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monorailmedic

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  1. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from Wilson in Suite podcast   
    Go ahead and send me the cruise docs.  I know your vacation time is short so I'll take one for the team and do a research cruise.  You're welcome.
  2. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from DocLC in Travelers Checks..To do or not to do...does anyone still do this?   
    I'd suspect, as mentioned, that even if you find travelers cheques, you'll have trouble finding someone that knows what to do with them.  I'm 33 and even living in South Florida (lots of tourists) I don't think I've seen one in 15 years or so.
     
    Now, remember that for international cc use, you'll not only want to tell the issuer that you're traveling (where and when) but also try and only use a card or cards that don't have international transaction fees.  Check your card-member agreement, but off the top of my head, the below cards don't charge international transaction fees:
     
    AmEx Gold
    AmEx Platinum
    Chase Sapphire Preferred
    Most CapitalOne cards
    Most travel related co-branded cards (airline MasterCards and such)
  3. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from bcarney in Suite podcast   
    Go ahead and send me the cruise docs.  I know your vacation time is short so I'll take one for the team and do a research cruise.  You're welcome.
  4. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from WAAAYTOOO in Suite podcast   
    Go ahead and send me the cruise docs.  I know your vacation time is short so I'll take one for the team and do a research cruise.  You're welcome.
  5. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from DocLC in Suite podcast   
    Go ahead and send me the cruise docs.  I know your vacation time is short so I'll take one for the team and do a research cruise.  You're welcome.
  6. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from AGSLC5 in Sailing on Freedom or Navi soon and wanna do me a solid?   
    I should have asked Marissa.
     
    Also, loving the name change for the Champagne bar.  This gives me some ideas, but we need to come up with something that sounds less like Jerel didn't make it back from the trip.
  7. Like
    monorailmedic reacted to Todd in Sailing on Freedom or Navi soon and wanna do me a solid?   
    well here is one way you can get a answer. But you will need to make two phone calls. Both to Royal's Corporate Office. The first call ask who the Hotel Director is on Freedom, and then after getting his/her full name ask for their email address. If they give to you in that call get, if not just call back the next day and state the person name and ask for the email only. The second time you will get the email, then contact that person. The big advantage here is you will have a email reply so if not the same once on the ship you will have his/ her documentation.
  8. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from DunkelBierJay in Sailing on Freedom or Navi soon and wanna do me a solid?   
    So as some of you know, I'm a big fan of Scotch.  RCCL's site and customer service has a very limited list of single malts that they say they carry, and nothing I'm interested in.  That in mind, despite my inquiring many times, on the Allure I found that the champagne bar had several great single malts I enjoy (Laphroaig and Ardbeg, to name two).  Again, they were only in the champagne bar, and I only found them by luck.
     
    I'm trying to decide on beverages packages for the Freedom and Navigator group cruises, and whether or not these single malts are available is key to that decision.  If you happen to be sailing on Freedom or Navigator soon, and can ask every bartender you come across if they have any of the Scotches below, I'd be very grateful, and would be glad to buy you a drink or two for your trouble as well as make you a star on an upcoming Periscope ;-)
     
    -Laphroaig
    -Ardbeg
    -Caol Ila
    -Lagavulin
    -Bunnahabhain
     
    I put them order based on how likely I think it is that they'd have them.  I really wish RCCL customer service didn't disappoint me (and my agent) on this front, so if you can be my hero, let me know.
     
    Thanks!
    'First World Problems' Bill
  9. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from PRC in Recent Airport Problems   
    Another benefit to GE is that now, at Port Everglades, there is a separate (albeit somewhat hidden) station for GE travelers.  No line at all while we watching 6k others getting off Allure.  Was handy.
  10. Like
    monorailmedic reacted to WAAAYTOOO in Prescription Medications   
    WHStoneman, you are SO right about taking your prescription medication with you.  I have a friend who just got back from an NCL cruise.  It's a very long story but due to AIRLINE f-ups, he did not get his luggage before he sailed.  They (airlines) kept telling him, "it (his luggage) will meet you at the next port" and with each and every port stop - nothing.  So he was on this cruise without anything...including his medication.
     
    He had to make 2 very expensive (and time-consuming) visits to the ship's physician(s) (who changed, mid-sailing...who knew that a ship's doctor would change mid-cruise ??.  Learned something new) to get prescriptions to be filled in different ports.
     
    Now...did he know better ?  YES !  ...but he didn't follow his own "best practices" and paid a dear price.  I'll bet he won't make that mistake again !
     
    BTW, he did not get his luggage for more than 2 weeks after he left for his cruise.  God only knows where it had been all that time...but I learned ANOTHER lesson from this - never trust the airlines when they tell you that your luggage will meet you at the next port. 
     
    Apparently NCL was extremely gracious to him over all of this even though it was in NO way their fault.  They gave him free laundry service and  some OBC to purchase necessities.  He also said that the Guest Services Manager, with whom he worked ALL week trying to get this solved, was very gracious and actually told the airlines representative "you're lying to my guest !" when they ONCE AGAIN said that the luggage would be at the next port. Of course, it wasn't there, as he had predicted.
     
