spiralqueen

6 minutes ago, markm said:

Type G or Type C?

I believe C. I know the holes are definitely round as opposed to rectangular so it’s not G. 

13 minutes ago, dodgestang said:

You lost OBC because you originally booked through next cruise when on board and then changed the reservation.

I lost OBC when I booked through next cruise and then called casino and had discount applied. 

It happens

It often happens, but should be able to be corrected. I don’t have to deal with arguing about it with Royal because i let my travel agent do that (ty @michelle!) but I know she has mentioned multiple times when I was repricing a Next cruise booking that she got the price reduction and just had to call Royal to have them add the OBC manually back on the reservation. It seems like the computer auto drops it, but unlike OBC that is the result of a promo like a Wow Sale, NC OBC follows repricing and other changes. It should definitely follow a simple room category change because it followed me when I changed the sailing date and cruise ship on a next cruise booking I changed before the end of the no penalty change period. 

15 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Ha! I wish! I might be begging @tiny260 and his dear wife to sneak me in next cruise

Nope. @Matt just ignores my #teamCK merch requests

...you give it a try

Lol the last time I tried asking about it on periscope he said that you had stolen my phone

28 minutes ago, twangster said:

@Lovetocruise2002 is taking names for the wait list, as soon as she achieves #lifetimestatus

And she’s still working on the T-shirts! Hey @Lovetocruise2002 now that you are officially a mod, doesn’t that give you special input powers over the merch selection???

46 minutes ago, Cheryllacy said:

I truly appreciate all of your feedback, it is helpful.  As far as the Schooner Bar, yeah, I get what you are saying.  But, I promise, we didn't talk the entire time, and we really enjoyed the music.  Just a few comments here and there, and I did sing along but at a respectful volume.  If he had pulled us aside, maybe it wouldn't have been so bad.  But to do it over the mic was embarrassing.  

Oh YIKES calling you out over the mic is super awkward. I would have died. 

1 hour ago, JennyB said:

OHMYGOSH!  We're the uglies!?I 

 

I have also never been approached for pictures except at the pier but I always chalked it up more to my northeastern power walking and semi RBF (resting bitch face). Those two things serve me quite well in port though! 

6 minutes ago, nkenn said:

I have the similar dilemma.  We currently are in an Ocean View with a Large Balcony on Allure of the Seas 8/11/19 sailing.  We paid $2598.20 after fees, taxes and gratuities. I did a MOCK booking yesterday and now can get a Junior Suite for about $285.00 TOTAL not Per Person.  Do I do it?  My TA always seems to make me feel like Im bothering her when I ask things.  So I don't want to reach out unless its worth it.  Also at this point the only available cabins are in much busier sections....like directly behind Chops.  PLEASE HELP!

On an Oasis/Quantum class which Allure is? ABSOLUTELY. Not only will you get double points, but you get access to dinner in Coastal Kitchen which has food to rival the specialty restaurants and phenomenal service. Also you get to go through suite security and boarding which lets you get on the ship faster. Also directly behind Chops is not a busy section. You don't hear any noise from Central Park as it is one of the quieter areas anyway and it also has a wall between where Chops is and the hallway for the rooms. I stayed in a JS on deck 8 on Allure in May and LOVED it. You can see my liveblog of it (including raving about CK) in my signature. 

From ANY restaurant, it would be the ribeye in Coastal Kitchen, the chocolate cake in Giovanni's and the roast beef sandwich with gravy at Park Cafe if you catch them at the right time. If you get them starting in on a new hunk of meat on the ends then it isn't as good. But if you get the more rare parts of the middle? Chef kiss. And for CK, I found the ribeye to be almost as tender but MUCH more flavorful than the filet and it just fell apart in my mouth. I think I literally closed my eyes when eating it at one point. 

 ETA pictures: 

Ribeye (LOOK HOW MUCH MEAT omfg that’s 2 pieces there)

And I forget the exact name for it, but this chocolate cake from Giovanni’s was so so moist and fudgey and delicious. I’m super picky with my deserts because I’m a baker and this was definitely the best one I had on board. 

