JennyJenny

23 hours ago, KathyC said:

Just snagged this from a live blog:  complementary tea is London Tea Company.  This is from the suite lounge in the terminal, but it's the same that's on board.

 

Thank you!!!!!

On 1/24/2020 at 7:27 AM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

In addition to being a suite snob, I am even more of a tea snob.  I always pack my own.  It weighs almost nothing.

I am SO glad I asked.

5 hours ago, foxrunner said:

We are particular about our tea. At home we drink Williamson, Republic of Tea, and Yorkshire Gold to name a few. The standard tea was solid on Allure. We drink mainly British Breakfast and an occasional green tea. The problem is I didn't pay attention to the name of the tea served and I've never seen it for sale in the USA.  We did have the DBP and could have found premium teas but the standard stuff was readily available in the Windjammer, Main Dining Room,and Specialty Dining so we ordered and enjoyed it.

I am mostly an iced tea (straight black, no sugar) gal. If I do hot, it's Earl Gray.

6 hours ago, KathyC said:

@twangster has pictures of everything.  I bet he has a picture of the complimentary teas and the additional cost teas. 

Thank you. I live on fresh brewed iced tea. I may have to bring my own tea bags as an emergency back up.

14 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

Definitely does not taste fresh brewed, so likely it is concentrate stuff.

I've never seen premium teas that have an upcharge.  They usually have a selection of tea bags in a variety of flavors everywhere that hot water is offered complimentary.  The only tea I have seen that you can order at the specialty coffee counter is chai tea lattes.

However if you sail on Oasis they have Portside BBQ which does have fresh brewed iced tea, both sweetened and unsweetened!  There is a charge for that tea but it would be covered with the refreshment and deluxe drink packages.

Oh dear. A week without my tea.... I need fresh brewed tea. I may have to MacGuyer it.... I am on Grandeur....

8 hours ago, KathyC said:

Premium tea is the tea bags you get from the Cafe/coffee shops.  Complimentary hot tea is also available in all the food venues.  There are a lot of wonderful choices complimentary that you do not need to get the "premium" teas.  I wish I had taken a picture of the tea available but I did not.  My suggestion - go to the live blog section of these boards, find someone currently cruising, and ask them to take a picture of the tea choices in both locations.

So it's just fancy/upscale tea bags?

I wonder if the iced tea is fresh brewed or that horrid mix powder stuff...

I was looking at the refreshment package and noticed it said "Premium Coffees and Teas"

I understand what they mean with premium COFFEE but was curious what they meant by premium TEA?

I ask as the travel agent for our group tried to talk another gal into canceling her beverage package by arguing over if she drank tea she already got tea free.

I know they have the big vats of "iced tea" for the masses which is free (water, tea, and lemonade I hear) so what kind of tea falls into the "premium" category?

I plan to keep my refreshment package for the mocktails and coffees alone but as an iced tea snob, I suddenly wondered about the tea situation on board....

6 hours ago, Matt said:

Generally, not. Royal Caribbean typically does not publish info on events for cruises to come.

Thank you! Good to know. Now I can plan with that and mind and not be waiting for something I'll never get!

On 12/22/2019 at 4:50 PM, Fuzzywuzzy said:

Most of us can only imagine what it must have been like.

As one of the Board of Directors for our local Junior League of Cotillions, I often am in situations or environments where everyone dresses like this (or fancier). We do it all. The white gloves including. We hold 2-3 Balls a year complete with orchestras and dancing. When I attend the evening events at my ballroom dance school, it is not unusual to see many ladies in full gown or gentlemen in tuxedos.... alongside younger "kids" in jeans and TOMs. Or the lady that always wears the most fantastic "cha cha" pants with ruffles from her ankles to her cooter!

I have a lovely wardrobe of gowns and dresses. We recently held a full Victorian Ball and every lady in attendance had a hoop skirt on!

I truly love taking a moment out of my day and spending time on myself to dress up. To do my hair. To put on a gown or dress that makes ME feel like a princess. It makes ME happy. I could prance off to Home Depot for light bulbs or meet friends at a dive diner for a chili dog (I have actually done this in a gown, long story) and at the end of the day, I have never once felt out of place or uncomfortable. When I dress up, it is about me and me alone. It's not for anyone else. Just me. 

When I sail in April, I have not one but TWO gowns because I understand there will be two formal nights. I will also bring two dresses probably for 70s/White nights if they have them. When I board, I have a lovely dress and.... prepare to gasp... A HAT!

