USCG Teacher

Three words and a conjunction: Garden Martini and bread. Team 150 all the way.

5 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Back in the day, you could ask the CK to please serve your preferred dish from the MDR even if it is not on the CK menu, but I believe that they have mostly discontinued this practice. That means, if we want the lobster tail (which is much better than it used to be, IMO) or the lamb shank you will have to go to the MDR on those nights.

Interesting data point for you, @WAAAYTOOO.  This past week were in CK on Allure during MDR lobster night (poached lobster night in CK).  Our server told us that there was "an off menu option" that night that was the traditional lobster tail, and that he could also do it as a surf and turf.  He also told us that as a suite perk, CK diners do not have to pay extra for additional tails. He even brought a few out just for my boys to try them.  Not sure if this is official policy, unofficial policy, or a ship by ship case.

Our family of four was on Allure the same week as you.  Luckily, no cases here! 

1 hour ago, AndyPandy said:

Another related point, I know concierge will help with priority “tendering” when there is tendering. My question is what about if you have a mid morning arrival in port, and everybody is up and there will be a sudden rush to get off the ship, with potential queues. Will concierge help with that? Say if there is two exits running, a “meet and escort off”. 

So, I asked this very question a few weeks ago.  It seems that this may vary by ship.  Last year on Oasis, this wasn't explicitly offered (and I did not ask).  I just got off of Allure last week, and the Suite Concierges Nadja and MJ left a message on our room phones the night before informing us that they would expedite our departure in each port AND they went out of their way to tell everyone in Costal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge they could do this as well.  They offered priority debarkation from the suite lounge beginning as soon as the ship was cleared, then every 15 minutes after that for the first 60-90 minutes in port.  They used their "Magic Key" to grab an express elevator from deck 17 to the gangway, then you went straight to the security station to have your SeaPass cards scanned.  It was a fantastic perk!

This is an interesting development.  A few weeks ago I was at a local NJ attraction that had a sign posted at their ticket office that said that effective immediately they were no longer accepting AAA passes due to "delayed payment and lack of communication." 

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

Thanks. I'm also honest and secure enough to admit I don't get the reference, lol,

Obviously I know who Mark Twain is but the comment went over my head. I'm hoping the explanation is something I don't feel stupid about, but if it is, won't be the first time.

No worries, you absolutely shouldn't feel stupid.  Twain has offered some famous advice (or at least it has been attributed to him!) about avoiding arguments with certain people.  You followed it perfectly.  I don't want to violate the board's TOS, so I'll leave it to be Googled if so desired.

Yes, share and agree 100% with @smokeybandit's rationale.

3 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I'll pass, thanks.

Well done.  I see you're a Mark Twain fan as well. 

5 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Say whaaaat ?

Silly as this sounds, @Pattycruise is right. Amtrak offers 6 times daily service from Vancouver to Seattle, but only the 6:35 AM and 5:45 PM departures are actually the Cascades train, the other four departures are Amtrak's "Thruway bus" service which is both slightly more expensive and less comfortable than the train.

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

My 9-year-old niece orders her own D drinks... your kids should definitely have your perks (well, the underage version of them).

Same, my 8 and 11 year olds definitely get multiple Shirley Temples a day using theirs!

29 minutes ago, Gilley said:

I’m interested in learning to play pickle ball.  Not sure if I’m willing to cough up $70/.    Maybe I can get the basics from YouTube as it seems that is what the $70 will cover.

Exactly what I was about to say. YouTube is free!

5 hours ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

It was a success! And I didn't even have to pay for it! I got weird looks for asking but they gave me the bread with a to go top and I took it down to the main dining room to enjoy on the last night 

Unrelated to the bread (which does indeed look delicious!), may I just say that your braids look awesome? Hope you're enjoying yourself!

8 hours ago, Ptrg said:

I agree with you 100% but they said that is if I want OV balcony I have to pay for un upgrade. That is the way it set up. And if you read information about "Balcony gty" there are not clearly tell you that what you will be assigned for, then you assumed that you will be get one of three stateroom: Bw, CP or OV. But infact no OV.!!! 

