cruise-y

Thanks! Yes it’s a 2 week cruise not a B2B. Bummer about the laundry facilites. Oceania has washing machines guests can use and it was very convenient. We’ll already be coming from a week trip so will need laundry help. I’ll watch for the wash special.

So, I've been on a lot of great cruises to a lot of great (and varied) places on many different cruise lines. But, I've never done a 2 week cruise. Will the MDR food and shows repeat? Can I wash my clothes (myself - in a laundromat) somewhere on RCCL Independence? Will 5 sea days be too many? Will Windjammer have enough variety? Enquiring minds want to know.

Ha. Good thing you don't have to vote in Texas. My maiden name is my middle name on my driver's license (and passport) but my given middle name is on my voter registration card. Thus, I can't be identified, even though my address has been the same for 40 years. I guess if you are a woman you have to lose your real middle name.

I totally agree with Doc. We aren't huge cruisers like many of you (we've been maybe 10 times) but the Itinerary always drives the choice. Best by far: Barefoot Cruise to the very, very southern Caribbean with 35 people on board. That cruise line is now defunct (for safety reasons) but talk about small ports. We are doing southern Spain for the first time on Indy in August.

Giovanni's is the best. Note that Izumi is ala carte for the sushi and appetizers, but if you want the Hibachi experience you prepay $45 and the typical Hibachi meal is included. That's more expensive than Chops. I'm doing it for the first time next cruise and will see how it fares. If anyone has done it I'd appreciate a review.

I just checked in. I was locked out and had to call. Twice. The guy on the phone told me I "probably didn't log out properly" when I was on a few weeks ago. What? Can't I just close it down when I'm done? The last time I had to "log out" of anything was like, 1995. What an archaic concept. Then when I completed check-in I didn't get any luggage tags. So I called again and that person had no idea why they didn't show up - but they "will probably appear eventually so keep checking back." Or maybe they'll email them to me, even though the instructions said to print them off when you finish check-in. I know I gripe about this a lot but seriously, the website is ridiculous.

My last RCCL cruise was May 2017 which was just over a year ago. When checking in online today for my August cruise, I noticed a few changes. Now RCCL wants you to submit a photo online "to avoid delays in the boarding process." What happens if I don't and just show up as usual to get my photo taken there? I mean, as I recall, it takes like 30 seconds, tops. I really don't want to take a head shot, get my hubby to sit still for one, upload them to my computer, log into the RCCL website to attach them and all that jazz. It''s too much hassle. Surely it's not that big of a deal is it? And, they also said your cruise card would be waiting for you outside your room? I assume that's not the case if I don't submit a photo - and they'll just create it and hand it to me at check-in like they always did in the past.

Yes I think we were Gold last cruise but didn't pay any attention to it (except got a free drink one night) and we just ate at Windjammer and walked off on the last day. I just wondered if the lounge had some kind of tasty treats or something and was less crowded than Windjammer.

Thank you this was very helpful!

I cruise all different lines so never bothered to sign up on RCCL's Crown and Anchor until I'd cruised with them a few times and finally figured I'd be back. So now I'm "gold". What does that mean? What do I get? The website says I get a private lounge on disembarkation day with a continental breakfast. Is that true? Is it worth it? Where is it? Do they accrue your points after you pay for a cruse or after you actually take the cruise? Sorry, I'm sure this has been answered multiple times before.

Just tried to book a shore excursion for an August 2018 cruise and was sent into an endless loop that went nowhere. Page looked totally different than it did three days ago. Unbelievable.

Sorry, not sympathetic. I've been on plenty of great websites that are straightforward, easy to understand and intuitive. Click, click see whatever you need to see and sign up. The RCCL website has always been bad, so this is not related to some slow, recent upgrade. It's time to outsource the IT department. This is 2018 not 1990.

We, too, had never done Windjammer for dinner. It was always our Sea Day by-the-pool place and nothing else. But on a trip in May 2017, after a really disappointing MDR dinner, we walked through and saw all the cold lobsters on ice and realized it was also a variety of some of the same things they were serving in the MDR. We decided we should change our thinking. Too bad, because the MDR was one of the reasons I first started sailing RCCL.

