SpicyCherry

On 7/9/2023 at 10:22 PM, deep1 said:

Costa Maya - Taxi to the beach village. Lots of shopping stalls, restaurants, bars and $25 an hour massages... 

@deep1 We are looking for something to do in Costa Maya….what is the name of the beach village you are referring to?

On 7/21/2023 at 6:14 PM, RayV said:

Taking family members on the Wonder of the Seas for this November trip. Some members of the family are joining us as first-time cruisers. As we sail exclusively on Oasis class RC ships, I am always amazed when those new to cruising arrive at the terminal for the first time. The look on their face as they see the size is really great!

While we have been to Labadee this is our first time to CoCo Cay. Looking forward to this. As we are a bunch of foodies, we have included the CoCo Cay Beach Club as part of our itinerary. 

We have been on both the original Oasis of the Seas as well as the Allure of the Seas. Looking forward to trying the latest dining options as well as the new Solarium space on Wonder.

This will be the 2nd leg of our B2B….and like you, on the 1st leg, we will be traveling with family and friends who have never experienced an Oasis-Class ship. We are looking forward to their reaction when they first step onboard. We will also be doing the Coco Beach Club and I think they will enjoy the exclusivity. Should be a great time with family & friends. Enjoy!!
 

Our Botti At Sea sailing is getting closer. We just got our Celebrity reservation number so now we are officially in their system and can book through Cruise Planner. Since this will be our first Theme cruise, we found this webinar helpful...a little long, but helpful!!

 

Doing my first cruise in Wonder's suite neighborhood and diamond status. Looking forward to being close to suite lounge and CK. First time going without deluxe or refreshment package.

We are also doing our 1st Diamond status cruise on Wonder in November in a Suite. Also will be our 1st time skipping the DBP. What's great is we'll be right around the corner from the Lounge so we can take advantage of the 11a-11p drink offerings. 

On the subject of bringing non-suiters in, @Coda_Sarah, we'll be traveling with 2 other couples that are in Junior Suites. Although we can dine with them in Coastal Kitchen some evenings, we won't be inviting them to hang out there, in fairness to others. We will be doing a B2B anyway, so we'll do all our hanging out in the Lounge on the 2nd leg. However, having said that, still check with the Suite Concierge because you never know, especially since it's only 1 person. When we were on Allure some years ago, the Concierge invited our whole party to have dinner one evening in Coastal Kitchen. It was very nice of him to accommodate us and there were about 10 of us. But I applaud your willingness to respect the policy. 

27 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I have no input on the topic, but the name "Spicy Cherry" is just fantastic.

 

I just picture this nice Bing cherry cross bred with a habanero.

Well thank you kindly @smokeybandit….I am a little spicy but really sweet…hee-hee!!

1 hour ago, RockerDom31 said:

There’s definitely sugar-free desserts and you can make healthier meals at the Windjammer Buffet. However…I succumbed to the sugary and carb-y temptations all over the place! I tried to eat a low carb meal but it was always followed up with a plate of fries!

As far as drinks are concerned, my go-to was Truly Stawberry Lemonade and Jack and Diet Coke.

Sounds like a plan!! Thanks  

18 minutes ago, RockerDom31 said:

I have a Dexcom G6. No issues whatsoever going through the normal detector. No hand wands needed.

Thanks…that’s good to know. We’re new to the G6 world!! Do you find there are many sugar-free options aboard. Never was too interested until now….

Just now, Robert M said:

I’ve had no issues with my Libre 2

Thanks for your response. Did you have to be scanned with hand wands or were you able to walk through the scanners?

Has anybody had any issues or know if you can pass through any of the security scanners while wearing a glucose monitor, either at the airports or when boarding the ship?

2 hours ago, AndyPandy said:

So, undertook search nothing came up. So I will ask.

I understand Concierge email suite customers circa a week in advance of a cruise. And further understand you can make dinner reservations requests.

Question? - What else do you request? What types of things have you requested and it’s been honoured.  Also - Do they still make show reservations or you just turn up?

Thank you. 

In addition to dinner reservations(Specialty, Main & Coastal), they can make show reservations too...at least they did the last time we were on Symphony in 2022. Included in the email was a Show Schedule. When they contacted us, we just laid out all our plans, even those things already booked, to make them aware. When you board, make sure the Concierges are among the first you meet. They will let you know everything they can do to make your stay enjoyable.

