DunkelBierJay

My apologies for not providing sufficient context to the original post. During Matt's daily Periscope broadcasts, he will utter at least one "gotsta" in reference to an activity, product or feature of a Royal Caribbean cruise, ship or port. In yesterday's (5/19/2016) Periscope, someone came up with the idea of tracking them perhaps in the hopes of creating a future "Gotsta" t-shirt with a top "gotsta" list prints on the back, perhaps a la Letterman's Top Ten list. So, here is a place to do just that.

Exactly.
 
TSA provides no more than the illusion of safety.  
 
The garbage can full of discarded items is a perfect example of such.  Lets face it:  If someone wanted to cause mass chaos and destruction, why bother trying to sneak something onto a plane and harm 200 people, when you can waltz into the airport with a standard size carryon or two of explosives and shrapnel, unimpeaded, and put yourself into the middle of 2 to 4 THOUSAND people all crowded together to be xrayed.  
 
They are nothing but a reaction to something that has already been done.  Someone tries to ignite a shoe?  lets remove shoes.  I'm really surprised that some group hasn't made a show of pulling dentures out at 35,000 feet and "igniting" them.  Within a week we would see the TSA with their blue-gloved hands in everyone's mouth and forcing all dentures to be removed and x-rayed.  Hell, the same could be done with eyeglasses, hearing aids, so many ways to make life miserable all because of the reactionary way the TSA tries to justify itself.
 
OK, I'll put the soapbox away and show myself out...

This is fun and scary that you all know me so well.  I'm honored!

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

Thanks! I am actually going to do both!

I would suggest that you shop with your local jeweler that you have an established pattern of trust.   Buy your wife something very nice and give it to her on your first night at sea.  You know that you are purchased something that she will love and you can trust your purchase will be wise and secure.    

I bought a diamond ring from Diamonds International, was given an appraisal by them for the ring, valued at $4000, paid $1900 for it. When I returned home I asked my jeweler what he thought. The grade of the diamond they represented on the appraisal was wrong, it was a lesser quality diamond, the value was about what I paid for it. I called them and requested a refund and I did get it but it took two months before I did. I bought a small pinkie right from Columbian Emeralds and the same thing happened, was given an  appraisal sheet and the value was a lot less than Columbian quoted, but I kept that ring.
 
I agree that if you have a good jeweler you might want to buy stateside and not from the ports. If she wears Pandora or Alex & Ani jewelry, the beaded charm bracelets, they are the same price stateside as in the islands and every once in a while you can hit a sale and get a charm or bead for 40% off. I have two Pandora bracelets and they aren't cheap, with beads and charms and the bracelet it is valued at over $500.

We had good luck buying jewelry in downtown Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas.  Be prepared to haggle, ask questions and most of all, walk away if the deal does not suit you.

Yes. On St Thomas go to Dynasty Dazzlers. They have a shop in town and also in the compound. Tell Bimla that Raye recommended her to you. Bimla is the mother of the owner (Raj). They are honest and reputable and will give you a good deal. They stand behind their merchandise. They replaced a stone that I lost from a diamond ring I bought without a question. I highly recommend them.
 
Beware of Diamonds International. They are reputable. I am not suggesting otherwise, but DI is owned by the cruise lines and they tend to have extremely high prices. They do stand behind their mdse but will pay a lot for it.
 
Please do not buy any expensive jewelry on the ship. There have been a few threads about that recently. Among other things, they are way way overpriced.
 
Here's a rule of thumb. If you are buying a good piece of jewelry - $5000 or more - expect that jewelry to be marked up at least 5 times its value. So begin negotiations by cutting the price by 5 and then go from there. The less expensive jewelry won't be marked up as much (less margin) but it will probably be 2 -3 times markup. Walk away....they will come down. Trust me on that.
 
I purchased a diamond tennis bracelet from Bimla that was marked $30k (11 carats). I ended up paying $7500 and it appraised at home for $14,800. Negotiate ! ...even with your "friends".