Speaking of specialty dining, we usually do Giovanni's one night (because it really is good) but skip Chops. I live in a city with a zillion high-end steak houses and I rarely go to them, just not that interested. Our first time on Independence, we did sign up for the Hibachi and noticed it was $45 extra (versus $33? for Chops). Has anyone done the Hibachi? Is it Wagyu? Why the big upcharge?

Thank you for the tip about buying Sagrada Famila tickets in advance. Wouldn’t have thought of that!

Yes, although I think the MDR is declining, the Windjammer does seem to be improving. Here's my tip: I always do Windjammer on the night after MDR lobster night because all the leftover lobsters are chilled and served on ice in the salad bar. I like them cold better. I'm hoping that my 2 week cruise from Southampton (to southern Spain) will have more English dishes on the menu. My husband doesn't like to eat baked beans and stewed tomatoes for breakfast but I love it. And I'm really hoping there will be more Indian food. I think the cruise is 70% Brits - I am so hoping to see an improvement. I really don't want Caesar salads and baked potatoes and grilled chicken. Ugh.

Hi Tiny - I cruise a lot out of Galveston too because it is so dang easy - I live in Dallas. I love being able to drive and not having to fly. But it seems the MDR food just keeps getting a little worse every time. I'd like to see a different itinerary (we've done everything in Cozumel, thank you). And I'd really like a Caribbean band on board instead of C&W. I'm a Texan but I'm so sick of C&W because I get it at home. This is supposed to be an exotic vacation. I guess RCCL thinks we all have to just repeat what we do every day in order to be happy.

Websites are the "face" of the company. Such an easy thing to get right and such a ridiculous money-losing thing to ignore. This isn't new, it's been going on for years. I repeat, RCCL should be ashamed. They are undoubtedly losing business because of it. And rightfully so.

Most of the posts on this forum are for cruises to the Caribe. Lately, I've been less than thrilled with the MDR food on these cruises. Now I've booked a RCCL cruise to the Med. Is the food better if the ship leaves out of Europe (say, versus, Galveston)? I'm really, really hoping so. Please let me know. Thanks!

The RCCL website is horrible. It used to be flawed - ok but not great. I've been gone for a year and just returned. The new updates have made it worse. Now I have no easy access to the data I used to see with a few clicks (itineraries, route maps, cabin and ship layouts, etc.). I called and was told that "the new site is still under construction and some of the things you saw on the old site are not yet available." They should be ashamed.

The Miami airport really sucks. Every time I fly through there something bad happens, like loss and theft. BUT the city is amazing. The beautiful Art Deco architecture, the Cuban flair and wonderful food, the gateway to the Keys, the balmy summer nights, the flamboyant nightlife, the music. I'll put up with the airport any day for the enjoyment of the city. Tropical ports all run together for me - I can't remember the differences between Miami and Puerto Rico ports.

The Windjammer usually has hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries on the buffet at lunch. I don't understand why people want to pay extra for that. I think some of the ships have added a free burger/hot dogs and fries grille back by the Flow Rider as well? This is a concept that needs to go.

In case anyone else sees this and is wondering..... after a little further investigation I determined that, in fact, the cabins next to me (since they are sticking out past mine) could see into my deck if they looked around. Not that it's a big deal, but we're not always that decent, and old and wrinkly. If you are in the "elbow" of the hump, it just makes logistical sense that you'd have a blocked view in that direction and others could peer in. Maybe not a big deal, but I switched to another cabin. Of course this one is far forward so now we have to worry about rocking, but its always something..... Part of the price we pay for very late booking.

I’m sorry I know this has been discussed before in the past but I’ve been away for a year. Just booked a last minute cruise on Indy and ended up in a JS on 9 right in front of the hump. Can the hot tub folks see onto our deck? Will our view be obscurred? Everyone here is so helpful. Thanks much!!

Thank you!