Momof4crazytocruise

Some of us even pay it 3 times and happily toss a few bucks extra out here and there for outstanding service 

I myself am on quarantine right now! We sail the 21st.

Rent bikes and ride Cocoa Beach, or visit Kennedy Space Center.

I've only sailed out of Galveston. The lines are long, but they move really fast - so I don't worry about it. The *most* time it has ever taken us from getting in line to security was like 8 minutes, and then less then 10 to get from security to standing on board. 

Specialty coffee on way to breakfast. - Fresh squeezed orange juice at breakfast - mimosa (or 2?) or bloody mary on way to the pool - frozen mojito by the pool - beer at lunch - 2-3 frozen drinks by the pool that afternoon/or a coke or 3 - pre-dinner cocktail - 2 glasses of wine at dinner - drink(s) after dinner/at the show. Add in about 17 bottles of water throughout the day - you've made out ahead.

Is every day like that? No. But on the drink package - it could be! $61 is steep, but you can always price watch and if it comes down, rebook. 

3 hours ago, sabarwolf said:

My opinion is this: I'm on vacation! I have absolutely no desire to do laundry!

That said, I knew that I needed to do a little during our 7-night sailing. I just put the clothes in a gallon bag with a little detergent, washed it in the shower, and hung it to dry in the stateroom. (Utilizing the clip hooks from the dollar store, on the magnetic walls.) Quick and easy and basically free.

This ziplock trick is GENIUS. I am totally going to pack a few bags with detergent already in them. Thanks for the idea!

Also, I haven't used ship laundry services yet, but to me, it seems a nominal amount for the service you get. I do laundry EVERY day at home (I have 4 kids) - I don't want to do it on vacation! (which I totally do when we travel anywhere other than cruises - but that's not the point! If I could pay someone to do my laundry I would!)

We like Palmero's. It's right across from the Ferry landing, and just outside the souvenir shopping district. Reasonable food price, quality is good (try the ceviche!) and an easy $8 cab ride there. We eat, then shop. 

https://www.restaurantepalmeras.com/

They have them. You could bring your own if you want, but they will supply one if you ask. I would have your travel agent make a note on the reservation. Then ask the cabin steward when you get on board.

If the parents are not joining you, you will need notarized forms granting you permission to travel with them. They're available on the Royal Caribbean page.

I personally will not let my children travel out of the country without a passport simply for the sake of getting home if something happens. 

Allure Nov 10-14, 2021 - Inaugural from Galveston

Every time I search this question, I get directed to purchasing one of the generic over priced, probably not very fresh, pre-order cakes. Does anyone know if we could bring a cake on board to celebrate our (soon to be) 3-year old's birthday? Something more in line with a 3-year-old's taste? (Elsa anyone?)

Oh my goodness. I had such anxiety watching that - as soon as he he stuck his head out, and you knew where it was going.... Poor, poor baby  

First sailing is rumored to be Nov 10, 2021! show me the bookings RCCL!!

The thing about this is - I totally would have picked this excursion if I were on that itinerary. Volcanoes are fascinating. I've been up Kilimanjaro twice. It's still active, and there are steam vents. We were repeatedly reassured that it was safe, there was risk involved, but we accepted it. And I would do it again. Yellowstone is amazing. It could blow anytime. It is a risk we accept for adventure. That ship you're on is more at risk of sinking than odds of a volcano eruption during the short period of time you're viewing it. It's a risk, they knew it when they went, but the odds were highly in the direction of safer rather than not, when it comes down to such a short time of exposure. I also cannot predict when a car will crash into mine, or the airplane I am travelling in will crash. But I accept the risk because I cannot control the things I cannot control, and I won't let the fear of the unknown deprive me experiences. 

By the pool, Frozen Mojito, Lava Flow, Margaritas - but when I get tired of sweet, Michelada. Inside at the bars, I like to sample stuff of the different menus.

22 minutes ago, Wolfdog said:

My question concerns bartender tipping, and beverage packages. I pre-paid the cruise 18% gratuities, which specifically, includes bar staff, among all other personnel. Now, if I select a Dlx. Bev. Pkg, and add it to my Cart, it states there will be an 18% gratuity added upon purchase. Adventure of the Seas, if that makes a difference.

Does that not mean I am actually tipping bar staff 36%? If so, there is NO incentive for me to offer any cash tips for exemplary bar service. What am I missing?

The pre-paid gratuity goes to the housekeeping and restaurant staff. The bar is separate, and you would pay an 18% gratuity on any drink order. The drink package adds in on ahead of time, so you've already paid it, and it's not necessary to tip additional on top of that (but it's a nice gesture if you do)

I figured with the GTY room we'd end up with a terrible location and obstructed view. I didn't care. We aren't in there much anyway. We got a great room, mid ship. We were very happy. I won't hesitate to GTY again if we are sailing by ourselves. When with our kids, we'll pick the connecting rooms. 

Fridge magnets and Christmas tree ornaments from the various ports.

We always buy a third party policy. We find that we can custom tailor it to fit our needs and it costs way less. I would spend some time researching policies and see what you get vs. what you pay. I use https://www.travelinsurance.com/ and they give several options from different underwriters. We care  more about medical coverage than say, lost luggage, so we can find one that fits us using the comparison tables. I have never used RCCL vacation protection plan, so I can't speak on how easy it is to make claims or what they cover. 

5 minutes ago, QB7002 said:

I'm new here and will be a first time cruiser in January.  If I cancel the refreshment package order and re-book with the BF sale price how long does the refund on your credit card take?  Please and thanks!

About a week

I think it would probably be tight. But because it's Sunday, you hopefully won't have to deal with much traffic. IAH is probably about 1.5-2 hours drive (I live about 35 minutes from the port, in between the port and IAH. It takes me about 60-65 minutes to get to IAH. If you want to adhere to the "be there 2 hours in advance" you need to be off the boat and enroute no later than 9:00. That is probably doable with self-carry, as long as you have reliable transportation arranged. 

If the rumor that Allure is coming to Galveston is true... this will be well received!

Call and ask what the deal is. And keep your purchase confirmation email. If they can't explain it, tell them they need to rebook and match the price you already paid for it. Don't take no for an answer. 

I wouldn't bat an eye if I saw a teenager watching karaoke. My guess is the age restriction is for actual participants. As with most things on a cruise, I would do it until someone told me not too. 

And  add 18% gratuity on drinks and food purchases on board.