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tonyfsu21

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Posts posted by tonyfsu21

  1. 9 hours ago, Va4fam said:

    Thanks everyone for your helpful responses.   Embassy Suites could be a good fit, we have 12 people (3 kids under age of 7), and typically includes breakfast.   Most of the group will be flying so the shuttles will be key    Publix or Walgreens will be perfect for last minute cruise essentials.   

    Things to do in the area the night before the cruise?  Especially for 20 somethings or little kids.

    @Lovetocruise2002......what is LaBamba and why will we like it?

     

    I wouldn't put too much thought into the shuttle if you opt to stay at the Embassy Suites on 17th street. The shuttle is a hassle and you are stuck waiting on someone else’s time schedule. The port is literally 3 minutes East of Embassy Suites and a $10 Uber ride. La Bamba is fantastic Mexican & Spanish food and a South Florida institution (we have been dining there since the early 90’s). As far as things to do for 20 something’s, let me know what they have in mind and I can make local recommendations. 

  2. 1 hour ago, PatsFanBrian said:

    We recently stayed at Marriot at Dania Pointe.  A bit more expensive, but Dania Pointe is an area built for social activities with several bars and numerous restaurants ranging from cheap to pricey.  Walk out of the hotel and it’s all within a few minutes walk.  We’ll stay there again if we go out of Fort Lauderdale again.

    Yes, Dania Pointe is a great option for the OP as well considering they have a car and it’s a 10 min drive to Port Everglades. 

  3. 21 hours ago, Va4fam said:

    We have flown to FLL frequently but usually sail from Miami.

    We may be driving to Port Everglades for a cruise and looking for hotel with extended parking options, close enough to dining and groceries/pharmacy, and easy to get to port and airport (free shuttles perhaps?).

    If no hotels offer a park/and/stay option, what is the parking like at the cruise terminal and what is daily cost?

    What say you wise and all knowing forum members, hit me with your best ideas!

    Park at the terminal for a quick, convenient and relatively cheap option. Embassy Suites on 17th Street is within walking distance of a Publix shopping center with plenty of dining options. Prices are going to depend heavily on the time of year and expect heavy premiums from Oct - March 31.  

  4. 3 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

    I have "read" (so take that with a tablespoon of salt) that the slots return on Icon are set at 81%....which is horrible.  I don't play slots so will never know.  Any feedback on gambling, in general ?

    I wonder how to get this information? I am seriously hoping the return % is set and under strict regulation. As patrons of the casino we technically should be privy to this information. If this is not the case then I feel stupid for tossing my money into the abyss. I did get a few “free” drinks and some cheap bottles of wine though……

  5. 3 hours ago, jbrinkm said:

    How do you all think teens would fare on this ship, particularly compared to Oasis class (or Quantum class)? I know the water park would be a hit for many of them, but other than that, is most of the other stuff in tot town for the littles? If you're a poor/peasant/plebian, what neighborhood might most appeal to them? 

    I would have to say Icon would be a big win for teens! I enjoy Star/suite class but really sail for the overall ship experience and Icon seems to deliver. 

  6. 3 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

    I am hoping that @Matt will chime in more here with his thoughts on this one. We toured a few of them this week. I was not a fan before of the idea, I definitely would not do it now. IMO, it’s like having a giant window in your room. Hubby says it should be called infinite window as it is more window than balcony lol

    I am 1000% swapping rooms asap. I don’t know why I even booked this room. 

  7. 7 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

    I think that is everything from me. If there are questions that I forgot, or have not answered, please ask away. Otherwise, next cruise in 36 days! Love that! 

    Excellent review! I think the Icon is going to be the perfect ship for my family. I am disappointed about the general size & layout of the suites though. Did you happen to hear any opinions on the infinite balconies? I am seriously considering changing staterooms and getting away from the fake balcony and into a standard outdoor balcony on one of our trips later this year. 

  8. I recently watched some Icon GS walk through videos and noticed they removed the loungers from the balcony in favor of a small love seat (odd choice). Also interesting was the TV location. It looks like the TV no longer drops down from the ceiling and is now mounted on one of the walls to the side of the bed making it very awkward to watch while laying down. 

  9. 4 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

    I echo the sentiment that unless you are a gambler then the casino program isn't for you. I do slots but I personally won't spend more than I would for a cruise.....because they instant cruise rewards.

