mom2mybugs

5 hours ago, mindvaca said:

Family of four ( 2 boys 10 & 13) looking for some fun things to do in Nassau since we didn't book any paid excursions that day. Would prefer not to just go to a beach when we are there.  Any ideas would be appreciated! 

This is going to be trite, but maybe stay on the boat and do the slides and things that often have a line on sea days.  Enjoy the ship when it's less crowded.  Jane

On 12/12/2022 at 6:26 PM, twangster said:

It will be having a passport picture taken.  Stand on the X.  No smiling.  Remove glasses.  No hats.   

Lol...no glasses either.  My passport almost didn't come before my first cruise because my glasses slightly covered one corner of my eye!  Jane

On 12/12/2022 at 3:51 PM, mindvaca said:

Thanks @JBC for the detailed thoughts! 

This is our first family cruise so if this is what it takes no problem. I am an early riser anyways. 

I was surprised the pools open so late (11AM) I would of figured that would be open by 9AM at least. 

 

There will be at least one pool open earlier.  On my cruise, the beach pool opens at 8am.  Jane

On 12/12/2022 at 3:17 PM, JBC said:

On sea days if you want any sort of decent spot with shade, with needing 4 chairs you will need to be claiming them by 8 am at the latest.  I would honestly go earlier than that.  It absolutely sucks but that is the honest truth and there really isn't any way around it (unless you are in a suite or are reserving a casita).  And it will shock you that no matter how early you go, there will still be a lot of chairs already claimed.  People must set alarms for 3 am to go claim chairs, I swear. 

I hate participating in that, but I like hanging by the pool most of the day on a sea day. I will usually get up early like 7 am and go claim a few chairs and actually sit in them, usually bring my laptop and do some work or something.  And then my wife will come around 8 or so.  We may then quickly go to grab breakfast and get back, or depending on if our kids are up, we may split up and two of us go eat breakfast while the other two stay at the chairs and then switch.  It's annoying but I want to sit by the pool all day, I don't want to do it in the pure sun, and I don't want to do it near the kiddy pool or the smoking section, so this is what I have to do to secure my preferred spot. 

In my years of doing this I have witnessed many pool chair shenanigans and confrontations.  In rare instances I have seen Royal removing towels from unused chairs, but that is definitely not the norm.  I have seen people move people's stuff and claim chairs more often than Royal doing it.  And then when the original claimer shows up, the people sitting there just claim ignorance and say there was nothing here when we sat down.  I don't want that confrontation, so I suck it up and physically get in a chair early.  Short of Royal posting people around the pool enforcing the rule, it won't change.      

Ditto.  This is what we do.  Jane

6 hours ago, Matt said:

FWIW, it seems to me Royal is not interested in wearables. They seem to think the future is facial recognition as a better long term investment

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/04/15/royal-caribbean-sees-facial-recognition-technology-not-wearables-the-future-of

How would this apply to things like buying drinks?  Would you stand in front of a machine when you approach the bar and it would pull up your info?  Jane

13 minutes ago, Carlyn3 said:

I researched this exact thing for a trip this June.  Since we wont have a rental car and wanted to do the water taxi, I looked at what was available at each stop.  We plan to take the water taxi to stop #10.  It lets off at Bokampers Sports Bar and Grill- It looks like a good menu and a low key place. 

Thanks We will definitely look at this!  @tonyfsu21, how is this place?   Jane

1 hour ago, FionaMG said:

Loved the water taxi when we did it pre-covid.

For dinner, we got off at the Las Olas stop. There are loads of restaurants along that stretch. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory, which I guess is not very exciting for most of you reading this but we don't have that chain over here in Custard Tart Land so it was a novelty for us. We liked it.

lol---what's funny is that the last time we cruised out of fort lauderdale, we DID eat at Cheesecake Factory.  We ubered over so I didn't realize that the water taxi had a stop there.  Personally, i think the food, while overpriced, is good and the cheesecake is awesome for breakfast the next day!!!  Jane

5 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Take the north route at the Hilton Marina water taxi stop and get off at the Margaritaville stop (it’s 5 o’ clock somewhere bar), have a drink and then walk across the street to the hotel. If you pass through the lobby out the back (to the east) you will end up on the Hollywood beach boardwalk with plenty of small spots to dine by the water. For the most part it’s mid tier pricing and very beach casual. 

Thank you so much!  That is absolutely perfect for what we want to do Jane

7 hours ago, Jax said:

We always book the thermal suite and have booked it again on our upcoming cruise on Harmony over Christmas. I will post an update on my experience over on my blog. 

Cant wait since I will be reading yours while getting set to board Harmony!  Jane

12 minutes ago, twangster said:

Most are common facilities shared by all genders.  Most people wear a bathing suit.  Typical spa etiquette is to grab towels that are there and spread them out before laying down on the heated beds.    

Perfect!  That's what I was thinking but wasnt sure!  Didn't want to look too much like a newbie!  Jane

On 11/17/2022 at 10:56 PM, Pattycruise said:

we were at a shared table for 6, 2 other singles showed for just a few nights and the other 2 never showed.

