CrimsonCruiser

Do I have to ask about the drink of the day? I was looking at the boards they have on each bar but noticed they weren't specific for the day....

I run cold and prefer to be warm and we've only sailed Caribbean in summer so it's hot hot hot out there. With the exception of the ice skating theater and the main theater, I've never needed the shawl/cardigan I bring onboard. I tend to carry it to dinner or around the ship the first couple days, thinking I'll need it but i don't. And if I do hit a point where I'm chilly, it's so easy to pop back outside and get thawed. Lol

You can purchase room decorations on board and tell them what day you'd like them to be put up. Your room steward will do it when they come in for your cleaning - which is usually when you're gone for dinner or out for the day's activities. As for ways to NOT spend $450 for a private proposal, Dazzles is usually empty when there's a good gap in programming. It was a place my mom and I often chose to chill because it's quiet but overlooks the boardwalk and has lots of bright light and glass/crystal to reflect said light. Another option on the ship is a semi-secret mini path in Central Park. I don't exactly remember where it is but I've attached some photos. You can kind of see it as you take the main paths through and throughout our whole cruise on Allure last year I never saw anyone using it (I think because it's out of the way if you're actually trying to get somewhere)

up to $15 already? didn't it just go from $13 to $14 late last year?! Making me real happy I have those Diamond drinks

Curious if anyone tried or heard anything about these local places? The original fat boy Jimmy's (BBQ) Shieka's They're in the same area as Holland House and pop up on a list for "how to to eat like a local"

I believe flowers would fall into the category of with fruits and things that are usually prohibited in international travel because they may have bugs not native to the area. I imagine whatever Royal used to sell before had to go through a series of certifications.

If they are in your room while you order room service, I don't believe there are any caps on how much you can order at a time. So you can get something for everyone if you want. You may run into plate limits on the MDR dinner option but idk for sure since, if you had just gone down to the MDR you could get multiple entrees.

Breakfast for suite room service dining has always felt like the same food served in Windjammer. In fact, I would put money on the food actually coming from their (though I have no proof of that)

It's absolutely unlimited. The "bigger" "problem" might be if the machines run out. It happens and you may find yourself staring at a very grey "sold out" screen especially late at night or just before a port visit. But yeah, refill as often as you want.

I've not seen any excursion that doesn't have it baked in to the cost to drop you off wherever they pick you up. BUT there may be an option to stay longer where they stop (a beach, downtown etc), at which point I would just say make sure the driver knows but then you have essentially waived the built-in return trip and are responsible for getting back on your own.

We just hit Diamond and want to save those 4 daily drinks to actually get booze at the bars hahaha. I'm pretty sure we're still going to get our money out of it - we generally refill 4 or 5 times a day - but I've been spoiled by being on smaller or older ships and getting the package for between 5.99 - 7.99 per person per day

I am quite disappointed to see that the soda package is still $9.99 per person per day. It was $7.99 back when we first booked the cruise and hasn't come back down since. *sigh* also nothing else available has moved with this new "sale" this is the first sailing where the sales have been shyte

Still open to dining suggestions if anyone has anything. Obviously more amenable to "town" now.

Can anyone confirm if the vests are still free for use for adults with your own equipment? I'm not sure I want to spend the money to buy a vest....I've seen conflicting information that they are either free or cost $10 to rent for the day.

August 2023 going for $134

I was definitely thinking of doing this - it doesn't hurt to ask at least. And now that I know that everyone is recommending taking the ferry into town anyway sounds like it could be a good plan

Good to know! Any chance you recall the pricing for a water taxi?

O.O how did you find that?! Also...I KNEW the extensions were a lie! They're already preplanned!

Hello! Our upcoming cruise in August will mark our first visit to St. Maarten and while we do have a quick tour for the morning, we'd love to take in some local food instead of getting windjammer on the ship. Our main restrictions: mom has shellfish allergy. She can be in a place where it is cooked but cannot eat any. Ideally no more than a 10 minute walk from the port since our tour is with Royal and we'll be dropped back off at the port. Where do you guys recommend?

ooooh smoke free Casino on Harmony...I'm VERY intrigued. one of the reasons I let me free play run out is because of how badly the casino stinks

It's a nice add-on and on an Oasis class ship places like 150 Central Park or Chops Grille can be really nice elevated experiences. I do think it's worth it if you are already interested, but the MDR has an elevated feel as well. I wouldn't say get a dining package, but splurging on one while you're on board is nice. You need the app to do check in. Once you have it, open the app and put in your sail information. It will pull up a screen with the ship and a lot of icons along the bottom. Scroll left to right to find the "check in" button (I think it's purple) and click that. You can select your boarding time without inputting the rest of the information (passport, emergency contact, credit card). Boarding Time is the second option under each person's name. Any one person on a reservation can check-in all parties.

These are my before thoughts and hopefully I'll remember to come back here and update after we sail in August. We have a Breezy Bay daybed booked and for our purposes, I think it's good. My mom isn't much of a beach person so the (seemingly) close access to Oasis Lagoon will be good for her, while the beach access at breezy bay isn't too far either for me. A snack shack also looks pretty close so we'd have easy access to food (and that famous chicken sandwich). Based on the maps I'm looking at South Beach is quite removed from everything so it would certainly be more quiet and off the beaten path and maybe great for people who have done PDCC a ton before and really just want to chill with no frills.

I usually use a hotel's shuttle. Most hotels within a mile of airports have free shuttles.

I'm also sad that Labadee isn't as popular a port. Not just because it's a nice stop and far more friendly on the wallet than PDCC but also because they money in Labadee goes into the local community and schools. I like that Royal's leasing of their land does actually give back.

O.O Titan of the seas ages like milk