Blur

On 5/7/2023 at 12:46 AM, FionaMG said:

Since I was on Anthem last week, I spoke to the LA about our block and mentioned that I was dubious about it being sent to us in Portugal.

She looked us up and confirmed that there was an order in for it with FedEx but that it had been delayed due to restocking issues.

Well, wouldn't you know, during the cruise I received an email from FedEx about our order (which I would have been suspicious about if I hadn't spoken to the LA) so I looked up the tracking number and it appears to be legit; it's coming from Sunrise, FL, which I seem to remember seeing mentioned somewhere in a block-related thread.

It's supposed to arrive by this coming Thursday.

Great to hear.  I was a month behind you so hopefully mines coming soon.  Thanks for the update!

29 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

I will but to be honest I'm not holding my breath that they will actually ship it to us in Portugal. I'd say your chances are significantly better than mine!

I may have to hound the LA when we're back on Anthem next month.

Ouch. Yeah I'll let you know if I get mine.  My next cruise is liberty in may

12 hours ago, FionaMG said:

Oooh, nice!

That's the one I'm waiting for, our very first, earned last September.

Please post if you get yours since I should be right behind from Nov.

19 hours ago, FionaMG said:

Still waiting for ours (our first!) from our Anthem sailing last September/October. We did check with the LA on board and he confirmed we were on our list and got us to check our address for him but I really have my doubts that they will ship it to us here in Custard Tart Land.

We will be on Anthem again in April and my plan is to hound the LA (nicely) on board to see if there are any in stock so we can get it then.

Same regarding anthem out of blocks.  Supposed to get block Nov and was told I am on list so guessing I won't get mine before you lol.

On 1/22/2023 at 6:47 AM, twangster said:

I prefer the daily cruise compass PDF that I can enlarge and look over.  

This URL will only work on a ship connected to guest wifi:

https://minio.rccl.com/compass/cruisecompass.pdf

It is updated daily usually in the morning.  

Much better than the app and saves paper.  Best of both worlds.   

Just wish it was on the app as a button instead of having to scan that qr code (most people don't know how to do this) or bookmark the URL you shared.  You'd think it would be easy to add a simple web link to download the pdf... Shrug

I thought the same regarding not being able to hotspot a Wi-Fi source until I tried it on my pixel phone.  It worked really well.

I've seen people wear their robes to the flowrider all the time.  Seemed like a smart thing to do... I would if i forgot to pack my water proof wind breaker which works better.

App since you can just select check in time and do the rest later.  Being able to scan your passport for the info as well as take your picture if your want to is nice as well.

44 minutes ago, AlohaLivin said:

Sad? Sorry, I am confused, are you saying that it’s sad that you can’t take them home for free? I realize that I must be misunderstanding.

I don't think OP understood the robes are not free to keep.  They will definitely charge you if you try to take those home.  Same like the pool towels.

52 minutes ago, JNS123 said:

Are the private lessons for a group, or per person?

Private lesson (~$550) is one hour and can be for one or more people.  For example you take your family.  You are basically renting the wave for an hour with staff helping.

The group lesson ($69) is per person for one hour and you may be joined with random other group lesson people.  For example you and your child both pay 69 and join up to 6 other people in the same hour.

There's actually another option where you rent the wave for an hour without "lesson" from staff (they are there just for safety).  This is usually done by advanced riders who want more wave time.  I heard it's around ~350 or so.

I would put whoever plans to sail more solo in the Jr suite.  If you guys plan on always cruising together than just remember who you put solo for next time.  You wouldn't want to flip flop and not get the extra points next time around.

4 hours ago, RFW63050 said:

Looking to do a cruise to Halifax in May of 2023 on Liberty of the Seas, and the kids want to go.  We need to know if the pools and waterslides operate and are they heated?  Doesn't look like the temperatures get above 70 degrees normally.

Long as it's above 10°C roughly 50°F water rides are open.  Some pools and rides can be heated if it's working and they turn it up.

4 hours ago, FSUFAN said:

So Mrs Fan and I are sailing out of Boston, October 23, on the Voyager OTS.  We are a 10-minute walk to the pier from our hotel.

I bought The Key (at $26) and as I mentioned in an earlier post, just checked in and got a 10:30-11:00 am time slot.  At the end of the cruise, our departure flight is at 12:30p.

