR scanner from another device and that should also show you the numbers.

NOTE: If you see "GTY" instead of numbers, you truly haven't been assigned yet. One tip off is that if you don't see a muster station on your set sail pass then you almost definitely don't have an assignment yet.

My young niece has severe peanut/tree nut allergies. In addition to contacting special needs as mentioned above, we have always mentioned it to the staff in the MDR, CK, specialty restaurant (wherever we are eating) and they have done an amazing job of taking care of her. In the WJ, a manager has hot dogs & fries made for her in the back so as to avoid cross-contamination and brought them out to our table.

Short version... they handle food needs amazingly well in our experience.

There are so many variables from one cruise to another (ship, date, how full it was, how much you initially paid, etc.) that anecdotal past results aren't going to be very helpful with future bidding.

That said, go for it.

Need? No. Never worn one in my life. I always have pockets and keep my sea pass and Diamond voucher tip money in them (I usually carry my wife's too).

On a beach excursion (or Cococay) I have a little waterproof plastic container to hold it and cash which goes into the velcro sealed pocket of my swim trunks.

Obviously they are popular but it's a personal preference thing.

1 hour ago, The Fox said:

I've been on 5 cruises this year so far, and they have all had the activities posted a few weeks prior to sailing. Guess I was lucky and didn't know it.

Yep, I've been on 4 with extremely varied experiences.

I've even had activities for the cruise I'm on not populate in the app until DURING that cruise.

On Indy recently, we got the paper version of the compass and it had stuff listed for the next day that wasn't in the app until the next morning.

NOTE: Nothing major like shows but trivia-type activities.

As others have mentioned, it's not required, but if you are using a port with facial recognition for customs, a passport makes disembarking a breeze.

14 hours ago, foxrunner said:

Best Margs in the fleet!!

I'm not a margarita expert but I like spicy and felt compelled to order one since we were eating at Sabor.

I really enjoy the Goal Post Margarita from Playmakers as well. It's got jalapeno and muddled pineapple.

5 hours ago, Coda_Sarah said:

Is Sabors lunch and dinner the same? 

Menus are in the app.

22 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

On Vision of the Seas last week, the Diamond Lounge machine was great.  I still used my vouchers for an occasional iced latte from Cafe Latitudes (Promenade on larger vessels).  In the end, we only used about 60% of our vouchers, even with canned water for excursions.

If only the machine could make iced coffee drinks...

42 minutes ago, Captain Nemo said:

I bought a Invicta watch on cruse not so far.... Awfull watch... Dial not working good, water goes inside...

NEVER EVER.

My automatic Invicta bought from Amazon for like $65 as a cheapo everyday watch that I didn't mind getting scratched and didn't expect to last is going strong after 12 years somehow.

21 hours ago, Shay said:

How is the food at Sabor? I’m planning to eat there on the Harmony? 

We had Sabor for dinner on Harmony in June and loved it. Biggest hits were the chips and fresh made guac, the chicken popper type app, and the desserts (churros and dessert chimichangas). We reordered apps for the table many times.

The typical Mexican entrees like burritos were the underwhelming part, IMO. I'd order something like the steak next time.

Oh yeah, I'm also a big fan of the jalapeno margarita, genuinely spicy.

Are you aware there is a coffee machine in the Diamond Lounge that you can use virtually 24/7 without vouchers?

I realize you may prefer Starbucks coffee or drinks beyond what the machine offers, just mentioning it.

23 minutes ago, Matt said:

In practice, it's the same thing

And you will see everything from casual to formal on both nights.

7 hours ago, Al Miller said:

This is punishment for booking an 8 day itinerary.

Good grief.

On 10/26/2022 at 11:34 AM, MikeK said:

When the Icon moves to Port Canveral

Ditto.

11 hours ago, chipnut said:

Thanks for the hack information. I just got my room number from it 40 days out but I hope my room gets changed since it is right above the theater.

Once officially assigned, you can ask to switch to any available cabin in the SAME EXACT CATEGORY. If you used a TA, they have to do it. If you booked yourself, just call.

I switched my GTY cabin twice before my cruise last week.

NOTE: This applies to US bookings, other countries have different rules.

13 hours ago, Va4fam said:

On 10/23/2022 at 6:09 AM, OCSC Mike said:

One dessert hack there… take 2 chocolate chip cookies to the soft serve machine for an ice cream sandwich (then try to eat it before it melts).

Yes, the chocolate chip cookies are awesome at Coco Cay.  

My wife updated her dessert hack last week when we were there. She made a crumbled cookie and brownie parfait type thing with the soft serve in a cup. This solves the melting sandwich issue, lol. I had one with just cookie and we agreed it was better without the brownie.

Yes, there is a fancy coffee machine in every SL and DL. Cappuccinos, lattes, etc.

32 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Definitely ask Guest services why it’s closed.  I’d also ask for compensation. 
I can’t imagine a large haven that you’d think would be open not being open the entire cruise.  

It's being freshened up/repaired/etc. for when Allure goes to Galveston. This is the last cruise before it relocates.

I would also be pissed.

12 hours ago, twangster said:

I hate to say I told you so, but I warned of this many times before.  Not aimed at any poster here, but switching satellite providers while retaining the outdated and archaic practice of throttling users will yield very little difference in the user experience.  

The satellite provider hasn't been the problem all along.  Royal has been.  This throttling on some ships with Starlink but not on other ships with Starlink is an experiment is trying to determine what they can get away with while looking to introduce new packages at higher rates that provide better speeds.  

For all those that were excited about the Starlink coming to Royal news - Ha Ha!  Jokes on you!   

Any explanation why internet was horrible for me on Indy in July and wonderful last week? Same itinerary.  Biggest difference was in my cabin (they were only 4 cabins apart). Barely worked in July, could stream video flawlessly this time. Performed better all over the ship and on Cococay as well.

Serious question, not being snarky, just curious.

Had a very similar speed on Indy this past week and everything up to and including streaming video worked great, even in my cabin.

In July (pre-Starlink), internet was abysmal 4 cabins away.