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16 hours ago, spursfreak21 said:

On our last cruise my wife and I discovered we were in dire need of a luggage upgrade, as ours was falling apart.

What brands does everyone recommend? I found some "American Tourister" (who are apparently owed by Samsonite) sets at Costco, has anyone used or owned this brand?  Any other recommendations? I'm trying not to spend an arm and a leg.

I have compared warranties and haven't found much difference among the brands sold in department stores, so I get what is on sale and has the features I want.  Over the years, one or two have been ruined by airlines, but one of those was replaced at the airport with a new one from stock.  Royal actually lost one of our suitcases on disembarkation, so I try not to be emotionally invested in my suitcase brand.  Had American Tourister, and it was fine for years.  If I were independently wealthy I might pay more for an indestructible brand, but most of us don't fall into that category.  Whatever you choose, have a great cruise!  Just remember to cross-pack clothes for the eventual loss or luggage delay!

1 hour ago, Clay Purvis said:

We’ve never done any specialty dining on board, but I thought we might try something different next cruise.  JR is the least expensive option and we love the MDR for dinner so I thought lunch one day at JR. I’m a little fuzzy on how it works. I’ve looked at the menu and I assume each person can order one appetizer, one burger, and one desert? Is anything unlimited?  Also I understand beverages are not included in the $9.95 or whatever fee it is unless you have a package. So if you have the refreshments package does that cover all beverages including milkshakes? And honestly is it even worth doing?  We have always enjoyed the complementary dining on previous cruises but Mariner has way more options than our two outings on Enchantment, so I figured if we were going to try something now is the time. 

The main reason we go to JR is for a change of pace and a good burger.  As more ships have good burgers in other venues, it isn't a "must do".  I like breakfast there once per cruise - no charge.

3 hours ago, MotleyCruiser said:

I just got off the Monsters of Rock Cruise on Independence of the Seas (my 8th) and my first as Diamond status. I noticed when I ordered a beer they just looked at the SeaPass card and handed it back to me then handed me the beer.  NO SWIPING. Cocktails they swiped at the register.  Anyone else notice this??? Is this policy???

Yes, I noticed in September that it appeared to depend upon how busy the bartender was.  (Harmony)  Can't say for sure it's a policy change.  Twangster or Matt probably know.

15 hours ago, Quilter620 said:

At the beginning of March, I am cruising to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas,  Punta Canna, and Grand Bahamas. Should I pack bug spray and plan to wear it in the ports? In St. Thomas and Grand Bahamas we plan to just walk around the port. We are doing the chocolate, rum, and shopping excursion in Punta Canna and the Let's have some rum excursion I. Puerto Rico. Thanks for the advice. 

We only used insect spray for forest and jungle areas, which you don't appear to be visiting.    Concur with other posts.  If you ever go on a cruise involving jungle/river boat rides, take the spray just in case. 

1 hour ago, klemire626 said:

I did not purchase a beverage package for my kids, only the deluxe refreshment package for my husband and I.  What drinks are complimentary for the kids to drink?  

I have sometimes seen lemonade but can't remember exactly when -- the flavored waters seem to rotate across various venues and machines.

11 minutes ago, spursfreak21 said:

Hey all. I’m going to be on Enchantment this summer and plan on booking my next cruise on board. I’ve only cruised from Galveston and since that’s driving distance from where I live it’s easy to plan. If I’m looking to book for summer of 2021 what’s a good strategy considering most airlines don’t have their schedules released by then. Do you just book the cruise and hope you can find an reasonable accompanying flight later? 

Exactly.  We start checking prices after the schedules come out, but there was a study done that supports the strategy proposed by @brianmorris .    I don't wait for the lowest price, I just wait for a reasonable price.  We recently booked a 2022 cruise and won't be looking at airlines for at least another year.

On 1/31/2020 at 10:21 AM, CJS2766 said:

Hello all!

The Mrs and I will be stopping in Cozumel and Falmouth in November when we cruise onboard the Oasis. I've been looking around for excursions and was wondering? What are THE MUST DO's in both ports. We are the adventurous type! We like jet skiing, snorkeling, some beach time would be nice as well!, etc.. Is there any company that you recommend? I've been browsing TripAdvisor just to get some ideas, but thought I'd ask here for those of you that have visited those 2 stops before.

