JennyB

Just now, Skid said:

Great minds think alike

so do ours!  LOL

2 minutes ago, Skid said:

Here a whole thread with suggestions

And another

And a third...

...these should yield enough drinks for the whole cruise

 

That's kind of what I did to find ideas. Thanks @Skid ...!

10 minutes ago, mook1525 said:

Refreshment Package Offerings: 
• Fountain soda and refills at any venue 
• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages 
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup 
• Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails) 
• Bottled still and sparkling water 
• Premium coffees and teas 
• Fresh-squeezed juices

hello all!

I am thinking about purchasing Refreshment Package and wanted to ask couple of questions before I make a decision. 

What are some of popular mocktails on board? all I can think of is virgin Pina Colada and virgin strawberry daiquiri..  what do you recommend I try? 

It includes "premium coffees" but this package won't work at Starbucks. so..  where can I get these "premium coffees" on Harmony of the seas?? also, what are premium coffees? like Latte?

thanks!!

Yes, the premium coffees and teas are at Cafe Promenade, yes like Latte. 

I have a list of mocktails I am planning to try next week on the Navigator...I got them from threads here and just searched...

Mango or strawberry lava flow, Caribbean Cooler, Miami Vice, Mango Colada, Coco Loco (on CocoCay)...in addition to the 2 you mentioned above. 

On 6/28/2019 at 10:09 AM, twangster said:

Correction, debarking December 2017:

Brrrr....

That's just a huge NOPE after a cruise.  Although, we've only sailed in November and December so far...but, so not nice.  LOL

1 minute ago, Fairlynew said:

My daughter used what I think is called a phone wallet.  It is a pocket type sleeve that sticks to the back of your phone and holds ids, credit cards and SeaPasses.  Since she is never without her phone, it worked well.  Our family had our phones with us most of the time to keep in touch with each other.  I was jealous of her phone wallet, but could not find one either on the ship or in ports.  I was at a seminar in January where they were giving them away, and I snagged a few for upcoming trips.  They peel off very easily.

I carry my phone everywhere with me on a cruise also.  I don't use it for anything other than a camera while on the cruise, I put it in airplane mode and DON'T get an internet package.  I'll have to consider one of those card things for the back.  I hadn't thought about just removing it after the cruise.  LOL

On 6/29/2019 at 7:22 AM, F1guynz said:

I use the scan function built into my iPhone. It is not as good as a scanner at home but it does an alright job.

You just need a flat surface to take the scan.

 

what is this? 

33 minutes ago, cpa09 said:

I'll be boarding Navigator this weekend.  I was wondering if the capability to use the Royal App to chat with other people on the ship is available for Navigator yet?  

no.  It's only available on Allure and Harmony at this time.

1 hour ago, marti314 said:

You always want double protection on the pool deck as everyone is saying, it does get hot..  Sometimes sandals or flip flops isnt enough.

 

no.

I personally bring smaller bottles from home of my own, but there is a combo shampoo/conditioner and a bar of soap.  Depending on how you are traveling to the port, that may affect things, like the 3oz. in carry-on if flying, but you can put any size you want in your checked luggage.  But, yes, you can bring what you want as far as toiletries are concerned.  On our last cruise in December I brought too small of a bottle of shampoo and just used what was in the pump dispenser in the shower and it was fine for me.  I'm only picky about the toiletries I use AFTER a shower, lotions/hair products/etc.

I have used a lanyard.  On one cruise I bought one at the port after we checked in.  On another cruise I just carried it with me (if I had a pocket) and/or had Spouse carry it for me.  On our last cruise, I used a couple different pretty ones that look like necklaces from the line of jewelry I sell.   I definitely liked carrying my own card better at times because Spouse and I got separated couple of times (he went to the main pool, I stayed in the Solarium and wanted a drink from the bar).

We've traveled with family on one cruise and with friends on another.  We made a plan to eat dinner together each day and kind of just decided what to do then, when to meet up, what to do together and what times, we just let each other know our general plans.  Most of the times we just did those things together, but sometimes we might go our separate ways for a while.  I run a business from my phone/laptop and did NOT want to be tethered to them on vacation...so we just used good, old-fashioned, talking to people.  LOL.

Alaska

South Pacific Islands (my bro and his fam live in Vanuatu)

Mediterranean

1 minute ago, markm said:

Avoid the stress , good for 10 years. Easy to renew online

i agree. 

8 hours ago, Norfolkhall said:

Approx when do muster meetings take place (first timer) x

Usually sometime around 3-4...It's just before Sail Away. 

On 6/24/2019 at 10:39 PM, Whizbank said:

Plus on NOTS the last night was a sundae bar. My hubby ate no food but did eat 6 scoops of chocolate ice cream 

THIS is good to know...we'll be on the Navigator in a couple weeks and my 16yo DS is an ice cream eating machine...he will enjoy the sundae bar!  and FREE ice cream all week!  LOL

I may not tell him.  LOL

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/04/10/royal-caribbean-adds-group-chat-feature-app

8 minutes ago, Cruisely said:

I think everything on the app works on these ships:

This is from the RCI app.

The messaging feature is currently ONLY available on Harmony and Allure.

Other features are available for those other ships...

But, Royal IT it not reliable or up to date.  Once you are on the ship, things will be more accurate, but from what MANY on this forum say, it's really not to be fully trusted even then.  Rely on your Cruise Compass once on board.

I am very prone to motion sickness.  I am also claustrophobic, afraid of heights and afraid of water I cannot see/touch the bottom of.  I SWORE I would NEVER cruise...