    Also I have seen it all. Some people spend less than $1k to get the 2500pts to be prime. Then I have seen people spend $5/6k to have not even half those points.

    Agree, and that’s why it’s called gambling. Perhaps you get lucky and keep cycling the casinos money all the way to prime. On the other hand you have bad luck and the casino beats you up until your casino status equals 3 deluxe beverage packages and a 7 day cruise! Anything can happen. 

  10. This is such good information! There seems to be an influx of new casino players looking to achieve prime for a “free cruise and drinks in the casino”. This seems like a great idea until you consider the fact that this is gambling and the bankroll required to achieve prime could potentially buy you many drink packages and at least 1 cruise fare. It can be a costly road to prime unless you have luck on your side.  

  11. 1 hour ago, Jamesszy94 said:

    I see, yeah, these are valid and fair points and I can understand why people would be turned off by the Windjammer.

    I do try to avoid the Windjammer during the peak hours - but we have no choice for breakfast... might just order Room Service this time or try somewhere else. But usually I go around 7-8pm where it's not as crowded because most people are either at the shows or the casino/other activities - anyone recommend any good places to have breakfast on QN class ships? 

    You're right about the proper buffet etiquette, so many times I've seen people just grab the food with their hands or they drop something on the bench or the counter next to them and then they just leave it there or put it back into the food. 

    If QN has cafe 270 then you should get breakfast there and stay out of the WJ. 

  12. 12 minutes ago, Neesa said:

    I liked the WindJammer much better when they served you after the shut down. The food was hit or miss but not horrible. The reason I don't avail myself to it anymore is I can't wrap my head around how manic plus peoples ugly  behaviors when they are pouncing on the food. Hand washing seems to be lacking as well, the environment makes me unsettled, not so much the offerings.

    I’m with you on that. The behavior of some hangry folks and the lack of hygiene keeps me out of there for the most part. There’s seriously no shortage of food on the ship so I always manage to eat (mainly speciality dining). 

  13. 7 minutes ago, Jamesszy94 said:

    LOVE seeing the ICONic new ship from Royal! Here's to many more exciting days ahead for all of you.

    Legitimate question though: Why does everyone not like the Windjammer? 🤣 

    I mean my guess would probably be because the food is kinda crap? 

    I don't mind Windjammer food honestly... but that's just me, as long as I'm fed, I'm a happy camper, but interesting to get other people's takes on the Windjammer.

    I don’t personally like the windjammer, however, it’s a better option than the main dining room IMHO. The food in the dining room has gone way down hill & fast!

  14. 1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

    Don't feel bad.  The casino booking rules are NOT clear at all.  I have made this very mistake at least twice.  Actually, I don't consider it a mistake.  I think they do it on purpose to avoid giving you the FP.  How do you know you're going to need a NC cert. if you think that your award was for $$ off only ?  What in the directions tells you that if you do not have a NC Cert you will NOT get the free play and/or the OBC ?  Nothing.  You just have to know this.  It's BS.

    So my new rule is, get a NC cert even if you don't know for sure that you're going to need it.  For us, it's not a biggie b/c we are always on the verge of booking something anyway.

    You are very very fortunate to have gotten someone who would award you the FP.  I have never heard of that happening before.  The only thing they did for me as a "courtesy" was to allow me to book a casino comp when I had not purchased a NC cert before disembarking.  It was one of those situations where....when I left the ship I thought I had been awarded a $300 off only.  Once I got home I discovered that they had upgraded my cert and it was now a comp offer....but only if you have a NC Cert !  That's why I now never leave the ship without a NC Cert.

    Thank you so much for the information! I guess I got lucky this time around. 

  15. 13 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

    Yes and the easiest way is to buy the open-booking next Cruise certificate in the app. I brought mine yesterday, because I hadn't received my offer yet. 

    How do I not know what this is? Can you please explain?

  16. 18 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

    Oh no, I don’t see anything but a line item for “CR Targeted Offer” and some other random codes. I booked it with the promo code through the CR website so I’m hoping they booked it correctly. I can’t deal with these people on the phone. 

    IMG_0050.jpeg

    After all these years of casino bookings, I have yet to master the process. Apparently casino instant rewards bookings (according to this rep) need to be initiated at NextCruise while onboard if you want the free play. I asked this person how this is realistic when the certificates are often received the last evening of the sailing. They granted me my $1000 in free play as a “one time exception” which was nice. I guess I need to go back to school on this because apparently I can’t follow directions. 

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