Riley

Hope so, as it's a way I get around being really salt-restricted. I'm more worried about them eliminating the safety option, as my default is to order unseasoned salmon or chicken breast if there's nothing on the menu that night that can be prepped without sodium. That said, there's always the salad bar at the Windjammer.

I don't think so, no, but I don't usually dine as part of a large party. 

You do have the option to hedge your bet with ordering just a second protein (e.g., order the salmon entree but also ask for a medium rare strip steak on a plate by itself, or whatever...)  or an additional/extra side dish. We usually ask for a side of grilled vegetables of the chef's choice with that night's dinner and have never had a problem. 

56 minutes ago, TempoGL said:

I tried that and was told no.

If you have not paid the full amount of your next cruise you should be able to apply the FCC. Online in the pay area there is a "have a future cruise credit?" tab where you enter the FCC number.  Good luck!

The Dearly Beloved did an RC shore excursion where she got to visit the animal sanctuary, which included a sloth cuddle.  Absolutely loved the entire excursion and wants to do it again... I guess we are going to Roatan.

We changed status during a B2B (actually the Dearly Beloved was the one who kicked us over the top to the next level during a solo cruise) and called the C&A toll-free number ahead of time to make sure they knew. Our status change was all set for her turnaround and my boarding day, no problem.  

13 hours ago, Suzanne Elise said:

I'm obsessed with ginger beer. What is your fave?

I'm a Vernor's kid born and raised, but enjoy Gosling's and Bundaberg. 

On 1/14/2023 at 6:10 PM, SteveK said:

 

He must have bought her a few cocktails.

Great bang for buck by the sounds of it.

Or she bought him a few...

There is a phone number for shareholder services to call them directly.  Try 954-628-9325 to speak with someone.  

Also the $14 cap is what is reimbursed - I have gotten more expensive glasses of wine and just paid the difference.  So if you have your heart set on a $18 drink know that's fine, you'll just pay $4 for it.

As a side note, Foster's Oil Cans are priced the same as regular bottles... if you can drink beer it's essentially BOGO.

On the RC web site you can search by ship and then amenities on each ship, including restaurants and sample menus. Good luck!

Note: JR's breakfast is free and pretty good.

2 hours ago, YoungFamilyExplorers said:

Great advice all. Thank you!

 

Anyone have recommendations as far as shuttles that go from the port to MCO?

You can book an RC shuttle for about $35 which if you're more than two or three people isn't cost-effective. They run two waves - one for people with flights before and one after noon.  Multiple buses go with each wave and the bus needs to reasonably fill up before leaving the terminal.

If you get the refreshment package with the Coke Freestyle machines then pretty much all Coke-brand sugar-free soda options are on the table, including plain old seltzer water (which I used to drink by the gallon). 

22 minutes ago, Last Lion said:

Thank-you for the info. And how did you make the choice? Through your TA? The app? Website?

Call C&A toll-free (they ae usually faster to answer than the general RC line) and put in your order.  NOTE: it's then set unless you change it... and they do swap out the red wines fairly frequently with whatever they have available. 

Yikes! Sending good vibes your way and here's to hoping!

As a side note, at least on "Ovation" there was a weight restriction for the I-fly - I don't recall it exactly (around 230 pounds I think) but one of our party was too big to fly so maybe check into that if anyone in your group is burly... 

Adding in as I have to severely limit my salt intake - talk with the headwaiter as soon as you get on board. The MDR will do their best to accommodate any diet restrictions, so long as I am willing to be a little flexible (i.e., most soups are made in vast pots and can't really be changed so no soup for me!)  Also order your next night's meal at the end of dinner so the chef can adjust. You can also order common items off menu, like a garden salad or roasted/steamed veggies or a grilled chicken breast without salt.   

21 minutes ago, FireFishII said:

Here is a question: I know that you can board with 2 bottles of wine. And lets say you do that.  Then, if you decide to get off at the disembarkment port to do a little shopping or whatever, can you 'embark' on the second cruise with 2 new bottles of wine?  

I don't see why not. You can also split up and you and your adult travel companion can each bring two bottles in your carry-ons... they don't cross-reference cabin numbers.

You might not get your sea pass card until you go to your cabin, so keep a print-out of the "boarding pass" so you can get a drink as soon as you get on board. Find a quiet corner (we usually go to the R Bar on Deck 5 and find a spot near the back - good seats and space to keep our carryon luggage while we wait) and select your beverage of choice. Even if it's a glass of water you'll want to sit for a minute or two.... also get your Safety Drill done ASAP.

On 12/29/2022 at 8:32 AM, BrianB said:

So it has nothing to do with making it easier on the crew...or anything to do with the lack of new employees. They are eliminating positions. Both onboard and shoreside. At least they're letting current crewmembers complete their existing contracts before letting them go.

So the workload will increase for those who remain employed. I wonder if their pay will increase...doubtful as that would fly in the face of their cost-cutting.

Pretty cynical to try and couch this as an environmentally-friendly action when it's just about profits. In my opinion, they're just gaslighting by claiming they're taking these actions because they want to help save our planet. They're doing this because they want to save expenses and increase their own profits.

Frank DelRio was clear when he indicated that NCL would rather raise prices and fees and sail at lesser capacity with loyal customers...instead of lowering prices and sailing at higher capacity with new and return cruisers. That is NCL's post-shutdown strategy. 

I think that will backfire.... but, who am I?

I am an Ambassador on NCL (Pinnacle equivalent) and decided to sail Royal after the return. Now I'm Pinnacle. I feel I'm in a good position to compare prices, services, ships and...especially...loyalty programs.

It's Royal! Hands down!

Just my humble opinion.

This can be "all of the above"; reducing loads of laundry both cuts costs and is environmentally friendly. Less water, detergent etc. is used, fewer laundry employees are needed, linens wear out more slowly, and so on. Fewer employees mean raises and cost-reductions are both possible, as employee costs on ship are not just salaries but food costs, benefits, etc.  It's not gaslighting, though it's also not admitting "plus we want to make more money!" and as a public company, RCL wants to make more money (Heck as a private citizen, so do I!). 

I will stay with Royal because I like the people and the itineraries. I could not give a hoot about towel animals, but I don't cruise with kids either. That might make a difference.

I have never been charged a corkage fee, despite a LOT of wine over the years - bottles carried in unopened; bottles stored for the next day; bottles brought in open; glasses carried in from the bar; and every other possible combination of booze options.

Good question. Allure should have a few coffee and snack bars and you can ask for hot water there. Also the Windjammer has hot water available at the coffee kiosks, and the main dining room or any of the other restaurants can provide hot water as part of meal service.

Another suggestion is suites often provide an in-room tea service - an electric pot to plug in that heats water as well as an assortment of bags. I'm a big hot tea fan and have in the past requested one for our (non-suite) room. If they have an extra pot the room attendant will often provide one. Side note: yes, the tap water in the bathroom is fine to drink, so if you can secure a pot you can fill it in the bathroom.

Have fun!

Maybe this link is helpful - Seward Alaska Car Rentals | AlaskaTravel.com

Bring back the Bridge Tour and the "behind the scenes" Kitchen Tour!

Also I agree about the backstage tour but adapt it - on a Transatlantic the Entertainment Director took up some of the excess sea days by facilitating some Q&A discussions with the entertainers. One day was the Aqua Show people (including extra diving), one was the Ice Show performers, one musicians, singers and dancers... it was really well-done and interesting.