stevendom57

I have done it on Mariner just after the most recent drydock. I booked it in the cruise planner (probably) 50 days out, as soon as it showed up. It was a lot of fun for just $20 pp. Completed the 50 minute escape with 29 seconds to go. Steven

Open an incognito window in Chrome. Your problem is very common. Steven

I will be on Liberty OTS and I see that they offer cupcake decorating classes. Can they supply gluten free cupcakes for decorating? I realize that my wife could decorate normal cupcakes but then wouldn't be able to eat them afterwards, and that is part of the fun. Steven

I think you mean www.shoretrips.com. Steven

I only have experience with Mariner OTS, where the Royal Promenade is an long enclosed "atrium". Looking at the pictures of Oasis OTS is looks like the promenade is open at the top to the heavens. After reading the live blog on Brilliance OTS I began wondering what do you do when the ship encounters bad weather and you don't feel like getting wet. Don't the shops and bars open to the promenade?

Seapass card. But remember to bring cash if you want to buy any of the shirts or other trinkets from the vendors. They don't take the card, cash only. The lockers work by a paper bracelet, like the one you get at an outdoor concert. It takes some getting use to to work them. They say that you can only have one locker in use at any time on the island, but that's not true. Steven

I have had better luck using Google Chrome's incognito window. It seems that the RC website does not handle their own cookies well. Steven

That's good to know

I am new to cruising, first cruise was last November. I have heard of drink cards where you can buy, say, 10 drinks for a flat rate. These are discounted some because you are buying a package. I did not see those on the Mariner. Are they offered on every ship? What about Liberty, out of Galveston? If they offer these, I would buy one.

@dodgestang I'm glad you said that. I initially though "free shipping AND a free cruise? Cool"

I sailed on Mariner in November 2018 from terminal A. We were able to access our room at about 12:45 (don't plan on being lucky enough to access it early) and both SetSail passes were in an envelope outside the door, on the room number placard. But since the entire hallway was blocked until 12:45 we could not get the passes until then. Steven

If you get up to go to the bathroom in the night it is helpful to bring a nightlight. The bath is near the door, thus far away from the window. But be aware, the plugs in the bathroom turn off when the light turns off, so either get a battery powered one or you will need to have it in the main part of the cabin.

I was on Mariner in November. The Gallery of Dreams was, how can I say it, less than stellar. I saw a number of people walk out before it was over but I stuck it out until the end. Of course, you may enjoy it. I hope so

I was on Mariner in November and you cannot get reservations for the shows. Just show up. When I was on-board there was no problem of the shows "selling out", there were plenty of seats. Just get there 15-20 minutes beforehand. The ice show was very good, the Gallery of Dreams, not so much. The escape room is great. Steven

RC makes a big deal pushing watches and jewelry. Are there any good deals? I doubt it. My guess is that they sucker people into buying things when it is difficult to comparison shop. Does anyone really buy any of these?

Wow, there doesn't seem to be much progress on the pier since I was there in November.

I hope they would just ignore my call if they are off duty. I don't want to interrupt their off-duty time by mistakenly calling them at the wrong time. I want to respect their down time.

When I checked into my cabin on the Mariner my room steward gave me a card with his phone number on it, in case I needed something. Now, of course he is not on duty 24/7 while I am on the ship. What are typically the hours where it is acceptable to call him and request something? Do room stewards have a backup in case something is really needed during his off hours? Steven

Even if you can't board, the waiting area at Terminal A is very nice.

Make sure you have their proof of medical insurance and insurance card.

I brought almost the same USB changer, mine by Anker, onto Mariner last November with no problems whatsoever. Steven

@Cez I was there a month ago and I agree, I see no way that pier will ready in January. Steven

Ah, I re-read what I wrote and it was not clear. RC excursions take you through a back gate that bypasses the kiosks. If you are on a RC excursion, you do not walk through the kiosks. Non-RC, kiosks.

My DW and I took the chocolate factory RC tour in Nassau a few weeks ago. We gathered on the pier at a covered structure just 50 or so feet from the gangplank. After everyone was present and accounted for we walked towards the main port building in Nassau. Before we got to the cruise port pier terminal and all of kiosks and high pressure salespeople, we went through a gate and boarded the RC excursion bus. Avoided the crowds and noisy sales guys completely. Very easy, a relatively short, flat walk, and we were quickly on our way. Steven

I just went to Nassau and Cococay. I asked and my doctor said I needed no special immunizations. I did bring bug repellent to Cococay. Steven