3 minutes ago, MaryCS62 said:

nope, it's not usually worth it - the cost usually exceeds parking at the port, and we only live about 40 minutes from the port, so doesn't make sense to do it. Only doing it now because it would be $480 to park for 16 days, and this is almost $100 less to stay and park. That's enough for a "treat myself to something" on the cruise 

Yeah....We live on Long Island so really not that far from Jersey but this is the 1st B2B out of Bayonne...no real need for just a 7-Nighter. It looks like we'd save about $100 too for 16 days(including the overnight hotel stay)....if you don't mind, can you please come back and let us know how your experience goes? We're not traveling until May but may make a reservation in the meantime. $100 can definitely be used for a few extra Thanks.

5 hours ago, MaryCS62 said:

We went through TrinityReservation.com & went with Springhill Suites Newark Airport.

Have you used TrinityReservation.com before? The Cruise-Park packages look great!!

4 hours ago, MaryCS62 said:

Haven't done it yet - it's in 2 months.  We went through TrinityReservation.com & went with Springhill Suites Newark Airport. We're going to be 3 - me, DH, adult daughter - so this was the best option I saw - it's 1 BR with 2 beds & pullout sofa in the living room area.   It includes free breakfast & private round trip SUV cruise port service.  You can pick your pick up times from the hotel at the beginning & at the port at the end. We picked 930 pick up from the hotel - plan on getting that early embarkation time! & 9am pickup from the port - I like to stay on the ship as late as possible. According to my instructions, we have to be in the lobby 10 minutes prior to pick up time, and they ask you text/call the car service 20-30 minutes prior to port pick up. 

Thanks....will check it out!!

5 hours ago, MaryCS62 said:

for our B2B in August, it actually worked out cheaper for us to take a room at one of the park & cruise hotels - we'll save close to $100 - even though we live only about 40 minutes from the port.  Our big decision now is do we completely unpack the car & bring all the bags in, or unload the car in the morning. My vote is probably to bring it all in, since I'm not sure where the car will be parked in relation to the hotel lobby.  I may take a drive to the hotel one day (I actually don't work too far from it) and look to see where everything is.

We’re going to be doing a B2B next May and not looking forward to the $450 bill for parking. Your idea has legs….which Park & Cruise hotel did you use and how was it?

3 hours ago, Kathleen said:

@SpicyCherry ANKER would be one of the more well known ones. We have a number of ones but you’d probably want to purchase a 20,000 mAh or higher that is probably more important than the actual brand. We have a few, anywhere from 10,000-20,000 mAh but you will get more charging ability from the 20,000 one. Since I often put it in a backpack I look for lighter weight also.

3 hours ago, Kathleen said:

@SpicyCherry here is one of the larger mAh by ANKER. There are cheaper brands they may work as well but this size should do what you want.

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCore-Portable-Double-Speed-Recharging/dp/B01JIWQPMW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=330C550JA7GUF&keywords=anker%2B337%2Bpower%2Bbank&qid=1684857791&sprefix=ANKER%2B337%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&th=1

Also you can fly with them but in your carry on only. 
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/power-banks#:~:text=Portable chargers or power banks,packed in carry-on bags.

Thanks....actually I have a 26800mAh Power Bank but it doesn't charge my Pro. The Solar Charger I have is 38800mAh and does charge it but it is rather heavy for my backpack. Guess I'll have to go with that one....I'll just put it in my DH's backpack

30 minutes ago, Kathleen said:

We have a number of portable chargers we backpack with. We take those and charge those during the day when our devices are with us. At night, if necessary we use those to charge any additional devices electrical outlet free!

Any good recommendations that have worked well for you? Interested in ones powerful enough to charge an iPad Pro.

4 hours ago, Kathleen said:

@cruisellama Was“Dinner on the Edge” on the Magic carpet worth it? We enjoy trying different things but wanted to see if others thought the experience was worth it. Our cruise is 11 nights. Sounds like 3 nights possibly 4 out of 11 is enough specialty dining since Luminae is so highly regarded. 

