CruisingNewb

29 minutes ago, JNS123 said:

I am concerned that the ship will be too crowded with kids which will ruin the peace. 

Choose a Quantum class ship and choose to go earlier in the Alaskan season rather than later.  

1. Quantum class ships offer an adults only Solarium.  Also, the Quantum class ships have most of the kid friendly activities on the top decks and the Promenade area was a bit less occupied by kids most of the times, EXCEPT for Sorrentos LOL.

2. Again, most ships will be large enough for people to find their niches and enjoy some calm.

3. Quantum class ships have the Two70 theatre.  My experience is that this UNDERRATED space is much quieter, serene, and kid-less, while still offering unbelievable 270 degree views, a nice bar, and the wine bar next door.

4. Alaska is finicky in terms of weather and windows of opportunity.  For example, we went early June, and there were kids on board, but many kids were still in school as summer break didn't officially start yet.  The trade off was that we were a little early for whales, salmon runs, etc.  My friends went in mid-May.  They said barely any kids, but the weather was dismal and very cold.  My neighbors (yeah, we all hopped on the Alaskan bandwagon) went in late June and they complained it was hot and tons of kids.

On 1/29/2023 at 9:40 AM, SePa said:

Hi all,  I'm going on voyager of the seas. 

I have a child with ASD aged 6, and a 3 year old. What happens if we eat at the Main dining room but my children didn't eat properly or at all. Am I allowed to go to get something from the buffet for them after? Or can they bring food for kids, it will most likely be something like French fried. 

Also,  what dining/ snacking options are open in the late evenings again if kids decide they want to eat later. And again am I allowed to do this?

What food outlets within the included dining is open later x

1. As a father with experience similar to yours, good for you in asking questions!  Also, good questions!

2. There should be plenty, plenty, plenty of options that are available to you and your children.  You can eat whatever, pretty much whenever, and how much ever you and your children wish.  The kitchen/wait staff will likely try to accommodate to the best of their abilities.  For example, you want spaghetti but you are at Chops Grille, they should be able to accommodate.

3. My suggestion is to dine early and as often as possible.  I am not suggesting that you eat till you are bloated.  For example, if you eat at the MDR at 5pm, you will avoid crowds, and if the food wasn't satisfying enough, you can go to the Windjammer, Sorrentos, or even order room service.  Try, try and try, because the staff will also try, try, and try.  We LOVE RCCL and will never go back to the other cruise lines we have sailed.

What does it mean to have "tons" of kids on a cruise?  Our June cruise to Alaska was a mixed demographic bag of solos, elderly couples, families with kids, and young adults.  

The Ovation was large enough for people to be spaced out, even at capacity, and we never had issues with "kids" to one extent or another.

Also, as mentioned above, RCCL is a family cruise line.  I expect to see kids.  If I didn't, I would be a bit suspicious.

@JNS123What is your exact question?  Are you concerned with not enough kids for your own kids to make friends with?  Are you concerned that kids will be running rampant throughout the ship and bothering you?  Are you concerned there might not be enough kid friendly activities?  I am sure we can answer those questions for you with better answers.

I am going to post a new thread entitled, "Total disappointment and waste of my time and money....Maria Drakes" and demand the money I would have made working instead of having to read her post.  My billing rate is a modest $250/hour. I spent 15 minutes reading, re-reading, and trying to understand the OP. 

I am unapologetic to adults who fail to understand that they are adults.

First world problems.  Age of entitlement.  

I got into a fight with my spouse of 15 years.  You guys owe me everything! Pay now.

3 hours ago, deButler said:

Yep. Times have definitely changed in the casino too. The craps table energy usually feeds the rest of the house and keeps things moving. It was very quiet late nights on our cruise. 

Absolutely!  That is why (especially on cruises) the craps table is smack dab in the middle if not front of the casino.  Nothing beats the excitement level of a craps table...until I do the walk of shame with pockets inside out. 

7 hours ago, Steven W said:

The ship Royal Caribean Anthem of the seas has 13 decks the Balcony on the 13th deck is covered preventing direct sunlight which is what you have balcony for. Apparently there is no sound proofing from the top deck above so every movement of chairs etc makes the ceiling vibrate making can be heard as if in a drum. Reviewers had stated it left them stressed, deprived of sleep and felt ill at end of the cruise, and they were only on a weeks cruise. I didn't want that for a fortnight so I offered to pay for another room, was refused and lost £311. Why would anyone want to go on a cruise to be made stressed, tired and feeling ill? A lot money must be made by booking Balconies located on the 13 floor and not giving a warning that they are deprived of sunlight and noisy which you only find out about after reviewing the room you have been allocated.

1. Covered balconies prevent direct sunlight?  Pretty sure that is why they are covered.  Shade anyone?  Additionally, you still get sunlight, and IN FACT direct sunlight, just maybe not at Noon o'clock when the sun is directly above us.  You know that the Earth rotates and the path of sunlight changes throughout the day right?  

