Morganno

Well just checked in and got 11am boarding that's the earliest ever time I've got I'm usally a 1pm cruiser. 
Will be interesting to get on early. It's our first cruise as Diamond members. 🙂 
 

When it comes to sailing out of Port Liberty, it’s easy to see the weeks impacted by school vacation…by the PRICE!
guess which week is April vacation?

 

Uk citizen with Irish passport (live in Scotland). We are going to Canada 3 times in the next 9 months and I was confused by this as well so I phoned the consulate in Edinburgh to check. We are not flying into Canada at any stage - first and second time we are going in on a cruise (Jewel from Amsterdam and Ovation from Seattle) and third time we are going in from New York via Niagra. 
Consulate said because we are going in by land or sea we DO NOT NEED an ETA and in fact we don’t need any visa at all. 
hope this helps

No worries. I'm sure we bumped in to each other at some point. I was all over the ship, talking to almost everyone everyday. It was an experience meeting lots of people from all over the world. Flam was really enjoyable but the walk up the mountain really worked your legs. Bruges was nice, a little cramped from everyone descending from the ship but really nice to walk around and take in the architecture. We really enjoyed the beer wall and The church of our lady.
Once the wife and I do a couple of cruises with the kids. Currently looking at October 2025 as the 5 day northern Spain in a suite is really cheap according to the app as the kids go for £99 each (Some reason it shows them as £82 so i'm not complaining.) This will net us double points from what i understand right? So a couple of those and we're Emerald, then we would be looking at a 14 night transatlantic in 2026 altho if our friends from America decide to join us it may end up being a back to back cruise and do the Bahamas right after. A little pricey but from the looks of it 100% worth it.

Sad I forgot about this page I don't visit often enough. We could have met up on the ship. It was a great cruise and we did get really lucky with the weather especially the hot and sunny day in Flam 🙂 
Great to hear that you enjoyed the cruise and caught the bug. We started in 2017 and just hit diamond. haha We did two 14 night cruises from Southampton in 2017 and 2018 when prices were still reasonable 😄. 
We also did May 2019 on Explorer from the UK to Spain and Portugal but our favourite is definitely Greek Isles. We did Explorer, Brilliance and Odyssey to there and it's always fantastic. I think Odyssey was my favourite ship of all. Although I've booked Southern Caribbean on Explorer again next year will be my 4th time sailing on her. We have Jewel from Boston this October which I'm looking forward as Radiance class is my favourite class, don't be afraid of older ships they are just as good and the views are spectacular with all the glass. Anyway soon you will be like the rest of us hunting bargains and cruising. 
 

I just want to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone here that helped me through this cruise.  
We returned last night home and besides the constant wobble and my very broken feet, this cruise was the most magical experience my wife and I have ever had in our lives. We made so many new friends on the ship and the icy cold swim in the river at Flam was just mind blowing.  
We have now got the bug and have already started a new savings account for our next cruise in 2026.

I’m also going on that cruise. This will be the cruise where we hit diamond status (80 nights) on RC and no double points all hard earned. The weather in Norway is showing in the 10 day forecast at 16c or 60F and raining. Keep a eye on it.
We did this cruise last year and in Olden the day before the tour guide said it was 20F cooler and raining the day before. You may get some sunbathing days but probably not. Remember Norway is on the same latitude as Alaska. But its a wonderful cruise the scenery and people are lovely. 
Where are you coming from? 
 

I’m also going on that cruise. This will be the cruise where we hit diamond status (80 nights) on RC and no double points all hard earned. The weather in Norway is showing in the 10 day forecast at 16c or 60F and raining. Keep a eye on it.
We did this cruise last year and in Olden the day before the tour guide said it was 20F cooler and raining the day before. You may get some sunbathing days but probably not. Remember Norway is on the same latitude as Alaska. But its a wonderful cruise the scenery and people are lovely. 
Where are you coming from? 
 