4 minutes ago, Chonseylee said:

On my 4/28 sailing the Escape Room never did appear in the cruise planner. We went to the Box Office ( a table set up outside of the Theater- Deck 4) on first day to reserve our spaces. It was great. highly recommend.

 

Thanks! Was this on Harmony? I have heard about the smaller, revamped ships not having the escape room on the CP, but this is the first I heard about Harmony. Helps with a mental note of making sure to check on board if I'm not able to book ahead of time. 

Thank you for this! Do you remember roughly when the escape room showed up on your cruise planner? That’s one thing I’m super excited to do so I’d like to know when I should go from weekly stalking to daily. 

4 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

I did forget one other option..Vitality Cafe which will be located near the gym/spa area..they have fresh juices and smoothies which are included in the drink package  as long as you don't add the protein powder option to them.  They also have some light bite, fresh food items as well which will be complimentary.  The Cruise Compass will show ($) next to the Vitality Cafe, but that just indicates there is a charge for the juice/smoothies without a package.

Going back and throwing that in my original eateries response.

I would really like to emphasize this option with the fresh juices and smoothies. They taste phenomenal, are included in the refreshment and deluxe drink packages  and you don’t feel as guilty drinking them because you see what’s going into them and that it’s not just syrup and sugar. Also I don’t drink anymore but I had a passing thought that some would be great as mixers. Toss a shot of rum into that fresh strawberry smoothie and suddenly you have a much upgraded daiquiri. 

2 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

Yeah that is what everyone is saying.  I should have walked away and gone to the restaurant.  I was surprised the guy didn't give in....I flinched first.  Arghhhhh....    Jane

If it makes you feel any better, I don't know if you would have had better luck at the restaurant. I've heard multiple reports that Allure specifically excludes Chops and 150 from dining packages despite it not saying that anywhere online. It doesn't make sense and is very frustrating to not have communicated beforehand. The most "giving in" I've heard them doing on Allure is offering to refund the dining package if the person doesn't want to dine in the other venues. 

I'm a huge fan of the "detachable" lanyards. That lets me pop off the card from the part around my neck so it's less awkward to give my card to a server or bartender. 

I have had mixed experiences with them. I brought the type that @JohnK6404 linked above on Enchantment in my checked bag and it got sent down to the naughty room where they grilled me on where my extension cord was. I politely argued with them that I did not have an extension cord, yes I know what one looks like ty, and I will help them go through my bag and I would like them to show me where it was. Overall it didn't take as long as it felt like (prob 5 mins total) and they didn't confiscate my hub but I also didn't volunteer it like "do you think this is what you saw?". On Allure I put it in my carry-on so if there was an issue at least I would know right away and could explain. That time I had no issues whatsoever. I'll definitely be putting it in my carry-on for all future cruises. 

I agree with the Uber/Lyft suggestion, but wanted to add that if it's 3+ people and their luggage, you should seriously consider the XL option. It is the option to make sure you get an SUV or other larger car instead of a sedan. That trunk space comes in handy. 

If you fill out the form @Skid linked to they will take care of what you need. The distilled water is a gallon jug of it and if it's a longer cruise, they call your stateroom at some point to check and make sure that you don't need additional water. In the event that you fill out the form and the water/cord aren't in your room when it opens on the first day just make sure to mention it to your stateroom attendant and they will take care of it. 

4 minutes ago, Yo2slick said:

Ive seen people say that the UBP doesnt work on port days....is that just referring to being off the ship?

Yes. If it is a non-private island port your drink package obviously won't work there. A random bar on Nassau couldn't care less about your cruise drink package. If you stay on the ship while in port, your drink package will work just the same as a sea day. The same applies on if you go to CocoCay or Labadee. Drinks in non-souvenir glasses (like a coconut) are included with a package. 

