deany

Just returned from the same cruise (my first ever). Read your blog and obviously not the same as my days but sounds like we all had a good time.

Doubt i will make diamond but i will book again im sure. 

4 hours ago, Momof4crazytocruise said:

I pre-pay the daily gratuities, pay the gratuities on the drink package, AND tip a $1 for each drink if I'm sitting at the bar awhile - it ensures the bartender 'attends' to my needs fairly quickly, especially if the bar is crowded. The way I figure is, they need that $1 way more than I need to not spend it! All the extra tips I spend on board in addition to the required gratuity are money well spent. (And yes, it's very American of me! but I'm not ashamed of having the American trait of over-generosity - LOL)

It wasnt a dig its just a cultural thing. Its not common place in UK all the time. Certain occassions it is. Dont get me wrong im no tight $$$. There were many who queued on day 1 to cancel them completely. But i certainly didnt consider putting any more in envelopes on my last day

I sailed out of Barcelona. I found the food in the MDR to be a standard menu that i would class as slightly american. 

Windjammer - that was a mix of all kinds. 

Variety i couldnt fault really 

Thanks for all your help it managed to get me through my first cruise without incident.

Im from England so here is my findings of the cruise:

Main dining room - brilliant place, service excellent, food excellent.

Windjamer - was ok. Service isnt as good and food is warm. 

Speciality restraunts - i went Sabor and couldnt fault anything about it. 

Bars - variety of drinks were fine and plwntynof bars that cater for most people.

Pools & sunbeds - lots of them and enough to go around. 

Gratuities - i paid them each day as they charged my card but i dont understand it. Its an american thing. One guy at a bar once was getting superb service and tipping $1 each time. I suspect that he had cancelled his and then flashed them around like Rockerfella.

Overall great experience. Any questions from a first timer dont hesitate to ask  

I got an email sayibg check in at Terminal B at 3pm on my arrival day but the app and other documents say from 12 and room ready at 1.

When can i check in? 

What plugs fit the sockets

Do the rooms come with an iron?

My drinks package was included. Will i end up paying the 18% of each drink i order? 

Ive read its 14.50 each day is that correct 

I havent paid mine as i didnt understand it but someone at work informs me they just give me a bill at the end

I have a drinks package so how can they make me pay?

What is this bill i will get at the end???

Last question on this. If i dont book My time dining can i still eat in the Main dining room or will it be full up? Can you just turn up?

Will I get a copy of my cruise compass when I check in? 

Is it like all inclusive or Full Board. I have a drinks package which was included and I think I understand how that works now. Something to do with a $12 limit. 

As you can have I've never been on a cruise before. I have also booked stuff that doesn't show on the app yet

Thanks that's very helpful for me. Makes sense now. I have so many questions. It's hard to understand everything.

All

I am due to travel on Oasis next week and cannot wait. 

When I book my time Dining what am I booking and where am I eating? I've just got the app and it states Silks, Grande & American Icon are all Main Dining. 

I'm confused. How many eateries are included in the price of the cruise?

Hi

My app doesn't show all my reservations but when I log in online I can see them all but the website is so slow.

When on the ship is it easy to book stuff through a tv screen I believe

TIA.

I am yes. What and how do I send a compass?

I am due to cruise on Oasis of the seas on 9th May.  When will i start to know about the formal nights and or events on boards?  Apart from the opportunity to book excursions and meals everything seems pretty vague at the moment.  TIA.

What's the best excursion for Rome? They all look pretty similar. I just wanted to get there and back really and do my own thing

Evening

I go on my first cruise in June and want to know what the score is.  What is good or bad on Oasis of the seas?

Deluxe drinks package has been bought and i wondered if there is anywhere i cannot use this.  (is the champagne bar included?)

Excursions - is it better booking through RC or someone like Viator?  Also anyone been Rome.  I have been told its easy just to get a hop on hop off bus and sort it out myself.

Thanks