2. Noise from upstairs?  Pray tell!  How do you sound proof the balcony?  Aside form stomping noises and what not, which cannot be totally prevented and SHOULD be expected, noise travels through solids and gases.  Yes!  Sound even travels through air!  So a dampened balcony cover would NOT dampen noise that travels through.....AIR!

3. Last but not least, what are you trying to accomplish?  Is your unsupported and unwarranted complaint going to change our minds about cruising with RCCL?  LOL this is a fan site.

Sorry guys, if you guys read my posts and comments, I am generally kind, civil, and try to be light, but lately, these one-off rant posts REALLY tick me off.  I will be taking a break for awhile and ONLY lurk, not post.

1. Was the booking directly through RCCL?

2. When you book balcony rooms with obstructions, the website CLEARLY says it has obstructions.  I believe in RED lettering, but I can't recall for sure.

In 2023, reading and writing has devolved to the stone age where hieroglyphics were the standard.  The use of shortcuts, emojis, abbreviations have all lessened the public's sense of urgency and prudency towards careful reading and writing.  Of course, I am not immune.  PLEASE READ the agreements and literature regarding your cruise CAREFULLY and with purpose before making vague and general accusations.   

The dynamics of a casino has changed so much over the years.  I am originally from Vegas and my father was in casino management (over 50 years) from the Frank Rosenthal days.  My father used to say that in order for a casino to be profitable, it needs 2 Baccarat tables and at least 1 craps table.  All other table games are unnecessary.  Keep in mind that was early 70's to mid-80s perspective. 

Now, penny slots are huge and generate unbelievable revenue.  Black Jack is a funny game because at first blush, the math tells you its the least amount of risk for the player.  But black jack tables often charge a commission and have a house edge.  Meaning, over time, the casino makes money.  Because the initial math makes the game attractive to players, they tend to play longer and then father time kicks their asses.  

Funny thing about craps, I have never in my life seen a true casino without a craps table.  

For every trip we have taken in the last 5 years, regardless of length of trip, my family of four each took one back pack and one rolling carry-on.

The link below is the newer version of the carry-on we have but pretty much the same as the ones we have:

https://a.co/d/haQpQmx

If you look closely, the rolling carry-on is hard shelled but has a unique front loading zipper option that allows easy access to tablets, phones, etc., while not having to open it like a traditional suitcase exposing all of your unmentionables.  We bought a set of 2 of these when they were on clearance at a local luggage store and loved them so much, we paid full price on Amazon for 2 more.

We each carry a simple Jansport backpack and inside the backpack, we each carry packable tote bags, compact umbrellas, and a packable rain poncho/windbreaker.  By packable, I mean extremely small when tucked into itself.

No issues with kids ordering off of the adult menu from our experience, but our child was 9 and not 6.  I am uncertain if that makes a difference.  

We asked our son to order off of the adult menu and the things he tried and did not like, we just ate.  As a picky eater, he ended up trying and loving lamb chops, beef carpaccio, and even the infamous mushroom soup!  Great way to get kids to try things for the first time.

On 1/17/2023 at 8:39 PM, Pattycruise said:

Go to Cafe Two70 for the kummelweck roast beef sandwhich-free dining.  They also have a salad bar. soup and other small sandwhiches and salads there and if you want something salty they typically have bags of chips, BUT you have to know to ask for them, they are not displayed. In addition they have cookies and some pastry/cake desserts.

The lunches at Chops or Jamies are great, half the price of the dinners. You can typically find sales in the cruise planner. which is cheaper than buying onboard.

You can buy a coffee card in the cruise planner, if you like speciatly coffee.  It works out to 1/2 the price of buying the coffees without the card.  You must remember to go to the coffee shop and ask for it.

Northstar is free on port days.  Ask Guest services when the sign up opens.  On one of my sailings it was 8 am on the port day, on another sailing it was at 8pm the night before the port day.  I do belive there is free iFly, same thing..you can ask at Guest Services in regards to that too.

Yes!!! @PattycruiseROCK STAR answers!

1. Cafe Two70 is underrated and under-visited from my limited experience.  Go there and have breakfast by the Two70 theatre, which is steps away from the cafe of the same name lol.  It is MUCH quieter than any other breakfast venue, and the views are stunning.  The seating is lounge-comfortable.

2. Jamie's lunch!!!!! Too awesome for words!

3. Coffee card can be used at the La Patisserie cafe AND Cafe Two70!

4. Northstar and iFly are a MUST, free on port days, but only free once each.  On our trip, the head of the activities department was at Northstar and remembered us from our free ride up (I tipped him separately and generously for his great service) and he let us go up a second time for free.  I am not saying this works, and to offer bribes, I am just saying it worked for us and we weren't even looking to try--just at the bar.

Depending on the capacity and the particular day, there will be lines to take certain pictures.  For instance, on formal nights, if you don't go to the promenade area (or whatever your ship calls it) early, you will be waiting in line.  They do not simply take one picture.  They pose you in different ways.  Some families get family pictures and any derivation of couples, siblings, only women, only men, type group pictures.  In other words, a family of four in front of you may take 15 minutes to get pictures taken.

