USCG Teacher

40 minutes ago, Reigert2008 said:

We use decorative spandex luggage covers similar to the ones at the link below.  Not only can you easily find your luggage in the hallway of the ship, the terminal, and at baggage claim, but they also have protected our luggage from getting stains and such on them.

You can also order them with an added degree of security built-in security. Eliminate baggage claim shenanigans quickly and easily!

I don't have a suggestion, but I would recommend that you avoid using Blacklane.  I've attempted to use them three times, and they stranded me twice.  

8 hours ago, PG Cruiser said:

I have seen some in kilts but I have yet to see someone in military (dress) attire.

From the bygone era when formal night meant something. Apologies for the glare/reflection from the frame.  Based on the ring and the rank (and baby faces), this must be 2002.

1 hour ago, barjpoe said:

Well, we'll find out. We've booked the Blue Lagoon Island DELUXE Beach Break on our Jan. 28 sailing on Mariner. the description mentions a 30-40 min. scenic boat ride through historic Nassau Harbor on a double-decker ferry. Arriving at the Island, take a soothing swim in the calm lagoon, float on an inner tube or lay on the beach with the white sand between your toes. Enjoy a double hammock for you and visit the Island Bar and enjoy one of the local specialty drinks. Complete your day at the beach with a stop at the animal facility, where you can see dolphins and sea lions at play in their natural habitat. It also offers a complimentary lunch: After a relaxing day on the beach, satisfy your hunger with a tasty grilled picnic lunch.

Would love to hear how it is, my son wants to do this excursion and my wife & I are on the fence about it...

On 11/25/2021 at 12:10 PM, Barry Key said:

Has anyone done the "Aruba Sunset Catamaran Cruise" shore excursion?

I did this tour a few years ago!  It was listed in the Excursion catalogue as, "a romantic sunset cruise."  Romantic it was not.  Fun?  Absolutely.  The crew went out of their way to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves.  Our table-mates enjoyed themselves so much they were in no condition to come to dinner once we returned to the ship.  

2 hours ago, Vbrandt said:

Are you saying there isn’t a train that will go directly there from GCS?

It's been awhile since I've been through LGA, but unless things have changed there aren't any train lines that run out there.  My admittedly dated recollection is that from Grand Central you'd take the 6 train to 125 St., then transfer to the M60 bus.  It's a bit of a PITA trip, and I'd much sooner just pay for the Lyft/Uber to get me out there.

5 minutes ago, Vlad said:

Thanks, it just appeared for me recently. 

All good now. 

But I can't find confirmation email of purchase as well. Maybe never received it... 

But CC was charged correctly 

Also haven't received the emails yet, but everything is showing up in my order history and calendar (I took screenshots just in case!).  The thought of Royal's IT system being overwhelmed during Black Friday sales feels about right.

4 hours ago, Vlad said:

I know what you guys saying 

But for some strange reason, cancel button just isn't where it's suppose to be. 

Take a look at the screenshot 

I just made some purchases, and the same thing happened to me.  Took about 24 hours for the modify/cancel option to show up.

1 hour ago, Baked Alaska said:

With the old interface, to reschedule an excursion, dining, etc., activity, all I had to do was click "Modify." How do I reschedule a dining reservation without having to cancel it?

If there's a way to do it (besides a phone call of course!), I haven't figured it out yet, either.  I cancelled and rebooked since the cost hadn't changed.

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

But when the ship is full, will there be enough crew (and space) to serve passengers without them constantly running into each other?

I fear every line turns into the omelet station.

 

 

Just need to establish a standard of efficiency with both guests and crew.

18 hours ago, Robandmar said:

We booked Monday and decided to upgrade today. E-docs just say GTY category J4 so prob won’t know until 11/16 ( day before) I guess. Just want to be able to print baggage tags. 

As a seemingly fellow "prepare as much as possible before leaving" type, I also get a bit anxious without my own luggage tags printed and personally secured before I leave home.  That said, the porters at the pier can and do write up tags on the spot for you, and I've never had a bag not show up!