I’m also going on that cruise. This will be the cruise where we hit diamond status (80 nights) on RC and no double points all hard earned. The weather in Norway is showing in the 10 day forecast at 16c or 60F and raining. Keep a eye on it.
We did this cruise last year and in Olden the day before the tour guide said it was 20F cooler and raining the day before. You may get some sunbathing days but probably not. Remember Norway is on the same latitude as Alaska. But its a wonderful cruise the scenery and people are lovely. 
Where are you coming from? 
 

Same we just got off wonder last week just checked now and we are at 74 points. Desparately looking for a bargain 7 nights to get to 80 lol 

I think 99% of people on RC reddit aren't cruisers and hate RC. I left it a long time ago it's really full of weirdos sorry anyone that posts there but it's toxic. 
We went wonder 10/15 - 10/22 and missed coco key. I felt the ship trying to dock 3 times (shuddering as the thrusters work) then move away. We were there a few days before in Indy so I wasn't too upset as it was windy the week before so not too pleasant. The most annoying thing was the captain coming over the room PA to say go back to sleep because we can't dock. 

Same we just got off wonder last week just checked now and we are at 74 points. Desparately looking for a bargain 7 nights to get to 80 lol 

Same we just got off wonder last week just checked now and we are at 74 points. Desparately looking for a bargain 7 nights to get to 80 lol 

Same we just got off wonder last week just checked now and we are at 74 points. Desparately looking for a bargain 7 nights to get to 80 lol 

Well then, my points showed up this morning. I’m now officially Diamond!!

Just take some $1 or exchange them.
This was my 7th RC cruise and for most I've had the DDP. I know grats are already added but I decided after reading facebook and blogs like RCBlog to tip a few bucks when getting drinks.
This was helped by winning $20 with my free slot rolls 🙂 
I have to say while you don't need to tip it really made a difference. 
I get beer mostly so it didn't impact the alcohol level but the friendliness of the staff (they were always friendly before but the level of friendliness increased) and the speed at getting served was improved.
Perhaps not noticeable if you haven't tipped before but I definitely noticed it when the pool bars got busy.
I will definitely be tipping bar staff in the future. 🙂 
 
 
 

Just take some $1 or exchange them.
This was my 7th RC cruise and for most I've had the DDP. I know grats are already added but I decided after reading facebook and blogs like RCBlog to tip a few bucks when getting drinks.
This was helped by winning $20 with my free slot rolls 🙂 
I have to say while you don't need to tip it really made a difference. 
I get beer mostly so it didn't impact the alcohol level but the friendliness of the staff (they were always friendly before but the level of friendliness increased) and the speed at getting served was improved.
Perhaps not noticeable if you haven't tipped before but I definitely noticed it when the pool bars got busy.
I will definitely be tipping bar staff in the future. 🙂 
 
 
 

Just take some $1 or exchange them.
This was my 7th RC cruise and for most I've had the DDP. I know grats are already added but I decided after reading facebook and blogs like RCBlog to tip a few bucks when getting drinks.
This was helped by winning $20 with my free slot rolls 🙂 
I have to say while you don't need to tip it really made a difference. 
I get beer mostly so it didn't impact the alcohol level but the friendliness of the staff (they were always friendly before but the level of friendliness increased) and the speed at getting served was improved.
Perhaps not noticeable if you haven't tipped before but I definitely noticed it when the pool bars got busy.
I will definitely be tipping bar staff in the future. 🙂 
 
 
 

Just take some $1 or exchange them.
This was my 7th RC cruise and for most I've had the DDP. I know grats are already added but I decided after reading facebook and blogs like RCBlog to tip a few bucks when getting drinks.
This was helped by winning $20 with my free slot rolls 🙂 
I have to say while you don't need to tip it really made a difference. 
I get beer mostly so it didn't impact the alcohol level but the friendliness of the staff (they were always friendly before but the level of friendliness increased) and the speed at getting served was improved.
Perhaps not noticeable if you haven't tipped before but I definitely noticed it when the pool bars got busy.
I will definitely be tipping bar staff in the future. 🙂 
 
 
 