If ships didn't provide oxygen Holland America would be out of business...

We just finished our first cruise. The honeymoon we never had, taken as a 43rd anniversary celebration. I knew we'd have a wonderful time and I was sick with excitement each time I added an element to the cruise planner, running into the living room to let my hubby know the next detail I had added to the upcoming cruise. I was nervous about getting seasick,finding my way around, feeling like I was in a tuna can in the interior stateroom, etc. What I didn't anticipate is how MUCH we would adore the cruise experience. One unpacking, multiple ports to visit, come back to luxury and impeccable service and food. One day as we sat on the deck looking out at the awesome ocean color we had never seen before, we realized we had also found our destiny. We found the hobby we can both obsess about. He loves sports, I love quilting and flowers but together we are crazy cruisers!! The only thing holding me back is the money, but even with that said, we've already booked two up coming cruises in our anniversary month. Of course we started at the top with Royal Caribbean, so we will always stay with them, when possible. Our next two cruises , of course, have a balcony. If money didn't allow for a balcony, I'd gladly take the interior stateroom as it was lovely, but as it is, with each booked cruise, the room got higher on the boat and the balcony larger. :-D

But in no way a better crew..... Thank you for your service.

Hi Matt and All.
 
Here is the Sign I made for my upcoming Cruise.
It took me a little bit to put it together, to get the
Spacing right.
I know I could've had a sign printed out from Vista print.com,
but I am a do-it-yourself kind of gal.
I have Sent Port Everglades Wave Hi Cam, a messege, to when, and where, I will be located, when Allure pulls out, so they can Zoom In. (10th Deck Balcony Cabin, Port Side)
Thank You Billy, for helping locate right area to send messege to.
19 Days to Go!!!!!! Come on May 15th!!!!

My first time was a 4 year enlistment in the Navy on the USS Yosemite (AD19) 1974-1978.  Two Med cruises, 2 Caribbean and up and down the east coast.  Of course it wasn't the same but I liked being on the water.  After that my first was my honeymoon on a Carnival in 94.  Don't recall the boat but had a good time.  Took to 2012 to get to Royal, my wifes brother (Diamond Plus) talked us into the Oasis.  Been on a death spiral ever since.

Nailed my philosophy

When you get on the ship, go to Guest Services and ask for a sea pass card that says "Extra Key".  It will not be good for charges or getting off the ship, just to get into the second room.  You can each get one.

This does not affect me as I am not booked on that ship, but man what a bad deal.  RCCL is in the business of over-delivering to make it so we can't wait to come back.  What they are doing to some of their best customers is the opposite of that.
 
There are other cruise lines.  I guess it's always good to have options.
 
Good luck to each of you.
 
Sad

Coco Cay is considered basically an extension of the ship, so I'd imagine the 21 rule for the ship would still apply on the island.

February because it's sooner!   :lol:

I encountered this exact scenario, and had to provide both reservation ID numbers when booking dinner at Sabor on Freedom.

http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/events

When I observe port cams, I haven't picked up any patterns other than those mentioned above. I assume docking side is determined between the captain and the harbormaster or pilot based upon the number of ships in port, the time it takes to turn around in the turning basin, and whether the crew needs to perform maintenance on one side or another. I was transfixed last year on the dock at Nassau when two crew members were removing stains (looked like rust, but I think it was just dirty water stains) from hull with a giant squirt gun while standing on the dock. I assume they were using some sort of bleach solution or anti-oxidizing agent. So, I don' t think there is any way to predict whether a ship will be docked on the port or starboard side other than asking an officer while on board.

sure -- just buy a shot and pour it in!!  that is all it is anyway (a shot per drink)

Was able to on the Jewel in September. Charged $7 plus the 18% gratuity. Asked for a shot of coconut rum in my virgin frozen pina colada. 

I will ask and report back in June.