Momof4crazytocruise

Sounds like I need to find my way into a casino on my next cruise....

(honestly, I can't handle the smoke, so I've never played on board. May be time to invest in a gas mask?)

Maybe try on the app? I had no issues on the app, but get an error on the webpage. 

Looks like they have luggage storage for a fee:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/FAQ_Answers-g56003-d669494-t1329098-We_will_be_travelling_with_luggage_arriving_to.html

We shop around. Because we primarily cruise without flying to the port, airfare and luggages cost recovery are not as important to us as say, medical coverage and medical evacuations, etc. I have found very reasonably priced travel insurance just by shopping around. (For example, for my upcoming 5 night cruise, I paid $58 for the both of us for pretty good coverage. For or Feb cruise where all the kiddies are coming, I went with a different company with better medical coverage and paid $88 for all 6 of us).

1 minute ago, 1978bucketlist said:

I was discussing my upcoming cruise with a coworker today. She informed me that she was going on a RCCL cruise next May. Being curious I asked her if she got the $18 dollar drink deal. This is what blew me away. She told me their travel agent told them they can’t book anything until onboard ship. I told her about cruise planner and how to sign in.

Whoa. She needs a new travel agent. My guess is they charged her a fee to book it as well   (My travel agent emailed me and told me to log on and get the $18/day price when it was available! - I had already gotten it, but dang -she's my girl 4 life now!)

19 hours ago, BunnyHutt said:

Dec 2020 Anthem has Key available now in the cruise planner... for the bargain price of $37.99. 

Sadly, people are probably paying that... I guess I would rather put the $1600 it would cost my family of 6 towards an upgraded cabin! At $20/day I considered it for my Enchantment cruise, but then decided it wasn't worth it because the perks on that ship just aren't there. 

The Enchantment Facebook page is all abuzz with word that they are cancelling several cruises for Enchantment next March and April. Possible dry dock? Something else? My February cruise *appears* to be safe, just curious if y'all have heard anything?

If it's not too late (60 days after booking) - why not transfer the reservation to another agent (MEI is great) who doesn't charge a fee, and then you get the service you were looking for, AND you're only out that $35. Just a thought. 

I have no specific preference, but I have family members who complain (significantly) about the vibrations from the engines in the aft. 

We brought our combo battery operated/plug sound machine and had no issue. Worst case scenario, bring a battery operated one and extra batteries. Or, just load an app on your phone.

We had so much fun with our kids at the Blue Waters Beach Club. The water was shallow, perfect for kids, and I brought some collapsible sand buckets and some shovels, and it was awesome. Food was pretty okay, drinks were great. The beach was clean, and they kept the vendors from harassing us. We loved it. 

The only time we've been charged more than the cap was for wine that was like $5 or more than the cap, and when we wanted a specialty glass (or pineapple). Every cocktail we ordered was covered, and every glass of wine. So unless you're planning on drinking $30/glass wine, or $70/glass scotch, don't stress too much about it. (Of course, a buck or 2 with the sea pass card to the bartender may "solve" that problem too). 

My husband is pushing back a little, but I know he will love it if I just tell him we're doing it. First cruise without our kids, which we'd never be able to do this if they were with us. It's our 10th Anniversary, so I am thinking I may just book it and apologize later. LOL.

Trying to decide if I can justify $85/person for dinner. What are your experiences? Have you ever been offered a discounted one after boarding?

If I saw you doing that, I might be more brave to order that 2nd entree that I really wanted to try but felt too self-conscious about ordering. You do you! You paid for a vacation that food is a big part of - and don't worry about what anybody else "thinks". Shoot! I'd probably want to pull a chair and chat with you! 

Do I need to bring my own stainless steal or silicone straw so I can get my drink on? I remember reading somewhere that RCCL doesn't have plastic straws anymore?

Enchantment of the Seas 9/25-9/30 - our 10th Anniversary cruise - FIRST without kids! WOOOOOOOOOO

I live right across the street from NASA (I work there), so I know the area pretty well! #IsurvivedHarvey. Feel free to pick my brain as well!

11 hours ago, kittysoul said:

@kadmgs  Oh this is awesome!!  Thanks so much for all of this golden info!  I will write these things into my little book that I take with me and for certain try some of those restaurants!  Having never been to Texas, I definitely want to try the BBQ there..and the tex mex!     Can you tell me more about where the 'Bay Ara Blvd' is located, like which neighborhood to search on the hotel search engines...   If you know a couple specifically that would help.. like midrange ..maybe a holiday inn or mariott in that general area?  In a city that huge, those hotel search engines get so confusing, trying to nail down a certain area (for me anyway! lol)   Thanks so much for your advise/ help!

Bay Area Blvd is one of the main drags down here - NASA RD 1 is the other. The mall is there, with great restaurants, west of I-45. East of I-45 has restaurants and hotels, all of the (nice) LaQuinta, Marriott type. Search "Webster TX" to get the best read on hotels in that area. There is a very nice Courtyard Marriott and Hilton down near NASA that most of my colleagues and family stay at that they all like (search Nassau Bay for those hotels). It is within walking distance of the Space Center and some restaurants.

I think you can also put in a landmark - like Johnson Space Center, and that would get you in the right area.

I definitely think you'd have more luck asking the TA to honor their current promotion than getting RC to match it. It doesn't hurt to ask before transferring. I was able to secure a pretty sweet incentive that I didn't even know existed when I transferred over mine to MEI - and they offered it up, said I qualified, and applied it to my booking. 

14 hours ago, CarlaB said:

If it's gonna cost us $1000 extra to be romantic then I think we'll just have to wait til we get back home 

That's what the nursery is for  It's only costs $6/hr... LOL. If it was us, we'd save the $1000. Honestly, after dealing with our kids all day on a cruise ship... ain't nobody got time for that! LOL

Cancel your current Deluxe Beverage Package and re-buy it with the credit applied.

Galveston is really only about 35-40 minutes from Hobby airport. If you're going to come in that early, why not stay near NASA Johnson Space Center and do the tour there at Space Center Houston? Plenty of reasonable hotels around, and easy trip via Uber or Lyft to the port. 

I believe "Fancy Dress" in the UK means costume party. LOL. 

So it says *price reflected includes the discount* -and the "discount" is off the onboard price (what you would pay if you waited to purchase it on board) - so they are showing you the price you will actually pay for each package (i.e. it's not pay $65 for the first, $32.50 for the 2nd, it's pay $48.75 for each package) . It's not further discounted off the price your seeing (and it does very clearly state "price reflected includes the discount"). Additionally, you will have to pay the 18% gratuity at the time of purchase, which can make it look like your discount went away. 

Not RCL - but a little funny - I guess the British have a different interpretation of "Fancy Dress" - man wears clown outfit to formal night, sparks major brawl.

“He said one witness "explained to staff that things kicked off when another passenger appeared dressed as a clown. This upset one of their party because they'd specifically booked a cruise with no fancy dress. It led to a violent confrontation."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49137520?ns_campaign=bbc_south_today&ns_linkname=english_regions&ns_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR25nGm3L4EPhBuEVBK2U1sqNseTyKa6ikKrz6ImHnlwaplK6NMk9bFPJlk