Kurtp13

I would like my granddaughter to cruise with us.    I think she would do really well with the teen club but hasn't been on a cruise before.  She would be 12 or 13.  She might be a little shy at first.  Do the counselors start out the week with any icebreakers or organized activities?  We would be either on Anthem or an Oasis class ship.  When I read the cruise compasses it looks less structured than younger kid programs but initially I would hope for some group activities. 

The PM is for tracking workouts.   Nothing extra is needed to operate the rower.   You can just start rowing.  

The PM connects with Bluetooth to my phone.   The data from the wprlout is stored on a temporary log, then when wifi is available the log can be transmitted to the web based Concept 2 logbook and my Garmin account.  

That's better than my times so far but I'm getting better.    Any idea about monitor models?  I think PM 4s can be used to load data onto some kind of medium but I do not know how to do that process.  I only have experienced the PM5.   Specifically I have upcoming trips on Anthem and Oasis.  

I have recently started rowing on a machine at home.   I would like to continue while cruising.   I think there are Rowing machines but I can't get any confirmation.   

I have a Concept 2 (which is the most popular) with a PM 5 (Performance Monitor).   That allows me to log my data so if the PM model is known that would help also.   

Anyone know what ships have them and what brand / model? 

I've never been but isn't Captain Jacks on Coco Cay a paid venue?   That would not be included?

I have a question.  What if we used the package for lunch and dinner, then wanted some bar snacks later at Playmakers, Portside or Vintages.  Or maybe Johnny Rockets (I've done a few late night burgers on my trips).   Would the package cover these extra visits?    I've seen people describing progressive dinners where they get different portions of the meal at different restaurants.   I assume it would work the same way.  

Are any island (Coco Key or Labadee) special spots included?

We stayed in Cabin # 7206 on Adventure of the Seas.   It is up in the front of the ship and has two porthole windows.   

The room is quite large but because it's an angled wall it's not all useful  space.   It is good for storing luggage or packages and it gives the room a larger feel.  I liked it and would pick it again if sailing that category.  

Is there a list of Stateroom Obstructed View Percentages?   If so it would be a great thing to have.  I booked a boardwalk room on Oasis and saw a photo someone posted on-line of the view, so I know it's ok.   But having a reference would be a good thing to have.  

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/are-there-restrictions-for-onboard-activities#:~:text=Height%20and%20Weight%20Restriction%3A%20Guests,clothes%20and%20closed%2Dtoe%20shoes.

I was looking for rules and weight limits for various activities.   In the website listed it shows a different listing for Bungee Trampoline and Sky Pad.   Are there different activities?    I noticed the weight limit was different.  

Bungee Trampoline

• Weight Restrictions: 30 lbs. minimum, 220 lbs. maximum
• Bungee jumpers must wear socks, shirt, shorts or pants. No wet clothing or jewelry permitted while bungee jumping.

Sky Pad℠

Age Restriction: 5 years of age minimum to jump, 7 years of age minimum to jump with the VR set
Weight Restriction: 20 lbs. minimum, 240 lbs. maximum

I booked Thrill Water park and I'm on the fence whether I want to keep the reservation.  It's just my wife and I and she is not into slides.  I got a decent price but I don't know if I want to run off and spend part of the day there. The other thing I noticed is some of the cool slides are multi person.    

My other option is taking an hour and doing some snorkeling.    I have my own stuff.  But I have seen conflicting reports about snorkeling there.  

Has anyone else faced the same dilemma?  

How long can I wait to decide?  Can I wait until the day before to get a refund?  The weather could also play into my decision.

If doing slides in the Thrill Waterpark, what do you do with sandals/flip flops? Do you just leave them with your other stuff? Or is there a place to put them near the slide entrance?

I don't like to walk around too much in bare feet on hot pavement.  Or really anywhere.   I assume water shoes are not allowed on slides?

I am sailing Feb 7th.  Probably the same sailing as the OP.  I was trying to avoid lobster night.  So I booked on the Nassau day.  Also have early dining.  

Is it possible to pick up a driving tour from the dock in Aruba on a walk up basis?  Trying to play it by ear and not overbook our time.   Prefer an A/C van or bus and a 3 to 4 hour tour of the island.   Doesn't need a beach stop.   The official ship excursions seem to be open air buses.    I don't really want to go a pre-planned tourist trap shopping market stop.   I've had some taxi tours in other locations and really enjoyed them.

