MaryCS62

https://www.facebook.com/groups/gkrfoodies/posts/2075358105983489/?comment_id=2075514415967858

Just sailed in March, and you get directed to any available open spot at the curb - and the check in area inside the port isn't so big that you wouldn't find each other. If the weather is nice, I stay outside and just keep in touch via text. Whoever gets dropped off first tells the other one what number they are standing by.

DD and I are taking the sushi class on our cruise in August, but may end up cancelling if we cannot be certain that hers can safely be gluten free. So, other people may choose to cancel for their own reasons, so don't lose hope!

I quite enjoyed the fish & chips from British night - although they didn't offer, and I didn't think to ask til I was half done, for malt vinegar to go with it. Butternut squash soup and chicken cordon bleu - taste of France. Crispy coconut shrimp & the pork Bao tacos - although the later was a little spicy for me - on Caribbean night. Avocado Melon Salad & lobster tail on Royal night - lobster tail not terribly large, but enough for me. DH offered to ask for one (he doesn't eat them), but I was fine. Bon Voyage - I had the tapas (ok) and the braised lamb. None of the desserts really overwhelmed me, but I also stuck with lighter ones - just could not handle the really rich ones, so can't comment on them

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend a cars service. However, if possible, I would recommend going into Newark airport - that's less than 1/2 an hour from the port, and LGA is much further, (over an hour) and will be much more costly, and, depending on exactly what day of the week she is cruising, traffic could be a nightmare.

Welcome aboard was ok, but I did skip Italian night - it looked too heavy. I also would skip Mexican night, really not enough that appealed to me. Our upcoming 9 night, we're in a Jr Suite on Oasis, so hoping to get into CK for the nights that don't look appealing. Don't want to do specialty, because we're following that one with a 7 night UDP, so will do specialty to our heart's content then

Our last 7 day in March, DH wanted to do Jamie's one night, so I picked what I thought was going to be Mexican night, because that didn't appeal to me. However, a few weeks before, they changed Mexican to British, which was annoying because British night did appeal to me, and I wanted to go. I ended up cancelling and rebooking Jamies for Italian night, since that 1) didn't look that great either and 2) I didn't want Italian twice in 1 week. You could likely change your reservation to another day/time onboard if you get on the ship and realize you want MDR the night you booked specialty

Either call Royal (have your friends with you, or have them call also) to link them, or use your travel agent if you used one.

The dining package is cheaper than reserving individually, so the trade-off is getting a better price for possibly less than desirable times.

yes, I edited the answer once I realized that. Still don't know how you can make MTD reservations if you are assigned early dining

MTD and traditional dining are 2 separate things. If you had traditional dining, I don't see how it would have let you book MTD

Standard or traditional dining is at a set time - currently, at least on US sailings, I believe, Early dining is 5pm (changed from 530) & Late dining is 730pm (changed from 8). You are supposed to show up within 15 minutes of your scheduled time so that the room can be cleared for the next service. My Time Dining is a little of a misnomer. It used to be you just showed up at whatever time you wanted, at anytime within the traditional dining hours (ie, 530-9pm) and could get seated. It was usually in one of the Main dining rooms NOT being used for traditional dining. You were not always immediately seated, depending on the crowd, but basically it was similar to going to a land restaurant. Most recently, most of the ships (I can actually only speak about Anthem, since that's the only one I've sailed recently), MTD didn't start until 645pm - in other words, after early dining - and continued start time til 845 or 9pm. You could either just walk up during those times, OR you could try to make a reservation for a particular time. Unfortunately, the earliest times - ie, 645-730 - got snapped up quickly, and some people ended up getting very late times, which is problematic for those who didn't want to eat that late, or had small children, etc. We have used traditional in the past because my DD has Celiac disease, and it's safer and easier not to have to explain it to a new set of waiters each night, if you don't end up at the same table every night. We also used to do early because other DD had medical issues and generally was not awake all that late, so earlier was better. It all depends on what you like or need. Some people don't like being tied to a specific time on vacation, or are flexible enough not to care

We are scheduled for a B2B in August, and this is some of the info I have read. Once you are on the ship for your first cruise, go to Guest Services at some point and make sure they have you on the list for consecutive cruisers. This way, they mark you down as not leaving, you get instructions the night before what to do on the day of turnover (ie, where to report that morning, because you will probably have to leave the ship to clear customs, etc, where you can have lunch - I think there is a special set up in the MDR for that set of guests) and make sure your room steward knows so that they don't freak out when your room isn't packed up. Also, if you B2B and can't get the same room, there are instructions on how to deal with your luggage and other belongings so that they get moved properly.

I can't answer from experience, but I have a reservation on my upcoming August cruise, and in my calendar 2 hours is allotted for it

Actually, early dining is now 5pm, and late dining is 730pm (which is what we have)

Well, our next cruise is 16 days on Oasis in Jr Suite, so hoping for the 2 x day service. If nothing else, DD will either be in the pullout couch or the pullman bed, so definitely want those put away in the am & returned to usable in the evenings, although she'd probably put the sofa bed away herself to make room. If not, then based on what everyone is saying, I'd probably go for morning with the request for extra towels - I MUST shower in the mornings, or my aching body is no good for the rest of the day, and if I did anything that made me sweat, I'd need a shower before dinner as well. we still get 2 x day

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/dining-dietary-restrictions-customer-care

On Explorer 10 years ago, early dining was 6pm, which I liked. 730 is better than 8 in my opinion, but 5 would be too early for me. Since we have 8pm for our cruises in August, I'm going to assume it will change to 730, although the app hasn't caught up yet

So, in my FB sailing groups for my Oasis Aug cruises, someone posted that if you try to book a new cruise for this summer, traditional dining times are now 5 & 730pm. I then did a mock booking and that is what I saw as well. Anyone else seen/heard this officially?

Last month, DH and I saved by DD bringing us since she wasn't coming with us. In August she is, and don't really have anyone close enough to bring us// pick up, especially early in the morning.

We live 40 minutes from the port, and are seriously considering doing a "park,stay,cruise" hotel the night before our B2B in August (16 nights total) as it may end up being cheaper....

Regarding this part of your review -- how did your wife handle food on Coco Cay? Was there a gluten free section, or did she have to "order ahead", like in the MDR? DH and I were at coco cay last month, but didn't really get a chance to ask about that, and will be sailing with celiac daughter in August, so would like to know how it was handled. Thanks!

no, only Grand Suite and above - $7.95 for anyone else, for anything other than the continental breakfast

Izumi is not a free venue, you have to pay for it. If you reserve it ahead, you pay when you reserve. If you have the unlimited dining package, you can't reserve anything in advance, it has to be done once you are on the ship

I don't mind Jamie's (the lamb chops were delicious), and I actually like Giovanni's, but I do have a soft spot for Portofino's. 10 years ago, my Mom took the family on a cruise for her 80th birthday, and her only caveat is that we all had to eat dinner together. The only exception she made was for DH and I, because that year was also our 25th anniversary, and she said we could do one night of specialty dining on our own. We ended up at Portofino's, and had a wonderful time