29 minutes ago, Jim D said:

I know that’s what you said. But if you look at the pictures I just sent that’s all that’s on my page 

Have you tried using a laptop/desktop computer to access your Cruise Planner?  I know they're supposed to show the same info in theory, but we all know how Royal IT works out in the real world...

My July 29th trip also has bupkis for Port Canaveral. 

Hey @Scoular!  Glad to hear everything went so well!  I don't have anything of value to add regarding your flight question, but I do want to say congratulations on the forthcoming nuptials!   

22 hours ago, Pooch said:

Really, is there such a thing as too much bread???

No.  No there is not.

7 hours ago, Jolly Ogre said:

I have never seen this option. Where does this show up? Where would you select this type of thing?

Yep, @fireclan's covered it.  It's the MyCruiseRewards.com page, which is where some RCI branded credit cards allow you to "cash in" your points.

I've gotten the same options as well.  I picked shared credit with the theory being that it will allow my wife to access it on board as well, but to be honest I have absolutely no idea if it makes any difference.

5 hours ago, Floski said:

It's actually quite refreshing.

Budget bidet?

7 hours ago, XtremeGK said:

It's basically a choice on where you want the most inconvenience: Chicago getting to ORD, or NY/NJ getting to Cape Liberty. I personally think LGA to Cape Liberty is worse than most place in Chicago to ORD.

This is an excellent take.  Also, all things being equal, if I have to deal with disruptive traffic/travel, I'd rather do it in an area I am familiar with vs. an area I'm not.

For background, after I separated from the military, I worked at two Atlantic City casinos on the overnight shift as I worked through college.  Here is my biggest tip, and I cannot stress this enough.  If you are fortunate enough to hit a big jackpot, CLAIM YOUR WINNINGS AND WALK AWAY IMMEDIATELY. I have witnessed more self-destructive decision making after hitting big than I could possibly begin to explain.  Probably most egregious, I saw a 23 year old kid hit the progressive jackpot at a Caribbean Stud Poker table.  Just under $300K.  Immediately they comped the kid a suite, treated him and his friends as huge high rollers, offered him a private table with his own personal cocktail server, top shelf liquor, etc., etc.  Long story short, what started out as, "What the heck, I'm playing with house money, let's go ahead and enjoy this" ended up with him a few grand in the hole by the time the sun came up.  Casinos can be fun and entertaining as long as you play with what you plan to lose, but they're not built on winners.

3 hours ago, BrianB said:

I sailed out of New Jersey and tried to exchange my currency to the local Port Canaveral currency but couldn’t find anyone who would make the exchange. They just looked at me funny like…I couldn’t figure it out.

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

@BrianBPort Canaveral currency is Mickey ears, that's why they were looking at you funny.

D'oh.

Thank you so much, @leesam82 & @RWDW1204.  This is exactly what I was looking for!

1 hour ago, Marlena said:

How old are your kids? I believe its presently a vaccinated only restauarant.

My cruise isn't until next summer, so it won't (shouldn't!) be an issue by then. 

So, the new Cruise Planner set up now has the ability to book kids for your specialty dining reservations at the reduced rate vs. having to make corrections on board, which is fantastic!  As I was looking through the description for the Izumi Hibachi Experience, it notes that children must order from the kids menu.  Does Izumi have its own kids menu at the hibachi, or is the same one from the MDR?  Both my kids love trying new foods, and neither of them have ever done a hibachi dinner.  I'd hate for them to sit down and see the "show" only to have it followed with, "and here are your chicken nuggets" as opposed to being able to actually eat what they just saw the chef prepare.  Given many members board members' love of all things Izumi (looking at you, @Matt! ), I'm hoping someone (or several someones) have some first hand experience here?

15 hours ago, starbrat said:

Yes it’s one bathroom.   I think they will be fine.

If someone were paying for my cruise, I'd be willing to walk to another deck to use the bathroom.  You're a very generous and thoughtful person, @starbrat!