I have been following these boards for a while and I have seen questions about favorite drinks, favorite food, etc.   But other than random mentions in trip reports, I really haven’t seen a summary list of favorite entertainers.    Not the big production shows themselves, but the rotating bands, headliners, lounge acts, etc.   I’ve seen good ones, but some just seem to be on a different level.   I’ll start out with some standouts for me with my limited experience on my most recent sailings of Allure and Grandeur.     

• Centerpiece - On Allure of the Seas last year the rock band named Centerpiece performed in Dazzles off and on in the evening.  Excellent band especially the lead guitarist.  I wanted to hear them more.  Their sets were amazing.  
• Las Vegas Tenors.   This was a Headliner group also on Allure and a lot more entertaining than I expected.  My whole party enjoyed this group.   
• Gary Caouette – Stand-up Comedian.   He had the ‘required’ cruise jokes, but many were more creative than I’ve heard before.   If I’m guessing the punchline before it’s delivered, as in most of the comedians I’ve seen on board, then the performance doesn’t really stand for me.   I really enjoyed his sets and as a plus, he didn’t rely so heavily on ‘adult’ shock humor which I think is a crutch.  

What are some of your favorites and why?     
 

On 6/15/2019 at 11:33 AM, Hoski said:

Home2 Suites by Hilton Newark Airport, 620 Route 1 & 9 South, Newark, NJ

I booked this for my daughters and myself for October.  Website says it will be $10 per day parking for cruises but front desk told me on phone it would be free and they have a shuttle. 

I called this hotel and the person I talked to said their lot is too small.  They don't offer a park and fly or park and cruise option.  You might want to verify this with the hotel.  

Which one was it?   I enjoy watching ship tour videos.    It gives me tips on what to see and subtle differences between ships.

Saw this on another site 'Sean and Stef Cruise Buddies.'   Appears that the storm  isn't centered on Coco cay.

Not for embarkation ports but RCCL is getting into the hotel business.  https://www.caribjournal.com/2019/03/31/bahamas-royal-caribbean/

Mainstays 24 Pocket White Shoe Organizer
Walmart # 554949152

This is what I bought for the door based on a recommendation.   It was perfect in size and matched the hooks to the bathroom door hooks perfectly.

4 hours ago, Bbjunkie said:

Right now, you may not be thinking of a scenario where your cabin steward goes above and beyond, but I’d guess you’d rather be prepared if you discover they have

For our last cruise I was very impressed with the cabin steward.  She seemed to be a magic fairy that was never in the way and had everything we asked for without any delay, like wine glasses, etc.  She was exceptional and I felt deserved more than a minimum.    We didn't ask for a lot but for everything we did, she was on it. 

I took a shoe organizer with metal hooks on Grandeur in March 2019 (packed with the checked luggage).   It was not confiscated.    I put the metal hooks on the inside of the bathroom door and the hooks on the door and the organizer lined up almost perfectly.   I did not try to hang it over the door itself, I can see how that might scratch the paint or jam up the door in the door frame.   

On 7/17/2019 at 12:02 PM, packercruising said:

Good list, except we stay on a Labadee. We don't do beaches

We did the same thing the last time at Labadee which surprised me.   We prefer a pool to a beach, but I still like the private islands we have visited.  We planned on a later start but after considering a lackluster BBQ lunch versus the Windjammer and searching for a comfortable beach spot, staying on the ship won out.   So relaxed on board.  No crowds and it was great.  

We had a stop in Labadee on one cruise and stayed on the ship.  There were two reasons,  We're not beach people.   And the food available to us on the ship was better than the last time we were there and ate BBQ.   

Then on a trip with an overnight stay at Nassau I mostly stayed onboard.  After we had completed 3 ports I had a snorkeling trip purposely set up for the 2nd day.   I wanted a day in between the port days but it was cancelled due to low interest.   I could have rescheduled for the first day in port but I was tired of running around.  Other than a quick walk down the shopping area I stayed on the ship.   

I didn't think I missed out on anything.  I'll just go another time.   It is super relaxing to be on the ship when in port.   The only thing that is any kind of irritation is some of the things that might be shut down, like bars or towel stations.  

On grandeur they offered a plate cover in the Windjammer if you needed it.  Similar to room service covers.  It probably avoids cleaning up a spilled mess.  

14 minutes ago, Skid said:

Solarium Bistro (complimentary) should be open for lunch on embarkation day. Not as big a choice, but VERY nice and way less crowded than Windjammer.

Good idea.  I didn't realize there was a Solarium bistro on Adventure.   I thought they were on bigger ships.

Thanks to all.  Windjammer is fine except the first day when everyone is there.