 

Thanks!

Carlos

Concur with Dunn's River Falls (at least once), and recommend the swimming/hiking through the Amazing Secret River (near Playa del Carmen), although that requires a ferry ride from Cozumel.  While physically demanding, it is an exciting, personal view of a cave system, and the water is refreshing.  There are showers/lockers so you can change into dry clothes and eat before your return to Playa del Carmen and then Cozumel.

1 hour ago, Neesa said:

*May I ask as to what class of ship the Rhapsody is? There is one cabin left on a sailing I have been "stalking" forever, just became available I think due to a recent cancellation. It is for a Junior Suite (nothing left on the ship but this one) and my concern is would my seasoned cruisers splurge for this cabin on this class or continue to wait to see if something else pops up?  It does not seem to be anything but a balcony cabin with an inflated price tag and in addition we have never embarked from the Port of Tampa before & read that this is possibly an unpleasant experience even in a "suite" Thanks in advance everyone!

They did not state a cabin # either so the cabin may be a connecting one, which I dread due to the elevated noise bleed.

* Never mind, vision class any insight on that class in general...Thank you

I can't comment on suites stuff, but the Rhapsody had the reputation (when we sailed in 2017) as the friendliest ship in the fleet.  Having been a regular Baltimore cruiser before retirement, I am comfortable with the Grandeur, the Enchantment, and the Rhapsody.  We found it more weathered than other ships (those nasty shower curtains in economy class....), but very enjoyable.  I love the Centrum.  We get an Ocean View if Balcony seems overpriced.  My only complaint involved some of the guests who were rude to others...I think that was an isolated case.  We are booked to sail the Rhapsody again.  We had no problem boarding in Tampa.  Someone who has sailed more recently can update you.

7 hours ago, mpink said:

I really need to get better with the search function on this board...

Our party is on the Unlimited Dining package for our cruise next week on Symphony, and we're trying to figure out what to pack.  Would shorts with a polo shirt be acceptable for Specialty dining?

We're planning on Wonderland, Chops, 150 Central Park, and Jamie's.  All suggest "smart casual" which states "Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are snazzy and welcomed."  

I'm on vacation and want to enjoy great food at my own comfort level, but I also don't want to under-dress for the venues.  If it requires a few additional pairs of khakis in my luggage, so be it.

I am one who would say you should avoid shorts at dinner if you are trying out a "nice restaurant".  That said, it is your choice.  Just try to be considerate of others who may be celebrating a special night in a special restaurant and hoping for a special atmosphere.  In the end, we all try to balance our desire to please ourselves and our commitment to be supportive of others ( normal social conventions).  Have a great cruise!

5 hours ago, SteveinSC said:

You ever reach that point where you feel like youve researched all you can, youve set up all your excursions, youve filled out all there is to fill out.....and youre just WAITING. Its agony, and I just want my embarkation day to GET HERE. What do yall do to deal with the agony, the torture, the slow death of WAITING? 

Time for shopping!  Buy all those extra things you shouldn't pack but will anyway.....

22 hours ago, Kelslovestocruise said:

Well just used next cruise to book a cruise for May of 2021. It’s a Hawaii to Vancouver cruise 10 night cruise and it’s a bucket list cruise for my mom. Any thoughts on radiance of the seas. We’ve cruised on freedom, Mariner, oasis x 3, liberty, symphony and harmony so mostly bigger ships. I’m a little nervous about the smaller ship any thoughts on that aspect? Any advice is helpful as we’ve only cruised the Caribbean and Mexico (when those cruises existed from California)

I agree with the comments about the lounge on the top floor and the pool tables.  But of course the chess sets next to the pool tables get my vote, as does the small cinema.  We found the crew very friendly in 2018.

1 minute ago, Baked Alaska said:

OHHHHHH! Okay, I thought you referring to a specific C&L login, separate from the regular site. That is the login I think we all use for the Cruise Planner, etc.