On the other hand, photographers go around the restaurants and take private pictures of you at your table.  Same thing here-they ask you to pose and such.

Then, on certain activities, such as flow rider or rock climbing walls, they may have photographers taking candid pictures.

Honestly, the photo package is the one thing that I truly do not recommend.  smart phones these days take great pictures and we usually have them with us everywhere.

We do indeed buy one or two pictures.  We get formal night pictures, but we go super early to skip lines.

OP's name/handle suggests it all. One off post. 

Now that Chris Wong is on the Symphony, we may have to take another cruise soon! We can kill 2 birds with 1 stone if we can get @Matt on board too (PUN INTENDED).

I wouldn't personally know or even really care, but my question is:

IF you watch the television channel in your cabin that shows the ship cam views in real time, I know that some of the cam views from the front of the ship catches views of some of the balconies.  I would imagine if any of the real time camera views showed hanky panky, and a family had the channel on for white noise/background viewing, it would be horrifying. 

With regards to traveling into port cities, ultimately its the traveler's decision.  We can only share our experiences.  

Just to touch on the insurance thing though...

Insurance is great for cancelled trips and what not.  But many people who are cruising and are seeking advice on these boards may be first time cruisers and for many, this cruise may be the one big family trip of the year or whatever.

If getting my money back is the only issue, then yes insurance advice is great.  

BUT---if this is your one big trip of the year and you plan so long and hard with scheduling the vacation window of time, will insurance replace that vacation?  

Put it another way.  Alot of us on here take multiple cruises a year.  So, it still sucks if one of those cruises is cancelled or you miss a flight in for one cruise.  But you have other cruises planned. Insurance is KEY here and extremely relevant.  I advocate for travel insurance in almost any cruise scenario these days.

But the BEST insurance, again not fool proof, is still the tried and true method of arriving early and giving yourselves enough buffer time in order to make alternate plans if needed.

17 nights.

18 hours ago, Maggie M said:

Second Dinner - LOL! Definitely a good thing to keep in mind. We're a fan of eating early too - mainly for digestive purposes but also like being able to make the early shows and then drink at venues around the ship before bed.

Oh @Maggie M.... you don't know about second dinner?

On a cruise, or other all-inclusive vacation, our rule of thumb is:

6:00 am - first breakfast

9:00 am - second breakfast

Noon - lunch

3:00 pm - snack

5:00 pm - first dinner

10:00 pm - second dinner

Notice there isn't a second lunch.  We like eating at specialty places for first dinner.  Therefore, we only snack at 3:00 pm as opposed to second lunch.  After all, we are heathens.

3 hours ago, MoonMan81 said:

What is regarded as "the best times" ?  Ideally we'd like to eat early (around 5-5:30 if possible). Is this a peak time?

This is such a personal preference.

My idea of "best times" is 5pm.  My family eats supper at 5pm rain or shine.  For cruises, 5pm is great because:

1. Generally more availability in terms of seating and reservations,

2. Gives us plenty of time afterwards to relax before evening shows/activities,

3. Gives us enough time to digest and have SECOND DINNER around 10pm. (Usually Sorrentos Pizza or even a light plate from Windjammer lol)

Just an FYI and my 2 cents:

1. I am NOT knocking the flying in on same day as embarkation thing.  We DON'T DO IT, but to each their respective own.  BUT---my experience is that people tend to say, "it's always worked for me" until it doesn't.  Then those same people tend to say, "that was a one off or outlier."  I'm not saying people here say that, but in general.  In terms of a cruise, that is just not a chance I would ever take.

2. The forecast is for rain all the way up to about next Thursday.  Anyone who lives in the downtown LA area (I live in SoCal and my spouse's family live near downtown LA), Sepulveda areas, and LAX areas, know that flooding is a real thing here because of the decades old infrastructure.  The rain and flooding must be factored into ground transportation to and from LAX.

Just things to consider.

The most important thing is to make sure you don't create a wind tunnel by leaving the balcony doors open.  It makes for unpleasant door slamming and gusts of wind inside the room.

Hi @RSCand welcome!

The following is my June 10 Alaska recap post.  If you have any other questions, this group of RCCL fans are fantastic!

its not like its 1980 where lobster was some kind of rare treat for the wealthy or something you ordered when you got a promotion.  

Now-a-days, places like Del Taco will offer lobster burritos.  

Hanging your hopes for a great cruise on the lobster factor seems outdated.

And yes, it may be just me.

1. Can the friend fit inside a standard luggage case?

2. Have the friend apply to work on the Mariner, then once the cruise starts, quit.

3. Dress the friend up as your son's identical twin.

4. Don't take the friend, photoshop his picture into all of your cruise pictures, when the friend asks why he is in those pictures, pretend that the friend got amnesia and convince him that he was on the cruise.  Then yell out "April Fool's!"

Does it go without saying...I am kidding.

If you have a TA, have the TA take care of it.