Audrey V.

12 night is length of cruise. 

New rule from Barcelona is 72 hours before cruise day. 

New rules are a little more generous,  but what exactly do they want from the nonproctored home test. Would a picture of my smiling face next to a Covid Test with one bar be acceptable? Surely they don't want us to take a negative test to the dock. 

Okay, so the final point is that it is not just the food, but taking the kids to the adult MDR means they sit and talk with other adults, use cutlery correctly (not to mention cloth napkin), and learn manners with the wait staff who were truly delightful to their young guests. Last I checked, classes for learning manners may cost more than the cost of the cruise (Ritz Carlton in Naples). 

On 8/19/2022 at 8:13 PM, AshleyDillo said:

Windjammer is a buffet.  You won't find a specific kids menu for it, but they definitely have kid friendly items on the buffet.

I know. The original poster wanted to know where to feed her picky child. Buffets are great because they see the food and can decide.  However,  some foods are not what they appear. I had a green melon smoothie, which would look interesting but tasted yuck.

My kids were not finicky, and they liked the grown up menu. 

What about other places to eat, like Windjammer? 

When we cruised in May over by transatlantic, we purchased two sets of Emed Tests. Each set had two Tests, so we used only two.  Since that time, we have backpacked around the UK with the two remaining tests, making sure they remained unopened. 

In November we cruise back. Assuming tests are still required, are we going to be charged for the proctoring? In other words, did the initial payment contemplate 4 observed testing or just the first test in a set was free?

Costco does not participate in the Royal Up Bid program,  but perhaps they can get you upgraded or additional OBC for your inconvenience.  

Le Havre is great to walk around.  The Malraux Museum houses the largest Impressionist collection in France outside of Paris. Lots of interesting street art. 

We didn't do anything in Southampton, but went to the Isle of Wight after our cruise was done. Stayed close to Osborne House, but they have a great bis system. From Southampton it's easy to get to Stonehenge on a day tour. 

Another B2B question.  Since we nay be gone for 15 or more days, can anyone suggest good parking nearby with a shuttle or public bus? For our first B2B, I am thinking Ft. Lauderdale,  but in the future also Tampa, Miami and Galveston.  

In NOLA, we used long term parking at the airport to avoid $35 per day spaces.

We took our stuff on, and waited in the Windjammer until our room was ready. They were very well behaved cases and backpacks in the corner area. 

We are thinking of going B2B in 2023. Question for the experienced: Can you bring more than 2 bottles of wine, so that you have the maximum amount for the second leg? What about buying during duty free and getting it when you leave, only to bring it right back on the ship? 

Just asking for a friend!

You can always visit Windjammer if you want a little more dessert (or other food). I always seem to want more veggies. No judging when on a cruise!

Another tip: You can ask your waiter at MDR for food  to take back to your room for later, and put it in your mini-fridge.  Thinking a dessert or fruit and cheese to go with your wine in your room.

Each room may bring up to 2 bottles of wine (750 ml each on the cruise). Your steward can bring you a corkscrew  and 2 glasses, and the Steward will replace the glasses with clean glasses after use. 

Finally, in the UK I bought a  USB port to charge my phone. This will come in handy because I can use more plugs in the room, with US and UK outlets.

We had traditional dining on our last cruise.  While the fellow guests were pleasant,  we like to meet other people AND not have to be at a fixed time every evening. Fifteen minutes time difference may make all the difference some days. 

When we were on Anthem, they had a vegan section AND other options in their regular sections (e.g., salads, fruits, and such). I eat meat but often ate the vegan choices to get more whole foods, beans and veggies into my diet. 

Congratulations! We still have 30 points to get to our regular Diamond Status, but my goal is a free drink and a photo. 

2 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I'm pretty sure it's not Covid. I don't have any symptoms other than stomach pain, and what comes with that. No sore throat, no cough, nothing Covid really associated. 

We all forget that Norovirus is common on ships. Keep hands clean and eat a gentle diet (BRAT plus yogurt) until your tummy feels better. Try to keep others from getting it. 

Cruise expectations can be tough, and all solo travel is hard when you do not make a conscientious decision to socialize. I find there are all types of vacationers on a cruise and have met people I would never know had existed outside my limited life. Some of our friendlier shipmates we have met at activities or scheduled meetings.

For so much to go wrong may be more of a state of mind, and that may pass. We know that we like value (i.e., we don't spend a lot and we feel better by that) so we politely decline the sales pitches. You may feel that with purchasing spa, meals or beverages, that you should have a better outcome or more attentionpaid to you.

Or, cruising may not be for you. 

On my last cruise,  I was happy with my interior,  until I got ready to board and saw they had upgraded me to a balcony.  Unless they put me in the engine room, based on my cost, I trust the judgment of RCCL. With that being said, does anyone know if there is some sort of algorithm they use to assign rooms. Is it based on payment,  how early you booked, or prior loyalty?

On 7/8/2022 at 10:33 PM, OCSC Mike said:

Definitely worth it to me.

My favorite perks are:

- 4 free drinks

- Diamond Lounge for the coffee machine (love multiple free cappuccinos every morning) and happy hour snacks (even if the open bar is gone)

- internet discount

So are the cappuccinos as good as what is served in the coffee shop?

I never got a letter when I was prePlatinum, so I didn't know I could get half off of a glass of wine. 

Royal does not have any self service laundry and a small bag is costly. You may want to have a few laundry supplies for hand washing.  I swap out pool towels when I use them to absorb excess liquid. 

Know your going rates for things you may want to be tempted to buy in Port or at the ships duty free. Not always a bargain.  Same goes for spa services. 

I knew a vegetarian who bought the unlimited dining plan. Options not good and he would have to supplement his eating at Windjammer. Go figure.

I would always pay the prepaid gratuities amount because not only does it go to the MDR, but employees working at Windjammer and other food areas. You can always tip more, but picking people makes it potentially unfair to others serving you that you may not notice (but would if they were not there).

We have about 30 points in our Crown and Anchor. I am wondering what are the best strategies for accumulating points, and if Diamond Status is worth it?

I ordered the ribs. Big mistake. They were not ribs as I know it. 

We have booked it once. If you use Costco Travel, you can transfer the booking to them and get the Costco benefits (% back and cash card to use at Costco). Like everyone else, know ahead of time the going rates and where you want to go, because if you do not have the internet package, it's hard to do independent research while cruising.