    DO NOT PACK YOUR MEDICATION IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE !
  11. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from bryanmp729 in Any luck with Walkie Talkies on board?   
    Objective:  This is especially challenging given the metal of the hull, water-tight doors, electronics, etc.  (Source btw: many cruises, am an amateur radio operator, and used to repair commercial radio-communications equipment)  Less likely but also a consideration is that FCC allocated FRS frequencies in the US may be used for other more essential communication in other countries, which you may inadvertently interfere with.  So this approach, on newer, larger, more complex ships will be minimally effective, and could cause problems for others.
     
    Subjective: There is no good way to use radios like this in a quiet manner and many guests find them disruptive.  I completely understand why you'd wanna keep in touch, though.  The low-tech solution that isn't great, but served cruisers well for decades is a notepad in the stateroom, or a white-board on the door.  More high tech?  Use phones or iPods (even old ones with broken screens bought on eBay for under $50) to connect to WiFi, get the appropriate WiFi package and use Hangouts, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, Kick, Telegram, etc.
  12. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from Matt in Oxygen   
    Have your travel agent make the arrangements with Royal.  As long as he's cleared to travel everything will be fine, but you will need to coordinate so they can be sure to have extension cords for oxygen generators, storage for extra tanks, etc.  If you booked directly you can contact [email protected].  More information: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/accessibleseas/otherNeeds.do
  13. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from Shelly in Oxygen   
    Have your travel agent make the arrangements with Royal.  As long as he's cleared to travel everything will be fine, but you will need to coordinate so they can be sure to have extension cords for oxygen generators, storage for extra tanks, etc.  If you booked directly you can contact [email protected].  More information: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/accessibleseas/otherNeeds.do
  14. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from WAAAYTOOO in Oxygen   
    Have your travel agent make the arrangements with Royal.  As long as he's cleared to travel everything will be fine, but you will need to coordinate so they can be sure to have extension cords for oxygen generators, storage for extra tanks, etc.  If you booked directly you can contact [email protected].  More information: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/accessibleseas/otherNeeds.do
  15. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from AGSLC5 in Rising Tide Bar   
    We failed at it.  By that, I mean we looked forward to it quite a bit, but made very little time to check it out.  The time we did go in they seemed to stay in Central Park forever and we had to move on.  Next Oasis class sailing we're definitely be asking more about the schedule.
  16. Like
    monorailmedic reacted to bigburlyjohn in Credit card question   
    Only the card that will be used onboard (tied to your seapass acct) will be needed.
  17. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from Familyof4 in Calling Home - Southern Caribbean   
    Agreed with FloatMe.  Here are some ways you can do this for very little:
     
    Assuming you purchase VOOM, set your phone to airplane mode, then turn on WiFi:
    -Using WiFi calling (newer iPhones, many Android devices, all major carriers at this point.  Just a regular phone call w/ this feature enabled and while connected to ship's WiFi.
    -Download and install the Skype app on your phone, purchase a small amount of credits and call their phone via your Skype app on the ship's WiFi. Only $.02/min if they're in the US.
    While the above options aren't too complex to me, if you're not comfortable with them, ask for help before your trip.  I'm sure a friend or carrier associate will help you, just don't be confused if they talk about shipboard calling rates - you'll want to use WiFi calling.
     
    Other possibility:
    -Find a friendly cruiser.  A good portion of your fellow cruisers will have one of the 4 major carriers, and a good chunk of those will have a compatible phone.  You'll inevitably chat up someone on board, so when you do, ask if they'd mind if you made a call.  I frequently lend out my phone in Walt Disney World when I see someone from outside the US trying to use a calling card to call home.  I can make those calls for pennies, seems easier.  On the ship, it wouldn't even be costing them anything.
  18. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from Matt in What attributes do people value in a cruise?   
    This was posted on Reddit.  I'm an web/IT professional and can say with confidence my computer nor phone were infected with internet-lice or other malady as a result of the survey (which I completed a couple days ago).  Qualtrics is a known and established company/site.
     
    That in mind, everyone's caution and prudence is appreciated by your respected IT departments, children, etc.
  19. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from DocLC in What attributes do people value in a cruise?   
    This was posted on Reddit.  I'm an web/IT professional and can say with confidence my computer nor phone were infected with internet-lice or other malady as a result of the survey (which I completed a couple days ago).  Qualtrics is a known and established company/site.
     
    That in mind, everyone's caution and prudence is appreciated by your respected IT departments, children, etc.
  20. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from DocLC in Empress June 30 - An overnight in Nassau?   
    Interesting.  Probably appreciated by some of the local restaurants too.
     
