dejagatkins

Yes you are correct and the website says that. But like so many things Royal if you look, you will find they also have another policy may times in conflict with these stated policies. From the Guest Conduct Policy:

 

"Prohibited Items

 

Items with Heating Elements or Open Flames Certain items that generate heat or produce an open flame are not permitted onboard. This includes clothing irons, hotplates, candles, incense and any other item that may create a fire hazard. Curling irons and hair dryers are allowed."

 

 

Most guest have not even heard about this policy, but it is what Royal uses many times if you want to file complaints on the cruise. It seems they use this Guest Conduct Policy as a weapon they try to hold over you. If you let them, because many passengers are not really required to follow it, another hole in the Royal System, which I will not post about because I do not want to see it corrected. The Guest Code of Conduct  is about nine pages if you want to read it. 

Well your quote looks like curling irons are permitted. I'm also bringing my hair straightener. I don't know very many women with my curly type hair, that would travel without their hair straightener! :-D

According to RCC web site the only exception to the ban on things that can generate heat for a fire issue is hair straighteners and curling irons. They ARE allowed. The hair dryer is already in your room.

dejagatkins,

 

We need to discuss the elephant in the room before you go.  What's the story with the little lady in your photo?

I'll tell you if you explain the fly on your head. :-P  I was just in a Barbie mood. What can I say? :-]

Last year, we cruised Freedom to the eastern Caribbean, and it was our first cruise.  

 

I had all of the questions you have, and was worried sick that I didn't have all my t's crossed.  Everything turned out just fine.  I was over-thinking everything.

Of course, my wife went crazy with buying all kinds of souvenirs and I got some liquor, so our end-of-cruise bill was kinda high.  But I was pretty much expecting it.

 

You are going to have so much fun!  We enjoyed it so much that we are doing the same exact cruise in 23 days!  

Thanks!! All my cruising friends say we are going to LOVE it. So I'm hyper excited! We cruise in 24 days on the Oasis for our 43rd anniversary!!! 

For what it's worth, my onboard bill at then end of a cruise is usually only $100-$200 and most of that is specialty dining as we do a couple of restaurants and late night child care. If you have the drink package and prepurchased your excursions or book them privately, the odds of a massive bill at the end of the cruise are very low.

Awesome! Yes I prepaid everything but one more dining option we are thinking about. So unless I go crazy on my shopping I should take a deep breath and enjoy the trip more than anticipate problems. :-)

I try my best to keep the data up to date

Good to know! I love having all the information to read, especially when you're looking forward to the cruise and reading about everything! It helps me cope with the excitement. Forgive me for not trusting the system. I'm going to be a first time cruiser and am a bit nervous about racking up a bill I thought I had covered with the drink packages we bought. Please forgive me if I offended you. Just my fear of the big RC billing system rolling over me. With that said, I'm still over the top excited about the experience an so much looking forward to it. Thanks for your help! I truly do appreciate it and didn't realize how much research is required before you should ask a question.

You know Matt does a great job pulling together all the information here on this blog. I do not believe most readers even know or understand the number of hours that go into providing great information. Most of the questions asked unless breaking news things, have all been addressed before. Just search the site and you will be amazed at the information you can find.

 

Here is a link to a Blog Post Matt did last year with complete Select Drink Package Information. 

 

And another link to All Drink Package Information

 

If you review these two links I believe you will know everything you want about Drink Packages and if not someone here should know the 1/10 of 1% not within those links. Since some are older posting the prices may not be current.

Thanks Todd....I spent a lot of hours searching the site but did not put faith in 2015 postings because I've heard there was a price increase on the beverage line and also, some folks say the prices are no longer on some menus. So it makes me want to have inside more up to date info so I won't be tricked into running a bill I never meant to run.

I always bring my passport and at least one credit card with me.

 

The point of bringing a passport on a cruise is if you get stuck at a port and miss the ship, having the passport means you can easily depart that country and go home or meet up with the ship.

 

Without the passport, you will have to go to the US Consulate office and work on obtaining a visa. This is neither quick nor easy.

 

If you leave the passport on the ship while you go on shore, it will do you absolutely no good if you were to be stranded somewhere.

So if you go in the water where is your passport? I read that folks are always watching you for a chance to steal from the tourists or am I over worrying that part?

I did that same cruise last year. No one took our passports we kept them in the safe all week. All you need to get off in coco cay is your sea pass card because royal owns the port. At st Thomas and st marten you are required to bring some sort of government ID we used Ontario drivers license. I'm not sure what would happen if we missed the boat and didn't have our passports... Maybe I will bring copies next time ?

You mentioned coco cay... We are going to Nassau Blue Lagoon Island. Is that the same port?

My husband just wants beer for alcohol , so I got him the select. Does that include any brand beer? And I am getting the premium package. Do either of those drink packages cover the drink of the day special?

First time cruiser and passport holder here!  Do you take your passport when you go on shore excursions in Bahamas, St Maarten and St Thomas? If you do, how do you keep them safe from other people and dry while you're in the water? And If you don't take them with you, suppose you miss the boat without your passport on you? And the very big question, will I get my first passport stamp at one of these locations? :-D

Fabulous pictures! Thanks!! :D

Thank you! Is it nice?

First cruiser here going to St Maarten, is there beach access without having to sign up and pay and stand in line waiting for a tour? I've signed up for that in Bahamas and St Thomas. Can I stroll off the boat in St Maarten and find a beautiful beach on my own without having to go in a large group for a designated time etc? I'd like more freedom on St Maarten but don't want to miss a beach experience.

I just got a letter from the RC saying I could not get the upcoming discount for my paid up cruise because it was beyond the final payment date. Of course it didn't go on sale until after that final date. My first cruise so I will be more careful about pricing if I cruise again.

Thanks!

New cruiser--We signed up and paid for a Chef's table on our upcoming cruise. It mentioned there is wine with various courses. Is that part of what I paid for upfront.

We are going to be doing Chef's Table on Oasis for first time. Is the wine included in the price I already paid or is it extra? (first time cruiser here)

Thank you... I was guessing that but could not confirm!

My first cruise is approaching on the Oasis and I wondered if I can check my bill daily in my room so I can make sure I know what I'm spending?