THEN, my brother and I bought our parents a cruise for their 50th Anniversary...and parents wanted us to go with them...so THEY bought OUR cruise.  LOL 

On that cruise (a 4 night Bahamas cruise that left from Orlando in an interior cabin), I took Dramamine non-drowsy every day...knowing ahead of time that I tend to get motion sick...and I didn't want to be sick on the cruise.  I was MISERABLE the whole time...not with motion-sickness necessarily, but just generally feeling "off".  I did NOT enjoy that cruise.  I just didn't feel like myself.  I even told my hubby and the others we were with that when i tell them, somewhere down the road, "Oh, it wasn't THAT bad...we can go on another cruise..." I WANT them to remind me how TERRIBLE I felt on that cruise. 

So two years later (LOL)...hubby and i went on another cruise (6-night Western Caribbean that left from Ft. Lauderdale, balcony room) ONLY after I did some TONS of research...I read somewhere that taking the non-drowsy Dramamine MIGHT have been the whole problem.  So, on our second cruise I didn't take it each day.  I just went and packed some to take with me "just in case".  The only time I ended up feeling sick was after an excursion day in port where we rode a charter bus all day.  That evening, back on the ship, I was a bit sea sick...So, i took dramamine and was perfectly fine the next morning.

We cruised again last December...didn't need the Dramamine AT ALL.  Not one time.

Having the balcony room also helped.  It helped me not feel so claustrophobic.  

I won't lie and say I don't ever feel the ship moving.  But it's not an uncomfortable feeling and it hasn't been to the point of making me feel sick.  And most of the time, I DON'T feel it. 

Honestly, everyone who tends toward motion sickness feels and deals with it differently.  I have had such a great time on our cruises, and we will likely cruise for the rest of our lives.

13 minutes ago, RTripp said:

i found out that cruising is just not my thing.

#sadface

1 hour ago, MotleyCruiser said:

Hey Joe,

 

Quick answers from a guy that does everything the least expensive way.

1.  no need to tuxes or even suits...unless you wait nice formal picture (amazing photo opportunities everywhere...Christmas car time is coming)  khakis and polo or dress shirt is fine

2. Yes..similar at curbside check in at airport. pull up to where the drop off is, pop trunk, hail a porter (Typically have bright yellow or orange work vest or white shirt) he'll grab bags, tip his $5 and off you go. 

3.Drink pkg. includes tip. I rarely tip extra

4.I rarely tip extra.  but Room Stewart will get an extra five bucks a day with one standard cabin.

5. Let the Mrs. know she has the biggest living room anywhere.  she can go practically anywhere on board at anytime. if she wants to go for a walk at 2AM to the pool deck she's allowed. Adventure is a huge ship!!

6. No Floral shirt needed. You will no be ostracized or mocked for being normal

7. Solarium pool is 16 and older.  Your 12 yr old, and others will not be anywhere near you are once y'all see the kids events scheduled for them onboard. just tell them what time to meet to get ready for dinner and let em go.

8. You can be fine without the paying for magnets. the only ones I bring are the ones I won, yet rarely use them. Plus they are heavy, and you need every pound of space so not to go over 50lbs at the airport.  Some ships have that shower 'string' for swimsuits, and you lived this long without magnets is my opinion.

Royal up.  don't expect anything from that...the consensus on here is no one hears about upgrades anymore.

I find that a lot of companies are too busy tending to the forest to see that there are trees everywhere.  Basically they are to entrenched in the day to day to realize that new comers board there ships everyday and  newcomers have tons of questions.  After 25 cruises I have issues finding answers to certain things. @Matt's blog is the greatest resource form any cruiser.

 

 

 

I am not disagreeing with any of these...just agreeing with

"After 25 cruises I have issues finding answers to certain things. @Matt's blog is the greatest resource form any cruiser."

I will say about the Royal Up program.  I've read lots and even bid once...being this close to your cruise, you won't be able to do anything with it.

11 hours ago, Baked Alaska said:

SS Norway, March 1985. Loved this ship. We ate at the Captain's table with the Captain and several officers every night! First legal beer at 18 (turned 18 on the cruise), first opportunity to blow my money at the slots, first time eating so many gourmet foods, especially at the Captain's table. Such an opportunity that I didn't understand at 18 years old!

https://www.cruisehabit.com/billys-favorite-ships-story-ss-norway-aka-ss-france

I LOL'd at your "edit" ...

If you know you will want the package, go ahead and buy it.  If/when the price lowers, you can cancel and rebook at the lower price. 

it's been an issue for me...tried what @Matt said and still having issues...in 2 different browsers...all day...

On 6/19/2019 at 6:33 PM, WAAAYTOOO said:

 we were always WAAAYTOOO full to ever eat any popcorn. 

i see what you did there! LOL

8 minutes ago, TinaLouise said:

I'm sailing on Brilliance of the Seas in January, and looking at past Cruise Compasses, it seems like the second night in the MDR is formal attire. Is this required?

Not required, no.  It's a suggestion.  There are several threads here about dining attire.  There will be people dressed to the 9's...and others, not. 

On 6/23/2019 at 6:33 PM, ChessE4 said:

We love the Main Dining Room because the food is good, the service is excellent, and we feel like royalty.  We find that when we get to know the wait staff, we have a richer cruise experience.

I am the same here.  When I am on vacation, I prefer to be waited on.  I dislike buffets even at home, so I don't enjoy the chaos of it on vacation.  In real life, at home, I do all the cooking, setting the table, serving the humans, etc.  So on vacation, I don't want to do that. 

We've done a couple specialty restaurants and I don't really think they're special enough to do with the extra cost on a short cruise. However, on a longer cruise I would totally do them again, one or two nights.