Christie

We are signed up for the Chef's Table on the Allure in 2 weeks. The website says it starts at 730 and ends at 1000. Is this accurate? We have reservations for the 11 pm comedy show that same night (not our first choice but what we ended up with); so, I want to make sure we will be able to make it.

 

On Oasis it started later (cocktails at 8, dinner started at 8:30).  We were there until midnight.  I think it would have been rude to leave before all the courses were served.

I guess since I always cruised Disney prior to RC, I am just used to the rotational dining.  Even on Oasis, we never went to the MDR.

I really hope this doesn't happen before September. I'm looking forward to Dynamic Dining

Chef's table on Oasis was fabulous.  Went with my husband and we had a grand time.  We weren't impressed with Chops much.  

 

PS I'm not a big wine drinker either.  Most of the wine I had at Chef's table was just a sip to see what they were talking about with how it paired to the food.

If I'm not mistaken, you can get ice out of the freestyle machines without the RFID chip... it's only the soda that requires the chip.

Did they update the room decor during dry dock?

Not sure if they still do it or not, but as a gift for booking the Chef's Table we got a RCI cookbook.  Very nice gift.

 

We received one of the decanters as our present.  1 for the couple.  They were being sold for $45 elsewhere on the ship.  

We didn't. My dad isn't very adventurous so we did Martha Brae and Montego Bay. But when we were booking, this was an option with them. Tons of reviews on trip advisor.

It's included.

Oh that's good! 

With all that's been happening with Labadee and stories like this, I found it interesting to read about how DCL handled something similar. The fantasy had to skip castaway cay due to a mechanical failure in one of the engines. In order to make it back to PC on time, they had to skip CC. DCL is offering $200 OBC and 20% off a future cruise. Pretty substantial.

 

I realize that mechanical failure is different than local protests, but it's not like they're stranded in the ocean or something. They will still make it home on time and in the end, it's just a missed port day. I'm impressed with the consolation prize

If you're still looking for a private transports on guide, I highly recommend Patrice Bailey yours. It's like $40 per person for the day, but will do a custom itinerary and everything for you. Ask for Trevor

Baltic Sea is awesome!! Definitely go to Tivoli Gardens if you can!

We brought food pouches and snacks for our 14 month daughter. No problem.

 

Also they did have food. Pizza and grapes mostly lol. But that was around meal times.

 

They didn't seem to really like is dropping in on them, but I called from the stateroom prior to heading that way, it was no big deal to bring them early

So, in this scenario, is it saying that if you book 8 rooms, you should get one free?

Dumb question? What's a berth?

Yes, you can take a cab. I remember seeing it on the taxi board but I truthfully don't remember. It can't be too much since it's not that far away.

 

Our guide went into the building to purchase our tickets for us, so I'm not sure about the welcome drink. There were things to buy at the initial starting point though.

I don't know specifically about your cruise, but I know for ours it showed the package on my cruise planner but I couldn't book it. When we got on board, we inquired about it. We were on a holiday sailing so it didn't apply, but it still showed online.

 

Worst case scenario, you should be able to prebook and not receive the discount and then have it resolved when you get on board. Or just wait to make all your reservations on board. I felt like there was much greater availability onboard than there was online pre cruise.

The people in the aft part of the Boardwalk could watch the Aquatheater shows from their balcony.

 

Central Park is more quiet

Are you flying in in the day that the ship departs?  

Yes, there are lockers at the shack where you go through the safety briefing.  You can wear sunglasses or a hat (they make you turn the hat backwards).  You can shoot video with a camera or cell phone, but it has to somehow be attached to your harness or body.  

I think it was $90.  It took about an hour and a half total.  First, you check in and get fitted for a harness.  Then you walk over to the practice line, which was actually a pretty decent length.  You are in a large group, so it takes a while to get people through the practice line.  Then, you ride up in a big truck to the top of the mountain to the main zip line.  The ride up was an adventure in itself!  Depending on how quickly your group gets to go, you could be up there for 15-20 minutes (they run 5 people at a time).  When you get to the end, you just walk back and return your harness and you are done.  We thought it was worth it, but probably won't do it again until my daughter is tall enough to go.

I have mentioned this shore excursion a couple of times on Periscope, so I wanted to give a quick write up on it. 

 

About a 15 minute ride from the Falmouth cruise terminal is the Martha Brae river, on which locals provide a guided rafting adventure.  This isn't your typical white water rafting- instead, you get to sit back, relax, and let the guide do all the work.  Think the Venice, Italy gondolas.. but Jamaican style.

 

Royal Caribbean offers this as an official excursion, or you may take a taxi from the terminal.  We personally hired a tour guide who brought us here as part of our day long adventure, although next time we will start with this in the morning and enjoy the cruise terminal shops in the afternoon.  Royal Carribean has this tour currently priced at $79 per adult which includes transportation.  If you were to arrive on your own, the cost is $60 per raft which can hold two adults and a child.  We decided to leave our 13 month old on the ship and were glad we did.  We did see another couple with their baby in a baby carrier attached to dad, which would work as well.

 

When you arrive at the starting point, there are gardents that you may peruse.  They grow herbs and plants that are used for medicinal purposes.  There are also restrooms here, and I would suggest going before getting on the raft- it's an hour and a half before you'll get the opportunity to go again!  The walk down to the river is a little bit uneven, but doable for most people.  They load you up on your raft, and you're on your way. 

 

The actual rafting was quiet and peaceful.  The river doesn't run very fast, so you don't get wet.  The guides are nice and enjoy talking with you about Jamaican culture.  They actually build their own rafts, which are about 30 feet long and can weigh up to 800 pounds when wet.  Our guide, Franklin, owns two rafts.  We talked with him some and enjoyed the peaceful quiet as well.  At the end, the guides try to sell you some carved gourds, which you can decide to purchase.  We did, and it looks nice on our book shelf.  There are also stands on the side of the river that your guide can stop at if you are interested in shopping local crafts. 

 

I'm glad we brought: water, cameras, and hats for those who needed it.  Wish we would have brought bug spray. 

 

Here are some pictures:

 

 

 

Sounds like a plan.  Thanks!  

So worth it?  Or just hang around Newark?  

 

I'm not a huge NYC fan... minus the shopping (not something he would want to do) or to go to this restaurant that is no longer there.