SLJ

18 minutes ago, ZinzMat said:

We're sailing in August with a 1 year old and wondering how the nursery works.

1) Are they open all day or just certain times?

2) At what point does it become a paid service? Do you tip at that point? 

3) I read you need to sign up as soon as you get on the ship. If we do that and then don't use it, are we taking away a spot from someone who actually would use it? Can we sign him up mid cruise instead? 

 

Thanks! 

Here's a link about the nursery.  It is not free. You'll have to pay $8/hr to use the nursery.  The free program is only for kids 3 years-old and up.  And they do recommend reservation at the beginning of the cruise because there's a specific staff to kids ratio they have to follow. But you can cancel any reservations later on if you feel like you don't need them.  Hope this help!

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/royal-babies-tots-nursery

12 minutes ago, BobNoxious said:

I have reached out to royal and they are saying that they plan to run at reduced speeds until next year's dry dock (2020).

Thank you for the update!  I'm okay with that, assuming this doesn't compromise on safety right?  I'm just happy that they don't plan to cancel. 

On ‎4‎/‎16‎/‎2019 at 6:05 PM, spiralqueen said:

I'm on the sailing right after you and would love updates on how she is sailing and feeling! 

I'm on the same sailing as you @spiralqueen !  This is our first cruise and this propulsion thing is making me a bit nervous. I've been looking forward to this for a year. I find myself checking the blog multiple times every day looking for any updates. 

11 hours ago, FManke said:

Requested a table for two, My Time Dining for anniversary cruise and never had an issue. Same table every night

That's good to hear. Did you also get the same waiter every night? 

18 minutes ago, Dawn T. said:

rcldining@rccl.com

Email them 3-4 weeks before your sailing. That's when they begin planning table arrangements. 

So I emailed RCL Dining less than a week ago asking them (nicely) to put us at our own table of 4 and also to place us closer to the centre where we can admire the grandeur of the 3-level dining room as this is our first cruise.  Not only did they emailed me back within the week, they accommodated both of our requests. Not sure if this happens often but I'm one happy customer right now.  One thing I found interesting is that they placed us at American Icon which I assume is the MY Time Dining floor. But the sitting is the same. (5:15) So I guess it doesn't matter which floor right? 

I read on the sample cruise compass that those who wish to carry their own luggage off the ship must disembark between 7am and 8am.  We do want to carry our own luggage but 7-8am is too early. Can we leave at our own time with our luggage?  Have you seen people go to breakfast carrying all their luggage? 

thanks @twangster! 

Hi cruisers, does any of the specialty restaurants open for lunch on port days? Planning to skip one of the ports and it'd be great if we can enjoy a nice lunch onboard.

14 minutes ago, FManke said:

I always have to give it to the guys in kilts. I could never pull one off, but if there was ever a time to wear a kilt, it would be formal night!

I tried to convince my husband to wear a kilt for our wedding. He refused. His uncle almost showed up in one. 

1 hour ago, Fuzzywuzzy said:

I like to see military members in dress uniforms, they almost always look sharp. If my wife sees a handsome naval officer in dress whites she starts to breathe funny, gets the shakes and mumbles.

I don't blame your wife. I have the exact same affliction!  lol.

6 hours ago, AnnetteJackson said:

How often do you get to dress up!?!?!

My family has gone not formal at all to PROM formal.  My girls were in college, but took their old prom dresses to wear again on the cruise. 

The one thing I love about cruising is the opportunity to dress up or not.  

Dont worry about others, dress up or not, based on how you feel about it, enjoy the photos, and who cares if you are out dressing everyone on the ship!  When are you going to see those people again anyways!

So true!!  I never get to dress up anymore. Nowadays I'm either covered in my kids' snot or milk, or food splatter from cooking.   Alright, I'm gonna fancy it up like no one's business.

Thanks @fonemanboband @SpeedNoodles. This makes me feel more at ease.  Do they allow you to use your own camera at the photo ops? 

Hi cruisers, I was planning to bring a floor length black dress with gold sequin for the formal night. Does it sound too fancy?  How fancy do the ladies go nowadays? 

33 minutes ago, videjuca said:

Hello,

Does anybody know if bottled juices are incluided on Refreshment package? 

I know fresh-squeezed orange juice is included, but what about any other bottled juice?

Jhonny Rockets's milkshakes are included too?

Thanks!

I don't think the bottled juices are included. Just like canned sodas are not included but fountain sodas are. And Johnny Rocket's milkshake is definitely not included in the refreshment package.

Hi cruisers! 

We're going on Symphony next year and it'll be a 4-port cruise. I want to skip one of the ports to enjoy the ship. Which would you skip? 

Roatan, Costa Maya, or Cozumel?  The last port is CocoCay which I'm definitely going.

Thank you @12thman  It has been a long wait for us and these last 35 days seem to go by REALLY slowly!

Not a problem! @12thman  I shall report back after our cruise (May 12-19).  When are you going on yours?

@12thman We're going on the Allure too, in May.  Since this is our first cruise and we have our second cruise booked for next year, I figure I'll try without the package this time and see how much our drink bill will come out to at the end of the cruise. During the day we'll have our thermos to fill up on lemonade, ice tea, water, etc. and we'll buy a drink at dinner. Since we're not big drinkers, our bill should be less than the package. We'll see.

@marti314 That's very true. After gathering everyone's insight, my gut tells me the package won't be worth it for us. 

And how do you guys handle port days when you're off the ship for half the day? Will they fill my thermos with a mocktail so I can bring off the shop? 

Thanks @marti314   Do you know how much are the mocktails? I assume they'd be cheaper than the ones with alcohol right?  I'm trying to work out the numbers to see if we can drink enough to make it worth while.

Hi everyone!  The refreshment package is 30% right now on cruise planner ($26.80 Cdn). I'm debating whether it'd be worth while for us to get it. So my questions are:

1.  How much are the non-alcoholic cocktails onboard? That'd be something I'll be using the package for the most as I'm not a big fan of sodas.

2.  Can we get the refreshment package just for the two adults and not our 3 and 5 yo? They won't be drinking sodas and I can always fill up their thermos with water or juice from the buffet in the morning.

Thanks!!

@WAAAYTOOO I think our neighbor has that love seat set up. I made sure ours has the sofa bed for our kids. Come to think of it, we probably would be the louder neighbor

@tradercj  This is actually what I want to look for as we'll have 14 people and will be staying at a hotel the night before. Thanks a bunch :)