I often go to Cruise Planner directly from Royal's e-mail, which is a bit different than going to the CAS site directly.  At any rate, web pages constantly change...

12 hours ago, Mikeb1892 said:

...go on 1 cruise per year in a balcony stateroom.

Or

...go on 2 cruises per year in an inside stateroom. 

And why? 

I would do the latter as more cruises would provide, well, more opportunity for adventure.  I don't use balconies that much.  When we get one, it is more for the larger room size and extra perks from our agent.  Inside rooms are better for sleeping.   Having said that, my wife now insists on an ocean view room....

18 hours ago, Baked Alaska said:

I don't even see a login. Could you post the URL for the login, please?

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/account/signin

Here is the log in I just found -- what I used the other day.  The page does look a little different than before, a different background, for example.

Another way I can get there is to go to Royal's main page (like for a search), select Already Booked, and then in the very right top corner, click on "log in".  That ends up at the provided URL.

34 minutes ago, Katiemay said:

I'll be cruising in July to Jamaica with a stop in CocoCay and was wondering if they offer snorkeling there? It's been a while since I've been and I would love for the kid to get a chance to do it. The cruise offers a snorkeling shore excursion in Jamaica but I would rather spend that day exploring. Thanks for the info in advance. 

Katie

I usually snorkel off the beach as discussed above, but there is a snorkel excursion that I will book next time to see a natural reef rather than the rocks at Chill Island.

19 hours ago, Baked Alaska said:

I have looked and looked on the C&A website and cannot find where to do this, let alone even a login on the C&A site. Can you give me some direction?

When I log in to CAS, it shows upcoming trips (or defaults to a scheduled one), and there are links to documents (if any), or to the cruise planner.  Last time I did this would have been around August prior to a September cruise.  Checking today, I see there is still a link to cruise planner, and it gives me the opportunity to pay off the balance or check details of my reservation. I am too early to check in.  The "view more details" is where you would go if documents were ready.

24 minutes ago, ksam97 said:

Does anyone else find the RC planning website extremely difficult to navigate? Is there a tutorial? I want to print off my documents but I can't find them. We have also tried to link 3 reservations but we have been unsuccessful. Thank you. 

I print my documents at the Crown and Anchor website.  When I book excursions or other items in Cruise Planner, I receive a confirming e-mail which I often print.  Usually the only document I might print in Cruise Planner is my calendar.  Good luck with your reservation linking.  I was able to add son and friend from another reservation to my excursion by simply following the prompt to add guests.  So while I was booking the excursion, I was asked if I wanted to add others from another room....

On 2/14/2020 at 1:21 PM, twangster said:

Blaze is across the hall, not accessed VIA the DL. 

You can go straight to either.  On one of my Oasis cruises a group of us formed and we tended to use Blaze since we could be guaranteed seats for the four of us.  It was just easier to go straight to Blaze rather than doing a lap around the DL to confirm they weren't there.

I must be thinking of the Harmony.  Thanks for the correction.

On 2/12/2020 at 7:09 PM, Phillip Diamond Plus said:

My wife and I are on Oasis (March 1st sailing) and wondered about the Diamond Lounge. Is there usually an overflow into another lounge on sailings out of Miami for the social hours?  If so,  I hope we get get go to "Blaze". This lounge looks wonderful on the deck plan with much more room than the actual Diamond Club. 

My recollection is that when they use the extra lounge for overflow, you still enter through the Diamond Lounge doorway.

1 hour ago, Lorik said:

I'm trying to decide between a balcony cabin on Deck 7 or 8.  Is one deck better than the other? Also the cabin on Deck 7 is closer to the stairs. Would that be a problem or be more convient? Thanks

I have never heard "stair noise" on a ship, and the only elevator noise I recall has been in traditional hotels.  I try to think about the places I normally go when I choose among rooms -- I hate walking long hallways, since I do that enough when I get lost!