This is why I want to request just a 2-top for my husband and I. With specialty dining, it plays havoc with who is there.  My first cruise with my teens, it was sometimes 10 people, and sometimes only 3 at a huge 10 table.  It felt awkward when we were by ourselves, and I felt guilty when we weren't there.  This time we are planning only 3 nights at most in the mdr (nights 1, 4 and 6) and I think I'd rather do by ourselves.  That way we don't mess with the feel of the table and I won't feel guilty if we don't show up another night or two.  Jane

12 minutes ago, twangster said:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/12/07/royal-caribbean-adds-price-tracker-feature-new-cruise-search-update

Thank you!  I saw that article earlier but didn't connect it!!  Jane

On 12/10/2022 at 5:21 PM, GregD said:

@mom2mybugs your trip sounds fantastic. One of these years I would love a simple, do nothing trip. We sorta have that planned, but we will see how it goes. I love to say that I would like to relax and plop my rear in a chair for a whole day.....but who am I kidding, I'm the adventure type and will probably end up finding something extra to do.

We usually find a middle ground cruising (not at Disney where we are sunrise to sunset gazillion of miles walked).  We have never NOT gotten off the boat for some reason! It seems very strange to me but I'm petrified this is going to be the most crowded cruise ever and if I can get some down times on those port days I'm gonna be all in lol!  I will say though that Allure didn't feel crowded on spring break.  I've just never done a new years cruise and I'm worried!  Jane

Hi,

  So we are flying in 2 days ahead of our cruise and are planning on getting a one-day water taxi ticket and getting dinner somewhere right off the boat.  Is there anyplace to buy the ticket at a discounted price (with AAA or anything else) other than the water taxi site? Is there more than one?

  We are staying at the Hilton Marina.  I don't remember any eating distance restaurants so day 2 I was thinking we would water taxi somewhere.  Anyone have any recommendations for a low-to-mid cost restaurant we can get to off the water taxi without ubering?  We don't want high end because we are already going to spend a fortune at the pool bar and restaurant the day before and also don't want to dress up.  Jane

I really wanted the wow band to work like the Disney magic band so I didn't need a lanyard, could have fun with it, etc.  Disappointing that their typically tech just wasn't there :(. Jane

This was so interesting!  Jane

Ok...I have no idea what you are talking about!!!  I want to know!  Jane

22 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said:

I love those stone beds. However, I really don't like where they are on most Royal Caribbean ships.  I like a heated bed with an ocean view.  When they put them in a room facing a wall ... well, the experience just takes a total dive for me.  I think the only ships that have a few facing a window are on Radiance-class ships, which is so disappointing.

Another reason I need to try radiance class!  I'm still thinking the idea of laying on those stone beds makes me happy lol. Ok... Since I am clueless, can I ask another question?  Do you wear the robes they give you in the sauna, stream room and on the stone beds? Or a towel? Or a bathing suit?  The thermal area is all genders correct?  I've never even set foot in the spa in 7 cruises so this is all new!!! Thanks!  Jane

53 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

I’m not 100% sure but I believe it may actually be cheaper because they are usually running a promotion on the first day. I believe that’s why she waits till getting on board to book. 
If it’s not cheaper then it would be around the same price. We are Canadian so the cruise planner price is in Canadian (higher price) and when we book on board it is in USD so that may be why it seems cheaper. I’ve never paid that close attention to it.

I'm going to wait then! That way I can see it too!  Jane

36 minutes ago, GCT said:

Where does the thermal spa show up on the planner? Under spa or activities, I can’t seem to find it 

On the app it shows up under spa, well-being but I don't see any place to reserve.  On the website it's under spa and it's 109 for 7 day pass.

18 hours ago, togo said:

Can you just watch or do you have to participate if there?

 

You totally can!  It's so much fun to watch and cheer your team on!!! Jane

13 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

My wife gets it every cruise. She always buys the full cruise pass after a tour on the first day. It has never sold out and she says it is rarely busy in there despite staffs sales pitch to buy before it sells out. 

Did you notice it was a much higher price than the cruise planner price? Jane

So I have decided that continuing to check the cruise planner is a bad thing for our budget.  While exploring I found the wine and cheese board for embarkation day.  It's a total waste of money because we have the drink pkg and don't really need more food, but it sounds fun so click.  

    Then i have to get off Amazon.  I'm now considering matching new years Eve cruise t-shirts and Even door magnets!!!!  

   I have got to get on the plane to Fort Lauderdale before I have no money in my account lol

15 hours ago, Gisser said:

Thermal Spa is great. I, personally, would spring for the week. Last couple ships I've been on that had it I used it every day. The sauna is nice, the steam room is amazing and the rainwater showers are fantastic. I rarely used the shower in my room. Oh, and the thermal beds are sublime. I would put my headphones on and drift away. Basically it's the price of one drink a day.

Oohh.... That sounds so nice!  Thank you!!! Jane

15 hours ago, amanalo217 said:

I was on Harmony for New Years cruise so it was pretty full. Had no problem getting thermal spa on day 3 for the rest of the week at a prorated rate. I think it ended up around $90 after 15% discount for C&A status with gratuity added. I waited thinking I wouldn't use it day 1 or 2 at CocoCay. You do get access to changing room with showers and lockers and are provided a robe and towels to use.

I'm on the new years cruise this year, so I was thinking pretty full!  We are cococay day 3, but thats the only day we are likely getting off the ship.  So thats why i was kinda wondering about daily passes...just because i wouldn't do day 1 or 3.  Hmm....  maybe i will wait to get on board.  Thanks so much about the info about the robes and lockers!!!!   Jane