We were on Edge last December, a 10N itinerary and we did all the Specialty Dining venues. However, we found that it was not necessary because Luminae was so very nice. We didn't eat there nearly enough. Won't make that mistake again on Beyond next December. 

As for Dinner on the Edge, we felt the experience and ambiance was more enjoyable than the actual meal. The meal wasn't bad, mind you, but not sensational(in our opinion, of course). We were still in port and the dinner was at sunset so it was beautiful. It may be worth a try for the experience though. Below is our menu. Depending on the cost, we would probably do it again.

9 hours ago, ScooterScott22 said:

As mentioned previously, yes and there is not only the Diamond lounge with the coffee machine but if you are in a suite, the suite lounge has the same.  Not sure exactly what motivated Royal to extend this perk, but you might also get lucky and get a bonus coffee per day as Diamond.

 

That’s cool….hope they have that on our upcoming Wonder in November….I’m not a coffee drinker but DH is. But sometimes if I feel left out, I will try a Latte.

7 hours ago, anneglubis said:

I brought a bunch of coffee pods and my personal favorite creamers. Because it didn't occur to me they'd provide coffee for the machine.

I could really use a clue lol

Bring your creamers if that makes you happy!! As I said above, I’m not a coffee drinker but I do like hot chocolate which they don’t provide in the room. We have a Lavazza at home so I’m bringing my hot chocolate pods!!

9 hours ago, Neesa said:

@WAAAYTOOO put it best! Sky is also our "suite" spot as well. In the past we boarded right after Star and Pinnacles but sometimes alongside Pinnacles. It seems to depend on the mood at the port! 

The wifi included, the #CK embarkation  lunch, the concierges who really work hard to make sure you want for nothing and the express disembarkation opportunities. The all day availability of #CK, just perfect!

Don't forget there are always roped off sections as well for the entertainment offerings, sometimes good locations, sometimes not but it's there for you if you would like. 

A very nice elevated experience without the Genie but honestly I enjoy being my own Genie so I'm actually more relaxed as well. 

In my perfect world you could opt in to Genie services for an extra cost and allow those gorgeous suites to be booked sans Genie, yes that would be nice!

 

I too agree with @WAAAYTOOO & @Neesa….Sky Class is just enough. We’ve never done a SC for 2 reasons really….1. Too rich for our blood and 2. Don’t think I can keep the Genie busy enough for it to be worth the $$. We’ve stayed at resorts with butlers before but to be honest, didn’t really need much from them. Didn’t want them touching my things so unpacking/packing was out. Our needs aren’t that great. So the Sky Class perks are perfect for us!!

2 hours ago, anneglubis said:

They charter the ship? So the keep the crew on it and just have a cruise but with all people from one company or whoever chartered? Or do the just charter the ship and some other cruise company runs the trip? 

Someone mentioned charter in a different post this week. But that's the first time I ever heard of such a thing. 

I’m doing my 1st Charter sailing on Celebrity Summit next year….the ship was chartered by Jazz Cruises. The initial reservation is booked through them and then a few months prior to sailing, we will receive a Celebrity booking number so we can book excursions, drink packages, etc through the cruise planner. I believe most of these Theme Cruises are Charters but perhaps some are not.

7 hours ago, twangster said:

They were booked on any date that could work for me so Royal's answer was tough luck, so sorry, here's a refund now get lost. 

Don’t you mean: @BrianB’s ‘Royal bad, we mad, so sad.’

On 5/3/2023 at 10:11 AM, sl8ter said:

I'm aware this may be a stupid question but we are first time Royal cruisers and first time in a suite. I see with the Royal Loft Suite there is a suite lounge with both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. I've gotten mixed answers on my questions so I thought I would ask here:

1. Is the lounge open all day for both alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages? If it is open all day, is it for all types of alcohol? 

2. Depending on the answer to #1, my additional travelers are asking if they should still buy an alcoholic beverage package?

Along with what everyone else said, as to whether to buy the drink package, consider too that you can bring a few bottles of wine onboard at embarkation. What we did while on Symphony, as regards water and soda: We never left the Suite Lounge empty handed. We always got a few bottles of water/soda to put in the fridge back in the room. As for coffee, there should be a Lavazza coffee maker in your suite, so that may suffice for coffee.

