MaryCS62

Our last cruise was a big family cruise to celebrate Mom's 80th bday. We did what we wanted during the day, but always met up for dinner (11 of us). We had early seating (6pm?), & one excursion got us back to the ship (hot, sweaty, loaded down with souvenir bags) @ 545-- no time to even drop off the bags.  We were fairly decently dressed, & I'm prettty sure it was a casual night, but my DH did have to show up in shorts at the MDR when he normally would have switched to slacks for dinner. (girls & I were wearing either capris or bermuda shorts)

Last cruise, we had used credit card for me & DH, but put cash down in the account for DD's (they were in a separate room), this way they couldn't "overspend" .  It's a good way to limit spending if you use cash. However, this cruise (coming up in May!!), we got the deluxe drink package for 3 (4th can't have alcohol, so got the refreshement pkg for her), so we probably won't be spending too much on board, & have credit card for all of us

I'm still upset by the fact that there are very few gluten free options for my daughter who has to eat that way. On   I contacted the dining dept, & was told 

1) "possibly a typo" and

2) talk to headwaiter/waiter to see if various items can be modified to be gluten free. 

It appears that many of the ships are using the same menu, as I have seen duplicates from different sailings.  On several of the menus, shrimp cocktail & fruit plate for apps, and ice cream or creme brulee for dessert (all of which are "standards", so are there every day) will be her only options.  One menu only had the roasted chicken as a gluten free main dish!!!

now I want French Toast.....

4 hours ago, toodle68 said:

We did this last year.. a lot of fun.. I just wore sunglasses and had no issues with spray. My wife needs glasses to see and has a pair of prescription sunglasses.  Life vests are provided.

Well, DH has prescription sunglasses, so I'll just have him get one of those elastic bands that will hold them so they don't fall off.  Will talk w/ DD to see what she wants to do.

21 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Agree with @jce2.  You either have to do do prescription goggles or get contacts and then where goggles.  The prescription goggles is probably your best best because when contacts get wet they are really uncomfortable.

Neither one of them is the type to wear contacts, so I will pass this info along to them. Thanks for the help!

Has anyone done this?  My DH & DD are signed up for it, & I've looked at the "what to bring" list, but I'm wondering -- do they give drivers life vests? What about goggles?  Both of them wear glasses, & they can't drive without them, so I don't think they should be driving jet skis without them either.  Just like to be prepared....

15 hours ago, Skid said:

I just got that email today. My real question is what are the odds they will really call and that I will be available to even take the call? The fine print says they will try calling only one time. We currently have the exact middle hump balcony cabin booked, which we love. But I would imagine upgrading to a Jr Suite for $300 is pretty much a no brainer--never stayed in a suite before and it would be a nice surprise for DW. I know, I know---....can never go back! Double points would be nice also. Only downsides could be the location and the fact that there is no Coastal Kitchen on Adventure of the Seas.

Based on today's pricing, the Jr Suite is $1048 more than the balcony, BUT the website says all OV, Balcony and Suites are sold out. Only Interior cabins are available. So I'm guessing between that and being way past final payment date, I'll never get the call anyway. Oh well, nice to dream.

Here is the email and fine print:

We’re excited to welcome you onboard soon! As your sailing approaches, there may be an opportunity to upgrade your stateroom for the below price. Secure your position on the waitlist and take advantage of this limited offer. If an upgrade becomes available, we will call you to process the upgrade.*

POTENTIAL UPGRADE: Junior Suite UPGRADE PRICE: $ 300

TERMS & CONDITIONS *Price is per stateroom, in USD, and subject to Royal Caribbean offering Potential Upgrade to guest. The above upgrade price is not an offer to upgrade at this time. By clicking the “Add Me To The List” button, guest agrees that Royal Caribbean may use guest’s phone number to call guest to offer a stateroom upgrade, subject to these offer terms. Upgrade offer only applicable to the guest, stateroom, and sailing identified above; upgrades are not transferable. Offers are made in Royal Caribbean’s sole discretion. Inclusion on the wait list does not guarantee that an upgrade will be offered to guest. Royal Caribbean will make one attempt to call guest using the phone number listed on guest’s booking. If guest fails to answer the call, Royal Caribbean will move on to the next eligible guest on the wait list and will not call again. Upgrade is subject to an additional per-stateroom charge. Payment is due in full at the time of guest’s acceptance and is non-refundable. Limit one upgrade per booking through any offer by Royal Caribbean. Conditions of guest’s original cruise reservation will remain in effect after upgrade.

Interesting - DH got the email (but not me ), but our potential upgrade price is $350-- maybe different price for different sailing? We wouldn't mind the upgrade, but we currently have connecting OV balcony cabins, which we need (connecting), because 2 DD's are in the other & although both are adults, one is severely handicapped, so at least one of the 3 of us needs to be with her if she's in the cabin, & if it's because she's sleeping, we're going to want to be in the connecting cabin so don't have to worry about keeping quiet or having the lights on.

We originally got the Deluxe for DH & I at BOGO 1/2 (buy 1, get one 1/2 off, which worked out to $42.50/day each) & refreshment pkg for our DD's (21 & 28) @ $18 each for our May Adventure sailing.  Wanted to get the Deluxe for 21yo, but would have had to pay full price ($57? at the time), so decided to get refreshment & allow her to buy the occasional alocholic drink (28 yo can't drink alcohol due to medical issues, but she can have the various non-alcoholic options from the refreshment pkg).  Then, the deluxe went on sale ($42), so we called to called to order one deluxe, & just told them other person couldn't drink alcohol. No biggie, but we had also planned on paying for the refreshment pkg anyway, so it worked out ok for us. 

we got ours very quickly after renewing -- filled out paperwork online, printed it, got photos taken at AAA, mailed (got tracking #), & got them back in less than 2 weeks.

Can you request a later departure time if they assign you an early one? My mom was on Anthem in January, & they were given a 730am time.  Only problem was, their car wasn't due to pick them up til 10. They got out of the terminal @ about 830, called the car service & had to stand in the freezing cold (couldn't go back in the terminal) while they waited for the car.

We'll be sailing in May, & my disabled DD is a bit of a chore to get ready in the morning, and we will definitely want breakfast. We'll be parking at the port, so we're not depending on someone to pick us up, but we don't want to be rushed off the ship either.

Yeah, every time I try to go to Cruise Planner, it loops back to the previous screen that asks for your res #, sail date & ship

6 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

YIKES !  I guess we're in for another nor'easter later this week.  I hope this one isn't as bad as the one over the weekend.  It seems like it's going farther north than this time. I'm in VA.

Yeah, my DD came home for spring break on Saturday -- she could have left Friday by herself, but she had passengers who couldn't leave til Saturday. Turns out, she would have had trouble Friday since the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was closed...

from a mattress store web site

So not as wide as a regular kin, but a bit longer.

From the Royal Caribbean web site:

Q: What are the dimensions of the beds onboard?

A: Royal Caribbean’s stateroom beds across the entire fleet are twin beds that convert to a Royal King size bed. A Royal King bed measures 72.5 inches wide by 82 inches long.

Just spoke with RCCL -- it was confirmed to me that as long as I prepaid 4 days before sailing, I would be paying the old rate -- I have a reminder in my calendar to do it about 12 days before, so I don't have to add something else to my credit card -- between booking with deposit in December & adding drink packages, spa services, excursions & finally paying it off over the last 2 months, my credit card needs a break!!!