And not a ball cap, an actual HAT!

It's not as over the top as this one but I'd say it's "in the spirit of".

I plan to swan about and dress for dinner and be presentable for breakfast or coffee in the morning because that makes ME happy.

For all those who prefer to wear their pajamas to get coffee or shorts and a backwards ball cap in the Main Dining room?

You are always welcome to sit with me, next to me, or in my immediate field of vision. How you choose to dress does not affect ME (unless you are in full fetish gear and have that mask with the zipper on.... those kind of freak me out a little so I might politely excuse myself but really that's about the only time it might bother me a little but that's on me, not you so if I am uncomfortable, it's my responsibility to attend to removing myself POLITELY and GRACEFULLY from the situation, not yours for being there).

I have met some of the rudest nastiest people in the world who are wearing a tuxedo or gown. I have also met some of the most fabulously delightful warm wonderful people in the world who are dressed rather sparse or "sloppy". What a person chooses to pull out of their closet and drape on their body doesn't make them a good or kind or pleasant person. That only comes from the heart. And if you have a good heart then I could give a fig what you are wearing. If you are a mean spirited, ill tempered, nasty person than the most gorgeous most expensive designer gown won't fix that black void where your heart should be.

My two cents since everyone is tossing there's about!

(121 days to go!)

1 hour ago, Pima1988 said:

Have you joined the Lady G facebook page?  

The 70's night is popular, but don't feel the need to dress up unless you really like to do that.

My husband and I always bring outfits for the White night party.  We just look at the compass everyday to see if it is that night.  My outfit is always just a white cardigan, with light colored dress.  Hubby wears a white linen shirt with light khaki pants.  Like @ChessE4 said about his Harmony cruise, everytime we have sailed, it was the 2nd formal night that was the white night, and there were many people in white in the mdr.

It is held later at night.  I want to say usually around 11.  The location varies.  I have attended it on the pool deck (Enchantment....the same size ship as Lady G) and I have seen it in the venues that are just for dancing.

@WannaCruise  Don't know when or which itinerary you did on Adventure, but when we sailed her last July (8 nights) They did have the white night party.  It was the 2nd formal night.  It was held at 11 pm up in the disco (can't recall the name, but the one at the top of the ship).

 

1. No. I don't have Facebook

2. I adore dressing up. A few years ago, I purchased this gorgeous shimmery wrap dress in a silver frost colour. I use it for my New Years Eve dress each year when I attend my ballroom dance school's party. It's got a retro vibe to it and I think it would be just darling for a 70s moment. However, I did also just find a very lovely white chiffon number that I am dying to wear because it is so swirly and pretty so I was thinking it would be perfect for a white night. I will most likely just bring both and be ready for anything!

3. If it's usually held later at night then I can always do a costume change after dinner (I have decided to indulge on my cruise and do all the little things I love like laying in the sun, reading, dressing up, and dancing!)

Thank you!

10 hours ago, Mr. Candyman said:

Unfortunately the app isn't available for Grandeur so you'll have to sift through some older cruise compasses similar to your itinerary.

Thank you. I have sorted through old ones. Wasn't sure if there was any specific notice that came out prior. Many moons ago (over 10 years) my parents asked me to join then for a cruise on a different line and they received that kind of information and communicated it to me prior to sailing. Wasn't sure if that would occur here. Doesn't sound like it will.

21 minutes ago, emsff02 said:

Your best bet is to look at the cruise compasses, or look at your sailing on the Royal Caribbean app. Sometimes the cruise compass will be loaded into the calendar of the app a day or two before the sailing. YMMV here though.  There is no other “advanced” notice. 

Thanks. I have been looking at the Compasses online but mine isn't one of the ones that uses the app. Sounds like I just have to wing it!

122 days to go.

Starting to think about packing. I know, I know, 122 days but with my schedule it's going to be the blink of an eye and I want to not feel rushed or stressed. I am also looking at some end of year sales with some cute dresses and might want to pick one up.

The question is: I have seen some nights there is a "70s Night" and other times there is a "White Party". Are we going to find out prior to sailing what kinds of evening events there will be so we can pack accordingly?

I know there are old Cruise Compasses online and I think I have only seen 70s parties on those (I'll be on Grandeur). Will we get more event specific info the close we get? If so, when do we usually see that?

Thanks!

14 hours ago, Ditchdoc said:

Good idea. Also makes me think of the plastic eggs so popular at Easter that snap or unscrew into two halves. You might could keep one magnet inside one of these to handle them separately.