Our upcoming Wonder sailing will be the 1st time we will forego the drink package and try to just use Suite Lounge/Happy Hour drinks, along with bringing wine onboard. We will use our Diamond vouchers for elsewhere. One plus, as was mentioned, is we will be just down the hall from the Lounge so it will be very convenient to pick something up.

Enjoy and welcome to “The Suite Life”!!

On 5/3/2023 at 1:00 PM, dcnole said:

Yes, @SpicyCherry , I booked through the Cruise Planner.  But I do not know when the Pearl Island excursions became available.  We only booked this cruise a month ago, and they were available at that time.  But maybe they become available sometime between 12 and 5 months out?  Others with more experience may know.  

They definitely offer cabanas package on Pearl Island, but all i know about them is what I've seen in a couple YouTube vlogs.  They seem ok, but were not worth the money to my crew since the cabanas except for the 2 or 3 really fancy big ones are for 2 people and I'm travelling with kids.  There seems to be ample shade and tons of seating on the island, so cabanas don't seem critical tp have a great and relaxing day. But if that's your thing and you are planning on not doing one of the side excursions, it may be worth it to you!  

@dcnoleThanks….I’ll look for the YouTube vlogs on the Cabanas. Just 2 of us so may meet our needs and don’t seem too expensive.

3 hours ago, Homemom said:

We went the second week of March.  Initially disappointed, but it got better as the island emptied.  Booked through Royal and the person meeting us was late, the boat left without our group, we had to wait for another one, in the sun on the pier, it cost us over an hour of our time.  (There were 5 ships in port that day.)  We arrived at Pearl Island after 2 pm and the island was packed.  Nowhere to sit.  It eventually cleared out after 3 pm and we were able to find chairs and go in the water.  Chairs were easier to find far from the water. We ate lunch - meh - but I know food is subjective.  It almost emptied at 4 pm because a tour left to swim with pigs.  We left about 5:30.  

@HomemomYour experience makes me think it’s better to book through the website, too perhaps get an early slot????

3 hours ago, Ryan79 said:

There is no standard timetable when specific excursions pop up in your CP. some will be there over 600 days in advance and I’ve seen some pop up within 10 days of sailing. You just have to keep checking. 

@Ryan79I will…might book on their website too. Thanks.

1 hour ago, dcnole said:

It is offered through RC (as well as other cruise lines, I thin), and there are at least 3 variants: (1) the basic visit to Pearl Island (2) the basic visit + guided 30 minute snorkeling tour to a reef that you cannot otherwise swim to; and (3) the basic visit + a boat ride to another island to swim and play on the beach with pigs for an hour. 

I just booked the 'swim with the pigs' Pearl Island excursion earlier today for my family cruise in late August.  

If you want more info on all 3 Pearl Island excursion choices, there are some nice vlogs on YouTube of people visiting the island having a nice time.  Just search pearl island Bahamas" and you'll have tons to pick from.  What stands out to me from having watched a bunch of them is the fact that everyone raves about the lunch (more than you'd expect from seeing what they're eating, so it must just be really tasty) and the fact that the island seems very uncrowded in every single vlog I saw.  It seems like the island is never operating above 50% capacity, which is what really drew me to it over Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon has lots of cool stuff to do, but it always seems to be pretty packed.  

Thanks @dcnole These excursions will be available via the Cruise Planner?? Our sailing is May 2024 so maybe it’s not showing yet. The website shows Cabanas too. Any info about them? Does RC usually offer them as well? I saw the Pig’s Tour on the website. Don’t think I’m gonna try that one….may never eat bacon again

2 hours ago, AngieC said:

We are in a suite this Christmas.  Can we make the coastal kitchen reservations ahead of time?  I saw someone mention a concierge-  when/how do we contact them?  Thanks

Welcome to the 'Suite Life'....there's no going back!! The Suite Concierge will reach out to all those in Grand Suites or higher about 1 week prior to sailing. They will make all your dining reservations, including Coastal Kitchen. They will also make other reservations, for Spa, Shows, etc. They will not reach out to passengers in Junior Suites early so those in the JS can make dinner reservations at CK once onboard, per availability. 

What ship will you be on?