     
    Oh, I love overnight stops - no question there.  In the Med for example it can be great.  I was just surprised to see Nassau in particular.
  21. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from Matt in Full Time Living on Royal Caribbean? Yes... No...   
    There is only one way to find out.  Research.
  22. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from DocLC in How do you Blog?   
    Hi cruise-y,
      
    First off welcome to the site.  I've cruised Oceania a few times and in fact visited Montenegro while sailing on the Marina a couple years ago.  Kotor was actually one of our favorite ports, perhaps in part because it was so unexpectedly pleasant.  We did a walking tour (through Oceania).  I don't recall the name of the tour, but I can see if I happen to have it at home. It *may* have been "Town Of Kotor & Bay Of Kotor Heritage (KOY-004)" on https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Mediterranean-cruises/port-kotor-KOY/excursions/#all.
     
    One highlight was a short (~3 min) boat ride to Our Lady of The Rocks, which is a tiny island/church/museum.  I'd try and make sure any excursion you take visits this island.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_the_Rocks
    https://goo.gl/kgoqyK
     
    Oceania's excursions have, in our experience, been top notch.  The groups are usually very reasonable in size, and the guides fantastic.  Our guide on this excursion was incredibly knowledgeable and pleasant, and being obsessed with polyglots, I was amazed that she was fluent in English, Spanish, Montenegrin (actually called something more complicated, and the same as Serbian), German, French, Dutch, and she spoke conversational Portuguese.  
     
    https://goo.gl/17NGGr
     
    --
     
    Now, as far as Cruise Critic, I've been on that site for a long while, and for many reasons, it isn't quite the community that some other sites (including this one) are.  That in mind, it does have the largest body of cruising experience you'll find, so if mining for very specific information, it can be a great resource, just watch your step/mind the drama that sometimes comes up.  For Oceania information specifically, you'll find many cruisers on Cruise Critic, but Matt's right in that because their target audience is smaller, it's a bit different than the mass market lines.  No lack of information though.  Checkout the Oceania Excursions Facebook page too, they post frequently with neat information and amazing pictures.  
     
    Let me know if there are any specifics you're looking for on Kotor (or anything else for that matter) and I'll dust of my brain...then ultimately ask a family member when I can't remember.  Either way, I'm confident you'll find Kotor to be lovely, and Oceania to be an incredible experience every time.
     
    BH
  23. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from cruise-y in How do you Blog?   
    Hi cruise-y,
      
    First off welcome to the site.  I've cruised Oceania a few times and in fact visited Montenegro while sailing on the Marina a couple years ago.  Kotor was actually one of our favorite ports, perhaps in part because it was so unexpectedly pleasant.  We did a walking tour (through Oceania).  I don't recall the name of the tour, but I can see if I happen to have it at home. It *may* have been "Town Of Kotor & Bay Of Kotor Heritage (KOY-004)" on https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Mediterranean-cruises/port-kotor-KOY/excursions/#all.
     
    One highlight was a short (~3 min) boat ride to Our Lady of The Rocks, which is a tiny island/church/museum.  I'd try and make sure any excursion you take visits this island.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_the_Rocks
    https://goo.gl/kgoqyK
     
    Oceania's excursions have, in our experience, been top notch.  The groups are usually very reasonable in size, and the guides fantastic.  Our guide on this excursion was incredibly knowledgeable and pleasant, and being obsessed with polyglots, I was amazed that she was fluent in English, Spanish, Montenegrin (actually called something more complicated, and the same as Serbian), German, French, Dutch, and she spoke conversational Portuguese.  
     
    https://goo.gl/17NGGr
     
    --
     
    Now, as far as Cruise Critic, I've been on that site for a long while, and for many reasons, it isn't quite the community that some other sites (including this one) are.  That in mind, it does have the largest body of cruising experience you'll find, so if mining for very specific information, it can be a great resource, just watch your step/mind the drama that sometimes comes up.  For Oceania information specifically, you'll find many cruisers on Cruise Critic, but Matt's right in that because their target audience is smaller, it's a bit different than the mass market lines.  No lack of information though.  Checkout the Oceania Excursions Facebook page too, they post frequently with neat information and amazing pictures.  
     
    Let me know if there are any specifics you're looking for on Kotor (or anything else for that matter) and I'll dust of my brain...then ultimately ask a family member when I can't remember.  Either way, I'm confident you'll find Kotor to be lovely, and Oceania to be an incredible experience every time.
     
    BH
  24. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from cruise-y in Full Time Living on Royal Caribbean? Yes... No...   
    This is our plan, though I wouldn't live on an RCCL ship.  Nothing against Royal at all, but I'd want to be on a ship doing constantly changing itineraries to a wider variety of places.  This becomes somewhat limiting to smaller luxury lines (Crystal, Silversea, Regent, Oceania, etc) but it's hard for me to imagine the constant turnaround days, deck parties, etc, while spending time running the same handful of itineraries. 
  25. Like
    monorailmedic got a reaction from jticarruthers in Full Time Living on Royal Caribbean? Yes... No...   
    This is our plan, though I wouldn't live on an RCCL ship.  Nothing against Royal at all, but I'd want to be on a ship doing constantly changing itineraries to a wider variety of places.  This becomes somewhat limiting to smaller luxury lines (Crystal, Silversea, Regent, Oceania, etc) but it's hard for me to imagine the constant turnaround days, deck parties, etc, while spending time running the same handful of itineraries. 
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