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ChessE4

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Everything posted by ChessE4

  1. Techno-parenting is a skill, and a few adults on cruise ships seem to have it, but many don't. I lost my son at age 6 on a small ship, so I urge parents to plan ahead with their families what to do in various situations. In my case, my son returned to our stateroom. Must have gotten his common sense from his mother...
  2. And to add to the story, years ago when we collected the charms, my wife discovered she was missing a few, so she ordered more online. Not sure where they are now.
  3. We pick a specialty lunch on a sea day. Night 1 we like to meet our MDR team and table mates. That probably wouldn't be important on a short cruise, leaving a specialty dinner something to anticipate with pleasure.
  4. Our experience is that the cake was good, but it wasn't delivered on the requested day. We ordered the cake a la carte, no decorations.
  5. Our snorkeling excursion had free beach access afterwards, food and drinks for sale, gift stands, and free tequila tasting. By making food optional excursion fare was lower. But best Cozumel excursions require ferry to mainland. For us it was worth it.
  6. For a mock booking can't you use fake dates, same age but different months and days?
  7. I understand shorts for beach itineraries but in Europe I find Rick Steves sets a good example of casual clothes that are suitable for culture. Churches don't like shorts in many countries. Hence dockers or slacks are a plus for me.
  8. For ports you didn't mention Belize. We enjoyed the ABCs when we sailed on Mariner from PC. For us the itinerary is more important than the ship. Our son enjoyed Adventure Ocean/youth groups regardless of ship. In the end the family needs to consider what the trip goals are and then reach consensus balancing all factors.
  9. You'll want to make sure the air travel is covered in case ship sails but storm affects your flight. Generally, you should be covered, but check fine print as others have stated.
  10. I can see a lot of cruises now.
  11. I always listen for runners behind me and check before passing slower walkers. I am vigilant about obstructions or flooring changes. Oasis class has ramps periodically, for example. On smaller ships I don't wear a hat on top deck due to wind. I agree early AM is best time.
  12. In the latter case you are talking round trip, I believe, not one-way.
  13. I can see the appeal of a short cruise to complement a few days at a theme park within a 7-8 day vacation week. I wouldn't do it now but 15 years ago it would have been a possibility. A week at a theme park is a little much....
  14. Correct, no issues for us because it is a private, secure area.
  15. I'd guess August is prime travel time, so no discounts. We go off season and haven't seen drops for our balcony staterooms.
  16. I vote for going to a port you haven't visited before. I haven't been to Progresso yet, and I'd love to see Chichen Itza...
  17. I assume virtually 100% is going to the workers. Anything else is unethical, and while business-oriented, Royal appears to be ethical. Folks who cancel gratuities and hand out cash are going down the wrong path because of the "invisible cruise ship workforce", in my opinion, but they have the right to do that.
  18. We are AAA members, so we use their travel services.
  19. I go to Chill Island, beyond the swimmers to the rocks, or along the rope and farther out. Watch the current beyond the rope.
  20. No, another tier isn't needed. Moreover, tiers aren't really that motivational. We don't cruise for the tiers, but the experience. Royal should focus on the experience to build and retain business. Existing perks are sufficient provided the onboard experience doesn't erode. If that happens, well give up drink vouchers for a better cruise vacation on another line.
  21. We were just there on another line. Bora Bora and most others were tender. Papeete and Raiatea can handle small ships, but I don't know about Royal's size. Recommend ship excursions but the few onshore operators are cheaper for snorkeling. Sundays most ports shut down. French Polynesia not over- developed like Hawaii; surprisingly rural. Got lost in Papeete and locals very helpful despite my limited French.
  22. And we were just on a 700 pax ship in French Polynesia which tendered almost everywhere. We docked in Papeete and Raiatea, which can handle ferry-sized ships. But Key makes sense only if 3rd party excursions are cheap enough or internet essential.
  23. Santorini is tender, as you stated. I would look at cruise compass. Don't no about Mykonos but Civitavecchia, Turkey, and Athens are docked. We were docked at Palermo. Again, check compass for similar itinerary. The ports link on website might have something.
  24. After you receive your OBC, you can spend it on cruise planner purchase, or you can use it on the ship. However, point redemptions may take time to process. If there is a good sale before your OBC is credited, you may want to pay with CC. Then on the ship, you can cash out OBC, use it for gratuities or spend it on other room charges.
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