2 hours ago, karl_nj said:

Yeah, I think I need to look into buying some straws.  Perhaps I should go with Titanium https://countycomm.com/products/ti-straw-ultra-lightweight-titanium 

 

I got this collapsible straw by someone’s recommendation on here and I’m obsessed. It is really well constructed and addresses my 2 concerns about bringing my own straw. 1. “Ewww I don’t want a straw just floating loose in my bag” This one collapses and goes in its own keychain case to keep it clean 2. “Uhhh how am I going to clean it? I’m not bringing a little scrubber on the ship” Built into the base of the case is a little squeegee on a string to let you clean it on the go. It’s way easier than it sounds 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KRRGPV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qnj8CbK8NP6B2 

3 hours ago, Worktovacay1002 said:

Hi Fellow Cruise Lovers!

I have my first two cruises booked with RCL and will be cruising solo with my 11 year old son. Since it's just the 2 of us I know I won't drink enough to make the Deluxe Beverage package worth it. However we both love smoothies, mocktails and soda so I am planning on buying the Refreshment package. Here is my question......With the Refreshment Package let's say I do want to have a Pina Colada or two will I be charged the full price for the drink or just the upcharge for the alchohol? Am I better off ordering a mocktail and then paying for a shot on the side?

You would only save money on this if it's a cocktail that only involves a shot of one type of liquor. Something like a margarita with the tequila and the orange liqueur would end up being cheaper to just order and pay for the actual drink as opposed to the shots. 

Besides putting your carry on bags through an xray machine like in an airport terminal and you stepping through the metal detector,  the main similarities are having to remove sunglasses/hats and needing to empty your pockets. No need to put liquids in a baggie, take off shoes/belt, take out electronics bigger than a cellphone, etc etc. 

37 minutes ago, hsweat22 said:

Which app? I’ve got the “brochure” app which doesn’t have the info anywhere I could find. And the other Royal app that has my reservations does not have anything for my sailings. 

 

It's in the main royal app that has your reservation. Even if your sailing is too far out for info to be available on it, you can see menus and schedules for other sailings. On the main screen where it says "Select your sailing" and has your cruises listed, scroll below that and underneath "link a missing reservation" there is the option for "get more details on ships we support". Tap on that and then select your ship and either a current sailing or one that is about to happen. Once the sailing loads, select the little cruise ship icon at the top (other icons will be a calendar and a person) and then select the second icon which is a knife and fork for dining. The second tab is "Main dining" and you should be able to see the menu which is between "find on deck" and the greyed out "reserve now" bar. 

I hope that helps! I made a screen recording of it, but the Royal app is weird and doesn't highlight the things that you select before loading them so it's not super helpful. 

Yes. That includes a 15 min intermission as well 

2 hours ago, 12thman said:

Well if my wife doesn't mind giving up the unlimited dining then CK it is. Seems Samba isn't that good so another reason to just do CK. 

It depends on what, if any, future sailings you will have but my attitude toward CK was that even the smaller ships have specialty restaurants and I’d rather go to CK while I have access to it. And the fact that it was included in my fare was a bonus perk. 

2 hours ago, 12thman said:

Thank you!!! So Much!! You don't know how much time I've been spending searching this site for the exact cruise we are taking. Even spending time looking for the cruise compass. Thanks to @Matt for posting it to the cruise compass!! It really does help to know what we want to do!! The menu pictures from CK are extremely helpful as I was under the impression the food was the same every night in CK. Oh and posting about your trip with ThenGrey Ford has been really help as we not be doing the railroad trip as it's not what we thought it was. 

Oh good! I’m so happy this was helpful! I tried to get Matt my cruise compass ASAP since I knew I was on one of the first Allure sailings of a bunch to have that itinerary. And in case it’s not obvious, I highly recommend CK. I think you will love it there! 

4 hours ago, 12thman said:

Thank you @WAAAYTOOO I think we get concierge in Sky class? When I get my email from them I'll inquire about lunch at chops.

I would definitely make sure to do that. I’ve been stalking Key experience threads and have heard stories of people walking up to Chops without the Key or a reservation being told that they can’t dine there on embarkation day for lunch. I don’t think it was on Allure that this happened, but I wouldn’t chance it - esp if you have the concierge available to you.