1 hour ago, kittysoul said:

I finished my first RC cruise last month... and have my next one coming up in May.  I was on the Facebook RC cruising pages (various ones) and it seems that the tipping questions always come up (as they do in here, I know too)...  people have made me feel nothing but horrible now...  After hanging out in these boards for months, i am still confused about the tipping stuff.... on Anthem last month, I paid my prepaid gratuities...and then put 50 dollars in an envelope and left for our cabin steward at the end.  I thought I had done right...and felt good about it... until today, I am in the Anthem of the Seas FB page, and all of these folks are in there shaming each other about what they leave... saying the prepaid gratuities dont even really get to your room steward, and so you must leave them at least 20 dollars per day extra... or at least 100 dollars at the end of the week.... it seems like no matter what you do, someone is always going to come along and shame you into feeling like it wasnt enough.   I just want to make sure I understand what the real norm is before my Harmony cruise in May.  Should I bump up my amount to 100 for the cabin steward..   I know, everyone should do what they can and think is right, but with so much conflicting information, i am overwhelmed with it all now.  

Personally, I think $50 for the Stateroom Attendant was very generous.  I wouldn't get discouraged just because there are some wealthy people who throw money around.  The myth that prepaid gratuities don't get to the Attendant is, well, just a myth.  For a normal non-suite room, the daily tips (per person) are broken out so that the dining room staff earn about $9 and the Stateroom Attendant about $5.50 daily.  

3 hours ago, RCIDreamer96 said:

Hi all, newby to this blog here and have a few questions...Hubby and I are sailing to Perfect Day and Labadee the second week of May. This will be our second cruise with RCI and our second time at Perfect Day. We've never been to Labadee and don't plan on purchasing any excursions at this port either- we're really just looking to relax on the beach all day and get in some down time after a crazy year. Any recommendations on beaches/areas/food? 

We've also never been on Indy, but I've heard it's great. With two cruising days we're not really sure what to do or see. Any recommendations there to fill up the time?

 

Thanks in advance!

We like the cove with the swimming area -- you can even snorkel off the beach, but there's not much.  We enjoy shopping in the fixed price store.  The road between beaches is full of vendors who love to barter, if you like that.  Mostly, we just look at their hand-made items.

8 minutes ago, SC2020 said:

I know that cruising in mid-August is prime hurricane season in the Caribbean. What has anyone's experience been with cruising during this time of year? I live in the southern US so I am very familiar with hurricanes. Since they are very unpredictable, is it worth sailing that time of year? 

I believe it is worth sailing, although we have chosen September over August due to cheaper fares.  Just be sure you have good trip insurance.  You could encounter bad weather at any time of year.  When I think of ports we have missed due to weather, none involved hurricanes---just random wind or choppy seas.  Have a great cruise!  The only almost-a-disaster we had was a trip to Europe when United Airlines workers decided to "slow down" and delay traffic because of labor concerns...Weather wasn't a factor.

15 hours ago, Tmorin said:

How much are the gratuities for the dining staff staff room steward etc?  Is it a set rate like 18% for drinks or depends on what you pay for the cruise?

If you look at the break out of the tip money, you'll see that for the dining room staff to get 18% (in the aggregate), the daily meal value is $47-$50 (about $9 per person per day for the wait staff and the balance for Stateroom Attendant/Housekeeping in non-suite rooms).  If you price out all of the meals, snacks, and free drinks you consume it's probably at least $50 value, if not more for "resort prices".  Normally, the service we receive is worth a 20% tip, so we give a cash gift at the end in most cases - not a lot, but enough to make up the difference.  What you do is up to you.  Have a great cruise!

5 hours ago, Neesa said:

Researching a card that does not assign foreign transaction fees as after my last sailing I was surprised how they added up. ( I wrongly assumed my card didn't charge for this) Anyway, it sure does not look as if there are very many perks accept this and a minimal OBC when getting the RCCL card. Thoughts?  Is there an incentive for maybe getting this card on my next sailing versus applying via the bank? Thanks everyone

AAA has a card that isn't supposed to have foreign transaction fees and offers double or triple points on vacations, but check the latest promotions from them.  Most airline cards don't charge the transaction fees.  I haven't noticed a problem with my RCI card, but most expenses are prepaid in the US so no extra $$.  Value added tax is another issue overseas...But if I buy something expensive overseas, I use my Chase-backed airline card not the B of A card from Royal.