Brilliant idea for the plastic eggs!

11 hours ago, teddy said:

Voom is the name Royal gives to their on board wifi (you have to pay for it).  Once you get it and connect, you are on the internet via wifi just like anywhere else.

Gmail and Google chat will work for you once you connect to wifi on the ship (ie. Voom).  Your friend won't have to do anything different than he usually does since he will be connected to the internet the same as always.

 

Perfect! Thank you!

I don't use Facebook but my gentleman friend and I use gmail/google chat to keep in touch when I travel. Assuming as long as I have the Voom/am connected to wifi on ship, I can message him the same as if I had Facebook?

He does not own a smart phone so can't download the WhatsApp ap.

36 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

There is some geographic variation, e.g., different entrees and side dishes overseas.    Case in point would be the British food experience when sailing out of Southampton.  At least this was the case three years ago....

That also makes sense that it would also have a regional theme/element. So "chicken" would be the protein but a ship sailing regularly from Japan is probably going to have one version while one sailing from Texas might have another.

5 hours ago, twangster said:

Royal has several dishes that are found fleet wide.  The supply chain caters to these standard offerings.

This actually makes a lot of sense. I am thinking it's also easier to streamline preparation of a "tied and true" dish versus constantly having to manage new ones, especially at the volume they are working at. Sure, if you have a little bistro and can cater more individually but feeding the masses necessitates some efficiency and sticking with what works is... what works!

6 hours ago, Atlantix2000 said:

Ironically, the post just below yours asking about the menus for Oasis has the same answer.  Check the following thread for pictures of the current MDR menus.  Yes they are used across the fleet and have been for some time.

 

Oh! Good to know! I don't always read the ones about ships I am not on as I figured the questions weren't relevant to my own sailing. Thanks for pointing that out!

...is the Main Dining Room menu pretty much the same (with some variation here and there) across the fleet?

I was trying to find more recent menus for Grandeur and noticed some of the recent menus for other ships look like old menus for Grandeur? It appears to me they have found a good selection/rotation and are sticking with it. This isn't a bad thing. I was just feeling less like looking for menus specific to Grandeur if that was the case.

Perhaps those who have sailed more ships over the years can confirm or deny?

Just curious.

10 hours ago, KJones said:

I also bring Nuun with me, not only for rehydration, but the diluted flavoring helps me drink more water in general. Personally, I've found Amazon to have the best pricing, and sometimes a wider variety of flavors.

Oh! I'll have to check Amazon! They stopped carrying my fav flavour in stores a while back. Thanks!

7 minutes ago, ptod said:

The only snack policy should be bring enough to share!  

j/k but we made new friends when we had an extra mini bag of pretzels at the R bar on Rhapsody.....I wasn't nice enough to share my mini package of mixed nuts.....that would have been nutz!

Oh! That's a lovely idea! I am a single sailer so I should bring some to share as that may help make some friends Good suggestion!

1 hour ago, KathyC said:

You won't find nuts on the ships anywhere, I've looked.  We're plant-based, and use nuts as a heavy source of protein.  I did see walnuts on a recent Celebrity sailing - I was very excited!! 

There are places to score "snacks" you just have to look for them.  Lunch in the Park Cafe/Solarium Cafe you'll often find bagged potato chips at the salad station.  In the mornings, look at the museli/omelet area in the Windjammer, you'll find dried fruits.  In the evenings in the windjammer, there is a sundae station with hard ice cream - you'll often find chocolate chips.  The trick is to find what you like, and make a bowl/plate and bring it back to your cabin for later.  You can put together some great options if you're vigilant.   

I have heard some folks bring small ziploc containers and get some stuff for later from the Windjammer. But I am pretty sure I don't have a fridge so would be limited to the dried fruits or such.

1 hour ago, Zeashore said:

We can't do without the evening dark chocolate either and bring our own.  ….agree with the 'clean out the bank account' comment.  LOL.

Never occurred to me they wouldn't have simple dark chocolate with the amount of food you hear folks talk about on the ship! Sounds like I definitely need to bring my own chocolate stash!

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I don’t think there’s really a “policy” except the items should be unopened when you bring them onboard.  I don’t know how fully they enforce that “rule”.

Unopened makes sense. I saw on the current Grandeur live blog, the poster had turned the shelves behind one side of the mirror into a snack cabinet and that's what prompted me to ask!