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Bryce G.

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Everything posted by Bryce G.

  1. Peter, I can see where you're coming from, but fortunately, it's not like the movies, where a host or concierge stands there with his/her hand out/open expecting a tip. Since you've prepaid for everything, you're all set. Don't worry about being "treated badly." You'll be fine. Since you've prepaid, it's not allocated with the cruise card. It will be paid in advance.
  2. In St. Thomas in 2012, aboard Oasis OTS, I did "Castaway Shipwreck Cove Sail and Snorkel." Highly recommended. I loved the "St. Maarten Beach Rendezvous" in St. Maarten, but it doesn't include snorkeling, so I'm not sure if that would interest you. This year, I'm trying something different from St. Thomas, but doing the same excursion in St. Maarten!
  3. Remember that MOST of your receipts from purchases on board will have a spot for "additional gratuity." Be aware that it is, in face, additional. No need to add tip unless the team member provided extraordinary service.
  4. Except when it comes to towels. They will take your towel from your lounge chair the MOMENT you turn your back.
  5. I respectfully disagree. With what we know about the bystander effect and even PROFESSIONAL lifeguards' hesitation to react, I can FULLY believe that a child slips beneath the surface or lay face down at the surface with no response from people around...Remember, there is no "standard" to what a drowning looks like, and can take only seconds. I've watched as a child was NEXT TO an adult, and fell into distress. It was a SUPER busy day. I saw him, looked at the adult and shouted, "MISS, GRAB HIM NOW! HE'S DROWNING." She had no idea who he was but wouldn't react if I hadn't said anything.
  6. MW definition is correct. Think of it this way... Drowning : Drowned :: Dying : Died :: Suffocating : Suffocated. I think lifeguards would lead to more deaths. I hope that RC's only response is to put up signs to watch your kids or something.
  7. With the recent news of a child nearly drowning on Independence of the Seas (nearly drowned, contrary to article's title), do you think that Royal Caribbean needs to staff lifeguards poolside? According to a recent CC article, Disney Cruise Lines is the only major line to staff lifeguards. As a certified lifeguard myself, as well as Lifeguard Instructor: American Red Cross, Basic Life Support Instructor: American Heart Assocation, and a Certified Community Emergency Responder, I have my own opinion. Legally speaking, SOME states have passed laws that state ALL businesses operating swimming pools must provide a lifeguard during operating hours. Other states say that "Swim at your own Risk" signs are sufficient. Regardless, I think the only thing that the family COULD argue if they wanted to come after RCI is the notion of a "gate" of sorts--basically means to keep young children from inadvertently venturing into a swimming pool. Beyond that, I am of the opinion that staffing swimming pools with lifeguards would a) change the ambiance of the pool deck, even if they didn't enforce any rules, and were just there as a precaution, and b) provide parents with an even larger false sense of security, potentially leading to more emergencies. What are YOUR thoughts?
  8. Maybe so they can get a rough idea of how many people actually read the message?
  9. How was this message sent. Seems very peculiar "Hello, this is Royal Caribbean International." I would DEFINITELY prefer that they clean. I would prefer EVEN MORE that people would practice good hygiene. It's not RC's fault that there was an outbreak, it's the fault of Frank and Mildred Patterson who, at 80 years old, just feel that washing their hands is a waste of time, or that reaching their bare hands into the food in the buffet is acceptable. *cringe* I could even AVOID the buffet if I wanted, but if enough people are dumb, an outbreak is an outbreak. "Good morning, please sanitize your hands!" Yes. Done. I'll do it twice. Thank you for asking!
  10. She's super high-maintenance. I had no idea she was bringing it until we got a call from security that they found a prohibited item, hahaha
  11. My friend brought a prohibited item (travel iron) on board. They took it upon themselves to open up her bag and remove it. So they WILL open your bag...
  12. It made me feel like an underachiever too, especially when I saw his 22-year-old first mate or whatever. But then I realized that if I told them what I do for a living, they would probably feel the same way about me... Thanks for the advice!!
  13. I've done this itinerary before, and, like you, have done St. Thomas. Therefore, I booked an excursion to St. John's! But now I'm worried!! It's called St. John Half Day Champagne Cat Sail Beach & Snorkel. Is that the same one you did!? Wow, Capt. Patrick's last cruise?! He was very nice, very young, and very handsome! Hopefully they all do well on Quantum!!
  14. When you get on the ship, I would suggest that you talk to the Cruise Director or Guest Services. And ask if they can have it on in the schooner bar (or similar pub) or on any other screens throughout the ship. No reason they shouldn't be able to accommodate.
  15. Please note that "old" is a strange term in the cruise line industry, because of how well may cruise lines, including RC, keeps their ships. It won't feel old or dirty--promise. The ship is NOT small. I assure you. The Voyager class is the first class with a Royal Promenade. It's plenty large, and I even prefer it to Freedom Class ships! Happy sailings!
  16. OMG LOVED the photo with all the candy on the bed! Great shots. I actually sat at the table NEXT to the table where your servers were serving when I was on Radiance OTS in Alaska Aug. '13. How funny that I recognized them and they weren't even our servers!
  17. Someone earlier had mentioned that maybe you could book a specific sailing (to get the OBC), and then reschedule it over and over further and further out. Then, someone chimed in and said that you would sacrifice your OBC by doing that. I spoke with Cynthia from the RC executive office yesterday and very directly clarified this. AS LONG AS the ship that you "reschedule" or rebook on is the same duration of sailing and the same category of stateroom, you will get the same OBC as you originally got. Just something to be aware of.
  18. I straight up asked a few crew members on Oasis in Oct. 2012 if I should bother giving them out--if it made a difference. Most gave a resounding "yes." And were very thankful/grateful when I did...
  19. I didn't see any on my Radiance OTS sailing in Aug. 13 or Majesty OTS in Dec. 13. Good to know that you can request.
  20. There are lockers available for rent during your water excursions at Coco Cay. :-)
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