TexanTwoStep

1 hour ago, DoomSlayer said:

I was on her when she was in Galveston.  Yes they had $5 craps right after the covid lull.  That craps table on Grandeur was the only time I saw Security have to arrest someone.  The shooter was cut off because he was sliding the dice and they asked him to leave the casino area.  He refused and started making a scene.  Security circled him and, well, let's just say he ate from "room service" the rest of the trip, had a "private bodyguard" posted at his door, and was escorted off the ship with a new pair of shiny bracelets.

He got the true VIP treatment.

I suck at throwing the dice.  it never fails I either hit someone's chips, miss the back wall, or throw one (or both!) over the wall.  Surprised I haven't been arrested yet!

Grandeur had $5 craps when we sailed her in 2022!

On 3/21/2024 at 2:33 PM, AshleyDillo said:

If the cancelation doesn't happen in enough time before the Cruise Planner closes, the refund will appear as OBC on the ship. The most recent announcements of port changes have been well in advance of the Cruise Planner closure for their respective sailings, but the refund process could take weeks. You can jump start the process of the refund by proactively canceling your Labadee excursions if you have any booked.

Thanks, you explained it a lot more eloquently than I did

I just cancelled all of my excursions at Labadee for our cruise in June so I wont get stuck with OBC.  I really doubt that there will be ships going to Labadee any time soon.

I just cancelled our beach bed and coaster ride at Labadee to get the refund -- didn't want to be stuck with OBC that I won't use if Labadee cancels (and it looks like it's going to cancel, to be honest).

2 hours ago, DunkelBierJay said:

Brightline has been pretty good at cutting through the red tape...how they do it, only they and the bureaucrat$ know...I bet it happens fairly quickly from land acquisition if they don't already have it to the time needed for construction. The line is already there, and that was the biggest hurdle.

Looking further in the future, I would love to see hotel/train packages like GoPort offers....it would be great to have more hotel options pop up in Port Canaveral, or even a hotel attached to the Brightline station at MCO, which is another discussion.

There are 5-6 hotels that are walkable to Terminal 1, but I'd love to see a couple more that are closer. The only drawback is how long you have to sweat. I've made the walk from the Residence Inn in 15 minutes and was soaking wet, so I dry off at the bar at Grills prior to boarding.

We're arriving there May 31st and staying in the Hampton Inn -- is that close enough to walk to port or do I need to get an Uber?  

56 minutes ago, Geezer Of The Seas said:

Not political, just an observation. Since before I was born, Haiti has known nothing but turmoil. I was 4 (1957) when' Papa Doc' Duvalier came to power............and the state of affairs of the country have deteriorated further since; if that's even possible. 

Oh I know.  I worked extensively down there when they had the earthquake/hurricane combo in 2010.  They country is worse off than Cuba in my opinion.

The PM just resigned and gave control to a transitional council.

Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the turmoil and Haiti will be able to start the rebuilding process.

On 2/24/2024 at 7:37 AM, bobroo said:

Please mention to Hailey that a working North Star would be an excellent tool in locating a man overboard type situation. I do not believe Royal uses any of the North Stars for this purpose--but I sure would.

ehh.  It wouldn't be *that* good.

The bridge and security office is way more equipped than sending someone up in the north star with a pair of goggles.  The ship has forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras along with other sensors that assist in MOB / PIW cases.  Of course in that situation, all eyes on the water are a good thing, but the bridge has those situations well under control.

We generally start heading back to the ship an hour or two before all aboard time.  However, you have until all aboard time to get there.

Planning an independent excursion, I would give yourself an hour or two between the end of the excursion and all aboard time just to be safe.  Give yourself even more time if the independent excursion is not near the port.

On 2/25/2024 at 8:56 PM, rjac said:

What ports would this cruise ship visit? How is the captain & crew suppose to see the port and starboard side of the ship from that nivigation deck? Impossible logistic support. 

Stick to what Royal has, this ship is ridiculous. 

Royal is getting into "ridiculous" status with the size of the ships they have now in my opinion lol

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

There's no Dog House on Adventure.  Mariner is the only Voyager class that has it.

Ah, you're right.  I booked a cruise on Radiance for 2025 and it has one  I'll just have to wait another year I guess

Adventure of the Seas also has the Dog House (for free)!

We're going on her in June this year and I'm stupidly excited to gorge myself on hot dogs.

EDIT:  Adventure doesn't have a Dog House, I had Adventure and Radiance mixed up`

On 2/14/2024 at 5:45 PM, Butters530 said:

Valentines savings are out there. I just cancelled and rebooked most of our excursions at a lower price. Wouldn’t normally spend/do as much but it’s 25 years. 
 

Getting so excited for our first cruise. Bought my husband some cool swim trunks on sale. 
 

Figured this is the place to share me excitement!

Nice!

We got our drink packages for  $69 pp right when we booked.  Also have the key, 3 night dining.  We're going to explore Puerto Plata on our own.  Splurged for a beach bed at Labadee and just going to explore Coco Cay!  Our 15 year old will be with us.  How about you guys?

Ugh, sorry PDCC was ruined for you!  I always hit up guest services right before we go to bed if we need anything (like 1-2am, haha).  Line is usually empty and you don't have to deal with the Karens and Chads who expect RC to control the weather.

Just so I'm clear (we have one rented for our next cruise in June) -- we have a group of 3 people in the same cabin.  Will we get three arm bands?

19 hours ago, Butters530 said:

Just booked - our first cruise for our anniversary. Looking to have a nice relaxing time. 

Nice!  Welcome, and I'm sure we'll have a blast!

32 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I've notice that the quote engines tend to handle cruises poorly.

I always put the first port stop (or, if the cruise leaves from another country, the home port) as the main country and leave it at that.

That's what I was thinking as well --  We're mainly concerned about insuring our trip if our flight is cancelled or something like that.  The evac insurance will also be good to have for Alaska I assume.  We both have TRICARE so I'm not sure if that covers it or not...

22 minutes ago, DoomSlayer said:

Thats where we like to stay too.

The staff is super friendly and there's a pretty awesome Chinese buffet right around the corner that we ate at last year.  HOWEVER, last year there was a horrible accident on the 45 bridge to Galveston.  We were already on the island, but traffic was backed up for 15 miles with people trying to get on the island (It was a Saturday in June and 3 ships were in port).

Voyager actually waited on quite a few people (I'm assuming Air2Sea) that got held up in the traffic jam.

We always stay in Homes 2 Suites in Texas City.  It's a newer, well-maintained hotel and it's less than 20 minutes from the cruise port.  We always get up around 8, head over to Galveston and hang out on the beach or park and ride the ferry across to kill some time, then board!

Prices on the island have gotten a little out of control...

Hey everyone,

The wife and I just booked a cruise for 2025 that leaves out of Vancouver but is going to Alaska.  Our primary destination country should be the United States, correct?  If so, will our flights be covered under the policy since they will be into YVR?

Just booked this one for less than $1500 for my wife and I for our 10 year anniversary!  

We've never been to Alaska or Canada before so we're really excited!  Any tips or must sees for this itinerary?

Bump!

Maybe we have the entire ship to ourselves?

4 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Lobster doesn't have the unexplainable mystique in other markets like it does in North American markets.

I mean, it's not that great.  Just an expensive tool to suck up that delicious, delicious buttah

19 minutes ago, JFCruise said:

Lobster is offered on the second formal night on cruises of 6+ nights that go to the Caribbean.

If your cruise doesn't satisfy all 3 bolded conditions, then lobster will not be offered in your cruise.

Oh wow, I didn't know that it was only Caribbean cruises as well