Just take some $1 or exchange them.
This was my 7th RC cruise and for most I've had the DDP. I know grats are already added but I decided after reading facebook and blogs like RCBlog to tip a few bucks when getting drinks.
This was helped by winning $20 with my free slot rolls 🙂 
I have to say while you don't need to tip it really made a difference. 
I get beer mostly so it didn't impact the alcohol level but the friendliness of the staff (they were always friendly before but the level of friendliness increased) and the speed at getting served was improved.
Perhaps not noticeable if you haven't tipped before but I definitely noticed it when the pool bars got busy.
I will definitely be tipping bar staff in the future. 🙂 
 
 
 

Wow I'm surprised at the response to this. 
I cruise in Europe on RC and tipping the bar staff on European cruises is just not done by the vast majority of cruisers.  I've been curious about this so have been sitting at bars and watched the interaction on a few recent cruises in Europe and 99% of drinks are without tip.
I'm on Harmony next month and I'll definitely be watching to see if I see more cash tips to bar staff, I expect to see a lot more as tipping is a larger part of US culture.
As for queue jumping. I don't expect, nor want, my bar staff to skip other people for me that's not why I tip.
When on a cruise I'm super chill waiting at a bar chatting to staff and other patrons while waiting for a drink is also part of the experience. 
I don't think I've ever seen a bar 4 deep on a cruise. Usually when bars get busy the staff phone in for more help and staff are sent from quieter bars to help out.  Last thing RC want is people standing at a bar getting annoyed with each other and fighting to be served. So I'm surprised at the comments. 

Ahoy fellow cruisers just booked this cruise last night. We are empty nesters our son is going to off to college in September and we will definitely need to cheer ourselves up after that so we are heading to the States and decided to go on this cruise.
We are currently at 63 C&A points and this will take us to the 70 mark. I joined the FB groups we usually prefer smaller ships like voyager or Radiance class as we like meeting people and find the larger ships fun but impersonal and harder to make friends.
This is why I'm posting here hoping this smaller group of posters might be interested in a meet up. We are Scottish / Irish but living in Belgium for the last 27 years. Anyway I hope everyone has a great cruise. It's our first time visiting St Thomas and St Maarten. So looking for any tips on these locations as well. 

Wow I'm surprised at the response to this. 
I cruise in Europe on RC and tipping the bar staff on European cruises is just not done by the vast majority of cruisers.  I've been curious about this so have been sitting at bars and watched the interaction on a few recent cruises in Europe and 99% of drinks are without tip.
I'm on Harmony next month and I'll definitely be watching to see if I see more cash tips to bar staff, I expect to see a lot more as tipping is a larger part of US culture.
As for queue jumping. I don't expect, nor want, my bar staff to skip other people for me that's not why I tip.
When on a cruise I'm super chill waiting at a bar chatting to staff and other patrons while waiting for a drink is also part of the experience. 
I don't think I've ever seen a bar 4 deep on a cruise. Usually when bars get busy the staff phone in for more help and staff are sent from quieter bars to help out.  Last thing RC want is people standing at a bar getting annoyed with each other and fighting to be served. So I'm surprised at the comments. 

Regarding whether or not a staff member actually keeps the cash tips or puts them into a combined fund...I have finally decided that it isn't my business and I don't really worry about it.  I leave the tip I'm going to leave and what happens to it after it leaves my hand is irrelevant to me.  Sure, I would rather have the person who provided me the service get the money, but the tip sharing policy is not something that I have any control over.  The only thing I can control is whether or not I leave a tip, so I do.
I follow this "rule" whether it's a bartender or a meal server.  I tip at every meal whether I eat at a specialty restaurant or the Windjammer.  99% of the time I leave my tip on the table and depart the pattern.  What happens to that money after I leave is, and will always remain, a mystery.  It's simply none of my business.

Yes, being a generous tipper to the bartenders is not only the right thing to do but also can garner some nice perks. I could stand 4 deep at the casino bar and it’s guaranteed my red stripe beer is going to be handed to me first.