I think this may be a situation where some wires might be crossing, and perhaps even the rep may be trying to do you a solid by being very truthful regarding your situation.  As I understand the system (and it is quite possible that I completely misunderstand the system!) could your GTY balcony still net you an OV balcony?  Sure.  Is it likely to?  Almost certainly not.  If there's an OV balcony GTY category, you're in a tier below them to be placed in an OV, and the price paid is reflective of that lower priority.  As far as I can figure, the pecking order would be:

1. Those who paid to select their OV balcony room

2. OV Balcony GTYs

3. (Maybe?) Those paying to Royal Up from a neighborhood balcony to an OV balcony

4. Balcony GTY

The odds of cabin selection making it all the way down to tier 4 AND then having you be one of the lucky ones in that group to be assigned an OV seems infinitesimally small.  Not impossible, just hit the lottery level unlikely.  Again, this could possibly be 100% incorrect, but it is how the system seems to makes sense in my mind's eye, but there are scores of members here who are both more well versed with RCI's methodology and far more eloquent than I am that can hopefully confirm or deny this!

27 minutes ago, happy cruisers 2 said:

Did you like it?  Do you know the reason that a waiver must be signed?  It sounds like a very safe way to see something while ashore.  I'm curious to know why a signed waiver is necessary.

The answer to this question is almost always, "someone did something inexplicably stupid once and hurt themself and/or others."  Alcohol is generally but not always involved in said event.

3 hours ago, Floatingby said:

I will be cruising Anthem in Nov and it's my first cruise with Royal. How does Royal Up work? Would I get an email if bidding is open on my sailing? 

I have been deleting without reading anything that looks like marketing emails not related to my cruise but maybe should be reading them. Does the email say something like Royal Up or Your upcoming sailing?

If you're afraid that you missed the email, you can always check manually if you're eligible yet at:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-room-upgrade

It should also be appearing on your main page of your Cruise Planner online if you are, but I know some people like to check all the angles! 

2 hours ago, Ptrg said:

We booked guaranty balcony, just wondering which one to keep or change to between Broadway and Central Park state room? Are they " Private" when rooms across  each other???

TONS of reviews and walk-throughs of these cabins on YouTube.  Some people love them, some people hate them.  You can definitely see across both Central Park and the Boardwalk into the cabins on the other side that do not have their shades drawn.  The balcony is certainly not as private feeling as an ocean view balcony.  For some people that's a deal breaker, for others the savings are more than worth sacrifices.  Only you can determine where you fall on that spectrum!  I'd suggest watching a few and drawing your own conclusions based on your preferences!

I know the topic of get togethers/meet ups for the LGBTQIA+ community has come up from time to time on the boards, so when I saw this in my Cruise Planner on the app, I figured I'd share.

23 hours ago, CanHardlyWait said:

Last smaller Royal ship was Voyager in 2006. Kinda looking forward to a smaller scale again.

I remember sailing Voyager in May 2000 when she was the biggest cruise ship in the world. 

24 minutes ago, CanHardlyWait said:

Making a last minute booking for next month. How do I get in contact with MEI = ASAP? Thanks!

You email @Beci at [email protected], and she'll either get you set up herself or get you in contact with someone who can straight away.

9 hours ago, deep1 said:

Wi Fi has me curious? Does that mean it has the capability of transmitting images to my cell phone directly or to somebody else back in the states?

My DSLR and underwater cameras are not new, but both have WiFi capability.  Through my Nikon App, I can download and edit any of the photos I want straight to my cell phone, and then send them off to whomever by either texting or emailing them, or (more commonly) just setting up a Google Drive folder and allowing whomever I want to see the photos access as a viewer.  That allows whoever wants to follow along to log in throughout my trip to do so without spamming photos to anyone who doesn't necessarily care to check them out at the moment!

20th - Allure

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Our board goes one step further...if you call in sick on a day that backs into/or after a holiday, you have to provide a doctor's note.

That's what's in our contract, too.  Fortunately we have a Superintendent who has five kids and really pushes SEL initiatives in the district, so as long as you don't abuse the privilege and are honest when you put in the request, he'll generally grant it.

So, this thread got me thinking.  A sky class suite benefit is "Priority Departure." I always thought that just meant departure on debarkation day, but does that also include non-tender ports of call as well?  I never bothered to ask the concierge because I assumed not, but I am in fact aware of what happens when one assumes something...

2 hours ago, melmar02 said:

I don't have a problem with boat drinks and the non-drowsy dramamine. 

That makes sense, as non-drowsy Dramamine is just ginger.  "Less-drowsy" has Meclizine, but the non-drowsy version doesn't actually have any drug in it at all.

Echoing @CruisingNewb, congee is indeed a great choice that should fit the bill.  Also, sad to say, Royal's mac and cheese is also very soft and bland (although the sodium might be on the higher side!).