mcoler18

5 minutes ago, Ray said:

Yip, i look to pay about £500 pp from uk to new york, then have to get from new york down to San Juan which is almost the same price. 

 

Wow really, why go via new york?

9 minutes ago, Zacharius said:

"International" is pretty vague. I can fly nonstop, round trip, next week from Los Angeles to Tokyo for $700. I would say that's pretty good.

Strong US economy (assuming that's where you're leaving from, you don't say), lots of demand, and a generally fixed number of seats bring on high fares.

 

I get what you're saying, but comparing the two aren't realistic or fare. Airlines and cruise lines operate on two very, very different economic models and cater to different types of travelers. An airline can offer a plane ticket and not much else...sure, a little bit extra for seat selection or bag check, maybe (many don't charge that either), but a cruise line generally has oodles of extra costs that they rely on - dining options, drinks, activities, etc. etc. These help off set an often under-priced cabin, whereas airlines don't have that option.

I wasnt making a comparison, just a light hearted statement of fact.

Thats what we thought. I dont actually own a dinner suit so need to get one but thought it would be nice to go all out for the night.

We are flying form the UK in October and have paid just shy of £2k for 2 adults and 2 children, practically the same price as the cruise.

Who still goes the whole hog in regards to dressing up?

There is going to be 11 of us on our upcoming cruise and all 4 of us men are wearing black tie for at least the first formal night and the ladies and my 2 little girls will be wearing nice dresses.

Is this uncommon these days? Its been about 7 years since I was last on a cruise.

 

34 minutes ago, Norfolkhall said:

Hi. We are from th UK and are on the Jewel doing a 7 night western med this month. We have drinks packages booked and plan to roam the different restaurants nightly. My gratuities are all paid in advance. Do I need to take dollars with me? I'm not sure as I've never done an American cruise line before. Any advice greatly received. 

We are doing Adventure of the seas in October, I will be taking some dollars but not specifically for tipping on board. Being a Brit like yourself we will be prepaying gratuities and 18% is added to the drink package so feel that is sufficient tipping.

On 7/23/2019 at 2:25 PM, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said:

YAY! How excited are you? 

Feel free to DM me! Also are you on the FB group?

Cant wait, having a few nights in Miami followed by the cruise 

No not on any FB groups. Just on here and Cruise critic, Too many jobs worths/ know it alls on there though.

9 hours ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said:

Same here! What sailing are you going on? 

We have 4 port days including Labadee (though we don't get to PR til 1pm so I'm sure I can make some damage to the drink package that day). 

Same as you, 26/10/19

14 hours ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said:

Hello All, 

My BF and I are sailing in less than 100 days (WOOT WOOT for double-digits) with the drink package for the first time. Last cruise I only had one alcohol beverage and he had 2-3... I just couldn't justify paying for a drink if I didn't know if I would like it or not (I'm very new when it comes to what booze I like). 

I know I plan on getting plenty of iced lattes (from Cafe Promenade) and mimosas at breakfast and bottles of water for on shore but does anyone have any advice for making the most of the package without being wasted the entire time. 

We are on a 8-night sailing with about 3-4 sea days and 3-4 port days (considering if you count Labadee sea/port day) we also have a half day on board before we get to PR at 1pm...

All Advice and/or drink recommendations (note: I DO NOT like bourbon or whiskey). 

TIA

We are on the very same cruise

In reagrds to the drinks package, I will be trying all sorts, if you dont like it get something else. Thats the beauty of it 

2 hours ago, Matt said:

You can ask the staff to have your 5 year old move up. It's up to the staff and can depend on how crowded each group is or not.

You should be okay with the answer being no, but they tend to be somewhat flexible.

We can only ask,

1 hour ago, RWDW1204 said:

Yes.

Thats even better, on our 8 night sailing we have 3 sea days and Labadee.

Is Labadee included in the drink package?

I think its absolutely worth it, we got ours included as part of the cruise price but on our planner it is £36 ($47) a beer including the grat is about $9.50, it will pay for itself in beer alone just round the pool on the day, thats not even thinking about evenings.

Hi All,

We will be on Adventure of the Seas in October, our little girls are 5 and 9.

From what i have read they are split into groups of 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.  Im pretty sure our two would really love to be in the same group, our 5 year old is quite advanced for her age and dont think she will be keen on playing with 3 year olds where as the 9 year old is the opposite, she is really petite, she is only a few inches taller and 4 lbs heavier than her younger sister and quite immature for her age, I think she might be quite daunted by the 9-12 group.

Do you think there would be any chance of them letting the little one step up to 6-8 and the 9 year old step down a group?  We will go and ask when we board but has anyone experienced kids being allowed to swap age groups?

Same

Always have the munchies after a good drink.

Am I right in saying that the pizza here has drastically improved over that last year or so?

I'd read before that is was terrible but have been reading recently that it is much improved.

6 minutes ago, Skid said:

That is REALLY exciting. Happy sailing!

Yes we cant wait, thanks.

Jewel of the Seas in 2004 for my mother and father in laws 25th wedding anniversary, have only done another 2 since then, a ship called Ocean Village that doesn’t exist anymore I don’t think and Allure of the Seas.

 

Going on our 4^th one in October for mother and father in laws 40^th anniversary on Adventure of the Seas. 4 generations going this time though, our daughters who are 5 and 8 throug to my wifes nana who is 84, it will be her first cruise.

The $90 is better in your pocket that RC's.

Thats disapointing, we are on Adventure  in October and have got the 3 meal package. Dont fancy Izumi so were going ot do Chops twice and Giovannis, hopefully its better on Adventure.

Its been about 7 years since we were last on RC, we are sailing again in Oct this year and I have to say the MDR menus I have been seeing are not really inspiring me especially the starters. Dont get me wrong there is at least one this I would like to try and the mains look pretty decent but the starters for me are all too light (soups, salads etc).

We are doing 8 nights and have booked the 3 night dining package aboard Adventure of the Seas.

8 hours ago, Blondie511 said:

We have an inside room on the ninth floor room 9349.  Great location and pretty quiet.  Three of us in the room.  Hubby and I on the regular bed and 15 year old is in a pull down bed that drops down from the ceiling.  My son is literally over my head, so I have to slide out ducking down or I would hit my head.  Last cruise my son was on a couch that converted into a bed at night.

Thats the exact room we are in

 

16 hours ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said:

Me too, what sailing are you on?

26th of October I think we sail, how about you?

We are on Adventure in October so am loving all the pics.

We got ours included in our cruise price, quite common in the UK.  Its currently priced at £38.00 on my cruise planner which is about $49 i think.

To be honest I would quite happily pay $65 as I would still comfortably break even at that price, looking at the price of a beer I would probably break even round the pool on sea days on beer alone, plus I like the thought of it all been paid upfront and not having to think about what I’m spending.