I will use the internet quite a bit, Mrs Fan, not so much.  Now I am torn about whether to keep The Key or just drop it and pick up Voom Surf+Stream.

If it's your first time I'd keep the key to try it.  If you're an experienced cruiser I'd cancel and just get a single voom stream to share.  Do you really need a separate internet connection?  It just means you can't be online at the same exact time and can share the account over any device you want.

4 hours ago, Xaa said:

Thanks Blur.  I'll get the steak and eggs so there will be some benefit for me.

On the disembarkation piece, do they escort you past any line, is there a special line?  How does that go?

Thanks

Bill

I've never used it but you get special luggage key tags and can leave right after suite and Pinnacle guests who are called first.  I don't think they escort you any more but there may be a key line out.

We tend to leave later after breakfast at a more relaxed pace so usually no lines.  Trying to get off the ship first... There's usually a line and potentially grumpy people.

19 minutes ago, Xaa said:

And that's it, you're next to others in the MDR eating the Express Breakfast?

No, you are in a special dedicated section with only key people.

To be fair the debarkation breakfast isn't as good as the embarkation chops lunch which isn't as good as a real chops lunch in my opinion but it's nice having the relaxed lunch.

Over packing is def a big mistake as everyone mentioned, but I recommend packing more than one swimwear!  It's always funny to see everyone packing tons of different outfits and only 1 swim trunk or swimsuit.  Especially since you will be more than likely be in it for a good portion of the cruise if you enjoy pools and hottubs.

If you're packing more than one roller bag and a backpack for a 7 night... You're prob over packing and annoying yourself having to deal with that much stuff.

Having tried it about 4 times now.  2x as a couple and 2x solo.  I don't think it's worth it unless you're either solo or going for your first cruise as a couple with no loyalty or suite benefits.

100% worth it as a solo cruiser if you plan on taking advantage of the key benefits and you must have internet.

3 hours ago, Xaa said:

I have a question n the debarkation breakfast.  Is the MDR not open on debarkation day?  If it is, is the only difference then a few items availability?  Just trying to understand that benefit better.

Bill

You get a different key breakfast menu.

Now you can take any home covid test and either bring it in or take a picture of the result yourself.  Onus is on you to be a good person, if you so choose.

(Unless you're going to Canada or Bermuda which may have different protocols)

What I found annoying is most vendors at port area will take USD but will only give Canadian back as change... Fortunately using a credit card in Canada isn't as scary as using it in some other countries :p. Just make sure you use a card that doesn't charge you foreign transaction fees.

1 hour ago, Bonnen said:

 

which part of the ship is best to book a balcony front, middle or back of the ship?

People seem to love the aft but if you want less motion middle would be the way to go... It's like asking do you like appetizers, entrees or desserts?  I am sure there are people that like different things.

4 hours ago, billdauterive said:

It's actually the opposite.  Logging in to the account shows actual points and status, behind the scenes shows actual status based on relationship.

Ours showed different as well until I did the trick where I remove her loyalty number from account and re-added it back in.  Then both our accounts showed the same number and status.  Looks like a bug in their system where it doesn't update sometimes.

If you call the loyalty line to complain they tell you to do exactly that to resync the linked accounts.

I think it depends on the ship.  Anthem March it wasn't included but may adventure it was.

23 hours ago, twangster said:

Huh.  Darn fools working on it lied to me, told me it was tensioned.

 

It may be "tensioned" to some degree but that's definitely the inflatable surface on top.  The old tension surfaces don't have that rounded top area and the seams you can see in the picture connecting the two pieces in the middle.

I heard it was changed that way to make falls safer.  I haven't ridden the new surface yet so can't say how different it is.

On 6/7/2022 at 6:53 AM, twangster said:

Odyssey had a ridge in the Flowrider surface that was stated to be like riding over a speedbump.  The ridge was along the seams that all of these surfaces have.  Instead of a flat welded seam it was a raised weld of the two sections.  They since replaced that surface and the seams are not pronounced as they once were.  It's now like other Flowrider surfaces. 

I was on the ship when they replaced the surface.  One of the Flowrider contactors that came on board to do the work was in the cabin next to me.  

Small correction.  Only odyssey and wonder currently have the new inflatable flowrider surface with the seams.  All the older flowrider surfaces on other ships are tension (trampoline-like).

It does sound like all future flowriders for royal will be the new inflatable surface.